Hudson Journal

Cousins, ahoy

2011-04-13T11:13:00.002-05:00

at the Bronx Zoo, Fall 2010

in Portland for Thanksgiving

in Hawk's Caye in January

And it's 5!!!

2011-04-13T11:08:00.002-05:00

Unbelievable, the boy is 5 and, last I saw him (in January), every inch a mature and upstanding five-year old.

I've been WAY remiss as both blogger and aunt (a small distracting 21-month old to blame), but know that Hudson's being well celebrated in Dallas today. Dad + Sarah arrive this eve, there's a party planned, I'm guessing cake and with all the Hudson fans everywhere, he's bound to have a full dance card.

All of us up here, wishing the fine cousin-of-Wyeth a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and we send much much love.

C + R +W

Soccer boy (star)

2010-09-27T06:30:00.002-05:00

Dad went for a visit to Dallas last week. Just in time to catch a major upset - and Hudson's near-hat-trick.

Dad reported:
Here is Lamplighter Fire star.
They won 8-3 and Hudson scored two goals. Very fun to see - Dad

Wow. New school, new team and Hudson's cleaning up.
And he wears that jersey like a star. Groupies grouping as I type?

Love to all
from c
(mother of an also new-to-school guy, cousin Wyeth, pics of these early days here.)

Schoolboy Hudson!

2010-06-07T11:07:00.001-05:00

First day at Lamplighter!

And Chad reports:

See picture for Hudson's first day at the new school. He was so cute
-- the lady knew his name when he arrived and he was asking, "how did
you know my name?" -- answer - nametag on his shirt.

He was really happy to be there and ran in with his green dinosaur
backback -- that I think Aunt Courtney gave him.

Could we be collectively any prouder?

Yay school boy Hudson!

love
c (and Wyeth + Ruslan too)

belatedly...his world awaits

2010-04-14T09:39:00.003-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear Hudson, happy birthday day to you.

We have a 4 year old of uncommon cuteness and stature in our midst who is ready for his biggest, rocking-est year ever...

With much love from all your fans, and your flaky aunt,

Happy 37th Linds

2010-03-30T21:23:00.001-05:00

Little Linds, May Day at Shady Hill, c. 1984

You'd be 37 today. Chad + Hudson baked a birthday cake for you.
Hudson was accepted at the "Shady Hill" of Dallas a few weeks back so thought this photo of you in all your homemade-t-shirt May Day splendor was appropriate.

We miss you so much dear Linds. There are a lot of new little folks we would like you to meet. (I can think of one in particular but, really, there are many). Anyway, hopefully you know about them all and are looking after their wobbly passages.

And our bad news is a little bit of sunshine for you. We lost Grandpop but you, and Grandma, and mom and baby Steven, got him in your quarter. Look after him, look after us.

People we miss

Hugs from us all and happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday.
much love,

your sister (now a mom!) c

He's In! Onwards-ho...

2010-03-15T10:17:00.003-05:00

Long since I've posted and for that I can offer as excuse only another little boy who's taken front-burner status in my life these past months.

But wanted to report the remarkable news that Hudson Stephenson Brown was accepted (as we suspected he would be) at the wonderful-looking Lamplighter School in Dallas.

Chad + Hudson have trained their sites on Lamplighter because it reminded Chad of Shady Hill School (in Cambridge) where Linds and I went and thrived. Lindsey thrived everywhere of course, would have thrived in a one room school house, but Shady Hill brought out her naturally-occurring sociability and roaming curiosity and worldly being.

Hudson will thrive too - sure thing.

Love to the school-bound boy.

c (+ Wyeth + Ruslan)

Hudson rocks Maine

2009-09-08T20:52:00.003-05:00

I'm utterly discombobulated by my own new-ish small man (Wyeth, arr. 6/23/09) but have much Hudson news and photos to post.

Let's start with Lynn + Bill's record of the Maine week - PHOTOS here -

when cousins were introduced, blueberries picked, beaches trawled and stones skipped.

BTW - Hudson is a chatty charmer. Funny, playful, giddy, curious, crazy cute...

Love from a sleepy aunt

Mountain Man H

2009-05-26T06:40:00.004-05:00

While we've been at our desks, grocery shopping and puttering in pocket gardens, Hudson's been fording small streams, communing with flora/fauna and chopping wood.

Very adorable in lumberjack coat and looking every inch a man raised to fell large trees, and then taken in 9 holes (renaissance that way).

Brand new ones from Hudson's recent trip to Colorado here.

Love to all + bleated happy memorial day/launch of summer and all good things.

xo
c

Sports man

2009-05-06T09:22:00.004-05:00

Ever busy, ever out-there, ever supporting the home-town teams (Celtics could use his support) - here's Hudson at a recent Rangers game - deep in stickers and program, fan/mascot (?) in-the-making.

Love from northern aunt

c

Pinata Man of the Ladies

2009-05-06T07:18:00.003-05:00

With adorable girlfriends Cecilia and Sisely, Hudson celebrated his 3rd in well-attended style. As far as I can make out, Hudson is the BMAP (big man at party) - showing pinata prowess, excellent capacity for mingling (dad + mom genes) and all-round good nature and handsomeness.

Jealous of his pinata, the remarkable birthday cakes (Texans do it up in icing - see Birthday #1 and cakes c/o Pam and Bruce here) and of everyone who got to usher in the new age with him.

Sending love from his aunt in the city (working hard on Hudson's cousin-to-be due June 26th : ))

c.

Photos of the day here.

Happy Birthday Hudson

2009-04-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

Three years ago today, the miracle boy entered our lives.

Hudson continues to be a thriving, all-you-could-hope-for, dyed-in-the-wool boy of a being and I'm (juice) toasting him and his remarkable dad and hoping their birthday cake is sweet and the year(s) ahead all blue sky.

Much love + birthday hug,

(aunt) C

this charming man (and wife)

2009-03-31T09:56:00.005-05:00

Can write you to tears.
And he's my cousin.

I'd heard that Andrew was blogging (in the large footsteps of his practically star blogger-wife Erin: http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/), but it wasn't till yesterday when Erin directed me to Andrew's most recent post remembering Linds...
http://thedarkhorseblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-have-no-idea-what-to-title-this.html

Go cousin Andrew, and thanks.

much love
c

Birthday Cake

2009-03-31T09:12:00.004-05:00

It's become a tradition: on Lindsey's birthday, the boy's bake her birthday cake.

This would make Linds super happy. Never one to turn away a good cake, I'm still searching for a Linds photo on an early birthday, bib on, face-planted and fast asleep in a slice of chocolate.

So - on high, all around, wherever she may be -
here's blowing out the candles to you Linds.

love

c

Happy Birthday dear Linds

2009-03-30T11:47:00.004-05:00

Lindsey would be 36 today.

She'd be mother of an almost 3-year old, maybe there'd have been another one in the meantime or, to join the crowd (we're all doing it), one on the way.
She'd be alive to enjoy life in the new administration, alive to witness lilacs that'll be here soon, alive to make plans with...

I miss her more than ever.
I hope they're pulling out all the stops to celebrate her up where she is.

Love you Linds.
love
c

(So many great photos of Linds so narrowed the field to Linds + a few of our/her/my favorite men : ) Biased, but my blog...)

Beach Boy

2009-02-23T14:51:00.002-05:00

If these photos from Lynn: don't depict a happy boy in his element being generously spoiled/loved by fabulous grandparents, then I clearly don't know how to interpret vacation pics and should be taken off blog duty.

