Baby Toes and Feet

Hudson is too long for the 0-3 month sleepers but too thin for the 3-6 month sleepers. So........ This is what happens. (These got cut quickly while Hudson was waiting but the others hopefully will be a little nicer. Or not.)

First BYU football party

Aaron and DeAndra hosted a football party last night and Hudson was excited. So excited that he celebrated by having a wrestling match on the floor with Dean Hinckley while watching the game and then drank so much milk he passed out.

Cousin Time

Muscles

Hudson is learning early to casually pose himself in ways to capture the attention of the ladies. This is his "sleeping muscle man". 

Hudson Tube

Some Hudson videos for your perusal and enjoyment

Hudson is filling his diaper as I write this...

I realize that I've got about 5 seconds before you start clamoring for a picture of Hudson, so here's one to get you started:

By now you've heard the birth story from Lindsea's point of view, which is the important one. I'll share a few from my perspective, as I'm the one writing this blog. For those of you that are starting to fade in attention, feel free to skip ahead to the next Hudson picture and return here....Back? Well done. Continuing on, once we decided that surgery was the way to go, no time was lost in getting all hands together to get the party started. Births require very little actual participation from Daddies, other than to sit there and try to be supportive (and usually failing at some point). C-sections require even less participation. Yes, yes, I know that Daddies should be there and the support they give is very important. What I'm talking about is actually doing something that actually helps bring the child into the world. A C-section is very much "Put these scrubs and booties on. Stand here. Don't faint". I am proud to say that not only did I NOT faint, I actually watched over the curtain. Either way my little man decided to come into the world, I was going to actually witness it.
However, I did not cry. As my wife will tell you, 6 years of time in the Marine Corps and several years in online dating means that my heart is about 1/3rd of the Grinch's (Pre-Betty Lou Who) and approximately the same density of Mama Rae's new granite counter tops. Currently, crying is reserved for dogs who die in movies (a la Where the Red Fern Grows style). However, it would be closer to the truth to say that Momma had the crying well in hand and had actually taken on the full responsibility. That's division of labor folks, Momma cries, Daddy takes the pictures. Pretty soon after Mama Rae and I were kicked out of the surgery room while Momma was sewn back together. Eventually we were all reunited and a couple hours later we were comatose in the hospital room.

Hudson and Grandmomma enjoying some reading time

My mother and my sister Sarah were able to make it out and had actually landed in Spokane at the same time that Hudson was plucked from the womb. Papa Dale, along with Marissa and Whitni, had left a few hours prior in order to pick them up. They were able to spend a few days visiting and spending time with the little man. It meant a lot to have them here and able to spend time with Hudson during his first few hours of life.

His proud Aunt Sarah

Grandmomma and her 1st grandbaby.

My Dad, Stepmom Beth, and youngest sibling Rachel were also able to make it out for a visit. My other sibs were sadly left behind because of other commitments, but were here in spirit.

Nana, Rachel, and Grandad. Or All Father. Jury is still out on what Dad is going to go by. 

Aunt Marissa

Aunt Whitni

Papa Dale, in a rare sitting still moment

Mama Rae, happy in her natural environment

As you can see, we're all smitten. Uncles Nick and KC will be added to later blog posts, as they have yet to meet the little guy. Rock and Ryker have acquiesced to having pictures taken with Hudson, but due to contractual obligations must keep their cuteness on their own blog so as to not dilute our separate brands. Stay tuned for more Wholesome Hudson Homages!

First Road Trip To Wenatchee

Little Hudson did really well and showed he's an expert at this road trip business (mama was pregnant when they moved across the country).

Momma, however, was just a wee bit nervous

Growing

Look who's grown out of his newborn clothes!

Welcoming Hudson Dale Volle!

This is where I need to back up and tell the whole story of Hudson's labor and delivery.

 We were scheduled to get induced on Wednesday morning but after an ultrasound on Tuesday afternoon that showed he was going to be a big baby we moved the time table up. I had to call Travis at work to let him know they wanted me to spend Tuesday night at the hospital so he came up with me, ever the supportive husband. After some hormones to try to make me dilate all night, I was only at a 2 in the morning at Hudson's head was still very, very high. The good news was I started contractions on my own at 4am so didn't need the pitocin.

After 8 hours of strong contractions and pain, my doctor said I was only a 3 and that Hudson hadn't come down yet so I was in for a long labor. She blessed me with being able to have an epidural and the anesthesiologist was hilarious and wonderful. Putting it in hurt less than a bee sting and make me feel delightful. I respect women that choose to have babies naturally, but I am just not that woman. I was able to enjoy the rest of the night full of contractions. My mom was jealous and kept saying things under her breath about how it wasn't fair that I wasn't in pain when she had to give birth six times with no drugs.  I didn't care, because, I was having super hard contractions and couldn't feel a thing :) What's to complain about? The scary times did come though.

 After the epidural I went on pitocin to speed up the contractions. Hudson started not tolerating the contractions and his heartbeat would drop really low during them and the nurses would rush me to a different position. One of the times it took a few minutes to find his heartbeat again and all I could do was look at Travis and pray that Hudson was ok. They found his heartbeat again and after a round of tears I was ready to call it a day and ask for a c-section. I couldn't handle worrying about him during every contraction and just wanted him out and safe. At 11:30pm my doctor agreed that I hadn't progressed (still a 3, and Hudson was still very high) and a c-section was the best choice for both of us. So here we are in the operating room....

Here is the team of doctors. My doctor is the closest on the right and she called in  two other doctors who are on the left and one of them has some specialty in newborn care, to add to them, a first year med student came up and a few more nurses and the anesthesiologist . I think they were a little worried about my history because that is a lot more than usual. On top of the surgical team (side note: I knew most of them personally, which was very nice) my wonderful husband and also my mom got to be in the room with me. I believe these pictures are courtesy of my mom.

WARNING: there is some blood in this next picture..

Here is the specialized newborn doctor taking my baby away to get checked out. Hudson was in very good hands. I was excited to see that there was a cupboard of glass doors to my left as I was laying there so I got a good view of my surgery without seeing too much. 

Travis got to cut the cord! He was worried he was going to "contaminate" the cord so was a little unsure. 

Hudson and Daddy having their bonding moment. 

He takes up the whole tray! He was 21 inches long. 

This boy has flippers I tell you! His cute little, long feet are as long as Jensley's are now, if not a little longer.  Here he's getting all documented. 

Checks were finished and he received a couple 9's on his APGAR tests. 

After what felt like an eternity, I finally got to see my little man.  Such a sweet moment and yes, I cried. My little love was so adorable even all scrunched up and swollen. 

Another family picture back in our room. 

Proud mama. I got me a keeper. 

This was taken the day of his birth. Such a cutie!!! There was a monkey face on his bum. My favorite part of the outfit. 

And here is the proud daddy. Isn't he dashing?? I love my man and my little guy.

After it was all finished, I was told my pelvis was so small, Hudson was stuck at the top of my pelvis. He wasn't going anywhere so I am very happy we didn't push labor any farther. I feel very grateful for the blessing of a healthy baby boy.  So much has happened this pregnancy and delivery that I am extremely relieved to have him in my arms. Now a whole new set of worries starts!

I am a blessed woman.