Hudson's 5 months old!!

Growth: He's 20 lbs, 10 oz. (according to our scale at home) and still about 26 inches long.
Health: H is still very healthy. He's a drooler, however, the doctor said she doesn't think he'll get teeth anytime soon. His head is still rounding out, too! Hopefully it will just "do it's thing" and we won't have to do anything.
Eating/Sleeping: H still has the same schedule (ish). He usually wakes up at around 8:30. I feed him at nine (after I change him, etc.). I put him down for a nap at 10ish. H wakes up at around 11:30. I feed him between then and noon. We play (and get to see Papa at lunch). I feed him, again, at 1:30ish and put him down for a nap, again. This time, he sleeps for at least 2.5 hours. I feed him at 4:30. We start his "bed time routine"... bath, feeding, etc. at around 7. He's in bed by 7:45 and sleeps all night!
Personality: It has been so fun watching Hudson's personality develop! He's starting to have favorite toys (he loves being in his "bouncer", his squeaky monkey, and his yellow chicken). He and T have started to play together, sometimes... it usually consists of T giving him things and then taking them away (we're working on that...). He's such a smiley boy. He smiles at everyone. He loves having books read to him, too, and being outside.
Other random things:

• He's still wearing 6-9 month clothes, size 1 2-steps and medium and large AIOs
• He finally started rolling a little more. I've only seen him roll from his tummy to his back, one time. He usually starts on his back. When I got him from his morning nap, this morning, he was on his tummy (I always put him on his back). I don't think he slept that way.
• H was dedicated at church on Sunday (August 26th). It was so awesome to see all the people who have committed to pray for us, encourage us, and challenge us as we raise our children, in Him. We're so thankful for our church family!

I'm three!!!

Growth: 30.6 pounds, 3 feet and 1/4 inch (yes, that quarter of an inch counts!)
Things I like to do: I love to play outside on my swing set, color, play with legos, play with and take care of my babies, read books, play with play doh, go to the park, tease Charlie, Hudson laugh and help take care of him, play games or watch shows (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, PBS kids) on the ipod, dance, sing, and play "come back here".... plus, now that I'm three, I get to chew gum!! :)

Favorite toys: Duplos (legos), any baby and her accessories, my stuffed animals, my kitchen, and her new baby carseat.
How I've been sleeping: I usually go to bed around 8:30 (it's summer!) and wake up around 7 or 7:30. I usually stay up until 1pm for my nap. I still fight my naps, sometimes.
Favorite foods: mac and cheese, pizza, cottage cheese, goldfish, green peppers, grapes, frozen peas, pears, apples, cheese, whales, granola bars, bananas, cheerios, and rice crispies. I love chocolate and ice cream too (Mommy says I get that from her)!
Favorite songs to sing: any worship song from church, songs from Sunday School (the BIBLE, Lord's Army, Jesus Loves Me, Father Abraham, etc.)
Milestones: As of 5 months ago, I now go potty on the toilet! I still wear diapers at nap and night time, but I get to wear big girl underwear, now! I can use the potty all by myself, but I sometimes struggle putting my pants back on (with buckles, buttons, or snaps). I can jump really well and can dribble and kick a ball. I can climb up and down the stairs pretty well, now. I'm speaking pretty clearly and love to use my imagination. I can climb in my car seat "all by myself" and put my shoes on. I can, also, trace letters on paper and draw lines and circles. Most of the time, I know what sounds the letters make. However, sometimes I forget!
Milestones I'm working on: I'm still learning how to get dressed, myself. I'm, also, still trying to understand the concept of time... I usually think that things happened "yesterday" if they happened in the past. Mommy's working with me on how to draw letters. It's really hard, but I'm trying. We're, also, working on puzzles and coloring in the lines.

My personality: I'm a very sensitive and cautious girl. I can really empathize with people. If I hear a little boy or girl crying, it makes me really sad. I feel things very deeply. I'm getting a lot better at handling my emotions (like sadness, anger, and frustration), but sometimes I don't act very nice when I'm feeling this way. Mommy and Papa are doing a better job at preparing me for uncomfortable situations. I like it when they tell me what we're doing before we do it. I feel more prepared, and it doesn't catch me off guard... I behave better, too, because I know what's going on! If I have a babysitter, go in nursery at church, or go to a friends' house, I sometimes get a little sad, but I try and remember that Mommy and Papa always come back. That helps me feel better!
I am an encourager and very sweet (that's what Mommy and Papa say). I like to say "good job, Mommy" when she exercises, give her a hug when she's sad, and give her kisses just because. I always ask Papa how his day was when he gets home from church. I'm, also, very silly too! I do silly dances and make funny faces to make people laugh.
I love my new baby brother. Mommy and Papa say that I am a good big sister. I love to play with H, and give him hugs and kisses. I'm usually very gentle with him, because he is still a baby. Mommy and Papa say that I'm growing up so fast!

