One ADornable Family

Gone but not forgotten...I hope!

2011-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

We're back!!!!!!! I know its been a year but I miss blogging. Im such a busy or shall I say exhausted mom that I cant find the time to blog. I was recently sifting through old posts and I realized I had forgotten so many memories of what Landon did and what ages he did them at that I HAVE to blog so I keep them otherwise I wont remember as time has passed. Where Do I start I missed an entire year of blogging. Heres a few pictures of the last few months of my baby boy. He is getting so darn big and his vocabulary is growing each day.

Hooray for Landon!!!!

2011-02-01T15:37:00.000-08:00

We are officially potty trained now for 6 weeks now! I did the montessori method for potty traning. Not going to lie it was alot of work but we only wear diapers at bedtime now and after having a naked niney for the last few weeks we have graduated to the cutest boxer briefs in the planet.

Dovewood Ct Christmnas Lights

2010-12-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

After our Hayride we made a pit stop at Denny's and then headed over to see the lights. They had a new house displayed this year and it was fabulous! They had like 300 strands of light hanging from the roof to the lawn. They were all wired into a box that was playing musice. The lights lighted up in one foot sections like piano keys. Landon was so astonished that stood absolutely speechless for 15 MINUTES!

The second house was a polar bear antartic design. He thought that was pretty cool too and stayed for the longest time watching the moving polar bears. His favorite thing though was a curled up sleeping cat underneath the polar bear.

Even though it was late he did so well with being up past his bedtime. We brought the stroller with us but we didnt even use it he wanted to walk and look at all the lights.

I told him only two times while standing there that was the grinch. The next morning he kept saying grinch all day and even saw a picture out at a store and told me grinch.

There she is again being goofy and messen up our picture. She thought she was pretty cool though.

Making Memories

Watchen Santa shake it!

Gazing at Lights!

He loves reindeers.

Watchen his eyes really made it feel like Christmas and my eyes swelled up with pride. Ive waited my entire life to become a Mom for moments like this.

Annual Christmas Hayride

2010-12-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

Here in our town of Antelope we have an annual Christmas Light hayride thrown by The Antelope Lions Club. We have been riding it 8 years now since my God-daughter was 23 months minus the rained out year. Its our tradition to ride the hayride and then look at Christmas lights on Dovewood Ct.. There are 3 horse drawn carriages embellished with lights and pulled by 2 giant Clydesdale horses. The ride is about 45 minutes and we sing Christmas Carols, apparently I am very rusty as I couldn't remember hardly any of the words.
This year we went with a few close friends. One family is a former daycare family and mine and he is already in 1st grade. It was nice to see you Josh, Jenny & Katelyn. This is Cole Landons BFF. They started loading the wagons and we weren't paying attention and we ended up being the last to board which meant we had to split up. The entire ride Landon was screaming "COOOOLLLLLLLLLLE".I had to show you Landon lil Ugg boots that have white claws on them . They are soooo cute even though its hard to see in the picture. He goes around growling at everyone while wearing them.

Our attempt at a family picture. I'm wondering if her lack of smiling is meaning that she is becoming closer to a pre-teen. Landon loves his Ky-Ky very much and looks forward to seeing his sissy once a week when she stays the night.

Even thought my mom was on call for work she snuck in on the Hayride and we begged for them to let her come with us.

Happy Holidays 2010

and shes is smiling now!

The boys did pretty good with Santa and weren't afraid at all. They hugged him, told him Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas and said Bye Santa.

Shocked aren't you?

2010-12-13T20:05:00.000-08:00

Ok I know Ive been absent for the past 6 months but I am going to attempt to update at least once a week as I feel I am missing out so much on Landons life but not recording everything. We had family pictures taken a month ago and I am just now, today ordering Christmas cards. Crazy!! I even had to pay for rush shipping. I have four days left of work then Ihave 2 full weeks off. I am so excited I have never had this long of a vaction before and am beyong excited to see what it feels like to have a "normal" life without daycare in my home. We are having a Santa Party tomorrow and I have yet to purchase gifts for the kids so I am headed to Walmart or Kohls in a minute to pick up some toys for Santa to bring. Before I go I will leave you with our Holiday card and wish that your family feels the love of family and the peace of Christ this Holiday season.

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Tube Day

2010-07-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well Landon now officially has his tubes in his ears. I have not had time to blog at all. Landon as well as other comitments have kept me amazingly busy. The morning of the surgery I got ready and had to wake Landon up. I think its the 2nd or 3rd time I have had to wake him up before and it still makes me sad to have to do it. Hes very lucky that he gets to sleep from 8pm to 8am. He wore his Doctor jammies to bed. He wasnt allowed to eat in the morning and thats what we do the second he wakes up every morning. I waited for him to do the sign for milk but he never did. Ryan put him in the car right away and we drove to the hospitol. We had to wait a little bit in the waiting room before they called us back.

My mom beat us to the hospitol so she spent some time keeping his mind off of eating. They gave us really small small hospitol gown and those hospitol socks with the grippies on the bottom.

He was starting to get moody especially since they put the pulseox monitor on his toe.

The nurse that helped us was a previous co-worker of my moms so she was super nice to Mr Sensitive. Landon was pretty much over everything and didnt want anyone to hold him but me.

Nana & Pops showed up and provided some entertaining .....

Peek-A-BOO!

She was super sweet she even put a hospitol band on his baby doll and listen to his heart. If anyone has a Stinky Kid Max doll like in the picture I will buy it. I cant find Landon another one at all and he loves his Max doll.

She brought in a toy for Landon to play with and told me she is coming back in a minute with a warm blanket that she will wrap him in and then speed off to the surgery room.

One last hug

They let him take his baby with him and in about 10 minutes she was calling me back to recovery. He was in a hospitol crib and I could hear him as I approached the room. He was lying on his back with his eyes closed and had his hands on both sides of his face. I picked him and up but he wasnt even awake just screaming and screaming. I started to nurse him and stroke his face. I switched him to the other side and the doctor came in to talk to me. He said one ear had a small amount of fluid and the other ear was full with thick clear fluid that would have been his next ear infection. He drained the fluid cleaned both ears out placed the tube in both ears. He also did the larygnoscopy and didnt see anything wrong with the anatomy of his throat he peaked through the vocal cords and didnt see anything so the problem could be down further in the throat. Im fine with that answer for now but will always wonder if his breathing is ok.

Ryan finally came back and brought his clothes I dressed him quickly since he was screaming so loud and throwing his head back and forth. I brought yogurt melts for him also but the nurse said liquids for awhile so he doesnt throw up. What does she know my lil man was hungry. We went to Brookfields for Breakfast with Nana and he ate a whole banana, some OJ, a pancake, and a piece of sausage.

Put a sock in it

2010-05-27T23:10:00.000-07:00

With the impending surgery for tube placement I want to record all of his current words. With his eardrums full of fluid it makes it hard for him to hear. Once they drain them and place the tiny tube inside he will be able to hear. I have a feeling his language will completely take off.

Still his favorite words are dat, woop woop, hmmm. We call him a guinee pig because he make sthe same sounds weeeeeep, woopw woop woop.

Eat my Words

Uh-Oh

Ashley

Done

Light
Nana

Banana

Car

Truck

Dog

Cole

Cat

Also signs for milk, done

Hourglass

2010-05-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

I love taking my son to the park. I try to take him as much as I can. I think because I work from my house and then the fact we have lots of children at the house I cant leave to take him to do anything that it becomes very important to get him out of the house and explore. He LOVES nature, dirt, rocks, gravel, mud and even things I don't like him to get into like goosepoop!

Today it was sand. He likes to touch it, squeeze it and occasionally sample it. Always looking for the hidden things in the sand. As he squeezed a handful of sand it the palm of his hand and carefully watched as it poured from his hand and disappeared, it reminded me of an hourglass. I have waited my whole life to become a mom and now that its here the time is going quickly, just like the sand in an hourglass. Even though most his life is ahead of him I yearn to tip it back over and start again and watch all his first over and over. Us moms try to capture every moment in pictures and video and how blessed we are to have this technology. My mother never took a million photos of me playing with bubbles in the bathtub. She may have captured that memory by one single photo.

What I do look forward to is having a strong relationship with my son. As his babbles and gestures are turning into real words I'm amazed at how quickly are relationship has changed. Before he needed me for nourishment and basic needs, then he required me for entertaining him but now he provides me the entertainment and invites me to embrace his excitement. Right now am I am not just his mom but his friend. We laugh, we giggle, we snuggle and we play together and there nothing as fun as my boy and me.

I heart My Uncle J

2010-05-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

We met Daddy for lunch and then stopped by to see Uncle Jason at his work. He didnt know we were stopping by to see him so he was not there when we first got there. He is recently engaged so he was looking at a wedding location. We sat patiently and waited for him. One of the ladies at the bank gave Landon a sticker. He likes stickers but he HATES when the sticker is stuck to his fingers and he starts whining and panicking. Finally Uncle J showed up and Landon was excited to see him.

Uncle J let him do all the things he does at the bank. Pretend to talk on the phone, type on the computer and sit back with his legs up on the desk.

Tubes

2010-05-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

So Beautiful when I can watch my baby sleep. Its pure Bliss! and pretty soon he will be sleeping pain free. We scheduled Landons surgery for June 2nd at 7:45am. He can't eat anything that morning and that will probably be a disaster. My plan is to have my husband wake him up that morning and load him in the car so he wont want to nurse. We have to be there at 6:15am and surgery begins at 7:45am so I will end up holding him at somepoint but I hope being out of the house will help some. Seems kinda silly to stress about it but my boy is always hungry.

He cant wait to hop out of the crib each morning and pull at my shirt to nurse. Then we get dressed and head downstairs to eat. This little boy who is in the 10th% for weight can eat. The other morning we went to Mimi's after church and I had nursed him and then he had a ton of cherrios and yogurt melts in the church nursery. At Mimis I ordered him a scrambled egg, and a half of an avocado, he devoured both of those then ate a sausage, pancake, 1/2 my crepe some strawberries a jar of blueberries, more yogurt melts and some fruit from my moms plate. He swallowed all of it with about 4oz of water I had to cut him off as he threw a tantrum when I took him away from the table. Where does he put it?

Sleeping like a baby

Landons favorite food right now is Watermelon.

He just started hugging his friends when he sees them and trying to kiss them its absolutely the cutest thing ever. He also shook his head No when I asked him a question a few days ago but hasnt done it since. I can already tell how independent he is going to be.

Wordless Wednesday - Baby Blues

2010-05-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Where did he get those baby Blues??? He got em' from his momma, thats who! =)

Just wants to play like the boys

2010-05-16T17:21:00.001-07:00

My poor baby has not been himself. I cant remember the last time he has not had an ear infection. Wait yes I do; January. We saw the doctor on his birthday and he had a double ear infection in which we have been treating with antibiotics till last Sunday the 9th. We had seen the doctor on May 7th for his 12 month check up and she said his right ear was so-so But his left ear she could not see the ear drum because it was so dirty, so she said. She left the room to get this hook looking metal object that she used to clean out his ear. She looked inside but couldn't see the ear drum but told me to finish the 3 more days of antibiotics. By Wednesday I had had enough he hadnt slept more then an hour and he was fussy and irritated and banging his head on the ground. Every diaper change was a poopy one which is completely abnormal from his once a day 8:30am dirty dipe only. I called them and told them I just didnt feel like something was right he doesnt seem to be himself. They squeezed us in that evening and she checked his ears and said the same thing the other doctor said. She cleaned his ear out but he went completely nuts as she stuck anything in his eft ear. She asked me if anything has come out of his ear. WHAT! No nothings come out of it I told her. WHY? I asked. She said its completely swollen I cant get anything in or see the drum. She prescribed more antibiotics but this time ear drops. I bumped my appt up to this monday the 17th to see the Ear Nose & Throat specialist. I can't wait. I just want him to be pain free and happy. Thanks for all the advice/stories on tubes.

Rain in May

2010-05-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

It never rains in California has certainly not been true especially this year. Its cloudy and gloomy right now. Which is perfect for training in my opinion. I love working out when its cold. Since its storming and we cant run around outside lil man has been finding others things to do.

Like riding around in this Tonka Truck
or thinking he is so cool because he can climb the stairs and get into the loft now

These pictures of Landon painting bring a smile to my face. I had left out some paintbrushes from the preschoolers earlier. I was busy saying goodbye to my last two daycare parents when Landon had gotten the paint out by himself and started to piant using a roll of paper I had on the floor. What a big boy!!

My poor baby has had 7 ear infections since February. He was just having Left and then Right infection, but the last two infections have been double. He has been on Augmentin twice, Omnicet twice, Zithromax once, an antibiotic drop in the ear and one other antibiotic that I cant think of. Everything has cleared the infection up except the Zithromax didnt work. Just an FYIfor anyone in the future Omnicet is a really bad medicine I do not recommend giving to your children. Both times it has given Landon terrible nightmares. I had read online about the nightmares other peoples children were having but decided to try anyways after the Dr said she had never heard of any child experience that before. Landon has been sleeping through the night about a month now and the last three nigt he has woken up uncontrollably crying and totally scared. Even at naptime his naps are cut short with screaming and once I pick him up to hold him it takes him a loooooooong time to calm down with the saddest hiccup thing that kids get when they cry hard.

The good news is we have an appt with the ENT Dr on the 24th of this month. I assume they will want to have tubes put in his ears. Im not nervous about the surgery but I cant imagine getting him to hold still in the bathtub or pool avoiding water inside the ear. If your children have had tubes put in let me know what you think about it I would love your feedback either way or if you decided against it. Any advice on ear infections at all would be appreciated. Landon is strictly breastfed so he is not put down with bottles. In fact he doesnt get a bottle at all he gets water in sippy cup and breastfeeds. These infections I guess are bacterial infections of the middle ear.

