J is for Jasmine

Jasmine came over last night, along with her mommy and daddy. I really like it when Jasmine's over because mama and dada will let me get away with a lot more. Sometimes Jasmine even stays late and we'll get to play in the bathtub together. Unfortunately, last night was an early night for Jasmine and her parents but we still managed to make a mess of the place. First Jasmine and I had dinner together. Jasmine like's hot dogs too so we each had one.


After dinner we turned on Blue's Clues for a while. Mama bought me my very own handy-dandy notebook, just like Steve! I had my crayons out and everything and I was writing down the clues. Jasmine wanted to run around a bit so we stopped watching and went into my room. Then she found my stickers and that's when the fun really started. Dada let us get into my crib and it was sticker time! We were putting stickers on the pillows, on the crib, and even on each other.


So we were all back on the couch playing and jumping on dada when the bell rang and someone was at the door. It was dinner for the mommies and daddies. More food! Everyone gathered around the big kitchen table and mama even set up a place for me. I got to sit with the big people at the big table. I felt like such a, well, big person.


After dinner was over, Jasmine was playing around with my dada (I don't mind sharing him as long as it's with someone I really like). He kept picking her up and she would sit on his shoulders. This is something dada had tried with me in the past but I never really liked it, until last night. I saw how much fun she was having so I thought I would give it a try. Boy oh boy had I been missing out. Riding around up there was the greatest!



The countdown for the birthday continues. I have this piece of paper that shows all the different choo-choos you can buy. There are so many of them! I'll take this one, this one, this one, and that one. The list is getting longer in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Movin' On Up: Part III

I'm starting to notice that I get a really good reaction out of mama and dada when I wear their clothes. Let's see, there was the time I wore dada's shirt. I mean I didn't see what the big deal was but dada was running around trying to find the camera to take a picture. Then there was the day mama let me wear her sunglasses. Now I had always been trying to get to her sunglasses because she puts them in this cool case and I really just wanted to play with the case but when I saw there were sunglasses inside I thought OH, bonus! Well one day I think mama finally gave in and let me try on the sunglasses and wouldn't you know it, just like dada she was running around trying to find the camera.


Okay so we have this closet where we keep all our shoes and coats and one day the closet door was open. I went in, grabbed dada's shoes and thought, I could wear these. Again with the camera here in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Courtyard Cleaning

I like to help out around the house like everyone else. I mean dada works hard to make sure all my pacis are in order and ready for me in my crib while mama works hard to keep pictures of me all over the house. So if they can work hard, I can work hard, which means cleaning up out in the courtyard.


We were having a BBQ the other day and before things got started I expressed an interest using the little pool. Well it had been a few days since anyone in the building last used it so it needed a good cleaning. Dada and I got out the soap, hose, and sponge and went to work. Earning my keep here in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Movin' On Up: Part II

The great thing about being my size is everything that is my size only fits me and most everything that is mama's or dada's size usually fits me. And if it doesn't, I still look really cute in it. Wearing my sunglasses at night in LANDEN'S WORLD!

2008 Cherry Blossom Festival - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Don't remember this. I'm just glad I didn't have any serious drool issues going on. As you can see mommy and daddy took me to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Thanks for waking me up, guys!

Hmm, still sleeping.

Yep, I missed that pond.

Hey! I'm awake! Okay, I'll stand still for just one picture but then you have to let me go play.

Now, aren't you glad you let me go run around? I knew exactly where the mud was.


A fun day at the garden, I must say. So I thought I'd give you a little update on me and the things I like. TV. What a magical box. So many things to see on the TV and the music, oh the music! Plus, some of the things on TV make me laugh. I used to just watch the TV with a blank stare on my face but now, I laugh at some of the things I see. What do I like to watch? Of course there's Elmo and Thomas the Train, or as I call it, choo-choo. And the one movie that I like to watch over and over - The Little Mermaid. I think I like it mainly because there's a doggy in it. Kickin' back and relaxin' in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Saturday Morning Pancakes

Saturday mornings are special because daddy makes pancakes. He lets me stir the big blue bowl. There's something about daddy's pancakes that make them different from pancakes I've had anywhere else. Well, not everywhere. I remember having the same kind of pancakes when we visited my great-great-great-great-great-great-wonderful-super-smart-funny-loving-amazing-grandfather. Hmmm, I wonder if daddy learned how to make his pancakes by watching my great-great-great-great-great-great-wonderful-super-smart-funny-loving-amazing-grandfather?


Oh! And let me not forget. Mommy had some good news for me and I want to share it with all of you. I'm going to be a big brother! Can you believe it? I'm finally going to have someone smaller than me around here. Mommy already tells me to kiss the baby and I kiss her belly. It's soon going to be +1 here in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Oh My Darlin!