Hudson's 4 Months Old!!

Growth: He's 19 pounds and 26 inches long. He's off the charts in weight (!!!) and at the 85 percentile for height. He is one big boy! I asked the doctor if she was concerned, at all, about his weight. She said that she wasn't because he's not moving too much, yet. Once he starts crawling around, he will start to thin out, a little. :)
Health: He's still very healthy. I was concerned about his "flat head". However, it has rounded out a little and the doctor wasn't concerned, at all.
Eating/Sleeping: His last feeding is usually around 7:15 pm. We put him to bed at 7:30 and he wakes up usually between 8 and 8:30am. B says that he sometimes hears him at 5:30ish (talking or making noises), but then he falls back to sleep. I never hear that... I'm such a heavy sleeper! I feed him around 8:30 or 9am. We play and then I put him down for a nap at around 10:30. He sleeps for about 1.5 hours. I feed him at noon. He's usually up for about two hours. I feed him at 2 and then put him down for another nap. He'll usually sleep until around 4:30ish (sometimes he'll wake up a little earlier, sometimes he'll sleep later). I feed him, again, and then we'll try and keep him up until 7:15 and the routine starts over. There are days when our schedule is a little different (like on Sundays and Wednesdays). On those days, he sometimes takes 3 naps, because he either wakes up earlier (I have to wake him) or stays up later.
Personality: H is still SO pleasant! It takes a lot for him to really get upset, and when he does get upset, it's not for very long. He can calm himself down pretty well. He still absolutely loves his sister. She can make him smile just by entering the room.
He's very social. He doesn't like being in a room all by himself. He'll let pretty much anyone old him, and he hasn't started "making strange" (I don't know if I'm using that phrase in the right context), yet. :)
He loves to laugh, loves music, Papa's beat-boxing, is super ticklish, and very talkative. He is such a gift!
Other random things:

• He's wearing 6 month + clothes. He's wearing medium AIOs and size 1 2-steps. I'm thinking of trying large AIOs at night.
• H started sleeping more than 12 hours at night on July 10th.
• H rolled over from his back to his front on August 3rd... he was at our friends' house (they were babysitting). We still have, yet, to see him do it... but we believe them! :)

Hudson's 3 Months Old!!

Growth: A whopping 16 lbs., 10.5 oz and 25 inches
Health: Still very healthy. I'm a little nervous about his flat head. Because he had to lie under the bili blanket for his first few weeks a life, and because of how much we have traveled, the poor guy's head is a little flat. I hope that tummy time, us holding him, and his Bumbo will help, though. We're keeping an eye on it, and hopefully it will correct, itself! :)
Eating/Sleeping: (Ok, this is mainly for myself... I like to look back at these things. Sorry about all the details! I know most people could care less!) :)
 Lately, I've been putting him down to bed at 8:30pm . He sleeps until 6ish. I feed him, again, and he sleeps until 9 or 9:30. When he wakes up, I feed him, we "play" and then he goes down for his morning nap around 10:30ish. He'll sleep for a little more than an hour. It's nice because during that time, T and I can play outside, or do another activity (just the two of us). He wakes up between 11:30 or 12. I get T some lunch and feed him. I put him down for another nap around 1:30pm. He usually sleeps for 2-2 1/2 hours. (It's nice that T and H nap at the same time.) I feed him when he wakes up. We have "playtime" and then our family eats dinner. During that time, he'll sometimes fall asleep in his rocking chair or I'll put him down for another nap. (I usually just follow his cues.) I feed him usually right after dinner (if he's not asleep), and the cycle starts, again, once 8:45 hits.
We went on vacation to Michigan a few weeks, ago. During that week, he woke up every 3 hours! We were super discouraged. However, once we came home, he went right back to his normal routine... thank the Lord! :)
Personality: H is still so delightful. He usually only gets fussy if he's tired... super easy to read. Once I put him down, he goes right to sleep... he loves his bed (takes after his mommy). He absolutely loves his sister, too. His face lights up and he laughs when she talks to him. She loves going with me to get him after his naps. He just beams when she sticks her head (and crazy hair) over the side of the crib. It's so awesome.
When he gets mad, he definitely lets us know, but is quick to give up... almost like it's not even worth getting upset (too much work). I wonder how that will translate as he gets older... :)
Other random things:

• He's wearing size 3-6 month onsies, 6 month shorts, and 6 month pjs. He wears size 3 disposable diapers at night, size 1 2-steps (unsnapped), and size medium AIOs.
• H "slept through the night" (8 hours) for the first time on June 3rd. He was 9 1/2 weeks old. 
• His hair has been falling out. :/ We knew this would happen, but it's still sad.
• He found his thumb last week... so cute! Because of that, he rarely uses a pacifier.

Hudson's 2 Months Old!!

