Note to Hudson

Hudson,

You may ask me what you were like when you were just two.  I want to be able to give you the full details, so I figured I would share with you a little about our last two days.

I'll start with yesterday. You are normally obedient.  You just get really excited sometimes.  I am working on you holding my hand while in stores.  I took you in a drug store yesterday for a quick purchase.  You ran from me immediately and grabbed a piece of candy and a toy and hid behind something.  I had to drag you out.  It was humbling.  I know parents on the outside looking in probably think we don't discipline you.  To be honest, I am not sure I have ever walked in a store with you and bought you candy or a toy.  You didn't even want them.  You thought the candy was beads.  You just do stuff like this sometimes when you get excited.

We went to Dreamland last night.  You were so tired on the way home that you kept saying, "I go night night. I go night night." When we got home, we put you straight in the bed and handed you a paci.  You said, "No, the other paci."  So, we gave you the other paci, and you laid down and said, "Get out." We are working on teaching you that you aren't the boss.

You are obsessed with  keys, trash cans, and doors. I took you to Chick-fil-a this morning, and you threw my keys away.  One of the nice workers had to turn the trash can over and fish it from the bottom.  You locked me in a room twice today.  I had to crawl through the window and come back in through the front door both times. You are usually a great napper, but you have been in your crib for an hour screaming, "Go to Jack's house. Get up."

Needless to say, you make us work!  We are learning the best ways to shape, train, and discipline your busy personality.  I am grateful for you...my little boy that is so one track minded and in his own little world, but who still comes and hugs and kisses me 10 times a day.  We love you.

First Official Haircut

Will has always cut Hudson's hair in the bath.  He does a great job, but it is hard to keep everything even.  We finally decided to take him for a real cut...thanks to a free coupon from a friend.

I'll be honest, I was super nervous.  I just knew he would scream and go crazy.  I was wrong!  He was so sweet and still.  He sat in Will's's lap and ate his treat the whole time.

As we were leaving, he stuck his tongue out at one of the people working there.  Not sure where he learned that one!

Razzles

Mr. Patridge turned 30 on July 27th.  He celebrated with friends in Biloxi, so we had a family celebration a couple of days before.

Breakfast was the traditional: orange rolls and orange juice.  I am pretty sure Hudson thought it was his birthday.

Afterwards, we gave Will some garage time, and then headed to Green Valley Drugs for lunch.  This has been on our bucket list for some time!

Then, we dropped of the Huds and headed to The Dark Knight Rises and dinner at Petrucelli's.  

We had brownies when Will got back from his trip.

We love you, Daddy! 

Hudson-26 Months

You continue to change everyday.  As of right now, you are mainly obsessed with doors, keys, cars, chap stick, lawn mowers, jumping on the bed, and your uncles.  You love croutons, fruit snacks, smarties, and ice cream.  You will often request Chick-fil-a!  You love Elmo and nursery rhymes from You Tube.  You can count to ten and say your ABC's.  You love to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."  Your favorite book is "Potty Time."  On that note, you peed in the potty once and didn't tell us.  You can say your morning and evening prayers.  You think Clara is in your tummy.

We love you!

Grandmother and Nana

Will and I have sadly lost both our grandmothers in the past 3 months.

My grandmother, Mozelle Taylor, died this past April.  She was 92 years old, and one of my absolute favorite people.  She loved Jesus and had the most gentle and quiet spirits of anyone I know.  I'll never forget our final Christmas with her, and how Hudson wanted to show her every gift he received.

Will's nana, Becky George, died this past week.  She was 85 years old.  She too loved Jesus and was a joy to be around.  She was full of energy and the life of the party.  We got sweet time with her in her final days on this earth.  Will even got to sing "Amazing Grace" to her....which is something she had been begging him to do for years.

Both of them got to celebrate the arrival of our first child and watch him grow for two years.

Little Clara was in my tummy while we grieved the loss of both of them.  We can't wait to tell her about the legacy they leave behind.  They will be missed.

Celebrating Clara

A few of my family and friends got together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Clara!   My sweet friends are talented party decorators!

We had a tasty brunch.  The menu included cinnamon rolls, grape salad, and quiche.

The party guests included my mom, aunt, sisters, nieces, church, and college friends

.

Little Clara received diapers, wipes, diaper cream, pacis, and other necessities.  She got lots of little outfits and onsies.  Girl clothes are so cute!  It was quite a change from the world of dump trucks and puppy dogs. I can't wait to see her in all of her clothes!

4th of July Pictures

We had a fun 4th celebrating with friends.  Too bad we never take pictures of our friends.

Festive breakfast:

Waiting for parade with Jacob and Ryan:




Pool time with the Dover and Collins :

Dinner with the Bell family:

Water time:

Watermelon: