Now for the real story...

When Landon was born I asked Andy to write the blog about his birth because I thought it would be interesting to read his perspective on that day, so when Livia was born I thought we should continue that tradition. A few days after we got home from the hospital I asked him if he'd like to do it and he said that he would. Then work called and he got really busy...

He finally found a few minutes this past week. So here's his version. Or maybe it's Livia's version as dictated to Andy. Better late than never.

So my parents have probably told you the story about how I was born, but I asked them to wait to post about me on the family blog until I could become a little more verbal and dictate fully what the experience was like. If you haven’t met me yet, Hi, my name is Livia Anne and I was born on May the 27th. At first my parents were a little nervous about the date because everyone was born on the 3rd of a month except me, but I told them, “Hey, no sweat 27 is 3 cubed, so all is good, anyway back to the real topic.”

On that fateful morning, my Daddy woke up as per the norm at 6am and started getting ready for his work softball game. Just as he was about to leave for the day, my Mommy said “O husband dearest, I think you might want to stay home and pack the car, the little one is starting to come now.” Thankfully, Grandma had just arrived to stay with us the night before, because nobody really wanted to find out how my big brother would have fared at the hospital for the next two days. After taking approximately forever, my daddy was finally ready to take my mommy to the hospital to get things started.

Walking into the delivery ward was a little bit different this time for my parents since they were unprepared because I came when I was ready instead of when the Doc’s wanted me come, like big brother. The day at the hospital was going okay, I was taking my sweet time like all good princesses, I had to make a grand entrance you know, until my daddy drug a chair up on his almost completely healed toe and he got black toe again! Anyway back to me, I was taking my time trying on different outfits for the big reveal. I could not decide whether or not have my cord wrapped around my neck or my right arm. I kept checking in the mirror, the cord looked a little thin by itself and my arm looked a little thick up there next to my double chins, I just could not decide. I eventually decided that both together looked the best and that is how I came out, dressed to the nines, with my arm up around my neck holding my cord in place so it wouldn’t slip off. Mommy and Daddy were surprised to say the least that I came out with such good fashion sense, both immediately fell into tears at the sight of their precious new baby girl.

Next came weight and length, no girl discusses her weight, but this is a big event and all of you want to be in the know so just this once. I hide it very well, my weight that is, and all the nurses were guessing about 6 and half pounds, but not my daddy he was spot on saying that I would weigh 7lbs2oz (actually 7lbs2.6oz so the hospital rounded up to 3oz, but I still think he was right, after all they did weigh me before I had the chance to go potty, the nerve of some people). My length was completely average at 20.5 inches, I guess I don’t hide that very well or it just isn’t as important as weight as nobody was even guessing, but I think my mommy knew how long I was because she knew which size outfit to bring for me to wear home. After a well deserved meal I finally got some sleep and started to settle into my routine of feed, wake, sleep.

I am still mostly following that routine, but think I might start switching to a nap routine sometime here in the near future, I’ll have to get back to you on that as my mommy likes the sleep cycle I am currently on. Well my daddy says it’s time for me to go to bed as all princesses need their beauty rest and we have big plans tomorrow to go to bed, bath and beyond and maybe home depot, but he is not sure if there will be time.

Hope to see you all soon,
Love with hugs and kisses
Livia

I'm Still Pregnant...

But that's about the only thing that hasn't changed in the last few months.

Sell a house in NJ. Check.

Buy a house in FL. Check.

Move everything out of our NJ house. Check.

Stay with friends for 3 weeks while we wait to move to FL. Check.

Say goodbye to all our wonderful friends in NJ. Check.

Visit Ohio to show off Landon and baby bump to Andy's family. Check.

Visit Colorado and have a wonderful baby shower. Check.

Get to FL just in time to close on house and move in household goods. Check.

Unpack, unpack, unpack. Check, check, check.

Build a fence so Landon can play in the backyard. Check.

Buy a bigger car to better fit a family of 4. Check.

We've been here about 4 weeks now. We're mostly settled in. We miss our friends a lot but we are enjoying all the space in our new home, and Landon especially loves his new backyard. We've also tried out the beach a few times... I think we could get used to this.

I'm due next Monday (May 24th). So far no big developments. My Dr. visits mostly go like this: You're still getting fatter; that's good. The baby's heart rate is about 150; that's good. Yep, you're still pregnant. See you in a week.

That's life for now. I'll update after Baby arrives.

