1st Hair Cut- Tuesday, December 15th.

Landon's hair was getting a bit long. It was cute but we couldn't really style it. If it layed flat it was fine. If we tried to spike it, it sat too high. So we decided it was time and daddy wanted to give the first hair cut. Surprisingly he did a pretty good job sitting still. It wasn't until the end that he had a little melt down. The main purpose for trimming the hair today...family portraits.

Christmas Card 2009

Every year we ponder what we are going to do for this year's Christmas card. In year's past it has been much easier to come up with ideas. I personally think giving birth zapped all my creative energy (or at least that's what I'm going to use as an excuse). Our dear friend Martin came over to take this family picture in front of our tree. He did a good job making sure the lighting still highlighted the twinkling lights on the tree. Thanks Schloemer!

With our own camera, we also took several Christmas pictures of Landon. We used different props- from his Santa suite, decorative gold sleigh, Build-A-Bear eyeglasses, "Oh Come Let us Adore Me" bib, etc. There were sooooo many cute photos of Landon and yet we only had space on our Christmas card to put two. So... here's a bunch more darling photos of Landon.

Bergie is always a good sport too.

Does he look a little like Ralphie or what?

Can you see why I had such a hard time in choosing our photos for our card?

Larry & Mary's Party

One of the wonderful event planners I work for is Mary Sushinski. Every year she and her husband through a big Christmas bash. For them, this year was extra special as they too were celebrating a First Christmas with their son Jackson. Daddy, mommy and Landon got dressed in our holiday attire and went up to Glendale to party with Larry, Mary and Jackson. However, Landon was an imposter... Jackson was playing Santa Claus. I felt kind of bad. Mary didn't care one bit but I still felt a little bad as if we took some of Jackson's thunder away. Sorry!!!
Landon 8 months, Jackson 4 months.

Landon watching Santa Claus come through the front door.

Mary had the "real Santa" pay the party a visit. Anyone that wanted to could sit on Santa's lap. They also had carolers, yummy food and drinks and lots of holiday cheer. It was a lovely party. Look at these adorable pictures of Landon with Santa. I just love the way he was looking at him. I didn't care so much for Landon pulling on his REAL beard.

Mall Santa

Wednesday, December 9th

Grandma Haven came and spent the night with us last night. Today we were going shop, play and have some fun. First stop, Landon's Santa photos at the mall. Now, I realize he's already met Santa from Petco and Santa in our neighborhood, but for Landon's 1st Christmas, I wanted the real deal- a super cute 1st Santa mall picture. So... off to the South Bay Galleria we went. We got there about 10 minutes before it opened so we were first in line. In doing this, it was a painless process. Here are a few of the adorable pictures Landon took with Santa.

Later that evening, Grandpa Haven joined us. We ordered Chicken Dijon and ate in. Grandma and Grandpa stayed to visit until mommy and Landon had to leave to pick daddy up from the airport.

Oh Christmas Tree...

This year we decided to get our tree early for a couple reasons...

First, our Christmas card idea was to include our tree with wrapped presents and all

Second, it's Landon's first Christmas and we wanted to enjoy the spirit of the holiday for as long as possible.

So, we opted not to buy our normal Home Depot tree and instead spend the extra money and get a really fresh tree from our local nursery. Daddy gave Landon and I permission to go pick it out today (Thursday, December 10th) by ourselves while he was working. So, Landon and I walked down to the nursery to pick out our tree. By the time we got there though, the little guy was out so it was up to mommy alone to pick out a beautiful Christmas tree. If I may say so myself, I did a good job. We purchased our tree and the nursery put it on hold until daddy could come pick it up after work.

He just pulled himself up to standing position

So tonight we picked up daddy from LAX. He spent a few days in Colorado for AF work. Since it was Landon's bedtime, guess what is the first thing he did when he walked in the door.... lowered Landon's crib. I felt bad that he's been sleeping in such tight quarters the last couple nights so tonight we were going to have him back in his own bed. With the crib lowered, Landon wouldn't be able to reach the edge of the crib and therefore, wouldn't be able to eat away at the wood.

News Flash---- He pulled himself to standing position.

Daddy spent a half hour or more adjusting the crib to the lower setting and literally, within seconds of putting Landon in his lowered crib, in front of our very eyes, Landon pulls himself up to a standing position for the very first time. Okay...if this isn't a clue that I have a determined little boy and I'm going to be in for it, then I don't what is. The little monkey realized he couldn't reach the edge anymore and instantly figured out how to pull himself up onto his feet to stand. No lie............

And... of course, now that he is STANDING in his crib, he's once again at perfect height to nibble at the edge of the wooden crib.

ARE YOU STINKIN' KIDDING ME?

I wish I was.

So... now what? It's almost 10 o'clock at night. We have to come up with a solution and fast. I have a cranky baby wanting to go to bed but we must somehow find a way to cover the edges he can reach so he doesn't chew anymore. With much thought, here's what Sonje came up with. A good quick fix but a little white trash looking. What was once a beautiful wood crib is now this...

