Big Week

So far, Week 3 has been the busiest yet.  With our first Easter Egg hunt last Sunday, Scott's Papa's 92nd birthday celebration, Landon's doctor appointment, and Easter Sunday...we've been busy around here!

Well...most of us have been busy.  Here's Landon's typical day:

Unfortunately, Landon has the dreaded Reflux, so his favorite place to sleep is in the Boppy pillow.  Thankfully, the Boppy is portable and can be taken anywhere...even to bed with Mommy when she's desperate for sleep.  Landon had been sleeping in his swing for about a week, but now prefers the Boppy for his slumber.  The swing must stay in the "OFF" position b/c our swing only goes front to back...which is the worst thing for a baby with Reflux.  I'm just glad we caught this early on so that he can start medicine.  Poor Ella Beth didn't start on meds until she was 13 weeks, and by then she had damaged her esophagus and was put on very strong medicine.  Hopefully, Landon will out-grow his reflux faster than his big sister.

Easter has been a lot of fun this year.  Despite not being able to attend church myself this morning, hunting eggs and reading books about Easter with Ella Beth has been special.  This morning, Ella Beth woke to find that the Easter Bunny had "spilled eggs" all over our front yard.  Scott's mom and sister came over late last night and put eggs in the front yard for Ella Beth to find this morning.  It was fun!  She also had a good time at her first Egg Hunt last Sunday.  She doesn't run to find the eggs, but she does get very excited to find what's hidden inside them.  "Ohhh, WOW!" is her new favorite expression!

(I have no clue why this is underlined.)
Landon's doctor appointment went okay on Friday.  He weighed in at 7 lbs, 12 oz - a two pound gain!  Gotta love breast milk!  But, before we all start worrying that he's going to be a monster baby (okay...it's mainly Mommy that's worried!), Ella Beth also gained 2 pounds in her first month of life.  That was the most weight she ever gained!  Hopefully, Landon was just making up for being such a tiny fella!

He did, however, fail his hearing test again.  We are being referred to an oncologist who will examine Landon and determine our possible routes.  Apparently, there are a few procedures that can be done early on a lot of infants that can correct or help repair what is causing him not to hear out of his left ear.  I was surprisingly strong at the doctor's office when he failed the test and the doctor had to "talk" with me.  But, when I called Scott at work, I broke down.  Our pediatrician told me how not being able to hear out of one ear can really effect speech development.  (Of course, she was very sweet and just helping me to understand how important the oncologist appointment would be.  I L-O-V-E our pediatrician, so don't think she was being overly negative.)  Anyway, with Ella Beth's advanced speech development, it's just hard to think about.  I know that I can't compare my children, but it's hard not to want the same "advances" for both of them.  We would very much appreciate your prayers for Landon's hearing.  We are hoping and praying for a miracle.

Other than that, I am doing well and feeling pretty good.  I do wish I could get a continuous 5 hours of sleep at night, but I know it will come soon enough.  I can't believe Landon will be a month old this Thursday.  That seems unreal.  He just got here!  I have really enjoyed getting out for walks this past week, and even ran (okay, jogged) about 3/4 of a mile yesterday.  I was slow-moving, but it felt good just to get my body in the motion.  I am looking forward to regular runs soon.

Well, Happy Easter and Happy Spring to you!  I hope we are all able to take in the AMAZING significance of Easter Sunday.  God is so good!

Landon

Here are some of the sweetest pictures I've ever seen.  I'm so proud to be this little fella's mommy!

Don't even begin to ask me which one is my favorite.  I love them all!  Thanks for celebrating the introduction of our beautiful son! 

It didn't go un-noticed

Ella Beth turning 19 months did not go un-noticed.  It just went un-posted for a week.  Here are some cute shots I got of Ella Beth during a pleasant part of the day.  I love these pictures because they really remind me that behind the whiny facade, there is still a sweet and beautiful little girl who still has Mommy's heart.

And here are a couple of Landon at 2 weeks - yesterday.  I think he's changed a little...you probably can't tell, but he is a little bigger and longer.  He is still a sweet and good baby.  I am so thankful.  He is wanting to "snack" a bit lately while nursing, so I am working on making him get in full feedings.  However, sometimes it's next to impossible when he gets super sleepy.  Our pediatrician said this might happen since he was so little.  He started off eating and sleeping GREAT, but we were told that it might change after a couple of weeks.  Apparently, it has; but I'm crossing my fingers that it goes back to those "early days" soon!  He was getting super sleepy in this first picture...can you tell?  It was about 5 minutes later that I got the second shot.  I'll post his "photo shoot" next.  I need to order my prints!

On having two (Part Two)

Having two is hard.  Really hard.  Landon is easier than I expected, and Ella Beth is much harder than I expected.  I feel that I never have any one-on-one time with Landon because I am always having to occupy, entertain, and distract Ella Beth.  Her independence has really been halted right now b/c we can't let her out of our sight.  She hasn't been mean towards Landon in any way, but she does tend to be overly affectionate.  We would really like for him to survive with both eyes in tact - Ella Beth loves to "Point" them out to him, literally!  What I hate is that a lot of the time I "spend" with Ella Beth is in discipling her.  I feel that I get on to her all of the time, and I absolutely hate it.  She is testing her limits for sure, but I am having a difficult time exercising my patience.  I have realized just how un-Godly I am lately because I have not been as patient or kind as I should be, and I have been easily angered a lot.  I keep questioning why God wanted me to have two kids b/c I simply do not feel that I have the patience for it.   I am just praying that this adjustment period (mostly with me) won't negatively influence Ella Beth or Landon in the long run.  I want them to know that I love them because I radiate love towards them; I don't want them to ever question my love for them.  Right now, I'd hate to hear what Ella Beth would say.  I just have to be more patient with her; I need to understand that her life has been shaken up just like mine.  (I'm really talking to myself here...telling myself what I need to hear.)

Well, I got out for a walk with both of my little ones.  I walked almost 2 miles, and it about killed me.  It wasn't the distance that was the kicker, it was toting around Landon in his sling (which doesn't fit all that well I'm finding out) and pushing Ella Beth in her stroller.  That's a total of over 40 pounds.  That's a lot of weight for me to exercise with.  However, after taking a peek at myself in the mirror this morning when I got out of the shower, I'll be back at it every chance I can find.  It was totally depressing to see my body.  I am so out of shape and flabby.  I have also been eating like a pig lately, but that's got to stop.  I can totally see how people "let themselves go" after having kids b/c it is not going to be easy to be disciplined with exercising.  I must somehow make it a priority.

I sent out Landon's birth announcements this morning.  I think they turned out beautifully, and I hope everyone likes them.  I need to start posting the pictures I have from his "photo shoot" since it's been a week since I took them.  I also need to start taking more pictures period.  It's just so hard to get everything done that I want to.  I have a hard time getting what NEEDS to be done.  Speaking of which, I'm off to do something "needed" - say, vacuum, clean toilets, listen to the messages on the answering machine...

Insurance and update

(There are no pictures yet b/c I don't want to spoil the surprise of Landon's birth announcements which should be sent out Monday.  After that, I'll post to my heart's content!  In other words, when I have time.)

First, let me just start off by saying that GOD IS SO GOOD, HE'S SO GOOD TO ME.  I took Ella Beth to the doctor yesterday because she has just been feeling horrible.  It turns out she has an ear infection.  Well, when I get to the doctor's office they inform me that my insurance has been terminated.  WHAT???  Yes, it was terminated on March 1st without warning, and without the "grace period" that we were supposed to have after the warning.  Nice.

Do you realize that Landon's arrival on Feb. 27th, and the fact that this is a Leap Year are the most amazing factors?  Can anyone even begin to imagine the cost that we would have if Landon was born even one day later?  GOD IS SO GOOD!  Do you know that an epidural alone is over $5000?  Add in the hospital stay, all of the drugs, IV's, and care I received, Landon's care and the newborn tests and screenings done, and we are talking one GIGANTIC medical bill.  Since we had no warning that our insurance was about to expire (we had COBRA through Forsyth Cty Schools), I can only praise God for His timing and that He was so gracious to us.  We are thankful beyond words!

