Landon's 2 year doctor visit

Landon is growing very well. He was 28.8 pounds (59% which is up a good bit), 35 3/4 inches tall (82%), 19 3/8 inch head circumference (64%). His development and everything looked good. She said that he'll probably be sick for about a year when he starts school in the fall. Because grandparents had noticed him getting red in the face some with certain foods we had him take a blood test to see if he had peanut allergies.

She said now was a good time to start talking about potty and going potty, but it will really depend on him when it's time to start potty training.

Landon's Second Birthday

Since Landon really likes seeing buses, airplanes, cars etc we decided to make the theme of his party transportation. I found (after much looking) a tablecloth and a couple decorations for the theme that didn't have any character on them. Landon had been taking an art class, and in the class they did several paintings and colorings of transportation vehicles like buses, airplanes, trains and cars. This worked out perfect as we hung up Landon's art work around the house for everyone to see. He really likes showing everyone his art.

Greg and I stayed up working on the "bus" cake and other things til 1am Saturday morning. To keep with the theme we decided to do a bus cake, because Landon loves seeing buses when we are driving around. Greg and I decided to make it on our own. Greg made the cakes from scratch and researched how to do the icing. I made the icing and decorated the cake (except for the awesome smiley face on the back window that Greg did). Greg and I stayed up working on the "bus" cake and other things til 1am Saturday morning.

We got up Saturday and went to workout. I think both of us were a little tired, but Landon got to play with his friends at the Gym. One of the ladies that works in the kids room brings her 3 year old daughter and son (younger, but not sure his age), and Landon enjoys playing with them.

Then we came home and got ready and Landon, Greg and I went to lunch at Covinos. Landon got to have pizza so he was excited. After lunch Landon and I went to music class at Gymboree, and then Grammy and Gramps picked us up to take us back to the house. Grammy and Gramps got to play with Landon on one of his new Thomas the Train sets he got for his birthday. He really enjoyed it. Greg and I got everything ready for the party.

Everyone came over for the party about 1:30. We chatted and watched Landon running around eating popcorn and trying to keep it from Lady. Then we opened gifts which was fun. Landon got several cards that sing songs or say something which he really likes. Landon got some fun things from everyone including books, dvds, floating swimsuit, a big stuffed horse, Thomas the train set, and of course money. His big gifts from Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, Gramps, Grandma, Pops and Marisela, Gary, Haley and Ashlyn Hudgeons were a big play table with tons of Thomas the Train stuff and a little kitchen of his own. He really likes playing with both of them.

Landon's cousins Debby and Travis gave him a Thomas the train set with a Thomas that moves on it's own (vs Landon having to move it), and he loves this. He makes the Thomas that moves push as many of the other engines as it will push. It's cute to watch.

He loves the kitchen as well. I worried a little about getting a boy a kitchen, but he loves pretending to cook. He makes us things all the time now so it's a lot of fun. We have lots of clean up now with many little parts to everything, but he's doing pretty good to help.

By the time everyone was leaving the party, Landon was asking for a nap. He was really tired, but had a great time. Mommy needed a nap as well!

Sequential Screen

We had the sequential screen today for the baby. They do a sonogram to measure the fluid in the back of the neck and a blood test to determine the probability whether the baby is high risk for Down Syndrome.

The Dr said everything looked very good. The heart was beating well and we could see it and hear it. The baby measured a little big making the estimated due date 11/25. They still say the official due date is 11/29 though. I'm anticipating that I'll be in labor during the A&M vs Texas football game to drive Greg crazy. Who knows.

We were able to see the baby moving around and could see the arms and legs some. Of course the baby turned over so they weren't able to predict what the sex was. The Dr said they can predict correctly 95% of the time at this gestation. Of course they said Landon was a girl at this time. We'll have to wait a couple more months to find out.

Gigem

Landon can now say Gigem and put up just him thumb. Before he would stick up his thumb and index finger.

