Big Brother meets Little Sister
Once Allie was born and we got some rest, we had Ben's parents bring Landon up to the hospital to meet her. Ben met them in the waiting room and brought Landon back alone. I was holding Allie and he walked in with a HUGE grin on his face, talking a mile a minute about seeing Allie and that she wasn't in my belly anymore. We talked it up real big about how excited she was to meet her big brother and talked a little more about how she wasn't in my belly anymore.
He hopped up beside me, in bed, and was so adorably excited to meet her. He kept kissing her, hugging her and touching her face. My heart just about exploded out of my chest. I kept catching glances with Ben and we both just smiled ear to ear.
Once Allie was born and we got some rest, we had Ben's parents bring Landon up to the hospital to meet her. Ben met them in the waiting room and brought Landon back alone. I was holding Allie and he walked in with a HUGE grin on his face, talking a mile a minute about seeing Allie and that she wasn't in my belly anymore. We talked it up real big about how excited she was to meet her big brother and talked a little more about how she wasn't in my belly anymore.
He hopped up beside me, in bed, and was so adorably excited to meet her. He kept kissing her, hugging her and touching her face. My heart just about exploded out of my chest. I kept catching glances with Ben and we both just smiled ear to ear.
I didn't have any expectations of what their first meeting would look like, I had no idea what to expect, but Landon's excitement was way beyond what I expected. He was adorable.
We let him hold her, which he loved - until she started to cry. :) Can't really blame him though. Ha!
We let him hold her, which he loved - until she started to cry. :) Can't really blame him though. Ha!
We had the nurse come in and take pictures for us and just enjoyed some time as a family of 4.
I'd bought a "big brother gift" for Landon, from Allie, so we gave that to him. I'd kept it simple with a stuffed horse and new Old McDonald picture book. He loved it.
After a while, Ben's parents came back and met their first Granddaughter.
Landon and Allie's first meeting is something I will never forget. I was so nervous that I'd be so doped up on meds (like I was with Landon) that I wouldn't remember them meeting. I'm so happy and thankful that I was with it and remember it. It was a memory we will never forget!
The Rest of our Hospital Stay
Later that afternoon (Thursday) I finally got in my recovery room. The labor and delivery floors were busy so we had to wait for a room to open up. They unhooked my catheter before moving me and I got to get up for the first time. It was no easy feat, but it was easier this go round than with Landon. I knew what to expect. More importantly - I knew it would be uncomfortable, but I also knew I'd be ok. :) Landon's C-section was such a shock (and I was so bitter and angry and sad about it) that I gave myself a pity party. I didn't get up and walk around like they told me to and my recovery was a rough one. This time, I was mentally and emotionally prepared and bound and determined to have a better recovery. I wanted to shower the first night, but had to wait 24 hrs after surgery. I showered both Friday and Saturday mornings. I also obeyed orders and got in 2-3 walks in the hallway each day (in addition to my showers and bathroom trips). I stayed on top of my pain meds, took my gas pills and Colace, and felt better than I thought I would.
With Landon at home, It was very important to us that things with his life stay as normal as possible while we were in the hospital. We had Nana and Papa come stay at our house so he could be in his bed, etc. And each day, Ben made a point to spend time with Landon. One night he even went back home to eat dinner before coming back to stay the night with me and Allie. Other times, Landon would come up to the hospital and we'd have 15-20 minutes of family time (just us 4) so I could love on him some too. We had a few fusses - because let's face it, a hospital room is boring for a 3 year old boy - but it was good for him to come and visit, see me, see Allie, and Daddy, and know we hadn't forgotten about him.
I had my family come stay with me anytime Ben went to be with Landon and we had some friends visit as well.
Since I was a 2nd time C-section Mom, I was given the choice to go home a day early. That was a nice surprise. We almost stayed the full 72 hours (because let's be honest, the hospital is RELAXING), but we were ready to get back to Landon, let Nana and Papa go home, and be home for Easter. Plus, I felt better than expected and was told I was good to go.
When we got home, Landon was so excited we were home. With the help of Nana and Papa, he'd made Allie a picture and drawn a "Welcome Home" sign on the driveway with chalk. He couldn't wait to hold her, kiss her and hug her. It was simply one of the cutest and sweetest things ever.
After a while, Ben's parents came back and met their first Granddaughter.
Landon and Allie's first meeting is something I will never forget. I was so nervous that I'd be so doped up on meds (like I was with Landon) that I wouldn't remember them meeting. I'm so happy and thankful that I was with it and remember it. It was a memory we will never forget!
