Exersaucer

Landon got his new exersaucer as an early Christmas present from his Nanny. We gave it to him early because he was wanting to stand up all the time. (Incidentally, this love for standing has made it especially difficult to burp him after feedings since he doesn't want to sit.) Anyway, he seemed to like it from the start, but he didn't quite have the body control to use it well (we had to stuff blankets around him to help support his body). At the time we started putting him in it, he didn't even have long enough arms to reach the toys and he didn't have to motor control to grab at things or push the buttons :) What a difference a month makes! It is absolutely amazing how much he interacts with it now. He has learned how to push the buttons to make things light up and play music, he can grab for the flowers (and of course try to shove them in his mouth), and his feet actually touch the bottom now. I love seeing and hearing him get so excited about things :)

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

Yesterday's weather was absolutely gorgeous and a perfect day to go to the zoo! We decided to get out early and take Landon on his first trip to the Sacramento zoo. Thankfully we decided to leave a little early, since we weren't the only ones who had the idea. It had been a super long time since I'd been to the zoo, and Landon is just starting to notice animals more, so we were really excited to go. I still forget that it takes upwards of 45 minutes and 3-5 trips back in the house before we can actually leave for anywhere. With our lunch packed, stroller, diapers, wipes, bottle, camera, video camera, spare clothes, hats, blanket, paci, spare paci, and a few toys loaded, we were finally ready to go. Landon loved watching the tall giraffes, the silly monkeys, and the crazy hornbill run back and forth in front of us. He also really liked the reptile room (mostly because it was dark in there and the tanks of animals were really lit up.) By the end, he was wiped out and crashed in his stroller while Spencer and I enjoyed our picnic lunch at the park. I'm so thankful for my family and for beautiful weekends.

Who's that Baby?

So, Landon loves to look at, talk to, and squeal with delight at the handsome baby in the mirror. He loves all mirrors, but he's especially fond of the mirror in his bathroom--probably because he can stand or sit on the counter while he looks at himself. Even in the worst of moods, he giggles at the sight of the adorable baby smiling back at him. It is so hilarious to watch him have a conversation with himself...and then he looks at us in the mirror and can't quite figure out why we're holding the "mirror baby." So stinkin' cute!

Ready for Rice?

So we went to the doctor's office last week for Landon's 4 month check up and to get his next set of shots :( He weighs 13 lbs, 4 oz and is 25 1/2 inches long (he of course managed to pee all over the scale during this weigh in.) For the first time EVER since he was born, the nurse commented on how big of a boy he was rather than how tiny. I have to admit that it felt good...not that I ever was worried about his weight before because I knew everything was fine, but it was getting rather old to hear everyone comment on how small he was. He's still only in the 25th percentile for his weight, but he's in the 75th for his height-- Spencer's excited about that.

Anyway, the doctor told me that sometime between now and 6 months I could try to introduce rice cereal to Landon. Let's just say that he's not too sure he really likes this whole new way of eating thing. He ended up with more of the stuff on his face, his bib, and on us than he did in his mouth, and even when he did manage to get it into his mouth he wasn't really sure what to do with it. Spencer and I started talking about how amazing it is that we have to actually teach him how to eat...it just seemed so strange. He's slowly learning how to move the food to the back of his mouth and swallow it rather than shoving his fist in his mouth, spitting the rice out, or sneezing/coughing it out all over Mom and Dad...so I guess you could say we're making progress.

Sitting him down for his first feeding the other night was bittersweet in a way. On one hand I was super excited to introduce him to something new, to see how he would react, and, of course, to get new pictures. However, at the same time, I felt a little sad at the realization of how fast the time truly flies by. As I look back on old pictures, it already feels difficult to remember him being so small and.....quiet. He's so incredibly fun right now with all of his squeals of delight, giggles, beaming smiles, and his extreme curiosity. I look forward to all of the millions of new experiences we will have as a family, but for today...I think I'll enjoy him just as he is.

Melts my heart!

Ok, so...I'm resolving this year to get better at posting to this blog...even if no one ever reads it! It will help me to feel like I'm not losing sight of all of the amazing new things Landon is learning and doing each day. And he IS changing daily. I've heard from more people than I can count how incredibly fast they grow up, and I'm quickly finding out just how true that is. I know...he's only 4 months old, but every day I get home from work I swear he's already changed. Might I add that as he grows and learns new things it is getting harder and harder to go back to work??? I so enjoyed having two weeks off from work this holiday (hooray for being a teacher!), but I think that it was harder going back this week than when I first went back. He's just so much fun to be around. It completely melts my heart that his entire face lights up when I walk in the room. He "talks" to me for hours and smiles at me from ear to ear. Yesterday, he completely captured my heart (as if he hadn't already) when he giggled...No sound in the world has ever been sweeter.