**NEWS FLASH** 11/1/08 9:25pm Baby Boy Ludy is born!  Confetti is flying! {see below}

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Leslie and I are having a baby - and possibly today.  But we are not having this baby in the traditional fashion.  There is a precious young girl in our church (Bex) that has carried this little chunk of love for the past nine months and, as the amazing story goes, we will be adopting him when he comes into this world.  Yippee!  If you want more detail on the story, visit Leslie’s blog and read her entry, “Great Expectations” {http://setapartgirl.com/_blog/Set_Apart_Girl_Blog}. 

So, if you would like to follow along and get all the latest updates on “New Baby Ludy,” then this is the place.  Come back throughout the next couple days and I’ll be adding in all the bits and bobbles of baby’s arrival. 

Tuesday, October 28th, around noon

Midwife announces that Bex is ready to go.  She’s two centimeters dilated and baby is on his way out.  Go Bex!

Wednesday, October 29th, 3:37am

Bex begins having regular contractions.  Leslie and I were so excited to have another baby born on the 29th (both Hudson and Harper are 29ers), but even with our best efforts to coerce that little baby out of Bex, Baby was satisfied waiting around at least one more day.  We had dinner with Bex last night and she is certainly ready to see little Baby move on out.  Hudson asked Leslie on the way over to Mimi’s Cafe last night, and I quote, “Is baby brudder gonna pop out of Bex’s tummy at Mimi’s Cafe?”  Well, even though Bex was in full agreement with the notion, there was no “popping out” last night.  We’re still waiting.  In fact, we had a surprisingly peaceful night’s rest.  The phone was right by our bed, but no action last night. 

Thursday, October 30th, 7:48am

No Baby update yet this morning.  Could today be the day? How do you go about a normal day’s work when something like this is going on? We are so excited to devour this little bundle with kisses and hugs. 

Thursday, October 30th, 1:46pm

Bex is a bit bummed - she’s still smiling and very excited, but she’s a little disappointed that Baby is still lingering within her.  Her contractions seem to have stopped and now she’s just sort of waiting for the whole drama to start up again.  On the plus side, she did get a good nights rest.  So, sorry everyone, but there’s still nothing of juicy purport to announce.  Meanwhile, Leslie and I decided to make it a family day today.  We drove down to Old Town Fort Collins and sort of played.  It’s gorgeous outside (73 degrees and sunny).  But as long as we have Baby-on-the-brain, we’re fairly useless at getting normal work done.   Stay tuned!  Great things await!

Thursday, October 30th, 5:47pm

Well, the waiting continues.  Les and I have already decided that if Baby chooses to pop out on Halloween that we are going to have to claim that day, from now onward, as a Heavenly holy day and steal it back from the devil. :)  The contractions have basically stopped, but peace is encompassing this entire process.  Babies are so much fun!

Thursday, October 30th, 8:05pm

We are still doing that proverbial pace outside the delivery room.  We had a fun night with the kiddos.  Hudson is loving the Time Machine that Daddy built (see my blog, Time Machine), and so we certainly got a lot of use out of it tonight.  Before bed tonight we visited Adam (before Eve was made out of his rib) and helped him name all his animals.  It was great fun.  As a side drama we watched Eve formed out of Adam’s rib - it was quite the scene.  I don’t know if Hudson and Harper were more impressed with me attempting to act out Eve or the fact that Eve was fashioned out of a little boney rib.  So, long and short, we are finding ways to distract ourselves and loving the entirety of the journey. 

Thursday, October 30th, 9:36pm

Put the kiddos down to bed and Leslie and I had a wonderful prayer time for the little snuggle-pie still inside Bex.  One thing is for certain - this little child has been blasted with prayer.  Thank you all for praying and for the wonderful support. 

