~3 month update...

So, I see that it has been almost 2 entire months since I last posted on the blog. I have to say that I have been on Facebook with my updates and photos of Hudson. I never thought that I would ever be on FB but it is quite addicting... So, if you would like to follow me on FB just leave me a comment and I will email you my name.

On to the important reason behind this blog. HUDSON ~ He turned 3 mos old on Oct 25th. Where has the time gone?? He has been such a joy and blessing to us.

Here are a few things that he has been up to:
* Loves to chew on his hands and slobber all over
* Loves for me to sing "The Itsy Bisty Spider"
* Loves to carry on a conversation with you
* Has the biggest and best smile
* Wears size 3-6 mos sleepers
* Wears size 1-2 diapers but probably could be in size 2
* Has noticed that he has hands and will stare at them until he is cross-eyed
* Drinks 5 oz every 4 hours
* The past 3 nights he has gone 5-7 hours between bottles
* Doing a great job holding his head up especially during tummy time
* Does not like tummy time at all
* LOVES to watch TV - very limited time with that
* Thinks his Daddy is the coolest thing and so funny
* Has the craziest hair on the planet
* He will let you know when he is ready to eat and does not like to stop in the middle of his feeding to burp... Puts up the biggest fuss.
* At his last Dr appt (Oct 5th) he weighed 13 lbs 2 oz and was 24 1/2 inches long

Like I said, Hudson is the best baby. It is so hard for Matt and I to believe that God has blessed us with such a wonderful gift. Hudson has brought so much joy to our home and family.

Have you heard the song "I call you mine" by Martina McBride? Well, a verse of that song reminds us so much of Hudson...
*Everyone that meets you always wants to know you
Everyone that knows you always has a smile*...

That is so true with Hudson... I just love to see people light up when they are around him. There is just something about him that brings joy to everyone that is near him. God did an AWESOME job when he made Hudson!! Kudos to you God! :)

Now, here are a few recent pics of our little Hudman... Mommy and Daddy love you so very much!! <3

~5 wks...

I know it has been a while since I updated the blog. This past Saturday Hudson turned 5 wks old. It is so hard to believe how fast time is going by. We are loving every minute of being parents. We would not trade this for anything on the face of the earth.

Hudson is getting into a routine with his eating and sleeping. He loves to be held and snuggle... I am so glad he is that way but I also know that he needs to get used to sleeping in his bed...which he does really well with. He loves his bath until it is time to wash all of that hair. He just moans when I pour the warm water over him... it is too sweet.

I will try to be better at posting updates but for now I will leave you with a couple of pics...

~Quick update...

Matt and I had to take Hudson back to the dr this morning b/c of some concerns we had... Or should I say - 1st time parent worries... Anway, when we were at the dr on Tuesday for his jaundice check his weight was up from 7 lbs 8.5 oz to 7 lbs 12 oz. Well, today when the nurse weighed him his weight had gone up to 8 lbs 1 oz. Can you believe that he has gained 5 oz in 3 days?? That is crazy! My boy loves to eat and the scale proves it!!

~1st tub bath...

Since Hudson's umbilical cord fell off on Saturday he was able to have his first tub bath. My Mother-in-Law came and spent the day with us yesterday. She was there to help me with his first bath. I am so glad that she was there to help b/c there is no way that I could have bathed and held a very slippery new born... Hudson was not a happy baby at all but he did very well for his first bath. After his bath and a full tummy he slept for about 4 hrs before he was ready to eat again. I think we have found the trick to help him sleep at night. A nice warm bath and then a full tummy should lead to a nice nights sleep.

Here are just a few pics from his bath and after...

~How do you freeze time??

At 8:52 this morning Hudson turned 1 week old. I can not believe that he has been in our arms for a week already. Is there a way to freeze time? I am looking forward to our life with him but I want him to stay this small forever! I love being a Mommy - it is the best job in the entire world. Matt is a fantastic Dad and I never had one doubt in my mind that he would be.

Thursday evening Matt's cousin Daniel and his wife came for a visit. Daniel is starting his professional photography business here in the Atl area. Daniel did his very first newborn photo session with us and Hudson. It was so much fun and Daniel did an amazing job... Please go to his site and check it out... Also, make sure to watch the slide show at the end... I cry every time I watch it... :)

I will leave you with a recent pic of Hudson...

~Our little Miracle has Arrived!!!

Hudson Charlie Seabolt arrived Saturday, July 25th at 8:52 am. He weighed 7 lbs 11 oz and is 21 inches long. He is beautiful and the absolute love of our lives...

It is so hard to believe that you could instantly love someone so much that you just met. My heart has grown a million times in size. Matt and I are so happy that God has blessed us with this wonderful gift of life.

I will leave you now with a few pics of our little man... Hopefully I can continue to update his blog - of course as time permits... :)

~37 wks...

