Wow! Mommy can't believe Landon will get to celebrate his first Chrismas in just a few weeks. Mommy and Daddy are so thankful that God brought Landon into their lives this year! They have a whole new appreciation for the birth of our Christ!
Landon pretended that he was a little pea pod.
Mommy pretended that Landon actually enjoyed being a little pea pod.
Mommy also pretended that she was not actually another year older.
And, Daddy pretended that Landon could fly!
Landon has so much fun visiting Grandma and Grandpa...their toys are so much cooler than the ones at home! Mommy is thinking that she also needs to get an exersaucer like the one they have. Landon has been on the move as he has just about mastered the art of rolling and is constantly roaming!
Now that he can finally sit up for extended periods, Landon has found a whole new perspective on what it means to play.
Nothing is better than sitting on a lap and joining in on the conversation with squeals and giggles!
Flying through the air is a lot of fun, too!
Of course, all of that fun can be exhausting. Landon's favorite sleeping position leads Mommy to believe that he is certainly dreaming of a day at the beach.
Last week, on Saturday, September 20, Landon turned six months old! Mommy can't believe that half a year has flown by so quickly. Her little guy has almost quadrupled in size and has so much fun taking advantage of every opportunity to make Mommy and Daddy laugh at his stunts.
Of course, Mommy and Daddy have to be very vigilant because everything in Landon's path gets picked up and inserted directly into his mouth...were those clean socks, Landon?
Landon also enjoys his new perspective on the world as big boy who can actually sit up for long stretches - sometimes!
Sometimes, Mommy and Daddy call Landon their little tortuga (which means "turtle" in Spanish) because although he can roll over both ways, he likes to act like he's stuck when he rolls from playing on his front to laying on his back. "But, Mommy, I need your help..."
Mommy and Daddy are having so much fun figuring out our little man!
On an absolutely perfect Sunday afternoon, Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa took Landon to the fair. He had no idea that there were so many people in the world – and animals that were bigger than his parents put together! There was so much to see!!
Following in Mommy’s family’s tradition to eat your way through the Indiana State Fair, Landon was drooling over the pulled pork sandwiches, grilled corn on the cob, and funnel cakes!
Landon was so content and interested in looking at everything. His only tears for the entire afternoon spontaneously erupted when he entered the horse barn…was it the smell or the giant creatures or the ten thousand strollers that were swarming?!
After a few hours, Landon decided to go ahead and start his nap! It was a perfect day!!
Who knew that Mommy and Daddy would have such a little talker on their hands?! Landon loves to make "comments" about everything, especially while he plays! Mommy cherishes every little "coo" and "ahh" and "eee."
On July 29, Mommy took Landon to see "Dr. Donald Duck" where she found out that Landon now weighs 12 lbs. 8oz and is over 23 inches long (yeah - he's finally not below the 3rd percentile)! Since he is over four months old, the doctor said that Landon could start solid foods. This picture of his first attempt to eat rice cereal pretty much sums up the experience - yucky! Now, we've learned that if you mix a little bit of juice with the cereal, it makes all the difference in the world.
The good news is that Landon's distaste for cereal directly coincides with his new love for bathing. So, no matter what kind of mess he makes during the meal, it's not a problem to clean him up!
Landon was pretty impressed (and perhaps inspired?!) with how Isaac played with his play gym - "What, you don't have to just lay underneath it?" Now Mommy has to hold him on her lap everyday so he can play like cool Isaac!
Unfortunately, good times with friends from far away must eventually come to an end. This was the very first time that Landon has ever had to say goodbye to a special buddy. In spite of Isaac's sweet attempts to comfort him(!?), Landon just couldn't hide his sadness. Hopefully, next time, they can play a little longer!
Wow! It's amazing to realize that Landon is four months old today!! Mommy and Daddy are having so much fun in this precious phase. Landon has started giggling, rolling over from his tummy to his back, and - drum roll, please - the best news is that Landon has been sleeping through the night! 
As Landon continues to grow, there are many new things that he loves to look at and explore!
Time in the big crib is not too scary because the cute animals swinging on the mobile above intrigue Landon immensely.
He's starting to make the most of tummy-time on his "surf board" by looking around and reaching for toys. Mommy and Daddy promise that he's already making plans to crawl away when they aren't looking.
Landon is always happy when it's time to explore the baby play gym. 
Most of all, Daddy is convinced that Landon's favorite thing to play with is Mommy - "Don't mess with my Mommy time!"
On a whim a few weeks ago, Mommy thought it would be fun to try to capture some professional pictures of Landon, thinking that he would probably smile. Well, needless to say, after two attempts with Mommy and Grandma doing everything possible to spur his joy, there was very little smiling at the studio. That which there was didn't quite get captured on film. Nonetheless, it was an interesting experience, to say the least, and if anyone would be interested in seeing more online, just email Mommy at jamilyn@live.com for the link and access code!
After putting together the new high chair, Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma thought it would be so much fun to try it out. This, of course, was absolutely hilarious given the fact he he is so small at not quite 9 pounds. Luckily, Landon saw the humor in the whole spectacle...and Mommy captured his smile in a picture for the first time!
Thank you, Kati! Landon's "little man" outfit finally fits! He was such a handsome guy at church and at Cousin Jill's graduation open house where Landon was checking out the fun (and good food?!) in the next room while in the arms of Great-Grandma Hall!!
Daddy can't believe how strong Landon is becoming...he loves to hold his head up and look at everything!
Landon loves hanging out with Uncle Phil and friends on the weekends!
Landon had a very special Mother's Day weekend, beginning with his first trip to Bluffton where he met his great-grandparents on the Bertsch side and more cousins on all sides! It was so much fun to see everyone and experience the precious gift of love from so many!!
Mommy and Daddy were also filled with joy on Sunday morning when they stood before their church and dedicated Landon to the Lord, promising to raise him in Godly home. They were reminded again of what an awesome responsibility they have been blessed with through the gift of their little son. After church, Landon continued the Mother's Day celebration with Grandma Kim, Grandpa Jim, Ryan, Great-Grandma Hall, Great-Aunt Diane, Great-Uncle Jerry, and Cousins Jordan and Jillian at Mommy's and Jillian's favorite restaurant - Olive Garden! Landon slept through the whole morning and lunch...
