The first six weeks

(Yes I know that this is August, I just realized I had this nice post all written up and ready to go, but I never actually published it.  Since I haven't written anything else on the blog since December, everything will still be in chronological order...look at me go!)

So I uploaded these pictures weeks ago (like six) and kept meaning to actually write about life lately.  Things were a bit crazy!  Kaden is the sweetest, most precious baby.  I am such a lucky momma!  The first six weeks were really, really tough on me, but also so sweet just getting to cuddle with this sweet baby! 

     This is a bit of a novel, but it is really the only kind of journal keeping that I do, so feel free to just skip to the cute pictures. I won't judge...one day I'm sure Kaden will really want to read all about his life issues! (Yeah right...) 

Kaden - 6 weeks old

     First I'm going to start off with his name.  It took us a long, long time to pick a name for Kaden.  The day that I had him I had gone in for an ultrasound and was able to see what he looked like for the very first time.  I wrote about it on the blog, but it really was such a highly emotional experience for me.  After the ultrasound I went back to my hospital room to wait until it was time to have the baby.  I decided I wanted to look up a name for the baby that would mean "strong", "brave", "courageous" or something of that sort.  I couldn't really find any names that I liked until I came upon the name "Kaden."  According to the website I was looking at (which we all know in the internet world that it may or may not be correct), Kaden means "fighter."  I really liked that.  I had been fighting for weeks to keep him safe, and he really was fighting as well to come here safely.  However, I still wasn't sure if that was a name that I liked.  After pouring through baby names for months (like 9) I had never really even considered Kaden.  

     That afternoon was one of the biggest ones of my life.  He wouldn't flip, (fighter) and so therefore we had to go for a C-Section.  In the middle of the night I was lying awake and came across the name again.  I woke Joe up and said "Joe, what about the name Kaden?"  To which he replied "that's cute" so I said, "it means 'fighter' I think that is very appropriate."  "Yeah it is, can we talk about this in the morning?"  I'm glad somebody was sleeping so well!  (Side note - Joe crashed that night.  The nurses came in around 2:00 in the morning to get me out of bed for the first time since the surgery.  This entailed two nurses in there, lights on, me struggling to stand up for the first time, walking to the restroom and back and then crying like a little kid trying to get back in bed.  He slept through ALL OF IT!  He didn't even remember it in the morning!)

   Anyways...after days and days of going back and forth between lots of different names we FINALLY settled on Kaden.  And I am so glad we did.  I always thought that naming a child because of it's meaning was a little silly (just pick a name you like already) but; he really is a little "fighter."  I cannot believe how much he has fought for his health in the first six weeks of his life. 

So....here is the novel....

     We went in for Kaden's one week check up and realized that he hadn't gained any weight since leaving the hospital (he left the hospital weighing 6 lbs. 2 oz.)  The Dr. and I talked about how feeding was going, and I felt confident that his latch was really strong and that I was making enough milk.  However, three days later, his weight still hadn't gone anywhere.  We decided to bring him back in for another weight check in a week.  The next day I found what is called 'brick dust' in Kaden's diaper.  Honestly I thought it was blood and freaked out a little.  Or a lot. I brought him straight to the Dr. and since his pediatrition wasn't in the office that day I saw a different pediatrition and I am so thankful I did!  The Dr. looked at the diaper, and after calming me down that it wasn't blood told me what brick dust is.  When a baby isn't getting enough to drink/eat their body starts breaking down protiens and their pee has a bit of an orange color to it, that looks like the color of bricks.  Therefore; brick dust.  Tadaa!  

    The new Dr. was really concerned that in two weeks Kaden hadn't gained any weight at all.  Babies are supposed to gain weight back up to their birth weight by day 10.  He told me that something was not going right and that it was time to supplement.  Big time.  In two days if he still hadn't gained weight we were going to really start to worry.  So he sent us home with big instructions to give the baby a bottle after every time I breastfed him and then to pump once a day just to get an idea of my milk production.  He was very throughough with his instructions and I could tell that he was very concerened and involved with me and my baby.  I pumped close to 3 1/2 ounces each time I substituded a feeding.  More than plenty for a newborn.  I'm still baffled as to why he didn't gain weight.

