Baby sister...no mama...no sister!

That is the response I got when I told Z he was going to have a sister...I'll have to work on that attitude since there's not much he can do to avoid it at this point. In any event, we're excited! We will have a little girl joining us in September (and not a minute sooner). Here's her first couple of close ups...many many many many more to come!!! :)

it's been awhile!!

Hello all, I thought I'd take advantage of this lovely President's Day to update the blog...Facebook has become so popular that I've really let this lag. Anyway...here's the important stuff. The puking has all but stopped...does he still puke...sure! Once in a while, but it's TOTALLY manageable. In fact, I'm actually afraid to type this for fear of jinxing anything. Back in the middle of 2009 he was still puking 150 times a month...now we're in single digits! I'll take that anyday. We're off almost all meds and he's doing great.

Feeding is a completely different issue. He's still scared to eat and he just doesn't have the skills he needs...all those things that are a natural progression for most children just never happened for Zack because he was too busy vomiting. Food has made him so uncomfortable for 2 years that NOT eating is just easier. I'm happy to report that he's definitely a little more experimental, but it's incredibly slow progress. We're working hard on that front.

In general, however, life has been so much better for all of us in a short time...We can take Zack places without 8 changes of clothing and 10 towels...I don't feed him holding a bowl anymore...the stress level is way down...all welcome changes. We hope to only see him progress from here.

On the FUN side, Z is smart and funny and is SUCH a happy kid. He loves people and his friends. he loves school and being outside. He's a joy to everyone around him. Here are some pictures from his recent adventures.

Thanksgiving at Aunt Sharley's house:

Having a blast

Playing with Aunt Kim.

Christmas morning at home and afternoon at Aunt Sharley's:

(notice the pointed toes...I'm so proud!)

New Year's Day...a walk in the park with Storm:

Thanks for reading! Here's to a burger in 2010!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is an event at the Landrum house...lots of decorations....LOTS of trick or treaters. Z went trick or treating for the first time. We couldn't get him to say it, but he did great nonetheless! He didn't even mind his costume...there is no cuter Lemur than mine...rest assured! Z was also very helpful giving out candy and yelling BYE BYE to everyone as they left. Enjoy a few pictures of the pumpkin patch adventures and the big night!

Z makes a run for the border!

It's October...and if you know the Landrum's, that means CABO! This was Z's 3rd trip down to the Tropic of Capricorn and we had a BLAST! He did really well on the plane (thank you Yo Gabba Gabba!) and was pretty much a perfect angel the whole time...with the exception of a knife throwing incident at the Cabo Wabo breaking a glass (I apologize profusely to Sammy Hagar!). In any event, we had a little hurricane weather, but that didn't stop Z from splashing every day to his heart's content! Here are some pictures. The rest can be found here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36595&id=1028109097&l=190e3fb16e

and here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36841&id=1028109097&l=4775d74fe7

Family portrait at the beach

JUMP!

Mom and Z

SPLASH!

Hangin' at the Cabo Wabo

Seven Beautiful Sunrises

Zack Attack's 2nd Annual Birthday Bash

Well, Z turned 2 today, but we had an awesome Rock Star party on Saturday. He had a blast and everything went SO well. There were lots of kids and not ONE meltdown! Z has friends this year, so they came and partied, too! Time has really flown by. Two years already?? In any event, I couldn't be prouder of Z...he's SUCH a trooper and his dad and I just love him to bits.

Here are some pictures...ALL of the one million pictures I took along with my buddy Adrian can be found here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35092&id=1028109097&l=09da9a17fa

July...where have we been?

More like where HAVEN'T we been! Zack's had so many summer adventures that we haven't had time to blog, but ohhhh we've taken pictures...now it's time to catch you up!


Medical Update
Zack had his PH probe done at UCLA. They put a wire probe down his nose to just above his stomach to measure how much he refluxes and how acidic it is. The probe placement was traumatic, but it was quick and he did SO well in the 24 hours he had it in. He was a real champ and I was so proud of him. He also had his Gastric Emptying Study (how fast he digests food) in July and although it was unpleasant (more for me than him!), he did well. I just spoke with the doctor the other day and his stomach doesn't empty like they would like, but not nearly as bad as we thought. The probe actually told us that he is refluxing MUCH less than he was. He actually might be growing out of the medical part of this. His vomiting (sorry people, but if you know Z, you've probably seen him puke!) has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. We have actually had several vomit-free days. I couldn't have said that four months ago. We are very pleased with that. We are now left with the aversions that his medical problems have ingrained in him, however...that's another battle and we're working on it. Someday he'll enjoy eating...I hope. Anyway, there's your Z medical update.






Marcie's Big Birthday Bash

My best friend Marcie had an awesome birthday party at her parents stunning home in Camarillo. It was a pool party, so NOONE had as much fun as Zack. I loved seeing Mouse and we had a great day splashing around!











Kim's Big Day

On Saturday, July 25th, I got a call from my sister Kim that she was getting married the next day on Coronado Island. For those of you outside of Socal, that is about 2 1/2 hours from my house on the most heavily traveled freeway in California. Although we battled with how to deal with the trip and a toddler on such short notice, I ultimately knew I had to be there. We were not able to take that Monday off, so we knew it would be up and back the same day...and the wedding was at 7pm!!! We drove down uneventfully with Z sleeping the whole way. We got ready at my mom's hotel and except for starting a few minutes late, the sunset ceremony went off without a hitch. It was gorgeous and I took TONS of pictures, some of which you can view here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29015&id=1028109097&l=063ce896c5

Our trip home starting out after dinner at about 10:30 was a little harder (mostly on poor kevin at the wheel). Parts of the freeway were closed and we ended up on a couple detours...we didn't get to bed until after 2am! zzzzz. Once again, Z slept all the way, so he was FINE the next day while we were zombies! In any event, congrats Kim and Greg!! We were so happy to share your day with you.








August Adventures

Descanso Garden

A gorgeous day and a really beautiful way to spend it. I can't wait to go back in April or May when everything is in bloom! Z got to see turtles, frogs, tons of squirrels and even a deer! Here is a link to all the pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29418&id=1028109097&l=52c4b7618f

Here are a couple pictures from the day:




(this one is for Aunt Sharley!)






...and last but NOT least...Z's first trip to Malibu!

We decided the Sunday was a great day for the beach...and we were right! We went early, so Kev could surf and when the clouds burned off it was gorgeous! Z had been to the beach in Cabo, but he was too young to really enjoy it...not this time! He threw sand everywhere, dug holes, filled his bucket! The water made him a little nervous, but he squealed while we chased the waves...here is a link to a few extra pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30069&id=1028109097&l=0c823cac36

To "tide" you over...(come on now, that was FUNNY!) here are a couple extras:







Someday, young grasshopper, this will all be yours!




That's all for now. I hope you feel all caught up! I'll be back with more of the Adventures of Super Z soon!

Water, water EVERYWHERE!

July's theme is WATER! Z started swimming lessons...we still have a week left. He's learning to kick, paddle and get comfortable in the water...I'm not so sure I needed to pay anyone for that!! Here are a couple pictures!

Then we went up to the river for the fourth of July. Z practiced what he learned in class and did LOTS of splashing...he also got his first (of many, I'm sure) ride on the Sea Doo. Dad took him for a putt putt around the bay...but truthfully, Z looked BORED...I think he has the need for speed, but I wasn't willing to let him find out! (I know...bad mom!). Here are some MORE pictures! Enjoy!