Keeping 2-Year-Olds Occupied...

This picture was taken after an episode of me trying to check my emails, hand stickers to Landon, telling him to put them on the paper (obviously that didn't work), get my one cup of morning coffee and attempt to answer the phone...

Does this look familiar to anyone? The things 2-Year-Olds do... What fun.

My Little Joy Maker

It is hard not to keep a positive perspective in this life with a face, smile, laugh, spirit and person as special and as loving as Landon.

He really helps me to look up to the heavens and thank God, instead of questioning God when things just don't "seem" right to me. What do I know?

I am glad I don't know and that there is someone in charge who has "ways that are higher than my ways and thoughts that are higher than my thoughts". I am so thankful that I am not in charge. But in the same breath, I am confused and have a lot going on that is causing me to dig deeper into God's word- a place I know he wants me.

I pray you are all having a peaceful Monday and that God shows you his special all consuming love in a very real way today- the same prayer I ask for myself.

"E-Ah", playdough and "Tatti"

Picture of the week- Landon with his sweet little friend, Sophia, whom he calls, "E-Ah". What a joy it was to see the two of them chasing each other around the house, Landon screaming, "Run, E-Ah, Run!" while Janise and I enjoyed a mommy moment together, watching our little ones entertain each other. Wow! They certainly are growing up, but what a joy it is to see them actually enjoying each other's company, making friends. Thanks for the precious memories and special friendship Janise and "E-Ah"!

Go Tarheels! We had to get this picture in esp for Stan, our "wolfpacker". Stan loved these pictures, saying, "Great Kristen, Great."

As you can see, we had our first event with play dough (thanks to "Aunt Melissa and Uncle Chris") this week. We made a spider, a UNC collage and as you can see 4 snowmen that Landon is in the process of talking to in this picture. I couldn't resist this one for the BLOG. He is just hilarious! If you could have heard him, he was saying, "Deedee do dah mommy do, no (for snow) men dee do dah..." His language is just exploding and he speaks to us in full sentences most of the time (we understand about half).

One last fun memory from the week..."Tatti" (Haitian for aunt and easier for Landon to say) came over tonight and played with Landon. What a special bond the two of them share. "Tatti" just lights Landon right up, as does Landon with Karen. It warms my heart to watch my sister just being in love with my little boy. Life is good.

Winter Wonderland in NC!

It is hard to believe we got about 4 inches of snow here in NC! Landon had a blast playing in the snow and building his first snowman with his friend JD. We were teaching the boys to throw snowballs and also let them watch us enjoy the time old tradition of sipping hot cocoa. Next year maybe they can participate in that part.

We also had the great joy of spending a weekend away with Mike and Allison. We had such a relaxing time that was "Oh So Good" for the soul. We went out to dinner two nights in a row and got to finish our meals in peace, we went shopping to multiple different stores finding all the best deals (deal of the say was a 7.5 foot pre-lit Christmas tree, originally 240.00 for 35.00!!), the girls watched a chick flick and the boys watched football while at the same time playing Tiger Woods golf on the X-box. We sat and had coffee in the mornings and talked in our pajamas and took long hot showers. So good to have some time away with the best of friends. Thanks Mike and Allison!We sure did miss our little fella though. It is something I really believe is good for all of us and boy did we make up for our time apart today! Happy Snow Day to you all!

My Little Asthmatic

A title of a BLOG post I would have liked to not have written...

Yesterday, it became "official" that Landon has asthma. It is mild and under good control as our new pediatrician commented. We have little to no family history but it is apparent that Landon has the dreaded wheeze with upper respiratory illnesses.

While I am sad for him that he has asthma, I feel blessed to be his mother. My skills will certainly come in handy with this diagnosis and the new pediatrician we saw yesterday really made me feel like a good mom. Such a difference a good pediatrician can make. Not only did he make me feel like a good mom, he also supported my role as a nurse practitioner.