    After two days we took him back to the Dr. and he had gained 4 ounces!  Woohoo!  I was so happy to hear that.  The Dr. told me he was so proud of me and that I did everything perfectly to help him thrive.  He explained that having a failure to thrive baby is scary and tough and that I did a great job!  I was really happy to hear that, and immediately decided that I was switching pediatritions. 

    However, he was starting to look a little more yellow then he was before, so we decided to take him over to the hospital to have his jaundice levels checked.  Thank goodness that my Mother-In-Law was with me to show me where the hospital was, (the one we usually go to didn't take our insurance for the jaundice check) and she kept Hudson while I did the check with Kaden. 

     The next morning the Dr. called to tell me that the levels were high and that he wanted him tested again, that morning preferable before noon so that his office could get it before it closed for the day.  It was 9:45.   Being as 9:45 in the morning is soooo incredibly early, of course neither I or the boys were dressed at all.  I hadn't even brushed my hair...I know, I know...you can judge me.  I didn't have anyone at home to help me, or drive me, so thank goodness that I had just hit the two week mark since surgury and was allowed to drive again. I quickly got us all dressed and loaded as fast as we could and drove to the hospital.  After a huge headache of towing both boys all over the hospital, and dealing with some pretty awful staff memebers,  I finally got the test done for Kaden and his Dr. got it at 11:50!  Win for team Parks!  His levels were down again, and I was so proud of myself for actually handling our first outing of just me all by myself with both boys.  

    The next week was Christmas so we waited to go back to the Dr. until the day after Christmas.  He had gained another two ounces and so we were so excited to see that he weighed a whopping 6 lbs. 8 oz.  What a chunky monkey right? :)  We decided that our course of action with supplementing was going well and so we wouldn't need to bring him back until his one month check up.  Which was going to be in about a week and a half.  That was going to be the longest stretch in between Dr. appointments we had ever gone yet!   Since Kaden was born he had been in the Dr's office at least every three days.  If not more. The staff and I know eachother really well now. 

    To bad it didn't last.  On Sunday, January 5, Kaden woke up with a terrible, terrible cough.  The kind that scares you a lot when your baby is just barely 4 weeks old.  He also wasn't too interested in eating, and his breathing was pretty laboured.  We called the after hours care line for our Doctor's office, and the nurse told us that we needed to take him to the emergency room right away. The big problem, there was a giant snow storm going on.  Church had been cancelled and the county officials were advising people to stay off of the roads completely unless it was an absolute emeregency.  So, Joe bundled up and shovled the snow out from around our car, we loaded Kaden, and ventured out into the storm!   Our windshield wipers were not working well, and so combined with that and the intensity of the storm, we could hardly see out the window.  We stopped at Walmart, bought new windshield wipers, and then continued on!  

     When we got to the E.R. we did some tests to check for RSV, the flu, and a few other things.  We even did a chest X-Ray to check for pneumonia.  After all the tests came back negative, we were pretty baffled as to what could be bothering him so bad.  The Dr. decided to admit him for the night and see how he did.  So we headed up into the pediatric ward in the hospital.  We got settled in for the night and they decided to take just a few more tests just to make sure again that it wasn't RSV or the flu.  Sometime in the middle of the night Kaden's oxygen levels dropped pretty low, so they had to put in a nasal cannula and start him on oxygen.  Let me just tell you, it was so heartbreaking to watch them put that in his nose and then tape it to his little cheeks.  It just killed me.

   
The next morning the nurse came in and told me that the second RSV test they did the night before did come back positive and that we were being put into isolation.  Basically that means that anybody that came inside the baby's room (other than Joe and I) had to suit up completely in protective gown, mask, and gloves. Thus started our week long journey of trying to get him better!  He did really good in every area but the oxygen levels.  His breathing was good, thank goodness he never turned blue or stopped breathing, and his eating was great.  The nurses were so helpful and supportive in helping me with breastfeeding and supplementing.  Finally after being off of the oxygen for at least 24 hours we got to bring Kaden home from the hospital that Thursday!  It was one of the hardest weeks of my life.  I didn't see Hudson for days, and so I really missed him.  I finally got to see him on Wednesday night because the roads and storms were really too bad to be out before then.  I cried when I saw Hudson and was so happy to have that little man in my arms again!  He and I walked around the hospital for almost an hour just spending time together.  My heart broke a little when I had to tell him goodbye.  Most of the time In the hospital I just watched movies on Netflix and did a little bit of crocheting.  I watched the entire first season of Dr. Who.  (I am now on season 5, I love it.  It's a bit of a kooky show, but great.)

