Landon's Jungle

Here's LJ hanging out in his new little jungle:) It's his jumper from Auntie's Ellen,Dina & Mia:) Thanks ladies he loves it!!! His feet still can't touch the floor but every time he moves he activates the sound... monkeys, elephants & jungle music. FUN FUN!!!

3 years

Three wonderful years ago today... we became one. These have been the best three years of my life. We have had trying times, a big move away from all our friends & family but overall we have had the most wonderful times together.
I love you for loving me just as I am... the good, the bad & the oh so ugly:) You are unbelievably patient and understanding... you know just how to deal w/ me & my moods:) I love you more today than I did on our wedding day - I didn't think that was possible but somehow I do.
I thank you for being the best possible husband each & every day & I love watching you be the best daddy ever to Landon. You two make me the happiest lady in the world. I love you. Happy Anniversary babe! MWAHxxxx

The little man... and his diapers:)

Sleeping on mama



Hanging out for a photo shoot in the diaper...
So we are using cloth diapers & for anyone who may be considering them... they are FABULOUS!!! We love the bum genius diapers that we have & they are super easy to use. They also are adjustable so we only need these diapers from 7lbs to 35lbs & we're hoping to potty train when these start getting snug:) Therefor we are saving mega amounts of $$$$!! Not to mention they're a little bit on the green side, which we are trying harder to be lately... mainly because of this little one & his future on this planet!
Any way... we really do love them so if you're thinkin' about it... they are definitely worth looking into.
It's a little more laundry ... but his clothes create a LOT more laundry so it's really not that big of a deal!! & NO LEAKS... he has never leaked through these diapers like he would leak through a disposable. (which i would still use during the newborn phase since they go through a ridiculous amount of diapers in a day)

OK OK... I'm off the soapbox... but we are just sooo happy & pleasantly surprised @ how easy the cloth diapers are that I thought I'd share w/ you all:)

Pictures...

Here are some pics of what we've been up to lately. We took Landon to the Lake yesterday when the temp. finally hit 80... it was about 90 by the time we got there so we sooo wanted to get wet. Lando did not love the water but he did love hanging out w/ daddy:) & of course a naked baby shot... tell me he doesn't have the cutest little butt:)

Up & Coming Events

It seems as though the summer has flown by (not that we really had a SUMMER not in my terms any way... when the temp doesn't get above 75... it aint summer) and we have some fall plans that are fast approaching.
So a while back Luke wrote a short story for a little Coast Guard writing contest... & low & behold he won (what a smarty pants I have). So the prize was $500 ... and then we found out that we also won tickets to the Coast Guard Ball in Seattle this September. So we're really excited... we get a free room in the hotel too... so we're spending the night & my cousin & his wife - who live in Seattle- are planning on watching the little one so Luke & I can have a few hours out alone:) Sooo fun. So I need to buy a dress!!! AHHHHH! I haven't bought a real dress dress since my junior prom (I ended up borrowing for the senior prom) that was.... hmmm A LOT of years ago:)
We also have another Seattle adventure the last week in August when we go to the Coast Guard station for the award ceremony - another night over in Seattle courtesy of the Coast Guard!! Yeay... civilization!!!
Then our BIG trip is to San Diago in October... my parents are flying us in so we can all visit Davin... all be together for the 1st time in over a year:) I can't wait to see the bro. & have Landon meet his uncle!!! I miss him sooo much!!! I can't wait!!! So I will keep you posted on all the travel plans as well as the plain ol' day to day:)
xoxo

Third post in one day... I'll be gone for a while now

Some pictures of Landon's nursery ... we call it the polka dot paradise:)

More

Chillin' on mommy in the diaper & knee socks HOT!!












Tummy Time... After his little massage... in the mean green
diaper:)





Our little Rock Star:)







The update... Landon is now a little over 2 months. I can't believe it... it has gone by too fast. The other day we put him in one of his newborn outfits & it was SNUG:( He's not a new baby any more... he's already a little boy... I can't stand it.
His 2 month appointment was this past friday & our big boy is really a big boy... he is up to 12lb. 2 oz. & he's 23" long now!
He got 3 shots & he took them like a champ... I can't say the same for me:( I felt his pain.
The Doctor was very happy w/ his development & everything seems to be normal!

