Cohn Family ~ Joyfully Living for His Glory

First REAL Conversation with Landon!!!!

2012-01-22T19:08:00.000-08:00

The best part about having an upset toddler is knowing how to change his mood in less than 7.7 seconds. Tonight, in one moment, Landon (or LJ as I affectionately call him) was crazy upset that mommy or daddy wouldn't read him "stuff." In his words, "I wanna read Seuss' stuff." For those who aren't parents in the know, Dr. Seuss wrote a great lyrical book called "The Shape of Me and Other Stuff." And while this book would only take 3.5 min to read to Landon, we refused based on the notion that we were going to be "good" parents: 17 books before bedtime was enough.

So, I'm trying to help Anna get Nolan (our 3 month old) to bed, and all of a sudden LJ comes in the room crying at the top of his lungs, tears streaming down his face, screaming: "I wanna read stuff!!!" He runs up this slide and decides he wants nothing more to slide down but also doesn't want to come down. Big mess. So daddy takes the hard line that LJ needs bed-time routine and is going to bed NO MATTER WHAT.

Well, bed-time routine didn't work. In fact, LJ was so upset that he couldn't and wouldn't stand up. Apparently we needed to find "rar-rar." Rar-rar is his stuffed-animal (pillow pet) lion who has been in the crib every time LJ goes to sleep. We look in every room but no rar-rar and now LJ is beside himself. So, to get him side-tracked, I asked him if he wanted to feed Samson, our golden-retriever. "Feed Samson??" was his response through trickling tears. "Yeah," I say, "let's go feed Samson." Landon follows me into the kitchen full speed and suddenly yelps: "rar-rar!!!" Rar-rar was chillin behind the kitchen table. And from here, the night becomes my favorite as a dad.

As we're walking towards the door to get Samson's food bowl, Landon re-discovers the food that daddy grilled him for dinner. We eat it for about ten minutes while occasionally checking on mom and Nolan as they're trying to sleep. LJ downs the final chunk of grilled chicken then asks me for Samson's "bowl." I get it, we feed Samson, and now the world has become perfect again. The night is becoming pure joy.

While having "milk and stars" (where Landon drinks milk, watches the stars and hangs out with daddy) LJ makes a crack about "new car." He's pointing at the guy across the street who has chosen 8:07 PM as the ideal time to sweep his driveway. Still not following the joke, but it is apparently funny enough to make milk spew out of LJ's mouth when he laughingly tells it.

After digressing about 5-10 more times, I finally get LJ in the bath tub and ask him about his weekend. Specifically I ask: "what was your favorite part about this weekend?"

LANDON'S WEEKEND AS TOLD BY LJ HIMSELF

"I saw rar-rar... I saw baby rar-rar... like Landon... rooooaaaaarrr!!!!" - LJ referring to watching his new movie "The Lion King" (it appears Landon thinks the baby lion in this movie is actually a toddler lion).

I ask: "did you also see the lion at the zoo?" Landon replies, "rooaarr! rar-rar at the zoo. I fed the birds at the zoo!!!" I ask, "you did???!!" LJ says, "I fed the bird medicine!" He actually fed the lories food at the zoo without any encouragement (but swatted away the birds as they landed on him). I ask about the elephants; LJ: "Dumbo's mom... I see Dumbo... I see Dumbo's mom!!"

We make silly noises about elephants for a few minutes, talk about the zoo a little more, then I ask him about his favorite part of the weekend. He says: "I ride choo-choo?! Choooooo choooo!" Landon calls escalators at the mall "trains" and loves to ride them. We went with mommy while she and Nolan shopped and pretty much rode the escalators for about an hour. LJ then says: "I sorry daddy. I go choo-choo. Sad day. Sad week." I burst out laughing: Landon got in "trouble" because he tried to ride the escalator without daddy, even after daddy had told him specifically not to - LJ laughed and looked back at me, straight up testing me, while running to the escalator that got him in trouble. To diverge from the topic I say: "Yay!! We rode the escalators!! You are such a big boy!"

His response: "I play with Thomas!!!" Thomas the Train might just be his favorite toy. I exclaim: "you sure did!!" Landon: "I play with Thomas at church!" I asked him whether he played with anybody else and he sadly said "No." Anna later told me that one of his best friends, Owen, wasn't in his class at chruch today... so now that makes sense.

By the way, this whole conversation is during bath.

We talk about bubble bath (he's confused why were not doing bubble bath since we had for the previous five nights), we chat about bath Jerry (a toy giraffe that is made for water and rides in an inner tube), and we laugh about hot vs. cold water (whole other post).

This is a very good sample of our conversation, but only includes a portion of it. Needless to say, I love my son - he's a great boy who continually keeps me smiling AND on my toes. I praise the Lord for such a great family. I wish everybody could experience this joy!!!!

Nolan 3 Months

2012-01-16T19:30:00.001-08:00

"Noon" Year's Eve Party, Landon and Chase's NYE Slumber Party, Nolan's 1st playdate, LJ helping N,1st playdough, LJ feeding Sam, NYD at the River Park

2012-01-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2011...train table Daddy made that LJ LOVES, the boys own felt tree, honey's xmas pty, picking a tree, decorating cookies, wassilfest, etc

2011-12-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in Texas with the Whole Fam...tennis, San An lighting ceremony, etc...so much fun! :o)

2011-12-31T20:30:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2011...Turkey Trot, Meal at Grand Nana's in New Braunfels

2011-12-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

Nolan's First Hike and Picnic - Canyon Lake November 2011

2011-12-31T20:21:00.000-08:00

Big boy on his potty chair Nov '11 (gets m&m's when he goes and is SO thrilled about it:), Nolan's tummy time with Daddy

