Hudson's Birth

Hudson Miles McGee arrived on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 1:44pm via csection at Mercy Southwest Hospital weighing 6lbs 3oz, and 19.25 inches long. 

It's a very long story...but since I had the reconstructive surgery after Clara's birth I was warned that with each subsequent pregnancy I would be putting my reconstruction at risk and could possibly damage all the work I had done. I didn't really notice any problems with Jack's pregnancy bc Jack never dropped. He was "bobbing for apples" as Dr. Lewis had put it. And since Hudson was a surprise I didn't really think we would have anymore. So I thought everything was fine. However towards the last 2 months of my pregnancy I began having extreme pressure to the point where I felt he was coming out or my reconstruction was tearing apart. I feared having to have a sphincteroplasty once again and possibly end up with a colostomy bag. It was very serious and once I dilated to a 1 Dr. Hoang was ready to go for my cesarean. Only problem was that my due date had changed 3 times. We weren't actually sure how far along I was, but according to the last ultrasound in Dec, I was 38 weeks and 2 days when I delivered. When he came out, the nurses estimated he was probably barely 37 weeks. I cannot explain the severe guilt I have felt that because of my symptoms he had to come out early. It had nothing to do with him but with me and as a mom it's been difficult. However, he's perfectly fine, just itty bitty. He had to spend most the afternoon in the NICU to monitor his breathing bc he was grunting which is a sign of strained breaths. I was planning to tie my tubes and I thought I would be sad about it but I have felt nothing but relieved in my choice to do it. Who knows if we were to have another one if I could even carry to full term? My age, my weight, my reconstruction and finances all confirm it was the best choice for our family. Three children is more than abundant and I'm so unbelievably grateful we were given 3 healthy, beautiful babies.  

The night before, I knew if I was dilated I was having him then. When I tucked Clara into bed, I had a massive panic attack when I came downstairs. I thought for some weird reason I was going to die or have a stroke during the delivery and I felt like I was saying goodbye to her. I could have filled buckets with all the tears I cried that week. I was so terrified and I had already had one and I know they are easy peasy so I don't know why I couldn't stop freaking myself out. I went in to see the doctor the next morning to be checked to make sure I wasn't dilating. I was open and at a 1 and he went ahead and got my contractions going consistently and then had me walk around Target for about an hour to put me into labor. For some reason he was worried that the charge nurse would not allow me to go in for a cesarean without having consistent contractions bc I wasn't at 39 weeks. But with my history it was medically necessary. So we went and walked around for about an hour and I was in so much pain. So we headed back to the hospital where Jeannie was waiting for me and got me all checked in and started my IV and all that fun stuff. Jeannie was assigned triage that day so she was allowed to be there for my surgery and check me in but then I would have Pennie in charge of my care after that. Pennie was there for Clara's birth which was great. I had an AWESOME team of nurses taking excellent care of me. And my favorite anesthesiologist Dr. Raval was scheduled that day. He was awesome when I had Jack, and so sweet and I never got sick or anything. So while I was waiting to go in, the time was pushed back from 12 to 1pm for Dr. Hoang. It felt like an eternity and I didn't feel right. But I hadn't ate or drank anything since 4:30pm the day before, so I was nauseas and  having massive anxiety. I could barely talk to my family and felt on edge. 

Heading to the Doctor to see about a baby

I love the heart over my belly one lol! 

Daddy ready to go!

My team of nurses Pennie & Jeannie

Rolling into the OR

Mike went to say bye to the kids before we headed in. 

Best Big Sister & Brother

Auntie Fishy with her traditional It's a Boy Pin! 

Uncle Bobby & Aunt Nicole waiting for Hudson

Grandma GG

Papa & Misty killing time

First Picture

Nice thick cord

Daddy cutting the cord

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Holding my little teeny man

NICU picture

Daddy holding his boy in the NICU

Baby feet are the best! All my kids had super long fingers and feet.

