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

Special Visit

On Thursday night we had a special visit from Uncle C and Aunt D!! What fun!  It was great to spend time with our family and extra special for LT to hang with his cool uncle and aunt.  LT woke up from his nap in a bit of a cranky mood and it took him a little while to relax, but after a big dinner he was ready to go!!!  He has been playing with his new xylophone and thinks that word is hysterical, hehehe. Thank you Uncle C and Aunt D - - - looking forward to seeing you again next time! xo

Christmas Time

We are all in the Christmas spirit here at the K family! D and I have been decorating little by little at night and LT seems to enjoy seeing a few new decorations out each morning. He is so observant, he notices the smallest detail changed right away. It cracks us up!

We recently had LT's picture taken professionally for the holidays ... what an ordeal this turned out to be!!! We learned that at this age, it required a "team" to keep LT on the small portrait-taking area.  He is so quick!  Of course he laughed and giggled when he ran away from the white background, but it was near impossible to ask him to stand there without fingers in his mouth and smile.  Luckily Mom-Mom and Pop P were able to help out and always get LT laughing! In the end the pictures are pretty nice, and surely better than the load of blurry pictures I have been trying to take on my own.

November Happenings

Like most, I'm finding myself very busy with "extras" this holiday season and have not been able to dedicate some time to updating our blog.  It seems like there is always something new going on around here lately.  LT has been such a joy this fall.  He is running full speed ahead and repeating (or trying) to repeat everything that he hears!  I'm noticing he is playing more independently sometimes and lately D and I have found him "reading" books on his own in his chair in his room. 

We wished Mom-Mom P a happy birthday on November 29th and Mom-Mom K a happy birthday on November 30th.  Sadly, we said goodbye to my Great Uncle Richie, Landon's Great-Great Uncle Richie, who just passed away and we went to his funeral on Monday. 

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! We spent the holiday at Aunt Wendy & Uncle Eric's house and Landon might as well have been at Disney World, he had such a terrific time!  LT just adores his 6-year-old cousin, Autumn, and she is very good with him.  LT giggles at everything A does.  Bonus - there were 2 doggies at Thanksgiving, so that was the icing on the cake for LT!

Pictures speak louder than words - here are some recent photos from November:

Mom-Mom and L after dinner

"Oscar the Grouch" is about to receive a big kiss

LT and A - Happy 6th Birthday Autumn!

Working with his rake ... lets see, what else needs raking ...

This pretty much sums up Thanksgiving - LT was smiling and giggling the entire time.
He absolutely loved the day at Aunt Wendy's. He was moving so fast this was the best picture I got all day.

Kisses from Daisy

What other little boy would try to cuddle with Christmas lights?!
Only our LT - he'll find a way to cuddle with nearly anything.

Helping mommy put Christmas lights outside.
Apparently the trees needed some watering too ...

Trying out his singing voice at toy store

My sweet angel