One Month

Judson- one month old

Our little man is one month old now! In one way it seems like he has been around forever, but in another way it seems like time is flying by and he will be 6 months old or a year before I know it! Since he is our last, I find myself really wanting to cherish every stage and every minute I have with him. I wish there was a way to bottle up the way it feels to hold him in my arms so I could take it off the shelf later and experience it again. Despite the chaos we have around here at times when one or more child is crying, whining, or behaving badly, most of the time I am feeling so blessed-- truly like my cup runs over. And thankfully, the girls have adjusted really well for the most part and are being great big sisters and helpers.

At one month old, Judson is 11 lbs (80th %) and 22.25 in (70th %), so he is busy growing and is obviously a good eater. Right now he is eating about every 2.5-3 hrs during the day and has at least one 4-5 hr stretch at night. He has been going to bed around 11, waking up to eat between 2:30 and 3:30 and then again between 5:30 and 6:30, and going back to sleep until 8 or so. Definitely no complaints with that for now! Unfortunately, he has been having some tummy issues on and off, but when that's not bothering him he is a pretty chilled out little guy. He likes to just look around and take it all in. And even when his tummy does hurt, he usually just fusses or cries a little here and there, no incessant wailing or anything. He sits in his little bouncy seat or lays in his Nap Nanny and lets me take showers, cook meals, and help the girls out with things in relative peace. Some things he seems to enjoy at this point are being held by Avery and getting attention in general from his sisters, taking walks in the stroller, taking a bath (no crying for this little guy), and of course, eating. We are really looking forward to the smiles and laughs that will soon come and having some true interaction with our precious Judson!

Life is so hard!

dressed up like a little man for 2 family birthday parties

Judson and his cousin Eva who is 3 wks olderalert and ready to discover this big world

Father's Day

Father's Day 2011

A few years ago we started going down to Riscky's BBQ in Sundance Square to eat lunch with my family on Father's Day. I think it is now an official tradition since we have gone there the past 3 or 4 years in a row. The food is great, it is never too busy, and there are always good picture-taking spots close by. This year we went out to the patio after we finished lunch and discovered some really neat spots to explore and take pictures. After lunch and pics my parents came back to our house with some Braum's ice cream for everyone and Scott and my Dad opened their cards and gifts. Happy Father's Day to 2 of the best fathers I know!

Judson's first week

The past week has gone by quickly, but it also already hard to imagine life without Judson! So far he has been a great baby and basically just eats, sleeps and fills his diapers. Of course I've been able to be quite attentive to him since my parents have been here helping out, but even so, he just seems to go with the flow and is not very demanding except when he's hungry. The past several nights he has gone to bed between 10 and 11, woken up twice to eat, and pretty much gone right back to sleep until 7:30 or 8. Hopefully that trend will continue and then get even better in a month or two. He has at least one period a day where he is in that quiet alert state and he just lies so still and quiet studying his world and whoever is around him. Those are such precious moments for me as a Mom! I love feeling like I am connecting with him even at this stage in his life. Avery and Kendall are doing pretty well so far with adjusting to having a newborn in the house. They have had their moments, but overall they both seem to really love their little brother and not be too jealous so far of the attention he is getting. In fact, Avery has been my Mom's biggest competition for holding him! She just goes on and on about how snuggly and warm he is and how good he smells. I'm sure I'll have to remind her of her love for him here in a few months when he's crawling around and getting into all her stuff!

Welcome Home Judson!

We were released from the hospital Friday morning and got to bring Judson home a little before noon. My Dad brought the girls up to the hospital so they could ride with Judson, Scott and I and help us welcome him home. It was fun to see how proud and excited they were to walk down the hospital hallways alongside their new little brother. My parents bought a yard sign to announce his birth, and we got busy taking lots of pictures the moment we arrived home. Judson has been such a good baby so far and he is just so incredibly sweet. We are enjoying every precious moment with him; well, maybe enjoying the middle-of-the-night moments a little less, but still trying to soak it up!

Me and my 3 sweet kids!

"Handsome Little Man" all ready to go home

Avery getting one last snuggle before we put him in his car seat for the ride home

The new and improved Bedicheks!

showing off the yard sign announcing Judson's birth

Welcome to your home Judson!

How could you not love that sweet face?

my oldest and my youngest

Kendall loves her "baby Jud" as she likes to call him

treasured Mommy/son time

Judson's Mimi and Poppi have to compete with Avery for snuggle time with him

all wrapped up in his blanket that his Mimi made

sweet dreams!

Judson Scott has arrived!

Judson Scott Bedichek- born 5/25/11 @ 5:30 pm

Our precious son, Judson Scott Bedichek, entered the world on Wednesday May 25 @ 5:30 pm. I went in at 6:00 AM that morning to be induced (at 39 weeks) in hopes that we could have a safe, healthy delivery of this good-size little boy, and thankfully everything did go smoothly. Dr. New came by and broke my water at around 7:00 AM and I made slow, steady progress through the morning. I got an epidural around noon I think and by mid-afternoon I was dilated to a 6. Dr. New told us it would probably only be a few more hours, and sure enough, I was ready to push a little before 5:00 pm. After 40 minutes of pushing, Judson was born! He came out face up, just like Kendall did and had a bump on the top of his head from coming out the wrong way. It went away within a few short hours however, and he was perfect other than that. He weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. After the nurses cleaned him up a little I got to hold him on my chest and he just lay there so calmly for the longest time. It was such a precious time that I will never forget! His big sisters and his Mimi and Poppi were the first ones to meet him right there in the Labor and Delivery room. Avery and Kendall were so excited and wanted to hold him and kiss him right away. His aunt Sheila also came to see him while we were still in the recovery room. Later that evening when we moved to the postpartum unit, Judson got his first bath and his Dedaw, Uncle Doug, and cousins Braden and Brooklyn came to visit. We are so glad our sweet son has finally arrived! Happy Birthday Judson!

showing off that handsome face

getting checked by the nurse

8 lbs 2 oz and 20 1/2 inches

exercising his lungs

Judson's first bath- he immediately stopped crying when the nurse started washing his hair

Avery and Kendall meeting Judson for the first time

the big sisters watching Mom with their new little brother

Kendall and Judson

Avery and Judson

Mimi adoring her new grandson

Our new family of 5!

holding Judson during their visit on Thursday

Avery thinks Judson is so snuggly and loves to hold him

Kendall is so proud to finally be a big sister too

Precious boy

38 weeks- Big Momma!

Yesterday I hit the 38 week mark and my belly has officially reached new proportions I think. People are constantly asking me when I am due and making all sorts of comments. Even our family members are all calling to check on me and find out if anything is happening yet. Talk about pressure! Honestly, I am not surprised though that Judson is still hanging in there because Avery stayed in for almost 41 weeks and Kendall was forced out at 39, so I think my babies just like being inside their Momma. Scott commented last night that Judson will probably be fitting into our lives for his entire life, so he is probably just fitting into the birthday plan that we have made for him. At my doctor appointment last week, Dr. New said that we would induce on the 25th- next Wednesday- if Judson has not come on his own by then. Tomorrow I go for my 38 week appointment and the doctor will check to see if I'm making any progress, and I guess we'll firm up the plans for the 25th. Hopefully there won't be any hiccups in that plan since we have been anticipating it for a week now! Last Sunday we started a 10 day countdown on the fridge. I made a stack of sticky notes counting down from 10 to Judson's birthday and the girls have been taking turns tearing off a number every night. There has been a night or two that Scott and I have forgotten about it, but the girls have been sure to remind us! We are all excited but trying to savor the last few days of being a family of 4 and having a little more freedom than we will beginning next week.