As we try to get Hudson to smile, coo, and scoot, our actions remind me of how we used to show off Callie's tricks! We're so proud of this little face...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
That Adorable Little Smile!
One of the best parts about being a mom is watching my baby make each new face, make each new sound, and gain each ounce of new strength. Along with each new face, sound, and sign of strength is a new - and great! - sense of pride. I would never have guessed that I would feel so proud of a little smile, a little coo, or the fact that a nurse said my son was the strongest baby she had ever seen (true story - that I'm sure we'll tell over and over throughout his life - ha!)!
As we try to get Hudson to smile, coo, and scoot, our actions remind me of how we used to show off Callie's tricks! We're so proud of this little face...
...even if it takes ten tries (and a lot of funny faces and sounds by mom) to get one good shot of that adorable little smile!
As we try to get Hudson to smile, coo, and scoot, our actions remind me of how we used to show off Callie's tricks! We're so proud of this little face...
Friday, March 23, 2012
My Little Sprinkler
Once we found out we were having a baby boy, people began to warn us about the challenges of diapering a boy. People joked about wee wee wigwams and pee pee teepees (You can even play a pee pee teepee game or order organic pee pee teepees!). We quickly learned to notice the signs of an impending spray, and the showers have become less frequent. Claire even suggested that maybe Hudson was becoming more mature - ha! From the look on his face below, as of yesterday my little sprinkler still thinks spraying his mama is pretty funny!
Ha!!
Soaked!!
(PS: His little band-aids are from his first round of shots! He was such a trooper!)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
One Month - 2/18/12
2.18.12
Weight: 10 pounds
Length: 20 1/4 inches
Size: Newborn
Hudson had quite the month! In addition to being born, meeting our families and friends, and being the center of attention at home, Hudson...
Wore bracelets for Jerod...
Received flowers from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dave...
Spent time with his cousin Ryan...
Was sniffed by his big sister...
Took his first sponge bath (and prayed!?!)...
Watched several KU basketball games
(and sometimes watched while dressed like a burrito!)...
(and sometimes watched while dressed like a burrito!)...
Went on his first family outing (to Jason's Deli!)...
Went on his first family walk and several other walks...
Slept and smiled while wearing Mommy's favorite dinosaur outfit...
Cuddled with Daddy...
Listened to Pandora...
Slept on Mommy's chest...a lot...
Had his picture taken (Thanks, Shefy!)...
Started sleeping with his arms above his head and outside of his swaddle...
Yawned...
Blew kisses...
Hung out in his basket...
Stretched...
Had his first tub bath...
Snuggled with Grandpa...
Wore his last newborn-sized diaper...
Had his first boogie...
(Gross - but hilarious!)
Celebrated Valentine's Day/Callie's birthday in his sweet Valentine's Day bib...
Relaxed on the big beds...
Saw some wildlife...
Made cute faces...
Hung out in his Moby Wrap...
Helped Mommy check her email...
Grew a second chin...
Wore a tank top (Thanks, Pauline!)...
Scooted across the floor...
(Since birth, this little guy has been on the move! He loves to move his legs, and when he is on his tummy he likes to scoot across the floor by pushing off of our hands! I think he was about three weeks old in this picture, and he had scooted across the blanket!)
Visited Grandma and Grandpa Adams while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a beer together...
Sheesh. That was a ton of pictures! Hmmm. It is so hard to sum up our first month together - and it is taking me forever to finish this post! - so I guess I'll just hit some main points...
Challenges
- our first night at home: WOWZER!!! Our first night was T.O.U.G.H! That's right - it was so tough that I needed to use every kind of emphasis option I could think of! Hudson refused to nurse, so he cried in high gear off and on all night as Nick tried to feed him from a medicine cup, and I tried to figure out the breast pump!
- our first night at home: WOWZER!!! Our first night was T.O.U.G.H! That's right - it was so tough that I needed to use every kind of emphasis option I could think of! Hudson refused to nurse, so he cried in high gear off and on all night as Nick tried to feed him from a medicine cup, and I tried to figure out the breast pump!
- breastfeeding: SO much harder than I expected! I will write a separate post about this soon...