Goodbye Old House

Hope to see you soon, NJ friends!

A wonderful baby shower!

My Jersey Boy is becoming a beach bum

The One Where I Try to get Caught Up

I'm obviously really behind on my posts as I have now missed two major holidays, several Landon milestones, an ultrasound, a blizzard and various other blog-worthy events that I've now forgotten. So here goes my attempt to succinctly catch up in one post.

The Holidays:

Both were wonderful. Thanksgiving was hosted at our house for family that could make it. Andy successfully fried a turkey that I'm told was delicious, we made several trips to Manhattan to soak up all it's holiday goodness, and Landon was as cute and charming as ever.

Christmas was spent catching up with dear friends, enjoying traditions with loved ones, snowboarding, spoiling Landon, and focusing on quality time with each other before Andy headed off to 9 weeks of training in North Carolina and various other locations that as of yet are unknown.

The Move:

The AF gods have decided that 2 1/2 years is about as long as they'd like us to stay in any one place, and, as a result, Andy's been assigned to fly planes at Eglin, AFB near Pensacola, Florida. We'll be moving sometime this spring or early summer, depending on when our house sells. The fact that the baby's due in May has allowed us some leeway in the exact date of our move. Andy will be switching to a new plane (hence the training) but if you're interested in the details of the plane and the mission, you'll have to ask him. I've been slacking in my Air Force wifely duties lately so the farthest I got was, "How much will you be gone?" and "How dangerous is it?" before giving my thumbs up - whatever that's worth.

The past month or so we've been ridiculously busy getting our house in order (and keeping it in order - thanks Landon) to sell. It's currently on the market, and trying to sell a house in this economy has been an interesting experience and one that has left us seriously considering renting when we get to Florida.

The Boy:

Landon is proving to be a genius. I'm not one to brag, but this is an observation that I've heard many times over from strangers and friends alike and so I feel I'm allowed to say that I agree. Here's the evidence. At 17 months he could identify all his letters and numbers 1-10. At 17 1/2 months he could say the alphabet. At 18 months he can count to 13 and does so often and at random times. Clearly these abilities coupled with the fact that he finally stopped licking the outside of the toilet bowl indicate he has an IQ that is at least 3 standard deviations above the mean. Of course he also has the more elementary skills mastered, like naming colors and Sesame Street characters (Grover is the new favorite), but it's the numbers and letters that get people talking.

Other random facts about him: He's a human garbage disposal, just like his dad. He eats everything and stays a skinny little man. He repeats everything and if I were clever or had a good sense of humor I'd teach him witty things to say that would make people laugh. But since I'm not he's stuck with saying boring things like "fold socks".

The New Babe:

I'm now 21 weeks and feeling fine. We've decided to be surprised again this time. After posting my 20 week ultrasound pics on Facebook, I've already had various people assure me that based on the scans, they are certain they know what it is. The only trouble is some are "certain"it's a boy, while others are "certain" it's a girl. So the fun begins :) I'll post them below so you can decide what it certainly is for yourself.

Answers to FAQ:

1. Were you sicker this time?

I don't know. Andy insists that I was. I know I got physically sicker more this time but the general sense of hating food and always feeling carsick was prevalent for 17 weeks with both.

2. Are you more emotional this time?

Yes. I cry at most television commercials, some songs, and have to avoid watching The Notebook altogether.

3. Are you showing?

Yes. I've been showing since I was 6 weeks. But now everyone else agrees that I'm showing too. Except for a mom in Landon's play group. She thinks I look like I just ate a big meal.

4. Do you have names picked out?

No. Really, no.

Due date's May 24.

First Hair Cut and Some Other Fun Things

Andy thought is was necessary. That Landon was getting a mullet. I was fine with the mullet and resisting my baby's first haircut but eventually ceded under the condition that the second haircut would be mine alone to schedule. It ended up OK except that now, when he wakes up in the morning his new, shorter hair sticks up in the back. Kinda cute, though.

Now I'll warn you. The next part of this is going to be pure Momma gushing.

I am absolutely in love with Landon at this age. He's almost 17 months and is wonderful.