Friday, October 31st, 7:02am

Slept like a log last night.  The only drama last night was in my dreamworld, in which I got upset with the national media and their handling of this election.  I was looking all over for a microphone so that I could bark out my opinion but couldn’t seem to find one.  If I blogged on my dreams every morning, I could provide a lot of laughs.  They are always so whacky and yet somehow, sort of true.  :)  Well, it’s supposed to be another beautiful day here in Colorado.  Maybe this will be the day.  Hang in there Bex!  We are all cheering you on! 

Friday, October 31st, 3:32pm

Who would have guessed that we would still be waiting come Friday afternoon.  It’s been a fun past few days of anticipation.  Tonight, Bex and gang are coming over for steaks on the barbecue and some serious laughs.  Maybe some belly laughter will shoot that little guy right out of there. :) 

Friday, October 31st, 10:56pm

It appears that Baby has decided not to make his debut on Halloween.  I must admit, I’m a bit relieved.  We laughed so hard tonight that our sides ached.  It was “share you most embarrassing moment night” at the Ludy house tonight and we howled and howled.  Unfortunately, I have way too many stories to share when it comes to that topic.  The funniest story was about someone who wasn’t even present at our night of hilarity.  My brother Mark’s story about being locked out of the house and having to run down the street in his whitey-tighty underwear sort of stole the show.  I’ll try and get an audio recording of him telling the story sometime and get it up online - you all will absolutely love it! :) 

So, the latest Baby news - (drum roll please) - we are going to have a November baby!  And I think that’s pretty great!  The month of November is full of all sorts of fun things - Thanksgiving, Christmas lights, pumpkin pie, Christmas music, big piles of leaves, and now a precious little baby boy!

Saturday, November 1st, 3:35am

Leslie and I are scurrying around with glee trying to get things together.  Leslie is headed over to the hospital to be with Bex and I’m going to stay on guard here with the kiddos, until further notice.  As the story goes, Bex’s water broke this morning at around 3:35am (It’s 4:12am right now as I write this), and so all is moving forward great guns.  The phone rang and I shot up in bed and said, “Where’s the phone?”  I stumbled around the room and eventually found the phone (in the pitch black) lying on top of our dresser.  I was actually surprised that I pushed the correct button in order to answer it.  It was Bex and you could hear the giddiness in her voice.  “My water broke!” She pronounced.  “You guys are having a baby!”  I guess all our belly laughter last night (see last log entry) worked its wonder! :)  This sure is exciting!   I’ll keep you all posted.  And thanks for all the comments below.  It’s a blessing to know that you are all standing with us in this. 

Saturday, November 1st, 8:24am

Leslie just called from the hospital.  Everyone is happy and expectant.  Bex is moving along but not very quickly.  The contractions still aren’t very intense.  Hudson is so excited about his “baby brudder” arriving.  I got up super early this morning, so in addition to a good prayer time I got a new discipleship series online, Fortification - volume 2 - and it’s a good one! {view my handiwork here}.  It feels a little like Christmas morning in the Ludy house today. 

Saturday, November 1st, 1:57pm

I’ve been on kid duty today waiting for word from the hospital.  The last word I heard is that Bex is still not progressing very quickly.  We are reaching that magic hour when medical personnel begins to get a bit concerned (due to the fact that her water has already broken) and they try to speed things up.  Let’s be praying for Baby to get the itch to, as Jesus once said, “Come forth!” 

Hudson got his first big boy bike last night.  So today, Daddy, Hudson, and Harper took a bike trip to Loodles (my brother’s coffee shop).  We had a really fun time.  The weather in northern Colorado right now is extraordinary!  We ran around and played tag, chatted with some Windsor folk, then got back on our big boy bikes and came on home.  The kids just went down for their afternoon nap, so I grabbed a moment to give this update.  Have I mentioned that I am super-excited about this little life? :) 

Saturday, November 1st, 5:18pm

Well, Bex hasn’t really responded to the labor stimulus.  She’s at least not in pain, but talk has already begun to surface about a c-section. Bex is definitely not wanting to go down that road, so let’s keep praying specifically for her labor to progress properly.   Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the kids and I recorded a little welcome audio for baby brother.  I bribed them with lolipops to be on their best behavior.  You be the judge of if it worked. :)  Oh, and the picture was taken moments after we finished.

