Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Happy Birthday Landon!

Dear Landon,

Today you've been with us for one year. From the moment you were born (4 weeks early) you showed us that planning and predictability were a thing of the past. You've taught us so much already- how to laugh through stress, exhaustion, and fear, how to love each other through anything, and how to soak up the little moments in life. I'm never going to pretend like our first year with you was easy, but there was a lot of happiness in there too: the night you started getting better in the NICU, the day we took you home from the hospital, your first smiles, your first noises, how nuts you'd get when we turned on your mobile, your newborn snuggles, your special smiles for clocks, your obvious pride when you finally rolled over, the first time you figured out you could chase Lilly, splashing in the tub, and so many other memories that make me smile.

Now at 12 months you love your Lilly cat, walker wagon, books (well chewing on them anyway), chewy bath toys, and anything that makes a crinkly sound. You love to carry something in your hand while you crawl and especially like to bring your blocks over to the hard tile to make loud noises while you bang them on the floor. You've discovered stairs and crawl up them so fast and then wait patiently at the top for us to find you. You and your dad have growling contests and it's one of the funniest things I've ever heard- it's apparently a manly bonding ritual. You like to help your dad with all power tool activities and you love to play with my hair products from the cabinet under the sink. You're turning into a pretty good eater and prefer mac and cheese, spaghettios, yogurt, watermelon and apple pieces. You recently discovered the fun noise pasta makes when you squish it in your fists, so now at dinner you place a noodle in each hand and squish them while I shovel noodles into your mouth with a spoon. It's working pretty well and you seem pleased with all the squishing that goes on. You have such a personality and funny expressive faces, you keep your daddy and me laughing even when you're also making us very, very tired. The best part of my day is when you two come wake me up- your daddy launches you onto the bed and you crawl over the mounds of blankets with a giant smile trying to find me, and then we all snuggle.

We love you so much, happy birthday big man!

Love,
mommy

17 comments:

  1. what a great video!

    The time goes by SO FAST ... happy birthday Landon!!

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  2. Too cute! That lobster picture gets me every time. Happy Birthday Landon!

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  3. Happy Birthday Landon!!!!!

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  4. Happy Birthday Landon!!!!!

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  5. Love it! Great to see how he's grown!

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  6. Great pictures. I love that coy smile of his. Happy Birthday!

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  7. Precious! You got some really, really great pictures of his first year. (Personal favorite: Smiling at the camera via his reflection in the toy mirror.) I can't believe it's been a year already!

    Happy Birthday, Landon!

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  8. Wonderful video and tribute! Happy birthday Landon!

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  9. Happy Birthday Landon. His mouth is open wide and smiling in all the pics. So cute. The first year is full of ups and downs but boy is it worth it!

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  10. What a smiley, happy kid. I am so happy for you that he is back in your arms forever. My favorites are the wedding ones, with the jaunty hat on. CUTE.

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  11. Happy B-day Landon!

    I noticed you started posting pictures of you! What changed your mind?

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  12. It wasn't an official change of mind, it was more that I wanted my family and friends (who never see/hear from me any more!) to see the slideshow and I didn't want to make two of them. My only real concern with being anonymous is keeping my name off the page so that a google search won't bring up the blog. Anyone who read this who knows me would recognize me immediately (pregnant law student from UChicago, investigated by DCFS, moved to Austin... there's really only one of us) and the odds of someone who doesn't know me running into me and recognizing me are slim to none. And even if they do- well, that could be a new friend!

    All that said, I'll prob. take down the slideshow after a few days, I just wanted to share it with everyone.

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  13. I'm so glad you posted the slide show! I started reading your blog in the middle of The Nightmare (a friend sent me the link) and I've been following you and your family, ever since. I sat here tonight, watching the slide show, feeling as if I was seeing old friends for the first time in years -- the internet is a crazy place. I'm so happy for you guys - congrats on the First Birthday, the house, your new life in Austin -- now go knock 'em dead on the bar!

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  14. Wonderful pictures, with happy and proud parents. Glad I got to see it before it goes. Congratulations on your son and on your degree.
    We'll be praying for you and the bar.

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  15. I happened about your blog one day as was was blog jumping. I was hooked. I have cried sad tears with your family. I am so very glad that things are going so well for all of you. Happy Birthday to the little angel!!!

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  16. that slide show was beautiful...

    I really love the picture of him looking at you through the mirror...that sign of recognition you caught is fantastic. I'm sure your family/friends LOVED it. :)

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