This was on our way home from the hospital.  He just looks so tired!

       It was so nice to get to bring Kaden home after being in the hospital for so long!  In eight weeks I had stayed in the hospital for a total of eleven nights!  If you ever stay at St. Lukes hospital in Chesterfield I can tell you all about which foods on the menu are good, and which ones are not!  I didn't even have to look at the menu the last few days!
     The hard part about coming home was that we still were in isolation.  We set up camp in our bedroom downstairs and Kaden didn't come out for about a week.  The only time he did was when it was absolutely necessary like a bathroom trip for mom.  Other than that there was somebody in the room with him at all times.  Most of the time it was me, though both Joe and my mother-in-law took shifts so that I could get out of the room.  

     That Saturday we took Kaden back to the Dr. and he said that Kaden was doing a lot better and that we shouldn't have to worry too much anymore.  He told us to keep him in the house for another six weeks or so and that we would talk about it again at his next appointment (two months).  He did however give us permission to take Kaden to church the next week for his baby blessing.

  

After they took off the nasal cannula.  Poor little rash!

Just sleeping at home

Horsey rides from dad are his very favorite!

Also, this pose...can this kid get any cuter!

All bundled up to go play in the snow!

Check out those Bigler ears!  

Hudson got a new bike and a helmet for Christmas!  He was so darn excited!  I think Joe and I were even more excited!

This was our thankful tree that we made for Thanksgiving.  Each day of the month we took a leaf down and wrote something that we were thankful for.  Please excuse my horrible crafting skills.  My tree looks a little deformed, but that's ok.  Hudson didn't know.  

Hudson decorating the tree.  He loved to help out!  Thanks Grandma!

I feel like this needs to be the cover of a kids album of bad 90's songs.  Isn't he so adorable though?!

Kaden Edward

Well I have been meaning to write the big finale to this journey for a few days now, but I am just barely getting around to it.
       Here he is!  Mr. Kaden Edward Parks!  Born December 6, 2013 at 5:56 p.m. 6 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long!

Here is the fun story (because I'm sure you all want to know)