12 month Photo Session

2010-05-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

I love our photographer she captures memories so well. Since Landon has been getting his photos done every 3 months since he was born this will end our sessions and we will only get them done twice a year now. He has grown so much and looks so different then that lil dark haired baby I brought home from the hospitol a year ago.

Landon had a really good nap this day but when he woke up up we had to leave and head to the session. He was hungry and cranky. I tried nursing him and feeding him yogurt melts but he was still grumpy so I am amazed she got such wonderful photos.

and nobody will no about the yogurt melts hidden in the wagon
I totally heart this photo and will be buying a big one for my hallway

It was raining on Easter so I wanted to make sure we caputured his 1st Easter. The bunny is from my preschool classroom her name is Funny Bunny.

and let them eat cake! His 1st bite of sugar and he loved it so much he almost ate the whole cake.

I was changing his clothes and singing to them when he decided to clap along. He looks so old with teeth now. I no longer have a baby but a toddler. Well he always be my baby and I will call him that always.

I think this is by far the best family photo we have taken so far. You just might see it on our Christmas card this year.

Here he is with his Nana & Pops

Thanks for looking!

Todays the Day

2010-05-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Its time to party........

......Last night we took family photos with our favorite photographer, Sandy Runner. I cant wait to see her sneak peek of them.

This time last year...

2010-04-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

2 weeks old and needed Mommy for Everything!Almost a year old here and running in every direction Mommy can hardly catch up!

This time last year I was preparing to go to the hospital to finally meet you. I was so anxious I just wanted to see you so bad. I wondered if you looked like daddy or mommy. Were you bald or have lots of hair. The second they pulled you from my body I stared over at your little nakid body and couldn't believe you were mine. Daddy & I never thought we were going to have a family, but you proved us wrong our miracle IVF baby! We went through so much just to have you and I would do it all again. Happy Birthday to the most amazing Son ever! Thank you Jesus for letting me take care of one of your best children.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Don't Worry
Of course

Ive been UP

to no Good!

You didnt really think I'd try to climb over the gate did you?

Before I forget (Speech)

2010-04-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

New words said this week:

Nana (Couple weeks ago)

Kitty Cat

Water

All Done

Doctor

Duck _Wait for the funy story about this

Quack

Obssesed with these saying
Whats dat?

Dog -He will say 100 times if he sees one but is still terrified of them

I reall havent had any time to blog Im so busy with training 6days a week, my husband broke his ankle so I am doing EVERYTHING, and planning a first birthday party as well as two big field trips for the daycare. I am also still working on my accredidation and preparing for my huge day in July. I will so need a vacation this Summer. I have two long blog drafts coming with the funniest story about Ducks/Geese. I also got the first haircut done at the haircutting place. Its so cute cant wait to share.

Wordless Wednesday - Reflections

2010-04-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Jersey Shore

2010-04-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

We got a serious "Situation" going on here

Those of you that didnt watch the drama unfold during MTVs Jersey Shore wont find this funny.

Help me Out

2010-04-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Landon just started doing this really cute thing when he cant do something or wants to show me something he will grab my finger and put it on what he needs help with or an object he wants me to tell him the name of. We went to eat at LaBou in this video and he he couldnt open his strawcup and needed help so he kept grabbing my thumb to do it for him.

Hoppy Easter

2010-04-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

This year we attended Easter Sunday Service on Saturday evening. This being Landons first Easter we wanted both of our parents be able to spend some time with him so we did my parents on Saturday and his parents on Sunday.
My grandparents, parents, my God-daughter, Ryan and I all attended church. Landon and Kylee both went the childrens program. Landon is in the 8-12 month old class but he was the only baby so she ended up bring him into the 19+ month old class because he was bored. She said he did great and didn't cry once.

Afterwards we went to Olive Garden to eat. It was so delicious but Landon was tired and already full from the snack I packed for him to eat at the Nursery so he was tired and letting us know how he felt about it. This is the first time we have had a meal where I wanted to leave or at least eat fast and get out of there.

My mom gave Landon his Easter bag. Cute Summer pirate jammies, two pairs of Pirate socks, Pottery Barn hooded towel for his swim lessons, one of the wands that you push the button and the led lights spin inside (like you get at Disney on Ice) and acute lil egg that you push the button and hide it and it says lots of sayings like "yohoooo Im over here, your getting closer".

The next day we went to Ryans parents house. I had planned to get some pictures of him hunting eggs in the grass but it was pouring rain so we let him open his Easter gift and will do the egg hunt when the weather is better. He'll never know. =) He got a bunch of outfits from Janie & Jack, a Caterpillar toy and a police car that rolls when you pull it backward.

We had a nice Honeybake ham, potatoes, and lime green beans and I am still shocked at how much my lil boy can eat. He didnt care for the green beans but my my my he ate so much. I just started giving him strawberries and havent had any issues.

After Dinner Landon started getting really fussy so I decided to switch him out of his Easter outfit and into his jammies and I noticed he was warm. I took his temp and it was 100. I gave him a bath to cool him down and he fell asleep nursing shortly after.

Im so proud of all his walking he rarely crawls anymore. When he is outside and he feels like crawling he does the adorable knees off the ground monkey crawl. As Dr Seuss book"Oh the places you'll go"

After dinner we had the most delicious cake from Ettores a lemon cake with chocolate fondant. When we got home I unbuckled Landon from the carseat and noticed he was warmer. I took his temp and it was 103. Gave him some Motrin and held him for a bit (Yes the boy can even take medicine while hes asleep). His breathing was a lil labored while he was sleeping so I didnt want to put him down right away.

The next day his fever came back and reached 105 at night, my mom and I took him into the Emergency Room and they checked us in and did the triage, his temp was down to 102 because I brought him in just his diaper. His pulse rate was very high but that is expected with a fever. She gave him Motrin and sent us back out to the waiting room to see if that would help. He was whiny and lethargic the first hour we were there. He hadn't even opened his eyes. I had to go to the bathroom so I handed him to my mom and and he went into a complete panic attack holding his breath as usual and when I got back she said his fever just broke as he got all sweaty.

We waited another hour when we started talking to other people who said they had been there since 4pm and another 6am. They were both sent back to the waiting room as there was no room in the back and people were in beds in the hallway. We decided to leave as his fever was gone and he was looking much better.

I took him in the next morning to the doctor to check for an ear infection which I was sure that he had. To my surprise he didn't have though. Hes had 4 ear infections in the last 6 weeks. He never ended up getting another fever and it was unexplained why he had a fever for three days. So strange but this isn't the first time this has happened.

Nutrition for Nursing Toddlers

2010-04-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

*****I just wanted to store this info on my blog for future reference. With the impending first birthday coming I was curious on what to do about nursing and cows milk introduction. My plans are to continue nursing at a minumum his 2nd birthday but would love if he would continue to around 4 years. Nursing the second years the antibodies increase*****

**This information is taken from Kellymom.com a breastfeeding website**
Your child can continue breastfeeding just as often during the second year, but offer solid foods a few times a day. After 12 months, you can begin offering the solids BEFORE baby nurses, if you wish, instead of after. Your milk is still an important part of baby's diet and will offer him many benefits (nutritionally, immunilogically and emotionally). There is not any particular "recommended number of times per day" that a toddler should be nursing. Some are only nursing once or twice a day, while others continue to enjoy lots of time at their mother's breast. As baby slowly moves into eating more solids, your milk will fill any nutritional gaps nicely. Once you do start to breastfeed less often, remember that you must make a greater effort to ensure that your child eats several meals of nutritious food each day.

Cow's milk?
Many nursing moms are told that they must introduce cow's milk at a year. Your nursing toddler is already getting the best milk he can get - mother's milk! Breastmilk has a higher fat content than whole cow's milk (needed for baby's brain growth), and all the nutrients of human milk are significantly more bioavailable than those of cow's milk because it is species specific (not to mention all the components of mother's milk that are not present in cow's milk).

There is no need to add cow's milk to your toddler's diet (or the equivalent nutrients from other milks or foods) as long as your baby is nursing at least 3-4 times per day. Cow's milk is really just a convenient source of calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. - it's not required. There are many people in many parts of the world who do not drink milk and still manage to get all the calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. that they need.

Good non-dairy sources of protein include meats, fish, peas & beans (chick peas, lentils, baked beans, etc.), tofu and other soy products, boiled eggs, peanut and other nut butters (if your child is not allergic).

Good non-dairy sources of fats include soy and safflower oils, flax seed and flax seed oil, walnuts, fish and fish oils, avocado. Adding fats to cooking and baking can work well, for example, stir fry in safflower oil or make mini-muffins with soy or rice milk, oil or butter, and eggs.
Calcium may be derived from many nondairy sources.
Vitamin D can be supplied by sunlight exposure and food sources.

If your child is not nursing regularly and is not allergic to cow's milk products, but simply doesn't like cow's milk, you can incorporate milk into your child's diet in other ways. Many children like cheese, whole-fat yogurt or ice cream. You can also put milk into various food products: pancakes, waffles, muffins, French toast, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and baked goods.
Some moms wish to offer cow's milk to their toddler, but baby doesn't like it. Over the age of 12 months, milk becomes a more minor part of a child's diet. It is sometimes helpful to mix increasing amounts of cow's milk with your expressed milk to help baby get used to the taste. Many dietitians see nothing wrong with adding some flavor (such as strawberry or chocolate) to cow's milk.

Pediatricians now recommend that any cow's milk be whole milk from a cup after the first year and until the child is at least 2 years of age. This ensures that your child receives enough fat, which is essential to proper brain development. After the age of two, if growth is good, you can switch to low-fat or nonfat milk. Note: If your child is nursing, then remember that mom's milk is "whole" milk - the more breastmilk your child gets, the less need to worry about your child getting additional fat from whole milk or other sources.

It's best to limit the amount of cow's milk that your child receives to 2-3 cups (16-24 ounces) per day, since too much cow's milk in a child's diet can put him at risk for iron-deficiency anemia (because milk can interfere with the absorption of iron) and may decrease the child's desire for other foods.

How much should my toddler be eating?
Between ages one and five, a child's growth is in a decelerated stage; that is, they have slowed down in growth. Since growth slows down, their need for calories subsequently decreases, which in turn leads to a smaller quantity of food ingested per day. Added to the decelerated growth is a burgeoning independence which limits the variety of foods your child is willing to eat ("finicky eater"). Rest assured that toddlers do not need as much food as you might expect because of this slowing down of the growth rate. Three small meals and two snacks a day (and some will eat a good bit less) will probably be enough to fuel even the most active toddler. Please realize, too, that finicky eaters are the rule rather than the exception.

Some toddlers are eating very few solids, or even no solids, at 12 months. This is not unusual and really depends on your child - there is quite a big variation. We like to see breastmilk making up the majority (around 75%) of baby's diet at 12 months. Some babies will be taking more solids by 12 months, but others will still be exclusively or almost-exclusively breastfed at this point. It is normal for baby to keep breastmilk as the primary part of his diet up until 18 months or even longer. An example of a nice gradual increase in solids would be 25% solids at 12 months, 50% solids at 18 months, and 80% solids at 24 months.

Some children take a little longer to begin taking solids well. Some of them have food sensitivities and this may be their body's way of protecting them until their digestive system can handle more. Others are late teethers or have a lot of difficulty with teething pain. At this point there is NOTHING that your milk lacks that your child needs, with the possible exception of enough iron. As long as his iron levels are within acceptable levels and when he does eat you are offering him foods naturally rich in iron, then you have plenty of time before you need to worry about the amount of solids he's getting.

All you need to do is to continue to offer foods. Don't worry if he's not interested or takes very small amounts. Your only true responsibility is what you offer, when you offer it and how you offer it, not whether or not he eats it. That has to be up to him. Trying to force, coax, or cajole your child into eating is never recommended. Continue to nurse on demand, day and night, and trust your child to increase the solids when he's ready. As baby slowly moves into eating more solids, your milk will fill any nutritional gaps nicely.

Average toddler growth
Some things to look at to determine that your child is getting appropriate nutrition:
Growth: not necessarily on a curve, but gaining inches/ounces or parts thereof
Meeting developmental milestones on or near target
Activity level: alert, happy, active
I have always had a hard time finding information on average toddler growth, so I took a look at the standard CDC growth charts to get these numbers. (Note: these numbers are not for breastfed babies specifically; they come from the growth charts for all children.) This link on checking your child's growth has some great information on how to monitor your child's growth using growth charts.

Age
Average weight gain
12 - 18 mo 7 - 11 ounces/month
18 - 24 mo 5.3 - 8 ounces/month
24 - 36 mo 4 - 8 ounces/month
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. CDC growth charts: United States. May 30, 2000.

Age
Average height increase
12 - 36 mo 0.3 - 0.4 inch/month
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. CDC growth charts: United States. May 30, 2000.

Feeding suggestions for toddlers
Finger foods are always great for toddlers, and your toddler will also begin to learn how to feed himself with a spoon and fork. Many babies prefer to eat foods which they can pick up and feed themselves, rather than foods that must be spooned to them. A lot of babies would rather have food right off the table than the blander-tasting baby foods.

After the age of twelve months, you can offer foods you've been withholding (cow's milk, citrus fruits, egg whites), but continue to be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. Even though you can offer more foods at this point, the choking hazard is still very real. Supervise your toddler's meals in case of choking, and continue to avoid foods such as popcorn, hard candies, hot dogs, jelly beans, chunks of carrots, grapes, raisins, and nuts. Cut or finely chop such foods, or simply wait until your baby gets older.

Toddlers should be offered a variety of foods. They can eat the same things as the rest of the family. Foods rich in protein, calcium, and iron, along with fruits and vegetables, breads, etc. should be made available on a routine basis. Serve the most healthful foods possible, but don't expect your toddler to eat a big meal at each sitting. Most children, when offered nutritious meals and snacks and allowed to eat what they wish, will meet their nutritional requirements over several days or even a week. Don't let your child fill up on empty-calorie snacks, but don't force him to eat when he doesn't want to.

