LANDON RAY BLAIR

WOW! It's been a while... a long while... since I have signed on to update this blog! Here's the latest... picking up from where we left off on May 10.

May 11- Dr. appt was great. Still dilated and effaced the same, 2 & 75%. Babie's Heart Rate 152.

May 12- Happy Birthday Cousin Sean

May 14- Meeting with my HR Team to finalize my plans for leave (good thing we did!)

May 15-Brandon had done a lot of landscaping for a friend and all of our yard work and I had a busy day at work with a lot of walking so we decided to stay in Fri night and order a pizza. As we were looking ahead to the weekend I asked B what we had planned for Sat. We had NOTHING on schedule so I decided that I was going to go and get a pedicure! Perfect... A day with nothing but relaxing to do!

May 16- Happy Birthday Uncle John & TODAY WAS BABY DAY!!!!!!!!!

Here's how it all went down...

7:46 AM WATER BROKE while I was lying in bed. (Not exactly what I had expected at all to say the least!!! What an experience!)

8:40 AM Left our house for the last time ever without a baby! Our drive to the hospital was not at all what we had expected. We were both in great spirits, relaxed and calm as I was not having contractions at all!

9:00 AM Arrived at Akron General Medical Center- 3cm Dilated

9:30 AM Pitocin was started through my IV

2:30 PM 5cm Dilated. Intense Contractions. Epidural administered

3:00 PM Mom & Dad came. We visited until 4:00 and they then went to get a bite to eat with Brandon before labor progressed any further.

6:15 PM Nurse said that I was ready to go. Dr. had been called.

6:20 PM Began to push

6:30 PM Was told I had to stop pushing b/c the Dr hadn't arrived yet

6:40 PM Dr arrived! Pushing resumed.

6:59 PM LANDON RAY BLAIR ENTERED THE WORLD!!!! He weighed 8lbs 5oz and was 20.5 inches long with a full head of dark hair!

8:00 PM Grandpa & Grandma Crow came into the room to meet their FIRST Grandbaby!

9:15 PM Grandpa, Grandma and Daddy went to get Mommy a Frosty & French Fries from Wendy's! After not eating ALL day, it sounded SO yummy!

10:00 PM I was taken to my postpartum room for relaxation and recovery. My food arrived. My parents left for my house. Brandon decided to stay with me & Landon to help us through the night.

Overall, I felt AMAZING and told Brandon that I would do it all again tomorrow! I was really pleasantly surprised with labor. I was thrilled to have Landon in less than 12 hours from start to finish. Of course as the Epidural wore off there was pain, but it was tolerable...especially as I looked at Landon! :)

May 17- My parents came back in the morning after having spent the night at our house. Grandma & Grandpa Blair came to see us mid morning and Kevin, Aleesa, Grayson & Bryn came in the afternoon to meet Landon. Dan & Jena came in the evening. It was great to have visitors to help pass the time. No matter how great the hospital...it's never nice to be in one. I was happy to be feeling wonderful!

May 18- Happy Birthday Sabre & HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL!

We were so anxious to get out of the hospital. We had been there for such a short time, but believe me... it was LONG enough. Being bothered by the staff throughout the night and trying to see that Landon didn't disturb others who were trying to sleep was a bit unnerving. We were ready to go home and adjust as a family. The drive wasn't really what we had expected either. Landon cried the whole way. We didn't get any of the "great" pictures or video that he had imagined we would. However, Landon did proudly wear his WITNESS onesie in support of the Cavs.

May 19- Landon met his babysitters! Thanks to Angela & Toni for coming & bringing us dinner!

May 20- Newborn Check-up at the Pediatrician's Office! Landon weighed 7lbs 12 oz.

May 21- Happy Birthday Alisa! Thanks for coming to meet Landon!

Happy Anniversary Steve & Jen

May 22- Happy Birthday Erica!

Landon has his first photo session with a photographer. Will send a link soon for all to view his pictures. A nurse from the hospital came today too to check on us. We asked about Landon's umbilical cord and the odor it had. She advised us to call the Dr. Other than that she seemed to think that we had things under control! So far... So good. Then the hospital called. UPS had destroyed Landon's blood work on the way to Columbus so we had to go back to get it drawn again. I was a teary mess, but Landon was great! He wouldn't take their pacifier and didn't make a peep. What a trooper!

May 23- To the pediatrician re: the cord. They treated it a bit to dry it up, decreasing the odor. Said it looked good though... no infection. Landon weighed 8lbs. and is movning in the right direction. Saturday night... The cord fell off! WHEW!

May 26- Happy Birthday Jaime, Carl, Nick & Robin!

May 27- Happy Birthday to my Favorite Aussie... Kylie!!!

Went to the Dr. too for a weight check... 8lbs. 11oz.! He's definitely eating well!!!!

May 31- Landon went to church! He did great! After making his presence known at the very beginning of the service he didn't say another word! We were happy that he got to meet Pastor Bryan.

