Thankful

I can hear the crowds beginning to gather in Times Square already...the end of a year and the start of a new one is upon us. This year has given us a lot to be thankful for and a few reminders of what is most important. It seems hard to believe that with the Christmas decorations and lights, we are also packing up '09 and the first decade of the 21st century...but, I'm getting ahead of myself...let's talk Christmas!

Jayden wrote his own letter to Santa this year. Of course it was like pulling teeth with that kid. One would think if you threaten a child with absolutely NO presents from Santa unless a letter is written and delivered, a fire would be lit under them and the letter would be finished and sealed before you complete the previous sentence...not Jayden. Jayden delivered his letter to Macy's Santa's Letter Mailbox on...December 21st! (Which in case you missing it, meant I had to go to a mall THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS!) The good news is that Santa recieved his letter in time for gifts to arrive on Christmas morning and I didn't have to hurt anyone to get a parking spot :)

Landon wanted absolutely nothing to do with Santa and the whole Santa thing. He didn't want to talk to, walk near, see or acknowledge anyone with a white beard, red suit or goes by the name of Santa. He did however fall in love with The Night Before Christmas book at the last minute...and Santa rewarded him, handsomely.

We want to thank everyone who gave so generously to Jayden and Landon this Christmas; I wish you all could have seen the excitement in their eyes on Christmas morning.

So the kids have been home for one week of their two week break. Landon usually only heads off to "school" twice a week but he too is staying home for a break. I have to say, it's a much easier day when they don't have to go off to school...they are on my routine and all is quiet...very little fighting, shouting or crying, no tantrums, lots of sharing and the occassional kiss on Landon's forehead from his big brother. I'm really going to miss my time with them once school resumes next week...until Monday afternoon when all hell breaks loose and they begin yelling and screaming at each other (which isn't really fair for Landon because he...nevermind, he makes up for a small vocabulary by trying to scratch his brother's eyes out...yep, all's fair again) and I will be counting the hours until the next school day begins.

And with the Winter Break comes milestones...Landon has left babyhood behind, he is now a big boy in a big boy bed. Okay, so really he just moved out of the crib and into a toddler bed but it's a big milestone...for us all. It means that he's no longer a "baby" and now our house is "babyless"...forever. We are done with cribs, bottles, formula and baby food for good...no going back...finished. I'm not that sentimental about potty training...the sooner the better on that one, I will gladly say goodbye to that last phase without a tear.

Oh yeah, and one more bit of good news...the cat made it to see another Christmas. I'm really starting to question her mortality. What other cat do you know is 17 with heart condition, asthma (that has gone dormant), diabetes (that is no longer detectable), a year long upper respitory infection (that is now cleared up), a case of "bulimia" that turned out to be an ulcer that dropped her weight down to 4 pounds but is now rebounding nicely and putting the weight back on. In the words of Grey's Anatomy...Seriously?

So to all, I wish you a wonderfully happy, healthy, and safe New Year...see you all in 2010.

P.S. As I was finishing up this post Tony informed me that Tiger is in kitty confinement because...she threw up. Great.

Fall & Halloween

Each passing years seems faster and shorter than the last. We've already celebrated a year in Illinois. Landon is now attending "school" twice a week. Jayden just received his first report card (with solid "Secure" marks across the board...Secure is the Kindergardener's equivalent to an "A"). And, Halloween is now behind us with Thanksgiving and Christmas fresh on the horizon. Time needs to slow down a bit, just enough to allow us time to stop and enjoy the days going by.

Jay is really enjoying school. There is the occasional "bad" day, the days when the girls are being, well, girls and mean (really there seems to be just one mean girl who "knows" everything and proceeds to tell all the other kids that they don't measure up to her). Of course, as in years past, Jay seems to be one of the big men on campus; all the little girls surrounding him. I've always been very supportive and happy with this, Jay has never been the rough and tumble type boy so girl friends seem great...however, I'm starting to notice a little bit of a change. First, there are more girls. Second, some of them are "older" as in 1st and 2nd grade. And third, as we witnessed on Halloween...they squeal when they're around him. Yeah, I need this this early like a hole in the head.

