Last day @ Nonni's

How can it be that today was the last day that Hudson will go to Nonni's??  It seems like just yesterday I dropped him off and he looked like this (but with clothes on)...

3 years of blessings later...

I couldn't imagine someone better to look after Hudson.  Nonni was such a blessing to Hudson and our family.  She is an amazing Christian woman who LOVES her job!  It was beyond a comfort for us for Nonni to watch him after both of his surgeries.  She was so gracious to allow Hudson to stay a year longer than normal because of his heart surgery this past summer.  I thank God that he lead us to her and feel incredibly blessed that our new little munchkin will be able to stay with her too!  Thanks Nonni for everything you did!  We love you tons!!

The boys (Ethan, Hudson & Hunter)

Fears

I have a huge fear of drainage grates on the ground.  I will go out of my way to walk around them.  I am scared I'll fall in or my foot will get caught.

Hudson was outside gardening with our neighbor, Mitzi, and Bryan was watering our yard.  I walked outside to check the mail (which is steps away from that thing).  Hudson ran up to see me, he was barefoot, and his little foot slipped right into the hole.  I look up and see that his leg is in the grate up to his knee.  I'm not sure who yelled louder, Hudson or me!  Panic set in for me (mind you we have been through 2 open heart surgeries and I was calm, for the most part, during those), but this FREAKED me out!  Bryan ran over and we tried to get his leg out, it wasn't budging.  Mitzi had rushed over too.  Bryan ran to get the water hose.  By the time he got back Hudson & I both had relaxed enough and I was able to slip his leg out.

Poor baby cried for over an hour!  I gave him Tylenol, put his jammies on, gave him Cheerios and we watched tv in bed.  He didn't want Bryan or I to even mention what happened.  I think it traumatized him (and me both)!  I don't think that he will go near the drainage grate again!

Cute story & Heart Update

For Mother's Day my boys treated me to Marble Slab (yummy)!  Hudson had to use the restroom so I took him in there.  When he was finished he said "Mommy, I hear the baby crying."  I listened carefully and thought to myself, I don't remember seeing a baby out there.  I asked him what baby he was hearing.  He said, "my baby in your tummy, he's crying and wants me!"  What a great BIG brother he is going to be!  Already looking out for his little brother or sister!

Because of everything with Hudson's heart Bryan and I knew that we would have a specialist look at the baby's heart.  We go June 6th to see Dr. Rowe and he will look in detail at this baby's little heart.  We are praying that it is PERFECT!  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and I will let you know how it goes.

12 weeks

Today we had our 12 week ultrasound.  Thus far everything looks good!  It's unbelievable to see at 12 weeks how much the baby can do!  God is incredible!!  The heart was beating at 171 bpm.  We saw the baby's right hand and could count 5 fingers (the left hand didn't get that visible).

It was also amazing to see the baby opening and closing its mouth and swallowing!

Already there were similar things that Hudson and the baby do.  Hudson constantly had his little hands by his face, today the baby kept putting its hands by its face.  Also, the baby's legs were crossed at the ankle.  Hudson does this a lot!

We tried to get the ultrasound tech to guess at the gender, but the umbilical cord was hanging out down there...no guesses.  I guess we'll have to wait.

Of course I couldn't leave you without a picture of our sweet boy and some stories I don't want to forget!

Today when he got home from Nonni's I was showing Rochelle the pictures of the baby.  (We have told him about the baby, however it's hard for a 4 year old to understand considering I don't have a belly yet.)  I showed him the picture and told him that is the baby that is in mommy's tummy.  He bent down, looked at me and said "Where's the baby?  I can't see it"  Too funny!  I let him feel by little bump that I have and tried to explain that the baby is in there. 

When we got inside I was fixing him a snack.  He walked over to me with a serious face and said "Since you have a baby in your tummy can you eat food?"  I said of course.  He said "I bet it eats all the crumbs!"  How I love my sweet Hudson!

