The Dunes

We have a new love and addiction in our family, it's all about the sand now! Each of my boys loves everything about the adventure and excitement found at the sand dunes. Since January we have gone 3 times as a family and Damon has been able to sneak away without us 3 additional times. This week-end was suppose to be our last trip of the season but with the hot weather we decided to stay home. Instead of being out in the sand today I've decided I should look at all the pictures we have taken!

 The boys love going off in the sand showing off and exploring their independence. Shane and Trevor could be out there all day puttering around.

 Sometimes, the kids get stuck but they don't come crying to us...

 Instead, they all come together and fix it on their own like MEN do! It's so cute seeing them out there.

 I'm not sure who likes it more, my little guys or my biggest guy!

 Between the cooking, entertaining of the baby, and relaxing out in the sun, the best party is watching Damon out there with the boys. I love how they ride around and follow each other.

 We spend most of the time in good conversation and enjoying each other.

 Little Landon loves any type of commotion! He loves being outside and watching the kids go.   We did strap him in his car seat and take him for a little ride in the Razor. He got really quiet and I looked over to find him sound asleep!

 My happy and carefree baby!

 The second trip Trevor flipped his quad. It didn't stop him long and he was back on again ready for adventure!

 Now you have to leave it up to me to have a photo shoot in the middle of the sand dunes at Dumont! I couldn't help it.

 I have yet to drive anything. I'm too busy relaxing. Trevor and Shane like to take to out on rides around camp!

For now, there is no more sand at the the dunes. We will take a break from the sand and soon enough enjoy the mountains of Utah. Adventure is something I've gotten use to and I'm sure I will always experience with my boys.

just SMILE!

This is what a five year old looks like when he is told his birthday party it taken away. Seriously, how hard is it to just stand there (right where I tell you) and SMILE? Birthday photo shoots happen once a year so it shouldn't be too much to ask for to just stand and smile. Unfortunately for me, my patience was thin and we were all tired today which never makes for a good combination.

Don't worry, the party was given back once there was a sweet 5 year old smile and the world was good again!

I'm STRESSING!!!

Look at this face, those lips, those eyes, and sweet chubby cheeks! I'm starting to stress, my baby is growing up! I know this is inevitable but still I do not like it one bit. My stressing began a few days ago when I realized he is sleeping through the night. Most moms are excited and believe me I thought I would be the norm but turns out I'm not. I cried thinking I wouldn't be getting up in the night with a sweet baby again, this is it! I know there will be times when he is sick or teething but the normal cuddle with my baby in the wee house of the morning are gone. I now see why my mother in law liked to wake up with Landon when she was visiting. She said it was so I could get some rest (which I always welcomed) but now I know it's really because she missed those sweet moments during the middle of the night feedings too. Now I will just have to continue the helping once my own babies have their own babies. For now I will continue to soak in and love the little bit of baby I have left.

Another sign sweet baby Landini is growing up is he is getting over baby food. He munches his own puffs and pushes my hands away when I have a spoon of pureed pears waiting for him. Instead he now devours home canned pears chopped up that he can stuff into his mouth with ease.

He continues to love our (him and mine) favorite blankets. He isn't swaddled up in them any; that was given up months ago. Instead is holds them or lays on them. He still needs them to sleep and will moved the fabric in between his fingers as he is eating a bottle.

My sweet, not so little, baby like to clap his hands and play Patty Cake. He loves to laugh and giggle as he shows off his new tricks.

The drawer opening and messes are here too! Locks have been put on the bathroom cupboards. A few weeks ago Landon found my ribbon drawer and was in heaven. He was so proud of himself as he pulled out each strip of ribbon. Lucky for me he hasn't found that drawer again!

I was a bad mom and kept him in his baby carrier way to long! He was in this carrier the same amount of time Shane AND Trevor were in it combined! I just didn't want a baby in a big boy car seat. I wanted him safe and confined in the carrier while we were out. Well, once his head and legs started going over the edges I knew I couldn't put it off anymore. This was the last day he was in his carrier and he still loved it. Oh and notice my not so baby, baby is feeding HIMSELF too! Trevor never learned this skill. I think Trevor's philosophy in life is "why do it for yourself if someone else will do it for you?" It's worked well for him, but Landon is a determined little guy. Him feeding himself is convenient but sometimes I still make him lay in my arms so I can love on him.

