Hudson's Birth Story...

On Wednesday, March 28th, I had my c-section scheduled for 7:15 in the morning. We probably got 4 or 5 hours of sleep the night before. I kept waking up thinking we'd sleep through the alarm! Haha... like we'd "miss" our son's birth. :) We left the house at 4:45am. My mom got to our house on Tuesday (the 27th) to stay with Tatum... a huge bonus of knowing your child's birthday ahead of time!
We got to the hospital at 5:30, and checked in. Everyone (except for me) was super relaxed about everything. I was so grateful for that, but it gave me time to actually think about everything that was happening. One benefit of having an emergency c-section, last time, was that everything happened so fast that I didn't have time to freak out about what was happening!
I had some blood work done, got my IV (everyone said that that would be the worst part... it was), and had to drink this nasty drink to prevent nausea during the surgery. After all of that, we had to wait about a half hour for the anesthesiologist to arrive. During that time, B encouraged me (I was really scared) and we prayed together. I was wheeled down the hall and walked into the OR. Once I got in, I sat on the narrowest table I've seen (ok, it probably seemed a lot smaller at the time because of my larger state). :) The anesthesiologist administered the spinal. He was very thorough and to the point... I was glad because he seemed very confident. He promised me that my whole body wouldn't go numb like last time. I felt better about the whole thing. Within probably 5 or 10 minutes, I went numb (such a weird feeling). My doctors arrived, and I heard Hudson's cry so much sooner than I thought. It was awesome! After a few minutes, they brought him over to me, and I was able to talk to him and give him tons of kisses (wow, I never cried at the time, but it's hitting me right now!). I was so blessed to have a nurse/friend who goes to our church in the OR right beside me! She talked to me the whole time to keep me distracted during the surgery, and held him next to me for a long time.
Hudson Marc de Waard was born at 7:38am weighing 8lbs. and 1oz. 

The nurses brought H back to our room where B was able to hold him, cuddle him, and bond with him. Once the doctors were done with me, I was wheeled back into our room where I saw H and B... so precious! Then I was able to have skin to skin time with him. I had the "shakes" pretty badly, so I didn't hold him for long (I was afraid I would drop him!). Throughout the day, I was super nauseous and got sick, a lot. :( I couldn't keep anything, down. However, I was so grateful that B was able to bond with him during that time.
H tested positive for Coombs (H and I have incompatible blood types) and because of the jaundice, we had to stay in the hospital for almost a week. H had to stay under a "sun" lamp when he wasn't eating. I was very discouraged (and a little scared), at first, because I didn't know what all of that meant. However, I was able to stay in the hospital with him, hold him while he ate, and he did awesome under the lights! He loved them!

He never really fussed, and usually just slept the whole time. There were so many blessings that God provided during that time in the hospital. We had family around to help with T, we had fabulous nurses and staff (going above and beyond to make sure we were so comfortable... even watching H while we went to dinner), I was able to really focus on "healing" while I was in the hospital for a week (if I would have been home, I know I would have probably pushed myself), and at times I felt like I was staying in a hotel! I'm so grateful for B... he has been Mr. Mom these past two weeks... laundry, cleaning (even T's poopy mess after she tried to change herself during her nap), dishes, errands, etc... all without complaining. I'm so thankful. Our families are incredible (driving back and forth to help), as well!
H had his two week appointment, yesterday. He had his bilirubin levels checked and because his numbers were up, he now has to lie in a "bili blanket", here at home. He seems to like it, and I'm so glad that he doesn't have to be readmitted to the hospital.
I'm so thankful for our family of four! H has been an amazing addition to our family. We're so grateful, and I'm so in love. :)