The Olympics

Saturday night after supper and baths, Adalyn and I made chocolate chip cookies and we all sat in the living room and drank our milk, ate cookies, and watched the Olympics. Adalyn was amazed at the women's Volleyball game that was going on. She decided she wanted to play and went in the playroom and grabbed her ball. I love sports and I absolutely love to watch the Olympics. She sat in awe at what was on the TV screen.

Landon devoured his cookie in no time. We put a bathroom towel under him so he wouldn't get it all over the carpet. Silly boy. Once we cleaned him up, Adam put him to sleep while Adalyn and I watched the women's gymnastics for a few more minutes. At one point she looked up at me in the sweetest voice and said, " I can do that" and then she nestled her head right up on my shoulder. Ah, so precious.

Pigs!

We welcomed 6 new pigs to our farm over the weekend. The week prior to us getting them, you can only imagine the conversations that went on in our house by a certain 2 1/2 year old. I bet you would have never guessed it but Adalyn was beyond excited. We will be processing them around the beginning of November for meat (sausage, tenderloin, porkchops, ribs) Yum. We already have a few people interested so if you think you may want some, let me know! I can give you more information. So that means we have 3 short months to come up with a story to give Adalyn when all 6 pigs mysteriously disappear. That should be interesting. The pigs settled into their new home quite nicely.

and here is our Future Farmer in training!

I was rocking her to sleep Saturday night and I know she was dead to the world because she hadn't moved and she was breathing real deep when all of a sudden, her little head pops up and says, "The red pigs are Durocks" and she then layed her head back on me and was sound asleep. She even dreams about farm animals. Oh how I love that little girl!

Swimming, buzzards, and Conversations

Thursday afternoon once I got home from work, we headed over to my parents to swim! It was another successful evening swimming without floaties for Adalyn. That kids just impresses me so much. For a 2 1/2 year old to swim on top of water to us after jumping in just shocks me. Landon just chilled out in his float for a bit before he started to whine. So he was passed around in the pool while we all swam and played with Adalyn. We ordered Boskey's and after we swam, we all pigged out. It was delicious. After supper, I started to clean the kitchen while my dad and Adalyn mowed the yard.

As I was cleaning, my mom was playing with Landon and I reckon Adam was outside, I honestly have no idea what he was up to. Anyway, all of a sudden we hear the biggest popping sound and the electricity went off. We ran outside and come to find out, the biggest buzzard I have ever seen decided to end its life by running into a transformer which caused our electricity to go out. It effected a few other houses as well. While we waited on Duck River to come, mom, Adam, Landon and I sat on the porch and my dad and Adalyn continued their mowing duties.

It was around 7:30 by this point and Landon fell asleep while I was in the rocking chair. We took him inside to change his diaper and he was so sleepy that when my mom layed him down, he didn't move a muscle. His eyes were barely open but yet he had a little grin on his face.

He is asleep by 8:00 or 8:15 each night so I knew we needed to get him home. We had to drive separately for some reason so Adam went ahead and took him on home while I gave Adalyn a bath and then we left. She talked non stop the entire way back. I was enjoying our conversation and couldn't help but laugh at times. Oh the things she says. At one point during our conversation, she said, " I want to sit in the back of the truck and shuck corn with daddy." Then she was talking about bush hogging and how the fence keeps cows in so they don't run away. By the time we got home, Landon was passed out and Adalyn followed shortly after. Friday came and Nancy watched the kids all day while I worked and while Adam went to school to work a little, too. From what i understand Landon was quite the booger for her but was back to himself when we got home! Adalyn spent the night with Jerry and Nancy and they made a pit stop to her favorite restaurant before heading home... Jiffy Burger. So we had Landon to ourself that night which was nice. It is so easy having 1 kid. Whether it's Adalyn or Landon, having 1 allows you to get so much more accomplished I have come to realize. But now that Landon is older and very mobile, they play together which is great. I usually only intervene when crying is involved or if Adalyn is dragging him across the room.

Standing! and 1st step!