Landon is...Landon. He is talking more now; "bus", "mouse", "meow", "doggie", "train", "choo choo", etc. He really enjoys going to school to visit with his friends, and like Jayden, has a thing for the ladies...especially cutie patootie Mary. He apparently plays "home living" with her a lot (they don't call it "house" any longer?). He's still very shy but seems to enjoy blowing kisses to anyone that talks to him. Presently, as I'm writing this, he is manhandling his brother, pushing him down because he didn't get his way! Ah, brothers.

Halloween came and went pretty fast this year. We decorated a little more outside but with storms and wind, most of my "web" was pulled down well before the holiday. Last year the weather was far wamer all month and leaves were still on trees. This year, the weather turned cold early, the leaves all fell and we froze as we went house to house (Jayden looked like a relative of Rudolph by the time walked back to the house). Raking leaves is not fun in 40 degree weather, even when both boys enjoy it and "help out".

With the weather cold and the leaves all fallen, it seems that fall has zoomed right past. The temps will continue to fall and snows will soon begin. The men will be here next week to put up the outdoor Christmas lights and then we're well on our way toward the winter season and holidays. Preparations are under way for the Winter Party in Jayden's class. My Christmas shopping is done! Now just let the days slow down a little and let's enjoy and appreciate these next few months, the last two months of 2009!

Vacation...Part 3...Chicago

While we enjoyed out little "journeys" this summer, we were ready for a little stay-cation in downtown Chicago. This was the first opportunity for me and Landon to really spend time downtown; Jayden and Tony had done a few trips in for a boys weekend.

After picking Jayden up from his first full day of Kindergarten, me and the boys drove into the city and were meeting Tony at the hotel. Tony's commute was literary a walk across the street and down a set of stairs; we could see his building from our room.

Saturday...a lesson in fears. Jayden has been very interested in the Sears Tower and will quickly correct you if you call it the Sears Tower, it's name change took place a few weeks ago and it is now The Willis Tower. This summer they added an 'attraction' to the observation deck, Sky Ledge. They basically removed three windows and built glass boxes that stick out the side of the building so when you stand in them you are standing 103 stories above the streets of Chicago. So up we went, PACKED into a large elevator with about 50 people. The computer display shows you the various tall landmarks you pass on your ride to the observation deck. The heart started pounding. We arrive at Sky Ledge and I volunteer to take Jayden to the ledge so I can get some pictures...only I can't do it. I got to the ledge and stopped. Jayden walked out there like nothing, looking down and out along the horizon...I, was paralyzed. My heart was furiously beating, I was sweating and there was no way I was going out there...so I quickly took pictures of my little dare devil standing in the ledge...leaning against the outside glass...heart is leaping out of the chest now. Then, I quickly grabbed him and ushered him back to normal building material. So, Tony takes Jayden and Landon back out on the ledge for a second look. I swear I was near passing out.

After Willis Tower we headed back to the hotel for a little nap for Landon, everyone took advantage of nap time...including Jayden! Then we were off to Navy Pier.

We walked along Navy Pier taking it all in. Jayden found a little Thomas the Tank Engine ride and took a few turns on that. We also rode the carousel, and drove little remote control boats. Jayden had been asking for weeks about riding the giant Ferris wheel but the line was too long so we decided we would make a return visit in the morning.

Sunday...fears revisited. 10 am...Navy Pier and the Ferris wheel opens. We first stopped to ride Thomas...again, but this time we let Landon take a turn too. He cried when the operator had to pick him up to put him on the ride but Jayden quickly worked his big brother magic and calmed him down. Then is was off for the Ferris wheel. We were first in line...goody. The heart is starting to speed up. This Ferris wheel is huge...I mean HUGE. It stands 150 feet tall, is in constant motion (no stop for letting people on or off, you do all that while it moves) and it takes 7.5 minutes to do one revolution (translation: 7.5 minutes of hell). We're on, we're moving and as we are moving up...heart is pounding, palms are sweating and I have a death grip on Jayden, who by the way, is busy looking all around and pointing various interesting things out. Landon is good for about the first 2.5-3 minutes and then proceeds to spend the remaining time squirming about in Tony's arms...of course he waits until we are high in the air. When you get to the top it feels as though the wheel is slowing to a near stop and then finally we are on our way down. Heart is still about to leap from the chest and Jayden has tried numerous times to pry my hand from him waist. We finally unload from the Ferris wheel and my heart rhythm is beginning to regulate.

