Landon's First Bash

The Big Bash is over! Kinda sad but I won't go there again. Landon's first birthday was a success. I think everyone had a good time. We had our usual birthday crowd of about 30. The birthday boy pooped on his outfit right before the guest started to arrive so back up outfit we had to find although this too came off right after the happy birthday song was sang and his lone candle was blown out by the help of big brother. He was striped down to his size 3 diaper and the chocolate red barn was placed in front of him and that cake didn't stand a chance. He has been to so many birthday parties but this was his first bite of cake or shall I say fist full. He wasn't interested in opening his gifts but Aidan and Hayden were and so they tore into 'em one at a time. My favorite two things about birthdays are the gathering of people (I love any excuse to get people together) and the cake. I don't really care to eat cake... I mean it's okay but I really prefer the appetizers and veggie trays... but I love the design of the cake. I love picking out the style and theme of the cake. I know I won't have too much say in them for much longer before the boys start telling me what they want. I have used the same lady since Hayden's second birthday (his first birthday cake was a disaster) and will continue to do so until she doesn't make cake or we stop having big parties. She is amazing and can make just about anything. Not only does it look incredible but according to those cake lovers out there it taste even better than it looks. We had french vanilla cake with raspberry filling, strawberry cake and then Landon's section was chocolate. It was so pretty I hated to cut into it. The day concluded with the kids getting a box of chocolates and a pony on a stick to carry on our farm theme. I thought this was fitting since Old McDonald is the nursery rhyme Landon is sung everynight by Hayden and me. So for the last time I'll say, "Happy First Birthday Landon"

Happy Birthday Landon

Landon,
Wow! I can't believe it's been a year since I first held you in my arms. All of you as perfect as can be down to your ten little fingers and ten little toes. How you have grown in these past months. From needing me and your daddy for everything. In fact you needed so much that we had tons of help to try to comfort and calm you down in the first few months. Aunt Peggy, Grammy, Aunt Jilly, and Dede were familiar faces to you from the beginning. Your reflux and hernias seemed to make your first four months miserable. Not sure if you truly had colic or not as you seemed to cry nonstop. You were rocked, held, worn, shooshed, swayed, and swaddled all in an attempt to make you feel better. Your daddy and I took shifts caring for you. I got to rest from 1-4 am while you and Daddy got acquainted. The first three months you lived in your swing in the basement while we took turns sleeping on the couch beside you. I tried something I said I would never do.... co sleeping... until your pediatrician scared me into putting you back into your swing. At around 5 months you were doing better and we had moved you into your bed. We eventually had to do with you what we did with your older brother and let you cry it out. It really wasn't too bad on you. While daddy was out of town I helped you to learn that you didn't need to wake up every 45minutes to an hour. After two nights you were sleeping 12 hours a night and boy everyone was thrilled with these. You turned into such a happy baby although you do have a serious side to you. You learned to roll over and crawl and babble just as the milestone charts said you would. You loved to be cuddled and rocked and this time I have let myself enjoy that. With your older brother I thought this might foster bad sleep habits but this time I thought I would risk it since we both enjoyed it. You have a great big brother that looks out for you and does a pretty good job sharing his toys. He loves to kiss on you as much as the rest of us do. Your fine hair and the little you have of it makes kissing you irresistible. You are a picky eater and don't enjoy your milk that much. You quit nursing at 8 months after starting to fall of your growth curve. You don't like veggies at all but do seem to like fruit except blueberries and bananas. You love bread, rolls, and anything that is high in carbs like pizza and grilled cheese. You can thank your brother for the tv you get to watch. He had to wait until he was two to watch cartoons but you've gotten to watch right alongside him. You can also thank him for having McDonald's and other fast food before your first birthday. His love of McDonald's has rubbed off on you as you can polish off several nuggets. You don't really say much that has meaning we can understand although I am convinced you are talking about things that are very important to you. You light up when you see Linus and Papa. You get angry when I change your diaper or clothes and yes you already have a temper. I am sorry you inherited that from me. You tug at my heart when you lay your head on my chest and hold tight to my shirt as I rock you before bed. You love to patty cake and play peek a boo.
I love you so very much and wish you a happy birthday. May you always feel God's love and comfort. I pray that as you make your journey on Earth you grow closer to God and become a man of God. I pray that when great things happen you will praise and give thanks to Him and when things aren't going your way and get tough you turn to Him for guidance and seek comfort in His love. I recently read a letter from a mother to her daughter on her first birthday and she said it best, "I love you completely, and I'll love you always. But even as much as I love you, God loves you so much more - how wonderfully amazing!" This is so true and is the best gift you will ever receive... on this birthday and all the ones to come.
Hugs and Kisses and More Kisses,
Mommy

