Easter Bunnies & Playdates!

On Wed., March 21st I must brag a bit as my teachers were so proud of me that I helped pick up toys without asking through out the entire day!  I think Dad & Mom were pretty proud too.  On March 22nd we continued our circus theme week and made a funny clown pictures with crazy hair.  I got to pick apart the hair & glue it on all by myself.  Here's my master piece however I think my very own painted clown face is way cuter!

Hudson had a good rest of the week at daycare too.  He's really starting to smile and become engaged with his teachers and fellow Sweet Peas and is really starting to interact with the play gyms and toys in his room.  He gets pretty excited when he gets them flying!

Our weekend was one filled of play dates!  On Friday, March 23rd we had the Hansen's & the Oswald's over for dinner & play dates.  I had a blast running around with Ava & Addison.  On Sat., March 24th we met Ava & Anna at the park in Frost and had a blast running around, going on the slides again & again, the swings, etc.  I love going to the park!  On Sunday, March 25th in addition to celebrating Hudson's 4 month birthday we also had a play date with the Grunden's and met the Easter bunnies!  After church and a good, long nap we went to Mankato to have our pictures taken with the Easter bunnies at Drummer's Garden Center.  I loved getting to play with the bunnies and petting them.  They were so soft and so well behaved.  Hudson didn't mind them much either.  Here's some of our pictures:

Below I'm showing Mom how I can pet the bunny really gently.

Uh, oh!  Loosing the bunny...

Finally both looking at the camera.

Hudson wasn't too sure of this bunny...

Pretty handsome boys!

We had a pretty plain week at daycare this week.  On Monday, March 26th we began our spring/Easter unit as well as learned Mary Had a Little Lamb.  We even made lambs:

On Tues., March 27th we learned about bunnies and even got my nose painted pink like a bunny!  My favorite part was making and wearing my bunny hat; when I wake up and when I get home it's the first thing I run to & put it on!

On March 28th I impressed my teachers by playing babies with my friend Shea.  Of course my baby was "baby Hudson" and I patted his back and even laid him down to sleep.  Before I wouldn't even acknowledge the babies so this is a big brother step!  We did a lot of finger painting this week and/or painting with different objects like string, glitter, brushes, etc to see what kind of design each would make.  Here's some of my artwork:

By today, Friday, March 30th I was ready for the weekend & some family fun!  This morning I had a special treat and got to hang out with Grandma Judy while Mom took Hudson to his 4 mth check-up.  It was the first time I hung out at her new home and I had a blast exploring and running all over.  Hudson's appointment went well and he was very brave during his shots Mom said.  The most amazing thing is he's already 18 lb. 15 oz. and over 26 inches long!  No wonder he's in 9 month clothing now and off the charts of 100%.  What a growing boy.  Coming up, some family visits this weekend; can't wait!

Hudson 4 mths old!

Today Hudson is 4 months old and how he has changed this past month.  Here are some of his exciting firsts, changes, experiences, etc.:

• Had first illness, RSV and then pneumonia, in which resulted in first hospital stay Feb. 29 through March 5, 2012.  Also means had first recovery & doing great now!
• Between the end of Feb. & first week of March found his hands and has begun to reach out and grasp items and bring them up to his mouth/face to inspect.  Loves to explore.
• On March 6th had first giggle and this month found out he's ticklish!  Is really starting to laugh out loud, squeal with delight and "talk" to us.  Has mastered saying, "ah-goo" and other vowel-consonant sounds.
• Brother Hayden has really started to become a care giver helping out with baths, burping and is always making sure "baby Hudson" has his blankie, pacifier, bottle, etc.  Very attentive!
• 1st St. Patty's Day in which wore green of course.
• 1st time rolled over from tummy to back on Tues., March 20th.
• Has begun to bear weight on legs for very short spurts of time but then wants to do it again and again.  Loves to bounce and loves to be placed high in the air.
• Is getting better at sitting up & holding head steady especially with assistance of his Boomba like in the below picture:

Happy 4 month birthday Hudson!

