Happy 5th Birthday, Landon!

You're terribly silly. You're terribly sweet. You're terribly smart. Sometimes I just can't physically let you go when we are wrapped up together in a hug. As I like to say: You make my heart happy. And as you like to say: I love you more than the last number on the longest number line.

You love Legos, books, board games, mazes and drawing your own creations of friendly zombies (?). Your alternate ego is "Mr. Goo," a resident vampire who has been with us the majority of the year (and has thankfully decided to evolve from his original mischievous villain state to a more domesticated, gentile version ... lest "Mommy Goo" take his cape away forever).

Your favorite song of the year was Parry Gripp's Neon Pegasus, followed closely by The Cranberries (Zombie, of course) and Weezer. But you're not too cool for school just yet because you can still bust out any Laurie Berkner song with the best of the storytime crowds. You know that the queen of soul is Aretha Franklin and the king of pop is Michael Jackson. I so hope your affinity for a range of music will maintain itself in the years to come. But even if it doesn't, you're still golden.

I love you more than, well, infinity.

50 Ways to Leave Your Diapers

"The problem is all inside your head, she said to me
the answer is easy if you take it logically.
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
there must be 50 ways to leave your diapers."

Wait? That's not how the Simon and Garfunkel jam went? Yeah, so as some of my friends from Facebook know, I potty trained Landon last month. My status update was the following:

"Potty training my toddler is - without a doubt - one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. Aaaand we are only three hours in. I'd throw in the towel but I think I've used them all."

I lost my cool, more than I care to admit. In one instance, I believe my reaction was, "Landon, there is shit everywhere! You are covered in shit!" I then worked my delts to the max by suspending him as far as possible in front of my body while I carried him directly to the shower, do not pass Go. Twasn't my finest moment; I highly regret it, especially when Landon kept saying "shit, shit shit" for about 10 minutes post clean up. [Kind of like how he randomly mutters "Jesus Christ" under his breath once in a while - I never knew I said that often but I guess they are my choice words of exasperation these days?!? Seriously?]

But looking back on it, I realized two things: (1) it wasn't that bad at all. I'm so glad I stuck with it because Landon actually was quite the champ. (2) The worst part of it all was actually Anders who couldn't quite handle the shift in attention. We did the three day method where you hunker down and don't leave the house, basically staying within a 15 second radius of a toilet. I had lots of stickers, jelly beans and new toys on standby.

Lots and lots of LeapPad time. I tossed a couple new games his way whenever we'd reach a milestone.

After telling Landon he couldn't sit on the couch to watch TV while we are potty training, he made me laugh by taking up a post on the window sill behind the couch and peering over to watch his shows.

Playing some brain games on a tablet that Grandpa sent.

Books, books, and more books.

Anders offering moral support.

In the end, an immediate reward yielded the best results - my sticker chart of "a trip to the ice cream shoppe when you fill in all the spots!" was too broad and didn't sink in.

Proving that action figures can be used any time any place.

A friend comes over? More moral support.

One week in pull ups and then became Captain Underwear by week two! Accident free for three weeks! Yippeeeeee!

Anders' First Year Video Montage

Anders has officially been one for a little while now. He is walking on his own like a professional and sharing his personality like the budding toddler that he is. Lest I forget what a sweetie pie he has been as an infant, here is his first year roundup video!

Anders 12 Months

Well, Anders, you made it through your first year. Congratulations. To all of us! There were times in the beginning when I wasn't sure what we were doing, but we found our groove, didn't we? You're my little sweetie pie, still tucking your head into my shoulder when I hold you close, but also emerging in your independence as you try to dive out of my arms so you can truck around the house full speed on your walker.

I suppose you'll start walking on your own within the next month or two, eager to transport yourself on something besides your knees or the walker that brother so determinedly swipes from you every morning.

You have a voice, little one. A big voice. I'm not sure exactly what you're saying yet, but Daddy and I get a kick out of the sounds you put together. I can't wait to hear how it all comes together in the coming years. I think you may even be saying Landon's name this week ("nun-nun"); I wouldn't be surprised if its one of your first official words, I certainly yell it enough these days.

Folks around town always comment on your sweet blue eyes and you give them a shy smile. Sometimes you toss a "hi!" and wave at them to demonstrate your friendly personality. I beam like the proud momma that I am.

Still rocking only two bottom teeth, but I think the top ones are coming soon!

Official 12 month photo. Those belly stickers are a farce after month 4.

"Hey, girlfriend!"

Joy.

Smiles.

I think I have kissed those cheeks a million times, and we're only one year in.

A potential puzzle man, like brother. Monkey see, monkey do!

Likes
 - Zucchini, peas, meatballs, anything smothered with tomato sauce or curry
 - Playing with brother's cars. Although I'm not sure if its the cars you like as much as trying to get a rise out of your brother ;o)
 - Being dipped backwards really fast with some tummy snuggles
 - Remote control
 - Climbing stairs
 - Being outdoors
 - Tequila Terry (singing cactus that Grandma sent)
 - Tupperware cups (assortment that Aunt Jill sent)

Dislikes
 - Gates on the stairs
 - Being in a car seat without a snack available
 - Contending with brother for toys

Anders' First Birthday Party

We had a wonderful sunny morning with our little man celebrating the big O-N-E!

Landon decided to start of the party by taking off his pants and putting on some boots (on the wrong feet, of course).

Looking like a little diva.

Playing with rocks. And weeds. Woops.

Balloons and banners.

Taking a break from the outside heat.

Having fun, but he was committed to finishing his peas and goldfish so it was hard to get a smile on film :)

Woops.

Testing out the texture of his first cupcake.

This stuff is fun!

Happy Birthday to our littlest love!!!

