GIVE ME A B....

Emma Grace had her Teddy Bear Parade today at school.  The bears had a sleep over last night at school and were ready for the parade this morning when the kids got to school.  It was a cute little parade and it ended with a few songs and chants. (And lasted about 6 minutes!)    It was the first time I've seen her whole class as Andy's been doing most of the picking up and dropping off while I've recovered.  

What a cute little group of 15 5-year-olds.  So grateful for her school.  Grapes decided to dress like her green bear today!  That girl always has ideas!! 

GIVE ME A B...GIVE ME AN E....GIVE ME AN A...GIVE ME AN R...GIVE ME A S....WHAT YOU GOT??? BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Judah

 Funny that I said in my last post that having a baby is making me want to blog more...but I didn't actually include pictures of said BABY!!  HEHE!  That's cause I haven't taken any.  I know, what is my deal?  He doesn't do much so I guess I don't think of taking pictures of him...but I should, cause these days of him being tiny and snugly will be over before I know it! 

Judah is doing really well.  He has a belly button that we can see now and a red bottom that's irritated from all the pooping he's been doing...The pooping is a good thing, just trying to get rid of the diaper rash! He has some pretty long stretches of awake time and it's fun to watch him taking in his new world. 

As you can see from this photo, Judah prefers to sleep on the couch, or in our arms, or the swing.  In the crib, in the quiet...not so much.  We'll get there eventually, I hope, but for now, I'm just going with the flow and trying not to get up tight about his dislike for the crib.  Plus,   Kathi reminded me that for 9 months he was always in the midst of the chaos...little people's laughter and yelling surrounded him everyday so it makes sense he'd prefer to be near the action now. So, we're going with it and enjoying all his snuggles!  Honestly, I wish I would've held my other babies more in those first few months.

 Grapes and Jack really love him.  It's neat for me to watch.  Just like Andy and me, they love this little guy without evening knowing him. I'm predicting that he'll be quiet, sweet, artsy and a bit melancholy, like his mama.  Not sure why I think that...it's really too early to tell.  Maybe it's because our Jack is so bubbly and fun and athletic, that I imagine Judah must be different from him and an artsy quiet personality is seems like it would fit well in our bunch.  Who knows....I thought Jack would be quiet when he was a newborn. Whatever his little personality is, I am looking forward to discovering it as the days roll by. 

Judah, you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  God's works are wonderful.  Seeing you....I know that full well!!! 

Off for a shower...now that's a novel idea! 

Teary Eyed Again this Morning

 I was teary eyed again this morning when we said good-bye to Tim and Kathi.  Two weeks in a row, we've bid grandparents good-bye and my post-partum emotions were once again in full affect!  I cry every time they leave actually, which is a sign of how much I love them and how much I feel loved by them.

Having a baby again has brought back all kind of memories.  I am remembering my life in China again.  We were fully immersed in baby phase our last few years there, so it makes sense that having a baby would make me think about China a lot.  And one thing I've thought about is how much I used to blog.  I remember starting our blog for the grandparents...so they could see our babies growing and what we were up to.  And I LOVE to look back on it and remember.  I forget most things with my poor memory so the blog has become such a treasure to me and love to look back with Andy and remember when the kids first went sledding with Poopaw or the day we did Kareoke with Xiao Li and A Xin or how Jack looked like a wrinkly old man when he was born.

Since we've moved back I just haven't had the time or motivation to blog like I did in China...but having a baby is making me want to record more moments of our days and remember! So for the grandparents and for my enjoyment when these memories have faded from my brain... here are a few "moments" from our last week.  Somehow I didn't get ANY pictures of Tim and Kathi.  Hopefully they have some they can send me.  For some reason I never take pictures when they are here. Tim and Kathi, send some my way!!!

Enjoying some wildlife in our backyard.  We had 7 wild turkeys in our yard two weeks ago! 

 

Emma Grace and Alissa, one of her favorite friends from school.

