Tyler's Birthday Dinner

Thank you everyone for taking the time to chat with Tyler last night. He loved every minute of chatting with you! He had a wonderful birthday yesterday and had a hard time letting the day go. He managed to stay up until past ten being as silly as ever (no doubt from all of the sugar he consumed yesterday), and then finally gave in to the fatigue. :)

Here are some pictures from yesterday afternoon and then some of his dinner, cake, and present opening.

Getting busted in the afternoon. He found a bowl that I had thrown all of the cake making materials in and decided to help himself while I was changing Kevin. He pushed a kitchen chair over and everything, and was not happy that he got busted! :)


His dinner. A "3" pizza.

He picked out the candles to blow out and had a blast blowing them out. He sang along with us during Happy Birthday and looked so cute waving his arms around in anticipation for cake! :)

Making sure daddy knows exactly what piece he wants to eat.

Enjoying the HUGE piece of cake daddy cut for him. His face and hands are covered because even though he was using his fork to eat, he was also using his left hand to just grab handfuls (yes, he was very excited for cake).

The hand-fork method of cake eating.

Fortunately, he was much cleaner tonight than he was in his first birthday cake pictures.

And then it was present time! Thank you everyone for his presents. He loved them all. And we have some serious playing to do today now.

Tyler Turns Three

And as Tyler points out..."T, T, T, alliteration". ;)

Sorry for the constant posting, but I am trying to stay atop of pictures given that I still have a lot of video I would like to share (but am struggling finding the time). So, rather than a long post about the day, I have just been trying to post as things happen.

We just got home from a great lunch with daddy downtown. Tyler couldn't wait to dress up like daddy and wear a new tie he just got. We headed downtown and he was a very big helper getting Kevin out and pushing his stroller to meet daddy. We had a great lunch, and everyone made it through without spilling....despite Tyler's efforts to cover Adam in ketchup and chocolate milk. After lunch we went to the ice cream store near Adam's office and Tyler picked out some vanilla with chocolate chips to take back to daddy's office.

We ate ice cream and looked around (he just moved offices on his floor) at everything that was new. And Tyler was very surprised with Uncle Bruce stopped by to say hi, jump around for a bit (yep, they both jumped up a storm having a blast while Adam tried to get them to stop...afterall we were in his office....haha), and surprise him with some M&M's and a dollar for his piggy bank. Tyler was very happy to talk to Bruce and later when we were leaving downtown he wanted to know if Bruce and Bruce's baby (his grandson) were going to come eat his Little People cake. He gets such a kick out of playing and talking to Bruce and we can't thank Uncle Bruce enough for taking the time to visit with him. And after talking to several other people at the office and three hugs to both Bruce and Adam (Tyler wants everything in three's today...including his constant reminders that he gets three pieces of cake tonight) we headed towards the car with Tyler holding doors for me and pushing Kevin.

Kevin was exhausted after this outing and I am too. Tyler however is too excited to be tired though and with all of the sugar he has had today, is restlessly counting down to daddy's arrival home. I took a few pictures before sending him off to some quiet time so I could clean up without his help (he is a distracted cleaner like his daddy (hehehe..couldn't resist hun)...in that when he finds something he wants to play with it rather than pick it up).

Looking forward to tonight and hopefully more pictures to post later!

Little People Cake

Tyler has been talking about having a Little People cake for his birthday for about six months. And finally the time to make it has arrived. Tyler helped me bake the cakes yesterday, eagerly awaiting to help with any tasting, and this morning we have been working hard to get it designed. I originally thought that I would just surprise him, but it turns out that having him help was just as much fun. I found some Little People birthday cake decorations awhile back and just kept my fingers crossed that he would still want the theme. He eagerly helped me wash up the toys to put on the cake, and LOVED putting sprinkles on the cake. We just finished it up and here are two quick pictures before putting it in the fridge. He is pretty excited about it and can't wait for dinner. But for now, lots of cleanup and then on to our fun day.


Pre-sprinkles and more M&M's. Tyler made an executive decision that we need more.

Post sprinkles and more M&M's. Good idea Tyler...can't have enough candy for your third birthday!

Twas the night before his birthday

'Twas the night before his birthday,
And as he waited,
Tyler was wide awake,
A tad too elated.

He tossed and he turned
About in his bed
As visions of a Little People cake
Danced in his head.

Candles and balloons
And presents galore
Were wrapped in fun paper
And set by the door.

His outfit was hung
On the doorknob with care,
Knowing that a special outing
Soon would be there!

In the morning it came -
My birthday is today!
Would my cake be ready?
Would I have time to play?

His face was all washed,
His teeth were brushed white,
He posed for his picture,
With eyes sparkling bright!

He grabbed his snowboots
And hopped into the car
And dashed off to downtown,
Good thing it's not far!

He held mommy's hand
And we walked to meet daddy.
What a big little man
He is becoming!!!

An elevator ride and a special lunch
And with a big smile
And a hug and a kiss
We told daddy we would see him at home in awhile.