Monday July 23, Landon stood by himself! Normally anytime he was standing he was either holding our hands or holding on to something but this time when Adam put him down, he stood by himself for a few seconds. Adam and I both got so excited and I know our eyes were as big as saucers. Tuesday, Adam called me and said, "I know you probably don't want to hear this but he has been standing for a long time today." He knew I would be bummed if I missed him do anything new without me there! But I was so excited to here it it didn't even bother me. When I got home I was anxious to see him stand for even longer than I had seen the day before and wouldn't you know, he stood! and stood and stood! And now instead of plopping down really fast, he slowly goes down. It's like he is trying to figure out if he would rather stay standing or if he really just wants to sit. Before bed last night I grabbed my camera, took him to the living room, and put him down. I was able to snap a ton of pictures because he just stands (and stands!) there. Oh me we are so thrilled he is doing this! You can look at his little feet and see he is working so hard to keep his balance. He sways slightly back and forth just learning and trying to figure out this new trick of his!

On Tuesday, he took his first official step! He was standing by the coffee table and was reaching for the couch. As he was standing by himself, he took one step until he reached the couch! I was so glad I was home and able to witness that. My baby will be walking soon I bet! Adalyn was walking (everywhere) at 9 1/2 months old. She has kept us on the move for a very long time. I knew Landon wouldn't walk that early but he is just 10 months old so maybe not much longer and he will be a walker! Just in time for his 1st birthday! and today, when I would put him down to stand, he claps. :) I guess he knows he has accomplished something! Way to go Landon!

So many new things!

I need to update everyone on what's going on with us! I started a new job 3 weeks ago and LOVE it. Adam goes back to work next week so that means we will have Lynn again! We have missed her so much. Adalyn is still so intrigued with cows, chickens, and now pigs. She asks Adam daily if she can watch pigs on YouTube. Adam asked her the other day if she wanted to be a teacher or a farmer. I'll give you one guess what she said back. Farmer! We put her elmo potty in the attic the other day since all she ever uses is the toilet now so we will pull it back down once Landon is at the age to potty train. Adalyn loves her "big kid" bed. She really likes to take all of her baby dolls and stuffed cows off and make up her bed multiple times during the day. She called me today because she was so excited to let me know that she ate a peach during lunch. She was squealing and talking so fast. This girl is the pickiest eater I have ever came across. There is a handful of things we know she will eat. I took her grocery shopping with me the other day and I came across Dunkaroos. Instantly brought back childhood memories. I loved them so I figured she would too. I mean come on, it's cookies and chocolate icing to dip in. I want you to know she wouldn't eat it. It kind of surprised me because she loves chocolate but I wasn't too disheartened about it. That just meant I could eat them. Since she is so picky, we have made sure to let Landon try just about anything we are eating in hopes that he will not be like her as he gets older. So far, the kid will eat just about anything we offer him. I had Adam lower his mattress down to the lowest setting the other night. It was at the middle setting but I have noticed him hiking his leg and trying to climb "up" the couch or trying to climb out of the bathtub so I figured it was time. We also packed up the excersaucer and jumperoo about a month ago, too! My living room is slowly starting to get back to its original self. Thank goodness for a playroom to keep all toys! We do have a canvas tote that holds some of Landon's toys in the living room but he rarely sits and plays. He is a boy on the go and wonders all over the house. The other night when we had that big storm, Adalyn made her way into our bed around 1:00AM. She went right to sleep and didn't budge the rest of the night. The storm kept me awake on and off and I just knew it would wake Landon up. Thankfully, I didn't hear a peep out of him until 6:30 that morning. I was really shocked that anyone could sleep peacefully through that loud of a storm. We have discovered that Landon loves pretzel sticks. He keeps one in each hand and chows down. I was also eating a sausage and cream cheese croissant yesterday and he nibbled off tiny bites then decided he liked it and took a huge chunk out of it. I sure hope he continues his eating pattern and liking new foods. That will makes things so easy!

