Christmas Memories 2008

What a wonderful Christmas we had! We began our festivities at the Coles' annual Christmas gathering at Patti and Alan's (Stan's aunt and uncle). It was a touching time as we remembered Ma Cole and Stan shared our Christmas devotion this year. He spoke about how Ma and Pa Cole were the yeast in our family and how their faith has spread throughout the whole family...he likened this to the Amish friendship bread that has graced our kitchen throughout this fall season. We shared a special family time and enjoyed the pure JOY that Landon exuded as he danced and danced- he is SUCH a ham!

We had a delightful time with Stan's family on Tuesday night and celebrated Christmas with them on Christmas Eve. I would say the highlight of our time was watching Anna and Brandon open not one gallon of syrup from Sam's Club...but SIX! Stan and I AND LD and Kay had the same idea to play this joke on them! We got such a great laugh.

Next, we headed to our church for Christmas Eve Service where we shared communion by intinction- where each person tears a piece of bread and dips it in the wine/grape juice as the words are spoken of the "Body of Christ broken for YOU" and the "Blood of Christ shed for YOU"- always a meaningful experience for me- esp. on Christmas as we celebrate Christ's birth. We then made a new family tradition- we went to Bandidos so mommy didn't have to cook! Landon LOVED the chips and salsa and we just laughed at him crunching and crunching!

Then we headed home to open our traditional Christmas Eve gifts of new P.J.'s. Stan and I settled in after Landon went to bed and got started on THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh what FUN it was watching him delight in his Choo Choo Train- which he first started saying Christmas morning. Stan and I had opened all of our gifts the night before so we could enjoy Landon. It was the best gift of all.

We then had a birthday cake for Jesus and Landon blew out the candles. The cake was shaped like a Choo Choo this year- surprise I know. :)

Next, we headed to the mountains to be with my parents. We had a blast relaxing and enjoying one anothers company. Dad fixed his famous prime rib and mushroom reduction sauce, crab soup, mashed potatoes, and a delicious chicken with goat cheese and tarragon and parsley. Oh, as usual we were spoiled with his cooking. I think the highlight of the mountains was watching Mamma Mia with everyone. Oh, how funny it was to watch Marc and Stan's faces during this very silly "chick flick". Wow, we laughed and laughed.

So, Christmas has come and gone. But, the memories we made this year are priceless. Stan and I have reflected a lot over the Advent season and over Christmas about all of our many blessings. We pray we keep in mind the true celebration involved in Christmas- Jesus' birth and celebrate this gift throughout the year. May your 2009 be blessed!

Santa Snuggle and Christmas Hosting

So, how cute is this? I could not stop smiling after Landon posed with Santa. This sweet little face is growing up so fast. So hard to believe.

We have hosted four Christmas gatherings so far...I know...I am crazy. Pictured below are the attempted photos from three of them.

Our neighborhood playgroup. I really do think that is the best picture we got! Somehow our one little girl friend, Kate, didn't make it in this one! That's right, one girl in the whole playgroup!

Our family gathering. We had yummy ham with my Pappa's raisin sauce - my dad's special request. We made Christmas tree cookies in honor of my grandmother, Minkie. We had such a nice family time, reflecting on all of our many blessings.

Our church playgroup. We missed Janise and Sophia, Meggan and Kate, Ursula and Josephine! We had a nice quiet time sitting around the table, talking about the joys and challenges of motherhood, sharing such a special bond in Christian sisterhood. What a blessing!

Lightening McQueen in our Nativity?

So, it's official, Lightening McQueen has made his was to the manger to be a witness to Jesus's birth---according to my 23 month old Cars fanatic!! Notice that "Diesel" from Thomas the Train is also front and center. Landon and I set this up, talking about all of the animals, Mommy Mary, Daddy Joseph and Baby Jesus, the wise men, shepherds, angel and star and I turned around to get something and next thing I heard was, "MACK!!!!" (his name for McQueen). Yep- he had placed "MACK" front and center, along with Diesel just prior to wrecking the whole scene and saying, "Uh-Oh!" the whole time. I am still trying to explain to him that you only say "Uh-Oh" when you have an accident, NOT when you do things on purpose!

