Hudson Zachary Sims

Hudson arrived on his due date! Born August 11, 2012 at 5:34am. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces, 20 inches long.

His birth story is very quick! I woke to a contraction at 2:30am. Timed them for 30 minutes each one at 10 minutes apart. I could tell this was the real deal even though they weren't close together. I took a shower, woke Aaron, packed, and called our neighbor Bonnie to come watch the kids. We were out the door by 4:00am, contractions were about 5 minutes apart and strong when we left the house. By the time we were in the car and a few minutes from the hospital they were coming every 2-3 minutes. I was amazed at how quickly they went from 10 minutes to 2 minutes but didn't have the feeling I was going to have a baby in the car. I had to tell Aaron to slow down a few times because he was thinking, "my wife is going to have a baby in the car." The nurse checked me at 4:30am and I was 9 1/2 cm!!! At this point the contractions were very strong and I was ready to have the baby. I remember hearing the nurse tell someone to go wake the doctor because we would be having a baby very soon. They quickly took me to a laboring room, which I walked to because I was not about to sit down in a wheel chair. Sitting was not comfortable so I ended up standing while they pumped a bag of antibiotics in my arm; literally pumping as fast as it would drain so they could break my water and I could deliver. I would have had Hudson standing if I could but they made me get in the bed, broke my water and one contraction later....Hudson was born!!! I remember hearing, "it's a boy", but it took a minute to process. The doctor told me to open my eyes so I could see Hudson and at that point all the pain went away. At least for me, Aaron was left with nail marks on his arm from me holding on so tight while delivering. Love comes with a little pain!

 Quick last pregnancy picture at 4:00am before heading to the hospital.

 Our little peanut. Smallest of the three kids.

 Making sure everything works properly

 Hand print, foot print

 Admiring my new son

 Proud daddy

We called our family on the way to the hospital so everyone was out of their house by 6-7am and in Wilmington by lunch time. Bonnie had Carrington call us when she woke up so we could tell her the exciting news. Aaron went home that morning to get the kids so they could come meet their new baby. Hudson was in the tanning bed (warmer) when the kids arrived so they had to wait a little while to hold him and kiss all over him.

 cousins perched like little birds

 sister holding brother for the first time

 the trio meet!

 he found his thumb although has since taken to the paci

 birthday cake to celebrate Hudson!

 my boys!!

 sizing him up...

 "he looks alright, i'll give him a kiss"

 MeMe with her fourth grandchild

 showered with love

 Papa, Granny and the grandkids

 Hudson must taste like chocolate because Grayson can't stop kissing him.

 hard work being the middle child

 first of many naps together

 Family of Five!!

hands full, heart full! 

Headed home to start life as parents of three!!!!

Video of the kids meeting for the first time.



Grayson - 18 Months Old



My little baby boy is a big brother now! Two days before Grayson marked being 18 months his little brother arrived. It's absolute craziness that my little boy is not the youngest anymore. He still seems so little but got bigger over night now that we have an infant in the house(if that makes any sense at all). Grayson has taken to his role of being a great big brother. The first day I think he was a little confused by everything. He would point to Hudson and say baby, give him a kiss or two but then go on his way and wasn't really phased by his new presence. Day two, three, four of having a new side kick and he can't get enough of him. He kisses on him, CONSTANTLY! It's amazing to see how quickly the love between siblings occurs...melts this moms heart. The affection is huge for me to see. I wasn't sure how Grayson would deal with sharing my attention but he has done great. He doesn't seem to mind that I hold Hudson, feed him (Grayson did try to nurse today), or devote a lot of time taking care of him.

The world of Grayson is constant. Being held and taken care of is on the top of his list. He is my little side kick and doesn't go far from me. He knows what he likes, and what he doesn't. And, he isn't afraid to let us know when he doesn't like something! Meal time is a lot of fun and when he exercises his vocal cords and right arm throw the most. Food is a challenge with him since he only eats three things consistently; apple sauce, yogurt, and fruit. Again, he knows what he likes and just throws the rest down for Bear.