Birthdays by the Dozen (Almost)

Wow has November been super busy. We started off mid month with the first two of seven, yes seven birthdays we are celebrating in five weeks. The first party was a 2 for 1 celebrating Uncle Tobin and Aunt Peggy's 50th. It was at Jim Beam and was very nice. Hayden had a great time that day and paraded around like such a big shot. He has been getting some at-ti-tude as of late and that particular weekend he was in good form. We had fun playing games with Aunt Jilly on the ride home. She would describe an object and then Hayden would guess what it is. He was pretty good at it. When it was his turn to describe an object he said "i'm tinking what Daddy's tinking" That got a chuckle out of us.
The following weekend we headed north to celebrate Avery's first birthday. Again, another great celebration. It's fun to watch him and how different he and Landon are. Landon still has that baby look and is not showing any interest in walking, (which is fine with me)he is quiter and more reserved than Avery who is fearless, all over the place and very vocal. He looks more like a toddler and could easily pass for an 18 month old if not older. He was unsure of his cake but after that first taste he devoured it and let everyone know his displeasure when it was taken away from him. My how fast a year goes.

This past weekend we celebrated in a birthday style we had not done before. Pancakes and Pajamas. Too bad it wasn't the adults that were invited to arrive in their pj's. If that was the case we actually might have been on time. This particular morning we started off with two kids that slept in til 8:30 and one of which did NOT want to wear his pajamas. On any other morning it's like pulling teeth to get him into clothes but the one morning pj's are the dress code he's wanting no part. So Hayden was the only one that wsn't in pajamas but I have quickly learned some battles are worth the fight and this was not one of them. I am hoping this becomes a birthday tradition for Addison because it was different and alot of fun plus who doesn't love to start the day off with bacon, sausage, pancakes, donughts and sausage balls.
This weekend will be another two-some, Landon and Grammy. It is bittersweet. Obviously I am glad he is a healthy, growing, days away from being a one year old but a big part of me wishes it just wouldn't go by so darn fast. I love the period of 6-12 months and believe me after the 0-6 month period of hernias, colic, reflux and sleep deprivation I so do enjoy the 6 months that come afterwards. I wish I could just slow down how fast one day turns into the next. I also know that the first year seems to go the slowest because Hayden went from 1 to 3 in the blink of an eye and I know Landon will follow just as quick. I do find some comfort in knowing, hoping and praying that I will get to do this all over again with another baby in the next couple years but what after that. What happens when your last baby reaches all these milestones with no one to follow behind to make it a little easier?

Well I will just enjoy my two teeth, blonde haired, blue eyed, fast crawler baby that is still 0 years old for a few more days. I love how when his feelings are hurt or he's really tired he puts his face down into the carpet in defeat. I love his contagious giggles and his slobbery wet kisses, his hand clutching my shirt as I rock him before bed and sing him nursery rhymes since I don't know any lullabies. I love how he bites his tongue like my dad does and looks like gumbi when he cries. How he loves to be cuddled and refuses to hold his bottle for me. How he 'talks' to Hayden and likes to get into the bathroom drawers and eat Gold bond powder (which poison control was contacted... all was okay)
I love how he is perfectly him.

Firetrucks Up Close and Personal

Sunday afternoon Ty took us to the firehouse to give Hayden a tour and experience a fire truck up close and personal. Let me tell you Hayden was impressed. He thought Ty was great and the trucks even greater. He sat in the truck, tried on the gear and got a tour of the entire firehouse. I actually learned quit a bit too. Didn't know that some stations run entirely on volunteers (such as the one Ty is assigned to)and when a call comes in it all depends on people to just voluntarily come in. What a sacrifice these men make to leave the comforts of their home and family to risk injury to save others homes and families. I thought that maybe there was a rotating schedule or certain people were "on call" but no it's just the call comes in and whoever wants to show up does. I would think with that comes a big and real risk that one day no one would show up. Actually it was explained to us that usually too many show up and those with seniority get to go on the run. No calls came in while we were there so Hayden was able to see as much as he wanted and he seemed to be taking it all in. I think trains are still his biggest passion but firetrucks are definitely second on the list followed by construction equipment. Thanks Ty for the grand tour and for being so good with Hayden.

