Happiest Place on Earth

Before Drew left for Afghanistan he told Max that we'd take a family vacation when he got home.  When he said DISNEYLAND, neither Max or myself let him forget it. 

Our first family vacation!

                           

The very first ride that we went on.  The look on Max's face is priceless.  

The Toy Story ride.

Hudson was able to ride on the majority of the rides as long as he was strapped to the front of me.  He was happy as a clam if he was facing forward, so forward it was!

Max spent a solid 10 minutes trying to get the sword out of the stone

Minnie's house

Max was most excited about meeting Minnie Mouse. 

Not sure why, maybe he thinks she's cute :)

 Our wait to see Mickey Mouse was the longest and Max was ready to move on by the time we got there.  Hence, the awesome face!

One of Drew's very best friends lives in LA.  They were kind enough to let us stay with them and he was our tour guide the entire trip.  His daughter Mia and Max were shy with one another at first, but they were best buds in no time.  

Eldon and Angie took Mia to Disneyland when she was about Hudson's age, and they took a picture with Mia in this same bucket on their trip.  

 5 months old! 

Pirates of the Caribbean

Watching the parade the coolest way possible

Hudson did amazing! I couldn't have hoped for anything more. 

Max got on stage at lunch and sang songs and did actions with the cowgirl.  He took it so seriously.  I have it on video, but I can't get the dang thing to upload.  

Mickey was a bit concerned about Drew riding his horse, but he figured out the only way to get him off of it was to take a quick photo! 

                                         

1 of the 2 rides we went on without any kids.  I felt weird without them!

Max really enjoyed the Pirates ride, I think we went on it 3 different times.  

I clearly cannot get enough of this sweet face. 

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE!!!

I loved this park.  I liked the old school vibe, the clothes that the characters were wearing, and Cars Land (especially at night). 

Angie was able to get off work the second day we spent in the park so she was able to spend the day there with us! 

My buddy and I.  This is how we rolled for 3 days and my shoulders were pretty tired at the end of it all.  He looks all sorts of uncomfortable with the fabric up in his face, but he didn't have the strongest abdominal muscles at this point and he wouldn't support himself if we folded that down more.  

Oh my heck, that stache was killing me. 

 HOLLYwood! 

Max wanted to go on the Tower of Terror.  I tried explaining to him that it might be a scary ride for him, but that mommy would never take him on a ride that would put him in danger.  He was totally fine until we got on the ride...and then he panicked! As we are dropping he was clenching onto me and screaming at the top of his lungs, "I HATE THIS RIDE!" He cried for probably 20 minutes after the ride was over.  He is still traumatized by the experience.  

 This family vacation was our first opportunity to check out from the real world and simply enjoy each others company.  The last year was so difficult and took an emotional toll on us all.  We thought that it was completely necessary to reward ourselves with a fun vacation.  I love this man and I am so greatful for his selflessness and his determination to support his family from halfway around the world.  

 After 3 long days at the park (sun up to sun down), we told Disneyland goodbye.  

Until we meet again!

4 Month Check-up!

We are still a bit behind on his well child check-up schedule.  Here are his stats at his 4 month check-up, he's actually about 5 months old though.  

Weight: 14.14 lbs- 40% 

Height: 23 in- 0%

Head: 16 in- 10%

Hudson has recovered so well from his surgery and has started to gain weight, grow, and develop so much in the last few weeks.  He sleeps like a champ, going to bed around 8:00 pm and waking up around 8:00 am, waking once for a feeding.  He smiles and laughs, he sticks his lip out when he's sad, he wants nothing to do with sitting up but he has started rolling over occasionally.  We started taking him to church and he attests his carseat.  He looks so much like his dad, but as he fills out I see more and more Max in him.  He still snorts like a piggy, adores his big brother, and has started eating oatmeal.  His personality continues to develop and we continue to fall more and more in love with our Huddy Buddy.  

14 weeks old- milk drunk at lunch with dada. 

15 weeks old- first time at church.  Cutest bow tie wearing baby around. 

The lip! 

16 weeks old: Coloring Easter eggs at Grandma Asay's house 

16 weeks old- First trip to the aquarium

17 weeks old- He liked his bumbo for .2 seconds.  

Trying cereal for the first time- success! 