Growth: 14lbs and 9oz.; 23 inches
Health: H has been pretty healthy, besides two colds, already. He's been (obviously) growing very well! And he hasn't had any other issues with his jaundice... such a blessing!
Eating: H has been eating about every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day and about every 4 hours at night. He's a good/efficient eater... done in usually 15 minutes. :) I only feed him on one side during each feeding.
Sleep: H usually takes 3 or 4 naps during the day... in his crib and also on our bed (I don't want him to wake up T during their afternoon naps... the girl needs her sleep!). We usually put him down at around 9pm for the night. He wakes up at around 1am, 4 or 5am, and then around 7 or 8am. He eats during all those times. However, I think he'll be able to drop the 4/5am feeding... he doesn't seem to be hungry at that time... just looking to be soothed. We moved him to his own room at exactly 2 months... everyone is benefiting (except T has woken up a couple of times since we moved him). :)
Personality: He is still super calm and relaxed. I don't know if he seems more like that because T was pretty much the opposite of that, but we'll take it! :) H usually only fusses when he's hungry or tired. He can, also, calm himself down pretty well. He's so pleasant and smiley!
Some random things:

• He's wearing 0-3 month (and some 3 month) onsies, shorts and pjs. He's wearing size 2 disposables (at night), size 0 2-steps and small AIO cloth diapers.
• He went on his first long road trip to Chicago, Michigan, and Canada on May 11th (and the rest of that week) for Aunt Jill's graduation and Grandma's funeral. He traveled very well! He, basically, slept the whole time.
• He was in the nursery for the first time on May 27th. He only fussed for a little bit, but then calmed down.

 

Hudson's 1 Month Old!!

I can't believe that Hudson is one month old, already! Here are some "fun" (ok, fun for me) facts about Hudson...
Growth: 10 lbs and 14 oz., 20 3/4 inches
Health: H and I had to stay in the hospital for a week after he was born because he had jaundice. He tested positive for Coombs (basically meaning we have different blood types... my blood type created antibodies that broke down some of H's red blood cells) and that can cause jaundice. He had to stay under an ultraviolet light while he wasn't eating (basically all the time). Once we got home, we were given a "bili blanket" for him to use, here at home. He's been off the blanket for about a week, and has been doing great! His numbers have been going down (which is a good thing!) even without the lights. He's been doing very well!
Eating: During his first week of life (in the hospital), I had to wake him up to eat every  2 1/2 - 3 hours. Because of his jaundice, he was very sleepy and took a while to eat. He struggled latching on, a little bit, as well because he was so sleepy all the time. It was a little frustrating. Because of the jaundice, also, he had some spitting up issues for about a week (his first week home). A few times a day, he was violently spit up (like not just a little down the chin) and I was super discouraged. The doctor kept telling me that the way his jaundice would get better was by him eating (and having a lot of poopy diapers). It took him about 2 1/2 weeks to get back to birth weight. However, now that he is no longer jaundice, he has been eating so well! He's very efficient, too... it usually takes him 15-30 minutes to eat and he eats usually every 2-2 1/2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night.
Sleep: We're kind of trying to start the Baby Whisper's "EASY" schedule (eat, activity, sleep, and "your" time). I want H to be able to fall asleep after activity time as opposed to while he eats. It's been working pretty well, already. At night, however, I just try and feed him and put him back down to bed. I usually feed H at 10pm, and he'll usually wake up to eat every 3 hours (1am, 4am, 6(or7)am). He'll, then, usually sleep in the morning until about 8 or 9. He'll be a wake for an hour or two and then sleep again. He usually naps when T naps, as well... usually 1:30ish until 4ish in the afternoon (I can sometimes get a nap in, as well!). His "wake" time is usually in the evening, which is great! He's able to spend time with B when he comes home.
He is such a loud sleeper! We have him sleeping in our room, but it's sometimes hard to sleep with all of his groaning and grunting. We'll see how long he stays in our room... :)
Personality:  He is a very calm and relaxed baby! We noticed this during his first week, but we didn't know how much of that was due to him being jaundice. However, now that he is feeling better, he is still very chill! Every once and a while he'll have "fussy times" besides being hungry or tired, however he's usually very easy to calm down.
Other random things: 

• He's wearing size 0-3 month onesies, newborn pants, size 1 disposable diapers (we do those at night), and size 0 two-steps, and small AIO cloth diapers.
• He's still getting used to his baths... sometimes he screams, other times he is relaxed.
• Tatum LOVES him! She is a great helper... bringing me the boppy pillow, burp cloths, blankets, putting his pacifier in if it falls out, etc. She wants to be with him all the time and gives lots of kisses! She always says, "Hudson's SO cute!". It's awesome.
• We think he has a very strong head and neck. He always tries to look around while I'm burping him.
• He started making actual "coo" sounds at 3 weeks. We've been trying to get it on video, but he always stops as soon as we start recording. It is so cute, though!
• He had his first "baby sitter" on Saturday with T. A lady from our church (and her daughter) came over while B and I sang/played at a funeral. He did great! :)

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. :)