Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who may have sent me a text message for my birthday! After dropping my phone in a glass of lemonade my screen is completely blank and therefore I can not see anything on my phone. So, please don't think that I don't appreciate your thoughts by me not responding, just know that I have no way of checking text messages! Replacement phone coming tomorrow!!!

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Any one know these two guys!?! Why must they make my life so crazy right now?!?! Work is absolutely so busy that I can't even see straight!

You asked for it... Here it is...FINALLY!

Needless to say I am well over due for an update. After numerous inquiries, little by little, I will try to bring you up to speed with all that has gone on in our crazy life this summer. Nearly every weekend this summer and already this fall we have been busy with some type of function and spent a lot of time with family and friends as we watch Landon grow right in front of our eyes!

JUNE-

Landon gave us his first TRUE smile on June 17 and has been smiling ever since! He is such a happy baby and has us completely spoiled! On June 18 he began to sleep in his crib. We were happy to celebrate Brandon's first father's day in West Lafayette with our families and dear friends from home.

We had great visits with family that was visiting from California and college friends that we haven't seen for a few years. Brandon and Larry took in a Tribe game that was part of their Father's Day gift. The very next day they wanted to see "if they still had it" so we went to Sluggers-N-Putters for the batting cages and driving range.

JULY-

We spent the holiday weekend in WL. Took a motorcycle ride w/ my mom and dad in the afternoon and went to an annual holiday BBQ with friends in the evening on the 4th. July 5 is Aleesa's bday so we were together with the Blair crew that day to celebrate.

I decided to stay in WL with Landon for a few days following the holiday. We worked on a few projects with my mom and Landon got to spend some extra time with all of his grandparents. It's so nice to have everyone in the same town... just miles apart! On July 15, Landon spent a little bit of time with Toni (babysitter aka Mimi) while I went to the dentist. We tried to spend a little bit of time with her before he was to be with her every day to ease the transition.

July 17 I redeemed my post labor Mother's Day gift! After Landon was born he got me a gift certificate to the spa for lunch, a facial, mani, pedi and massage! What a treat! Landon was supposed to spend the day with Daddy... but Brandon got selected for Jury Duty! My first 3 days back to work Brandon was stuck in a court room!

July 20.... I went back to work! So far... so good. Of course long days which is to be expected. Once the season gets under way it will be much harder. We decided that Brandon would take his family leave once I went back to work to extend Landon's time w/ Mommy & Daddy and prolong the need for a babysitter. It was SO great for Brandon to spend time with Landon, especially as Landon's personality develops more and more. He is so happy and brings smiles to our faces always.

July 21... 2 Month Shots for Landon! I didn't think that I was going to go to this appointment. Being my second day back to work and unsure about Mommy emotions at the Dr, Brandon was going to take Landon...until Jury Duty of course! So I took Landon and with Judy's support... we survived. Landon did great and I did ok too! :) It's a small price to pay for a healthy baby!

July 24 we decided to bring a little bit of fun into the neighborhood. We had replaced a toilet and before we discarded it, we made it a lawn ornament at the neighbor's house with a "nice" display of silk flowers in the bowl. Silly, we know... but so funny to get their call on Sat. morning after making the discovery. Knowing that we were going to be at family reunions all weekend we left a major opportunity for revenge and they took full advantage! A bit hard to see in this pic, but yes, the toilet is on our roof with a spotlight on it! HILARIOUS! We left it there for 4 days and to watch the lookers who passed was great! Good neighborhood fun!

July 28 Landon Rolled Over! He rolled a number of times that week and the week after. Took a bit of a break and has now again been rolling a lot.

July 31 Brandon and I went on a date night to watch the Tribe play followed by an amazing fireworks display! Landon stayed at home with Grandma/pa Crow for the evening.

AUGUST
Aug 2 We were home for another set of family reunions and Bryn's 5th Birthday celebration. I took it upon myself this year to make her cake... DORA!

Landon's 3 mo pictures were taken a week early... but it was the best time to fit it in our schedule. He did awesome! He was loving the camera and took some adorable pictures... at least we think so!

Aug 22 We took in another Tribe game and my parents went along too. Landon stayed at home this time w/ Grandma/pa Blair. Everyone spent the night as we then prepared for Landon's Baptism on the 23rd! It was a great day surrounded by family and friends. A great lunch followed church and a visit with family at our house after. Thanks to everyone who came and for the unexpected gifts!

SEPTEMBER-

We were so excited for my family to come from Houston/Dallas to visit over Labor Day weekend. It was great to see them and for them to meet Landon. Thank goodness for great weather so we could enjoy the time outside. Also that weekend it was time to take things to Mimi's house! Landon officially started at the babysitter's on Tues Sept 8. He is doing well there. He gets much love and attention.

Sept 12-13 I was extremely happy to have Michelle come visit! It had been a year since she and Justin got married that we had seen each other. While we keep up through email and phone, it's not the same as in person. Though these two visits w/ out of towners were brief, they were so great to see everyone and to catch up!

Sept 19 Brandon and I went home for my 10 year class reunion. Not many people were in attendance but my best girl friends were so it was worth the trip for me. Hard to believe it has been 10 years already. That night before coming back home we had a brief celebration with my mom for her birthday (Sept 20th).

Sept 22, 4 mo shots for Landon. Again he did well. He weighed in at 17 lbs 7 0z and was 27 in long. He's growing quite well and the Dr. didn't see anything to be concerned with. We talked to her about cereal and baby food. We may begin introducing the cereal next month.

Sept 25 I was fortunate to have the day off which worked out perfectly for a quick trip home. Because it was Larry's birthday Aleesa's crew too made the trip to WL to surprise Larry w/ Pizza and a DQ Cake (a family favorite). A nice celebration with family in a low key setting. A great time. We couldn't stay long though as we had to be back on Sat for Robb & Helen's wedding. Congrats to them! Sunday we made a trip to Medina to help Kate move... she's a first time home owner! YAY!

That's all for now... ha!

Landon is Well!

Today we went for Landon's 1 month Wellness Check and he is doing great! The Dr. was very pleased and said that he looks great and that she doesn't have any concerns at all with him.

Weight: 10lbs. 12oz. (80th percentile)
Length: 23in. (95th percentile)

We are blessed to have a healthy baby boy!

Thanks for taking my picture Grandma Blair!

THE ENVELOPE?
Yes, we've opened the envelope! After Landon was born, we decided to open the infamous envelope to learn the sex of our baby! The ultrasound was correct... It's a boy! :)

WHAT'S IN A NAME?
How did we decide to name our baby Landon Ray? Landon was simply a name that both Brandon and I liked. We didn't personally know anyone else with the name. After Landon was born and the name was given, we've been asked if it is a combination of Larry & Brandon and though we had never thought of that before... Sure it is! As for Ray... both my dad and Brandon's mom share the middle name of Ray (Rae). We felt that it was not often and pretty special that a name is common to both sides of the family so we decided to honor a grandparent from both sides and go with Ray. Had "Beanie" been a girl, the middle name would have also been Rae. What would her first name have been? You'll have to wait... our next baby could be a girl! :)

THANKS IS NOT ENOUGH!
We can't begin to thank our family and friends for all that they have done for us both throughout our pregnancy and since Landon was born. The generous gifts, phone calls, e-mails and meals have been so great. We can't thank everyone enough for all of your love and support. THANK YOU!

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!