Hudson Colby

Our sweet little baby Hudson came to us last week on December 22 at 12:31 in the afternoon. It was a big surprise since he was not expected until the end of January and we had some very scary few days leading up to his birth. We had a prenatal appointment On Thursday the 16th to check everything before we went home to Idaho for Christmas and it was discovered that my blood pressure had risen 50 points. I was not very concerned about it since I had not been feeling any symptoms, but the midwife wanted me to do a 24 hour urine test just to check my kidney status and make sure everything was okay. She told us that Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when there is 300 mg of protein in the urine so we would need to watch for our lab results and call back in. We waited anxiously for the results and were shocked when they came back at 959! I called the midwife on call to ask her if we could still go home for the holidays and she gave me a very emphatic 'No'. We were told that we would be on bed rest to keep Hudson in as long as possible and would need to go in for a non-stress test to check the baby's heart rate on Monday. Hudson passed that test within 5 minutes but when we were on our way out the door the nurse requested that I take another urine test. My protein was at 3,000. I still was not concerned but the neonatologist ordered that we go down to labor and delivery for more tests. Once we were there my blood pressure continued to rise and the urine tests were coming back abnormal. It became clear pretty quickly that they would not be letting us go home. We were shocked and scared. We had no bag, no supplies, no baby stuff... just our clothes and a purse.

My midwife "Angel"

They quickly started me on a drug called Magnesium Sulphate to keep me from seizing and stabilize my blood pressure. They gave me 2 doses of steroids to boost Hudson's lung development and the haze set in. "The mag" gave me double vision and made me VERY groggy. I had a hard time staying awake or maintaining normal conversation. Once I had been on that and the steroids for 24 hours they started me on Pitocin. My contractions began coming fast and strong. I was dilated to a 3 at 11:00 in the morning and called the nurse around 12:00 to let her know that I was feeling ALOT of pain. She checked me and declared me COMPLETE!

Yes, those really are my feet. They were HUGE!

Landon and I were very shocked and confused and I was feeling very scared. My midwife got word that we were to be taken to an operating room to deliver so that NICU could immediately begin monitoring the baby. I was afraid that I was going to have my baby in the hallway!

Hudson was born a short 20 minutes later and was taken away immediately. My parents and Landon's parents were allowed to see him but I was still recovering and was not able to see the baby for a few hours. When I was allowed to see him the Magnesium was making me very loopy and dizzy and I only saw him from a distance for a short while. Landon and I were able to hold the baby the next day and have been attached to his bedside ever since. ♥

We are currently still in the NICU working on breathing and eating issues, but hope to be home soon. This has been the most challenging and yet most spectacular event of my life. I had planned a VERY different birth experience for Hudson and I but I am so grateful for modern medicine and my healthy baby boy. I have felt emotions in the last week that I did not know I was capable of and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life loving this baby.

World's smallest Jazz fan

G & Gs (Neither set have been allowed to touch him yet :( )

Thanks so much for all the love and support. Landon and I have been overwhelmed by the phone calls, text messages and prayers sent our way. This will definitely be a Christmas that our little family will NEVER forget!

Snow Day!

I must admit, I thought my "snow day" days were over.... but this weekend Landon and I came to Idaho to visit and lo and behold, so did a GIANT storm! We missed school on Monday and are still not able to get out of my parent's house! Cortney and Neil and all of their kids were stuck here as well, it was a regular party!

Cuddled in Grandma's bed...

Max helped me make cinnamon rolls

The kids played games on the computer

This is right in front of the garage

And this is the view from the deck! It has been fun to be stuck here all together. We have played lots of games of Spade, watched lots of Christmas movies and enjoyed LOTS of good food! Now let's see if we can get out of here and make it to our Panguitch Thanksgiving!

