My Loves

Check out this bedhead!

And my newest little heartbreaker ...

I'm lovin' it!

We're Still Here!!!

And even better ... Grammy's been here, too, visiting for the whole week! I'm loving the help she gives me each day, and the extra hour of sleep I get each morning since she's been waking up with Tanner. But even more, I love having her company all day! It's all been pretty fantastic and we're going to miss her so much when she goes home at the end of the week! Before that happens, though, Jon and I are going to squeeze in a date-night. Can't wait!

Just a quick update while I wait for the little man to wake up and nurse before I retire for the night (or the next 3 hours at least).

Jon took Tanner on a train ride last weekend. Just a quick one from our train station to the next town over, where Landon and I met them for lunch. Ever since then, all I've heard is "Daddy, choo-choo!" He love love LOVED it. His newest work is "sit." He likes to point to the second chair at his little table, or the place next to him on the couch, and command me to "sit" instead of clean or continue with whatever else I'm doing. I think it's God's little way of reminding me to put aside whatever else I'm doing and just enjoy my boys.

Landon had his first "real" bath on Tuesday night. He did awesome. Tanner, on the other hand, had a conniption when he saw Landon's baby bath tub in HIS bath tub! I just had to laugh as I watched the video afterwards. I keep reminding myself ... he's not a brat, he's two.

Landon is literally growing from one feeding to the next. I cannot believe how fast he's filling out! He's totally getting chubby! The other day he rolled over from tummy to back several times ... my mom and I couldn't believe it! He's just such a little LOVE. We keep commenting to each other about what a good baby he is. But really, I think he just seems so good because Tanner is so bad lately! (Okay, he's not bad, he's two, remember??) :)

Marshmallow Thief

A friend at playgroup yesterday commented that she thinks Tanner is a sophisticated eater.

I completely agree.

:)

Growing Pains

Landon's umbilical cord fell off this afternoon.

The last physical sign that he grew in my belly.

He's growing way too fast.

Sniff, sniff.

Please Say A Prayer ...

... for our beloved Nanny Kat (Rachel's sister) and Uncle Pat (Jon's brother) as they say goodbye to one another early tomorrow morning. Pat is leaving for his first 12-month tour to Afghanistan. We know from experience that tomorrow will probably be one of the hardest days of their married life together. We love you, Pat and Kat!

Don't Blink!

How did it happen that more than two weeks has gone by since my newest love joined the family?! I blinked and found myself at his two week appointment today. Gosh, time flies!

Little Landon is literally growing before our eyes. He weighed in at 9lbs 10oz and measured 22.75 inches this morning. The doctor said he is nice and healthy, which makes this Mommy very happy! Today was my first outing alone with the boys to somewhere other than a friend's house or the Starbucks drive-thru. It went surprisingly well and Tanner actually behaved himself throughout the check-up, thank GOD!

The three of us are doing pretty well here during the day while Daddy's at work. We've had a few outings to friends' houses and to our playgroup, but spend most of the time just playing around the house. Landon and I mostly just follow Tanner upstairs, then downstairs, then to the basement, then upstairs again, then back down to the basement, etc, etc. I thought being home-bound would drive me crazy, but I'm actually finding it to be quite freeing. No pressure to be anywhere at any certain time. We just do what we can when we can.

I just can't seem to get over how much I adore having two little ones to love. I had several conversations with my sister, Lauren, before Landon was born about how I was nervous that I wouldn't love this baby as much as I loved Tanner. (That's the beauty of having sisters -- you can tell them whatever's on your mind and know they won't judge you.) Now that I'm here on the other side, I'm just delighted to be able to tell you that it really does happen just like every mom says it will ... you do love the second one just as much! Your heart literally expands to include your newest family member. It's miraculous and wonderful and totally overwhelming. I love being a mom!

Okay, enough gushing. What we've been up to ...

Landon attended his first playgroup last week and was definitely welcomed in style with balloons and presents and yummy chocolate cake!




Then, on Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa Hall came to stay for Easter. We just hung out at home, took a trip down to the park in the new "ride," decorated Easter eggs, and watched the Masters. On Sunday morning, we went to church and them came home to find Easter baskets and hunt for eggs in the backyard. It was a great holiday and we were so happy to spend it with Grandma and Grandpa!

Well, I'm off to try and catch a quick powernap before my boys wake up from their naps. Enjoy our most recent pics!

We Made It!!

The boys and I have officially made it through two days together without incident and we're all still smiling! I can feel your prayers -- keep 'em coming! Tanner's behavior has actually been much improved these past two days, probably thanks to a return to normalcy around here. I'm so very very thankful for that! We've been busy making muffins, having practice Easter egg hunts in the playroom, and generally just playing together!

I just can't get over how much I love having a newborn around -- life is so sweet and God is so good! How did I ever get so lucky to be surrounded by three boys to love?

Hangin' In

Well ... tomorrow is officially the first day of my new job ... Stay-at-home Mother of TWO! The last of my help left today and I am on my own! YIKES!! I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous. Just keeping Tanner busy at home all day is a lot of work! I'm sure I'll be fine, but a few prayers would be greatly appreciated!! Thankfully, I have friends bringing me meals almost every night for the next two weeks, which is a huge load off my mind! I'm very very lucky!

We have been doing really well so far. Tanner is doing great with the baby. He is very gentle and loving with him and doesn't ever seem to be jealous or upset if I'm holding him. Keep in mind, though, that he's been getting TONS of attention from Daddy, Grammy, and Aunt Lauren. On the other hand, his behavior in other areas has been extremely difficult -- all-out tantrums at every turn. This doesn't seem to stem from the baby -- more-so from a disruption in his schedule, a desire for independence, and just being tired -- they seem to happen right before naptime or bedtime. I know it's time to start time-outs soon, I just don't know if I have what it takes right now to be consistent with them ...

Landon is doing wonderfully. I can already see he's getting bigger which makes me a little sad! He is just the sweetest little thing and every time I look at him my heart melts. I think I appreciate the time I have with him even more than I did with Tanner because I know now how FAST he's going to grow up! Even though I literally have to DRAG myself out of bed at night to go in a feed him, I treasure that special quiet time we have together. The hardest thing about being on my own during the day will be having to set him down a lot and not being able to cuddle him whenever I want. I do have a new hotsling coming in the mail this week, so I'm hoping that will allow me to be close to him while still being able to play with Tanner.

Well, I better go get our dinner dishes done so I can relax and get to bed at a decent time. I'm a BEAR if I don't get my sleep! Enjoy the pics of my sweet boys!

Hey, Mom! Do you think he'll wake up if I rock him REALLY fast?

Just kidding, buddy.

He's so soft and cuddly!

We love you, Aunt Lauren!!! Come back SOON!

If You've Got a Whole Minute

Stick with the video until the end.

It's worth the wait and you'll see just why our hearts are melting all over the place.

What We've Been Doing ...

A little bit of this ...

A Whole Lotta This ...

Enjoying lots of quality time with Daddy ...

Do you HAVE to go back to work next week?

And getting to know our newest little character...

These people are insane ...