Hudson Rolled Over!

Big news today; Hudson rolled over!  He must not have been liking tummy time as each time we placed him on his tummy he would flip right over!  We tried catching it on video but by the time we got the camera he was all tired out...next time.  Here he is just before the big roll...

And he made it!  Way to go Hudson!

Today in daycare we got to paint clown faces again.  We even painted clown pictures in which we got to use circus stickers with that we hung up in the hallway to show off!  Wonder if we'll get done up tomorrow too!?!

Checking out my hands!

This morning after church Hudson really focused for long periods of time on his hands.  He discovered his hands a few weeks ago however was really interested in them today.  Here's him practicing grasping as well as checking out his right hand.

After nap on Sunday Dad & Mom gave me my first haircut at home and this time I did great!  We did it outside which I loved and I even got to sit on my tractor trike during my haircut.  Afterwards Dad and I went to the shop and I got to ride in 4 different tractors!  I had such an AWESOME afternoon.

On Monday, March 19th we began our fun themed circus week.  My friends and I even got our faces painted!  We also colored pictures of clowns and had circus snacks.  Coming up next week we're going to learn about bunnies and continue learning about the color green & rectangles.  I'm not sure what has been more fun this month so far Hat Week (3-5 to 3-9) where we wore all sorts of hats from firefighters to cowboy to construction workers or now circus.  Here's my little clown face that I surprised Mom with at pick-up:

 

Hudson had a great day too and was very attentive checking out all the noises around him.  Every noise he heard, even when eating, he'd quick turn his head.  He's growing & changing each day. 

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today we celebrated our Irish heritage by wearing green, having Irish themed food and enjoying the amazing weather outside.  We even had snack / bottle time outside too!  Here's my little brother the leprechaun!

He even tried on my hat; love my leprechaun ears!

Here I am in my hat although I wouldn't smile when I had my St. Patty's Day shirt on of course!

Mom and I made a couple of batches of sugar cookies on Friday and Saturday so we had a special treat after dinner on Saturday night. 

Notice I had to change into my ISU jersey to cheer on our boy's basketball team.  Unfortunately they couldn't pull through but what a journey!  Here's us boys watching the game - Go Cyclones!

We had an uneventful week which was great after the past few crazy weeks of illness.  This week at daycare we learned all about the color green and shamrocks.  On Monday the 12th we had a surprise "green" grab bag which we found all sorts of Irish themed items in like shamrocks & leprechauns!  On Tuesday the 13th we got to use a really cool paint container that when we shook it the balls inside painted the paper.  Here's my masterpiece:

Also on Tuesday Hudson had his follow-up appointment and the doctor said his lungs are 100% again!  We are so happy my baby brother is healthy again.  He's been enjoying daycare his week practicing peek-a-boo and loves looking in the mirror at the baby staring back at him!

On Thursday the 15th Miss Tracy dressed up as a clown to pump us up for circus week next week.  I can't wait!  We also got to paint using easels today and here's my work of art:

On Friday, March 16th Hudson was finally able to take his 3 month pictures so can't wait to show them off.  That night Mom & Dad went out with friends so we had some quality time with Grandpa & Grandma.  So far such a fun weekend.  Hope you had an awesome St. Patty's Day too!

3 Months Old!

With Hudson finally feeling well we are now able to take his 3 month photos!  Here's Happy Hudson in his 3 months suit:

He just keeps growing.  He did lose a little weight during his illness however still ahead of the curve.  At 3 months Hudson is 17 lb. 5 oz and over 2 ft. 1 inches long!  He's wearing 6 to 9 month clothing and is now in size 3 diapers! 

