School Supplies x 4=$200

Notebooks, crayons and pencils galore.
Their all over the counter and spilled on the floor.

New backpacks and lunch boxes all ready to go.
The kids hoping for favorite classmates to show.

They each have a new outfit and brand news shoes too.
Because wearing new clothes helps the Back to School blues.

I think we are all ready to start the new year.
When the bus pulls away next Thursday I will let out a cheer.

Each year they grow and learn so much more.
But I will be honest I will miss my four.

Cute one of Collin

Macy took this picture of Collin the other day and I thought it turned out well. I wanted to give a update on him. Collin will be going to pre-school starting in 2 weeks for 3 days a week from 9-1. This all worked out perfectly because I was worried about him being bored once the big kids started back to school.

He is saying lots of funny things lately like yesterday he insisted at football practice that he was the COACH. He walked around and told everyone he was the coach and he needs a whistle.

Today he held a pen behind his ear and said I'm the Daddy. He has watched Brian place a pen behind his ear so he thinks thats a Daddy thing. It was too funny!

He is really growing fast and he is so excited about school.

Splish Splash

Hudson just LOVED his first tub bath. As you can tell from the pictures he didn't scream in protest until I took him out of the warm water to dressed him.

This week starts cheer and football practice. Next week school starts so we are pretty busy getting ready.

Friends till the End

The picture above is my best friend, Doron with Collin watching the fireworks earlier this month. She would most likely kill me if I posted any of the other pictures I have of her so I figured this one will do. We are similar in that aspect that we don't really like our pictures taken and we can find about 100 things wrong with the picture if we are in it.

I met Doron way back in 9th grade. We were friends through High School but lost touch not long after graduation. She did attend my wedding but stupid me didn't have her in my wedding and we still joke about this today. After my wedding I was off playing house and having babies (Logan and Macy) while she was going to college and doing the single thing for awhile, we didn't keep in contact for a few years. She got married when Macy was about 1 year old and I didn't know about her wedding till after the fact. And of course I have never let her forget that.

But in early October 1999 I was very pregnant with Molly I happen to run into her at the mall. Her son Nathan was just a few weeks old but still in the hospital NICU for breathing problems, that day we exchanged phone numbers and promised to stay in touch and we have ever since.

We have been through alot together. When Molly was 6 months old we moved to Huntsville for 2 years. Doron and I would talk on the phone for hours daily and there was no free long distance back then ($$$). They would come visit us in Huntsville or we would come down to see them a few times a month.

Our families have taken many vacations together and have celebrated everybody's birthday through the years. We have survived the pumpkin patch on a fall day, the water park in the blazing sun, more Pee Wee baseball and football games than I care to count, oh and lets not forget dance recitals too (groan). We have sat with each other during ER visits, the birth of my last 3 kids, during children having surgery, and recently she was the one to take me to the hospital while I was in labor.

There are so many stories to tell and inside jokes no one else will understand. We are the modern day Lucy and Ethel. She is Godmother to all my kids she may have only birth 1 child but she is a mother figure to 7! My kids love her and her whole family like they do their own and same with us and her son Nathan. The kids have been on trips, fun days, family get togethers they have spent the night with her family more times than I could possibly count. She has kept kids on a moments notice during crisis situations like my Mom's accident and surprise Labor and Delivery stay I had the night before Hudson was born .

We have grown up together. We have developed as wives, mothers and most of all as adults together. We love each other enough to be honest about bad hair dos and ugly clothes. We are constantly confused as sisters and I consider that a compliment .

I am sure in the years to come we will help each other through the kids teenage years and dealing with aging parents and somehow find humor in it all. I look forward to many more years with my best friend.

He Hears Us

Good News!!! Hudson passed the 3rd hearing screen at the ENT today. I joked with the doctor that since he passed we will stop screaming at him. I could tell that at home he would be startled by loud noises so I figured he must be hearing something but there was still that little bit of doubt. But everything is A-okay!

