What a Daddy!!

Well, Daddy played poker as he always does the 1st Friday of the month, and so Landon, Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop K, and I shared a pizza and played at home.  Mom-Mom helped give LT a bath and we all read his latest favorite book - Thomas & Friends, Look & Find (thanks CW) before bed. We had a nice time playing and visiting with the grandparents.

Saturday was a special day for Landon and Daddy!!! D gave me the opportunity to go the gym and get an early morning workout and surprised me by saying that he wanted to take LT out for breakfast - what a great idea I thought!  So, D and LT went to local establishment, "Meghan's", for a father/son big breakfast.  Both boys had a tremendous time - Daddy ordered LT his own pancakes and said LT signed "please" and said "mmmmm" in between each and every bite!  LT also said "bye" so loudly that the entire restaurant heard him and everyone responded back "bye".  On the ride home, D asked LT if he had a good time, and LT signed "thank you" - awww!  After I returned from the gym and was ready to start the day, D again surprised me and said he wanted to try to take LT to the YMCA.  I have not mentioned in previous entries, but we recently got a family membership at our local YMCA - so far we love the facility and its offerings. One option in particular is the childcare - you receive up to 2 hours of childcare while mommy/daddy works out or takes a class - included in your family membership.  The teachers are all nice, certified, and the place is clean (BTW - I have high standards for where I'm leaving my most precious cargo - so we know its good).  LT has been having a rough time adjusting to me leaving him in this "daycare" place while I try to exercise.  We know its normal since its his first time apart from us and he's never been in any other daycare, but its a heart-wrenching and at times, frustrating, experience for us.  So when D said he wanted to try to take LT and drop him off, I was very happy ... albeit nervous, its in my nature, but having lots of wishful thinking that it'd go better with D rather than me leaving him.  In the end, D did seem to have a little more success, but LT was still very upset. I did, however, get another hour at home to myself on Saturday afternoon.  Then, I had a 3:00 hair appointment on Saturday, so once again, D and LT were on their own.  Later that evening, I left shortly before LT's bedtime to run an errand, and when I left the house and said bye-bye, LT did not cry or get upset - first time for that!

Sooo, I want to thank D for being a tremendous daddy and having such a special, loving day with LT.  It was good for all of us!   I love you!

Sunday morning D worked on his dissertation (soon to be Dr. K) and later that afternoon we had a small Superbowl party and Mom-Mom and Pop P, and Pop-Pop K joined us for food and fun!  We also started searching for our beach house rental this summer - we cannot wait!

Great weekend!

Daddy shared his eggs today before work

D told LT these were a good source of protein for muscles

Eat, Play, Keep Warm

M and LT happily playing
It seems LT likes pretty red-heads

Last evening we hosted our good friends, the K family, for dinner, what fun! D and I were just thrilled with how nicely soon-to-be 3-year-old "M" and Landon played together!  LT has been very clingy lately, more so than ever since he had his stomach bug, and we were a little unsure how he'd react to our company - but we were soooo excited to see how great these two got along.  LT was chattering away all night and M was very patient when he repeatedly destroyed her nice, neat row of cars!  LT even happily accepted and reciprocated a hug from M. Towards the end of the evening, it just melted my heart when LT tried to hug M on his own!  Awww, it was the first time that D and I ever saw LT try to hug another child - soooo sweet!  It was great to catch up with the K family. We are so glad everyone is doing so well and we were able to share such a nice night - thanks for a wonderful evening - can't wait to do it again!

Keeping Busy in the Cold

Here we are with another winter storm ... I hope its over soon!  We had a fun and busy weekend.  Friday night we ventured to a local mall just to get out of the house after a long week of being ill.  Landon enjoyed a Rita's mango water ice and he perked right up.  We also bought him a little present - a bumble-bee pillow pet that he loves.  He is still talking about it today - "mall" ... "bee" ....  It was a nice evening.  On Saturday morning we began with LT's 2nd haircut.  The place we chose was fantastic and his stylist was terrific - I'd highly recommend this place to any mommy with a toddler who's a little less than enthusiastic about a haircut.  Then we traveled to the pet store next door, then home for lunch and a nap, then a basketball birthday party in the late afternoon. Landon was very timid at C's 5-year-old party, but when we moved out of the gym and into a play room at the facility, he had a blast playing with the bouncy balls and enjoying pizza, soft pretzel, and cupcakes - who wouldn't! Sunday we went to church, the grocery store, and later in the afternoon made a trip to Borders and Pier 1. It was a busy weekend, but full of fun! Yesterday, Landon and I went to the YMCA in the morning and had a "date" at Wendy's for dinner because it was just the two of us all day.  I told him we were going on a "date" and he kept saying "date" - it was so funny!

Here are some pictures of Landon playing with the Nutcrackers - still not packed away yet ...

The Viking

Moving his handle

Reading "ho ho's" list

Nutcrackers are #1

Is it spring yet???

I've been taking some heat for the lack of blog updates recently and I have no excuse other than to say I have been so busy - but really, what mommy doesn't find herself saying that?