Landon

Hugs from Auntie Jaime








smiley happy boy:)

















Naughty Daddy





Hmmmm... wonder where he got that from:)

I'm going deaf

Yup... I just went to the ear, nose & throat doctor because my ears have been ringing for @ least the last 5 months non-stop. He sent me to have my hearing checked because everything else "looked fine". So after having a hearing test done I was told that I have 40% hearing loss on the higher decibels...
I then went back to the ent doctor & he drew it out for me- my hearing loss would be considered bad for a person in their late 70's... he was VERY CONCERNED... he made me super nervous & I told him this (he didn't say anything to reassure me... leaving me to believe that I would be losing my hearing completely in the next 5 seconds:))
So now it's off to the lab for blood work & I have a little list of vitamins to take (who knew vitamins could help your hearing) But either way... he seems to think that the damage is done... it's probably irreversible & I will probably be wearing a hearing aid the next time I see all you lovely east coasters:( SCARY stuff. Wish me luck & hopefully I won't have to live w/ the ringing in my ears for the rest of my life... Sooooo annoying! But I guess it's better than not hearing anything... gotta keep it all in perspective!

And Landon will be back in action on the blog soon... I really do promise:)

The one & only thing I *heart* about WA....

The best thing about the state of Washington is their breastfeeding friendly:)

As we walked into the stadium last night for the game we were greated by a super nice man who informed me of the nursing room that they have for mommas! I got a super sized grin on my face & looked @ Luke & said... I love it here (and by here I meant @ Safeco Field ... not necessarily on the other side of the earth).

So we did indeed get to check out the nursing room & it wasn't much - just a little room w/ 4 comfy chairs a tv (tuned to the game of course) a microwave hand sanitizer (sweet) and sanitizing wipes (super sweet) I have to say that the hand sanitizer was the icing on the cake (it's the little things that i really appreciate:)).

There were 3 other mommas that joined me in feeding the babes... it was just nice to be encouraged to breastfeed & have something just for momma for once:)

All in all the game was really fun & I am sooo glad that we went. Luke was (as he always is) REALLY good w/ the babe. He had the baby bjorn on so he took him for walks if he got cranky... went to the nursing room w/ me to feed him & even changed him on his lap (not once but 2 times) in his seat... pretty impressive:)

Pictures to come...

Wow...

How time flies when you're having fun. It has been a whirl wind here w/ visitors & a new baby. I cannot believe that he will be 2 whole months this upcoming sunday! My baby is already growing up too quickly:)
So my parents left the 4th & then we had a little over a week to regroup & Luke's family came out on th 15th & just left this am (well they stayed in Seattle last night after we all went to the RED SOX GAME!!! WOOT WOOT!!) It was sooooo great to see everyone & so amazingly incredible @ just how loved our little LJ is.
Now we have no more visits planned until I believe Sept or Oct (a possible August but we're not quite sure yet) So yet again it's just Luke & I... I think we can handle it though:) He's such a good & easy going baby *knock on wood*
Any hoo... I know why you're all checking out the blog and it aint my wonderful English skills:)
so here they are.. thanks to Auntie Jaime our personal photographer (she got some more great ones in Seattle so hopefully we'll get those - hint hint Auntie Jaime:) and post them soon)



After Bath time... happy boy





Hanging out w/ Gamma









Looking @ Gampa




We can't forget about our 1st baby:) She was sooo good once the newness of Luke's fam. wore off... she's growing up:)

Life...

Landon & I had our first weekend alone this past weekend. It went... OK. Friday (the 4th) was good we went to my old boss Cathy's for a little 4th of July celebration & he got to wear his cute little 4th onesie:) Pictures to come... Luke has to download them - again in case you forgot because of the ghettoness of our little setup on the computer:) Any who we had a great time & were home just as the fireworks started to go off ... this is the 1st year in a LONG time that I have not seen fireworks on the 4th of July ... a little bummed but I was exhausted & I think the babe is still a little to little:)
Saturday was another good day we ran a TON of errands & got lots done:) Then came Sunday... the last day we had to get through before Daddy came home & that's when the poop hit the fan!
All was well in the am ... then some "stuff" happened & I was PISSED... it all went down hill from there. Maybe sensing my attitude, Landon was CRANKY all day long. He was whinny & crying & fussing YUCK!! Then when we finally got our act together to get out to the store & buy some MORE friggin' diapers... DUN DUN DUN (that's supposed to be the scary music they play when something is about to happen... hehehe) my battery in my car is DEAD!!! So.... our friend Aron came over to save the day... because our little damsel in distress didn't know what the heck to do... I didn't even know it was the battery (ok... i had an idea it was probably the battery) Then he even went to the store to pick up the diapers for fear that the car wouldn't start again once I got there (damn hybrids... good for nothin':)) THANK YOU ARON!!! & Shelby for loaning him out!! He even came back w/ milk becsause Shelby knew we were out:) You guys are the best!
So here's to a new week ... a fresh start & even more important here's to Luke's schedule changing... he's going to be home EVERY SINGLE NIGHT & WEEKENDS ... what am I going to do w/ myself... I can hardly wait to have a husband w/ a "normal" work schedule!!

