Four

Four Generations of handsome Royal men.

We went to Augusta last weekend so that Holden could meet his great-grandfather, Granddaddy Royal. Holden is so blessed to have four great-grandparents around to love on him.

He loved Granddaddy and his colorful hat:)

While we were there, Ellen dressed him up in some of Carson's old baby clothes. This was a sweet little gown that she made for Carson years ago.

Then she brought out Carson's Superman outfit that she found in the attic.

This is Carson when he was a babe in the same outfit.

Holden loved dreaming of flying and rescuing people from danger just like his daddy did when he was a baby.

We tried teaching him some Soulja Boy dance moves. He still needs a little practice, but we're almost there.

Action Shots

I am attempting to get better at photography. One of my bffs, THE Ashleigh Peak of Ashleigh Peak Photography (www.ashleighpeak.com), has given me some pointers and answers lots of my questions. She says it is best to practice a lot.

So I do what she says. I take lots of pictures of Holdypops. I also have noticed some techniques she uses. When she came into town for Holden's One Week photo shoot, she put him on a big mound of pillows and covered them with a blanket. Here's a behind-the-scenes clip...

And here's the finished product...

He is almost 12 weeks old and the other day I decided that I would try and copy her. Here are some of my shots...

He wasn't really in the mood to smile, but he was content and sweet. At the end, I decided that I would try and put him on his tummy. I made sure that it was safe and that he wouldn't roll too far or hard if he just so happened to roll. Well, he did.

Is it bad that when he started to roll, I snapped pictures instead of trying to catch him?

FYI, he smiled and cooed at the end and asked me if he could do it again.

Grins

He's been smiling and giggling lots more these days. He rocks the half-smile a whole lot and it melts my heart.

He loves his pink pig too. It is actually supposed to clip on to his play mat, but everytime Carson plays with him it ends up around his wrist.

Jabbers

This past Friday, Holden and I got up and went to breakfast with some of my friends. When we got back home, he just started talking and talking. I think he was trying to join in on our conversation, but was just a little late in doing so. I use the term "talking" loosely here:) But, he is definitely making different noises everyday.

I got a little bit on video...

Mornings

Anybody who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. I'm your friend if you want to stay up until 3am and sleep late. But don't ask me to have a decent conversation with you before 9am... or smile for that matter.

But, I'd like to announce that things have changed. I like mornings now. I like them because of the little face I get to see when I walk to the crib each morning. We have a routine now. Holdycakes usually starts talking in his crib around 7 or so. I go get him and feed him and bring him to bed with me. Then we just stare at each other. We talk about serious things. Occasionally he'll smile back at me to show me he's listening.

I like mornings now.

Hospital Stay

We spent about 48 hours in the hospital and then headed home.

Fortunately, Jack was there to coach Carson through his first diaper change. Sara and I just enjoyed sitting back and watching... and laughing at them.

Here are some video clips from our stay. Please keep in mind that we hadn't slept much and I was on pain meds. I'm hoping that was the reason I kept saying "Wasssssupppp..." in these. Yikes.

A Beautiful Day

June 12, 2010 was one of my most favorite days ever. After waiting nine long months and then laboring for 3 days, we were more than ready.

Our good friends, Blake and Allison got married that morning and I was determined not to miss their wedding. After not sleeping for 3 days and taking pain killers from my doc to help with the contractions, I was a little unsure that I would make it through the wedding though. I sat on the back row and breathed quietly through the contractions and tried not to draw attention to myself. The photographer snapped this pic without me knowing...

I am so glad I was able to witness those vows. Hoping to make it to the reception, we entered... only to turn right around as I told Carson that I couldn't make it any more. It was time! We rushed back to the car and waved to our friends as we peeled out of the parking lot. So dramatic:)

By the time we got to the hospital, I was 6 cm and ready for my epidural. Once I got that epidural, I was a new person. Family arrived and the excitement was building. I was so ready to meet this little guy.

The nurses and doctor came in at 9:00 that night, ready for me to push. He was born at 9:39 p.m.

It was definitely one of the sweetest moments ever when they placed him in my arms. Holden Taylor Royal. I loved him. I always will. I always had.

Such a sweet moment for Carson and I to have together with him. We cried and prayed and thanked the Lord for his precious life.

And then I got nauseated and almost threw up on him. So I had to quickly hand him back.

They watched him in the nursery for about an hour before we could introduce him to family.

There was excitement...

And there were tears of joy...

And then we brought the grandparents in to meet him for the first time.

We passed him around and took pictures and announced his name.

Holden... a name that reminds us of what we have learned through his little life. When we were faced with infertility and threatened miscarriage, the Lord gave us such a peace by reminding us that he was holding us and that he was holding him. When we heard that name, we knew that we (and he) would need to be reminded constantly of that promise. We pray that Holden will be able to find joy in knowing that Jesus is holding him. Taylor... after my brother who was stillborn, Taylor Edward Pyles.

Once family visited and trickled out, we closed the hospital door, held our son, and began this adventure of being a family.

P.S. My sweet sister-in-law, Sara, made a video of Holden's birthday. You can see it here..

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