Many toddlers eat better when they have food available throughout the day, rather than just at a few set times (see grazing). Simply offer your toddler nutrient-dense snacks throughout the day (cut-up vegetables, bite-sized pieces of fruit, hard-boiled-egg slices, yogurt, whole wheat breads and cereals, cheeses) and let him eat what he wants. Some parents have had good luck with Dr. William Sears' suggestion of a "nibble tray," where you fill a tray (like an ice cube tray, muffin tin, etc.) with several types of healthy foods and leave it out for your toddler to nibble on throughout the day.

Below are the current USDA food pyramid guidelines () for preschoolers (ages 2-6). Serving sizes are for children aged 4-6. Children aged 2-3 need the same numbers of servings as 4- to 6-year-old children but may need smaller portions: about 2/3 of a serving.

Grain group: 6 servings (serving size example: 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta, 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal)
Vegetable group: 3 servings (serving size example: 1/2 cup of chopped raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables)
Fruit group: 2 servings (serving size example: 1 piece of fruit or melon wedge, 3/4 cup of juice, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, 1/4 cup of dried fruit)
Milk group: 2 servings a day (serving size example: 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 2 ounces of cheese)
Meat group: 2 servings (serving size example: 2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish, 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter count as 1 ounce of meat)
Fats and sweets: Limit calories from these.

Easter Party At Daycare

2010-04-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

My lil Funny Bunny
See who is sneaking up from behind?

Its the Easter Bunny! and he is not thrilled about it one bit.

We painted faces, had an Easter Egg hunt, had a visit from the Easter Bunny, held and petted a real bunny and

colored Easter eggs.

We did all of these activities indoor instead of at the park because it was pouring buckets of rain. We had alot of fun things planned but they got canceled last minute so we moved the party inside.

Im 11 Months Now

2010-04-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Weight: 19.3 pounds

Height: 28.5

Shoe size: 2 (feet haven't grown since he was 2 months)

Thats right people Im 11 Months already. Everyday Im doing new things, Im no longer looking like a baby and starting to look like a big boy more and more especially since Im in the upright position and rarely crawling anymore. My mom will have to start chasing me soon. Im fully walking and occasionally running. I can turn directions while walking , walk around objects and mommy hasn't seen but daddy has twice seen me stoop and recover.

New Tricks:

Holds any object to his head and says Hi like hes talking on the phone

Grabs my finger and brings it to an object he wants me to open or say the word

Tantrums and Screaming =(

Gives Kisses when asked

Finally gives real hugs and cuddles

Will pop out behind something to play peek-a-boo

Turns pages in books and studies the pages (Favorite Book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear)

Can stack 4 blocks on top of each other

Can climb on and off a tricycle

Stands on his rocking chair and his scooter and rocks it back and forth

Can hold a crayon and make lines on the paper

Points to where he wants you to take him

Points at objects and ask whats that

New Words:

Hi when greeting people
Whats dat?
What is it?
Right there

Dude

Moooo

Sheep

Diaper

Nana

Bye

Okay-Okay (My favorite and his most used word)

Dog

Vrooom while pushing his cars on the floor

He calls me Mom or Mama now (no more mom-mom)

Still working on my relationship with my sister. She is tolerating me more and more but I still cant touch her and am very good about not doing it. I even try to share my toys with her but she doesn't even care.

New Food:

Beets

Garbanzo Beans

Kidney Beans

New Cheeses Provolone, Cream Cheese

Raisins

Mum-Mums (1st cracker like food)

Still hasnt had a real cracker yet

Breastfeeding:

We are still breastfeeding exclusively beside a sippy cup of water which he loves. We have to keep the cups hidden because if he can see it he cries dat, dat , dat wanting us to get it. Im proud to say we are no longer nursing every 2 hours we have now made it to 3-4 hrs. Yahooo mommy is so happy and nursing is fun again its our special cuddle time. I have been teaching him the milk sign so he will be able to let me know when he wants to nurse instead of trying to rip my shirt off when hes ready. We still nurse once a night around 2am or 3am. I plan to nurse till his 2nd birthday and then he can self wean if he wants but my cut off is by the time he is in leaving for school would be his last time its his choice.

Sleeping:

Our bedtime right now is 9:00pm we have tried earlier but he wakes up to soon in the morning. He will wake usually once at night but sometimes its twice. The first time I will nurse him for 10 minutes and put him back in his crib. The 2nd time he wakes I don't get up and let him fall to sleep on his own. I plan to stop night nursing after a year if I feel hes ready.

In other news we have started tantrums at 11 months. My God how did my sweet baby go from this precious sweet baby to this monster child. I swore I had a few more months. He will kick to get out of my arms and then throw himself down on the ground and arch his back and roll all over. It ugly I tell ya. I had my first meltdown due to lack of sleep at my husbands soccer game. He tantrum'ed the entire game and I had no keys to go to the car and it was raining outside so I had to deal with it. I felt so bad because I got beyond frustrated and was embarrassed by my own child that I told my husband that I didn't like him. Ughhh I wish I could take back that statement and my husband didn't understand how I could feel that way. Thank God he fell asleep on the way home and I asked God to forgive me and I will take care of his precious child he hand picked just for me.

I really do enjoy being his Mom and I find myself dreaming the what ifs. What if they would have picked a different embryo to implant in me, What if they would have had us come in the day after for egg retrieval we wouldn't have Landon. I think he is perfect in my eyes and I love him more then I ever thought I could. I cant wait to see all the wonderful things he will be doing next month. The year between 12-23 months is my favorite.

Wordless Wednesday - But it matches my shirt

2010-04-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Our New Ride

2010-03-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

Wow I never thought I wouldn't have even 5 minutes to upload my blog. Things are just so busy right now. I still feel like there isn't enough time in the day for relaxation. I'm not even going to school right now and I'm still busy. I have been training 5-6 days a week for my triathlon. I was going to the gym a lot but Landon wont stay in the Gym daycare more then 20 minutes before they start calling me over the main speaker. I feel bad for him but I don't see why he is so panicked to be in there. He cant even catch his breath when I get him and does the little hiccup noise for 15 minutes after he is calmed down in my arms. Oh man can this little boy hold his breath before his loud scream comes out. I haven't counted but I'm sure were somewhere between 45-60 seconds. His lips will even turn blue. Hopefully he'll grow out of it but then again hes been doing it since he was 8 weeks old.

So I have been using my jog stroller to run with him to avoid the gym. I recently got my bike back out and hadn't rode it since before I got pregnant. The tires were completely flat. Well I filled them back up got on and rode. I only went once the first week and I forgot how bad it hurts the next day. The next week I went twice and then I remembered how much I love riding. This past week I trained 6 days and rode over 70 miles.

This is my Training Schedule right now

Monday-Rest Day

Tuesday -Tri-training (Swim,Bike, Run)

Wednesday -Bootcamp

Thursday-Tri Training Again (Swim,Bike,Run)

Friday -Long Bike Ride or Swim

Saturday-Bootcamp

Sunday -Long Bike Ride pulling Landon

So that I can spend so much time on my bike I recently made the best purchase ever. My new Chariot Bike Trailer. I love it but most importantly Landon loves it.
See my happy boy? He has since he was a newborn hate to be strapped down to anything he just wants to go go go. So seeing him sit in there make me so happy. Especially since he is fully walking now he doesn't sit around for long. I installed a bike bell inside for him to ring while were on the bike trail. I bring a few toys, a blanket for his lap and a straw sippy cup full of water and were good to go.

The Best part is I used my two REI giftcards to purchase this trailer. The salesperson told me about how they have 2009 closeout trailers for half off. I asked what the difference between the 2009 and the 2010 and he said the color, thats it, so I bought the 09' and only paid $8.63 cents for it. It even matches my bike!! So cool!

Taking a cruise around the neighborhood is fun but we love the bike trail along the American River and can get going really fast on the rolling hills. This may be why he is willing to sit still because he is actually moving. The trail is beautiful. The running water, birds, deer, squirrels and nature around us. I finally finally see some progress on the scale. I have been training hard for a few months now but was only gaining weight and then the scale just stayed put. This past week I lost 3 pounds. I finally weigh less then I did the day I got pregnant. Now I need to loose all of my fertility Meds weight. If I can get down to what I weighed before I would be so ecstatic. Having PCOS has made it so much harder to loose the weight though. Since its an insulin problem its hard to loose the stubborn belly fat. I recently learned that what the typical dieter eats wont work for a PCOS person. People who have PCOS need to eat a Low Glycemic Diet. Its crazy all the things I have been learning about this low glycemic diet. I have been eating what it says and I even have Landon and Ryan eating the meals to. My mom bought me two cookbooks but my favorite is The idiots Guide to eating Low Glycemic. It explained it in a way that I can understand and the food is yummy and its nothing extraordinary. Its just everyday food I buy at the grocery store and I don't need to be eating diet food. Its even healthy for the boys.

Away we go, See ya Later!

Wordless Wednesday - My lil leprichaun

2010-03-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Saint Patricks Day

2010-03-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

My lil Irish lass
Turn around and show everyone your shirt

Hold still

Don't you walk off this chair. Its getting so hard to take your picture.

Daycare Party
We had Green Tuna Noodle Casserole, Green Milk and Jello

Afterwards we read The Gold at the End of The Rainbow and set a trap to catch the leprechaun. The kids added the gold coins to attract him.

After naptime we had to follow the glitter trail to see if the leprechaun was in the box. He must have got away and dropped coins everywhere. He thanked us for not keeping him by gifting us with tiny pots with filled with green necklaces, bubbles, shamrock stickers and gold coins.

Thanks Leprechaun !!!

Allow me to express myself

2010-03-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

I really don't talk a lot on my blog. I usually just blogs some pictures and share some things about Landon and I'm done. I need strength right now as I feel weak and tired. I'm trying to do to much myself. I like to stay happy and focused but I fall off the path sometimes. I've recently started going back to church and I feel whole again and forgot that Jesus is so strong in my life and I need to hand over some of the things I can't do alone. He will be my rock when I need someone to lean on and be there for me when I'm weak and tired, hungry and lonely and that comforts me.

I have been so busy lately and even when I'm not busy the time just seems to slip away quickly. I'm constantly kicking myself for wasting time. I would have never done this when I didn't have a baby. My weekends were filled with sitting on the couch my favorite blanket and watching Lifetime network all weekend. Now its filled with chores, laundry and list making. I'm constantly making lists of things I need to do, husband needs to do, future events, things I need to get done for the daycare and the very most important one; Landons 1st Birthday. I have a guest list and the theme picked out. I just don't know where or when to have it. I don't want to pick a date out yet because that means I'll be rushed for time. There I am with the time again. How am I almost becoming a mom to a 1 year old. Wasn't I struggling with fertility like yesterday? Quickly you see how fast time ticks away when you become a mom, life is measured in milestones and smiles and I am just realizing that my sons firsts are coming to end as his birthday is insight. No more 1st Halloweens, 1st Christmas, 1st Easters and certainly the 1st birthday.

I cant decide to keep it small since he wont remember and ridiculous to spend the money on a party or should I go all out? They only turn One once. We decided on "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Theme" Only problem I have plan it all myself. I got my mother in law to make the smash cake and cupcakes. Oh please God don't let him throw up on his birthday. He has yet to eat a cracker, cookie or any sugar for that matter. Hes rarely had pasta or bread I think possibly once each. Do they make spinach cakes? LOL He would kill me when hes older.

I have been training really hard on my triathlon training working out 6 days a week and trying to eat healthier. Every 6 weeks we get measured and as of yesterday I have lost 15 inches and 4% body fat. Sounds good but I should be dropping it faster. The scale has moved one bit. Having PCOS makes it so hard to loose anything especially around the middle but I'm determined to do this. When I'm running I just keep thinking I have to do this for Landon and I push that much harder. If only he knew how important this was to me. I've tried to leave him in the gym daycare a few times but he has screamed his head off. I have been able to leave him in there twice in the last week so we have had some success. We train on our bikes this week and then start training in the water next week. I just bought a Chariot bike trailer to pull Landon behind my bike. It only cost me $8.63 since I used my REI gift cards from my birthday. I'm hoping this will get some training and workout time for me but not stressing him out by leaving him in the daycare at the gym.

I signed him and I up for the Sacramento Zoo Zoom race in 3 weeks. I'm just running a 5K since I'll have to push him in the stroller and I'm not sure how long he'll hang. Afterwards they let the racers and there family have free admission to the zoo. This will be his first visit so I can't wait to take pictures and scrapbook them.

I'm so excited for Easter. I cant wait to dress him up and dye eggs with him and take him to his 1st Easter Sunday Church. I'm also excited for the huge party I throw for the daycare kids where the Easter bunny visits. Today I am going to go pick him out his first Easter basket.

Thanks for listening to my ramble. Being alone with children all day and now all evening sometime I must just open my mouth and let it all flow out. I may do this more because it de-clogs my mind.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

Were 10 months now!

2010-03-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it were already 10months and just 2 short months until we celebrate the first birthday. Growing bigger and stronger each day.

Still thinks he as funny as ever.

Still climbing over, under and through anything and everything.

Much bigger then my sissy.

Since its only 2 months away I thought I would show off my birthday suit.

Current weight 18. 5.5oz 5-10%

Current height 28.5 inches 25%

Has 4 Teeth now

Sleeping:Ocasionally sleeping through the night, wakes typically once a night around 3-5am to nurse

Food: Still eating everything we throw out of him. Is starting to prefer feeding himself vs someone spoonfeeding him. Completly self-feeds himself fruits and veggies. We will try some self feeding with a spoon this next month.