18 weeks old- Dad's mini-me. 

19 weeks old- My boys have the very best Nanny

20 weeks old- First trip to the park

Easter Blessings

Easter Sunday we were able to bless our sweet little Hudson.  What an amazing day and spiritual experience it was.  Andrew has worked so hard for this and he gave our son the most beautiful blessing.  

Our Father in heaven, by the authority of the holy Melchizedek priesthood which we hold, we hold this child in our arms to give him a name and a blessing.  The name which he shall be known by is Hudson Jonathan Blunt.  

Hudson, at this time, we bless you first and foremost, with the knowledge that you are a chosen child of our Heavenly Father and that he loves you more than you will ever know.  Hudson, at this time, we bless you with the knowledge that you have been born to a family that loves you and will always be there to support you in all of your endeavors.  Hudson, throughout your life you'll be given many trials and challenges; Hudson, turn to your Heavenly Father and he will carry you, he will bless you, and he will guide you.  Hudson, I bless you with physical health and strength; that as you grow older you will be able to provide for your future family.  Hudson, as you go through life, we bless you with the desire to serve your Heavenly Father and to serve your fellow men.  We bless you with a loving and compassionate heart.  As you go through a life of service you will find joy and happiness in helping others.  We bless you that you will have a desire to serve a mission one day, and that you will find a lovely spouse and be able to raise a family together.  Hudson, again, your family loves you more than you will ever know.  Always remember to turn to your Heavenly Father first, put your faith in him, and he will carry you.  Hudson, these blessings I leave with you in the name of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and I am proud of my husband for the example he is to our boys.  I have never had a priesthood holder in my home and it's a blessing that I will never take for granted.  

Mommy and Daddy love you, baby boy!

Hudson's Surgery

Friday night (Feb 22) we had arranged for our first night away from Hudson. We had a post-deployment event all day Saturday, at the Salt Palace, and the military was providing a free stay at the Hilton.  I was having mixed emotions about leaving Hudson.  I was very much looking forward to a full nights sleep and some time alone with the hubby, but I was still dreading leaving my baby in the perfectly capable hands of my mother! 

We were on our way to dinner when I decided to call the pediatricians office to run a little something by them.  Before we left, Drew noticed Hudson's right testicle was very swollen.  The doctor recommended that we have him seen that night at an urgent care, so we turned the car around before our date night had even begun.  

We took him in and they immediately sent us to the hospital for an ultrasound.  They were concerned about blood flow being cut off which could lead to a dead family jewel! After the radiologist read the ultrasound they told us that he had a "mass" and that we needed to follow up with our pediatrician on Monday.  They weren't concerned about his immediate health and they sent us home.

Monday I called Dr. Savage and she recommended a visit to a urologist at Primary Children's Hospital. We weren't overly concerned at this point, but the unknown is always a bit unnerving.  The Urologist appointment went well.  He told us that Hudson had a hernia that may, or may not, heal up on its own. Given his age, the severity, and the risks involved with surgery, we scheduled a follow up appointment with the urologist when Hudson was 6 months old. He said we could make a decision on the surgery at that point depending on how his body reacted over the next few months.  He also gave us a list of symptoms to watch for in the mean time, as there are some serious problems that "could" occur.  We were really happy with the visit, as well as the doctor, and went on our way.
Over the next few weeks, Hudson's testicle slowly increased in size and progressively got more and more difficult to reduce.  He developed some symptoms that we were told to watch out for, such as discoloration of the testicle and decreased appetite and bowl movements, but he wasn't fevered and his demeanor hadn't changed.  I placed a call to the specialist to run the symptoms by him and anticipated a call back.  In the mean time, he had a drastic change in behavior and we were unable to calm him down or get him to take any bottles. We decided to take him into the ER, as we would rather be safe than sorry.  The ER doctor working took one look at him and told us that he needed emergency surgery.  They were concerned that his bowel had slipped through the opening, and left untreated could result in a loss of part or all of the bowel.  We were given the option of him being transported to Utah Valley Hospital or Primary Children's Hospital, and given the distances we chose the closer of the two.  They called down to Utah Valley Hospital, made all of the arrangements, and spoke with the pediatric general surgeon on call.  They did allow us to take him by private vehicle because we hadn't given him any meds up to this point.  The poor guy was so dehydrated that they were unable to get an IV placed, and after 4 unsuccessful attempts they gave him and his parents a break.  I think that Drew was ready to punch someone at this point.  It was heart breaking to watch him scream and fight, and I was the lucky sole that was given the task of holding him down.  He'd look at me, with that lip sticking out and crocodile tears in his eyes, and plead for me to make it stop.