Here's our new ghetto crib with sheets tied, safety pinned and wrapped around the crib.

The next day, I was sort of hoping it was a fluke and that he would forget about the whole standing thing. He didn't....

Santa Claus is coming to town- he REALLY did

The South Bay does all kinds of exciting events during the holidays. There's always something going on in one of the beach cities (Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa...). One of the neat things that takes place every year is Santa Claus comes to our town. Sometime during the month of December, Santa pays each street a visit in the South Bay. The neighborhoods are notified of when Santa will be driving down your street. This year Santa was going to pay our street a visit on Tuesday, December 8th. Unfortunately daddy is in Colorado but mommy and Landon still enjoyed Santa's visit.

It's quite cute how they do it. About 5-10 minutes before Santa is planning on coming down our street, a police officer slowly drives the block, playing loud Christmas music and announces over a loud speaker that Santa is on his way and will be here in just a few minutes so to come outside our homes. All the neighbors start exiting their homes, kids in tow, anxious to see Santa. Everyone waits on the curb. Within several moments time, a large truck pulls a large flatbed that has been turned into Santa's "sleigh". Christmas music is played over a large speaker system. High school girls have been given the job of playing elves for the month of December and are dressed up in little holiday dresses. All the neighborhood kids take turns going up the front-end ramp, sitting on Santa's lap, getting the infamous Christmas candy cane and walking down the ramp on the back side. It's adorable!!! It's something I've loved and looked forwad to every year but in years past we've watched other kids visit Santa (or we've sat on Santa's lap ourselves-true story). However, having Landon this year made Santa Claus' visit to our town, much more special. Truck pulling Santa's "sleigh"

Little neighborhood boy just made his way up the ramp to sit on Santa's lap.

Landon and Santa Claus

Daddy Goes to Colorado

This morning, December 7th, Sonje flew to Colorado for Air Force work. Guess what I forgot to have him do before he left...

LOWER THE CRIB.

Ugh!

I feel bad but Landon's going to have try to fit in his little co-sleeper for the next couple days. I can't have him sleeping, I mean eating, his crib until daddy gets home. Poor guy is just going to have to sleep snug the next couple evenings. Luckily, daddy gets home on Wednesday (9th) so its just 2 evenings.

I gave birth to a BEAVER

So, today I saw Landon has completely chewed around the edges of his beautiful wood crib. I thought I was going to die. We bought a gorgeous bedroom set and his crib has serious teeth marks on 3 of the 4 sides. How can 2 little bottom teeth do so much damage? His nickname may be monkey but I'm starting to think he's a beaver. As of now the crib has still been at the infant height but daddy is going to have to drop the crib down so the little booger can't reach anymore. It can't be good for Landon and I can surely tell you it's not good for my crib either.

Mum and Dada

Landon has figured out how to say mum and dada. In fact, mum was his first word. He said mum mum mum mum (over and over) while crawling over to me because he was tired and wanted to nurse. It was the best moment ever! However, he doesn't say it very often. Not like he says dada. He says that one all the time. However, he says it to me, Sonje, playing with his toys, etc. so I'm not quite sure if he realizes what it means. Then again, he might know the meaning and is just practicing the sound (as my mother-in-law suspected). Either way, our hearts melt when he calls for us. Daddy is just smitten.

Bergie and Landon meet Santa

On Saturday, Dec. 5th the Petco near our house was doing free photos with Santa with any purchase. So, we figured this would be a good time to get stuff for Bergie's stocking. We purchased Bergie's treats and introduced Bergie and Landon to Santa. Gratefully, Petco let Landon pop in Bergie's Santa photo. The 16-year old "elf helper" chopped Santa's head off but the photo is still cute.

Trying Baby Snacks

We are trying to teach Landon how to use his own fingers to pick up food items and put them in his mouth. However, he has his daddy's clammy hands and the baby treats are getting stuck to his sweaty fingers/palms. So far, we aren't having much luck with this concept.

Learning the concept of NO

We've been told that learning NO is a long, slow process. We've also been warned that once they learn the word no that it doesn't really matter as your kid is going to ignore it. That's what I can reassuring. :)

We need to teach Landon that he's not allowed to play with Bergie's food and water bowls. Wish us luck.

Landon, that's a "no touch,".

Good Little Helper

My little boy up on his knees watching me load the dishwasher. Did I mention he moved the rack back and forth. Now I really need to be careful when the washer lid is down since he can reach the dishes/utensils.

Bottoms Up

My baby boy still sleeps with his butt up in the air just as he did in utero. Is this not the cutest?

Ama's Birthday

Today is Ama's birthday. The plan was to go early and take a family hike. However, great grandma Janet went into the hospital yesterday and we are praying for her health. Plus, uncle Greg has vertigo and is down for the count tonight sleeping on Chris and John's bed. Needless to say, plans changed and we are just going to hang out at the house. We still had a nice evening being together and eating a good dinner. Probably not Ama's best birthday ever but we still hope she had a nice celebration.
Landon getting bathed so he's nice and clean for Ama

Just hanging out up at the house. Landon loved the front porch swing.