Next order of business of the day, after our Nativity creation and trip to the Museum of Life and Science to ride the "Choo-Choo," play with the ball display and look at the ant farm, was to make cookies. Landon had a blast rolling the gingerbread dough, putting lots of flour on it, pushing the cookie cutters into the dough and then...smashing them! I did manage to salvage a few.

We had a special day today, just the two of us. He is my little buddy. What a joy!

Preparing for Christmas

Merry Christmas! We are so excited to be in this time of preparation and waiting- the season of Advent. We are settling in now that my Christmas shopping is complete, our first Christmas party has come and gone successfully and Landon is well! We are ready for the wait- the wait to prepare for the true meaning of Christmas. We are waiting to celebrate the biggest gift ever- Jesus!

As parents, Stan and I pray nightly to be the best that we can be. We are humbled at the opportunity we have to raise our own child- the responsibility that is- and know we can only do it with God's guidance.

We went to get our Christmas tree together and had a great time. It was cold, as you can tell by our attire. It was a quick trip, that ended when the man selling the trees gave Landon (a not even 2 year old) a candy cane...no, I did not let him eat it by himself, like I said, we had a quick trip to get our tree this year!

We have decorated our home- my favorite time of year, so I thought I would share a picture! Stan did all the wreaths (his favorite time of year too...as you can imagine). Please notice the four white rockers on the front porch- my Christmas gift from Stan! I pray each of you can take a step back and relax. Enjoy the true meaning of this season.

A Thanksgiving "Ham"

Well, Landon sure did enjoy his second Thanksgiving- as evidenced by his silly grin. It seems that he likes ham better than turkey just like his mom, and also likes to be the little "ham" (which I also hear was like me as a child- I know, hard to believe).

Don't be fooled though...our precious baby boy has reached the real deal- the tantrums I have heard and read about and the so-called terrible twos. It is hard to describe him as terrible, so I hesitate to use that word...though if you had asked me while I was carrying him out of Stan's aunt's house in front of the entire family literally kicking and screaming, I may have had a different response.

Landon is also just getting over a battle with pneumonia and respiratory issues that scared ole' mommy. He has been such a trooper through it all but needless to say, we are all sleep deprived. Times like these past two weeks really make me thankful for our health. I also realize how often I take our good health for granted, esp. little Landon. You know- I will take the so called "terrible twos" - In the grand scheme of things, I have a healthy little boy and for that I am very thankful.

Thankfulness

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18

I am reminded this Thanksgiving when our country is in economic uncertainty, friends are losing jobs, homes are being forclosed upon, loved ones are truly struggling whether due to the economic or personal loss, that God is bigger than all of this, that I can be thankful most of all for his unfailing love and times like these to help me see the bigger picture. This Thanksgiving I am humbled by the gift of Christ, one I take for granted every day.

I am thankful for Christian friends and leaders who help to guide me to see such truths daily that my life can be lived in a way that honors Christ.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed.

Birthday Reflections

• I am so grateful for my parents and my in-laws- I got to spend time with both sets for my birthday and seeing them with Landon is the best birthday gift in the world.
• I feel old, 31 somehow feels different than 30 and definitely different than my 20's- where does the time go?
• Though I feel old, I am so joyful about where I am at 31 with a loving and devoted husband and a precious little boy, I am in awe of these blessings in my life.
• I have so many wonderful friends, many of whom emailed, "facebooked", sent cards, visited or called for my birthday- even my best friend from Kindergarten (thanks Melanie!)
• I have so many wonderful relatives who also communicated well wishes and want to especially mention my two grandfathers, Grandaddy and Pa Cole. I got home from shopping all day with my best bud from college (thanks Allison!) and had a card from my grandfather and Stan's. It touched my heart to receive these cards, esp. since they have both lost their mate who used to send the cards. I am so thankful for the written words and thoughts from these two very influential and loving grandfathers in my life.
• Birthdays for moms sometimes mean taking care of sick children and staying up at least half the night- yes little Landon is sick. Yuck.
• I am finally learning to stand up for myself... and to love the woman God made me to be.
• I am finally learning that I cannot change people but I can pray for them.
• I am grateful for the bible study that I have been able to be a part of this year, I have already learned so much from the collective wisdom of my small group.
• I need to get to bed earlier now that I am 31. :)