Misty wasn't sure if she was going to be able to make it for the birth bc 2 of the 4 people in her office were already out that day. I cried all night and all day about it. I felt weird that she wasn't going to be there and extremely anxious about it. But she showed up and I could have cried again. I was so relieved and happy she was able to come. She couldn't stay long but long enough to get me some great pictures and visit with me before and then she had to scram as soon as he was born. My grandma Virginia, my parents, my brother Bobby, my sister in law Nicole and the kids were there awaiting his arrival. Everyone came in to say goodbye, Jack was terrified of me and the hospital bed and all the tubes and noise. He didn't want anything to do with me but Clara was very concerned about my iv and was asking a ton of questions. Once they were ready to roll me in, I got a weird sense of calm all over me. I felt relief it was about to be over. Dr. Raval got my spinal in on the 3rd poke and one of the pokes shot this weird shock down my leg. To me the spinals are never a big deal, they barely hurt. This time it took a little longer for it to take effect. I felt like spiders were crawling all over my legs, butt and back but I was numb as all get out. I started to feel weird like in my chest and Dr. Hoang had already begun the surgery, so I told Dr. Raval I felt funny and whatever he gave me I felt a MILLION times better. I felt like myself. Dr. Hoang performed my csection and Dr. Lopez assisted. They also had a respiratory therapist for the baby there with a student who supervised. When Mike came to my side he looked funny and I could tell something was wrong, and I asked him multiple times if he was okay and he kept saying "yeah I'm fine" but then after he told me he all of a sudden was having a panic attack lol.

The csection seemed to fly by and I felt very little movement and was completely aware of what was going on. My last csection I was kind of out of it, but not this time. Dr. Hoang took out my old csection scar and replaced it with his new one which is great bc there won't even be a scar now bc he's that good. That took him a little while to repair and then he went in for the baby. When he got to Hudson, he said "Okay Aubrey here we go, he's gonna be here soon". And then out came Hudson. Dr. Hoang said, "What a Cutie, he's so cute" and then he pulled him out and took him to the side so we could see him and take a picture. He was screaming when he came out, and then I realized how small he was. I thought for sure he was premature and would barely weight 6lbs if we were lucky. But he weighed 6.3lbs and was pretty long. He wasn't premature thank goodness but barely lol. Mike went to be with the baby and the nurses took some great pictures of him cutting the cord. I remember telling Mike numerous times "take pictures, take pictures". When Dr. Hoang was getting ready to do my tubal, he asked me again, "Aubrey are you sure?" and I replied, "A billion percent sure" Pennie showed me a jar with my tubes in them. They are teeny tiny, and weird looking. After that they brought me my baby and laid him across my chest and he was the tiniest thing I had ever held. He was trying so hard to open his eyes but he had the ointment in them and it was so bright, he couldn't. He was beyond precious and I was so happy to be holding  him. Dr. Raval kept helping me by wiping his spit bubbles for me. And then my arms started to get really tired and so they took him from me. And away he went to the NICU. My family never got to see him in the window bc he was whisked away to the NICU. Mike was texting them pictures and went out to show them more pictures. Dr. Hoang finished up with my surgery and my room was ready and I recovered in my room. Pennie stayed with me and I don't remember much but we were talking about Paleo & gluten free diets lol. My family came in and visited for a few minutes, and then left to get something to eat in hopes the baby would be out of the NICU by the time they were done. The kids were getting bored and Jack becomes very difficult to manage. Plus he skipped his nap lol. When they got back he still wasn't out. So they hung out for a while and about 20 minutes after they left they brought Hudson to me. I felt really bad, but it turns out nobody could hold him but me for a while bc his temperature kept dropping so he needed skin to skin with mom. Mitchell and Crissy came later that evening to visit but couldn't hold him and then Misty came back that night and stayed for a long time and was able to hold him finally. My spinal wore off much quicker this time than last time, which was nice bc I could sit up better and move my legs. Hudson latched on right away which was great. I also requested formula to supplement since Clara & Jack had jaundice so bad. I wasn't about to have that happen again. He took to the bottle, pacifier and breast perfectly.

Clara seeing pictures of Hudson for the first time.

