The first time . . . .

Okay - I can't take anymore Christmas orders! I repeat - NO MORE CHRISTMAS ORDERS! I'm painting like crazy as we speak - okay, maybe I'm typing as we speak! - But I'm in between coats of paint!!! I'm still taking orders - just NOT for Christmas! And to be honest - I'm booked through the month of January. I think I am - if I keep up my pace, I could easily complete them sooner!

Did you see the final numbers on the Nester's blog?? Uhmm, that's right people - 977! That is CrAzY!!! Seriously - she has alot of readers and they must have really wanted in on that drawing{S} - that's right - for that many names - I'm giving away more than one . . . . more than two . . . . I'm thinking about 3!!! You all deserved better odds! God bless every pea pickin' heart that commented! Even my husband was excited and would actually call from work just to ask, "where's your number at?" HYS-terical!!!!

A great friend of mine had a baby today. It is her first! It had me all thinking of my first pregnancy. I had this little fellow . . . .

2 weeks - May 2005

Check out that "do" - totally genetic! And look how tiny he was. I finally had my first blind date - and I wasn't disappointed. The world really stood still. I had never seen such a cuter newborn in my life! Honestly, I always thought a newborn was kinda on the not so cute side - but man-oh-man, when I saw Hudson for the first time I really couldn't believe he looked like that. I guess because I had wondered so long and so hard as to what he was going to look like {and really picturing a squashed and pruney baby} that I was shocked.

He was the easiest {and fattest} pregnancy I had.By far the easiest child birth. And definitely THE easiest recovery! And to tell you the truth - the first year seemed to go by so slow. I really took it all in - and enjoyed it. {The time started flying by once I found out I was pregnant with Carson and Lawson.} I can tell you every little detail over that first year {sorry Carson, Laws & Em - I really can't for you!!} I remember thinking - no matter how many more I have, this is the last time I will every experience this feeling - the newness - the first time. Don't get me wrong - all my other pregnancies were great and I've had a wonderful time with all my other kids - BUT Hudson is the first.

He is the one that broke us in for the other kids. He is the one we make the most mistakes with. He is the first. . . .

Over the past few weeks, I have been so concerned & worried about him. I had never heard about this syndrome & disease mess he has been diagnosed with and it sure wasn't in the parenting handbook {that I was never given! tee hee} The night terrors {from the hospital stay,} the crying fits and ET looking belly {from the steroids} and everything else we have went through has really taught me a valuable lesson. The details - I want to remember them all. With all my kids. I don't want time to pass and I realize that I have no memories of certain situations - only blurs in my mind. I want to take it all in just like it was that first year. That was the year that I was the best parent I could be. I had little to no expectations. And because I didn't know what to expect, everything was such a sweet surprise.

December 2008

To all my pregnant friends out there - whether it be your first or last baby - let time pass slowly - remember it all - don't wish for the next milestone - live for the one your in now - every baby is different and you can't compare to other children.

For what it's worth, take it from me - mom of 4, ages 3 and under.

April & Chad - Congratulations! We welcome baby Ansley and can't wait to meet her!!!