2011-12-31T20:13:00.000-08:00

Landon November 2011: Finger painting with Aunt C, Calling his friends on his reindeer mittens

2011-12-31T20:09:00.000-08:00

Landon is SO excited about cooking these days! He is such an awesome helper :o)

2011-12-31T20:07:00.000-08:00

Nolan 2 months, LJ Fighting Fires :o)

2011-12-31T20:01:00.000-08:00

Landon's Fav Exhibits at Children's Museum (Oct 2011), Nolan at One Month in his Favorite Ride :o)

2011-12-31T19:52:00.000-08:00

fall fun at red rooster :o)

2011-12-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

Big and Little Bro Shirts from Lindsey (Landon's best buddy Chase's Mom)...LOVE them :o)

2011-12-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

LJ's Operation Xmas Child Box (He picked it out all by himself for a boy his age:), Gaga Visit!, Typical laid back Nolan pics :)

2011-12-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Brothers...becoming best friends already :o) Nolan One Month and LJ Two Years Two Mos...Sweet Boys!

2011-12-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Nolan One Month, My Entertainment while Nursing Baby :o)

2011-12-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2011

2011-12-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

birthday party for best friend Karly (Halloween 2011)

2011-12-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

Wurstfest 2011 (Nolan 1 month)! Landon and Bella danced the night away and Nolan slept in his pack while doing chicken dance and polka all night!!!

2011-12-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Nolan and First Friend Hadley and Mom Sarah, First Bath (By Daddy of Course:), Meeting Grand Godmother (My Godmother) Pat for the First Time!

2011-12-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Nolan's First Appt with Dr Peck at 2 wks, first visitors - Godparents Tanner, Karly and Bells, snuggling Aunt Sam (Mom's best friend from HS),

2011-12-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

Landon's Best Dream EVER :o)

2011-12-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

After nap the other day Landon told me he had the 'BEST DEWAM EVER'! Intrigued, I asked him to tell me all about the dream. He thought a LONG while (almost 5 minutes) then told me with a HUGE grin 'I dewam of singing to JESUS and pwaying TWUMPET to HIM!' Wow. All I could do tell him this is a reminder of how awesome God is and give him a huge hug. He was not exaggerating this time...that IS the BEST dream ever!

Life With Two Little Guys

2011-12-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

The past two months have absolutely FLOWN by! We can't believe little Nolan has been here for two months and that sweet LJ is already a big boy two year old. We are feeling so blessed this holiday season to have two healthy happy little guys and to be here in New Braunfels with a good job and wonderful friends. We have prayed and prayed for this and feel like we are living our dream and just thank the Lord that He has orchestrated things this way...so awesome. I am so behind on posting pics of the boys and have tons of cute ones...they will eventually be posted above when I have a second. It has been wonderful but extremely challenging to take care of both boys while James is hard at work all of the time. At the end of the day I have never been so tired or feel so fulfilled. It is hard work but more rewarding than anything else I have ever done! Below are some of the things the boys have been doing that we want to remember:

Landon ~
*First Sentence December 2011: 'I love Mommy and Daddy SO MUCH!' (Said it to me with outstretched arms and a huge smile! Amazing!
*Loves to hug and kiss and hold baby brother. Calls him Baby or Baby Nowan. Such a sweet brother and adjusting very well...patient with Mommy while I take care of Baby and only a FEW melt downs but overall amazingly sweet. An angel. Nolan is going to really look up to him and love him so much someday soon! :o)
*Has been really trying to pee pee in his big boy potty...only if we give him M&M's. He will sit on his potty before bath, work really hard to get a little out, and then say ALWIGHT M&M pwease! Hahaha!
*Loves his family especially Aunt C (knocks on guest room door and says "C come pway!" even when she's not here! Also loves his grandparents and of course Kar who he calls from his play phone in his kitchen daily and sees almost every day. Really loves Miss Lindsey and Mr Charles and Mr Tanner and the O'Connors and Irons from church too!
*Favorite activities: Going to church and watching Veggie Tales and eating Goldfish, playing with trains (Daddy's old Brio set:), trucks, running wild at Landa Park, swinging, going on walks/runs with Mommy, relaxing in his inflatable pool filled with balls and he also fills it with all of his favorite animals and toys/books, LOVES reading, plays 'firefighter' with Mommy and Daddy running all through the house with his firefighter gear saving his animals, etc! :o)
*Still sleeps with all 6 of his fav animals...McGee, El, Rar Rar, Whale, Spot, and Bear. Two are big pillow pets and two are small blankies and one is a puppy from GaGa. If one is missing he will NOT go to sleep LOL!
*Really loves his crib so we have yet to switch to a toddler bed...will probably make the big transition after Christmas and when the baby is sleeping more in case he is up at night! :o)
*Still sleeps 8 pm to 7:30 or 8 am...and naps from noon to threeish...a wonderful sleeper thank goodness!
*Loves to watch educational movies (Baby Einstein, Praise Baby, Baby Signing Time, etc) and has them all memorized by name and asks for specific titles every evening when I need to cook dinner...so sweet.
*LOVES his Daddy and waits for him to come home by the big windows by front door...calls him on the phone during the day just to say he loves him, etc...total Daddy's boy! Daddy is amazing with him and patiently plays trains with him, still bathes him EVERY night (has been since he was born), reads countless stories and tells fun made up stories, etc...even when he is tired from working so hard for us during the day. Incredible man and LJ is so blessed to have a Daddy he can really look up to!

