One Landes Place

365 days ago I held my baby boy for the first time.  I never would have guessed how different it would be to love a son. There is no way to explain the heart to heart connection, it's all in the experience and nothing could compare. My sweet Nathaniel, You have captured my heart in a way that just can't be put into words.  Today you are one.  One silly little boy with one little crazy smile and one cute belly laugh that melts my insides.  You are so aware of how much you are loved by us all, but deep down I wonder if you really know how much I love you.  I can only hope that by my actions, I can show you love the way God teaches us so that one day you will love like that in return to the ones you love (including your wife...boo hoo!)  Some of the things that I love right now is how you wrinkle your nose every time you laugh.  How you get so excited that you just open your mouth and scream until nothing is left!  How you jump up and down and s...

  Sweet Nathan, Man what a handful you have become!  You are into everything, everywhere, all the time and quicker than I can keep up with.  You are the stinker!  You love the fireplace, the media cabinet, under the sink cabinet, and your new favorite-the toilet!  You have enough toys to keep you busy all day but you would rather play with anything else. You just got over ear infection #8 and you are scheduled for tubes in your ears on Tuesday.  Finally, maybe you will eat.  At 22 pounds, I don't think you are starving but lately you have been spitting out anything I feed you besides Puffs!  You sleep through the night most of the time but I think your ears just keep you from sleeping soundly. We are still waiting for more teeth, you still only have 2 on the bottom and that is it.  You have been super fussy the past few weeks and I keep thinking that new teeth are coming in any day but still no sign. You have been waving bye bye...

Sarabeth, You have grown up so fast, some times I wonder just who are you??  You LOVE to laugh and make others laugh-especially Nathan.  You have adjusted amazingly to having a little brother around.  It melts my heart to see you reach over in the car and hold his hand, or calm him when he is upset.  You are certainly the little mother. This week we have started a Chore Chart for you and you have responded ok.  It has made you more aware of the few things we'd like to see you do on your own, which was our intention as well as to add in some positive reinforcement to your day.  You thrive on structure and I have struggled with providing that lately, however you are such a well adjusted child that you do well either way.  You have gotten up every morning this week and brushed your teeth and dressed yourself without prompting or help.  Last night you even went to bed without a word-that's a first!!  Your strong will has made for som...

Things are starting to feel a little less like a long vacation and more like...well not quite normal yet but we're working on that.  Last weekend we made our last trip to Houston to get a few things from Matt's work storage.  Sarabeth and Nathan had a chance to visit with a few friends on Saturday before we headed back. Addy, SB, Ellie, Solly and Latham The weather here is still pretty chilly so we have been spending a lot of time inside.  Our days consist of staying in our PJ's for way too long, playing with lots of play-do, lunch, nap, computer time, more playing with toys, dinner, bath, bedtime and then Matt and his mom and I stay up playing dominoes.  I can play a mean game of Moon now! This week the sun has been peeking out so we have taken a couple of walks in the woods and ventured out to the swing set a few times.  This land is beautiful and full of opportunities for adventures for Sarabeth and Nathan soon enough! My weekly outing has...

Silly Face Contest with Mommy "Not really sure how that snowball got in your face." Chillin' (literally) Frosty, Sarabeth was very concerned that we did not have a corn cob pipe for him The past few weeks have certainly been an adjustment for our family.  I am just now realizing how different life is going to be from now on.  We have been enjoying the snow and Matt being home with us.  He goes for his 2nd interview on Tuesday in Little Rock and we are all hopeful he gets the job and can start soon. The kids are having a blast, although Sarabeth asks about her friends and her "house" frequently.  I know it is just a matter of time before she makes this her home.  I am trying to help with that but I know I must make that choice for our family before she is going to buy into it. Life has defintely taken on a slower speed for us.  We spend a lot of time at home, especially since the snow last week.  Matt's mom took me a...

Well my efforts to get a picture of you with your little bear each month have ceased!  With the holidays and moving, I can't seem to even remember what day it is.  Nevertheless, you are still almost 1!  This month we have enjoyed watching you cruise around the furniture and stand up on your own.  You really want to walk but you just aren't quite sure yet.  This was your first Christmas and we had a fun time watching you and your sister open gifts.  You wanted everything your sister opened and you were more interested in the wrapping paper than what was inside. We have started the process of moving to Arkansas and you have adjusted well so far.  I was really sad to see your nursery go but you will have a fabulous big boy room soon enough!  You still only have 2 little teeth on the bottom but I am sure more are coming as you have been extremely fussy the past few nights.  You are a good eater and prefer baby food to formula any day....

This month has been all about teething and being sick.  Whoa, what a month!  You just finished round 3 of antibiotics for a list of infections including 3 ear infections in the last 2 months.  Next step, tubes-just like sister had.  You have not been sleeping for anything!  I finally saw your first tooth coming in last night-finally! You are incredibly active, climbing and crawling on and in everything.  You are learning to stand on your own.  You are so proud of yourself once you realize what you are doing.  You are sooo happy all the time.  You love to be tickled and daddy knows right where to get you!  You still adore your sister and watch her every move.  She is so sweet to you most of the time:) I love the way you light up a room.  You are far from quiet, so everyone knows where you are at all times! You love to rock, which I am grateful for. When you are super tired, you will let me rock you right to sleep...