Jude - 12 months old

Jude Dude, how can you be a whole year old already?!  You came into this world tiny but so strong and mighty.  You've grown so much this year!  We are all so in love with you!  You are Daddy's buddy already, you love having the attention of your brothers,  and you love your Mommy big-time!

Firsts:    birthday!, set of tubes, sips of juice and water,

News headlines:  Gas is about $1.78/gallon, COVID/masks/social distancing are still things, the upcoming Presidential election is very much talked about

Milestones: You can really move!  You crawl so fast.  You "walk" holding on to the couch or walkers/stools/chairs/anything not nailed down.  You have even started standing all by yourself for brief periods of time.  You can clap, you give kisses, you have bye-bye.  Your favorite thing to babble is "da da".  

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, 9-12 mths sized clothes,  20 lbs, 28.5" long, and 19" head circumference.

Like Mommy:  We both stay up late, but then sleep hard in the morning when it's time to get up!

Like Daddy: Y'all love to be outside.

Like Eli:  You both love to play with a ball.

Like Landon:  You both love a good snack!

Favorite Toys: You LOVE the bbq grill set the Downeys gave you for your birthday.  You also love 

Sounds: (babbling) dada, bye-bye, uh-huh (that's our favorite)

Challenges:  We learned at your 12 month appointment that your hemoglobin was a tad low.  We just need to make sure you're eating more iron-rich foods.  Sleeping through the night is still off/on a struggle.

Our Days:  We get you up around 6:15 each morning.  We're out the door by 6:45.  You are usually the first kid at daycare each morning (we're sitting waiting for them to open).  You have gotten to where you start reaching for her as soon as you see Ms. Gwen.  : )  You are doing great at daycare and that makes Mommy and Daddy so happy!  You are napping about 3 hours a day there.  Daddy picks you up in the afternoons and feeds you an after school snack with brothers.  When Mommy gets home you get a feeding.  You eat pretty good at supper too.  You love play time after school.  You scoot all over the house, and love when we go outside to play.  You get one really good nap in the afternoon/early evening, and are asleep before 9:00.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite - I love watching all the new things you're doing this month.  Seeing you stand, clap, scoot around, and do things on purpose to get a laugh has been so fun and fills me with joy!

Daddy's favorite - Watching you stand up for long periods of time.

Nicknames: JD, Jude Dude, JuJu, Bubby

Upcoming Events: Your birthday party (parties), covid-style.

Look how much you've grown this year!

Brothers at 12 months old!

Eli's Nine Year Old Interview

Eli, NINE years old!?  I can't believe it.  In nine more years you'll be celebrating while away at college!  Mommy could cry thinking about that.  Don't think that doesn't mean you'll be celebrating without me though!  I'll come wherever you are!  It seems like every year goes by more quickly than the last.  You bring everyone who knows you so much joy.  You're so well-rounded.  You love Jesus, your family, friends, soccer, reading, school (especially math), Auburn, sports, and just being outside.  No one brags about my cooking more than you!  You make me look good!  : )  I don't know that we could love you more if we tried!  Happy birthday, buddy!  We love you big time!

How old are you?  9

Favorite color(s)?  Blue, orange, and red

Favorite book(s)?  Who Was/What Was book series

Favorite toy?  Army vest

Favorite sport?  Soccer, futbol

Favorite movie?  Aladdin, live action

Favorite show?  Dude Perfect

Favorite game:  Life

Favorite Bible story?  Moses

Favorite verse?  John 3:16

Recites our family verse *Psalm 25:4-5*

Favorite drink/snack:  Dr. Pepper and chips

Favorite candy?  Blow pops

Favorite animal?  Tiger

Favorite song?  "Oh ... this is the greatest show!"