June 1- Happy Birthday Stephen & Cade! Brandon went back to work today. Now it's just me and Landon at home in the evenings.

June 2- Happy Birthday Jessica!

June 3- Landon went to Mount Union with Grandma & Mommy and got to meet Audra!

June 5- A second photo session. We are so excited to have these photos. Link is soon to come. Scott & Val came for lunch.

June 6- Happy Birthday Parker! Landon's first trip to West Lafayette. We gave him a big bottle before we left and he was content the whole way home. Brandon did yard work with his parents & Landon met many new friends. After a long day we again fed him before we hit the road back to Green. He slept the whole way. We are LUCKY!

June 7- Landon's first trip to the grocery store! :)

June 8- Landon went shopping with Mommy & Grandma at the Lodi Outlet Mall. June 13- Grandma & Grandpa Blair came to visit!

May 4-10

4- HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN JOHN!

Starting today we will now see the Dr. EVERY WEEK! We still can't believe that we are already to this point of our pregnancy. Now that we see the Dr. every Monday, we know we are on the downhill run! I have successfully gained the 35 lbs that the Dr was hoping for. Baby's heartbeat is 147 and I have begun to dilate! 2cm & 75% effaced. The Dr. has reassured me that the 'contractions' that I felt last Friday were real and that I should monitor them. Now it will just be a waiting game. Who knows how long we will be at this stage... a few days? a couple of weeks?? We'll keep you posted!

5- HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN MICHELLE!

6- HAPPY BITHDAY DAD!

Brandon was given the day off as there was an abundance of Deputies on the schedule. Therefore I too shortened my hours. After working from home until 1:30, we were off to run a few errands that needed to be complete before Baby gets here!

7- Cavs v. Atlanta! Another exciting victory!

8- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!

9- Mom and Dad came up for a quick visit. It was a great day to shop the local greenhouses for seasonal flowers and plants. Brandon and I were then off to Dan & Jena's to celebrate Alexis' FIRST birthday! It's hard to believe how quickly a year can go by.


10- HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ALEXIS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TROY!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

Apr 27- May 3

27- HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!

28- I had yet another meeting at work regarding my maternity schedule and my plan to attempt balancing work and family after the baby arrives. We are getting closer. Just need to complete some paperwork and hopefully get this all squared away soon!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIC & KEIRA! They too have purchased their first home! Today they were to get the keys with a planned move this weekend. We are so happy for you!

30- My Group Sales Team went to dinner at Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Cleveland to celebrate a really special season! As a sales team were were successful in reaching a couple of lofty goals. It's great to work hard and to be rewarded for it too. With amazing food, great company and many laughs, we all left with a sore stomach. To my GES Team.. LOVE YOU ALL!

1- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN!
After experiencing 'contractions' for the better part of the day, I left the office around 4:30. Much of the evening was spent on the couch while relaxing with my feet elevated.

2- THANKS, ALISA for a WONDERFUL baby shower! Alisa graciously hosted a shower for me at her home that included a great lunch spread followed by desserts that were not only beautiful but also delicious! Thanks for all that you have done for Brandon and I throughout our pregnancy! A special thanks too to Sandy (Alisa's Mom) for helping.

3- My final baby shower! Thanks to Deb for coordinating a fun afternoon for Mom and I. It's always good to spend time with some of my Mom's best friends from college.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND SUPPORT AS WE PREPARE TO WELCOME OUR LITTLE ONE INTO THE WORLD! WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR GIFTS, ADVICE AND WISDOM AS WE BEGIN THIS EXCITING STAGE OF OUR LIVES... PARENTHOOD!

Apr 20-26

20- Another great trip to the Dr. Everything is still progressing well as we get closer and closer to our due date.

22- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYSON!

23- HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA!

25- After running errands in the morning, we went to Byron & Shari's to celebrate Bryson's 4th Birthday! How Shari always manages to plan a party on a day with amazing weather is beyond me. It's always fun to spend time with friends and end the night with good times around a fire!

26- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN! -- CONGRATS too to Justin and Michelle on the purchase of their first home as a married couple! What an exciting time for you as you embark on yet another amazing journey in life! We are excited to come to FL to see you as soon as possible!

Cavs have swept Detroit in the first round of this season's Playoffs! Now we wait for our next opponent and date of our next game. Let's hope this waiting game doesn't hurt us!

Apr 13-19

Larry & Judy safely made it home from their trip to Panama. From stories and pictures, they really had a great time. Thanks to Bob & Cathy for allowing them the opportunity to travel with you!

It's hard to believe that another NBA season is winding down. I have worked another 41 home games this year with more to come. What a fun run it should be as we move forward toward our goal of an NBA Championship!

