Picture/Video Dump Day



Like Father



Like Son :)

He has such a great time playing with that ball! Best $2.50 ever spent hehe!

His football. Yeah, apparently he sleeps with it now :)

Shopping for birthday party supplies. Needless to say, we did not buy the hat.

He looks like a turtle stuck on his back. Either that or he is trying to break dance.

 

Brand new jammies! Trying them on at Great Grandma's house.

That's right, he's a cool kid.

I'm sensing a theme with these car-seat pictures. This is on his first birthday, after he got his shots. And after his first haircut the night before! He looks so grown up!

YUM! Comfort food - Went to see THE HELP, and it was sold out! Grr. We even tried again in Odessa a couple weeks later, and guess what, we ended up eating chocolate cake and ice cream at Casa Ole again. Must be a spectacular movie!

I will be adding a post *hopefully* sometime this week of Landon's first birthday, with pictures/video from his party, all of his stats and everything. If not this week, I'll get around to it eventually! HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!

Nothing profound...just living.

UPDATE TIME!

Landon is now taking steps! Oh okay, before I get ahead of myself.... He turned 11 months this past Monday, and on Wednesday evening, Aaron was playing with him and decided to put him a few feet away from him. Normally, Landon would just plop down and crawl back to Aaron... but this time, he took 3 (unassissted) steps! We got all excited and I got my phone out to video -- we practiced until he started getting mad at us. The most he took in a row that night was 6. I'm sure he will be "taking steps" for at least a week or two before we can consider him full on WALKING, but still... my baby is growin up! *Tear*

If this video doesn't work for whatever reason, I have a video of it on Facebook...so, go "friend me" on Facebook if ya wanna see it! :) If it does work, consider yourselves in deep trouble, cause I'm going to upload all my videos of this adorable kiddo :)

We also have teeth! Just a few weeks ago he got the first one (bottom middle right tooth) and then this past week, he has gotten both of his middle top teeth. His new favorite past-time is grinding them. EESH! I hate that noise!

He is outgrowing all of his sleepers, and we are putting him in shorts and t-shirts for bedtime now. Another sign that my baby is turning into a toddler. I cannot believe he will be a year old in less than a month. I know this is cliche, but time has just FLOWN by. (flown...that's a funny word. like fork. fork is funny too. *random thought over now*) Well, you know I can't resist tossing up a few pictures of my kiddo...brace yourself, he gets cuter by the day!:

Road trip to Houston - on the search for a new tent!

Po wearing his hat

Nonna wearing his hat



My patriotic boy on the 4th of July

 Wow. after looking at pictures, I realized it has been a while since I updated. Landon had a great time on the 4th of July. We went early (like 5:30pm) to get a spot for the fireworks, cause it fills up quick. The spot we really wanted was taken by like 9am. Crazy people :). We actually ended up with an even better spot if you don't count the whole waiting an hour after the "show" to get out of the parking lot. We had "front row" seats, and I was a little worried that Landon would be scared of the noise. Quite the contrary! The first few seemed to scare him for a split second, but then he was pointing at them and babbling away. I'm sure in his own way, he was exclaiming over the colors, and telling us which "style" was his favorite! (I like love the ones that look like huge willow trees!)

We also went on our first camping trip since he was born. I don't have those pictures "on me" to upload, but here is one of him with his Popo and all of his cousins by the river:


Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Landon, Popo, Korbin, Emma, AJ, Kadyn, Malachi, and Zoe

We all had a really great time -- and it is an "annual" trip, so Landon will get to enjoy this spot every summer growing up. I'll try to remember to add some more pictures (and commentary) of this trip later on.



I got new boots!



I love getting new shoes. I've been wanting some nice brown boots for a while, and since they were on sale, Aaron let me I decided to get them. :) They are comfy too! I'll be "stylin" this winter hehe.


Best. Husband. Ever.

In case you can't tell, that is a dozen roses, with a gift card to the Woodhouse Day Spa. For a 2 hour massage. Aaron is already an amazing husband and daddy. But add this to the mix? Again: Best. Husband. Ever. I came home from work one day to find this on the counter. Just because. I love my husband. :)

And just a few more pictures, etc.:





This kid is always pointing at ceiling fans/light fixtures. We could probably take him to Lowes to look at fans for his birthday, and he'd be a happy camper :)

Milk face! But check out those eyes. I know, I know, I'm his mom, but I think he has gorgeous eyes!

Okay, that's all for now. I know you will all be on pins and needles until my next post. I'll try to be a little more consistent. But, no promises! Oh--wait, I do need to add pictures of my latest Forever Treasures... maybe you'll "see me" sooner than you think! 



Forever Treasures and more...

So, finally got some of my stuff done, and I'm ready to share! I am hoping that this business will get off the ground and that eventually it will bring in enough money for me to be a stay at home mom. I would love nothing more than to be with my awesome kiddo all day every day. Let me know what you think of them.