Nursing right away, this was just minutes after they brought him to me. 

First mini family pic. 

Dr. Lewis' room, special room for numerous reasons. 

Daddy with his new boy

Auntie Fishy with her little nugget. 

Last & final traditional picture. 

He reminds me a ton of Jack in this pic. 

First diaper change

Mike's amazing bed, lol. He hates sleeping on these tiny couch beds. 

Sweet little newborn face. 

Friday was a busy day. He had all kinds of visitors.

He had his PKU test done, and he didn't even cry at all. My tough tiny guy! I remember Clara having hers done and she freaked out and was screaming.

He passed his hearing test with flying colors. I love how they do it, and the guy is so nice that does the test. He was very interesting and has a deaf son and that is why he got into doing the newborn screenings.

Misty & Eric sent us the cutest set of cookies to our room, and my parents sent us the most gorgeous flowers from Log Cabin.

Around lunch time Mike went home to meet my mom so Jack could take a nap and she could bring Clara to meet Hudson. When she walked in, my dad walked in right behind them, which was awesome timing. Clara walked straight over to me and the baby and scratched his shoulder and it tickled him. First thing she said was, "I wuv him". I could have cried my eyes out. My mom scooped him up and helped Clara hold him. My mom and dad went over to the couch with her and Hudson and it was one of the best moments of my life. I was so grateful I caught it on video. She sang him Happy Birthday with my dad, and she was so sweet with him. She was very concerned about where his shoes were lol. It was such a special moment I was able to share with my parents.

Papa & grandchild #4

some really cute pictures my dad captured with his cell phone.

My girl & I with baby Hudson

My sweet girl rubbed lotion on my feet. So sweet!

Mike showed up with Jack after his nap, and Tom & Nicole came by for a visit. My dad had to get back to work, so we were just hanging out when they came in to take me off my iv, and my catheter and let me get up to walk which was great. I felt so much better once I was able to move and get out of bed. I hated being stuck to the bed, lol.

Jack could care less about the baby, and hated the hospital. He was scared of everything and wouldn't come near me in the bed. I think the tubes and wires scared him bc I was still all hooked up when he came in. 

I love this picture of my mom and Jack. He's obsessed with his "mamas" as he calls her.

Uncle Tom & Aunt Nicole with Boo and baby Hudson

Grandma with #4

Aunt Sharon showed up for a brief visit. It's always great to visit with her.
Everybody that came for a visit all arrived around the same time. By evening it was very quiet.

Auntie Steph came to visit.

Grandma Terry

Dr. Ho came to visit Hudson on Friday and Saturday. He is the sweetest, funniest man. He was calling Hudson a burrito and telling me he was going to eat him up lol. He also showed us that the beds are supposed to be inclined and after 3 kids I had no idea they even did that lol. He said it helps them from spitting up and choking. I love having a group of pediatricians we can rely on and always get in to see on a days notice. He was happy with my choice to supplement and said to nurse first then offer 1 to 2 oz of formula which was what I had been doing. I swear it's the only reason he was able to fight off the jaundice so quickly. I'm so grateful I listened to my instincts and knew better this time around.

Nurse Grandma Jeannie was so wonderful. I'm so glad she has been there for 2 of my births. It's such a comfort having family there during a somewhat scary time. I was terrified both times with my csection. And she was scheduled that Thursday and Friday so she kept coming in and checking on me which was great! We love Jeannie!

That evening before Dr. Hoang headed home, he came in to check on me. He was shocked to see me sitting up in the rocker eating my dinner. He was also disturbed that I wasn't on anything but ibuprofen bc I can't take Vicodin. He called in Tramadol for me and it was the BEST pain killer I've ever taken. I took it for about 5 days and went back to just ibuprofen bc I hate the way pain killers make me feel. He put on the dermabond glue over my sterastrips to make them waterproof so I could shower. 