Nolan~
*Holding his head up and looking around at two months
*Loves to cuddle and smile and coo at anyone and everyone but especially Mommy :)
*Loves to be on Daddy's shoulder just like LJ did at this age...so sweet
*Smiles when he hears Daddy or LJ come into the room...will even stop nursing to smile and coo
*Great sleeper...does at least an 8 hour stretch at night and numerous long naps during the day
*Very flexible so we are able to go to LJ's playgroups, church functions, etc and he will just hang out or sleep in his Moby wrap or in my arms
*Favorite thing: Napping with Mommy after he eats during LJ's nap. :o)
*Two Month Stats: 79th Percentile for Height, Over 50th Percentile for Weight, super healthy and Dr Peck says he is growing like a weed! Still has not been sick...thank God for the antibodies he gets in my breast milk since he is exposed to Landon and his friends toddler germs ALL day every day! :o)

We are so excited Christmas is almost here and we get to be home for the holidays! The presents are wrapped and LJ got all kinds of awesome stuff but we are really wanting to focus on our awesome Lord and teaching Landon (since he may understand a little bit this year) all about our Savior and how amazing He is and why we are celebrating. I was telling him all about Christmas and he started singing happy birthday to Jesus and told me we should make him cupcakes with a grin...so we will absolutely do it hahaha...it will be our Christmas day tradition! Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and now I am off to get Baby from nap while Daddy is making LJ's awesome train table that Santa will bring him in only two weeks wahoooo!!!!!!!

Nolan's Newborn Photo Shoot by Godmother Kothmann with Blue Sparrow Photography

2011-11-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

Blue Sparrow Photography: Karly Kothmann's Photo Documentary of Nolan's Birth!

2011-10-30T11:56:00.001-07:00

NOLAN JOSEPH COHN IS BORN!!!!!

2011-10-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

We welcomed Nolan Joseph Cohn into this world on October 7, 2011 at 3:15 PM. He was quite a big boy - weighing in at 8 lbs 12 oz and standing 20.5 inches tall!!!

Anna waited patiently for the little fella. The doctors induced her early; but she endured painful labor contractions for a few hours in order to allow "active labor" to do its work and move the process along. Once the pain became too intense, she requested a prompt epidural and surrounded herself with friends and family. From there, she gossiped with Kristen - amazing nurse No. 2 for the day - Karly, Nana and Cara. We were fortunate enough to have much love surrounding her throughout all stages of labor (aptly documented by the most professional of photographers: Karly!).

Suddenly, Anna was complete and she was ready to push!!!! Kristen quickly assembled the troops and supplies and before we knew it Dr. Jacobs was holding that bundle of love in her arms - Anna pushed no more than four times and Nolan was here not a second too soon! I (James), in good fortune, cut Nolan's chord and the boy was handed to a glowing mother. Anna, ecstatic about the successful and uneventful delivery, gave me a beautiful kiss with Nolan in her arms and exclaimed: "Ok... I think we can have more babies!!!" God truly shed His glorious light in that darkened room - Nolan is one of the most handsome sights these eyes have ever seen!!!

After the delivery all our friends and family returned to the delivery room and met the miracle. The above cast was joined by Lindsey, Gaga, Deda and, most importantly, Landon James!!! LJ was so sweet with Nolan those first few moments (although he was a little unsure about why his little brother was the one who got to spend all that precious time with mommy!!!).

We are so thankful for all of the prayers, texts, emails, and phone calls from our families and friends across the nation. With all the love in the world we again welcome our brand new boy: NOLAN!!!

Nolan's Birth!! - Update 1

2011-10-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

Lordy lordy!!! Nolan's about to be here!!!

We woke up at the crack of dawn and left LJ in the more than capable hands of Gaga and Deda (pronounced "Jetta")! It was bittersweet leaving him but know he's going to have such a blast (and may get a little spoiled). So far, it appears his grandpa and grandma are following the 10 page instruction manual left by Anna. .. woke up having quite the conversation with his stuffed animals, read books in "mommy's" (Mommy's bed) and played trains/telephone with Deda. He then had a looooooong healthy breakfast and is jumping like a crazy man at the Jumpy place!!! It's going to be a special day for his first day as a big brother!!!

Anna and I met up with Nana at the hospital, got right in and have been helped by our caring nurse, Carol. Nana helped out with getting some important items for us from the store and giving Anna some super cute white bunny slippers!

Anna has been incredible these first few hours: she started the Pitosin at 8:15 am, the doc broke her water around 9:30 am and now she's really starting to feel those contractions!!! She's walked around a bunch, bounced more than Carol would've liked, and is finally resting while the contractions rapidly increase. We are so excited to meet Nolan that we're doing everything we can in order to get him here quick!!!! Safely, of course.

Contractions are now about 5 min apart! We'll keep this updated as best we can but appreciate all the prayers.

Anna & James signing out for now... 11:00AM.

Landon's Second Birthday

2011-09-19T20:23:00.001-07:00

Cutest Two Year Old EVER!!! :o)

2011-09-19T19:54:00.001-07:00

A Letter from Daddy ~ Landon's Two!

2011-09-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

My little buddy Landon:

These past two years have been a trip!!! I remember wondering what life would be like with a son... now I can't imagine life without you. Coming home to you and your beautiful mommy is absolutely the greatest gift I've received.

Your crazy laughter combined with a vigor for adventure has kept me joyfully on my toes. When I hear you cracking up in the other room its tough to tell whether your rollin' around in your hilarity or trying to flip over the back of the laz-y-boy. 9 times out of ten I find myself catching you before something EXTREMELY dangerous happens. Of course, I'm cautious because I love you so much. But on one hand, I could use a little less excitement you wild and crazy man!!!

Although I can't exactly understand everything you say (or half for that matter), I am enthralled at your first sentences. It feels as if you are on the verge of explaining the meaning of life itself. I remember you accidentally naming McGee (your doggy blanket) as if it were yesterday - it was 1.5 years ago and the only coherent thing you said until recently. Now you point out objects I didn't even know existed, "discovering" their names and places-and being 100% correct! Your mommy and I look at each other as if saying "where did LJ learn that?" It must be that your friends are teaching you a thing or two!

