Freeze!

If life was a giant game of Freeze Tag, and I was "IT", I'd be headed straight for our son. 

The days are slipping by way too fast and I just can't seem to get enough of him. These past two months have been my absolute favorite. I know there are fun times ahead - walking, talking, puddling jumping, etc. but I could use just a bit more time right now. He just turned 6 months and now he's only 5 days shy of 7. Seven months seems like such a big moment - infancy is really behind us at that point and we're hurling straight for toddler-hood.

In our household, five to seven months has been such a blessing. Our little man is really coming into his own. We enjoyed spending time with my parents a few weeks ago, and they confirmed some of my suspicions: Landon is a lot like his mom. Both of us are very visual learners. We can often be found completely absorbed in watching the action scene before us - eyes wide, drool dribble hanging off our chins, soaking it all in.

For the most part Landon seems fairly laid-back; happy to just be along for the ride. Although, he needs his routine. Landon just can't say NO to fun, so he pushes himself to the limit. (If you've ever seen RJ in a social situation you know this isn't the case for him. RJ loves fun, but once he's done, he is done. And he'll check out right there falling asleep mid-party.) But, like his Mama, Landon parties until he is so over-stimulated he melts-down in a thunderstorm of tears.

But, although he may be Mama's boy, Landon adores his dad. Both of them are sensitive souls and they love quality time. Most mornings I rise to see the two of them snuggled on the couch - RJ reading his Bible and Landon nestled into the crook of his arm chewing contentedly on a toy. And that is partly why I don't want this age to end. He isn't "on the go" yet and he still loves to snuggle. His world is so small he still thinks Mom and Dad are the best people on earth. His limited experiences lead him to believe a stroll in the grocery cart is an adventure. It is his sweet simplicity that I am loving. That, and his chubby little arms...

Heading home from Gass Valley and sitting in his own airplane seat like a big boy 

Drizzly day jog with Mama

Manliness

Whenever RJ leaves for a fish adventures he gives me a kiss on the check and tells me: "I'm going out to provide, babe. Providing for my family." Now him and I both know that he always fishes catch-and-release, but the sentiment still rings true. While we might not eat the trout on his line it's the concept that matters. The fact that he could provide food for Landon and I with his own two hands and minimal equipment. RJ thrives when out in the wilderness fulfilling the his natural inclination for adventure and conquest. He's not a thrill seeker but rather a thoughtful, calculated naturalist who understands that God created him with an innate desire/need to be the provider for his family. That's not to say that RJ is chauvinistic or matcho. He truly understands what is means to be masculine - to be a leader and provider in our family without being controlling or overbearing. I love him because of this. And I love that he's going to teach out son God's desire for masculinity. 

As a mother I sometimes get nervous knowing that RJ will be leading our son on dangerous expeditions into the wilderness. But I trust the Lord, and I trust my husbands judgement. So, although  I had my heart in my throat during this photo session I knew it was just the first moment of many to come.  At 6 months old letting go a little is already so difficult to do. But my hearts greatest desire is that Landon know the Lord, and that he knows God's plan and purpose for him as a man in the God's kingdom. And I believe he'll understand that purpose one prayer, one scripture, and one adventure at a time. 

The Cutest Goldfish On The Block

Halloween = an excuse to torture our small children for parental enjoyment.

<

Catch of the day

Chapino! Landon (6 months) & Owen (4 months)

Friday's Post

This was the post I meant to do last Friday, so that I could post about our weekend trip to Big Bear today, but I never got the chance to do it. Packing up three people for a two night trip is a lot more work than I anticipated. Gone are the days of throwing 2 toothbrushes, 2 pairs of clean underwear, and an extra tee shirt in a bag and jamming. 

Anyway, here are a few highlights from last week:

Heather, my dear friend from Bear River High school days, drove in from Long Beach to visit us. Spending time with Heather is always a kick-in-the-pants. I have yet to meet anyone like her - and I mean that in the best possible way. While she was here she poured love on Landon, brought him a new hat and toys, approved my favorite local coffee shop since it can make an almond milk latte, found a large,hip-tying, silver-sparkly thrift store shirt that she'll turn the perfect going out garment, and putting a trash bag over my shoulders gave me the best haircut and color I've had in over a year. And, showing an incredible amount of untraditional restraint we ate ice cream straight out of the carton and talked until late (or late for my old-lady self -  she was still going strong). We can't wait to see you again, Heath! 

Wednesday, RJ and I were excited to start a new season of homegroup. We'll be meeting at our place this time around and RJ is going to be facilitating. The Lord has blessed us richly and it is our prayer that we might use our home and our time to bless others. Before our first meeting last week the three of us spent some sweet time praying outside. 

Landon is growing like a weed. He's going to be 6 months old in just a few days! He loves anything Mom and Dad have, rice cereal with apples, pulling all the toys out of his toy box, flipping over as a means of trying to avoid falling asleep during nap time, flapping his arms ecstatically, his uncle Justin (who came to visit us last week), when Dad gets home from work, chewing board books, crying whenever mom leaves the room, and anything that plays music and/or lights up. 

And I just finished an excellent book: Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. I've been trying to read more nonfiction and this one's a winner. Educational and thoroughly entertaining. The book is about Chicago at the end of the nineteenth century. The author cleverly intertwines two fascinating stories: the building of the 1893 World's Fair and the sickening, yet cunning, work of a notorious serial killer. You have to get through the first quarter of it, but then you're hooked. 

