Happy 2nd Birthday Landon!

This year we celebrated with an safari animal birthday party and an animal train cake.

In reflecting on the past year I am not quite sure there will be another year where Landon changes more than this one.

A year ago Landon couldn't walk....now he is nonstop and can even ride a scooter and climb up the rockwall on the playground.

A year ago Landon didn't say mama...I am so glad he now says mama but he also now talks in complete sentences and there are not many minutes he is awake and not talking.

A year ago Landon didn't rock out...now his guitar is one of his favorite things and he loves to perform on the stage (fireplace). He can also sing just about any nursery rhyme.

A year ago Landon just listened as we read him books...he now is specific about which books are read and will recite the book with you (especially Chicka Chicka Boom Boom).

A year ago Landon watched us pray...He now reminds mom and dad if they forget at dinner and will even be found singing "Yes Lord, I love you" while playing with his toys.

Today Landon has an amazing imagination, is always thinking of new ways to climb, and has fun doing anything with mom and dad. He is definitely a daddy's boy and tries to do things just like him everyday. Landon loves animals, anything with water, music, and playing outside. I am sure that playing sports and being involved in music are in his future.

Landon shows us everyday just how awesome life can be! I am so lucky to be his mama!

Month 2: On the Go!

Bryce checked in at 12lb. 2oz and 23 inches long at his 2 month checkup. He is in the 47th percentile for weight, 74th percentile for height, and his head is at the 92nd percentile. There is no doubt he is growing. He continues to be a very happy baby and smiles all the time now and is quite ticklish. We were also able to get his birth certificate and social security card fixed this month.

Bryce's favorite thing is to watch the star light up on his play mat, and smile back at mommy, daddy, or Landon. Landon has begun to sit or lay next to Bryce when playing and have conversations with him which is so sweet to watch. He is a great big brother! We also began leaving him with a babysitter this month occasionally and he has done great every time. He slept through the night for the first time last night!

Another first for Bryce this month was a 3 nights with daddy working out of town and a road trip to NY. Although he couldn't enjoy the water like his big brother Bryce loved getting spoiled from all the family we visited. Bryce also got to meet his cousin Cole for the first time! It is so neat to have these boys just 4 days apart. They are going to have a great time growing up together although I think my sister and I are in trouble to have 4 boys between us that are less than 3 years apart.

I headed back to work yesterday and Bryce has done great so far. The newborn clothes are put away and I am sure we will be out of size 1 diapers very soon. having 2 kids continues to be an adjustment but it is getting easier. David and I have even went out to dinner last weekend for the first time with both kids. I still love cuddling with him and am a little sad at just how fast time is flying by. But at the same time I know that each phase we are about to go through is special and will be so much fun. Too bad there isn't a button you can reverse, pause, or fast forward depending on the day!

Month 1: Family of Four

It's hard to believe a month has past while at the same time I feel as though its been forever since I worked and we had our families here to visit.

Bryce has been a wonderful addition to our family this month. He is healthy and weighs about 10 pounds. He is able to sleep pretty much anywhere and with quite a bit of noise which is a good thing because Landon and quiet do not go together well. Landon loves giving Bryce a high 5, getting him a toy to take to the store with us, and always gives him a kiss on the forehead before heading to bed. Bryce has already been on walks to the playground, out for frozen yogurt, and to the store a few times. Bryce is not a huge fan of the car seat but is liking it more everyday.

Bryce loves to make noises both when he is asleep and awake and his eyes follow voices he recognizes. He burps like an old man and has had no problem keeping us busy changing diapers. Bryce also loves to make many faces and particularly loves giving us the stink eye or a smirk like he has a trick up his sleeve. I can't wait to see his personality develop and am sure we are going to be busy with him and Landon working together!

I wake up everyday and find it crazy that I have 2 kids. I think its still sinking in but I love it! There are so many things about the first month that you forget about...how tricky it is to get a schedule going, how little sleep you get, no baby does it just like the book says, and just how sweet it feels to have a brand new baby in your arms!

June 15, 2013: Welcome Bryce David Reeves!

On Saturday, June 15th our family changed forever! I had a scheduled induction and we headed off to the hospital just after breakfast. Landon was excited to stay at home and play with Grandma and Grandpa Reeves. June 15th was also special because it is also Aunt Katrina's birthday!

This labor experience was very different from Landon's delivery. I was nervous this time since I knew somewhat of what to expect and wanted to be patient if things went differently. Here is my list of 5 things that made this day one of the best days of my life.

5. Grandma Reeves was able to be in the delivery room and see Bryce born. I appreciated her support and was so glad she could share this experience with us. She was also able to get Bryce's first photos.

4. We started Pitocin just after 8am and contractions came regularly pretty quick but they weren't too strong. It was really nice to have some time that was just David and I to hang out. With a toddler at home we hadn't had time just the two of us in awhile to just hang out. The doctor came in and broke my water at 12:24. Labor quickly progressed from 5 to 10 cm and Bryce was born at 2:11. An attempt was made to give me an epidural twice but it didn't work. For that reason I am thankful that it went quick. Although this was not the way I planned I believe that this made my recovery easier. God always has a plan and I am confident He knew what was best.