You're driving fake cars, painting masterpieces, and running marathons. You're a busy big boy - and keeping up with you is FUN! You're sweet to your mommy, kind to your friends, loving with your grandparents and patient with daddy. You've acquired the greatest disposition and I pray your character continues in this direction. With mommy at the helm, I'm sure you become an incredible man. I know you'll be an amazing brother-I'll always be thankful he'll always look up to you. My words cannot begin to express how much I love you. Happy birthday little guy - your life is an amazing celebration of God's love and grace.

Nolan's Maternity Shoot

2011-09-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Wee-OOO, Wee-ooo Landon James is TWO!

2011-09-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

How is it possible that our sweet boy is TWO and about to be a BIG bro?! Time flies! Landon James had the most fun birthday celebration ever with all of his friends at our house including a huge real live firetruck, firefighter and ambulance demos, a bounce house, lots of his fav pizza, games that were Dalmatian and firetruck themed, and his favorite carrot cake with cream cheese icing cake from Naegelins made by our sweet friend Alexis who makes all of our fam cakes in the shape of a firehat that matched his and a huge cupcake cake for all of his friends in the shape of a Dalmatian in full fire gear. It was awesome!!!!!!! Landon was SO happy...all laughs and smiles as he got to ride in the big truck, jump with his friends, and eat his favorite foods which Mommy only lets him have on special occasions. :o) We had all of the family in town and he loves showing off all of his new sentences and developmental milestones to them. They were amazed by the way he's grown and developed by leaps and bounds. He is the most amazing little two year old ever. Here are some of my favorite things LJ is doing at age two:

~Running up to us and throwing his arms around our necks for a hug and saying 'De De Do (I Love You)'

~Loving to read books and he even can 'read' his favorites (memorized from so many times of us reading to him) including The Going to Bed Book, Go Dog Go, My Mommy and My Daddy and I, most Dr. Seuss, and Sandra Boynton many many more

~Throwing the ball for Samson and helping Daddy in the backyard with the seeding and mowing...and helping Daddy with all household fix-it projects...he LOVES it

~Helping Mommy cook by going to his play kitchen and 'getting water', 'putting on tea', and 'cooking in his skillet' while I cook

~Loves watching the 'Mews' with Mommy every morning (Today Show only for a few min:)

~LOVES going to our church and seeing his friends, watching Veggie Tales, and eating 'feeesh' (goldfish) and 'ceeeeereeealll' and when we go inside church for Sunday service, bible study, MOPS, or small group, he points to the mural of Jesus and says excitedly "YAY JESUS!!!"...makes my day every time :o)

~Loves to as he says 'be nice' and 'share' with his friends...such a sweet natured guy...never hits or takes toys away from a friend...always trying to help his friends and be sweet...such an awesome character trait and we are so thankful for this :)

~Enjoys long walks in his stroller and hardly ever complains, loves 'walking Samson' and pointing out everything he sees on walks...so far these usually include birds, dogs, squirrels, trees, the wind, clouds, the sun, and his favorite stars and moon at night

~Every evening he and Daddy have milk together before bed on Daddy's car and watch the moon and stars...this may be one of his and Daddy's fav memories :)

~Loves cuddling in 'Mommys' (our bed) and reading as many books as I will read to him every morning and sometimes if he's not feeling well and just needs to relax...so sweet

~Obsessed with trains still and beginning to really love fire trucks...could read his train books and play trains all day...and loves to ride the zoo and LP trains

~Overall just the sweetest, happiest, more delightful two year old in the whole world...the perfect son...we are so blessed!

We are praying that with Nolan's soon upcoming arrival that LJ will enjoy having a little brother and that he will love having a playmate and a lifelong friend. We know it will be incredibly tough at first since until now our lives have sort of revolved around Landon...but know this will be SO good for him and for our family. Above I am going to post tons of photos from the past month ending with his special birthday festivities. I hope this blog book that I am printing today will be read by Landon (and his future wife:) when he is big with children of his own so he can look back and see what he was like at age two. Landon's first two years have been the best of our lives and we just love the little man more than words could ever express. God has been so faithful in providing for our family and for our baby. We hope Landon's third year is filled with even more wonderful memories and fun times!

Landon and Nolan's First Fight :)

2011-08-16T19:07:00.001-07:00

Today after his nap, Landon just wanted to snuggle Mommy and read books (a huge blessing that he still loves to cuddle:). We read some of his favorites and when he started getting bored, he was asking about the baby and patting my tummy. He lifted up my shirt and said 'wuv baby nowan' and kissed my belly. When he patted the same spot he kissed, Nolan's little foot came popping out (we even saw his toes!). Landon was SO excited and started giggling and clapping. I said, "Landon, did your little brother just kick you?!" LJ gave me the funniest expression and proceeded to gently pat his feet on my belly where Nolan's feet were kicking. SO sweet. I was in tears. When Landon got bored, he pulled my shirt down and said 'bye bwotha' and came up and gave me the biggest hug around the neck and a kiss. We are so blessed beyond belief. It is the most awesome experience to have the sweetest toddler in the world and a new baby boy for him to grow up with on the way. Just wanted to write this down so we never forget it! :o) I guess they were kicking each other which is why this is titled 'First Fight' but Landon was really sweet and somehow knows to be very gentle already...I know this won't last when Nolan is here and they get a little older...but we will sure try to help them play nice!

