Landon was spoiled all week by Grandma Terry, and then again by the Easter bunny Sunday morning. 
I myself found a nice surprise in my basket, and I'm not just talking about all the Lindor chocolate. Sam gave me rubies for Landon's birth and diamonds this year for Crew, I love my birthstone rings!
Choosing a name is always the hardest thing for Sam and I to agree on. After discussing prospective names for months we both immediately liked the name Crew. After that we didn't ever discuss it, so Crew it is! Taylor is Sam's brother's name and also my mom's maiden name, so double family points for his middle name. (I'm going to forget that Crew and Taylor are both main characters in Sam's favorite childhood movie, Rad, and tell myself that had no influence on Sam's decision in naming our son.)
From the beginning I was apprehensive about having a repeat C-section. I really preferred to have a VBAC, but was not given that option. In fact, (in my opinion) a lot of things are lacking when it comes to east coast heath care. I don't have the energy to rant about all that now, but let's just say I won't be having any more babies out here.
I can't complain about the actual delivery, it was the 9 months prior to the delivery that were so frustrating. I was scheduled for an 8am C-section on Monday April 18th. We arrived at 6am to start the pre-op paper work, IV, etc. At exactly 8am I was wheeled into the OR and given a spinal block. This went WAY better than my epidural with Landon. By 8:10 I was numb and sliced open and Sam was allowed in the room. The Dr was assisted by his PA which was cool to see what might be in store for Sam in the next few months, he also walked Sam through the whole procedure because he knew Sam was a student. I tried to block everything out and just relax, at one point the nurse said, "Maybe she doesn't want to hear about all that." I didn't really mind, I think it's all pretty interesting. By 8:23 the baby was out and crying loudly. I hardly felt any pressure or tugging during the delivery, as I did with Landon. As soon as I saw Crew, I said, "He's tiny!". The dr informed me that at a week early, he was NOT tiny at 8lbs 13oz. Crew also looks just like Landon... just less chubby. Over all I was VERY pleased with how quick and comfortable the delivery went!
The next 4 days were not as comfortable. Sam was there for the delivery, then had to run to school for a 4 hour lab. Terry and Landon came to visit, and my good friend Katie. After the first day I had no visitors... and was quite happy about it! I was able to sleep and hold my baby. With the exception of severe pain every time I moved and a couple crazy nurses the whole birth experience was quite pleasant.
Sam's angel mom faced her worst fear and flew out to see us, and help with the new baby. She came out a couple days before baby was born so we were able to have some fun. I'm in the young women's presidency and this year the youth were in charge of the ward's annual dessert auction. We worked really hard getting everything together and I'm glad we got to share the evening with Grandma Terry. 
It was so nice to have them over to help Sam give me a pre delivery blessing!
With Sam back at school and me in the hospital, Terry and Landon were able to spend a LOT of time together over the next week. We are so grateful and lucky to have such wonderful family!
Every year the Quinnipiac PA students host Cow Chip Bingo for their annual fund raiser. They each sell "plots" on a field set up on campus. If the cow "throws her chips" or in other words POOPS in your plot, you win! It was a big event that Sam was invited to stay all day for, so we joined him. They had a 5K run, food, and a race for the kids. Landon came in 3rd... out of the 3 kids that showed up and won some books. Sam was sure to bring his toys- bocce, frisbee, and wiffle ball. It was a beautiful day and we had a blast spending the day with dad!
We decided to pass on season passes to Six Flags this year and have our car door replaced (which sadly, was the equivalent of about 32 season passes to Six Flags). On our way to Joann's the other day Landon noticed through his tears (he now cries at the sight of a Joann's store) this Carnival set up in the parking lot. We decided to take him that weekend for a night on the town. Landon got to choose 3 rides to go on, while I watched in fear for his life. He loved every second of it- misspelled rides, blaring hip hop music, scantily clad teens, and all! Not quite the Six Flags adventures we had last summer, but he still talks about "The Carnival" all the time.
Here in Connecticut every time you buy a plastic bottle, they charge you 5 EXTRA cents. This doesn't sound like a lot, but I rarely buy just one water bottle, it's usually by the case. They are also not required to list this "deposit" in the sale price, so your total is often a couple dollars more than you plan to pay. Still, not a huge deal. Most stores have a little "bottle room" (many of which are inhabited by homeless since they are accessible 24hrs and not inside the actual store) where you can recycle your bottles and get the "deposit" as a credit back to that store. This sounds great! However, you can only recycle bottles at the store the bottle was purchased. I shop at many stores, so this is a pain! Also, 98% of the time, the machine is "full" so you can't even put your bottles in. Usually by this time I'm so sick of hauling huge bags of bottles around I just leave them in the room for someone else to claim. 
I finally snapped this pic about 30 minutes into her sorting. She kept looking at me and saying in a surprised voice "Oh, are you waiting for this machine?" I told her 3 times, "Yes, it is the only one that isn't full.". I don't know what possessed me to wait my turn and get my credit, but it WILL NOT happen again. I'm all for a better environment and all, but don't appreciate being FORCED to recyle or pay the consequences... literally.
Living in such a crappy climate has forced me to become creative with activities for Landon. That lasted about 2 days. We got sick of rotting away in our apartment so we signed Landon up for as many classes as we could afford. Here's what he and I have been up to. While I craft Landon does puzzles, etc. He's gotten so good at the states puzzle he no longer puts the pieces into the frame, he dumps them out and arranges them on the floor. This probably proves that I craft too much. 
Landon goes to preschool twice a week. They do tons of art projects... am I supposed to keep them all??? 
Sports class at the YMCA. Soccer, basketball, and baseball with 3 year olds... CHAOS!
Sam takes Landon to the free kids building day once a month at Home Depot.
Swimming lessons- we should have started this a LONG time ago.
Landon has been begging to wear shorts for 2 months now. One sunny day we went for a walk. I forget sunny doesn't always mean warm, notice the snow jacket. 
I snuck away one Saturday and joined the ward for a trip to the Boston Temple. It was SO nice.
We jump for joy when the weather hits 50 degrees, as that has become "warm" enough for us to play outside- that is IF there is no wind. It is April, no more snow... PLEASE!
