January 25th, 2005

Landon is going through a stage of rapid development right now. He is quickly picking up new skills and sharing them with anyone who will take notice. A few of the more impressive changes are included below.

Rhiannon managed to teach Landon how to stick his little pink tongue out (I’m glad that she will take the fall for this skill, and not Landon’s father). Once his attention is acquired, he will slowly display his tongue through a devious little grin. Its pretty entertaining watching him proceed by first unveiling a small tip of his tongue and then slowly producing more and more pink mass, while the smile and beam on his face also grow proportionally. We’ve recorded the whole progression both with pictures and video, hopefully someday I will add some of that media to this journal.

About ten days ago on a Friday night Landon crawled over behind a little walker that he received as a present for Christmas. Initially both Rhiannon and I were apprehensive about introducing Landon to a walker because we had read that they actually can delay a child’s walking development. Eventually we threw caution to the wind and left the toy out for Landon to discover (we can be such daring parents at times). So on this Friday, I watched in amazement as Landon completely unprompted, crawled over to the walker, pulled himself to his feet and took a step, which was then followed by a quick retreat to his butt and then another vertical ascent followed by another step. He repeated this progression a few times, filled up his baby attention span and moved on to other investigations. We were out of town until that Sunday night, and upon returning home Landon discovered his walker again. I called Rhiannon in to watch Landon’s one step shuffle since she had missed the previous display, only this time after pulling himself to his feet Landon proceeded to walk completely across our living room until the walker crashed solidly to a stop against the couch. He then turned in our direction, beaming proudly and began to wave at us spastically with his whole right arm. He was obviously proud, and so were we. He repeated the feat a few more times, and we chased him and the walker around with a video camera before an electrical outlet caught his eye and the game was over. Since then Landon has taken several more trips behind the walker, but still no unaided steps have been produced, I have a feeling the sound of his footsteps will be bouncing around our cave soon.

Landon has become more proficient with a fork and spoon, although his shovel method that implements an open palm and his mouth strategically placed near the edge of his bowl is exponentially more effective. He routinely now can stick a small piece of pasta on the tine of a fork and maneuver the food item into his mouth. Also, Landon has discovered the wonder that can be found in a warm bowl of instant oatmeal on a cold morning. On weekend mornings when he spies his dad settling down for breakfast, he scoots across the floor giggling and screaming the entire way until he perches himself against my leg, standing tall with his mouth gaping open like a featherless baby bird. If I forget to alternate bites of oatmeal with him, the little bird always reminds me with a squawk.

A fifth tooth has begun to emerge from the upper left side of Landon’s mouth, which thankfully explains his recent increased crankiness and sensitivity, saliva production and vomiting. Thankfully most of those variables, especially the puking have already dissipated. Landon also attempted to pierce his dad’s nose last week with one of his front teeth. We were playing on the floor when he decided to crawl over and plant a big wet kiss on my nose. Adorably cute in theory, his little hand slipped in route, and left his face tumbling, tooth first, at my nose. He punctured straight down into the flesh on the tip of my nose; and after further investigation, I suspect he went tooth deep. My nose bled some, but Landon laughed even more, so all was forgiven.

Last week Landon went though a brief spell of deciding to wake up between four and five in the morning, with a few midnight crying bouts as well. The fits have since diminished, and we are guessing they were probably teething related. During these events it would take quite awhile of prolonged rocking and consoling to get the little tyke back to sleep. It was a peaceful experience to have him fall asleep in my arms again just not that welcome in the wee hours of the morning. I should probably also write down here what I whisper to Landon every night before he drifts off to sleep. It is admittedly corny, but it has become a routine nonetheless, and definitely a part of Landon’s development. Every night as I lay him down in his crib I whisper, “Landon, have wonderful dreams, of wishes and fishes and rivers and streams”. I know…awwww shucks.