A Practically Perfect Day

You know it's been a fantastic day when you go to bed with a full tummy, a smile on your face, slightly sore muscles, the tiniest bit of sand between your toes, and the moment your head hits the pillow you're out. Yesterday was such a day. 

We kicked off the weekend spending him with two of our favorite people:

Anytime spent with Dallas and Meg is a good time. These two are so fun, 90% of our time with them is spent laughing. They're expecting their first little bean in March and we can't wait to meet him/her. And frankly, RJ and I are really anticipating the sure-to-be hysterical stories of Dallas coaching Meg through labor and delivery. 

So, Friday set the stage for our practically perfect Saturday. The day broke sunny and crisp. RJ cooked an incredible egg scramble and the espresso machine foamed near perfect lattes. Landon woke in a chipper mood, enjoyed sweet potatoes for breakfast, and gave Dallas and Meg lots of great snuggles. 

After saying good-bye to our friends the little guy and I dropped off some clothes to the Goodwill (hooray for purging!) and did a little thrift store shopping of our own. Thrift store shopping is my new hobby. Now that I have a bit more time to peruse the racks it's super fun. I love the hunt and the thrill of a great find - particularly since the find is usually less than $3! My favorite find on Saturday was a pair of baby sunglasses for Landon (they may be a shade of purple, but you can't complain when the price is $1). 

The day continued to get better. By noon is was a warm 72 degrees outside and the beach was calling. The perfect opportunity to try out those new sunglasses. 

The three of us hit the sand with friends for baby-time, surf, and vitamin D absorption (my positive spin on tanning).  My girlfriends were lovely and watched Landon while I got 30 minutes in the surf. 3 nice waves and sore paddling arms - a good session. 

RJ thought it was time for Landon to have his first taste (literally) of the Pacific Ocean. Landon didn't agree. The day would have been completely perfect if our boy had hit the surf swimming. But do you really blame a naked baby in 65 degree salt water for letting out a few howls?!

What the heck did you just do to me Dad??

Landon is loving all the lady attention. He loves his BFF's Noel and Avila. 

The Lord has blessed us richly with great friendships here in Ventura. Beach time just wasn't enough fellowship, so we gathered up a few hour later for dinner. RJ cooked an amazing pasta dish with delicious cod Blair pulled out of the ocean in Alaska a few weeks ago. Adam used his fire fighting skills to make sure the new kitchen didn't burn up with the boys manning the stove (and he made the last minute run to go get tomato paste). These men are such providers. 

Like his Mama and Dad, Landon just loves a good social scene. Too tired to say good-bye to friends, or give up his toys, he just sucked his thumb and continued partying. 

What a day.

recipe for a perfect morning

• Waking up to the alarm clock setting "chatty, happy baby" (rather than crying gas-bubble-is-hurting-me baby)
• RJ taking Landon and giving me an extra hour of sleep
• Rising to see Landon snuggling with Dad while RJ digs into The Word
• Laughing as Landon starts salivating when I grab his bib. He's like Pavlo's dogs - see bib; start drooling
• A homemade double-shot latte from our Starbucks Barista, coupled with almond butter toast and honey
• Thinking warm thoughts of my parents, who bought Landon his excersaucer, allowing me time to do my Beth Moore Daniel study

Ginormous Blog Post

It seems as though we have been go-go-go the past few weeks. Have RJ home is fantastic. However, he has about 10 million times the energy that I have, so Landon and I have been racing to keep up with him.  

We are one tiny step away from having the kitchen completely done (we just need hardware for the cabinets). I am BLOWN AWAY by my husband. He has done such a remarkable job on our house this past year and a half.  When we moved in RJ had never yielded a paintbrush - difficult to believe considering he has remodeled every existing room, added a bathroom, and designed and installed my dream kitchen. I am going to do my best to say thanks by going Martha Stewart on him and cooking amazing meals. 

A week ago Landon and I met up with my parent in SLO (Sorry SLO friends that we didn't hang out. Weekend visits are so short we don't have much time to do anything but family stuff.) We spent most of our time goo-ing and gaa-in over the boy. Why is it that watching the baby do nothing is so entertaining?

At 5 1/2 months old Landon is really turning into his own unique person. He has a deep belly laugh and finds peek-a-boo hysterical. (We are a simple family.)

Oma, Grandpa and I took him to Avila Valley barn for some pics in his John Deer boots. He wasn't impressed.
He would rather eat hay. 

All I wanted was one smiling pic. I got this:

And eventually he gave in just a little. (ps - look at those LEGS!)

Naturally, the moment we got in the car to leave he was all smiles. 

Being RJ's boy, Landon is very social, so we had Avila over the other day. I snapped a few photos of the two, and Michelle, Avila's mom, is right - they look as though they've been caught doing something naughty in this one. 

Following that tip-off I noticed further evidence. Based on the angle of Avila's head I think they may have been getting a little too close. 

But look at this little cutie. I don't blame the boy. 

.

And, drum roll please..........

Our new kitchen!

(Note that behind Landon there used to be a wall where we now have a counter. My favorite change!)

RJ and I enjoying some sushi on the new bar

And Landon is stoked on the remodel b/c it came with his own Jacuzzi tub. 

(I learned some rudimentary photo shop skills.)