Three Musketeers Photo Shoot in Historic Gruene with Blue Bell ice cream

2011-08-02T12:46:00.001-07:00

Elmo Party with Daddy and Bella while Mommy and Kar are on Gals Wknd to the Beach with Aunt C!

2011-07-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Fun with Nana and Bapa...July 2011!

2011-07-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

Summer So Far!

2011-07-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

Landon James is 22 months old, Nolan is growing fast in my belly at 28 weeks, James is working hard to provide for us and loving his job but crazy busy (a blessing but we miss him when he works all the time), and I am STILL adjusting to being a stay at home Mom and wife...it is tough but so rewarding! :o)

So far this summer, we have been to the beach with LJ and I went on a girls trip with best friend Karly to visit Cara (Aunt C, Landon's Godmother) since she is in grad school at Corpus now. It has been awesome to have fun beach trips. Gaga and Jetta are getting a family beach house there too so we are thrilled the kids all get to grow up at the beach just like Cara and I did! Landon loves the beach...it is definitely his favorite place in the world. He immediately dives in the water like a pro and is already good at collecting shells, 'counting' them, making castles with Gaga and C, etc. So sweet. Just like his Mama! :o)

My first time away from the little man was SO sad at first...I cried when I left him even though it was with Daddy and I knew he would be totally safe and have SO much fun with him. Nana and Boppa came to visit while I was at the beach which was awesome and Landon had the time of his life with them and Dada for the day and a half I was gone. They went to a really fun Elmo bday party with Bella and her Daddy (since Kar was with me at the beach) and James got the cutest pics of the kids...will post soon. I set out Emma's b day gift and his special b day outfit and James did an awesome job of getting him there early, etc. He even scraped the icing off of his cupcake so he didn't get too much sugar before nap...so impressive! :o)

On our trip, it was awesome to relax without kids but Kar and I missed LJ and Bells like crazy. We went to the beach, read, shopped, got nails done, saw a movie, napped and showered in the middle of the day (a luxury with young kids:) and just relaxed. It was wonderful...BUT we definitely got up and ready to go at dawn on Sunday morning and rushed back to see our little angels. I know I needed to know Landon would do OK without Mommy since I will be in the hospital for at least two days when Nolan is born so it was a great experience all around. Aunt C was so gracious to host us and hang out with us...we just had the best time and I ended up loving it even though James literally had to kick me out of the house so I would leave sweet LJ.

At 22 months, Landon is the cutest, sweetest toddler around. He is 'talking' up a storm and his new words/phrases are: ball, i love you mama and dada, play baseball, swing (sometimes called the 'weeee', go outside, cool, awesome, bye bye Dada every morning, please Mommy, help please Mommy, eat, drink, sit, seat, dogs, plane, bird, truck, wee-ooo, train, choo choo, ride train (still obsessed:), Mommy hold me please, more please, yes maam, no maam, yes sir/no sir (working hard on manners and he is GREAT at them:), helllllo and bye bye...says hi and bye to everyone we pass in stores, walks, etc and if they don't respond he says bye bye bye really loudly over and over again until they look at him ahahah, says touchdown and puts arms up, says home run, and I am sure there are many more fun things he is saying that I am leaving out. I need to be better about writing them down as they come but we are always so busy with his playgroups and activities that I never have a second!

Some of the things he is doing now are hilarious. Landon is so in love with his sweet friends and calls each of them by name and even notices their parents' cars and tells me when he dreams about playing with them. When we get anywhere near their houses, he calls them and gets so pumped up. He is the sweetest friend and gives them big hugs and kisses and 'helps' them with toys etc. Another fav is putting on his firefighter boots from Grandma Honey (Bella's Grandma) and stomps around saying wee-ooo and 'me Dada' and when he hears Daddy walking in his boots he says "Dada's Boots' and smiles really big. He loves eating fro yo out of cones now and feels so big when he is allowed to do so (not often:). He also loves climbing the tall stuff at the park and is so brave at Schlitterbahn on all of the water slides...but is still incredibly cautious at most times and goes backward on tummy to be safe. :o) It scares me to death but I am glad he is adventurous like his Daddy. He is creative and loves art and fingerpainting and coloring with Mommy...definitely takes after his Gaga and is a lefty like Mommy! Daisy is his favorite dag and he calls her, holds her leash when we walk, and even 'blows her nose' and 'wipes her eyes' with the beanbags Mommy made him. It is just adorable. He is still really attached to Mommy and says 'Mommy hold me pwease' every morning while we make breakfast and before nap. He loves me to snuggle and rock him and read lots of stories after he wakes up and before and after naps. He loves his schedule (up at 7, story, bfast, playtime, watch the news he calls 'mews' with Mommy and help me get rdy, walk Daisy, playtime with friends, lunch, stories, nap, 'wead a boook' as he says:), snack, playtime, watching Baby Singing Time or a train movie while Mommy makes dinner, then Daddy comes home (he is overjoyed every time and gives him the biggest bear hug and kiss:), eat dinner, play with Daddy while Mommy cleans up, walk Daisy or bike ride with Mom and Dad, drink milk, brush teeth, bath with Daddy, then bed time. He is a little clock and if we mess up the routine he is so sad! With Nolan coming, we will have to be much more flexible but I think it will be good for him. :o) He still loves Rhyme Time at the library, feeding the ducks and riding Landa train, hiking with Dada in pack, 'mowing' like Daddy, 'baseball' on his new t-ball set, chillin in his pool with his fav tiger and whale pillows, playing in his play kitchen and with his Elmo tool bench, etc. He is so busy and happy and loves learning new things and exploring. I am so thankful to be able to experience him growing up and not missing anything. He is my little angel.