Some of the fun things Hudson now does and/or events of the past month:

• Nursing 5 to 6 times a day usually 4 to 6 oz at a time.  Mom started back to work on Feb. 20th and he's doing great with the bottle and feedings from others.
• When he's on his stomach can lift head a full 90 degrees and holds steady to look around.  He is able to look around 180 degrees and follow objects and sounds.  Knows Dad, Mom & Hayden's voices.
• Beginning to grasp and reach out with hands; discovered hands this month and really enjoys looking & inspecting them.  When reaching out as we practice grasping he usually goes with his Right hand.  May be an indication for later!?!
• He's starting to bear weight on legs when held upright for just a second or two.  Beginning to "bounce" with legs when held upright too.
• Loves to connect with faces and talk saying "ah-goo" or similar vowel/consonant sounds.
• Loves to smile and even smiles when he sleeps.  We think he's having excellent dreams.
• This past month had on-set of first illness, first vacation to Chicago, IL, first taxi & bus rides, first day of daycare, he found his hands, first trip to Mom's hometowns Waterloo & Jesup, IA, and had first over nights away from home. 

My how he's growing & changing.  I just love my little brother!

We started to return to our normal schedule a little bit this week.  I had a great week at daycare getting to play with all sorts of transportation toys!  It was rather hard for me to share but all on my own I would give a train or car to one of my friends and made my teachers proud.  On Wed., March 7th I really enjoyed the train table and today, March 8th I enjoyed the car ramp!  This week our unit was on hats and this month we plan to shamrocks the week of the 12th, circus the week of the 19th, bunnies the week of the 26th and our monthly color is green, shape is rectangle and nursery rhyme is "Mary Had A Little Lamb".  I'm slowly getting my colors and surprised Dad & Mom with knowing orange today!

Hudson also tried daycare again these past two days and did great.  Still sleeping a lot as working his way to 100% but he's starting to eat more and get back on track.  He's almost done with his nebulizer treatments and everyone is excited to see his normal smiley self again.  Dad & Mom were proud of me as tonight I helped Hudson with his bath.  I was real gentle and did great.  We had a lot of fun splashing together!

A Homecoming for Hudson!

Our family had the best day today because Hudson came home!  After the doctor met with Hudson this morning she felt that his lungs were clear enough to come home.  We will still have to monitor him closely and do at home treatments the next couple of days but he's home!  Mom & Dad brought him home this afternoon and so far he's doing really well.  He's slowly eating more and more regularly and his at home treatments have been going well too.  We had such an excellent night being a family again!  Welcome home Hudson!

Here's Dad & Mom loading Hudson up to come home; so happy & excited! 

In addition to enjoying having my brother home I also enjoyed playing with the BIG wooden blocks at daycare building towers and knocking them down.  We even painted today which I also really enjoyed.  Here's my masterpiece:

Also, thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes for Hudson & our family.  We are blessed with such amazing family & friends.  So glad to have him home!

Hospital Update

Unforunately Hudson is still in the hosptial.  On Sat., March 3rd they were finally able to take him off of oxygen in the afternoon however he had to go back on by early evening.  The doctor said until he's able to be off of oxygen completey and until his lungs no longer sound wet and crackly he will have to stay.  I did get to see Mom on Saturday though.  Dad stayed with Hudson while Mom & I spent the afternoon together which was great!  We played trains & airplanes and I impressed her with my flying ability and sound effects!  While I was with Mom Hudson had visitors!  Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard stopped to see him Saturday night while Dad was there and he perked right up.

Today they tried to take Hudson off of oxygen again however within an hour he had to go back on.  By late morning the doctor said it should be only one more night as he's finally starting to cough & break up all the stuff in his lungs which they are now sounding more clear!  Getting closer to going home!  The nurses gave Mom a break and Dad & I met her for dinner at Perkins.  I had a blast sitting in a big boy booster and even got cheese cake!  I loved the whipped cream.  Hopefully we'll have homecoming news for you tomorrow.

Hudson in the Hospital...

