The Days of Change

While I was pregnant, Paul and I tried to imagine what it would be like having two children. We knew life would be different, but I guess it's like they always say "You never know until you have walked in their shoes". Well, we are walking...running actually! Life is definitely different having 2 children! When one is finally settled down, the other gets fussy. Landon is really a great big brother and he likes to help take care of Elle. He will help me hold her bottle and he likes to put her pacifier back in her mouth. He also likes to share his toys, but in a 'toddler' way (banging his books down next to her or showing off his dinosaurs to her by banging them near her and yelling "ROARRRR"). We have to be very careful in making sure he does not accidentally hurt her. That in itself is a full time job! We know Landon is just trying to play with her or help, but being a toddler has it's ways of being a bit rough. :) He is beginning to hit the so called 'terrible 2's', along side being a bit jealous of his new sister and it is presenting itself to be a HUGE challenge. However, he is the most happy and loving little boy. Paul and I know that this is just a phase and he is also going through a huge change with the addition of his new little sister. Elle is a very good baby. She is learning that the day time is 'day time' and that night time is 'night time'. Taking care of a newborn is definitely harder when you have a toddler running around though!

On top of all of these changes, we had a huge scare a week after Elle was born. We had to rush Landon to the Children's Hospital in Jacksonville because he was struggling to breath. We were told he may have pnemonia and after a lot of testing we were told Landon has allergies and was having an asthma attack. It lasted for about 10 hours and we were in the hospital for a sleepless 2 days. It was the scariest 2 days of both of our lives and something we will never forget. Thank goodness Landon will never remember it. On top of being just plain tired from taking care of a newborn, healing from having a baby, and getting adjusted to our new lives, we were emotionally exhausted. Landon was so brave and such a trooper. The doctors and nurses took good care of him and we were so thankful for all of our family members and friends' prayers. God answered all of our prayers and Landon woke up the next morning in the hospital as if nothing ever happened. He was eating like a champ, running, and growling like a dinosaur, and better than ever! He even escaped from our hospital room and ran out into the hallway with his little hospital gown open in the back showing his diaper, laughing his head off as we chased him down. We were so thankful and it was a HUGE blessing from God that his breathing was restored and that we had a diagnosis. We are now just on the lookout for triggers of his allergies and continue to pray that he will not have another asthma attack.

Paul and I were so thankful to have the help from our family and friends. Gma was so great in coming straight over to take care of Elle so that Paul and I could take Landon to the hospital and stay the night at the hospital with Landon. Elle was a good girl for her and didn't keep her up too much at night! :) Gpa took care of the dogs for us, which was a huge help because it's tough to walk both of them and take care of Elle. So, that was awesome. Then the night we returned from the hospital with Landon, Gma took Elle for the night again, so that Paul and I could get some good rest. And I know for me personally, it was the first night in about 4 months that I slept straight through without any interuptions (pregnancy uncomforts, baby on the bladder, newborn feedings, etc). A few days later, Nana came to town for a great visit! It was so nice to spend time with her, and Paul and I got a nice break in the mornings. Anne took a few feedings at night and (this was the best part)...let us sleep in! It was wonderful...I don't think we have slept in like that since before Landon was born. She also made us some very yummy dinners and helped us give the house a nice face lift! Landon also had a lot of fun entertaining Nana! On top of all of the help from Landon and Elle's wonderful grandparents, so many of our friends made us dinners to help us get through the first few nights after we came home from the hospital. And of course, the amazing amount of prayers, phone calls and text messages that were sent to us by family and friends who were not able to be with us in Florida during Landon's big scare in the hospital. It was all a huge blessing!

Paul and I feel very blessed to have two beautiful and healthy children, and such great support from family and friends. Yet again, God has shown His wonderful grace and we are so very thankful. Enjoy the latest pictures!

Downtown Fernandina for a walk after brunch. We love the double stroller!

I love getting my kisses from Landon. He is such a lovey bear.

Poppy taking some time to bond with his new baby granddaughter. I have a picture like this of me and my Dad when I was a newborn and it looks just like this...minus the beard! :)

Gma feeding baby Elle and Landon being a goof ball chewing on his squeaky alligator!

A great 3 Generations picture with Nana!

Gpa holding his 2nd granddaughter. He looks like a pro!

Landon, Paul and Lee having a nice brunch together! Thank you Gpa!!

Hello sweet baby Elle! She is keeping her eyes open more and more, and starting to concentrate on our faces. She is such a good baby!

Sleeping in her pack 'n' play downstairs...this is when we like Landon to play with his lawn mower toy and make a lot of noise so she doesn't sleep all day long!! :) But, she is so beautiful and peaceful looking in her sleep.

The proud big brother hanging out with his sister!

This picture is priceless because Landon brought over a chair next to his and said "Nana sit". He wanted to sit and watch his movie with her. It was so cute! (Notice Nana's chair...compared to Landon haha, he saves the best chair for him...we will need to teach him some manners in the near future and how to treat a lady). :)

Nana and Gma posing for a picture with the kiddos. Landon was hard to keep still, he wanted to take off on his little bike!

Nana with her two grandbabies. (And the porch is in the background...see the next picture for the new and improved look!)

A freshly painted new bench, new blinds, and some fun new and recycled beachy accents! Thank you for all of your advice and help Anne! You are the home-makeover queen!!

We are so excited for the rest of our family to meet Elle soon! We will be making a visit to Maryland this summer, but come to Florida for a visit!! wooohoooo! We would love that!