12 days old!

12 days ago, Collin and I became parents.  It was the greatest day, and we have never been happier!  Jude is a precious, beautiful, cuddly baby boy--a true gift from God.  I look down at his little face and can't believe something so perfect is ours to love, nurture, and care for. Becoming a mommy has truly been the most incredible, humbling, and fulfilling experience for me.

After 20 hours of labor, I delivered Jude by emergency c-section on Sunday, March 18th at 10:23 AM.  There was snow on the mountains in Santa Barbara, and it was a beautiful day.  Although the c-section was not in my "birth plan", we are so grateful that we were given a perfectly healthy and happy baby boy.  After 3 nights in the hospital, Collin and I welcomed Jude home for the first time.  Between feeding, pooping, outfit changes, and naps, Jude keeps us busy all day and night long. He does settle down most nights so that I can get a few 2 hour chunks of sleep in. At birth, Jude weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz, and by his 1 week check up, he weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. All those feedings are definitely doing the trick! I am loving each and every moment of being a mommy, even at 3 AM.

Collin is an exceptional daddy, and I fall more in love with him whenever I see him holding Jude.  He loves him and plays with him every chance he gets.  Collin has also been taking wonderful care of me.  For the first week it was tough for me to get out of bed because of the surgery, so Collin changed every diaper, brought Jude to me for feedings, made me breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed, and gave me back rubs.  I could not be more grateful for such a caring and nurturing husband.

We have had many visitors and have been so grateful by the outpouring of love and support during these past 12 days! Thank you from all three of us :) The notes, messages, gifts, meals, and visits mean the world to us.