He was very impressed with Landon and his comfort in the new office. Landon actually peed on the little potty they had after telling us he had to go in the room! I am so proud of the way he is handling potty training- never did I expect to train a boy this young, but he is all into it.

Things have been challenging for me as a nurse practitioner lately. Times like yesterday help me to put everything into perspective. My calling as a mom comes first. Landon is certainly a reason to feel blessed and thankful every day. Yesterday I felt that my role as a mom (and a nurse practitioner) were affirmed. Thank you Dr. Clark!

Recovering and Remembering

Landon had another birthday party this year!! Yes- I had 10 two-year-olds at my house for 2 hours. We all had a blast! Landon was quite the little entertainer, was great at sharing his train table, loved opening presents, blowing out candles and enjoyed the 15 helium balloons we had to decorate better than any gift!
It was truly a great party. It was harder this year to write a guest list as I realized for the first time that I needed to invite the friends that Landon actually plays with- even though I wanted to invite so many more of our special friends! I really consider it a great problem to have that we have so many wonderful friends. So, whether you were here or not we are thankful for whatever role you have played in the past 2 years of Landon's life. Thanks so much for each of your friendships.

We did have a pleasant surprise at the party- Heather, Ryan and Emma came from Greensboro! Most of you all know Heather, my best friend from graduate school/UNC Hospital 7 Childrens. Times have changed from our white mocha coffee mornings racing to get to class on time, then sharing a cookie as we contemplated all of life's challenges- no doubt solving them all. It was so great to see she, Ryan and Emma (who I absolutely adore- the biggest blue eyes and personality you have ever met!). I miss and love you immensely Heather hoochie and hope to get a beach date planned soon.Well, after this terrific effort to blow out all the candles, starting before the cake even reached the table as you can see...

We had one tired little 2 year old.

Happy 2nd Birthday Landon!

So hard to believe that Landon is 2 Years Old! We had such a great day today, complete with a rooster awakening enabling us to make it to the 8:45 service at church! :) I guess he just remembered entering this world at 5:30am 2 years ago today. We had truck and plane pancakes, snacks on a towel for an indoor picnic as we watched the "Bee Movie", and his favorite dinner- spaghetti! I did make his cake- a "Choo-Choo" complete with 2 candles that he actually blew out! He was so proud- as you can tell by the picture. What a little treasure.

I have thought today about his delivery and all of the awesome emotions that came that day and in the past 2 years. As I laid there in the delivery room with oxygen on, being flipped like a pancake as his heartbeat dropped, my epidural leaving a hot spot in my left lower abdomen, knowing I was one pull of a vacuum extractor away from a C-section and my OB saying, "It is my job to be worried, not yours and I will let you know. Everything is fine", I never imagined that I would put aside that fear and desire the experience again. Wow, it is so true- children really are the greatest gifts and are worth every bit of pain labor may bring.

Landon is such an amazing gift and I celebrate him today... I watched him so many times today, laughing, playing, talking up a storm and laying in my arms as he counted to two, so proud, and went to bed without his paci for the first time like a big boy. He was convinced once I said that Pop did not have a paci and neither did Thomas the Train. :) He actually was more convinced when Stan said, well, it is "broke" I guess we have to throw it away. You may think we are cruel for doing it on his birthday, but I promise, he went to bed without fussing and is sleeping soundly as I write. Anyway, when is a good time to get rid of the paci?

Landon wore his superman outfit all day today and we got this shot of he and Raffie...

I love this little fella so much. He is such a part of who I am. I look at him and my heart just melts. It makes me even more in love with Stan. I am so blessed and I treasure the fact that I can say at this point that I have no regrets. I am so thankful to be able to be where I am and be able to work part time. The time I spend with him is irreplaceable. My heart is just bubbling over at the gift I have been given in Landon.

Happy Birthday to my little buddy. I am looking forward to another fun filled year of laughing and learning together.