New this month:

1st time being left in the church nursery and didnt cry at all

1st time he stayed at the gym daycare without being called over the overhead speaker

Started clapping

New Intrest is pushing buttons on items

Says vroooom while crawling on just his knees with hands on his truck

Hes pointing now but its more of a curled hand ponting at things

Can get on and off riding toys all by himself

First Ear Infection this month and two weeks later 2nd one

Wants to breastfeed constantly and wants to stay on the breast for comfort/sleep for long periods of time

New favorite word is mmm..k and OK

Can point to his hair when asked Wheres your hair?

Gives kisses when asked

Starting to get really cuddly (Loving this)

Can recognize some familiar objects, Go Get the ball, go get the truck

Walking between people about 8 steps and learning to rebalance himself

Walking from a table to to another object a few feet away. Were so close, he just needs a little more confidence.

Bye Bye Ya'll Come back again!

Dr Suessical

2010-03-03T23:14:00.000-08:00

This week we have celebrated Dr Seuss Birthday by having a whole themed week. Today we had a Cat in the Hat celebration and made Hats and sang Dr Seuss Happy Birthday. Landon was so excited to be in the preschool room instead of the toddler room. He climbed up in this chair and just sat at the table, something he hasn't been able to do until today. He must of felt so big. We read "I can read with my eyes shut", sang Happy Birthday and had a cookie for Dr Seuss.

Tomorrow we are having Fox and Sox day. The children are going to wear mismatched socks to school and we will read "Fox and Sox" and then we are going to play a match the pairs of socks game. This is a easy and fun game you can do at home with your kids even if you just have a baby. Go into their sock drawer and grab a few different pairs of socks and separate them. Lay out one half of the socks on the floor give the other pairs to your child and have them try to match the pairs up. Remove the socks after they make a match. You could do just 3 pairs of socks for younger children but older preschoolers should be able to match up to ten pairs of socks easily. Help them by pointing out the similarities like this sock has green stripes does one of your socks have green stripes or can you find the other flowers that match this sock. Some of these words may be new to your child and its an excellent hands on exposure to the new vocabulary. Best of all this game is FREE. Gotta love that. We keep a matching sock basket on our preschool shelf for the children to match as an activity and it cost me nothing as they are all my sons newborn socks.

Celebrate Dr Seuss birthday by reading a Suess book to your child.

Whats your or your childs Favorite Suess Book?

Worless Wednesday

2010-03-03T06:10:00.000-08:00

I HEART
Prunie baby feet after a bath!

and the love and help with a bath from daddy !

Hes a walking boy.

2010-03-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

This video is from last month but my lil man has been pulling up and walking on his own across the room from item to item. This is a first for him. He usually only walk between my husband and I or another person or if I am holding him and put him down he will take a few steps to the couch or stationary item. When I saw him walk across the room today on his own I was so proud of him!!!

The jerks

2010-02-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

See all the glass on the ground....that would be my drivers window

and this would be my missing airbag!!!!

It only cost my insurance company $7600 to fix. Isn't that CRAZY?

Mr. Muscles

2010-02-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

The other day I showed a picture of Landon popping a bubble, but I didn't mention we were at his gymnastics class. Every Sunday we have participated in a class for 4-10 month olds. I recently moved him up to the 10-36mo class because he was literally crawling, walking and almost knocking over the younger babies in the class. We love the new class there is a 10 mo, 12 mo old and a 15 mo old in the class. We go there early on Sunday morning before church. Since my husband works on Sundays its a perfect way for Landon and & I to spend sometime together. My husband had a day off so I made him come so I could show him all the things he has learned.

Daddy was helping Landon walk across sideyways and Landon kept leaning forward so he could swing and hang from the bar.

Nose to the bar Mr muscles.

climbing up the stairs

walking across the bridge

This is what I find the most amazing. He can walk across the balance beam one foot in front of the other and doesn't step off. None of the other kids can do that. He must have got my high heel walking gene. Ha lol

Read Set go...tuck your head...and roll

We are getting so good at walking that when being held by one hand we are running.

He loves to hang on his own

He loves to be here

Future soccer player here. He definitely got this gene from his dad. Hes great at kicking.

Its almost time to go because its bubble time. This is the only part of the class that he just sits still for. Its like he is mesmerized by the bubbles. When he was 7mo he used to reach out to pop the bubbles but lately he just stares at the bubbles like he is in a trance.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-24T02:00:00.000-08:00

Check back tomorrow to see where Landon is at in this picture

Swim Lessons

2010-02-23T18:12:00.000-08:00

(Do you spy my teeth now when I smile)

Guess where my mom & dad take me every Saturday morning?

Yep thats right, to swim lessons. My dad and I get in the water for a half hour each week for a daddy and me class. We sing songs, practice climbing out of the water, jumping back in & and we even go under water for a quick second. One of my favorite things is practicing kicking and splashing when my dad says "splash". I get so excited each week when I see the pool. I'm just happy the pool is heated to 92 degrees. Mom says I get to go to classes until June. Isn't that cool, I'll totally be ready to swim in Nanas pool by then.

My Nana came and watched me last week and this week my great Grandpa and my grandma came and watched me. We went to their house afterwards to eat lunch but all I wanted to do was play with their Dvd player but mom said No, No, No and gave me her cell phone to play with instead.

Monterey Bay Aquarium PIC overload

2010-02-22T07:42:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we headed to the Bay for my god-daughters 9th birthday. I was totally nervous to take Landon 3 hours from home for fear of endless times of his screaming in the car. To my surprise he slept the whole way there and back. I haven't been to the Aquarium since my freshman year in college for my Marine Biology class field trip. O.M.G. that statement just made me feel so old.

Anyways we packed up and brought our own healthy meals for this trips so we didn't have to stop or eat out. We took my 12 passenger van so we could all carpool together and hit the rode by 6am. Since Landon was just 8 months old for this trip I was curious how interested he would be in looking at the fish.

They had touch pools with 5 different kinds of starfish, sea cucumbers and kelp. Landon loved touching them.

They had a 16ft. deep kelp forest with all kinds of fish. Since the aquarium sits right against the ocean they pump the water right in. The kelp forest sway back and forth and is totally relaxing to watch.

We visited a different tide pool and they had different types of kelp and algae to touch. He was so gentle.

I be he felt like he was underwater.

There was a special play area for Infant only. This area had different touch boards that had things that felt like algae or sounded like the ocean.

Special water play area with rubber floating fish in it

Landon totally loved this play area. It was a giant water filled sac to crawl on.

This area was surrounded by bubbles that floated up. We must have stood there for 15-20 minutes while Landon stood there touching the bubble screen. Don't you just love his big ol' cloth diaper butt. HA! He is such a tiny guy but his butt always looks so huge. My poor lil guy I think will catch up on the growth scale soon. He still wears some 3-6 month old clothes, mostly 6 month and some 9 months or 12 months.

My lil pearl you've grown so much and I admire your beauty within. You have such a kind heart and never pitch a fit. Although I think that may be around the corner. I feel so protective of you and want only the best for you. I may be tired at night but mommy never gets tired of playing with you. I love teaching you new things and I love to watch your face as you try over and over till you figure it out. Your such a smart cookie.

My most favorite is watching you with daddy. I love how you love your daddy so much and smile so big when you see him. You crawl as fast as you can and raise your arms up to show him your ready to be picked up.

We had so much fun on our trip with you and I cant wait to take you so many other places so I can expose you to the world. You LOVE to be outdoors and I think next time you will enjoy the beach and ocean.

Bow Wow Yippe yo yippe UH Oh!

2010-02-19T23:34:00.000-08:00

Landon is slightly, no slightly would be putting it lightly. He is completely obsessed with DOG FOOD! Our yorkie is a litle finicky in eating. She typically only eats for my husband and from his hand. Seriously one spoiled little yorkie. I know what your thinking that we should just leave the food and she will eventually eat it on her own. WRONG!! Shes gone days before and when your dog weighs somewhere around 4 pounds she can get hypoglycemic fast. I found a new way to tease her into eating. She already doesn't like Landon much and she knows he is after her food so all I have to do is set Landon down near it and she comes running in and will eat. She runs around him barking and Landon thinks its hillarious. I just think its funny because they are both scared of each other.

While shes eating Landon sits next to the bowl and says "Mmmmmmmmmmmm"

Then he tries to touch her food but keeps looking at me because he knows what Im about to say to him but I dont have to say it. While hetouches the food he says, No, No, No, No, No. Oh he is just so cute. Sometimes he is to quick and I have to use my finger to remove the food from his mouth. I can always tell when he has a piece because he is saying Mmmmmmm over and over. I tell him its not Mmmmmm its Yuuuuuuuucky. So he moves on.

He then crawls over to my side of the bed. We had these stairs made for Bella so she could get on and off the bed but they are to steep for her. Instead I use them to hold the baby monitor.

As he crawls up the stairs he say Uh-Oh, Uh-Oh.

Awwwwww what do we have here, mom-mom?

Have you been spying on me?

Apparantly we dont have dog food or dog steps for Bella anymore, I think someone thinks they are just for him.

Treating Eczema

2010-02-18T22:10:00.000-08:00

First, all of you of you were right about your guesses on my picture yesterday. It was a picture of a Leaf lettuce Seahorse, well actually two of them that I took on a recent trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Back to the title of my post. At around 7 months old Landon developed mild eczema on his back and face. I lotioned him everyday but to no avail. I came across a product and it has worked so well I just had to share it with anyone who may have the same thing with their child. When I found out that Landon had eczema I started asking friends what routines they had set up for their childrens eczema and I never really got an answer.

Heres Landons skin prior to what I found that worked

First I bathe Landon in Mustelas Stelatopia line. I use the above milky bath. I had two cap fulls of the oil or 3 if his skin is bad. I use a cup to pour water over his skin and only use my hand to wash him. Using a washcloth can irritate the skin. I don't rinse Landon as the oil will help keep his skin hydrated.

When I take him out of the bath I wrap him in a towel just patting his skin again never rubbing to irritate the skin. I take him to his room where I have my stuff already setup. I start applying regular OTC hydrocortizone cream to his problem areas within 3 minutes of his bath to lock in the moisture. I only apply the hydrocortizone to the areas that have any patches of dryness.

Next I use the lotion from the selatopia line and apply to his entire body. Then put on his diaper and pajamas. The next day I will reapply just the hydrocortizone to the problem areas up to 4x a day everyday until I see improvement. Then I will apply it twice a day, then 1x a day until I just need to apply after baths every other day. In about a week his skin is completely healed. He has no problem areas. I bought all of my Mustela items at BRU when it was buy two items get one free. What a steal!!!

My poor baby got his first ear infection. He was exposed to pink eye a few weeks ago and the bacteria spread to his ear. The 104.3 temp he had last weekend was caused by the ear infection. He was put on an strong antibiotic called augmentin. I also put him on a probiotic called Culturelle. I think its awesome it has not changed his stools one bit. I also like that I dont have to store it in the fridge, its individually wrapped so I dont have to measure it out and I can pack it into the diaper bag as needed. I think anytime you treat with antibiotics you need to also use a probiotic.

All of the things I shared I have not been paid or received free products I'm just a mom who wants to share when I find things that really work as I feel these items do. Its hard raising a baby and getting advice from family and books. I always like to listen to other Moms who have tried things that work or don't work on their children then I don't waste my time or money.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

Any Guesses? Since I did a bunch of pictures of Landon yesterday. I thought I would share a picture I took a few weeks ago. Leave me a comment and let me know if think you may know what this is.

9 Month Photo Session

2010-02-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

Date #1

2010-02-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

STOP READING: If you are participating in "The Great Date Experience" and haven't done Date One yet skip reading this post. Ryan and I had a really great date and I am so excited for next months date already.

We printed out our packet and sat in the car and read our instructions. I started panicking when the challenge throughout the date was for the husbands to kiss their wives at each red light until the person behind you honks there horn. We did this at the1st light and we got a honk. At the 2nd light the same person was behind us so we didn't do it again. At the third light we started kissing but the person behind never honked so we got nervous and finally went and they missed the light =(

Our 1st Exclamation Point was to go to a place to eat and tell the server that you have $10 dollars and for them to choose something off the menu for you. We ended up with a Peach and Mango Smoothie from Baskin Robbins. The girl we ordered from gave us a laugh but she helped pick it out. I'm sure she thought we were corny when we were taking pictures of us drinking those smoothies but we didn't care.

(We forgot to hold up the exclamation point as we were told to while documenting this date but you can see them on the table)

Our 2nd Point was to find an activity we were already planning on seeing Avatar 3D which is a great movie by the way. I kept telling Ryan that it reminded me of the Revelation that will happen on Earth and what the 7 years will be like. He didn't see the correlation. I know this movie isn't based off of Christianity but It kept reminding me of the end times. After we watched the movie we did some communication activity that was fun it really helped us to decide what we are going to do weekly that is "our" thing and make a point to do that each week. We chose fitness together.

Our next instructions were to drive to a grocery store and go inside. Then using only $2 dollars,split up and find a dessert for the other that they have never had before that you think they would like. Ryan got me a donut bar with sprinkles and I got him this slice of cherry pie. It was super fun running around and trying to think of what the other would like and sneaking so we didn't see what the other was buying. Then we met up and went to the car to surprise each other.

Our last point when we got home was to sneak around outside and carve our initials in a tree to remind us of our date or alternative we could use a wall in our home to record this date and as our marriage grows and and changes we could document each date and important events.

We chose my walk in closet wall and added the date and initials on the wall. I cant wait to see this wall filled with all of the special things we are going to do together.

I love you baby I had such a fun time with you!

When we got home we sent my parents home and snuck in to check on Landon. He heard us and started whining so we picked him up I could nurse him. He was on fire. His cheeks were bright red and it hurt to hold his hot body against mine. Ryan brought me the thermometer and it read 104.3. Yikes! We gave him Tylenol and talked to the advice nurse. After an hour it dropped too 100.5 and we put him back to bed. This morning I woke up in a panic because he didn't wake up at all last night to nurse. I snuck in to check and he was sleeping. When he finally woke up he had watery swollen eyes and a stuffy nose. Poor lil guy! He was all smiles and happy as could be today despite having a fever.

