When we set the date for our beach vacation, we wanted to have it around Hudson’s birthday. We decided that instead of a big party with his friends, we’d have a fun family party while we were all at the beach. All of the grandparents would already be there, we could do presents, cake, and lots and lots of beach and pool time.

On the morning of Hudson’s birthday, we had the table at the beach house covered in presents from Todd and me, KK and Poppie, and RC and PC. We had also gone to Publix in Mt. Pleasant the night before to pick up a bunch of balloons for him, including a Toy Story balloon.

When Hudson woke up and came into the breakfast room, we were all singing “Happy Birthday” to him. He saw all of his “people,” all of his presents and there were candles to blow out in an Eggo waffle. Big fun!

He opened his presents and got some really fun things. This is the first year we’ve really done birthday presents for him, and it was fun watching him get into it.

He got a fun Melissa & Doug sandwich set, a bubble lawn mower, a Leap Pad, a doctor’s kit, and a really fun pop up tunnel and tent that he and Hayes can play in together!

I think his favorite “present” of the day was the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse card that played the theme song. He thought that was pretty great. And Hayes loved dancing along to the music.

We spent the day on the beach making sand castles and playing in the water. Todd, Poppie, and RC were all great about getting out in the ocean with Hudson to throw the football or just toss Hudson up in the air and catch him.

He was pretty exhausted when he got done playing. Exhausted and cold! This picture just makes me laugh.

During naps, I fixed bow tie fiesta because Hudson really does like it. He didn’t happen to eat it that night (surprise, surprise), but that’s the appetite of a preschooler. The day before his birthday, I ordered a dinosaur cake from Publix for him and it was just the greatest thing! This cake was pretty cheesy, but Hudson absolutely loved it. It had dinosaurs, trees, volcanos, and any other fun thing a boy that loves dinosaurs would like. Hudson flipped out and started screaming about how much he loves dinosaurs as soon as he saw the cake. And Publix cakes just taste the best!

It was a great day. A really great, low stress, fun day for all of us. And I know that our precious boy felt celebrated.

And just to prove that birthdays are not exempt from meltdowns, here is a picture from about five seconds before Hudson saw his birthday cake. Full meltdown mode.

On June 5, 2009, our precious John Matthew Hudson Carroll came into this world. After a very long day, he made his grand entrance.

I was induced at 39.5 weeks at 5:00 a.m. on June 4, 2009. After nearly 24 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing, our 9 pound, 6 ounce baby boy finally arrived at 4:39 a.m. on June 5. He was loud, he was pink, he was large, and he was perfect.

My life completely changed in that instant. He gave me the most important role I’d ever play. He has made me happier than I ever thought I could be. My heart’s ability to love a person that much completely shocked me that day. The love was instant. I looked at him and I remember saying, “I’m your mama. We’re going to have the best time.”  And we have.

We have had some hard times as I’ve learned that while that love can make me so happy, it can also make me very sad, incredibly worried, and even more frustrated.

Hudson is so smart. We’re pretty sure he has a photographic memory. His mind is a steel trap and he absorbs everything we tell him. He loves to answer questions and solve problems. He still loves numbers and counting and is now learning to write and trace his numbers. The same with his letters. He has completely learned all of his phonics and loves trying to spell words. He absolutely loves to learn.

He got a little watch for his birthday so we told him which wrist was his left wrist. Now he loves to tell us which item is on the right and which item is on the left. I’m so happy that he loves to learn.

Hudson is very sensitive and kind-hearted. He is shy at first, but when he warms up to people he can be very loud and rowdy. He loves to laugh and tries to make jokes all the time. He always asks if his friends are okay and wants to make sure everyone is doing well.

He still loves to climb up in a lap and just cuddle. He asks me to hold him and gets so excited when his parents or grandparents come into the room.

He loves dinosaurs, trains, cars, taxis, all animals, and music. He loves dancing. Every morning when Hudson wakes up, he just sings songs in his room. I love that he loves to sing! I’m hopeful that he’ll enjoy 3-year-old choir at church this year.

Hudson is very stubborn. Because he’s so smart, he knows what he wants and knows how to get out of doing what he’s asked. He has the hardest time not smiling when he’s trying so hard to be mad, though. As soon as we look at him he has to cover his face with his hands so we can’t see him smiling.

This sweet, wonderful boy has changed my life and I am so thankful for the sweet little light that he is. I pray every single day for his heart and his future.

