The morning Kristin and Lee were scheduled to be discharged with Hughes, my mom and I got busy with the preparations of welcoming them home.  Millie Janalee and I got balloons for the mailbox and for the stork we used for Millie Janalee, and Mama got the ribbons ready for the bassinet.  By lunch, we had everything ready.  We ate lunch with my parents and spent some time at the playground while we waited.  They were held up several hours later than we expected.

Eventually, we got word that they were near.  By this time, half my balloons had deflated by the sun I guess.  We told them to drive slowly while I ran to get balloon reinforcements.  Ha!  Pretty soon they were pulling into their driveway with their new family of three.  Millie Janalee couldn't wait to welcome Baby Hughes home.

Ummm...then there was a small problem.  She didn't want anyone to touch the "bebbies."  Ha! You can see in the picture below.  Lee was rocking the carrier, and Millie Janalee pulled his hand away and said, "Noooo!"  Uh oh.   We had some adjusting to work through.

She is so sweet with Hughes.  Very gentle.  And she loves to kiss and hug him.  Maw Maw joined us to meet Hughes for the first time as well.

In case you are wondering what it's like with all the attention that used to be on Millie Janalee shifting to a new baby...

At some point, one of the guys said "Uhhh...is she supposed to be on top of the table?"  Ha!

Millie Janalee has her own "bebbies" to take care of while the adults are loving on Hughes.  She likes to put her "woof" in all of Hughes's baby gear.  I'm seriously waiting on the day when she plops her big self in one of these things.  Hopefully, Hughes won't be sitting in there when she does.

So, we have some adjusting to do.  And we are working on it.  I haven't had a huge amount of time to hold and love on Hughes without Millie Janalee wanting to be held or needing her Mama.  I sneak some time in here and there while she's distracted in another room.  As you can see, Pawpaw's lap has plenty room for everyone.

At least Millie Janalee is gonna make sure he does!

Welcome home Hughes!  We are so happy to have you here.

Happy Birthday Hughes!

Hughes was due on April 24, however Kristin's doctor decided it was time to put her in a day early.  April 23, we all loaded up with excitement that Wednesday morning to begin what would turn into quite a long day.  Kristin and Lee arrived at the hospital before 6 am to induce labor.  I let Millie Janalee sleep in since I knew she had a big day ahead of her.  Plus I had an idea that it would take awhile before we heard talk of a baby.

Aunt KayKay ("Kah Kaayyyy") had give Millie Janalee a sweet Big Cousin dress for Easter, so she was ready to meet her baby nephew.  She spent the day running around the waiting room making new friends in the "kids corner" and putting on a show for everyone.  The gift shop worker got to know her quite well as she snuck in there to talk to the stuffed animals too many times to count!  You can see her excitement...

Once again, we missed Russ.  He is such a hard worker for our family, and I hate that he misses so many family events.  However...it's easy to do with this family.  We have LOTS of big events at all times.  Ha!  He was missed, and he called to give Kristin a pre-labor pep talk...

Kristin talking to Russ

Our cousin, Clancy, drove the 3 hours from Jackson with her baby girl to join in the excitement of the day.  We were so sad that she had to leave before meeting Hughes, but she was on call the next day in labor and delivery herself.  Selah Grace was such a trooper all day!

Cousins

Twelve hours later (around 6 pm), the doctor decided it was time for Kristin to start pushing.  Mama and I were invited to stay in the delivery room with Kristin and Lee.  You know the expression "three's a crowd"?  Yeah, it was a crowd.  But a FUN crowd for sure!  Now, y'all know I know nothing about birthing babies!  The nurse asked me at some point if I had children.  Of course I said, "Yes, but I've never birthed any!"  I provided my services as photographer.  Mama provided her services as experienced moral support.  And Lee pretty much just did what he was told...which mostly involved holding her hand and passing and holding the cup of water when Kristin needed a sip.