Landon is learning...and so am I

Pictured above is Landon's little book bag with Lightening McQueen that he takes with him to "cool". Below is a picture of Daddy helping to tie his shoes. We started Daycare last week- WOW! It was so much harder for me than it was for him! I have to admit that I cried that morning. I was a mess. He, on the other hand, napped, ate and played like a champ. The teacher even told me that she wished all kids would adapt like Landon! And- my little string bean, asked for 3rd helpings at lunch! What? My child? The one who doesn't eat more than a couple of bites at each sitting? I guess this goes into what I am learning- that a lot of his eating or any other issue at this point...are behavioral. I think I have a 2 year old on my hands! It is SO hard to believe when that sweet little face says, "NO" shaking his head and whining as he draws out the word NO for emphasis. He is definitely understanding more and I have actually had a little success with counting to 3. I have to call my mom the other morning and ask for her advice. I knew the day would come...and so did she...when all of my toddler tantrums, defiance, etc., etc., etc., would catch up with me and I would be calling her saying, "HELP!" I could not have gotten a better response from her. She encouraged me and said that there was no doubt how much love Stan and I have for Landon and that love would guide us to make the best decisions in disciplining him. Thanks mom.

Landon seems to already be learning to share as pictures below with our neighbor Porter. The two of them were trying to figure this little figure out- passing it back and forth. No pushing, no grabbing, just some intense concentration as you can see. I loved watching the two of them and imagined Landon doing similar things at daycare, or "cool" as he calls it.

In closing, I will share another thing Landon did for the first time. Tonight, after we had finished his bath- you know hair and body were clean, all of his car and boat figures were floating in the water, we were laughing and getting ready to get out when...you guessed it...several little balls of poop trailed behind his little bottom. As I was grabbing the poop with my bare hands (YUCK), I kept telling myself, do not get mad...do not get mad. I calmly explained to Landon that poop goes in the potty and by the way, would you like to sit on the potty.... to which he exclaimed, "NOEEEEEEEEEE"!

Potty training has begun, friends and I am not mad. I will take this in stride and let it happen as it will. This will be my mantra. After all, being a nurse has certainly prepared me to deal with a little bit of toddler poo. :)

Halloween Fun

I'd say he enjoyed the pumpkin patch better this year than last! The funniest thing was when all he wanted was a little "bawl"- a green gourd! We came to get him a little pumpkin for goodness sakes and all he wanted was a little green gourd. Of course, the man had to give it to him for free and now he is throwing it at the cat...

Notice Raffie is a part of this adventure too. We never leave home without that little friend...

Seriously, did he pose for this? Notice that Lightning McQueen is in his right hand. I never thought MY child would be dressed as a race car driver for Halloween. Shows how much I love him for sure!

Just for laughs...Danny and Sandy from Greece, don't you recognize us?

A real BLOG post

So, when I started this BLOG, it was a stretch for me- feeling a little weird about putting it all out there...about having pictures of my little boy on the web, sharing details of my life, etc.- so I decided I would make it light.

Life has not exactly been light lately. I have found myself distracting myself from it by playing with templates (as you have probably noticed) which is really mindless and good at times, but it has been a bit of an escape for me lately.

