Birth story and 3 months

So Jude will be 3 months old and I'm just getting around to writing his birth story....life as a mom with 4 kids 4 and under! Before I start, here are a few things Jude is up to. He is still my sweet smiley baby. He is just starting to giggle...so cute! He also loves to talk and LOVES his bath. He splashes so much in his little tub everything gets wet =) He is super laid back, but lately he definitely prefers to be held or entertained. Not sure if this is because he has had a little cold for the last week or so or if he is getting a little spoiled. He has just started sitting in the bumbo seat and LOVES it! He I think he likes it so much because he feels big. His brothers and sister still love him tons and are doing a great job of entertaining him if I need a few minutes to get something done. He still loves to eat as evidenced by his chunky rolls and he is still a great sleeper. This month Jude had his first boat trip. He sat on Mimi's lap most of the time, nos skiing for him yet though. He also had is first trip to Sea World. I don't think he was too impressed and I'm sure he didn't enjoy being so hot!

OK, onto his birth story...so, as I said before Jude was our little surprise. When I found out I was pregnant with him I cried, then I cried some more because I would have to tell him I cried when I found out I was pregnant with him. Initially I had planned to drive to Orlando to have him because I wanted to have another VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) and I was told that no one in St Augustine would do one. So when I finally got to the Dr (I thought I was 15 weeks, but I was actually 17 weeks) we found out everything was fine and that we were having another boy. I was convinced I was having a girl because I was sick with Jude in the evening just like I was with Bailey Kate, but I was wrong. As I was driving to Orlando for my 20 week appointment (only my second appointment....oh how things change with a fourth baby) the sweet office manager called and said due to my insurance change the one appointment was going to cost me over 700 dollars! Needless to say I turned around and prayed that the Lord would provide one way or another. A few weeks prior Clay was at our friends house watching a UFC fight and started talking to a local OB, as it turned out he had just opened his own practice and was the only Dr in St Augustine doing VBACs! Long story short everything worked out and he said he would be happy to be my OB.

So at the 15 week ultrasound they determined I was actually 17 weeks (explains how I got pregnant :) My due date changed to June 21...because I have large babies Dr. Dhas decided to induce me a little early. Let's just say recovering from pushing out a 9 lb 3 oz baby was much worse than recovering from a c-section! On June 15 I went in for my 39 week check up. After a non stress test and an ultrasound Dr. Dhas decided I should be induced on June 17! I was so excited! I think I was most scared of this birth because my other 2 were so eventful....I knew too much.

So on June 17 Clay and I got to the hospital at noon ready for our little "dude's" birthday. Now Flagler hospital is no Winnie Palmer! It is very small, but to my surprise I had an awesome experience! I was so well taken care of, and was only 1 of 2 women on the floor! I got all checked in, pitocin started and by 4 o'clock I was 5 cm and begging for an epidural! Those pitocin contractions ain't no joke! Once the epidural was in my mom and Diane (my MIL) came up and started chatting. At about 6 Dr. Dhas came into check and I was 7-8cm...it was definitely going a little slower than I thought it would. The nurses came in a few times to reposition me because Jude was a little too relaxed. At this point any time the nurse walked in I would get a little nervous because I was taken for a C-section so fast with Cole... I was worried they were coming in to do the same with Jude.

At change of shift I found out that my night nurse was a sweet friend that goes to our church. I was so excited! God knew what a blessing that would be. When Catherine came in to check on me and say hi I told her I was feeling a little bit of pressure, but nothing too bad. Right about then Dr. Dhas walked in to check on me because Jude's heart rate wasn't fluctuating as much as he liked. To my surprise I was fully dilated and ready to push! I was kind of in shock! Nothing was set up so the nurses rushed around to get everything ready. At this point I got nervous....this was really happening, I was having another baby! I also started remembering how dramatic BK's birth was...I was trying really hard not to freak out! After about 15 minutes Dr. Dhas took position, I remember telling Clay I was scared and I didn't know if I remembered how to do this. He comforted me and told me everything would be fine. My mom and Diane were over by the couch...bursting with excitement. Well, I pushed for 15 minutes....As I was about to push again Dr. Dhas said to push and listen very carefully for his directions, in a minute he would tell me to stop pushing and breathe. At this point I remember saying, "this is how they do it on a baby story!" (BK got stuck, so when her head came out, instead of breathing and her kind of falling out let's just say it was a little more traumatic. There was a lot of painful pushing involved and then it got kind of chaotic. I remember thinking during all of this that this is NOT how they do it on a baby story =) Well, Jude got a little stuck, but I just breathed and prayed. Dr. Dhas looked at me and said, "do you want to pull your baby out?" I reached down and pulled my sweet Jude onto my belly. The most amazing moment ever!!!! He was messy, pink, plump and screaming...PERFECT! 8lbs 12oz of perfect sweetness. I spent the next 2 days in the hospital snuggling my boy and recovering. The recovery with Jude was exponentially better than with my other two. I was amazed at God's goodness and provision in all the areas of Jude's birth story. He is the perfect addition to our family. Though we don't want any more babies for a LONG time I wouldn't change my sweet little surprise for anything! So here are some pics from the big day...I can't find our camera, but when I do I'll post some more.

