Four Days Old--Just Chillin'

After a really long night with our newborn, we all slept in this morning, and had a really chill day at home.

First thing this morning, Cooper was watching tv, and Hudson was asleep in his bouncy chair, while I rested in my chair, and I noticed the similarities between the looks of these two brothers for the first time. Eyes, cheeks, nose bridge--you can certainly tell they're brothers.

Later on, Hudson raised his hand...Me! I know!

Grammie took this picture of our little guy while he was wide awake and looking around. He has a wake, eat, awake, asleep routine going right now, so after he eats and we get all his bubbles out, he has periods of being very awake and alert and likes to look around.

Sweetly sleeping

Nate and Cooper were gone most of the day spending time together. They went to the John Deere tractor store to look at tractors and climb/play on them, to the library, and to the park/ playground. They came home for a rest, and spent some time with Hudson.

Then Nate and Coop went swimming before Cooper's swimming lesson, and came home ready to spend more time with the baby.

Hudson makes lots of squeaks and squeals, and Cooper says he sounds like a little puppy. He has this very high pitched squeak he often does before he cries, so we're all talking about calling him Squeaker instead of Cheese. Coop said, "Yeah--Baby Squeaker!" We love the little squeaker.

Welcome Home Baby Hudson!

Sunday morning we got ready to come home from the hospital. It felt good to sit and hold Hudson in something besides the hospital bed.

It had been a LONG night with a pretty fussy baby. I think Hudson has reflux like Cooper did. So my plans of putting on makeup and having some nice family photos before leaving were botched. It was all I could do to keep the baby from screaming.

So we snapped a few quick photos.

Nate thought I was nuts to try to take any pictures at all. I was able to get one kinda good one of Hudson in his going home outfit.

So tiny in the car seat!

Some beautiful flowers from my Dad welcomed us home on the front porch.

Cooper had been hard at work...

And welcomed us with a cute poster (front and back), and a little snuggle puppy lovey for baby Hudson.

It wasn't long before we were snuggled in bed, and big brother Cooper joined us too.

It was so nice to be home and have the hospital stay behind us. Welcome home, Hudson!

Hudson Jay Smith--Officially

A few days before Hudson's birth, Nathan all of a sudden said he wasn't sure about the name Hudson. I didn't realize how serious he was until the baby was born and they asked his name, and Nate said we didn't have a name picked out. I was like--what?!  He was worried about the shortened version of "Hud." That was the biggest thing.

So for two days he kept suggesting names. His top pick was Cormack. Hmmm--no. Other suggestions: Atticus, Dillon, Harper, Noah, Riley, Taylor, Porter, and several others I'm too tired to remember at this moment. I liked Noah, but it's #8 in the US this year so far, so that was out.

Meanwhile, I was genuinely upset about this possile name change, seeing as we've been calling the kid Hudson since sometime around Jan/Feb. It felt totally wrong to me to change his name.

Last night he asked if I felt like Hudson is a strong enough name for a grown man. Of course!  And then this morning the nurse came in and asked if we'd picked a name yet, and he said, "Yes, it's Hudson Jay Smith," and they went to work filling out the birth certificate.  I breathed such a huge sigh of relief, so glad to have our son officially named, after not realizing it was going to be such a topic of discussion.

A few photos from today...

Check out those cheeks!

Don't mind my crazy hair--he looked so cute clutching my shirt with both hands. Reminded me of a baby koala bear.

Precious mother/son time--all snuggled together. Also first pacifier. He's a voracious eater, and also loves to suck his hands and whatever else, so I went with my gut and gave him a paci late tonight. He seemed very happy. Maybe he'll be a paci-baby, another difference from Cooper.

It was a great day with lots of rest. We go home in the morning, and then the real games begin. I can't wait to have a minute (and a full-size keyboard instead of my phone) to share the story of Hudson's birth.

One Day Old

A few photos from today...

Father and Son

Brothers!

Aunt Denise

Cousin Allison

Grammie's holding me

He's Here!!

So much to blog about today, but will have to do that later. For now, enjoy some pictures of our new arrival--

Hudson Jay Smith born 12:24 pm. 8 lbs 11 oz, 20-1/4 in.

He doesn't look at all like Cooper did at birth, hair is slightly darker, and facial features are different. Profile is mine.  Just a precious boy, and we're all in love with him, including his older brother Cooper!  More later...

Cooper and Cordelia

Last night we had a special treat of having some of our Boston family in town for work (Nate's Uncle Tom, Aunt Delia, and their 9  month old daughter, Cordelia), and were able to join them at the hotel pool for an afternoon swim, and then dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. 

Nate's Aunt Denise and cousin Allison were also able to join us from SC, and my Mom went with us too.

Cordelia is Nathan's first cousin, she the youngest and he the oldest of their generation, a gap of 37 years.  This was our first time meeting little Cordelia, and with her red hair and gorgeous blue eyes, she is one of the most beautiful little babies. 

Allison and Cordelia

Cousins and second cousins!

Daddy and daughter: Tom and Cordelia

Aunt Denise and Cordelia

Cooper and Daddy

It was an enjoyable evening with lots of family.

39 Weeks -- Only 14 hours to go...

Today marks 39 weeks pregnant. My how the last 3 weeks have dragged on and on. Finally two days ago, my Mom arrived in town, and not only did I feel I could breathe a big sigh of relief having someone to help with all the things I couldn't / shouldn't be doing anymore, I also felt like this baby is finally about here, and these last physically trying weeks of pregnancy are almost at an end. We've talked for months about her coming, ans now she's here, and now the baby is almost here.

These few weeks have been bittersweet, knowing that my one-on-one time with Cooper is fast drawing to a close, and we'll both soon be sharing our time with another little guy.  Coop is as excited as ever to have his brother finally born, but I'm not sure yet that he understands just how tiny the baby will be. Tonight he was telling Nathan how he's going to teach Hudson how to drive Daddy's truck. Ha!

Tonight Nate and I went on a dinner date while my Mom stayed home with Coop. Such a treat! It was nice to spend a quiet evening in a non-child friendly environment, just the two of us. Haven't done that in more than 6 months. the only spoiler was that I kept having contractions, and had one in the parking lot on the way out that stopped me in my tracks, put me to tears, and made me relent to have Nate go get the car.  But if tonight is like last night, they'll eventually subside, and we'll be at the hospital at our scheduled time.

While my body is screaming to get this kid out, my mind and emotions are a roller coaster of thoughts from fears about a c-section and dreading the sleeplessness of the next 2-4 weeks, I mean years, I'm also so excited to hold this little one, to gaze into his eyes and introduce myself, and to see him interact with his Daddy and brother. Lots to think about tonight. What a change tomorrow is going to bring. It is so strange to already know the approximate time my son will be born. So different than last time with all the unknown. We'll see down the road if I like this route better.

Will post pics and such as soon as I feel able.  Meanwhile, here comes the baby!!