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  waffles

Favorite thing to eat for supper?  meatloaf and banana bread for dessert

Who are your friends?  Abigail, Evan, Cole, Levi, Levi, Jack, Titus, Thomas, Dax, Drake

Favorite number?  78 and 11

Where do you go to school?  LES

Teachers?  Jones, Wilson, Masuoka

Favorite subject?  math

Favorite thing to do at school?  PE (break people's ankles at soccer) and lunch

Favorite thing to do with Daddy?  Play soccer

with Mommy?  snuggle

with Landon?  Watch TV

with Jude?  3 brothers will be wild.  I'll have to share the TV.

Will you call your new brother Jude or Jet?  Jet

Nicknames?  Squirmy Bug, Squirmy Wormy Doodle all Day, Squirmy

What'd we do for your birthday?  Swimming pool

Favorite Auburn tradition?  Tailgate and watching them win!

What do you want to be when you grow up?  PE coach

Favorite dance move?  *Eli flosses, hits them folks, and dabs.*

Landon's 5 Year Old Interview

Disclaimer:
We were extremely late getting this video shot (like 6 months).  But in now way, Landon, does that mean you were/are less celebrated or loved!  Life just got BUSY!  But, I am always so glad to record these.  I always love looking back at the little people you and your brother were and seeing how your interests and personalities evolve and change over time.  We love you big, Landon boy!

How old are you?  5

Favorite color?  green and golden

Favorite book?  The Old Lady Who Ate the Moon

Favorite toy?  pretend guns

Favorite movie?  Grinch

Favorite TV show?  Muppet Babies

Favorite game?  tag

Favorite Bible story?  person - Jesus

Favorite drink/snack?  blue drink (Kool Aid Burst) and oatmeal creme pie OR gum

Favorite animal?  puppies and cats

Favorite song?  Jesus Loves the Little Children

What do you like for breakfast?  waffles from Waffle House

What do you like for supper?  Lunchables and gum

Who are your friends?  Porter, Eli, Anna and Ivalea

Girlfriend?  No

What's your favorite number?  10 hundred

Where do you go to school?  Lakewood

Who is your teacher?  Mrs. Susan (when he turned 5 .... Mrs. Brown by the time we actually interviewed him)

What's your favorite thing at school?  eating lunch and playing with toys

What do you like to do outside?  play tag, play soccer, play hide and seek

What do you like to do with Daddy?  play on his back
with Mommy?  nuzzle
with Landon?  give high 5s

What do you think of becoming a big brother?  maybe excited

What are your nicknames?  Lanbon, Lando, Landy, Lan Lan

What did we do for your birthday?  You gave me presents and we went to the trampoline park.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Fly a jet.

Favorite thing to do at Auburn?  Eat popcorn and watch the game.

Favorite dance move?  *Landon flosses and does the shoot.*

Eli's 8 Year Old Interview

Eli, you are E I G H T today! It seems like yesterday you were the little baby on my hip. Seven was a big year for you: you accepted Christ as Lord, you won that soccer championship you’d been wanting, you broke your first bone (wrist), and you gave us quite a scare with your head injury! Through the highs and lows we’ve seen you lean on Jesus. And that’s all we ever want for you - to always lean on Jesus! So, happy 8th birthday to the boy who lights up the room with his smile! We love you so BIG and hope 8 is full of good things for you!

 How old are you?  8

What's your favorite color?  red and blue

What's your favorite book?  Notebook of Doom and Project Droid books

What's your favorite toy?  table corn hole

What's your favorite sport?  soccer and kickball

What's your favorite movie?  Incredibles 2

What's your favorite show?  Phineas and Ferb

What's your favorite game?  Scrabble

What's your favorite Bible story?  Any Jesus story

Recite our family verse:  "Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."  Hebrews 13:16

What's your favorite drink/snack?  Salt & Vinegar chips and Root Beer

What's your favorite candy?  lollipops

What's your favorite animal?  dogs (Bailey)

What's your favorite song?  "Good, Good Father" by Chris Tomlin

What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  doughnuts (Krispy Kreme or Golden Doughnut)

for supper?  Mommy's chicken and wild rice casserole

Who are your friends?  Abigail and Anna, Levi and Ivalea, Jackson T, Jackson H, Jack, and Evan

Who's your girlfriend?  NO ONE!

