Our precious Judson Carpenter Mabry came into the world on Thursday, May 27th at 4:19 PM!
He was born at 8 lbs 6 oz and 20 inches full of pure sweetness! We love him so much already and are completely SMITTEN with him!
We had the most amazing experience at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and could not have been more blessed with the most amazing doctors and nurses and a wonderful delivery!! We have been so overwhelmed by the Lord’s faithfulness and goodness in every single step of the best day of our lives - and soaking in every moment!! We even had all of our hospital staff sign our "On The Night You Were Born" book (that we had received as a baby gift) - and it was so humbling to go back and read over all of the sweet notes and prayers they wrote for sweet baby Judson and for our growing family... cue the tears!
Also, another little “god-wink” was that our room number for the postpartum/mommy-baby floor was 527…and Judson was born on 5/27 (May 27th)!! God was most definitely in all of the details…and it would be impossible to try and write them all out in this little blog post!
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY.” // Psalm 126:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” // Psalm 127:3-5
And now that I’m finally getting around to writing this blog post, tomorrow just so happens to be my birthday, and I can say (without a doubt!) that my baby boy is the absolute greatest birthday gift I could ever dream of or imagine! And I have no doubt that this will most definitely be my best birthday yet!
So hard to believe I’ve been holding you in my arms for 2 and a half weeks now, sweet baby Judson! You are my sweetest “hand-delivery” from Jesus and have brought your daddy and I so much JOY already! We love being your parents and can’t wait to see the strong and kind man of God you grow into one day!
Your birth story and our amazing hospital experience at Spartanburg Regional was such a testament to the goodness of God and we are so thankful for all of the nurses, doctors, and staff that took care of us during our time there - people who were truly the hands and feet of Jesus during the most life-changing experience of officially becoming parents!
I still can’t talk about your birth without tearing up over the goodness, mercy, grace, and faithfulness of Jesus! Getting to nurse you and rock you day in and day out and look into your precious little eyes has taught me to seek the Lord in both praise and prayer like never before - and for that I am forever grateful.
You have changed our lives forever, sweet baby Judson. And I can’t imagine not knowing your sweet and strong little spirit now… one that I truly believe God is going to use to bring so much light into this world one day!
The Lord spoke this verse over me shortly before you were born and I know that these words are ones for me to cling to and point you back to for all of your days:
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” // Psalm 46:10
I have never been so overwhelmed by the love and grace of our Heavenly Father. Holding my precious baby boy is nothing short of a miracle and my sweet Judson is a daily reminder of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in my life. I have always dreamed of being a mommy and I can’t believe this season is here - and I have never been more in love with both a little tiny person AND with my sweet sweet Jesus.
“I was made for heaven. I was made for Jesus. I was made to walk in the cool of the day with you.... The whole point of my existence... is to know your love.” - my favorite lyrics in one of my most played worship songs - “Made for Jesus” by John Mark Pantana.
I have shared this before, but “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe & Elevation Worship was the song that I clung to throughout my pregnancy and Wes even had it playing on repeat when it was time “to push” and we brought sweet baby Judson into the world. And leading up to this point, we were playing Maverick City Music worship music and praising our good good father for what was to come - truly never experienced anything like it. Experiencing the birth of my sweet baby boy was nothing short of touching heaven and I truly believe it was a “thin space” where I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit like never before. The Lord was with me and beside me, and finally getting to hold baby Judson on my chest skin-to-skin was the greatest miracle and something I will never ever forget for all of my days.
“God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, and above all you could ever ask, imagine, or think, according to His power at work in you. To Him be the glory.” // Ephesians 3:20
All glory to our good and faithful heavenly FATHER who gives the very best gifts and loves to bless his children ABUNDANTLY! I get teary and weepy every single time I think about Judson’s birth and just the precious MIRACLE that He is.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” // Numbers 6:24-26
Now onto some sweet photo memories over these past 2 and a half weeks of life with our sweet baby Judson… precious memories and milestones that I hope and pray I will always remember!
Judson getting to meet his "Nana" (my mom) for the very first time when she came to visit us in the hospital - so so thankful we were allowed one additional visitor (besides Wes)!!
Leaving the hospital on Saturday afternoon with sweet Baby Judson in my arms - such a happy happy day and the very best feeling!
Judson’s first “carride” home from the hospital!
Judson getting to meet his big brother, Red, for the very first time....on Red's second birthday!! SO special that their birthdays are just TWO days apart - so sweet!
