1 Month Old

Happy 1 Month Birthday Hudson Ray. I can't believe that one month ago today I gave birth to you and held you in my arms for the first time.

I also cannot believe how many diapers you have gone through, feedings you have had, and memories we have made with you already. It has been one full month of rocking and putting you to bed each night. You sleep between 3-4 hours at a time and then wake to nurse. Daddy gets up with mommy to help change your diaper, burp you, and rock you back to sleep. He loves you so much!! You have grown so much since the day you were born. You weighed 7 lbs 12 oz at birth, and we think you are at least 10 lbs today. You are a good eater!! You enjoy your washcloth baths and when we wash your hair. You smile often in your sleep which is so precious. You have had lots of visitors come see you. Many people still want to meet your sweet face.

We have had some stressful nights with you crying and being upset but you have brought us more joy than we could ever imagine. You are the best thing that has ever happened to us Hudson. Mommy and daddy love you with all their hearts. We feel so blessed that God chose us to be your parents. We look forward to each month that we get to spend with you.

Some recent pics

Daddy and I taking a nap together

Holding my own paci

Enjoying my bouncy chair

Kisses from mommy

Back to Church

We love our church. We have been going to Riverbluff for over a year now. We took Hudson today for the first time. He was awake until the music began (which is quite loud) and slept through all of worship. He woke up once Pastor Scott began and daddy had to do some walking with him. Luckily, the only time he cried was when daddy changed his diaper in the bathroom so no one heard him. Here is a pic of him in his church outfit before we left the house.

Happy 3 Week Birthday

To my sweet baby boy.....Happy 3 Week Birthday. Mommy and Daddy love you so much. You have brought so much joy into our lives the past three weeks.

New Life

We have been adjusting at home with little Hudson. He is now 17 days old. It is definitely a change for the better; however, it has been difficult but well worth it. He usually feeds around every 2-3 hours during the day and 3-4 hours at night. Jeremy and I are finally getting better sleep at night with our angel monitor and Hudson establishing a routine. The monitor will go off if Hudson doesn't have movement within 20 seconds. So far, this has not happened and we are so thankful.

We couldn't believe how many diapers we were going through the first two weeks. His bowel movements seem to finally be slowing down!! Breastfeeding is going alot better after seeing the lactation consultant. It is a lot of work but worth it knowing that it is good for him and cheaper for us! We are doing something right since he now weighs 9.1 pounds and weighed 7.12 at birth.

I have appreciated my mom's help so much. Just having her there to listen to me or answer my questions or hold Hudson has been so nice! I love you momma!!!

This is our new life and we wouldn't trade it for anything! We love you Hudson Ray!

1 Week Old

Today Hudson is one week old. I can't believe it has already been 7 days since he entered this world.....time is flying by. I have been so lucky to have Jeremy home with me since his birth. I am dreading him going back to work on Monday and wish he had more time off. In Hudson's seven days of life, we have visited cousins in town that are here on vacation, traveled to Walmart for groceries, and went on our first walk in the stroller. Hudson pretty much eats, poops, and sleeps at this point. He dreams often which occasionally comes with a smile which is so sweet. We can't wait to share many more "firsts" with our son. We are totally in love with this little guy!!!

Welcome to the World Baby Boy!!!

Hudson Ray Elliott was born at 9:12 am on Thursday, July 29th. He was 7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

I went to the hospital at midnight to be induced but we soon discovered that I was contracting on my own. I was contracting so much that they were unable to start the pitocin right away. At around 2 am, I received my epidural and pitocin was started. The doctor had told me at my 3:00pm appointment that she thought I would take 12-24 hours to deliver and that I would probably have to push for 1-2 hours. I dilated very quickly....approximately 1 cm an hour. We called our families around 6:00am to tell them that my labor was going quicker than expected.

At 6:30am when the nurses changed shifts and my friend Erika came to be my nurse I was already at 6cm. She was very surprised!! We had our families in the room with us pretty much until it was time to push. They stood outside of the door waiting until after he was born and then they came back in. It was a very special moment! My sister and Jeremy were both in the delivery room with me and both watched my son be born. I am so glad that I could share this special moment with the two people I love most in this world (along with my parents)!!

My total labor was nine hours (not the 12-24 the doc thought). I pushed five times and Hudson was welcomed into this world. He was born with lots of dark brown hair, a beautiful complexion, long fingers and toes, and looks just like his daddy. We are very proud and thank God everyday for a healthy baby boy.

Words can't describe the love you feel for a child until that child is in your arms for the first time. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world. We came home from the hospital on Saturday. We are adjusting and trying to get into a routine. We are tired but it is expected. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during the delivery.