Landon - 23 months

23 months?!  How are we here?  I can't believe you're almost TWO!  We love you so much and are so proud of the big boy you are becoming.  You play so hard to keep up with your big brother.  You are such a sweet guy and give the best hugs.  We love you, Landy!  Daddy and I pray that you'll always love people as much as you do now and will show Jesus to the world.

Firsts:  These are getting more difficult.  I can't think of any real "firsts" for you over the past month?   You had strep throat, and that was a first for you. 

News headlines:   The Panthers and the Broncos are headed to the Super Bowl.  Alabama wins the national championship.  Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton are democratic front-runners for the presidential election.  Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump are the republican front-runners.  Daddy ran his fourth half-marathon (news to us!).  The ground hog did not see his shadow (early spring).

Milestones:  You are running around all over the place.  We've noticed you can gallop really well too!  You are sleeping really well.  Usually you yell for us in the morning.  It's not so much a cry as it is a demand.  "MAMA!  DADA!"  I think you're close to getting your crib converted to a toddler bed.

Measurements: Size 5 diapers, size 24 mth in clothes, size 6 shoe, 27-28 lbs

Like Mommy:  You love books.  Even more than Eli did I think!

Like Daddy:  You both love music.  Your favorite toys are the ones that make music.

Like Eli:  You are sporty just like your brother.

Favorite Toys:  You love the Mickey Mouse piano book you got for Christmas.  You love to dance to the songs.  You also love puzzles. 

Sounds: Mama, dada, nana, EI (Eli) bye bye, uh-oh, awww, hey,  daw-dee (doggie), thank you, diaper, boo-boo, tee-tee, ball, baby, more-more, no no no!, choo-choo (every vehicle/mode of transportation is a choo-choo), truck, bus, uh-uh (no sound), button, light, off/on, hot/cold, shhh! (hilarious), "mim-me on" (Mickey/Minnie Mouse), moon, mine,  Melmo (Elmo), brub-er (brother), Lan-E (Landy), ewww, ho ho (for Santa).  You love to rock in a rocking chair and have a little tune you sing whenever you rock (bahhh ba ba).  You will repeat just about anything and are saying more and more 2-3 word phrases.

Challenges:  

You had strep this month.  It was inevitable.  I think your whole class had it.  You were a great little patient though.  You even take your medicine like a champ (when we let you give it to yourself).  Sometimes, getting you to change out of your pjs (your favorites are "doddies" (red, footed, fleece, and adorable doggie) and Elmo).  You scream and try to keep your clothes pulled down.

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 in the morning, and you're home again between 3:30-4:30 (depending on whether Mommy or Daddy picks you up).  You love after school snacks.  Fruit snacks and/or apple sauce are your favorites.  You run and play while Eli does homework.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite-  I cherish our snuggle times and when you let me hold you.  Your baby days are fleeting, and while I love what each new stage holds, it is bittersweet.

Daddy's favorite-  Seeing you and Eli on the trail and at the finish line when Daddy was running his half-marathon.

Nicknames: Any variations of Landy, Landon/Landy boy, Lando.  We also call you Sir Landy Lot every night after you get out of the bath and we drape the towel over your shoulders like a royal robe.

Upcoming Events:  Turning 2!

this month's outtake

Eli and Landon, 23 months:

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! : )

Dothan Christmas

Christmas continued on the 26th as we got up and headed to Nana and Puddin's house for a few days.  This year, we were the first ones to arrive.  These three rascals sat guard by the windows, keeping watch for everyone else!

Landon was Maddie's little buddy.  He followed her around, and did whatever she wanted him to do!  The both loved it.

Eli was happy to see Maddie too!  She passed him in height.  We were probably about their ages, 4 and 5 years old, when Caitlin passed me in height, if not before.

We didn't waste any time passing out the gifts!

It was extremely wet and rainy most of the days we were in Dothan, but we did manage to get out and get a family game of kickball going.  There were lots of laughs!

We also took the kids to the park.  I love the playground there!

We've been bribing Eli for six months or more (no shame), that if he can keep his pull-up dry at night for a week straight then he could pick out any toy he wanted.  Of course he finally does that right before Christmas.  We went to Target and he picked out a Power Rangers transformer gun.

While in Dothan, we got to visit with my grandparents and Jack too.

We sure miss these Texas cousins, but loved all our time with them.  I wish I'd gotten a picture of Landon with Moose and Hera.  He sure loved those "doddies".

And just like that, Christmas is over.  We had so much fun all throughout December, and are sad to see the holiday season go.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.