    I wrote my last blog post not quite knowing what was going to happen, but full of faith that it was all going to be ok.
    A little after 3:30 that afternoon (Friday) the Dr. came over to labor and delivery to get everything ready to try and flip baby.  Let me just tell you now, trying to flip a breech baby HURTS!  Holy smokes, it was not a pleasent experience.  After a few tries he was able to flip the baby into a head down position.  The Dr. stepped into the hallway to say something to the nurse, and then came back in just to make sure everything was good, and guess what...this fiesty little baby had turned again and gone back to a transverse position!  We were all just baffled that he had moved so fast. We decided to try to put in an epidural and see if maybe with me more relaxed we could turn the baby and keep him head down.  It's not very easy to relax when a Dr's hands are literally shaking as he forces a baby to turn.  Ouch!
    The anesthesiologist came in and put in the epidural, which went fine until my blood pressure dropped.  I immediately started feeling way naseaus and super, super dizzy, as well as seeing all sorts of shapes in front of my eyes.  After that whole issue was resolved (including me having a complete meltdown and crying for a few minutes, but hey things were a little crazy) the Dr. came back in and we tried to flip little man again.  No dice.  He was not going anywhere and therefore we concluded that our next option was a C-section.
    The C-section went great and I practically slept through the entire thing.  I seriously could not keep my eyes open.  I remember hearing the baby cry for the first time and trying to look around to see him.  I also remember seeing Joe stand up and watch him take pictures and seeing a little tiny baby across the room wailing and kicking like a healthy baby does.  Finally, Joe came over to me and showed me a picture of our precious little boy.  He was beautiful.  Just like I knew he would be.  The entire thing (from trying to flip the baby to delivering the baby) had taken less than two and a half hours from start to finish.  It's crazy to think that everything happened so, sooo fast.
   In the recovery room I finally got to snuggle with my new little one.  He was just perfect.  I still couldn't stay awake very well so he and I just slept for a good hour or two while all the anesthetics wore off.  Then they took us to the mother and baby wing where we settled in for the night.
    We stayed in the mother and baby wing for four days (C-section patients are allowed to stay for two extra nights, and I am so grateful that I did) and finally got to come home on Tuesday afternoon.  So all in all I spent seven nights in the hospital over the last two weeks, thats more time than I ever care to spend in a hospital again!
     My recovery has gone really, really well.  I always thought that it would be really difficult to recover from a C-section but it has been (suprisingly) not so bad.  The first night when they made me get out of bed and walk around was really rough, but I made it.  I'm not allowed to do anything strenuous, but I am allowed to walk as much as I want!  Wohoo!  (It's a step up from bedrest) Things like coughing and sneezing hurt a lot, but I'll take it to have a happy healthy baby.  The thing that hurts the most is how bruised my stomach is from the Dr. trying to flip the baby. The part that is hard is that I can't pick up Hudson and he is too squirmy to sit on my lap most of the time, so he and I both don't like that.  Hudson is a super cuddly boy so it's been tough on him.
     Joe and I debated the entire time I was recovering about what to name the baby and finally, finally decided on a name Monday evening.  It was crazy, it just seemed like nothing would fit!  Eventually I realized that nothing was ever going to fit until we just picked a name and started calling him that.  Sure enough, we started calling him his name and he settled right into it.  His name is Kaden Edward Parks.  And he is just perfect.
     Hudson is adapting well, on his first visit to the hospital he didn't want anything to do with the baby, he just wanted to sit with Mommy, but after a few days and a few visits he was so excited to see his "baby brother Kaden" and asks to hold him all the time.  He is super helpful, and loves to do things like get a pillow for the baby, or put the binkie in the babies mouth. I have to watch him like a hawk so that he isn't too helpful, but I think it is just so sweet as to how much he realied that Kaden is a part of our family now.
    Kaden is such a sweet baby.  He sleeps all the time and basically just wakes up to eat.  If I put him down he only sleeps for about 10 minutes without fussing, but if I am holding him he will sleep for hours and hours. last night I slept in a chair so that I could hold him and he slept for 5 hours!  It was awesome.  I had to wake him up at 4:00 so that he could eat, and then Hudson woke up at 5:00 so it was a bit of a tiring day, but I am just loving it so it really isn't that bad.  Kaden had his first Dr. appointment today and everything is looking great.  We have to go back next week just to make sure that he is gaining weight because he is just so, sooo tiny.  (He was 6 lbs 2 oz. when we left the hospital)
     I feel so incredibly blessed right now.  With as scary as things were, and as bad as things could have turned I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has taken care of me.  I have felt his love as well as the love of my Savior these past few weeks through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost and Priesthood Blessings.  My testimony has been strengthened that the Atonement is real and that we truly are children of a loving Heavenly Father who cares about each of us and knows us by name.   The last few weeks have been pretty up and down and I know that we aren't out of it yet, but I have a wonderful family and a loving Heavenly Father.  Life really couldn't get much better.
      I have had so many people call to check on me, and so many who have helped with Hudson. I cannot believe that I am so loved, I am so grateful that people are so willing to just take care of me right now.  Especially my mother and father in law.  They are such great people and it is such a blessing that we are living with them right now.  I couldn't have done all this without all of their help.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you for how much you have done for me and my family right now (even if it just liking my pictures and leaving cute comments on facebook.  It actually makes me quite happy to know that people care enough to like a picture of my little man!)
     Now for some pictures!

Just a few moments old...

Eyes open

Our first family photo!

He has a little turtle neck, it is the cutest thing ever!

Going home!

This is when he was doing the hearing test.  Isn't he just precious!!!

A little sun during the storm.

