And the countdown begins again…

I really can’t believe that this week is over already. It seriously flew by, and I’m sad that it’s over. It was nice to relax and spend some much needed time with the family without the rush of everyday life, and the stress from work. Just three short weeks, and then we’ll be out for Christmas! Let the countdown begin!

Landon has grown so much over this Thanksgiving break. He’s way more mobile than he was just a week ago. He hasn’t started crawling, but he’s figured out how to get himself around, and get into things. I have a feeling that I better start baby-proofing the house soon!

He’s also learned how to clap this week. Clapping isn’t a completely new thing for him. He’s actually been doing it for a while now. But this week, he learned how to do it correctly! He loves patty cake, and he gets a big goofy grin on his face when I start singing it, and he excitedly claps along.

He’s also been a complete turd this week! Very aggravating, cranky, tiring, but still amazingly cute. I don’t know if he’s just not feeling well (he’s still not over his ear infection and runny nose), if he’s teething (his 3rd and 4th top teeth should be coming in soon), or if he’s just testing his limits. Getting that baby to sleep and stay asleep, changing his diaper, getting him dressed, has all been SO hard. The other day, when I took him out of the bath, he kicked his little legs back and screamed! I’m pretty sure he was throwing himself a little tantrum! He also gets mad and will throw his toys or hit his hands down. Woah! Does this baby have a temper or what?!?!

It’s so hard to not let him have his way. I guess because I’m not entirely sure if it’s just a tantrum, or if something’s wrong. I know that he’s way smarter than I probably give him credit for. He’s not a little baby anymore, and sometimes it’s so hard to remember that.

Since he refuses to lay down and take naps without a complete fight, we let him bounce himself to sleep in his jumper…  so bad.. but hey, Mr. Hubby and I were tired, and we needed some sleep too!

Even with all the fuss and frustration, I’m still sad to go back to work. I’m going to miss that mischievous little face. I’m going to miss him making loud grunting noises because he wants some of my sweet tea, and I’m going to miss those sweet naps when he falls asleep on my chest in the middle of the afternoon.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… I spent part of the evening wrapping up Landon’s Christmas presents this evening. I can’t believe that it’s less than a month away. Twenty days and counting!

Pumpkins, Fall, Halloween, and 9 months old!

Landon’s 9th month was soooo much fun! So much seemed to happen!

Here’s a picture of Landon on the day that he turned 9 months old. I love this little monster!

Landon’s smile melts my heart. I’m so lucky to have him in my life!!!!

Landon still wasn’t pulling up on anything, but he was able to stand and lean on things without support! Just a week or two before, he’d wobble and stick his little booty out. He got good at standing fast! Daddy and I were so proud!

One thing that I knew I wanted to do with Landon was take him to a pumpkin patch for pictures!!! My mother in law and I headed over to the Christ Episcopal Pumpkin Patch for a photo shoot. We got some pretty cute shots of Landon. He was in a great mood!

Look at this little booger standing! This is my favorite picture.

Landon with his pumpkin pail that his Mia made him.

Then some mommy and baby pics.

Mr. Hubby says that this is his favorite pic of us.

Mr. Hubby and I also got to pick out Landon’s Halloween costume! There were SO many adorable ones that it was really hard to choose! We had them narrowed down to a few, and I decided to let Mr. Hubby make the final decision. He chose the dragon costume, and I ordered it right away. When we first put Landon in his costume, he wouldn’t move his head at all with that hood on. He’d only move his eyes. It was so funny. It was a little big, but it’d work.

The daycare was having a costume contest one day, and all of the babies and kids came to school in their costumes. I was able to take off of work to go. I just couldn’t miss his first contest!

Landon was excited to see me when I came to the daycare, and seemed to be in a great mood, even in his costume. If only they would have started on time…. because I think he got a little tired of being in that thing after a while!

Now I have a mommy confession. I was totally checkin out those other babies and sizing up Landon’s competition. Is it awful that I was secretly saying “PICK LANDON! Come on!!! Win!!!” ?!?!

But hey… I always think he’s cutest. I’m his mommy after all. So finally they announced the winner, and of course… it was LANDON!!! WOOO! (I knew he’d win!)

Landon, on the other hand, was not too excited about it by that point. His nose was runny, and he wanted that thing off!

He won a little prize for winning, a toy car, and a plastic book.

We also headed back to the pumpkin patch for some pics with my friend Sarah and her baby Mason.

I just love these boys! I know they’ll be best buds.