After all our exciting time at the pier we quickly drive down Michigan Avenue, there was no parking so we didn't even stop and shop, and headed for home.

So the lesson of my little weekend in the city; not for someone with a fear of heights.

He's a Kindergartner!!!

Today was Jayden's first day of Kindergarten! I can't believe this day has come. He on the other hand, had a great time. I can't believe I put as a special note on his enrollment forms that he is very shy and probably wouldn't talk much in the first few weeks...he talked to everyone and just jumped into playing with the other children. He makes me very proud.

Last night he helped pack his backpack with his school supplies.

And then today, he was off for his first day...

Tomorrow, his first full day!

Vacation...Part 2...Coles Family Farm

Every summer we usually make the journey to the Coles Family Farm. This tradition has only been interupted twice...the summers that Jayden and Landon were born. So for Jayden, this is something he looks to and for Landon, it was a whole new adventure.

Unlike past summers, we made this trip by car...8 hours of car, each way. I was given a shortcut cheat sheet by a friend so we made much better time on the way in, I can't say as much for the return trip. However, our little travels weathered very well in both directions with Landon needing the most entertaining but that was to be expected. And, we only had two...ummm, I need to go potty...moments in a total of 18.5 hours of travel time!

It was the usual yearly family visit. We caught up on the family happenings. Saw people we hadn't seen in the last two years (remember we didn't visit last year because of Landon's birth). Melted in the intense humidity. And all in all, had a great visit. Tony and I even got a few minutes of kid free time, one on one time with Jayden and one on one time with Landon. Like I said, a great visit.

Jayden spent most of his time with his cousins Olivia and Cheyenne. Olivia and Jay rode bikes (Olivia rode her bike and Jay played on a "big wheels", however, it wasn't so big) in the front yard of the house. They even went up visit cousin Camelyn and her dozen of chickens, miniature goat, gaggle of cats and kittens, and throw in a few dogs for good measure...they may cover all the animals...I'm not entirely sure though.

Landon spent his entire trip avoiding people. All Grandma Coles wanted to do was hold that boy...but boy he did not want to be held. We thought he would surely come around by Saturday...we were leaving on Sunday...but low and behold, not a chance. He would come to people if they had food of course but he would only grab and run. I think Cheyenne and maybe Olivia were able to get close enough to hold him.

As Tony and I think back to this past week we have some great memories from this summer trip. Tony pulled Jayden and Landon around the front yard in HIS Radio Flyer Wagon...for the last time...Mama and Papa Coles sent the wagon home with us this year. Tony and I trying to check email on our iphones at the "communication tower" (standing IN the garden at the top of little hill in the yard next to house) every morning, and we each had to face different directions in order to get the best signal for each of our phones. Tony and I sitting in lawn chairs under the shade tree in the front yard trying to cool off...we were Mama and Papa Coles...the younger years. Aunt Mary arranged a private tour of the Zanesville Model Train Club Headquarters where they have over 1/4 mile model train layout, and seeing the excitement in Jayden's eyes. And, our final stop on the way home was the Hesston Steam Museum in Hesston, IN where Jayden got to see and ride some of his favorite steam locomotives from the video All About Trains for Kids.

We can't wait to do it again...

Vacation..Part 1...Great Wolf

This year we decided to break our vacation up into little stays through out the month. After talking with one of our friends about their recent stay at a Great Wolf Lodge in Washington, we decided to book ourselves a little stay in a lodge near us. So stop number one, Great Wolf Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells.

The Great Wolf Lodge is a hotel really designed for total family enjoyment. Our room had a Wolf Den in it, a cave built into the room with bunk beds and a tv for the kiddos (Jayden loved it, Landon was stuck in the pack n' play). The hotel also has three indoor waterparks and one outdoor park as well. They have a breakfast buffet, grille and bar, starbucks, spa and childs spa to keep everyone happy and relaxed.

Day one; we rode a 15 gauge steam train. Of course we are always looking for train experiences for our little engineer Jayden. He loved this one. Not only do you ride the little train but at the end of the track while they are turning the engine around on the turntable, they tell you the history of the train you are riding. Couldn't have found a better way to start the vacation. Downside, the soot from the steam engine go all over our clothes.