Landon loves looking out the window like a big boy too. Not longer is he content in the swing (that was one thing I was happy to get rid of!) or playing under his gymnie on the floor. Instead he crawls around pushing things around, finding the one small Lego his brother's missed or pulling himself up to the couch trying to reach for the remote. I do have to say I love his huge grin when he accomplishes these things and how proud of himself he is.

I've tried to tell myself to not stress. I just spent the last day thinking of what LAST cute baby pictures I could take of Landon over the next few months. I've bought outfits and a hat for multiple photo shoots.  I'm hoping to preserve these moments instead of forgetting them. I'm trying to convince myself that life is about change and that I need to embrace my baby growing up because it's a good thing. I'm trying to get use to the thought of all my kids one day growing up and moving on.  For now I'll just enjoy my quiet moments with my baby. The hand holding as I feed him and the buying of baby food and diapers. I'll embrace the bottles to wash, snotty noses to wipe, and the cheerios all over the kitchen floor because one day this moment will be a memory that I will forever cherish.

Sunday Best

Who could resist loving on this cute little guy in his Sunday Best? He really is a good baby and that even means at church. However, lately he doesn't like to sleep in my arms. Sad, I know! He fights going to sleep so during those times I'm in and out of class. He continues to live his Rock Star life with his Landon Fan Club. The little girls love him and the Young Women adore him. Sometimes he is stolen out of my arms. Most moms would welcome the break but me, I miss the sweet baby.

I love seeing clothes that his brothers would wear too. This outfit originated on Trevor. Trevor was only 5 months old when he wore them and not Landon wears them at 8 months old!

Love this boy EVERYday not just when he is wearing his Sunday Best!

Light of Our Life

This little baby is our joy. He lights up any room with his beautiful smile. I cannot believe how fast little Landon is growing. This is my third child and I'm still trying to figure out how to freeze time! Damon is constantly telling me how Landon is our family's greatest blessing and he really is.

He brings in so much joy and love into our home. His brothers adore him and Landon only laughs a belly laugh for his brothers. When this baby enters a room the love he shares fills the room. He will rub my hand as I feed him or hold my finger. He giggles with joy whenever his Daddy comes into a room.

Little L has blessed us and I keep waiting for the joy to wear off but it never has. He is loved beyond measure by his family. We adore him and his cute chubby cheeks. He lights up any room with his sweet smile and continue to be the light of our life.

Busy

Life has been busy but I haven't stopped loving these darling boys! I am blessed.

Perspective

When you add a baby to the mix things change. I use to think Trevor was my baby but the more I hold Landon the more I realize Trevor is a little boy. He is independent, caring, grumpy, funny, and totally lovable! He sits next to Landon and looks all grown up. Gone are the days of him NEEDING to cuddle with me on the couch. He likes to sleep in and get up on his own. He's always been determined and now he shows his determination through building Lego's and working on his own. Although he is growing right before my eyes and nothing will stop it (believe me I've tried but nothing seems to work!) he will always be my Lovey. He is the little guy who needs my love and I need his. He's the one who captures hearts and makes you feel so special no matter what! Shane is the boy who made me a mother. He was the first to give me the sweet newborn smile and to call me mom even if he started out by calling me Tricia! He is my leader and one to always make others feel welcome. His confident nature makes others want to be around him. He loves little babies and protects them and makes sure where ever they are that they are happy and safe. He has always had a fun way of expressing himself and talking to me about his life. I cannot believe he is growing up because it seems like it should still be just him and I going to the park swinging on the swings or shopping together.

Life changes and once I get settled and think THIS time in my life is perfect I don't want anything to change it changes! I don't like change. Then I settle again and realize no, no, no THIS is the perfect time and then it changes again. All I know is right now I'm happy. I have my sweet baby and two big boys to love on even though they are growing too fast!