Latest Pictures...Something is wrong with us.

There are several pictures from this photo op.  And THIS is the best one.  Geez.

He's saying, "Hi Jilly."  She's saying, "Is this safe?!"

Kissy Face!

He's trying to give her a kiss.  She's wondering if it's okay.

She actually smiles a lot bigger than this, but this is the best she'll do in front of the camera.

And this is his latest "best smile" in front of the camera.

Not sure why our latest pictures have us looking ridiculous and as if we don't know how to smile.  But, it's the latest in our lives so there you go!

Visit to Athens

We visited Grammy & Papa in Athens two weeks ago.  Landon had so much fun he talked about them the second he woke up Monday and Tuesday mornings.  Here's a few pics from the weekend.

Landon standing on the slack line.

A bit hard to see, but they're standing on the slack line.

Kristin holding the girls while we watch the guys slack-lining.

Esther Grace & Landon - the "Destruction Duo."

Not sure why, but all toddlers are fascinated with babies mouths and eyes.

Esther Grace found Papa's fireman's helmet and gave it a try. 

I'm betting this look gets her out of a lot of trouble with her Daddy!

I'm Annoyed! ... but Thankful

Recently Landon has been saying "Mommy" about every 5 seconds. Literally, every 5 seconds!  I truly am tired of hearing my "name" by lunch time.  It truly is tiring to hear "Mommy" so much.  He's asking me questions, calling my attention to look at stuff, needing help, wanting to play, and just about every sentence starts with "Mommy!"  There have been a few moments where I have complained and whined to myself about it -- "Geez!  Can he give me break for just 30 minutes?!"

But I catch myself at those moments of ungratefulness and complaining.  I'm reminded that some mothers never hear "Mommy" from their children.  There are children out there unable to utter a single word.  There are children in this world that don't call for their mother's attention, that don't ask questions, that are unable to interact with the world around them.  There are mothers that never hear their child's voice, some never hear "I love you" uttered from their child's lips.  I'm sure these mothers would pay anything and do anything to hear their child say "Mommy" just one time, nevermind have it said endlessly all day.

So, I'm trying to allow my honest feelings of annoyance to be felt, and then quickly turn them into feelings of thankfulness and appreciation.  Thankful that my child is developing normally.  Appreciating the path and steps of typcial child development.  Thankful that I am a "Mommy."

To Remember #1

I've decided that I will entitle the posts of the random things I want to remember "To Remember."
Here's the first of the series...

1. Landon puts his arms out and says "TA - DA" when he gets his shirts on.
2. My little extravert asks everyday if we're going to someone's house or if people are coming over. He's always disappointed when I tell him, "We're staying at the house." or "It's just you and me today buddy!"
3. While puking upstairs at the cabin, he heard Jillian crying downstairs. He said, "Oh! Jilly sad."  Such a good big brother. Even when he's horribly sick he's concerned about her.
4. He's doing really well with learning his colors.  He loves brown.
5. My little extravert says "Hi Kid!" whenever we see kids outside or on the playground.
6. We're already having disagreements about whether to watch a "Landon show" or a "Mama show."

Jillian

Here is an update of Jillian.  I realized that most of my posts are about Landon so I thought I'd blog about Jilly a bit.

She is smiling and cooing.  She gets really excited to see Landon, unless it's when he wakes her up in the morning; in which case she whimpers.  People always comment on her big eyes and long/curled eye lashes.  She observes a lot and fights sleep.

Josh and I refer to her as a "position baby."  She's a bit particular about how she is held and how she is laid down. 

This is the first dress she wore. 

She loves to cuddle with Josh and he adores her.

She was outside with everyone at the cabin. It was chilly and windy so she's wrapped up all warm and cozy.  Josh took some pictures that look so cute!  However, this is her pooping face. 

She smiles at me the most.  I like to think she's saying "Mom, you're great" when she smiles a bunch at me. 

Family Vacation!

We went on vacation this past weekend.  Here's how it went!

Friday we went to Catch Air in Cumming.  It's a place with a bunch of inflatables and space to run around.  Landon LOVES it. 

He's on some mini work-out equipment.  See all the stuff in the background?! 

This is one of the BIG slides.  This was his first time and only time on one.  He wasn't a fan.

And as we hoped....it exhausted him and he slept while we drove to Ellijay.

After Catch Air we drove to Ellijay to the cabin my parents' rented for the weekend.  While we were there we took a drive and had a picnic.  Here is some of our time at the cabin.

Picnic time!  Jillian is asleep in the background :)

I love this picture!!

With Nanalis & Pops

We're laughing at Arthur's silly faces and noises.

And that's Maizy (or as Landon says, "May-Me"), my parents' dog.

Our view from the back porch of the cabin.

 Landon got sick on Sunday night and it was a bit of a rough night and rough Monday.  We gave him a present...TOOLS to help keep him occupied when we got home.  We bought them awhile ago and were waiting for a good time to give it to him.  He of course LOVED them.

 It was a good vacation despite Landon blowing chunks on Sunday and Jillian being cranky more than usual.  Definitely made for a memorable weekend!