Walkin' Will

Who wants to see my little guy ambulating?  He's getting more and more confident in his abilities.  I love it when he claps as he goes like he is so proud of himself.  And he should be!

Well, I can't get it turned, but  I am just thankful that I got it on the computer!  My computer is currently not working so I had to upload things to my husband's computer and work from there.  I like to think that if I was on my laptop I would have gotten it turned at least.  But I wanted to get it up either way.  I want to get a post up about the two birthday's we just celebrated, but that will wait until I get my computer back.  Unless it will be a long time then I will cave in and load all the software for the camera on to the hubster's computer.  

For now....Hooray for Will!!!  I took this tonight and this is the farthest he has walked so far.  Woot woot!

Park play

Today was John's birthday, the big 30!  So I thought what could be better than to take the outdoor lover into the outdoors.  The sun was shining and the weather was perfect.  So we took our first trip to Nixon Park.  How did we not do this before now?  Landon loved the taxidermied animals, running from animal to animal yelling, "come look!" and touching all the exhibits he was allowed to.  He was thrilled.  After checking out the nature center we went outside to take a nature hike.  Last summer we attempted a mini hike and it didn't go so well...Landon was drug out of the trail screaming.  Not this year!  He LOVED it.  He was busy looking at all the animals using his "noculars".  

John caught a baby snapping turtle, several frogs, a small fish, and a newt.  A happy birthday boy indeed.  

After a little hike we sat in the grass and had a little lunch that we had packed.  Then Landon accompanied Daddy to the creek to play.  Mommy and Will went down a little later, but only Will joined in the fun.  He would have sat right down in it and not gotten out I think.  He was fascinated by the rocks, and spent time picking up the shiny ones.  He would find a shiny rock and almost immediately Landon would steal it and yell, "TREASURE!"  So poor Will would have to search for another rock.  And if having his finds stolen by his brother wasn't enough Mommy wouldn't let him eat them either.  Being a baby is so tough!

Will enjoyed the hikes from the Moby.  I love this thing!  Nearly one and he can still be packed on and carried about easily.  Although I now know why people hike with a baby backpack instead of a front carrier.  I couldn't see my feet...a flashback to pregnancy I guess!  This was only a problem when going down a hill and having to use stairs that they had made out of railroad ties.  We are alive to tell about it though!

Like father, like son

I got a turtle!

Passed out after a hard day of play

Nothing beats a day in nature with my family!

Time flies.....

...when your baby is growing up!  How have 11 months passed by so quickly?  He turned 11 mon a few weeks ago, but I had to take him to the Dr on that day for his ear infections.  He was one sick boy and was not up for photography.  He wasn't up for it today either!  I took nearly 20 shots and only had 4 usable ones.  Squirmy boys!

He is still refusing to walk on his own.  You can hold only one of his hands and walk beside him and he'll walk just fine.  He took a half step alone today.  I can't wait to see him walk.  I know, I know, I keep going on about hating to see him grow up and here I am wishing he would walk.  I am equally as excited to watch him grow up into a "big boy" as I am sad to watch his baby days go away.  Some of his favorite things to do are play with the dog, waving his dog toy for him and giggling, finally getting the hang of his sippy cup and drinking milk, working on walking, and working on talking.  He emulates his brother as much as he can for a little guy, and lucky for him Landon enjoys it most of the time.  

We finally remembered to get the walk behind toy out a week ago.  Landon uses it constantly and therefore Will rarely gets his hands on it.  Landon uses it as an indoor lawnmower, a tiller, and a vacuum.  Tonight Will was thrilled to use it.  He was smiling from ear to ear as he walked up and down the hallway.  Now let's get walking!

I love to see the Temple

John, my Mom and myself went to the the Washington, DC temple on Saturday.  We were able to do my families work.  I was so excited to be able to go to the temple.  It's been longer than I would like to admit since I have been.  And I really did miss it and need it.  I also have to admit it was the first time I can join those who say they learn something new every time they go.  I was blessed to be able to do my Grandmother's work from start to finish.  John did the work for my Grandfather from start to finish also.  It was a long day.  We entered the baptistery at 8:30 and we weren't done with the day until 2:30.  I left the temple feeling overwhelmed with joy and exhausted.  I was exhausted mentally and spiritually.  I had experiences that I will forever hold dear to my heart and remember fondly.  My soul was touched and my spirit renewed.

That night as I tucked Landon into bed he asked for "I love to see the temple" as his nightly song, as usual.  And so I had him sing along.  He knows every word to both verses and it was adorable.  He was very excited to get to look at these pictures too.  He is looking forward to us getting a picture of the temple for his room too.  My favorite part of hearing him sing this song is his version of this particular line, "a place of love and booty." haha  What a glorious day!

A little shadow....

He said, "I've been watching you, Dad ain't that cool?

I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you.

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.

We like fixing things and holding Momma's hand,

yeah we're just alike, hey, ain't we Dad.

I wanna do, everything you do....

so I've been watching you!"

I don't need to say more?  I love that song and I love having a little boy who wants to be just like his Daddy.

Moments

Sorry to all those who are hoping for a picture, but none of that this time 'round.  I know that most women out there have had their "moments" while hormonal, so I am not alone when crying at things that are not usually that emotionally charged.  The boys had both just gotten up and I was finishing up an old episode of Bones.  The one where Angela and Hodgens have their baby.  And I found myself crying at the memory of the first time I got to hold my sweet little babies.  There is nothing more special or more magical than holding your newly born baby in your arms, NOTHING.  So there I was, crying in the middle of my living room floor.  Landon turned and saw me and said, "Mommy!  You crying, why do you have tears?"  So I told him that it made me think about when he and Bubba Will were born and how much it meant to me and that's what made me cry.  He said, "oh, okay." and He gave me a hug.  He then said, "I'll wipe them away Mommy."  He then proceeded to gently wipe away my tears with his blankie.  How sweet is that?  That of course made me cry even more so he continued to worry and wipe away tears.  Most of the day was full of that same little boy causing me hormone induced rage, but at that moment he was the sweetest, kindest little boy ever.  I was and am still touched that he cared so much about his Mommy. 

The view from my backyard

We've had two beautiful days to enjoy the weather and the boys and I have spent them in the backyard.  We've soaked in the sun, played with all the toys, blew bubbles, spilled all of the bubbles, played in the sandbox, made sandcastles and went for a walk.  Hooray for Spring finally showing it's face!

He wasn't so sure of the outdoors, but he did love that soccer ball

Landon was sure to play with as many things
as he could.  He LOVED his time outside.

Spring is coming!  My lilacs are coming along nicely.

My baby boy and I

Landon insisted on pushing Will on our walk.  He was "babysitting".

  

If you have the ability to get out and enjoy the sun do it!  It's been wonderful.  I can't wait for Will to no longer be afraid of the grass, and take off exploring the yard.