Twin Cities Vacation!

We finished this week at daycare strong with lots of outdoor play & practicing our new skills.  On May 23rd & 24th Hudson practiced sitting up and looking around objects such as a butterfly & a kite!  On the 23rd I enjoyed playing with trucks & cars inside and loved riding trikes outside.  On the 24th I had a great time hopping & running over bubble wrap!  I loved the popcorn popping sounds.  The 24th was extra special because Cousin Hannah was at Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard's so she & Grandma Judy picked me up early (*or as Dad says broke me out of the pen) for a play date.  I had so much fun and playing with Hannah was my favorite part of my week.

On Friday, May 25th we spent the morning in Fairmont for Hudson's 6 month check-up and had fun playing outside in the afternoon at home.  After a quick dinner we all went to a graduation open house where I got to see Hannah again and even got some cake.  Well, I mostly just ate the frosting.  We hurried home to pack and get ready for our big weekend in the Twin Cities.  On Sat., May 26th after breakfast we loaded the Enclave and headed North to the Twin Cities for a Memorial Weekend Family Vacation (*our first one with Hudson!).  We started off by going to Como Zoo & Como Town which were amazing.  I loved all the animals however my favorites were the seals, giraffes, lions and bears.  I learned about some new animals though like the bison and the flamingo.  Here's me checking out Sparky the seal before his big show.  I loved watching him and just giggled & clapped my hands every time he came by.  We even got within a foot of him in the indoor enclosure which I was in total amazement of.

Hudson slept through most of the zoo but here's Hudson and I with one of the 16 foot giraffes!

Hudson woke up just in time to see Sparky the seal's show which was so much fun.  The show got a little delayed because it started to rain but even with the rain we had a great time.  Due to the weather the zoo was less crowded so worked out better for us!

I loved this turtle and had to sit on him at the beginning of our trip and at the end!  Just my size.

Although Hudson was too little to ride with me we all loved looking at the old, wooden carousel.  Here's Hudson and Daddy:

I was big enough to ride so here's Mommy & I enjoying the ride:

Next we enjoyed Como Town where we got to enjoy some rides.  I loved the train and the fire truck rides the best.  Here I am playing conductor:

Here I am trying on a life size fireman boots...need to do a little growing yet.

Hudson got to go on one ride, the tea cups.  I thought the spinning was fun at first but soon decided we'd just sit and enjoy going around.  Pretty fun!

Afterwards we headed to our hotel, the Water Park of America which of course had a water park...actually America's largest indoor water park.  We had a great room which even had bunk beds where I got to sleep.  Although the bunk beds were cool the best part was the actual park.  Dad & Mom had to be quick as they said I had no fear when it came to the water.  I even got away from Dad and went head first down one of the slides!  We had a blast going down the different slides, playing in the kiddie pool, riding the lazy river as a family and just splashing around.  Here's Dad & I coming down one of the slides at "Fort Snelling":

Hudson's favorite parts were bouncing in the water and/or bouncing on the waves on the lazy river.  He also loved sitting on the side of the pool where they had spray fountains that would change heights and he kept trying to grab them.  This was Hudson's first time in a pool and he did great!  Here's Mom, Hudson & I playing around in the kiddie pool:

After a big sleep, we were all tired out, the next day, Sun., May 27th, we started the day by going to the Minnesota Children's Museum.  This was Hudson & Dad's first time and I was excited to show them around.  Our visit started off a bit rough as I got my fingers pinched in the elevator door however after some ice I was ready to go.  We enjoyed story time in which our reader was very animated and really got us all into the actions of the story and afterwards did parachute time which I got to run underneath it and even put ping pong balls in the center & lift them up into the air!  What a fun time; here's Dad & I enjoying the story:

Then we started to explore everything.  This year some of the bigger kid stuff I really enjoyed like using the crane with Daddy to load a truck.

I also loved the water table areas and really enjoyed using the water currents and tubes to push ping pong balls around and seeing where they would end up.

They just opened the Curious George exhibit and I was SO excited to see George.  When I saw him I ran right up to him to give him a big hug!  I loved the rocket ship slide, the market area and playing on the phone in the Man with the Yellow Hat's office.  Such a fun exhibit and just perfect for my age.

Hudson again slept through most of it as during his morning nap time so Daddy had a bit of fun with him and put some of our stickers on Hudson's!  Can you see a paw print on his forehead?  Poor guy!

