13 weeks (3 Months)

Dear Landyn,

A lot has happened in the last month.

You got your first cold. You sniffled for quite a while, startig on Tuesday and then on Wednesday at Daycare you threw up this slimey yellow stuff. When you would cough, you'd stop breathing in the act of choking it out and this constant choking was starting to scare me. However, we were planning a trip to Fargo to visit family and to let your dad take his tests for his Apple courses. You didn't seem to be too bad off, sniffly and coughing a bit on Thursday. When we got to Fargo, we stopped at McDopnalds to get you fed, warmed up a bottle and had you eat. But after you ate, i turned you on my shoulder to burp you and every single ounce of that bottle came forcefully out all over McDonald's floor. We made it a few minutes later to Alans and when I took you out of your seat, your eyes were red-rimmed and your breathing just seemed hard. So, we stayed at Alan's for about 10 minutes and then Alan came with your dad and I to the walk-in-clinic.

We described all the problems and the doctor ordered an x-ray because of my description of the coughing and breathing. The technician asked who'd want to hold you during the XRays and I asked Daddy to do it, since I was so nervous. I walked out, watching Dad put on the xray vest and you getting stripped down. You started crying very loudly and kept it up for what felt like forever for me, but was probably only 10 minutes. I was on the other side of the door pacing back and forth, doing my best not to claw my way back into the room. when the door opened, I went straight to you and Dad and snuggled you until you just had those sad little moans. Apparently Dad had to hold your arms up as you straddled a bike-like seat and were surrounded by a plastic like tube with a hile for your head - kept you still as possible I spose.

10-15 minutes later, waiting in the family room, the doctor came and got us and told us that you had pneumonia in your upper leeft and lower right lung. I almost started to cry, but wanted to stay alert enough to know what was happening next. She wrote down what room they set up for us in the hospital and said she'd get you admitted right away.

We got to the children's hospital ward and it was beautifully painted with cute trees and other murals. Your room was a single and they put a bunch of wires attached to you to watch your breathing, heartbeat, oxygen levels, etc. They did some blood tests as well and came back quickly to tell us that you had RSV. They then said that they'd watch you very carefully overnight and possibly another.

Daddy went to get me food (McDonalds, cold.... gah) and when he got back, they came in with the large shot of antibiotics and that made you cry for quite a bit. It was a large needle and had to stay in you longer than any other shots you've had. I stayed the night while Daddy went to Alans in order to take his tests. I ended up having to re-blow up the airmattress because it had quite a large hole in it. And the nurse did bring in one of those fold down chairs, but it was as hard as the floor. But, We both tried our best to sleep. Grandma Lindahl showed that morning and helkd you quite a bit and we all waited for any results. The Doctors came and went along with nurses and said you were a healthy sick kid and that your monitoring showed that you wuld be fine, but needed to stay away from daycare for about a week.

Daryk finished his tests earlier that day and came back to get us discharged and we all got into the car and headed straight home (a large icestorm was coming through and we beat it!). We were all exhausted but happy to be home to snuggle and take care of each other.

We spent Monday - Thursday together, I got your cold and just recently got over it. Daddy got it also, but not as bad. You are perfectly fine now and no sniffling. SO happy to have the first sickness down, just wish it hadn't been a hospital type.

Last weekend we had a "Meet Landyn" party at Waskish. A lot of family and friends came to say hello and you looked adorable in your little sweater vest.

This week has been great. You've gone to daycare no problem, you've cooed and talked, you love watching the little kids and htye love to bring you toys and talk to you - so I know daycare has been fun for you.

A new development has been involving the TV. It seems you DO like to watch TV already. /sigh. I suppose that goes witht he fact that our TV takes up a whole wall of the apartment. Also, that he livingroom is the heart of our home. So, I took some pictures today because I purposely set you up next to Daddy to see the resemblance (otherwise I try and keep you from watching TV as much as possible - I'd rather you learn to talk with a real person).

Month 2 Doctors Visit (9 weeks)

Landyn,

Today was a few firsts.

This morining was your first day at the daycare. I have dreaded this day, thinking up horrific things that could go wrong or make you not succeed as well as other children. Yet, I know I need to go back to work and I did get 9 weeks with you, where other mothers may only get a month or less.