Day two; rain, rain and more rain. Thank goodness we were staying somewhere that could entertain you all day. We started the morning with some breakfast at the Camp Critters Buffet and then it was off to the waterpark. Jayden was a little tenative, he hadn't been on waterslides before and had only just completed his first go round of swimming lessons. We stuck to the little kiddie slides for Jayden and Landon had fun "swimming" in the landing pool as we waited for Jayden to come out. After an hour and half of water fun it was time for a nap for Landon and Arcade time for Jay. After naps and playing in the room for a while we had dinner and then Tony and Jayden headed back down for round two in the waterpark. This time, Jayden was ready for one of the big slides...and he was loving it. This time Tony and Jay discovered the wave pool in another of the waterparks and spent quite some time there. Jayden took a little water to face once but didn't seem phased a bit.

Day three; more waterslides please. Just like the previous day, we had breakfast followed by waterslides. However, this trip was a little more eventful. Apparently, life vests only keep the child's head above water if the child doesn't come shooting down a waterslide or just fall over backwards...I missed Jayden as he came off a midsized slide and and then completely missed the grab on Landon as he decided to fall over backwards in the little kiddie pool with a depth of 1 foot, but enough to dunk the baby. Neither was phased as Landon came up signing for more and after Jayden was done coughing, he jumped up and down saying "I'm doing that one again". So after naps and arcades, we went out to ride the Wisconsin Ducks. Landon and I were just sweating through the one hour tour and Jayden and Tony were listening and taking in the sights. Jayden, Tony and I loved it...Landon enjoyed his Cheerios. Then it was back to lodge, and out of the humidity, for dinner and more waterslides. This time, my turn with Jayden in the evening. I only nearly drown him twice this time...missed the catch as he came shooting down a waterslide (in my defense, I didn't think he was going to get up and down as fast as he did and I didn't have enough time to get into the landing pool and into place...from that point on we said I would count to 40 and then he would start to go down the slide), and then in the wave pool he told me to let go of the innertube so he could really ride the waves...one wave just grabbed him and just out of my reach he flipped! After a little coughing, more please. I was very impressed by his courage.

Day four; heading home. We were sad to see it come to an end. We were up early for some breakfast and then on the road for the 3 and half hour drive home. As we were leaving Jayden yelled, "Bye Great Wolf Lodge, see you next summer". I guess we have next summer's vacation plans established.

Now we are home, for 48 hours. Time to unpack, wash clothes and then repack for Part 2...Coles Family Farm, Blue Rock, Ohio.

He's 5!!!

I remember the day he was born, the first thing the nurse said was, "He's got the cutest dimple on his right cheek". That memory is etched into my mind and it doesn't seem possible that the moment is already a five year old memory. You hear people ask the question day after day...Where has the time gone? Really?

You look into your child's eyes and you think you can figure them out, predict their personality, their likes and dislikes, their interests and their habits but each day is a new surprise, another opportunity to explore who they really are.

Over the last five years, we watched in amazement as our little buddy morphed into a look-a-like for his daddy. We watched him learn how to communicate through some simple signs and then slowly add words to the mix. His personality truly began to emerge; not a fan of sarcasm, loves to giggle and smile, and of course, most are familiar with his love for a "Shake the Booty" dance. But as the years have zoomed by, we have watched those first traits give way into the little person he is today.

Today, our little guy is still "little" (finally hitting 30lbs but still in the 10-15% for height) but his personality is bigger than life. He's very intelligent (lots of people reminded me of this fact during our trip to California in March; apparently his non-stop chattering about plane facts, directional position and any other general interest he could he lend is voice to was noticed and thankfully positively received by those around). He loves...ok, LOVES anything Fire/Rescue oriented. His trademark shy and reserved self has given way to a still somewhat shy guy but I don't think the kid stops talking until his little head hits the pillow and his eyes give way to sleep. The giggles keep on coming (I hope they never stop, even in the hardest times he will face, I hope he can still laugh). He's compassionate. He's the caretaker (when Mommy had to say goodbye to her grandma, he was there to tell me "it's okay and so is Grandma"). And, he's an amazing big brother.

I thought I would be soooo ready for his 5th birthday. Ready to celebrate his milestone. Ready to say "so along babyhood". Ready to see him off to Kindergarten. Ready for him to be a big kid. Nope, I'm a mess of sadness and anxiety. He's going to be in Kindergarten, KINDERGARTEN! How did this happen to me? Five years were supposed to be a long time, forever when you first hold your newborn baby but that's not the reality. It took only a nano second for him to reach this milestone and I for one am not ready for it. I may need to start therapy now so that on August 20th, I will be able to peel myself off the floor as I let go of my little man's hand and he walks into that school on his own, beginning a new chapter in all of our lives.

