A Simple Little Wish...

Christmas Blessings to you!

"Tidings of great joy which shall be to all people."
Luke 2:10




 Christmas ~ 2011



An update on all things Landon (with pictures)*

7 Months Old

*since my last month-by-month post was when he was 1-month old!

@ Cheekwood Gardens

Landon is now 8 months old and on the move in every which way possible. He is 17 pounds (16th percentile) and 27 inches tall (18th percentile) at our last doctor visit and wearing a size 2 diaper during the day and a size 3 at night. His clothing sizes range from 3 months to 12 months. Go figure.

He has been sleeping in his crib since he was 3 months old. I just now put his bed-side sleeper away. It was a sad, sad day in the Noorman household.

Standing Up!

Landon has been creeping since 5 months and sitting on his own since 6.5 months. At 7 months, he starting crawling and at 8 months is now standing on his own and attempting to walk. Todd and I are finding something new every day that we need to baby proof as this kid is everywhere and FAST! His favorite thing to get into is Gracie's water bowl and food dish.

Rice Cereal Face

We started solids at 4 months old which he absolutely loved! We started off with rice cereal then added homemade pureed fruits and veggies and oatmeal. Now, Landon is eating food with texture, Cheerios, puffs and yogurt melts. He got his first tooth when he was 7 months old and now has 2 more - 2 on the bottom and one on top. In addition to solids, he is drinking anywhere from 20 ounces to 30 ounces of formula a day. He holds his own bottle. *Sigh*

Bath Time Fun!

Landon takes a bath in our bath tub now. At around 5 months, our bathroom was getting flooded at bath time. Between him splashing and doing body flops, there would be more water on the floor than in the tub! We tried using a bath seat, but that lasted all of one minute. He just wanted to splash and play with his bath toys.

Best Buds

Landon is still the happiest baby ever, though he has started to get whiny when he has to sit still, making diaper and clothing changes a dreaded event for whoever has to do them. He loves Gracie, Elmo, things with wheels, things that make noise, swimming and putting whatever he can find in his mouth, including Gracie's food and a lava rock from our fireplace.

Sitting Big

Landon stops whatever he is doing when he hears his name, sits down and looks up at you with a smile. I have a hard time saying no to Grace, so I can only imagine the time I am going to have saying no to his cute face. Most recently, Landon has learned to clap. It is awkward looking, but super cute, too!

Good Night!

Ahhhhhh....he is growing up too fast! I told him just yesterday that I wanted him to stay my tiny boy forever!

Happy Fall!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

We Are Still Here!

Life with Landon has been anything but boring and yet I have not been on to post in over three months! I wanted to make this blog into a photo book, however, right now, it would be pretty pathetic. So, my goal is to get up-to-date with posts to have a photo book that chronicles Landon month-by-month as well as other milestones. This post is the first of many to accomplish that - I hope you enjoy as you catch-up with Life with Landon (over the next few days)!

One Year Ago Today

Landon one year ago

One year ago today Todd and I met Landon for the first time (at our transfer) as a tiny 6-8 cell embryo; And just think, a couple of days before that, he was frozen!

GOD is AMAZING!

Praising GOD for his many blessings tonight....

Landon in his highchair - such a big boy!

One Month Old*

*Post is only two months late - pictures were taken at 1 month :)

 Monthly Stats

Weight: 8 lbs, 3 oz (18th percentile)

Height: 20.50 in (20th percentile)

Head Size: 14.50 in (25th percentile)

Food: Formula, 3 oz every 2-3 hours

Diapers: Newborn

Clothes: Newborn, few 0-3 months

Sleep: Awake for about a 1/2 hour to an hour at a time, sleeping in 2-3 hour intervals

Likes: Sleeping, eating, lying on mommy or daddy's chest (and falling asleep), his pacifier, watching the mobile on his crib

Dislikes: Being swaddled, wearing footed pajamas, Gracie kisses

1 Month Milestones

Mastered Skills (What most 1 month olds can do) 

*Lifts head when lying on tummy

* Responds to sound

*Stares at faces 

Emerging Skills (Half of 1 month olds can do)

*Follows objects briefly with eyes

*Vocalizes: oohs and aahs

*Can see black-and-white images

Advanced Skills (A few 1 month olds can do)

-Smiles, laughs

*Holds head at a 45-degree angle 

*Milestones that Landon has reached 

 

Happy Adoption Day (to Us)!