Two Years Old

Well it happened: Landon turned two. It's cliche, but where does the time go? I look at photos from earlier in the year and he looks like a baby, still. I guess he sprouted over the summer or something because now all I see is a little guy growing up way too fast. Enter: Dramatic sigh.

I think Landon is such a great personality (says the mom - big surprise). I think he's awfully smart and charismatic with his smile. He seems very loyal to his small inner circle; he likes giving his best friends hugs but is wary of large groups of kids. He is a little quiet at school, but a chatterbox at home. He has so much confidence these days in his expanding vocabulary that it's causing a perma-smile. Mom and Dad are smiling, too: our ability to communicate with Landon more is leading to noticeable amount of reduced tantrums. 

He's just... special. In a lovely, awesome way. We love you, Landon.

So done with the photo session. Get this boy some snacks.

Likes:
-Baby brother
-Toy Story (Buzz Lightyear in particular)
-Puzzles
-Peanut butter and jelly
-High fives

Dislikes:
-Meat, casseroles
-Sing alongs
-Sharing puzzles

18 Months!

Landon turned 18 months old last week. A year and half old, my little man. *Sigh.* He certainly checks all the boxes on the "what to expect" charts of what an 18 month old should be doing. I haven't taught him how to do taxes, but he does try to put shoes on so I'll give credit where credit is due. He is still very athletic and has mastered the nearby toddler playground, although his injury report from his little morning school the other day read "Landon tripped over his own feet and hit his forehead on nearby table." I suppose athleticism doesn't always equate with grace.

He does have bouts of frustrations and tantrums these days, but apparently that is par for the course, too. Sometimes I laugh at the absurdity of it, sometimes I cuddle with him until the tears subside, sometimes I let my own tears fall in bouts of exhaustion when trying to decipher the extra rough rounds. He'll always come in for a hug at the end of them all, so that's all you can ask for, really.

One of Landon's most endearing features continues to be his smile, despite the lack of teeth in comparison to his peers. Our friend recently - and accurately - observed that Landon doesn't seem to be getting any new teeth, but the four that he does have seem to be getting bigger. How can you not love that Chiclet smile, though, eh? Eh? And he is so willing to dispense that smile to friendly folks at the store, friends at the library and around town... a core personality trait I adore in him.

It looks like our little guy may officially be a blondie these days!

Likes

- Making animal sounds

- Cheese, fruit chews, teddy grahams, peanut butter, hummus

- Going to the park

- Mommy and Daddy
- Row, row, row your boat

- Goodnight, Cowboy book (from Aunt Schming)

- Dora and Diego cartoons

Dislikes

- Meat, pasta (?!?)

- Having stuff on his hands (he'll play in the dirt, but immediately has to swipe it off)

- Taking naps (mom note: sob)

First Haircut: All Ears Accounted For

So we finally had to give in and give Landon his first haircut.

I always had this random memory in the back of my head of a Full House episode in which coiffure-obsessed Uncle Jesse experiences anxiety when the twins get their first trim. They find this cute little kids' haircut place where the chairs are plastic dinosaurs and the barber is a quirky old man (aka Dave Coulier in a bad bald cap and bad accent). Anyone else seen it? Anyone? Just me, then. Moving on...

Well places like that don't exist here. So it was up to the hubs and I - with the help of prerecorded Oswald show and a confining high chair - to roll up our sleeves. It turned out as well as it could given the small hands wacking us out of the way while he weaved and bobbed - all while maintaining direct eye contact with his favorite show.

I don't have any good photos since we were so focused on not pulling a Picasso on Landon's ear, but I have a video of his from a couple weeks ago at the play gym versus his new 'do while working on his stair moves. And yes, I did keep a few locks... I loved those little curls in the back and am looking forward to them growing back! 

Before:

Shaggy McGee

After:

Clean Cuts McGee

15 Months (and a little more)

Right, so documentation of my son's fun little moments has taken a hit these past couple months while we've been living out of suitcases across the holidays and home buying adventures. I can sum it all up easily enough, though: he's still cute. So it may be a blur of what happened when between the one year and 15 month mark, but I do know he acquired the following developmental nuggets:

- Eating better with his own spoon and bowl. And by "better" I mean about 10% of the food makes it into his mouth versus the 3% hit rate he was getting before. [He is still running about a 90% contact rate with eyes, nostrils and hair.]

- Loves wiggling his way into (and thankfully out of) cabinets. The boy can't resist a cabinet door.

- Two front toofies are starting to make their way down. His peers are getting molars now, but at least Landon's teeth are still showing up to the party, albeit fashionably late.

- He is much better at pointing at objects to help communicate. For example, pointing at the coat rack and bringing over shoes to essentially say "Get off yer keysters and take me outside, people!"

- Still really enjoys Jack's Big Music Show and also thoroughly delights in watching Oswald (blue octopus show). We have an Oswald book where Landon will point and say "Aahwohl!"... ummm, we are talking melt-your-heart cuteness here, folks.

- Climbing, climbing, climbing. Chairs, end tables, sofas, boxes. If it has height and a hard surface underneath prime for noggin-knocking, he's on it.

There a million other little changes, but yeah, don't worry: he's still cute.

Matching up objects and slots of different sizes and circumferences. If a pot needs a lid, L's your man.

 

Hanging out by the cabinets to kill time in our temporary digs, waiting for our new home. L obviously has not had a haircut as of 15 months. The time will come, but we like his shaggy little 'do for now!

We Have Lift Off

Sometimes its like a little switch that goes off in Landon: One moment he is taking a wobbly step or two and then randomly he's walking across the living room. With help from his favorite dinosaur, of course.



[Disregard the mats and random objects and toys in the background. Children are the Lord's way of saying your house was too clean anyways.]