All by myself :)

So today embarks the life of motherhood of 2 by myself. My mom was here for about 3 weeks which is super long compared to what other mother's stay, but when she comes from so far and so little, she wants to make the most of it. I really enjoy spending time with her, and we had a grand time. Our days were filled with watching Regis and kelly together, going out shopping for anything, lunch dates, and mostly chats sitting on the couch holding Landon, and watching Carson play on the living room floor. We are a lot alike and really get along well. She thinks like me a lot as far as getting things done around the house and stuff, so she is a big help b/c she does things how and when I like them done. :) I really am spoiled with all the good times we had and nice company I had with her here.

Now it's back to reality. Although now that I've hit the 6 week mark (magic number for me) I feel prepared. Prepared to start cooking and baking, to start helping out at church again, and planning things with other people. prepared to do things for others, and start life on my own. but also prepared to take care of my two sons and my husband.

I love being called to be a mother and a wife. :)

5 Weeks

I've made it 5 weeks now. My mom came about 2 weeks ago - or a little less. It's been so wonderful to have her here. I survived just over 3 weeks on my own. (although not without lots of help from our church and melissa). Those 3 weeks are a little of a blur and I don't remember too much. I do know that Landon slept a lot during the day and slept 3 hour chunks at night and would always go back to sleep. I didn't do too much around the house or going out, just for apts and things that I had to do.

Once my mom got here we have had tons of fun. It's just wonderful to have the company all day, someone to talk to all day. It helps so much. And as her leg heals more and more (she broke it 8 weeks ago) we are going out more and more. She takes us out to eat and we go shopping. Although she can't jump around with us, it's helpful to have her walk with Carson (they are at the same speed right now :)) and hold his hand so he doesn't run off while I get landon out of the car and set up in the stroller.

Landon started waking up a lot more throughout the day. He cries a lot now and doesn't nap too well. We've had a few really bad nights too. he has never gone more than 4 hours at night and that isn't too often or consistent. I'm so thankful my mom is here now for landon's fussy times to help me out. I've heard 6 weeks is the peak time, and he should start doing a little better soon. I try to keep him on as consistent of a schedule as possible during the day, and every night I go to bed hoping that's the night he sleeps longer. I know it will happen one day - it's just a matter of waiting.

Sorta a cliche saying but "every baby is different" and that is so true. I have to stop comparing him to what Carson did b/c he a different person and born on a different schedule.

Overall we love having Grammie here with us all the time. Carson loves his baby brother and loves to bring the pacifier to him when he's crying or kiss him and touch him and lay down beside him. :)

I love my boys! :)

p.s. I LOVE FALL!!!! (and the fact that I'm not pregnant)

Unprepared and Unexpected

Since my last post many things have changed in our household and boy was I not prepared for it. Our Second baby was born 6 weeks early. To read full story read here.

Since that post just mentioned, here is an update. I came home from the hospital on Friday the 10th (landon was born on the 8th). He stayed in the NICU for 6 days. Coming home friday night was very anticlimactic. Not fun at all. :( My sister, Jerelyn, had come up with her 2 sons to help me out. Which by the way was so huge for Richard and I. It allowed Carson to be able to stay here at home with her, and we could leave as much as we wished to visit Landon and not having to take Carson to someone else's house.

For 4 days my life was consumed with pumping every 2-3 hours (even at night) and being in the NICU for as many feedings as I could be. (which was about 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening). Might I add, no mother should have to be walking into the NICU 2 days after giving birth and walking all over the place carrying her stuff. Those next 4 days were pretty tiring and not the easiest. What I kept telling myself is that Landon really is doing great. Thankfully I didn't have to do it for that long. I know many parents who do that for a lot longer, and now I will know how to pray for them.

Landon came home on Tues the 14th!!! and we were so excited. Jerelyn left with her 2 boys on weds morning. I was really nervous about being home by myself right away, and Richard going back to work. (my mom cannot come until her original date that she bought her tickets for).