Grayson loves playing with his sister or picking on her when he gets the chance. If she has a toy he wants, he is quick to scream in order to get it from her. Though, he does a good job of sharing what he has with her. He is also quick to pick up on things he sees his big sister doing. Watching her swim in the pool and ocean has helped him begin to love the water this summer. He tries to go under and swim just like she does, coming back up with a smile!

He is a big fan of his daddy, Papa, and Peeps - preferring to hang out with the guys that are around. I think a lot of times he does a much better job of listening to his daddy than he does his mommy. Aaron can get through to him and doesn't give him a lot of room to act out. Where, I'm quick to pick him up or give him what he wants to make him happy. (I'll have to take this part of the post down in a couple years when he learns to read. I wouldn't want him to take advantage of me!)

As for development, he is doing really well. He speaks more and more each day. I love when he says a new word I haven't heard before. He can follow commands; understanding what we say to him and ask him to do. He is starting to pick up speed when walking around, doing a little baby jog when he wants to get somewhere fast. He can feed himself with a fork, spoon or just his good ol' handy fingers. He enjoys playing ball and throws like a future ball player. He can point to pictures in his book and tell you what they are. Everyday he learns something new - be it picking up his toys or climbing on something and jumping off!

So, what's one of my favorite thing about this little boy....his kisses and hugs!!! He is very affectionate and gives the best kisses and hugs. His kisses make the kissing sound and his hugs are tight and meaningful. Such a sweetheart!



 Seeing what's on sale.

 Cutie pie!

Linus - loves his blanket and thumb

 Big brother even though his shirt says otherwise.

 Being a big brother is exhausting!

Tops the favorite picture list.



The Dog Days of July

July heat soared so we continued spending our summer days near water. Be it the beach, pool, or water park. It is such a relief to have easy access to water or I'm afraid we would go stir crazy sitting inside trying to keep a very pregnant mom, cool. The pictures are out of order but we kicked off the month celebrating the Fourth with Melissa and the girls at the beach in Oak Island, dinner in Southport, and then a last minute decision to stay in Southport and watch the fireworks over the water. Grayson feel asleep before the show started but Carrington was wide eyed and in total awe of the colors, sounds, and light show.

The water park was on the list before the summer ends so we headed to Myrtle Beach one Saturday and meet Melissa and Kelly for the day. Grayson is running head to head with Carrington on a love of water. This certainly wasn't the case at the beginning of the season but he has made a drastic change. They both have little fear and go straight for the water slides, water fountains, and swimming under water in the pool.

We really enjoyed a visit from the de Windt girls at the end of July. I was thankful to have Wendy keep me company as this pregnancy comes to an end. It was a typically visit with a trip to the beach, play time at the house, and one night out for dinner. Giselle told Carrington she was her best friend, and Carrington responded back with you are my best friend too! I love it, and continue to enjoy watching them grow up together. The younger too haven't noticed each other too much but that'll change when they realize how cute the other is!

July ended with a big birthday celebration. Katy turned sweet sixteen on July 31st!! I was sixteen when Katy was born and was able to spend the first week after her birth at their house in Charlotte. I loved being there then and love that I've been able to spend almost every other birthday with her. Happy, happy birthday Katy Bug!

Water park slides...



 You can barely see Carrington through all the water. A huge bucket dumps water out every few minutes. I can't count the number of times she stood under the bucket.

 Aaron is holding Grayson under the bucket of water. No tears, all smiles!

 Cooking up trouble. These two are Trouble with a capital "T"!

 Piled high and busting at the seams.

 Playing nail salon!

 Looking for her future partner in crime.

 Beach loving runs in the blood.

 No chance of getting a perfect shot of all four of them.

Dressed up for Katy's Birthday Dinner.

 Birthday girl with her dessert. Lemon cheesecake! Lemon flavor being her favorite type of dessert.

 Making wishes!

Birthday dinner group shot.

 Red, White and Blue!

 It was a sugar filled day as they had just finished ice cream but cotton candy was needed to pass the time before the show.

 We definitely try and spend time outside when the nights cool off. Carrington is usually running toe to toe with Hayden. Grayson does his best to keep up with the girls. He is learning early how to chase girls around.

 Poor kid, his feet can't reach the peddle in his Buzz car so he is forced to drive around in the pink princess car.

Lazy days of summer!