Emma Grace and Jack LOVED the package from their Auntie...thanks Carmen, Emmanuel, Reese and Moriah! 

All in a days work!  Jack's been roping cattle and has worn his cowboy clothes EVERYDAY since he got them! 

Extreme Makeover...The Western Edition

Tim and Kathi took the kids out to get some boots and this is what they returned with!  Happy Trails!  Dan, I thought of you when I saw them...I think they both look like they could easily be at one of the many horse shows we went to growing up!  These cowboys melt my heart!

What we've been up to...a bit of chaos

 After a long stay (5 days) in the hospital, it was finally time to come home.  I actually wasn't ready, though Andy was more than ready for the both of us.  I think it's the combination of enoying our new babe, the quiet, the massages, the smoothies every afternoon, and all the alone time I got with Andy...I just wasn't quite ready to enter the real world.  One of the blessings of having a long hospital stay was the extended time I got with Andy.  I never get that much time to talk and watch movies and delight in our new little guy.  Judah is doing great and I am slowly making my c-section recovery!  slowly slowly...that c-section stuff is no joke!

 On Monday we said good bye to Mama Nette and Papa Dan.  I felt the way EG looks in this picture! SAD!! and I cried.  But that's normal for me, especially after having a baby.  They were awesome with our kids and they cleaned things I never think to clean. I noticed yesterday they even washed my shower curtain.  What servants and what a blessing to have them here. I was not ready for them to leave. 

 And as if bringing  a new babe into the world isn't enough to shake things up, we also started KINDERGARTEN this week!  We're so blessed to have EG at a little half day kindergarten where she attended preschool.  The teacher and I have been emailing and just knowing how much she loves and prays for these kids puts my heart at ease.  One of these days, I'll actually make it into the classroom, but for now I'm enjoying some pictures Daddy took! 

YAY for kindergarten and new babies and sleep deprivation!!!

Judah's Birth Story

We headed into the hospital for our scheduled induction at about 4 am on August 9th.  When we arrived at the hospital, we learned that they had just (understandably) given our room away.  A lady rolled in at 4:02 and had her babe at 4:05.  She needed our room much more than we did!  We finally got our induction underway about 8 am.  Everything progressed nicely...well, as nicely as painful labor can, for most of the day.  Judah was doing great, and we really enjoyed the day, especially once I got an epidural.  By 5 pm we were ready...or at least we thought... to have a baby!  I have never seen Andy so excited about anything in all of our marriage.  The doctor headed over and we began the pushing.  An hour later and I was exhausted and he was making no progress.  At some point they realized that Judah was sunny side up-the biggest part of his head leading the way.  After an hour of pushing, we took a break and the nurses flipped and turned and rolled me for several hours trying to get our little guy to turn.  We gave it another hour plus of pushing, with very little change and then Judah began to show signs of being stressed.  He wasn't able to move down any and the intensity of contractions was starting to stress his little body.  So at about 10 pm the doctor decided it was time for a c-section. At this point I just felt incredibly grateful to have this option.  Not my plan to have a c-section but how wonderful that we live in a time and place where babies in the wrong position can be born safely and their mommas survive too!  He was stable enough that we didn't need an emergency c-section so we waited a few hours for our turn in the c-section line! And my good friend, Brooke, who is also a nurse, came and sat with us while we waited and prayed for us.  The moment she walked in the door I burst into tears.  I think seeing a friend on top of all the emotion of the day and the exhaustion we were feeling just brought all the emotions of the day gushing out.  We had a great visit with her and that really helped pass the several hours we had to wait.   The c-section itself was a tad scary for me, having been up for almost 24 hours, being exhausted from labor and having everything be totally numb, I felt really out of control.  But my nurse, Rose, and hubby were great.  So great.  And I just kept reciting some scripture that has been a source of much joy and strength for me during this pregnancy.   I didn't feel anything and Andy got to stand up and watch little Judah make his way into the world.  My happy tears started to roll when I heard that first cry and Andy told me he looked healthy!

