Moments with Landon

Landon continues to make me laugh. Here are a few moments from last week in particular that made me smile:

1 - Landon LOVES his "dip" on food. As usual, he had licked the Ranch Dressing off of his plate and it was all over his face. I wanted to take his picture but now he is really into seeing himself on the camera and I can barely take a picture without hearing incessantly "I see Wandon, mommy." I told him just a moment and that he could see "Wandon" but he had to say "cheese first." So, he looked at me and said "cheese first!"

Yep, he did what I had told him! You'll be happy to know that I did get the picture. Here it is:

2 - Landon and I were playing yesterday when he "pulled a daddy." By "pulling a daddy", I mean he farted and acted like nothing happened. So, I looked at him and said "What was that?" He looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said very seriously "Bubbles."

For you, Aunt "Iz!"

This is for Aunt "Iz", Landon's Aunt in Missouri. She couldn't see him over his birthday but sent him a lot of love and gifts! We went outside so the lighting would be better! The final video was of Big L playing with his puzzle tonight but the video was done inside so it is dark...sorry!

Liz --Thank you for all of the very nice gifts! I'll also be thinking of you when the puzzle pieces are all over the house! He he!

This video is for you, Kenny! This is the video you wanted to see of Big L's golfing skills! (taken in July in Michigan!) You know, "addressing the ball" and "holding his finish" and all of that other crap that golfers like to see. : )

Embracing his "inner 80's"

Landon has like, totally--oh my gosh!-- been embracing his inner 80's lately & I don't just mean his dance moves. His new response when he doesn't want to do something? NOT!

Me: "Landon, can we go change your diaper?"

Big L: "No, NOT!"

If you need further proof of his love for the long lost decade, here you go:

Coincidence? I think NOT.

My baby boy is TWO!

Yesterday, my sweet baby boy turned TWO! My baby who loves to golf and to get "a wide" (ride) on your back! My baby who loves his "yiyon" (stuffed lion given to him by his Aunt Mary. This lion now often accompanies us throughout the house and also on road trips...even ones just to the grocery store) and to turn on the water in the sink. My mischievous boy who laughs hysterically when he dumps a cup of water on my head at the pool! My baby boy who always points out when he hears a "big twuck" or an "airpane" and tells you until you repeat it! My sneaky boy who steals my chapstick and who still sleeps with his arms over his head (as he was doing in his ultrasound picture so long ago)! My boy who tells me around 4:00 p.m. each day that he wants "daddy ovah." My baby boy who loves couscous (it's true!) and "dip" on his toothbrush. My sweet baby who never tires of the question "What happen, mommy?" My baby who hears his daddy sneeze (who is 4 rooms away) and yells at the top of his lungs "BESS YOU, DADDY! BESS YOU!" My baby boy who looks at me with his big brown eyes when I am sneaking a bite of something and says "Me have some, mommy." Yes, this sweet boy is now two!

For his birthday, he kept wanting us to sing "Happy Birthday" to him! When we would finish the song, he would insist on another round (yes, I'm afraid he has hearing problems because those of you who have heard me sing, are also convinced that he would have to be almost deaf to insist on hearing another round from me) by saying "mo burfday." He has been trying to play the "burfday" card all day including using a "happy birthday" button he got at church to try to get more special birthday treatment. He wanted extra snacks, leniency, and attention. Clearly, he learned that trick from his daddy.

Enough of my sappy reminiscing, right? Let's get to the pics of Big L and the party! Wanna see my big boy's day? We had a wonderful day celebrating with friends and as a family! Here are a few "before the party" pics as we gave Big L a few presents:

I love his "Oh wow" face on this one!

Landon wanted daddy in the Thomas tent too! He he....easier said than done!

For anyone else who has to put up with Thomas the (annoying)train, I'm sorry. I really am. I do believe that it is the most ridiculous show ever....from the annoying theme song to the mind-blowing stupid stories. However, Big L loves it so I have to put up with it. So yes, we bought him the tent....and he LOVES it.

The party got off to a good start with snacks. A few snacks and sippy cups and life is good, right? I guess Landon felt the need to protect the snacks to make sure that no one tried to take 'em...

Here are a few "action shots" from the party:

Sam, Graelyn, Landon, and Addison

Landon, Graelyn, and Part of Sam (!)

Gwen and Landon



Tate...the golfer

Addison and Landon




And now to Landon's favorite part of the day--FOOD and presents!

Some of the food

Landon in his happy place--eating!

Sam was so excited for Landon to open his gift!

Landon loves his fishy night light like Graelyn's

Of course, his first love is golf and he is set now with his present from Addison!

Tate gave Landon his "Super Landon" cape and mask!!!

Hey! It's my party...I can pick my nose if I want to!

I was taking this picture of the kids playing but since my camera has about a 2 second delay, I often don't get quite the picture I was trying to get. In this shot, Landon accidently fell on poor Sam who was all but completely pancaked by Big L's 40 pounds. Sorry Sam! However, now that we know that you are okay, this picture totally makes me laugh! All you can see of Sam are his arms and legs! PRICELESS!

We got Big L a choo choo for his burfday. He loves it!