From Honduras time with Hudson, I knew he loved beaches but this involvement/entombment is a whole new level of love. Awesomely cute moments from what looks like an idyllic Florida vacation with Bill + Lynn.

Love to all + hugs to little man H
c

infinity, and beyond

2009-01-30T12:24:00.002-05:00

Ruslan and I joined Dad + Sarah, and Chad and Hudson, for a week on the island of Roatan, Honduras this Christmas.

Huge treat and having rented a house (with pool, palms, view + grill) we had nice swathes of time to just hang without hotel complications and posted meal times. It was lovely, gorgeous, recommended...

More photos of the trip - which I'll dig into and post here and there - are here:

Love to all, and - as Hudson is very (very) fond of saying, let's contemplate the year's motto:
To infinity and beyond....

l
c

of dogs and lizards

2009-01-30T12:13:00.006-05:00

Wow am I behind on this. So much great material not-yet up - shameful.

Aunt Annie - who visited for Chad's birthday, is super on the ball and sent link to these very cute photos of the weekend.

LOVE Elphy, the new dog in town, and seem Hudson has affinity too. What instantaneous magic is it between kids and dog?

Also love that Hudson's adopted a lizard, inspired by the Iguana Park in Roatan Honduras and clearly in control with this one,

vs a standoff with the one at the park.

Great ones in there including the amazing journey that Chad's taken Linds' ashes on, the far-flung points of Linds.

More to come, promise.
The guy is just too active + popular to keep up...

Happy new year TO ALL.

c

Hudson's New Year

2009-01-01T13:41:00.003-05:00

Lobsters, family (Bill + Lynn) and friends - new years doesn't get much finer.

Janelle posted cute record of the eve here.

Love to all

c

Tropical Hudson

2008-12-11T14:14:00.002-05:00

For Thanksgiving, the well-traveled Sr. H was in St. Maarten with Brown grandparents and dad. Fantastic photos from the trip, some of them posted here.

All who've hung with Hudson in the past few months have reported a charming, engaging, super bright + curious, unbelievably cute and well behaved little gentleman. You get a sense of that budding charmer in these photos showing a range of Hudsons.

And the GREAT news is that in less than 10 days time I (along with Ruslan, Dad + Sarah) will be joining Hudson and Chad in Honduras and there will be even more cute beach shots + turquoise waters w/ boy pics to come. Just not immediately - apparently Honduras not too wired.

So - stay tuned for a blogger going ringside.

And happy holidays/love to all from a proud aunt, about to be even prouder.

Autumnal Hudson

2008-11-04T14:21:00.003-05:00

Amidst the foliage,
gathering yard debris,
wielding sort-of-safe looking scissors to tame pumpkin innards,
amassing his Mr. Potato Head army (!?) and,
finally, H at rest...

Lynn + Bill have been visiting with the little guy most recently so these photos c/o on half of the marvelous grandparent 4-some the boy's blessed with.

After way way too long, I'll finally see Hudson for Christmas this year so anticipate partial nudity and beach shots...

Much love to all,

c (hoping all readers/Hudson lovers have protected the little guy's future by casting their votes today...)

The two men

2008-09-01T10:01:00.002-05:00

Handsome?
Tow-headed?
Bigger-than-a-breadbox and growing?

Yes to all.

Parted ways with Dad + Sarah yesterday morning in Logan - they made their way southwards so may have more photos from them, live-ish from Dallas, soon. Hudson missed blueberries and Maine this year but we made sure all's intact and as-was ready for him next year - Maine is patient, Maine's not going anywhere and there'll be time.

(I'm en route to Sea Island to install Grandpop in his new apartment - too many places + people, way too little time...)

(This is not a shabby placeholder in the meantime.)

With love to all

c

The many moods

2008-07-30T10:42:00.005-05:00

Lynn's master Hudson-documenter and as hands-on grandmother,
there amidst Hudson's multi-disciplinary, multi-tasking, multi-location, life -

Happy Feet from training-potty vantage eating cheerios
kitchen-sink electric-toothbrushing,
pool-basketball...

Her pictures are in an album here:
(http://picasaweb.google.com/circatrade/HudsonBrown)

C - realizing as a choose (hard) only a few pictures that H's "many moods" are largely sunny, occasionally contemplative...
bless the happy boy

July 4th for the cutest boy

2008-07-08T11:39:00.005-05:00

Hudson did it all this July 4th - full-on frolicking and I want Chad as my activities director next year.

Photos of the day are here.

But highlights (hard to choose, really all highlights) include:

Doesn't get much handsomer...

With big hugs to the men of Dallas and love to all.

ctp

Further Fete-d Man

2008-06-22T22:08:00.002-05:00

Julie Saliba created this amazing photobook for Hudson's 2nd birthday.

Hudson's Memorial Day...

2008-06-22T21:54:00.002-05:00

turf

Hudson has a bustling social schedule - Memorial Day weekend no exception.
The full scope of parties/pretty girls/visiting Grandpop/cannonballs into pools are here in Michael and Janelle's album.

surf

night trippin'

Thank you to all participating partiers and recorders and sending much love to all, everywhere, from the namesake town...
C - in Hudson

3 cupcakes

2008-05-25T21:10:00.002-05:00

Very VERY cute pictures of Hudson's shared birthday party - with girlfriends and fellow Aries Cecilia, and Sibley care of Julie.

Happy-making pictures

fishing man

2008-05-14T10:09:00.005-05:00

Fishing at the ranch, May 2008

Of the many revelations (some reportable, others not) of the cousin ranch weekend, was the wholesome/welcome discovery that that Hudson's Dad, is a gifted fisherman. Brilliant and, contrasted with cousin Andrew, practically divine. One-hand-tied/bait-no-bait - Chad's touch was sure and Hudson, Honor and Will were enthralled.

Clearly, Hudson will inherit this uncanny knack. We see a quiet confidence, a beguiling sort of semi-crouch stance, one hand holding rod firm while the other does something clearly technical with the line...

So - fish of the world fair warning: Another Brown man will be pond-side again soon.

Love + fish tales.

c

Burma - help

2008-05-08T09:42:00.000-05:00

The news from Burma, what little can get out, is appalling - it is now estimated that over 100,000 have died due to the cyclone. Rangoon is without power, many regions remain - days since the cyclone - still submerged, there isn't adequate drinking water and petrol is in short supply. Despite this, Rangoon's airport sits practically empty - most relief teams have not been issued permits and planes filled with disaster-relief experts and desperately needed supplies remain grounded, the Burmese government will not allow them to land.

Sarah Newhall (my step-mother) runs PACT - a global community building, aid organizing and community-level impacting organization of enormous reach and integrity. PACT also happens to have been working in Burma for over a decade, with a number of development projects already flourishing including HIV/AIDS prevention and micro-lending programs specifically in the delta areas hit hardest by the cyclone. While the access of most organizations remains, for the time being, blocked by the military government, PACT is in place and so uniquely positioned to truly effect change and implement the aid immediately.

Please contribute what you can to PACT's initiative and pass this post along to friends and colleagues so that they may do the same. (For PACT's tracking purposes, please mention this blog.)