Tomorrow I will go to my third funeral in a month. After two of my dearest friends lost their fathers, Stan's grandmother passed away yesterday. What a saint she truly was. She was Stan and I's last grandmother between the two of us and I find myself pouring out with memories of the three other grandmothers that have gone before her in the past 3 years. In three years time, we have lost 4 grandmothers. Wow. Life is really beginning to change as I realize that this is real, this is hard stuff and I am not the only one experiencing loss.

Ma Cole had the sweetest voice, smile, hugs. She was what I would call the "quintessential" grandmother. She was the epitome of what a grandma was supposed to be. Always welcoming, always loving and always preparing and caring for her family. There wasn't a time I was at her home where she did not cook- and she lived there until about 1 month ago. Her cornbread was delicious and the spread of vegetables and country cooking was always a delicious treat for Stan and I.

Her company was even more precious. She loved Landon. She would just kiss his forehead over and over and over again. She read him books and always wanted him to sit in her lap. The family teased us b/c there was a "pedestal" in her living room with a picture of Landon- front and center. :)

She had the best giggle. I think of Ryan, Stan's cousin, calling her "nutstick"- he called her this b/c she used to offer the children nutty buddies and called them "nutsticks". She would just giggle when he would call her this...then he would imitate her voice as only Ryan can do and she would just giggle a sweet little school girl giggle.

She had such a strong faith. She WAS a Proverbs 31 woman. I strive to be like her. She honored Christ in everything she did. She was such a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt...the list goes on.

Alan, Stan's uncle, was the one who "got me" tonight at the funeral home. Alan is so very sincere. He came up to me and said, "Do you know how very much my mom loved you?" You know, I do know. Because I loved her that much too. She always treated me as one of her very own flesh. I will miss her so much.

There is great joy in her passing from this earth, as she is now with Jesus and basking in the peaceful realm that is heaven. She and Minkie, Grandma and Ma Lynch are there together now- what a legacy of saints before me.

Playdate Fun and Squirrels

Here is a precious photo of Landon and his little buddies- from left to right- Thomas, Ryan and Sophia. Landon is the big boy in the picture and by the end of the shoot, he had scooted all the way to the other side of the couch- away from the babies as if he knew he was the oldest one and was over our silly songs and hand motions... he was cutting his eyes at them and at all of us moms singing song after song, trying to get them all to smile simultaneously...what a joke! We had so much fun playing and eating Lucia's yummy overnight coffee cake. Landon and I are looking forward to many more playdates with this crew!

I couldn't resist putting this one up- this is an old fashioned rattle for baby Ryan. Landon and Sophia took turns putting it in their mouths. And I wonder why he is in his bed coughing right as I write. Toddlers...they are a handful (and an absolute blast!).

One more sweet funny about Landon this week. He woke up in the middle of the night last night and was crying out for Stan and I. We try not to create bad habits, but I went in first and then Stan went in. Stan was the one who got him to settle down and I asked him what he said:

Stan: "Landon, what does the squirrel say?"
Landon: "Bphh Bphh Bphh (with hand motions)"
Stan: "Landon, are the squirrels asleep right now?"
Landon: "Yep"
Stan: "Can you go back to sleep like the squirrels?"
Landon: "Yep."

No more sounds. Amazing.

What Happens at "Nanny" and "Umdaddy's"

...stays at "Nanny" and "Umdaddy's"...

(That is a moonpie "fortified with vitamins and minerals" per my father-in-law)

Landon and friends...

Here is Landon and his friends and his favorite place currently- on the bench at our kitchen table overlooking the landscaped area in the backyard where squirrels scurry on top of the fence causing Landon to make the beloved squirrel face and noise that Stan taught him. Pictured, he is trying his best to fit the big airplane onto the ledge when I had told him at least 4 times that it was too big. Guess this is a first lesson for me in letting him find things out and experience them for himself. Notice that "Raffie" is also up on the ledge with all of the cars, trucks, planes and trains.

