Catch-up post

We've been really busy this past week/weekend and I haven't had time to catch up on the blog.  I had decided that while I still had my mom in town to help me, I wanted to use last week to start venturing out of the house and getting used to the logistics of running errands with all three kids.  I'm happy to report that it was easier than expected and because the girls are usually very well behaved when we are out and about and Hudson still sleeps most of the time, the hardest part was getting everyone out the door. 

On Wednesday we did a little shoe shopping, had an ice cream outing with some friends, and made a quick stop by the pediatricians office.  

The girls were so excited about getting ice cream with friends and when we got to D'lites in East Cobb the sweet girls working there let the kids come behind the counter to fill their cups or cones and dish out lots of toppings.  

 Hudson has about 2 outfits that fit him right now (besides his onesies) but I know it won't be like that for long.  I already feel like he has changed a lot and is growing so quickly.  My friend Lizzi gave me these outfits for the kids at one of my showers.  The girls love to match each other and they were thrilled get to match with Hudson too!

My Dad came back in town on Saturday and Trey and Stefanie also came over to visit for the evening.  My sweet friend Christy knew my family would all be here and brought us over BBQ for dinner.  It was so delicious and so nice to be able to just enjoy spending time with my family.

Hudson still continues to be a really sweet baby boy!  I have discovered that he has been really gassy at night and that has kept him from being able to get comfortable and to be able to sleep really well at night.  After trying a few different things, he's done better the past two nights so I am hoping we have turned a corner.  During the day he is really happy and is starting to wake up more, which is fun for all of us.

After being with us for two weeks, my mom left today to head home with my dad.  I was so sad to see them leave and I can't even begin to think how I would have managed through the first two weeks home without her help.  We are going to miss her like crazy, but I am so thankful that she was able to stay and help us out as long as she did.

Today we had a pretty low key afternoon around the house.  Handley was the most well behaved she has EVER been and was so incredibly helpful with Harper and with anything else I might have needed her to do.  I'm hoping that continues tomorrow when Robby is at work and I'm really on my own.  This evening we had our first family of five outing.  We went to get frozen yogurt after dinner and it felt so great to get out of the house together and it felt really normal to look back and see all 3 kids in the backseat. :-)

Hudson's first playgroup

Things have been going really well for us at home.  I can definitely say the transition from 2 kids to 3 has been way easier on me than going from 1 to 2.  Granted, my mom is still here through the week and continues to be a huge help, but I'm hoping I'll be singing the same tune next week when I'm on my own.  We had a low-key weekend that included a few visitors to come by and meet Hudson.  

Hudson continues to be a really good baby and although he still sleeps most of the time, he is starting to wake up a little more each day enjoy some playtime.  He seems very content when he is awake and enjoys just looking around.  We are still trying to figure out the nights.  I can't quite pinpoint what exactly is keeping him from getting into some good deep sleep, but I feel like it's getting a little better each night.  Before I know it this phase will be a distant memory though, so I'm totally fine being up with him each night.

Today was Hudson's first playgroup.  The girls have stayed busy each day with Mimi.  Every time they head out somewhere they ask why I'm not coming along with Hudson, so they were really happy that we would all be going to playgroup today.

Tiara, Avery and Dylan planned a tea party for today and all of the kids enjoyed dressing up in princess clothes and fancy attire for the special occasion.  They enjoyed a special punch in fancy glasses, sweet snacks, and lots of play time.

The wild and crazy kids playing all around him didn't seem to bother Hudson and he snoozed through most of playgroup.

The girls are being so sweet and I couldn't ask for them to have adjusted to Hudson any better.  They are constantly mimicking me with their baby dolls and want to help with him anyway they can.  Tonight just before bed I had Hudson on on a blanket doing tummy time in Harper's room and walked back in to find both girls laying with him.  :-)  It just melts my heart to have them love him so much.

Getting settled

This week we have been doing really well and have just been working on getting settled in at home.  I'm still feeling really great and it's been nice to be able to nap some during the day. I know I wouldn't be so lucky without the help of my mom who is keeping the girls happy and busy with their regular activities.  They are so used to being on the go, that I knew they would be bored just sitting at home.  So far this week they have been to the Regal Cinema $1 summer movies, went to play group, swam and had a picnic at the pool, went to Handley's ballet class this morning and I think tomorrow on the agenda is Kangazoom. 

Both girls are still really interested in Hudson and love him to pieces.  As soon as he makes a noise or starts crying the come running to his rescue.  Every time I change his diaper they rush to help and constantly want to hold him.  He tolerates it pretty well, even if he is falling over and totally uncomfortable. Ha! 