In the meantime, he is ready to kick off his summer. He is busy discovering his new surroundings and all the new bugs, birds and firestations that come with it. He's looking forward to running through the spinklers, eating popcicles on the deck, and catching those little lightning bugs. And, so am I. There is that one great thing parents realize as they play and interact with their children...if he's 5, I get to be 5 this year too.

Clip, Clip, Clip

Landon is "blessed" with curls. I have curls and some days they are the most frustrating thing I will deal with. Tony has curls and he has his days as well. Jayden however, landed the highly sought after straight hair.

When the L-man was 4 months old I trimmed his hair. He was born with a full head of hair and instead of it all falling out, he only lost the sides which gave him a nice mohawk of curls. By the time he was 4 months, it looked a bit ridiculous and I took the scissors to it. Since that time, I have been letting it grow out, telling myself that I wouldn't touch it until his first birthday. The birthday came and went and I just couldn't bring myself to cut his crazy soft curls...but eventually, the curls needed some disciplinary action.

Landon was a trooper. He sat in the little car and quitely watched a movie while the stylist began cutting his curls away. I was not about to let her crop him too short so I requested he be left with at least 1 inch of curl. When it was all said and done, my little man looked like just that, a little man.

Happy Birthday, Take 2

Landon is 1 year old!

His actual birthday fell on a very sad day (see previous post) so we decided to try celebrating his birthday one more time. He didn't mind getting another round of cupcakes. Unfortunately, he's been watching his dad a little too closely because he actually tried to shove the entire mini cupcake into his mouth all at once. He's was very upset that it didn't fit as he had intended.

Officially, his numbers are: 21 pounds, 10 ounces and 29.5 inches long. He is walking, he started that about mid March. He didn't crawl (and still doesn't) which has presented its own set of problems; he doesn't know how to get from sitting to standing, if he isn't near something to pull up with he can't move, and he has no idea how to properly crash. Usually kids will begin to lose their balance and land on their knees or bottom but with Landon he literally just falls over, usually onto his face! He has figured out how to get from laying down to sitting and he's working on sitting to standing but once he's in the "bear crawl" or "downward dog" position, he's stuck. Horrible predicament for him but it allows me to sit him in the middle of a room so I can tend to something quickly and know that he'll still be sitting right where I left him.

Jayden is learning that Landon is a force to be reconded with. The other day Jay was eating Mac n' Cheese at the coffee table and Landon walked over, grabbed a handful and shoved it in his mouth. Jay was not pleased. If Jay has a toy, Landon will take it. If Jay leaves "B" laying around, Landon will claim him as his. In regards to "B" (Jayden's blanket), Landon received his own "B" as a birthday gift from his brother...Landon still wants Jay's "B".

Landon now "says" a few words. He has "wow", "Yea", "Oh", "HayHay" (JayJay in Landon speak), and "cock-a-doodle-doo".

With Landon's one year milestone came another, he is turned around to face forward in the car. This also lead me to discover that Jayden had outgrown his carseat and so he is now in a booster (with a five point harness) and Landon will inherit the old carseat for use in dad's car.

The transition from baby food and formula is going a little slower than anticipated. Landon is not a fan of cold milk. He only wants food that he can feed himself. And, drinking from a cup with a straw, not on his agenda...he prefers the bottle. It will be the first match of wits between me and him, and I will prevail.

So, as we see it...only 12 months until the terrible twos are upon us. Yipee.

Doris Donais

In the early morning of March 31st (also Landon's 1st Birthday) my Grandma Doris passed away. Her 82 years of life was filled with love and laughter from her husband, four children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren (with one more on the way, the little girl she had been waiting for). Although our family is deaply saddened by her passing, we are comforted in knowing that she is eternally in the arms of her husband Orville.

The family gathered around her as she began her journey home. All of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had visited her within weeks of her passing. We all had our opportunity to tell her we loved her.