What's your favorite number?  78

Where do you go to school?  LES

Who are your teachers?  Mrs. Ownes and Cutt

What's your favorite subject?  Science

What's your favorite thing to do at school?  Lunch, PE, and free time

What's your favorite thing to do with Daddy?  play outside

with Mommy?  nuzzle

with Landon?  play with him

Nicknames:  Squirmy, Squirmy Bug, Squirmy Wormy Doodle All Day

What did we do for your birthday?  Eat Fuji's and went to the Phenix City Pool

What's your favorite Auburn tradition?  Play with the football

What do you want to be when you grow up?  a PE coach

Who's your hero?  MLK Jr (kinda), Daddy, Mommy, and Jesus

Show us your favorite dance move.  (Eli does The Floss and hits them folks)

Landon's Birthday Interview (4 years old)

It seems like I only dust off the old blog for birthday posts, and to be perfectly honest, I'm embarrassed at HOW LATE this post is!  Landon, you turned F O U R over 3 months ago.  We celebrated you hard.  It hurts to see you growing up so quickly, but at the same time, it brings us so much joy!  Daddy and I love you so, so much!  You are our boss baby.  You are funny, sensitive, full of energy, creative, and full of imagination.  You play so well by yourself, but you love playing with friends (especially Eli) as well.  You are every bit the athlete your brother is, and are going to give him a run for his money here soon!  You are a rascal who loves life and loves his family.  You love reading books, playing outside, and are always up for a good "nuzzle" (snuggle).  We are so proud to be your Mommy and Daddy, and we can't wait to see what you do in this great, big world.  We love you, Landon boy!  Happy 4th birthday!

(Daddy filmed this with his Go-pro camera.  That's why *insert eye roll* it looks like you're in a fish bowl.)

Enough of the mushy stuff.  Without further ado, here is an interview with a FOUR year old!

How old are you?  4

What is your favorite color?  Green, gray, blue, pink

What is your favorite book?  Olaf (the one from the library)

What is your favorite toy?  Batman toy (from a happy meal at Burger King)

What is your favorite movie?  the Flash (the Lego movie version)

What is your favorite T.V. show?  Muppet Babies, Peppa Pig

What is your favorite game?  Sorry

What is your favorite snack/drink?  Kool Aid Jammers (blue/red drink) and fruit snacks

What is your favorite animal?  doggies

What is your favorite song?  Go Fish (???)

What do you like for breakfast?  pancakes, waffles

What do you like for supper?  Subway

Who is your girlfriend?  Mommy

What is your favorite number?  11, 5, and 4

Who are your teachers?  Mrs. Trish and Ms. Joleasa

What do you like to do outside?  Play baseball, football, and soccer.  He loves all the games!

What do you like to do with Daddy?  Put out the trash can

with Mommy?  Nuzzle her

with Landon?  Tell jokes

What are your nicknames?  Landy, Lan Lan, Landon boy, funny boy (no one calls him this, haha!), rascal, stinker

What did you do for your birthday?  jump-oline (otherwise known as the trampoline park, Launch)

Who are your best friends?  Bowden, Zachary, Madisyn, Porter, Maggie, Connor, Carley (all friends from school and church)

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A shark and eat goldfish.  But then he realized a shark will get water in its face (which Landon HATES), so he changed his mind and decided he wants to be a bird.

Eli's Birthday Interview (Six Years Old)

First off, we won't even talk about how long it's been since I've blogged.  Embarrassing, I know.  Though I made some serious progress this summer, I'm still behind on blogging and photo books.  Insert hashtagworkingmomlife.

I can't believe this kid is SIX.  I was just on maternity leave with him the other day, right?!

I am SO GLAD we do these.  Prior to making this video, we sat down and watched Eli's 3-5 year old video interviews.  We all loved them so much.  It was so sweet to hear that baby voice (even on his 5 year old video!), and to notice some of the same mannerisms Landon has now!  I know the older he gets the more we'll cherish these!

