Fall Family Photo

Today has been awesome. This morning I had a monthly breakfast with my good friends Robin, Krystal and Megan. We sat there in the restaurant for two hours and it only felt like 30 minutes. Time goes by quickly with good company. Thank girls for being so wonderful....

And then this afternoon we had our fall family photos. It's so crazy to think now we have two children and we are a family of four. Not even two years ago we were husband and wife...and now look what's happened. And it really is wonderful. So my friend Joanna is training to become a freelance photographer so she practiced on our family. She's only shown me one photo so far, but I am eager to see all of the others. Thanks Joanna! It's really hard to get a baby and a toddler to look in the same direction and smile for the photographer, so we'll be happy with what we get. And I will be happy with whatever "air touching" Joanna decided to do to my hair, face and body. Ha Ha!

After photos we took the kids to Chili's for dinner. Sometimes I wonder why we put ourselves through such agony. They really are well behaved, it's just we have to entertain them both or else a breakdown could happen at any moment.

3 Little Monkeys & New Rules

Today we stopped by Kat and Brody's house for a late afternoon visit. We started off downstairs, but slowly the kids headed upstairs for some real fun...jumping in the crib. We stuck all three kids (especially since they wanted to be together) in one crib and let them jump to their hearts' content. It was quite cute to watch them smile at each other and laugh without hesitation.

This morning the NICU follow-up nurse came by and was quite pleased with Landon's progress. I told her the story of how he decided to to sit within the past 24 hours. She gave me a few exercises to practice with him on and that was it. She also told me she could tell he was a happy and loving baby. Landon is so loving he is always trying to kiss me. I will take as many kisses as I can get because I know soon enough will come a day when kissing mom is no longer cool.

So some new rules have been set in place.... Taylor will now only get her pacifier (or nay nay as we call it) at naptime and bedtime. She is already throwing fits and stealing her brothers, but we'll just work on it. She has become increasingly more dependent on the nay nay and so we feel it's time to establish some boundaries.

Also, Taylor will get rewarded for listening to mommy and daddy with candy. Yep, you heard me right. A few m&m's a day won't kill her. We'll just have to be more diligent about brushing her teeth twice a day. Spanking doesn't work, stern lectures don't work, and so far time out doesn't work, unless I call a time out for myself :-). So we'll swing a little to the other side and see if some positive reinforcement helps. Any of you moms out there will strong-willed, independent children need to tell me what worked for you. I wouldn't trade her traits for the world. It's fun to have two kids with totally different demeanors. It keeps life exciting and keeps Hank and I on our toes.

Perfect Timing

I was a little concerned that Landon wasn't developing on schedule since he hasn't been able to sit upright without falling over. I also know that there is no real schedule as each child is different and matures at their own timing. I mentioned my concern to our pediatrician at the 6-month check-up and was told everything is fine and not to worry. So I haven't been....

The NICU follow-up nurse called today to say that she wants to stop by tomorrow to check on Landon. I told her that he is doing GREAT except he's not sitting yet. She agreed that he should be sitting by now since he is nearly 7 months. Great...he really is behind.

So I take the kids to the park this afternoon and Taylor needs my help. So I try to prop Landon up to see if he'll sit...even for just 10 seconds. I think I got a whole minute and a half out of him. The boy sat all on his own. Yeah!

The nurse will come tomorrow and show me some exercises specific to his needs. I love this particular nurse so it will be good just to see her and chat for a bit. She's been with Landon ever since he was in the hospital after his 17-day stay in the NICU.

This is just another thing that I am thankful for. It definitely cheers me up as the President I was hoping to be elected into office will probably not make it. Oh well...God is charge of it all anyway.

Special Time

Today Hank's Oma (she's my Oma too) came over for a visit. She came over bearing gifts for the kids and groceries. The intent was for her to teach me how to make a special soup that is common in Holland (where she was raised). We spent a good 5 hours together and chatted during the kids' naptime. We munched on yummy food and basically had a wonderful time catching up. When Oma first came over, Taylor kept on shouting out for Oma's attention. Oma happily lavished Taylor and Landon with as many hugs and kisses as possible. Oma gave Landon a cute little robe to wear after bathtime and she gave Taylor a winter coat with a matching hat. When Taylor tried on the coat and hat, we were laughing at how cute she was and saying how she looked like a Russian princess. Taylor seemed to like that title!

Halloween Weekend

What a whirlwind the past few days have been. Last night was Halloween and we had our small group over for pizza, bon fire, ping pong and pumpkin carving. While everyone chilled out on our driveway, Taylor and I headed off to trick or treat with our neighbor friends. All I can say is that Taylor might look like me, but she is totally her daddy. She is pulling all of the same pranks he pulled as a kid.

First, when neighbors opened their doors to welcome us and hand out treats, Taylor beelined right past them into their homes. Most of these people I had never met before. So either myself or the homeowner had to run back into their house and retrieve her. What a crazy kid!

Also, she loves to share...something her daddy does often (unless it's a really good meal in front of him). So as people gave Taylor treats, she gingerly pulled a candy out of her pumpkin basket and gave the people a treat back. It was quite cute.



And this morning we headed to Tempe Town Lakes for the JDRF walk. We were able to walk in support of our neighbor friend Addy who is 5 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago. Living close to Addy's family has opened our eyes to the severity of diabetes. We were happy to be a part of the walk in hopes to find a cure.