- keeping up with the dishwasher: Enough said!
- giving Callie enough attention: Poor Sis: (
- getting out of the house: For example, it took us a little longer to get out of the house than expected for our first trip to the doctor! While we changed Hudson's diaper, he sprayed us...and then shot poo on the wall!
- getting anything done around the house: This was never that bad since we cleaned the house the weekend before Hudson came. Since we had lots of visitors, we kept the living room picked up, and our visitors helped us keep the kitchen clean! We definitely didn't vacuum as much as we should have!
- our first trip to the DMV: The night I went into labor, I set out the paperwork I needed to get my driver's license renewed in the morning. Since I had a baby instead, I had to go to the DMV after he was born. I was running out of time and was forced to take him with me. There was a LONG line, it smelled crazy, and the lady next to us kept coughing on us. I left once, but I decided to go back in to tough it out. After a few excruciating minutes, Nick came and took the baby home! Daddy to the rescue!
- getting enough sleep: Hudson had his days and nights mixed up for the first few weeks, and we were awake A LOT at night. Sometimes Hudson was fussy, but sometimes it seemed like he just wanted to hang out and play! Hudson and I would stay in the guest room so that Nick could sleep. I was EXHAUSTED after nights like this, so we'd try to nap during the day!
- getting enough sleep: Hudson had his days and nights mixed up for the first few weeks, and we were awake A LOT at night. Sometimes Hudson was fussy, but sometimes it seemed like he just wanted to hang out and play! Hudson and I would stay in the guest room so that Nick could sleep. I was EXHAUSTED after nights like this, so we'd try to nap during the day!
Successes
- Nick and I are still speaking; )
- Callie doesn't seem to mind the new baby: She sniffs Hudson and his stuff...A LOT!
- keeping up with the laundry: I like doing the baby's laundry; )
- showering every day: Sometimes people say that it is hard to shower when there is a newborn at home. I've showered every day! I put him in a basket (as shown above!) with a little music, and I hop in for a quick one!
- exercise: We have been SO lucky with the weather! We went on several walks in February and enjoyed our time outside. I "ran" some intervals with Natalie about 4 weeks after Hudson was born. It felt great to be with my friend and to get my body moving!
Fun Stuff
- lots of time with family: We are so lucky to have so much family in town! Nick's family helped us out for the first few days, and then my family came over for a few days. They cooked, cleaned, bought us groceries, held the baby while I showered, and so much more. SO SO thankful for them!
- Colin and Natalie came over to watch a KU game and brought us some yummy Chipotle!
- Anne, Paul, and Lucy came over to hang out, and Anne made us some delicious chicken taco soup!
- We spent some time with Aunt Claire; )
- We skyped with Aunt Lisa and my NC grandparents!
- I turned 29!
- Hudson and I spent a lot of time watching baby-related reality TV. I'd hold him on my chest and cry each time a baby was born. I thought I may need an intervention, but I was able to wean myself from the show once we were more comfortable getting out of the house...and away from the bed and TV. Ha!
- We spent some time with Aunt Claire; )
- We skyped with Aunt Lisa and my NC grandparents!
- I turned 29!
- Hudson and I spent a lot of time watching baby-related reality TV. I'd hold him on my chest and cry each time a baby was born. I thought I may need an intervention, but I was able to wean myself from the show once we were more comfortable getting out of the house...and away from the bed and TV. Ha!
This Month's Must-Have Baby Items
I could probably list many more products than the ones below, but I tried to stick to what was truly essential for us!
- diapers: We went through at least 200 newborn diapers. Our favorite were the Pampers Swaddlers. I had a few stocked away before he arrived, but we had to buy some.
- diapers: We went through at least 200 newborn diapers. Our favorite were the Pampers Swaddlers. I had a few stocked away before he arrived, but we had to buy some.
- Summer Infant SwaddleMe: When we came home from the hospital, there was a 3-pack of these (the ones below!) from my friend Katie, and then we received one more a few days later from another friend. These are AWESOME!! They make it so much easier to swaddle the baby. We usually swaddled him in one of these, and then we swaddled him in a blanket on top of it.
