Miscellaneous

I don't have anything specific to post on, so I thought I'd share a few recent pictures. Havana and Haddon are still getting used to their new school routine. Haddon has a habit of creeping out of bed to see what's going on in the living room. Here he is zonked out in his bedroom doorway one evening last week...

Hudson went to the pediatrician for the first time last Monday. She thought he looked a bit jaundiced, so we spent four days traveling back and forth to the Children's Hospital for bilirubin checks and the pediatrician's office for weight checks. On day 3, we were given a phototherapy light to help break down the bilirubin. On day 4, the bilrubin test showed a drop by 4 points in the bilirubin level and we were able to stop the phototherapy. He didn't mind the lights the first day we got them and he looked so comfy in there-almost like he was in a mini tanning bed. The next day he had had it and would pull off the little glasses anytime we tried to put them on. Thankfully the test came back ok, because I refused to put him back in there again--or have his little heel pricked one more time! He did look so cute though...

Havana and Haddon have to wear their "dress" uniforms to school on Wednesdays. Havana is always beautiful and Haddon looked so handsome in his tie, I just couldn't resist more pictures! It is such a wonderful blessing that they are able to attend the Academy this year. I am so thrilled that they are in such a great school and have such wonderful teachers!

With the oldest two in school, Helene is now the oldest at home during the days. She is one proud big sister! She absolutely adores baby Hudson...

We took Grammy and G-dad to the Smokey Mountains to swim and go on the scenic drive. I was still on my quest to see a bear, but no such luck! Can you believe we missed seeing them by about 5 minutes...again?? We got caught up in a huge traffic jam and thought we were really going to see something. We have always seen does, and apparently the bucks are a lot harder to spot. It was just before sundown and there were at least a half dozen of them once we finally got through. They were beautiful! We probably saw over a dozen deer in total. The buck pictures were a little fuzzy, but here's another doe. I've always loved these animals...

In other news: I got my hair cut! I love it, and I should have done it a lot sooner instead of wearing it in a ponytail all summer long! Also, Harley registered for school today. He will be taking 4 classes this semester. Finally, it was brought to my attention that I never posted anything more about moving to WA after my first entry. We will be staying in TN for the time being, and I truly believe the Lord worked everything out the way He meant for it to be. I am content knowing that we are in His will. Well, that's a wrap for today. I'll post more soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome Baby Hudson!

Hudson Taylor Bryant arrived on August 17, 2007. He weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces and was 21.5 inches long.

I went in to the hospital at 7am on Friday morning. The nurse started the Pitocin around 8:50am. After my last 2 completetly natural births I was a bit nervous about an induction, but my nurse was really wonderful and we talked about everything. She started the Pitocin out at a "2" and several hours later we were up to a "14" and I was still comfortable and at the same pain level, which was next to nothing! I couldn't believe it. I wasn't progressing much either, so around 1pm the midwife came in and broke my water. The contractions got progressively stronger and I opted for an epidural before I was too uncomfortable. It took fairly quickly, but left a "hot spot" on my left side. I could feel contractions only in that one small area, but it was tolerable and I was happy. As I progressed that pain got increasingly worse. After bumping the epidural meds up a few times with no change to that spot, the nurse called in the anesthesiologist and she added a stronger medicine. It finally knocked out that pain, along with all feeling below my waist. It was a bit scary having absolutely no sensation! The nurse told me to let her know as soon as I felt any pressure. She thought I would progress rather quickly from that point. Around 5pm I started getting concerned, Harley would say "panicky" (he was right!) as I was afraid that I was complete but because of no other sensations I wasn't sure. I called the nurse (a new nurse) at 5 and asked if she would check my progress. She said she would check again at 5:15. That came and went and I was really getting upset. I knew I was ready, and I couldn't stand not being able to feel my legs. My teeth were chattering too-another sign it was time! We paged the nurse again at 5:20-something and asked her to please come. The midwife came too and baby was right there! I had to wait another 10 minutes or so for them to get everything ready for his birth! I was feeling a bit frustrated, but everything was fine and he was born at 5:47 with Apgars of 9 and 9.

First Day of School!

Havana and Haddon both started school last Tuesday. They were so excited! Daddy drove them to school on his way to work and Mommy, Helene, and Hayley followed to see them off for their first day and to meet some other mommies at Chick-Fil-A for breakfast- a yearly tradition for the first day of school. I didn't think I would cry, but as I was ironing their clothes that morning I got a bit weepy. They had a great day and Mommy and the little girls had fun too. On the way home we took the long way to see the goats and horses by our house. They were all out! When we got home we discovered a huge spider in our back doorway. I can't even look at the picture without shuddering, but I guess he's kind of neat...

School Orientation, Baptism, & Ultrasound

Havana and Haddon had their school orientation on Friday night. They got to wear their uniforms and see their classrooms. They both already knew their teachers. They are so excited and cannot wait for their first day of school which is....tomorrow! Here are some pictures taken just before orientation...

Havana was saved on January 12, 2006, and Haddon on July 29, 2007. They went forward on Wednesday night and made a public profession of faith. They were both baptized Sunday morning...

And finally, my 5th and final ultrasound revealed that Hudson's EFW (estimated fetal weight) is 9 pounds even right now. She said they can be off a pound and a half either way, but in this case she does not beleive he is any less than 9 pounds. The scary thought is that he could be as much as 10.5 pounds! His head measured 39 weeks. She said he is definitely big! She got a cute picture of his face. I took a picture of the ultrasound, so it's not great, but you should be able to see his eyes, nose, and mouth. He looked very cramped in there! My induction is set for 7am on Friday the 17th. If he wants to come before then, I am all for it. Keep praying for us!!

Update & Slide Show of the kids!

Hi there! Just a quick update...it looks as if we will be having a baby on August 17th. I was hoping for this weekend, but the consulting doctor didn't feel comfortable inducing before 38 weeks...even though they feel he may be 9lbs already! When the midwife called me Monday and told me the Dr said "no" on the amnio and induction this week, honestly I cried! I cried to the midwife, my Mom, and Harley. I am so HOT, HUGE, and EXHAUSTED! I want the best for baby though, so I will hang in there another week. Maybe he'll decide to come on his own before the 17th. I have my next appointment tomorrow and I am still scheduled for the ultrasound on Monday. We'll get a better estimate on his weight then. Just maybe he isn't growing as fast as we think. Ha!

Anyway, I found the link to create the guestbook and slideshow on a friend's blog. I was playing around and put together a short slideshow of the kiddos. Enjoy!

Check out my Guestbook!