Week 2: Family snuggles

This week has been really great. Hadley is starting to get in the groove of our family life, and my morning snuggles with her, Mom and Dad are a lot of fun. She had a doctor's appointment this week and did really well, even though she had to get a shot. Mom and Dad were sad to know it hurt her, but she bounced back like a champ.

Hadley is growing, happy, smiling, and still sleeping really well. Mom and Dad took her out for a nice dinner, and she slept through the whole thing. Mom and Dad got to eat and drink with both hands! Very exciting.

Hope everyone is ready for Christmas!

Week 1: wowzers

Sorry for the delay readers! Boy what a week. Hadley is officially one week old, and she has turned our lives upside down in the best way. I love being a big brother! I like to sniff her and lick her hair and lay on the floor next to her cradle. It helps me keep a good eye on my parents. I'm not sure they know what they're doing.

Sometimes the baby cries, and that makes me sad so I cry with her. But for the most part, she sleeps really well, snuggles with Mom and Dad and enjoys getting visitors. Mom and Dad are doing good though. They take turns rocking and feeding the baby. Mom is great a early morning feedings and snuggles. Dad is a master diaper changer and bath giver. They're a good team!

Basically the best day EVER

Hey everyone! Courtney here. Loki is featuring me as a guest blogger this week. He's very excited to spend the extra free time with his new baby sister, Hadley.

First things first: we are so BEYOND grateful for everyone's warm wishes, love, prayers, congratulations, and blessings for our little girl. We could not be more thankful for the wonderful friends and family we have. We are working on touching base with everyone, but in the meantime, know that we are thinking of you and looking forward to introducing you to Miss Hadley :)

Now the fun stuff: She was due to arrive on Wednesday, December 3. I, of course, really wanted her here that day. We met with Dr. Hamel who told us to be patient and, in the event that December 10 rolled around with no baby, we scheduled an induction. But thankfully, that wasn't necessary at all. At midnight on Friday, December 5, I woke up with contractions that I thought were Braxton Hicks. I wandered into the living room, turned on a few episodes of New Girl, and started timing. Sure enough: they were the real thing. Within 2 hours, I was having contractions 5 minutes apart. I woke Bruce up, and told him we needed to start getting ready to go to the hospital. We packed the car, snuggled with Loki, and away we went.

By the time we got to the hospital around 3am, my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart, but we still had a ways to go until the big event. We walked around the hospital courtyard for about 2 hours to keep things moving, were transferred to Labor & Delivery, and I immediately requested an epidural. Good call. Actually, GREAT call. As soon as I got the epidural, I felt fabulous. So much so that I had to ask Bruce to check the monitor to see if I was actually even having contractions. I was.  We spent the next 8 watching TV, seeing doctors, and listening to music. By 3pm, Dr. Hamel came by to check on me and told me we'd have a baby by 4pm.  And she was pretty much spot on! At 3:40 pm, I started pushing. After only 26 minutes, at 4:06pm, Hadley Grace Hughes made her fashionably late (but not so dramatic or painful) entrance into the world.

After that, we snuggled with our new addition and were whisked away to the Mother/Baby unit. We got settled, saw our families, and started our new life as a family of three. And there you have it. The story of how we met the love of our life, Hadley.

xoxo
C

Week 40: Hadley Grace Hughes has arrived!

Just a quick post for all of the readers. I'll write a longer one later with the full birth story details.

I'm finally a big brother! Hadley Grace was born on Friday, December 5th at 4:06pm weighing 7lbs 4ozs, 20 inches long! Mom did a great job and Dad was a big help keeping Mom calm, focused, and laughing. There was always laughter coming from their room, something the nurse appreciated.

Mom will take over with real details later, but I couldn't leave you hanging.

Week 39: A watermelon!? Oh for the love of Pete

Bean is the size of a watermelon this week. A WATERMELON. That is a large fruit that should never be associated with the size of anything in anyone's body. (Mom told me to write this. I have no idea what's she carrying on about).  Anyway, Bean is fully grown and totally developed at this point. She weighs somewhere between 6-7 pounds, we think, and over the next week she'll just get bigger. Mom and Dad have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday (Bean's actual due date) to have an ultrasound to check in on the baby. At that point, if she hasn't arrived yet, they'll talk about options for helping her along a bit. Mom and Dad are both very OK with any and all options to get her out at this point.