The house was all filled
With balloons, a cake, and toys,
Such wonderful things
For a special birthday boy!

Tyler was talking
As happy could be,
Although that’s not new
It is hard to believe that you are three!

And what to my wondering
Eyes should appear
But a very proud daddy
Reflecting on the year.

Colors, counting,
Puzzles, phonics,
And warm pumpkin milk,
Your new tonic.

We sang Happy Birthday
And a wish you made
Blowing out candles
And eating your cake.

Oh what will this year bring
You will learn a ton
Continuing to amaze us always
Happy Birthday son!

Tyler

Tyler was being very silly tonight when it was time for bed, and I couldn't resist a few quick pictures. Of course, once I grabbed my camera I realized that this was his last night of being two. I tried to get him holding up two fingers while smiling for a picture, but of course he was having none of it. He was having too much fun being silly and playing in his tunnel. Such a silly kid.

Cousin Jay

We got up early on Sunday to pack and get a jump start on heading home, but were pleasantly surprised to learn that Aunt Mary and Uncle Nick were at the hospital to have their first baby. So we waited around for awhile and were excited to get to meet the newest cousin, Jay Jack, on Adam's side. Mary and Nick looked great and are incredibly proud of their cute little boy, and I snapped a few pictures of our quick visit with them.

Aunt Julie checking out his little hands and feet.



Uncle Adam and Aunt Julie meeting Jay.


Jay wondering if he should keep looking at the strange lady with the camera. :)


A very proud grandpa!


I think that he was pretending to be asleep here so I would stop taking pictures. :) He is such a cute little guy, and we can't wait to see him again.

Merry Christmas

We hope that everyone had wonderful holidays. We had a great time ourselves. We drove down to Iowa to spend Christmas with Adam's family. We got to see almost everyone at one time or another, and we had a great time just visiting and relaxing. Here are some pictures in no particular order.

Christmas morning.

Christmas morning.

Santa came!

Cookies and milk.

Just woke up and daddy bringing the boys upstairs.

A happy Kevin for bright and early in the morning!

An excited Tyler.

Kevin saying hi while I videotape.

Kevin's First Haircut

With the holidays approaching and lots of pictures likely to be taken, we decided it was time for Kevin's first haircut. We went to the same chain as we took Tyler too for his first, and Kevin had a great time. He sat and just smiled at himself in the mirror. He didn't move at all while they were cutting his hair, amazing me. Right when they got to the end of his haircut though he had decided that he had had enough, and even more so once they pulled out the blow dryer. Fortunately, it was slow and so three other hairdressers came over and with some bubbles and silliness, he was laughing again....and couldn't get enough bubbles.

Before.


Having fun.

Watching a little t.v.

He LOVED the bubbles.

Kevin checking out the bubble lady while I get a picture of his new big boy haircut.

Sledding with Grandpa and Grandma Vaughn

Grandma and Grandpa Vaughn made a quick trip up to see the boys before Christmas. We had a great, although too short, visit with them. The boys enjoyed opening up presents and playing with their new toys with grandma and grandpa. Most of all though, they enjoyed getting out into the snow to play. We spent a few hours at our local park sledding down small and big hills, and just enjoying being out in the snow.

Adam going down headfirst on the sled.....I wasn't so sure but he had fun and Tyler LOVED watching daddy go down this way.

Kevin checking out the sled...no worries...he didn't go down here...just sat and smiled.

Kevin hanging out with Grandma Vaughn.

Our first family picture of us all sledding. It turns out that just like Tyler, Kevin LOVES the snow. Adam took him down the smaller hill while I took Tyler. Kevin just got such a big smile when he got to the bottom, and was then bound and determined to just play in the snow. He would crawl around and sit in the snow while the rest of us took turns going down the big sledding hill. I am just amazed at how much he liked being in it as well. I guess I am raising two true Minnesotans. ;)

Kevin heading after Tyler's present. :) Tyler was a little unsure.

But once Kevin got there, he was more than willing to sit and play together with Kevin.


Kevin opening up a present by himself (very rare this year with Tyler eager to help).

The button on my sweater is under attack. :)

The boys about to start opening presents.

Grandma and Grandpa with the boys.

Grandpa with the boys.

Friday, December 18th

As we were eating lunch today, I realized how far we have come in this last year. Here were two very talkative little boys sitting at the table with me smiling and eating away. I am amazed. As I sat there reflecting about life, etc., I realized that I had a few stories that I wanted to remember/share and so here is a post about a few things that happened over the last week or so.

I also have some video I have been meaning to post of Tyler's first sledding experience, and hopefully I can do that soon. Needless to say, he just LOVES the snow this year and can't get enough of playing in it. And now for some thoughts/stories/reflections.

Tyler is incredibly sweet to Kevin, and today has made it his point to have Kevin tell him stories. He asked Kevin to tell him a story, and Kevin responded with a big smile and then lots of grunts, babble, and yelling in return, with Tyler nodding and saying yes and um hum throughout. When Kevin finished up with a big grin, Tyler said "what a great story Kevin, good job rhyming"! Ha! Of course, Kevin just smiled (he loves it when Tyler talks to him) and then quickly turned his attention back to me for some more food.



