January 2011

There are two things that without a doubt come to mind when I reflect on January 2011...

1. Hudson's Birth
2. Snowy Days

We have enjoyed a lot of snowy days this month. Sometimes the snow would fall as just a light dusting, and other times it would pile up to 8 inches! The snow days have been a blessing by providing Scott and me time at home while Hudson is a newborn and by providing some fun outdoors for Macklan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Cute Little Guy...

is TWO WEEKS old!

  

  

Raising These Boys Right!

If there's one thing Scott and I are doing right as parents...

it's teaching these boys to LOVE the Cats!!!

Well...and each other of course! Look at that brotherly love!!!

Macklan and Hudson have now both worn this UK sleeper during their first weeks at home.

One Week Check-up

After having such a good experience with Dr. Gannon as our hospital pediatrician for Macklan, we chose him to care for Hudson too. Hudson saw Dr. Gannon at his one week check-up, but future appointments would be with Dr. Quijano (also Macklan's current pediatrician).

The appointment became a family affair and was our first time leaving the house...all four of us! Oh my! I didn't think I was ever going to get it all together. But we made it! Well, once we found the doctor's office. They had moved locations since we had been there with Macklan, and it didn't cross my mind to check. After arriving about 10 minutes late, I apologized to the receptionist and offered her our excuse. After filling out paperwork, we were taken to the "Cat" examining room. The new office was really neat; each examining room featured a different animal which is a very appealing concept to a child.

First order of business...weight check!

Hudson's discharge weight was 7 lbs. 15 oz. (down from his birth weight of 8 lbs. 6 oz.).

But it was no shocker based on the way that this boy likes to eat...

that he was back up to his birth weight!

One week stats:

Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz. (75th Percentile)
Height: 20 in. (50th Percentile)

Then Dr. Gannon checked his heart, lungs, ears, joints/movement, cord and circumcision. Everything checked out great!

Of course we had help from Big Brother...

and one really neat feature in the waiting area is this large aquarium which is home to Dory and the other fishy friends. What's cool about the Dory fish? We watched her during Macklan's one week check-up three and a half years ago!

Hudson and Dory
(Macklan was too busy exploring the play area to take a pic)

Briley and Dory (August 2, 2007) at Macklan's one week check-up.

I can't believe this sweet little boy...

has already been with us for one week!

 

I'm pretty sure we'll keep him!

Welcome Home

I guess I wore out my welcome in the mother baby unit, and they weren't offering extended stays. Ha! The alternative was pretty appealing though...

welcoming this sweet baby boy to our home.
  

Hudson wore this gown for his hospital picture and going home outfit.


We couldn't wait to get Hudson home, and our home was ready for him. I had been nesting for a couple of weeks prior to delivery so the house was clean, kitchen was stocked, laundry done, and the nursery complete. We had also been apart from Macklan for a couple of days with the the exception of his visits to the hospital, so we were looking forward to being in the comforts of home with both our boys. There's no place like home!

Speaking of that, the most ironic thing happened as I was moved from labor and delivery to the mother baby unit. The nurse was pushing me down the hall and deja-vu slapped me right in the face. She wheeled me into the same exact room where I stayed with Macklan three and a half years ago, room #15. I also saw several familiar faces in the nurses who took care of me. These little bonuses were comforting to me.

Baby Blake Room #15

Hudson and Mommy

Daddy and Hudson

We enjoyed our stay at the hospital but we were anxious to get home. By the time Hudson and I were discharged, it was lunch time so Scott and I grabbed Chic-fil-A on the way home. We also had to stop by the pharmacy to get my happy pills! Macklan was still at Nana and Pappy's, so we picked him up and surprised him with a blue balloon from the hospital gift shop. Then we headed home with our boys!

Bundled up and ready for a drive home in the snow.

Love this cute hat Nana made for Hudson!

Hudson received a warm welcome from Macklan.

Hudson had some special visitors on his first day home.

Visitors at the hospital included: Nana, Pappy, Aunt KeKe, Briley, Hadley, Mammie, Bro. Bill and Annie, Shane and Cheri Fogle, Jed and Angel Killough and Ella
(Because of the snowy weather, some of our family and friends opted to visit once we were home.)

Welcome Home Hudson...Welcome Home!!!

Mother Baby Unit

Ten reasons why I could stay in the Mother Baby Unit at OMHS for an extended stay:

1. The nurses are excellent caregivers making sure my every need is met.
2. The bed is actually quite comfortable.
3. Someone else does the cleaning, laundry, and cooking.
4. I get to order from a mother's only a-la-carte menu three times a day (and it's good food)!
5. It's the only time I get to take a bath and relax without having someone knock at the door.
6. Access to unlimited fountain soft drinks (which are so much better than canned drinks).
7. I have all the time in the world to soak up my new baby.
8. I control the remote rather than Scott (only because it's attached to the bed--just saying)!
9. Time to sit and chat with wonderful family and friends.
10. I can sit around in my pj's all day and nap whenever I want.