I had my dr appt today. I have gained another lbs - so 30 lbs all together. I don't think that is too bad... They tell you to gain between 25-35 lbs so I am on track. Especially since I have 2 1/2 wks left... My appt went well. My strep B culture came back negative so I will not have to worry about having an antibiotic IV when I go into labor. Speaking of labor - there has been no change since last week. Hudson is still posterior and I still have not dilated. I was also told that I can resume my regular activities. So, I will be cooking more and maybe helping with the cleaning and laundry. The doctor told me that I could even go jump on a trampoline but too bad we do not have one... :)

I had my shower on Sunday and it turned out so nice. Matt's sisters and Mom did an excellent job. It was a drop in shower which was really nice. We received some really nice gifts and we appreciate everything that was given to us.

I hope to post some exciting news in the near future (like going to the hospital)... Matt just wants me to make it to my next appt and then after that he would be happy for Hudson to come...

Until then, take care...

~36 wks...

Today I had my 36 wk check up with the doctor. Everything went well... I still have not dilated but my cervix has shortened and I am about 20% effaced. I have a while still to go. I will probably end up going full term and having to be induced. But that would be ok with me. The longer he can stay in the better for him.

We FINALLY have the chair and ottoman in his room and it looks so good. I will take a few pics and post them when I get a chance. I have my last baby shower this weekend. My sister-in-laws are giving it for us and it is a drop in shower... I am looking forward to it - I know we will have a nice time.

I having nothing more to post - I will try and get the pics posted asap...

Take care...

~35 wk update...

I am 35 1/2 wks today and I had my ob appt. Everything is still going well - still no dilation. I have been having some cramps everyday since this past Friday night. It is usually one or two a day. The dr told us today that if I happen to go into labor that they will not prolong my labor. That is exciting news to hear. Hudson is head down - thank goodness. I also had my strep b test done today and I should hear back next wk at my appt.

Also, we called yesterday to get an update on the chair and ottoman. Apparently it has been shipped but shipped from Canada... good grief. So, hopefully we will have the last bit of the furniture by next week. Last night we purchased the car seat... I am so glad to have that now even though it is still in the box. This is something that I have been stressing over for so long... Now I know that part is taken care of.

If anything changes I will be sure to post it. Take care...

~34 wks...

Nothing new has happened this week. My meds and drinking a lot of water seems to be helping my braxton hicks a lot. I finally called and checked on the chair and ottoman and it should be out of production next week. So hopefully we will have it by the following week.

It is hard to believe that we have less than 6 wks before Hudson arrives. It still seems so surreal. I know my stomach is growing and we see him on the ultrasounds but it is hard to believe that we will finally be parents. This is something that we have wanted for so very long and now the time has come. God has truly blessed us!!!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we come to the end of the wonderful road to our Miracle!!

~33 wks

I am 33 wks today. Can you believe I only have 7 wks or less before we meet our little man?? I can hardly believe it. This pregnancy has been such a blessing but it also has gone by so fast.

This past Monday we had a little scare. You know that I have been having the braxton hicks contractions for a while now and have been on meds to stop them. Well Monday I decided to wash all of Hudson's clothes and I guess I did way too much. My contractions started coming a lot closer together - lets say 6-8 mins apart. I called the on call dr and she said to take another pill and if nothing changes in 2 hours go up to the hospital. So, at 10:40 pm we were heading up to the hospital. Once there they hooked me up to the monitors and eventually started an IV. I stayed over night and they checked me - no dilation and the contractions had slowed down so they let me go.

I have been drinking tons of water and staying off of my feet. All of that seems to help. I am ready to see my baby but not right now - it is too soon. So, if I can make it to 36 wks I will be one happy Momma!!

Other than that we have been living a very quiet life... I hope everyone enjoys their weekend celebrating all of the Dad's in their life. I know God has blessed me with a wonderful Dad and a wonderful Husband that will be a GREAT Dad - soon... :)

~Nursery Pics - finally...

~UPDATED~ I added two more pics at the bottom

I know I have been promising pics of the nursery forever - so here they are... Of course we are still without the chair and ottoman. Matt worked so hard on the stripes - he did a wonderful job...














**Apparently Duke thinks the room is so comfy b/c everytime we are in there he has to come and lay on the rug...almost falling asleep...**

~32 wks and Blessed...

I think yesterday was the best Saturday I have had since my wedding day. I had my very first Baby Shower!!! I never ever thought that I would see this day. I knew that we would have a shower for when we adopt but NEVER for a biological child. God has truly blessed us with wonderful family and friends.

We had the shower at our house and we had a house full. My former co-workers came and almost all of my family members. The day went by way too fast but I truly enjoyed every minute of it. Hudson racked up on the clothes - and I was worried that he would not have enough clothes. We received the bouncy seat and his bath tub as well. I have one more shower next month that my sister-in-laws are giving.