Collin the Lion, Hudson the Lamb

Collin insist on putting the baby's boppy pillow on his head and playing lion. I have to admit that's pretty creative of him and cute too.
I worked on taking some more pictures of Hudson today. He is 12 days old and is doing well. As for me I am recovering still, just feeling tired and rundown basically I feel like I just had a baby. I am not the sit around the house type so this is not easy for me but I am enjoying my new lil guy and he is so worth it.

Photo Shoot Rejects

Picture from today of Molly and Huddy-Buddy (his newest nickname)


We finally got word yesterday afternoon Hudson's bilirubin count was down to 12.8 and he no longer needed the lights. Yippee!

I was thrilled to be able to enjoy my new baby and have alittle fun taking some pictures. I can't show you the best ones because these pictures are going to be used for his birth announcements . I don't want to spoil the surprise for when you receive it in the mail.But I promise no babies were harmed in the taking of these pictures, he was just a tad ticked off to be naked but he did finally get over it and we got a few good shots.

In other news Hudson will see the ENT next Wednesday to repeat his hearing test again. Hopefully it was a fluke and we can relax even more. Please keep him in your prayers.

Woohoo Progress

HUDSON @ 1 WEEK WITH HIS SERIOUS FACE
THE LIL' BROTHERS

Hudson turned one week old today. The nurse came bright and early to weigh him and take his blood again. We did end up taking him with us to the OB office to get my staples out, afterwards we stopped by CPI (Maw and Mimi's office) for a quick visit. It was nice to get to enjoy him alittle today and do the things I normally would do with my new baby.

The nurse called on our way home and said his level had dropped. It went from 17.8 on Tuesday to 15.8 today. Yippee it is going down and maybe we can be done with the lights by Friday.

Tuesday night I kinda had moment. Gotta love those emotions after having a baby! But Brian understood because he was feeling the same way. I just wanted to get to enjoy my baby, I wanted to hold him and snuggle him and soak him up. He was very restless laying on the lights and we finally decided he needed lovin' for alittle bit and thats what we did. I told Brian to me it felt like having a brand new car that you couldn't drive. You can look at it in the driveway but you couldn't drive it anywhere. But there seems to be a end in sight! :)

Update on Lil' Squash

Last night wasn't as restful of a night. Poor Hudson was not as comfortable because he wasn't swaddled like he likes because of him Bili bed. I was up multiple times to tuck his arms back under the blanket and pat him till he relaxed. It dawned on my during this time we needed a bean bag like they use in the NICU to place on the baby which makes them think someone is touching them. I called my Mom this morning to make us up one which she did and so far he likes it and it is working perfectly.

The home health nurse came out today to do the bilirubin count again. The Dr. called a few hours later and told me it is now at 17.8 (sigh). I was really hoping it would be going down already because he is a Pooping/Peeing machine. I am not happy at all that I have to go to the OB's office tomorrow and can't take him to show off to all the staff there. That is part of the fun of going to get my staples out.

I really want to take more pictures of him but right now we are being very diligent about only having him out of the light to be changed and fed which leaves no time for a photo shoot. Hopefully we will see a drop in levels tomorrow.

Life at home

Life at the Moon house is going well. Hudson fits in perfectly and is so laid back.He has been sleeping 4-5 hour stretches at night which is really good. After he wakes to nurse and get a diaper change he settles right back down on his own and drifts off to sleep. I feel so lucky to have it so easy thus far!

Collin is adjusting well. He is very clingy to me right now and lays down with me to fall asleep at night but he is constantly saying "Where's Hudson?" or "I love Hudson, Mommy". He shows no jealousy against the baby but just needs extra Mommy time, which is normal and I can handle that.

Hudson went to the Dr. this morning to recheck his bilirubin count and we found out his level is at 17.5 and he needs the home light therapy.We have a home health nurse coming out to check on him each day for the next few days.He is in his BiliBed in the pictures above. Hopefully this will do the trick and his number will go down because if not it could mean a hospital stay, I really want to avoid that. Right now I call him my Lil' Squash because of his yellow skin color. His weight is right at 7 pounds but that should be increasing each day. He is feeding well and making enough diapers so the Dr. isn't concerned.