More... more ... more

Angie licking Landon's toes... ewwww toe jam:)







Landon's first trip to the Lavender Farm







As you may have noticed from the pictures we have posted... I NEVER get to hold this child!!! Luke is such a hog when it comes to holding Landon. So if you're wondering (like I am) where the pics of mama & baby are... there aren't any because they would all include my boobs... since that's the only time I get to hold him:) When it's time to feed.

I guess I can't complain though... he could be totally uninterested in the kiddo... then we would have a real problem.

Pictures...

cute baby toes
Daddy feeding him his 1st bottle
Visiting Daddy @ work

sleepy baby boy:)

finally

first time he got his toes in the sand... hmmm... not so sure what to think about it!
French kissing your dad is OK... until your about 1 right??
Hangin' w/ G-ma & G-pa


Not so happy face:)

Photos...

Ok... ok... All you Auntie's & Uncle's out there... I know everyone wants more pictures BUT... because of the ghetto-ness of our new computer setup I am unable to plug the camera in to download the photos. Luke is going to work on taking the monitor off this weekend (it is of utmost priority) so we should be able to get some of the pictures up this weekend ... fingers crossed! We also have to get a usb multiplier thingy - I believe that is the technical term for it:) so that we can plug the camera in... but that's neither here nor there... PICTURES ARE ON THEIR WAY... I promise:) Sorry for the wait... I know it's not fare that we are all the way out here & then you all can't even see him on the computer either because of our piece of... BLEEP...

PS Yes it is 3am as I type this post... I am waiting for the swing to put Landon back to sleep - gotta love a 2:30am feeding

PPS I think I'm going to work on using less of these... - They just seem to work for commas, periods and any other punctuation mark that I should be actually using - I mean who can remember back to high school English - grammar what???

New Computer...

Thank GOODNESS!!! We got a new monitor today so we can now use the computer again... we still have a laptop so we've got a little bit of a ghetto set-up but what the heck - it works:) and I am in contact w/ the rest of the world again... it's amazing what a week w/ no computer will do to a girl! & a guy for that matter. At least Luke got to use his computer at work.
So this weekend was a little rough... besides the no computer... Landon has a blocked tear duct so he's been a little cranky & since Daddy was at work things were a little dicey. Luckily my parents are here so I had two extra hands... I think I would have gone crazy if I was alone!
We have new pics on the camera... now that the computer is in working order I will try to have Luke upload them... be on the lookout!

Broken DAMN Computer

Sorry everyone, we are not posting any blogs recently due to our stupid piece of S*#T computer. It will probably be a couple of weeks to get it repaired. I am posting this from work, which i'm not supposed to do so... until next time. Landon is well, getting big and Melyssa's parents are in town now. Everything is good on the homefront. Talk to you guys soon.

Time well spent

So this is how we spend our days... catching up on sleep missed the night before:) Actually... we really can't complain... he is a really good sleeper & night time feedings are down to a mere 2 usually around 12am & then again around 3... then we usually make it until 6 or 7 - depending on what the day holds we try to go back to sleep for another 3 hours. Fun stuff!! I don't know how it will work out when Luke goes back to work but for now it's a good little routine:)

I now have to type one handed many:) one of the many joys of motherhood:) Landon is awake right now... a rare & special time!! Daddy is out riding a dirt bike... not sure how I let that happen:) that can be my father's day present to him:)

Back to Landon... he's doing well. He got circumsized the other day which was traumatic... I think more so for Luke! He has also lost his umbilical cord... just waiting for the bellybutton to heal to see if he's a inie or an outie:) That's all the medical updates... his cheeks look like they are starting to fill out... I think we'll have a chunky monkey on our hands:) I wouldn't want it any other way:)

We have been slacking on the picture taking... will try to do some more today when Daddy gets back home:)

Got to go take care of Mr. Cranky Pants:)

More Pics...

Cutie Pa-tootie

Here are some more pics. Landon went to the doctors again today and his bilirubins are slowly going down. Yeay! He is losing his yellow tint, slowly. The doctor isn't worried anymore, sigh...