The Mama Dream Team

Since I had absolutely NO IDEA what to expect (besides the information Roan texted me right before we kicked off this party), when the doctor said "Let's start pushing", I grabbed the camera and hung it around my neck and had the video camera ready.  About an hour later, I realized I looked like some ridiculous tourist...and I discretely took off the camera and placed it nicely in a chair in the corner.

This would obviously take a while. 

At 8:18 pm, Hughes Lee made his grand debut into this crazy world!  He joined us with a little bit of drama and a small scare, but he eventually belted out his little cry and pinked up before the nurses brought him to rest on his Mama's chest.

Hughes getting some loving from his Mama

Brand new family of three!

The labor and delivery floor was very busy that night, so the nurses gave us a little extra time with Hughes before taking him back to the nursery.  The family was finally able to come in to meet him around 9:30.  I think it's safe to say he's pretty loved! 

I wasn't quite sure how I would feel watching the birth of my nephew.  I struggled with not being there for Millie Janalee's first moments.  How would I explain this to her one day?  Would she even care?  Taking on the role of 'photographer' made it easier to swallow.  I'm always good at hiding behind the camera. 

I'm thankful to experience Hughes's birth though.  I was there when he took his first breath, when he opened his eyes for the first time, when he made his first sound.  I wasn't there for Millie Janalee's firsts.  I am thankful for the experience, because now I can say with absolute certainty...both are uniquely special and priceless ways to enter a family.  Neither better or more special than the other.  Please know that mean this sincerely with all my heart.  It is true.  I am glad I was there because I could see with my own eyes what Millie Janalee's birthmother went through (although her labor was significantly shorter)...and after bringing this sweet baby into the world, she still had the strength to place her in my arms.  Forever.

Millie Janalee seeing Hughes for the first time

I am thankful for this experience as a mother.  And I am thankful for this experience as a sister.  To support her through a difficult labor with my "calm voice" and wet cloths.  I held my breath in hopes it would help her push.  Ha!  I think we all did.  I was there when she transitioned into motherhood. 

And it was beautiful.

Aunt KayKay has always been one of Millie Janalee's biggest fans.  And now I can try to return the favor.  Millie Janalee will have to learn to share...and we are working on it.  But I'm pretty sure there's enough love to go around!

Millie Janalee seeing Aunt Kay Kay for the first time that day...nearly midnight

They love each other!

We all left before they brought Hughes back into the room that night.  It was after midnight before Kristin and Lee saw him again.  We all drove our separate ways to get some rest.  We arrived at my parents' house near 2 am.  I put Millie Janalee to bed, and my mom crawled in bed with me to scratch my back.  Ummm...she was snoozing after her hand went up and down my back one time.  Ha!  It was a long day!

The next afternoon, Millie Janalee and I joined my mom for another trip to the hospital to visit my sister, Lee, and Hughes.  And for Millie Janalee to meet Hughes for the first time.  She was very curious about this moving "bebbies".  She kept a close eye on him when the nurses took him to his little bed.

"Why is he crying, ma'am?"

And they meet!

"Can we keep him!?"

Later that afternoon, Dustin was able to stop by the hospital to meet his first nephew.  I'm pretty sure Dustin still hasn't held him.  He's not a big fan of fragile babies.  Ha!  He said he'd hold him when he's not so breakable.

Kristin, Hughes, and Dustin

As with everything we do in big groups...we had a baby!  Happy Birthday 'Lil Baby Hughes!

On Your Mark, Get Set...HUNT!

So here's one of the most anticipated posts...besides the birth of my nephew (and I promise that one is coming!)...our annual Smith family egg hunt!  Every year, I have people asking to see the recap of our hunt.  In case you are new to the blog, let me rewind and give you a chance to see the progress of our egg hunts from 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.  About three years ago, I had egg hunt uniforms made for us.  I forgot to pack mine this year, but since Kristin was hauling around a full grown baby in her tummy and not able to risk the intensity of the hunt, I was able to borrow hers.

On your mark, get set...