- multiples: I wasn't so sure about buying/registering for multiples, but I soon found out that having extras is SO handy! I'm glad we have two changing pad covers, three changing pad liners, and four flannel multi-use pads. All of these items are must-have items for us! They help with all of the tinkle and spit up that comes with a new baby!
- burp cloths: My mom made us at least eight burp cloths, and I received 10 or so more as gifts. We use these ALL.THE.TIME. I think we go through at least eight per day.
- breast pump: I ended up buying the Medela Pump in Style Advanced On-the-Go Tote from JCPenney. It was already cheaper than some of the other stores to begin with, but then I used a 20% off coupon + free shipping to the store! It was at least $20 cheaper than anywhere else I saw it! I used this 10-12 times a day for the first few weeks, so this was DEFINITELY needed. I looked at the cost to rent a pump, and it would quickly have been more money to rent it than to buy it.
- burp cloths: My mom made us at least eight burp cloths, and I received 10 or so more as gifts. We use these ALL.THE.TIME. I think we go through at least eight per day.
- breast pump: I ended up buying the Medela Pump in Style Advanced On-the-Go Tote from JCPenney. It was already cheaper than some of the other stores to begin with, but then I used a 20% off coupon + free shipping to the store! It was at least $20 cheaper than anywhere else I saw it! I used this 10-12 times a day for the first few weeks, so this was DEFINITELY needed. I looked at the cost to rent a pump, and it would quickly have been more money to rent it than to buy it.
- smart phone: My iPhone has been a lifesaver! In the early weeks, I spent hours reading about breastfeeding and pumping on KellyMom. It is also nice to be able to easily catch up on blogs, check Facebook, listen to Pandora, and take pictures while hanging out with Little Man.
- feeding log: As soon as we left the hospital, I began tracking Hudson's feedings and diapers. I made my own log in Word, but this log is similar and this log is cute (but a waste of paper!). Since he eats 9-12 times per day, it has been extremely helpful to have a way to track everything! I know some people love this app, but I love using paper and pencil; )
- feeding log: As soon as we left the hospital, I began tracking Hudson's feedings and diapers. I made my own log in Word, but this log is similar and this log is cute (but a waste of paper!). Since he eats 9-12 times per day, it has been extremely helpful to have a way to track everything! I know some people love this app, but I love using paper and pencil; )
Milestones
"Milestones" is an important buzzword for new parents. I guess we all just want to make sure our baby is on track. I found a couple of sites (1, 2) that list some common milestones for Hudson's age. This is some of what he was up to during his first month:
- lifted and turned his head when lying on his tummy
- lifted his shoulders when lying on his tummy
- stared at faces
- followed objects briefly with his eyes
- surpassed his birth weight - and started putting on over 2 ounces per day!
- pushed with his feet on a solid surface
I Could Go On...
I could go on and on and on and on about Hudson's first month! Even though there were some challenges at first, this was definitely the best month of my entire life. I've never felt so needed and so important, and I've never felt so proud. I feel blessed to have this little guy in my life, and I feel blessed to have so much support from our families and friends. I'm excited to watch Hudson grow up, to continue to see Nick as a daddy, and to grow as a mother; ) I'm looking forward to all of the months ahead of us - even with the challenges they will bring!
- lifted and turned his head when lying on his tummy
- lifted his shoulders when lying on his tummy
- held his head at 45-degree angle
(Hudson is one strong little dude and was a little ahead here! One of the nurses told us that he was the strongest baby she had ever seen!)
- responded to sound- stared at faces
- followed objects briefly with his eyes
- surpassed his birth weight - and started putting on over 2 ounces per day!
- pushed with his feet on a solid surface
I Could Go On...
I could go on and on and on and on about Hudson's first month! Even though there were some challenges at first, this was definitely the best month of my entire life. I've never felt so needed and so important, and I've never felt so proud. I feel blessed to have this little guy in my life, and I feel blessed to have so much support from our families and friends. I'm excited to watch Hudson grow up, to continue to see Nick as a daddy, and to grow as a mother; ) I'm looking forward to all of the months ahead of us - even with the challenges they will bring!
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