The Boys with Santa!!

Leyton actually sat with Santa! Santa was smart and gave away candy canes.

First Visitors

Landon has been quite popular with friends and family!! He is a tiny bundle of joy and everyone wants to get a chance to hold him. Brandon and I are so fortunate to have two beautiful boys!

Mary Grace was Landon's very first visitor!! She got to hold him when he was only hours old.

My mother wasn't a visitor, but this was the first picture I captured of the two of them together.

Poor pregnant Kate! She was due before me, but I had Landon four days before she was induced to have her son, Gavin.

Courtney made it home in time from vacation to be one of the first to hold Landon.

Papa Seek got to hold Landon when we went to the hospital for a routine hearing check.

Kendra came for a visit all the way from Orlando to hold this little guy. Landon loved her!

Even Santa Claus wanted to hold Baby Landon. Santa hasn't held a baby in 51 years!

Landon's 1st friend. Baby Gavin (Kate's baby) was born on the December 16th. We went and visited him, so the boys could bond and become fast friends. Gavin loved to snuggle up with Landon.

He Was Born in Water!

Saturday, December 12th.

It wasn't an average Saturday morning for me. I was 39 weeks & 4 days pregnant. I awoke at three o'clock in the morning to uncomfortable cramps and headed to the bathroom then returned to my bed. Something didn't feel right. I tossed and turned, but nothing I would do would make the cramps go away. They came in waves, approximately 7-10 minutes apart. My mother was out on the couch, so I got up to let her know it might be "time."

Time is what is was.

We packed up the cooler with protein, snacks, and lots of water. Before I knew it we were ready and headed to Gainesville. The anticipation of Landon's birth was so exhilarating the pain of the contraction was merely a whim of what was to come. I smiled in delight as my mother drove like a panicked and excited mother would.

We arrived to Gainesville shortly before five o'clock in the morning. Ashley, one of the midwives waited for our arrival. By the time we got there she had prepped the delivery suite. Everything was going according to what I had envisioned. I secretly longed for a middle of the night water birth. Candle lights, a warm bath, serene music. It all seemed too perfect. Little Landon would arrive in this world just the way I had wished for. My mother cheered for me on the sidelines. She unpacked the car, unloaded the cooler, and ensured that the ambiance was perfected by candlelight.

Soon after, Sarah, the second midwife came into the suite. She checked my cervix to see how dilated I was. My cervix was 6 cm dilated, which put me in the active labor stage. Being only 6 cm, I was in a lot of pain. The transition stage crept in and I feared of what was to come. Transition is when your cervix is 8 - 10 cm dilated, and your contractions are longer and closer together. Needless to say, they are not fun and are extremely mentally challenging to get through.

I labored on the bed through the first half dozen contractions. Ashley had already begun to run the bath tub water. Sarah put on a peaceful, nature CD and filled the room with the scent of lemon grass. The pain increased as the ambiance was complete. I kept telling myself that I could do it. This is what I wanted. I entered the tub, closed my eyes and wished the pain away. Sometimes my mind would fall weak, and I craved for something to cease the pain. Sarah told me to listen to my body. So I listened.

What I heard was to move with the baby. My uterus contracted as the baby made his way down to the birth canal. My body told me to move with the contraction. With my body emerged in water, I tossed and turned and tried to envision the pain away. Ashley made cold compresses for my neck and shoulders. The warmer the water was, the less painful the contractions were. The cold compresses helped cool things down. They helped me to concentrate on the pleasure of childbirth verse the painful side of it.

At some point, I wanted to get out tub for a change of position. The midwives wanted to check me again to see how far I had progressed. Ashley announced that I was 10 cm dilated. At this point my water still hadn't broke, so it was suggested that I squat against the bed and push at the peak of my next contraction. The pressure forced the water to burst on its own. Within seconds I heard the amniotic sac burst on the floor like an inflated balloon being stabbed by a nail.

With my water broken, I was encouraged to finish out my labor strong. I returned to the warm, candlelight bath to deliver baby Landon. For the remainder of the contractions, I was directed to push. Pushing is the most mentally challenging part of the birth process. You have to bear down as hard as you can and take deep breaths in between. With my eyes closed and my mind open, I found myself on my hands and knees pushing with all my might. I was about to be a mother of two beautiful boys.