So, I went in for my ultrasound this morning at 11:30.  I really didn't have high hopes that my fluids had increased enough, but I was going to be optimistic.  Honestly I have been really calm and upbeat through the last two weeks and I have just known this entire time that everything is going to be ok.
    This has been my 8th ultrasound this pregnancy.  You would think that after 8 ultrasounds I would have some awesome pictures of this little guy.  Nope.  Not a single one.  At the 20 week ultrasound he was turned the wrong way so we couldn't see his profile, and then in all the ultrasounds in the past two weeks fluids have been way to low to get a good picture.  Who knew that a large amount of amniotic fluid is what allows you to see babies so well?
    Today, after learning that my fluids are at a 4.7 (so only up one centimeter from yesterday) I was feeling kind of discouraged.  Then, the ultrasound tech asked if I had any good pictures of him.  I told her no and that he was a stubborn kid and liked to keep me in the dark.  She said "lets just see what we can see" and turned on the 4D monitor.  And then, just like magic, there he was!  My beautiful, precious little baby boy that I have been fighting so hard for the last few weeks.  And let me tell you guys, he is absolutely beautiful.  I immediately started crying and just couldn't believe how much love I have for him and how worth all of this has been suddenly seeing his precious little face.  It really was just a giant sunbeam through a bit of a storm.   I cannot believe that this gorgeous little boy will soon be in my arms.
   As for our plan of action...since fluids really didn't come up that much we are going to deliver baby boy today.  There is another scary twist to the story (this little guy likes to panic me a bit!)  He is breech, well technically transverse.  This has semi been another big issue for the last two weeks because he keeps flipping between transverse and breech, and you cannot deliver a breech baby vaginally. We think since fluids are low every time he trys to to turn head down something makes him uncomfy.  We are going to try and flip him and then induce labor.  Because my fluids are low we are being very, very careful and cautious about flipping him so that he doesn't go into distress.  And if he does, then we will go to a C-section.
     Needless to say I am a bit nervous, but like I have said before, I have complete faith, confidence and trust in my Doctor.  I am so greatful for him.  He has discussed things with me multiple times, consulted other doctors, and been a huge support.  I know that he will take as much time and care for me and my baby as we need.  I am also so grateful again for medicine and what it is today. With as up in the air as things are now, I am glad to know that there is a whole team of professionals ready to go if we have to go for an emergency C-section.  As well as a very comptant and compassionate nursing staff who are very capable to help me with anything I need!
    Finally I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father.  Like I said earlier, this entire time I have felt very calm about everything and I know that that is the Holy Ghost comforting me.  The power of the Atonement is so real in my life right now and I know that I am not alone and that my son is not alone.  I cannot express the gratitude and love I have in my heart right now for my Savior and Heavenly Father.  We truly are children of God and he does not ask us to do things without preparing a way for us.
    Please pray for me and baby, I know that everything is going to be just fine and I am so excited to soon be holding this sweet little one in my arms, but we will take all the prayers we can get!  Hopefully my next post will be pictures of this beautiful litte boy that I got to see today for the first time!

A baby! Almost....

Well we went into the Dr this afternoon and my fluids had dropped to a 3. Since they dropped I have been admitted to the hospital again to receive more fluids.  Hopefully that will boost me back up to a higher number and the we can let little guy cook a bit longer.  
     However,  if fluids are still low tomorrow then we will just induce labor and get him here! 
    Thank you so much for all the prayers, help and words of encouragement you have given me this week.   I feel so blessed to have so many people who care so much about me and about this sweet baby.

A new baby update!

    I saw the Dr. this morning so I figured it was time for another update.  Last Friday I was worried that I was leaking fluids so we went to the hospital around 10:00 on Friday night to check.  Thankfully, I was definitely not leaking fluids at all so that is all safe.  We did a quick ultrasound and found out that my fluid was a 14!  Wohoo!  It was so nice to have the rest of the weekend and not worry.
    Today at the Dr. we did another ultrasound and my fluids had dropped back down to a 6.9.  Above a 5 which is good, but below a 10, which is not very good at all.  We did a stress test on the baby and he is just fine.  His heartbeat is strong and active so we know that he is safe and happy.  And his movement is absolutely wonderful...I feel like there is a football game going on in my stomach!
    The Dr. sent me home on semi-bedrest (I can't really do much of anything, but I don't have to actually lay in bed all day long) with the instructions to come back and see him on Thursday.
   Once again I am just so grateful for an OB doctor that I know cares about me specifically and who I can trust completely.  I know that both me, and the baby are in very, very safe hands.
   Please keep us in your prayers, I have had a blessing that says everything will be fine and I have faith in that blessings and in the things Heavenly Father promises us.  I know that my baby is special to him and that I am special to him, nothing is going to happen that shouldn't happen.
   Thank you also to so many of you who have offered to help me with Hudson, help me around the house and bring meals.  And thank you to those who have sent me quick messages of encouragement and love.  I feel so supported and cared about.  It is absolutely wonderful.