Happy Valentines

2010-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hope your day was Un-FROG-etable!

Smoochie Smooch

2010-02-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

You can really see his teeth in this picture

Landon says, "Come here so I can

give you a Valentines KISS"

I'll even keep my eyes closed

Monkey See-Monkey Do

2010-02-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Landon really wanted this toy on the shelf. He was reaching for it but ended up pushing it in further. So he decided to go after it. After figuring out how to get his head under the ledge(took about 5 minutes of trying)

He reached for it again but it rolled out further

I headed around to the other side.

Determination

He made it

All that work to get the toy and he saw a ball instead. Go figure!

Crazy weekend ahead, we went to eat at Claim Jumpers last night for my birthday dinner with my family. We have had to reschedule Landons 9 month photos twice due to rain. So as long as it doesnt rain this morning we will take his photos. Afterwards we have to go to Sea Otter swim for Landons Daddy and Me swim lessons.

Then tonight hubby and I are going on out 1st Date for Valentines. We have a pretty cool tradition I think going on. Each year we trade off and surprise the other one with something special. This year is my year so Saturday night my mom is coming over and we are going to see Avatar in 3D while she babysits. We will probably go to dinner at Mongolian BBQ because its that yummy. I want my hubby to think that is his Valentines Surprise. The next day on Sunday I am filling a glass jar with Gummy bears and attaching a ribbon with a small circle card that reads (I cant "bear" to live without you) When he comes home from work I am going to have a candlelight 3 course dinner ready for him including Wine. I never cook for him so this will just blow him out of the water.

Sunday I take Landon to The little Gym for gymnastic classes. He is doing so well I am going to move him to the other baby class because he is to advanced for the 1st baby class and outgrowing the class. This will be our first time in the older class and he should have fun copying some older kids and their skills vs the other babies that were crawling yet.

Hope everyone has a great Valentines Day tomorrow! If I was single this years Valentines falls on the best day I would go get myself some Chinese food and ice cream and watch Lifetime movies all day. I love Lifetime but I never get to watch them since Landons arrival. Maybe that is my dream Valentines date HA!

The Great Date Experiment

2010-02-12T22:24:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I have been serious about doing weekly date night and it has been oh so hard since Landon has been having issues/fussiness in the evening. I am tempted to find a sitter to come to the house after hes in bed. He really relies on going to bed no later then 8:30pm and most nights 7:30pm. I have my mom coming over tomorrow night to babysit for our first date.

Here is something really cool for married couples. It an experience to challenge you and bring you closer. I first read about this over on Jennifers blog first. Check out this video HERE to learn all about it. I challenge you to try this experience. I think it sounds so fun and I hope Ryan and I complete all 6 dates and challenges. Here are the pages to print for our first date Here

February 14th

March 5th

March 19th

April 9th

April 23rd

May 7th

Let me know if your going to try doing this. Ryan and I are going tomorrow night and I plan to blog about our adventures.

One step two steps more and Pre-Valentines

2010-02-12T12:41:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we had our Preschool Valentines Party. Landon got lots of Valentines from his friends.

Last night my baby walked 6 steps several times in a row. Even though he took his 1st steps a month ago I was saying no way are we ready to walk, but now we are completely ready. I'm thinking right around the time he turns 10months he should be walking on his own. We got out the video to record this event but it was late at night so the video was to dark. I hope to try again this weekend when its brighter in the house.

He also started clapping yesterday. I was playing with two other babies across the room and I looked over at him and said peek-a-boo to him and he started laughing and clapped his hands. I have been clapping my hands off since we went to the doctors office two weeks ago and they gave me the what your baby could be doing at 9 months flier. I saw clapping on there and it was the only thing he couldn't do. We went to my MIL last night for her birthday and he was walking up and down her hallway with his push along walk behind walker. We would all say good job and clap for him. He clapped all evening showing off his new skills.
He had to stop several times along the way to open the ports to the central vacuum system and look inside.

Ha! I love this face as if he got caught doing something he shouldn't. Notice ultra cute Valentines shirt that says "MAMAS BOY" I heart it so much

He started this week putting the rings back on the ring sorter and I was able to capture him playing with it. This will hold his attention for about 15 minutes

My FIL made omelets for dinner and I had him make Landon an egg yolk omelet and the kid ate the whole thing plus half of an avocado. My MIL told him he is definitely a California Baby eating eggs and avocado. We bought her a license plate frame that says LANDONS NANA for her car. She loved it.

On Tuesday morning when I picked Landon up from his crib I noticed a top tooth poking through. That is his third tooth. Its been over two months since he got his two bottom teeth. He had been running a 99.8 temp and only wanted to be held the last day or two so one again I should have realized he was teething. I'm still amazed that he doesn't ever drool. Like never! In fact I was kinda sad when I went through his closet yesterday and saw of these super cute bibs with the tags still attached to them. I packed them up and maybe the next baby will get to use them.I have the day off today and headed for the gym shortly then to meet up with my mom and dad and grandma and grandpa for my birthday dinner at Claim Jumpers. They weren't able to make it last week for my dinner at Crush29.

Wordless Wednesday -1st Shoes

2010-02-10T21:49:00.001-08:00

9 Months

2010-02-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it were 9 months already!
..and still the same size as we were at 6 months or maybe 5 months. I can't remember

We certainly are more active though!

We had our well baby check up on Friday. Landon is doing great. Here are his stats.

Weight 18lbs 10.1%

Head Circumference 54%

Iron Level 11.9 Yeah!!

Height is 28.5 inches 56.4%
Thats 1.5" heighth since Jan 8th, and the first growth in height since he was 3 months old

She asked if he was laughing yet, umm ya at 8weeks old check, saying Dada and Mama, and a buch of other things check, attempting to pull up on things, Haha check, using his thumb and fingers to pick up things, check. Then she told me you know hes ahead right. I said yes I know, a lil to advanced. I then stood him up on the table and let go of him. He stood by himslef on the table. Then I put my hands out and said comon baby and he took two steps towards me into my hands.

Words:

Dad, Dada and Daddy
Mom-Mom
Landon
Hi
Nana
Cracker (Ha even though he has never had one)
Dog and Doggy
uh-oh
Ball
"I did it"

*My 14 mo old in my daycare says cracker all day long so Landon has been copying him and saying cracker to0. I think its hillarious.

New Foods:

Barley
Pickles
Beef
White potato
Mandarin Orange (May have given him a rash so we will try again in a month or 2)
Dehydrated, mango, peach and strawberry
Asparagus
Rissoto
Whole wheat pasta

Sleeping Habit
Wake up 8am
Moning Nap 10-11am
Afternoon Nap 1:30 -3:00pm
Bedtime 8:30pm

New tricks:
Pretends to wipe his mouth with a klenex
If your standing close enough to a wall he will turn out the lightswitch.
Loves to open & close cupboards over and over again
Give High Fives
Just became interested in books and likes to open and close the book on his own.
Stand on his own about 15 seconds
Lets go and walks a step or two to another object
Drinks from a sippy cup and a straw

Will take a few steps between two people
Will walk in a straight line while holding on to only one of my hands

Runs really fast behind anything that rolls
Waves and says Hi to anyone who passes
Loves balls and will throw and play catch
Can put the shapes into the shape sorter
Can open 3 of the 5 pop ups on the busy box
Can put the balls in the hole and turn the switch on his FP gumball machine
Can stack a block ontop of another block
Can walk up stairs holding on the side
Can walk down a ramp

Rice, Restaurants & Daddies Birthday

2010-02-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

Ryan recently exposed me to a very yummy restaurant. Mongolian BBQ Ive never been there because I don't like meat that much but I was quite shocked when I was able to make my bowl of noodles made the way I wanted. It was soooooo good we will definitely be going back. Landon got to try out sticky rice and he loved it. How healthy too! I'm going to make him some at home it kept him occupied for quite along time and he got to practice his fine motor skills.

We also love the organic puffs

We ate at a brand new restaurant for daddies 31st birthday(December 29th) called Suede Blue. I always bring along Landons chair and tiny diner to hook right on the table. The restaurant high chairs give me the heebie jeebies. Landon is so LOUD I try to keep his mouth busy but he happy screams all the time. People smile and say how cute he is I figure that is only because he is small. As he gets older people will find it annoying real quick. I'm totally self conscious about it because I dont want to be that person with the out of control baby. One of us always ends up walking around with him to distract him, this time especially since we were at a nice seafood restaurant.

The Dorn family celebrating

First birthday as a father

Lil cowpoke

2010-02-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

Catch up time! I plan to blog my million pictures I need to catch up on in the next week or two so all of the photos will be from Christmas through January. That is why you will see a paci in Landons mouth because the pictures are in the past. We are two weeks drama free from the paci and doing great. He didn't even care one bit and we were successful and I am proud of myself and Landon also. I think his attitude is even better since the dismissal of the paci. When we tried back in December he was teething his 2nd tooth and was very grumpy but this time he is a stud and hasnt even wanted one. Naps and bedtime is still the same as if he never took one.

These pictures are from Landons great Grandma & Grandpas house on Christmas Day. His great aunt and uncle gave him some cowboy boots, western pants and jean jacket with a cowboy hat. One day when hes older he will get his own miniature horse to ride at his grandmas house. I swear thats what my mom told me and Im going to hold her to it.

His great grandma knitted this hat and scarf for him. Well at least I think it was knitted now I forget she would kill me if I got it wrong. It was either knitted or crotched. I totally forgot this difference. Anyways its cute and I love the color because it matches his eyes.

His absolutely favorite gift he got for Christmas was this Little Tikes car with parent handle. We tried it out at Toys R Us and he was screaming with laughter. He wouldn't sit down and all he wanted to do was stand up while he was driving.

The best part of the whole toy is that Bella can ride in the trunk in the front.

After leaving my Grandparents house we went back to Ryans parents house for dessert and family photos.

Yeah I'm finally done with the Christmas photos. Woohoo we went so many places and did so many things just took me forever to get them up. Onto newer things.

Today is my .....

2010-02-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Birthday!

and my

son

rewarded me

discovering his

Fun with Letters

2010-01-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

While we were getting ready for bed and bath, Landon started throwing his foam letters at me. He thought it was hillarious so I asked daddy to quickly get the camera. Try not to laugh I dare you!

Wordles Wednesday - Heartbroken

2010-01-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

I knowI said this before...

2010-01-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

...once again its bye bye Binky! We have given up the pacifier hopefully for good. Last time I took it away the poor lil guy had two new teeth come in and he was cranky and made sure we knew it. My mistake was allowing him to have it longer then when he was teething.

We have been over 24 hrs now and not needed it for even a second. I'm worried about in public though. What happens when hes grumpy at a restaurant? What about the gym daycare where he cries anyways? He will not take a human to soothe him. The boob or paci is all that will do. I suppose we could nurse for a few minutes to distract him and move on but what about when I'm not there with him. He will just learn to soothe other ways I suppose.

I already see the difference. He is so LOUD. He squeals loudly when he does things he is proud of. He has put himself to sleep 4x now on his own. I'm so proud of him.

I will miss his cute smile behind his rubberwood pacifier but I love watching my baby grow and watching his sweet smile and that is exactly why we are quitting his addiction. I want him to have a gorgeous smile to be a self soother and be confident. His language is already in abundance but I want him to say so much more.

Speaking of schedule I wanted to jot down what our day looks like right now.

8:00am Wake up, Diaper change out of disposable diaper, Get dressed
8:15am Breakfast Usually Oatmeal, Barley or Quinoa w/ Bananas or Blueberries
8:30am Nurse (sometime we will nurse then eat breakfast)
8:40am Playtime
10:00am Nurse & down for 1st Nap
11:00am Wake up, Change cloth diaper, Back downstairs to play
11:20 Lunch Usually Yogurt, vegetable, fruit or cheese then 4 cubes of HM Baby food
12:00 Playtime & Story
1:00pm Change cloth diaper, Nurse & Down for nap
3:00pm Playtime
4:00pm Nurse & Change cloth diaper
5:30pm Daddy home, *Plays with Daddy while I cook
6-6:30pm Nurse,Dinner time, Finger foods (Vegetable & Fruit) 4 cubes of foods
7:45 Every other Night or so is Bath & Lotion into disposable diaper followed by some playtime
8:00 Storytime, Teeth brushed & Nurse
8:30pm Lights out
2:00am Nurse (This one he he has been sleeping through)
4:00am Nurse

I can't believe he will be 9 months on Friday and looking forward to our 9 month photo session on Saturday. I wish his awesome photographer best of luck he is so quick now days but she always gets the best shots so I have confidence she will make the session awesome.

Christmas Dinner at Nanas

2010-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Finally I was able to get some great shots of my baby in front of the tree. On Christmas after a morning nap we headed straight to Ryans moms. I was excited to share Landon with family this Christmas. When we struggled with infertility we never thought this day would come. I wanted a child soo so soooooooo bad. I just never thought it would happen, he is the first grandchild on both sides of the family so he is absolutely cherished by all of us. On Sunday Family dinner we all sit around marveling over everything he can do and anticipating what he will do next. This being his first Christmas makes it so special. I thank God for giving us this miracle, and I'm thankful for his trust in me to raise this child of his.

He has grown so much and Bella is getting smaller and smaller sitting next to him but her jealousy is becoming larger and larger. I wish I could get her to like him but then again I don't blame her shes only 4 pounds and he crawls after her and wants to pull her hair. Hopefully as he gets older we can teach him to be careful around her and she will learn to trust him.

Caprice and I enjoyed a lil holiday cheer. We made some colorful drinks of champagne and Chambord and topped with some raspberries.

Opening his present from his Nana. What could it be?

The cutest chenille froggie hat.

