28 weeks and 5 days

I feel like I havent updated in a while. Things have just been so crazy busy since we are in the last month of school. Last week was super busy and chaotic. Right now I am in Port Neches with Taylors parents but no Taylor. He drove back home yesterday to go to class. I was lucky that my Wednesday class was cancelled and I am able to miss my Tuesday class. I decided to not go back because the drive is harsh on my back, and we would have driven here three times in a row! This past weekend was out PN baby shower. Of coarse it was gorgeous and Taylor drove home with another car filled with gracious gifts. Besides what we got, Taylor and I are so overwhelmingly blessed to have an amazing support system. Both sides of our family and friends have been loving and supportive and we couldnt have asked for better. We now have everything we could possibly need for Landon's arrival, plus some. Landon even recieved his first iPod from the Moore family (Chris is the godfather)!!! Jenny put a bunch of really sweet lullabys, childrens songs and nice instrumental music for Landons first year. We got our top of the line baby monitor, our stroller and car seat set, a pack and play, tons of clothes, diapers, sippy cups, toys, and everything else you can think of! Everyone was so nice and welcoming. I finally feel like I am becoming part of this family, which is scary but really nice at the same time. Taylors parents have been really open and welcoming toward me. It was really nice of them to let me stay here while Taylor had to go back to school. I really miss him!!!! This is the longest we have been away from each other for sometime, but only a few more days and we get to see each other again! I am glad I am getting along with his family too. That is definitely something I was scared of when this whole thing first happened but everything has turned out even better than I expected. Its funny how God works. I know I have mentioned this before but I just cant believe that God has answered my prayers in this way. Its extremely ironic because when I first saw the two lines on my pregnancy test I thought my life was over. And in a way it was. Old things end so new and even better things can begin. I really couldnt ask for anything better right now. :)

Now onto Landon... It is crazy to think that he will be here in less than 12 weeks!!!! He is growing so fast and moving so much! He currently weighs about 2.5 pounds and can see light from inside the womb. He is also able to distinguish my voice from others. This means Taylor needs to talk to him a lot so he can get used to his voice too! I cant believe he will grow another 4-6 pounds in the next few months! I already feel really big I can only imagine what I will look like on delivery day. I keep having dreams about him. Mostly about me being unprepared. Last night I saw his face in my dream and he smiled at me. He had dark hair and a super cute smile. I cant wait to see him! I hope he looks like Taylor! Now that we have all of our stuff I am ready to start putting the baby room together. We need to paint, which I want to do the first weekend of December. It really just depends on how much time we have because we will be busy getting ready for finals. December will be another busy month but at least I dont have to worry about school for much longer. I am still contemplating on when I should quit my job. I know Taylor and I have talked about doing a lot of family travel during the holidays because once Landon is here we wont be able to travel much. I am not sure I will even be able to travel much in December. It all depends on how I am feeling.

I had a doctors appt last Tuesday and I had to get a glucose test done to check if I have gestational diabetes. They said they would call if the results came out positive and so far I havent gotten a phone call. Dr. Serrano went really fast with the ultrasound and I didnt get to see Landon much but the next time I go I will see the specialized sono technician so hopefully we can get updated pictures of Landon!! I am off on my weekly photos of my baby bump but I will take one soon and post it asap!

Hope everyon has a Happy Thanksgiving! I am looking forward to eating and not looking bloated this year! :)

Love,

Alyssa, Taylor and Landon

3rd Trimester!

Wow! It is exactly 3 months until my due date! I cant believe how fast its been going. I remember writing about how slow everything was moving in the summer, but I knew that things would progress as the semester went on. And it has! So my first baby shower was this past weekend and it was sooo much fun! The decorations were so cute and bright and about 30 people showed up! We had a really good crowd and a really good time. Everyone loved Taylor! I am so glad he got to go and his mom was there too! We also took some maternity and family pictures which was fun. It was an overall really good weekend. We just keep getting busier and busier though! Especially as this semester is coming to an end. We only have one more month of school and we are packing in everything into our tight shcedules. We will be in Port Neches every weekend for the rest of the month, so a lot of driving coming up! This past Monday we went and toured the hospital. It was really nice and everything is becoming more real. They have a lot of good amenities at the hospital too so thats always a good thing. I am looking forward to it!

