Landon Anderson Smith

December 29, 2008

10:57 a.m.

8 lbs

20.5 inches

epidural in, yummy pellet ice, life is good

Schedule of Events (Hyrum takes great notes)
7:2o Get hooked up to IV, ready to go!
7:45 Dr. broke my water
8:40 Epidural
9:00 Still dilated to a 4, upped pitocin level
10:40 dilated to a 9
10:45 Dilated to a 10, ready to push, pant & blow waiting for doctor to get back
4 sets of pushes
10:57 Landon is born!

It feels sooooooo good to have him here safe and sound and to not be pregnant anymore! I was so worried that he would come on Christmas or Christmas Eve, but he was a very good, obedient little boy and waited. Everything went great with the delivery~this is my first time I've been induced, so I was a bit nervous about that, but it all went great. We got hooked up to everything at 7:20, they called down the epidural for me ASAP because I tend to progress very quickly and had Logan before the epidural set in and I really didn't want to do it again. They gave it to me right after they started the pitocin. I've never had one that early and it was a bit much~it felt like I couldn't feel my legs forever. Anyway, things did progress quickly and before I knew it I was ready to push and had to pant and blow waiting for the doctor to get back to the hospital from his office. A few pushes and he was out~I tore a little, but our kids tend to have big heads, so that's the norm. It is still a beautiful, amazing miracle, even on #5, to witness these little bodies taking their first breath on earth. It's a moment I will never forget.

For the name: We had it narrowed down to 2 names when we went to the hospital: Joshua and Landon. When he came out, he just looked more like a Landon to us, and the nurses and doctors agreed, so that was pretty easy. I'm using my maiden name, Anderson as a middle name.

So, he is here!! We've been dealing with all the newborn ups and downs: the crazy nights, getting my milk under control(he loves to eat!), up and down emotions (how many times have I cried since Monday??), but the joys of seeing the kids love their brother, and snuggling such a sweet, perfect little bundle from heaven. We've had lots of help from friends with meals and the kids and that has been a huge blessing. I'm also so glad we decided to bite the bullet and take Christmas down on Saturday before we went in so I don't have to deal with that right now. The kids all start school on Monday, my husband heads back on Wednesday, and my mom comes for a week on Thursday, so I'm not on my own yet, thank goodness!