Hello my friends, wishing you a very happy autumn weekend! So I haven’t shared much about Hudson here for a while now and I’ve got a few things on my mind. (Hudson’s our little boy. He’s 6, cute as a button, mostly non-verbal and has Down syndrome.)
Our littlest soccer fan Hud – 2014 (Photo creds Designs by Linda Nee)
(If you’re new here I post recipes during the week and muse on the weekends.)
As you may know we have four boys and so you might think there’d be a lot of similarities among them. But the truth is, each one is different and unique with a personality all his own. The one family member who draws all our family together is Hudson. While he has very few words, he manages to get his point across quite nicely in a number of ways – pointing, gesturing, laughing or crying. He’s also very needy. And it’s that needy-ness that draws our family together as we pitch in to love and care for him.
One of the most frustrating things about caring for Hudson is his inability to communicate with words. It’s something we’ve all struggled with because he’s made so little progress in this area. While he understands many words, there are just a few that he can articulate clearly. One of them is ‘help’. He uses this word mostly when we’ve started a DVD for him and it’s gone through the previews but pauses because the movie play button needs to be pressed. He also says ‘ilk’ for milk.
And he’s been doing/saying this with me for years now:
‘I’ (we point to eyes) ‘ove’ (we cross our chest) ‘Oo’ (we point to each other.) I love you.
Some good news is he had a third consult last week re:a portable communications device. Finally. The tech felt he was a good candidate for a particular kind that is similar to the size of an I-pad. I won’t pretend I know exactly how it works, but it has words and symbols and he presses a symbol on a touch screen and it says the word out loud for him. He’ll have to learn what each symbol means one by one to communicate with it. He’ll have a thirty day trial first to see how it goes. Meanwhile we’ll attend a training session to learn how to use it best and add symbols and words so he can master new ones. All the paperwork is turned in and now we wait. (What’s new?)
One of the sweetest words I’ve ever heard from my children’s lips is the word ‘mom’. But Hudson hasn’t said that word yet. And that’s hard. I don’t know if the ‘m’ is a particularly hard consonant for him or what. He calls Charlie ‘Lee’ and his daddy – ‘Dee’. (Do you see a pattern here?) And Jacob has been ‘Ub’ for some time now.
#13 Ub, airborne. (Photo creds – thanks Shelby Purtell)
Last weekend Jacob (16) and his teammates were playing a soccer game. The teams were pretty evenly matched and it was a hard, physical game that they ended up losing 3-2. After each game, the team runs in a parallel line across the field as a unit towards the fans so they can cheer. Then the team runs back parallel to meet with their coaches on the opposite side of the field. This is always Hudson’s favorite part of the game.
Well as Jacob’s dejected team comes running across the field last Saturday I hear two little hands next to me clapping fiercely. Hear a husky little voice yelling ‘Yay Ub, yay Ub.’ I look down to see a very excited little figure cheering on his big brother.
It’s hard to articulate my full heart on hearing those words. This precious little person, overjoyed to see Jacob, stringing his first two words together all by himself for maybe the first time ever.
Hudson was desperate to follow the team back across the field when they turned back. He wanted to get to his Ub in the worst way. Finally he broke free, and you know what? We just let him go.
And every ten feet or so, he stopped and looked back. Waiting to see if we were coming after him. And just this once, we didn’t. He made it all the way across that enormous soccer field all by himself, stopping and starting every little bit. Until he finally found his Ub in the team huddle and crawled up into his lap. He was a welcome visitor for sure.
The future is bright for our little Hudson, and I look forward to many more sweet words to come. Even sentences.
But the word I look forward to hearing most? ‘Mom.’
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Simone says
I have always enjoyed reading about your family and especially about Hudson. He inspires one to enjoy life, the simple things and the beauty that surrounds us. I never get tired of his ‘wonder’ and the beautiful ways that you, his momma, describe him.
I am so happy to hear, too, that Hudson will finally get his device and look forward to more exciting news of the progress ahead for this little man. Praying and hoping for you to hear that wonderful word “Mom” from your precious son’s lips.
Thank you, Allie, for your posts.
Allie says
Dear Simone, thank you for these sweet thoughts and for sharing them here. You’ve always had a very special corner of your heart for Hudson and that’s always been a gift to me. Thank you. We’ve missed you at Bible study this fall and seeing you and Norm around. But I sincerely hope that you’re settling in to your new digs and enjoying being closer to family. and the coast You’re loved and missed. Will keep you posted on Hudson’s device. XO
Aunt Pinkie says
Love hearing about Hudson-he’s such a precious little guy! And will pray that you’ll get to hear that coveted MOM soon!
Allie says
Thanks so much Aunt Pinkie, I hope so too! XO
Lesly says
What a precious picture of your beautiful son. He is such an incredible gift from God. Remember to look for the nonverbal communication of the word Mom in the love in his eyes. Have a blessed day!