Bella overlooking the present opening. Kinda sad because last Christmas her and our other dog Allie both enjoyed this moment with us. Sadly Allie died unexpectedly for no reason on January4, 09. She was my bestest friend ever and was so looking forward to her meeting my son. I feel in a way she died before Landon arrived so I could give all my love and time to him because she was my everything.

Here is Allie the only pictures I have of her hugging Landon in my belly. Man I miss this dog more then anything. We have a giant stuffed Dalmatian dog in Landons room that is wearing Allie's collar. Every time I accidentally bump into that dog and make the tags jingle I quickly turn to see if Allie is running in the door. Then I suddenly remember she wont and then my mind is flooded wondering what it would be like to have here here and how much Landon would love to crawl all over. She was so good with kids. She even taught my 9 yr old god-daughter to walk and I have been thinking lately if she would have taught Landon to do that too.

This the table all set for our family of 10. We had the best green beans I have ever eaten and whe I get the recipe from my MIL I am going to share it with all of you. I guarntee you will love them even if you dont like green beans.

Landon has the best Nana, she bought him a burnt orange B.O.B Revolution jogging stroller. Now I can get my fitness on with Landon and since this stroller fits to the 80 pound range we will be using it for a long time. I have been in a slump lately and not feeling motivated to start training. Tri-training started last week and I went but the whole time my mind was wishing I was at home on the couch doing nothing, nothing at all. I need some motivation. I keep making exucuses. I have all the support from the family and friends even my coach. The dates are already set for a half marathon and the two Tri's. I just need to "Do it" easier said then done though. I hope things get going and I find my groove soon.

I tried to Leave Landon in the daycare at California Family Fitness and within 20 minutes I got the call for Landons parents to come to the daycare on the overhead announcement. He was holding his breath and screaming. when he saw me he was arching his back leaning for me and reaching. Its heartbreaking but a part of me thinks its funny (I know mean mommy, huh?) The second I grab him from the poor lady I say to Landon this is ridiculous, that's enough. He stops the tantrum in .5 seconds. Then he turns towards the lady and chuckels twice. What? My baby is a meanie pants. I'm not going to let this stop me. I plan to take him to the daycare at least once a week so he gets used to it. I'm going to leave him with some close friends first for an hour or two while I go grocery shopping just so he can get used to other peoples houses/places. Hes not clingy at all but since I do daycare hes always at home all day , all evening.

UMMMMM word to.....

2010-01-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

my mother and anyone else who cares!!!

Landon walked about 2 feet yesterday!!!

Growing everyday

2010-01-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

My 8.5 month old baby did some new things today and I dont want to forget them at all.

He started bouncing to music and bobbing his head
He has to pull up on EVERYTHING.
Then he has to climb it
If it slides across the floor he is walking behind it
He will lean on something with his legs and not hold on with his hands
He stood alone for about about 8-10 seconds today
He constantly waves Hi with an open hand and now can do it by opening/closing of the hand
He said "Hi Dada" to him when he came home from work
He can put a ball in a hole, push a button and turn on toys
He can climb stairs in the standing position
He can walk down a ramp holding to the rail
He pick up the smallest items using his thumb and for finger
He climbed out of his highchair today and fell to the ground =(
Hes hasn't met a food he doesnt't like
Hes had avocado, yogurt, asparagus, split peas, greenbeans & mint, eggplant, broccoli, parsnips, pumpkin, papaya, apple, mango, peaches, & squash
He has fed himself cooked egg yolk, cauliflower, tofu, pork, chicken, corn, cucumber, zuchini, blueberries, banana & honeydew melon
He can play independently for long periods of time.
He eaten dog food twice. (I got it out before he swallowed it)
Hes very interested in the toilet(Luckly the lid is always down)
Hes infatuated with the remotes and telephone, and cell phones (What baby isn't?)
Hates diaper changes with a passion
Still only 2 bottom teeth

Mama called the doctor

2010-01-16T14:30:00.000-08:00

I took Landon to our new pediatrician this morning. I love that they have evening and Saturday appointments. We so could of used those hours when we had to make all those ER visits for fever and the strangest cough I have ever heard of.

Back in November Landon did this weird barky cough similar to croup but it wasn't croup at all. He did it at all hrs of the days and has had it over 3 months when no other symptoms. The strangest thing also is he will spike a fever and it will disappear within a few hours without Tylenol. He will have no other symptoms just the fever and he wont be clingy.

After 4 (or was it 3 I lost count) chest X-rays. Which if you have never taken your baby to get a chest x-ray it is not fun. I repeat NOT fun at all. There is a hole in the middle of table with a tiny bicycle seat you lower your child into the hole and put his bottom on the seat. Just the legs are dangling beneath the table. Then you put your childs arms straight up next to their ears while the put half of a clear cylinder on one side of your child and half of a clear cylinder on the other side. Then they snap the two pieces together so your child is inside of the tube. The tube is tall only their fingertips are outside the tube. They do one x-ray of their back then they come out and rotate the table so they can get a side shot, all while your baby is screaming his head off. This last time I got it done he didn't even cry just sucked on his paci. The girl said its better if there crying so they can get a better picture so I reached in the tube and took out his paci to get him upset.

Here's a video of the strange cough I caught. Even our dog was freaked out by it.

This video was taking back in November when I was attempting to get his first crawl. Since then they have diagnosed him with several things. First was whooping cough which they treated with zythromax! I was totally freaked out by that diagnosis. Then after it didn't go away they diagnosed him with croup. Then after it didn't disappear they called it chronic croup. I didn't believe them and I started searching around the internet for causes symptoms similar to Landons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLLs2UcJbQ I found this video and the cough sounded the same. Although this child has it way way way worse then Landon. Then I read up about and found out it was a heart problem. Wasn't exactly sure this what I thought he had. Indeed it did scare me though because Landon was taken away from me about an hour after he was born because his heart rate dropped really low he was pale and his lips were blue. After an EKG and echo they brought him back to me and told me that some babies are born with a hole in their heart that closes after birth and they said he just had a low resting heart rate. He has been fine ever since but that flashed in my head the second I read about the brochomalacia.

After the doctor did an exam and I went over the full history she diagnosed him with trachealmalacia the flaps in the throat are thin and floppy and as he grows they will thicken and become stronger. Once they have grown the noise should disappear and he will have a normal cough. Sounds good to me. I'm glad that I was partly able to diagnosis this and that we don't have to do anything further.

Christmas Morning at home

2010-01-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Come on Landon, I think Santa left you a gift in his Sack and stay out of the bathroom its not a separate playroom just for you.

See I told you I think there may be something in the Sac from Santa.

Tear it open

No it wouldn't be a good time to notice the lightbulbs on the tree. You've had all month to tear up the tree and you didn't care about at all. Now get back yo your present.

Oh look there is your sister. I think you better run Bella he sees you.

Definitely run Bella!!

Why you tried to get Bella Mommy opened your present for you.

What do you think of it?

Happy 1st Christmas. I look forward to teaching you about giving instead of receiving in the future and telling you about Jesus birthday.

We played it low key this year. We made Christmas pancakes and then let Landon open the one and only gift we bought him. Hes young and doesn't know any different and he already owns everything possibly he needs so I didn't want to buy toys/junk to clutter the house.

Wordless Wednesday- Theres no place in the

2010-01-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

.... world I'd rather be then on top of the world on my daddies shoulders.

The night before

2010-01-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas? I still have more Christmas to blog about. I have finally caught up to Christmas Eve, though. We headed to Ryans cousins house for hors d'oeurves like we do every Christmas Eve. We accidentally showed up an hour early so we drove the neighborhood and looked at Christmas lights. After he got bored in the carseat (Remember he hates the carseat) we decided to just knock on their door anyways and go in. We felt really bad as they were still making food and hanging out in their sweats. Oops oh well its family but we really did feel bad.

They have have two yellow Labs, Gailee & Claurice. Landon was very interested in then but acted like he was a little scared of them. If they came up in his face he would close his eyes and push backwards to get away from them. They were being very patient. He probably doesn't remember being around them at Thanksgiving either.

Both pictures I can see looks nervous but willing to touch. Maybe its because at his house he has a 4lb hairball that will attack him if he tries to touch her. Bella our Yorkie still does not like her new brother , sadly.

He is so handsome in this picture. I just wanna go wake him up from his nap right now and smooch all over him.

On Christmas Eve night he mysteriously came down with a 101.7 temp for no reason. He had no other symptoms. I decided against Tylenol since it hadn't reached 102 yet and he wasn't fussy. He did pass out in Caprices arms and we laid him in front of the tree on his blanket. I thought it was adorable like a Christmas story of the night before Christmas sleeping under the tree waiting to catch Santa that he fells asleep ever so cleverly.

Cant leave without remembering the hors d'veoures . The smoked sausage, bacon wrapped shrimp and wings were de-lish!

I heart our new Svan highchair

2010-01-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

Oh finally oh finally Goores called and said our highchair arrived. Oh thank goodness, I had ordered it back in October and it arrived the day before Christmas. I am lost canceled the order since it said it would only take 2-3 weeks and instead took over 8 weeks. I was a little frustrated since we have had to feed him sitting in our laps, the floor wherever. I imagined when we did get the highchair that he would scream his head off and not like sitting there at all because he would not be used to sitting still. He'll be able to climb in and out on his own without it tipping over. I'm not trying to sell this product but I truly LOVE it and I was so confused on what chair to buy and researched for months before choosing this Scandinavian chair. My favorite so far is he is at counter height so he can see what I'm doing while I'm cooking and I love giving him a snack while Im making dinner and telling/showing him what I'm doing. We have little conversations back and forth.

I was wrong, he loved it! Daddy fed him his first meal in it and it fits him just right. This chair is so awesome the chair pad is machine washable and the tray is dishwasher safe. The seat adjusts 3 ways so it fits him just right. The main reason I chose this was because it was the only adjustable chair that will fit him for life. When hes older I will remove the tray and scoot him up to the table. (I think its very important to eat dinner at the table as a family) Then later I will remove the crotch bar so its just a chair and can lower the seat height as he grows taller. Then when he is a teenager this turns into a desk/computer chair. The tray hangs on the back keeping it handy and clean. It a small chair so it doesn't take up a huge footprint in my small kitchen

Use your hands! Silly boy loves to eat right out of my palm or right off the tray. He will fill his fist with food and then eat like a chicken till its gone. I think its quite funny and has given us all a good laugh.

8 Months you are

2010-01-07T01:07:00.000-08:00

This by far is my favorite month. I love all the things you can do and I love spending every single minute with you. I had you to myself for a week and half during Christmas break and oh what I wouldn't kill to be a stay at home mommy and care for you everyday without any other children around. I know you love your friends though so no worries its about completely impossible that Mommy would ever be able to stay home with you.
K time for your 8 month picture. Don't you stand up there. I need to get your picture sitting in the basket.

Ummmm young Man I said Don't stand up. K, now sit down for mommy so I cant get just 1 picture , pleaseeeeee.

Oh, Thank you, you sure are a cutie. Mommies sad to pack way this very cute Janie & Jack outfit that has fit you from birth. Its size 3-6 months so it must go. Speaking of that I bought some bins this weekend that I dated 0-6 months and saved everything of Landons so far, just in case I have another boy. If I have a girl next time then I'll part with the clothes and keep all of the things that are unisex. Not that we are thinking of a baby anytime soon. I would have to be completely nuts. I have my hands full at the moment. My goal is to get our debt eliminated so that I can stay home with our 2nd baby and we would probably have to sell our house and move to something smaller to make it all possible. I'm fine with that but for the moment I'm completely blessed having a full daycare and spending my days at home. I actually just finished my 2nd part of Accreditation and awaiting a visit from an observer. This will make my daycare Nationally Accredited meaning I meet the most highest quality standards in all areas. This is much more then licensing requires. This has been a long time goal and it takes anywhere from 2-4 years to reach this status.

I just wanted to update some things so I don't forget

2nd tooth came in bottom right 7.5 months and at 8 months 1 week are now teething again =(

You are climbing everything, you can now climb stairs by crawling and as of today walk up stairs holding onto the side by yourself

Using thumb and fore finger to pick up small objects

You love to throw anything you can get your hands on

You Can throw a ball with accuracy and will sit and play catch and throw for awhile

You love to hold on to mommies fingers and walk

When walking with mommy you love to kick a soccer ball and chase it

You throw and kick with your left leg

You will even pick something up with your right hand and transfer it to your left before you throw it

You crawl so fast ever 3rd or 4th crawl you do this cute leg scoot thing

You like to pull up on everything and will let go and stand for a few seconds and cruise and transfer between objects

You like to shake everything like the cabinet doors, your fisher price house

You love to turn off light switches and if you see one you will lean toward it so I can take you to it.

Responding to "no"

Gets upset when something is taken away from you

Can drink from a cup

Can eat lumpy soft finger foods and eat puffs, banana chunks, rice, blueberries, cheerios

Your vocabulary lists consists of, HI, Mom-Mom, daddy, No no no no, Landon, Uh (you just don't have the Oh sound yet to go with it) and Nana.

Baby Blog Swap

2010-01-06T22:19:00.000-08:00

Just had to share a really cool swap I decided to participate in and you can too. Just hop on over to 3 Kids, a Mini Van and a lot of Love and read the details and if you decide to participate just email her your info by Friday to particiapte.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

Silly Boy!

Dovewood

2010-01-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

Still updating Landons Christmas this week as I am drastically behind. Ryan and I visit this court each year that has thousands of lights and want to make it a tradition to take Landon each year. Just incase you havent heard of it its worth going to. So If you live in Sacramento go check it out, this Court is located in Orangevale off of Walnut between Madison and Greenback.

The houses are themed and covered in head to toe with lights. The church on Walnut has a live Nativity Scene also. This tradition on Dovewood started between two neighbors trying to out do the other, each year adding more and more lights. Then the other neighbors started to and since 1986 its been a tradition of the Ct. to set up their lights and have a canned food drive for the food bank.

