Landon's Arrival Continued

Once we got to the Hospital and told them my water broke we were shown to our room. Once we got to the room I was given my huge gown. I then crawled into bed and there was water on the floor. Thankfully, a wonderful woman came in and had to mop it up. The ridiculously long check-in process began. I knew the contractions were going to start hurting since I had released the Pacific Ocean. All I wanted was my epidural but I had to wait to get checked in. Did I say the contractions were going to start hurting? Forgive me - That was an understatement. I like to think I have a pretty decent pain tolerance but good Lord! Those jokers are rough. They pretty much began hurting when we got to the hospital around 9:30pm and they were coming every minute and lasting for a minute so I was not getting much relief or time to re-cooperate. I was trying to be strong and take them like a champ but I'm sure I looked pretty crazy when they were coming. I caught Chad laughing a few times at me. I'd like to see how he would handle them but I will never know! It took 2 hours for me to get my epidural. 2 hours of contractions. I didn't even feel the epidural go in but after I got it I could have done a little dance! After getting it, I cannot imagine for the life of me why anyone would want to experience those. I don't get it but I don't judge either. Whatever floats your boat - I however am in love with the epidural. Enough about that. Throughout the evening I continued to dialate and was constantly told to rest, that I would need it. Sleep and the Hospital just don't go together. My blood pressure was getting checked every 10 minutes, alarms going off, machines beeping constantly and the nurse coming in every 5 minutes.

Speaking of the nurse - not impressed. The doctor on call, it was the first time I met her and I was not impressed. Unfortunately, we had to deal with them until 7am but I saw light at the end of the tunnel. I kept telling Landon to hold off until 7am. Why you ask? Because the wonderful Dr. Turner who I had seen throughout the pregnancy would be there and we would get a new nurse. Funny story - There was something beeping really loud in our room at one point and the nurse ran in and asked us what the noise was. I was thinking seriously. How in the world would I know? Chad's response - "I don't know - I don't work here." Oh, how I love that man. At another point, something else was beeping and she came in and asked us which of my IV bags was empty - Again, no clue. It was pretty frustrating.

So 7am rolled around and instantly a new nurse came in and Dr. Turner came in the room. It was like a beam of light filled the room. Totally different experience immediately! When they walked out after we talked - Chad literally stood up and started dancing which made me crack up laughing. After that, It was a pretty long day. Chad was going out periodically and updating family and friends that were there. I continued to dialate but waiting to get to 10 cm seemed like an eternity. If memory serves me correct, I think I started pushing about 12:30ish. It was so strange pushing but not really being able to feel anything. Thank you epidural! I felt like I was pushing with all my might and he was so close to coming - atleast that's what I was told. They kept telling me how great I was doing so I kept thinking I'm going to hear my son crying soon. I pushed and pushed for two hours. Then it changed. Dr. Turner came in and monitored my pushing and she got a look of concern on her face. It scared me but I kept pushing. Then she informed me that I had a fever and Landon's heart was going into distress during my contractions. With these two factors she insisted we do a C-section to prevent him from getting a fever or something more serious happening. Instantly, I couldn't help but feel like I failed and I began to cry. I think it was a mix of exhaustion and panic.

It didn't take long for them to prep me for the C-section but I had to sign all of these papers. Chad had to wait in the room while they took me and then they would go get him. The room was all white and the bed they moved me onto was incredibly small. They began to get me all doped up. I was so out of it. I remember a guy telling me he would let me know when they were going to start since all I could see was a blue sheet. As soon as he said that, he told me she started but I paniced and asked where Chad was?!?! He left the room and got Chad. I needed him. So I felt the pressure which was crazy but not the cutting. It was so strange. Within minutes, my whole body moved up and then got pulled down. Instantly, I felt my stomach shrink and I heard a loud cry (which I hear everyday now ;) Tears filled mine and Chad's eyes. All I wanted to do was see him and hold him but still only the blue sheet. Chad went to see him and I was informed that the little booger was 8 lbs 7 oz. How in the world did that happen?!? No wonder my stomach didn't drop - there was no where for him to go!!  No wonder he was in my rib cage!! So at 3:24pm my little man entered the world with a loud set of lungs :) 19 hours of labor and that's not counting Friday. After they cleaned him up the nurse brought him over to me. What a moment that I will never forget. He was perfect. The bonding was instant. He knew I was his mommy. Then they left and I finished getting sewn up. I actually fell asleep during this. Onto recovery! I remember laying there leaving the room and I asked the nurse if I could take off my Oh so sexy shower cap. She laughed and said just a minute ;) I was only in recovery for an hour. All I wanted to do was hold him. Chad brought my mom's camera to me because she had video of him in the nursery. As I watched this, I couldn't hold back the tears. He was so alert and wide-eyed. He was just beautiful. The video at the bottom is the one I watched from my mom's camera :)