Our trip home was not as smooth and expeditious as I had intended. I got the call she was very ill early Sunday morning and within minutes was searching for same day flights. We had a hard time getting a flight out of Chicago with enough seats for the four of us. Once we did, it wasn’t a direct…we had to fly first to San Diego to catch a connector to Sacramento, arriving at 11:55pm. Our luggage however, didn’t make the connection! Of course it never happens at a “good” time, but I must say that Southwest did their very best in the situation. They put us up in a hotel for the night so that we could come back to the airport to greet the first flight of the morning which would have our luggage on it (this was the most time effective solution for us all).

With the luggage delay, we didn’t get to my mom’s house until early afternoon on Monday (this due in large part to Neverlost which always seems to get me lost). One would think I would know how to get from the airport to my mom’s house by now but in my defense, we usually only head home once a year.

After getting unloaded and changing clothes, we headed to the nursing home to be by her side. Tony, Jayden and Landon all joined me and the other family members around her bed. Our efforts to get home gave me three hours with her; time to tell her we loved her, time to see her once more, and time for her to be near my babies. Although she wasn’t responding much to most of us, she opened her eyes when she heard Jayden giggle and again when she heard Landon babbling. By the time we left the nursing home, it was evident she didn’t have much time left.

In the early morning hours of March 31st, she passed.

My uncle’s family had begun the drive from Vancouver, BC and were scheduled to arrive around noon on Tuesday, March 31st. It’s approximately a 16 hour drive, and my aunt and cousin were switching off driving. With only an hour or so to go, they were hit by a semi truck switching lanes. Although the car was totaled, everyone walked away with only bumps and bruises!

Friday, April 3rd, our family gathered to say goodbye. She will be placed in a mausoleum next to her husband. Ironically, my paternal grandparents are placed across the walkpath so all four of my grandparents are together, facing one another.

I struggle with the reality that she is no longer physically here to participate in my life. I have lost someone so very special to me. However, in a time where we have just moved and feel a little alone, her passing has reminded me through emails/cards of support and sympathy, that we are never truly alone and we are very blessed with the friendships and relationships we have made. Each message has helped lift me up and comfort me, Thank you.

Jayden

Kids really do say the darnest things...Jayden has recently been memorizing advertising slogans. The other day I was helping him into his pjs when he looked at me and said, "Mom, did you know that you could save 15% in 15 minutes with Geico?" A few days later I walk into the family room where the three boys were playing and he points to the TV and says, "Do you see that laundry, that's the power of Oxy Clean." But, my all time favorite of the month had to be his response when I told him he ate his Twizzlers super fast (of course the candy goes down fast), he simply replied, "That's because I have a big mouth".

Growing pains have also set in for Jay. He had been complaining about leg pain for a few weeks but I wasn't sure if he was being serious. As I was putting lotion on his legs he started complaining again so I decided to measure him in order to figure out if he needed a doctor visit or just growing pains...he grew 1/2 inch in four weeks! He was relieved to hear he didn't have to go the doctor again. He was last in the office about four weeks ago for Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever (yes, people still get scarlet fever). He's all better now and apparently growing like a weed.

Jay has also begun the transition to Kindergarten. Can you believe my little man is heading off to real school in the fall. He will be 1 of 70 kindergarteners in our school that serves only two communities. He seems pretty excited. I had to attend a parent orientation this week to introduce us to the cirriculm and kind of get all of us moms ready to let go of our precious cargo. I have to admit, I did get a little nervous when they told us we can't walk them into their classrooms after the first day. Jayden did not seem phased by this rule what so ever. He just wanted to know if his classroom will have blocks because he really like to play with them.

For the most part Jay is doing exactly what he should be doing, being a curious little boy, getting to know a few of the neighbor kids, helping out whenever and wherever he can in the house and being a great big brother to Landon.

From Three to Four

This one is quick because right now I'm supposed to be writing a paper on the Earth's multitude of environmental perils and how overpopulation is the cause...I should really get a grade for my creative ways to procrastinate. I re-organized kitchen cupboards last night!

My last post was about my cute little Landon and his teeth. He had three little baby teeth and his smile was a little lopsided. Well, the fourth finally came in and now he resembles a Guinea Pig with the large teeth in front. Great. On the bright side, who doesn't love a cute little Guinea Pig?