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving with both sides of the family, which was so much fun! Mom and Dad did their annual Turkey Trot 5k the morning of Thanksgiving. Mom waddled about 2 miles of it, but Dad ran the whole race and finished in 24 minutes!! He's super fast! They had a great day with family, and the Trot was an awesome and healthy way to start the holiday.

Mom and Bean at Thanksgiving dinner
39 weeks pregnant

View from the mid-way point of the Turkey Trot 5k - beautiful Sarasota Bay

Mom and Dad (and Bean) before the race

Week 38: Pumpkin Pie

This week, Bean is the size of a pumpkin - and right in time for Thanksgiving! Mom can absolutely agree to the pumpkin visual...this kid is getting big, and Mom is even more uncomfortable than last week. That being said, I think she looks fine except that her clothes don't really fit very well. This week, Mom had another appointment with Dr. Hamel. Bean's doing very well and is happy inside Mom's belly. Dr. Hamel thinks Bean may make her grand entrance before her Dec. 3 due date.....and Mom would be seriously thrilled if that happens. She and Dad are REALLY ready to meet this little lady on the outside.  I have no idea what labor entails, but it seems like everyone is eager to get it over with.

Mom's employer and co-workers have been so flexible and accommodating, it's been a lifesaver. She has been able to adjust her work hours and, if she starts to feel too tired or sick, she's been given the OK to go home and rest. It's probably because of them that she's been doing so well. Thanks New College and Team CEO!  

Week 38: aka totally over being
pregnant

Last weekend, Dad went to the Daddy Boot Camp at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Veteran dads share their stories and give tips to help new dads through the transition. Dad said it was really helpful, and now both he and Mom feel as ready as they ever will to meet Baby H. I, on the other hand, have never been given the option of attending Big Fur Brother Boot Camp. I'll be honest -- I'm a little hurt that the hospital doesn't deem me worthy. Guess I'll just have to base everything I know on Nana from Peter Pan. 

Enjoying some quiet bone chewing moments before
the baby arrives

In other news, Grammy and Pop-Pop Babiarz arrived in Sarasota on Thursday. They moved into their condo which is only 7 minutes from my house. This means they are available to visit me (and I guess the baby) with ease. 

Week 37: Captain America: The Winter Melon

Mom is 37 weeks along, and Bean is getting ready to come out and meet everyone! She is about 6 pounds right now, and each week that goes by means she's getting bigger and bigger. All of her major organs and bodily functions are working. From now until the time she comes out, she's just adding fat rolls to her thighs and more cheeks.

Mom is feeling OK, but she is really tired of being pregnant now. She's starting to have some trouble sleeping, has heart burn 24/7, and definitely is the Queen of Back Aches. BUT, she's still going strong at work and she and Dad are enjoying going to the movies every weekend. Seriously: every weekend. If you need any suggestions, recently they've seen John Wick, Interstellar, and Fury. Good times.

37 weeks - check out those slippers

Obviously, I'm the center of attention

Dad makes me do weird things

Week 36: The Honey "Dew" List

Bean is the size of a honeydew this week, and MAN - Mom can really tell. Bean's body is just about ready to enter this world. Her kidneys and liver are working, and her circulation and immune system are awesome. Mom had a doctor's appointment on Monday, and Dr. Hamel said Bean is in the right position and already starting to prepare to be born.  So are Mom and Dad. This week, they installed the baby car seats, set up the bassinet, and the nursery is almost ready to go. We are still putting the finishing touches on the crib, but I think the baby won't mind. Now, all we need is the baby.

 

Week 36: Officially nine months pregnant

Bean's Room!

Bean's Room at night

Week 35: You put the coconut in the lime??

It's Week 35 and Bean is the size of a coconut. At this point, she is fully formed, her bones are hardening, she's running out of room (although Mom would never know it from all the kicks), and she's getting fatter every day. Bean can also hear sounds much better now, and may even recognize some sounds when she's born. I'm hoping she recognizes my bark - it'll make colluding with her so much easier.