That's what daddy sings when I eat one of my new favorite foods. Clementines! It's a catchy tune and a tasty treat. And I get to eat them everywhere I go. Whenever we're out at a restaurant, and it really doesn't matter which restaurant, at some point mommy or daddy will pull out a clementine and peel it for me. Funny thing is, they always pull it out right around that time when I get a little bored with whatever it is I'm doing and want out of the highchair. Sometimes when we're at home and I wander over to my stroller, if I reach into the pockets of the diaper bag I might just find an extra clementine. Jackpot! Oh I just run right over to mommy and daddy and bang - I'm in my chair eating that clementine. I wish it were that way with pacifiers but unfortunately when I find one of those in the diaper bag and stuff it in my mouth, they're so quick to yank it out. Oh so close to happiness. Just another day in LANDEN'S WORLD!

They Took My Hair!

It's not so much the chair I had to sit in - it had a fun steering wheel and I got to play with bubbles. It's not so much the random lady who was doing it - she was funny and let me take an extra lollipop. It's not so much the time I had to wait - I got to avoid my afternoon nap. It's the fact that after she was done cutting my hair, I didn't get to keep it. It's my hair! What gives? If this is how all haircuts are going to be, then count me out.


So I have this green bucket. Dadda bought me some blocks and they came in this green bucket. One day I dumped the blocks out, looked at the bucket, and thought why not plop myself down and have a read. So I did. It was the perfect fit. That's what's new in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Movin' On Up

There are certain things that only mommy and daddy use. That box they put my bottle in and then beeps just before they give it to me. The little thing mommy uses in the morning that makes her hair blow around everywhere. The big noisy machine that sucks up all the dirt on the floor. And then there are certain things around here that are just for me. The chair I sit in when I'm eating is just for me. I'm the only one who sleeps in my room. The Elmo truck from Nana - you won't find anyone else riding it. And the bathtub.

Well I'm still the only one who uses the bathtub but I have found a new place to get clean. It has a door and the water falls from way up high. I'm thinking this might be my new favorite place to hang out.


Oh and one more little change that's happening around here. Daddy's shirts aren't just daddy's shirts anymore because they fit me perfectly! I can't really see my hands when he first puts them on me but he rolls up the sleeves and I'm good to go in LANDEN'S WORLD!

It's Good to Be The King

I have a new throne. It arrived on Wednesday and as soon as I was done eating I ran over to it. I just knew it was mine. There are some white squiggly things on the front of it - not quite sure what they mean but as soon as I can write, I'm putting my name right on this thing. Now momma and dadda keep telling me to sit down and I can't blame them; I have already fallen off once. But it's just my size! I can't help but climb all over it. And the best part, when I push my chair up against the big person's chair, I can climb from mine to it.

I Have Hair!

Yes I do, and a lot of it. I'm not really into doing my hair, like my daddy. He puts something in his hair to make it do funny stuff, but not me. Every now and again, my daddy will play around with my hair. He and mommy get a kick out of it and I like the attention so everybody's happy! And yes, those are my Christmas PJs from mommy. She bought some for daddy too. Mine say 'Landen' on them and daddy's say 'B'. Is mommy trying to dress us alike? I wonder if daddy has any onesies?


Remember that talk about cold, then warm, then cold? Well it was warm here a few days ago. It was great because we were able to go to the park. I didn't think I'd see the park for a long time but mommy and daddy surprised me! We even had company this time. One of my girlfriends, Mia, joined us. Love those swings. Then today, another one of my girlfriends, Jasmine, came over for breakfast, Well, it was more like lunch. Or was it breakfast. They should make a word for that. Anyway, I got to sit on mommy's lap and eat daddy's pancakes. Yummy! Always something special around the corner in LANDEN'S WORLD!

There's a Tree in My House

I woke up the other morning and there was a tree in my house. Now I may be only 14 months young, but a tree? In my house? And ever since we came back from Grandma's about two weeks ago, mommy and daddy have been playing the same music over and over again. Something about somebody making a list and checking it twice? Oh and then there's the shopping. Tons and tons of shopping. Daddy came home last night with bags and bags and BAGS of stuff. Was any of it for me? Nope, still playing with the same toys. So can somebody please explain to me what's going on here? Mommy says we're going to see Aunt Maryann in two weeks and it will all be explained then. I don't know about that but what I do know is that means I get to see my cousin Ava and that's so cool! See you soon, Ava because we're taking the show on the road. That's what's going on in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Still The Birthday Boy

Well I didn't have more cake, but, I did have a CUPCAKE! It's like my own little cake. I loved it. My shirt loved it. My pants loved it.