(In Burma in 1997, I trekked outside government boundaries into Shan State; I spent time in a Palong village. The Burmese were to a man/woman/child: kind, hopeful, resourceful – they stole my heart. The tragedies they've known, perpetrated by their own people - ignored by the world, have wrought a nation of all-too-human souls. Demanding aid without implementers, the Burmese government has essentially charged us as global citizens to get step in. The Burmese people must know the world cares deeply, and right the wrongs of our historical inaction.)

Big sky ranch weekend, spawn gather

2008-05-06T00:18:00.003-05:00

What an amazing and too short time it was...

I hope I'll have time to give a chatty report but for now, these albums will tell a good chunk of the story.

Annie's Album
Erin's Album
Ten's Album
My album

Hudson "don Juanitito" Brown

2008-04-18T08:16:00.003-05:00

I wasn't in Portugal but Annie captured some magic moments with a paparazzi's instinct. Very grateful.

This is the first I'm seeing the move but Hudson's nonchalance + calm expression, indicates that, perhaps, this is not a first conquest.

Love + kudos to Portuguese lady slayer.

c

happy birthday dear hudson, happy second to you

2008-04-13T13:30:00.002-05:00

Hudson in Portugal, March 2008 (Taylor behind)
Photos c/o Annie's amazing album.

Same time, last year, we gathered in a chilly but very festive Tietze Park to ring in the little man's 1st Birthday and christen the toddler park in Lindsey's name. I recorded some of that day here.

Today, Hudson and Chad are joined by family for a smaller celebration, but I imagine he's being remembered, and milk-toasted, everywhere.

I am wishing him another year of love, play, travel (H having logged more air miles than larger men with far bigger vocabs. His recent trip to Portugal, to visit Ambassador Uncle Tommy, being most recent...), haircuts, kisses, naps, cousins, bananas, blueberries and beaches. For starters at least. He can make it up as he goes along - lots of room for improvisation I wish for him, that he always feel free to call it as he sees it.

And happy second year to his remarkable dad Chad. Behind every well behaved and charming small man, you'll find a extraordinary father.

Love to both - raise your sippy cup.

c

Lindsey's 35th

2008-03-30T20:26:00.002-05:00

March 30th - Linds' birth launched spring.

She left when she was 33, two weeks after that birthday, so it's two years gone. Linds and I were a year and 10 months apart, which means (quick math) I was almost 35 when Linds died.

Which feels then like some strange circle closing.

Which means?

What I gather from the circle described by two sisters turning 35, is simply that she's still here, out there, and as constant as she ever was. Her own birth constellation of Breach Candy Hospital, Ward ___, March 30th 1973 (our constellations are neighboring, in the born-in-Bombay-in-the-early-70's celestial district) remains part of the universal memory, no more or less fixed than mine and eternal. And in a way I hadn’t expected, Lindsey is growing up with me now and we're in step except she keeps pace on a cosmic scale, her perspective vaster and so she's watching over us as she grows in lightness.

In this photo (a visit to Oyster Bay and Mimi) Linds has a sureness and a calmness I like. I imagine what more years would have brought. I think that if I listen maybe I can hear, maybe Hudson hears.

Happy happy birthday Linds. Don't fall asleep in the cake.

Love
ctp

Lindsey's Song

2008-02-07T10:15:00.000-05:00

Ashlin Halfnight, Chad and Lindsey's great friend (and Hudson's too) has written a song for Linds with composer John Mitchell.

It's beautiful, I'm humming it still.
(Thank you guys.)

You can play and download it here: http://jahalfnight.googlepages.com/

(note to folks who don't think they can figure out how to do this "download music thing" - you can, it's that easy, double click and you're off.)

Download, share, listen and hum. With the song, Linds' spirit goes out.

Love
c

Chad's report

2008-02-05T13:35:00.000-05:00

Chad + Hudson, Taylor + Honor + Will
Photo from Hudson's recent trip to the west coast cousins/Chad's birthday celebration, are from Annie's excellent album. More to come from of it but it's worth a long browse.

Here's a snippet of Chad's (frank ; )) report on H:

Hudson is doing really great as he approaches his 2 year birthday in April. He is starting to say the alphabet and sing songs. I am proud to be his dad, except sometimes he's lazy and sleeps too much on Sundays (see photo).

I am doing great and looking forward to a fun 2008 -- a few fun plans with family on the horizon in Spring and Summer.

Chad's card

2008-02-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

Most of the blog ink goes to Hudson, for obvious reasons. Hudson's accomplishments take center stage, as they ought.

But this photo, of the little fellow and his Dad, is from Chad's Holiday card this year and demonstrates, by existing at all and then by landing in my mailbox, that the accomplishments of the Dad are pretty remarkable too.

In a year that included a 1st birthday attended by masses, a dedication too, unbelievable travels to - truly - the earth's far corners and the mad day-to-day of raising a fine little man - Chad's exhibited enormous spirit, never once called Uncle.

Then he goes and manages to get out a card, on top of all of that - holiday cards being as good an indicator of organization as we have.

So here's to the father, growing and shining right along side his son.

Wishing them both a year of nice naps and sweet dreams.

With love

c

Tenley's Report

2008-01-22T10:25:00.000-05:00

We're LOVING having Hudson here!

He started calling for Dad when he saw John, but I think he'll be fine.
He's having so much fun playing with the kids and esp. Will's train table.
Will and Hudson ended sleeping in the same room because Will chickened out of sleeping in HOnor's bunk bed. The boys woke up a little before 5, but we got Hudson in our bed, and they went back to sleep. Hudson was sad when Tia left for work this morning, but like I said, we have great distractions here.
It's just like we always pictured
-- all the cousins' kids playing together. If only
Chad and Hudson lived closer . . . :)

Safe travels Chad, and love to you all!

T

Annie's Report

2008-01-22T10:24:00.000-05:00

I can not tell you all what a JOY it was to travel with Hudson yesterday!
I burst into tears when I landed in SF and saw Tenley and Honor waiting for us at the gate because Hudson had been so easy, I just felt like little Linds was somewhere making sure that I had an easy trip :)

We avoided a tearful good-bye with Chad, as he just kind of walked away, which was hard for us adults who knew what was going on.
Then Hudson and I made it smoothly thru security and onto the plane where we had TWO SEATS in the bulkhead! At one point a man came and sat down, forcing me to put Hudson on my lap, but I asked him to move 5 minutes later--
there was NO WAY that was going to work : )

We played with his trains and cars and "wri, wri" - that's writing, Hudson style-
had some snacks and watched about 10 minutes of Happy Feet ("peh, peh") and then Hudson drifted off to sleep. I was so thankful!
Then he woke up with about 10 minutes before landing, and Tenley and Honor were waiting for us at the gate.

Hudson had a BIG old time playing with Honor and Will, and as Tenley mentioned, is OBSESSESED with all of Will's trains.
He is such a little pipsqueak compared to Will, and it is such a crack-up to watch them all play together. They had a bath together last night, and Honor and Will were wrestling each other to be able to sit closest to Hudson.

No surprise, but I can't stop getting emotional (tearing up as I write this of course) because it is so incredibly bittersweet to watch Hudson play with his cousins, knowing we all did the same thing when we were little with our cousins,
and how Linds had always talked about wanting to move back to the Bay Area some day so that the new generation of cousins could all play together.

Hudson is such an incredible little soul.

I took lots of pics while I was in Dallas and will get those uploaded as soon as I get home tonight. We had a great time at Chad's birthday party, and I really enjoyed my time alone with Hudson at Tietze Park.

