Freedom Park

Yesterday was our big flu shot day and since they only do shots between the hours of 2 and 4 pm, we had to fill up our morning and postpone naps until it was all over. We ventured out to Freedom Park, got a bite to eat, a quick stop off to get Andy a new bike tire tube, and then lastly, the doctor's office. Landon is still limping around the house because of the "boo boo" on his leg.

Thoughts from Landon...

Landon is talking non stop these days. In so many ways I love it - I love hearing him repeat things that we say and try to pronounce words that we use, and he is putting words together to complete thoughts - he can finally tell us what he needs or wants. But there are other times that I miss the cooing baby that didn't whine or talk back.

Some of his favorites:
No, I do it. (In that Joey Tribiani way)
Yeah, I think thso....
What's that, Mommy?
See it?! Yeah, See it?!
I cayan't.....(whining)
Read truck book...
Chase? downstairs?
Chase...need...bottle...
Sorry, Daddy...sorry...
Watch Barney
Here go Chase...
My juice, Daddy?
Drought...member Mommy? Member?
Heady Garbage...heady garbage...
Fine Mommy? Fine?
This kind either...

On some days, if I don't get out of the house and have some adult interaction, I feel like I too will be speaking in two word "sentences".

The drought continues...

Still no rain and we are approaching stage 4 drought restrictions. It's hard to explain to Landon who is now bathing in one centimeter of water what a drought is. But I think he has the idea... as we were walking by our community pool that had been drained Landon pointed and said "Drought...pool...yeah".

Babies

When a baby is born, your world (as you know it) turns upside down. The sleep deprivation can make any perfectly sane person turn into a maniac and your "perfect" life is no longer perfect - your house is a mess, your dinner decision becomes eenie meenie miney mo between cans in the pantry, poop becomes a daily topic, and when you finally get through one day without changing your shirt at least twice because the baby puked on you, you know the baby stage is almost coming to an end.
And although there is nothing glamorous about having a baby (besides the Christmas photo shoots once a year), life is not the same without them... there is nothing like the sweet smell of a baby's skin while they are cuddled up close, and their little hands and chubby fingers reaching out to touch your face, and the smile that only a mommy or daddy gets from their very own baby. It's an amazing feeling to watch them take in their surroundings and see things for the very first time. I love how they express their excitement with animated squeals at first, then full blown belly laughs. I love how their rolling turns to crawling which turns to walking then running. And when they are finally running, that baby phase, the one I mentioned, is pretty much over... and your world, although different now, becomes right side up again.

The Practice Crawl

Big Brother

Chase was born and as long as he was fed and sleeping, his existence was no problem for Landon at all. But now that Chase has emerged from "blob" to little, rolling, just about crawling person, it means he requires more attention. Landon is having a very hard time sharing "mommy" which means his behavior is slightly changing towards Chase. Landon can be the sweetest big brother ever, but then there are the moments when he is smooshing Chase's head against the pack-n-play wall, or when he is trying to shove a block in his mouth so Chase can teethe on it, or the chest compressions that get harder and harder (I never leave them alone in a room together)... but he can be the sweetest big brother ever...

We have a tooth!

I am very happy to report that Chase now has one tooth! Hurray! Hopefully this means better sleep for us all.

Almost there...

Chase is getting up on all fours, rocking back and forth, and then slides back onto his belly. He hasn't mastered the whole hand/knee coordination needed for crawling yet...I am sure that will be very soon. I have mixed feelings about him crawling - he is already getting into everything just by rolling. His favorite places so far: the fireplace - he likes looking at his reflection but has to get there by rolling onto the marble slab in front of the window - ouch!, under the pack-n-play - he can wedge his entire body minus his head, he just can't get back out, and he loves kicking, licking, and biting the wrought iron legs of our coffee tables - must be the cool sensation on his gums, or maybe he just likes the taste of dust!

Teething...ARGH!

So Chase is teething...horribly teething. I don't rememeber Landon going through this. He cries from sun up to sun down on most days now. He drools buckets - his shirt gets changed at least twice each day and he bites on everything - even his own arm! I see the little white buds on the bottom gums, but those little pearly whites just don't want to come through!

Another Greenway visit

Southern Living

We live outside of Charlotte, NC but I wouldn't consider Charlotte the "true" south. In fact, one author referred to Charlotte as the "gateway" to the south - I love that expression. And another author wrote, Charlotte is a "northern city" residing in the south. If you drive around, it feels very similar to the north - traffic on the highways, crowded malls and shops, and people always in a hurry. The most noticeable distinctions between Charlotte and a nothern city are the Palmetto trees and the greenery in December.