All Good News

I really am disgusted that I have not updated this blog in so long. I used to love blogging. Every activity we ever did was quickly followed by a passing "blog post" thought.... Boy, those days have passed. In a quick update, things are going so fantastically well for Landon and I that I sometimes feel like I should pinch myself. This little baby growing inside of me is getting bigger everyday. He is constantly moving and kicking and I feel like I am getting to know him through his patterns. He is very active every evening around 5 and then again at about 11. The poor thing always gets the hiccups when I eat mexican food and he is very still if I lay on my side. These pictures are almost 12 weeks old now (can you believe that?!) but I realized that I never posted Hudson's first portraits.... (his name is Hudson by the way, Hudson Colby)

Leg and foot

Yippee! No question there

This is a 3D image of his little face. The big squishy business on the right side of his head is my placenta, the ultrasound tech said he was snuggling up to it.... which is weird in theory, but if it makes him comfortable I am good with it! I love this one because it looks like he is smiling :)

Landon and I have both been attending school full time and this semester has been by far my busiest. I am attending clinicals for maternity, pediatrics and community as well as taking in class lectures on Thursday and Fridays. Let's just say I will not be sad when this is over. I must admit, however, that I have gotten used to the chaos of it all and really can't imagine my life without all of the assignments, clinicals, papers, lectures and exams. I guess they will be quickly replaced by feedings, crying, changing and baths, right?

I really do hate "my husband and I have the best relationship" blog posts.... but Landon has been so cute and supportive of me throughout this process. The other night he was laying on the floor for an hour doing something that he obviously did not want me to see. When he was finally finished he had written me a poem and planned a date in which I drew names of restaurants and activities from a hat. We then had to go to that place for an appetizer, dinner, dessert and activity. Does that make sense? (We did cheat a little, we switched the appetizer and the dessert). It was a blast and it means so much that he is still making an effort to make me feel special. Even if I am the size of a small 10 wheeler.

Overall, my absence for the last month has been filled with crazy chaos and moments of silent gratitude. I am in constant awe that my body knows how to make this child, I am overwhelmed with the responsibility of it, and I am excited for the opportunity. I hope to be much better during the holidays and in the coming weeks. Countdown to baby (and graduation!) continues....

October love

I love fall. No, really. For those who know me.... I much prefer the cold to the heat. So the chill in the air and the changing of the leaves is a yearly favorite of mine. Today after clinicals Landon and I decided to take a drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon and look at all of the trees. It was beautiful! Afterwards we went to Despicable Me, if you haven't seen it... you should. We thought it was pretty charming.

Yes, I know... my face is swollen and my nose is widening. Isn't it awesome? You should see my sausage fingers... This kid better be fantastic, that's all I have to say.

And just for a glimpse into my right now.... This is making me very nervous. Landon is taking apart my MacBook (apparently he is a computer genius/repair guy). Don't mind his nakedness, he is fresh post- shower... Let's all hope he remembers where all of those pieces go. If not, anyone have an open couch you would be willing to share?

Feelin' Sassy....

And a little large... So here is a pic of my belly as requested. I have decided that being pregnant is a funny thing. For one, I pee my pants all the time. TMI? Sorry. Last night for instance, I ran out to grab a towel before my shower, sneezed... and peed all over the kitchen floor mid-dash to the bathroom. Good thing my husband is so supportive and just stands there and laughs at me in my man-made reservoir. Second, I get horrible Charley horses when I am sleeping (which apparently is due to my ridiculous amount of calcium consumption since I have been guzzling approx. 1/2 gallon a day) Thirdly, I can't get enough sweets. Candy bars, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, tapioca pudding... pretty much anything made out of that sugar stuff. This, and many other habits have contributed to a substantial weight gain. Last time I stepped on the scale at my appointment, the midwife raised her eyebrows. It wasn't my proudest moment ever, but has it resulted in a healthier diet? Don't joke. But overall.... being pregnant is awesome. I'm feeling great and energized and I'm so in love with this little man. I love him more than Biggest Loser. I love him more than Christmas. I even love him more than cheese, which is saying something... seriously. And while other things are going on at the Fullmer residence, we have baby brain. A bad case. Chronic, I would say... which means that's all I can talk about, or post about. So until next time....

