Real Life

Friday night vs. Saturday morning.  

Neither was posed; I didn't even know he was taking them.  But both make me feel incredibly beautiful.  Because, at both moments, I was my Grandson's safe space.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Beeker Beauty

 Tyson: "Mom, there is a website where they post pictures from sporting events.  Look at what I found today!"

Hands me the phone with a picture zoomed in to capture this...

I laughed and laughed.  And LAUGHED!  Because this is all I could see...

"The sun was in my eyes, Astrid!"

Uncle Caden's meet-cute

We finally got to get Hudson dressed in my PJs (purchased the morning after we found out he was a Boy!) and take him to properly meet Uncle Caden!!

Matched

Matched his PR of 10'!!

Kissable

 Keilie sent me pictures of Hudson's kissable cheeks and sweet baby thighs.

It still blows my mind that he's smaller now, all these weeks later, than Keilie was at birth.

Prom 2025

I'm a stage-4 crier; everyone knows it.  Hence, Randy's capturing a picture while I'm trying to get myself in check.  Punk.

The best I can do, honestly.

And then Brennon walks out and I'm a mess trying to keep the tears in check.

My goodness, I love these two!

Once Randy's taken all with/for me, I take over and capture this stunner without tears and a flaming red nose.  I think he looks this good on purpose!  Punk.

Shelby, attending Kamiakin's Prom with her friends from Tri-Tech:

Shelby, Janelle, Amber

Addi, Shelby, Janelle, Amber, and a girl we don't really know.

Brennon, attending Richland's Prom with Kayliann Haws:

I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have such gorgeous, kind, generous kids, and that they, in turn, have such amazing, kind, generous friends.

Scheduled Snuggles

 To help with my PTSD, I take a medical marijuana gummy each night before bed that helps calm my body down for sleep.  The two nights that I decided not to take them so I could be up with Hudson proved to be a hard decision.  It seems that my body is still quite scared about death in the night, so I find myself checking his breathing and listening intently to all of his sounds to the point of mania, and then I struggle for a few days after to calm myself to functioning.  My mind catches on "What if he died tonight," and my body feels it as a foregone conclusion.  It's agony.

So, Randy and I have set up a schedule that works well for both of us, and allows us one-on-one time with Hudson each Friday night.  Randy goes to bed earlier than we normally go to bed, while I stay up with Hudson till about 1:00am.

Then, after he is fed and changed, I put him down, take my gummy, and it's Papa-on-duty for the rest of the night.

Saturday mornings are my time while Randy gets a few hours.  But as soon as Randy hears him stir, he becomes his new nickname, "Baby Hog," and takes him back for more snuggles.

It is the most amazing thing in the world to be Grandparents.  We are SO LUCKY that Keilie lives close, and that she allows us Grandparent time every single week.  It may not be that way forever, nor for all of our Grandkids, but for now, it is THE BEST FEELING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!

Pity Laugh?

 Uncle Brennon tells the weirdest jokes...

Should I give him a pity laugh?...

Bath Time!!!

 Keilie: "Mom!  Hudson's umbilical cord fell off.  Wanna help me give him his first bath?"

Me, hopeful but also ok if the answer was no: "Are you sure it is ok with Dallin? He may want to be there for the first one."

Keilie: "He said he's totally ok with it."

Me, giddy: "I'm putting towels in the dryer to get them warm now-- come on over!!"

Papa Randy got to help him feel safe after Keilie's back started to ache.

Safe and warm in towels straight from the dryer.  Did I ever do this for my own kids?  Nope.  But you better believe we did it for our Little Prince.

Just a Mommy, admiring her little one.

Sweet Dreams, Precious!!

Sleepover

 Randy: "Keilie, when does Hudson get to sleep over at our house?"

Keilie: "Tonight?"

She meant it!

First Sleepover at Papa Randy & Granny Steph's is in the books!!!

Nibbles

 Randy: "Keilie, I just got back into town.  Can I come see Hudson?"

Keilie: "We have an appointment in an hour, but you can come for a few minutes."

Randy: "On our way!"

Baby Thighs are my favorite, and his are just perfect!

All ready for his appointment!  The cutie!!

Even though it was just a nibble of time, it filled our hearts for the next gap of Hudsonless hours.

Shelby made these shirts for Randy's birthday in her "Innovative Science" class.  LOVE!!!