An update from this week- Landon is sick again- didn't sleep but about 4 hours last night and was just miserable. I was thinking it was a cold but while I was at work today, he vomited...none since, so we are avoiding milk x 24 hours and will go from there. I will go to bed thinking what I tell parents of the kids I take care of..."Better for him to get sick now that when he is in Kindergarten"...

Weddings and Toddlers

They are much better at getting genuine smiles than the cheesy photographers...Landon is pictured with his Uncle "Mack" (Marc) whom he adores. See my aunt, "KK" cracking up in the background.

They actually want to be a part of wedding pictures...notice he is running to catch up with the wedding party who are going to a nice quiet scenic spot at the vineyard- I think he could have really livened up the pictures...I mean, who wouldn't want that adorable little boy in all their wedding photos?

They entertain themselves during the hours of photos...Raffie loves to eat dirt. At least Landon wasn't eating it!

They finally smile for family pictures... (there are always a whole lot of people who are willing to make goofy faces at weddings).

And one last thing about toddlers at weddings...they don't sleep in hotel rooms with their parents. :)

P.S. Congrats Greg and Haley and LYTM!!

Hand, Foot and Mouth and Mostly Mouth

Yuck! We have been so sad this week! Landon has had Hand, Foot and Mouth- a virus that causes high fevers and sometimes really bad mouth sores- which he got and got badly. He refused to drink for about 24 hours and I was only able to get sips in him. Finally, we got some rectal Tylenol (after realizing that the 1/4th the priced children's motrin was just not the same as the pricey infants taste wise) and Pedialyte Popsicles and lots of prayers and he started drinking again. I had no idea just how nasty that virus really is!

He hasn't been sleeping, so neither have we and now I am trying to catch up on a week's worth of emails, plans, and try to fit in how we will manage our plans for the weekend that include going out of town for my cousin, Greg's wedding. We will figure it all out, keeping Landon first. I know we will do all that we can and some bit of distraction will probably do him some good.

Just a tip, have some rectal Tylenol handy- it is over the counter and though they hate it, it is the lesser of two evils when battling oral ulcers. :) From a mom and PNP who knows!

No, I am not above spoiling my child when he is sick. See his new transfer truck whom he affectionately calls, "Mack". (Obviously from the movie Cars)

What I came home to...

The ONLY way this would be posted on my BLOG was from the back. I came home this past weekend after daddy had watched Landon all weekend to find him dressed in this hideousness. All I can say is we will let him choose, and clearly he will chose the more superior of ACC teams, esp. once basketball season starts. He is half Stan but that doesn't mean he has to be even half a State fan!! I am presently working on, "You say TAR and I say HEELS" with Landon. Hopefully I will have a video clip soon...

So, the reason I was away this weekend was because of a tragedy that I need prayers for. Most all of you reading know my sweet sweet Heather who went to grad school with me and very quickly became a kindered spirit of a friend to me, more like a sister -and her whole family, another family to me. Her father died this past week. Please pray for the whole family (Heather, her two sisters, brother and her mother esp.) and for God's peace to sustain them during this very difficult time. I am so very sad but I know that God is bigger than this sadness.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed on our body." 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Popsicles and Rain

I wish I had a camera today during these moments, but sometimes memories cannot truly be captured to the extent they are enjoyed by film. Today Landon and I shared popsicles while we watched the rain. We sat in blue chairs donated from my mom's school at the edge of the garage while it poured. He has a strawberry popsicle and I had a mixed berry. He continually needed help in pushing his popsicle down so that the wrapper wasn't covering the actual pop. He has the biggest grin on his face as he licked the popsicle and did the "Brrrr" noise for "cold". I told him all about the rain and we talked about the different between thunder, trucks and airplanes- since they all sound the same to a 20 month old. This memory is etched in my mind forever. What a sweet moment to share with my little buddy. I never imagined I could love as much as I love him. Makes me really think about the extent of God's love for me.

