Sing-a-long

Growing up, my sisters and I were readers instead of singers. That trend still continues today; Phillip is constantly laughing at my singing. I have about a 50% accuracy rate on lyrics. Which I didn't realize would ever come back to haunt me - until BABY LULLABIES! Poor Landon, I try to sing all of the classic songs to him, but I have to do it in "Glee mash-up" fashion, since I only know the first line to every song.

Since there are only so many permutations of the same 15 first lines, I have become desperate as of late and have ventured into making up my own songs. And people, let me tell you...I am DAMN bad at it! You thought I was going to say good, didn't you?

Landon got a kick out of my getting dressed song today: "Landon, Landon let's put on your pants...put on your pants...put on your pants" and then one leg later "wearing your pants in their entirety...is an important part of being in society"!

Of course, as soon as I sang that, I couldn't help think of my sister in NYC and my friend Kate in SF - according to them (and the recent pants optional days in those cities) things are a changing!

Well hello ladies!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Landon had a sweet day today - he played with his toys, rolled around, practiced his pre-crawling moves, and had his first slow dance with a girl!

We joined Phillip's brother and his family for dinner, and Landon's 7-year old cousin Julie asked if she could pick up Landon and dance with him to the music that was playing in the restaurant. I told her that she could, but warned her that Landon might not like that too much since we were approaching his bedtime. I shouldn't have worried, because when I looked over he was contentedly sucking on his pacifier and had his cheek pressed against hers as she swayed him back and forth to the music. Can you say ladies man?

Brrrrrr!

I love NY! At least I think I do...that's where I live right? I'm just a baby (sidenote...I hate that phrase...Why can't people appreciate all of the hard work that I do? I mean, really people...one day the E-trade baby and I are going to take over the reins of the global economy)...but I digress.

Anyway, "I'm just a baby" but based on the recent weather we MUST live in NY right?

Gotta go; it probably started snowing again!

Act Two

Dear readers - I can't imagine how all 5 of you survived without my musings during my blogging sabbatical - but for those of you who made it through the drought I can only give this as my excuse; oh wait, I actually don't have an excuse.

This is awkward.

Hmm, well in that case, please accept my deepest apologies and my promise that I am re-energized and ready to write about the darling happenings of our delightful little man!

Here is a summary of the last few months: Landon being cute...Landon takes a roadtrip to FL...Landon's first cold...Landon loves pears...More cute...Landon has playdates with Ian and Josi...Landon growls at strangers after learning this skillset when Aunt Andy gave him wooden dinosaurs for Christmas...Cute again...Landon says "hey daddy" and also "hey doodoo" (which Mommy thinks is funny since she is still a 20-something and hasn't outgrown potty humor yet)...Landon loves snow...Landon gives kisses...The End.

This one's for Julie...

So, I normally write about our little angel Landon on this blog, but our niece did the funniest thing a few weeks ago that I can't get over; every time I think about it I laugh out loud!

I was sick a few weeks ago so Landon and I went to his grandmother's so I could get some rest and recuperate (and he could play with his FAVORITE person). While we were gone, Phillip's Dad and our niece Julie came to visit Phillip. Since Julie missed me, she left two presents: a decorated pumpkin, and a get well note. This is what the note said:

"Aunt Candice - get well soon! Love, Julie

P.S. Know this, I am always there for you - from head to toe!"

Now how funny is that for a seven year-old to say? Her note was spelled "no this" which made it even more charming. I love that little bugger :)

I may be little but I can still have BIG fun!

Landon received a Jumperoo from his "Aunt Dee" and couldn't wait to use it! He loves jumping and moving around on his own, and doesn't mind that he is too small for the toy. The instructions said that it was okay for babies to use it as soon as they could hold their head up on their own, so we let him go to town on it...with a little help from the library!

Thwarted Again...by an 11 week old

Landon is a pretty energetic little guy; always moving, squealing, and trying new things. Which I love about him....during the day. At night, I think he has an "opportunity" to better relax and unwind after a long day. He deserves it, he really does!

So to convince him to take some quiet time to himself, I researched soothing bedtime toys and settled on a soothing ocean wonders crib aquarium. According to 64,000 positive reviews, this crib toy instantly calms and soothes babies, sending them quickly to dreams of fluffy clouds and sugarplum fairies. Sounds perfect, right? There is even an on-off button so when the babies "are older" (per the instructions), they can decided to turn the soother on themselves, for some quiet time in the crib when they wake up in the morning. Even better, right?!?

Night one...didn't work. Landon thinks...nay knows...that his parents rocking and bouncing him is more soothing than anything Fisher Price could make. So, we threw in the towel, turned it off and went about our normal extended bedtime routine. Imagine my surprise when during the night, I heard soothing music. Of course, it was so soothing to me that it put me right back to sleep. Worked the second time too. Wow, this is a really effective product!

The next morning after changing Landon, I put him into his crib for some quiet time while I cleaned out his closet and dresser (so sad - he is getting bigger every day and growing out of his clothes - every time I fold and put away an itty bitty onesie I can't believe that he is growing up so quickly)! I turn on his soother...this is what follows:

...beautiful Bach melody

...WHACK!

....silence

...WHACK!

...beautiful, soothing bubble noises

...WHACK!

...silence

...WHACK!

Well, at least we tried. Our little 11 week old was not to be fooled at our attempts to soothe him. Instead, he created a really stimulating game where he rolls over and kicks the on-off button repeatedly!