We feel so incredibly blessed! Please continue to keep us in your prayers for a healthy baby (heart) and a smooth pregnancy!

Incredibly Blessed!

I was so not expecting to see the word "Pregnant" on the test.  Bryan & I were both shocked!  We found out on February 27th.  I had good intentions of telling Bryan in a cute way, but I was so surprised I just put the test in front of him! 

Our miracle's 1st picture!  (5 weeks)

6 weeks.  The first time we saw the heartbeat!! (122 bpm)

We got to hear the heartbeat today.  That is the most incredible sound!  It was beating at 180 bpm.  The Dr. is guessing a girl, Bryan is hoping a boy!  I don't care - we are just praying for a healthy baby!

We let Hudson listen to the heartbeat today as well.  He asked if it was a train!  Oh no, he'll be shocked when it's a baby and not a train to play with!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers for a healthy pregnancy, baby and especially that it's little heart is forming like it should.  (We will do a fetal echo later in the pregnancy.)

*The due date is November 7, 2011 (11-7-11)*

Simple Joys

Hudson, my dad, me & Mam (his mom)

I am so incredibly blessed to be almost 30 (gulp!) and have a Mam (grandma) who is very active, healthy and with it at a young age of 86!  Every year she comes and spends about a month with us during the summer and every other year she spends Christmas with us.  She was a HUGE help after each of Hudson's surgeries.  Helping to entertain him so that I could have a few moments of peace.

Mam & Hudson

This little boy ADORES his Mam more than I could of ever imagined!  (He has a pretty special place in her heart too!)  Hudson can convince Mam to be baptised a hundred times, build a playhouse, do a flip, play church, hide in a dark closet, build blocks, share her favorite treats, drag her to the boat parade in crazy wind and "take" a nap.  I pray that he will always remember these special moments with a very special Mam!

Mam & Hudson @ Kemah Boat Parade

Is she not precious?!?!

I attempt to be the good granddaughter and call her once a week.  This week I called and she immediately went into a story that I thought was so Mam that I needed to document it so that I will always remember it!

me: Hey Mam, how are you?

Mam: I'm doing great!  I did something crazy today...

me thinking: Oh no, did you go sky diving???

Mam: When I was brushing my teeth today I realized how much I like the new cap on the toothpaste.  I looked at the back of the tube and saw an 800 number.  It said please call with any concerns or comments and I thought that I should call Colgate and let them know that I like the new cap.

(conversation with the Colgate representative)

Colgate: How can I help you?

Mam: I just wanted to call and let you know that I LOVE the new cap on the toothpaste I use.

Colgate: Well thank you so much!

Mam: Please don't ever change it, I really like it.

Colgate:  Thank you so much, I appreciate you calling, I will pass this along.

(back to me)

Mam:  The best part Steph was that they sent me a big thing of coupons!  I got 2 coupons for free toothpaste and several for 75 cents off!

Oh how I love that lady!!  I love that she finds joy in the simple things!

Hudson's FIRST *Crush*

Hudson LOVES the attention he gets from all the little girls at church!  We have already decided that we are going to have one big flirt on our hands (much like his daddy)!  He loves being chased around church by these girls.  They are all so sweet!

Audrey, Rebecca, Hudson, Camryn, Kara, Maddie Claire



But, let me tell you...my son gets red in the face and giddy when he sees her...

this boy LOVES him some Camryn!!  As I sit here typing this he is giggling and wanting to see her picture!  Anytime we talk about Camryn he firsts lets us know that she is "his girlfriend"!  Sorry Hudson, I think that the "older" boys will beat you on this one.  He also wants to clarify that his girlfriend is "the big Camryn", not "the little Camryn" that plays at Emma's house.  (Which is his cousin.)  

I love the Hudson loves Camryn so much.  I babysat Camryn and her older sister, Myklyn, when they were little.  It makes me feel old watching her with my child!