The first Forever Treasure I made. This one sits on my desk at work.







The first Forever Treasure I made at a customer's request :)



This one is ready to be personalized!



This one could be yours!





The first picture frame I covered. Picture frames will start at $8.

I am so excited about my little creations here. I've already gotten some more orders, so I am getting busy! I'm also going to try to get some "generic" ones completed to sell at Market Days. If you would like to order one, you can let me know here by leaving a comment, or you can email me at theforevertreasures@gmail.com and let me know what you might want.

Anywho... I appreciate any and all feedback.

*On a side note, SUPER excited to go watch the last Harry Potter movie tomorrow night!

How does that saying go? (Food for Thought)

Ya know... the one about people only being in your life for a season?

I thought for the longest time that that was just hype. I KNEW that my family and friends would always stay close. Our relationships would only grow stronger.

Well, that whole "You live and you learn" saying is true--as is the one about people only being in your life for a season. I've learned a lot since graduating high school -- as you "grow up" -- your friends can grow distant. Life takes you to different places, and people go their separate ways. You get told to "roll with the punches."

Why roll with the punches? Why not just avoid them altogether? I mean, who wants bruises?

Unfortunately, those "bruises" build character. They make YOU who YOU are. When your "friends" choose to find new friends when you get married and have kids, it probably isn't because of who you are... they are just in different lanes of this road we call life. When your family fights and argues, or doesn't talk at all... ya just gotta try to remember that "they'll come around" (or maybe they won't, in which case, you gotta remember you weren't given a choice in who your family is - but ya gotta love them anyway).

I have "lost" more friends than I can count throughout my life, just due to circumstance. But you know what, I'm still happy. I don't NEED those people in my life who don't want to be there. And if they wanted to be there, they would call. My number hasn't changed. In the past few years, I have learned that I can be content just where I am. With who I am.

Don't get me wrong, I miss those friendships and the "good ol' days" from my past just as much as the next person, but that's what they are -- "from my past." It's okay to look in the rearview mirror every now and then, but my focus is now on my future--what lies ahead. If you don't focus on that, you're likely to crash and burn.

This "season" of my life may not contain as many "friends" as I thought it would way back when, but that's okay. I have an amazing husband, the greatest kiddo ever, and my family -- which is even better than all the friends in the world. I didn't get to pick my family, but God did. :) Thank goodness!

All this to say... ummm.... "Don't Worry, Be Happy" -- I know, kind of random today... but...love me anyway!

Inquiring minds want to know

Okay, so no one really asked, but I'm sharing anyway :)

Landon had his 9 month check-up, and according to the doctor, he's great! He weighed in at 17lbs 9oz, and was 28.6" tall. That puts him in the 19th percentile for weight, and the 57th for height. Maybe we'll get our pro basketball player someday? Hehehe... Hey, a parent can dream! If we have to, we'll settle for pro baseball player.

But seriously, Dr. "A" did commend us on how great Landon was at behaving in all of his office visits. He never cries while we are there (well except when he gets his shots, but understandably so!), but just looks curiously at his doctor during the "exam." What can I say, I'm proud of my sweet boy! Oh, and he always gives Dr. A a smile before we leave. He'll go back again for his 12 months checkup in September.

Yikes. Did I just say 12 months? Where has the time gone?!

Speaking of time... it has been getting away from me with regards to starting my little "business." BUT! I finally went out and bought the wood for it, and Dad cut me a piece last week. Last night I FINALLY picked out the paper I wanted to use, and just went for it - got it covered before I went to bed. I don't want to share it prematurely, but be on the lookout soon! I'm hoping to finish it this weekend. Then I'll post pictures, and (hopefully) get some orders off of the first one. :) I have so many ideas swimming around in this noggin of mine, that it is hard to sit still! I want to be out shopping and getting stuff for it, and doing it. --but there's that whole "patience is a virtue" thing I forget about. Must. Put. Into. Practice.

Anywho, once I finally get it posted I want honest opinions...and hopefully they won't be too brutal!

9 Months

I can't believe Landon is 9 months old today! Oh, and remember how I said he was almost crawling? Well, he has been doing the whole army crawl (dragging himself with his arms) for a few weeks now, and then just last night, he got up on his hands and knees and just went for it!