Through this whole process we have seen the church body we are a part of come to help us just like family. I have had a couple ladies come for a few hours each day to help me with things and that is so helpful. People have been bringing us meals, and a bunch of people brought us groceries to hold us over. As hard as it is without my mom being here, our church family has made it a lot easier on us. (and when my mom does get here at the end of the month, everything will be normalized and we can party and go galavanting all the time) :)

It was quite the experience, although I know there are a lot worse situations. And through it all Richard and I felt God's strength. It's so true, he gives you the strength to go through whatever he ordains for you to go through.

Now things are looking so good - Landon is a great baby so far. Sleeps a lot and eats every 3 hours. He is my little timer. Our house was a complete disaster without one thing done for the new baby. (In fact Labor day was supposed to be our day to prepare for him, but I was in the hospital). Slowly I've gotten a few projects done here and there, and our hosue is slowly coming together for a baby. we have organized our lives a little too which helps me feel better about it. Richard started classes too - so that is added busyness for him. But we will make it through. Not what we were expecting, but such a blessing. And one of the best things about this whole event is I ended work so unexpectedly. I was so tired and burnt out from working and thought I had at least one more month of it. But now I'm done with that job FOREVER!! :)

We love you Landon and are so thrilled you came early to meet us. :)

Update

Since we came back - I have aprox. 8 weeks until the second baby is due. My stomach grew like at least 5 inches while on vacation. I know some women love being pregnant and I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but I am pretty tired of being pregnant and there is realyl nothing that I really enjoy about being pregnant. Ok - I'll try to think of the positive and not complain - I love that my skin is so clear, I haven't had to wear make up and my face doesn't really break out at all - and my hair is super healthy. But I am really starting to get uncomfortable and now that I know what it all is like, and the amazing feeling the first few weeks of not being pregnant - I cannot wait to have that agian. I can't wait to sleep comfortably, walk comfortably, eat comfortably, and start the process of running and losing weight instead of constantly gaining weight no matter what I try to do.
I have so much to do before the baby comes though. I have tons of organizing to do with our upstairs, with our clothes and extra room, and toys and arranging everything. But what I'm really trying to do is get through one month and a week of work. UGH!!!
And our whole family is really anxiously waiting the cooler weather now. I had a great summer of fun in the sun - but now i can't wait until my favorite season - FALL!!!!

VA Beach trip

We just got back from a wonderful trip to VA Beach!!! So much to talk about with even how this all came about. We have great friends from College that live there. Richard's good friend and my best friend. In college there was a group of 4 guys that all hung out, prayed together and really challenged each other - Mike, Wes, Dan, and Richard. when we graduated the same year at college they committed to stay connected and to pray for each other and hold each other accountable through the many years of life. Well it's been 4 years since College graduation. We have all been in each mother's weddings, (except for dan, who we're still waiting on to get married). But we haven't seen each other since the last wedding almost 3 yrs ago. (all the wives sorta get thrown in the mix, but we really get along great to0). So a while ago we decided to plan this major tirp to VA beach and all committed to making this happen. when we started planning it we didn't realize there would be a 3 month old, a 4 week old, and a 31 week pregnant lady in the bunch, but we still all made the effort, and it was well worth it. Great group of friends with great memories to talk about, and making great memories.

Great time at the beach a couple days, Great food and coffee, and great talks were had by all.

God blessed us with awesome godly friends - and we are so thankful for them, and their encouragement to us. We have all gone our own ways - but we still make an effort to keep in touch.

And I was most happy b/c I got to visit with my best friend who is also there with her husband, and their new baby. sadlly i didn't take any pictures of them - I'll have to wait until she sends them to me.

Nothing better than some sister time!

Last weekend I took a day off from work and went to visit my sister. I hadn't seen her since February and she only lives 3 hrs away. There's just something so relaxing and enjoyable about spending time with your sister. She is my twin - but we are as opposite in every way possible. Having kids together has been so fun. We both are pretty relaxed about things and her house is plenty big enough for all of them to run around. We understand eachother and love each other no matter what. There's just nothing like family - and sometimes I really miss being around my family. She did her youngest son's 1st yr birthday party and I helped her with everything. Although I missed Richard terribly - I was so thankful for the time that I spent with Jerelyn. (Plus I don't think we will ever live this close after we are done here with school)