Andy and Judah headed out while they finished my surgery.  Later the nurse told me that a c-section actually gave me a lower risk for postpartum hemorrhage, because they were able to really get in there and clean out everything and even cauterize some problem areas.  So who knows, maybe a c-section was best for Judah and me for multiple reasons! 

One of the highlights of these last couple days has been watching Andy's heart melt over this little guy.  I can't do much more than lay in the bed right now, so Andy's been changing all the diapers, walking Judah around, and rocking him.  Andy is in love, which is so fun to see.  And he's been a champ caring for both me and Judah!

Seems like the c-section recovery road will be longer than with my other two...but worth it...oh so worth it!

GRATEFUL

Judah's name means praise and I really feel like God has helped me to have a heart of praise during this entire labor/delivery/c-section process.   Gratitude is what I feel most right now.  I'm thankful to the Lord for so many aspects of these last few days.  I just have to write them out so I can remember God's faithfulness to us in bringing Judah into our world!

I'm thankful for this little life that God created.  Having children, in my opinion, is one of the most sacred and eternally significant moments in this life.  And Judah is just precious.  He is truly a gift from God to us. 

I'm so grateful he's healthy.  With each pregnancy, I've realized how fragile life is and  it's truly a gift, not at all deserved, to welcome and big, plump, healthy baby boy into the world!  

I'm so thankful for my parents who are here taking great care of my older kiddos.  They are so well loved and time with their grandparents is probably the best part of adding a sibling to their lives! 

I'm so thankful for our nurses and doctor.  Our doctor took every precaution thinkable with my low platelet issues and history of postpartum hemorrhage.  I felt extremely confident in her ability to take care of me.  We prayed specifically for kind nurses and we got several of them.  We were in labor for such a long time that we got to know several of them well.  And each one seemed to be the perfect one for each stage of labor I was in.  Natalie was funny and caring.  Vickie was someone I would want to be friends with.  She was with me until 5 pm, and when she left, we all thought we were just a few minutes away from having a baby boy...little did we know it would be another 10 hours!   Our last nurse, Rose, who was with me during the toughest parts of the process, was encouraging and patient and incredibly competent, which was just what we needed in our situation.  We even spent some time praying together and she was showing me pictures of her daughter's wedding while I was in recovery.  These doctors and nurses were evidences of God's presence during the whole process.

I'm so grateful for the friends God has given us here. I told Andy that God has really used the last bit of pregnancy to open my eyes to see how well he's providing for us here, in our new life.  Our friends here have been so excited to welcome Judah with us and I've realized that after only two years here, we have so many people who really love and care for us.   We've come a long way from knowing almost no one to being in a community of people who are rejoicing with us, praying for us, bringing us meals, throwing us showers, and offering babysitting.

I am incredibly thankful for the health care available in America. We are just so blessed to live in a time and place where we have access to this type of care.  From the monitoring of my platelets throughout pregnancy, to the blood transfusions that were on hold in case we needed them, to the option of c section to get Judah out safely-we are so blessed to live in this time and place.  Labor and delivery has never been this safe in all of history and I just kept thinking about women all over the world who don't have access to type of medical care.

Just so thankful to the Lord for his kindness to our family through his whole process.  

Judah's First Visitors

Judah is doing great and we're enjoying cuddling with this little guy and enjoying the gift God has given us.  He had his first visitors today and they too were smitten!  

As soon as they walked in, Jack said, "where's Juda Buda?"  He's been referring Judah with his nickname for him for a while now!  They were grinning from the moment they saw him in his little bassinet!

 They loved holding him and kissing him, and Jack whispered, "Oh he's so precious" while leaning in to get a closer look at his face. 

Grapes kept saying how cute he was after they left the hospital. 

They've waited a long time to meet this little guy and they seemed just as delighted as we are to finally hold him in their arms.  It's amazing to see the love they already have for our Juda Buda. 

He's Here!