Another First

ok on my blog I have written about alot of first and this is also a first for me. No not about one of the boys newest milestones but a new topic all together. I have never reviewed or posted about a product before but when my sister shared this with me I knew without a doubt this was for me. Shutterfly is giving away 50 yes 5-0 Christmas cards just for me telling all of you that read this little blog about how I love the cards I buy every year. SO this year be on the lookout for our annual Christmas cards and let me give a big shout out to shutterfly for providing them to me this year. The quality of their card stock photos are fantastic. I am not a glossy photo paper kind a gal and some times it's hard to find good quality card stock but I have not been let down by Shutterfly. In fact, I used this http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/baby-boys-1st-birthday-invitations/blue-bubbles-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat last year for Hayden's Second birthday invitations. They were delivered promptly and looked great. Jeff always asks why I spend money on printing invitations and Christmas cards when people just throw them away but I love to hang on to them for mementos and actually save all the cards we get from people for birthday invites and Christmas cards if they are photo cards. One of my favorite birthday cards I have received is this one here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/invitations/twelve-months-blue-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=60388 and used this one for Landon's announcements http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/invitations/twelve-months-blue-birthday-invitation-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=60388 So you can see I use Shutterfly a lot and am a satisfied repeat customer. Hope you will check them out. Promise I will get a post up this week since I didn't last week and we have done some fun and exciting things in the last week.

One of those Days

Well everyone has them as much as we all wish we didn't but we do. I started my morning as any typical Thursday morning. Kids woke up cooked breakfast.. pancakes, sausage and eggs. I at a few nibbles they ate a lot. Then we did some laundry, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the playroom, cleaned the rest of the basement and vacuumed. The I got both kids ready, the diaper bag packed, Landon's lunch packed, myself dressed, the dog put away and we headed to the car right on time for Hayden's 3 year well child check, Landon's second flu shot, followed by lunch, a trip to Target or Walmart and then for Hayden's haircut at 4 but didn't get past our garage. You see as I was loading the kids up I notice Landon's car seat is missing. Turns out it was in Jeff's truck so we weren't going anywhere. Called and canceled the appointments (for the second time)and instead came in to cook us lunches of grilled cheese sandwiches, pickles and pears. I again at a few nibbles, they ate alot. Then went to put Landon and Hayden down for naps (or rests as we call them at our house) only to have Landon fall fast asleep but poor Hayden layed in his room for an hour and half and finally walked into my room where I was pretending to sleep in hopes he would fall asleep. "mommy I can't sweep, I have too much energy" Bless his heart. I told him it was okay and he could go play in his room with his sticker book and read his library books or he could climb in bed with me. He choose the later and climbed in. I told him as soon as Landon woke up we all could get up and go play outside. I start to drift off when he plants a big wet unsuspecting kiss right on my lips, I smiled and thanked him politely then drifted off again to be awoken then same way except this time he is patting my face in addition to the kiss. So much for sleep but at least it brought a smile. He is so tender hearted. About 15 minutes later Landon is wailing and I go to get home and find that after two hours of resting Hayden finally went to sleep. He slept for about an hour. We then cooked some spaghetti and meatballs again (I am addicted) and this time I ate a LOT and they ate a little but before we ate we played outside on this gorgeous unseasonably warm November day. So although we didn't accomplish what we sat out to do and the dog peed on a bag full of clothes Hayden got for his birthday, the deep freeze had been left wide open for two days and our refrigerator might be acting up again and I burnt the spaghetti sauce it was a not so good day turned great!

Hayden's Three Year Pictures

For now this will have to do

http://amandagravesphoto.blogspot.com/2010/11/birthday-boy-louisville.html

Once I get my order I will be sure to post some photos on here but for now the link to his sneak peak will have to do. Hayden had his pictures taken the morning of his birthday party and they turned out great. Hope you enjoy.....