As I had said before, in the previous post, Matt has been such a wonderful husband. He got up early yesterday morning, drove about an hour and a half to go pick up my Grandmother so that she could be at the shower. That meant so much to me. He helped set up the chairs and tables. Then once the shower was over he helped my Mom, Aunt & Grandmother clean up. He was vacuuming, putting things away, taking out the trash, putting away dishes, etc. God has truly blessed me with a Husband that is so loving, caring, a wonderful helper, a great friend - I could go on and on. Last night, I layed in bed and thanked God for giving him to me. He will be such a wonderful Dad. I just can not wait to see him in action.

Yesterday was the best day in such a LONG time for us!! We really needed that yesterday. So now, on to some pics... I still need to upload the nursery pics.

**Oh, I have my last perinatal appt this Wednesday!!

~I need to brag...

I need to brag on my husband... Yes, you heard me right. In my previous post I mentioned about the scare I had with some mild contractions.

After my doctor's appt on Thursday we were walking out the door and Matt told me "you are done cooking and doing dishes - no more". I felt bad because he already has someone coming to the house every other week to have the house cleaned. He has been great through out the pregnancy so far but this to me just put the cherry on the top. Yesterday he finished trimming all of the bushes around the house, went to the grocery store, cooked dinner and then did the dishes. Tonight he plans on coming home after work to cut grass, cook and then do the dishes. I feel so bad that he is doing this but I understand that it is for a good reason.

I am not the type of person to have someone do things for me. I am a very independent type of person. I do not like for people to make a fuss over me. When I am sick and do not feel well, I would rather be left alone and take care of myself. So, it is very hard to sit here on the couch, watch tv and be on the computer while Matt is doing everything. I know it will not last very long...

I just wanted to take a minute to brag on him. He is such a great husband and friend - I just know that he will be a WONDERFUL Dad... he will be so hands-on... I can not wait to see him with our little man.

Thanks Matt for all that you have done. You are the GREATEST! I could not have asked for more in a husband!!! I LOVE YOU!!

~31 wks

This week I had my visit with both the Ob and Perinatologist. Everything went well but as the tech was updating my ultrasound I had a mild contraction. That was on Wednesday - the doctor was told about it and he was not concerned since my cervix was still closed and long. Then Thursday morning I woke up with having about 4 mild contractions w/in 20 mins. So, off to the doctor we went. The doctor checked me and again my cervix was fine... he decided to hook me up to the monitor for about 20 mins and I did have a contraction but again it was mild. So, now I am on some meds to keep the contractions at bay. I am still having some but they are few and far between and not as strong as they were. Thank goodness.

When the tech was doing the ultrasound we found out that Hudson weighs an estimated 3 lbs and 10 oz already. Apparently he is going to be a big boy (according to my RN friend Kim...) and he has a head full of hair. The tech showed us his hair floating in the amniotic fluid... We got the most precious pic of his lips and his nose - I think this may be one of my favorite pics so far... oh, she also caught him yawning - his mouth opened so big and wide - it was too precious!!

Well, I am off to take my medicine and eat some breakfast. I hope that everyone has a great week. Next week's update will include pics from my shower... I can't wait.

Take care everyone...

~30 wks & counting...

It is hard to believe that I have a bit under 2 1/2 mos left before our little man arrives. This is getting so exciting. Matt and I both have had a dream that Hudson ended up being a girl but according to his ultrasound it is "obvious" that he is a boy... ;)

The paint job is complete in the nursery and it looks awesome!! Matt did a wonderful job... We have a few wall hangings to put up and we will complete minus the chair & ottoman. I called yesterday to check on the chair and they said it takes 10 - 12 wks and it has already been 6 wks. I guess that's what I get for ordering a chair that needs to be upholstered...

I did something that I never thought I would do... I went to my sister-in-law's yesterday to hang by the pool and get some color. I put on my tankini from last year... Lets just say the next time I want to go to the pool this summer I need to get a maternity bathing suit before then... Matt said I looked cute but still... :(

I hope everyone has a nice week (the weather is supposed to be so nice this coming week). So, until next time - Take care...

~29 wks

Things are coming along so well with the nursery. We are waiting for one more piece of furniture - the upholstered chair & ottoman. Matt is doing such a good job on his project and I can not wait to post the final pics of the nursery. I love to just go stand in there and picture our little man in there with us...

I had my doctors appts this week. Everything is going well with that. The perinatologist said that our next goal is to make it to 32 weeks which is in just 3 wks from now. Can you believe it?? I can't... :) My baby shower is in 3 wks as well and I am getting so excited about that.

Well, this is a short post but I don't have very much to post about. So until next time - take care...

