My "Big Boy"

I tried to post a video of Landon telling me that he is no longer my baby, but my "Big Bow". (I think I got frustrated after the upload was at 1 hour- any pointers?) This picture will have to do... He just started saying he was not mommy's baby anymore last week and it almost made me cry. It is great that he is thinking of himself as a Big Boy because here is what he is up to!

He is almost completely potty trained to pee-pee (not a chance with poop yet)

He is taking his asthma treatment twice daily with little to no fight

He spent the night with "Nanny and Pappa" last weekend and "Mom-mom and Pop" this weekend- all by himself- and slept through the night both times!

He requires a pillow to sleep now

He has passed the world of board books, meaning we can read Dr. Seuss without him ripping the pages!!

He loves school and gets great reports from his teachers- my favorite is that they all think he is hilarious! There is usually a comment about "He made us laugh or He is so funny"- what a great complement for a parent to hear that about your child. :)

He really only talks about his girlfriends, "E-Ah" (Sophia), "Meegan" (Megan), "Emma", "Baylie" and recently "Eme" (Emelia- my dear friend Janise's 1 week old [Welcome little Emelia Helen!]- I guess Janise better watch out, Landon already has his eye on her!).

He walks into childcare situations and says, "Bye-Bye". (Dry my eye...)

All this being said, we have yet to break him from the pacifier (I know I am a wimp). I think we are planning a trip to "Build a Bear" and put the paci in the bear's tummy (Thanks Leigh for this idea). And, as cute and adorable as the 2 year old in this picture is, it was captured right before my "Big Boy" pooped in the tub... Did NOT see that coming. Ahh, Motherhood.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stan and I got a really special gift this Valentine's Day. Stan's parents offered to have Landon come spend the night with them and we are going out to dinner together and then we will snuggle and watch a movie followed by sleeping in tomorrow morning! Wow! Thanks Kay and LD!

Stan got me these beautiful tulips that Landon had a blast with this morning. Hope you all feel loved today and everyday.

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!