My Little Albert Einstein

Hudson can have some wild hair when he wakes up. Sort of "Albert-like" don't ya think??

He may not be developing any scientific experiments but this little Einstein is all about discovering these days... Our 16 month old baby is constantly on the move and is constantly learning, experiencing, trying, touching, pulling, grabbing, licking, climbing, falling, hugging, tripping, drooling...and almost any other "ing" verb you can think of! He is so fun.

I really have loved each stage of my nearly 8 years of being a Mom but this one that Hudson is in is really a special one for lots of reasons... (if you are just here for the pictures, scroll down, you will find some!)

I LOVE to watch the development of communication through sweet little word attempts, but also the grunts and the non-verbal pointing and expressions - amazing how they can get their point across! It seems like in all the grunting and pointing, all of a sudden a real "almost-word" comes out of his mouth. Everyone in the family has our ears tuned in - and we all celebrate and announce anything that sounds remotely like a real world. It is funny. His current vocabulary (that we understand at this point) includes: "da da", "hiiii", "hola", "ball", "more", "byebye", "hooray", "yay", "doo-dah, doo-dah", "nana" (for banana) and "ceewal" (or something similar to cereal). Hudson can be a noisy little critter - especially at the table.

He is all about creating a mess at his high chair - food is not so much about eating as it is about playing with. If left alone for a minute he has that plate of food on his head and is smearing its contents all around. Or stacking his bowl on top of his cup. He is crazy about wanting to hold utensils - has a special fondness for forks (but not the fun colored plastic ones) - oh no - he points and screams for the real fork. He loves to jab and stab his food. I have finally learned that the most effective way to get one away from his is to teach him to throw it in the sink - something about the combination of throwing and the noisy clang of metal that make it almost as fun as the dangerous poking motion. He LOVES to drip out the contents of his sippy cup and then either slurp it up like a dog or splash it all around.

It almost seems like a small miracle that Hudson has become a great sleeper, considering how he started out his first months of life. I never would have believed it - but he sleeps GREAT! I simply lay him down in his bed, sing him a little song, say prayers with him - he twirls his hair and goes to sleep. His hair twirling is so sweet because he used to twirl and play with mine before he had any :) Now, when he gets sleepy, he starts twirling his own. He still uses his paci at night (gasp!!) and when he is in his car seat (gaasssppp!) But he is right on track with how his older brothers were raised. I have taught him to "throw it away" when I lift him out of the crib - and he smiles and does it (again, that whole boy - throwing fun!) At times there is some reluctant hesitation, but he does it. He naps well and hard and long - some days twice but he is beginning to transition to just one. Sleeps from abotu 8pm to 7:30am and jumps up and down in his crib with a huge smile when we open the door to come see him (which is a daily fight with his big brothers - they want to get him immediately and I prefer to give him a little alone time)

The simplest things make him happy. Really. An empty milk jug and a few little game circles and he is entertained - walking around, picking them up and dumping them out. A tupperwear container and something to put into it and carry around. A plastic bag to drag behind him. A mini hockey stick and a ball. He loves to play!

My favorite thing right now is that he is really becoming aware of his affect on people. He LOVES to hug - and he will walk around with his arms wide open and hug anything and everything while making this sweet little "awwwwwwww" sound. He is sweet. I mean really, heart-breakingly, adorabley sweet. He pats my face or rubs my shoulder. He is so full of love and happiness. I know it sounds cliche - but I seriously cannot imagine my life or our family without him. He is my amazing gift and I am forever thankful for him.

the simple things = so much fun!

so sweet!

the beloved fork...

yayyy Hudson!

Hudson's Hide & Seeking

Hudson is all over the place these days. It is crazy.

The other evening I walked into the kitchen to find this:

I ran for the camera, holding in my laughter.

Within a few seconds, some re-shifting of position and I saw this:

Already quite an expert at this hide-and-seek thing. He stayed quiet. Until I called, "oh Hudson... where arrrreeeee you???"

He was so excited when he popped open the cupboard door.

Adorable!

My Own Soccer Team

It should be an obvious statement to think that boy #4 in a line of brothers will grow up to be fiesty and tough. He will have to hold his own... And he certainly has the advantage of older brothers showing him the ropes in athletics from an early age.

But I wasn't quite expecting this early... I came upon this scene at the park this past week. The guys are practicing up for soccer season...and Hudson is right in the mix. What a crew! Watch the video to the end where Hudson tries with all of his might to get to the Brednich team goal celebration...he isn't fast enough but he knows to clap!

My soccer team!! (everyone in Mexico would comment on us having so many kids we could form our own team....here we have it!!)

And when those little legs got too tired for running on that big field, he just practiced drills on the sidelines :)

As any little boy his age, Hudson's words are few...but "ball" is already certainly one of the understandable ones!

Go Hudson go - you are already a star but I have a feeling you may grow into a sports star too with all of this big brother coaching!

Mom vs. Reece

As the hockey season wrapped up, Coach Mike informed the parents of the Stallions' tradition to invite the parents to play against the kids in a fun game. The morning of the game, an email came through with the parents' roster - it was loaded with names - seemed like every kid had a parent to represent them. I know my kid and I know he would have been quite disappointed to have neither of his parents out there. My Canadian blood won me the right and the responsibility to get out there and show some spirit....even though it had literally been YEARS since I had skated.

