I am SO glad I didn't know just how incredible, awesome, magnificent having Jude would be because I wouldn't have been able to bear it, to bear the burden of the wait. He is a life-changer, and I realize how lonely the days were before he arrived. Now I have a buddy to hang out with all day! And he's really chilled out, happy to be held, and God has blessed us.

I am looking at the sweetest thing I have ever seen: an 11.5 lb. baby with a twinkle in his eye, happy, healthy, content, and I still cannot believe he is here! Here is a link to his "first date" with the lovely 8 month-old Stella Rose Jordan. http://theyoungjordans.blogspot.com/
Also, his newborn photos were taken by Mandy Johnson when he was 6 days old:
http://mandyjohnsonphotography.com/blog/
Her work is simply amazing, and I cannot recommend her enough! Jude will be featured in an upcoming issue of Conceive magazine also ~
Suffice it to say, I am head over heels in love with this boy, and I am so glad we didn't miss out on this...all our love and gratitude to Cami!

Happy 1 week birthday, baby Jude!

Jude - one day old

Here is sweet baby Jude at 1 day old, adjusting to life in front of flashing cameras, which I am sure to him seem nonstop ;) He is a really good baby, sleeping for 4 hours at a time now, eating 3 oz. every 4 hours. He seems pretty "chill" as nurse Brenna said, and only gets frustrated during clothes/diaper changes, or when hungry. Quite simply, Jude rocks. He has rocked right out of his Newborn clothes, as all 10 lb. babies do, and I have already consigned them. Emotionally, all I know how to express in words is that Jude is the greatest gift, and we cannot imagine how we existed joyfully before him. I was telling Mom that if I had "designed" him, I couldn't have made him any sweeter, any cuter, any better.

Aunt Cami & Jude

Welcome Jude Helton

Jude Richardson Helton, our greatest blessing and miracle, arrived Monday night 11:54 pm February 23. Aunt Cami took castor oil, and Jude came 11 hours later! He is absolutely gorgeous! He weighed 10 lbs. 10 oz. and is 20.5 inches long. He's perfectly adorable, and no, I am not biased in the least ;)
We thank Cami, again, over and over for this most amazing gift.

Where is Jude?

So...it appears that Jude is really enjoying his current home, warm & cozy, and prefers to stay, much to Aunt Cami's chagrin. He was due 2/19, but is not budging. I told Cami she must have a wonderful uterus that babies don't want to leave! She will be induced Tuesday 2/24 unless he decides to come beforehand. That is only 3 days from now! We are ecstatic, living on adrenaline, having our handyman finish up all of our house projects, so everything will be ready for baby. Emotionally it feels as if our race is nearing the finish line. We are blessed. We have been thru the ringer, and waited a long time, and our answered prayer is 72 hours away. Thank God for happy endings (and Cami!)