One year ago today, Todd and I adopted 15 2PN stage embryos from Colorado. God decided that one those embryos would become our sweet baby boy - We love you, Landon!

Though not when he was a 2PN stage embryo, one of these embryos is Landon!
Photo taken: May 25, 2010

Landon today :)

This boy just makes me want to smile

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Landon's Birth Announcement

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Landon is super excited that it is St. Patrick's day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I Love Mommy (socks) from Grandma Noorman

Our Family :)

Happy Birthday Landon!

Landon John Noorman
February 3, 2011
6:23pm
19.5 inches, 7lbs. 10oz.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:20th Ave N,Nashville,United States

An Email From My Husband

Todd is always saying and writing sweet things to me. I wish that I had kept all of them. Anyhow, this is an email that I got from him today and had to share it. God has blessed me with a wonderful, sweet husband....

"I am so incredibly excited for you to bring our son into the world, Lisa.  To think that it could be as early as next week is unreal, and I still haven’t wrapped my mind around it.  I probably won’t until he’s actually here.  You will be an incredible mother, and although people tell you that all the time, I actually know you inside and out, and I can say it with 100% certainty.  There is no little boy alive who will be more blessed than Landon is to have you for a mommy.  (Grace already knows this. :))"

Week 36 Appointment #2

**If you didn't see my update in my Week 36 Appointment post, my blood work came back with no major concerns though some acid level was borderline.

Landon @ 36w3d

Today's appointment was the same as Monday's with one exception - it started off with us seeing our boy! Another thorough ultrasound showed that he is weighing approximately 6.5lbs., amniotic fluid levels are good, blood flow through the umbilical cord is good - you get the idea, everything with him is good :) A check of my cervix showed that it was still good - high, firm and closed. Landon is still not ready to join us - which is another good thing, as we are not quite ready either!

Now the not so good. My blood pressure was still high. I heard the words borderline pre-eclampsia, modified bed rest and last day of work. Talk about some stress factors! My doctor ordered me or I guess, rather, advised me to stop working to reduce stress. Um...do you not know what I do?!? Okay, he probably doesn't, but come on!  If he had taken my blood pressure right then I think he would have admitted me to the hospital for observation which is a possibility at every appointment. *BTW: For those of you who don't know what I do, I teach 2nd/3rd grade special education. Not a job you can just stop going to exactly. And, it does not really cause me a lot of stress....

Anyhow, I agreed with my doctor no more work, however, Todd and I talked about it on the way home and I explained to him that I could not not go to work on Thursday and Friday. I needed time to not only get ready for a sub, but to process that I was going on maternity leave three weeks early (something we did not budget for). Todd agreed but only because the doctor said modified bed rest and he knows me well enough to know that having Wednesday be my last day would be more stressful than it being Friday. Oh, and, I had to agree to let the nurse take my blood pressure at school. If it was high, I will leave. I can handle that.

So, this is where we are at. I have been officially diagnosed with borderline pre-eclampsia and put on modified bed rest. I have to take my blood pressure daily. If it is above 140/90 I have to call the doctor and will most likely be admitted to the hospital for a 24-hour observation. I will have two appointments per week until Landon's arrival. I will have blood drawn at both of these appointments. If the levels of platelets or the acid are higher than my baseline, Landon will be arriving within 24 hours of when we got those results. At one of those appointments, we will also have an ultrasound. My last day of work for 15 weeks is this Friday. Whew!

My next appointment is next Monday when I will be 37 weeks and considered full-term. Praying that we can make at least that far!

We ask that you continue to pray that my platelet level and acid level remain at my baseline or lower so that Landon can continue to do what he needs to in there :)

Week 36 Appointment

My monthly appointments, as of today's, had turned into weekly appointments which have turned into (at least for this week possibly), two appointments per week thanks to high blood pressure. I had blood drawn to test for something - my doctor didn't say what. My only guess is pre-eclampsia as I had also gained 7 pounds in two weeks - Eek! I will find out tomorrow if all looks good. As for the rest of me, all is good, firm, closed and high :) And, as for Landon, he is still doing great and not showing any signs that he ready to make his grand appearance! I go back on Thursday for another appointment, blood work and ultra-sound. I can't wait to see my boy again - it has been two months!

