We had lots more fun while my Mom was with us. Well, "lots" and "fun" are relative terms. Fun to me was finally feeling well enough to run small errands with her help, to be outside more, and to not be zombie tired all the time. Ok, the last one hasn't gone away yet, but I am coping better with less sleep.
Grammie and Cooper spent lots of time outside together, mostly on the swings. She also learned why I sit on my front driveway/ lawn in a chair all the time: to supervise Cooper playing out front. She also learned that it is essential in the summer in the South to have a fan outside on those hot, humid days, not just for the cool air, but also to ward off mosquitos. We got lots of mosquito bites from being out!
Cooper and Grammie did other fun things together. One day they made tice krispie treats with special sprinkles on top.
(I think Coop looks so much like his Grammie in this picture of the two of them.)
Father's Day was a little hectic in our house. I'd had a long sleepless night with Hudson, and we were late for church, so all things celebratory were pushed until later.
After church I wanted a picture of Nathan with both of our sons in their Sunday clothes, but Cooper was having none of it. So I took a picture of Nathan and Hudson together.
Later after some lunch and a break, we opened presents. Coop gave his Daddy some "Daddy treats," which are Little Debbie snacks that he eats all the time. He also made him a little card. I was so excited to give Nate my gift. I finally felt I'd thought of a gift he'd like--heavy duty floor mats for his truck, since one of his had a hole in it. He loved them!! Cooper loved the box just as much.
Cooper finally agreed to take a picture with his Dad.
We had a delicious dinner of Tandoori chicken on the grill, along with Naan, Jasmine rice, salad, and such, all some of Nate's favorite foods. It ended up being a good day.
I also had my thoughts turn to my own Father, my Father-in-Law, and our grandfathers--all the men in our lives that have shaped who we are. I am thankful to them for their love and examples to us. I am so thankful to Nathan for being such a amazing father to our sons. He is so dedicated, gives so much of his time to their interests, and works so hard for us. I don't know a better guy I could have picked to father my children. Happy Father's Day, Nathan!
There's a great place called Cane Creek Park 40 minutes from our house that I've wanted to visit for quite some time. It's a 1000+ acre park with a lake, campgrounds, a day use area with picnic tables, playgrounds, paddle boats and canoes for rent, fishing, a man-made beach, a mini-golf course, and hiking trails and such. I'd heard about it a year or so ago, and yesterday we finally went there. It was so cool!
First, we had a picnic lunch.
Then Cooper played on the playground. His favorite was the fire pole, which he could do all by himself!
Hudson was along for the ride in the baby carrier.
Snug as a bug.
Nate and Coop went for a ride on yhe paddle boats.
My Mom and I did a lot of watching from the benches, but we did all go for a little walk through the woods.
It was a beautiful day--perfect weather to be outdoors. Such a great way to spend a Friday. We'll certainly be going back to Cane Creek Park again!
Hudson was three weeks old yesterday. Here are a few pictures from today. I think his face looks a little different in each one. Never can seem to capture the smiles or the cross-eyed moments!
As I was just sitting here rocking this sweet little baby of mine, I was humming the tune to "Teach Me to Walk in the Light," and as I gazed into Hudson's eyes and thought about the words to that hymn, it brought me to tears to think of how he so recently came from our Father in Heaven, and how pure and innocent he is (Cooper too), and how much these little ones are relying on us as parents to help them return to Father in Heaven. The song reminded me of a sweet little plea from this precious little one to teach him the things he needs to know. So much depends on us as parents. So much.
Hudson is already four weeks old today! In some ways it seems like his birth was a lifetime ago, and in others it seems like just yesterday. He is growing so fast. All the newborn size clothes have been put away for about a week now. He's getting chubbier by the day, with a double chin and lots of rolls on his thighs. I do love a chubby baby! He also still likes to snuggle a lot, and still has the sweetest little whimper/ sqeaky cry, unless his diaper is being changed, and then he's SCREAMING.
He is becoming more and more aware of his surroundings and himself, and is smiling more. He especially reacts to Nathan, whether he's walking across the room or talking, Hudson will often stop and look/ listen for/to him. He loves his Daddy. He also seems to smile more at Grammie than anyone else.
My little Huddy Buddy was wide awake at 4 am one morning, but the little stinker was so cute I couldn't even be frustrated.
This last week Hudson had his first real bath, and he loved it! If he's fussy or crying there are two failsafes I can fall back on to calm him: taking him outside, or giving him a bath.
Hudson has found a lovey, or several; he LOVES to snuggle with his burp cloths. He clutches them tightly with both hands when going to sleep. He also likes to be swaddled tightly and given a pacifier, with his eyes shaded by his blanket, burp cloth by his cheek, and he'll fall asleep--as long as he doesn't have a belly ache.
He also LOVES to snuggle with his Grammie!! ...
...And Mommy.
This morning Grammie, Cooper and Hudson were having some pj snuggles and giggles.
I love this little guy.
Cooper also loves him. Hudson is already learning to protect himself from his sometimes over-loving big brother.
Today was a great day for me personally. I had enough energy to run errands with my Mom for most of the day, and it felt so good to be out and about. Unfortunately our outings started with a visit to the pediatrician for our little "Huddy Buddy" as we've started calling him, because lately he's been more and more like this...