3. David was awesome throughout the day once again. I know things were harder for him this time as well but he was always encouraging me and wouldn't let me give up.

2. Seeing Bryce for the first time. When I saw him for the first time I felt a huge sigh of relief that I did it despite all the pain and couldn't quite believe the miracle that laid before me. My entire pregnancy was so busy and taking care of Landon all the time I don't think there was a whole lot of time to picture myself with another baby. Bryce was perfectly healthy and crying. He was beautiful. I immediately thought he was smaller than Landon was but later found out he was actually bigger. He weighed 8lb. 1oz and was 20 inches long. The few hours he laid with me after the delivery were so special and he is a cuddler.

1. Seeing Landon come in the room and want to sit on David's lap immediately and see his brother was amazing. I love these 3 boys more than anything in the world. Landon was so intrigued by Bryce and was ready to give him a kiss right away. I know Bryce is going to add so much to our family and I can't wait to watch the boys grow up together.

18 Months: Just Like Daddy

Landon turned 18 months old today and he is growing! He is about 23 pounds and is 30 inches tall. He grew an inch in the last month. We are still in 12 month clothes although they are getting snug. 18 months are definitely too big but we are wearing some.

Life with him gets more fun everyday! Getting a quality picture of him is more and more difficult these days so I took a few videos since Christmas and merged them together so you can see just how much fun we have with him everyday! Looking over these videos I have realized he is definitely daddy's boy. If you only have a minute definitely go to the end to see Daddy and Landon jamming out!

He talks more and more everyday and definitely tries to repeat small phrases we say. Where are you? was his first phrase and continues to be one of his favorites. It works pretty well to get mom and dad out of bed in the morning because its just too cute. As I laid him down last night and said I love you he said it loud right back and it definitely brought a tear.

Although we have heard mama a few times and will point to me in a picture when we ask where mama is he still calls me dada. He is definitely playing with me...I have told David that the next baby is only going to hear the word mama.

Landon also has no pacifier as of this weekend. He only used it at nighttime but it has gone smoother than I ever thought. We took them all out of the crib and just read him an extra book and gave him an additional stuffed animal in his crib at bedtime. He was calling for this the first day saying where are you and cried for a few minutes but by day 2 he was going to bed with no tears. He has woken up earlier everyday this weekend but if that's the worst of it I am alright with that. Today was also the first time he didn't cry when I dropped him off at church.

We are very excited Landon will be having a brother in June and know he is going to be a HUGE help once he gets used to sharing David and I.

I'm Steppin'

 Landon practiced walking a lot with Grandma Harter when she visited but took his first official steps last Wednesday at 13 Months and 2 days. His buddy Hayden was playing with his lawn mower when Landon decided he wanted to play and walked from his legos over to the lawn mower. It's still just 6-10 steps at a time and only when Landon wants to. He definitely has a mind of his own!

 

The biggest thing in our house this month has been adjusting back to our work routine and taking Landon to daycare. He sleeps less at daycare than at home but eats great and does not cry when David drops him off. There were a few bumps in the beginning but I anticipated it being much harder. I am thankful for everyone who works there and cares for him while I am at work.  

 

I am amazed by how many things we have put away now which just prove to me he isn't a baby anymore....

 He insists on sitting at the table with us and using big people silverware.

He prefers walks in his wagon compared to his stroller.

He talks more and more everyday and just this week he is really trying to imitate the words we say. He does say Dada, Mama (rarely), bye bye, wuv you, Ball, Baba, and this.

You are lucky if he either gives or blows a kiss to you, gives you a high five, or waves.

It is now almost impossible to get a video or take a picture of him because he stops being cute and wants to attack the camera as soon as he sees it.

 

Praying at the dinner table all on his own tonight! He usually laughs at David and I and then he did it all by himself!

Baseball practice has also begun! Daddy is praying Landon is the answer to the Cubs slump.

 

I have LOVED every stage of Landon so far but it is true when people say it just gets better all the time. I love that we can laugh together now and he really understands and knows so much more than I think he does.

Party Time at Landon's Launch Pad!

We had an awesome birthday party on August 18th at our new house! It was great to celebrate with friends and David's family. Landon thoroughly enjoyed playing all day and was still going strong as we were cleaning up. The kids enjoyed playing outside in the water table and with other toys. All the kids left tired and dirty which in my mind is a sign of a good time! At Landon's 1 year checkup he was 18 pounds 2 oz. which puts him at the 13th% and he is at the 40th% for height.

 

 

A goal of mine was to make Landon's cake and with the help of pinterest and David's mom it was a success! I also made his shirt for him to wear. It was a lot of fun and I hope to continue to try something new each year.

Landon enjoyed the frosting and some cake but was not too fond of getting dirty. We gave him a short bath in the red tub when he was done to wash him off. I also learned just how much frosting he ate the next day when we were given several blue surprises throughout the day!

 

 

Thanks to everyone near and far who helped make Landon's birthday so special!

Happy Birthday Landon!