The daycare is fine, it's an old house, but I felt confident in the older woman who was there today, she picked you right up and kept you close. She listened to all my wierd concerns and read my note I had made with things I felt *had* to be known in order to take care of you. I am a bit of a worry wart, but I love you so much, that It just hurts to think someone else is going to get all those wonderful moments and I will miss them. Dad says that I moaned in my sleep all last night, and I do believe him, I was anxious all weekend.

After I picked you up at noon, you, me, and your father went to QDoba, saw some of my cowrokers there and Lisa E. We then dropped Daddy back off at work and we went to the clinic for your 2 month visit. Here are your latest vitals:

1/11/10
Age: 2 months
weight: 12lbs 13
Height: 24 1/2"
Head Circumference 16 1/4"

You have been growing well!

You did get your shots today and I am SO sorry. The nurse was very quick and tried to make it better for you, 2 in one leg and another in the other side. The first needle, you looked surprised, but as soon as that second needle went in, you little face scrunched right up and you cried something fierce. I could tell that was a different cry - could tell that it was pain =(
I picked you right up and held you until you just sniffled and looked at me all sad.

Uh, Daddy is home, time for family snuggles.

Love, Mama

8 Weeks

Dear Landyn.

A week ago, you began to smile at me when I played with you. Now, you smile at me when I talk and come up to you after a nap. Everytime you smile, my whole mind goes to mush and suddenly I am babbling nonsensical words and loving every minute of it. I have hear 2 giggles, 5 little 'coooooo's and a bunch of "aaahhhh".

You have also started crying when I pull the bottle away when you are done with it. I distract you pretty well by putting you on your stomach on my shoulder to burp you. I have tried letting you have more when you cry like that and all you do is spit it right back up onto me.

Otherwise, you don't cry unless your hungry. And those are broken little cries. nothing too drastic, unless I have picked you up and am taking more than 2 minutes to warm up your bottle in the hot water. I have to stop smooching your cheeck and saying 'num nums' until AFTER I get the bottle ready - mommy learns everyday not to tease the baby.

Naps are good, I get a good 3-4 hours at a time to clean or do other chores. At night, you can sleep from 9pm until 6am once in a while. Otherwise, I am up around 4 or 6. You definitely have my sleeping gene.

You also got a lot of presents for Christmas. You got a swing, a banana outfit, a new pack and play, books, etc. The holidays have been great! Even though it was hard for me to keep up with your demand for breastmilk – since we traveled an awful lot. But, we made it!

Tomorrow will be your first time with Grandma Kay at Krystal’s house. I work all day and so does Daddy (he prefers keeping his name offline =P) So, I will get up extra early to get you fed, clothed, packed and on our way – it’s a good 20 min drive there and 20 mins back. I have a meeting to go to at 9am, so I have to make sure I make that.

You’ve grown a lot! I’d say you are at 24 inches or more now. A few of your cuter baby clothes have to be retired. Makes me sad, but I know I’ll find lots of other clothes that are cute. Besides, you already wear size 3 months at 2 months. None of the baby socks ever really fit you, but they stay on.

Daycare starts next Monday. You go in the morning, but then I get you after lunch since you have a Doctors appointment. I worry a lot and I think this worrying will be the end of me, until I get used to the fact that I won’t have you near me 24 hours a day.

A fascinating fact lately is that you have been working on sleeping on your side lately. I will place you on your back, hear you grunting and making noises, but nothing worrisome, then come back and find you in this position. You look so peaceful and comfortable. Within and hour you are back on your back - I believe because of lack of control and gravity, so I don't worry about it too much. You are also a fan of your pacifier, but not terribly so. Only when you are tired. Sometimes you refuse it and just don't care, other times you go rooting for it, crying if you don't get it in time. Really cute that you don't have control over your arms and you accidentally pull it out and go crazy trying to find it again. It's a game we play these days, 'where'd it go?!?'

Diapering is still a constant in our present life. I still favor Pampers over ANY of the others. They are stretchy, soft and keep everything where it should stay. Luvs are small and not stretchy at all – awful. Huggies are better than Luvs they give a bit more, but not soft like Pampers.

