Come along with the Castros and watch Landon use his feet...

Lately Landon has been using his feet more and more. When I lay him on his little play mat I come back to find him in all different positions. The one thing he has been doing all week is moving his way over to the window blinds (he isn't crawling yet so he kind of wiggles his way over there) and he purposely kicks the blinds. While he is kicking them near the floor he is watching them move toward the top. Its so cute to see him do something with such intent (and so smart). He also likes to kick the little toys that are around his mat especially if they make noise. My little soccer player?! :o)

Isn't he so multi talented! Just check out the foot and hand...I don't think I'm that flexible. :-/

Come along with the Castros and make a wax paper nature collage...

While checking out my new online addiction, Pinterest, I came across this fun and easy craft. I knew Maddox would love it because it started with collecting leaves, flowers, and anything else outside we could find. It was a windy day which worked in our favor because we found many flowers that had blown off of trees and bushes that we were able to collect. Along our journey, Maddy couldn't resist picking up rocks and then stopping for a little break dancing. That will have to be a future blog post, as it is his new favorite activity (and it's quite interesting). After we collected everything we came inside and arranged everything on a sheet of wax paper. I arranged the grass first to frame the area in which he placed the other pieces. After everything was in place I then carefully laid another sheet of wax paper on top and carefully ironed them together. When you hold them up to the sun they create this wonderful, natural piece of art (and oh so cute).

 

Come along with the Castros to Pinecrest Gardens...

This morning we went on a family outting to Pinecrest Gardens. It is a beautiful place to take a walk and admire the natural flora and fauna of Florida. There are these amazing trees all around south Florida (I don't know what they are called...one day I will google them...one day) in which the roots grow down from the trees and into the ground creating these incredible looking structures. You can see in the picture with Maddox and I one of these huge structures. Also on the huge property there is also a petting zoo, large pond with all sorts of wildlife, and a fun play area that the kiddies enjoyed. Maddox loved pointing out all of the turtles and fish in each of the ponds around the park. There were about 20 small ponds so we did lots of counting. We will definitly go back (because I need pictures of the turtles and peacocks!)

 

Come along with the Castros and watch Landon sleep...

Landon has been doing such a great job sleeping in the pack and play in our room. I decided it is time he gets used to sleeping in the big crib. He still wakes up once a night to eat so until we ween him from that feeding he will stay in our room at night. But for naps he is now sleeping in the crib in "the boys" room. For the first time this week both boys were taking naps in their room at the same time. It is really a great for me in that I can get more stuff accomplished around the house. I can't help but go in the room and smile at my two amazing boys. I love them both to pieces! Here is a picture of Landon getting so big yet he still looks so small in the big crib. The second picture is of both boys sleeping at the same time in their room. You have to look closely but you can spot the top of both of their heads laying down.

Come along with the Castros and use the big potty...

In the past couple of weeks Maddox has made huge leaps in becoming a potty using member of society. Yea!! It all started one day while I was cleaning his small potty and left it on the counter to dry. I heard him go into the bathroom and climb onto the big potty and he ACTUALLY went in it. Ever since then he has been non-stop going on the big potty. Since then we have gone on many a trips in underwear and have only had one accident, of course it wouldn't have been in the park, but on the floor in the library. Opps! Anyway, I am so happy....no more diapers! Well almost, he still wears one to bed but is dry most nights. Here he is so little on such a big potty. Maddy we are so proud of you!!

Come along with the Castros and be silly with us...

Maddox is a boy full of personality. The things he says and does has me laughing all day long. Maddox decided to climb on the blanket next to Landon one day and was chatting it up with his lil bro when I ran to get the camera. I love shots of my two boys together! The minute that Maddox saw the camera he went into full personality mode. Just check out a little piece of Maddox's silly side. I wish I had half of the energy that keeps him going all day long!

Come along with the Castros and play in the bay...

A couple weeks ago I joined a new playgroup here in Miami. One of the first outtings we took with them was to Biscayne Bay. Inside the park we went to, is a man made wading pool which is perfect for smaller children, like Maddox, that love to play with the water. It was a little breezy but that just meant it was empty. I thought it was too cool for them to go in the water so I didn't bring a bathing suit for him. (I know...what was I thinking) The kids had so much fun  running in the water and playing with the sand. I know it always seems like Maddox has no pants on but honestly he did start the day off wearing them. Landon didn't like the breeze as much. He liked being bundled up in the towel which he normal doesn't like. He just laid on the towel in the sun and slowly fell asleep. A bundled up sleeping baby always wins my heart!