I know this is long and drawn out but I want to have all of the things he's doing recorded in the book we will print out around his 2nd b day and I have been so bad about keeping up with the baby book. Plus, I am sure Gaga and Nana are happy to read everything he is doing etc! :o) We cannot even believe he is almost two and that we will have Nolan with us before long. It is amazing how the Lord has blessed us and taught us so much through Landon and while pregnant with Nolan. Will post more pics of the beach trip, birthday party, etc soon!

25 Week belly pic of Nolan, Canyon Lake adventures with Bella and family...summertime 2011

2011-07-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Family dinner with sweet friends - June 2011

2011-07-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

Summertime fun - Helping Daisy wipe eyes and nose, proud of elmo b day invite, sharing with Bella

2011-07-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

Flashback to May: Beach trip to Corpus/Port A to celebrate Sisty in grad school and help her move in :)

2011-07-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Fourth Wedding Anniversary...July 7, 2011...so blessed to still be so in love with a growing family! Kar came to watch LJ and we had a date :)

2011-07-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

Fun kindermoms water playdate at alex and jacob's, practicing for his firefighter party, loving his new water table!

2011-07-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July Parade in Wimberly and Party at Grandma Honey's House!

2011-07-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

bike with Dada, first corn on the cob at buddy cooper's familys bbq down the street,lovin the watermelon, best friends after sandbox,first bubblebath

2011-07-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

Uncle Bri Bri visits, Nalgene water break with Dada on hike, play time with neighbor Cooper, wearing Dada's shoes, and nolan's 25 week dr appt

2011-07-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

Thankful

2011-06-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

As Father's Day draws near, I am constantly reflecting on how blessed I am to have a husband like James. He works so hard every day so I can do my job...to take care of our children and household. It is so awesome to get to be the one who knows Landon (and future children) before anyone else and the one who has the important and tiring but wonderful job of making sure they are learning, growing, laughing, playing, being disciplined properly, and just having the best childhood possible. I cannot imagine a more special and meaningful life and none of it would be possible without my sweet hard working husband. James is just the most humble, Christ-like, patient, hard working, and fun loving man I have ever known. Some days I feel so overwhelmed by the Lord's love and the love of my husband and son that I feel like there is no way I deserve to have this life after all that happened in my past. I am so blessed. God is so awesome and His grace truly shines in my life and in our growing family. I cannot wait for Landon to continue to learn from his 'Hewo' Daddy. He just loves him so much already and it is obvious that he looks up to him and wants to be like him. What an awesome example to follow...someone who follows our awesome God and looks to Him for guidance. For Father's Day this year we are heading on the Cohn summer vacation to the Horseshoe Bay Resort. Can't wait to relax with James Landon Nana and Popsie. Will be a great break from our everyday routine! Landon and I made Daddy the coolest Father's Day gift that I cannot write about until after the big day...but he will LOVE it because it is really from sweet Landon. Photos from Nana and Popsie's trip and Aunt C and Gaga's trip (they are coming next week:) to come. We have had the best summer so far and are so looking forward to the upcoming arrival of Nolan in the Fall. Hopefully James loves his Father's Day...he only deserves the best because he is just the most wonderful and loving father and husband in the whole world!

Mouse Pad

2011-06-09T18:33:00.001-07:00

Blank Project Mouse Pad

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Nolan Joseph Cohn...our little BOY :o)

2011-06-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

On June 1, 2011, We finally got to see our baby BOY, Nolan Joseph Cohn, and it was love at first sight. Words cannot express the joy and excitement we felt as we saw our beautiful, healthy son moving around, snuggling, and just looking so prefect and content. Landon LOVED seeing his brother on the big screen. He kept saying 'baby' and 'brotha' like we learned in a book about big brothers that we checked out at the library to prepare for this huge occasion. Right before we went in to see the sonogram, we asked Landon if he thought he would have a brother or sister and he said very confidently with a huge grin, 'brotha!' Hahaha he is such a ham. He is going to be the BEST big brother ever. Tonight at dinner, we had to stop eating for a whole five minutes because he insisted on hugging and kissing brotha (my belly:) and telling Nolan that he loves him. It was one of the sweetest things we have ever seen. I was in tears! It is such a huge blessing to have a brother for Landon who will be so close in age (approx 25 mos apart:) and one of the best parts is that we do not have to buy ANY clothes since the seasons and boy clothes will be PERFECT! :o) Yahoo! Daddy is thrilled and so am I. We cannot even believe how much we love little Nolan already. We are just praying he will continue to grow up strong and that he will have a safe delivery in October. We hope to induce on October 7th! Yay for our two boys...our Lord is so awesome!!!!!!!

Fun with Chase, 21 Week Belly Pic, Memorial Day BBQ at our new place, Cool Rain Boots from Aunt Jill, Prep for baby Nolan Joseph/Elise Anne

2011-06-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

Fun at cousin Lehmann's ranch, patting Dada's seat so he will come home :), adventures with best bud Chase

2011-06-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

trying on Dada's sandals, 20 wk belly pic with sweet friend Sarah,jumpin on the bed with Bells, on the way to Schlitterbahn, loves his backpack hikes

2011-06-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Summertime fun - Landon at 21 mos and mama at 19 weeks preggo :)

2011-06-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

First big boy haircut, happy with smoothie at Target, serious like Dada at Home Depot, piano concert, and proud of his new big boy room

2011-06-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

more fun with GaGa and Aunt C, finally got favorite swing back (we now have beautiful trees again:), and fun with his favorite bubble blowing tiger

2011-06-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

The big move - right around the corner - May 2011

2011-06-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

having fun at aunt c's graduation from a&m, snuggling cousin john alan, more grad fun, and snuggling bearfriend and el in car for long nap

2011-05-31T19:47:00.000-07:00

little longhorn, fun with gaga and jetta, loving new backyard, mother's day with gaga, helping paint new place

