Outdoor Music is FUN

Emilia has been getting her groove on lately. She was so excited to go to our neighborhood park for a concert last week. We met our friends with lawn chairs and picnic blankets in hand. We dined al fresco, and enjoyed talking and listening to music while the kids ran around, danced, and climbed trees. Emilia had so much fun. When it was dark and way past her bedtime, we were packing up and all she wanted to do was stay and dance. Love her lil’ heart.



We headed downtown for Thursday Night Live, this evening. We used to go all the time before we had any kiddo’s. It is such a fun way to unwind with great local music, food, and drinks. This time we joined Ms. Sarah for a family friendly musical play time. She used to be Emilia’s music teacher at Gymboree. She had missed her and enjoyed every minute of her imaginative play.

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We’ve been staying home a lot more this Summer, with the birth of Jude. It was great to get out and enjoy some things we love, like music!

My Son

On the heels of the Royal Baby Boy’s arrival, I am sitting here holding my sleeping babe and thinking of my son.



I have always wanted a son. I think there is a special relationship between mother and son.  I’ve always wanted a daughter as well, so I have the best of both worlds. I look forward to all the big bear hugs we will share, all the scraped knees I will kiss, and broken hearts I will help mend. I only hope that he will grow up to be a great husband and father like his Dad. I look forward to the relationship they will share as well. Not to mention, the relationship he will share with his sister. I look forward to seeing them as playmates and friends. I pray they will always love and respect each other. I think the greatest gift you can give a child as a parent is a sibling. I love my son and thank God for blessing us with his beautiful smile.

Jude’s 1st Bath

We gave Jude his first bath and I would call it a success. He didn’t seem to cry as much as his sister did during her first bath. Emilia wanted to be a big helper and wash him too. Sweet!

My Loves ❤

#myloves

 

 

Jude Alexander is Here

Our healthy baby boy arrived on June 10th at 1:08 am. Weighing 8 pounds, 19.25 inches long. Sunday was like any other day. We went to church, then ran some errands, had lunch, and went home. I felt fine early that day, however that afternoon/evening I was having contractions. Which I now know was early labor pains. I had a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions for a long time throughout this pregnancy. So I guess I built up a tolerance for them, because I didn’t know it was labor.

Emilia’s birth was a scheduled c-section because she was in the breech position. During delivery I experienced uterine atony, which means the uterus doesn’t contract properly after delivery.  I hemorrhaged and was given two units of blood. The recovery was tough and this time around, I knew that I wanted to attempt a vaginal birth after c-section. Around 10:00 pm on Sunday night my water broke and contractions came very fast and very strong. We quickly called for someone to sit with Emilia and phoned our family, then hurried to the hospital. When I arrived I had dilated to 9 centimeters and was very close to delivering. Labor had moved very quickly and Jude was born with no drugs, close to an hour after arriving at the hospital. Once again, after delivering I experienced hemorrhaging and received four units of blood. The placenta was attached to scar tissue and a vein ruptured, as well. Recovery has been a little easier this time, compared to surgery.  I am thankful for all the staff at the hospital and wonderful family members who help tremendously.

We are blessed with two healthy children. Jude is a precious baby boy who joins his big sister to make our family of four a very happy one, indeed. I thank God for our many blessings.

(Last day that Jude was in my tummy.)

(Nana took this one.)


After taking a day to recover, we decided it was time for Emilia to come to the hospital with her grandparents to meet her baby brother for the first time. We gave her a special “big sister” necklace when she arrived. She brought a basketball teddy bear to give to her brother. The moment they met was so sweet. She looked at him in awe. She smiled and kissed him, and he opened his eyes to see her as well. It was so special, I began to cry. My heart was filled with love for my babies at that moment. I’ll never forget it.




We celebrated Jude’s birthday with cupcakes!




The next day our girl arrived all dressed up. We packed up and brought our family home. Welcome home, Jude!

 

I’ve been taking time to rest (thanks to my mom, mother in law, and husband, all of which are amazing people to have), and enjoy my sweet family for the past week or so. My heart swells with love for them.

Build A Bear for Brother

I wanted to do something special with Emilia before her baby brother arrives very soon. So, I took her to Build A Bear Workshop. I wanted to get a bear for her and one for her brother, as well. I thought this would be a nice way for them to give gifts to each other. This was her first time building one, so she was very excited. I picked the bears. She picked the outfits for each. Of course her bear had to be a princess, and we chose a basketball player for her baby brother. She adores her Rapunzel Teddy and has been sleeping with it ever since. Basketball Player Teddy is waiting patiently in her brothers crib. I look forward to the moment she can give it to him, as well as so many more tender sibling moments they will share. Could be any day now!