A Very Hudson Thanksgiving

Rus and I returned Sunday from a Hudson/Chad hosted Thanksgiving. Lynn and Bill, Dad and Sarah, me and R and the 2 men of Texas.

From the photos though, you'd be forgiven for thinking there was only Hudson in attendance. The camera found him, he found the camera - a sort of magic and everyone else kind of dropped away...

Hudson's Thanksgiving Photos

Chad, with nanny-all-rounder Yvonne's help, is raising an amazing boy. Grandparents and in-laws rightly suspect he may be even beyond amazing to utter genius but for now, we can report that he is right on track with healthy + normal development, as well as showing the very definite signs of a lovely personality to boot.

Hudson:
crawls exceptionally,
raises himself to a sort of standing unreservedly,
tracks people with keen focus and full 360's of the little head,
babbles what may or may not be words,
has fleshed-out sturdily and maintained lovely skin,
nurtured 2 top and 2 bottom teeth, a lovely curling lock of hair at the back and wisps of gold/red hair all around (that poof up and blow back in the swing wind),
prefers plastic hangers, a Bud Light box and empty water bottles to fancier (and better suited) toys,
enjoys reading but, for the time being, would rather focus energies elsewhere,
is not convinced that sleep’s the best use of time,
snores just a little,
doesn't just look into your eyes but seems to peer very deep,
has the cheeks and magnificent thighs of Linds at his age,
does not like to eat cereal or sit in his high chair AT ALL,
ditto his diaper and outfits changed – as if being subjected to most ungodly tortures,
is gracious with all visitors,
hugs wonderfully,
loves his Dad,
makes us simultaneously miss and feel the presence of his mom.



Thank you Chad and thank you Hudson.

With much love

C

The giving park

Hudson and his park make me think of The Giving Tree - though one wherein the giving doesn't famish the giver.

In the beginning, Hudson will witness the park from the vantage of his stroller – the imprinting of the park’s light and shadows, a recollection of its trees. Its smells will stay and bury themselves deep.

Then Hudson arrives as a toddler - higher on the jungle-gym, faster on the slide, needing no pushing on the swing. He'll be accompanied for these years too - Yvonne, Chad, friends and babysitters too.

Eventually, Hudson will venture to the park on his own. He'll have chosen a conveyance by now, so we we'll see Hudson on a bike, a skateboard, maybe on roller blades. Or possibly just on his own two feet - a runner like his mom, his grandfather. By now he'll avoid the toddler section probably, but still feel some link.

Later he'll come with books, friends, a girl...

(Zip right over cars and beers – a feasible but not pretty-to-descibe-stage in the boy/park relationship too.)

Then Hudson will go away for some time. When he returns home, then walks over to Tietze Park, I imagine he might sit beneath a tree, now maybe with his own Hudson, and begin to tell the little person how the toddler park came to be.

C – imagining Linds already sees all this

Slides and jungle gyms, for Linds

A week ago in Dallas, blocks from where Chad and Hudson live, a group of cousins, friends and neighbors gathered to launch a part of Lindsey's legacy at Tietze Park.

Linds and Chad had walked to the park the night before we lost her: Chad said they’d been anticipating Hudson's immanent arrival, and imagining the park’s role in their little guy’s life.

In her honor, a fund was set up to build a toddler's playground at Tietze and, with the dedication and contributions from many (too many to name here), ground for the toddler playground has been broken.



Hole-side, Chad reported:
Attached are the pictures from the groundbreaking event -- it was very fun and well attended by our group (Ten, Pep, MK, Michael and Janelle Hottinger, Rebecca and friend, Michael Fox (fritolay neighbor))...the park is getting a major overhaul and the toddler playground is the only resident financed part of the park...so thank you again for all your support!

Love, Chad and Hudson

The fund continues to welcome contributions of course – can the world have enough space for its young? Details:

Friends of Tietze Park Foundation,
On behalf of Lindsey Brown
P.O. Box 140693, Dallas, TX 75214
www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/tietzepark/

C - wishing a slide and sandpit for every small soul.

Hudson on Tour

The toast of many cities and households this past month, Hudson's photos and accolades are pouring in.

That Hudson in DC had something to do with the recent and long-overdue Democrat's retaking of the House?? We speculate...

He travels with the ease of his mom, charms large crowds (Dad's entire JSI office, a party at their house and then a visit to Sarah's office too), has an outfit for every occasion, managed a sea change in our country's balance of power after just a few days in Georgetown, and has a smile + gurgle for all.

Dad waxed in one email:
Little Hudson has continued to charm everyone with whom he comes in contact - especially Papi. We had a great weekend with the little fellow. He spent in our room on Friday and Saturday nights. It is such a joy to wake up and have him right there, bring him into our bed and play with him. Mornings are his best time, but he's really terrific all the rest of the day - only a few more smiles in the AM...
Everyone said the same thing - not only is Hudson really cute and good looking, but he has such a nice demeanor - calm and friendly...> Only 24 more hours with Hudson. We'll miss his smiling face and his motoring on all fours. Only consolation is that we'll see him in a couple of weeks... He's a very, very special little fellow.

Not surprisingly, Hudson's been photographed everywhere he's gone, here - some of the albums with big thanks to Julie Saliba and my Dad.
Dad and Sarah's Hudson and Yvonne album

Julie Saliba's Hudson Album



C-on-the-Hudson

Hudson's a lobster

Not sure whose inspiration/creation was the lobster outfit but am pretty sure Hudson couldn't be any cuter. Maybe Tara Hinkle - who posted the photos? Maybe Chad, who does have a lobster thing?

No matter - Hudson wore the lobster outfit, it clearly didn't wear him...


C - sort of overwhelmed but lobster-y sweetness and envying dad and sarah hosting Hudson and Yvonne for the week in DC