Landon can tell people that he's turning 2. He tries holding up two fingers but usually either crosses all of his fingers or holds up his thumb and index finger.

He's also started saying no Daddy when he disagrees with Greg (when Greg tells him not to do something or that he needs to do something other than what he wants to do). We're trying to explain that he shouldn't tell Daddy no, but he's not comprehending just yet.

Landon also has first 2 year molar coming in on his bottom left side.

Taco, Frozen Yogurt and Bubbles

Landon seems to know his shapes pretty well. He knows star, circle, triangle, square & rectangle.

We went to Abuelos for dinner tonight and Landon ate part of a taco. I think this is the first time for him to have a hard taco. After dinner we went to get some frozen yogurt. Before Landon usually thought it was to cold. Tonight he really liked eating it from a spoon and then he also learned that he can lick the ice cream. He had a good time eating Mommy's frozen yogurt.

We didn't have much time after dinner to go outside and blow bubbles so we compromised and did bubbles in the bath tonight. Landon had fun blowing bubbles in the bath, and then he learned how to take the the bubble blower and make bubbles under the water. He got a kick out of this.

Flag of Honor

On my flight from Dallas to New York we had the privilege to transport the Flag of Honor to New York. This is the flag that flew over the Texas Capital on 9/11, and was transported to New York with the longest police motorcade. It's been around the world.

The pilot warned us before we got there what would happen. When we got to the gate two fire trucks were sitting there and gave the plane a water cannon salute (basically sprayed the plane with water as it approached the gate). When we got off the plane there were 4 full uniformed New York Police officers standing outside the gate entrance. The pilot came off the plane and presented the flag to the officers in kind of a formal ceremony. They saluted each other and that was about it. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool, and not something you see everyday. They made an announcement in the terminal what was going on.

Here is some background I found on an Arlington web sight:

Shortly after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Texas Governor, Rick Perry, arranged for the flag, which had been flying at half mast over the Capitol Building of the State of Texas, to be sent to the City of New York. Officers from around the nation collaborated in establishing the longest police motorcade in U.S. history. The Honor Guard presented the flag to the Governor of New York at New York Police Headquarters. Family members requested that this one flag be used to continuously honor all American heroes. Today the continual pages of history are being written. Since 2001 this tribute to America’s finest men and women proudly flies around the nation.

The flag was flown during the recovery efforts at ground zero and at the memorial services for the Port Authority in New Jersey. It was then recommended the flag be used for all other service men and women around the nation, honoring them just as the heroes of 9/11.

In October 2004 the flag traveled to Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq while on tour with American Soldiers. The flag was flown over U.S. military camps and bases, honoring U.S. military men and women during memorial services.

Since then, the flag has come full circle by flying over the Capital of Texas on a rainy September 11, 2007, where it all began. From the Lone Star State to the rest of the nation, the flag continues to move on.

Landon's haircut

Took Landon to get his hair cut Wednesday night. Last time we got it cut, it wasn't very short and grew to be uncontrollable pretty quick. So this time we decided to cut it really short. He doesn't really like the clippers so she used the scissors, but she wasn't able to get it very short. So, we tried the clippers. He did find unless it was near his ear. I kept telling him to make the sound of the clippers and he would. She cut it with a 3 on the sides and 4 on the top. It's really short, but he still looks cute.

The lady cutting his hair asked how old he is, and I said Landon tell her almost 2. And he said almost 2. She was impressed. We also went though colors of different things in the hair cut place. Overall he did really well. When I was paying he went to play with the train set. He didn't want to leave the train set.

Landon seemed to have a bug of some sort for a couple days. He had 102 temperatures for a day or two. He seemed ok for the most part, but looked really tired. His fever has gone away and he seems to be doing well.

I'm doing ok. I'm in New York for a couple days for a conference. Nausea still comes and goes, but overall seems to be getting better as long as I eat something every couple house (normally a cracker). I don't think you are supposed to feel the baby moving yet, but I think I do.