Weekend of PARTIES

We had a weekend full of parties. I just set up camp in our clubhouse. On Saturday, we had Landon's 1st birthday among family. It was a UT football theme complete with stadium food (hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, etc.) Landon loved the icing on his cake.

He is taking several steps (it won't be long now).

Thanks for the 'pose', Anna!

Cousins table

Nana and Landon

Happy Birthday to you...
here comes the cake

Anna's job was to help him blow out the candles.

Well, she was not quick enough.

Landon grabbed the flame (see my hand reaching in)

not too bad

On Sunday, we had a 'luau' themed baby shower for Clint & Melissa.

Baby Kai will be here soon!

Happy 1st Birthday Landon!

It is said that every girl will eventually become her mother. Well, it's probably true. Ever year on my birthday, my mom would tell the story of the day I was born. So here goes. My baby boy was born one year ago today. The night of September 11, 2008 (was a Thursday), Joseph was flying home from a 3 day business trip in Chicago. He arrived home around 11pm. At 1:00am (9/12/08) my water broke. I was so nervous. We called Nana to come stay at our house while Anna slept in her own bed (we never woke her). At the hospital, I waited until 6:00am to call for a substitute teacher and tell my friend Amy that I was at the hospital. Around 9:00am my midwife came by to order my Pitocin. Then labor progressed rapidly from there. I delivered Landon at 11:48am. He weighed 6lbs 15oz. and 20.5 inches. He had lots of hair!

Here is a picture of Landon Thomas Ballard (1 day old) coming home from the hospital.

This is Landon now - 1 year old.

I never knew of the love that a mother would have for a son. My daughter (being my first born) was my dear precious princess. I never thought anything could compare to that. But WHOA! This little boy.... well, let's just say is a "momma's boy". Some of Landon's favorites and firsts as he turns one today: taking several first steps towards walking, not very fond of a sippy cup yet, loves 'baby' cookies and puffs and yogurt, says "ma ma" and "da da" and "ga ga", loves to laugh at his sister, loves any toy with wheels, loves to 'sing', soothes himself by rubbing on others, and he loves to snuggle.

WE LOVE YOU LANDON! Happy 1st Birthday!

Weekend events

We had a great 3 day weekend! On Saturday, we took Anna to the UT football game. She was quite overwhelmed by the crowd, noise, and heat. Needless to say, she was not very impressed. She fell asleep at the 2nd quarter. We left at half time. That will be Anna's last football game - at least for a while. (no pictures from the game, sorry)

On Monday, we went to Dollywood. We rode all of Anna's favorites...elephants, cups, pigs, bees, ducks, up and down.

Landon had to ride the pigs, too. Mommy had to squeeze in the back.

OK, I think I'm stuck....
Nana and Landon with Miss Lilly at the Chicken House.

A few funnies...

My daughter is OCD. I didn't make her that way - she just is. You can't really tell from this picture but she was in charge of watching the screws as Joseph installed baby locks on cabinets. She proceeded to line the screws up in a perfect line. She was very proud of it.

Finally... quotes from my daughter:
A conversation overhead between Anna and her father. They were pretending to play 'house'. Anna was the mommy. Daddy: "Anna, what is a mommy's job? What is it a mommy does?" Anna: "Well, she does the dishes and cleans the house and cooks the food." Daddy: "Well, what does a daddy do?" Anna: "He does what the mommy tells him to do."

Landon's One Year Photos

My baby boys looks so big! This was his first time wearing shoes, blue jeans, and his jersey (that wasn't a onesie that buttoned between his legs). He did so good at his 'photo shoot'.

Mommy bought so many pictures.

Landon says... GO VOLS!

Birthday Cake...

not too bad...

almost 1 year old!

My funny boy is almost one year old.

just a swingin...

Thanks Michael for coming over and helping Joseph put up my porch swing. My sweet husband got me a porch swing for Mother's Day...LAST YEAR - that's right...May 2008! Well, needless to say, it's up now! I can't wait to enjoy it!

Growing Up...

Landon is almost 11 months. He will start day care next week as mommy goes back to work. He is growing up waaaaayyyy too fast. What happened to my baby??

He learned to scale the stairs....

We have had to baby proof our house.

He is into EVERYTHING. (so different from Anna)

GATES!!

Landon really is happy most of the time.

He had his first biter biscuit (as Anna says 'baby cookie').

Do you think he likes them?

Sibling love

Bath time = SPLASH time

Landon usually splashes most of the water out of the tub.

I wonder how long I can still give the two of them baths together.

Buckets of water over his head... he doesn't care. The more the better!

And finally... Landon has had his THIRD haircut

(and he is not even a year old!)

Looks so handsome!!