Landon, I Want You To Know...

Landon rarely lets me hold him anymore. Of course he always wants me to pick him up, but as far as cuddling, or being close, he really wants no part in that. He is so curious and constantly exploring as much as he can...even though he can't really go anywhere yet.

He really is growing so fast. Everyone says, "When you have babies, they grow up really fast." Of course you don't really believe it until you have your own.

I swear Landon grows every time he goes to sleep. When I go into his room after he wakes up from a nap, he always seems taller or heavier.
His face matures more and more everyday and with that, he continues to get cuter and cuter (if that is possible).

With this being said, I try to soak up every second I can with him. I don't want to miss one single thing. When I say, "If I could attach a camera to Landon, I literally would do it." Time is so precious with him.

So, I'm writing this post for him.


Landon, there are some things I would like you to understand:

1. You will always have choices to make.
We have been giving you choices since you were born. We let you choose your bedtime stories, which jar of baby food you would like to have for lunch, the pajamas you wear to sleep, and which toy you would like to take with you in the car. I understand holding up two choices and you just grabbing one is probably not the most accurate way for you to choose something, but as a (now) seven month old, its a great start. However, someday, you are going to have to make real, hard, life changing decisions. Just know that I will back you up, even if I don't agree with you. You will learn from your mistakes and I can try to give advice as you want it, but the choices you make will be yours.

2. When you grow up, ask your Dad for help/advice.
He knows how to treat women with respect and I expect nothing less from you. He opens doors for me, dances with me, makes me feel cherished, beautiful, and admired, and he loves me unconditionally. Someday, if you choose to pursue a woman, she should be treated the same way.

3. But, don't just ask for dating advice...
Learn from his work ethic and dedication. He is one of the hardest workers I know. He works until things are done and he does them well.

4. Always show your emotions.
In this society, a man can come off as "weak" if he willingly shows his emotions. I challenge you to shatter that stereotype. Be sensitive and allow yourself to feel happiness, sadness, fear, excitement, grief, anger, and love.

5. Don't feel the pressure to be "the best" or the "smartest."
From the time a baby is born, there is pressure for them to role over before they are supposed to, read chapter books before they enter kindergarden, and to graduate college in three years instead of four. Of course I want you to work hard and do great things, but I don't want you to be "the best" according to societies standards...I just want you to be the best Landon you can possibly be. You already have so much potential and I can't wait to see how you take part in making this world more like God created it.

6. Get tattoos if you want them! (Please be sensible though)
In fact, take me with you.

7. Take full advantage of your naps.
Lately, you seem to be skipping out on some precious sleep time throughout the day. Trust me when I say, "Someday, you are going to want to take a nap or sleep in and you just won't be able to." Since you have the chance now, take it.

8. Please, keep surprising me.
You have literally been surprising me since the day you were born. Your birthday was the biggest and best surprise I have ever been given.  But, beyond that, you surprise me all the time. You learn how to do things without me even teaching you! You behave better than I would have ever expected a seven month old to behave. I know that someday, you may unpleasantly surprise me and although I may act like it is not okay, it is okay and I will love you through it.

9. There is nothing you can do that will change my love for you.
It is hard for me to look at you and know that someday, you are going to make me mad. You will do something you are not supposed to or make a choice that isn't great, but regardless of any of that...I will love you.

10. Take your time growing up.
Enjoy your childhood and everything that comes with it. Play in the mud and get dirty, make blanket forts in the living room, play with a baby doll if you want, build lego castles, stay outside all day, ride your bike through puddles.

11. Above all of this, know that I love you.
When I married your dad, I didn't know how I would have any more love to give anyone else. Then, you were born. You didn't take any of the love I have for your dad, but you created a new kind of love in me that I didn't know existed. I'm sorry that you get the, "I'm the first child and mama has no idea what she is doing" thing sometimes, but I love that we are learning together. Thank you for being such a patient, loving, sweet, ADORABLE, funny, chill, little boy. I thank God for entrusting me with you and I promise to give you what you need to flourish in this world.