No, it is not open!

Now- I said that Landon was not a good eater- one would not think he had any aversion at all to any food or beverage after viewing this picture! Please notice the smirk on his face as he got quite a rise out of everyone there!

We had a blast on our annual trip to Ocean Isle Beach with such a fun group of special friends from our church. Landon had a great time playing with everyone and meeting the newest addition, Thomas, who was the most quiet 2 1/2 week old I have ever been around- now that says a lot!! :) Seriously, I can't believe I didn't hear him up at night. Stan and I, on the other hand, slept on the lovely hard floor outside our room the last night there b/c Landon thought it was cool that his parents were in the room he was sleeping in and NOT cool that we would not play from 2-4 am! Thank goodness for Melissa who watched Landon for us the next morning so we could sleep the growl off. Next year, Landon will hopefully graduate to his own room.

We took Landon to the Museum and he got to see the fish being fed which I thought was cooler than he did. The starfish were the best- they were upside down and just opened all of their tentacles and pulled in the food. The volunteer there was really cute and loved talking about how slimy those little critters were (I don't think that job is one for me after I retire). Landon really was most impressed by the deer in the wildlife display that he neighed at like a horse!! He also enjoyed looking at the bugs under the microscope. So cute.

Once again, Landon loved the ocean. He just splashed and splashed. He did not, however, enjoy food of any nutritious value this trip. There were too many chips and cookies around and too many friends who feel for that cute little innocent face. I am sure they all thought I was nuts with my food issues with Landon- since I brought all his "favorites" that he would not touch- you know green beans, grapes, yogurt, cheese sticks. I mean, who would dare choose barbecue potato chips over those treats? Heehee.

Landon also learned to play "corn hole". He has a long way to go before he is as good as his mom. Is that a joke or what- our friends decided that corn hole is "not one of my spiritual gifts". Yeah, I was pretty lousy. But, I do think I would have done better if the bean bags had been Carolina blue and white instead of those gold and black demon deacon colors. Gotta love good 'ole ACC rivalry.

Thanks Lauren, Shawn, Thomas, Jennifer, Brian, Cletus, Kim, Melissa, and Chris for a great Memorial Day as usual! The countdown begins for next year!

Off to the beach again

Oh, I can't wait for Landon to see the ocean again, to smile and splash, to play with his new bowling set, to build sand cars with Stan!! We are off to Ocean Isle Beach with our dear friends- an annual event! Even more exciting because Landon is on the mend again after a week with an ear infection and respiratory infection which equals no sleep for mommie or the little guy. It is so amazing how very resiliant kids are. Even in the thick of all his congestion and coughing, he awoke at 2am, looked at me (I was holding him upright so he could sleep- not something I routinely do) and said in the most precious voice, "Ball?" How could he be thinking about playing with a ball in the middle of the night? Was he not sleepy like mommie? Boy am I getting old. :)

Special Prayer

Lord, let me be thankful and find joy in bathing my baby boy – he’s growing so fast. No longer tiny and helpless, but now full to my arms with a rollicking will of his own. Thank you for the sight of his back, straight and sturdy in the tub, and for the wild abandon of his antics – his mad splashing, his impassioned clutch of floating ship and ball. Thank you for the foolishness of a chewed washcloth dribbling daily down his chin, and the flirtatious peeking of his eyes over the tub’s rim. Thank you for my son, Lord, my plump, brazen elf of a son, to be soaped and rinsed as he scolds and sings and chatters in his own expressive jargon. My son to be gathered warm and wet into a fluffy towel, to be patted and powdered and oiled. I lift him up in a joyous little gesture of offering, and he dances on tiptoe with nimble nakedness. Thank you for this son to be wrestled into a diaper. For he keeps flopping over, scrambling to his knees – it is like trying to put pants on the wind. Yet you made mothers strong-fingered and determined. We must win the kicking contest against socks and shoes, we must subdue our children into clothes and pajamas. And our reward is to carry a son at last, sweet and fresh, clasping our neck, riding royally off to bed like a king. Thank you for this child and this happy daily struggle that is half duty, half delight. And whenever it seems a chore, help me to remember how awfully fast little boys get too big to be bathed or maneuvered into anything.

"Raffie"

This is Landon's most treasured friend. His name is "Raffie"- I know- how original? Stan came up with the name and it just stuck. Raffie goes everywhere with Landon. We have recently tried to start leaving him in the crib but now with an ear infection, he is back to Landon's right hand man- literally. Isn't it great to have these little security lovies? Too bad Landon won't accept the back up we bought- just looks too clean and doesn't smell right. :) We are praying we never lose this fella.

