Looking back...

This time of year is really hard on me as a momma.

All my babies have birthdays within 2 months of each other.

Leanna turned 6 a few weeks ago. It seems like I blinked and she went from this...


to this....


Hudson decided he just had to turn 4. Why couldn't he stay 3? Hmmm... why did he have to get all big on a momma? My baby boy...

who is this young boy small person?


And now coming up very soon WAYYY much sooner than I would like. My BABY (my forever baby!!!!) is going to turn 1!?!?!?! It seems like just yesterday he was ....

and now this???

What???? WHO said they could grow up? It sure the heck wasn't me. This momma has decided that from now on the months of August, September and October can be skipped. That'll teach 'em. Grow up on me... HA.

Seriously? Why does it seem to be going so fast?

Momma to 3
*Shay B*

Dear Nolan...

Dear Nolan,


Please stop growing.

Love,

Momma

"I got big at my birthday"

That is a direct quote out of my son's mouth today. Someone asked him when he had gotten so big and Hudson replied, "I got big at my birthday".

He did get big. He seems like a little boy instead of my baby. I know I know he isn't my baby anymore...but can he be for a little longer?

That boy makes me smile. He is such a fun and energetic small person. There is no task he doesn't meet with exuberance. He is friendly and caring. He is whiny and scared. He holds my hand. He likes to have his back scratched.

A conversation today...

Momma: "Hudson what do you want for your birthday"
Hudson: "Momma my dream came true already"
Momma: "It did? What was your dream?"
Hudson: "It didn't rain and I got to be a cowboy with all my friends!"

I love him so much. He has such an awesome little heart. He loves his sister and idolizes Daddy. Daddy can do no wrong! He wants to be a fireman, a cowboy, a pilot, a jumper, 'da Charter Man and a astronaut! He has such a creative and imaginative spirit. There is no game he won't invent or place he doesn't get to travel to.

He loves to run and jump and play. However, he also loves to snuggle. Which to be honest is my favorite thing about him. He will curl up next to me on the couch or in our bed and watch a movie. He holds my hand when we go for a walk. It melts my heart to see him smile.

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet boy. I hope 4 is as awesome and amazing and as TOTALLY WICKED (which is his favorite thing to say right now) as 3 was.

I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be.

Love Momma

Beautiful Day!!!

Thursday was absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!

There was no way I was letting it go by without doing something fantasticly outdoorsy!

While I am no hiking momma strapping my 25 (or so) pound small person to my back. We did get some friends together and make a morning out at Suson Park. It was lovely. The breeze was blowing, the animals were out, the ducks were in the water, the sun was shining and my heart was bursting with thanks for the GREAT DAY! Much needed after the oppressively hot summer we have had.

The kids had a great time. We strolled around the pond and saw fish swimming, got up close to some ducks. At 10:30 the barn doors opened and then we petted the horses, we saw the milking exhibit, we looked at some really big pigs, saw the hens, Hudson and I personally had a great time imitating the strutting rooster (we were a sight to see!) we had a picnic lunch! It was such an amazing and beautiful day. While I don't often wish time away... today I was secretly wishing for the beautiful red and orange and gold leaves to be blowing across the ground. Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. So today was a glorious taste of the coming months!

Thanks to some awesome ladies (Ms. Beth and Ms. Heather) for making a lovely day even lovelier!

Zoo Trip

Ms. Beth and I decided to have a last group hurrah before our older girls, Leanna and Cadence, started school. We lucked out to have a day with lower humidity and the temperature wasn't melt-the-mommy degrees outside!

So we got there as the zoo opened. Why you ask? Two reasons: 1. It was cooler out! and 2. We had some kiddos who wanted to pet the stingrays!

The stingray exhibit is a favorite of all of ours. They are amazing, beautiful and so graceful. Hudson wants to swim with them someday. Leanna loves animals of all types, really I wouldn't be surprised if she is a veterinarian when she grows up! However the exhibit costs... $3.00 a person normally or $1.50 a person for zoo members (which thankfully we are!). With a group of 8 of us? That can get expensive.

Now let me share a secret with you... In the first hour the zoo is open... they are free to visit! So is the Children's Zoo and the Carousel.

So we got there nice and early and pretty much walked right in...and the kids had a BLAST!


Then we hit the River's Edge. Hippos, Elephants and Cheetahs and at least 2 of the MUST SEE animals are in that list. The Hippos were in a mood that day though....

And there is always time to play in the fountain too!


Then we climbed the HILL OF HATEFULNESS (more commonly known as Art Hill) to see the Giraffes, Lions, Tigers and Zebras. We also saw the Chimpanzees that day too! We actually saw a lot more this trip then I thought we did!

After this we of course had to visit with the penguins as well! This wall has housed many of our group photos! I think I have at least the last three years on this wall with these very same people (plus or minus a baby depending on the years!)

We also got to visit the Butterfly House this day too. Which is always a great time.

Nolan and Danika did great that day too! They hung out in the stroller way longer than I or Ms. Beth expected them too. Nolan by the end of the day was done. Poor guy.

It was a great day. I am very thankful for St. Louis having one awesome and amazing FREE zoo! We are so blessed. Today was one of the days I am grateful for my city. I am always grateful for fun filled moments with my small people and for memories made with great friends!

Momma to 3
*Shay B*

All three!

The kids have been extra funny lately. I love the way the interact (most of the time). Leanna is such the mother hen. So protective and well bossy! Hudson he is the... what is the best way to describe him... He is energetic and fun guy. Hungry all the time! Nolan is mesmerized by him. He will just watch Hudson's every move and laugh. Nolan he is every bit of the baby of the family. He is doted on and played with. He gets into everything and is all over the place now.

They do love each other though and play very well together.

So I am pretty sure Leanna was sleeping here ;) Nolan was determined to get Hudson. Hudson well he was cheesin' it up!

Okay now everyone is looking at the camera in this house that is a success. Leanna is still awfully sleepy here though!

Now eyes are open. Nap time is over and no one is pulling anyone's hair out...now how to get them all to be still so the picture isn't blurry?


We'll just have to keep trying I guess :)

Momma to 3
*Shay B*

Because it has been a minute...

Nolan is getting so big so fast. I often forget he isn't going to be a 'baby' anymore. It makes me sad.

He is 10 months old now. HUGE. Some fun things he is doing now:

- he finally has a tooth in his head and a whole mouthful full of puffiness and "white buds"

- he is pulling up and cruising furniture even

- he is saying "dada" even if it isn't at him

- he is eating tons more solid foods now (even with his only ONE tooth)

- he is pulling his hearing aids off even if he is wearing his hat

- he smiles and laughs and is just starting to imitate people.

There is still really no language development. He squeals and yells and cries but we are working on it. He is trying!

Speech therapy is going well. It sometimes all feels so tedious and for nothing. I know it isn't but sometimes it feels that way. I try not to give into the feelings of frustration. I have to remind myself to slow down and that this will take time, hard work, determination and well faith. I have to remind myself that God decided Nolan could handle this and as his momma apparently he decided so could I.

I love his little laugh and the gleam of mischievousness he gets in his eyes. He has an AMAZING smile. Everyone loves him. He is a pretty special little guy. I sure am thankful for him. Even if sometimes I want to toss him out of the window (you know after he has screamed for 20 minutes straight out of frustration or after the 60th time I have had to tell him to leave his hat or hearing aids alone). All in all I wouldn't trade him though.

Momma to 3
*Shay B*