Our First Few Weeks with 2 Little Men

Everyone says it's a big adjustment going from 1 to 2 children . . .

It is... but I think it's amazing.

It's incomprehensible how your heart manages to double in size, rather than split.

I believed it would happen - I just couldn't imagine how it would feel  :)

This was the outfit Hunter wore home from the hospital, and now it's the outfit that Hudson wore to go back to the doctor to be circumcised at 4 days old.

Hudson                                                Hunter

Hudson                                               Hunter

Soaking up all the details . . . will he have his big brother's beautiful lashes?  I don't know, but he's lookin' like his momma.

Just a little comparison:

Hunter on left and Hudson on right  :)

Look what I discovered - a birthmark on the back of his neck, identically matching his Mommy's

And it's looking like he may have a strawberry hemangioma, similar to Hunter's, above his left eye.

Happy Little Chunk  --  OH How I Love Those Cheeks

First Sink Bath: 4 Days Old

Which he was NOT a fan of

Which resulted in the loss of his belly-button a little early . . .

(I called our pediatrician and was assured that it would be fine and heal normally)

We've had MANY visitors that have come to love on our newest little man:

Aunt Amanda & Cousin Lilly

and the Shores Crew

and Nannie & Papa

and Four Generations of Williams' Men

and (Aunt) Abby

and of course Grandmommy has been back several times . . .

But this time she brought Pops too

Hunter is always SUPER-PROUD to show off his baby brother . . .

And was especially excited when some of our BESTIES showed up

1 Week Old 

Our first week with Hudson was better than I could have hoped.  Hunter seemed to adjust & accept the change very well and Hudson seemed to be the "perfect" newborn.  He only cried fussed when he was hungry or in need of a diaper change and then pretty much slept the rest of the time.  Yes it was somewhat difficult to adjust to waking up throughout the night, but my new-mommy adrenaline helped me cope fairly well. 

Hudson's Cephalohematoma

So after the initial discovery of his "bump," my concerns and worries seemed to multiply.  I believe that each of the several doctors and nurses we'd spoken to about his hematoma had good intentions, with their vague and nonchalant attitudes.  But instead of comforting me, I was left with lots of unanswered questions and unresolved fears.  I needed more - to which I turned to the internet (I know. . . big mistake).  It did give me answers to my questions, but it also opened up a whole new world of horrific possibilities, tragedies, and fears.  It said it could lead to developmental delays, permanent damage to his cranial structure, and issues relating to muscle function (torticollis).  So there I was - 6 days in with a new baby, raging hormones, sleep deprivation, and now - gut wrenching fear.  Thankfully, my mother was there to wrap her arms around me & comfort me in the way only a mother can.  We prayed and prayed, and pleaded to family & friends to pray with us.

I turned into that momma bear, organized my thoughts and prepared myself for his 2 weeks check-up.  With all we'd been through with Hunter, I wanted to make sure there were no regrets, "if onlys" or "had we knowns" as a part of Hudson's future.

  

We recognized from day 1 that Hunter had neck issues, but it wasn't until I insisted on seeing a specialist that we had a name & a treatment.  Had we known earlier of the actual issues of his torticollis, life probably would have been easier - or at least more understanding & managable.  Hindsight is 20/20, but I remember Googling "torticollis" after finally being diagnosed when he was 4 months old & being outraged that nothing had been done prior to help him, though it was CLEAR he was in need. (hundreds of baby pictures popped up that were identical to his constant head "tilt")

My first prayer was answered when a pediatrician friend of mine sent me a simple text explaining more about Hudson's hematoma than any other doctor or nurse I'd spoken to, had yet.  Comfort.

Then my prayers were answered again when I met with his nurse practitioner during that 2 week exam, and she answered each question I had, with gentleness & care.  Her understanding and patience, (I asked several of the same questions over and over) and her ability to not make me feel dumb for worrying, was such a relief.  She gave me the information I desperately needed to know and the comfort of knowing I had her 100% support when it came to this issue.

Hudson's cephalhematoma that he received during delivery, grew to measure 6 inches in diameter.  