Victories

And you thought my kid only ate off of toothpicks!!!! Look at that pincher grasp- and kiwi at that!

Of course, Landon is delighted to be eating a lion animal cracker. He was also making it trot along the poolside chair. He actually ate about 5/6th of an entire gordita last night! I think the little fella is getting it down. Food is a good thing!

In other news, Landon spent the weekend with his grandparents, "Nanny" and "Umdaddy", while Stan and I shared a weekend with my parents in the mountains. It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend with plenty of time for reflecting and peace. We even found time for pedicures for mom and I and golf for Stan and dad.

We needed the weekend. It was supposed to be our anniversary trip to the beach but Hurricane Hannah diverted us to the mountains. We have so many things to be thankful for, esp. for God's love,our health and our family. Going to the mountains and taking a break from the busyness of life helps us to realize these truths.

I have a few things going on that are unfortunately causing me some stress...without going into detail, please pray for me and my peace of mind, for discernment and wisdom in making the best decisions for my family. What a blessing family is and how wonderful is mine. Thank you Lord.

"Up"

If you are wondering what new fun things to do with a 20 month old boy...I have your answer. If you live near an airport with and observation deck, it is a sure experience of excitement and may even get a, "WOW-WEE" like Landon loves to exclaim! Not only are their loud airplanes with motors, but there are also trucks, diggers and buses- a little boy's heaven. Stan and I love to see him point at the airplanes and since we have started taking him, he recognizes airplanes flying over our house even before we do! Little rabbit ears. The other day, he heard thunder and I tried to explain that that noise was not an airplane...still not sure he got that! :) Enjoy the picture and I am going to sit and listen to my Selah as Landon is STILL asleep at 8:32 am! Unbelievable!

Fun Family Times

One week late, but we had a great visit last weekend with "Mom-mom" and her mandolin. Landon especially loves to put her pick inside the mandolin and have my mom have to turn it upside down to shake the pick out. Landon officially started calling my mom "Mom-mom" which is short for "Granmama". Mom actually had the sweetest smile on her face since Landon has named her. He actually named Stan's mom too...She was going to be called "Nana" but Landon has named her "Nanny". It is so sweet how he says both of their names with a little grin and giggle. Boy, I thought he had me wrapped around his finger...

Landon also got to visit with "KK" (Landon's name), my aunt Karen from Arizona. She was in town for my cousin, Greg's fiance's (Haley) wedding shower. We are so excited for Greg and Haley who will be married in September! We had the nicest time at Mez, where we had the shower. If you are local, you should absolutely check it out. The shower was so relaxing, we had yummy food and I got to spend some quality time with one of the very special "other moms" in my life. It was so great to be able to have her here in my home, hosting her. She has hosted me so many times. She has also always been a constant source of love, encouragement and wisdom throughout my life. It was a very special weekend. Thanks "KK" - LYTM and see you soon!

News Flash

So, we were getting ready to get into the bathtub on Sunday night and Landon squatted down and looked at the urine stream beginning to come out onto the floor. I quickly picked him up and put him on his potty where he looked down again and PEED IN THE POTTY! When he finished, he looked up at me and did the sign for more and said, in his sweet little voice, "Moowr". I jumped up and down and said, "Yes, you can do that more- anytime you want to!" He then had to dump his pee pee in the big potty and flush it himself. Boy was he proud to say, "Bye Bye" to his own pee pee instead of mine or Stan's!! Yipee! What a major milestone. Don't worry, I do realize he is only 19 months old, I know we have a ways to go, but isn't that awesome?

Peas on a Toothpick Part Two & Ramblings

And you thought I was kidding...

But look what a happy customer I have...

Yes, we are still bribing Landon to eat by using toothpicks. Hey, it seems to be working and from what I hear from parents of picky eaters, we are not the first. It is one of those things that really makes us cringe (Stan esp.). But, I really think his cheeks are starting to fill out and he is eating more foods. I always try first without, then, I say, "Landon, do you want toothpicks?" The resounding answer is "Yeah!" He has my number - that is for sure.

