Landon's Birth Day

Where to begin?  Fair warning... this is very lengthy and detailed.  This is like my journal and I don't want to forget a single detail... so you've been warned.  : )

No need for an alarm clock the morning of December 9, 2011.  Pat and I laid awake in bed for most of the night.  We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am for my 7:30 am c-section.  The emotions were flowing and the anxiety level was high.  Plus, on top of that we were so anxious to meet our sweet boy.  At 4:00 am I got out of bed and showered.  Once I was all ready I walked around the house doing little (pointless) jobs just to keep myself busy until we needed to leave.  At 5:00 we loaded up the car and headed out.  My heart was racing and I couldn't believe that Landon's arrival was just a few hours away.  Paige was definitely with us all morning long.  I could feel her.  The minute we pulled away from our house I could just feel her presence.  She made me so calm and even helped me to relax a bit.  I practically ran into the hospital (as fast as a 9 month pregnant woman can run).  We got off the elevator onto the Labor and Delivery floor and the memories of Paige's birth came rushing back.  Ugh!  But I just knew in my heart this time was going to be different.  The check-in process was quick and we were escorted to our room.  You can't imagine the relief I felt when Heather (our nurse that helped deliver Paige) walked into the room.  She is one of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever met and she made me feel so at ease.  She told me she was getting off at 7 am, but that she didn't want to miss Landon's birth.  So after her long twelve hour shift, Heather stayed to be with us in the operating room and she took pictures of Landon's birth for us.  She's incredible!  We will treasure those pictures forever!  The nurses got my IV started and walked us through the events of that morning.  They made us feel so comfortable and most of all confident.  Everyone was so positive around us... it really helped keep us calm.  A little after seven our parents came into the room to wish us the best and then we headed to the OR.  Pat wasn't allowed in until right before the c-section started.  He was dressed in his scrubs just waiting outside the door.  I can't imagine how he was feeling not knowing what was going on inside the OR.  Inside I was being prepped for surgery.  I received my spinal (kind of like an epidural except a different medicine and it's inserted in a different spot on the spine).  The atmosphere inside was so calm.  People were cracking jokes and just saying the sweetest things to me.  The next  thing I knew Pat was sitting next to me holding my hand.  I knew this meant we were starting the c-section.  The nurse talked me through the whole thing letting me know what was happening.  About 15 minutes in the doctor told Pat to stand up if he wanted to see Landon coming out.  I remember just staring at Pat's face.  He got the biggest smile on his face and I knew Landon had arrived.  It was so great to not see doctors and nurses running around and rushing my baby away.  This time was calm.  At one point a nurse walked over to me held my hand and said, "honey, he's perfect!"  The joy I felt in my heart at that moment is indescribable.  Amazing!  I was crying, Pat was crying and several nurses were crying!  Pure joy and relief!  We watched our son get cleaned off, be weighed and measured.  So fun!  Then,  they placed Landon in Pat's arms and my heart skipped a beat.  This was real... our son was here, he is healthy and he's in his daddy's arms.  Pat brought him over to me and we just sat there (well I laid there) and stared at our little miracle.  He really was perfect!  After I was put back together :) we headed to recovery.  Our parents and Pat's sisters came in and met Landon for the first time.  Such joy!  Such relief!  It was amazing!  The rest of the day was filled with family and friends coming to meet our sweet boy, our miracle, Paige's baby brother.  December 9, 2011 is a day we will never forget.  We are so grateful to our family, our friends and complete strangers who prayed for Landon's safe arrival.  Because of you we made it through the past 11 months and now here we are with a beautiful baby boy in our arms.  We are so in love and so happy!

Introducing Landon Jordan Steinhoff....

Wide Eyed

Showing off his muscles!

Ready to come home from the hospital!

Getting ready for basketball practice

Up close and personal!

Saying his prayers

All ready for bed.  Good night!