24 weeks ago, when Mom was only 11 weeks pregnant, I posted Mom's first official bump picture. You can reread the post here. That post had a similar title, but look at the difference a few months makes!

Mom at 11 weeks

Mom at 35 weeks

Bean is definitely ready - as is Mom - to make an appearance! Mom and Dad have been busy preparing for her arrival with the nursery preparations, installing car seats, getting the stroller ready, and washing all of her tiny clothes. She has so many TINY TINY socks - I can't wait to steal them!! Next week's post will feature the nursery, but here's a snapshot of the new stroller. Apparently babies aren't born being able to walk so we get to push her around in this for a bit. 

Also this week, Grandma Sheri hosted a final baby shower for Bean - and it was amazing! It was a co-ed shower complete with a bourbon tasting for the guys, yummy food, and a head band making station. Bean, Mom and Dad got lots of love while I stayed home and napped. It was a really great day, and now Bean has everything she needs. I can't wait to meet her. Aunt Meg was the awesome photographer at this event - I can't take any credit for these great photos.

A present just for Dad

An awesome book from Uncle Brad and Aunt Chelsea

The host - Grandma Sheri!

Week 34: Captain Squash - The Winter Pumpkin

Bean is the size of a butternut squash this week and continuing to grow happily inside Mom's belly. Mom had another doctor's appointment with Dr. Hamel this week. Everything looks good, and Bean is growing right on schedule. Mom is also growing - rather uncomfortable, that is. Lots more aches and pains this week as her belly gets bigger and bigger. But, she still doesn't have any swelling and is relatively mobile. Dad, however, is having to help her around the house and off the couch/out of the car/out of bed, etc. It's kind of funny.

Week 34: Mom is having a hard
time finding clothes that fit.

This week, Mom and Dad visited the brand new mall. It's beautiful, but you know, a mall. They had a great dinner at Season's 52 and then Mom caved and went shopping. There is a fabulous and all too expensive 

baby and kids store called Janie & Jack that Mom visited. She and Dad bought this for Bean as a Christmas Eve outfit. 

One of Bean's first fancy outfits from the new mall

Last Friday, after I posted the update, Mom's co-workers threw a baby shower for her. Bean's New College Family is going to spoil her rotten! It was a great afternoon gathering hosted by Nicole and Shelley, Mom's work pals, and everyone had a great time.

A present from the baby shower -
Bean's bathroom looks so preppy

Another gift - this one from Andrea. I have a feeling I'm going
to get blamed for A LOT of Bean's mistakes

Mom's NCF Family

Mom and Nicole with one of Bean's baby shower presents.
I helped Mom hang this up in the nursery last night.

Week 33: Durian Durian

Bean is the size of a durian this week. What is that, you ask? Well, according to Wikipedia, "Regarded by many people in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, strong odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk." I have no idea. It sounds absolutely disgusting, looks super weird, and seems like it would be terribly hard to cook with.

Aside from that weird introduction, Bean is around 4.5 pounds this week and growing rapidly. Her bones are hardening (which Mom can really feel now), and she's continuing to develop brain functions. Bean is probably brilliant by now! She is getting heavier for Mom to carry around, but she has also dropped slightly which is great. Mom can breathe easier, but she is hot all the time and definitely waddling around a bit more. Today, Mom's co-workers are throwing her a baby shower at New College. I can't wait to see all of the goodies Bean comes home with! 

Week 33 - look at that bump!!
(special thanks to Andrea for taking the picture)

Me and Dad - we pretty much the best friends

Random Update: Third Trimester Thoughts

My thoughts on my third trimester "morning sickness": 




My reaction to strangers' unsolicited parenting advice:




Bruce and I during our prepared childbirth class:




Realizing that babies eat about 12 times a day/night (#thestruggleisreal): 




Me, eating 12 times a day now: 




The hospital suites at Sarasota Memorial:




My feelings about pants before I got pregnant: 




My feelings about pants 8 months pregnant: