The end of a weekend, start of a week!

You would think that I wouldn't have missed any posts considering we had a very relaxed past couple of days, but Landin has been super clingy/cuddly lately {which is totally fine with me!}and I have been staying off the computer quite a bit :)

So here they are, Sunday and Monday pictures!

Sunday, Landin enjoyed playing with two other kids at church! He, as always, loved the music and then we headed to the cry room...Landin doesn't cry during church but instead, squeals with excitement! Anyway, he tried his hardest so far to crawl around like the older baby who was in there. He had so much fun and was exhausted by the time we got home. With that said, we spent the rest of the day relaxing and it was SO nice!

Monday, we headed to the library to sign Landin up for his "itsy bitsy time" that we are trying out for the first time this Saturday! After that it was a super relaxed windy day in! Landin enjoyed some exersaucer time where he discovered the mirror on it for the first time! So that is where "today's" picture comes from! I was fortunate enough to catch his cute "oh wow, a mirror" face on camera! Enjoy!

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

4:30 am...

4:30 am, that is what time Landin's morning started. Of course, that means that Daniel's morning started then as well considering he let me sleep in :) Regardless of the early start that our Saturday morning had, it was by far one of the best Saturdays we have had yet. We started with a wonderful breakfast made by my wonderful husband. There was definitely some down time in the morning considering the wake up time but we didn't let the day get away from us. We went out to the grocery store for a couple of things and then followed it with some delicious Starbucks! Landin had a great time just sitting there watching all of the people go by. Since he was such a good boy there, we decided to go and see if Landin wanted to swing. His first time in the swing and he loved it, absolutely loved it. He spent so much time laughing and smiling!

The rest of the day was wasted relaxing, grilling steaks for dinner and rearranging the living room (again!)...which was actually the only way we would want to spend our evening, it was perfection :)

so here are the pictures from today!

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

January 27.

It is no secret that Landin loves his dad. I definitely think he will grow up and when you ask him who he admires most and loves to spend the most time with "my dad" will be his answer. Daniel has exceeded all of my expectations when it comes to Landin...he is by far the best dad in the whole world, it is simply amazing to see. So you get a little glimpse of the father-son relationship we have going on in our household. This is a daily occurrence in our house and I love to just sit back and watch :)

So, there is my short and sweet Friday night post on Saturday!

Until my next post,

Landin's mom

A fun little game...

Ever since Landin could laugh, we have had this fun little game that we play. It amazes me how into a game such a little boy could be but he definitely knows what we do. When he starts laughing, I will laugh with him and then I will stop and give him this stern face before bursting out in laughter again. It took him a little while to catch on, but now when I give him that stern look he stops laughing, pulls a serious face and stares at me. From that point on, it is basically a competition to see who can keep a serious face the longest {usually Landin wins that one!}before we both burst out laughing again. So, my challenge picture is Landin just as he started laughing again, it was wonderful...it is moments like these that I want to grasp onto forever.

With that said, Little Man loves to be on his feet. So yesterday, I decided to lean him against our couch and see what he would do...much to my surprise, he grabbed on! Definitely grabbed on long enough for me to get some pictures :) yay! So, here they are!

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

Like father, like son...and maybe mom, too!

So, this is what Landin decides to dot he second he gets a hold of the coke bottle. You might not find this as hilarious as us except for when you see this picture...

I can't say much though, because I know somewhere (I'm pretty sure it is on Daniel's phone) there is a picture of me in the exact same pose! haha. We are a family that loves soda (and just for the record:no, Landin does not drink soda...and will not for a VERY long time. It is clearly a bad habit that we can't break! haha)

anyway, there was my challenge picture for yesterday :) along with trying to chug coke, Landin and I went to the Columbus Cupcakery with Beth and Emalee yesterday. The cupcakes were so amazing! I had orea, and it tasted just like an oreo, simply wonderful. We then went back to Beth's house and hung out for a little while. It was a great day :)

So, there should be another post today, or tomorrow :)

until then,

Landin's mom

A day in the life...

Today (for yesterday's post) I have decided instead of words,

I will just walk you through Landin's day in pictures :)

...enjoy!

*Challenge picture*

So, we started out day off with some exersaucer/play time when I noticed Landin's head has sprouted a ton of hair...

Next, we got Landin dressed for our {what seems to be} weekly trip to Target.

We had a nice trip out to Target, but after our last trip, I knew what was to come by sticking him in his comfy shopping cart cover...sure enough, about 25 minutes in, Landin has passed out! {I'm sure he will be semi-embarrassed by some of these later in life}This is my favorite sleeping picture I think, because he is completely in the cart sleeping.

Now onto DAD playtime, Landin's favorite playtime, i'm sure! First, we tried to teach Landin how to have good posture {totally kidding} by balancing a stacking ring on his head. It was funny watching him tip his head to get the ring off and then laugh because he knew we would end up putting it back on anyway!

Next, he decided to claim all the rings as "his" (I am sure in a couple of months he will do the exact same thing and throw in "mine" as he does it!) It was so cute seeing him with the rings all over him!

He then had wrestling time with dad!

Next, we tried to give him carrots, but he really didn't like them so there was no picture as I was dealing with a grumpy Landin at the time. By this time, Landin seemed semi-exhausted...I mean, he did spend the whole evening playing with dad...so we headed to Landin's room for a little night time play until you rub your eyes session. Here is Landin with dad's "bug hand"

So, with that posted...this last picture concluded the evening after an eye rub and a sweet smile, So I hope you have enjoyed a day in Landin's life through pictures<3

until tomorrow (or later today)

Landin's mom

Day 23

"No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you...

after all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside."

This little boy seriously has my heart. {as well as his dad!} I could not picture my life without my two guys by my side every day. Today was such an amazing day. Landin and I just hung out having fun all morning and into the early afternoon. There wasn't much of a nap time (just enough to hold him over)...but I am not even sure I remember him fussing more than once. We played with his stacking cups and stacking rings, sang songs with his singing workbench, and worked on crawling! We also listened and read books together and played on his exersaucer (me dancing to the music that his exersaucer makes and him spinning around and laughing!)

We ended the afternoon and entered the evening time with a nice long family nap with Daniel :) Those are always nice! Landin then enjoyed some yummy pears...he wasn't too sure about them at first, but eventually decided to gum away at them anyway! Our little munchkin wasn't too sleepy at his bedtime, so him and Daniel played the "my handbug thing is going to get you" where Daniel pretends his hand is a spider and crawls all over Landin while Landin tries to follow Daniel's hand with his eyes! This led to some eye rubbing, which ended the evening of fun by Landin being put in his crib. He was such a big boy! He didn't cry at all, just played with his piglet and drifted off to sleep :)

wonderful day. This is seriously the best age yet for Landin. I love how interactive he is and how he seems to know everything we are doing. He is taking in so much, "talking" up a storm and loving every day (and so are we!) We are probably some of the world's proudest parents.

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

Comfy pants, good book, good day!

Today (well, yesterday!) was a nice day! We headed out to the base so Daniel could get his hair cut and we ventured around the bx/px for a little while...while walking around, we gave Landin a nice little book which he decided he would rather taste than look at :) needless to say, we ended up purchasing the book! But no worries, he loves it! We stayed inside the rest of the day considering it snowed the morning before and rained afterwards so everything was just a big thing of ice! Landin "read" played and napped the afternoon away!

Still no tooth for the little man, maybe soon...we are in no hurry though! His gummy smile melts my heart.

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

Snow Day! {21}

Today was amazing. Simply put. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! [disclaimer: this girl does not like snow! not one bit] so you can imagine my surprise when I was excited for Landin's first real snow day. Now, we have had frozen wintery mushy slush already but this was actual white fluffy snow! We didn't play in it for long...actually, I don't think you can call what we did play, but we have now "been there, done that, got the picture" so yay! :)

we then spent the day cozied up inside with hot chocolate and Mythbusters! When I say "cozied up" I definitely meant it, our furnace decided not to lite and it got super cold inside (in fact, my feet still feel like blocks of ice!) so we spent the afternoon under the covers just enjoying our family. :) I don't know what tomorrow holds for us, but as for tonight, it is pretty icy out there!

oh, and two new accomplishments for Landin. One, he said da-da! I could NOT contain my excitement...I was more excited than Daniel :) and Landin has a tooth coming in, we can't see it but we sure can feel it! Go, Landin!

until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

Mall Fun!

Since mom and Landin had been hanging out around the house most of the week, Dad decided to take us to the mall last night! I have to admit, I was exhausted...but spending time out and about was refreshing! Today's challenge picture is of Landin in Children's Place, so of course we were shopping for him! He did so good. Stayed awake the entire time looking around, and just being happy! Highlight of his night? The water fountain in the food court. My highlight? My Auntie Anne's pretzel. It was so delicious {I don't think Daniel minded helping me eat it!} We ended the night by looking in the outdoor store and picking out my hiking ruck, which of course, had a nice comfy seat for Landin! It was super nice, I think Daniel has high hopes for us being a hiking family. I definitely love walking, I'm just not much of a bug girl! Maybe I will own it one day, but I don't really see it getting much use living in the middle of New Jersey!

So that was my Friday post! Not too exciting but some days it's nice to not have much going on. However, tonight's post should be very exciting because...it snowed last night! Now, I have to admit, I despise snow, but it is Landin's first real snow day (not some frozen slushy mess, or a light dusting) but actual snow, enough to do a snow angel...so I know where you will be able to find us today<3

Until later,

Landin's mom

Mama...

...That's right, he said it! Last night I walked out of the room while Daniel got Landin for bed...suddenly I heard my calling, "emm maa maaaa!" So excited. He conquered the word this morning and now when he whines he just says "ma ma ma ma ma ma ma" over and over, but I don't mind...yet! haha. I am sure the day will come where I will want to change my name :)

So that is our excitement. It is actually kind of funny because I have been working my tale off trying to get him to say "dada" first...but today, I swore I heard a faint "da" in the middle of all those motherly callings, only time will tell!

On to the next subject...I know I have been saying this forever, but I {really} think the teeth are coming soon. Landin was super cuddly and snuggly today. We just laid on the cuddler for about 30 minutes snuggling before he fell asleep in my arms... I can't remember the last time that happened :) So here is a picture of our cuddle time!

until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

Meet Rex, Landin's dinosaur.

Day 18, 6 months and 11 days old. Landin has mastered riding his dinosaur, Rex (we name all of his toys...we have Sophie who obviously is his giraffe, she was named for us! and then we have Mr. Octopus and now rex!) He has learned that when we sit him on there, he can either press Rex's spikes or he can lift his feet and have mom or dad push him! It is so much fun and probably one of the most {parent-son} interactive toys we have...until he learns to ride or walk it himself! But for now, we are enjoying it, so a big thanks to his Nana Liz and Pops for this fun Christmas present!

Today was a fun, toy playing filled day. Landin is getting closer and closer to crawling (and showing more interest in it as well!) He is still thoroughly enjoying naked time and hates getting a diaper put on him, I don't think this will be ending anytime soon so we are just going to embrace it, Landin gets nakey time while mom gets to straighten up his room! :) win-win, right?

Not much else to update on so I will end this post for tonight...I can't believe I got this post done on the day it happened, but Landin wanted some "daddy to himself" time so I figured what better time than now!

Until tomorrow (or the following day!)

Landin's mom

The day before, the morning after. (Day 17)

So, obviously this blog is a bit of trial and error on my part. I have found it to be easier to blog about the day before during naptime/exersaucer time on the following day. Landin has decided that naps are no longer an essential part of his day causing me to be exhausted come his 8pm bedtime, so as long as he keeps that up, the posts will come the following day. When he decides to add in naps again, I will go back to evenings! So, here is today's post about yesterday!

So, yesterday (day 17) we basically just hung around the house all day, especially since it was ugly and dreary out! Little did we know it would actually turn into a really nice evening...So we went out on search for a Chinese buffet. Who knew a buffet would be so hard to find in NJ? Well it was impossible! We ended up at a nice little Japanese restaurant called Yuki Hana! A super nice, small very clean place where the staff is SO friendly! So here is my challenge picture for the day...Landin's first "attempt" at chopsticks! haha...Daniel and I both ate our entire meal with them, go us!

1, 2, 3, 4...Go!

So clearly when I wrote "until tomorrow" last post, I lied. This weekend was so wonderful and I spent it with my parents and younger sister (and Daniel and Landin, of course!) So I wasn't trying to spend my precious time with them on a computer :) I have simply decided to use my own judgement on when to post every day and when the posts can be bundled together...however, I did take a picture a day, so once again, I haven't failed yet!

So here is the recap on the last 4 days:

Friday: On Friday, Landin's Nanny, Grandpa and Auntie Kellynne arrived. He had SO much fun playing with them and showing them all of his new trick and toys. We had been waiting for them to visit for an entire month!

Saturday: What a day. We left at 5:30 am (yes, that early in the morning!) to head up to Hoboken, NJ! Since it is only about an hour and a half from our house we figured we would be silly to not take my parents there to enjoy an amazing cupcake (and cookie...eek!) from Carlo's Bake Shop. Well, every plan that I had to do after we got our yummy treats at 7:30 in the morning, was something that involved being outside. Well, the few days before Saturday, it was in the 40's outside...but of course, the one day I make outside plans, it decides to hang out in the teens zone. Yup, I am pretty sure it was only 18 degrees outside. So, we thought long and hard...if we are going to be outside anyway, would we want to be walking the waterfront of the Hudson river or doing something fun outside? Of course the fun option won. We decided, on a whim, to take the train into New York City! Now, that might not sound so cool to you, but coming from North Carolina, where you actually have to plan a trip to the city, I can't even describe to you how surreal it was to wake up thinking nothing of it and then all of a sudden be standing in the Manhattan Mall. Seriously, one of the coolest things ever! We had so much fun just walking around and exploring! We will plan the next trip though since we plan to actually do some tours vs. just walking around and going into random shops! So "today's" picture is of Landin's first train ride!

Sunday: you would think that we would take the day to relax. and we did most of the day, but then we ventured into town and took my parents and Kellynne to the mall. It was so much fun, especially showing my shopaholic sister all of the stores our mall has. Of course her favorite store she found is no where to be found anywhere south of here...guess she will just have to visit more often :) but without further adieu, here is Landin passed out napping before heading out to the mall. (yes, it is a monitor picture, but when I looked at the screen I couldn't resist it...how comfy does he look?!)

Monday: A day I had been (sort of) dreading...It was my family's last day here :( We hate good-byes, but with my dad also having been military, we are pretty good at them. We did wake up early enough to go to Target and BuyBuyBaby before they had to leave...Landin got some super cool pj's from his Nanny and Grandpa and I got his East suit for $22.85 when the original price was $85.00, clearly a productive day! But here is the picture of my family and Landin before they left. I love it!

So as always, I had such a hard time picking the pictures to use for my challenge, and once again, I will be giving you some extras! and once I get the pictures from my sister and dad's cameras you will probably get a whole blogpost of simply pictures...but who minds looking at pictures! So here they are, enjoy!

At Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken!

At the pizzeria where we enjoyed lunch in NYC

and the next three are him just playing last night! :)

until later today,

Landin's mom

milestone: First playdate!

You may not consider that a milestone, but considering where we live, and the fact that we don't get out much, this definitely felt like a milestone to me :) Landin and I had a wonderful time with my friend Beth and her daughter, Emalee. We had some fun playing at the house and then we wasted some time at BuyBuyBaby. I could spend hours in there by myself, but add in another person who loves shopping, has a child and is pregnant with a sweet baby girl and you could have just lost the two of us for the day! We then stopped quickly at the mall (it is funny that when you have babies, you spend more time in stores for them and the mall seems less exciting!) and ended the outing with T.G.I. Friday's...the kids were definitely a hit there, everyone thought they were adorable and loved them!

We spent the rest of the afternoon just having mom and Landin time and cleaning since Landin's Nanny, Grandpa and Auntie Kellynne come to visit tomorrow! Obviously they don't care if every crevice of my home is dusted, but I am a bit OCD when it comes to having people over to my house and I blame it on my mom!

So here are the rest of the pictures! The next few days will more than likely be picture overload...we have a busy weekend ahead of us!

he had so much fun looking at, and interacting with Emalee!

...and she used Landin as good practice on how to be gentle with her baby sister that is on the way!

who doesn't love race cars?!

had a little mom time with my sleepy head afterwards!

and he passed out on his favorite pillow...his dad<3

Hope you enjoyed the pictures :)

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

12 months.

12 months. You might be thinking this post will talk about 12 months of posting, or how I have to do this challenge for 12 months and I couldn't even post every day for 12 days. However, this post is not about either of those things. Landin has officially made his way into some of his 12 month clothing. You can tell me that some clothes are made small, or that some clothes shrink when washed...but I doubt it would make me feel any less sentimental as I think that when he was born he could actually squeeze into some preemie outfits. Now, in less time than he has been alive, my sweet baby boy will be turning one! but here it is...Landin's 12 month clothing debut:

He clearly loves being in this outfit. and he better enjoy it because I have a feeling all he will do for a while from here on out is slim down! He is getting to be on the move :) but we have officially put away all clothes with anything lower than a 6-9 month label...that is right, even if it just says 6 months it seems to be a little snug, especially when you factor in his fluff bum<3

While I am so excited for Landin to grow up, I can't help but feel that it is happening way too quickly. Before I know it, he will be chasing me around the house repeating my name "mom" over and over again. The thought of that becoming my "new" name actually excites me...right now {ask me again when he is actually chasing me around the house calling my name!}

So here are just a couple more pictures from our 12 month outfit photo shoot!

Until tomorrow,

Landin's mom

better late than never, right?

So, obviously it is not December 10 but we can pretend. Technically, the challenge was a photo a day for 366 days not a blog post a day, so I haven't failed yet! So on to the post :)

yesterday, Landin had his 6 month check-up! He did so great! He loves to flirt with other kid's mothers in the waiting room and always has them asking their own (older) kids, "isn't he the cutest!?" Definitely makes this mom feel so proud! From there he doesn't stop, next it is on to nurse flirting. Of course he hams it up with them, they will be the one giving him his shots! He followed up nurse flirting by carrying on a babbling conversation with his pediatrician! but on to his stats:

Height: 26.5 inches- such a long boy :) He is in the 42% for his length and has grown 7.5 inches since birth!

Weight: 20 lbs. 2 oz. and in the 89% for his weight! last appointment we had 2 weeks ago, he was 20 lbs 3 oz. fully dressed so to only lose an ounce when taking off clothes is pretty darn good :) He has gained 13 pounds since birth.

The pediatrician once again said there should be teeth in that little gummy mouth of his soon, but he also said that 3 weeks ago and still NO teeth.

I am so blessed and thankful to have a baby who simply sleeps a ton after getting shots! Although he wouldn't sleep without being right next to mom or dad and since dad goes to work, I figured I would take on that job last night...hence, the no post! I was too busy snuggling up to my sweet boy!

with that said, you will get two posts today!

so, until later on today,

Landin's mom