To update you on our Family of Four -

Landon is a wonderful little fella.  He is amazing.  He is sweet.  He still cries for some diaper changes, but that accounts for 99% of his cries.  We are so blessed by his sweet disposition.  He is nursing well.  He is sleeping well.  His little "mister" has healed completely, and his belly-button has also healed.  We are so in love with him.  I already can't remember life without him!

Ella Beth is still adjusting.  Her ear infection and cold definitely made things harder, but she's still having some difficulties with the transition.  The strangest thing is this - she SCREAMS, and I mean SCREAMS, when we have to put Landon down for a nap.  Thank goodness he is a sound sleeper.  But, the moment we go in his room to lay him in his bed, she screams and points at the bed.  We have to make her stand outside of the room just to put him in the bed.  She screams at full-volume, "Bed.  Bed."  It makes no sense, and it absolutely drives me insane.  She doesn't miss him when he's sleeping, so I know it's not due to him being away from her or anything.  It's just something about the process of laying him in the bed that brings out the wails.  Since Landon sleeps a good deal, it's a reoccurring nightmare.  Hopefully, it will pass soon, b/c other than that she's doing okay.  She is good about sitting next to me while I'm nursing and doesn't seem jealous or upset by it (she is a little curious though).  Maybe once she's feeling 100% everything will fall a little more sanely into place.

We have enjoyed visitors and the yummy meals that they have brought.  My mom stayed with us for 3 days and cooked delicious meals for which we were thankful.  I know the meals will stop eventually, so I am relishing in the fact that I don't have to balance cooking and two little ones quite yet!  I feel great.  I honestly don't feel like I've given birth.  If the weather stays nice, I'm already feeling up to my regular 2 mile walks.  I put Landon in his sling for the first time today and went outside with Ella Beth, Meredith, and Jackson.  It was quite enjoyable, and the sling worked beautifully.  I know I'll be getting  a lot of use out of it. 

I'm off...it's bath time for Landon! 

On having two (Part One)

I am calling this "Part One" because I know that things will change over the course of the next few weeks.

So far, having two hasn't been as tough as I expected.  Of course, my mom and Scott are here helping.  (That's the main reason for Part One.)  The biggest thing I have noticed is that my heart really has doubled in size.  I never expected to be so engrossed and in love with another baby the way I am with Ella Beth, but it has already happened.  I am so in love with my son.

The toughest thing right now are Ella Beth's whiny moments.  She's sick.  She's cutting an eye-tooth.  Her world has been dramatically changed.  All understandable reasons for her to be whiny, but they don't really make it easy.  It's hard for me because although I am trying to praise her for every little good thing, I am also having to get on to her a lot.  I can really sense her feeling that Landon is "good" and she is "not as good."  It's rough.  She has also started throwing some tantrums when she doesn't get her way.  I know that she is acting out her frustration at how her life has changed.  I just wish that I could explain to her so that she truly understood that I still love her as much as I ever have.  I tell her all the time, especially after I have to get on to her, but at 18 months she understands actions more than words.

As for Landon, he is still a wonderful little fella.  He cries when he has a dirty diaper, and that's about all.  Honestly.  I know that it's only been 5 days and that things could change drastically, but right now we're enjoying him and his laid-back personality (which I prayed specifically for, by the way). 

I have also been doing some mini-photo sessions of Landon.  It's nice being the photographer b/c I don't feel pressured to get 100 great shots in one session.  I can spread it out as necessary.  Tomorrow, Scott and Landon will be my subjects, so I'm hoping that it goes well and I'm able to capture some great photographs.  I've already been working on his birth announcement, and that's fun!

Well, that's about all the free time I have.  I'll post more pictures soon!

Family of Four

(I have no clue why the captions for the photos are off.  I've tried 3 times to fix them, but once I hit save I lose all of the changes.  Oh well, more important things to attend to.)

We are home.  We are getting settled.  Life is good!

Thanks so much, Ashley, for posting Landon's arrival.  I do have to admit that labor and delivery is still the best part of pregnancy for me.  I am so thankful that the Lord blesses me with such an easy time.  I guess He takes pity on me from the 9 months of not-so-good times!