Lots of love to all of you. I'll be back with the kids on Weds night and will give another report- Ten's got her hands fill with three kids this week, so leave the updates to me : )

xoxo
Tia

Pep's Report

2008-01-22T10:22:00.001-05:00

We just returned from a cousin's outing to Chuckie Cheese.
We were each assigned a child - Marty had Will, Tenley had Honor
and I had Hudson.
They all loved it.
Hudson seemed to take a liking to Chuckie Cheeze himself
and to the simulated roller coaster ride.

We are now back at Ten's making dinner and watching the 3 playing together.

Pep

Meanwhile, he travels

2008-01-22T10:14:00.001-05:00

mr h, by the sea, Thanksgiving 2007

I am so behind
and the little man keeps moving forward
and logging miles
and celebrating his 2nd Christmas on this earth
with his loving dad.

Yesterday, Hudson - accompanied by round-trip flying aunt* Annie - arrived in California and is now happily settling in amidst cousins* Will and Honor.

The reports follow (and photos I assume).

Love and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

Aunt C

* We're just going to call all relatives by the titles that best suit their roles, no second/removed/steps here.

h at the beach

2007-11-18T13:18:00.001-05:00

..
I'm there soon but this man returns to his strip of white sand in a few hours (flying into Tampa with Lynn this Sunday afternoon).

I'll be reporting live, Hudson-side in St. Pete's in a few days but think this is an excellent tease in meantime...

Love from a colder place

c

Like lobsters to merry men

2007-11-08T23:28:00.000-05:00

Hudson's a wiggling lobster in '06

And because we're now working with a proper archive, I'll direct the nostalgic back to this time last year and the really wonderful Hudson's-a-lobster outfit here.

Actual costume

2007-11-08T23:19:00.000-05:00

May be a merry man, may be a scarecrow - it's clearly a huge hit with Hudson himself and should put to rest suspicions (c/o previous post) that Hudson was costume-less in 2007.

With that and the last of the candy, Halloween's a wrap - check back same time next year for Hudson's Halloween III (he talks).

Hudson impromptu Halloween

2007-11-05T11:47:00.000-05:00

Hudson wasn't a naked bath-punk for Halloween -
he was in Florida with grandparents Lynn + Bill
(and briefly Grandparents Dad too) and he was
A (the?) Scarecrow.

Very cute with floppy hat - actually maybe he was a Robin Hood posse-member now that I'm thinking about it - but anyway, I couldn't save the photo but will have that up soon and these struck me as scarier.

As scary as Hudson gets.

I am RICH in recent photos of the little man and way way behind. I really do appreciate all the great ones that have been coming in and promise to get many more up in the next few days.

These fantastic bath shots are from Pep + Marty's visit, more of their album here.

Hudson's evening-wear

2007-10-15T10:41:00.000-05:00

I don't know the back story on Hudson's new sleepwear but I am impressed by it, and by the obvious swagger he brings to the striped sleepwear.

(If you were the giver of the pajamas - thank you. Fantastic wardrobe additions and great training for a little man to launch into a lifetime of well-attired nights. No nasty fruit of the loom t's and remaindered boxers for H.)

Chad's posted the Hudson fashion spread here.

C - (who really really missed the little man and hopes to hug him in his pjs very soon)

man, girl and pumpkin

2007-10-03T00:13:00.000-05:00

Hudson-the-tousled seated beside Mark + Kelly's very cute, and very much just-1-year-old, Lindsey (after dear Linds).

Companionably lost in thought, there amidst the pumpkins...

(Happy fall)

Love c

Hudson goes to school

2007-09-06T11:44:00.000-05:00

Presenting one of the cutest little series to arrive in my inbox in some time: Hudson's first day at school as documented by dad Chad.

Calm anticipation -->

Barely, but bravely, held-back tears on separation -->

Mature resignation to the ignobility of being strapped into a kiddie-buggy.

There's something in the way Hudson's eyes address the camera and frankly ask that you appreciate his fortitude...He a lovable little man and I hope his school buddies are half as cool as he is.

C

Hudson at the game

2007-09-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

Chad send this very latest of our little man H at the Texas A+M Game - Hudson's very first college football game.

Which all seems straightforward, a milestone in a man's life to be sure and especially at his parent's alma mater, except that Chad referred to an "Aggie" football game and had me baffled.

Aggie = Texas A+M, am waiting for Chad to explain why.

or, if I wait a little longer, maybe Hudson will volunteer an explanation? - he on the cusp of conversation...

With love to all.

C

Blueberries for Hudson

2007-08-16T09:54:00.002-05:00

So that supermarket blueberries will always leave him cold, Hudson was taught young - and by his own expert grandfather - to seek and savor Maine's own, hard-won, fruits.

(we picked, he savored).

More of Hudson's Maine tour here.

Sand in our...

2007-08-16T09:54:00.001-05:00

I have a million lame + involved reasons for why I haven't updated.
They're tiresome.
This is better.

A genuinely GOOD reason, accompanied by an excellent illustrative photo.

Was in Maine
Hudson was too
We had a picnic...

Many more to come as we chronicle Hudson's first, post-baptismal, walking+nearly-talking visit to Seal Harbor.

Hudson's summer of love + water

2007-08-05T16:35:00.000-05:00

These came last week from Grandma Lynn - 5 very cute glimpses of a grandparent's summer with mr. h, his summer of water.

Lynn's photos.

Water Man

2007-07-24T18:29:00.000-05:00

No order to these, just a whole lot of them to drive home the point that:

OUR BOY LIKES WATER

A lot, Give hudson a hose, a small pool, a fountain and the man is happy.

(H of simple pleasures.)

C

Cousin onslaught

2007-07-24T18:25:00.000-05:00

Annie, Marty and Peppie also visited Hudson last week. I managed, via very very poor, scheduling, to miss them by minutes

But Annie recorded their stay so I have some idea...

Annie Photos here

C - visiting cousins number..

Two men

2007-07-24T18:02:00.000-05:00

They have routines, they have understandings and they listen to eachother.

I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship...

C - milk-toasting

camel and phone

2007-07-24T17:55:00.001-05:00

Yvonne is pictured here "doing the camel" - Hudson can't get enough of this.

While Chad's away (earning diaper money), Hudson's in the remarkable hands of Yvonne - the relationship's magic.

When Yvonne has a call to make, Hudson gets on the line.

They also: putter, do laundry, read, dance, communicate in Spanish, do errands, play with anything to do with water, eat, giggle...

C - thanking Yvonne for being a part of Hudson and our lives, and for doing the camel

Report

2007-07-24T17:27:00.001-05:00

This is not Hudson after my visit last week. I did not actually manage to wear the little one out - that would take a birthday party attended by cast of thousands.

But I did manage to watch the little man at play, at eat, at sandbox...
and he was remarkable.

Everything dad said was true +
Hudson clearly understands absolutely everything - his murmurs and outbursts are words inches from being spoken.
He has a well-developed if a little silly sense of humor - knocking down blocks killed him, over and over and...
He plays well all by himself - busy with water bottles in the sandbox (he pours and, i think, measures), quietly with his food, calmly with toys.
Hudson loves Chad like no body's business. He adores Chad and the father/son bond is something to see. Chad is the sun of his life, Hudson will follow this man anywhere.
And Yvonne is his loving constant through the day. She and Hudson have an evolved buddy relationship - buddy pastimes and buddy secret signs...

In short: Hudson is thriving.