 

Saturday, November 1st, 8:30pm

Bex is absolutely exhausted.  She hasn’t eaten anything all day and is super weak.  Unfortunately, she is just not progressing and so the issue of a c-section surgical removal is front and center right now.  Leslie and I are just aching for our dear friend, Bex.  We can’t push for her, we can’t carry her pain and discomfort - but, we can pray.  And so to our knees we go, yet again.  We will fight to see this through.  Go Bex, go!  You are a champion for life, Bexie!  And you’ve got the Almighty Baby-deliverer in your corner.  :)  Lord, give our girl wisdom and strength to go the distance and finish strong. 

Saturday, November 1st, 8:55pm

Bex is being taken into surgery right now.  As much as she didn’t want a c-section, she’s ready for it now.  The surgery should last about 35-40 minutes.  So, Baby will be here very soon.  Thank you all for praying.  Now is the time Bex needs strength more than any other time in this process.  So let’s pray for this precious girl right now. 

Saturday, November 1st, 10:56pm

Well, it’s gloriously official!  Baby is born!  From what I can piece together the surgery went well.  Bex and Baby came through strong and, for the most part, healthy.  Baby is having some difficulty breathing due to the cesarian birth, but his lungs seem fine - they are monitoring him in the nursery.  The birth was at 9:25pm, and believe it or not, I just heard about it five minutes ago. Leslie’s been in the nursery with the baby and her cell phone is out of battery, thus the late notification.  Supposedly, Baby is as cute as can be with big brown eyes and a brownish pile of hair.  He weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and stretched out 21 inches.  Bex is still recovering from surgery and still, as of yet, hasn’t had a chance to hold the little guy.  Leslie claims he’s a true cuddle bug deserving of a good lacquering of Ludy kisses.  Currently, I’m arranging to have someone come over to our house and be with our sleeping children so that I can head over to the hospital and see this little miracle child for myself.  Oh, what a blessing children are!  Thank you all for praying! And, don’t worry, pictures will be forthcoming!

P.S. - for all of you wondering about the name . . . nothing is yet official, so keep guessing! :)

Sunday, November 2nd, 8:29am

I already have my first nickname for the little fella - The Italian Stallion.  He’s sort of the baby version of Robert DeNiro meets Sly Stallone.  It’s hilarious!  He’s so cute. He’s got these huge hands (just like Hudson had) and his arms look like they are ready to “break the jaws of the evil doers and remove the prey from his teeth.” :)  (see Job 29:17 if that’s a bit confusing)  We have ourselves a mini-warrior here.  He had a bit of water in his lungs which was causing the above mentioned “difficulty breathing,” and as of last night around midnight he was cleared as perfectly healthy.  Our Christmas card picture is going to be an adorable multi-cultural expression of God’s love - we have the blonde Hudson, the Asian Harper, and the little “Al Pacino” cuddle bug. :)  Leslie and I absolutely love this notion of adoption - it’s a reminder of what heaven will look like. 

Bex is recovering well.  It was a difficult and emotionally trying day yesterday, but even after all was said and done, she was smiling and cracking jokes.  Bex, that was hero’s work yesterday - well done! 

A new life has begun, my friends, and it’s a life that will certainly change this world for Jesus Christ. 

Sunday, November 2nd, 12:51pm

Leslie’s been over at the hospital all morning.  Bex is really weak (which is not unusual after abdominal surgery) and Baby is thriving.  Hudson is just dying to see the little shnuggle-bug, but it might not be until tonight that he gets his first peek at “baby brudder.”  It took us three days to finally officially name Hudson, so we have a reputation for slowness to keep up when it comes to naming boys. :)  Right now his hospital papers have him as Joel Anthony, which are two family names from Bex’s side.  Joel is her grandfather’s name and Anthony is the birth father’s name.   We have discussed with Bex that we really want to integrate Joel Anthony into his name .  So there’s at least one puzzle piece for all your curious souls. :)

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