A New Kind of Tradition

Every year since Connor was born we would go to Mason and Kellie's for Halloween. Well, this was the first year we weren't able to do that since they moved to Arizona. It wouldn't be the same without going door to door with Connor and Carson but knowing they would be back in a few years (although by then Connor may be to big for trick or treating) makes it better. So, in their absence we went trick or treating in our own neighborhood which was a first for us. We had family, friends and neighbors over for soup, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert before setting out to watch the kids transform in their costumes and fill their bags with candy, Capri suns and even a diet coke! After getting enough candy to make any one's belly ache we went across the street to movie night at the neighbors. They were kind enough to show Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin before their feature film, Ghost busters which allowed Hayden along with his friends to take part in movie night. Hayden, Aidan and Addison had so much fun and were so cute cuddled up on their blanket sharing popcorn and cheerios while sipping juice boxes. They whispered to each other and laughed together and where the cutest things. Andrea, Kevin, Erin and I had the best view watching them from behind. We are hoping to make this an annual tradition, at least until the original creators of this idea, Mason and Kellie, return. Thanks to all who brought food and fellowship as this made Halloween alot of fun.

Two at a Time

Teeth that is. Little Landon went from zero to two in two days. Last Wednesday I noticed the white sharpness protruding through his bottom right gum then the next morning I noticed it had a partner on the left. A week shy of 11 months and he got teeth. A month later than Hayden did but without a whimper. From about 6 months on every time he had a fussy few days I would blame it on teething but nothing. Then when he's as good as can be... boom... 2 teeth.

Happy 3rd Birthday Hayden

Birthday
First Birthday
Second Birthday
Third Birthday

It is so hard to believe that three years ago today a new life was born and a 6 pound 13 ounce baby let out a wail at 4:36pm on a Saturday. I remember the details of that day from the trickle of my water alerting me of his impending arrival, to taking a shower making the bed and folding laundry prior to taking Linus to Mas and Kellie's, to pleading with Jeff to stop and get me a diet coke before we made it to the hospital. I quickly changed my mind and demanded he take me straight to the hospital and skip the coke once my contractions intensified. I remember the shock of realizing I was 3 cm dilated once I was checked in and going to 10cm in under 2 hours. I was anticipating a looong labor and yet what it lacked in length it made up for in intensity. The pain I had no, i repeat, no idea what I was in store for. I thought I would be a silent sufferer. NOPE! I was very vocal. SO much so that the anesthesiologist told me to get control of myself or he would not be able to place the epidural. I quietly complied. Not much later, he was here. Perfect in every way. And at that moment,my life.... our life, changed. I never could have imagined how a single tiny being could turn your life upside down and inside out. I have watched him grow from being totally dependent on me and Jeff for everything to now still needing my help but wanting to do things on his own. To see him crawl and babble to now walk and talk. The words and actions that this little blond blue eyed boy says and does melts my heart. He reminds me of what life is about, loving, learning and growing. He makes me want to be a better person. He makes me want to love harder, forgive quicker and laugh often. I am learning daily about the power of patience and prayer. I hope that he learns from me what I am learning from him. The time has gone so quick and yet I remind myself he is still so small. That in a few more blinks he will be packing up and headed to college, to a life that encompasses more than just his mom and dad and the life we have built in our home. I am trying to burn these day to day encounters in my brain because I know they are just that, blinks and memories.
We had Hayden's third birthday party with a group of about 20 adults and 10 kids. It's pretty much the same group of people that have helped us celebrate his first and second birthdays minus a few and plus a couple. The day was perfect, warm and dry. We rented a large inflatable with bounce house and slide. This was a hit. We bounced in it for a while before the guests arrived and bounced until after dark when the "bounce man" came to retrieve his inflatable. We had great cake which turned out better than I can imagine. A long way from the disaster of a cake that we had for his first birthday. Mickey mouse was his choice and still is his favorite cartoon. This last year he has stayed loyal to mickey although he does enjoy Dora and Diego. He has gotten 3 of his 4 two year molars, expanded his signs and language skills, learned to ride a scooter, drive his jeep, potty trained, swim with floaties, dress himself, attend childrens church and became a big brother. This third year of life has brought many changes and milestones. He is 30 pounds and almost 3 feet tall. He still sleeps great in his big boy bed and still naps about 2 hours a day.
Hayden, mommy and daddy love you very much. God has blessed us with you. I thank him everyday for allowing me to teach you about Him and sharing you with us. I pray for you everyday and hope that I do not fail you. You are a smart, kind and shy boy that is very observant and sensitive to the needs of others. You don't like to see people sad or hurt and you are a great big brother. You have made me and your daddy very proud and want you to know that your are loved very much... now and forever. Happy Birthday; may there be many more milestones this year and many more happy birthdays to come.

Addison and Hayden
Avery and Hayden
Kayla and Hayden

Pa paw with Avery and Landon

Present Time

Daddy and His Boys

Mommy and Her Boys

Preparty in the Bounce House

Happy Birthday Hayden!