This video couldn't be done without little brother.  It will be obvious why we call them Pete and Repeat ..... or as Eli says, Peter and Repeater. ha!

How old are you?  6

What's your favorite color?  blue, red, and orange

What's your favorite book?  Fly Guy

What's your favorite toy?  Legos

What's your favorite movie?  Lego City

What's your favorite show?  Nick Jr.

What's your favorite game to play?  Hide and Go Seek

What's your favorite Bible story?  Anything about Joseph

*Recites our family verse for 2016 - Colossians 3:12*

What's your favorite drink/snack?  watermelon and watermelon juice

What's your favorite candy?  blow pops

What's your favorite animal?  doggie

What's your favorite song?  Whip Nae Nae

What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Soup .... he means pancakes

What's your favorite thing to eat for supper?  Soup

Who are your friends?  Brentley, Abigail, Levi, Grace

At school - Evan, Jackson

Who's your girlfriend?  No one

What's your favorite number?  300

Where do you go to school?  LPS

Who is your teacher?  Mrs. Sawyer

What's your favorite subject?  Science

What's your favorite thing to do at school?  Lunch

What's your favorite thing to do outside?  Play soccer

What do you like to do with Daddy?  Play football with him outside.

With Mommy?  Play games.

With Landon?  Watch TV.

What are your nicknames?  Eli, Squirmy Bug

What did we do for your birthday?  Ice Skate (Frozen/Olaf party)

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A soldier

What's your favorite thing to do in Auburn on game day?  Play football with Daddy

Show us your favorite dance move. - The Dab and Hit Them Folks, like Cam Newton

Landon - 24 months

Landon Michael, you're two!  I can't believe how quickly the past two years have flown by.  It breaks my heart and gives us so much pride all at the same time!  You're such a high energy, spirited, and loving little boy.  You love your friends (B (Ben) and Bow-Wow (Bowden) fiercely.  You talk about them all the time.  You bring our family so much joy!  We pray that you never lose your infectious spirit.  You and Eli love each other dearly and are such sweet friends.  Daddy and I pray you always remain close.  Just like Eli, we pray that you would always recognize the Lord's faithfulness and goodness in your life.  We love you so much, Landon boy!

*Disclaimer:  You really are a happy little boy, despite the pouty face in this picture.  This was the best you would give us.  You just wanted to be held, and it broke you're heart when I put you down and walked back to take a picture.

Firsts:  Sleeping in a big boy bed.  It wasn't a first, but we did head to Destin for Presidents Day weekend.  I'm scratching my head on these things!  You had a class party for Valentine's Day.  Last year you didn't make it because you were so sick in February.

News headlines:   Republican and Democratic races continue.  Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton appear to be in the lead.

Milestones:  We converted your crib to a toddler bed.  You weren't crazy about it the first week or ten days; you got up during the night, but then you got used to it.

Measurements: Size 5 diapers, size 24 mth/2T in clothes, size 7 shoe, 28 or so lbs

Like Mommy:  I've said it several times, but we (and Eli) share a love for books.  I hope both you boys are readers like Mommy!

Like Daddy:  You and Daddy have very similar sleep habits.  You're both light sleepers, and once you're up, you're happy and ready for the day.  You also both love to snack all day.

Like Eli:  You love to run and be outside.

Favorite Toys:  Anything that makes sounds/lights up and of course, Mickey and Elmo.  You LOVE reading.  You also usually like whatever Eli is playing with.  We have pattern block puzzles that you love, but you don't so much do the puzzles as you do dump the pattern blocks everywhere.  

Sounds: You have so many words!  You basically repeat anything and everything.  You speak 2-4 words at a time and are so funny!

Challenges:  

Bedtime was a challenge at the beginning of the month when we converted your bed.  We've had a few more fits (especially when Mickey Mouse is involved).  A good and bad thing, but you're becoming quite independent.  You're also a monkey boy.  You climb EVERYTHING!