A Trip to the Hospital/Baby Update

    I know I have friends and family who want to know all the fun details about baby boy right now, but I didn't really feel like putting everything on facebook for the whole world to see. So I figured I would post the link and direct people here to my blog.
     On Monday morning I went to the Dr. for my weekly appointment and for an ultrasound.  In the ultrasound we learned that the amniotic fluid was really low so the Dr. sent me straight to the hospital to pump some fluids into me to see if that could help to boost my fluids.  A safe level of fluids is somewhere around a 10.  That is safe, not necessarily good. My fluid level was a 4.5.  Pretty Scary.  After being in the hospital all day on Monday on an IV and a heartbeat monitor for the baby, the Dr. came in and checked my fluids again, they still weren't up much so he had me stay the night and then sent me for a high risk ultrasound Tuesday morning.
     Tuesday morning's ultrasound told us that my fluids were up to a 6.79, still not good, but better.  The Dr. decided it would be safest to have me stay one more night and check again in the morning.  By then we would have a better clue as to what was going on.  Wednesday morning my fluids were at a 6.9.  The Dr. consulted with a high risk specialist and determined that it would be safe for me to come home for Thanksgiving and the rest of the weekend.
    It is so nice to be home, I am on bedrest and probably will be for the rest of my pregnancy, but we are willing to do whatever it takes to bring this little guy here safely.  I have to do kick counts twice a day and if anything changes or feels funny at all I am supposed to call my Dr. right away.
     I will go in Monday morning for another ultrasound to see where things are.  There are a lot of factors that will help to determine our next plan of action, but I have complete faith and trust in my Dr. and his decisions.  If my fluids have dropped more, or if the baby is in any sort of distress than we will probably just go straight to delivery.  If they are good then we will keep baby in as long as possible!
    I can honestly say that I am so, so, soooo grateful for modern medicine.  This is the sort of thing that not too long ago would not have been detected and we most likely would have lost the baby.  I am so grateful for my OB Doctor who has helped me to feel confident, safe, and taken care of.  Just knowing that he did a lot of research, consulting, and thinking about me has helped me to feel so good about everything and I know things will be just great.  The nursing and ultrasound staff were amazing as well.  I am really excited to be delivering at that hospital.  I know I will be in good hands.
    Please keep this little guy in your prayers, as of now his heartbeat and his movement is strong and we know that he is safe.  That is the most important thing and I am sure that we are being taken care of right now.  I will be 37 weeks next Tuesday so the plan is to make at least until next Tuesday!

September!

Well...FALL CAME!  Wohoo!  I have decided that I am a huge fan of fall in St. Louis.  The leaves are just perfect here and everything is beautiful.  The weather is also great.  We are still wearing jackets outside instead of heavy coats (that never is a possibility by this point of time in Idaho.)
    September was an amazing month for us.  We seriously got to do so many cool things!  I have been meaning to blog about how awesome September was for awhile, but I just kept forgetting.  So for starters....we got to see THIS GUY (look below)...in Concert!

That's right folks!!!  Michael Buble!  I have been practically obsessed with Michael Buble since I was like 15.  I have always wanted to see him in concert and thanks to some very sweet people who are near and dear to my heart, Joe and I had the opportunity to go to his concert when he came to St. Louis in September.  It was such an awesome experience, and he sounds so good in person.  P.S. did I mention this was my first real concert that I have ever been to where an actual singing star performed!  I know...I know...life dream...fulfilled.  It was great.  Here are some more pictures from our awesome night!

This is us in our seats

The view from our seats

Together by the Michael Buble sign

This was pretty cool...not gonna lie...

On the metro on the way home!

Another great highlight of September was Hudson's birthday!  He turned two years old on the 19th and I cannot believe that he is so big already!  He is such a funny, sassy little two year old.  I just cannot get enough of him.  

     For his birthday I decided to just have a small birthday party with three kids from nursury and a little girl who lives down the street.  I was so proud of myself because I figured we could have a fun pool party and just let the kids all play together outside.  I was so excited!  But...then the Wednesday before the party we learned that the weather was not going to be very condusive to our swimming pools plans.  After thinking and thinking about it for awhile we decided to see if we could find some ball pit balls and fill up the pool downstairs in the basement.  I found some at Once Upon a Child and a big box and Goodwill and so we were really excited.  After spending two days washing the 400 something balls we had aquired we got ready for the party.  