Later that evening Mike went to go get more food to eat, (it's how he deals with stress & boredom) and he ran into my friend Larissa from my where I used to work, downstairs. She was actually my supervisor at one point. She & Russ recently had twins a couple of weeks before I had Hudson. They were there to visit one of her boys in the NICU. They popped in to say hello, and it was the best surprise of all. She's been on my mind constantly since she had her babies and it was so great to see her. Looking back I don't remember much of our conversation bc I was so drugged up but it sure made my day and they brought me the sweetest card after. It was great catching up with her for a bit. Then it was a very nice and quiet evening with lots of snuggles with our baby. Misty had to go to L.A. to watch a Coheed & Cambria concernt with Eric bc Mike was supposed to go with him but we had other important plans arise lol. But I got some hilarious texts from her while she was there. Not her cup of tea for sure.  

Saturday morning was a busy one. Misty and Eric came by to say good morning and bring Mike a burrito. Hudson had his first bath. Dr. Ho asked he wait to be bathed bc of his respiratory grunting. Being bathed can make them exhausted from all the crying. So it was day 3 and the nurse was shocked how clean he was bc the vernix had mostly rubbed off by the time he was ready. Then he had his pictures taken after his bath.

Perfect little burrito.

I just love his boy nose, so masculine.

Uncle Eric with Hudson. 

Eating the most amazing veggie burger of all time. They are so darn good! I think I ate 2 while I was there. I requested it for every meal it seemed like hehe. Then Dr. Ho came in to sign off on Hudson so we could go home. We were out of there by 12:30pm. Our nurse was not messing around with our discharge which was great. I was so ready to sleep in my bed and get home.

Daddy getting him dressed to go home, what a pro.

This is the sexiest picture of Mike hands down! Nothing like seeing your husband become a father, even though it's our 3rd it's still awesome.

Last pics in the hospital baby bed.

All ready to go home.

So we had to wait to put on his socks to have his alarm cut of his ankle. Mike forgot and loaded the suitcases with his socks in it. So he was sockless until we got to the car. We just made sure to bundle him up. Look at those long feet!

We had a great experience at the hospital. We were under the best care and had awesome nurses. All of them were outstanding. Leaving the hospital knowing that was the last time I'd leave a hospital with a baby was bizarre.

Traditional Picture of Home Sweet Home

My mom was great about sending me updates and pics of the kids. I missed them so much. She had them Thursday through Sunday. I know Jack wore her out. He's a very bad sleeper when he's not at home. He woke up multiple times and wouldn't go to sleep for her. At home he's not a problem sleeper at all. But they sure had fun and Grandma & Papa's! They love it up there.

Misty and Eric came over Saturday evening after we got settled in. It was a fun relaxing evening.

When we left the hospital on Saturday with Hudson he weighed 5lbs 15oz and jaundiced. When we took him in the next Monday he weighed 5lbs 11oz. Dr. Ho said he was barely jaundice and to just give a couple of days of sun and continue supplementing. He is now jaundice free, and Mike took him in for a one week weight check and he weighed 6lbs 5oz. He's gained 10oz in a week which is more than expected. He said he should average an ounce a day. We had to postpone his circumcision until he weighs 7lbs which sucks. I hate waiting to do it.

Dr. Hoang at my 2 week check up. I didn't get any pics at the hospital of him with Hudson.

It's been 2 weeks since he was born and he is the easiest baby so far. He literally eats, sleeps and poops. He hardly cries at all, and no problems have arose. Jack still wants nothing to do with him and Clara is a wonderful help. Mike gets to be off for 6 weeks, which is awesome for my recovery and rest. He's helped me so much take care of the house and the big kids. And not to mention all the amazing food he's been cooking me. I'm enjoying snuggling my little tiny newborn bc it will be over before I know it. I hardly ever put him down lol. I already feel great and wish I could be cleared to go back to my normal life but I still can't lift anything over 10lbs for 6 weeks. Which means I can't lift Jack. Sucks so bad!

Clara, Jack, Hudson
Our Little Family

Funny Little Side Note: Clara & Hudson were both born on a 21st, both born on a Thursday and he was born at 1:44pm, and Clara at 4:44pm. Jack & Hudson were exactly one pound apart.