Right before we left for the hospital...last photo as a family of 5!

Proof I was having big contractions and ready for an epidural!

Jude Hudson Nettles

Taking in my sweet boy (with all of my arm bands =)

BK meeting Jude for the first time. It was precious! She kept looking at him saying, "that my baby!"

Funny stories

Ok, so a few funny stories....

I noticed recently that Bailey Kate called Jude "doobie"...why you ask! Well the boys call Jude "Judy" when they are trying to be silly or affectionate with Jude (much to Clay's surgrine). Well, Bailey Kate went from calling Jude "dude" to "Doob" which then turned to "Doobie" when she is trying to be silly or affectionate...hoping this nick name doesn't stick, although it is pretty funny.

doobie =)

Cole seems to have his first crush. Her name is Reagan (and I must say she is pretty cute). Cole's teacher told me last week that he hasn't been listening well and I should speak to him. As any mom I was embarrased and my pride was bruised. I obviously want my kids to be obedient and respectful and of course make me look like the perfect parent! (joking here =) Anyway, I told his teacher on Tuesday we had spoken to Cole and made an obedience chart to encourage him to obey in school. The teacher then informed me that the disobedience occurs when he is trying to show off for Reagan. She said it is more that he is ignoring her while putting on his show. You will be happy to know he has received a good report the last 2 days! This morning as we were asking Cole about Reagan and reminding him to obey and be attentive his lip started quivering as he told us she didn't like him anymore because she thought he messed up her puzzle (which he insists he didn't). Cooper then pipes in with, "but she likes me!!!" We assured him that she was still his friend and not to worry...it was the cutest, most pitiful thing I had ever seen. I don't think I'm ready for this!

First Days of School

Best Buds =)
On our way
Heading up the to class
Already hard at work
Ms. Carmen
BK's first day!
She can't wait!


So this year the boys are in VPK at Presbyterian Day School. They went there last year 2 days a week and LOVED it. It has been such a blessing to find such a sweet little school. Sometimes I drive them to school through historic St Augustine and drop them off at one of the most beautiful churches around and amazed that we live in the midst of so much beauty and history. Anyway, we decided to put Bailey Kate in the 2 year old class on Tuesdays and Thursdays to give me a little time to get errands done without madness and chaos. As I said before, she is a bit of a challenge (Clay and I read a few weeks ago that Jonathon Edwards had a daughter that he called "Peppery" an accurate description of Bailey Kate =). We thought that since her brothers defer to her most of the time (they will make great husbands), school would be a great way to help Bailey Kate learn to be kind and share with other kids who will put up more of a fight. Last year she cried every day we dropped off the boys because she wanted to go to school too. We are also hoping that when I bring the boys home next year the time Bailey Kate is in school will give me some great "work" time with the boys. Well! The boys have done great! Their assistant teacher from last year is their head teacher this year so it has been a super smooth transition. On Bailey Kate's first day of school all the other kids were clinging to their moms, BK looked at me, waved and yelled "Bye Mom!" turned around and never looked back. I didn't know whether to be crushed or proud. When I went to pick her up she screamed and cried because she didn't want to leave school....I felt so loved! She obviously loved it and is so proud to have her own backpack and lunch box. Needless to say I have loved my alone time with Jude and am excited for the year to come.

2 months old...

Sweet baby Jude the Dude! (Bailey Kate has called Jude "baby Dude" ever since we decided on his name and so far it has stuck.) I can't believe Jude is already 2 months old! Time is flying. Jude LOVES to eat. When I nurse him and burp him half way through he panics and does a little spaz routine as if he may never eat again...I laugh every time. He has man gas! The other day in church it was nice and quiet and he let one rip! It's kind of funny to blame that noise on an infant. He is about 13 pounds and growing every day. He is definitely a little chunk! He is a happy baby for the most part. Lately he is very interested in looking at toys and the fan. He LOVES his paci, but lately when he is full of milk, clean and ready for "awake" time he will sit contently and observe all the chaos that is going on around him. He also loves his bath. He lounges in his tub and looks like all he needs to reach the perfect level of relaxation is a cigar and a drink =) He is sporting a stylish "monk" hair do. His hair is falling out in random places and I'm sure it will grow back blond. I'm also pretty sure he is going to have brown eyes. Last night he slept for 10 hours, his longest stretch yet. I'm blessed with babies who sleep through the night pretty early on, but Jude has taken the longest to reach the 12 hour mark. Cole and Bailey Kate slept 12 hours at 6 weeks old. Not complaining though =) Jude, you are loved fiercely by your whole family. We are so blessed that God chose you to be our little surprise. We are cherishing every moment and we are excited to see what God has in store for you sweet boy!

The Help.....

Warning, this is a long post mostly of my musings lately =)

Last night my mother in law (best one around =) and I went to see The Help. It was great! The whole movie I was struck with 2 things. 1-How could people treat other humans so terribly and 2-I want to make a difference!