On Monday, Feb. 27th I got to have one more day of rest at Grandma Judy's house while Mom worked from home & took Hudson to the doctor.  Sure enough Hudson tested positive for RSV too.  Hudson was starting to eat less but his oxygen levels and vitals still looked good so they sent him home thinking he would get through it within a couple of days.  On Tues., Feb. 28th I went to daycare and it was good to be back.  I was a ball of energy and running everywhere!  I even got to be the Engineer for our train and helped the train go on the track.  I even helped give it sound effects!  I got to bring our February newsletter home too which told Dad & Mom about how we've been learning all about the colors pink & purple this month, "This Little Piggy", Dental Health and the 5 senses.  Coming up in March we will be looking at the color green, rectangles, "Mary Had A Little Lamb", lions/lambs and hats.  Sounds like it will be a fun, busy month!  I finally got to bring home one of my Valentine's Day projects from the month and I must say I'm getting quite good at gluing:

Hudson again stayed home with Mom on the 28th as he continued to have a low grade temp on & off and the doctor decided to see them again on Wednesday.  Poor little brother.

On Wednesday, Feb. 29th I got to play with purple playdough at daycare and loved it.  We also made a sheep today however got a little too much glue on my fingers and hated that!  While I was at daycare Mom took Hudson back to the doctor to get checked out. His fever came back and his oxygen levels were really low.  He's continued to eat less and less and after x-rays, blood work and having a few doctors look at him they admitted him to the hospital for an overnight stay as he's now developed pneumonia.  Dad took supplies to Mom & Hudson and stayed overnight with them while I had a slumber party at Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard's house.  I had fun playing tractors and even when Grandpa tried to relax on the coach I reminded him that tractors were more important and pulled him back to play!

By the next morning on Thurs., March 1st Hudson was on the right support treatment with oxygen, nebulizers, steroids and oral antibiotics.  So far he's been responding really well to treatments however his body has continued to need the oxygen support and until he can be on his own they said he needed to stay in the hospital.  So Dad left to get me and have dude night at home while Mom stayed with Hudson.  A bright note of the day was our good friend Anna Oswald brought Mom & Dad lunch and some goodies along with the cutest Tigger for Hudson.  We are so blessed to have such generous people in our lives.  On March 1st I spent my day busy at daycare although I've been asking about the baby and Mama and today we made a weather chart.  For good days we use lambs and for icky weather we use lions (*roar like the wind).  Can't wait to show you the results.

Today, Friday, March 2nd they tried again to take him off the oxygen however unfortunately his little body isn't quite ready.   They want his levels to be in the 90's and he's still in low 80's without it.  The new hope is he'll be able to come home tomorrow or by Sunday so we'll just wait to see when he's ready.  We're in the best place we can be giving him all we can so hopefully he'll be home soon!  A highlight of today was Great Grandma Betty & Grandpa Albert stopped by for a visit.  It was so thoughtful to stop in and give their love.  Here's Hudson hooked up to his oxygen and monitoring systems.  The best part is with all the treatments he's finally able to really sleep.  At home he was pretty restless so it's nice to see him sleep soundly.

Our poor little man:

With the help of the oxygen & medicines he's perked up a bit and even smiling, playing a little and starting to eat!  Here he is playing peek-a-boo with Mom.  He's really starting to find his hands and use them more and more.  Surprisingly he hasn't found the tubing for the oxygen to pull out yet!

With the nebulizer & steroid treatments he's even starting to flirt with the nurses.  Here he is smiling it up with Dana and getting a treatment & lung check.

Today, March 2nd, I played with Grandma Judy and really enjoyed hanging out at the shop.  Every time one of our trucks came in the guys would even honk the horns for me!  Grandma said it was pretty cute of me that when we were looking at pictures I would point to Hudson & Mom and say, "Hudson" & "Mama" and look a little teary-eyed.  I do love them bunches!  Mom is again staying with Hudson at the hospital tonight and after Dad left the hospital again he came and got me so we could enjoy another dude night.  I can't wait until we're all home enjoying family night!  We hope for a homecoming soon & thank you everyone for your thoughts & prayers.  We truly appreciate it!