 

Come along with the Castros and laugh...

Landon loves his brother and will pretty much laugh at anything he does. Like in this video Maddox is running around the couch and when he gets close enough Landon cracks up. Who doesnt like watching baby laughs!

Come along with the Castros and eat peanut butter and fluff...

Maddox has been doing an awesome job using the potty, so one day, as a treat I told him I had something really special to share with him. We put some peanut butter and fluff on a piece of bread. We never have white bread so he didn't have the full experience but he LOVED it none the less. His technique was to lick all the fluff off first then eat the rest. I just loved watching his face loving every bite. 

  

Come along with the Castros and fly a kite...

Today was a beautiful day here in Miami. We took advantage of it by taking the windows off the Jeep and going for a ride along the shore. Maddox wasn't too sure if he liked all that wind but then put his shades on and sat back and enjoyed. We took the ride to Haulover Park which is a park located right across from the beach with a marina and a big open field. In the field is a mobile kite store which sells kites of every kind. Maddox picked out a kite with a shark on it. He seemed to really enjoy holding the string all by himslef and feeling the tug of the wind. Landon sat back with his adorable overalls and hat on and enjoyed the breeze. We then took a walk by the marina and looked at the boats while watching the pelicans in the water (like the ones in Nemo Maddox would say). We finished the morning off by stopping at Jaxson's ice cream shop and headed back home. It was a great day!

Come along with the Castros and meet Puppy and Lady...

Meet Puppy and Lady two of Maddy's best friends. These two get to come along with us many places. The walk to the mailbox is the most popular trip that they take. It is a 2 minute walk for me to the front of the complex but when Maddy is pulling Puppy (and Lady gets to sit on the stroller with Landon) it takes about 20-30 minutes. Along the way to the mailbox we sometimes cut through the pool area. That is, if we arent in a rush. Maddy always wants to put his feet in. Lu and I sit on a chair next to the pool while Maddy bravely walks on the top step in the chilly water. One day this past week Puppy braved the chilly water too and got to go for a little swim. While Lady stayed behind with Landon for a little extra love.

Lady and Puppy





Come along with the Castros and check out Maddy's new bed...

Before Maddox was born we picked out a convertable crib for him that we later chaged to the bed with the toddler rail. We said that when Landon turns 6 months old we want him to start using the crib. In anticipation, we went out and bought Maddox a bed. When the bed arrived I had Maddox help me put it together. He is really good at following instructions (when it is something he wants to do of course). So he really was a help with bringing me pieces of wood and handing me the screws one at a time. I really wanted him to be involved so he would get excited to sleep in it. The Buzz Lightyear and Woody sheets did help too! So it has been over a week and he does enjoy his bed. Mostly jumping on it. We tell him no jumping but sometimes while sitting on the couch you can hear him in room jumping away. Most of the times I wait for a little bit before going and telling him to get down. ;o)

Jumping of course!

He is not sleeping here (if you failed to notice the big smirk) but this is his sleep pose!

   

Come along with the Castros and watch Landon grow (part 2)...

So after posting my blog entry this morning I really wish I would have done it differently. Yes like most parents I have taken a picture of Landon on the date of his birth (the 19th) every month but I really should have posted these pictures. These are the some of the moments that I will remember most from his first 6 months as a part of our family. This is our Landy Lu...Landon William Castro. I dedicate this post to you Lu!! Your mama loves you!

As your mama, Landon I will never forget this first time I held you in my arms!\

You finally were home and someone we can touch and hold onto.

At only 3 weeks old you were rolling over onto your back.

A silly little boy in the making!

It melts my heart every time I look at this little face. <3

Maybe a little BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) in your future?!

I could listen to this laugh all day long. It is one of my favorite sounds!

Can I please hold you forever?

Remember Landon to take it slow, don't get too big too fast please! But I look forward to all the amazing things you will do in your life. We love you unconditionaly forever and ever.