Hudson the night before delivery
At the hospital, epidural in, resting comfortably
Baby Hudson - Here at 5:35pm
6lbs 7oz and 19 inches 
Granddaddy and Hannah taking a look at new baby brother
Baby Hudson needed some oxygen under the hood
Pops showing Big Sister Hannah her new baby
First Bath
Mommy finally getting to hold Hudson
All clean and warming up
Mimi getting to hold Hudson for the first time
Granddaddy very proud to have a grandson
Hannah giving baby brother a kiss
Hannah holding her baby
Hudson loves his big sister!
Mommy, Daddy, and Hudson
Big Sister has had a big day!
Ready to go home
Hello Everyone! Thank you for all the thoughts, congratulations, and well wishes! Announcing on a blog or Facebook is just like handing out blue cigars like the days when we were born!
As you all know by now, Hudson Stuart made his way into the world Saturday, August 8th at 5:35pm. I must say, I was a little surprised he came after feeling so good those last few days. Maybe blogging about it made him decided to come ;)
After a walk around the neighborhood with Stuart and Hannah Friday night I went to bed and woke up about midnight with contractions. Because I have had contractions on and off for weeks I didn't get my hopes up. I went back to sleep and woke up around 2:00 still feeling contractions, a little bit more aggressively, and felt like my water may be leaking. I went back to bed but didn't really sleep, counting contractions until about 4ish. The contractions were mild in strength but regular and getting closer together. I wasn't in any pain at all. I went ahead and got up and took a shower to see if the contractions stayed. I put on make-up this time and fixed my hair. Last time, with Hannah, Aunt Susie criticized me for not wearing make-up, so this time, knowing what to expect, I went ahead and "got pretty". I woke Stuart up about 5 for him to start getting ready. We called his Mom to come over so we didn't have to wake up Hannah and headed out to the hospital right around 6. I was still not having any pain but my contractions were getting closer together. It is so funny because this was the exact same scenario as with Hannah's birth. I went to bed on a Friday night, woke up with contractions, and got to the hospital around the same time feeling the same with her! Just because I am terrified of being sent home, we left all of our stuff in the car until we got the okay to stay. Because I wasn't in any pain, I was a little worried this may be false labor. I was checked in, weighed (oh my!) and put in a room. The nurse hooked me up the monitors and checked me. My contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and becoming a little bit more intense but my cervix was only about 80% effaced and I was 3cm dilated. Just like with Hannah, I didn't dilate quickly on my own, so I eventually would need some Pitocin to get things moving. I went ahead and got my epidural - Love It!!! and my OB came in and broke my water. I was resting so comfortably and feeling so great all day! It was so nice to lay in bed with an epidural and nothing to do. It was really one of the best days! I guess my OB thought it was time I get busy here and get this baby out. The next time they checked me, the nurse told me stay right there and don't push! The doctor came in and I pushed one time and out came Hudson! Crying like a baby!
Hudson was born pink and crying but he was having a little bit of respiratory distress. He was retracting (using his accessory muscles to breath). They took him to the nursery where we was evaluated and had to remain on oxygen all night long. We didn't even get to hold him or give him his first bath. Our pediatrician started him on IV fluids and antibiotics to cover an infection. Finally Sunday around noon he was off the oxygen and ready for his first bath. Stuart and I got to watch and help and we finally saw his light colored hair and blue eyes! Will they stay blue like Daddy's? After letting him warm up, we were finally given our son to take to our room and feed. His first feeding, he latched on wonderfully and fed great! I remember how hard it was learning to nurse Hannah, but this time was so easy! Maybe it was him, or maybe it was because it has only been about 9 months since I stopped nursing Hannah. Although Hudson had an IV going continuously, he was able to stay in our room during the day.
Hudson was hooked up to a pulse oximeter as well to measure his oxygen. The pulse ox machine also measures his heart rate and we began to notice that he had a low resting heart rate. On Monday, he had an Echo, EKG, and a visit from the pediatric cardiologist. Thank God, his heart is just fine. The doctors have concluded that at some point he had mild hypoxia (during birth) which caused him to have the difficulty breathing and low electrolyte levels which caused his heart rate to be lower. All of which should resolve on its own within the next few days. Just to be sure, he would stay in the hospital and receive complete coverage of antibiotics and stay on a heart rate and oxygen monitor.
Tuesday, Hudson was circumcised. Of course, giving us trouble, he was a bleeder! His circumcism continued to bleed and our pediatrician had to leave the office and come cauterize it. Poor guy! He had to spend more time in the nursery that day too.
By Wednesday, Hudson's heart rate was back up, his electrolytes were normal, his O2 had been excellent and he was ready to go home. Hudson is going home on an apnea monitor. This monitor will alarm if his heart rate gets too fast or too slow or if he stops breathing for longer than 20 seconds. This brings me a lot of peace of mind, knowing I have a watch dog of sorts attached to my baby. With Hannah, I was so terrified of SIDS, that I kept her cradle right up next to our bed and laid awake with my hand on her belly feeling her breathe. I think I will sleep better and feel better knowing Hudson has this monitor on, especially after all we have been through. I will take pictures of his monitor soon and blog about it.
Hudson is nursing like a champ. He is a quick nurser and good sleeper. We can't wait to have him home and watch him grow big and strong.
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