This weekend I had two GREAT baby showers! Thanks to all of my girl friends from elementary school for having a shower for me at a beautiful log cabin not far from W.L. (Tarez, please be sure to thank your Aunt & Uncle!). I can't even express how wonderful it was to have everyone together again. We need to do this more often, for sure. How hard it is though to coordinate everyone's crazy schedules. What an amazing surprise to have Mikey prepare such a special dinner for us (Great idea, Jenn!!!)!


I am so thankful that my Uncle Jim & Aunt Wendy were able to fly in from Houston to be a part of the weekend's activities. While Wendy was a huge help to my Mom in preparation for the baby shower, Jim enjoyed time with Brandon, Dad and Larry as the boys went to Cleveland to see a Playoff game! I am happy that Jim was able to see where I work at The Q and a great basketball game. It was wonderful to have Wendy at my shower. I am so happy that they made the trip!

Easter Weekend

It was another busy weekend for us. Let me look back...

Friday- I left work early for our follow-up Dr appt at the hospital with the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at Akron General. They were pleased with the "normal" amount of fluid in Beanie's kidney. One kidney is completely clear and the other they are even less concerned about now than they have been, which is great! Beanie weighs 5lbs 10oz and is still meazuring ahead of schedule. Though we are 32wks pregnant, Beanie's head is measuring as if we were 37-38wks. Other parts of the body too are growing ahead, but not as far ahead as the head. Belly is closer to 34-35wks. Heartbeat on Friday was 143. It is hard for us to believe that baby already weighs over 5lbs, but it is hard for me to believe too that we are getting so close to meeting our little one!!! Overall I don't feel like we are 32 weeks through this process. I feel like I have a lot longer to go than what I do. It's been so fast... we can't believe it! Brandon and I are both thinking that our "Big Baby" is a boy and will come at the end of May. I don't know that we will make it to the original due date of June 5... we'll see!

Saturday- We ran many of our traditional errands. I had to leave for work around noon and Brandon then enjoyed the sunny day while working in the yard.

Sunday- Wasn't our traditional Easter. Larry & Judy were away on a trip in Panama. Aleesa, Kevin, Grayson and Bryn went to the farm. My parents, Brandon and I went to Cleveland to watch as the Cavs took on the Celtics for what was expected to be one of the biggest games of the season! It was fun to watch, but the score wasn't close! Brandon got to experience some of the on court action that I get to experience during a game. Before the game we had him rebound for young kids on the court and at halftime he stood with a group of youngsters who were to high-five the Cavs as they came out of the locker room for warm-ups. Brandon did not high-five the players, but did enjoy the opportunity to see the team up close. He was most impressed with Z's size and of course LeBron's too. After the game we came home for a bit more of our traditional Easter dinner though it was later in the evening.

Another great weekend for us, but now I need some R&R....

Two Weeks Worth

I have submitted a plan to management at work requesting a few less hours in my week once baby arrives. It is in the hands of HR and they are doing all that needs to be done to make that work. I know that I have a couple of meetings still to work out a few more specifics but I hope that will all be done soon.

We have also found our babysitter! Angela and her mother are going to share the responsibilities of caring for Beanie after Brandon and I have both completed our periods of leave from work. Angela is a nurse and her husband Dom works with Brandon. They are great friends and have offered to help us. Her mom is retired and looking for a small job to do. They will be perfect for us!

Saturday, Mar 28 we went home to WL to spend time celebrating our March Birthday Boys, Brandon and Grayson. Of course we made sure to incorporate the 4-wheelers into the day. Brandon, Grayson, Kevin & Bryn all got their fix! We also had our Blair Family Easter dinner because we will all be in different directions that weekend. My Mom & Dad had a fun night out at The Q enjoying a concert starring Tommy James & the Shondells, Little Richard, Three Dog Night, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, and Jerry Butler. They then spent the night with us and had breakfast on Sunday before I then had to leave for work.

Thurs, April 2... Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Sat, April 4... Happy Birthday Nicole, Nancy & Chelsie!
Sat was a busy busy day for me at work with an all day Girl Scout Event that I had coordinated. It was fun and successful, but a really long 11 hour day for an almost 8 mo pregnant woman! While I was busy at The Q, Brandon was enjoying much needed time with Dan, Jena, Tony, Angela, Byron and Shari and all of the little ones! A good time was had by all... good eats, cornhole, and many laughs.

Sun, April 5... Another day of work for me, but I made it as short as possible, only staying at the arena for exactly as long as needed and coming home right after. I was in a lot of pain, a result of Saturday I am sure. The rest of my day was spent on the couch with my feet up.

Today! Mon, April 6... OB appointment and ultrasound. Everything is still going well. The ultrasound shows a healthy baby and according to measurements...measuring at about 33 wks (we are only 31) and already weighing over 5 lbs! Today's heartbeat: 141. I've gained 26 lbs so far. The fluid in the kidney looks good...still there, but much better. We will follow up on that once more later this week. Dr. tells me that some of the pains that I have been experiencing yesterday and today are in fact contractions... how was I to know!?! I've never done this before!!!!!