If you know me, you know I am a pack rat. You see, you never know when you just might need something important from your past (ha!) So - I searched in a box or two and pulled out my high school hockey jersey that I wore to cheer on the Mustangs. Over 15 years later, the old thing finally was worn in a "real" game :)

A few moments before the real game, I had a few moments to warm up with Reece and even Chase. So much fun to skate with my guys...Chase dared me to a race and although he tripped over that darn blue line...he magically came in ahead!

I am SO glad I pushed myself because I had so so so much fun. My face was hurting because I was smiling so much. They set it up that every time your kids' line was on the ice, the parent would match up and go out there. Reece is so intense he would barely acknowledge that we were having fun together...until the moment I broke him down at center ice - we faced off against one another...I trash talked him a little, and I saw a slight chip in his armor and he revealed an ever so slight smile :) But only for a moment, then he put his game face back on! Reece scored a couple of goals and the kids won - of course :)

And for the record: there aren't anymore pictures than this because...I was on the ice. Enough said :)

Reece And the Stallions

Reece had a super great first season playing with the Louisville Stallions (mites division). We were really happy to see him have the opportunity to be on a team with kids his age and to be coached by some really good guys that instructed, encouraged, taught the game and its skills, but most importantly created a really FUN experience for the kids. We spent a lot of hours at the rink, cheering on our boy - and learned pretty quickly that it isn't hard to find Canadian friends if you hang out at a hockey rink :)

Reece's skills and confidence improved a lot in these 8 weeks...he scored enough goals to whet his appetite for competition and he was able to play both defense, center, and winger at different times. Reece listens to instructions and has intensity when he plays sports - two great things to combine! We LOVED watching him play and cheering him on. So proud of our boy.

Here are some of the seasons' best snapshots!

Chase: "Learn to Play Hockey" Lessons

So proud of our Chase. He participated in an 8 week "learn to play" class. He amazed us with how quickly you can learn a new skill... If you know Chase at all, you will understand that the boy isn't phased by much. He is strong and confident and was looking like this by the end of his sessions...

But...he started out spending little time on his skates...and much time with his body on the ice....

But no matter how many times he fell, he ALWAYS had a smile on his face.

He would get back up and try it again. His hard work and determination paid off and he is looking a whole lot more comfortable and confident on the ice now! So proud of you Chaser - go get em buddy!

He got a medal for finishing well! Way to go Chase!

Celebrating Pierce's 4th Birthday!

Piersen is now a big 4 year old. We finally celebrated! (...we postponed the party a whole week to let the uninvited stomach bug to leave our home)

The party theme is not hard to figure out - the pictures scream the fire engine theme :) We celebrated on site at the local fire department - even witnessing a real call - causing our almost finished tour of the trucks be interrupted so the firemen could speed on past us and zoom out the front door, sirens blazing. The kids were wide eyed. You couldn't ask for a more authentic experience (and thankfully, we later learned that everything was ok).

Pierce posing on the big ladder carrier fire engine.

The cake.

The personal "P" for our Pierce!

The fiery 4 cupcake.

The happy boy with his cake (makes the hours of

work so worthwhile when you get a smile like that!)

Vanilla cupcakes for the non-chocolate lovers (i.e. Reece)

Pierce was the first one invited to sit up

front and check out the view from way up there!

And the only one with the privilege of turning on

the lights and siren. Check out the video of his happy skip

and celebration - ha!

Reece and the fire chief's hemet.

Chase's turn.

Pierce could only hold it b/c the fireman told

us it was too heavy for little guys to safely try it on.

And Hudson didn't even care to wear the plastic one :)

Pierce & his pinata (which we are learning, are not made like

they are made in Mexico - the thing broke 2 and a half

kids in...rather disappointing...)

...but candy always soothes the soul!

"Happy birthday" and blowing out the fire!

Happy birthday Pierce!

Fellow fire-fighting friends!

 

At every birthday I am sure every parent feels and voices the expression, "I can't believe he/she is another year older" Without disappointment, that is how we feel about Pierce turning 4. Oh how he has grown and changed...and oh how he continues to bless and fill our home with joy, laughter, sweetness, and blessings. Pierce - we love you so much and absolutely love having you around. You bring life and laughter to each and every day - you are funny (and I really mean funny), and kind, and smart and caring. Thank you for being just exactly who you are. I wouldn't change a thing about you (except maybe how slow you eat, and how frequently you lose your shoes, and, and, and ....... just kidding!) For a long, long time Pierce has been adamant that he is not "little, but big" He declares this to anyone and everyone. But he and I have a deal made - a small secret. I have somehow convinced him that although he is now grown up and so so big I won't call him little, but that he will always and forever be "my little boy". Amazingly, he lets me say that to him and always nods his head like only Pierce can...and agrees that he's my little boy but he's not little :) May this 4th year of life be one of wonder, amazement and much growth. Happy birthday handsome boy. We love you Pierce!