lil' yellow cottage down by the sea...: Jude's Visitors...

For us the time in the hospital is always such a sweet time. Being there with Jude brought back so many vivid memories of our first days with Hudson. Even now, when we drive by the hospital, I get butterflies in my stomach because it just brings back so many fond memories. I have said it before, but I really do love being pregnant, giving birth and having children. I just love the whole thing. Anyway, here are a few more pictures and a few more tid bits about our stay at the hospital.

First off, I must say... I love being married to this man. He is the best partner in life, companion, best friend and husband that I could have ever asked for. God was so good to me when he blessed me with Travis:

After Travis and I had some alone time with Jude, all of our family came back into the room to visit and hold Jude:

The next morning, I was up and showered and ready for visitors. I felt great and I probably had a lot more energy than most do after having a baby considering Jude was born in less that 4 1/2 hours of labor. Having a fast labor is fine, but the only thing that concerns me is that the next baby might be born in the car... that would be awful! We keep saying with the next baby we aren't going anywhere and as soon as I have my first contraction we are rushing to the hospital.

Anyway, our friends, Kristin, Mike and "How-ee" (aka Hallee their daughter), were watching Hudson and they brought him to the hospital in the morning so he could meet "baby Jude". (Hudson never says, "Jude"... he always says, "baby Jude".) Trav and I were both so excited to see Hudson and we couldn't wait for him to see his baby brother for the first time.

We had purchased a gift for Hudson "from" baby Jude... a Thomas train. He had really begun to like trains, but we held off on giving him any trains knowing that we were going to give him a train set as something special after the baby was born. When he walked in the room, he really didn't seem to know what was going on. But once we told him baby Jude had something special for him, he got really excited. It didn't take long for him to be completely enthralled with Jude. Hudson was touching Jude's face, holding his hand, smiling at him and he was so excited to get to hold him. And he hasn't stopped... he really already seems to LOVE his brother and I have been so taken back by how nurturing Hudson is.

First pictures as a family of 4!

Hudson opening up his Thomas train:

Kristin, Jude and I:

Jude meeting the Hofschroers for the first time:

My "Danish family" :)

Actually, Lina's parents were here in the states so they came to meet Jude. We were so excited they for them to meet Jude and Lina's mom knitted for me 2 beautiful Danish beanies!

Then we had a surprise visit from Rick Warren and Rick Muchow. Both of them came into the room singing very loudly, the portion of the Beatles song, "Hey Jude". They had seen on facebook that we had the baby and stopped by the hospital for a little visit. They both have very busy schedules and we would never have expected them to stopped by, however, we were so blessed that they took the time to come visit us. It was another moment at the hospital that I will always remember and cherish.

They visited with us and our families for a little bit, held Jude and then they took some time to gather everyone who was there to pray for Jude and our now family of 4. I don't know what else to say about it, but that we really just felt so loved by both of them.

Pastor Rick and Jude:

Another visitor was our friend Mark. He is actually a friend of Travis' family and he lives in Ohio, however, Saddleback hospital is one of his clients so he is constantly flying back and forth. We didn't even know he was in town until he sent the CEO and CFO of the hospital down to our room for a visit. The CEO walked in, introduced himself and said Mark had told him to come pay us a visit. Then later that day Mark came and visited us. It was so great to see him and just feels like a little bit of home for Travis.

And just a few more pictures from our time at the hospital:

Hudson looks like he was very thankful to get to share a little bit of my pumpkin spice latte :)

This is what happens when you get to hang out with your Auntie Summer... She lets you wear your sweat shirt backwards and walk around like a pirate ;)