Other than that I have been feeling really good. My second trimester flew by so fast and I felt great. The only thing that is really bothering me now is my lower back and my boobs. Sleeping with the boppy pillow really does help though. I have to prop up my belly so it doesnt weigh down. It is still weird to have a big belly and it jusy keeps getting bigger! The picture in the pink shirt is 25 weeks and the blue shirt is 26 weeks. I am definitely showing and definitely feeling uberly pregnant. Landon moves a lot, especially in the morning. He likes to push up toward the top of my belly and it puts pressure on my stomach. Its quite uncomfortable sometimes. Today it has been chilly outside so i have my jacket on, then I have to carry my backpack and my purse. Its getting a little uncomfortable. I feel like a luggage carrier. Putting on socks and bending over is getting pretty tough too. I am a lot slower at getting dressed and walking now. Taylor has been getting cravings!! The other day we had sushi, then he wanted a moo bar, then lemon cookies, then cheese and wheat thins then he ate a pickle.. All in one night! I am not even getting cravings like that. Ive been wanting salad, sandwiches and soups lately. Also, fruit and water with lemon. OMG I love my water with lemon! I havent had any super weird cravings though... I outgrew my pickle phase. I wonder if Ill get any other cravings. For right now I just get random cravings, mostly for sweets.

I cant wait to see what this next and final trimester brings. Hopefully it will be just as good as the last one and not as bad as the first one. I feel like I have been pregnant forever now! It still seems like a ways away but life just keeps getting busier and crazier. In a good way of coarse. Taylor and I are really happy and doing well. Talking about marriage soon! I still dont know when he will propose but he has ideas and has already talked to my family! eek! I still cant believe how everything has turned out. I guess when you know, you know. I never thought I would feel this way but it is a great feeling. Dating life is finally over, and I found someone so amazing. Our love story is crazy but always full of love. I cant wait for all of the exciting things to come. Taylor has been reading to Landon and I every night. It is so sweet. I am so happy with him <3

Until next time,
Alyssa, Landon and Taylor

25 weeks and 5 days!!

Getting bigger!! I still havent gained weight though... I think its because I am losing weight everywhere else. So far, I have been feeling great. I am starting my 3rd trimester this week (on Thursday!). I already feel really big and cant imagine getting bigger. According to the baby books, and online stuff, he should be about 2 pounds! I definitely believe that because he is moving and kicking so much! Yesterday he would not stop moving. Samantha and Lesley were able to feel him kick. Mostly all of my friends have felt him so far. When I was laying on my back I could see my tummy move because he was kicking so hard! Talk about an active child... Oh gosh! We finally got the crib delivered on Friday so I am soo ready to start all the baby decor. We will get the paint soon too so we can cover the nastiness on the walls. AND this weekend is my first baby shower!!! I am sooooo excited! Taylor is going to come with me and we are driving down on Friday after he gets out of class. His mom is coming too! We are both really excited.

Everything continues to go well between us. Even if its not super great, its always good. Rarely ever bad. Actually we have only had like 2 fights this whole time, which is interesting considering our circumstances. But I thank God for the blessings in my life right now. Its hard to just accept that everything is going so well right now. I know that might change when the baby comes because we will be tired and new at being parent but I have faith that it will all work out. I cant believe we only have 3 more months until Landon is here. I want it to come sooner! I think that starting this month, time is going to fly by even more. We are going to be out of town every weekend this month, then we have two more weeks of school after Thanksgiving, then finals, then Christmas, then one month left until baby! School has been going really well for me too. I am making all As!!! I hope I can keep a 4.0 by the time this semester is over. I know I will make As in at least 2 of my classes, so I am hoping for another A in my 3rd class. I am still not sure when I am going to stop working. I have a good chunk of money saved up, so I guess Ill see how I feel and what my schedule is like. I would like to be home for about a week for Christmas and I know we want to go back to PN too. It will just depend. They already know that I wont be working once I have the baby. I dont have money to afford child care and I'd rather not just work to pay off child care. I want to take care of him! I actually cant wait. I am also hoping that I can start back school in the summer. But this is all the plan for now... We will just have to see how everything works out.

Anyway, I will write and post pictures after the baby shower! Yay I cant wait!!!!! And I am also gonna make Taylor write a post on here.. eventually...! We are touring and registering at the hospital this Monday. YAY!!! Wahoo for third trimester!

Love,
Alyssa, Taylor and Landon

Starting the Baby Room!

So yesterday my mom and I found the crib and bedding for Landon's room!! I absolutely cannot wait to get everything together! Today I am going to clean out his room because we are currently using it for storage. We have found sooo much cute stuff, including clothes, blakets and even a coming home outfit! They will come deliver and put the crib together this weekend! And then in two weeks I will have my first shower!!! AHH! I am so excited. I love everything I registered for and I cannot wait to use it! I still have 3 more months.. but it is going by so fast! This semester has flown by. I knew that would happen but you dont realize it until you are actually experiencing it. Taylor and I are doing really well in school. I am making 2 As and 1 B and Taylor is making all As and Bs as well. His band is playing at the UTSA Battle of the Bands this coming weekend and he also got a really cool show in San Marcos in November. We will have another baby shower November 19th in Port Neches and we are going to spend Thanksgiving there. We will spend Christmas in Corpus then go back to PN probably the 26th of Dec. Its crazy because we are having to split holidays now. I've always just gone home. This will be my first Thanksgiving without my family, but Ill be with a new family. Its just what happens when you grow up I guess.