With that said, we drove further south to an area around Lake Murray, called Leesville, SC. I was starving, so we stopped at a supermarket so I could get sandwiches for Andy and myself. I walked in the store, and it smelled of cinnamon and spice - very holidayish, I was thinking. I walked over to the deli and there on display was fried everything - I couldn't even tell the difference between anything because it was all breaded and fried - all the same besides the shapes - they even fry pickles! Overlooking the fried mystery foods, I finally caught the attention of a very nice worker in the back (the pace was VERY laid back at this market). I asked if she could make a few sandwiches - turkey perhaps (hoping I could get that fresh, not fried). She wanted me to clarify my sandwich request, "You mean like on a roll?" "Yes...a sub/hoagie.", I reply. "Yeah, we don't have rolls for that." Hmmm..."Okay, well do you make fresh salads?" She points behind me to a case with salads. I thank her and walk over, pick up a salad container, carefully inspect, and find the lettuce was wilted on the bottom - yellowy wilted and not just one, but all. Fresh? Good thing she didn't make my sandwich!

Playground Fun

Lake Murray

After our museum adventure, we drove out to our property that we have in a community on Lake Murray. It was such a pretty day - chilly, but sunny and blue skies. And since we have no house (the tree pic is our lot), we hung out on our dock (until Landon was becoming too brave), and then it was back to dry land and the Adirondack chairs.

EdVenture Museum

Andy took the day off so we ventured down to Columbia, SC to visit the EdVenture Museum. It is an entirely hands-on experience centered around real life skills. Landon had a blast - he drove a tractor, milked a cow (Andy quickly pointed out that the udder could also be referred to as a "teet"), put gas in his car, drove his car (with baby brother as the passenger - should I be worried?), drove a fire engine, and climbed up the world's largest child to have a look inside his body - it was amazing! Andy and I had a great time trying everything too - some things became quite a challenge...we couldn't quite fit into all of the little places that Landon could.

Your "Real" Name

If you ask Landon what his name his, his response is "You". If you ask him what is "real" name is, you will get "Landon" - a bit tricky for his preschool teachers.

Trick or Treat

I love Halloween in our neighborhood - all of the neighbors who are usually too busy with work, school, and after school activities, come out to play. The kids run down the street with such enthusiasm, so colorful in all of their amazing costumes. And the parents follow behind smiling and thinking back to when they used to trick or treat and realizing that the feeling of watching your own kid is almost better than going yourself.

Landon had a great time with his buddy, Michael and cousin, Luke - he especially liked running around with his flashlight and glow stick after dark. He really didn't care much for the trick-or-treating part. In fact, he was trying to give his candy back at each house we visited - I am sure that will change once he realizes the "value" of candy!

Compliment from a Stranger

Have you ever had one of those hectic days? Kids aren't napping as scheduled, one is teething and cries so much "they" have to come and get you while working out at the Y, the whining never stops and you have to take two cranky kids to the grocery store to buy the necessary supplies - diapers and juice. And while at the grocery store, you have one that wants to sit in the front of the cart (where your legs slide into the two holes) knowing full well that his baby brother has to sit in there because he can't be anywhere else, and he doesn't want to sit in the back but he wants to push his own mini-cart (I wonder if whoever invented those has kids of his/her own under the age of 2 1/2) and he runs into the backs of people's legs (very old people) who just nod and smile politely (and you know she is swearing under her breath), and you finally make it to the check out and your 2 1/2 half year old wants to hand the cashier EVERY item from you cart and throws a tantrum when you try to speed him up because the person behind you is sighing and looking at their watch. And you finally make it through the line, and are heading for the door with the baby in the front, groceries in the main part of the cart, and the 2 1/2 year old riding on the cart with his hands hanging from the handle, and a woman following you out says, "You are doing a great job with the two of them.", gives me a warm smile, and continues on her way. All of the tensions of the day seemed to fade away with that one (seemingly) small statement. Thank you stranger at the grocery store - I needed that compliment today.

Mystery Trail Walker Guy

Dear Mystery Trail Walker Guy:

I see you out walking EVERY day and I stopped you once to ask how far and you said seven miles every day. I just want to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me walking in the rain, (snow if we have it), or shine. I see you walking while I run or drive, or even from the windows of the YMCA while I am struggling to motivate myself to workout. You walk when it is so humid that I feel like I am swimming in the air, and even on the days when it is very chilly and pouring down rain. The days I don't feel like taking a jog with my boys, I think of you and know that you are out there walking your heart out. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me.

Anonymous