C - witness to a happy household

More of desert man

2007-07-08T21:08:00.001-05:00

I'm so sorry these have been a trickle rather than the deluge they deserve to be (life and house guests stood in their way).

The biggest news besides how cute the 5-some is was that my father uploaded all of the photos, with very catchy titles, BY HIMSELF to Kodakgallery here.

What does that tell us?

That a certain 1+ year old boy has inspired/is teaching his grandfather brand new tricks...

Have a look at the slide show and I'll continue to post highlights.)

Love c

The cheeks have it

2007-06-30T21:48:00.001-05:00

That you thought the man was not adored, my father now refers to first grandchild as: Little Master Hudson.

And describes the sort of fellow - not precious in the slightest - who you'd want to hang out wading-pool-side with:

He is fun and funny - an amazing sense of humor which pretty incredible considering that he can't speak. But he understands almost everything and is a terrific pointer out of things.

He loves the book with all sorts of little animals that he's getting better everyday recognizing. You can see him growing intellectually before your very eyes.

We took a 9-hour trip up through the majestic Sadona area today and he was terrific the entire way.

He charms everyone he meets.

He's a good waver - both as a greeting as well as a goodbye. Trying to teach him to blow kisses but that may take awhile.

C - reporteing him as they see him

You'll need a sun hat

2007-06-30T21:40:00.000-05:00

Average temperature in June: 105

Phoneix AZ - in Navajo, Hoozdo, literally: "the place is hot"

Witnessed in Phoenix

2007-06-30T21:09:00.000-05:00

We have a case of feast of famine with Hudson news.

Obviously, there is always something going on in the growing man's busy life but there's not always folks around to take a step-back, record and comment. Chad and Yvonne get to witness the everyday but it wasn't until recently, and a certain fab 4 gathering around H, that the reports and photos started to pour in.

We're talking about 4 grandparents after all - there's no way on earth that Hudson's every gesture wasn't being reviewed (adoringly).

Last week, Bill + Lynn, dad + Sarah, made their ways south/south-west to Phoenix - effectively going right against the tide of crowds and logic and settling in for extraordinarily high temps and Hudson time.

Dad reports:
Having a good time with the little man.
He's reaching the sponge stage - do something a couple of times and he'll imitate. He's really cute and good natured.
He slept in our room last night - up around 2AM so we took him in our bed for the rest of the night (well, at least until 6AM).
He loves one of the books we brought along with us - lots of details so he can look for the bird, rabbit, dog, etc. Almost as much fun as looking for Lowly Worm - doesn't get much better than that!!

Our big outing yesterday was exploring the big hotel/spa and going grocery shopping. Don't get a lot done when you have a 14-month old around.

Much more to come

Love C

Mountain Hudson

2007-06-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

Well in the running for being one of the
better traveled little fellows out there:
Hudson just returned from the mountains.
And streams.
And time spent in a log cabin.

Hudson got his Huck Finn on and, from Chad's reports, takes in magestic scenery and tall pines as a native.

(Of some significance:
Our little guy who was a little wobbly is now a runner.)

And finally.
The dad who's making Hudson's life a very full one.
That Hudson will remember his time in Colorado I doubt.
But in later years he might just feel a mountain-pull,
or have an primordial-sort-of-memory of an icy brook...

(All of Hudson's memorial day photos.)

With love to Hudson and Chad

C

Lynn's photos

2007-05-07T09:15:00.000-05:00

Ooops - forgot to mention, and link to, the album the gathered-grandparent photo came from.

That would be Lynn's album.

In meantime, sorry for no more current news and promise too check in with Chad and find out if:
Hudson's 1st birthday glow has yet worn out.
the presents have been tested.
or full conversational skills achieved...

C - looking forward to reporting the man's 2nd year.

Hudson's dream team

2007-05-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

Just for a second,
we pause to celebrate,
not Hudson (just for a second, he has had his cake/his 15 minutes),
but Hudson's Grandparents.

Lynn + Bill + Dad + Sarah
= a Hudson team of 4 who will:
unswervingly, mostly-non-critically, ever-vigilantly and extremely lovingly
have the little man's back through life.

Chad may chide, aunts (the kind that will insist on gifting not on the wish list items) may intervene and annoy, even cousins will occasionally hog the toys, but grandparents (listen up H) are your dream team.

And they love you .

C - not yet ethnic aunt

More Hudson, more partying...

2007-04-18T21:31:00.000-05:00

Pep amidst the kids

The photos keep arriving - more albums and a wholly random smattering of what's within.

Mine (including never before seen Whole Foods shots) are here

Cousins around our grandpop.

Susanna's are here.

Ten's (including Honor and Will's Easter and a certian plane...) are here

Kelley's here.

Our favorite #8
(we got his back)

C - picturing it and missing all

A birthday well celebrated

2007-04-17T11:59:00.000-05:00

So, readers can remotely participate in a big party, my first post from the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, at a little patch of Dallas green, a little boy named Hudson celebrated his 1st birthday and Tietze's Toddler's Park was inaugurated in the name of his mother, Lindsey Stephenson Brown.

Hudson's birthday - hosted by Chad and attended by pretty much a Hudson entourage - was a success. Though freezing, in a way a southern state shouldn’t be, everyone layered, hugged and managed still to celebrated in Texas-scale style.

(I huddled behind the caterer's table, warming by the enchiladas bunson burners.)

Some 100 people sang Happy Birthday 3 times in unicent as Hudson gazed across, then smushed/ate, a magnificent cake depicting the park and his own personal cake...

That Hudson is now spoiled for every birthday from here-on-in is a given.

That this boy’s 2nd birthday – even if hosted in a football stadium - will be a come down is hard not to assume.

The Toddler Park was established by funds gathered in Lindsey's name. Perched on a bed of wood-chips, a sort of pirate-y, slide—centric, enormous jungly-structure with outlying bouncing things, the park is a toddler fantasy.

Thanks to our most organized attenders, there are photos of the party are here and here too.

Thanks, on behalf of Hudson and Chad, for attending.

C - full of cupcakes

Remembering Linds - from Shady Hill

2007-04-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

Childhood friend to Linds and cool lady Kerry Tribe (writer, photographer, recorder), wrote this piece for the Shady Hill School Quarterly.

Linds attended Shady Hill, one of its happiest participants, from 2nd grade (we think - Dad and I are bad at year math) through 8th:
She made little friends who grew into medium sized friends,
went to Turkey and came back to make more friends,
hosted dance parties with J Geils Band and a spider-web game(all of 11, I chaperoned with a friend),
learned ribbon dances for May Day (wearing the letter "I" we don't know why),
got her first bra (Kerry's mention) and boyfriend (unrelated),
became a kid old enough to hang out at Steve's Ice-Cream at Harvard Square,
went from car-pooling to solo MTA travel,
from transferring water cup to cup to dissecting things fetal,
from learning about the Greeks to the Ch'ing Dynasty (Shady Hill international that way)...

Linds had many chapters to her too short life.
Shady Hill was a very happy one and friends from those years more than mere sand-box mates.

With thanks to a truly great school, the people Linds moved amongst and to Kerry Tribe for rounding it all up.

C – shady hiller too

Watching the park

2007-04-17T10:02:00.000-05:00

As we celebrated the park, and Hudson, we were remembering Linds. The joy it will bring and memories make, are in remembrance of Linds.

I am sure Linds is watching over the slides and the boingy-car and the enveloping toddler swings; she's watching the 1 year old ingesting wood chips as the babysitter looks elsewhere.

