Miles Judson Arrives

We went in to be induced at 5am on Monday, July 12. It was a really early morning as I only got about two hours of sleep. I just couldn't fall asleep and we had to call the hospital at 3am to confirm our arrival time.

Here's my belly right when we got to the hospital before the whole process started.

The three of us right after Miles arrived. He was born at 11:48 am, weighing 8 lbs 10 oz and 21.5 inches long. The labor process was pretty short, but the epidural didn't quite work. I was only partially numb on my left side and nothing on my right. Needless to say, it was a little more painful than I had planned for. It was pretty rough, but it's over and we have a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

Such a cutie - we are already so in love!

Daddy and son.

My parents brought Miller up to the hospital this afternoon. This is right when they met for the first time. Miller was so sweet and is going to be a great big brother. He was so excited and they stayed for several hours and even had dinner here. We can't wait for them to visit again tomorrow.

Our new family of four.

Miller holding baby Miles for the first time.

Family of Three

I'm so excited for Miles to arrive, but I'm feeling a little sentimental about our family of three (If you didn't know I don't really like change). Anyway, here is a picture of our little family of three before church on Sunday. I'm almost 39 weeks in the picture. If you haven't heard, I will be induced on Monday, July 12 if Miles hasn't arrived by then.

Waiting for Miles....

It's been so hot outside and I'm way to pregnant and already hot to spend more than a few minutes out there. We've been doing lots of inside activities (movies, swim lessons, lunch with friends, toddler time at the roller rink, etc.)

Miller at swim lessons with one of his best buddies Claire. They just love Miss Cindy and they are both doing so well.

Carousel ride at the mall with Daddy. He was so excited to ride it since I can never take him (it makes me sick).

Here is the video of Miller jumping off the dock at the lake. He's getting so daring and just loves the water.

Lake Weekend with Friends

We had another great long weekend at the lake the first weekend in June. Our good friends the Storms drove down from Tulsa with their three kids. Miller had so much fun with the gang.

Miller and I on the boat.

Carrie with Laura and Benjamin on the boat.

These guys are everywhere and we call each and every one of them Ichabod.

Miller cleaned the windows with his water Frisbee thing for at least 45 minutes.

The big kids (Laura, Miller & Bryce) watching a movie.

We went to the pool both afternoons. Swim lessons have really helped. Miller just loves the water.

All he wanted to do was jump off the side of the pool. He even jumped off the dock into the lake with his life jacket on.

Memorial Day Weekend

We went to the lake with Noni and JoJo for Memorial Day weekend and had such a good time. It's so nice to go up there and relax. We spent the mornings on the boat and the weather was pretty decent. I pretty much stayed inside during the afternoons since the heat is really getting to me these days.

We bought Miller a large baby pool to keep up there and he absolutely loved it. I think he would stay in it all day long if we let him.

Show me your muscles! What a cutie!

Jud and Miller getting ready to take the wave-runner out.

Not sure if you can tell, but Miller's tongue is sticking out. He does this anytime he is really concentrating on something. Too funny!

Miller driving by himself (it is not on) as Jud pushes it in.

Jud and Miller tubing behind the boat for the first time. Miller loved riding on the new "rocket" tube. I'm pretty sure he's going to be a lake rat when he gets older.

Lions, Tigers and Bears!

The weekend of May 15 we took a quick trip with my family to the GW Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma. If you've ever driven from Dallas to OKC you've seen the signs. It's only a two hour drive from Dallas. We stayed at the Gaylord Texan hotel in Grapevine.

This was my Mom's Mother's Day gift - she loves tigers. This place has the most number of large cats in the world.

Casper the White Lion. He's only 19 months old and won't get his full mane until he's five years old.

A female lion playing with Miller. It was amazing how much they watched Miller compared to everyone else. I think they wanted to eat him and knew he would be easier prey to catch.

Can you see the baby tiger nursing? It was born only a few hours before we got there.

Each and every tigers face has different markings and you could really tell the difference. The only thing that is the same is that each one has white spots on the back of their ears.

They rescue large cats from around the world. This lion came from Hollywood. He didn't really like the acting thing - seriously.

White Peacock.

Evan fed a monkey goldfish right out of her hand. Miller loved it.

One of my mom's dreams in life was to play and hold a baby tiger. The baby was two weeks old and his eyes weren't even open. I'm guessing she's hooked now and will for sure go back.

Miller petting the baby tiger.

Miller giving the baby tiger a kiss.

This is my new favorite type of large cat - a Taliger (the dad is a tiger and mom is a liger (lion/tiger mix)). Tigers and lions mate on their own, but aren't in the same locations in the wild.

We fed raw chicken to lions and tigers below.

Feeding the lions and tigers.

Miller's Big Boy Room

Once Miller was potty trained, the next step was to move him into his big boy room with a big boy bed. We had been getting it ready and talking about it for a while so he seemed to be excited. The first few nights went pretty well, but nap time (or lack of) was a nightmare. We told him he couldn't get out of his bed, and he actually listened. Now, a few weeks later, he is doing great and loves it!

View from the door. Miller had to be in the picture. We still have a few little things to do, but mostly it's done.

I still need to take a picture of the dresser - I absolutely love it.

Miles is pretty much getting Miller's old room with a few tiny changes. Poor second child - at least he won't know the difference.

Tommy the Turtle

One morning last week, Miller and I went on a walk with Noni along the bayou behind their house. Besides me forgetting the jogging stroller, we had a lot of fun. Every time we crossed over a bridge, we would look for turtles in the bayou. We never saw any in the water. However, we did find one on a path through the woods. A tiny box turtle we named Tommy. Miller was so excited that we decided to take him home. We put him in a box and walked around the backyard finding sticks and leaves to put in the box with Tommy. Miller had to go out about every hour to check on Tommy until Daddy got home. Then we let him go in the backyard. We haven't seen Tommy since, but we know he will show up one day.

Well, I'm now 30 weeks and can't believe how close it's getting. Everything is looking great and my due date is still July 15. I'm still feeling good, but starting to get tired again. The second trimester honeymoon phase is starting to wear off. Miller is super excited about the baby and really seems to understand. He always wants to hug and kiss my belly and tells me everything he is going to share with him when he gets here. We just moved him to his big boy room (pictures coming soon) and big boy bed and it has gone pretty well . He has been refusing to sleep at nap time, but doesn't get out of his bed. It could be much worse.

We have finally decided on a name for this boy ... Miles Judson.