Its always freezing when we walk to Ct, so we got to pull out Landons thick pea coat with his hat and scarf. I think hes pretty cute. Its a rare occasion to wear a thick jacket here in Sacramento, this year was a little different, in fact this was the first time it had snowed here in about 10 years. I think its rather cool that I get to tell Landon it snowed the year of his 1st Christmas.

Our Friends Katie and Travis and their daughter Emma and Damon and Danielle with their daughter Gabby also expecting another daughter Alexis in April rode with us to Dovewood. Next year I think we will have to add in some hot chocolate and it would be another perfect night leading up to Christmas.

Daycare Christmas Party

2010-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

The next few days Im going to share my Christmas with you. I've been so busy I havent had time to blog it. I'll start with a daycare party we had on the 23rd of December. Whose that torturing the cute baby. Why that his Momma (Me) inside that Santa suit and you can tell by my face full of white hair that I am cracking up. He has not been scared of Santa at all but two of my other daycare kids cried and i think he felt he had to copy them. It was funny he would sit on my lap and cry and I would say say Landon its Mommy its Ok and he would look at me.

My daycare kids posing with Me I mean Santa. I have never dressed up in the big red suit before its always been my husband or another daycare Dad. This year nobody was available and I didn't feel like begging anybody to do it. I also knew this would be the only year I could get away with it since I had mostly younger children that wouldn't pay attention to Santas turquoise eyes or wedding ring and Pandora bracelet that I forgot to take off.

After Santa visited the kids opened their gifts Santa had given them. Then we sat down and ate Christmas Cake that I had made and washed it all down with Hot chocolate and marshmallows.

After Nap time we watched Polar Express and then ate homemade chocolate chip cookies and had a glass of Holiday Nog. Delicious! One of the greatest things about being a daycare provider is that you never have to grow up, you get to do silly things and relive childhood moments or make new ones you never got a chance to have. The best part is my co-workers never think im dumb infact they think Im pretty cool and fun. Now its much harder to be a hit with the over 20 crowd. I wish it was just as simple as it is with children. I could just walk up to a stranger and say wanna play, I got a new bracelet for Christmas what did you get and we would instant best friends. Somehow when you grow up things change and you would be a wierdo if you did that. Like I would do that anyways Im totally completely shy when it comes to people I dont know. Its so awkward that new people have to point it out "you dont talk much do you Mariah" WHAT? Was it that easy to tell? I try I try really hard. I seriously havent had a Best friend since Junior High. I had a few tries at best friends in High School but they ended because of High School meaness that girls get or over Boys.

Anyways on Monday this little guy Ryan starts my daycare he is only 5 days older then Landon. His big brother has been coming to my daycare for the pasy year. I think this will be Landons best friend. It will be so sweet to atchthe boys grow up together. How ironic that when Mom showed up to pick up big brother there they were in mtching outfits, completely unplanned.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

1st Family Picture of the New Year

On New Years eve day we took Landon to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We loaded the car and were on the road by 6:15am. The drive was 3 1/2 hrs, the longest car ride we have ever taken Landon on. (Reminder:The boy hates the car) When we put him to bed his normal routine is to wake at 2am, 4am, 6am for a feeding. I put him to bed at 8pm for the night I finished the laundry and crawled into bed by 1am. He woke up at 1:15 a lil early then normal, good for me as I wasn't alseep yet. Surprisingly he didn't wake up the rest of the night Hallelujah! In the morning Ryan and I stood over his crib saying his name over and over even rubbing his back yet he still didn't wake up. I picked him up and he rubbed his eyes a few times and then he just lighted up. I decided to leave him in his jammies but needed a diaper change before we hit the road.

Landon & I shared a banana before he started to get sleepy around Davis. I climbed from the back seat to the front seat and took my own nap. Thank God I needed it so bad after only 3hrs sleep. Why do I do every time I get ready to go on a trip or vacation I stay up the night before packing or doing laundry. Landon slept the entire trip of 3 1/2 hrs. Thank goodness. While we were at the aquarium he took a nap in the stroller for an hour and then slept another 3 1/2 hrs on the way home. I'll post the pics in another posting later.

When we got home we rested for a bit then headed over to our friends house for a few fireworks and midnight kiss for the two men in my life. I was amazed that Landon made it till midnight. His eyes were so huge staring at the fireworks. He wouldn't take his eyes off of them. I think he was a little frightened by them but he didn't cry.

Were off to a Happy New Year. My goal is to get my body back by June 5th. Its tri-training season so I will start my diet and core strengthening this month. My schedule will be super busy training 6 days a week. Tues Evenings is training with my coach, Wed is Bootcamp, the rest of the days will running. My mother in law bought me a B.O.B. stroller for Christmas so there are no excuse I will be able to run daily.

Jan: Phase 1-Base Building, Core Strength, Running Skills, Bike Fittings, Sports Nutrition (Recovery & Refueling)
Feb: Phase 2- Base Building, Core Strength, Cycling
March: First Bricks, Bike/Run, Nutrition for Training
April: Swimming Drills, Endurance
May:Swimming, Biking, Running:Transitions and Bricks
June: Taper Week and Race on June 5th

Speaking of eating Landon has moved onto a few solid foods. We have tried organic puffs, honeydew melon, rice, and blueberries. Since he is 8 months old now I have added dairy into his diet. He has tried whole milk yogurt and Tofu.

Some new baby food I made up this week are:

Sweet Potato, Carrot, Tofu

Avocado & Tofu

Butternut, Squash, Potato

Banana & Blueberry

Eggplant & Banana

Split Pea Stew

Asparagus Risotto

Green Bean & Mint

Oatmeal, Pear, Yogurt

and something called Baby Stock

For the love of....

2009-12-30T01:35:00.000-08:00

Did I mention
...the day after Christmas.....

....he said Mama

for the first time and now says
Mom, Mom
Mama
all
day
long
and
I
love
it!
Merry Christmas to me!

Cookies were left

2009-12-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

I have been spending alot of time up at Petroglyph making Christmas gifts but I just had to show you what I the most proud of. I wanted to record Landons 1st Christmas in a special way so I froze his foot in time on a plate we will cherish forever. I can see him at 8 setting this plate out each year and telling me remember when my foot was this tiny mom. I will smile and think back to the day I made it. I just love my boy so much except when hes not being very nice to me (watch for a post on that soon)but then again I still love him then.

One Chocolate chip cookie that daddy made and one glass of eggnog for Santa along with some carrots for the reindeer.

Christmas morning and he clearly had shown up.

Whose been Naughty & not nice?

2009-12-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

I think I know who's been naughty?

That would be Landon. When i was pregnant I shopped around looking for the perfect crib. I finally found it. It was a beautiful convertible Munire crib in Ebony. I ordered it and waited 3 months for it to come in. Daddy and I patiently waited for my Dad to finish painting the room so we could set the crib up. I then waited for a sale at our local baby store so I could buy an organic mattress for his crib (which I received as a gift from my mom last Christmas) I added an organic mattress pad and an organic sheet. I then searched high and low for the perfect crib bedding and went with Wendy Bellisimos Vintage Firetruck theme. My perfect Nursery was complete. Then 7 month later some Perfect little boy of mine grew two teeth and decided that using the crib rail would be the perfect place to put those adorable little choppers to work. I almost cried when I saw it. I knew there was nothing I could do to protect the railing but tell him No and hope that he would not be like a beaver and eat through his crib.

Ive seen the gummy rails before but those are for the skinny cribs. While I was at our local baby store I asked if they had anything for the thick cribs and she said "yes" I was excited I ran back and picked not one but two packages up. One for the front rail where the damage had been done but also for the sides. I wasn't excited about the $22/package price but its better then him ruining his nice crib. He has to keep this bed till he moves out. I have the toddler rail for when he is 2/3 yrs old then he will have a full sized bed for later. He will be the one that has to look at the teeth marks he did when he was a baby. HA He better not tell me he wants a new bed because this momma was thrifty and got one bed to grow with him.

Thank you Trendlab for making these awesome soft railings with drool guards that protect my crib. I think if Santa new that Landon had done this he may have brought him just coal in his stocking. Speaking of stocking I never did find one I liked until the day before Christmas. I had to order it online so I wasn't able to have it for this Christmas but it will be perfect for next year. I'll take a picture when it arrives its pretty cute and it was 70% off wohoo I like me a sale.

Tonight we are going out to eat at Suede Blue for Ryans 31st birthday. I ordered him some really cute stuff from Etsy and cant wait to surprise him tonight.

Annual Family Christmas Party & Discipline

2009-12-26T19:42:00.000-08:00

This is Madison who happens to be 2 months older then Landon. She was especially interested in him when we arrived at the party. She crawled right up to me while Landon sat in my lap. Landon was equally curious about her that he reached out and slapped her in the face in which she quickly returned one to his face. I was shocked that they both did that. Im pretty sure she wouldn't have hit him if she never got hit first. I mean how do you stop a 7 month old from hitting anyways? So far he has only hit me in the face and pinched and grabbed my face, then last week he started doing it to daddy. I don't want him to hit other children at a playgroup or in my childcare. So far when he hits me I say "OWE that hurts me" and if he does it again I repeat and then put him down. He usually does repeat because when I use a loud voice and say OWE he laughs like its funny and does it again. I do not laugh back so that I don't encourage it. I have not seen this in a young baby like this before only in older infants where they can at least understand No.

Later when I set the babies down together to get some pictures in front of the tree. This time she reached over and pulled his face and shirt and he let out a ughhhhhhhhhh noise because he was not pleased I secretly smiled like Take That Landon. Oh wait Im not supposed to say that outloud. When he hits me really hard I want to hit him back but I cant so Madison is fare size and she took care of it for me. Then I also realized I bet most kids this age are doing this that are around other infants.I had to come to this party alone because Ryan was in Pleasanton at John Maddens house watching football with him. Mr Lucky won a contest at work and got to spend the day hanging out with him watching TV on a HUGE bigscreen, eating and drinking beers. He even got a picture with him and a signed Football. He eventually showed up and Landon squealed when he saw him. I told him go beat up on your daddy this time. Oh just kidding I mean go play with your daddy while I go raid all the food at this party and stuff my face before my new diet workout plan starts in January.

These pics were taken before I took away the pacifier. BUT we quit with that program. 24 hrs with no binky was working fine when we were at home but Ryan and I went out to eat at a restaurant and Landon was cranky and fussy and wanted to go to sleep. I did it I pulled the binky out and gave it to him. He fell asleep and slept on my chest the entire dinner. It was so nice, nice that he slept and it was quiet for the rest of the restaurant but also nice because he slept on my chest the whole time. He NEVER does that. I love love love cuddling with my lil bug.

Not pleased because his Uncle J was making fun of his "tights". I personally love Baby Legs it makes it so easy to change diapers and I think there pretty cute, his uncle didn't think they were manly enough for him. LOL

Ughhhh I heart this moment Daddy caught of the two of us. My heart just swells staring at this photo and realizing I'm the Mom of this amazing little boy that I cherish so much. I hope everyone had a great time with family during Christmas.

Merry Christmas to ya'll

2009-12-23T22:35:00.000-08:00

....................and to all a goodnight.

Goodbye Binky:Day 2

2009-12-22T09:54:00.000-08:00

Now that Landon has two teeth we are ready to wean from the Binky. I don't feel like he is ready nor do I want him to give up this bad habit because I think Its cute. He is very very attached to his Binky when he has it but when he doesn't have one he could care less.

I had said I would take it away when he walked, then I said when he got teeth, and then I said when its Christmas break and its just me and him and I'm not busy with daycare. I decided now is the time or I'll keep making excuses. Were at Christmas Break and I'll never get this opportunity again to have my baby alone for a week and half to myself.

Its really not as hard as I would of think it was I'm just sad because I think its cute. I love when he put it in his mouth upside down or when he tries to put it in my mouth and he cracks up.

Last night was the first time to go to sleep without the binky and I layed him down after a half hour he was still screaming. I wasn't sure if he was really tired or not so I got him up and let him play for an hour and tried again. This time he went to sleep within 15 minutes with no Binky, Not to Bad!

Two Nights of Lights

2009-12-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

Yet another busy weekend. hopefully this weeks slows down because I do not want to get sick on Christmas. Im hoping to get more sleep and stay in my jammies for the most part of this week. I have Christmas eve through January 4th off. Im excited to see what it feels like to be a stay at home mommy for a week just me and the babe. Daddy has to work New Years day.

Friday night while Ryan was at his company party Landon and I attended a Annual party held by one of my old daycare kids. I cant wait until Landon is older and actually participate. The kids made gingerbread houses, and a birdfeeder. Then I brought my daycare van over and we all loaded in and headed to Rocklin to view Christmas lights.
This is Juliette and Landon. I care for Juliette when she was 5 months old until she was ready for Kindergarten. My first Nanny job and I cant believe she is old enough to help me care for my baby. That makes me feel soooooo old. By the way they are standing in front a train that blows real steam. It was really cool.

It was pretty cold but we all did a good job of bundling up pretty well. This neighborhood has around 200 houses and each is Disney/cartoon themed from classic vintage characters like Tom & Jerry to Alice and Wonderland all the way to newer movies like Cars and Nemo. There was even a Twilight house. I saw the coolest thing one of the Mickey Mouse houses took a large wreath and two smaller wreath and put them together to make a mickey mouse head. I think we might make that next year.

Landon was exhausted by 10:30pm when we got home that he didn't even wake-up when I took him out of the car. It was so nice that we didn't take him right to bed instead we took turns holding him downstairs. Hes such a busy baby that he doesn't really pass out unless hes in his bed and isn't into cuddling because he has so much to do.