Judson getting to meet his grandparents for the very first time upon coming home from the hospital!
Alll the newborn snuggles and cuteness!!
Judson’s very first bath (which he surprisingly loved - we think we may have a “water baby” on our hands)!!
All clean and dressed up in his new Memorial Day outfit from “Nana!”
Judson's first doctor's check-up - where the doctor said he was a very "happy and healthy" little boy - praise the Lord!
And, as always, greeted home by his protective big brother, Red!
Judson getting to meet his great grandparents, Nana & Poppy (Wes’ paternal grandparents) for the very first time!
Judson in is “Fitness Edge” onesie from Papa Carroll (Wes’ mentor and the owner of the gym – Fitness Edge – that Wes works out at every single morning)!
Judson’s one-week-old photo!
Judson’s first stroller ride around the neighborhood!
Red helping Daddy give Judson another bath!!
Judson’s first “tummy time” on his safari play-mat!
Judson dressed in his adorable "Noah's Ark" onesie from Aunt Meghan, Uncle Trey, and his "birthday twin" - baby Henry!
We love going on summer evening walks while it’s cooler outside!!
My little baby bear loved getting to spend a Sunday afternoon with his family - and loved getting his picture taken with his Papaw and Papa Jack!
Alllll about the safari outfits around here!
A couple of sneak peaks from baby Judson’s newborn studio photo session with the amazing Emily Moncus Photography! Can't wait to share more when I get the rest of them back in a couple of weeks!!
Judson and Red - the very best of friends already!
Can't wait to watch them grow up together!
A couple more sneak peaks from Judson’s in-home nursery session that our dear friend, Hannah (over at Hannah Obremskey Photo) came over to take for us earlier this week! I am sure I will be sharing lots more of these photos in my next upcoming blog post once I receive them all – so stay tuned!
Judson’s 2-week-old photos and an excellent report from his 2-week doctor’s visit - he is now 2 ounces ABOVE his birthweight- go Judson go!!
Judson got to meet his new bestie, Tucker - who was born just 5 DAYS after him! Emily and I can't wait to raise these baby boys to be best friends, just like their mamas!
And Wes and Parks were killin' the #dadlife during our time together, too!
Judson’s first time in a baby carrier! He is such a cute little koala bear and loves to be held super close to my chest!
And most importantly, living for alllll the baby Judson newborn cuteness and snuggles these days!!
ALSO, little life update for y’all from over here in the Mabry household…
After lots of prompting and encouragement from my sweet hubby, Wes, friends, and family, I have decided to start a little page over on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app - where I hope to share all of my favorite lifestyle products, baby items (and cute clothes, of course!), mommy items, and finds!!
You can n0w find me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app (https://www.liketoknow.it/emilyjoannemabry ) under my username, @emilyjoannemabry !
I have such a heart for sharing what I love and what brings me JOY, and obviously love sharing sweet photos of my growing family!! I’ve been wanting to start a little page like this for a while now (actually over a year), especially with Wes officially starting full time at the church (as the college pastor) later this month, and truly believe now is the “perfect time” - especially with me staying home with sweet baby Judson and while I am taking my maternity leave from Emily Mabry Creative!
It’ll be a fun way for me to continue getting to share sweet photos of my little family over on Instagram while also getting to make a little extra income to help support Wes’ dream of ministry and stay home with my baby boy!!
I always have so many messages asking for links to different things I post, and I absolutely LOVE getting to share! So now, you can simply head on over to my LTK page at https://www.liketoknow.it/emilyjoannemabry (I’ve also added a “Shop My Feed” link up on the EMC website menu - https://www.emilymabrycreative.com/shop) to shop my favorite finds and items! I will post some “instructions” on my Instagram story of how you can download the app and follow along with me over on this new adventure!
I will be posting (or re-posting) what I share over on Instagram, too, but you’ll have to follow me over on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app (https://www.liketoknow.it/emilyjoannemabry) to find the actual links!! OR you can take a screenshot of my (upcoming) Instagram posts & open the LTK app for more details!!
I am so thankful for all of you who have already been SO encouraging of this new little venture of mine as my family is beginning this exciting new season of life!! I can’t wait to have y’all follow along with me over here on Instagram AND on the LIKEtoKNOW.it app! Thank y’all for supporting my dreams and cheering me on along the way!
You can download the LIKEtoKNOW.it app and follow me at https://www.liketoknow.it/emilyjoannemabry