Life is still better having you in it.

Love Mama

Fun Facts for Babies

Congratulations!
Your baby's birth date was
Monday, November 09, 2009
Your conception date was most likely 2/16/2009
And your baby is 44 days old!

See what's happening in Week 7 of your baby's life!

Fun Facts For Birthday 11/09/2009
Your baby's half birthday is May 10

Your baby's birthstone is Yellow Topaz (Fidelity)
Your baby's Astrological Sign is Scorpio
Your baby's Flower is Chrysanthemum or Chrysanthemum (Dark Blue, Red and Yellow)
Your baby was born in the Chinese Year of The Brown Earth Cow

Your baby will start kindergarten in 2014,

be old enough to drive a car in 2025,

finish high school in 2027,

and will graduate from college with the class of 2031, give or take a year.

Can you imagine?

This time last year you weren't even pregnant yet!

4 1/2 weeks

Dear Landyn,

This month has gone so fast. The first week, your father was able to stay home with us and help get us into a routine. The second week, we had some bonding time together. We'd stare at each other for hours and I rarely put you down.

The third week was Thanksgiving. Aspen came to visit for the week and we had many visitors and places to be. You were an angel throughout. You got many compliments of your coloring (you have your father's olive skin) and they all say you've gotten your own facial features and are very distinctive. You seem to have your Dad's chin, my lips and nose, and your dad's face shape. We are still unsure of your eyes and are waiting anxiously to see what color they take on (they have blue, grey, green and hazel at the moment). When you smile, which is surely gas bubbles, your eyes turn up in crescent shapes and you are completely adorable.

This fourth week, you have found your voice more. You have been getting cranky at times when you need to go take a nap and I am slowly figuring out that I need to be the mom and *make* you go to bed and not just let you stay awake because you are fighting it. So, we have rocked, sang (many many Christmas songs), and allowed you to fuss in your crib until you finally realize that it is time for bed.

I have taken MANY pictures and am one of those doting mothers who is constantly jumping up to check your breathing, make sure your pacifier is either in or pulled away from your face (You spit it out more than keep it in your mouth), and that you are not spitting up and laying in a cold puddle of it.

Feeding time is absolutely hilarious. You get so impatient, your little right arm just waves back and forth in quick jerks and your little mouth smacks and opens/closes as you stare at me. I kiss your cheek and you pull your lips toward me, which indicates you are definitely ready! At the beginning, you were 3 ounces, then 3 1/2 for a week, and now the past week and half we have gone to 4 ounces. You seem to want more, but when we do, you spit it up all over me or Daddy. So, we will stick to 4 ounces a bit longer.

We usually feed you around 7pm, bed at 9pm, eat again at midnight, another time at 5am, then 9am, then about 1pm, 4p, etc. I am getting some bad migraines from staying up late (I have to pump for an extra 20 mins or so after you are fed and back into bed), but you make it all worhtwhile with just a smile or look.

Daddy figured out how to play with you before I did. He began tickling your sides and stomach and you will grunt and wiggle. So, I started copying that and smooching your neck and raspberries on your tummy, tickling sides and underarms. You wiggle quite a lot and make great cooing sounds. You also adore your playmat on the floor. You absolutely love the mirror on it and stare at it for quite a while. The only problem is that the floor gets chilly and I always worry about you getting too cold - I will grab you up and snuggle you a lot if I feel the breeze through the door is coming in too much. I have figured a way to get a room heater and pillows against the door to try and remedy that problem.

I only have one more month before I go back to work full time. I wish I had a few months more. I want to be with you 24 hours and see all the changes you go through - uh oh, helicopter parent alert! - but I know and understand that one of these days, you are going to want to do something on your own and I'll have to be content with evenings and weekends while you live your life. That is, until your a teenager.

We love you very much and Daddy and I are very happy these days. These holidays have been extra special because you arrived.

Many pictures

One day past due date

To Do List Today:

• Shower
• Get some money on my laundry card
• wash up some laundry
• Go through music to get it ready for the hospital
• Play LOTS of Dragon Age: Origins /drool
• Shop tonight when D gets home