As the baby crowns, you feel what they call the "ring of fire." It is an excruciating burning sensation around your perineum. Baby Landon crowned at 7:23 AM. I was instructed by the midwives to pause and push slowly to avoid any tearing that may occur. Ashley announced that the shoulders were coming. Then I felt the arms and legs follow suit. Landon had entered the tub, the world, and my arms. I turned around and got in a seated position to embrace my second baby boy. At 7:25 AM, he emerged from the water onto my chest where he laid with a sense of calm amongst him. There was no initial cry. Instead he laid there and gazed up at mommy.

Landon, with the umbilical cord still intact, was covered in vernix. Vernix is a white film covering the baby to prevent skin damage from sitting in water for nine months. They waited ten minutes for the umbilical cord's last pump of oxygen until my mother cut the cord. As this tiny baby boy laid there on my chest, my heart filled with an abundance of happiness and love. The hard part was over. Then it was time to deliver the placenta.

With my next minor contraction (the uterus still contracted, but far less painful), I needed to push out the placenta. Ashley was on the other end of the umbilical cord, moving it up and down. You cannot pull on it; for fear that it can cause major blood loss. It appeared that my placenta had not fully detached itself from my uterine wall. Sarah seemed a bit panicked; as if I had lost a little more blood then she wanted to see. My mom took Landon from me as I crawled out of the tub and lay down on the bed.

At this time Sarah advised me that it would be a good idea to give me a dose of Pitocin (a medicine injected to cause your uterus to contract). It was successful. They delivered my placenta and baby Landon was returned to my chest. I began to nurse him for the first time. We laid there naked on the bed, covered only by a sheet and blanket, and bonded as mother and son.

(Due to the graphic nature of this photo, it will not be posted unless you choose to see it. If you would like to view my placenta after birth, click here.)

The first stage of my labor lasted 3 hours and 45 minutes. The second stage, active labor, lasted 40 minutes. The third and final stage came in most painful, but shortest at 25 minutes. I was at the birth center from admission to discharge 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Baby Landon's birth weight was 7 pounds, 12 ounces. He measured 20 inches in length. His estimated gestational age was 40 weeks old. He had a small birth mark over his right eye, called a "stork bite." He is complete with the little dimple on his chin, otherwise known as a "butt chin." He was as cute as they come and reminded me in so many ways of Leyton when he was a newborn.

Brandon and Leyton arrived at the Birth Center shortly after, to welcome the newest member to the family. Leyton is a proud big brother! The morning ended with both boys in my arms, a bottle of sparkling Perrier, and a new found sense of strength in me. I am so proud to have delivered in the most natural, calm way possible.

Proud Daddy went outside and hung the "It's a Boy" banner on the wrap around front porch of the Birth Center of Gainesville located downtown.

Baby Landon was exhausted from his birth and rested as we headed home from a miraculous morning.

Landon is registered on the "I Was Born in Water" list.

A special thanks to my mother who was there for me when I needed her the most, and for all the photography she captured during that special moment in my life.

Baby Landon Christopher Seek

Baby Landon was born at 7:25am on Saturday, December 12. He was born in the water at The Birth Center in Gainesville. He arrived in this world weighing 7 lbs, 12 oz; 20 inches long. My birth story and additional pictures will be posted soon. We are home already and doing great.

39 Weeks PLUS!

Leyton didn't give Mommy any problems. He came at 38 weeks & 2 days.. and I expected the same thing or earlier with Landon. But no sign of him yet!! People think I am crazy to be working with my delivery date creeping around the corner. I feel great and am just trying to pass the time as fast as it can possible go. I think I am ready to be a mother of two little boys. Leyton appears to be ready for his baby brother to enter the world. He tried feeding him Cheerios the other morning, by stuffing them into mommy's belly button, though it doesn't quite resemble a belly button anymore. I couldn't help to chuckle aloud. Leyton has become a character these days. He fills his mommy and daddy's heart with so much love and joy.

