And then there were FOUR!

My last photograph pregnant (39 weeks)


Judah Grey Rydecki ("Jude") was born on December 7th at 2:20 p.m (his due date was 12/5 so he didn't make us wait too long for him!).  I was able to have a successful VBAC (Vaginal birth after a Csection) which was an amazing experience for us. *Birth story to come* (I know, I know, I still haven't typed up Emmeline's either...one of these days I will do it before I forget all of the details)

Here are some pictures from right after he was born and from his first week home...

These photos make me well up with tears.  I had no clue that Aaron even took them because I was so "in the moment"...but I am so glad that he did!  There is NOTHING in the world like this moment between a mother and baby.  Everyone in the room was cheering and crying when he finally came out.  I had the most amazing team of motivators and I feel so blessed to have shared this experience with them.

The nurses and doctor couldn't believe how big he was when he came out.  Believe me, I too couldn't believe that something THAT big came out of me.  What a miracle!  They were all putting their guesses in...Doctor Jolly guessed 9 lbs.  He was 8 lbs. 14 oz. (His big sister was 8lbs. 7 oz.).

Nurse Holly giving Judah his first bath

A little red and swollen...

First snuggles with my baby boy!

Grandma Barb...

and BIG SIS Emmeline!  She was so, so excited to meet her baby brother.  She ran in the room squealing with delight, "BABY!!"   My mom stayed with her while we were in the hospital.  After Jude was born, she brought Emmeline to the hospital.  Later on, Aaron took Emmeline back to the house and my mom stayed the night with me.  It was so nice to have her help (both at the house and at the hospital).

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Emmeline immediately put out her hands as if saying "I want to hold him".  She carefully pointed to his nose, mouth and eyes and patted his hair/head.  It was adorable.  Love at first sight.

Emmeline is very sensitive.  She doesn't like it when the baby is upset and cries.  This is her doing her sympathy whine/cry...

My sweet baby girl.  She wanted to feed me my food.  It was so cute.  Well, until she tried to feed a fry to the baby. ha!

Proud daddy!

Snuggle time with Grandma!

Ready to head home after one night in the hospital (last time I was in the hospital 3 days!)...

Aaron pulled out this photo of Emmeline to compare...

This face cracks me up.  It's as if she is saying, "Yeah, yeah, I got this."  She is going to be the BEST big sister!!!

He's even cute when he cries.

                                      So sweet...

 Ready for the holidays!

First Visitors!

He has the skinniest little legs...and look at those cute, little feet and toes!  Not to mention the coolest diapers ever (honest company--from Auntie Courtney).   

First bath

ADORABLE!

All clean!

I love cozy newborn snuggles!

9 days old.  Heading to get a Christmas tree!

We were too late this year for the "cut your own tree" adventure...but we still found the PERFECT tree...or as Emmeline calls it, "tee!".