Catching up

Goodness, it's been such a long time since Ilast wrote. Our lives have been so extremely busy and by the time I get home, I would rather spend the evening/ nights with my little man and his sweet daddy! Well, since my last post, many new things have happened:

Paul and I bought our first boat. It's not fancy nor will it go fast. We purchased a 22' pontoon boat. When we first discussed getting a boat (B.L. - before Landon), we wanted a ski boat or something fast and flashy. But once Landon came into our lives, we began to look at "family" boats. So after months of researching (we don't do things spontaneously or without all the information necessary) and a few more months shopping around for the best boat for the best price, we purchased a brand spanking new pontoon and got it in the water a few days later. After testing a few infant life jackets, we finally found one that Landon will tolerate. So, now, since the 4th of July, we have spent an entire week at my parents' lakehouse and every weekend on the boat! We would love to have more family and friends join us on the water...just let us know when you want to go out! :)

Before we could get the boat on the water, Paul's brother Luke got married in Huntsville. Not only were we celebrating this special day with family but all three of us were part of the wedding celebration itself! Paul was a groomsman, I was a bridesmaid and Landon was the cutest ring bearer ever - right down to his little suspenders and bowtie (clip on of course). He did such a great job during the ceremony. When he was ready to get down and move around, I sat him down and he happily played in the grass until it was time to walk back down the aisle. Luke and Kristen were such a cute bride and groom, too! Thank you for letting us be a small part of your day!

While we were on our lake vacation, Landon cut his first two teeth! Yay! Surprisingly, he did it overnight (we did know that he was teething) and without any fussiness! I heard all the teething horror stories, but I am so glad that Landon did not have a temperature or incessant crying or anything else during the process. However, we are experiencing a new milestone for baby...separation anxiety. Everytime I leave the room, even if for a second, he begins to cry. It really makes my heartbreak to see him so sad. I tell him that I will be back, but he doesn't understand. I don't like being the one that hurts his feelings, but Mommy does need to get some things done sometimes. How long will this last?

And we are off!

Paul and I took Little Man to visit Gigi and Papi and to go to Luke and Kristen's wedding shower in Loretto on the 13th. The week before, we (minus our sweet boy) went to Sarasota for a great friend's wedding. Paul was a groomsman! Landon had been rocking on all fours for a few weeks, so we just knew that he would begin crawling while we were in Florida. But, he must have known how important it was for Mommy and Daddy to see him reach a new milestone because he waited until the 13th...early birthday present for Mommy I suppose. We were watching a baseball game (of course!) and something caught Landon's eye. He started rocking and giggling and then, he moved! He didn't do it too well; his little right leg sort of dragged underneath him but who cares because he did it! He laughed at himself everytime he moved. It was so precious to see how proud he was of himself. It didn't take long for him to get the hang of crawling. Now, we can't keep him still. And he apparently was not satisfied with just crawling. Just a day later, he began pulling himself up on the couch, coffee table, entertainment center...etc. I can't believe how quickly he is growing. I have actually asked him to slow down, but at 7 months, he already is ignoring Mommy's requests.

I wonder what new thing he will do next week...there is a bottom tooth that looks ready to break through any day but maybe he'll start walking before that tooth comes in. All I know is that this little man is growing and changing every day!

On a side note: I entered Landon in a photo contest on Parent.com. He is currently in the running for the Reader's Choice (not sure if that means he is ruled out on the other 9 finalist spots). We would really LOVE your help and your votes. Please visit http://photos.parents.com/cateogory/vote/photo/360112 every day (and from as many computers as you can get to :) ) through Sunday, June 27th. Thank you in advance for your votes!

Flood Relief

As many of you know, Middle Tennessee was devasted by Mother Nature this past weekend, including my hometown, Clarksville. To date, Riverside Drive remains under water, as does part of the neighborhood I grew up - including our old neighbors across the street...I don't know if the water reached our old house (our family still owns it) because that part of the neighborhood was evacuated last night. It's really very sad to see the pictures of Clarksville under water and I can't believe all of the businesses and homes that were lost. I know several people whose businesses are located on Riverside Drive. Nashville is bad as well. Historic landmarks are covered in 10 feet of water - the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland Hotel, the Titans' field - LP Field, and much of downtown Nashville.

The American Red Cross is asking for help, whether you can volunteer your time or donate clothing, food and money. The Red Cross building in Clarksville was among the businesses flooded, so any donations you send, please send to the Clarksville/ Montgomery County United Way office at 1300 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. If you send a monetary donation, please put "Local Flood Relief" in the memo line. Thank you for whatever help you can give, especially your prayers!

Love, Paul, Nicole and Landon

Rainy Day

Saturday was a gloomy day with all of the rain and the tornado warnings sweeping across the area, so we spent the day inside. We watched movies and the Alabama/ South Carolina baseball game, took a nap, played with toys and just enjoyed being a family. Of course, I took lots of pictures of the little man playing with his dump truck...

Monday...

Monday was a very eventful day for the Lamm family. Paul and his Spring Hill Raiders won yet another district game 17-0 in 4 1/2 innings! This put their overall record at 15-4 and 8-1 in the district (woo hoo - we are sitting in first for the time being!)!!! So...we are currently ranked first in our district, first in our region and third in the state in Class AA! I'm such a proud coach's wife! It's so fun to watch my husband doing what he loves everyday.

In baby Landon milestone updates...because the game ended so early due to the run rule, I took Landon out on the field after the game. We stood behind Paul and the rest of his coaching staff while they had a mini-meeting and played in the freshly cut grass. Landon loved the way the grass felt on his little toes and kept curling them up to grab the grass. Such a cute little monkey! I decided to let him sit on the grass so he could grab it with his hands. Little did I know that this was going to lead to another first...as he sat so well with my hands barely on him, I took them off of him to see how close he was to sitting on his own. Very close! In fact, he actually DID!!! I started shouting at Paul (and the other coaches) to look. Landon had a huge grin on his face. He obviously knew how incredible the new trick was! He sat so well that I was able to snap several pictures of him! What a great day for us Lamms!

***Update: We beat East Hickman at their field tonight 12-2, making our record 9-1 in the district and 16-4 overall! Go Raiders!

Big Boy Food

Landon started solid foods last week with much success! We began with applesauce last Tuesday and then introduced green beans on Saturday. Strangely, Landon loves green beans and seems to prefer them to applesauce. Mommy, on the other hand, does not like green beans in baby food form...I tried them on a dare from Paul. Word of advice - do not try them! In just a week of solid foods, Landon has developed a slight belly which is good because he is so tall and skinny and looks oh-so-cute !

As a baby gift from Lola (my mom) we received a Beaba baby food maker, so I will attempt to make homemade baby food. I wonder if Landon will like it as much as store-bought food!

What should we introduce next?

Baseball is Officially Here...Finally

Yesterday was our first official game of the 2010 baseball season. We kicked off opening day with a double-header at our field against Fairview High School. The Raiders won the first game 11-0 with Paul's first no-hitter as a coach! We were only one walk away from a perfect game. The second game was a little closer and the temperature dropped a lot, which probably didn't help the guys but they kept the tight lead and we won the game 2-1. It wouldn't have been a true Coach Lamm game if there wasn't a little excitement and a heated argument between an umpire and Paul, but everything was fine in the end and we finished the game to start the season at 2-0! We in the Lamm household are very excited that baseball is finally here! We can't wait to see what the season has in store for us!