2011-05-31T19:41:00.000-07:00

little rockstar, aunt leslie's grad from pharmacy school, best bud Chase helping with the house

2011-05-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

Fav guitar with Dada, painting baby's room, 'cleaning' new house windows, so happy about healthy dinner, trying on mama's shoes

2011-05-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

Train and children's museum fun, best friends who painted landon's new room, helping pick out paint for new house

2011-05-31T19:18:00.000-07:00

Fun with Chase and Kait, snuggling Bella's Aunt-ler, LJ's prized train passes, chillin in his pool (where heh angs out ALL the time:)

2011-05-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Easter 2011 at Grandma Honey's with Landon's best friends :)

2011-05-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

Nana and Popsie and UNCLE DREW'S visit! train, haning with uncle drew 'dew' as he is called, watchin dew play bball, more canyon lake

2011-05-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

Nana and Popsie's Visit

2011-05-31T18:52:00.000-07:00

more Spring fun - best bud Chase at park, swings - he calls them the 'weeee', all ready for first time at Schlitterbahn, and playing soccer and horn:)

2011-05-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

Fun at the Ranch

2011-05-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

First Easter Egg Hunt with wonderful Kindermoms Friends

2011-05-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Snuggling Mama at Park, Belly Pic :) , Brushing Own Teeth, Trike with best bud Chase

2011-05-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Snuggling Winston, More Fun with Gaga, Swimming with Bells, Little Longhorn, and worn out from Gaga visits :)

2011-05-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

First Paddle Boat Ride, Gaga's Spring Visit

2011-05-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

German Parade with sweet friends, Picnic at the Y pool, pushing his new mower like Dada

2011-05-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

Texas Bluebonnets

2011-05-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Sportin his cool shades, painting first masterpiece, pool w Bells, Flying First Kite with Dada

2011-05-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Driving his car, Cute Nap Hair, Snuggling Fav Bunny, Walk with Dad in Gruene, Pushing Fav truck

2011-05-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Picking Strawberries at Local Farm at 19 mos

2011-05-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Still sucking the thumb, park with Dada, library computers with Chase, putting on own shoes, opening new summer wardrobe from Nana

2011-05-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

19 mos ~ Fun at Children's Museum and with sweet Aunt Sam :)

2011-05-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Dinner celebrating new baby in downtown SA, beautiful hospital gown MADE by baby's Godmother Karly :) , visiting Sara and new baby William in ATX

2011-05-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Fun Times at our new favorite with our friends...PLAYNASTICS!

2011-05-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Springtime Fun with Best Buddy Chase @ 18 mos!

2011-05-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

18 mos catch up cont'd - hanging out with fav lion pillow, picked out own Easter basket, helping Mama pack, lounging at home, etc

2011-05-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

Randon 18 mo - doc appt, matching mama in hats, playing dress up, picnic at Canyon Lake, etc

2011-05-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Spring Fun - River, Zoo, and Helping Mama

2011-05-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Second St Patty's Day and Mardi Gras with sweet friends

2011-05-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

More oldies - Landon and Bella on their Fire Station Tour

2011-05-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

Oldies - Bella and Landon's One and a Half Year Old Birthday Celebration

2011-05-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Landon and Bella's First Kiss and Crawfish Broil - 19 mos

2011-05-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Landon and Mommy's Kiss at Bella's Ranch - LJ 19 Mos and Mommy 16 Weeks Pregnant

2011-05-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

Second Easter, big move, family visits

2011-05-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

The last post had hundreds of photos and I could not organize them after uploading so they are VERY far apart...oh well! We have been having so much fun and doing so much that I have not had a second to update our site. I really want to keep this up for Landon so I can print another book next year so he has all of his memories of growing up!

Since our last post, we have had visits from Nana and Popsie and Uncle Drew and also from Gaga and Jetta and Aunt C. We had his second Easter and he got to hunt eggs TWICE...he shook every egg and if it didn't shake loud, he'd throw it down and run to find a better one. :)

On Easter, we hung out with the Cohns and then went to an awesome dinner and egg hunt at Grandma Honey (Bella's grandmas) house in Wimberly with lots of family and friends and Bella and Chase! We flew his first ever kite and it was awesome. We have been hanging out at the river and doing lots of swimming at Schlitterbahn and our YMCA...LJ loves the water.

Gaga AND Jetta accompanied us to our May doctor's appt and entertained Landon (he he entertained them:) while I talked to our wonderful doctor and heard the heartbeat and Daddy was at work. Everything looked great and we can't WAIT to find out if Landon will have a sister or bro on June 1st!

We went to Aunt C's graduation from Texas A&M in College station and Landon had the best time. He just LOVES his Godmother Aunt C. She is awesome with him and even came here to NB to help us watch LJ while we moved to our fun bigger new house right around the corner from where we lived before. Landon loves it and has a big backyard and covered patio to play on and a big new room, playroom, etc.

Our wonderful friends (moms of Landon's best friends Bella and Chase) came to help us paint the whole place, etc. Then lots of wonderful friends came to help us move including Aunt Sam and Uncle James from Austin and Tanner and Karly who brought an awesome trailer that saved us and Lindsey Charles and Chase. Chase, Bells and LJ had a ball playing with Aunt C and Gaga while we all worked hard to get all moved in...it only took ONE day! :)

We are so blessed and thankful that the Lord has continually provided for us through it all. James is such an awesome provider for our family and is loving his job as an attorney. Starting out is hard but we know we will appreciate everything as James gets established in his career at such a wonderful firm. Can't wait to update soon with lots of pics from the past month and to post the sex of our sweet next baby on June 1!

Landon is One and a Half Today!