Our Days:  

You're sleeping through the night.  10 hours at least on school nights and longer on the weekends.  We're usually out the door by about 6:45-6:50 in the morning, and you're home again between 3:30-4:30 (depending on whether Mommy or Daddy picks you up).  You love to get a 'nack and "box" (snack and juice box).  You also demand "Mimmi" (Mickey Mouse) as soon as we get home.  Your tears (and sometimes tantrums) are serious when we turn Mickey off.  You need a detox!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite-  Snuggling with you will always be my favorite.  : )  I also love it when Daddy brings you to my school some afternoons.

Daddy's favorite-  Celebrating your birthday.  Aunt Jan, Uncle Lamar, and Brett came over for pizza and cake.

Nicknames: Any variations of Landy, Landon/Landy boy, Lando, and Sir Landy Lot!

Upcoming Events:  Your 2nd birthday party - a Mickey party!

Look how much you've grown, buddy!

What a difference a year makes!

My two boys on their 2nd birthday!

Landon is ONE!

I'm only about 10 months late on this, but I couldn't NOT blog about your very first birthday party!  Better late than never, right?  Seeing as how your birthday is the day after Dr. Seuss', how could we not have a Seuss party?!  It was a fun day celebrating you with (almost) all of the people who love you most!

Your actual birthday was on a Tuesday, you took cupcakes to your friends at school, and then we had more cake (and opened presents!) at home that evening.

We had your birthday party about ten days later, on the following Saturday.  We had it at our house.

Mommy made your smash cake.  Apparently my gel icing skills need some work!  : )

The cake we shared with all the guests was awesome, as usual.  They outdid themselves.

Eli picked out a tiger bouncy house for your birthday party.

The Dr. Seuss photo booth and props were a big hit.

This one makes me smile!  : )

You weren't really into your cake.  You mainly just poked at it.

You boys have the best grandparents around! : )

Turning FIVE

Being at the end of August, Eli's birthday always coincides with the beginning of a new school year, which is a big time of the year for us, and is the reason I'm just now blogging about his birthday, four months later.  Sorry, bud.

We decorate your room after your fall asleep.  You loved it.  This all stayed up until Halloween I think.

You had to go to school on your birthday, but we took cupcakes and drinks for your friends, and you had a great day!

You also got to be Top Dog that day at school!

For Eli's 5th birthday party, we went back to the church playground that we rented for his 4th birthday party.  This time we did a super hero theme and the kids (and some adults) all came dressed like super heroes.  It was a fun day.  And I didn't forget the forks for the cake this year.  : )

The cake turned out amazing, as usual!

We went with Iron Man because he's your favorite super hero (because he's red and that's your favorite color).

You have several super hero costumes, but went with Iron Man for your party.  Mommy and Landy dressed in our Iron Man t-shirts, and Daddy wore his Super Man shirt.

Nana and Pudidn' (Spiderman Duo) were a big help getting ready for the party.

Ginny, Pops, and Grandma Francie came!

So did Grandmama and Grandaddy.  They'd had knee and back surgeries (respectively), so we weren't sure they'd be able to make the trip, but they did!

Landon had as much fun as anyone else at this party.  He thought he was big stuff!

Girl power!

Juice break with your friend from school, Jack.

Aunt Katie came too, cape and all!

Some of the kids at the party.

This is a special group of kids.  You've all been together since your 3 year old pre-k class.  It's a little different you all not being together for kindergarten, but fun to have the gang back together again!  The moms agreed we're going to recreate this picture when you're all seniors.

Present time.  The kids kept creeping closer and closer!  : )

CAKE!

Such a nut!

Big stuff, remember?  Gets his own drink (or tries...no Sprite for you).

It didn't matter to Landon that I remembered the forks this year.

Turning five was a big deal and so much fun.  You bring us so much joy, Eli Taff.  You're kind, smart, funny, love sports, and are a loyal friend.  We know Jesus will do big things in your life!  You'll always be our Squirmy Bug!