Super Landon!

Landon today you turned three. Three. I'm not even sure how that's possible. It seems like yesterday you were my tiny baby and just seconds ago you still had those chubby baby cheeks of yours playing in the sand in San Diego last year ... and now you are so BIG! It's been a busy year for all of us, and you are no exception. You never fail to amaze us with how fast you learn things and how much personality you have. 

Right now you are really into the show "Super Why." So much so that you requested that your party be a "super why" party. So in honor of your love of all things "super hero" I'm going to tell you a few of the super powers you currently posses...

* Super Sweet: Yes, we can tell that three is going to be a much more challenging year, but really, even then, you are just such a sweet kid. You always want to do nice things for people and you try so hard to use your polite words.
* Super Learner: You're like a little sponge. This year you learned all your letters, their sounds and the concept that when you put them together it makes words. You love to count things and identify things by their color/shape, etc. You love puzzles and building things and creating art. You ask a lot of questions and you remember things and pick up on things so well we are amazed every day.
* Super Talker: Holy cow ... I love that you communicate so well with us. You also have the funniest (and sometimes snarkiest) sayings. And you use a lot of different tones - we never know if you'll be using a normal or a super deep voice. It makes family prayers pretty funny sometimes :)
* Super Helper: You are our big helper. There isn't much you aren't willing to help us do, or try to help us with. 
* Super Runner: You have, quite possibly, the cutest run on the planet. Everyone comments on it - you are just so determined to get where you are going. I can't wait to see it on the soccer field next month.
* Super Brother: This was the biggest change for you this year. And boy, did you take it on like a champ. You love Liam so much, and you love being brothers. You tell me all the time "mom, we're brothers!" You love to play with Liam, help us do things for him, and just be around him. I can't wait to see your relationship develop over the years - you love him so much! And I know soon he'll be able to give you that back.
* Super Son: We couldn't ask for a more amazing little boy to be our son. We love you more than you will ever, ever know and are looking forward to another wonderful year of adventures together!!

Now for a little birthday re-cap for you. On Saturday we celebrated as a family.

Making your birthday animal shaped waffles

Wearing your Super Landon cape and examining your "Super Duper Computer"

We found the super letters!! It spelled CAKE!

Speaking of cake ... check that out!! You have the coolest aunt and uncle around.

Presents from mom & dad!

Opening your loot!

We think you were confused about where you should have been looking :)

A close up of that cake!!

You love to be sung to and blow out the candles ... we did it three times!

Then today you, mom and Liam headed to the aquarium. Then we met up with dad for lunch at "Mic-a-Donalds" (as you call it!). So fun!! 

OFFICIALLY THREE!!

 

 

 We love you buddy!! Happy third birthday!!

Race car jammies

 

Race car jammies and stories in the morning make me smile :)!

Happy Birthday Jeff!

Happy Birthday, Jeff! Thirty-three years ago today you were born ... and the world became that much better of a place. Which is why, even though you hate having things be all about you, I love to celebrate your birthday - and you. 

I love so many things about you - your handsome face, your dry, sarcastic sense of humor that can always make me laugh, your desire to help other people - especially me, your ability to be the strong one. I could go on and on ... but what I love most about you is how much you love us. You are the best husband and daddy, and we love you so much for it!!

Happy birthday, babe!

Little Pirates

My aunt just had these cutest little hats made for the boys ... complete with skulls on them. Landon thinks anything with skulls symbolize pirates. So you can imagine his excitement when his pirate hat arrived in the mail. They are so adorable I just have to share...

 

Binkis are SUPER tough...

Book Club

Just about three years ago I was about to have a baby ... and decided I needed a hobby (clearly I had never had children before if I thought that even having one and working part-time I might get bored). So I started a book club. I love to read. LOVE to read - it's really the only thing I do that could be considered a hobby. I had a handful of women I was friends or acquaintances who lived locally, and we invited a few girls I didn't know well.

We started meeting monthly and little by little our friendships started growing. And I realized that in so many ways that before them I really didn't know what having strong women for friends really meant. This isn't meant to offend my high school and college friends - they are amazing too - and we went through a lot together. But these women? They have taught me so many things, and continue to each time I am around them (which, we might still only meet monthly, but I talk to and see most of them regularly).  

And with the exception of only one other friend who isn't a book clubber (she don't like to read. Seriously - that isn't a joke), and my family, these women are my closest friends and confidants. They are the people I trust with anything and everything (well, as much of everything that I share).

They have taught me, and remind me frequently that I am strong. And capable. That I can do hard things. 

They have taught me about motherhood. And when I was freaking out about having two kids, they were where I turned. They gave food, comfort, chocolate, a baby shower, and have made me laugh. And they check in with me all the time - sometimes we need the reminder that we are not alone. Because lets be honest - being a mom is different that being a dad, so somethings only other moms understand.

They love my children. And are the people I trust with my children (and I assure you, my trust isn't easily won). 

They helped Jeff throw me a 30th birthday party.

They have exchanged recipes, ideas and some pretty funny (and possibly risque) stories.

They have challenged me and encouraged me to read things other than what I normally would. And taught me the difference between Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Neither of which I had ever read before (with the exception of Harry Potter). 

There are so many more things ... but ultimately they know me and still love me. For who I am.

Last night we had book club... three years later most of our core group is still meeting every month. And as I sat there looking around the room I couldn't help but think about what each of those women (and the few that couldn't make it) mean to me now. As Jeff put it "book club is sacred" ... couldn't have said it better myself. 

Our Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day from our two favorite love-bugs!

Baby Love

We had Liam's newborn pictures taken last Friday ... here are just a few of the adorable photos that captured our sweet boy.

 

 

And he had his two week checkup! He's a growing boy (which, if you saw how much he eats, you would not be surprised!!).

Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz. (50%)**

Length: 21.5 inches (50%)

Head: 36 cm (25%)

Oh how we love him!!

**This is exactly how much Landon weighed at his 2 week check up as well!