Practicing her "On your mark" stance for her own egg hunt.  Learning from the best.

One might think that grown men wouldn't be into an Easter egg hunt carrying pastel colored baskets around the yard searching for brightly colored eggs.  Wrong.  Let me just say, as the only female participant this year, it is a fight for your life kind of race.  I knew it would be.  It always is.  Although I didn't expect for my own husband to nearly kill me as we both raced toward the same egg.  I won in that instance, for the record.  Ha!

Kristin and Sheila helped hide the eggs this year with Mama Bunny.  And it's just now occurring to me that this may have something to do with the results.  Hmmm... 

Me trying to get a head start on the boys

Russ and Dustin in the zone

Lee taking over the other side of the yard while he can.

To fill you newbies in, there may or may not be an extra incentive to keep all these grown kids fighting and running around like crazies for Easter eggs.  Ummm...there's money inside.  My dad jokes that it's the only way to get us all home for Easter.  Ha!  I remember hunting hard boiled eggs that we dyed and decorated ourselves when we were younger.  The Easter Bunny hid them the night before Easter, and we would hunt them before church on Easter.  Eventually, we graduated to plastic eggs with candy.  Then, one year it happened.  Dimes and nickels in our eggs!  As we grew, the "prizes" grew.  Now that we are grown, having our kids, paying for dinner dates with a girlfriend, and adopting...we all have a little extra pep in our step.  Meaning - it's dangerous y'all.

And serious stuff.

Russ and me counting our eggs for the big tally

Dustin...before Sheila came over to help

Millie Janalee gave Lee a hard time knocking his eggs off the deck

While we count, Mama Bunny begins taking a tally to ensure all the eggs have been found.  In the case that one or two are still left...watch out!  It's a free for all.

Mama Bunny taking tally

Sheila has probably been making her own strategy for the future.  Ha!

Kristin had to help Lee take control of the egg situation...or guard them from Millie Janalee

For those of you taking note, I lost.  Kristin and I pretty much stay in the bottom two.  The King of our egg hunts for many many years (except the one tragic year Lee beat him), Dustin, won.  Lee came in second by $1.  And Russ came in third.  I'll take a loss here.  It's much better than any other loss I've ever had.  Ha!

Once again, I realize people will have their own opinions about how we celebrate.  And that's okay.  I know the heart of my family better than others do.  It's not about the money or the prizes.  It's not about the baskets or the bunnies.  It is all about family.  Making memories that we enjoy.  Being able to do something memorable for each other.  We are blessed, and we know it.  You don't have to celebrate the same way we do, and we don't have to do it like you.  Every family can choose their own ways to make memories.  I just encourage you to make them!  Make memories a priority in your family.  Make laughter and smiles and fun a part of your family.  Make coming home something to look forward to!  And keep the traditions going for the next generation.

Blowing bubbles with Nana while the grown ups hunt

When Russ and I spent the years we did discussing what we wanted for our own family, making family memories was a top priority...just under raising our children to love the Lord.  There is no price that can ever be paid for the memories I have growing up with my family.  Vacations, daily life, holiday get-togethers, and church events.  Even down to our family potato sack race and croquet game in our front yard one Fourth of July.  My parents were and still are the best at making sure our family is making memories together to last a lifetime.  And they learned it from their parents.  You get the idea?

The older Millie Janalee gets, the more excited I become as we are able to begin making memories for her.  This was the first year she was actually able to hunt eggs.  She doesn't understand the whole big idea just yet, but we have made a good start.

After the grown-ups hunted, I placed about 10 eggs around the yard in one small area for her to "hunt".  It took some coaxing at first, but she caught on quickly.  She enjoyed hunting her little "ehhhs" and listening to them as the plopped into her Easter bucked Aunt KayKay made.  (By the way, Auntie Kristin changed her name to "Aunt KayKay" so that Millie Janalee could say her name.  Ha!)

She found about four eggs before she did exactly what we knew she would do.  Dump them all out!