2011-03-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

Our sweet angel is one and a half today! We had the best time celebrating with a fun cupcake snack at the park with his best girlfriend Bella (who of course shares his special birthday) and some other wonderful friends. It was awesome. The above is only one of hundreds of cute pics and I will post more later. Just wanted to write a note to Landon (hopefully he reads my blog books someday when he has kids and wants to see what he was doing at their age...or his wife will:) while I am thinking of him on his special day. Here are things Landon is doing at 18 mos:

~Saying a few words: mama, dada, dog, kitty, bubble, Karly, GiGi, Nana, car, woo hoo, no, yeah, where's dad (first 'sentence':), el (for his elephant blankie), book, Bella, and I am sure there are a few more I am leaving out but these are the main ones! We work with him daily on new words and putting sentences together...I am sure we'll hear him talk more soon and can't wait!
~Signs: train, eat, more, please, thank you, grandpa, dada, dog,bird and many more
~Sounds: lion, tiger, bear, choo choo, ahhhh, elephant trunk sound, meow, ruff, vroom, etc.

Interests:
~Running FAST, playing with trucks and trains, chasing the Landa Park train and riding on it, waving to passengers, anything trains, signing train when he hears the big train go by our neighborhood, pushing/pulling anything with wheels (grocery carts at children's museum, his little truck, the hippo Bella loaned him, etc, making a comfy area between couch and coffee table under the big window with all of his stuffed animals...specifically his lion pillow from grand nana and his security blankies El and Bearfriend, shaking shakers, playing drums, playing guitar with Dad, playing piano, blowing his horn, anything musical...LOVES music, listening and dancing to Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, etc...loves to 'dance' (meaning he just bounces up and down and sways his arms...SO cute), collecting rocks, sticks, etc by the river and throwing them in the water of placing them neatly in his fun pail, wawa (the river, swimming, etc), reading books...loves his books and sits for hours quietly flipping through the pages...loves for Mommy and Dada to read to him...favorites include: all Dr Seuss, My Mommy and I and Daddy and I, recorded book from Nana and Popsie by Karen Kats (sp?) Let me Count the Ways I Love You, anything with peek-a-boo flaps, etc, Goodnight Ocean, his baby prayer book and bible, and anything by Sandra Boyton, and more.

Landon James is the greatest joy imaginable and we are so excited that he is growing up so big and strong and happy...and that he will be a big bro soon. He will be the best big brother in the whole world! As a Mom. I could not be more blessed. I have the most incredible toddler around...and thank goodness he still LOVES to snuggle with his Mama, smile and laugh with his Mama, and always brightens my days. :~)

LANDON IS GOING TO BE A BIG BRO!

2011-02-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

We are due 10-15 with our next little angel. Landon is pumped to be a big bro! Name will be: For a girl ~ Eliana Grace Cohn meaning 'God's Promise of Blessings'
For a boy ~ Nolan Joseph Cohn meaning 'Our Noble God Increases'
*We want to have four so one of these will potentially be used next time around :~)

Sweet baby C#2...heard a strong heartbeat today at 7.5 weeks. LJ LOVED to watch the screen!

Thanks to all of our wonderful fam and friends who love this little angel already. Our family is overwhelmed by the blessings the Lord has given us and we are so thankful for Landon's little brother or sister. Will keep everyone posted as the belly grows! :~)

Landon is growing up SO fast

2011-02-27T18:42:00.001-08:00

With Aunt Sam, Kar and Bella in Austin!

With his buddy Duncan holding hands ... SO sweet...and above that signing Grandpa to Jetta in his book..loves his grandpas!!!

First Crocs...thanks GiGi :~)

At the Rodeo with GiGi...so fun!!!

All the girls and kids...LOVE our sweet friends here!!!

At a special V Day dinner with sweet friends...fun to get dressed up! Thanks to Grand Nana for watching Landon for us so we could have a special date night! :)

SO excited about all his fun valentines from Grandma Honey's awesome party :)

At the Rodeo with Bella...SO much fun!

Snow day in Texas...yahoo...LJ for to wear his special snow suit and boots from GiGi!

Celebrating some exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Above: having a blast at Kar and Tanner's ranch and below us with Grand Nana on date night!

Fun with GiGi...

The past month has flown by with Landon doing all kinds of new things like: digging in sand boxes, finger painting, kissing us, recognizing and saying names of familiar people, playing with his wonderful friends, riding the Landa Park Train obsessively, petting horses at best friend Bella's ranch, petting all kinds of fun new animals at the San Antonio Rodeo with his friends, trips to see Aunt Sam and Uncle James in Austin, a super fun visit from grandma GiGi when she took him fishing for the first time, played with him on the playground, gave him his favorite baths, sang to him, snuggled him, gave him a new gift every day for the whole week she was here, etc etc. We are just having a blast! Oh and Bella's grandma Honey went all out for he and his friends by having a super fun Valentines fancy lunch for them...it was like a scene from Pottery Barn Kids catalogue...so adorable and Landon's favorite day so far...he LOVED it. Photos of all of this above. Enjoy them and stay posted for some VERY exciting news tomorrow!!!!!!! :~)

2011-01-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

One of our sweet friends from our Kindermoms group made cute Valentine's cards for the kids. My photos are not quite professionally done but LJ is so hysterical and handsome that it did not matter. :) We have been running like crazy with birthday parties, play dates, taking care of Daddy while he works like a mad man, etc. Our friends here are incredible...we are so blessed to be in the perfect community to raise our family! Also have been working on learning the word 'baby' and thinking about giving him a little sister or brother hopefully before long! :) We are so thankful for what a wonderful husband and father James is...he works so hard for our little family and is so amazing to us! We have a hot date night for Valentines so look for some cute pics from that soon!!!