Allie says
Hi Lesly – thanks so much for dropping by and your kind words. Hudson is an incredible gift from God and it’s been quite a journey for our whole family. The morning you wrote this note he crawled into my bed and snuggled for almost an hour. And lots of eye contact. (!) I know just what you’re talking about. Many thanks for the timely reminder. xo
Tracy says
Hooray for Hudson! This is all such wonderful news!! A sentence. Yay! And finally, at last, he has his communication device. I’m so very excited for the Taylors. I think we take for granted how easily we can communicate with each other. Thanks for sharing what you guys go through. I can not wait to see Hudson start to take off with his new device! Loved your story. I think MOM is right around the corner?
Allie says
Thank you Tracy, it was a great day for sure! We’re still waiting on that device but hopefully it will happen soon. Many thanks for sharing the joy my friend!
Susie Mandel says
Yet another awesome post. There’s so much about it I love! I will be praying in earnest that you get the portable communications device and that it works splendidly for Hudson and your family! Fabulous picture of “Ub” in mid-air (Shelby…wow!), and is that Jon in the background with little Hudson asleep in his stroller?? Just love that. 🙂 And, of course, I love the part about Hudson making his way across the field to see his “Ub.” <3 I will be bawling my eyes out the day you post that Hudson has been able to say "Mom." It's difficult for pretty much every child to say that word. "Ds" are easier, so Daddy always comes out first. 🙂 Love you all!!!
Allie says
Dear Susie, you are so kind and such an encouraging friend. I’m sure I would have quite this blog months ago if it weren’t for your kind and gracious comments. YES – that is Jon in the background. Isn’t that hysterical? Hands on the head – probably fearing the worst. (We’ve had more than our share of injuries in our household.) I don’t believe Hudson is sleeping because he almost never sleeps in his stroller – but I think he is to one side, probably with a chewy in his mouth. Love you back!
Kathy says
I am anticipating that day will be soon, Allie. Thank you for another beautiful post! ! !
Allie says
Thank you Kathy for your always kind and encouraging words, and for caring. I feel it across the miles. Have a beautiful day. XO
Bresca says
I love seeing Hudson and Ub enjoying each other — what a special relationship! And what a special family you have! (:
Allie says
Dear Bresca, thank you my friend. You also have a very special family. XO
Jon says
Yay, Om.
<3
Allie says
You so clever. Thanks love. XO
Carina says
Dear allie, I hope you guys get that communication device, soon. It is exciting; sounds like things are progressing. And how wonderful that hudson put two words together. My friend, I hope that you will soon hear the word “mom”, too. The pictures are great… boy, Ub sure can jump! Thanks for sharing this beautiful post. Take care. xoxo
Allie says
Dear Carina, thank you! It seems the wait has been interminable for this device and I sure do hope it will make a big difference for all of us. Thanks for the kindness and encouragement across the miles, it somehow makes it easier to wait. XO
Gaila says
I love hearing about Hudson, Allie, He is so cute!! I am looking forward to hearing his words too!! awesome post!
Allie says
Hi Gaila – thanks so much for dropping by. I really do appreciate the encouragement, friend. Thank you.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I LOVE reading about Hudson and your family, Allie. It ALWAYS warms my heart! I’m so glad Hudson qualified for the communication device and I will keep my fingers crossed the waiting process is short AND that the device helps your precious little one communicate more freely!! I’m thrilled Hudson said his first string of two words!! You must be beyond proud of your entire family. Cheers, lovely! xoxoxo
Allie says
Friend – you’re so kind to keep coming along for the ride. Thanks for keeping a soft spot in your heart for my little H man. He’s a love. Hope you’re having a fantastic week and cooking up lots more goodies in the kitchen like this fabulous Butternut Squash Pasta with Ricotta and Sage Brown Butter. http://www.nospoonnecessary.com/butternut-squash-pasta-with-ricotta-sage-brown-butter/ Delish! XO
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Hope you had a lovely autumn weekend dear Allie. That’s such a wonderful news, so happy to know that he would finally get his device. Hudson is super cute, love reading about him and your family. Have a lovely week my friend. <3
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Awww Allie – my eyes got a bit leaky reading about Hudson’s first time stringing two words together and how you felt. I don’t often check my inbox on the weekends (this weekend we put a floor in) but I so wish I had gotten to this earlier! Such a lovely sweet post about your wonderful Hudson. I had been wondering about him so I was glad to read this and glad to read about that i=pad sized communication device. I’m keeping my fingers crossed y’all don’t have to wait too long for it.
Happy Wednesday friend! xoxo
Linda Jenkins says
I can visualize Hudson running across the field, looking back, and realizing he didn’t need to be followed, for waiting on the other side was his wonderful brother, Ub, I can imagine that he was embraced by Jacob and his teammates. That brings me such joy; Hudson is so fortunate to be surrounded by such loving and caring adults. I am so happy to hear about the speech device. I know it has been a long time coming, but God decides when the time is right. Delighted he has chosen now; He must know that Hudson is ready for this. I know how much you long to have Hudson say, “Mom,” but I promise that when that does happen, you will be filled with joy and love, tears will be streaming down your cheeks. Asking my angels to make that moment extra special for you.