Mr. Hubby and I had tried taking Landon to Scare on the Square downtown the weekend before Halloween. It’s a fun little event where everyone comes dressed in their costumes. There’s food, games, and even a petting zoo. Unfortunately Landon was teething. Those top two teeth were trying to make an appearance, and Landon just wasn’t feeling too hot. We went for just a bit. I knew he’d love looking at everything. He’s a people watcher. After a quick run through, we left. Maybe next year he’ll be able to enjoy it!

When Halloween came around,  I dressed Landon in a little Halloween shirt for daycare.

Since he’s a little young to trick or treat, we made plans to visit the Gayler’s (Sarah, Murphey, and baby Mason) and hang out. Before we left, we took a family picture.

Then off we went to help pass out candy at the Gayler’s. Mason was all dressed up in his pumpkin costume. I didn’t want to bother putting on Landon’s huge costume. Maybe next year!!!

So that was Landon’s very first Halloween. Lots of fun, but I bet next year will be even better!

This month, I took Landon on a little date. We went to hang out with some friends at his first Ladyjack Basketball game. I was a little worried about how he was going to react to all the loud noises. He HATES anything loud. It makes him upset and he usually cries. He hasn’t always been like that… just started happening these past few months. But he really did great! I had such an awesome time with my little man!

If you notice, Landon’s shirt is all wet. Well its not drool this time! I tried giving Landon a little water out of a regular cup to see what he’d do. And oh boy, did I create a monster! He LOVES drinking from cups like a big boy! We’re just not that good at it yet.

We also went and watched Mr. Hubby play soccer for the first time. Landon absolutely loved being outside and spent the game picking pieces of grass and playing in the dirt!

This is how Landon watches Sunday football! Cutie!!!

Last but not least, we took Landon to the zoo for the very first time. It was an unusually warm Sunday afternoon, and perfect weather. Landon was more interested in the people than the animals, but we still had fun, and even rode the train!

I think he had a great day at the zoo!

Here are some more random pics for Landon’s 9th month!!! Enjoy!

So very thankful.

I’m not really sure how to split up these posts, so I’m going to just post more than one in a day!

So Thursday was Landon’s first Thanksgiving. It seems like not so long ago that I was pregnant, and picturing what that day would be like with an actual 10 month old. It seemed so surreal that I would actually be sharing the holiday with my child! Pregnancy is like that though, it just doesn’t seem real!!!

Here’s a pic taken last Thanksgiving break when Mr. Hubby and I went to New York. Yep Landon, you’ve been to New York City when mommy was 7 months preggo with you. Let’s just say it was a rough trip… but Landon loved music even then! He kicked and squirmed during the entire Lion King broadway show!

So here was the day that I had been picturing for the past year. Thanksgiving with my own little family. Landon woke up pretty cheerful. We spent the morning and afternoon playing, snacking on treats, and making desserts!

Here’s Landon playing hide n seek with his papa.

There you are!!!

I’m going to watch mommy bake!

I’m all ready! Got my spatula and everything!

I made a John Davis pie that I had found on an amazing blog that I love called Wearing Gackey's Apron. I’ve found so many great recipes there. They turned out very pretty if I do say so myself!

I also made a Pumpkin Crunch cake that I found on Pinterest. I think it’s going to be a keeper! So easy and so yummy! Even Mr. Hubby, (who I should totally rename Mr. Picky) liked it!

Landon started to get a little cranky by the afternoon. He had several little melt-downs and just seemed kind of tired. So I tried to keep him entertained on the floor with some of his favorite toys. Don’t you just love his shirt? I couldn’t find a Thanksgiving shirt in his size, but I loved the colors of this plaid shirt. It screamed fall to me. Gotta have my baby dressed for the seasons!!!

This kid loves computers! And let me tell ya, if he sees one, he’s going to go after it!

Uh…oh… am I not supposed to be doing that?!

Now, the actual Thanksgiving dinner wasn’t quite what I had envisioned. The food was amazing, the desserts were delicious, but some extra extended family came at the last minute, so Landon, Mr. Hubby and I weren’t able to eat at the table. I was so busy with my food on my lap, that I completely for got to snap some pics of Landon! I’m kicking myself now, but that’s okay. We had fun snapping some pictures after our bellies were all full!

Daddy decided it was fun to put a cool whip tub on Landon’s head, and we all had a great time watching him try to pull it off!

What is this thing on my head?!?!

What I great day spent with my wonderful family. I am so very thankful and so very blessed. I have the most amazing husband and son that I love more than anything. Sometimes, I just can’t believe how lucky I am. I look forward to many more amazing Thanksgiving’s to come!!!!