   His party was a great success and I think he had quite a bit of fun just getting to run around a play with the other kids.  He had a bit of a grumpy moment, but I think we'll allow him a bit of crankiness on his birthday.  Here are some fun pictures!

This was Hudson's cake that I made for him.  It was actually pretty easy, and a ton of fun!

Our sweet ball pit.  (We have since found about 500 more balls at some garage sales for really cheap so it is now the ultimate awesome ball pit!)

All of Hudson's friends eating a snack

Hudson was way more interested in the dump truck than he was in eating the cake.  I guess I picked a good cake huh?

Blowing out the candles.

I watched a little girl for a few weeks in September while her mom started a new job.  It was a lot of fun and really good for Hudson to have someone to play with and teach him to be a little more like a typical two year old.  Emmaline is such a sweetie and they look for eachother at church most Sundays.  It is super cute.

Hudson got a sweet Jello Jigglers kit from my mom for his birthday so we made Jello and played with it one afternoon.

Another really amazing thing that we got to do in September was go see a Ram's game!  It was amazing.  Joe was in class one day and his teacher had two Ram's tickets in his shirt pocket, so Joe asked him if  he was going to the game that night and he teacher said "Actually, no.  My wife and I have season passes so we try to give the tickets away when we can't go...are you interested?"  Of course Joe said yes, and so his teacher said he needed to check with the first person he offered them to, but if that person didn't want to go, Joe could have them.  Well, luckily for us, the other person didn't want to go, so we got the tickets!  Our seats were awesome!  We were thirteen rows back from the field.  It was crazy.  The Ram's got slaughtered, but it was still such a great experience to have such amazing seats and actually get to go to a professional football game!  

This is how close we were to the field

Starting to look a little pregnant!  (I know, not a whole lot, but for a lady who never gets very big this is a huge step for me!)

As the players were being introduced

Some really famous football dudes.  The one that the lady is talking to is Marshall Faulk.  He was a very famous player for the Rams some years ago.  Funny story time...a whole bunch of men walked right in front of us looking very proffessional in their best suits.  I turned to the couple sitting next to me and said "do you know who that is that just walked in front of us?" And the guy replied "I think it was Kurt Warner" Being from Idaho, and not the biggest football fan (c'mon I'm a music major...) I gave him a blank stare and said "who's that?"  In which he and his wife both looked at me like I was the craziest person they had ever seen in their lives.  The guy pointed to the hall of fame sign up above the stadium and said "Kurt Warner?  That guy up there..." Turns out his was a great QB for the Rams.  Then the guy's wife said "I just really hope that we get to see Marshall Faulk tonight."  Once again I gave a blank stare and said..."I really don't know football, who is that?" The people then looked out me like I was from outer space, how could I not know about Marshall Faulk!?!?!???  Turns out he is another really famous player for the Rams, and I got to see what he looked like in person!  Lucky me!  p.s.  the couple didn't really talk to me very much after that...

We didn't even have to zoom in to take this picture we were that close!  This is as the Ram's were making their one and only touchdown of the game.  (It was in the last 5 minutes of the 4th quater and most of the stadium was empty by that point.  Except for the fans of the other team...)

Here are some other great highlights of September!

     -I started working in the Family History Library.  It has been a lot of fun, not a lot of action, but fun.  It is wonderful to be able to get some time to be able to do my Family History and get to know a lot more about the many different ways to do Family History.

     -Hudson started going potty on the potty!  He even started telling me when he wanted to go.  We tried putting on underwear, but he kind of freaked out about the whole idea and would have a panic attack every time we tried to put them on.  We decided he probably just wasn't ready yet and we are just content to have him go in the potty when he wants to.  I was honestly amazed that he started taking an interest in it this early!

    -Hudson also got a big boy bed!  Wohoo!  My sister-in-law gave us her little boy's old toddler bed and it is shaped like a racecar!  Hudson loves it.  He got a Cars blanket for his birthday a few days after I took this picture and he is so good about bedtime.  He thinks it is so neat to sleep in his "race car" bed. 

The morning after his first night in his big boy bed!

Loving the new bed!

We started making his bed the very first day he slept in it.  He thinks it is so fun to tuck in the blanket and then put his animals to "sleep."  He always says "tuck, tuck, tuck...goodnight animals!"

Well, I think that about sums up our great month of September!  Hopefully I will be able to update about October and November soon!