Things I always want to remember about Landon at this age:

• First words I hear from the monitor when we wakes up in the morning, "Up! Please! Banana?"
• He cracks himself up giving our leather couch raspberries
• To turn pages in a book he insists on using both hands while his fingers are clasped together like he's praying. Where did he come up with this?
• He asks for the "A B's?" song, and when I sing it he looks at me like I'm crooning a love song just for him. Complete eye contact, big silly grin, and he's over the moon when I pause occasionally and let him fill in the next letter.
• His obsession with letters; he knows 23 uppercase. He shouts (and I do mean SHOUTS) them out in the car when he sees them on a billboard, in the mall when he sees them on a sign, in his books when I read to him.
• His response to "What color is this?" is always "blue". At least the first time.
• His favorite game is having us draw a letter for him on his Magna-Doodle and then telling us what it says.
• He sets a book on my knee and says, "Please? Lap?" Ah, how could I ever, ever say no?
• Every time he sees Sushi he gives him a gentle head butt then looks at me for approval.
• For some reason he thinks the outside of the toilet bowl is a great place for his tongue.
• All bodies of water are referred to as "bath"

I could really go on and on. I probably will on my own private list so I can always remember.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween and A Little Surprise

Landon was a late walker; a fact I was perfectly ok with. I had no worries or desires to rush this milestone, but I did harbor a tiny hope that he'd be walking by Halloween. Because how cute would he be on our neighborhood sidewalks, toddling around as mini-Elmo? Well, his timing couldn't have been more perfect. He'd been working on it for a few weeks and in the days leading up to the big night he was really getting to be an independent little walker. Funny then, that he spent the entire (short lived though it was) trick-or-treating portion of the evening in either Andy's or my arms. He. Refused. To. Walk. There was no negotiating. He did not want to walk, and he most definitely did not want to accept candy from strangers. Like I said, the trick-or-treating portion of our evening turned out to be very brief. But he was SO cute. And it his stubbornness makes for good memories!

Asserting his position on walking

Trick-or-Treating with Dad

And with Mom

Showing off our Sesame Street themed jack-o-lanterns with Henry

And now for the Little Surprise...

Expected to Arrive May 24

Step by Step

He started taking steps last week. This weekend I was able to get it on video. It's official; my baby's becoming a toddler!

A September Wedding

Ryan and Clarie’s wedding, to be exact. This wedding was a long time coming, and we’re so happy that Claire’s now officially part of the family.

Ryan and Claire are the sweetest. After having Landon we quickly realized that a divide exists between couples who have kids and couples who don’t. This is mainly, I believe, due to the fact that having a baby = no more social life. Not that I’m complaining, just stating a fact. When your son goes to sleep at 7:30 pm, and he likes to go sleep in a bed, guess where you are at 7:30 pm? Every night. Sure, occasionally we get crazy and put him down at Derek and Gina’s where we hang out until 11:00. Wild. Because even if you can find a way to stay out late he will inevitably be awake at 6:45 the next morning. Awake, raring to go, and not at all cognizant of the fact that Mommy and Daddy went to sleep four hours ago. Now, some kid-less couples are kind enough to ignore this lack of a social life and treat new mommies and daddies as if they are just as cool as before. These couples ask about your baby, pretend not to notice when you yawn at 8:30pm, and don’t bat an eye at a poopy diaper even if they are secretly disgusted. This is Ryan and Claire. They are DINKs who don’t judge me for being a SAHM. Plus they completely spoil Landon with attention, love, and gifts. So sweet. It’s hard not to feel extra mushy about people who love on your baby. So that's how I feel about Ryan and Claire. Extra Mushy.

Now that we’ve established how wonderful Ryan and Claire are, lets move onto the wedding. Beautiful. Very hip. Processional songs consisted of a string quartet strumming out Coldplay and The Beatles among others. The reception was an awesome party with a photo booth for guests to take pictures in and more dancing than Footloose. I was very excited about the reception. We had a room at the resort and had a babysitter there with Landon. He made an appearance at the reception. Then, at 7:30, back to the babysitter for bed. So essentially Ryan and Claire’s reception was really a big date night for Andy and me. Only the second one we’ve had since Landon was born. Gina and I were talking about how pathetic we would have found that five years ago. Now here we are. Weddings are a big date night. And we partied like we didn’t have to wake up at 6:45 the next morning.

In all seriousness, we couldn’t be happier for Ryan and Claire. They really are such a beautiful, hilarious, and gracious couple, and we were excited to share in their special day. Congratulations!

Introducing the Newlyweds

A Family Photo

The only picture we got with them. It's blurry. Blame Matt.

Dancing the night away

I paid 5 bucks for this dance :)

Cousins

Not sure how much he paid. I love this picture.

This one too.