Saturday was Hudson's day for sure but it was within the loving presence of his mother, and my sister, Lindsey.

Who we will not forget ever.

Lovingly

C

We ate cake

2007-04-17T09:20:00.000-05:00

In one more instance of generosity and creativity run riot (good-way riot) this last weekend, the cake(s) that Pam created almost outshone the park itself.

Slides and clouds and aspiration-ally green grass - in CUPCAKES: a park of sugar.

When happy birthdays had been sung, and Hudson had absorbed as much love as 20lbs of boy could, we the gathered partook of the park.

(After which the jungley-gym-stucture went a little crazy with sugar-fueled small folks and some bigger folks too.)

To Pam from all of us.

C - eating cupcakes still

Hudson (happy birthday)

2007-04-13T07:47:00.000-05:00

We're celebrating Hudson's first year.

He's been magnificent so far -
hitting all of his baby-marks and,
way beyond that,
his joy and charm and essential calm
have given a whole lot of people a whole lot of joy.

One little boy, a whole lot of joy.

We're lucky to have him.

We wish him the happiest birthday a very small person can have.

Love C - loving H

Hudson amongst family and girls

2007-04-05T13:25:00.000-05:00

A grandparent portrait

A between lovely baby grils portrait

And the cleaning up the back deck in anticipation of spring and first birthday portrait.

Spring is Hudson time and photos of the remarkable boy have been coming in regularly.
Sadly, I've not been on-top of them but will try for batches over next week.

(Can't celebrate a first birthday, and inaugurate a park, without a proper and up-to-date on-line foundation.)

Not surprisingly, beside the cut incident and a case of very messy runs (that have a clinical name I can't recall), the boy is getting raves:
That he seeks out girls is apparent,
That he’s photogenic and camera loving as his parents, no surprise,
That he helps around the yard, digs nature, is intrigued by everything, charms everyone…

So really actually, no surprising news to report,
only that our almost-one-year-old is right on track to be the best 2 year old imaginable.

Love to all

C

Hudson 'mongst the tulips

2007-04-02T13:34:00.000-05:00

Hudson had a nature Saturday at the Dallas Arboretum.

We have a budding
horticulturist/
squatting/
ground-cover-inspecting
little man in our midst.

Perhaps other people know cute almost-1 year olds,
and perhaps they also visit gardens in the spring,
but match them to Hudson -
unlikely.

Love + tulips

C

happy birthday, dear linds..

2007-03-30T10:22:00.000-05:00

I have the perfect photo (just not here)

Lindsey's in Turkey - maybe 3? - face down, sound asleep in a slice of chocolate birthday cake.

(It was a family classic.)

She didn't take herself too seriously
She enjoyed to the hilt.
She liked cake.
And she was a porker when she was little.

There's been a feeling of loss all the holidays since last April: loss for us as much as for her, that Linds is missing - the essential element gone.

But this holiday, personal one of course - is harder. This time it's Linds' loss. We don't get to bake a cake for her (though Chad has), or watch her open presents, but the fundamental thing is that Linds is not here to celebrate her own 34th birthday.

Now we have a number and wherever she's counting from, she doesn't get to count this one on earth.

While all of us just keep ticking off our own.

We're celebrating here for you Linds; happy birthday to you up there.

Love CTP

Watch me (Lift-Off) Sequence

2007-03-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Janelle reports:
Hudson is not only walking (clear),
and assuming the countenance of a true little boy,
but he's also keen for the world to observe his progress.

In sequence then:

contemplating (somewhat grimly),

stretching (in anticipation),

lifting from downward dog (good walks begin with this),

accepting a little help (an involving-the-crowd move),

checking back.

It's not a walk (Hudson realizes) if no one sees it.

BIG thank you to Janelle for helping all of us witness Hudson's every move.

C - watching, from afar.

Black + White Hudson

2007-03-15T12:58:00.000-05:00

Black + white: contemplative and attentive.

Chad and Hudson's many moods - this being artsy.

C

Men bonding

2007-03-15T10:28:00.000-05:00

To father and son.

The link between these two,

the unstudied cuteness of the latter,
attentive and loving handsomeness of the former,

aren't particularly hard to see.

There was an unplanned Hudson Photo shoot last weekend,
in the midst of his own 1st birthday planning -
these are just the tip of that collection -

so you can imagine...

Love

C

A car

2007-03-13T08:39:00.000-05:00

Chad sent this with not too much information.

So, I'll make a stab:

some generous soul has given this classic, cool, racing, small-size car to Hudson, or on loan to him.

And, though never an almost-1-year old boy myself, I'm going to guess that Hudson's loving it.

C

It's so simple being green

2007-03-13T08:34:00.000-05:00

So that we know all's well with Hudson's healing head,
and with his color coordination and general spring wardrobe,
Chad has sent this picture.

I think we can surmise that it's all good in Dallas.

Love and spring to all.

C

Just a (tiny) head wound

2007-03-05T14:37:00.000-05:00

Because he's not going to get through his 1st year without one,
Because his little body remains soft while the world is too hard by half,
And because Hudson-in-a-bandage and woozy is so damn CUTE the urge to scoop and kiss overwhelms…

I must report that Hudson got a small head-wound - just above the eyebrow - this weekend: a collision of a head and a metal top.

I am happy to report the boy is FINE, in full working order and, without a doubt, probably due for a lot more cuts and scrapes before clearing his 20's.

Love to all,
a well-padded existence to Hudson till he heals.

C

Our hungry caterpillar

2007-02-26T17:35:00.000-05:00

Hudson is reading at a 4th grade level. (Remarkable boy.)

And has got instinctively good taste in literature and, not surprisingly, for books his mom also loved.

Hoping the corners get mushed and dog-eared, the pages bent backwards and the colors stay with him always.

Love, little reader.

From C

Hudson's (birthday) Party

2007-02-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

In honor and celebration of Hudson's first year,
and in memory and celebration of his mom, Linds,
Chad is organizing a party.

On April 14th,
From 12 - 4pm
At Tietze Park (Hudson's neihborhood)
We'll ring in Hudson's second year with cake,
things BB-Q-ed, lots of Pepsi and, I'm guessing, chips too.

Invited: All of the extended family and zillions of friends who've given so much this last year. And if you're reading this, you're a shoe-in too.

After the eating and drinking will be the dedication of the Lindsey Stephenson Brown Toddler Park at Tietze Park with all of the ribbon cutting, speech-making and slide-testing you'd envision.

There's a boy to celebrate, a mom to remember, and a toddler park swing with your name on it.

(Please come.)

Love

C

And a great-grandfather's report

2007-02-26T10:32:00.000-05:00

My grandpop,
Hudson's great grandpop,
invited Hudson and his travel companion/best friend/keenest minder Yvonne to visit.

On Feb. 10, the pair flew to Sea Island Georgia.

Grandpop had planned, probably months in advance, the logistics of the visit: a car-seat loan (a remarkable fete in a community of retirees), rallied friends to help, and readied the pantry with applesauce and juices.

(Grandpop has always loved logistics.)

On the Friday after they'd left, Grandpop used his weekly email to share his glowing report with the family:

Hudson is a mature 10-month-old boy - took a step here; looks like Chad and Chad's father; is strong, sturdy and a happy child - really a joy to me and impressive to the friends to whom we proudly displayed him.

A few days later, this follow-up:
I doubt I have expressed adequately the pleasure of Hudson's visit and my pride in such a bright, determined, engaging great-grandson.