It's a Very Handsome...

Baby boy!!! Landon and I could not be more excited to be announcing that we are expecting a son in January. We have been talking about this for years and cannot believe that we will be welcoming a baby soon. The nursery is underway and this kid's wardrobe is growing at an alarming rate. I have been feeling great and am shocked every morning when I wake up to see that my belly is just THAT MUCH BIGGER!! The baby is a kickin' little fool and I love when he moves for Landon in the evenings. I feel so blessed and cannot wait to meet this little guy!

The proud Daddy

Yep

Yes, I know my titles are still pink. I don't have time right now to mess with it. Please forgive.

Can you believe it?! Well, can you?

We are up and running! The house is decorated, school has started, I'm having to cook and clean up after myself and Landon and I are living together again! We are both excited to be back to business as usual and Landon is out of his mind with euphoria that football season starts this Thursday. Go Utes!

I am so thrilled to be starting my last year of nursing school and doing my rounds on the maternity floor of IMC, the little babies are beyond adorable and a MAJOR step up from my trauma experience last year! I love the idea of some structure and schedule in my life and just might have some things to blog about in the next little while. You never know....

Summer Twenty-Ten

There once was a girl named Che'

Who moved to Idaho and lounged all day

She read 12 great books

and gave up on her looks

and sent her sweet husband away.

She spent time with Carl and Cort

They learned to cook food of all sort

She messed with her Dad

and sometimes was sad

all while at the Crapo resort.

Che' spent every evening with Mom

competed for attention with facebook.com

She laughed and she cried

watched the babies with pride

and did a girl's hair for prom.

Now the summer is coming to close

Time to return to real life, I suppose

back to school and to work

pack my bags with a smirk

Wonder why I brought so many clothes?

Thanks so much for all the fun,

This summer will not be easily outdone

Reclaim your basement

Maybe find a replacement

and know that I love you a ton!

99 Hot Air Balloons

Sorry for the lack of posting, every time I promise I am going to do better with this thing one of two things happen: 1- I get busy and keep putting it off or 2- I move to Idaho and have pretty much nothing to post about. But aha, relief.... Landon and I finally saw each other and even did something fun! Go figure.

Panguitch had their annual "Balloon Festival" last weekend and we got to go for a ride in a hot air balloon. I don't know why, but this is something that I have always wanted to do. It was scary at first but was really fun once I calmed down a little. The best part... when we were finished they dumped champagne on our heads, I happened to notice them pouring it on Landon before they got any on me (which is probably for the best since I don't know how good of a sport I would have been about it). We got to stay with the Fullmers for a week had a blast. Thanks for letting us squat for a week Di-izzle! We miss you already!

In other, more catch up news... things are going well for us. Landon is still selling in Vegas while I spend most of my time here in Idaho. He has been flying over to see me every two weeks so it has been bearable. We found an apartment that we like in Salt Lake that is on the East side and close to the school and plan on moving back at the beginning of August. I hope you are all having a great summer w/less wind than mine!

Sometimes life is awesome....

At risk of sounding like Tamn, (you know... Seriously so Blessed!) I had such an awesome life for a 10 day span there. I got to do so many fun things and see so many awesome places! I feel my writing abilities will not accurately portray and since "they" say a picture is worth a thousand words, how about 12 pictures?

Side note: This activity may or may not have been a lot funner if we were not snorkeling amidst a giant school of Jelly fish. Just sayin.....

Fun huh? Now it is back to real life. Although not really. I don't know anyone whose "real" life includes laying in their parent's basement with no job and no classes while hanging out with their neice and nephews, reading books, watching an entire season of Glee in a little over a week's time and just enjoying the simple company of their family. So.... back to that life.