Today marked 39 weeks and 2 days, as I celebrated with a trip to the Birth Center in Gainesville. I had high hopes that Mary Ann (one of the midwives) would tell me "This is it! You are ready to deliver." But of course, that did not happen. She did check my cervical progress. I am 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Still not ready to deliver, but things are moving forward. Baby Landon's head is in position, tucked away deep in my pelvic bone. I can feel him, as I have a constant lower back pain. His movement has subsided due to the lack of room he has. I have a feeling he might be a bigger baby then Leyton was. Lucky me!!! Especially since drugs are not even an option at this point. :-) I can tough it out though... I hope!

My next visit is scheduled for a week from today. If I have not gone into labor, I have the option for the midwives to break my water. I'm not sure how I feel about that. As I wish to have this baby by God's will, all-natural. We shall wait and see though because the idea of being 41 weeks +, with Christmas right around the corner, does not sound appealling to me by any means. I'd like to be home and settled in for a nice glass of egg nog, cuddled up with my two boys around the Christmas tree.

Art Class

Shaving cream finger paint w/ monoprints.

Taking a Walk

Leyton's little buddy, Julian, pushing him on a walk in the neighborhood.

Little Leyton w a Belly!

Funniest ever

Cookies for Baby Brother

Today we spent our day baking and decorating Christmas cookies with Courtney & Julian. We couldn't imagine anything better to do on a cold, rainy day. Leyton even decorated his own, but enjoyed eating the M&Ms more. These are some of our delicious creations.

No Baby Yet!

38 Week Visit to Gainesville Birth Center

Yesterday marked my 38-week midwife appointment, where I met with Sarah. My cervix is 75% effaced and 2 cm dilated. She felt Baby Landon's head and told me that he has completely descended into my pelvis. He is about ready to enter the birth canal, then into a warm bath to eventually end up in his Mommy's embracing arms. The time seems to be dragging on. About a week ago I was nervous about delivering another baby natural again, but now I know I am ready because I'm excited and anxious. Please pray that everything goes according to plan and that he is a healthy baby boy.

Below are photographs of the Birth Center. There are two birthing suites, one inside the home and the other is a mother-in-law unattached suite. Both have been recently remodeled. I am opting for the birth suite inside because the tub is huge and Leyton got accustomed to the home. There are toys, books, and all sorts of things he loves to get his little hands on. They've even put up the Christmas tree for the holiday season.

Side view of Birth Center w/ terrace

Front - wrap around porch w/ baby announcement banner.

My Birth Suite - family sitting area

Family sitting area at a different angle


Birth bedroom

Complete with full-sized kitchen off to the left

Birth tub

This is where the magic will happen. I hope I have Landon in the evening because I plan to create a relaxing ambience with candle light.

Check back often because I will publish a post when I go into labor on my drive to Gainesville!!!

Baby Landon's Cradle

Thanks to my talented friend Mary Grace, Landon will be sleeping in style in his cradle complete with a homemade cradle bumper and sheet set. We continued Leyton's theme and used football courdaroy material. Now we wait for a baby!!

Happy Turkey Day!

Mommy woke up and began the traditional Thanksgiving Day routine. Cook, clean, cook, clean, eat, clean, then go for some dessert! The dessert is the best part of Thanksgiving, aside from being with your family of course. Leyton is quite the helper these days. He walks around while I'm doing chores and says "Help Mommy?" He wants to be in on the action at all times. I try to think of some easy tasks he can help me with, so he feels accomplished and I feel like I'm teaching him something new and of interest to him. Hopefully one day he will have better cooking abilites then Daddy. (hehe) Leyton's role was to hand Mommy the fresh green beans for the casserole out of the colander, I snapped each ends then Leyton got to throw the remains in the sink disposal. He enjoyed every minute of it. He loved the cripsy onions that went on top. But who doesn't?! All in all Thanksgiving was a fun-filled times with family, and those we love the most.



Leyton went off to Daddy's in his stylish homemade Turkey Day shirt made by his little hand print and yours truly. He wanted nothing to do with the shirt, but bribbing him with a lollypop got him to wear it. Ahh.. the tricks you learn as a parent.



Photos courtesy of Holly Palmeter aka BoBo

Diapers, Desserts and Eggrolls too!