The rest of the kids are doing well. Parker turned 7 on Saturday and we took him to Red Robin for lunch on the way home from the hospital. Macy's birthday is today and Doron and Steven took the kids to the Water park for the day (Thank you both, big hugs). Brian and the kids will go out for dinner to celebrate her 11th b'day but Hudson and I will stay home so he can be under the lights as much as possible.

Hudson on Day 3

It really amazes me how easy going Hudson is. I mean seriously he is so easy going it's almost boring at times and I am waiting to see how long this last. But it will make life at home when I am not only tending to a newborn but the rest of the Moon clan too.

He is nursing well, messing up plenty of diapers and sleeping so sound. What more could I possible ask for?

I have to laugh and shake my head when the nurse told me Hudson has failed his hearing test twice. The nurse said sometimes there is still fluid in the ears and that we will have to follow up with the pediatrician. So if you will cross your fingers and say a prayer for this issue to resolve own it's own. Whatever happens we can handle it I know that without a doubt. But Gee whiz what's with the ear curse?

Tomorrow we go home and settle into a new routine of a family of 8. I am ready be home with all my kids together and begin a new chapter in our lives. I feel so blessed that it blows me away at times. Yesterday was my Mom's 6 month mark since her accident and it was great to have her here at the hospital to help me with the baby. I have so much to be thankful for.

Hudson is here!

Hudson Bennett Moon arrived yesterday July 9th at 8:53 am. He weighed in at 7 pounds 15 ounces 20 1/2 inches long. He is healthy and beautiful and we are all madly in love already.

Here is a copy from Brian's blog that pretty much sums up how he came about being born yesterday.

"Well, it was not as planned, but he is here. Our 6th child, Hudson Bennett Moon came into the world this morning at 8:53AM. All of our children have been born via C section. The plan was to come in at around 10AM on the 16th to deliver Hudson the same way. Well, yesterday my wife starting having some pains that the doctors did not like. They watched her overnight and decided this morning to go ahead and perform the C section this morning. It was a whirlwind. We waited all night to see what was going to happen. Then, at 8:25AM, the nurse came in and said that we were doing it at 8:45 and that my wife was to be wheeled in to the OR in 5 minutes. We franticly called friends and family. None of them were there. We assumed (you know how that goes) that we would have an hour or something. No such luck. So, by 8:53 he was here and at 9:40 we were all in a room with baby and family. Everyone is healthy. Mom feels better than she did the last 3 weeks."

We are very greatful for family and friends for helping out with the rest of the gang. I am feeling pretty good and glad to be on the up swing. I am sure there will be alot more pictures in the days to come.

Click here for a slideshow

July is here

Click on pic to enlarge.

Finally July is here! And yes I am still very pregnant. From here on out any day is a good day to have a baby but most likely he be born on his scheduled day of July 16th just 9 days away, but who's counting? Here's what we've been up to lately.

The Moon family spent the 4th of July with the Hines family at the water park about 30 minutes from home. This was the first major thing I have done in over 2 weeks since being on bedrest. We had a nice time despite the incredible crowd and sudden down pour of rain. Later that night we met up with my family downtown to watch the fireworks display like we pretty much do every year.

Sunday we celebrate an early birthday for Macy who is turning 11 on 7-14 and Parker who is turning 7 on 7-12. We had a swim party over my parents house. All the kids seemed to have fun and even our nephew Blaze went for a dip in the pool. Blaze turned 7 months old on Sunday and he didn't seem overly impressed with swimming. But he did look very cute in his little swimsuit.

Today Mr. Million $ Ears (Collin) went back to the ENT for a recheck. Dr. Black explained that the tube in his right ear is no longer where it should be and will need to be replaced.. AGAIN. He told us to come back when he has problems again or in 3 months which ever comes first. I have NO hope we will make it 3 months but we will see. Right now is not a good time to put Collin through another surgery. The Dr. explained he may need a new set of tubes every year for awhile. Poor Kid!

Tomorrow and Wednesday Macy and Logan are going with Brian to Huntsville and the kids will get to visit with their cousins from Spain. They are very excited to see them again and catch up with the cousins. This will be Brian's last time trip up to work in Huntsville till probably August once the dust settles after Hudson gets here.