After the museum & lunch we did some car seat shopping for Hudson & then headed back to the hotel for nap time.  We had to wait a bit as our room was being finished so Hudson & I had our first time in an arcade!  There were a couple of toddler type games I had fun playing with Mom and we even did ski ball.  I even got 200K points or 20 tickets!  My favorite was riding a motorcycle with Dad as you can see here.  At first I got to ride it by myself but then Dad hopped on to help me get around.  I did pretty good for my first time!  With my tickets I got some car stickers and a Nerf rocket.

After a BIG nap we spent the rest of the night at the water park and closed it down!  I was sad to go but very ready for bed.  We all slept hard and when we had to get up to go home today I was really, really sad.  I even cried a bit as we past the park's entrance on our way out to the car!  We had an easy drive home and I helped Dad & Mom play "I spy"...mostly for transportation or farm related equipment.  We stopped a couple of times on the way home to break-up the drive and once home got to play outside in my sandbox before lunch/nap.  It was good to see Kato again, especially since today's his birthday.  Yep, Kato is now 7 years old!  Happy Birthday Kato!  We gave him some fun treats and a bone to celebrate.  After nap we headed to Oswald's for a Memorial BBQ.  I had a blast playing with all the kids and loved getting to ride Ava's bike.  By the time we got home for the night we were all pretty wore out.  What a fun first family vacation; I wish we could do all this fun stuff every weekend!

Hudson 6 months old!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Hudson!  Today Hudson is 6 months old and how he's changed over the past six months.  Here are some of the fun things Hudson's been up to this past month:

• Today, Nov. 25th Hudson had his 6 month check-up with Dr. Morris.  Overall he's very healthy and doing well.  He was 21.5 lbs., 27 1/2 inches long and his head was 18.  He's still holding in the 92 to 97%.  Poor guy had to get 3 shots at the visit too however no shots at our upcoming 9 month check-up; yeah!
• This past month Hudson and I have been "talking" to each other in the car; I even tell Hudson to look at something and/or Mom and I point out what we see to him.  Pretty cute when he answers back.
• Had 1st May Day, 1st time wore shorts on Fri., May 4th, first time to Sioux Falls, SD May 4th & 5th, first circus on May 10th, 1st Mother's Day May 13th and 1st time in crib on May 20th!
• Has been eating larger portions of 6 to 8 oz (*even 9 oz once) per serving either 4 or 5 times per day.  Has switched from the slow bottle nipples to the medium flow ones and is doing well.  Is still only nursing and up next cereal!
• Is sitting, as you can see from the picture, with support and for a second or two without.
• Has really found his feet and is getting closer to rolling from back to tummy.  Still rolling tummy to back and has begun to pivot on tummy to reach out and grab toys.  Even raises self from tummy to forearms and holds the position for awhile.  Very strong little guy!
• Has begun to really use hands and can even pass a toy from one hand to another.  Began to do this more consistently the week of May 19th.
• Can really bear weight on legs and loves to stand and use the saucer or jumper.
• Still objects if you take toys away and can really hold on.  Has begun to object if he's in a position or doing something he doesn't like. 
• Overall a very happy little man who is always ready to smile and loves to giggle.  So blessed to have him in our lives.  We love you Hudson!

Potty Hat-trick!

On Friday, May 18th we went to daycare instead of staying at home with Mom (*she had to work!) but we each had a fun day and our class got to spend a lot of it outside as the weather was beautiful.  Before daycare I went potty when I got up & surprised Mom!  I continued to try at daycare but not the same success.  The rest of the weekend we enjoyed being at home & being outside.  I even got to help Mom plant flowers, herbs and strawberry plants!  I can't wait to eat them.  We also put our swing set back together and got out all our sandbox toys.  So excited for summer to be here!  We got an extra special treat Saturday night as Grandma & Grandpa offered Mom & Dad a quick date night so we got to hang out at their house for awhile.  I had a ton of fun and talked all about it on Sunday.

On Monday, May 21st I continued my potty trend of being dry through nap & then going when I get up and success!  Today, May 22nd I was dry from 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and went potty three times - a potty hat-trick!  I went at 9:26 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 2:43 p.m. - all major successes!  Dad & Mom are so proud of me and so our my teachers.  With my BIG success today I even got to call Mom to tell her with Ms. Linda (*I also told her about the truck I saw outside during out door play!).  The best part was I got to put more stickers on my potty chart.  Today we put Cars 2 & Mickey stickers on it.  I was pretty pumped up.  I'll keep trying and keep you posted.  Wish me potty luck!

Hudson's 1st Night in Crib!

