Hudson meets the girl gang

Aunt Jen just spoiled the girls rotten while we were gone. She was even brave enough to take our girls plus Ainsley to the pool, shopping, and lunch all by herself. 

When the girls woke up on May 29, she broke the good news to them that they had a baby brother! The girls then lined up their dolls and had Aunt Jen text us the picture to decide which doll was closest to Hudson's size. It was baby Belle. 

Aunt Jen gave them manicures before their big hospital debut

Making a welcome home sign for Hudson

Aunt Jen took the girls shopping and they got Hudson a new outfit and music giraffe. Aunt Jen also got the girls new dresses so they would look their best when meeting their big brother.

We come bearing gifts!

Wow he is out of your belly!

Checking out his hair

Amazed by Baby Hudson

Meeting baby Ainsley! 

The girls loved the Nurse's paperwork

Besties with our Babies

 First family picture

 Hudson and his GodMother Aunt Jen

 With all my sweet babies. The time goes so quickly because it seems like just yesterday I was holding Ava in the hospital.

 Daddy and his babes

 Holding Hudson for the first time

 

Penny Lane was the only one disgruntled with Aunt Jen. She pooped in her room everyday we were gone to show her protest. It goes to show, you got to be a real bitch not to love Aunt Jen.

Our Happy Hudson Day

Hudson Bennett Valdez

Born May 29, 2012

7lbs 14 oz

20.5 inches long

I was convinced I was going to have to be induced with Hudson. I had been having contractions with Hudson for 2 weeks and they just weren't getting closer together. On the last day of the Memorial Day weekend I was having contractions all day again but then I felt like I was also coming down with the flu. I told Greg if I ended up having the flu while I was in labor that I demanded diamond earrings when I got home. Luckily, that was not the case and I went into intense labor at 11 PM. By the time I got to the hospital I was 5 cm dilated at 12:30 AM and I was 9 CM by 3:30 am. I was waiting to push hoping that the epidural they gave me would kick in, but no such luck. I ended up feeling the entire thing, and that is one reason why Hudson will be our last baby.  I ended up pushing for 45 minutes and that felt more difficult than the full marathon I ran in 2010.  He was worth the pain though and I cherished being able to hold him and nurse him the first hour of his life. He latched on right away and is still happiest when he is cuddled. 

We were so thankful that Jen was able to come and take care of the girls so Greg could stay my entire visit in the hospital. We cherished having so much one on one time with our little man and getting to know him. The nursing staff and my nurse midwife were exceptional and very personable. Hudson was  the first of five boys to be delivered at the hospital that day. They said May had been their busiest month that year and the majority of the mothers were due at the end of the month. 

Last Time Pregnant!

You would think with me being a third time Mom that I would remember what the last month of pregnancy is like. Nope I had amnesia about it. I forgot how uncomfortable it is, how uncontrollably excited you become in meeting your new addition, how it slowly starts to control all your thoughts. Luckily, I had my doula on demand (Aunt Jen) in town the last week to assist Greg with controlling my madness. 

My attempt at an artsy pregnancy picture in Hawaii. 8 Months along here

 8 Month Bump

 9 Month Bump

 Like I said, I would try ANYTHING to get that baby out, including Hula Hooping when I am 38 weeks pregnant.

The neighbors had something to talk about at dinner.

 Luckily, I have an amazing husband who was sweet enough to give me a pedicure

Greg and Ellie are about at the same level in pedicure skill but the thought is what counts!

 Greg sent an SOS to Aunt Jen because we thought it was the REAL DEAL. Well it was a False Alarm for labor and she ended up staying for a week with us till the real deal labor came on. What an amazing friend she is.

We tried to walk it out at the zoo. Nope no labor.

 We tried biking- no labor

 Swimming at the pool- no labor. But Ainsley became part of the Pool Rat crew!

 We went to an amusement park for the day- no labor.

This was our false alarm when we WALKED to the hospital to try to progress things more (we only live about half a mile next to the hospital).

Finally, I gave in and just became a bump on a log and rested. It was a fun week though, and we appreciate Matt giving up his girls (and his car- he just did a motorcyle all week) for over a week.