Welcome to our world, Judah! Born 2012-08-10 at 12:53am by c-section. He and EA are doing well, recovering from an insane 24 hours. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us. We're so grateful to have access to modern healthcare.

 

TOMORROW IS...

JUDAH DAY!!!  We're heading to the hospital in a few hours for an induction.  I'm at 41 weeks and they didn't want me to go much longer because of some issues I have with low platelets.  This will be my first time to be induced (which I am a little nervous about), but we're definitely excited and ready to meet our little guy!  Judah Kai Huffman is his name.  I'll have to write about the meaning of his name soon.  It's a really neat story of how God has been working in my life and how he led us to this special name.  It means praise and that's what I plan to do tomorrow when this little guy arrives.  Praising the Lord for new life and letting us be a part of creating it.  Please join us in praying for a safe and healthy delivery and baby boy!!!!

To my Aunt Diane

Diane,
       There are so many things I miss about living in North Carolina.  Family is on the top of my list. Then comes things like BBQ and driving on long country roads and that feeling of belonging somewhere.  And I also miss what "would be" if we lived there.  I know if we lived in NC we'd see you all more.  And Emma Grace and Haley and Peyton would be fast friends.  And I know that Jack would be your ultimate card playing partner.  He loves playing cards more than any child I have ever seen and  think he would play for hours if we let him.  You're the only person I know that can keep up with his love for cards.   I have fun memories of us sitting in your blue camper at the lake playing UNO and eating PB and J's with Doritos!

Jack inherited your your love for cards and wakes up everyday and asks to play UNO first thing.  And everyday we tell him not until after breakfast.  .  And everyday he throws himself on the floor in a fit of despair.  Wonder how long that will go on?  And everyday, after breakfast and throughout the day,  we play multiple games.  We figure we're close to 300 games for the summer.  Maybe more.  He's actually quiet good!  So next time we're in NC, we'll have to get you two together for some PB and J's and cards!  Much love to you!

August 3rd

is almost over and no baby yet!  I should have expected that my due date would come and go like any other day, since I was late with both my other babes!  We've had several "I think this is it" moments with an hour or two of contractions here and there.    I had planned to write about his name and why we chose it before he was born...it's looking like I still have time to do that!

In the meantime we are enjoying the pool,  a lot of naps (me), and trying not to get impatient! 

Emma Grace and Jack start school in two weeks so between that and our little guy coming, things are going to get a little crazy around here. I should just enjoy the calm before the storm!

Despite my desire to just have this little guy RIGHT NOW, there's a part of me that hopes he'll be born on Monday-which is August 6th-a very special day to me and most of all, to our very dear friends, Matt and Laura.  It's the day they meet their adopted son, John Paul.  We've been so privileged to watch them walk the LONG road to bringing this little orphan into their family forever and it would just thrill me if our son and their son shared a special day.  But as Laura's story reminds me, God is in control all things, and his plans are perfect...so I'll trust him whatever he decides!  

Join me in praying for this precious family and rejoicing in the adoption of an orphan into their loving family!!! 

Welcome to the Art Gallery

 As I said earlier, Emma Grace has been working on an art collection all summer.  She's taped and glued and cut and painted and glittered and stickered her way through the summer, and this was the final product...AN ART SHOW!  Put on by the artist and the art gallery manager, Jackie Boya. 

They covered three bedrooms and a bathroom (including inside the tub and sink) with her artwork and Andy and I got to take a tour!

big pregnant lady at the art show

 It was really neat to see all the pieces she's created, some I hadn't seen before, because she works on them while alone in her quiet time in the afternoons.  I've been begging her to give me a few pieces to frame and she's adamantly refused.  I've even offered to buy them, multiple times, but she didn't budge.  I guess some things don't have a price.  But she surprised me at the art show and let both Andy and I pick out a few to take home. We were excited and paid what we thought was a fair price to both the artist and her manager!  I love the sass she has in this picture, as well as how you can see into their very different rooms! 

GREAT JOB GUYS!!!