Smiling and cooing

Hudson is growing so fast!!  This past Monday, my sister-in-law, Bekah, had her little girl.  Gracie Lynn is just beautiful and I'm amazed at how fast babies grow.  Just six weeks ago, Hudson was that size!!  He is smiling a lot now, especially when his little belly is full!!  He'll "talk" too when you talk back.  I'm happy about his sleep, also.  I'll put him down around 9 and he'll sleep until 3:00 am then up again at 6 or 7.  Hopefully, by the time I start work (3.5 weeks), he'll stretch out that 3 am feeding.  I'm already dreading leaving him.  I have full confidence in Kim (our neighbor who will be keeping him) but still it's going to be HARD!  I love our daily routine.  When I went to visit Dr. Ross for my post-partum, he asked what I thought about being a mom.  I said that it was hard at first, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Bryant and I are so thankful that God chose us to raise this little disciple!!  I've posted some pics of Gracie Lynn and a few randoms.  Also, if anybody could tell me how to write under the pictures, I'd be grateful.  I'd like to explain each one, but can't figure out how to do that:)  

One month old and this past week

Hudson was one month old yesterday!!!  Oh my goodness, the time flies!!  He is growing and doing great.  Bryant and I think that he is about 10 lbs according to Bryant holding him while weighing himself.  He had his first smile yesterday while I was feeding him.  He just looked up and gave me this incredible grin.  It definitely wasn't gas!!  I tried to get a picture of if but Hudson didn't want to smile for the camera:(.  I posted a pic where he just got through smiling.  Hudson also loves to nap on his stomach.  I bet if we let him sleep at night on his tummy he would sleep through the night:)  He's waking up at 2 am and 7 am.  I really can't complain because he is usually easy to get back to sleep.  On Wednesday, Hudson's girlfriend and future wife came into the world. ( yes....we have already prearranged his marriage:) Rob and Dacy Lee had their little girl Dacy Caroline on March 11.  She was 3 weeks early but she is healthy and beautiful.  We all went up to visit her and Hudson got some pics with her.  It was really cute.  We are all going to Bryant's parents' this weekend for Bekah's baby shower.  This will be our first overnight trip.  Yikes!  I'm a little nervous!  I'll keep you posted on how it goes!!

3 weeks old

Can't believe that my little man is 3 weeks old today!!!  He's changed so much and keeping me busy!  He's looking like his daddy everyday:)  He enjoyed his first snow this past Sunday.  Bryant and I bundled him up and took some pictures with him.  I'm still so in awe of him.  Hard to believe that I'm a mom!!!!  Still waiting on his first smile, but my pediatrician said that it is coming!!  I'll keep you posted!

Growing and growing!

Hard to believe that my little one will be 2 weeks old tomorrow!!!  Last Friday at Dr. Albert's he weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz.  That is 1 ounce away from his birth weight!!  I was so pleased and she was too.  He is more active now, especially in the morning.  Hudson loves to lounge on his Boppy and watch mommy on the computer.  He also loves his swing.  This past Sunday we took him to church.  It was nice to get out but all I could think about were the people coughing and sneezing around me.  Or course, he was in his sling close to his mommy but still I was nervous!!  I was so glad nobody offered to hold him!!!  Anyway, we are doing great.  He's getting up about twice a night to eat.  Keeping our fingers crossed that he will continue to sleep and eat well.  

One week old

Amazing how fast a week goes by and Hudson has changed so much.  All 3 of us are settling in and getting used to each other.  Sometimes I look at him and can't believe that he is my son.  Definitely surreal!!  The first night at home was rough but we made it through!  Hudson eats about every 2.5-3 hours with longer stretches at night.  (not that long though..:) I can't wait until he has his first smile but I know that won't be for a while.  Through this transition, God is being the great Sustainer!!!  When we are tired, we cling to that truth.  Bryant and I both pray that our little boy will understand the greatness of God at an early age.  We are excited about the upcoming weeks and how our little man will grow and change.  

Happy Valentine's Day

What a crazy last couple of days!!!  Here's the story....Wednesday morning I started having some contractions.  Of course, this being my first, I thought they were just Braxton Hicks.  I started some light cleaning around the house and noticed that these contractions were kinda different.  Needless to say, I was having to breathe through them.  I started timing them and they were 3-6 min. apart.  I waited to call the hospital because I wanted to be sure...so I made sure that I had everything together.  Finally, at 2:30 pm I called and they told me to come on up.  Bryant was still at work so I had to meet him somewhere off 65.  I think that I looked pretty funny driving and having this terrible look on my face.  We get to Dr. Ross's office and I immediately start apologizing.  I still think that it was false labor.  Dr. Ross checked and said, "You're going to have this baby soon."  I was shocked!!!!  I had done nothing as far as progression the previous day!  

Labor was interesting......a little difficult.  I pushed for 2.5 hours and still no Hudson.  Dr. Mckenzie, one of Dr. Ross's partners, came in and told me that Hudson was facing up; thus, making pushing difficult.  He said that I could still deliver without a c-section but he was going to have to HELP me.  I pushed for another 30 minutes to get Hudson down and then Dr. Mc used forceps the rest of the way.  When they put my sweet boy on my chest, the hard labor was so so worth it.  He is beautiful with a head full of black hair!  He weighed 7lbs. 8 oz, 21.5 inches long, and head circumference of 13.5 inches.  It was love at first sight.....I can't even explain it.  But I do know that God is an amazing creator and I was awestruck by his power at that moment.  Bryant and I appreciate everybody's calls and prayers.  We will post more pics soon.

The new addition