Well, Landon is not napping well, so I have to run, but thankfully Raffie is at least giving Landon some comfort as he wrestles with trying to go to sleep. I get to go in and cuddle my little love bug without feeling like I am spoiling him. Aren't these days so special?

Who needs toys?

When you have an empty box of grits!! Enjoy!

More Prayers

I wrote recently about Caroline, the sweet 12 year old girl at my church recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Well, the family is still in process of finding out treatment options because although it has not spread and all of her bloodwork and scans are clear, she has a very agressive type of non-hodgkins lymphoma that only about 150 people worldwide have been diagnosed with- most of these are older adults. The family is talking with specialists about chemo and radiation vs a bone marrow transplant. Please pray for the whole family and for clarity in which direction to go in as far as treatment in concerned. This family has amazing faith and believes in the power of prayer. I appreciate all the prayers you can offer.

Favorite Beach Picture

Family Fun

We made it! Our first real trip to the beach with Landon. We went last year when he was 5 months old and that was really kinda a blur. He really loved to ocean and was splashing around, grinning from ear to ear. He loved the sand and building sandcastles with his Dad. Stan even built him a car out of sand and he got to sit in it- he was really proud (Stan and Landon!!). We let Landon have his first taste of chocolate ice cream- he could take it or leave it. On the other hand, he also had his first taste of hushpuppies- he immediately signed, "More"!! We all laughed so hard!


Landon did not get the memo about sleeping in on vacation, though. He was a rooster- I think the earliest was about 6:00am. I took him for a jog in the jogging stroller- he was fine the first mile and screamed the entire second mile. Wow. I think I should have gotten double the calories on that run! :) He also got 6 teeth while we were there. Wow. He is growing so fast, he was a delight for his grandparents and his aunt and uncle. He was thrilled to look for his grandaddy and in fact- that was the only way I could get him out of the ocean. He also loved his time with Nana- we caught the two of them eating cheese puffs when we returned from breakfast and he was just giggling like crazy- it was like he actually knew that that was a real treat!! He also started recognizing his aunt Anna- as "moo" (her nickname). He would go into her room and call, Moooo- so cute. He also was thrilled with feeding his future uncle Brandon cookies. Brandon was the only one Landon would actually give cookies to- everyone else got whatever slobbery left over he had.

One more funny- Stan's dad had a moon pie and Landon saw him eating it and signed, "Please". L.D. couldn't resist, gave him a piece and immediately signed, "More" as well. This boy knows what he likes. The only thing is that most of the things he loves are not so good for him! I did find out that he likes asparagus though. :) We had such a great family time and look forward to another event. Landon was such a trooper but we can tell he is so happy to be home- he has slept until 8:00 each morning!

Well, I better run, he is sitting in his drum and can't get out. What in the world did I do with my time before having this little friend?

Off to the beach!!

Tomorrow we are headed to the beach! We are going to Holden Beach with Stan's mom, dad, sister and her fiance'. It will be a much needed trip esp. since this will be the first time we all gather at the beach since Stan's dad's illness. We are so thrilled to report just how well he is doing! Just a brief history- he had a year of complication after complication from a back surgery- he has been home now for about a year and has regained a lot of strength. He gets around great in his electric wheelchair and has even recently started walking with arm brace supports. We are so thrilled for him and cannot wait to play the "sorry contest"- we compete for who can be the absolute most lazy and capture it all on camera! Lots of new memories to be made as Landon makes only his second trip to the beach- the first he will probably remember.

An update on Caroline, the 13 year old in my youth group- she has had a bone marrow aspirate, a spinal tap, a bone scan and blood work- all have come back normal- no cancer!!!!!!!! So far the only place they can find the cancer is in this spot of her calf. The preliminary results are a type of non hodgkins lymphoma but there is some question so the pathology is being reviewed again at Duke next week. Please pray for a good outcome and treatment plan for Caroline. She is in good spirits and has a dance recital tomorrow! Kids are so awesome- such inspiration.

A recent "Landon funny" - when he does not want to go to bed at night, he looks up at me and runs through all of the signs and words in his little vocabulary- it seems in an effort to say or sign just the right thing that will get me to pick him up can tell him he doesn't have to go to bed. It is adorable and so hard to resist. I have to admit, I have gotten him out of the crib and re-read his very favorite book, "Blankie" before putting him down again.

My very favorite part of putting him to bed is after his bedtime routine when I say, "Okay, now love mommy" and he lays his little precious head on my shoulder as he hugs his little giraffe blanket ("Raffie") and I sing, "You are my sunshine" and "Jesus love you." Oh, how I could just freeze that time and stay there forever.