The Bug

Landyn caught it - and it was not a nice bug...

But it turned her into a Cuddle Bug...

Her wheels are turnin'

We took Landyn to the Children's Museum to meet her long lost friend, Olivia. Landyn and Olivia were born just hours apart (Olivia a bit older). Rainy, Olivia's mom and I met when we both were getting support at a breast-feeding group. The girls were just days old. Rainy and I kept in touch and we finally met up again and introduced the girls. Olivia's grandma and Landyn's Nana came too. It was such a fun girls' day!!

Landyn found everything there interesting and began exploring the entire floor.

Little Miss Olivia...

Landyn loved Olivia's hair (as did me and Nana). We need to teach Landyn to keep her hands to herself...Olivia had a few hair pulls throughout the visit.

We had such a fun day and cannot wait to do it again soon!!

9 Months

Height: 2 ft. 5.5 inches (50-75%)

Weight: 19 lbs (50-75%)

Landyn is rapidly progressing in all areas :) She now stands a little on her own, talks (babbles), lets me know when she does NOT want something, and has conquered the "trick parents with whining" battle (sometimes). Her has many facial expressions that completely make up her personality! She makes this sound with her nose (breathing in and out really fast with it wrinkled up) that is sooooo cute! We aren't quite sure what it means though. When she plays she knows what it means when she has letters in her little toy mailbox. She opens it and gets her mail. She can roll over on a couch or chair and back crawl off of it - her Daddy's favorite trick. She can turn the pages of her books and thinks there should be some kind of texture on each page so she scratches each one (maybe its her way of points??) hehe :)

It has been amazing being able to stay home with her each day :) I'm about to start fitness camp at school so my days will consist of less Landyn, but I'm hoping it won't be too hard. We are planning a road trip in a few weeks so pray that all that will go over well :) That will give me 24/7 Landyn time (and Daddy time).

She officially has 6 teeth and one on the way. She still loves her bath time and looooves to brush her teeth. Her favorite foods are steamed veggies (peas, carrots, broccoli) and fresh fruit (grapes, pears, strawberries, watermelon). She also likes bagels and cereal (Kix and Cheerios) in the morning. We started mixing a tiny shot of V8 Fruit Fusion Light in with her water for taste and extra "goodness" for her body. /she loves to drink out of her straw cups and regular cups. Sippy cups - not so much. She is down to 3 bottles a day (morning, noon and night). She eats mostly table food now, but sometimes for breakfast she will have some oatmeal and on occasions when I need to use what we have...

She is just precious and we are so proud of our little Landyn Lu!!

Happy Birthday, America!!

Each year on the 4th of July we have a cook out at the Verboons (Nana and Pops') house. After burgers and amazing Tootie Pies (owned by our cousin, Donnie) we head out to watch the fireworks from their driveway. This year was just a little more special and fun since such a cute little firecracker is here to join us fromo here on out :)

Daddy had to work so we didn't get to spend this "first" with him :(

But Aunt La was there!!

And Nana was there with an swesome, patriotic crown for Landyn to wear to show her support for our beautiful country!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!

Starfish

I must say that although we know how much personality and strong will our Landyn has, we can multiply our opinion about a thousand times after her first swimming lesson today!!

She is definitely a Starfish on steroids if that's possible. Before the instructor said "Splash" she was splashing away! I sound like a "proud Mama" and that's what I am. Landyn was one of 3 friends in her class and she was dunking herself under water before we were even told to do so.She had so much fun and throughout the next few weeks Landyn should be expected to blow bubbles, turn on her back and float, hold her breath under water (which she does for a few seconds), "monkey crawl" the side of the pool (walk with her hands along the side).

It's amazing to see what babies naturally do in the water. Needless to say, we loved her swimming class and can't wait until next Thursday!!!

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven there is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that animal goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend meet, you cling together in a joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress her beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then, you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Kloey

No More Paci!!

I've been having internal conflicts with if, when, how, why to wean Landyn off of her pacifier. I've known that babies can soothe themselves after 4 months, but why-when the paci works soooo well!!! We started just giving it to her in her crib and car seat and then found ourselves giving her the little piece of silicone magic when she was tired or fussy more than just at home. We have several friends whose children had pacifiers for a while and Kris and I were really sort of okay with that for Landyn - although secretly and deeply I would love for her to just "go down" on her own.

Landyn's Aunt Dia (Andrea) came over and she injected me with courage and strength to go through a crying fit without it.

So this morning when she went down for her first nap I put her in her crib without her "soother" and patted her bottom until her eyes closed...NO SCREAMING at all occurred and she went right to sleep - for 2 hours!!!! So at this point I was so happy and proud of Landyn!! I knew it was God giving me a sense of peace to know she was ABLE to sleep without her paci.

Nap number 2 came around and that was haaaard!!!! Had the first nap not been so easy, I would have given in, but I didn't! I stayed strong for an hour of crying, screaming hell with tears in my eyes and prayers flowing from my lips :( It was pitiful!!!

But she did it again!!! And took a 2.5 hour nap!! So... my strength is increasing.

Bedtime (which Landyn is pretty good with). We wore her out at Center Court and gave her bottle to her when we got home. I put her to bed and within 10 min of rolling around and searching with her hand for her old trusty friend, she fell asleep!! NO TEARS!!!

DAY 1 is down and I hope there are zero more to go with tears.

I am so proud of Landyn and myself for getting past such a comfort item! I will keep this little paci forever and keep it as a reminder that once - she was so small :(

So here's to you, little pink, silicone, Soothie pacifier that was used by your owner from the first day she came home from the hospital :( Thank you for all of your restless nights and holding up through 6 teeth! You are a champ and we appreciated all of your "suckiness" for our precious girl!