Its still hard to believe all of this is happening. Taylor and I are still doing really well. Things are running smoothly, something we both didnt quite expect. It has been a blessing though. I am a hardcore planner and detail oriented and hes sooo laid back. I think we are a good balance for each other. He was in San Marcos yesterday hanging out with his friend Chris who will be the Godfather of the baby. Tori is the Godmother. I think we both picked good reliable people. I have known Tori since middle school and am 100% confident that she will fulfill her job duties as Landon's Godmother. Taylor is the same with Chris. Like I have said before, we are both lucky to have such supportive friends. Bailey and Paige got to feel Landon kicking the other day. I love how all my friends want to be there for me. I want them all to be there in the waiting room so they can see him on his first day. We decided that it will just be Taylor and I in the delivery room then my mom will come in right after to help me and take care of my while everyone goes to see Landon. I need to write a birth plan, register at the hospital and find a pediatrician. Those are my goals for month 6.

I have been feeling good. Walking around all day yesterday was hard on my feet and lower back. Thats whats been bothering me the most, my back. Sleeping witht the boppy pillow has helped some but I think that its just hard to either be sitting all day or standing all day. I need support. Landon is moving around like crazy. I am starting to see him kick just by looking at my belly. It will move and its so funny to see. Hes been getting up really high in my belly right close to my ribs and above my belly button. Hes pretty strong and very active. It is fun to wonder what he will be like and look like. I am hoping he is a good baby so I can take him places, but you never know. Jenna and Blake were colicky and so was Taylor. We will just have to see! I go to the doctor on Tuesday again and Jenna is coming with me. I think she will really like seeing him.

Ok thats all for now. I have to finish some household chores today!!

Love,
Alyssa, Landon and Taylor

23 weeks and 3 days

So here I am getting bigger and bigger every day. Sleeping is getting more uncomfortable and I am tossing and turning a lot. I need the bobby body pillow, which I will probably get today! I cant believe how time is flying by. Landon is getting bigger and moving around a lot! I had a doctors appt last week and he just wanted to check my uterus and cervix to make sure everything was ok. My cervix is 4cm which is normal and baby is growing like he's supposed to. I will have another ultrasound in 2 weeks. This is my "critical" period but thank God everything is turning out fine.

So today is Sunday and thank God for weekends! I am not looking forward to another busy week but at least its not as bad as previous weeks! This weekend has been full of fun events! One of my best friends, Bailey!!!!!, got engaged on Friday!!! Finally! We went and got her nails done thursday and they were perfect for her beautiful ring. It is crazy to think that I will have a child at her wedding! Then on Saturday me and Taylor went to register at Babys R Us! It took us 3 hours... LOL! But we are new parents and didnt have any help so I think we did pretty good! We got almost everything we needed and I think we had a good time doing it. Last night we just hung out on the couch. Tay wasnt feeling well and I am always tired so it worked out pretty well in our favor. Its been nice to sleep in and relax this weekend. Next weekend my mom is coming down so we can work on Landon's room! We have a few beddings picked out and we are going to look at cribs and paint. So far we know the room will be blue, Landon's name will be above his crib on records and there will be an awesome guitar wall decor and I get a rocking chair! I think it will all come together really well.

Everything else has been good. I have been feeling good and able to eat a lot. I know I am gaining weight. I was 134 my past doctors visit so now I am just gaining more and more. Its still weird to see myself getting fat, even though I know its a baby and not fat... I still feel fat. I definitely get looked at differently. Anyway, I guess that is all normal! Other than that everything is good! Looks like I am healthy and thankfully not gaining weight anywhere else but my belly! I cant wait to get back into shape after he's born. My goal is to get back down to pre-preg weight by 6 months after I deliver. I think that is a reasonable goal, and supposedly breastfeeding helps a ton!

If you want to check out my registry go to babysrus.com and its under my name: Alyssa Lankford

Love,
Taylor, Landon and Alyssa

5 months pregnant

Well time is sure going by fast! I hit my 5-month mark so four more months until my life substantially changes! This past week has been busy but good. I was super busy with school work, then was in Dallas all weekend for Pathways graduation, and had a work evaluation at 8am this morning! Mama and Landon are tired!!! This week is a little easier though, so I am thankful. And I finally have free weekends!! But they are still packed with things to do... Gosh, story of my life! I think taylor and I are going to look at paint for the baby room and hopefully register some items at Babys R Us!! Yay! I have a doctors appt tomorrow. I probably wont get a sonogram, just listen to the heartbeat. I am pretty sure I am gaining weight by now. My tummy is huge, well I think its huge and its only going to get bigger!! ahhh! What to expect says that this next month will be a huge growth spurt! Its still weird seeing myself being pregnant. I am so not used to it still, but maternity clothes have really made my life better. Landon has been moving a lot, especially when I wake up, a few times during the night and when I eat. He's about a pound now and I will be 23 weeks on Thursday! That is so crazy!!!!!! I really cant believe how fast its been going. Its already midterms for school and its only getting busier and busier! Work is kind of a drag... I enjoy it but I wish I didnt have to work. I'd like to keep my job for the extra money and experience, but I will have to quit around Christmas time.