Swimming

2 Monday's ago my mom had Adalyn for the day. It was my first day back to work and she and Ginger taught VBS at Oakley. They had Adalyn and Jonah with them during the morning then went to the house to swim for the rest of the day. Later that afternoon while Adam dropped Landon off with me for his 1st day of Mommy and Me Swim class she called and said Adalyn was swimming without her floaties. She kept asking my mom if she could touch the bottom then she asked to sit on the bottom. Well, my mom pushed her down and ever since then, she has been swimming without floaties! At 2 1/2 years old. I of course believed my mom when she was telling me she was jumping off the side then swimming to her and going to the bottom to pick up fish but it was really almost hard to believe without seeing it for myself. This past Friday Adam went to a tractor pull so I took the kids over to my parents to swim for the evening. Once we got there I fed Landon while Adalyn and mom went ahead and started swimming. Once I got out there, she was already swimming to her and my mouth just dropped. I was so shocked and impressed. I brought the video camera and my mom and I took turns recording her until my battery died. This girl is fearless. She swam for about 2 hours non stop and wouldn't sit still long enough for a break! It looks like we may have a swimmer on our hands! She kept throwing goggles in the pool then diving down to get them. I would have to push her shoulders down to help her get there but as soon as she would come up, she would wipe her hair out of her face and immediately throw the goggles so she could go back under to get them. I uploaded a video (out of the 20 we took) on my facebook page. I don't know how to add one to my blog so check it out there. It is simply amazing.

10 Months Old!

Wow! Landon is 10 months old today! All I can do is shake my head because it just doesn't seem possible! He is changing so much everyday. He will not sit still. It's nearly impossible to take his picture because as soon as I sit him down, boom, he's off. He is cruising all around on furniture. Opening up kitchen cabinets so it looks like I need to do more baby proofing since he has figured that out. He is just the most precious thing. He is still in size 4 diapers, 12 month clothes, some 18 month, has 8 teeth, eats pretty much anything we give to him, has the sweetest little laugh and thinks Adalyn hung the moon. Anytime she walks in the room his little arms start flapping and he squeals. They rough house already and I have to remind Adalyn that he is only a baby and to be gentle. She can drag him across the floor and he will just laugh and laugh. When we put his sign language video on he crawls right to the TV stand and has to be as close as possible and is just mesmerized by it. That is usually how we can do our cooking at night. It occupies him long enough. He is starting to realize that when we drop him off in the nursery at Church that we are leaving him. Sunday was the first time he cried as soon as Adam handed him to Mrs. Casey. I remember the first Sunday Adalyn did that, too. It's so easy when they are younger because they just don't realize what's being done. But boy once they do figure it out it will break your heart! He is a great eater. He had his first taste of fried potatoes yesterday and loved them just like everyone else does in my family so he really does have some Anderson in him. He likes sharing my peanut butter toast with me in the mornings. He loves pinto beans and black eyed peas, gold fish, yogurt, shredded cheese, he steals bites of my rice krispy treats, he can devour a banana, and absolutely loves Popsicles. Before I had him it was hard to imagine loving another child as much as I already loved Adalyn. Everyone told me your heart just expands and you love your second just as much and just as deep as you do your first and man oh man how true that is. I am so incredibly in love with this little guy I can't get over it. I am so very thankful for my two precious, precious babies. Happy 10 month birthday Landon!

Mommy and Me swim class

Monday was Landon's 1st day of swim lessons. He is taking it with his best bud Liam and future girlfriend Maddie. There are 2 other girls in the mommy and me swim class but they are 2 and Maddie is almost 2. So Landon and Liam are the youngest. He loves splashing. I am so glad my parents have a pool. I really believe that's why he (and Adalyn) love the water so much. Obviously there isn't much for a baby to do in the water but the instructor has them "swim" on their backs and bellies and we dip their faces in the water. The rest of the time is spent keeping Landon's mouth out of the water and occupying him with toys. I am thankful Hope and my friend Jenny are in the class with me so I have someone to talk to. Adalyn and I did Mommy and Me swim class, too. She was 7 1/2 months old when we did them. Adam came to the lesson on Monday and took some pictures.

Here are a few pictures of Adalyn and I when she was taking Mommy and Me swim lessons...how cute!!

