One year ago today...

A year ago this evening, James came home from work and told me that he lost his job. I want to remember this day because it was a pivotal point in our lives. We were worried and scared and the economy was horrible and we didn't know what to expect. A year later, we have so many blessings to be thankful for and so many friends and family helped us in so many ways. We are so grateful for all of you.
A year ago tomorrow morning we found out we were having a healthy baby boy. I will never forget that day. As we drove to the appointment we had to make a stop at Wal-Mart and as we parked, I was still in shock from our loss and wondering how we were going to make things work. We started walking into the store and a young lady a few cars down from us was crying and asked us if she could ask us a question. She told us that her daughters prescription was $20 and she only had $15 and hated to ask if we had five dollars we could spare. Without a thought I grabbed my wallet and pulled out the money (I never have cash) and she started to sob more and couldn't stop thanking us. As we walked into the store, I was overwhelmed with several powerful feelings. One of them was so glad that I had the money in my wallet, another was the thought that everyone has their problems to go through and the other was utter heartbreak for whatever her situation might have been.
As I look back on that experience a year later, I realize how many of you have been that girl with the five dollars in her wallet with no questions asked giving it to a stranger. I am so glad that we have gone through this experience. We aren't out of the woods yet, by any means, but we are still in our home, still eating healthy food and still enjoying our little miracle, Landon every day. I think that as hard as it has been, losing a job and striving to make ends meet is good because it helps put a new perspective on things in this life. It is great to hear talks in church and have a moment or two where you think, "hmmm... I need to be better about spending money frivolously" but to actually live it is a humbling experience.
The funny thing to me is that before we lost the job, we were on a budget and making ends meet. Well, several thousands dollars less a year and we are still making ends meet and doing just fine. It is amazing what is and isn't important when you really think about it.

Landon's first glimpse of snow

Landon, what do you think about the snow?

" Cool, there is white stuff falling from the sky and it is all over everything!"

"Okay, I'm bored now, what else can we do?"

On the morning of our ward Christmas party, it started snowing, and pretty much didn't stop until that evening. It was beautiful, but cold and some of the roads were pretty scary. Landon was impressed for a while. We left the house at 3pm to help set up for the ward party and it was a good thing we left early. For about half the trip, the roads were a little slushy. It was supposed to get really cold over night, so we weren't sure about church the next day, but when we came home from the party, the roads had been paved and the salt trucks had been out. So, we were able to go to church. The party was great, good food, awesome program and the best part was, I didn't have anything to do with the planning. James and I just offered our services to help set up the tables and chairs because we know how big this job can be and we are so glad we helped!

Baby to Toddler...?

Landon took his first couple of steps today! He has pretty much only wanted to stand all the time since he realized how fun it is. The other day, he decided that it was fun to stand and let go of one of my hands and try to balance. I offered him my hand back and he just smiled and pulled it away more. So funny, but hard when I am trying to work and now hold on to him.
Well, this morning, he let go of my hand, reached over and grabbed the pajamas and my knee and took two steps toward my knee! I know he wasn't doing it without holding onto something, but that was all him and no help from us! So exciting! I know I might regret it later...

Ear infection

I love my Pediatrician. I used to work in this office, so it is very comfortable being a patient. There are so many things for Landon to look at in the rooms while we are waiting. They have mirrors along all of the exam tables and he loves to look and play with the baby in the mirror and he LOVES the crinkly paper under him! We had a ton of fun. I would have recorded, but didn't want him to wiggle off the table while I was distracted.

I thought I already wrote about Landon's double ear infection, but I guess not... When Landon had his 6 month check up, a couple of interesting things happened. He gained no weight in the last two months (didn't know whether to freak out or not), and he had a double ear infection that we had no clue about. He did gain two inches, so the Dr. said to push more cereal, because it has more calories than baby food and we will check his weight again in a month. We went through 10 days of amoxicillin for his ears and started mixing cereal into his veggies (he won't eat just cereal anymore). Well... I went back in a little less than two weeks, because it was obvious that his ears were bothering him and he gained a pound and a half! So, we are back to normal eating now, and he is on a stronger antibiotic. Oh, he is 26 3/4 inches long and now weighs 16.9oz

6 month photo shoot

Landon at 6 months! Enjoy!

Setting up Christmas decorations

Landon putting the star on the tree for the first time.

I think it is crooked, hold on, I'll fix it!

Love this shot!

Oh... what is this prickly thing?

Hmmm... things are getting interesting.

Our first Thanksgiving with Landon!

Landon started whimpering when Carol walked away from me with him.

Natalie and Allie's new puppy, Roscoe.

Hayley made her own head band decor.

Uncle Brian and Landon.

Joan's basement.

(We lived in this basement for about 3 years before we bought our first house. It was weird to be back there. Love how open the space was. Kind of miss open space in a home...)

Joan, Bailey and Landon.

Landon got into the crawling position and started rocking back and forth for the first time.

Thanksgiving Morning

James went to the Turkey Bowl and we stayed home and had fun watching the parades together.

Love the head to the shoulder at the end of the video.

Before bedtime fun

Getting a relaxing rub before bed.

James is hoping Landon falls asleep there with him...

Where did Landon go?

James tries to get out all of Landon's extra energy before bed.

James opened a bag of microwave popcorn and Landon, who was literally falling asleep in his jumper, went crazy!

James thought it was hilarious.

Silly stuff

Hi there!
Ahhhhhhhh!

Can you see his teeth? I love how silly this kid is!

Mouth Fun

Once tooth #2 came out, he started doing this with his tounge. So funny.

James taught Landon how to stick out his tounge.

Singing songs

Ahhhhhhhhhhh! (That is Landon's favorite noise to make)

Old McDonald Had a Farm...

E I E I Ooooooooo!

And on this farm he had a LANDON!

E I E I Ooooooooooo!

With a WAH, WAH here and a WAH, WAH there

here a WAH, there a WAH everywhere a WAH, WAH!

Practicing walking.

The Beat Down song...

The Beverly Hillbillies Theme Song.

I am impressed that he knows this song as well as he does...

We just started singing songs like this to him all the time. It has been really great when he doesn't want to eat. James will sing and it distracts him from crying and he eats. James and I have been in the nursery several times, so we know lots of fun songs from that time spent in the nursery. Landon loves it when we sing and sometimes he even bobs to the music.