He is also pulling up and standing at the coffee table, in his crib, at his jumperoo, and pretty much anywhere else that he is able to grab onto something and pull up. We go to the doctor next Tuesday (the 14th) and I am so excited to get his "stats." He has the best laugh, and is now "talking" all the time. He says "dadadaddadadadadada" and "mamamamamamamamamama" and other silly little things too. I don't think he recognizes that he is saying "Daddy" or "Momma" --rather just repeating what Aaron and I say all the time. :)

This kid can sleep in the weirdest positions! And he moves constantly in his sleep. He is never in the same position I put him down in when I go to get him up in the mornings. This past weekend we were visiting Aunt Mary's (on Aaron's side) ranch house, and he fell asleep in his pack-n-play:



How in the world he was the least bit comfortable is beyond me!! I did move him to a more comfortable position after we got the picture, but the next day when I put him in the pack-n-play for a nap once we got home, this is how I found him:


Umm, maybe he's just stretching? hehe

Crazy boy! He is loving eating off of our plates these days, and even if he has just eaten his baby food, he will get frustrated if we are eating and not giving him something. He will eat just about anything so far. In fact, I only remember him spitting out broccoli rice casserole, but after that first bite, he ate it like his life depended on it. :) He had his first ear infection a couple weeks ago *a double ear infection!*, and after that went away, he was great for a few days, but now we seem to be dealing with some allergies. His eyes are goopy in the mornings, and his nose is always going between running and being stopped up. FUN. (not!) Hoping it clears up soon. Still no teeth, but maybe soon. He has been doing quite a bit of drooling, and gnawing on toys, so maybe one will pop out in the next week or so.

Moving on... did I mention that we got a new car?! Traded Aaron's little KIA in and got a Dodge Journey. I'm LOVING it! We have already taken it on two "trips" -- once to Palacios, and then to Cameron this past weekend.


The color is "Blackberry Pearl"

 I know the bigger car payment will take a chunk of change that we were just getting to "enjoy" since my car had been paid off, but we will still get to enjoy the money--only everytime we drive :). On our first trip in our new car, we went to Palacios, and took Landon to the beach there. He LOVED the water!


Isn't he handsome!?!



We didn't have our swimsuits or anything though, so we just "waded" for about 10-15 mintues. He was kicking and having a good time. I think he is going to love swimming. Can't wait to get him in the pool... maybe one day this weekend.

So, I need some prayers. I am thinking of starting a business, making "things" and although I am pretty sure I will be able to make nice things, I am scared of the whole "marketing" and "pricing" aspects of it. I want this venture to take off, so I can stay at home with my kid(s) someday, but still contribute to our income. I am really going to try to start working on it this weekend, and hopefully have some things to share within the next couple of weeks, so prayers are appreciated! Please feel free to leave your own prayer requests as comments below :)

Oh, one more thing --it is time to quit stalling and lose this baby weight (not to mention all the rest of the extra weight I have put on in the past 10 years or so!) So-- be praying for me in that endeavor as well! Exercise is a must-- and I despise it most of the time! :)

Ummm.... yeah.

UPDATE TIME!

Landon is going to be crawling soon. He turned 8 months old on the 8th of May, and just this last week, he started getting up on his knees and "rocking" back and forth. Eeek! Not sure we are ready for him to be crawling... He is growing up so fast! Here's a few pictures for you to enjoy:

We had a great Easter, and I had a great Mother's Day. Oh, and "Administrative Professionals Day fell in there as well :). Landon looked so cute on Easter Sunday!



The Easter Bunny came!



Daddy had to work... :(

We got some pictures of him and his cousins...although I didn't get a group picture of his other cousins on Saturday...:( I guess we'll have to make sure of that next year! I'll have to upload all of those later though, cause when I tried to "steal" them from my sister's FB page, it wouldn't let me. Darn privacy setting! Hehehe...Anywho... I got flowers at work for being an "administrative professional" -- Gerber Daisies--pretty pretty!

You know you are jealous :). They died about 5 days later... I must have over watered them or something... The leaves still look kind of pretty though... maybe some new buds will pop out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! For Mother's Day, Aaron (and Landon!) surprised me with a Nook!

Woohoo! Right now, I am reading Pride and Prejudice (again). The going is slow. Landon likes to take up what used to be my reading time with playing and laughing, and eating, and diaper changes. Ahh.... the sweet life of being a mom! Good thing I read a lot of books when I was younger... cause I might get 3 or 4 in a year at the rate I'm going now. But I wouldn't trade Landon in for a million books!

Other than all of that, there is not a whole lot going on right now that I can think of. Aaron and I are planning a trip to New York in October...I can't wait until we buy our tickets! It will be nice to get away and to visit a place neither of us has ever been.

Our Buddy Walk team, "Lauren's Love Patrol" is in the middle of our second fundraiser right now... raising money for the awareness of Down Syndrome-- our team goal for the year is $5000! And we need your help. Right now we are doing a "Scentsy" Fundraiser. Here is the link if you would like to make a purchase: https://whitewolfspirits.scentsy.us/Buy?partyId=32754465. All of the profits from this "show" will go to Lauren's Love Patrol. Help us out y'all!

Well, I must be going now. Got things to do (and lunch to eat!) Have a blessed day (all 6 of you! hehe)