Swim Lessons

Throughout the summer Hudson took swimming lessons.  He loved it!  He started the summer not being able to do anything.  After three 2-week sessions he is now swimming like a champ!  He passed 5 levels going from a Lil Guppy to a Lil Piranha (or Pie-rah-nya as Hudson likes to say).  He can now do backstroke and freestyle with a bit of side breathing.  He was learning how to do frog kicks (breaststroke) and dolphin kicks (butterfly) when we ended.  We're so proud of him!  He can't wait for next summer to do more!  And Cooper is looking forward to being 3 so that he can join in!

It was interesting watching Hudson do these lessons.  He struggled through a lot of it.  There were many days that he fought back tears as he was learning something new.  The poor kid inherited his mommy's perfectionism.  He doesn't like change and he doesn't like doing things that he can't do well.  That's a tough combo when you're learning how to do something new.  Most of the summer he was the only kid in the water with his instructor.  We signed him up for group lessons which meant up to 4 kids with one teacher, but usually Hudson was the only one who showed up.  This meant non-stop swimming for 30 minutes.  It was great!  He learned a lot in a short amount of time!  But it was also hard work for Hudson and he didn't get any goofing off time while waiting for his turn.  He is a determined little kid, though.  He powered through and had a great time!

Hudson swimming with his instructor Mr. Alex

On the last day of each session they have a fun day where they get to do the diving board and rope swing!
The first time they actually had to drop him in because he was so scared.  The next time he did it over and over all by himself! :)

Swinging like Tarzan!  Way to Go Hud!

The Duck Puddle

We used to live down the street from a pond.  But 300+ days without significant rainfall has left it looking more like a giant puddle.

Remember the time it turned into a lake?

These were taken in May 2010 ...

 For about a month now, every time we drove past the duck pond I would remark how bad it had gotten and that I really needed to go take pictures of it.  This morning Hudson said, "Let's go take duck pictures" and he wanted to bring his own camera.  I love it! :)

Here he is getting some shots of the duck pond!  

And making sure he got a good one ...

Poor Tooper

Poor "Tooper" - bonked his "torehead" on the "coppee table"

The boys love to watch the show Wipe Out and after they finish watching it, they like to play it.  They pull all the couch cushions off and bounce around making different obstacle courses.  This time it ended badly.  Cooper jumped and landed with his forehead on the coffee table.  It could've been much worse considering all the sharp edges in our living room.  Thankfully it was the table with no corners.  There was still lots of blood and lots of crying.  It was after hours (of course) and it wasn't bad enough to warrant a trip to the ER.  So we did our best with butterfly bandages and a Toy Story bandaid.  He's all better now and his forehead looks fine.  So far we've been 2 for 2 on 2 year olds gashing their heads.  When Hudson was two he needed stitches on a gash near his eyebrow.  I think Garrett might need to wear a helmet while he's 2! ;)

4 Months

Garrett is 4 months old already!  I can't believe how fast it is flying by!  He's such a good little baby, content to just go along with whatever we're doing.  He's smiling and laughing and enjoying all of the attention he receives from his older brothers.  He's rolling over both ways and he got his first tooth this week!  He hates a pacifier, but instead loves to suck on his fingers.  He's still taste testing all of them to figure out which ones are the best.  Really, he likes as many as possible crammed into his mouth and will often add a few toes in too!  I think he's going to settle for his two middle fingers.  I really need to get a picture of it.  It's the cutest thing!  Here's some of the latest pictures of him ...

lounging by the pool

This isn't the best picture but I just had to show those eyebrows - always so expressive!

Playing Don't Break the Ice with his brothers

Going to sleep - It's always this pose.  One hand up by his head, the other in his mouth.

It looks like he's got his thumb but it's actually his pointer finger.  He doesn't seem to care about his thumb.

Sweet little boy

The big boys asked to be in the picture! Love their cheesy grins and closed eyes! :)

Garrett loves playing in the exersaucer!  I think he likes being able to stand and see everyone!

practicing sitting

"Look what I can do!"

Such a good big brother!  Hudson is always quick to attend to Garrett if he's crying.  He loves to talk to him and sing to him.  Garrett recognizes him and will usually smile when Hudson comes around. :)

He's a good baby but we do see this face at times!  He hates being left alone, especially flat on his back!