Anyway, I have been feeling good. I have a keen sense of smell, big belly, and huge apetite! I thought I'd never like food again. I think I can feel a growth spurt because I get SOOO hungry! I need snacks in between meals or I will go crazy. I think this is where "eating for two" starts to kick in! Other symptoms include: peeing like a race horse, wanting to devour icecream almost every day, tossing and turning at night, unable to stand for long periods of time, getting more out of breath when walking, acne (ugh, still), need of naps that I dont seem to get enough of, poor memory, back and neck aches, heartburn and acid reflux (occasionally). Other than that, what they say is true.. Second trimester is fun! People are noticing my belly and wanting to touch it, which I dont mind. I am not miserably huge (yet). And supposedly I have a "glow". Thankfully, I havent gained weight anywhere else. The thought of gaining 20 pounds is really freaky, but its all in my belly so far! No weight gain in my arms, legs or butt.. so far! I am grateful that I am not one of those women who gain like 50 pounds then can never get it off!! I do need to start exercising and really really really need to sign up for our birthing classes. I will do that tomorrow!

We are getting more excited as time goes on and as Landon grows. We cant wait to start getting ready for him and I am wanting to get into nesting mode ASAP! I just wish I had more time. Baby shopping is going to be uberly fun and I think everyone is excited for that. Still greatful for amazing friends and family!!

Love,
Alyssa, Taylor and Landon (he's the size of a papaya now)

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Yay we finally got to annouce the sex of our baby!! We had such an amazing and fun weekend with all of our family and friends. Its exciting for our families to get together and know each other a little more. Jamie was completely freaking out which was funny, my dad kept looking at me as if I was an alien, and everyone was so happy and supportive when we cut the cake. Actually, when the grandparents cut the cake!! It was such a blessing to be able to join together with family and friends to celebrate this little precious baby boy. So, we can officially call the baby HIM and HE, not IT anymore! Other than that everything has been going well. I have been feeling great, thank God. I went to my second mentoring moms bible study tonight and I am really happy that I got plugged into something with other moms who can giive me guidance. School has been picking up and each week it gets busier and busier. Taylor has been doing well with taking 18 hours and might even get a part time job, just to get some good experience and extra cash. We are still so grateful for our parents support right now. We are also debating whether to get another dog. I still miss kobi everyday and think about him everyday but it has gotten easier. I just dont want to take on too much we cant handle. But we are thinking about it.

Landon James is about a pound now and growing and moving more each day. It is so cool to feel him more and more. I love it. I cant belive I am already going to be 5 months!! I still feel like I have so much to do before he gets here. We need to register for the showers, take our birthing classes, register at the hospital, and most importantly, get his room ready!! I want to paint and get his furniture and make it really really cute looking! After this weekend I will have a few weekends to really start planning things so that will be good. This week is just crazy... I have a test and a research paper due and then PWs all weekend! But next week wont be as hectic thank goodness... I need a week or two or three off!

Most importantly, other than Landon being so amazing right now, is that Taylor and I have been so extremely happy. We never thought that things would turn out this way but it has been better than either of us could have imagined. I feel a distinct love for him, not only as the father of my child but as the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I never thought that I would say that about him but he has really been the best thing that could have happened in my life right now. Its one of those things that no one really understands but us. And I am ok with that. I dont want to try to convince people that this is real and that I am the most happy I have ever been and that this situation is turning out perfectly, because people would think its fake. All we can do is live our lives and love each other deeper and deeper each day. I am so thankful and blessed to have the life I do. I really feel like God has blessed me so much, and I really dont know what I did to deserve this. It might not look ideal to the average person, but for me its the best thing that could have ever happened in my life. And I dont have to sit here and try to make myself happy or convince myself that this is the right thing to do because I know it is right. When you know, you just know. I always thought that that was the biggest bunch of bull but its so true! Sorry if that makes people cringe... it used to make me cringe but I just cant help but smile and be happy. And for once in my life, I dont have to fake my happiness or put on a happy face to make others think I am ok.... It is genuine happiness and an overwhelming joy that fills my heart. I couldnt be more blessed!


Thanks to everyone who reads along with this and for Taylors family and friends as well as my own. We know that this has been a crazy ride but we appreciate the prayers and blessings yall have bestowed upon us and the faith yall have in us. We are so fortunate to have such an amazing support system and the best friends a couple could ask for!!

Love,
Alyssa, Taylor and Landon