Foot prints

I just adore this picture of Lan's foot print at exactly 17 months old. It makes me think of what "foot prints" he is going to leave on this earth in the years to come. My prayer for him everyday since the day he was born is that he will be a man of God and make a positive difference in this world; small or big. Today as he hugged and kissed me out of the blue was so precious. This week he has started "singing" with me when I sing "Twinkle, twinkle" before bed. The sound of his precious voice brought tears to my eyes. He can't say the words but he does attempt. I need to remember to get Tye to video it one night.

Middle of the week

Yesterday I took Landon to the Pediatrician because he has been pulling his ears and not sleeping good. I also thought all these temper tantrums may be him not feeling good. The good news is no ear infection and he gained two pounds! Now up to 22 pounds which is still low on the percentile chart but he is gaining weight. The not so "great" news the Dr. laughed and said welcome to the terrible twos they start in full force around 18 months. I was thinking great this is going to get even worse! He had already thrown about five tantrums in the Dr's office already. No one ever told me before he was born that small tantrums would start around ten months old and they just blow up from there especially when he is told "no". Throwing food while eating is a favorite of Landon's at the moment, which has been getting old & occasionally holding a straight face while telling him that is not appropriate(don't worry I uses more kid friendly words). Even through the temper tantrums and food throwing I am still finding a sense of humor, because even in the middle of all this he is so stinkin cute& the fact that this is normal developmental behavior.

Beach Trip

We had a fun week at the beach last week. We got back last night. Landon did fairly good other than since he is cutting some molars he was not in the best mood. Before I realized that it was teething I thought that we were in a really awful phase. He would throw himself down on the beach and scream at me. He turned 17 months while we were there and now loves to chase the birds and make them fly. His new word is "bird". I am convinced that the kid can say more than he does, because when he says most words for the first time he says them very clear. We prepared for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Fay but other than wind we were thankfully not hit. On Tuesday Sarasota and Barrier Islands shut down all stores, beaches, schools, ect. so we were stuck at the house. Video to come from the wind experience! Landon also learned from his Grandaddy that when the question "Who loves Landon to raise their hands" he will raise his hands as do we and laughs. We got to spend some good times with Aunt Alexis this past week and were sad to see her leave.

This is really for me to remember so skip this part if it bores you.
At 17 months Landon can point to his nose and belly button when asked where they are. He can follow directions by putting his hands on his head when you say freeze. He will now tell me "no" when he doesn't want something. He now has one molar fully in as well as 8 front teeth in. Lan is a master climber and will climb anything that presents a challenge. He is still very loving with other children and animals. Still a momma's boy although showing a lot more interest in Daddy these days. He now loves "match box" cars. He will bark like a dog anytime he hears one barking. He can make a huge tower out of blocks. Lan gave up pacis over a month ago and to our amazement has not wanted one since. He still dislikes meat but will eat any fruit or green beans like they are leaving this earth tomorrow.
Landon also loves to run into the waves now at the beach and is really good in the pool with swimmies. We tried a float for him but he quickly climbed out. He also got out of his buckled car seat twice on the way down! Enjoy some of the pictures and videos that I will add later.

Swimming with his new swimmies


What I bought to reduce the boredom with no beach on Tuesday


Beach time with Grandaddy


My little man


New face that he is making all the time. Little Monkey!


Momma time


The birds


More to come later this week.

It has been a long week here.

Oh where to start. First I want to say Congratulations to Kevin and Caitlin on becoming engaged. Welcome to our crazy family..just kidding, well maybe a little. Landon is now cutting his first molar. He was so cranky on Monday with a runny nose I thought for sure that he was getting sick. Then while brushing his teeth I decided to run my finger on his gums and to my suprise he is getting a top molar that is peeping through. Motrin has been our best friend every night and has helped him stay asleep. His second Monday with his Nanny didn't go as good at first. He screamed the minute she came in the door. I really have to work on this seperation anxiety with him. By the time I made it home Nanny was so sweet and she and Landon were playing and he even kissed her bye. Lan did keep telling her bye the minute I picked him up, I think he was making sure Mommy was not going to leave again. Tuesday, was a rough day Keagan had to be put down. Oh, how I love that dog. I was devestated and through my breakdown Landon responded with his own. It took all evening to refocus so I was not making Lan upset since he is to young to understand what is going on. Landon will still yell for Keagan in the morning and go looking for him. I really think it upsets me and he is just confused as to why he can't be found. Thankfully, Kasey has been really loving and letting Landon love on him and letting him throw things at him.(It is not allowed but it does happen with a 16 month old). Today Landon went to work with me all day. It took a lot of convincing him that it is COOL to stay in a stroller and not scream while Mommy is trying to take money. He is a smart cookie and didn't buy it and screamed anyway. I did discover that the saftey lolly pop that the nice lady at the bank gave him(I think it was a hint to get him to quiet down in the bank) will buy me 20 minutes of talking time in a meeting though. I didn't even think of wasting that precious lolly in the bank, I knew it would be of better use later. I am reserving tomorrow for Mommy and Landon time to play and rest. I think we could both use it before we take off to FL on Saturday. I am posting the last pic that was taken with Keagan a few weeks ago. Catherine, Caroline, & Lan are a littke blurry but Keagan is not.

Amazing strength

Oh and I am not talking about Landon this time. When I entered this blog world several months ago as a reader I have come accross some amazing women with strength I never imagined possible in times like they have experienced. These blogs have reminded me what really matters in this world and that is God. There is no hope in this world without him for me. I don't know if I would be ok facing tomorrow without knowing for a fact that He is watching over my family and me and has a plan for us. We have hard times recently and I really considered there was no hope. Then on one of the blogs I came upon during that time was playing the song Bring on the Rain by Mercy Me. What a powerful song and it was if God spoke to me through that song telling me He had in no way abandoned me that this was just a new path that I would be taking or a valley if you will. That I should draw closer to Him or continue the way I was going that was going no where but away from Him. I decided there was no way I was wasting more of my life on this earth without drawing nearer to Him. I have a long way to go but I am relieved that the journey has begun again. I love that I will be living a way that will teach Landon what life is truly about and to enjoy everyday for what it is and find the beauty no matter how dim it looks. Please check out these links to some of the blogs that started this journey for me. They will blow your mind.
www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com
http://www.noahsteven.blogspot.com/
www.mycharmingkids.net
http://jodyferlaak.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderful week. Happy Birthday Uncle Casey! We had a wonderful evening with you and Chelsea tonight!

Fun weekend and start of week!

Landon had a wonderful weekend with his Nana visiting. Thank you so much for all of your help while I was getting work done Nana! Nana took some very cute pics of Landon this weekend and played hard with him! I had to work yesterday so since my mom had to go back to work sadly, Landon has a new nanny. She is not new to our family she has kept my 13 year old sisters since they came home from the hospital and is truly a blessing because Landon was so excited to see her yesterday! He had so much playing with her and is now taking on Spanish as a second language. It was wonderful to leave for work with him telling me bye bye instead of crying. Today we went to Leapin Lizard with J and her two kiddos. Landon was not sure about it at first but once I went down the slides with him and showed him how much fun it was he dove in! He even climbed the tall ladders on his own and then would launch himself down. I was kind of let down because I was enjoying all the slides as much as he was! It is so weird to see him act like such a big boy and holding his ground with the older kids. Tonight we went and had dinner at my dad's and had a wonderful time. Land got to play with all his aunts and his Uncle Seth!
Here are some pics from the weekend