I finally got to leave recovery and I remember heading down the hallway and seeing our entourage there ;) I was so out of it and I'm sure I looked it - haha. I got to my room and got all hooked up and then she asked if I wanted Landon. Well of course! She brought him in and words cannot describe my feelings as I held him and looked at him. I was so thankful that he was healthy and that God never left my side. Sitting there with my little family my love for Chad was through the roof. I love the fact that God knew Chad and I would fall in love and create such a handsome son. Brings tears to my eyes just typing that. God is so good and we are going to raise Landon in a home filled with more love than he can imagine.

Chad and I want to thank everyone for their love and support throughout this adventure. It has been long but so worth it and I would do it again tomorrow. Chad and I are overwhelmed with how much we are loved but we are truly blessed to have a son that is loved far more than he knows.

Walking the halls on Friday night

Exhausted Friday Night

My Mom and Dad on Friday night

Sunday in the nursery

Sunday in the Nursery

Wide eyed - Ready for the World

My Father in law Joey but to Landon - Big Daddy

Aunt Jennifer with Landon

Proud Daddy

Proud Grandmother :)

Big Daddy with Landon

Aunt Jennifer :)

Proud Grandfather :)

Landon with his Great Grandmother, Honey :)

Aunt Brenda and proud Grandmother :)

Tara, one of my co-workers, with Landon :)

Group shot!

Uncle Clay and Grandmother :)

Landon's First Video and my first real glimpse of my son :)

One Month already?!?!?

Dear Landon,

I can't believe it has already been a month since you came into our lives. You are now 11 lbs 1 oz and 23 inches long. You just continue to grow before my eyes. I see things about you changing every day. Your eyes and smile make me melt. You have my dimples :) You like bath time when you have a full tummy. You make it well known when you are ready to eat. I'm positive the neighbors know too :) You like to sleep in your room and you love music. We just recently found out you like suckers (Thanks to your Daddy). You have already rolled over several times and even the pediatrician cannot get over how strong you are. You don't like socks. Your hair is a mess and I love it :) You don't like to be by yourself for very long. You love riding in the car and like your mother you like to listen to Justin Beiber! Your skin is gorgeous. You have your daddy's fingers and toes. You make so many faces and have many different noises. You make noises all night in your sleep. I love to catch you smiling in your sleep - It makes me wonder what you are dreaming about. I can't lie to you - This first month has been pretty rough but I can't imagine our life without you. Your amazing and I thank God for you :) Your dad and I are learning as we go so try to go easy on us. We're new to this. We promise to do the very best we can :) We love you Landon Thomas!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Landon's Arrival

Yes, I have been MIA now for about 3 and a half weeks. So I knew things were going to change but I'm pretty sure now that was an understatement. Landon has totally rocked our world but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I thought I would start back blogging on the story of Landon's arrival. I think it has some funny parts (especially if you know Chad and I) and for me it was pretty emotional.

On Friday, January 28th I met my mom and Honey (Grandmother) for a pedicure. Much needed and I have a new respect for the calf massage during pregnancy! It was late afternoon so I headed home afterwards. I got home a little after 6pm. Chad was working on the lawnmower in the back when I got home. I talked to him for a little bit and headed inside. As I sat there on the couch I noticed that my tummy got pretty tight for about 30 seconds and went back to normal. I called Chad and told him - I'm pretty sure I just had a contraction. He told me what I knew and that was to write down the time and just keep up with it. He came inside about 10 minutes later and I had another one when he got inside. He went ahead and had his shower and by the time he got out, they were about 6 minutes apart. I started getting excited, nervous, panic - all of these things were going through my mind. I called my doctors office and thank God my doctor was the one on call and she called and confirmed that she was confident that I was in prelabor and that I should come in.