~28 wks

Today marks the the 28th week. I can not believe that I am in my last trimester - we are starting to round turn 4. I ran track in middle school so that is how I see the last part of my pregnancy... This is the time when you kick it in to over drive - start preparing for the little one to come (cross the finish line).

This week has been a busy and exciting week for us. The painters came and now the nursery and all three bathrooms are painted. Thursday night we went and registered. That task seemed so overwhelming at first but it was so much fun. Friday morning the furniture came and I really enjoyed putting the bedding on... This is so exciting. Matt is going to start on a special painting project for the room today. He is a good painter and he is looking forward to this project. Once everything is complete I will post pics of Hudson's nursery.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers...

*Oh, by the way, our friends Kim & Brandon celebrated their 5th anniversary yesterday. So I want to wish them a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! We love you guys!!

Take care...

~Happy Mother's Day...

I hope that everyone has a wonderful day today with their families and their Mothers. My parents came into town yesterday just for the day. It was such a nice visit with them. Mom and I talked about my baby shower that will be next month... there will be some good food!! :)

Yesterday marked my 27th week...so I guess that means I am in my last trimester!! Praise the Lord for that!!! I had my reg ob appt on Friday and everything went well. The only problem is that I have gained 19 lbs and the dr asked if there was anything that I could give up... So reluctantly I have to give up my "after dinner deserts" for example ice cream. That is so hard to do but I know it is best for the baby. This week will be a busy one for us. We have someone coming in to paint the nursery and all 3 of the bathrooms. Two of the bathrooms are painted but I want to have them re-painted. Matt would paint the nursery but he is such a perfectionist that it would take him all week to paint one room. He knows this so that is why I am writing it... :) Then on Friday the furniture is being delivered!!! I can not wait!! Also, we are going to start on the gift registry one night this week. I am hoping I don't forget to register for something that I will really need...but you never know with me.

Well, I hope everyone has a GREAT MOTHER'S DAY!!! Take care...

~wk 26

I am now 26 weeks. This pregnancy seems to be going by so fast now that I am getting close to my 3rd trimester. Everything is going well and he has his days of moving like crazy. It is amazing to watch my stomach move as he kicks or hits. Pregnancy is just a miracle from God for sure.

Yesterday we finally cleaned the rest of the stuff out of the nursery. I vacuumed really well, dusted the base boards and wiped down the windows. Hopefully this week we can get the room painted and then have the furniture delivered. I will post pics once we have the room complete. I need to take a before pic of the room before we paint. Also, his bedding was delivered the other week. This is getting very exciting...

Well, that is it for now. I hope you all have a nice weekend. Take care...

5 & 25 =

Loved and Blessed!!!

You are probably rubbing your head right now but let me explain. Five years ago today we lost our twin sons Hayden and Evan to pre term labor. I was 21 1/2 wks pregnant when my water broke. If you have been following us for a while you probably know the story so I will not repeat it. The day we lost our sons we thought that there was no way we would ever make it another day but we have made it 5 years.

Yesterday Matt & I went to the cemetery to place flowers at their grave site. Looking at their grave marker and date made it seem like ages ago but I can still recall the feelings of being in the hospital in utter shock.

Being at the cemetery yesterday with Matt just affirmed my love for him even more. I have loved him from day one but knowing that we have been through something so horrible just let me know that I married the right man. Yes we have our disagreements but every married couple does. I was so glad to know that I had him beside me yesterday and I did not / will not have to celebrate our sons' birthday alone.

Yesterday I also realized how blessed we are with being pregnant with another son. Hudson was truly a surprise and a true blessing. God knew that we would be ok and he gave us this child for a reason. He gave us a second chance. I believe that he is a God of second chances... He loves us and wants the best for us. He has kept me and Hudson healthy through out this pregnancy. He led us to the right Doctors with the help of our specialist.

So today is bitter sweet. We will never forget our first born sons and their little brother will know about them. We are sad that we do not have them with us but we rejoice in the fact that we have Hudson on the way.

**Oh and I am 25 wks today** :)

~6 mos...

Yesterday I reached 6 mos into my pregnancy and everything is going well. I am still going once a week for my shots to help prevent preterm labor.

Last night we met my parents for dinner. It is always great to see them and spend some time with them even if it is only for a few hours. On our way to meet them we stopped by Baby's * Us to look at furniture for the nursery. We found something that we like but the dresser combo was the only piece in the warehouse. I did some more research when we got home and I found another set that I think I like better. So maybe next Saturday we can go to the "other" store to check it out. We did make a purchase last night for the baby. We bought a baby sleep monitor. It is so neat...it will sound an alarm if it does not sense any movement from the baby in 20 sec... Our friends Kim & BC have one and they have said that it works really well. It helps to prevent SIDS...



Well, off to finish cleaning out the nursery. Take care and until next time...