Hudson 3 weeks old--wearing the outfit Cooper came home from hospital in
The last three days Hudson has completely changed from a somewhat gassy/upset stomach baby who was finally getting on a good day/night and feeding routine, to one that wouldn't sleep for more than 15 minutes when placed on his back, who would scream at the top of his lungs when laid down, who spits up so often that I wonder how he's gaining any weight, who rears back and cries when he burps/spits up, who seems to have uncontrollable upset stomach, and who constantly unlatches when eating. What was the most upsetting for me was not holding him all through the night so we could both get some sleep, not the extra laundry (especially since my Mom is the one who has been doing that so far), not the pacing and trying to console him--it was his cry. It's not the amount of crying that bothers me; I'm nearly immune to a crying baby causing me any stress. What got to me was the SOUND of his cry. Newborn babies have cries that sound different for being hungry, having air in their stomach, air in their intestines, being tired, and being uncomfortable. Hearing Hudson's PAIN cry over and over and over was wrenching my heart. I wanted to cry with him, poor little guy.
So this morning I was telling my mom about yet another sleepless night, and then Hudson was crying and fussing, and she suggested I call the doctor since this behavior is NOT normal. I figured that if my mom, who has six kids, felt like I should have Hudson seen by a doctor, then I wasn't just seeing all these symptoms in a hypochondriac manner, and that something may really be wrong. Thank goodness for a pediatrician who LISTENED to me. After hearing my concerns, holding Hudson, and seeing his behaviors for himself, the doctor said it's probably exactly what I thought it was, and he felt for me since his youngest son had it as well. GERD. Gastroesophigal Reflux Disease, or Reflux. I've had my fingers crossed the last week or two that Hudson wouldn't have it like Cooper did, since I started seeing some of the symptoms. But alas, it seems he is another unlucky baby in our family to be plagued by reflux.
Hudson 3 Weeks, Cooper 3-1/2 Years
On the bright side, it IS controllable with medication, and he will outgrow it eventually. Cooper outgrew it at 20 months, longer than it takes for most, so maybe Huddy Buddy will outgrow it sooner. And some other good news from the doctor's office, Hudson weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz. today with his diaper and clothes on, so I'm guessing he's just below 10 lbs in his birthday suit. The kid is starting to fill out--bring on the chubbers!
Meanwhile, we have been enjoying the outdoors (armed with bug spray and citronella--pesky mosquitos!!!). The other night I went for a walk with Cooper and my Mom, and on the way home there were fireflies everywhere! It was a beautiful reminder that summer is finally here.
Hudson LOVES to be outside, just like his mommy and brother. If he's fussy, I'll often take him outside and he'll calm down. Thank goodness for those quiet moments and the enjoyable weather!
I also spent some time with Cooper today. This morning I had a few minutes, and he put on a magic show for me. He and my Mom saw a magician at the mall the other day, and apparently he was paying more attention to the magician than she thought. Here's a little video of some of what he was doing. It made me smile.
Then this afternoon we played t-ball. Cooper was hitting the ball (he's just learning), and Brody would retrieve it for us while Cooper ran the bases. He thinks it necessary to "slide" into home plate, which really means he stops running and sits down, then lays down. It was also pretty funny when I first showed him where he should stand; he wouldn't move his feet at all, not even to get the ball! He was leaning over and stretching to reach it. Mom and I were stifling some laughter. Pretty cute. We had a fun time!
Having realized that I shouldn't blog when I'm tired because my posts sound a little down, I've been putting off any posts for a few days, but now I'm realizing there isn't a time right now when I'm NOT tired, so it'll just have to be. However, despite the sleeplessness of having a newborn, there are many moments of pure joy for our family, like right now as I sit here holding this little sleeping angel. Just so sweet.
Cooper has also brought us moments of joy these past few days. He makes me laugh every time he climbs onto this bottom shelf of the changing table.
He also continues to say such funny things. He's caught another cold, and so I'd asked him to keep a distance from the baby. I explained that if Hudson got a fever, he'd have to go to the hospital. "And get pokes [shots], and have blood and die?" asked Coop. After explaining why to him, Coop said, "If I have another fever will I have to go to the hospital too?" I explained that he is a big boy and his body can handle lots of big germs now, and that I would be there to take care of him and make sure he gets better, to which he replied, "Oh. Thanks, Mom!" And snuggled up to me, so relieved. So cute.
This was a moment of joy for Hudson. Out went the pacifier, and in went his thumb. This was taken on Thursday when he was two weeks old. I'm trying to get him to take a pacifier instead of sucking his thumb. Having an ultrasound picture of him at 18 weeks in utero sucking his thumb, I know he has the upper hand on the habit, but I'm gonna keep trying with the paci. We'll see who wins. For now, this is another sweet moment.
Cooper and Grammie shared an hour or more of pure joy as they played in his rooom together. Cooper was giggling and giggling. My mom says he's one of the happiest little boys she's ever known: so quick to smile or laugh. When I went to investigate what was spurring all the laughter, this is what I found them doing.
Cooper also finds joy in playing in the sand, and apparently IN his wheelbarrow as well.
Hudson was not so joyful when I was trying to get a picture of the funny face he was making with lips puckered. Instead I got these not so happy pictures, but that's ok. We have lots of joyful moments to make up for it.
This morning everyone has gone to church except me and Hudson. He was wide awake, so I decided to bathe him. He usually cries and cries during bathtime, but this morning he was quiet and alert, which I think may have been due to the hymns I had playing on my phone that I was singing along with. Hudson LOVES music, and especially likes when I hold him cheek to cheek and quietly hum a song in his ear. If he's fuasy, this often calms him. Those are also sweet moments of joy for me.
I am thankful for such precious moments as my sons seem to grow up more quickly with each passing day. Savor the joy.