The nights had been pretty rough and he just wasn't sleeping.  I think he has a touch of reflux that was causing him to not be able to get settled and comfortable.  After having him sleep at a steep incline last night though, it seemed to do the trick and he only woke up once. I woke up feeling like a new woman this morning. 

Today was Hudson's first doctor's appointment and it went really well.  He is back to his birth weight and the Dr. told me he was "perfect."  I certainly think so, but it's always nice to hear it from someone else too.  That little outing wore him out and he spent the rest of the afternoon napping (which he pretty much does every other day too).  

He looks so different to me with his eyes open and my one goal today was to get a picture of him awake.  I was about to get on the computer and thought I wouldn't be successful, but thankfully he cooperated at the last minute. :-)

Coming home

This morning we loaded up and got ready to come home.  Our stay at the hospital was really nice, but there is no place like home!  

The girls were outside waiting on us when we arrived and were so excited to see their baby brother.  Handley couldn't wait to show Hudson all around our house and kept asking if he knew where he was.

One of our neighbors has this amazing stork business.  She personalizes the storks with your baby's name, birth date, weight and length for you to display in your yard to announce your baby's arrival.  The girls were so excited to find this stork in our yard when they woke up on Sunday morning and didn't quite know how it got there. :-)  Please check out her website at www.thestorker.com if you are interested in renting one of these storks and pass along her info to anyone you know who is expecting! 

Our first day home was fantastic. The girls are thrilled to have him home and are constantly asking to hold him.  They are totally in love.

Harper runs over every time he makes noise to cover him up and earlier I found her sitting next to the swing reading him a book.  

Handley probably told me at least 20 times today, "I just can't stop my mind from thinking about Hudson."

We all can't get enough of our little guy.  I'm so happy to be at home now and feel wonderful about how things are going.  My mom is staying with us for two weeks to help with the girls and help us adjust to being a family of 5.  I know I couldn't do it without her help.  I feel great, Hudson is doing really well and I feel like our family is so complete.  

Day 2 at the hospital

We made it through last night pretty smoothly. Hudson only woke up a few times to eat and other than that he was pretty quiet.  This morning he woke up early and was happy to lay beside me and quietly look around while I got a little more rest.  I know things can change, but right now I am feeling like he is really laid back, which I'm loving! 

This morning my parents brought the girls back to visit.  They were excited to be here and ran to assume position on the couch with their pillows to get to hold him.  

They tend to get bored in the small hospital room before too long, but stayed entertained today using baby hats as socks and going for a "ride" on the bed that moves up and down.  

This afternoon Jen, Justen and Parker came to visit us and meet Hudson.  They also brought us lunch and milkshakes!  Parker was interested in grabbing Hudson and I just know they are going to be best of friends before long.

This evening Papa and Gigi came back to visit.  Gigi rocked Hudson for a very long time and he kept snoozing away as he was passed on to Papa.

We have enjoyed our time at the hospital and loved all of our visitors, but look forward to going home tomorrow!

Hudson Zachary

This morning we welcomed Hudson into the world!  I was scheduled to be induced this morning and came to the hospital as directed last night. During the night I woke up to contractions every 5 minutes so no induction was necessary after all.  After dealing with what felt like mild contractions from about 5:00 AM - 9:30 AM it was like a switch was flipped and I was in a lot of pain asking for my epidural.  I had to finish receiving a bag of IV fluids first and then thankfully the anesthesiologist worked quickly. Turns out I got it just in time, because right after that the nurse was calling my doctor to rush in and deliver.  He was born at 11:07 AM and I was thankful for a quick and easy delivery.  It all happened so fast that it felt very surreal and I didn't quite have time to process the fact that our baby boy was here!

He weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 inches long.

When we got to our post-delivery room a few hours later I think it all finally hit me.  I was a mom of 3 kids!!!  We were thrilled to have the girls come meet their baby brother and they were very excited.  As you can tell from the huge smile on Harper's face in every picture, she is ecstatic about her new role of big sister.

Hard for me to believe we are now a family of 5!!!

Trey and Stefanie, Gigi and Papa, and Mimi and Dadaw were all there to visit too!  I think the nurse was a little overwhelmed by everyone when she walked in to find a room full of people, but everyone was loving on Hudson and he slept through the whole thing.  I'm hoping this is a sign of things to come because this little guy is going to be dealing with a lot of commotion when he gets home too.

 After everyone left we had a little down time with our little guy and were both amazed at how alert and awake he seems to be.  He also seems very content.  He was happy just hanging out on the bed, looking around, and taking it all in.

As I type this I am feeling great and Hudson is snuggled on my chest.  I'm soaking up the precious newborn stage and the sweet newborn smell.  I know this is our "caboose" and I want to savor every second.