Uncle Cameron Meets Hudson

My youngest brother, Cameron, and his girlfriend were in town for the weekend and we got to see them for a quick visit today before the left to head home.  The girls had been looking forward to seeing Cameron all weekend and were so excited for this afternoon.

The second day of camp went just as well as the first.  When I picked them up today they both had art work to share and especially Harper was very proud to show off what she had made.  I'm so very excited about school for the girls now.  Not because I'm ready for summer to be over (because I'm going to miss them terribly while they are at school), but because I see how much fun they are having and how excited they are about going each day.  While they have been at camp Hudson and I ran errands yesterday and got a lot done around the house today.  I also officially started exercising today (just walking around the neighborhood, but in this heat that is quite a workout) so that felt really great.  

Hudson loves his paci and it usually calms him right down.  I also feel like he is starting to fill out a little and his face is looking a little more round, which I am excited about because I just love big cheeks on babies. :-) 

First Day of Camp

This week the girls are attending camp at their school.  The camp runs from 9 AM - 1 PM and basically has the same schedule as their school day.  I decided to sign them up for this camp to get them back into the school groove and to help Harper to feel more comfortable when she starts school for the first time in a few weeks.  We've been talking about camp a lot this past week and over the weekend.  This morning before we left you would have thought we were getting ready to go to Disney World!  They were SO excited for today.  The first thing Handley told me this morning was that she got a little bit of sleep, but mostly she was just too excited to sleep.  :-)  I think they are sick of being at home so much the past few weeks and were craving some interaction with friends.

Handley's BFF, Avery, is attending the camp with her this week and Harper's BFF's, Jake and Reece, are attending with her.  The kids were all really happy to see each other this morning.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from drop-off with Harper, but she did so GREAT!  She walked right into her class and didn't look back.  I was so proud of my big girl and couldn't believe it was so easy.  Now I am feeling really confident in my decision to send her to school 3 days a week this year.  When I picked them up everyone was all smiles and talked the whole way home about how much fun they'd had and all about what they had done.

Over the weekend we went to the lake for the first time with Hudson.  We were all ready for a change of scenery and I really wanted Robby to be able to take the girls out on the boat.  Hudson and I stuck around he house and relaxed while the girls and Robby went out on the water.  They did some cruising on the boat, played at a beach, had a picnic lunch, and spent some time with some of our lake friends up there.  Saturday night we all went out for Mexican and it was so nice to just get out and feel normal.  We're heading back in a few weeks and plan to take Hudson out on the boat next time for his first ride.

Speaking of Hudson, he is doing much better. He still has some fussy times related to gas, but I am pretty convinced it's just due to an immature digestive system that continues to improve each day.  So much of what I've read and people I've talked to say it will better itself between 4-6 weeks and I'm already seeing a difference.  Thank goodness, because the cutting back on dairy thing lasted about 2 days.  I'm very happy that I don't have to give up on cheese and ice cream. :-)

Hudson's First Bath

My first three days at home by myself with all 3 kids has been better than I could have expected.  I've only had two minor emotional breakdowns (totally related to hormones) and the kids have all been fantastic.  Our biggest outing so far was going to playgroup yesterday, but tomorrow we have a busy day planned and will finally be venturing out of the neighborhood.  Although the girls have kept busy playing hide-n-seek and tending to their baby dolls, I think we are all ready for a change of scenery.   

Hudson had a rough day on Monday and that continued into Monday night.  He was incredibly fussy and gassy ALL day and ALL night.  I'm beginning to think it might be related to something I'm eating.  The past two days I've tried limiting obvious dairy sources that I eat and I'm not sure if it is a coincidence or not, but he has been back to his happy self yesterday and today.  

He had been sleeping in our room, but I put him in his crib for the first time on Sunday night.  With the exception of Monday night when I basically slept in the glider with him all night, he has done really well in there and I have slept much better too.  He's going down around 10 PM, waking once around 2-3 AM to nurse, and then back down until about 6:30 AM.  

His belly button is finally healed so yesterday he got to experience his first bath!  He seemed to enjoy the water and the only time he cried was when Harper was pulling on his arm as she tried to wash it. :-) 

The girls loved helping

All clean and happy after his bath

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.