We had a recent all nighter again. Boy, the meaning is so different than when I was in college. Sleep deprivation as a parents can literally make you crazy. Landon has a cold this week and the symptoms started up 12:15am on Monday. Stan and I were up with Landon at least 10 times that night and we finally got him back to sleep. We both had to work on Monday, so after some major shuffling, Stan stayed home the first part of the day and I came and relieved him at lunch. We were so glad we did that b/c Landon was just not himself to be in a childcare situation (even though we have a great one!).

I thought back to those all nighters in college- I only had a couple- and I actually got to recover. I would come back to my dorm room after the exam and sleep for hours. As a parent- that does not happen. On Monday, it was all I could do to keep my eyes open and Landon was running around like a maniac. How do they have that much energy? Wasn't he tired? I thought, surely if I lay down with him on the couch and watch his favorite show (a real stretch since I don't like him watching that much TV) he would doze off...do toddlers doze off? Not mine. :) He is a great sleeper, but boy is it regimented. None of these catch up naps and laying around- there is too much to see in the world.

Since I last BLOGGED, things have been going well here. It is all around me that things seem to be too darn hard. Several of my friends have had tough times, repeatedly it seems and though it causes me to stop and count my blessings, it also makes me sad and wishful for better times for my friends. God certainly does have a plan, it is just hard to see sometimes. For all of these special friends, I am praying with faith that God will see them each through and show them His power and strength and healing.

Well, I have to run, Landon is waking early, I think an ear infection is brewing...yuck.

Learning "NO" and other words

Am I in for it or WHAT?

Congratulations Anna and Brandon...plus!

We are so thrilled for Anna, Stan's sister, and Brandon who got married on Saturday, the day before Stan and I's 6th anniversary! The wedding was so beautiful and we all had a blast. Anna and Brandon are in Jamaica now soaking up some rays and Stan and I are so envious! We are trying to figure out a way to go back!


Landon has officially started saying, "Moo Moo", Anna's nickname, since they have been gone and we can't wait for Anna to hear it in person! Stan's parents also had a great time and are so proud. I am so blessed to a part of such a special family. I love my in-laws!

Meanwhile my parents kept the little fellow- what a double blessing- for us and for them. They had a great time learning all of his new words and playing "Hide Raffie"- my dad was hiding Raffie under his shirt, under the chair, all different places and Landon had to find him- which he loved. Landon also officially started saying, "Mamama"- for "Granmama" for my mom, which absolutely tickled her. Landon made his appearance at the wedding, though brief, so I don't have any of those pictures to post yet, but here is one that captures this little guy at this time in his life.

He loves to sit on the step, pray and have Raffie wherever he is. He commonly folds his hands at least 4 times each meal and has also been known to fold his hands and point to other people, as if to say, "You need to pray too." We may have a little prayer warrior on our hands. :)

Updates

• Landon is almost at the 10th percentile for weight!!! We had his 18 month Well Child visit today! (40th for height and 40th for heac circumference)
• Landon put two drops of pee in the potty last night! Big time celebration!
• Landon likes cheesebread pastries.
• Landon likes to pull Lilly's tail.
• Landon loves to say, "YOYO" and "Volvo"
• Landon has been taking swimming lessons this week and LOVES the water, he is a little fish! He says, "Kick, Kick, Kick" and "More" after every trip down the big water slide!
• Landon has started really acting like he is brushing his teeth, moving the toothbrush back and forth and making a motor sound.
• Landon has three girlfriends...Caroline, Emma and Sophia! He has been so sweet with little girls, actually Caroline's mommy said that Landon was the only little boy who didn't hit Caroline!
• Landon has discovered the couch and wants to get "puuu, eassse" (Up Please) all the time!
• Landon is a blessing and we love him more daily.