To a great-grandpop of 92 who hosted a 10 month old, and a 10 month old who gave a great-grandpop such great joy.

C - just reporting.

A grandfather's report

2007-01-23T13:29:00.000-05:00

Very fresh off the Hudson press, from dad's visit to Dallas: as thorough and loving a report as you could wish for.

"He is as cute as they come.
Charm-wise
He is sweet and such a good little kid: good natured, happy little fellow. He always seems to have a smile on his face - not as serious as he used to be.
Rarely does he cry.
Mobility-wise
He scoots around the house in his mobile chair, plays with his mechanical top that you have to push down on to make it spin - a trick his Grandpa Brown taught him.
Activity-wise
He is constantly crawling to you and pulling himself up on your pant leg.
He loves his bath - splashing and grinning the whole time.
Sleep-wise
He goes to bed at ~7:30 and wakes up between 6 and 6:30. I haven't heard him the last two mornings - I wake up when I hear Chad pass the guestroom on his way to the nursery. Not sure what Chad hears or how - I guess it's just a parental instinct that grandparents have outgrown.
Summing up:
Little Hudson is a dream."

(That Hudson may know how many people love him.)

C

Hudson in the new year

2007-01-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

(Hoping no one finds Hudson in the Bath gratuitous nudity.)

Too long CIRCA/self focused in 2007 without a proper Hudson-in-the-new-year update.

And there are updates to be had.

A late-to-link post of Lynn's Christmas photos of Hudson amidst his family, cousins, toys I don't recognize and my favorite of boy with life-size tonka truck-thing. (See the slideshow, teasers only here.)

From all reports coming in: The BOY is great and sleeps, smiles, and likes many many things including enchiladas but excluding all Gerber products...

Here's to a Hudson 2007 for all.

Love

C

A Hudson Christmas (collage)

2006-12-27T22:41:00.000-05:00

A smidgen of Hudson to take you into the new year.

Love

C

A few more Hudson

2006-12-18T22:43:00.000-05:00

To round out your holidays, a few more from Annie's recent visit here.

A Hudson holidays

2006-12-17T22:44:00.000-05:00

Hudson's uncle Matt sent these of our little man bundled against the Dallas chill, aboard a carriage with his lovely cousin Bailey.

If there's a cute set of little eyes peeking out from between hat and muffler, let them come forward.

Till then, Hudson's winter get-up is rivaled only by his recent halloween lobster ensemble.

Clearly, Hudson is a holidays man.

We miss him up here.

C

More Hudson

2006-12-04T22:46:00.000-05:00

In Hudson's world there are many guests, visiting admirers: Aunt Annie was a recent one:

I just wanted you all to see how well Hudson Brown and his dad Chad are flourishing! We discovered a fifth tooth coming in this weekend, and spent hours crawling on the floor, watching Hudson pull himself up on anything, babble away like he's really saying "Dadda" and finding hours of entertainment just staring at him on the go.

We decorated the house in a feeble attempt to make Hudson's first Christmas as festive as if Linds were here to decorate herself. Hudson can't keep his eyes (and hands) off the shiny and sparkley new tree. We hung the stockings with care, and Tia shed a tear or 10 looking at all of the ornaments from the Stephenson family past...Linds had an ornament from almost every year of her life, in addition to the box of left-overs my mom had given the "Unholy Four" when they lived in Palo Alto. Second to Thanksgiving, Linds was very gung-ho about Christmas, so I hope we were able to accomplish setting the tone for Chad and Hudson's first Christmas without her.
Hudson is a strong, vibrant and joyful baby who is such a joy to be around- he is such a mellow baby, as if he knew that his entry into this world was under such painful circumstances he's just trying to make it easy on everyone. Chad is a doting dad who knows just what Hudson needs at all times.

Annie's Hudson photos

Love to all - C

A Very Hudson Thanksgiving

2006-11-28T22:48:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-17T22:49:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-10T22:50:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-01T22:52:00.000-05:00

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

Hudson at 6 months

2006-10-18T21:53:00.000-05:00

From his most recent dcotor's report - Chad recaps and gives Hudson's fall travel schedule:

Hudson had a 6 mo appt today - 3 shots and general checkup...he weighed 16 lbs and 26 inches long.
30th percentile in weight and 50th in height.
He and I are headed to NM for a 4 day weekend this weekend and then, I am headed to Cambridge for Johnny's wedding the following weekend (Hudson is not on the travelling squad right now for the Cambridge trip).
On Nov 1, Hudson and Nanny Yvonne are going to Georgetown for a week with David and Sarah.

Hugs to H. Love to the dad.

C

Defining bittersweet

2006-10-12T07:42:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's the anniversary of Hudson's 6th month in our world and Linds' 6th absent from it.

I do not know what to make of this.

Hudson should not have to share his arrival with a departure. I hope that, as years unwind and Hudson gets more teeth, a voice, we'll discover how to celebrate Linds along side him.

Maybe an extra candle, or silence, or Lindsey-esque dance-of-joy.

Cousin Annie (newly-married + ever-thoughtful), sent the following: prayers from us read by Ashley to Hudson at Linds' memorial.

(Note to the non-denominated: I too sometimes get a little jeeby with prayers, so if you want to substitiute "wishes" or "fervent hopes" that's okay too.)

A Prayer for Hudson

We pray you always know how deeply loved and cherished you are by all your mom’s family - aunts, uncles and cousins included. They would do anything for you. Their love for you is unconditional.

We pray you are blessed with your mother’s remarkable gift for instantly warming a person’s heart with her enormous, brilliant smile.

We pray you know how grateful we are that you were born and how blessed we feel to have you in our lives.

We pray that you have your parents’ zest for love and adventure.

We pray you have eyes like your mother so your daddy can look into them and see 2 great loves of his life.

We pray your father teaches you to dance so you can woo all the girls onto the dance floor and make your mom proud.

We pray that you admire your father’s courage and strength.

We pray you grow up embodying the same joyful, curious and generous spirit as your mother.

We pray you grow not only in size and strength but in wisdom as well.

We pray you get to know your grandparents really, really well. They’re all amazing.

We pray your dad will find a way to acknowledge a moment of joy in each day, and share it with you, paying tribute to the joy your mom gave and received out of life each day.

We pray that when you’re 33 you will be living as full a life as your mom was.

We pray your father will sleep well at night and laugh and dance with your mom in his dreams.

We pray that your daddy reads you Goodnight Moon with much frequency.

We pray that you fall as deeply in love with someone as your mom and dad did with each other.

And we pray that you always know how much your mom loves you and that even though you can’t see her, we pray you always know she’s there.

Much love, from your mom’s cousins and sister: Ashley, Johnny, Tenley, Courtney, Andrew, Peppie, Susanna and Annie (and their spouses)

C (peace-out little H)

Grandpop's letters

2006-10-06T21:55:00.000-05:00

Mom or Linds may be watching this week's proceedings from elsewhere, but here amongst the huggable, I've got family, friends and I've got Grandpop.
Who I called last night with the news of R and my engagement.

Every Friday since we were young, and since through the decades that the family's grown, split and rewoven itself, Grandpop and Grandma have sent a family letter.

For its first 4 decades, the letter was typed missive in a long office-y envelope. (Sometimes Grandma would have re-pasted unmarked stamps on to make postage.) With Grandpop's carats and spelling corrections, Grandma's own typed note at the end hilighting a garden show, a visit, they document the mundane of tennis matches, dinners, as well as the inevitable passages - welcome ones and others not.