Saturday night we headed to Dovewood. We visit this court every year and I love seeing the yards and remembering the themes. We dint visit last year so when we went this year I was excited to see some add ons. It just keeps getting better and better. There was a present made out of Christmas lights complete with a bow that was the size of a house and it had music hooked up to it and the lights on the present danced to the beat of the music it was pretty cool.

This was the only house we took a picture of because our camera battery died.

We went with our friend Travis & Katie and their daughter Emma, and with Damon & Danielle and their daughter Gabby and are expecting another lil girl in April.

Katie and I lagging behind. I didn't want Landon to miss anything. He thought the cars driving through the court were what he was supposed to be looking at.

We have two more neighborhoods to visit still. Very fun tradition I hope Landon will like when he is a little older next year he should be able to point at certain things and vocalize to us when he sees something he likes.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

What, Is there something on my face?

Roseville Tree Lighting Cermony

2009-12-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

On Friday I told Landon we were going to take him to see Santa and watch as the city of Roseville lit up their tree. It was so cold Im sure he would have rather stayed inside and played with his toys and friends.

Santa rode in on his firetruck and they lit the hug tree. It just so happened to be around the time of Landons 3rd napof the day. I so dont have that type of child that falls asleep in the stroller or on my shoulder whatsoever. He still HATES riding in the carseat (switching to the Britax has helped) he will fall asleep 90% of the time he rides in the car but never stays asleep when I start unbuckling him. He must have bee extremely tired because he stayed asleep the whole time I go him out of the carseat and even when putting him into the stroller. Heslept about a half hour before a friend of ours woke him up (She reads my blog so she knows who she is) I love love love my stroller I only wish it had more cargo space underneath. The bars prevent it from having any packages down there just small stuff but if your looking for a full size stroller Tetonia is a very nice one.

After waiting about a half an hour in the cold we finally had a turn on santas lap. He has showed some stranger danger to two different men but is okay with most other men. I placed him on Santas lap and he just stared at his big white beard. Didnt smile , didnt cry though. Im sure we could of got a smile if we danced round and been silly but I wanted his true reaction plus I didnt want to hold up the line for this free event.

Happy 1st Christmas,Landon Charles!

Snow? Are you sure?

2009-12-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to snow here in Sacramento. I believe the last time that happened was in 1986...... looks like my sons first Christmas may be a white Christmas. Pretty darn cool, I must say.

Another thing I woke up to is my son having a 101.7 temp with no other symptoms. Could it be teething? Hes pretty much happy, but he is cuddly when he normally is busy body.

Show us your life- Christmas Trees

2009-12-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

K here she is not to exciting, but after looking at all the trees over at Kellys Korner blog I am inspired to do something different to my tree next year or shall I say trees with an S, there may be more next year. I'm going to go check out The backyard store, Pottery world and William Glen today to see all of the gorgeous trees. I think I will bring my camera too so I can be inspired or copy I mean for next year. I love Christmas, and I love decorating for it. This year is especially special because of my new lil man in my life.

He hasn't showed much interest in the tree yet. I am sure that a good thing. I held him up in front of it and he just stared at it and then lost interest. It doesn't move or do anything spectacular in his eyes. I cant wait to take him to look at Dovewood Ct and Rocklin neighborhood, and on the hayride through the Antelope Street.

Because my tree is not so exciting to look at I'll show you my sons room. I'm not done decorating it all the way but you can get the idea.

This Christmas quilt hangs behind his door with two trees and a Santa on the floor

Our rocking/glider/reclining chair (which by the way was the best investment we made for his room) I use it during the day to nurse him , at night we read our books in it, daddy uses it to rock him to sleep and again I use it to nurse at 2am, 4am, and 6am. I no longer use the Breast Friend pillow hes just two big for it and we are very comfortable nursing now so I just use my lap and the snowman pillow I turn sideways in the chair to put his head on and we are hands free nursing. The big red bag is new this year I had our name monogrammed on it at Pottery Barn Kids for only $14. I am going to have Ryans dad be Santa this year and he will carry this gift inside the house and leave it under the tree for Landon to have on Christmas morning. I think it will be a fun tradition and for him to know the gift inside is always from Santa.

Heres our nightstand next to the chair, I am going to pick up some snowman stuff to keep on the table. It has a shiny present and snowman gloves right now.

Heres his diaper changer where I placed Santa and his reindeer on. I also added a bayleaf garland to the shelf.

This is the inside of his crib with Soft cotton Christmas sheet and bumper were added with his snowman.

I put a snowman, Santa and his elf above the crib. I am buying some quilt batting today that I am going to lay under the crib and bunch it up around the corners of it to look like snow. I will update a new photo when I am done decorating. Oh I wish I was a kid again I would love to of had my room decorated in Christmas theme. My mom always let me pick out a teeny tiny tree from the farm to put in my room with some decorations on it. I always thought that was so cool.

Here is our new family photo hanging on the wall. I have a million cute frames and prints that I have bought but I never get them into the frame and hung up on the wall. I really need to but I just never find the time or know the perfect place to put them.

Ryan and I have decided to redecorate the house, redoing one room at a time. We are starting with our bedroom/Master bath first and my walk in Closet. It will take us years to redo the whole house but if we tackle each room I think it may be able to get it done in under 3 years HA! All of our projects are huge though like:

Tile the bathroom floor (Getting installed next week)

*Tile the downstairs living room/Kitchen floor

*Extend Patio out front

*Build a pergalo over the patio

*Landscape the back planters in the backyard

*Finish the landscaping in the front

*Create a nice guest bedroom for my mom/god-daughter to stay in

*Redo the kitchen cabinets

*Install Counter tops in Kitchen

*Make use of the 4th bedroom

We want to be able to pay cash for these jobs, so that is the hold up. The fertility costs from last year and the purchase of baby equipment and a new safe car for the family has put us back some to pay for these projects.

I am really trying to reduce our debt and and pack a savings for us just in case. We currently don't have any savings so just this month I started taking everything I deposit and taking 5% of that deposit and putting that into my savings account. It may not be much but it provides some security if we need it in case of job loss or emergency. Ryan and I work close to 60hrs a week each yet we never take a family vacation. I love to spoil my daycare kids but I want to be able to spoil our family too. I feel we work to hard the rest of the year not to have a relaxing vacation.

Other point is I want Ryan and I to make it a point to have weekly date nights also, it help strengthen our marriage in the long run. We get along great but I think he spends a lot of time watching football and on the Xbox in the evenings and I spend a lot of time going to stuff outside the house or on the computer. We may be sitting on the couch next to each other but not talking a lot so I am sure we could both give one of our activities to spend an evening together. That is my New Years wish for us.

We have a......

2009-12-02T23:29:00.000-08:00

Tooth. His bottom left broke through the gum today.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

During his photoshoot with Nana & Papa, Landon had other plans!

Momma caught a clue

2009-12-01T19:08:00.000-08:00

So I wasn't picking up on it. The last few weeks since Landon went from pulling up, barely crawling to crawling, to getting into a sit position to cruising on furniture to letting go and standing on his own. Its been crazy I tell ya. I couldn't be more proud. I'm not worried about him not being my baby or anything like that. I'm happy for his independence his new discoveries as he explores the world from new heights. He has been pushing buttons on toys and trying to figure them out. During these past two weeks he has been very silent and no development in speech whatsoever, even words he has said in the past. His brain was just working on physical and he lost his words for the moment. This week he is back to talking saying "hi" and waving again, still saying Dad, daddy, and dadda. In the midst of all this development, Momma must have missed the signs. The pulling on the right ear while breastfeeding, I just thought it was cute that he started folding his ear in half. Then on Saturday he had his first "up the back" you know what (score for sleeping while daddy took care of this) Then this morning the wiping at the mouth/nose area and the fussiness began and baby becoming more irritated when putting his fingers in his mouth. Only comfort was holding him, which I thought he felt warm to the touch but quick check with the thermometer to tell he did not have a fever. Baby was Teething. I feel so bad for him as he doesnt know why he is hurting and there isnt anything I can do to help him. Where is babies teething necklace I must go put that on him, that is why we bought it, right.

This weekend we have a busy schedule. Friday evening we are going to the festival of lights parade. Saturday I am going to Petroglyph again to paint pottery with some mommies again. Sunday Landon has his 1st gymnastics class and then were going to see Santa at a local boutique store.

If anyone wanna throw me some teething advice I would totally love to hear it. Im planning on throwing some wet washcloths in the fridge for him to chew on for tomorrow.

Crawling

2009-12-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

Help I dont know how to do an embedded video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dIkK_OrQUw

Wordless wednesday

2009-11-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

Our new Fridays

2009-11-20T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ryans schedule at work can change every 6 months. When we were just dating he only had Tues and Weds off, and worked till 11pm, it was horrible. Well it was time for shift bid again and Ryan didnt get first choice at weekends. He now has Friday and Saturdays off. He has been super sweet and helping out during daycare on Friday. Now I will finally be able to get those things done like leaves raked up etc. hehehe

My turtle is turning into a hare

2009-11-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

Oh boy oh boy as much as I am so excited to share my news. A part me wonders why my baby isn't staying a baby for long. It seems that each day he is doing something new. Well today he has learned to crawl over to things and then pull up to a stand then "cruise around" and transfer to something close by. I stare in amazement because he is so tiny weighing in at 15 pounds but his strength is that of a toddler. He also crawl forward then return to a sitting position. I sware if he keeps up with this path he may try to walk by Christmas hehe Totally just kidding that like a month and half, then again I dont put anything past this child.

He did it!

2009-11-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

We are now officially crawling. I have two videos but still dont know how to add them here. Wishing some awesome reader would tell me how. =)

Were moving it some more

2009-11-17T00:23:00.000-08:00

Landon has been scooten, wiggling, rolling and rocking all over the living room floor. He really loves the bilboa (the green toy he is holding) he is throwing a ball inside it and watching it roll around.

I had to catch his rocking in action. If he is on his tummy he pretty much spends 90% on his knees. He then will push his butt up in the air where his knees are not on the ground. It will be funny if he chooses to monkey crawl instead of traditional crawling. He gets those back legs going but doesn't realize he should move his hands forward. He will reach for thing while in this position but cant simultaneously move both.

Keep moven monkey boy, mommy cant wait till you can crawl.

Going Up!

2009-11-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

Wow where have I been. I didnt realize it had been a few since I wrote a blog. It could be due to the fact that my baby is mobile. Where did time go hes sitting, crawling, able to put himself back into the crawling position and pulling to a stand. He actually pulled to a stand about 3 weeks ago for the first time but I forgot er I mean to busy to post it it when it happened. Hes had a few booms since in my opinion is way to young to be doing any of this. I want to tell him slow down whats the rush.
If you set him down in front of anything sturdy he will immedietly pull up in two seconds. In the beginning he would pull right up but didn't realize he had to hold on to anything so we had a few falls.

Once he is up he also didn't realize he could move his legs at all and would stand with them crossed or to close together. He now realizes they can move and will readjust his stance.

He has even started to pretend cruise. He will kick his leg and bounce up and down.

Don't walk to soon son as mommy said the binky will go bye bye when you can walk.

I <3 Avacado or Not!

2009-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

I decided it was time to offer more then the breast to Landon. I already gave him some mashed banana which he absolutely LOVED! I forgot to take pictures because it was on a whim but I wanted to document the experience with avocado. We finally decided on a highchair and ordered it last week but it wont be in for a few weeks. We decided on the Scandinavian Svan chair because of its durability and the fact it hold a child from 6 months to teen. Its also adjustable so when we are ready to do away with the tray we can adjust to the size of our kitchen table and slide him right up to it. He also can climb in and out on his own which I love. He can fit in as a young boy and when its time for him to sit in a regular chair we can turn into a computer chair or something in his room.

Heres my happy boy watching me cut up the avocado and mash it. He was so excited when he saw I was making him food. He has been grabbing at my plate for over a month and pretending to chew while I am eating.

K, Im ready Landon open your mouth. (Ps your super cute how you try to feed yourself, must be from watching us eat for the last month)

What? you don't like it Landon?

"Mom, please don't feed that to me again. It scares me"

"Seriously Mom , I mean I do not like it, Bring back the bananas and I promise to swallow it"

"See, all gone"

" Bananas are so good and I can do it all by myself."

I have made all of Landons food myself and froze them in freezer Ziploc bags. Its really simple and if you set aside a few hours one day you can make all this up, clean up and have a whole months worth of food at a fraction of the cost. The whole reason I decided to make my baby food was because of all of the preservatives and pesticides in packaged food. Now days they have organic baby food in jars which is a huge convenience but when I have other children in my childcare if I were to feed them jars it would cost me a few dollars a day so I make my own to feed to 4 babies at a time and I imagine I spend less then .50cents a day.

For Documentation Purposes

Fruits

Oct 26 - Bananas

Oct 28 - Avocado

Oct 30 - Pumpkin

Nov 2 - Pears

Nov 3 - Apples

Nov 7 - Peaches

TBA - Mango

TBA- Nectarines

TBA - Plums

TBA -Prunes

Veggies

Oct 30 - Green Beans

Nov 1 - Sweet Potato

Nov 2 - Carrots

Nov 3 - Squash ( Butternut & Acorn)

Nov 4 - Cauliflower

Nov 5 - Peas

Nov 9 - Zucchini

Grains

Oct 29 - Rice

Nov 4 - Oatmeal

TBA -Barley

After 8 months-Buckwheat

After 8 months-Flax

After 8 Months-Millet

After 8 Months-Pasta

After 8 Months-Quinoa

After 8 Months-Kamut

After 8 Months-Wheat Germ

So far he has loved everything I have given with the exception to avocado and rice. (You can even make your own rice and oatmeal cereal) I tried Avocado again last night and he loved it so it must have been the texture at first. I didn't do the 3, 5, or even the 7 day wait with any of his foods because neither my husband nor I have allergies on either side of the family. He was not born early and we waited till 6 months. No allergies so far. I am waiting till 8 months to start dairy ans for some other types of fruit and veggies and also some other grains.