Pictures

We'll have a photo shoot soon.... Melyssa didn't cry today, that's great!!!! Her boobies are less ENGORGED! YAY. Baby Landon had his first doctors appointment today. He has a lot of bellyrubles??? It means jaundice i guess. Or YELLOW for you non baby folks. I should of listened to melyssa when she said he was yellow, i just thought he had a nice tan. I guess I should listen to her more about these things. Anyways, since the boobies are less engorged, it means that he is feeding better and his bellyrubles or whatever they are are starting to go down, yay baby. Anyways, we love him more and more every minute, and I never thought that I could love my wife more, but I seem to love her even more every minute. Eww, to mooshy for some of you, Jenny? Well here are a couple pics, but we'll get more soon.

Hormones, Lack of Sleep & Engorged Boobies...

Do not make for a good mix!!! I am miserable today& I thought I'd share that with EVERYONE:)
I can't stop crying... I am laughing at myself @ this very moment because tears are streaming down my face:)

I did not expect this... I thought I would be elated ... on cloud nine... but all I can do is feel sorry for myself & just how much frickin' pain I'm in. Then I look @ Landon & cry some more because I love him sooooo much:)

And then... my milk comes in... HOLY SHITE!!! Never new one could be in such a state of pain... plus little Landon is not nursing right so it just hurts like the dickens... lactation specialist will be coming over tomorrow & I can't wait... I really hope that this little problemo gets solved pronto!

Then, as many times as I tell myself (& Luke) that we need to sleep when baby is napping... somehow neither of us is listening to our own good advice - so come tomorrow I could very well be crashing even harder than I am right now...

Any Mommies (or Daddies) out there w/ some advice... I could really use all the advice I can get right about now:)

Hopefully I'll have some water left in my body for tomorrows crying attacks:) & way less milk in the boobs!!!
Still missing all my eastcoasties... we love you guys:)

My turn:)

Well... I was going to do a post on my B-day (can't really remember what I planned on saying ... now it just doesn't seem that important) but we had a little man who had another plan:)
As Luke has told you we had baby Landon on June 1st and it has been a whirlwind of a June thus far... I think my last year in my 20's will be one of the best & definitely one of the craziest:)

So I still had technically 2 years left in my 20's when little Landon came into this wild world... I can't believe his b-day is the day before mine... it's TOO crazy:) It is a day that I will NEVER forget though!

We are all happy, healthy, SUPER TIRED & SUPER excited to be home again... we'll let you all know how our 1st night all on our own goes:) It should be interesting. Knock on wood... he is a VERY good & easy going baby. Lets hope he stays that way:)

I know Luke already mentioned this but I wanted to let you all know that it means a lot to me too... so thank you for all your calls, wishes, texts etc. we know that this little dude will be EXTREMELY WELL LOVED, not only by us but all of you guys too:) We love you all... miss you all... and can't wait for you all to meet Landon... hopefully before year 1 is all over with:( It's definitely going to be tough being alllllll the way out here when you all are alllllll the way over there:)

Landon James Marland, 6-1-2008

On the morning of June 1st @ 1:15 am, i was risen out of bed by a smack to the stomach, "MY WATER BROKE!!!" Holy S*%T, i ran around the house like a mad man. "Grab this, grab that." Oh wait none of that was done yet, because the baby wasn't due for another week. But of course, dad was nesting on saturday, I knew something was gonna happen this weekend. IT DID. We get to the hospital and were checked in around 1:45 am. Melyssa was in and out of sleep the whole night, the nurse said it wasn't gonna happen until the morning, 7 ish. I took advantage of the time and was out cold on the extremely comfy sleep chair, gotta get me one of those. Well the contractions started around 7ish and slowly progressed through out the day. She was given a couple shots in the back with a needle 8 feet long, well not really, 4 inches or so, but it looked really long at the time. All the drugs wore off when the dock told her to start pushing, 3ish PM. No epidural, because the stupid anesthesiologist was on a vacation. Well the doc said that the little tyke was sideways and it would rotate once it got around the pelvic bone, NOT so much! She pushed for 3 hours, with extreme pain from this crooked kid. They almost took her for a C section because he wasn't moving, melyssa almost through the towel in, but after this one miracle push, the kid finally budged. Then it was on, about one more hour and the head was out and the first beautiful cry came, I lost it! Hysterical. I turned the man card when i saw this wonderful, slimy, hairy, bundle of joy. Our little baby boy, Landon James Marland was born June 1st, 2008 @ 6:17 PM. He was 7 lbs 13 oz., 21 1/4". And had a set of lungs on him. Full head of dark hair, bluish green eyes, and was just adorable. Thanks to everyone for all the calls and text messages giving support. We miss you all and Me, Melyssa and Landon will see you all sometime in the future.