My family's timeline captured.

Then, some years back, a cousin (Andrew?) started Grandpop on the computer. Though the computer's now been updated, Grandpop's use of it remains exactly as when he started: he logs on, reads the emails accumulated in his Juno account (spammers be ashamed) and, each Friday morning, he sends the family email.

Like the other cousins, I scan for a mention of my name - to be recorded by grandpop is familial posterity.

Which is a long and rambly way to say: In this morning's email, Rus and I my news came in under the wire.

Here from Grandpop:
Greetings on another gorgeous morning at Sea Island. As many know, Ruslan proposed; Courtney happily accepted; no date yet for wedding. Courtney, thoughtfully, called the good news last night. DELIGHTED. Felicitations to Courtney; confratulations to Ruslan. That will leave Alexander the only unwed grandchild.. That's way ahead. Meanwhile, maybe more great-grandchildren will appear??

C

From Boston

2006-10-05T07:44:00.000-05:00

It's many things that are amazing as I wrap my second full day of wearing my ring from R.

But here in Boston (where it's nicely, new england-ly, fall-ish) it's a little bittersweet.

I went to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum this afternoon. I took the blue line from Logan, switching to the green at Government Center and the red just now.

How many t trips did Linds and I make together? It was our yellow school bus. A-zillion daily roundtrips Shawmut-Harvard-Shawmut to school ("Shawmut" could exist only in Boston, with brother "Lechemere") and a billion one-off trips to museums, friends' houses, Fenway, Faneiul Hall, Copley, Kendall when dad was in grad school.

Linds and I knew all stop-names, and the way the train slows (still) as it rounds into the Harvard Station - same as in 5th grade, as when Linds was in 3rd.

This afternoon in the familiar tunnels, emerging by the fenway, then entering the turned-inwards beauty of the Gardner's central courtyard, passing through the damask shrouded rooms, seeing a collection piled and hung one above another, so passionately gathered, with such an aesthetic pack-rat's eye, seeing all that one life might achieve and then share, and - well - I was alone.

Alone with my very big news and the ring and, in my old home town, no mom or Linds to share with.
Alone without my R to enjoy all the beauty with me either.

So - amidst so very much beauty - I was a little sad.

And, now in Harvard Square, I'm nostalgic again.

I feel mom + linds so much here - across from the Border Cafe, at the head of the alley where the COOP's lingerie department faced off with academic lady's clothing. Charette seems to be no longer - something chain-ish in its place. Lots more banks, Brighams gone for eons, Newbury Comics staff still smoking on the back stairs of the Garage.

C - channeling the missing in Harvard Square (lecture's in an hour)

Scholar mom

2006-10-03T08:08:00.000-05:00

Mom and Dad drafting PhDs (on legal pads and manual typerwriters, mom handwriting each cedilla and umlat in the final manuscript), Sea Island circa 1980.

Tomorrow I'm in Boston for the 3rd annual lecture honoring mom.

This year, the lectureship's brought over a Sir John Boardman, Professor of Classical Archeology and Art at Oxford. His ambitious topic (right up mom's alley) is: "Greeks Going East: Exploring the impact of Classical Greek Art in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, past Persia into Central Asia and north India."

(ahem)

A copy of Mom’s PhD sits on a not-prominent shelf in my library, atop books on Seljuk portals and Ottoman architecture whose spines are familiar from childhood but whose content remain an utter mystery. Needless, maybe, to state here: I never read mom’s thesis (it goes immediately to my bedside stack after I post this though), but its tenor infused the first decade of my life. That caravanserai, madrese, anatolia, alexander the great, persia... are all romantic words to me is mom’s doing.

In 1978 mom and dad – doing unrelated phDs simultaneously - won Fulbrights to do doctoral research: mom's would take her to Turkey's far corners, Dad’s to Worli villages and amongst India’s rural poor.

Lindsey and I were enrolled in school in Ankara for the year but occasionally pulled early, or delivered late, so we could join mom on the road - 3 ladies traveling Anatolian Turkey in a brown Citroen whose magic hydraulic suspension drew crowds wherever we went.

Absorbing little of the actual scholarship – neither Linds nor I’d go on to read in ancient Arabic or debunk some Seljuk theory - we did develop a taste for turquoise tiles and a nostalgic familiarity with dirt courtyards, the dank smell of bats (so that the deeper recessed of Angkor Wat felt familiar), the rules of Ramadan and candies of Eid, the color of a poppy field. Mom would photograph with one of the Minoltas slung around her neck (slide and b+w), measure portal widths and carving depths, while Linds and I squatted, or sang what John Denver we knew, or traded with local kids.

C (nostalgic, thankful, inspired)

Mom

2006-10-02T21:59:00.000-05:00

On 10/02/2003 I was upstate with Rod looking after mom and, as we prepared a bath for her, she slipped away. I remember that outside it was beautiful. What I know of fall foliage will hinge on the golds of that day.

There was more to it than that - more pain and messiness. ALS is without sympathies, progresses relentlessly. In mom's case it swpet through her and had claimed her entirely within a year.

But once she's gone, it doesn't have her any longer of course. She goes immediately back to being ours and our memories (31 years) supercede the just one year that ALS had mom. Like a brief affair, we can sweep that one away and try to forget the mockery it made of her independence, grace and will.

But how to now remember my mom.
And Linds who's left too.

I know they're not all gone.
Some faith in me assumes they are together.

And, honestly, sometimes I'm not sure the reality of their absence here has quite reached me. They're still alive - never ever dead - in my dreams. They still have opinions, would weigh-in on matters if just given a voice.

So sometimes it's like the two most important women in my life simply stepped off stage and behind curtain. In the photo here - taken on Lake Van in Turkey - mom and Linds hold hands. Imagine that, like scuba divers, they just fell backwards together and so not visible but still there. They don't happen to be in this scene but will return for others. My jerry-rigged version of eternal being makes it bearable for me.

C

But of the wedding

2006-09-11T21:47:00.000-05:00

I shouldn't be all gloom and lost cities.

R and I had wonderful weekend at cousin Annie, and cousin-in-law-now (yes?) Taylor's wedding in Santa Barbara-the-beautiful.

Our family gathered, the cousins had cousin time finally in happy circumstances, the bride was aglow from within and her groom handsome, the setting the stuff of fantasy and Hudson on hand to love.

I have photos to prove all the above, and tell more stories.

C

Sharp dressed H

2006-09-11T21:46:00.000-05:00

Chad and Hudson flew from Dallas to be at the wedding.

Chad -
single father of an almost-5-month old,
full-time at a job that takes him to lands beyond the pale of standard business,
and widower of less than a year -

travelled some 5 hours (in coach) with his tiny son to be at the wedding.

Chad packed their bags - Hudson's with an outfits for each event (photos to follow). He'd kitted a diaper bag for eventualities. Along with his own suit and tie, he'd brought Hudson's onesie-version. Then, together, the two came west to stay in a hotel room that Linds had booked in early April.
(Linds had already arranged for a crib in the room.)

After people ask after Hudson, most ask how Chad/the dad is doing.
I answer some combination of coping and sad.

But what I really should say is:
Chad and Hudson are making it through, and forward, every single day. Hudson's healthy and handsome and a total joy.
And Chad is the man to thank and also celebrate.

C - sending my love southwards to the two exceptionally well dressed men