"Just Keep Swimming..."

Landon and I have enrolled in an 8 week "Mommy & Me" swim class at the Niles YMCA. It is a BEAUTIFUL establishment and we love the pools. There are about 10 babies and their mothers in the class. Landon seems to have googley eyes for a little girl named Emma who typically lines up on the wall next to us.

The first day of the class Landon was a little timid, but you could see that he loved the water. His excitement was no surprise. After his first bath when he was just a few days old, he has loved splashing and exploring the water. Of course this was one of the most exciting things for me! I have had a love of water since I can remember, and to have him enjoy it as much as I do makes me so happy. I am enjoying the bonding experience that we are having in the water and sharing our love of it. I love watching him study the ripples in the water and how it can splash around.

The place that we will be living at in Knoxville has 2 pools on the grounds. I cannot WAIT to have a pool at our fingertips. I hope to spend many days at the pool playing games and having tons of laughs.

Landon News

As far as the new things that Landon does goes... where do I begin?! He started eating baby food at 6 months. He loves sweet potatoes, pears, applesauce, carrots, green beans, bananas... basically everything! And if you know me, everything is organic! It is the only way to go! If you are starting to think about solid foods for your baby or even what you feed you young children, think about doing some research about the benefits of feeding them organic. I feel strongly that it is one of the best and most simple gifts that you can give your child. I started eating organic in college when I was able to do my own grocery shopping. When I became pregnant I became even more strict on what when into my body. There are so many good resources out there for you, you just have to look! Anyways, let me get back on track! Landon is also doing an amazing job with finger food! He eats everything from avocado to little puff cereal. Some things like mango and banana are too slippery to pick up with his little fingers, but he sure does try hard! I love the look on his face when he is thinking, learning and trying a new task. It amazes me how quickly babies learn without any verbal instruction.

As far as babbling goes, he is quite the loud mouth. I love this stage of his development! I studied Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at Purdue, seeing everything that I learned in the classroom unfold in front of me is amazing! Landon's first sound was "mama"! Typically babies start producing other sounds first, but not my love! Although this was his first sound, I am not sure that it was produced in direct association with me, but sometimes I let myself think that! He now also says things like "baba" and "gaga" and something that sounds like "brabra". He is a little chatterbox, just like his mommy! I am proud that he seems as if he will grow up to be the type of child to voice what he is thinking and feeling!

His gross motor skills are developing in front of our eyes. He went from rolling over to sitting up as straight and strong as could be to getting on his hands and knees and rocking back and forth. I believe we will seeing him crawling in a matter of days! He works so hard at trying to get to where he wants!

He is still as bald as could be and still have no teeth! Maybe soon we will see some hair and teeth! Well, if he has my genes (which the blonde hair indicates that he does) he may be bald until he is two like I was!

The Latest Holidays

Since I have not been up-to-date with my blogging, I figure the best thing for me to do is tell you all about our bigger events. These would be the recent holidays!

Easter was a great time for us. We were lucky to have Stasia in town and we were able to spend time with my cousins. We spent some time at Stasia's family home and were able to do something that we have never done before: blow eggs! It was totally "Martha Stewart" and I loved it! Landon obviously did not partake in any of the actual blowing or dying, but he loved seeing all of the bright colors and, since we are talking about Stasia, glitter! We went to church in the morning and then helped Landon with his Easter basket. He received bath decor and toys, a prayer book, and a book called My Heart is like a Zoo. I saw this book at Notre Dame story time and was determined to find it for Landon. Well, after quite an adventure, I was able to get my hands on one and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is into creative children's books. With Stasia's and my families eating at different times on Easter, we took advantage of all of the good food and both ate at each others dinners! Yes, that does mean that we both consumed 2 multi-course meals plus deserts! It was SO worth it! Landon just loved all of the familiar faces and smiles!

MY FIRST MOTHERS DAY WAS AMAZING!

Words cannot describe how it feels to be a mother. Every day is a joy. A joy that I had never experienced before Landon. On Mother's Day it was all confirmed, that for the rest of my life, I get to celebrate this holiday because my sweet little Landon came into my life! I am so blessed to have him and thankful for him. My family and friends were amazing to me this day! I got so many loving text messages, phone calls, and e-mails wishing me a happy Mother's day! Thank you to everyone for taking the time out of your day to do that! I LOVE YOU ALL! My family was so amazing to me as well! It was somewhat funny how my mom and I handled the day. It was a constant battle to try to get the other person to relax and let the other take care of them. I wanted to celebrate my mother and she wanted to celebrate my motherhood! My father, sister and brother did an excellent job celebrating both of us though! Thank goodness for them! We had an amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner- my kind of day! I got a beautiful arrangement of flowers from Landon courtesy of my Dad. People I love, great food, tons of smiles and the baby who completes me! Less than a year until I get to celebrate my 2nd year of motherhood! Cheers to many more!

Those were the big events that you missed. I will do a much better job of keeping up.

A Change

As I prepare to post a large update on everything that has been happening lately, I realize that a name change for my blog may be appropriate. I have been a mother for 8 months now, so I feel that the word "new" is not so relevant anymore. I have been brainstorming for a more suitable title, but I am not 100% settled on one yet.... so stay tuned to find out what I decide on!

The New Things...

So many things have changed since I last blogged (which I will say now, my frequency of blogging will change!)

Landon and I are now back in Granger until we move to Knoxville! Our house in Lafayette was not the best place for us to be at the time so we moved back in with my parents. It is not what I had in mind, but it is temporary and the help and love Landon and I receive from my family is amazing! Jackie and Bryant are infatuated with the baby, and Landon is all giggles and smiles around both of them too! My parents (AKA "Birdie" and "Gramps") are so thankful for this unexpected time they have with us. We could not be more blessed as a family!

The plan is still for me to begin working on obtaining my AuD at University of Tennessee in August. The big move will happen August 1! It will be SO exciting to finally get the ball rolling, but it will definitely be hard for me to be in a strange city with strange faces and it just be Landon and I. But we are the best duo around and I know we will make just fine! We will find our routine and from there things will fall into place!

Now for the Landon updates: He is still bald, although if you have the right light, you can see his tiny bleach blonde hairs shining! There are still no teeth in that big smiling mouth of his, but by the drool fountain that he is, I would think that it is safe to say that they may be coming! He is working SO hard on crawling. You can see the frustration creeping inside of him when he is trying so hard to get a toy that he wants. He can get to his hands and knees, will rock for a while, and then sprawl out in exhaustion. I am savoring every moment that he is not mobile for the moment, because all mothers are telling me that once babies start moving, our jobs just get harder. I am looking forward to seeing this milestone that he reaches though! He is constantly babbling; saying "mama" and "baba" and blowing bubbles with his lips. He is eating finger foods and might I add that he is a GREAT eater, plumpin' up and looking SO healthy! All around he is absolutely, positively the greatest, most adorable, sweetest, happiest and joyful baby around and he truly completes me!

As for me, things are complicated but always getting better! I have the best family and friends who are my rock! I LOVE YOU ALL!

I will post again soon!