The maiden voyage of the choo choo--a bit of a bumpy ride!

Words of Wisdom

I'll admit that I am feeling kind of sentimental as Landon's 2nd birthday approaches. I have so much to tell Landon! Since I am a bit forgetful, I have decided to start a list so I can remember all of my words of wisdom. : ) I will have to add to it as I gain even more wisdom, but here is a start:

1. Love God and don't be afraid to show it.

2. Don't give up.

3. Don't highlight your hair. Ever.

4. Don't be afraid of being smart (because I can tell that even though you are only 23 1/2 months old, you are incredibly smart....definitely smarter than mommy!)

5. Love your mother and father. : )

6. Talk about your feelings.

7. Be determined. Just don't be as stubborn as your mother father.

8. Treat others how you would like to be treated.

9. Hold the door open for others.

10. Say "Yes/no ma'm" and "yes/no sir". (After all, you live in the South and are likely to get your butt kicked if you don't).

11. Don't snack after dinner (you are a big fan of before bedtime snacking right now)...it just packs on the pounds.

12. Always stick up for the underdog--be a friend to the kids that others pick on.

13. Go to summer camp (just not band camp). Go away to college. Learn to be independent. (And yes, I will fix you your favorite meals when you come home on breaks!)

14. Trust your parent's (and grandparent's) advice. We're smart.

15. Learn how to cook (a survival skill--plus it impresses the ladies).

16. Don't impress the ladies too much...until you are at least 25--THEN you are free to date!

17. Laugh at yourself.

18. Remember that Jesus and your family love you no matter what.

19. Remember that I put up with a LOT of questions from you as you were growing up. I may have some for you in return as you grow up. You need to be patient and answer them. "I dunno" and "fine" are not acceptable answers.

20. Try new and different things. You won't like everything and that is okay.

21. A Speedo is never okay.

22. Apologize when you're wrong.

23. You have an amazing smile that lights up the room! Use it!

24. Do not let daddy teach you his dance moves.

25. Say please and thank you. Be polite.

Magic Syrup?

So, I wasn't able to put the crib tent on until this evening when Aaron got home (from yet another golf trip. *Ahem....edited thoughts*). It turns out it was a bit more complex than I had thought b/c I had to move the crib back up to the highest level, etc. SO, that made naptime a little tricky as I had already disassembled Big L's crib. So, I did not have a crib for him to sleep in at naptime. I got to thinking (scary, I know...): Would he sleep in his room on a little blanket on the floor with a pillow? Hmm....he does that for Mrs. Kathy on Wednesdays but let's face it, he does a lot for Mrs. Kathy that he won't do for me. Ever. I think that she must pour magic syrup on the pancakes that puts them in a trance just until their mothers show up. She must. She definitely has some secret voodoo. How else do you explain being able to keep 10 kids of various ages happy, healthy, and behaved? I only have 1 and that is a stretch at any time. I might get one out of those 3 but never all 3--happy, healthy, and behaved-- at the same time. However, I have shown up at her house at various times throughout the day and it is ALWAYS remarkably calm. You could show up or call me at home and you will inevitably hear "NOOO!!! Don't do that...you'll poke your eye out!" or "Get down before you fall and crack your head open!"....but not at Mrs. Kathy's. I think that some day, I may actually dress up as a little kid to go see how she does it. I want some of the magic syrup myself. But, I digress....this post is actually about Landon sleeping on the floor. Because, HE DID IT, people! He did it for me without a fight! YIPPEE!!!! He slept on the floor like a little angel...and I have a picture to prove it:

But now, we finally have the crib tent up and there ain't no way that he can get out of that thing. Hopefully, this tent will keep CPS off our doorstep and the bruises to a minimum!

That said, I still want a day at Mrs. Kathy's.

We are the proud new owners...

of this:Yep, it happened today after Big L's nap before I had gone to get him...I heard a (very loud) THUD! What do you expect it to sound like? We're talking 40 pounds hitting the ground HARD from the upper story of your house(I was on the 1st floor)! It was accompanied then by a big scream and a red bump on his forehead! Oh yeah, and lots of tears. Poor baby. I would like to say it won't happen again but the 'ole boy just begs for punishment sometimes and doesn't learn. So yeah...we bought the crib tent until we can get his big boy bed & room together. I was thinkin' that we would escape this "milestone" but we're not so lucky. (Sigh)

What happen?

What happen? This is Landon's new phrase which I hear approximately 1,892 times per day. Sometimes, for variety, he changes it to "What happen, mommy?" He's clever like that. He EVEN changes it up at times with "What happen, mommy, mommy?" But yes, I answer this question ALL day long. So, what I want to know is...does this replace the "why?" phase? Because I certainly can't be expected to go through this with him AND a why phase, right? Experienced moms, "what happen?" with your kiddos?

Who needs 3 or 4?

Here is my sweet baby boy counting to 10! Okay, I know...he really was not into counting and clearly had more important things to do but he half-heartedly obliged. He never gets 3 and 4 but normally does include 8...but not this day. Oh well. He threw in a few extra "2's" just to keep you on your toes also!