Look at the proud Big Brother!

Mommy and her boys

Mammie and her great-grandson Hudson

Snow Baby

Brothers

Hudson is blessed to have this lady as his Nana!

Family of Four

 

Amazed at the gift God has given to our family.

The Proud Papa

Night night kisses from Macklan

Happy Birthday Hudson!!!

Scheduled to check-in at the hospital at 5:00 AM meant that my alarm was set for 3:00 AM for several different reasons:

1. I had to shower and get ready.
2. I had to double check the suitcase and throw in last minute items.
3. We had an hour drive ahead of us.
4. Snow was in the forecast and expected around our departure time.

So when I got out of bed the first thing I did was look outside to see if it were snowing yet. No snow, so I went straight to the shower. Once I was mostly ready, I woke up Scott who made his coffee and showered. By the time he was ready, I had packed and double checked everything which meant he could now load the van. It was nearing 4:00 AM which would give us exactly enough time to make it to the hospital by 5:00.

Scott came back in the house and immediately said, "We've got to leave now! The road is covered." Knowing how Scott loves to joke around, I didn't think too much of his urgent request. I thought he was only joking, but to my surprise he was every bit of serious!

We quickly rushed out the door and cautiously drove to Owensboro. The roads were snow covered, so Scott drove between 30-40 mph the whole way. The drive provided Scott and I with a chance to talk about our anticipations and anxieties with the arrival of this little one. We couldn't wait to meet Hudson. To see who he looked like, to hear his first cry, and to hold him in our arms. An hour and a half later, we arrived at the hospital (30 minutes past our scheduled time) along with a couple other parents-to-be who were running behind because of the weather.

Upon entering labor and delivery, we were welcomed by the army of nurses at the nurses' station. The initial check-in lasted only a few minutes as I signed in and was weighed, then my nurse ushered us to our labor and delivery room. Just minutes before changing into my stylish hospital gown, I got one last belly pic.



39 Weeks & 5 Days



Between the snow slowing us down and it taking an hour for the nurses (yes, it took 3) to get my IV in, I was beginning to wonder how the rest of the day would go. But once the IV was in place and the millions of health history questions were answered, things were running pretty smooth. Scott and I had some time alone before family arrived a little later into the morning. 

Ready to become the proud parents of TWO boys!

Around 8:30 AM Macklan arrived along with my mom, sister, and two nieces. I couldn't wait to see him since he had spent the night at my parents' house. He wasn't too sure about the whole scene, so he only hung out with Mommy for a little while. He was anxious to get back to the waiting area with Briley and Hadley.

For the past three and a half years I have devoted my love and time to this little man; however impossible it seems, very soon my heart will double in size and my time will be shared between two precious boys. I hear it's what happens every time you become a Mommy! I can't wait to find out...

  



Big Brother & Mommy



Scott found it funny to take my picture while I was having a contraction. Me, not so much (although I managed to force a smile)! At this point my water was broken, I had dilated between 6-7 cm, and I was sitting upright to help the baby drop. It didn't take long before I was feeling intense pressure and stronger contractions. Which meant only one thing...bring on the epidural!

Having a contraction!

After getting the heavenly epidural, I was suffering from full body chills. So my sweet nurse wrapped me in warm blankets while I waited to deliver my baby boy. I continued to progress quickly from this point on nearing full dilation. The time was now approaching 11:00 AM, which meant I only had about ten minutes to deliver this baby in order for his birthdate to be: 1/11/11 @ 11:11 AM...ha! Wouldn't that be cool! 

I called in the nurse due to the pressure I was feeling (knowing it had to be time). She checked me, said I was complete, and prepared me to push through my next contraction. With the next contraction and the support of Scott and my mom, I gave three strong pushes and the nurse announced, "Let me step out in the hall and invite the doctor to the party. We're ready to have a baby!" Immediately, Dr. Griffin entered the room and got the party started!

Another contraction...

3 more pushes...and

hello Hudson!

Dr. Griffin held up this sweet little blessing proclaiming, "Here's your little snow baby!"

Hudson Franklin Blake was born at 11:45 AM weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces and measuring 20 inches. He had a head-full of black hair and big brown eyes and dark eyebrows like his Daddy. He was beautiful and most importantly---healthy! 

Nana had the honor of cutting the cord.

Hudson and Mommy meet face-to-face.

Baby Boy Blake

Macklan meeting his brother and our first picture as a family of four!

One of our 1st observations was his long fingers and toes!

Bathtime in the nursery

Macklan watched as Hudson got his first bath. He's already looking out for him!

Ready to go see Mommy!

It happened...my heart doubled in size!

KeKe is one proud Aunt!!!

Hello World!

Hudson's Big Cousins--Hadley and Briley

Pappy visited at the hospital after work,
but I somehow missed getting a picture until Hudson was home.



Brown-eyed Boy



Happy Birthday to our sweet snow baby. We can't wait to know everything about you! You are already such a blessing and important part of our lives. We love you Hudson!