Because of Hudson (and now Hayes, too), I have a much greater understanding of the sacrifice that God made for us when he sacrificed His Son for our salvation. I pray daily that Hudson comes to know Jesus on a personal level and accepts Him as his personal Savior. What a gift!

This age is so much fun. I’m sad when I look at Hudson and it’s harder to see the big baby cheeks and the chubby baby belly. He looks like a little boy instead of a toddler. And that’s okay. My memories are strong and I can only pray that time doesn’t speed up. But the days just fly by with these funny little boys.

I can only be thankful for every single day and to live each day as freely and happily as my carefree Hudson. I’m so excited to see what the next year brings!

Happy third birthday, Hudson! We love you so much!

*Don’t forget to enter the Erin Condren giveaway!

I’ve written a few times before about how much I love learning toys. I especially love the Melissa & Doug puzzles.

We usually buy things for Hudson before he is at the recommended age for the toy. I’ve heard some people advise against this, but I honestly don’t know why. He has learned all of his colors, shapes, letters and numbers — mostly because of these puzzles. We work on them with him and talk to him about the different puzzles and he remembers. These puzzles also really help his fine motor skills.

I ordered this states puzzle that’s a map of the United States. It’s a Melissa & Doug puzzle that I got on Zulily. When Hayes was born I had a stash of toys in the closet for Hudson. I had put together a little collection of new coloring books, sticker books, finger paint and this puzzle. I wanted to have some fun new things ready for him for the first couple of months after Hayes was born when I knew I’d be really busy and Hudson would probably be a little bored spending so much time at home.

So one day, I took a chance and gave him this puzzle. And after three weeks, he knew almost every single state. He has said them all at one point.

via

In this video, I have to help him with a couple. He gets a little confused and instead of Indiana, he says “Oh Suzanna.”  It’s his favorite song and they do kind of sound the same, right?

He also gets a little confused with all of the New England states. They’re so small and 2-3 states may share a puzzle piece.

(The video is more than 8 minutes long. I didn’t say he could do it in record time!)

I don’t think I could identify the states until the 3rd or 4th grade! And I still can’t place all of the northeastern United States in their correct spot. Whoops!

The recommended age for this puzzle is 5 years old, but now I know that a 27 month old can do it!

Today was my little Hud Bud’s first day of school. He is in the Twos class this year. TC and I went to a parent orientation and open house a couple nights ago at the school and then Hudson had his open house/orientation yesterday. He got to meet his classmates and his teacher and the moms got to hang out, too. He loved playing in the classroom and exploring.

I couldn’t get  him to sit on the steps in front of the house this morning for a picture. But he did stand there for me in his fun little school bus shirt! (And somehow my camera went to B&W mode- so frustrating!) Look at him this year compared to last year!

2011

2010 (my camera was taken over by the humidity that day)

My hope for him this year is that he’ll continue to grow and mature. I hope he’ll make good friends and learn to share and be a kind friend.

As I observe other kids, I’m beginning to see that most two-year-olds are just alike. All parents of toddlers struggle with the same things where kids are saying “no” all the time and “mine” when someone tries to play with their toy. It can be so embarrassing when you witness your child acting that way toward another child. But Hudson isn’t the first kid that has acted this way. I’m pretty sure another kid will give him the “MINE!” treatment a time or two!

We’ve had a long summer of hanging out at home and Hudson has really been such a patient little boy. Even though he’s Hayes’s big brother, he’s still my very young little boy. And I forget that sometimes. And I expect too much out of him and expect him to act more maturely sometimes. But he is such a great kid and he makes me so proud.

He cried yesterday when we left the open house because he wanted to stay and play. But I explained that we’d be back all the time. I’m so excited that he likes it so much. I’m praying for him to have a wonderful year. The teacher said that each month they’ll focus on a different shape, color, and Bible verse. I’m just so encouraged. I love that the lessons, values and stories of Jesus’s love that we teach at home will be reinforced at church and at school! What a lucky kid!

When I picked him up from school today, he told me that he’d had fun and started saying goodbye to his classmates and calling them by now. I am so encouraged!

I am looking forward to spending a little quiet time with this sweet guy while Hudson is at school. I’m excited to be able to focus on Hayes’s development for a few hours every day. And I’m excited to have an extra hand to run some errands or get some things done around the house before Hudson comes home from school.