Kevin is getting better at perfecting his "mores" both verbally and through signing. I think that he has figured out that it gets him more food quicker than just yelling and throwing himself around in his highchair. Hopefully, that is the case as I have been enjoying the quieter meals.



Today was a hit for lunch. I made some mac and cheese, a favorite of Tyler's. I put veggies in it always because Tyler only likes green beans and since he is picky and needs to eat his veggies, I resort to combination meals or even hiding veggies when possible. So while I was chopping up the carrot, I gave some to the dogs for waiting outside of the kitchen so nicely and without me asking. Ellie ate her's so quickly and I just laughed. She couldn't even have tasted it. Carlie on the other hand looked like Tyler with the carrot. She so desperately wanted to eat it because it was "human food", but refused to take a bite. She would just paw at it or lick it, but the look on her face said it all...she doesn't like veggies! Eventually, I went to take it away (with Ellie in tow) and it was Ellie getting closer that finally caused Carlie to eat it...but man she did not look happy. The whole thing was so funny, and reminded me so much of the boys (since Kevin eats anything these days, and Tyler is getting more picky) that I wanted to share.



There were tears while getting lunch ready. Tyler asked for milk and I told him that he had to wait until lunch was ready (otherwise he drinks it and doesn't eat lunch). Somehow during our conversation, he heard me talking about making desert and thought that I told him he could only have dessert milk! Talk about the tears and whining about how he doesn't like dessert milk, he wants white milk. Oh, the poor little guy! I couldn't console him at all, even showing him the dessert I was talking about. (Berries, yogurt and granola).



Finally, we sit down to eat our lunch and we do. Then Tyler and Kevin get their drinks. And then Tyler wants to know about his dessert. ;) I bring it out and he refuses....he doesn't like raspberries apparently (he has had them for the last week and is a little burnt out I guess). But once he starts watching Kevin and I eat ours, he is intrigued and asks what I made. I tell him there are berries, yogurt, and granola. He asks what kinds of berries and I say blueberry, while he tries to find one. Then blackberry, and he finds one. Then he tells me that raspberries are not brown or black....and that they should not be raspberries. "These are color berries mom! They should be redberries!". This seriously took me awhile to figure out, and then I thought it was really funny....given the first two types of berries. So creative.



Of course, then Tyler figured out that if he stirred everything up, rather than eat the cute layered dish I had made, he could make one big purple mess rather than just have white. So pretending to be Tallulah (his favorite story to read at night as it is about a cooking cat), he mixed everything up (added some imaginary milk, eggs, and oil) and then sung a song that resembled the story why he worked. It was during this whole little play that I realized how much bigger he is getting.



He used to be like Kevin...sitting in the highchair meant serious work to be done and Tyler was never picky (well only about green beans, his now only favorite veggie). But now he is picky. He would rather sit and pretend and play with his food than eat. Mealtimes have become longer, and "I'm hungry" is something I hear more often now since I think that he doesn't eat as much as he should when he should. And although I wish that he wouldn't play with his food, talk to it, or just drink milk to avoid it, it was neat to watch his surprise when he figured out how to get a new color.



Other things I want to remember about lately, but not from today....



1. Yesterday, we had to go see Santa for a second time to make sure that Santa knew where we would be for Christmas. Tyler was a little caught off guard when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas since Tyler had already told him (a laundry chute) but Tyler was nice enough to tell him again, and then asked if Santa would remember it.



2. Apparently, our house is full of doors. Tyler can be walking and then all of the sudden he "gets stuck" and starts yelling for Kevin or I to come open the door. NO idea where this was picked up, but this is the third day of playing the game. There are a TON of doors in the living room and unfortunately for Tyler he has no keys to help himself. Just wonder how long this will go on.



3. Kevin has definitely learned the layout of the house. I can set him down in Tyler's room and before I know it he is gone. His main joy is heading down the hall into the bathroom to stand up at the side of the tub, or to the main entry way (where I normally set my purse). He loves my purse because it is always filled with things to pull out and receipts to crinkle. And the other day he was incredibly persistant and we played the crawl down the hall to my purse game about a half a dozen times before I finally got smart and picked up my purse. ;)

More to come...hopefully video sooner than later.

Just some pictures.

Here are a few pictures I took of Kevin post-bath. I loved how fine and long his hair is getting so I kept rubbing my hands through it to help dry it (rather than break out the blow dryer) and it ended up drying sticking up! He was so happy here, and had such cute hair that I couldn't resist some pictures.

Tyler is busy keeping a watch on the tree (he makes sure that all ornaments are still on) and reading the new Macy's ad we got in the mail that day. Kevin finished up his day by playing some "songs" on the air register with Tyler. They both just love rubbing their fingers over the vent to make sounds and just giggle and giggle while doing it.