On Sat., May 19th Hudson spent the first time in his crib in his own room!  Up until now he's been in his mobile crib in Mom & Dad's room however he is quickly out growing it.  He transitioned really well and only woke up a couple of times for comforting.  He went down about 10:15 p.m. (*after we got home from Grandma & Grandpa's house from Dad & Mom's date night) and slept in until 7:05 a.m.  He did great!  Here's Hudson when he first went down:

Here he is the next morning.  He is awake however you can't tell because he kept his eyes shut from when he "woke up" until he was done eating!  He's wearing Dad's favorite P.J.'s which have little doggies for feet and even a dog's face on his bum!  Sweet dreams in your big boy crib!

Potty Progress!

On Tues., May 15th we had an awesome time outside and got to pick dandelions to use in a beautiful painting project of yellow & white dandelions dancing in a field!  Turned out pretty cool & can't wait to bring home to show you.  On Wed., the 16th I got praised at daycare for sitting so well at story time and got to help use the watering can!  The biggest & best news of the week is my potty progress.  As you know on May 8th I went potty for the first time like a big kid.  I had practiced a lot before & continue to do so and yesterday and today I went again!  Yep, after nap both days I woke up dry so I sat, tried and went!  Ms. Linda is pretty proud of me and each time I go I get to call Mom to tell her "I potty, I potty!" and I get a sticker on my potty chart.  I'll keep practicing and I'll keep you posted.  Love, Hayden

Happy Mother's Day!

On Fri., May 11th we had a big day!  We met our good friend Addison & her Mom at ECFE for Fabulous Friday (*last one we could attend for the year; kinda sad) and then we went to the park for mid-morning snack & lots of play time.  It was a beautiful day and had so much fun; especially because we were the only ones at the park!  At ECFE we got to paint with big and small marshmallows; here's my awesome masterpiece:

After lunch/nap we got to go on two tractor rides!  First we rode with Grandpa to help him plant beans (*this was Hudson's first time with Grandpa & first time planting beans).  Here we are: 

Daddy wasn't too far away so we went and rode a couple of rounds with him too! 

Afterwards we ran some errands with Mom & we even got to have date night by going out to eat!  The best part was since I ate so well I got to have ice cream.  What a special day.  On Sat., May 12th we were home most of the day enjoying the amazing weather and in the afternoon went summer clothes shopping.  Hudson and I each got shorts which we can't wait to wear.

On Sunday, May 13th we celebrated Mother's Day by having a special day of church, visiting Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard with Uncle Kyle, Auntie Jenni & Cousin Hannah and just hanging out at home with Mom.  Here's our happy family & Mom's first Mother's Day with two boys!

Being the 13th of May it was also my half birthday which Mom made me my very own cake (*I even picked out the flavor & frosting color - blue!).  Here I am blowing out my candles and notice Mom even cut one of my candles in half.  Pretty funny.  I blew out all the candles by myself! 

We had lots of cousin fun especially tickling & hugging up Hudson!

To treat Mom us men gave Mom flowers & some pots for outside and I even made my own pot & planted her a flower at daycare as you can see below.  I also made her a special magnet & picture.  I think she got teary-eyed.  Oh, Mom! 

Hudson made Mom flowers too but with his feet & hands.  Pretty special:

Mom said she had an awesome day and couldn't be more blessed.  Today at daycare Hudson & his friend Bennett appeared to be having a very deep discussion during tummy time and I enjoyed being outside in the 80 degree weather as well as making white clouds with shaving cream.  We got good & messy!  Starting off to be a fun filled week.  Hope you had a very Happy Mother's Day too!

Jose Cole Circus!

On Thurs., May 10th Mom & Grandma Judy picked us up from daycare to take us to Jose Cole Circus in Fairmont!  We went out for dinner first and I told them all about my day how we listened to the story Little White Duck and then pretended to be ducks and swam all around the room!  Hudson told us all about his tummy time and getting to hang out with Ms. Amber.  Then it was time for the big show.  Here we are as the Ringmaster is about to start things off:

They started with a dog act which I really enjoyed and then there were clowns, the Lovely Irene who did tricks on a rope, a young man who did tricks with fire, dancers and a ton more.  What a fun night to start off our weekend.  I think Hudson really enjoyed his first circus and all the people watching.  Can't wait to go again.

Hayden Went Potty!

On Tuesday, May 2nd I surprised Mom & Dad with my first book called Hayden's Zoo!

The book features some of my favorite jungle animals and a very handsome Zoo Keeper - Me!  I have fun reading it to them and doing all the animal sounds.

Not sure if it will be a New York Time's best seller but Dad & Mom seemed pretty impressed.

On Thursday, May 3rd we continued our animal themed week and I got to paint a wonderful picture of a pink pig.  Not too bad, uh?!