Big Boy carseat

Last Friday we put Landon in his big boy car seat! We are using Adalyn's 2nd car seat temporarily until we make a trip to Murfreesboro to buy him a new one. As Adam took her's out of my car to put in the Tahoe she said, " I can share with bubba"! In the infant carrier his feet were touching the backseat and he was so incredibly heavy when we had to carry him. We ended up taking him out most of the time just because it was easier. He was so excited to be in a bigger seat. He would just squeal! Ah, he it was so precious watching his excitement. Once he got out of his "baby" stage, he has really become a great traveler. Quite the opposite of what Adalyn was when she was his age. :) It's almost a given now that anytime he is tired and we are needing to go somewhere, I know he won't be whining because he falls asleep almost as soon as we buckle him up. He will be 10 months old on Monday... I can't believe it!

Adalyn wanted a picture of her in her car seat, too. :)

"Big Kid" bed!!

Tonight we turned Adalyn's crib into a toddler bed! She was so excited to be in a "big kid" bed. We purposefully left her in her crib this long for a reason. Right before I had Landon Adam and I agreed that we were in absolutely no rush to transform her bed into a toddler bed. When I had Landon she was 22 months old and was very curious about a new baby being in the house. I knew better than to even think about giving her the freedom to get out of her bed in the middle of the night when we knew he would be up every 3 hours to nurse. I was preparing myself to be up with one kid, definitely not 2.So my thinking was she was trapped so she wouldn't be able to get out. She had never tried to climb out of it so again, no rush to change it. I had Landon and a few months went by. She was getting a little older and I was still very tired from Landon's newborn stage and playing with a toddler during the day that again I did not want to mess a good thing up. (her staying in bed and sleeping wonderfully.) We had Landon in our room in his pack n play for 12 weeks before we moved him to his room. Thankfully our room is on the opposite end of the house so she couldn't hear Landon during the night. When he turned 12 weeks, I was MORE than ready to kick him out and put him in his crib. He still wasn't sleeping consecutively through the night but i wasn't having to feed him anymore. Their bedrooms are side by side and us knowing he was still going to get up off and on (some nights yes, some nights no) during the night made our decision to still keep her in the crib just as easy as it was months ago. Surprisingly, she never heard him during those few months of him learning to sleep well and waking up because he broke out of his swaddle, or didn't know how to find his pacifier, etc. After he was 4 months old, he became an excellent sleeper. Once he was sleeping through the night consecutively, we started discussing ordering the side rail to transform her bed. Then one night back in April, I put Adalyn to bed and she started crying for me as soon as I closed the door. I walked into our bedroom and the next thing I knew, she was standing there. Uhhh how in the world did you get in here?! Yep, she had finally climbed out of her crib. I always knew the day would come, I was just shocked it happened that night. I took her back to her bed and the crying continued. Oh it was awful. I ended up having to rock her to sleep then I was able to lay her down. We have always been able to lay her down awake and she goes to sleep herself. The next night rolls around and the same crying situation occurred. This time we were frustrated. Had to rock her again and then layed her down. The 3rd night we had had enough. She had never acted like this before when it came to going to sleep and it was just plain ridiculous. She kept climbing in and out of her crib and walking into the living room. She did this for 3 nights until we rocked her in her room and put her to sleep. That 3rd night, she got in trouble, we had a huge talk, and we put an end to it. She hasn't done it again. That was back early April. After that, we decided it was time to order her bed rail. It was a special order and took 12 weeks to get it but that was fine with us. We had no more issues after that last night. The rail came in and it has been sitting in our garage for weeks. When she would wake up in the mornings she would sing, "Mommy Daddy I readdddyyyyy!" We heard her over the monitor and one of us would go and get her. She absolutely knew how serious we were about not climbing out of her crib. Well, this week, she has been climbing out when she wakes up in the morning. I was nursing Landon at about 6:15 this morning and I hear her door open. She walked down the hall with the cutest grin on her face while she was waving at me. I couldn't help but laugh. So we knew tonight would be the night. She was so excited when Adam was putting it together. I was watching her tonight as she was playing on her "new" bed and she just looks so big to me. I can't believe she will be 3 in November. Enjoy your "big kid" bed Adalyn May!

All clean and ready for her 1st night in her big kid bed!