And it was fun.  Every bit of that 3 minutes was fun.  Every day Russ and I are forever thankful for our sweet girl.  And some days it hits us harder than others, and it hurts.  You love so much you think your heart will just burst.  Oh, how I wish I could freeze time most days!

I know in the blink of an eye, Millie Janalee will be "coming home for the holidays" from school or her own family.  And, OH how I hope that she looks forward to coming home to her family!  May she always look back on her life and remember how much we loved her, how much we loved our God, and how much fun we had together!

On your mark, get set...GO make some memories!

Easter 2014

Easter morning, I went to wake up Millie Janalee from her crib at my parents' house.  She was sitting in her bed bright-eyed and exclaimed, "Hey Ma!" (Yes, she calls me Ma.  I guess all those bonnets have her thinking we are Little House on the Prairie.)  I was so happy to tell her "Happy Easter" and take her downstairs to see her happies from the Easter bunny.  Easter is not at all about the bunny and baskets, but it is so fun to make these fun memories with my daughter in addition to teaching her the real meaning of Easter.

She was so happy to see her goodies.  I'm sure the hairbows made her squeal (or roll her eyes).  She went straight for the sippy cup and began being a "little mommy".  I love watching her take care of her "bebbies!"  Then, of course, she took each book out one by one and sat on the floor flipping through each page.  It took some coaxing to move her along so we wouldn't be late for church.  Ha!

She found a special surprise in the corner.  Susu and Pawpaw's Easter bunny came too!  There were some fun and sweet happies in that basket.  I immediately spied her Beaufort Bonnet bag, of course!  Happy Easter to Mama!  But the first thing Millie Janalee saw...was snacks.

Hidden under the snacks and goodies was a precious card that I will always hold dear.  When Mama and I were cleaning out Nonnie and Pops's house a few years back, we found a card with a note attached that Nonnie had written.  "Great granddaughter card - if we live so long"  How priceless for Millie Janalee to have a special card handwritten from her Nonnie.  Nonnie would have loved Millie Janalee, and Millie Janalee would have loved Nonnie!  Oh that I could visit with her one more time!  This card went straight into Millie Janalee's keepsake box when we got home.

The Easter bunny hid special treats inside the Easter eggs, and it didn't take long for her to find them!  "Fish" snacks!  Millie Janalee sat there stuffing those goldfish in her mouth as fast as she could.  A very healthy breakfast I know.

My mom left before we did for Sunday school, but she left a table set beautifully for our family.  As always.  Easter is the one time of the year that she pulls out the fine China.  She was even able to complete some of her crystal pattern for us to use this year.  Thanks to eBay!  I am thankful for the time and effort she puts into this family meal every year.  It is important to her, and we love it.  A special time for the whole family to gather around the dining room table set just for us.  Eating delicious homemade food.  And usually laughing til our sides hurt.

Beautiful tablescape

Even Millie Janalee had her own Lenox place setting (and friends)

My mom prepping the food after church

Russ worked until time for us to leave for church Sunday morning, so he rolled up in time to snap a few pictures before Millie Janalee and I left for Easter service.  We missed him, as we always do, but we are so grateful for his hard work to support our little family and take care of patients.

In her Easter bonnet

I love being this girl's mama!

After church, the family always gathers for a family picture.  Russ brought all his photography equipment, brushed down his bedhead, slipped on some church clothes, and captured my wonderful family.  Even baby Hughes is there...in his mommy's tummy.  Amazing how life can change so quickly.  We need an updated photo now.

My family

Oh, how thankful I am that Sunday came!  Jesus rose so that we may have life forever with Him.  No matter what troubles or fears or anxieties we have about our future...because He lives, we can face tomorrow!  These truths should be celebrated every day. 

Thank you, God, for sending your only Son to die for us so that we may live forever together in Your presence.  Praising You and singing, "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" and "Holy, Holy, Holy" and so much more!  Praising You forevermore.