On Fri., May 4th Hudson, Mom & I met our friend Addison & her Mom at ECFE Fabulous Friday and even went to the park afterwards.  After lunch we headed to Sioux Falls, SD for Uncle Jared and Aunt Ashley's graduation.  The trip out was a little scary as there were thunder storms and even tornadoes near by but we made it!  We got to wear shorts for the first time & sandals - welcome summer!  We got to play & have dinner at Granite City with family too.  On Sat., May 5th in the morning Mom took us to the Washington Pavilion to the Kirby Science Center (*Children's Museum) and we had a lot of fun exploring all four floors!  I really liked the toddler's room with slides & climbing equipment and a huge water table:

We also thought Stan the T-Rex was pretty cool.

I had a lot of fun in the space center wing getting to drive a shuttle, play with miniature rockets, and build my own spaceship.

We also had a lot of fun in the music wing which even had a floor piano like the movie "Big"; Mom tried to teach me chopsticks but it was more fun just to run up and down the keys.

After nap we had Jared & Ashley's graduation party which we had fun with family and Uncle Brian even took me gigging or frog catching.  The frogs were pretty cool.  What a fun weekend and we're so proud of Jared & Ashley - congrats!  Here Hudson & I are having laughs with Uncle Brian, Aunt Becky & Aunt Debbie.

On Sun., May 6th we were back home with Dad and after church & some crop checking spent the whole day playing at home.  Big news was Hudson is getting closer and closer to sitting up on his own and did so for a few second on Sunday.  Such a big guy!

This week at daycare is Little Sprout Mom's Week & we had lots of fun making surprises for Mom.  Our teachers even surprised us with having our Moms call in & leave us messages to listen too which I thought was pretty cool.  Monday & Tuesday we enjoyed the beautiful weather outside and did lots of painting and practicing writing our names.  I enjoyed mixing all the colors together to get brown:

Tuesday, May 8th I gave Mom an early Mother's Day present as I went potty for the first time!  I woke up from nap and was dry for the first time so I got to sit on the potty & went!  Ms. Linda even called Mom and then I got to get on the phone and tell her "I potty, I potty!!!".  Dad & Mom are so proud.  After a couple of months of discussing going potty and sitting on the potty several times I finally went - I must say I feel pretty accomplished.  I've been practicing ever since and hope for more success soon.

Today, Wed., May 9th Hudson really found his feet.  He loves to grab them and roll around on his back; almost rolling over from back to tummy now.  Should be soon.  I had fun making a bunny at daycare today and we even glued a tall on him.  Continued the Mother's theme with learning baby animal names & their mothers.  Other units this month include Flowers/Seeds next week, then Bouncy Things and ending May with Caterpillars (*but I don't think they mean tractors).  We're also working on all shapes and Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Should be a fun month.

Hudson's 1st Time Planting!

On Thursday, April 26th Hudson & I surprised Mom by babbling to each other on the way to daycare!  We had fun talking and giggling to each other which was our first conversation.  At daycare I got to use scissors to practice cutting circles and Hudson enjoyed rolling over & over.  After daycare Mom took us to meet Daddy to plant corn & bring him dinner!  We got to use our new 90 foot planter and Hudson got his first tractor ride as well planted for the first time.  Here's us farmers:

Hudson even got to take the wheel with Daddy's supervision.

On Friday, April 27th we went to Mankato for my 6 month post-op appointment with my ENT to check my tubes.  Everything is still in place and looks good so all in the clear.  I go back again this fall so lets hope we continue with minimal or no ear infections!  After my appointment we got to play at the indoor playground because it was raining & even had fun with the train sets & books at Barnes & Noble.  The rained continued most of the weekend so we were stuck indoors but I got to try a new game called Memory and I'm getting really good at it!  Saturday night our cousin Deb was in town for a wedding so we had a slumber party & after church on Sunday all went out for brunch.  A great, relaxing weekend at home and the best part Hudson is back to 100%!

On Monday, April 30th we made whipped cream & butter at daycare by shaking it ourselves!  Although we poured salt instead of sugar into one batch & that wasn't so good.  Hudson had a fun day & got big eyes when he rolled over and found those big eyes staring back at him in front of the mirror which filled him with giggles!  Monday night we made May day treats & even tasted a few.  Today, Tuesday, May 1st we celebrated May Day by giving treats to Dad & his guys as well as our teachers.  Dad & Mom even gave each of us a book & I got my favorite, M&M's.  At daycare I got to color a tractor (*Dad didn't like that I colored it red) and even read tractor books.  We also got lots of May Day treats & even came home to a treat from Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard hanging on our door!  Hope you had a happy May Day too!