First Haircut

Stan and his dad (Um- Daddy), took Landon for his first haircut on Saturday. He had the cutest little curls in the back but not hardly any on the top- so after our neighbor mentioned the word, "mullet", I couldn't let it go any longer! Stan took him to see Paul, the barber who gave Stan his first haircut. It was especially bonding b/c Stan's dad was there too. They got it all on video, saved the curls and had lots of laughs when Paul finished with the clippers and Landon signed and said, "more". Landon sat in the chair with the robe on, did not cry and was fascinated by the cars and trucks driving by the window outside. This barber shop is one of the "real" barber shops and I am so thrilled that Stan and L.D. were able to share in this "first" in Landon's life. Landon has been touching the back of his next looking for those little curls, that I must say, were adorable. However, I like the haircut he has now- no more "business in the front and party in the back" for my son!!!

Beach and Oreos

Here is a little taste of what our beach trip was like- double the fun with two toddlers! Landon and Caroline had a great time playing simultaneously- except they did play together with peek a boo and Landon was quite the little ladies man- he was giving her kisses all week! We went with our dear friends Mike and Allison. Stan got to play golf and I got to catch up on some much needed girl time and shopping! We also introduced Mike and Allison to Wii. We had many laughs esp. during Allison's turn at baseball!! They are just the best of friends and we are so excited to be able to share in this journey of parenting together.

We did make it out to eat one night, built a "pool" in the sand, Stan and Mike dug an enormous hole- see above, I found Landon's shoes for Anna's wedding, we played "Two Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed", had a GI bug to pass around plus a resulting diaper rash (thank goodness for 40% zinc oxide!), we got Britt's doughnuts, we found sand fiddlers for the kids and we relaxed- even with two toddlers. What a treat! Thanks Mike, Allison and Caroline- we will be looking ahead to booking our calendars for next year!

Now that we have gotten home, Landon is just as fiesty as ever. Today we had a new treat- Oreos...everything in moderation, right?

Peas on a Toothpick

Yes, I love my child. Tonight, that love went to a new level. I painstakingly put peas on a toothpick so that he would eat his dinner. He thought the toothpick was so cool (thanks to Sarah's mom for the tip!) and ate better than he has in a week! He actually had his whole dinner on toothpicks tonight and I have to say, I would do it again based on his consumption in comparison to what is his norm. It is amazing the lengths I have gone to to feed this child. All the while, trying so hard not to try hard and not to make it a battle. I imagine one day he will be a normal teenager eating me out of house and home. I will look back on this posting and laugh (I hope!!). I will update with pictures from out 4th of July trip soon, I just had to share this funny from our day today.

Quiet Reflections

The beauty of God's creation in my own back yard. Tonight I am thankful for so many things. Quiet times of reflection help me to realize the importance of pausing to count my many blessings. Here are a few.

- God's love

- Landon and Stan

- Stan's dad's health

- My healthy family

- The ability to see God's beauty in this world

- The simple things (butterflies, hugs, kisses, late evening quiet times, coffee, naps, smiles from strangers, flowers, chocolate, playtime with Landon, the ability to dance and sing)

- My loving friends

- Our home

- Warm covers and a soft bed to lie in

- My grandmothers' influence on my life and my ability to have had so much time with them

- My friends and family who have prayed for me and encouraged me

- Times when thankfulness is at the front of my mind

Sprinkler/Water Fun

These so well captured photos really describe our summer. Landon LOVES to be outside. He is finger painting, writing with sidewalk chalk, coloring with markers and crayons and discovering many new bugs daily- crickets are his favorite of late. He is just thrilled with water, running through the sprinkler with mommy holding him and running through it, playing with his water table and his little buddies and "girlfriend" (I think she has many other admirers, as you can probably tell...what a cutie!). We are having a blast this summer- we know how to beat this summer heat- water!! (not too much though- we are recycling this water for our flower watering). :) Enjoy! What is everyone else doing to beat the heat?