This is them attempting to get an IV in at AF Emergency Room

When we arrived on the pediatric floor at Utah Valley, we were taken directly to a private room and briefed on what we could expect.  It was almost 9:00 pm at this point, and we were all exhausted. They tried a couple more times to get his IV placed, but they too were unsuccessful.  After talking to Dr Downy, the surgeon who would be performing the surgery, we were left frustrated and uncertain as to what we should do.  Dr. Downy didn't think that it was a hernia at all and instead thought that it was a severe hydrocele.  Hydroceles were not an emergent situation, but given the size it would still require a surgical repair.  Since surgery was imminent and considering the distress that he was obviously in, Dr. Downy was more comfortable performing the surgery ASAP and making sure of what we were dealing with.

Mommy and Daddy each telling Hudson goodbye before we went down to the operating room. 

At about 10:30 pm I handed my 3 month old baby off to a kind stranger in the operating room, and watched as she took my sick baby down a sterile hall.  It was one of the most gut wrenching feelings I had ever experienced, and I stood silently sobbing as the doors closed behind them.
I sat in the waiting room with Drew and my mom had joined us at this point.  Surgery seemed to be taking forever, but they kept us updated as things progressed.  Dr. Downy walked into the waiting room, just before midnight, to let us know surgery went better than expected.  We would be able to go see Hudson once he was extubated.  One of their biggest concerns doing a surgery on a 3 month old (especially since he was premature) was the risk of intubating him.  They prepped us for the chance that they would have to leave him intubated for some time after surgery, which would also require that he stayed sedated until he was able to breathe on his own.  Our little fighter did exceptionally well and he was only required to stay overnight for monitoring.
When they wheeled him out of the operating room and as they took us back to his room, he was heavily medicated and he couldn't focus his eyes.  He would gaze off into the distance and he was motionless.   It was so hard to see him like that, but luckily he didn't require any other meds during his stay.

Post surgery follow the tough guy back to his hospital room.  

Those vacant stares

It was a long, emotional, exhausting night but the results of the surgery were apparent almost immediately.  He went from eating 3-4 oz at a time, to eating 6-8 oz at a time.  He starting sleeping better so I was able to start sleep training the following week.  He also started having bowel movements every day as opposed to every 4-5 days.  It was a night and day difference in his behavior and general well being.

Here is the incision site.  It's healed so well that you can hardly tell he has it.

We are greatful for the knowledge and compassion of the medical staff, and we are especially greatful for the power of the priesthood.  It was so comforting to see Drew lay hands on Hudson's head prior to his surgery and to know that our heavenly father would protect our sweet little boy and guide his surgeon .

My Guys!

As a mom, nothing makes my heart happier than these boys' unconditional love for one another.  The bond between them is already so strong and so sweet.  Max is an excellent big brother.  He is a great helper, he isn't jealous of Hudson or the attention that he requires, he is so concerned and aware of his brother at all times, and he is just as protective of him as I am.  

When we have visitors he makes sure they wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before touching him, he loves to make sure he has his binky, and he gets really excited when he gets to help burp him.  One day Hudson was crying and Max told me, "It just breaks my heart when my brother cries."  

One of my favorite things is when Max sings to Hudson when he's upset. Hudson is immediately drawn in and calms right down.  He likes to sing "You are my Sunshine" and "I am a Child of God". 

Hudson often gets the hiccups and he gets so bugged by them.  Lately Max calls me over, holds our hands, bows his head, and says a prayer asking Heavenly Father to take his brothers hiccups away.  Priceless. 

Max has learned how to spell Hudson's name and he loves coloring pictures for his baby brother and writing his name on every single one of them.  

and this is what happens when mommy tries to shower. 

Max was elated when Hudson was finally old enough to share his bath time!

Max loves being a big brother so much that he has already asked when we are going to have him a baby sister :)