Landon Cooper is here

Landon Cooper arrived on January 24 at 8:15 am after 4 hours 45 minutes of labor.

I woke up at 1:30 in the morning with irregular, mild contractions. I called Elizabeth (my doula) and talked to her for about 30 minutes. She said that I could just be dehydrated, so I should drink some water and take a bath. After the bath the contractions were further apart, so I got into bed to read for a bit before going to sleep. As soon as I started to read the contractions became overwhelming. I woke up Brian and told him it was time. I called Elizabeth back and then called the Burkes so they could come get Hunter.

We left the house at around 4:20 and arrived at the hospital at 4:45. Elizabeth has already checked us into the hospital, so I walked upstairs to my waiting room and nurses. They did a check at 5:15 and I was already 6-7 cm! Because my water was still intact the rest of labor was much more manageable and a slower pace than that with Hunter. My water FINALLY broke at 7:30 and within a short amount of time I felt the urge to push. Then the doctor wanted to do a final check before giving me permission to push, but I couldn't wait and started pushing on my own....I was on all fours which the doctors do not encourage. I pushed 4 times and I heard Elizabeth say "he's crowning". Then they ask me to push harder and they catch him! That was it! Landon Cooper had made his beautiful entrance. He was 7 lbs 4 ozs, 21.25 inches. That's more than a pound bigger and 2 inches longer than Hunter was! And I still did it without drugs...not even a Tylenol.

He is quite different from Hunter. They look like brothers, but they don't look like twins. Landon's hair is curly and his face is just slightly different. He is VERY calm and rarely cries (knock on wood). He nurses very well and for hours at a time. My milk hasn't come in yet, so I think he'll nurse less once it is here.

Hunter had SO much fun with the Burkes. We got a great report that he slept through the night and was on his best behavior with them. He loved being with Keagan - and was EXHAUSTED when he came home tonight. That was a good thing because I am also pretty tired. The Burkes are the best friends we could want and we so appreciate them watching Hunter for us. It was hard to be away from him for the night, but he had so much fun and I was so busy that it was probably a good thing.

Hunter has tried to hold Landon 3 times now and he kisses him on the head as much as I will let him. He seems to have a protective "brother" instinct, which is so cute. I'm excited to watch their relationship develop, although I'm sure there will be ups and downs. Brian is staying home with me this week to help adjust to having 2 babies. Thank God for Brian. He is the cutest baby daddy ever.

Little feet


Beautiful boy

Less than 3 minutes oldGetting measured

Daddy and Landon

Mommy and Landon