Baby No. 2 - Coffee, Diapers, and Joy

In the past week...

We've had less sleep than we've had in the past 3 years.

We've consumed 50 gallons of coffee.

We've changed 30 little diapers. 

Then had to wash baby poop off of the comforter.

We've slept with two little boys in our bed...and two big dogs. All at once.

We've consoled a crying newborn, and wiped the tears of our 3 year old. 

We've consumed 50 gallons of coffee. 

Did I mention we've consumed a whole lot of coffee?

And I cannot even begin to describe the amount of joy that has flooded our hearts in the past seven days. It's like this natural high we've been on for days, and it just won't go away. There are always so many uncertainties with a new baby that bring a certain level of insecurity and doubt in new parents, 

and it's not to say there haven't been those. 

But the moments when the joy comes rushing in like a powerful wave on the coast overwhelm my heart and the uncertainties and doubt are drowned in my absolute adoration for my three guys. 

My family. This is the good stuff. 

If you'd have told me last year that the pain I was feeling post-miscarriage would lead to this joy, I'm honestly not sure I would have believed you. B

But today I can say God's promises are true. 

I've found myself looking at my husband thinking, how in the hell did I get this lucky? Excuse my french but, seriously. 

He's on the high too. 

I've watched him dive in completely...without any hesitation or frustration. "You are fully embracing the dad life, aren't you?" I asked him last night as we drove around looking at Christmas lights. He looked over at me with the fullest smile I've ever seen and he didn't need to answer. 

My cup runneth over. 

Are you sure?

My son has the most incredible, special feet there ever were. His little toes are so adorable. I love how soft and sweet the are. And when he runs, sometimes my eyes well with tears of gratitude. 

"For we live by faith, not by sight."
-2 Corinthians 5:7

Today we met with his orthopedic doctor. Our first visit in a year. As we entered the elevator to the office, I looked over at my husband and referenced the many times in Hudson's first few months of life we had been in that very space. Anxious for what would be. 

I can't help but to tell you that I was anxious today about our appointment. We experienced so many unknown things when Hudson was first diagnosed with clubbed feet. It was as if all of those feelings came rushing back. 

But today was different. Today, the doctor looked at us and said [jokingly],

"are you sure this boy had clubbed feet?" 

As if to say, his feet are so perfect now that he just couldn't believe his feet had been so deformed at birth. 

I realize now that Hudson having clubbed feet at birth was like literally one of the more mild issues we could have dealt with as brand new parents. But I also remember the despair I felt for my child when he was born and began to have his feet casted every week. 

There are so many parents experiencing challenges with their brand new little ones that can be SO scary in those first few months, and you just feel like you have no idea how you will make it through. Not only do you adjust your sleep schedule, but your body (as a new mama) is going through some wacky changes and things in general. Then to top it all off, you have this child who depends on you for it's every need. It can be a bit much for two people to handle. 

I remember what our orthopedic doctor and his physicians assistant said to us in our first ever consultation with them. It struck me then and it still strikes me when I think back on it. 

I was a hot mess in that doctors office that day. I was a 20ish weeks pregnant woman who had just been told her child was going to have bilateral clubbed feet and would need lots of treatment in order to even be able to walk, let alone run or dance [like he does so BEAUTIFULLY today]. I was thinking about all of the things we would face as new parents with a child who had clubbed feet, and I was on the verge of tears through just about the whole thing. And then the PA looked at me and said so very honestly, 

"you just worry about your baby, we are going to take care of his feet." 

If the tears weren't flowing before that point, they were then. 

And I kind of think sometimes that is what God is saying to us [in a round about way]. You just keep on going, I'll take care of the rest. 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?"
-Matthew 6:25-26

Oh boy, I got a dose of a reminder today in that office again. Two years later. We are blessed. OH so blessed. And God, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, Alpha and Omega, He is oh so GOOD. 

Hudson Goes to Florida

We left warm, beautiful, sunny Florida early yesterday morning and returned to overcast, damp, chilly Kansas. It was a wonderful trip and coming back was hard but home is always good. So with the another impending snow storm headed our way I thought I would sit down and share about the adventures of our trip. 

Ry & I before leaving KC.

I had some anxiety about this trip 1. going through TSA with Hudson's Ponseti brace  and 2. traveling (flying) with a baby. So, of course, I did my research and decided that Hudson would just wear his brace through security so that if TSA decided to start questioning the brace they could see that he needed to wear it. We walked through and set off the buzzer so they asked us to step aside. 20 minutes later both Ryne and I got a full pat down and were finally cleared. It really didn't bother me at the time because I guess I had pretty much expected it but I later started thinking about the fact that there could actually be someone coming through that is dangerous and they were wasting their time with us. Not to mention, the newly revised rule that passengers may now carry pocket knives on air planes. Really?! Who needs a pocket knife on an AIRPLANE?! Rant over. Sorry.

So as we took off on our first flight with Hudson, I was SO nervous! I didn't want to be the people on the airplane with a screaming baby. I could just imagine him screaming and crying the whole time and both Ry and I being stressed to the MAX trying to console him. I know it's not something we can entirely control and there are so many people who completely understand, but there's always Joe Schmoe who apparently has either never had children or just thinks his children are better than everyone else and will stare/give dirty looks the entire time. Thankfully, we didn't have to worry about ANY of that. Hudson was a complete dream. He slept and played the entire way and didn't shed a tear! We just keep thinking that this isn't real. Haha. And it's a good thing too because our first flight into Nashville went right through a storm and was hit by lightning, twice! I have a touch of flying anxiety to begin with so that just about sent me over the edge. Luckily, we landed fine and our second flight was a cake walk.

The week in Florida was incredible. We had so much fun watching Hudson experience so many firsts! We made a little exception and let him have a little more free feet time just so he could enjoy the sun & sand while we were there. We have been really committed to his brace wear for so long, partly because I was so adamant about him having the best results possible and partly because Hudson has made it so easy. One thing that I have been continually reminded of about Hudson, is that he has a very soothed and steady demeanor. Even before birth, he was just go with the flow.  As I reflect on the past 6 months and all of the journey we have already experienced, I am amazed at his progress, the way we have become a family, the knowledge and expertise of our doctors who have helped us step by step, and the many moments when our friends and family have stopped to say a prayer for Hudson and those little miracle feet!

Hudson's first time swimming. He loved it. I think we have a water baby! (sorry for the paleness!)

Hudson baby's first time on the beach. And he was 6 months this day!

Miracle feet experiencing the ocean for the first time.

Hudson loves his Auntie Annie so much! He is blessed to have aunts and uncles who love him so much.

Hudson visited the zoo for the first time in Florida

His favorite animal was the giraffe! Probably because he loves his Sophie so much!

And this sums up Hudson's thoughts after an adventure filled vacation. :)