The Many Faces of Baby J

So Jarom is 7 months now. Can't believe it. I think my favorite thing about him is his temperment. He's just an all-around jolly kid! Never stingy with those smiles... just gives 'em freely to everyone he meets. And the best part of my day is waking up next to him! He's just so happy to be alive! And it's the best way to start the day because it's seriously contagious...

I think he has his own little look, but mostly resembles his sister Charity...

You know you're in love when you even find this expression adorable and endearing...

I just love this kid beyond expression. I can't imagine our family without him! And I'm so grateful the Lord sent him to us.

Love you, love you Baby-J!

Expectations

The evening before Jarom was born...

3 months later (and still in my maternity clothes. :/)

Little Jarom is SUCH a blessing to our family. We love our sweet boy. He is everything we hoped for and more!

Baby Jarom

Aww, I love this sweet slumbering snugglebug. It's amazing how accurate that 3D ultrasound was. I have to say though, I like him much more outside the womb... except at night sometimes. ;)

We're starting to see more of this adorable smile these days. These next few months are my favorite! I love watching his personality begin to emerge as he takes in all everything around him. It's all so new and exciting. And I love that I get to watch him grow and develop. He has such a huge personality crammed in that tiny body! I just can't get enough of this little guy!

Baby Blessings

Baby Jarom had his blessing in church on July 4th. I can't believe this is the 5th time we've done this! Time is going by so fast, but so slowly at the same time... (that doesn't make any sense, does it! Haha!) But in some ways it feels like it was just yesterday that the other babies were blessed. In our church we believe babies have no need of bapism. They are pure and clean, and won't be held accountable for their sins until they reach the age of accountability (8 years old.) But babies are given a name and a blessing by their fathers. It's a very sacred and sweet experience. Anyway, so here are the babies on their special day, in order of appearance...

Jarom Thomas Hudson

July 4, 2010

Special Visitors

Nana and Papa came for a special trip recently to meet baby Jarom for the first time. It was wonderful to be together, and they helped us SO much! Their visit was jam-packed... we had a birthday party for Charity, a 2-day family garage sale, Jarom's baby blessing, fireworks for 4th of July, we did TONS of work around the house (painting, yardwork, etc...), and they watched the kids for us all day so we could go to the temple in Chicago. Whew! My parents recognize that this is a stressful time for us and they really reached out to help however they could. My poor Dad even had an injured foot, and he was hobbling around in the yard carrying wood, mowing the lawn, and climbing up and down a ladder to paint our walls. And my mom (who absolutely hates mosquitos), spent most of the day outside (and got eaten alive) to help with the garage sale. I sure feel loved... and grateful.

Here are a few pictures of them meeting their newest grandchild. This little guy has no clue how blessed he is to have such loving and doting grandparents! But he will know soon enough!

Baby Jarom!

After 24 LONG hours of labor, Jarom Thomas Hudson finally decided to make his appearance! He was born on June 11th at 8:11am. It certainly wasn't an ideal birth experience. I really hate inductions, because I feel the baby should just come when he's ready. But under our circumsances, we felt it was the best option. I'm just so grateful I didn't have a c-section. There was a scare at one point, where my blood pressure dropped dramatically and the baby showed signs of distress. They were extremely close to giving me a c-section, but we had some amazing nurses who did an excellent job of taking care of it, and they were able to help me and the baby recover. So thankfully everything worked out. He weighed in at 8lbs. 7oz. and he was 19 3/4in. long.

Here I am after my epidural. :)))))))))))))))

YAY! Welcome to the world Jarom Thomas Hudson!

The kids came later that afternoon to meet their baby brother. They were SO excited!

Nana Jodie (Jon's mom) was able to travel all the way here from Washington to spend time with us, help with the kids, and meet her newest grandchild. Thank you, thank you, thank you Nana Jodie!

We love you!!

Celeste absolutely cannot get enough of this little guy. All she wants to do is look at him and hold him. She'll even skip out on other privileges (movies, games, etc) just to be with him instead. She'll be such a wonderful mother someday.

Jarom will want to be just like his big brother Benny!

Sweet Charity is very gentle with him. She'll be a great helper too!

But unlike his doting older siblings, Jakey didn't know what to think at first.

He wasn't too thrilled about not being the baby anymore. :(

But I think now he understands that everything will be ok. :) We've tried to be sensitive to his needs lately, and give him some extra loving. And ever since we got home, he seems to be adjusting well. He keeps saying, "Baby Jarom is so tute." So I think that's a good sign.

I know... what a HUNK! There's nothing hotter than a studly manly-man holding a brand new baby. I love this man. He's such a wonderful husband and father. Yep, sorry girls, he's taken... WAY taken. :)

Love my little guy!!! I feel like I've known him forever.

When we got home from the hospital, the kids had each chosen a stuffed animal to give him. They piled them on top of him right when we walked in the door. He's probably used to all the noise and chaos from when he was in my belly, so he slept right through it all.

Welcome home Sweet boy!

Sweet Girl

Celeste brought this note home from school today...

Dear Mommy,

I hope that when you have a baby it will not hurt. And I love you so much.

From, Celeste

This little girl is so thoughtful. Just a couple more days till we get to hold our little guy. Can't wait for you to join our family baby Jarom!

3D Ultrasound

We have a friend here that's a GE employee, and he offered us a special opportunity to get a 3D ultrasound for free! So we got the first glimpse of our little man today. He was being pretty stubborn for most of the appointment, (taking after me already)...

But then at the last minute, he finally turned around and she got some cute pictures of his little face.

There he is!! We love this little guy already!!

Can't wait to meet you Baby Boy Hudson!!