I won't forget.

You know, having a baby is a pretty crazy thing. The pregnancy crawls by and then finally, the big day comes. In a whirlwind, the baby arrives, family visits, and then life continues with one extra person added into the mix. It seems like, without warning, life speeds up.

But I have been thinking for the past few days about Steph. I will never forget being in that delivery room with her. She was so excited. I was patting her hand and keeping her head cool with a damp cloth. Finally, the doctor came in. As Steph began to push, I began to watch the doctor's face. I could see something wasn't quite right. Adison wasn't progressing properly. The doctor tried suction and forceps...still nothing. Finally, the doctor shook his head and confirmed my thoughts: She had to have an emergency c-section. The nurse tossed me some scrubs while Steph was whisked away to the operating room. Once I had my outfit on, I was instructed to sit in a chair until I was called back to be with her. The prep seemed to take forever. So I sat in an empty hallway, alone. I was so scared and I knew I couldn't let her see it in my face. I was pretty shook up and cried for a moment to relieve my tension.

When they called me back, I was a bit disoriented. I could see Steph's belly. The doctors already had her open. I was rushed behind the curtain to be at her side. Both of her arms were outstretched. I placed my hand in hers and whispered in her ear to let her know I was there. We sat there for what seemed like forever. She was scared more than I had ever seen her before. Finally after a few tense moments, we heard Adison take his first breath and let out a cry. Funny how the first one is beautiful. We could hear him choking on the fluid in his air way. After a few moments, we saw him for the first time. I can remember seeing Steph look at him. I don't think it really hit her that she was looking at her son. The nurse handed him to me and we carried him off to the nursery.

As I carried that little bundle, I had a mixture of emotions that I had never felt before. The thought of leaving Steph laid out on an operating table...I wanted to hand Adison to the nurse and return to my wife. Not that I did not love my son, because I did. I felt so awful. My son was new to the world, but my heart was not with him. It was with Steph.

I made several trips from the nursery to the recovery room to check on her. I know it was hard on her. She missed the first few hours of his life. It is a time that she can never get back. I took pictures, but that is all she has. Since that time, she has mentioned this experience to me and always it brings tears to her eyes. Eighteen hours of hard work...only to have your baby taken from you and placed in a nursery.

Adison will grow up and love his mommy. He will see her every day of his life and know what it is like to be loved by a wonderful woman. At the end of her struggle, she finally held him in her arms and was able to love on him. He will never understand what she went through to bring him into this world. He will never understand the prize he is to her...but I do.

-Jonathan

First Grandbaby

The first grandbaby is loved in a special way. They aren't loved more than any other...just loved different.

Papaw's Buddy

Adison loved napping with his Papaw when he was in town from NC. He can't wait to see you again. He's getting so big, so fast. We miss you guys!

Happy Birthday, Mamaw!

Happy Birthday, Mamaw! We wish we could be there to celebrate with you. We love you!!!!

A Man of Many Hats

Uncle Nate Dog made me this super cool hat. I wanted to try it on while nobody was looking...but I got caught in the act. I think it will catch on and quickly become the latest fall trend. Sperry sailboat shoes are out and paper sailor hats are in.

I am wonderfully made

Adison has this adorable onesie that was given to him by some dear friends at church. It's one of my favorites. On the front it says, "I am wonderfully made," which is so stated by David in the Psalms. God has blessed us with this wonderfully made young boy and Jon and I are honored to be his parents. The other picture is just a capture of his cute little smile. He's not started "intentionally" smiling yet, but it's not too far away. Doesn't that smile just melt your heart?!?!

We Miss You Guys!!!