Please pray with us that there is nothing more going on....

**Update** Blood work did not show anything concerning though some type of acid level was borderline. Everything will be checked again on Thursday.

Ashley/Noorman Shower

Baby Shower - Take 2. After a couple of days and baby shower number 1 in my hometown, we drove over to the northern part of Michigan to Todd's hometown of Sparta (near Grand Rapids). Once again our family (namely my Sister-in-Law, Mother-in-Law, Grandma Ashley and Todd's aunts) outdid themselves and threw us a wonderful shower.

The love shown for our baby boy (who may be here sooner than we thought - post to come) and the generosity of those who attended, were more than Todd and I could have ever imagined. Family and friends of ours attended including one of Todd's college roommates and his wife and my suite-mate of three years (who I hadn't seen since my bridal shower 7 years ago!). We received our Boppy Newborn Lounger, picture frames, cute, tiny clothes and so much more!

My Sister-in-Law got us a scrapbook and had each table decorate different themed pages. All we have to do is add the pictures and text! PS - This is just a sampling - there are pages for his 1st Birthday to everyday to Family!

Erika (35 weeks pregnant) and I (21 weeks pregnant)

Chanter/Noorman Family Picture

Todd and I with Grandma Ashley

Landon is one loved baby boy!

Hand-made blanket from my Mother-in-Law

Wipp/Zill Baby Shower

Okay, so this post is only about three months late, but I thought I had better post about our first two showers now before our next two showers (which are next Tuesday and the following Monday). Yes, FOUR baby showers! We have already been blessed beyond belief by Michigan family and friends and now our Tennessee friends are throwing us baby showers. Amazing!

Our first shower was in my hometown of Royal Oak, Michigan on October 16 when we were a mere 21 weeks pregnant. My aunts and mom put it all together for us and it was way better than we ever could have imagined! Neither Todd nor I are 'theme' people so my poor aunt had to come up with something on her own and she did awesome! Todd and I are huge Detroit Tigers fans and so as you can see from the pictures the theme for the baby shower fit us perfectly!

We had family and friends from over two hours away attend as well as friends from my childhood. My best friend drove up from Ohio with her two boys, both under three, only to have to drive back to Ohio to be back for a dinner at her church that same evening. Family from both my mom's side as well as my dad's side were there.  People we hadn't seen since our wedding seven years ago were there. We were overwhelmed just by those in attendance so you can imagine what we felt like after opening all the gifts.

We received everything from our Chicco Travel System to cute, tiny clothes to homemade quilts. The pictures do not do the love and generosity of our family and friends justice. I have more pictures somewhere that I hope to find and post soon!

Each guest received a homemade bag (thanks to my Aunt Kathy filled with homemade goodies thanks to my Aunt Linda)

Landon's first Detroit Tigers gear on a cute coat rack from Uncle Ron

Todd and I still in shock from the love showed by our family and friends (this picture doesn't show everything)!

Our cake made by a childhood friend's mom (also a friend!). Everything is homemade and edible except the baby - The detail was crazy!

And last but not least, gifts for Grace from my aunts and cousins :)

*Post about the Ashley/Noorman shower to follow!

34 Weeks

*How far along? 34 weeks

*How big is your baby? A honeydew (17.2 to 18.7 in, 4.2 to 5.8 lb)

*Total weight gain: 18 pounds

*Sex: It’s a BOY!

*Name: Landon John Noorman

*Maternity clothes: Yes, but I am still able to fit in some of my regular clothes (though those are slowly dwindling)

*Stretch marks: Breasts - yes. Belly - no. I am still using Burt’s Bees Mama Bee body oil every night.

*Movement: Not only feeling it, but seeing it, too!

*Sleep: I have been getting about 4-5 hours a night and am waking up about every hour.

*Best moment this week: Getting started (and almost finishing the nursery thanks to my hubby)

*Food cravings: Homemade chicken tenders, cheese sticks and french fries, any Cherry Cola product, Little Caesar's Baby Pan Pan, Sweet N' Sour Chicken

*Labor signs: I have had Braxton Hicks contractions for a few weeks now.

*Belly button in or out: In (though starting to come out)
*What I miss: Not having heartburn 24/7

*What we’re looking forward to: The nursery being finished (just a couple of more finishing touches) - hope to post pictures later this week!