You are one month old as of yesterday. I don't even know where the time has gone. It all started with two little cries that stole my heart the minute I heard them! I really did have that moment of fear thinking about how I would feel about you both when you were born. Would I naturally feel that love and bond when you both arrived? I wasn't sure. I've heard a lot of women say they just felt it, instantly. It scared me to think, what if I didn't. But alas, that was not the case! First came Landon, and as soon as I heard that loud cry, I can't even begin to describe how immediate the feeling washed over me. You stole my heart little big man. It was amazing! And then just as quickly, Parker you came along and not to be outdone by your brother, did just the same. I was yours. My heart melted and I was putty in both your tiny, beautiful little hands! Our 2 days in the hospital are a bit of a blur, but you had quite a bit of visitors, and many more when we came home those first few weeks. And more than anything, the last month has been amazing to get to know your sweet (and sometimes stubborn...gee I wonder who you guys got that from?) personalities. You are similar in some ways, but oh so different and we love that! It's amazing to get to know you both and to see who you not only look more like, but what personality traits you inherited. And so, our adventure and journey with you both continues on in full force and we are enjoying every moment with you two (even the middle of the night feedings, like when Parker and Daddy took their first "nap" together!).
Landon, my little big man. You are the bigger of you and your brother. You were born at 12:52am and weighed 6lbs 11oz, and were 18 1/2 inches long. You had one eye completely shut and as the nurse brought you over to meet me, she said "Here's your little one eyed sailor." Too cute but at the same time frightening for brand new parents. Daddy was a little freaked out. He was seriously thinking something was wrong with your eye. It was cute. After our first kiss, the nurses took you, your brother, and Daddy to the well nursery to get your stats and get you cleaned up a little. You are our little chill man. For some reason, we thought you were going to be a little more high maintenance of the two. I remember those first few days you fought sleeping and feeding. You even went over 24 hours while we were in the hospital not eating. It freaked me and Daddy out. We attempted to give you a small bit of formula and you did take it (about a teaspoon) so we knew you were going to be ok. More than anything, you just proved to be our gassy boy. But boy oh boy can you fart like no ones business! LOL! As you work out your tummy and gas issues, you really are content. Not much makes you fussy or cry unless you need something like to eat, sleep, or be changed. You look so much like your Daddy too! Everyone says it. And you really do! I also compare you to Auntie Tey. You have her shaped face and her same shaped eyes. It's funny to see that resemblance. You like to fall asleep while you're eating, and sometimes will stay sleeping as we try to burp you. Too cute! Oh and are you vocal, and I don't mean crying! You are our little squeaker! You make so many cute, sweet little sounds. While Grandma Peterson was visiting, you were waking up from a nap and made the funniest sound...almost like a dolphin. We called you Flipper. It was so sweet. I am still trying to get all your sounds on video. I only hope I can to remember them all. One of my favorite sounds of yours though is right after you sneeze. You sneeze a couple of times and then coo. Yup, you just sound like you are sighing and let out a long, cute little "cooooooo"! You are special in your own way. You have a kink in your neck. Crazy huh?! The doctor told us that when we went in for your newborn appointment. You must have been squeezed in the womb a certain way for a long time, because you do prefer to have your head turned to the left, or your head resting right up next to your right shoulder. We have to do neck stretches with you, which you don't seem to mind too much. Your neck is definitely getting better! We'll just keep stretching it out and helping you start moving and looking to your right! You still haven't lost your umbilical cord. This worries me, but everything I read says that it's ok. We have your 1 month appointment next on May 8th and hopefully if is off before then. If not, we'll have to see what the doctor says. I love you Landon Douglas. You are growing so quickly and changing every day. It has been an amazing first month with you and I look forward to the seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years to come with you!
Parker, my littlest little man. You are our small little peanut. You were born at 12:53am and weighed 5lbs 10oz and were 17 1/2 inches long. I was told after you went with your brother and Dad to the Well Baby nursery to get cleaned up that you had your umbilical cord wrapped around your neck. We had no idea. I wonder if that is why you weren't as big as your brother because at our last ultrasound about 2 weeks before your birth, you were measuring at 6lbs plus. No big deal though. You were born healthy and happy! I almost from day one have called you my little old man, because you certainly kind of look like one. You are all me. You seems to have taken on the Peterson traits with your looks and if you ask Daddy, he would say you are more serious and tense like Mommy. You keep your fists balled up and tense your legs and arms straight out often. Daddy says you need to learn how to relax. You and me both little man. =) I know you will though, some day. You are cute every time we put you down, mostly on the changing table, you flail your arms and legs straight out like a starfish (I think this is called the Morel reflex). I giggle every time you do. You are definitely our more needy boy, which is ok. You started having reflux by about 2 weeks old, and boy does it still just break my heart. You started to spit up after eating, and then the amount you were spitting up really increased. On April 10th, we took you into the doctor to see about all this spitting up. You hadn't lost weight since your newborn about at 3 days old, but you hadn't gained any either. Scary and sad. =( The doctor put you on medication, Zantac, to help with the spitting up. It's a super sticky, spearmint smelling medicine that we give you twice a day. You are such a good boy and take it usually with no problems. The spitting up hasn't stopped, but it seems to have gotten better. You don't spit up tons like it seemed like you used to. You definitely seem to "choke it down" as I say more. This is good and bad. I think this has started to cause you some pain and that makes me feel so bad for you kiddo. You have good days and bad. I am hoping the good really start to outweigh the bad! I think as you get bigger and older, the medicine and your body maturing will help remedy this reflux problem. I am praying for that everyday. You are our wide-eyed boy too. When we go to run errands, usually in the morning, your brother is passed out and you are just sitting in your seat, eyes wide open, taking everything in. You are your mother's child! You seem to be our super healer. You lost your umbilical cord by 10 days old if I remember correctly. And you were also the first one to have the Plastibell fall off first (the plastic part for your circumcision). I have a feeling that if you ever have scraps and boo-boos, they will heal up and be gone before we know it! You are my sweetest little sweet and I love you Parker Neal! I am looking forward to you getting big and maybe even some day being bigger than brother!
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| Darn this for being sideways but I had to put it in. Parker is on the left and Landon is on the right! |
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| Landon after his first bath! Our cute little duckie! |
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| Parker after his first bath. Our little alligator! |
You both sleep and eat fairly well. Of course you eat well, you came from me! ;) You are eating about every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. We sometimes get lucky and get a 3 1/2 hour stretch in there and have even had one or two 4 hour stretches. Landon, I swear you are by the clock. You just seem to know when that 2 1/2 hour mark has hit! We have fed you both at the same time (because you are breastfed) a few times, but usually you are fed separately. This has proven to help once Daddy went back to work and all our help left. Landon usually eats first, then I'll change you and burp you, then feed Parker so that he can feed a little slower and get burped more often. We believe you are eating about 3 ounces right now, but sometimes when Daddy feeds you with a bottle, you do seem to eat a little more. We are just happy you both are eating, growing, and are happy pretty much all day!
I am so blessed and amazed to have both of you beautiful boys in my life! And to see your Daddy transform from this big, tough coach to this sweet, tender daddy has been so fun! We love you both with all of our hearts and thank God for you two little miracles. It took a lot to get you two and we will never forget that. We are having fun (even if we aren't sleeping much) and enjoying every moment! Can't wait to see what the next month has in store for us! Love you boys!