Talk about being spoiled! Adison LOVED having his aunts and mamaw in over the weekend this past weeked. I've been meaning to get these pictures up before now, but Adison pretty much dictates what I get done! This morning he's letting me update the blog while he plays on his little gym on the floor. He's getting so big, so fast. He's cooing and kicking like a mad man this morning. I can't believe he's almost 6 weeks old. I'll post some pictures (hopefully) on Friday so everyone can see a shot of him at 6 weeks. The first picture is of my mom, my sister Tracy, me holding Adison, and my sister Amy. It was so nice having them here. They got in around noon on Friday and we went to Chappy's Deli for lunch...Adison went along on this trip. Saturday morning we were able to take my mom out for her birthday just us girls while Daddy spent some good quality time with Adison napping on the couch! :) Well...Adison is cooing my name...

Adison misses you guys and we can't wait to see you again soon. He's excited about meeting his cousins!

One Month Check-Up

I'm sorry its taken me so long to get this post up. It's been a busy week. Adison had his one-month check up on Monday, September 8. Hard to believe this boy is already a month old. Time flies. Jonathan and I were curious as to how much he'd weigh at his doctor's appointment. We could feel (and see) him packing on the pounds. As you can see below, he's now 9lbs 3oz, he's gained 2lbs since birth (7lbs 3oz). Needless to say, Dr. Simon was very pleased with his weight gain. Next doctor's appointment Adison will be getting several shots! :( I'm already dreading it. The first picture on this post was taken after Adison had a shower, it was taken on September 8 at exactly 8:18pm, so he was exactly one-month old. Mamaw Hawks, Aunt Amy, and Aunt Tracy should be arriving here shortly after lunch tomorrow for a brief weekend visit. I'll post pictures up next week of their visit. Have a great weekend everyone.

It's A Tough Job, But Somebody's Gotta Do It

Eatin' and poopin' sure wears a guy out. I've had some pretty deep thoughts recently about life...but I never get to finish them before....zzzzzzzzzzz.

There's Just Something About A Mother's Touch

Adison was fussy at about 10pm on Wednesday night. I tried everything I knew to get the boy to calm down. Fidgeting soon turned to crying. Crying turned to more crying. Mom walked into the room and took him into her arms. Within minutes, I captured this picture. He sure loves his momma.

Future Roller Coaster Enthusiast

Adison has more sleep positions than anyone I have ever met. He can curl up in just about any position and doze off. Sometimes he has a bad dream or gets startled by a sudden noise and he flinches quite dramatically...leaving his arms up in the air.

I take it as a sign. He will either jump denominations and become a Pentecostal or he will be an avid roller coaster enthusiast. I prefer to believe the latter. -Daddy

A Few Firsts

The above picture cracks us up, Adison always makes this face when you first put him in his car seat. Once he realizes it's not all that bad, he doesn't look so upset! Jon and I went over to a friend's home on Friday evening to help him move some furniture. This was the first time Adison had been out and about with Mommy and Daddy. After leaving their house, we headed to Target. As you can see below, yes, we did actually take pictures of his first trip to Target. The first among many to come I'm certain. That is Mommy's favorite place to shop!



Then, Adison had his first stroll in the stroller on Saturday evening. He absolutely loved it...until it was feeding time, then the little guy was ready for dinner and wasn't so interested in strolling any longer. (To my sisters: please take note of the red shoes and blue shorts!!)



On Sunday afternoon, Adison was playing in his little gym and I thought it'd let him give holding a rattle a try. He caught on to it as soon as I placed it into his hand. He loved it. He's still not quite coordinated enough not to bonk himself in the head with it, but it doesn't seem to bother him! :)




And lastly, I put a "big boy" onesie on Adison this morning. Since he's been home from the hospital all of his 0-3 months clothes have swallowed him whole. Now that he's starting to fill out, he can fit into at least some of them. This is the first "big boy" 0-3 months artical of clothing he's worn. Doesn't he look precious?!?!

That's all I have for now. Sorry its been a few days since I've posted. We enjoyed the long weekend with Daddy home.

Adison is getting some special visitors next Friday. My mom and sisters are coming down from NC to see him. We are so excited. I'll be posting pictures from that visit...