A wonderful group of "Anglers" from Bonefish Grill, threw me a diapers and desserts baby shower to celebrate the miracle of little boys!! It was absolutely flattering to have all these wonderful people make a fuss over Baby Landon. They've only known me a short time, but have helped me get through the many stages of pregnancy - all the ups and downs - and finished off my last month of being prego, possible the last one ever, showering me with friendships and diapers!! Not to mention a few extra pounds. I appreciate the many diapers I received and a few little extras. It is safe to say Baby Landon's bootie will be clean and dry for the months to come.

Not only talented, but beautiful!

Leyton is quite the charmer these days. His adorable baby blue eyes and curly blonde hair. He not only has a beautiful baby face, he has soccer talent too! On or off the field Leyton is sure to charm, and fill his Mommy and Daddy's hearts with joy.

Photo taken by Daddy

37 Weeks!!!

Today Leyton and I ventured out to the Birth Center for my 37 week check up. I was seen by the midwives, but they did not check to see if my cervix has dilated. My belly measures at 34 cm with a total weight gain of 30 lbs. Baby Landon's head is positioned nicely in my pelvic bone, which explains why I've developed this lower back pain the last few days. When the midwife put the monitor on my belly to hear the heartbeat, not only did we get the heartbeat, we listened to Landon hiccuping in my belly. She or I had never heard the hiccups over a doppler before. It was so cute we couldn't help but to chuckle. We are eager and waiting to meet our newest addition to the family!

If everything goes according to plan I will deliver in the bath tub (photo below) and put Landon on the "I Was Born in Water!" list. Wish me luck! If you find water birth as intriguing as I do, you can read more about it at http://www.waterbirth.org/.

Cradle Bumper

My friend, Mary Grace, sewed this beautiful courdaroy football bumper for Landon's cradle. It is amazing! And so is she! We can't wait to see what the cradle will look like when it's all done.

Turkey Day Tees

Leyton and his friends Brodie, Bailey and Addison had a playdate. We did arts and crafts making these beautiful Thanksgiving t-shirts. We used their little hand to create the body of the turkey. Gobble gobble!

Possible a Scorpio?!

Today marked the beginning of my weekly visits to the Birth Center. The end is near and a new baby is on his way. Baby Landon may possible enter this world earlier than I anticipated and might actually make it in time for a slice of Thanksgiving turkey! ;-)

At my appointment, I requested to be checked to see where I am at. After all, I had Leyton 2 weeks and 2 days early. At 36 weeks, I am 1 & 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced, which is just about where I was with Leyton at this time. I anticipate a baby as early as next week.

Just about 36 weeks and counting!!

Where does the time go?! It is hard to see myself as a mother of two beautiful boys, but in the weeks to come I will be facing a new life challenge - the birth of our second child. To those who are unaware of my birth plan this time around, I am chosing to go all-natural again! If everything goes according to plan, Baby Landon will be born at The Birthing Center of Gainesville. I have opted to attempt a water birth, but I try not to make any set plans because the baby might have different ones.

The Birth Center of Gainesville is a beautiful, historic victorian home in the heart of downtown Gainesville. There will be no doctor on duty, but mid-wives who will oversee the birth of Baby Landon. I am confident in my decision to experience the miracle of child birth here. Instead of a traditional hospital room, we will be provided with a birthing suite. The suite consists of a bedroom, a kitchen, a sitting area for family and friends, as well as private bath complete with an oversized garden tub. Stay tuned for Baby Landon's birth story... as he will be here in only a few weeks!!!

Click here to visit the Birth Center of Gainesville.

Mommy's Little Soccer Star!

You can't keep this little one off the soccer field. We now live right across the street from a recreation center. Leyton loves to spend his Saturday mornings and Monday evenings at the soccer field kicking the ball around with Mommy. He is really into the game. I look forward to spending my weekends with the boys on playing soccer. Soccer was one of my favorite sports as a child, so it brings back many great memories of fun on the field.

Leyton's first day back to art class.

My little artist working diligently at art class.

Leyton's 1st Haircut - August 2009

Before

Leyton did not enjoy his first 'official' haircut, but "he did it!" He repeatedly said "I did it!" the entire haircut. At the end he got a lollypop which made it all worth it.

After

Baby Landon Ultrasound - August 2009

This is our baby boy as a 23-week-old fetus.