We were told that we should notice some resorption by 8 weeks, when a ridge would calcify & form a ring around its outer edge, seeming as if his head was caving in the middle.  They also said that it could take at least 3-5 months for it to go away, with the possibility of him never having a "perfectly" round head. 

Who needs a "perfectly round head" anyways...   ;)  

I know I'm prejuduce, but I thought he is one of the prettiest babies I've ever seen - bump and all.  Besides, I was just so thankful he was healthy and that it would eventually go away.

I have always loved Hunter in blue & brown outfits, and I think I'm going to feel the same about Hudson.

(just for fun: Hunter on left, Hudson on right)

He looks so tiny . . .

And in all reality - they both are . . . 

Although I wanted to document his 'hump,' I didn't want it to be showcased in every picture - especially if it was going to hang around for a while.  So I started practicing my photography skills  ;) 

Cropping & Editing

Positions & Angles

and just plain hiding  :)

And I must say, I got pretty good at it . . .

2 Weeks 

I've always thought, there just aren't too many things more precious than a sleeping baby . . .

We had several 1sts during those first few weeks:

1st Bottle

Since Hunter always struggled with taking a bottle, and I was determined to make it work with baby #2, we introduced it right away.  Hudson took the first one like a champ - getting our hopes up, and then squashed them by bottle #2.  
But I'm not giving up easily . . .

1st Visit to Church

He did great - sleeping in his carrier for most of it and being content with a snuggle when he woke up.  Though it wasn't Hudson we were even concerned about.  ;)  This was our first Sunday back to church since Hunter had switched classrooms : /  But we were VERY HAPPILY surprised when he barely hesitated at the door before joining in with a group of boys playing with trucks.  

Proud Momma of two amazing boys

1st Bath 

In a real bath tub.  And still not much of a fan yet.

Big Brother tried to make it fun

After his bath, Hunter picked out his outfit, "construction tools" of course.  :)

1st time to pick up a spider

Oh yes I did.  Somehow in the fog of sleep deprivation, I thought this spider was trash on the floor.  So imagine my surprise horror when I felt it wiggle its fuzzy little body/legs in my bare-fingered grasp.  I couldn't believe it myself, and to this day it still makes my skin crawl.

3 Weeks

'I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.'  

Isaiah 38:5

Towards the end of the month, we woke up to a surprise - his bump seemed to be smaller!  And every time I picked him up - it seemed even smaller!  And by the time Andrew got home from work that afternoon it was clear - his hematoma was definitely shrinking.

1 Week                       vs.                    3 Weeks

He seemed to think it was pretty awesome too

It's as if it were disappearing before my eyes.  And by the next day, I couldn't believe how much his big ole pop-knot had gone down - we were TRULY AMAZED & PRAISING JESUS.  And by the end of the week, it had COMPLETELY resorbed, leaving no trace of a 6in hematoma behind.  God not only answered our prayers, but he did it with awe & wonder - in less than 4 weeks and never calcifying.  Thank you Lord for Your healing powers upon our child...

Our precious Meme had been dealing with major health issues that began just before Hudson arrived, but after 3 1/2 weeks, we were finally able to make the trip to Hot Springs to visit her.  

I feel so blessed to get to share my boys with my grandparents!  Such a JOY

What an expression... If only we could hear their thoughts - lol

How is Pa going to handle TWO of these boys??

Then on December 1st, we welcomed Mackenzie Paige Casto to the family

We loaded up and headed to Springfield, MO for a quick visit.  Hudson wasn't thrilled with the long car ride, but traveled pretty well during his first out of state trip.  Everyone was very excited about their new baby siblings and their new cousins. 

It is a great blessing that my children are growing up in such a large family with the love and enjoyment of so many cousins, and I SO LOVE the fact that both of my boys have same-aged cousins to grow up with.  It's just too much fun.

Mackenzie (#13) & Hudson (#12)

Hunter (#7) & Abigail (#9) 

Yes, our first few weeks were full of fun, family, and more love than can ever be told.  Some days had laughter and some had tears, but every day had thankfulness.  Thank you Lord for Your abounding blessings and grace on our lives.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

John 14:27