It's still October so I'm still celebrating. Last Saturday, mommy and daddy threw a big party for me. They invited all my friends, some of their friends, and the band! Oh I told you all about this - Music For Aardvarks. Well they came. It was so cool. The singer, Sivan, mentioned my name in almost all the songs and at the end, he sang Happy Birthday to me! I walked around and told all my friends, "Yeah, I'm with the band." So let's see who was here - there was Matan who lives across the courtyard from us, my bestest buddy Jasmine who lives on the other side of Flatbush, her friend Tess, my big buddy Harrison who lives in the same building as Jas, Charlie who is two weeks younger, little baby Mia, pretty Emelia from Manhattan, my East Hampton buddy Jack, sleepy Theo, and lovely Maggie. The whole gang was here! And they were all here to see me. Thanks, to all my friends.

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me. Why not sing it again? It's my world. It's LANDEN'S WORLD!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me! And so many more! Monday was my first birthday and boy was it special. I rode on a plane, I saw Grandma and Grandpa Ryan, I ate cake. I ATE CAKE!

Now this cake thing, how exactly does it work? Do I get it every birthday? It's really soft and I liked the way it felt on my fingers. Soon after this picture was taken, I had cake all over me. I like cake. Maybe I can have cake on my pretzels, instead of hummus.


So my birthday isn't just one day. This Saturday my mommy and daddy invited some of my friends over, along with a band. The band is called Music for Aardvarks and they sing some really cool music. One of my favorites is the one about being a kid in the city. Actually, it's called City Kid. And then there's the one about the Staten Island Ferry. Actually, it's called Staten Island Ferry. I wish everything was this easy to remember. That's on Saturday and we're going to have lots of fun and food and hopefully more cake!!! Then, two weeks from this Saturday, we're having another party. This one is for all my family. And since everyone will be staying the weekend, it's more of a weekend party. Pretty much the whole month of October we'll be celebrating my birthday. My uncle Thomas also has a birthday in October. My Great Grandpa Giambalvo has a birthday in October. My aunt Christine has a birthday in October. And then, before you know it, it's Halloween and we're walking down Seventh Avenue for the parade! I went last year. I was a three-week old pumpkin.


It started getting cold out. Mommy and daddy have some new clothes for me, plus Tutu Kathleen sent me some great clothes for the colder weather. Oh, and Grandpa Ryan gave me some way cool boots. I can't wait to wear all my new clothes! Well, to tell you the truth, I really couldn't wait. I already tried on my new hat. Whadya think?


Well one more time for the folks who we're too shy in the beginning . . . Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me. Why not sing it again? It's my world. It's LANDEN'S WORLD!

Who Am I?

Well I already told you my name - it's Landen. But what is it that a devilishly young, handsome dude like myself does in a way hipster city like Brooklyn? I eat. Yeah, I like food. Hey I'm only eleven months and just a few days before my first birthday old, so I gotta eat like it's going out of style! I love hummus. Oh let me tell you. Hummus on crackers. Hummus on bread. Hummus on my face. Hummus on an apple. If it has surface area, I'm putting hummus on it. I'm also a big fan of cheese. My parents have me eating all sorts of funny cheeses, but do you really think I care whether it's Gouda or Gloucester? I just like the different colors. Oh and don't forget pretzels! The pretzel rods are my favorite because they fit right in my little hand. And of course, hummus on pretzels. I've moved onto milk, but that's a recent development. Love that whole milk! I still drink out of my bottle, but at lunch and dinner I get milk in a little plastic cup and slurp at it like a puppy. I've tried a straw a couple times now but just can't seem to get the hang of it. Oh and I have my sippy cup but mainly that's for water. I just can't seem to hold onto it (probably because of the hummus all over my hands).


Around the house I have building blocks and those funny foam squishy blocks. I really like those. Daddy and I put those in our mouth and make funny faces at each other. I'm not quite walking yet but I certainly get up and down quite well on my own. There are these two entertainment playgrounds that I stand at all the time. One sings to me about "rocking to the numbers" and the other sings the alphabet, in english and in spanish. Those two things are loads of fun but what I really like can't be found in our house. It's the SWINGS! We live in Park Slope and one thing Park Slope is known for is being a great place to raise a family. There are parks all over the place and all of them have swings. At first I had a little trouble with the swing and mommy would put a blanket behind me for a little extra cushion. Now I'm a pro at the swings and mommy swings me high into the sky!

I'm getting to be a pretty good sleeper. I have a pretty good streak going for sleeping through the night. Daddy said something about not talking about a streak, during the streak, so that's all I have to say about that. Then in the morning, I wake up, catch some Elmo's World, and do it all over again. Pretty nice life, huh? That's what it's like in LANDEN'S WORLD!