Since I was a little girl I have always been happiest when I feel like I am making a difference. I've had to process, often, do I love this feeling because I am prideful and love the praise or do I really want to make a difference for the Kingdom and the King that I serve. I strive for it to be the latter. In the last few months as I have been thrust into this new phase of life (stay-at-home mommyhood) I have encountered feelings I didn't expect. Being a nurse I was able to make a good amount of money in a short amount of time. It was definitely the wisest choice for our family. As a nurse I would often hear the praises of my patients (or there parents) and feel like in that moment I was making a difference in their lives. I also went into nursing because I wanted be useful in missions. I was able to take a few trips as a nurse and care for those who had never received any kind of medical care....it was AWESOME! Even with all of that all I wanted was to be able to stay at home. I would often have to repent for my bad attitude towards others who were able to stay at home. Well, my time came with my sweet little surprise. With 4 kids under 4 it didn't make too much sense for me to go back...with what it would cost to have someone watch so many kids and the stress involved it wouldn't be worth it. We just decided to cut back and have me stay home.

As my due date with Jude drew closer and I knew my working days (as a nurse) were coming to an end I started struggling. The response I would get when I told people I was a nurse was very different from the response I now get when I say I'm a stay at home mom. I started to wonder if people would think I'm not as smart because I'm a stay at home mom, would they think I'm lazy because I stay at home now, was I valuable now that I was going to stay home and inevitably lose my nursing skills, was I still going to make a difference? As I prayed through all of this I was reminded....my home, husband, and my children are my "job" now. If I do my job well (by God's grace!), if I invest well into my children and husband I can make a difference! I want my children to make a difference for the kingdom...how will they do that if no one teaches them! When they leave my "nest" I want them to love Jesus and desire to be effective for the kingdom...however that looks for them. It is definitely not glamorous (not that being a nurse was =). I work harder staying at home than I ever did as a nurse. It takes a bit more thought on how to make ends meet without my income, but I am grateful that in this season my job is mommy. When I hear or see my children reflect Jesus in little things I am comforted and reminded that this is the BEST job!

So, as the movie drew to a close I was reminded that my life and the difference I make probably won't be made into a movie (sometimes I do feel like I could be a TLC show though =), but my prayer is that with the Lord's help the legacy I leave my children, and hopefully they pass onto their children will make a difference! So on the days I feel like all I do is change diapers, do TONS of laundry, clean and organize the same things (I'm like one of the maids in the Help =) I want to look at my husband and children and remember in each one of these things I am making a difference!

My Job =)

Here we go.....

So this is my feeble attempt at blogging. As a mom of four kids under four I realize life is speeding by and I want to remember all the cute and crazy things that are happening in my life. I've heard blogging is one of the best ways, we'll see =) A warning though...i promise their will be MANY grammatical errors. So here I go....

Before I do a little back tracking and chronicle Jude's birth here is a look at each one of my sweet kids.

Cole-4 years old-The boy has a ton of energy and even more to say! He is just like his daddy.

He just turned 4 and is enjoying his 25 days of being a different (and bigger) age than Cooper. He is so smart and quick witted. The other day we were playing a game and he told me, "Mom, I'm so clever." with his cute little Cole smirk. He can make the most annoying noises and enjoys bothering his siblings (a trait he inherited from me=) He is such a joy and brightens my day!

Cooper-3 years

old (until August 26) My sweet, kind and gentle boy. He wakes up every morning and one of his first questions is, "Mommy, how is Jude this morning?" Melts my heart every time! He is my "go to" when Jude needs his paci. He loves his little brother fiercely! He loves to sit next to Jude and care for him and make him smile. Cooper does have a flare for the dramatic. He gets an "ouchy" at least once a day and you will know because he has an ear piercing scream when he gets hurt. It's funny when we have guests over and Cooper gets hurt. They think Cooper must be dying, and yet Clay and I barely flinch...Oh Coop! He is such a joy to me and often I am amazed that God chose Cooper to be my little man.

Bailey Kate-2 years old- My spicy little thing. She challenges me every day with her will and temper and

yet she can be so sweet and silly. She LOVES her babies and her paci. I know that I should break her of her habit, but I know she will just steal Jude's, so for now she can enjoy =) She loves her bubbas and can't wait to run in and wake them up in the morning. She thinks she is one of them...and I think she is just as tough as them. She holds her own being the only girl in this brood.

Jude-7 weeks old-

My sweet little surprise. When I found out I was pregnant with him I cried because I didn't know how I was going to do it...and then I cried because I knew one day I would have to tell him I cried (yes, their were raging hormones involved also =) Now I can't imagine my life without him and i'm so blessed to be his mommy! He is so sweet and patient already. He is by far my smiliest baby! He will smile at everything...but especially me! He loves to eat and likes to make sure mommy is close because he knows food is close. He is already sleeping 7-8 hours at night. He only cries if he needs to eat, have his pants changed or needs his paci (we call it the mute button) He brings me joy every day, and because this is my third go round at a little baby I'm savoring and soaking in every minute because it goes by WAY to fast.

Well, that's my little brood...