We got in the car and started heading to the hospital. We contacted family to let them know what was going on but that we were not 100% sure what was going on so they may just want to sit tight. Once we got there, they examined me and I was at 1 and a half cm dilated. They told me they would check again in about an hour and I was welcome to walk or go get something to eat. Understand me when I say I have never walked so much in my life. We went down to the CFA and I didn't sit down at all. I walked while I ate my food and my feet were feeling it. I'm pretty sure that I had the Mac Daddy of swollen feet during my pregnancy. We got back to the room and I could barely get my shoes off. After my next check I was at 2-2 1/2 cm. Again, I was told they would check again in an hour. I was ready for the booger to come so we went walking again. By this point our families had arrived and we went out to the lobby and I think I walked the floor with every member of my family that night. After my next check there was no change but they told me I was welcome to stay and they would check me in the morning. I'm not a big fan of sleeping at hospitals because there is no sleep taking place. So I opted to go home and they gave me something to help me sleep. Disappointed and tired we left and spent the night at home.

Saturday was very strange. I went the whole day experiencing my stomach tightening and releasing. Not a feeling I am used to and it was a long day of keeping track. At this point, it was a total waiting game. I made it through the day and tried to take it easy but I did clean out my car. I didn't want Landon in a dirty car ;) That night, Chad and I were online playing Call of Duty with friends and I had my legs propped up. We decided to get off and eat the jello I made earlier. So we got off and I remember Chad called our friend Jeremy and told him we were done playing for the night and that we would call if anything changed with me. Chad came in the kitchen and I handed him two bowls and that's when it happened. I felt my water break just slightly at first. I looked and Chad and said, "I'm pretty sure my water just broke..." I then ran to the bathroom and I won't go into detail but that is exactly what happened. From the bathroom all I could see in the kitchen was Chad running back and forth trying to get everything together in the kitchen. So, I'm in Chad's PJ pants and they are soaked but we get in the car (without the Jello) and head towards the hospital. I contacted family and friends and after that I spent the car ride trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was going to be meeting my son very soon. Chad was very calm except for when he got behind a slow person. I was just mad that we left the jello out and didn't bring it - I really wanted my jello! We arrived at hospital and Chad dropped me off at the entrance. As I got out - I was soaked and I made my way in, leaving a trail for Chad to find me. As I am waddling down the hallway I got smiles from women who understood and looks of confusion from the men I passed. So we began the process of checking in again.

This is all I can get in of the story for the moment and I will post the rest soon...

To be continued...

Here are a few pictures:)

Landon Thomas Reichert is here!!!

Landon Thomas Reichert is finally here! He came into the world on January 30 at 3:24 p.m. weighing 8 lbs

7 oz and 20.5 inches long :)

I'll have a bigger post soon but for now this is all I can do :)

39 Weeks! Come on Landon!

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Introducing Mr. Landon Thomas Reichert's Room!

Good Morning All! Yes, I am still pregnant and swollen :) My feet = Yuck! I tried to talk to Landon last night and tell him to come on but he's being a stubborn little booger! I know he will come when he is good and ready but I need him to understand how excited I am to hold my son. I keep trying to wrap my head around the fact that I will be holding my son within the next week or so. It brings tears to my eyes just typing that.

Below you will see Landon's Room! I know Chad doesn't think that Winnie the Pooh is masculine but I was going for gender neutral and I think Winnie the Pooh rocks! I wish I could say there is an actual theme but it has a some different themes floating around! I was going to take a picture of the inside of the closet but I decided not to. The boy has got so many clothes, diapers, and toys in there!!

Hope you enjoy the video and pictures!

38 Weeks!!

Courtesy of Baby Center:

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

I reached the 38 week mark yesterday! Had a great appointment with the doctor yesterday! Everything is progressing naturally which is a good sign! She is thinking that Landon will be in the 8lb family and she doesn't foresee any problems for the delivery! All good signs! I go back on Monday and my fingers are crossed we will be meeting Landon very soon!



Chick-fil-A Baby Shower in Pictures!