The Rest of our Hospital Stay
Later that afternoon (Thursday) I finally got in my recovery room. The labor and delivery floors were busy so we had to wait for a room to open up. They unhooked my catheter before moving me and I got to get up for the first time. It was no easy feat, but it was easier this go round than with Landon. I knew what to expect. More importantly - I knew it would be uncomfortable, but I also knew I'd be ok. :) Landon's C-section was such a shock (and I was so bitter and angry and sad about it) that I gave myself a pity party. I didn't get up and walk around like they told me to and my recovery was a rough one. This time, I was mentally and emotionally prepared and bound and determined to have a better recovery. I wanted to shower the first night, but had to wait 24 hrs after surgery. I showered both Friday and Saturday mornings. I also obeyed orders and got in 2-3 walks in the hallway each day (in addition to my showers and bathroom trips). I stayed on top of my pain meds, took my gas pills and Colace, and felt better than I thought I would.
With Landon at home, It was very important to us that things with his life stay as normal as possible while we were in the hospital. We had Nana and Papa come stay at our house so he could be in his bed, etc. And each day, Ben made a point to spend time with Landon. One night he even went back home to eat dinner before coming back to stay the night with me and Allie. Other times, Landon would come up to the hospital and we'd have 15-20 minutes of family time (just us 4) so I could love on him some too. We had a few fusses - because let's face it, a hospital room is boring for a 3 year old boy - but it was good for him to come and visit, see me, see Allie, and Daddy, and know we hadn't forgotten about him.
I had my family come stay with me anytime Ben went to be with Landon and we had some friends visit as well.
Since I was a 2nd time C-section Mom, I was given the choice to go home a day early. That was a nice surprise. We almost stayed the full 72 hours (because let's be honest, the hospital is RELAXING), but we were ready to get back to Landon, let Nana and Papa go home, and be home for Easter. Plus, I felt better than expected and was told I was good to go.
When we got home, Landon was so excited we were home. With the help of Nana and Papa, he'd made Allie a picture and drawn a "Welcome Home" sign on the driveway with chalk. He couldn't wait to hold her, kiss her and hug her. It was simply one of the cutest and sweetest things ever.
Now, at 9 days post-birth, I'd say we're all adapting and managing as best we know how. There are definitely hard and trying days and moments, but we're making it through. I'm reminding myself this all goes by so fast so I'm soaking up the newborn snuggles while also trying my best to be present and intentional with Landon. Landon is adjusting well too, I'd say. He still loves to be involved and hug, hold and kiss her A LOT. We've got to remind him often to be easy. He is a wild 3 year old boy after all. :) We've noticed the last couple days he's started acting really wild and disobeying if we're giving Allie attention. It's usually when I'm nursing her or Ben is changing a diaper. We try to involve him the best we can, while also not letting him run the house. :)
Honestly, my biggest struggle is finding the time, energy and patience to have that one on one time with just Landon. If Allie is asleep, I'm trying my best to be focused on him. It's not easy and something I'm working on and praying through. It's just so hard when you're so tired and hormones are all over the place as they level out. :)
If I had any advice to you Mommas who are welcoming #2, it'd be several things - plan ahead fun activities for sibling so their life is as normal as possible. Utilize friends and family for this too! Don't let life stop for them just because the baby is here. Also, cook freezer meals and/or set up a meal train with friends. It's a lifesaver to not have to worry about dinner as you adjust! Last - be intentional with the sibling. Make time for just them. It's hard, but doable! Landon and I have been doing lots of Daniel Tiger watching, book reading, and outside play while I sit and watch.
I'll be back later next week with an update on my recovery!
Honestly, my biggest struggle is finding the time, energy and patience to have that one on one time with just Landon. If Allie is asleep, I'm trying my best to be focused on him. It's not easy and something I'm working on and praying through. It's just so hard when you're so tired and hormones are all over the place as they level out. :)
If I had any advice to you Mommas who are welcoming #2, it'd be several things - plan ahead fun activities for sibling so their life is as normal as possible. Utilize friends and family for this too! Don't let life stop for them just because the baby is here. Also, cook freezer meals and/or set up a meal train with friends. It's a lifesaver to not have to worry about dinner as you adjust! Last - be intentional with the sibling. Make time for just them. It's hard, but doable! Landon and I have been doing lots of Daniel Tiger watching, book reading, and outside play while I sit and watch.
I'll be back later next week with an update on my recovery!
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