Teeth

You know those little cartoon drawings of baby faces (they have a name but it's escaping me right now) that have three teeth, two on bottom and one on top? That's what our little Landon looks like right now. I've never actually seen a baby with this look. It does look a little funny and odd. Today his fourth tooth cut through the gums so this look will be short lived.

Landon is apparently in no hurry to become mobile. He has absolutely no interest in crawling; put him on his tummy and he rolls over immediately. He does have some interest in walking but he doesn't have his balance well enough yet to get moving. Nor does he have any fear of falling on his face. When he does try to take a few steps he usually ends up falling forward and seems to be quite fine with the prospect of knocking his now "four" teeth out as he take the header...thank god I've caught him or the waist of his pants in the knick of time.

Looking back (and ahead)

When I was younger I would hear so many adults talk about how quickly time flies. I really couldn't believe that time could pass by as quickly as they made it seem. I believe it now.

The holiday season has passed by...and when I say holiday season I mean Halloween through New Years. The holidays are different in the Midwest than they are on the West Coast.

First off, Pumpkin Hunting. In the Pacific Northwest, when you go pumpkin hunting you end up in rubber boots standing in inch deep mud in the middle of a pumpkin patch. You get to the pumpkin patch via a hay ride which is really just a flat bed trailer attached to a tracker with hay bails to sit on, no rails, nothing. Midwest stlye, you go to what's labeled as the "best pumpkin patch" which is really just a petting zoo with two large pop up tents that cover the mounds of pumpkins you can choose from. No mud, no rain, and a hay ride that required you sit on nicely spread out hay on the clean, side railed flat bed trailer that was driven around a half acre corn field!

Thanksgiving was the same as always...Tony in the kitchen cooking until he is ready to drop while the kids and I play and watch TV. Something tells me Tony will not be pleased that I mentioned this role reversal that occurs in our house...but then again you all know us well enough to know this is the way it has always has been. But, in my defense, I am much more interested in cooking these days and do around 75% of it!

Christmas. We looked up "tree farm" and were surprised to find one pretty close to home! It should have been labeled "plot of land between two subdivisions yet to be developed". Really. Driving in the navigation is saying ".2 miles on the left" and I'm thinking it's in someone's yard and then there is a 5 acre clearing with trees growing! You turn off the main road onto a dirt one and hand a guy $5 which rents you the nice tree saw he hands you and then you are on your own. You literally park on the side of the dirt road, walk out to the trees, find one, cut down, drag back to your car, throw that puppy on top and tie down with rope (if you need some, they do provide that). No guy with a mule and trailer to haul the thing back up to the shack where you can get a little cup of cocoa and watch a train travel around the village. No guy to stick that tree on a shaker thing to get all the spiders and dead needles off. No guy willing to carry that thing to the car and tie it down for you. Nope, all you and the spiders are an extra gift.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas we experienced our first taste of the Midwest weather. We got inches upon inches of snow. Sub zero temps are something completely new to me and I'm not a big fan of hearing the words "we got up to -2 today". Jayden doesn't understand frostbite and that's not one I can let him "figure out" so each day he begs to go outside and play in the snow drift. The "snow drift" is actually the huge pile of snow that is nicely pushed up in front of our house by the snow plows (we live in a cul du sac). Tony seems to be at work when the heart of each storm dumping 4 or more inches of snow hits which means Jayden and I are out shoveling and shoveling. Jayden loves it now and he'll hate it once he's old enough to actually do it for us. And the kicker, we haven't even really hit the cold and snowy season! Great.

The best has been watching our boys over the last few months. Jayden loves it here. He's been having a great time at school, writing now and starting to spell. He seems to have grown up so much lately, leaving my heart aching that he's becoming a boy and no longer a baby. Landon has left the gummy smile behind and welcomed 3 teeth! It looks a little odd because he has two bottom and only one top. He waves and seems to say Hi if you say it to him first, that's in addition to the word Mama. No crawling yet but that's because I think he may just walk instead. Tonight was the first time I saw the brother bond. Landon was in his walker at the top of the basement stairs (get your breath back, I had the gate up so no one was going to go flying down the stairs) and he kept saying "ah ah"...he was calling to Jayden in the basement. When Jayden came up Landon got so excited and giggled. He spent the next half hour following Jayden around the kitchen as he set the table for dinner...which of course Jayden hated and told Landon "I can't get this table set with you dilleydalling around me all of the time". So much for my special moment.