What a difference 7 weeks can make...

Seven weeks ago...seven weeks ago, our lives changed forever. Hudson Philip Cook entered our lives in an unexpected way at 3:45 pm. (Read about that here). The Lord was with us every step of the way. We continue to give God the glory for the great things He has done.

Today, January 18th is my original due date. I thought I would just now be meeting my son for the first time. Instead, I've already had seven wonderful weeks to get to know him.

He was in the NICU for a few weeks after his birth. Those were some hard days - I was trying to recover from a traumatic birthing experience and deal with the emotions of having a baby. I still have no memory of that Friday through Sunday morning. Not only did I not remember the events surrounding Hudson's birth, but I was not able to take care of him every minute of the day. I had to trust him to the care of the wonderful nurses at the hospital.  I remember feeling guilty for not being able to be with him 24/7. It was hard to "feel" like his mom.

A wise friend gave me some advice one morning that I clung to - she told me "Don't think about the hours you're not with him. Every minute you hold him is just extra time - you didn't even think he would be born yet." And from that morning on, it was easier for me to look at our time with Hudson in the NICU as a gift.

 I didn't know that by my due date I would already have his face memorized. I didn't know that he would already recognize me as his mom. I didn't know he would already have smiled at me. I didn't know that I would already have so many incredible memories of this little miracle. I didn't know that I would already love him this much.

As I looked through many pictures that documented Hudson's growth, my heart was overwhelmed. And so, I've collected some of my favorite faces he makes, some of my favorite instagrams, and a few pictures documenting his progress so far. And the words to this song couldn't be any more perfect.

Hudson, we can't wait to be able to share this amazing story with you. 

I know God has big plans for you. 
"We pray you'll hear Jesus in it when you're older." 

Hudson 7 Weeks from sothecooksaid on Vimeo.

                                                        "You're The Best Song" 

                                                                 Bethany Dillon

                                                              (feat. Shane Barnard)

                                                  Good morning

                                 You and the sun are up before I'm ready

But ready or not, you need me

So here I am

I'm learning that in the long hard days

There is beauty

Do you know my favorite place to see it

It's when I look at you

And though I'm tired now

You're worth every sleepless night

You're worth it all, cause I know...

[CHORUS]

You're the best song I'll ever write

And we're humming and dancing through the years together

You're the best song I'll ever write

And I pray you'll hear Jesus in it when you're older

[VERSE]

I remember when you were just a heartbeat that I heard

and now our eyes meet

Forever is not enough to love you

Ooohhh...

[BRIDGE]

Every prayer for you is like a seed in the ground

Every tear I cry is like rain

And in its due season

I pray a harvest will be found

Your heart and mouth confessing Jesus' name

Your heart and mouth confessing Jesus' name

Birth Announcement by my sister, Amy Howland

Some pictures in the NICU by Boyd and Olson Photography