To re-cap a bit...I went to my ladies Bible study on Tuesday night feeling pretty bad, but since I had felt that way for a while I really didn't think much about it.  I enjoyed our discussion, and ate two chocolate chip cookies before I left.  (It was funny b/c I had actually already brushed my teeth so that I wouldn't "indulge" in anything, but I just couldn't resist Adrienne's cookies.)  Well, when I got home, I couldn't sleep.  I had an uncontrollable urge to fix Landon's room just so.  I went in and organized all of his sleepers, onesies, diapers, socks, mittens, etc. in his dresser.  I was in there until almost mid-night when I convinced myself that I really should sleep.  Well, when I woke up around 6:30, I was having lots of pains in my tummy, but I really never questioned whether it was labor for a long while because my "pains" were very high.  Once they wrapped around to my back, I called my doctor and asked the nurse what she thought.  She told me to come in.  I got to the doctor's office at 10 AM, and they determined that I was in early labor and needed to get to the hospital.  So I go home, Scott and I finish packing and such, and we leave for the hospital. 

We got to exit 13 on 400, and I was in tears.  I just knew that they were going to send us home once we got to the hospital b/c my contractions were subsiding.  I convinced Scott to turn around, and I called my friend Erin who is a labor and delivery nurse at Northside to tell her that I wasn't coming.  Well...she convinced me to "turn that car around b/c there was a room, bed, and epidural ready and waiting."  I still felt as though I would be sent home, but Scott turned around and we got to Northside a little before noon.  When they admitted me, my contractions were 4 minutes apart so it turned out I got to stay!

My labor progressed very easily.  I did get "stuck" at 6 cm for a while, but once they got me in a certain position it was Game On!  I literally went from 6 cm to 10 cm in about 10 minutes.  I couldn't believe it.  It honestly took them longer to set things up for delivery than it did for my dilation!  I started pushing around 7:09, and Landon was born at 7:13 with only 5 pushes.  I'm one lucky gal!  No "problems" with delivery this time, so I'm actually feeling pretty decent.

Okay...so enough of that...here's what you really want.  Pictures!!!

This is the shot we got of Ella Beth as Scott walked in the room with her, and one up close of the "introduction."

Here's one of just us girls.

 

Landon's up-close debut!

 

Mommy and Landon

Mommy, Ella Beth, & Landon

The new Family of Four

Ella Beth wanted a "bracelet" just like Mommy and Daddy's, so Erin made her one.

 

Daddy and Landon

Ella Beth, Daddy, and Landon.  Ella Beth is telling everyone who Landon is.

 

Landon at home in the swing.

 

Ella Beth at the swing with "Baby Landon Brother" as she likes to call him. :)

 

Our welcome home mailbox

Landon's first snooze in his bed.

I started this post yesterday, so here's an update since then.  Landon is a wonderful baby so far, and we are praying that he stays that way!  He is so sweet, and he is content almost all of the time.  Nice. :)  The hardest thing we are having to deal with is that Ella Beth came down with a bad cold while we were at the hospital.  Of course, the only thing she wants to do is touch, hug, play with Landon.  It's been hard keeping her away from him because she gets so upset.  We've talked about him for so long, and now that he's here and she's so excited about him, we have to separate them.  I hate it for her.  We are hoping that this cold passes very quickly.

We took Landon for his follow-up appointment yesterday.  He only lost 1 oz, so he's weighing in at 5 lbs, 10 oz.  I still can't believe how tiny he is.  He swims in his premie clothes, and his premie diapers fall off of him a lot. 

If you are thinking, "Hmmm, I think he looks like Scott."  You are CORRECT!  He's like a photo-copy version of him.  I love it!  It's so endearing to me.  He has clear skin, blond hair, blue eyes, long fingers and toes.  Love every ounce of him!

We do have a prayer request that we would like to share.  Landon has failed his Left Ear Hearing Test.  The doctor told us that it's not something to worry too much about right now, but it's still something that is a little disconcerning.  He will re-do the hearing test on his left ear in three weeks.  We are praying that he passes, and wouldn't mind if you do too.  Thank you.

I am still doing well.  I'm a little sore, but nothing like after having Ella Beth.  We are still adjusting, but life is even better than good - it's amazing!