I cannot thank all those who helped with this shower enough! It was truly amazing! Chad and I left in amazement of everything that happened! A few highlights I would like to share; L.J. and the quotes he found on being a parent:
• The trouble with learning to parent on the job is that your child is the teacher. ~Robert Brault
• It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't. ~Barbara Kingsolver
• It sometimes happens, even in the best of families, that a baby is born. This is not necessarily cause for alarm. The important thing is to keep your wits about you and borrow some money. ~Elinor Goulding Smith
• Babies are always more trouble than you thought - and more wonderful. ~Charles Osgood
• People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke
• Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894
• A baby is a blank cheque made payable to the human race. ~Barbara Christine Seifert
• A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on. ~Carl Sandburg
• If you were to open up a baby's head - and I am not for a moment suggesting that you should - you would find nothing but an enormous drool gland. ~Dave Barry
• There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. ~Chinese Proverb
• You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back. ~William D. Tammeus
• Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone
• Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum
Then we had an awesome visit from the One and Only - Bob Barker!! We played a little Price is Right which I have to admit Chad and I didn't do all that great!
It was truly a One of a Kind Baby Shower and I am so thankful to work with such amazing people!

Now onto the pictures...

21 Days to go/37 Weeks!!

Courtesy of Baby Center:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

This is has been one crazy week here in Atlanta! I have been stuck in the house since Friday of last week after my shower at work...I came down with a cold Thursday night and went home after my shower and didn't move from the recliner all weekend. If you know me - you know that my sinuses def get the best of me so I was pretty miserable! After taking what I was told I could by my doctor it wasn't getting better and I ended up with an upper respiratory infection and they had to call in a Z-pack for me. Which was fine and dandy but if you have watched the news you know that we got a ridiculous amount of ice in Atlanta this weekend. Thankfully Matt was able to get out of his driveway and came to get Chad to get my medicine at Kroger, the only pharmacy open! Chad finally was able to go to work today thankfully I was able to work from home while we were "iced in." I am at work today - still not 100% but I can tell the antibiotic is working!

Yesterday I had my 37 week check-up where we found out he is head down and we hope he stays that way! She is still putting him in the 7 lbs range and everything is going great! I was hoping and praying that I didn't go into labor earlier this week. That would have been a mess! The nursery is almost ready and I will be so relieved when we have everything put up and in it's place. We have washed his little clothes and tiny tiny socks...Everything is coming together and we are anxiously awaiting our little man's arrival :)

28 Days to go/36 Weeks!!!

Courtesy of Baby Center:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely He's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

Hard to believe how close we are getting to meeting our son. Craziness! I had my check-up with the doctor on Tuesday and everything is going perfectly. I am measuring where I need to and his heart rate is where they want it. We will not have another ultrasound but she estimated using my weight gain and what I am measuring to put Landon in the 7lbs range :) I described a stomach pain/tightening to her that I had last week and she informed it was a contraction. She told me to just monitor them and once I hit 5-6 within an hour I know what I need to do!! So Surreal!!! I have converted to wearing my tennis shoes everyday to do swelling and needing more support for my feet and legs. My "Chicken Legs" as Chad calls them are struggling as Landon gets bigger. Tuesday night this week was by far the worst night so far. I was wide awake at 2:30am and just miserable. I moved to the couch and watched Law and Order til 5:30am...Fell asleep after Chad left for an hour and work up for work...Yuck! I know this is preparing me for what lies ahead but I could go without the indegestion, ha! I think it was excitement too. We washed the newborn clothes and blankets. We also put the car seat in the car along with my bag for the Hospital. I think this had a hand in my lack of sleep. I'm just getting so stinking excited to meet my little guy. Seeing his clothes needing to be put away in the clothes basket just gives me butterflies :)
I have my baby shower at work tomorrow and I am super excited about this!! Can't wait to celebrate with my friends at work!! I'll post pictures from the shower once I have them! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

**Please keep my friend Janna's Mom in your prayers. She was like another mom for me growing up and it hurts to see her going through everything she is. I won't go into all the details on here but I will post her Caring Bridge. Belinda is a fighter and an amazing woman. I have no doubt she is going to beat everything facing her right now but I believe in the power of prayer and I know she feels the love and prayer surrounding her.**

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/belindamlusk