This week; however, the entire K family grappled with an awful stomach bug.  We had a lovely weekend last weekend; visited our dear friends, the H family, visited a pet store so Landon could see the "pups", and had a delicious home-cooked meal at Mom-Mom and Pop's house.  I went out shopping for some new pants for the long-legged Landon, and after a short stop at our Great-Grandmother's house for a visit, I came home to learn that my little sweetie had gotten sick (vommitted) for the first time!  Imagine my heart-ache.  I walked in to see Daddy (sans shirt) and Landon cuddled in a blanket on the couch watching Finding Nemo - also a first. 

The poor little thing was very tired but seemed ok, so we took it easy, thought we were out of the woods, and even went to dinner as normal on Monday evening at the grandparents.  Monday night I felt like I was hit by a train and the stomach bug got me - Tuesday morning, it got Darin.  Tuesday afternoon it got Landon, again.  The last few days have just been terrible, as we've all been so sick - the weather hasn't helped, but happily D and I are mostly recovered today, but little LT is still not himself.  All the Pedialyte and watered-down Gatorade (doctor's orders) help a little, but this is really taking its course on his system.  We hope to make it to C's 5th birthday party tomorrow afternoon!

On a positive note, I'm pleased to report that LT's vocabulary is really growing! Everyday he tries to say several new words and is putting two words together.  Its very exciting for us to listen and watch. D and I have known he's understood everything we've been saying and his sign-communication has been great, but its wonderful to hear his sweet little voice and see him expanding. I just LOVE his voice!

Please Touch

We visited the Please Touch Museum earlier this month with Mom-Mom and "Poppi" P.  We had such a great time. We didn't know if Landon would be too young to enjoy the museum, but that was not the case at all - in fact, he LOVED it.  I think it was the most enjoyable outing he's ever had. His favorite part was the "grocery store" area where he pushed around his own shopping cart and chose lots of vegetables, breads, meats, and cheeses to add. Daddy checked him out at the cash register. We really loved the Please Touch Museum and are looking forward to a second visit later this summer! Stay warm!

Driving with Poppi

Lots of cars to test drive

Peekaboo!

Buzz Buzz Buzzzz

Landon climbed off and on this "duck" a zillion times

Carousel with Mom-Mom

Holding on tight

Silly time

Landon's own shopping cart

This lemon looks just right ...

Steering

Wheeeeee

Christmas Frenzy

Christmas is quickly approaching and I feel like I have soooo much to do! Both my elves, big and little, are not operating at full capacity.  LT has a cold, awww.  Poor little thing ... he's got so much congestion in his chest, he's coughing and sneezing, a lot!  Its only the second time in his 18 months that he's ever been sick.  Its the first time I have ever had to take care of a "sick" child, since his mild cold last winter does not really even compare to this, and looking back, I'm not sure he even had a cold now?!  LT is super snuggly and only seems to want "mommmmyyyyy" all the time. I guess everyone wants their mommy when they're sick.  I cannot even begin to count the number of sneezes, snots, coughs, and boogers that have been wiped on me from LT's persistent snuggling and crawling all over me these past few days.  Ahhh, the life of a mommy ...

LT coping with his cold ... resting on the couch ... awwww

At the same time, D is having back problems. He threw his back out on Dec 10th and could hardly move. Then he seemed to be improving and went to work Thursday, but of course when he was leaving he slipped on the snow in his dress shoes, and tweaked his back pretty bad - basically set himself back to the beginning. Soooo, I have had 2 men to care for, and very little time to prepare for Christmas. Its ok though, I love Christmas!  We are hosting Christmas Eve again this year.  D and I also just finished our basement, and we're really excited about how it turned out - we think LT has a great play room!

The Christmas tree has been another interesting challenge - I guess its the novelty, but LT keeps saying "ball" and pointing to the ornaments.  Now, sometimes he has been great at being "gentle" but other times, he has taken the 'ball" or "apple" (anything red and round) off the tree, which scares us because its totally dangerous.  Ahhh , give me strength!  I'm going down our basement to my gift wrapping station now - gotta roll the sleeves up and get to work!  Merry Christmas to everyone!!

The first night we brought the tree in the house
LT ran around the tree in circles and then would hide behind it - he'd come out and "boo"

This year we picked a Frasier Fir
Christmas 2010

Christmas Traditions - Sugar Cookies

LT made cookies for the first time on Sunday evening with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop K.  We had a wonderful time.  Mom-Mom brought her special family recipe and we all got to work.  LT enjoyed helping Mom-Mom with the cookie cutter, but he especially liked sampling the decorations!  At first he was a little timid when it came to touching the various toppings, but it wasn't too long before he warmed up and his little mouth and fingers were covered in green and red!  The sugar cookies are delicious and we all had a great time!

Decorating the cookies

Pop-Pop, Mom-Mom, and LT

BIG HUGS FOR MOM-MOM

Mmmm, decorations are good

LT's turn