Baptism Gown

Kevin's baptism is on Sunday, so I thought that I would get a few pre-pictures of him in his gown.

Tyler wore the same gown for his baptism (and was just over six weeks older than Kevin will be on Sunday). Here are a few pictures of Tyler in the gown.

Water!!!

Adam was telling me this morning how today was supposed to be warm, so while Tyler was eating breakfast I asked him if he wanted to play in the water today (Tyler LOVES getting wet). He said yes, and quickly finished his breakfast and then ran to his room. I didn't realize what he was doing, but he came out with shoes on and was ready to go play. Since it was just a little after 8 and Kevin was still sleeping, I had to stall him. This involved tears every once in awhile as he was so excited to go and wanted to go right then. By 9:30 though Kevin was up, and we were all dressed (the boys in swimsuits just in case it warm enough) to go outside and play in the water.

Tyler and I went into the shed to find his water sprinkler (a round inflatable toy that hooks to the hose and squirts water in all directions) but what I pulled down was actually his inflatable pool. He REFUSED to let me put it back and so I decided to inflate the pool and put a little water in. He sat beside me and waited patiently while the air pump blew up the pool and then held the hose while we put a few inches of water into the pool.

The water was a little chilly when we started, but he didn't care (it did warm up by the time we came in two and a half hours later). He was so excited to be playing in the water and even brought his red ball in with him. So, for two and a half hours he played. He got in and out constantly as he loved to run around yelling before getting back in. At one point, he decided he was a monkey (maybe a memory from the zoo) and would only walk in this weird four legged hop while grunting. He tried to get Carlie to join in by grunting at her and hoping around, but she just stood there and stared at him (she is a fan of the pool since it means a quick drink here or there). It was a very fun game to watch because he would hop over to me and tell me he was a monkey and request a "monkey drink". It still amazes me that he can pretend play like that!







Tyler did take a few breaks. He wanted a snack, a drink refill, and to use the potty. But those were the only ones. Kevin seemed to really enjoy himself too. He wasn't a huge fan of the wind, but did like the grass. He jumped in his jumperoo for what seemed like forever just talking away.



When he finally did get tired of that, he played on the blanket I was sitting on for the rest of the time and eventually took a cat nap. Kevin really enjoyed playing with his lion toy while he was on the blanket. He just kept grabbing at it, and scooting towards it until he was finally able to mouth it a little. Just another moment reminding me he is growing up!



I really like this next picture. Kevin had just awoken from a cat nap and was all smiles. He didn't go in the water today, but is all decked out in his swimsuit. I realized this morning that I didn't have a rash guard for Kevin though and so he is wearing one of Tyler's. This shirt is almost skin tight on Tyler, and yet Kevin is drowning in it. I think that this is one of the reasons, besides Kevin looking so cute and comfy, that I like the picture so much. It is just a reminder of how small Kevin really is (since he seems like he is so big to me anymore).



I enjoyed the outside time as well. It was fun to enjoy the weather, albeit a little windy, before it got too warm (supposedly it is supposed to be 90 today here). I got a few pages in my book read (reading was much harder than I thought as I was still nervous about Tyler playing in the pool, even though I was right there) and got a few pictures of the boys that I like.

The dogs had a blast as well. When they weren't crowding the blanket to sleep, they were chasing each other around the yard (a rarity anymore). In fact, they were being so silly that at one point Tyler got to laughing so hard he fell right over into the pool. It was funny to watch, but he was a little shocked since that was the first "dunk" of the day. But once he got over being totally soaked, he kept "dunking" himself over and over again.

Now, I am enjoying a little quiet. Yes, both boys are napping at the same time. Tyler has been asleep for two hours and Kevin going on three. So my quiet time is surely winding down, but it has been nice to recoup a little, especially since I have been up since three and am feeling it. Anyways, maybe I should stop typing and go switch some laundry over. ;)

Cookies and more

After we ran some errands in the morning and had some lunch, Tyler agreed to help me do a little cooking in the kitchen. One of the projects that he really enjoyed was dipping some Oreos in melted chocolate and then covering them with sprinkles. In fact, I didn't realize how much he enjoyed making the special treats until I ran out of the room to go get something. When I returned, I found that Tyler had pushed his chair over to where the cookies were cooling, and had helped himself to one. He looked incredibly startled upon my return and just froze with a face covered in chocolate, his mouth full, and standing on a chair! When I just let out a big smile and grabbed my camera, he gave me some really cute looks (one of them is posted below) while continuing to eat his stolen treat. I was absolutely startled to see that he had orchestrated such a thing, but seeing his face and hands covered in chocolate and holding that cookie like it was his most prized possession, instantly melted my heart and there was no way I could be mad.

Eating one of our "pratice cookies" (i.e. partially dipped).

What the "final" design looked like. It took a little time to figure it all out, but Tyler ultimately decided that these were "cool". ;)

After making some cookies, we moved on to some buttercream icing for Kevin's baptism cake. Tyler was super thrilled to get to help me scrape the bowl and hold the spatula in between. In fact, he would stand like a statue afraid to move the spatula while we were waiting. It was really cute to see how serious he got. And he kept reminding Kevin and I that we were making "ice cream for Kevin's cake" (oh, so cute . . . just wonder what he was envisioning) and that both him and Kevin were going to eat it (he was very concerned that he could eat Kevin's cake too). He also helped me scoop out sugar, noting that the recipe called for "1" cup of sugar and finding the "1" cup measuring cup. Talk about being so proud of himself for find the "match" and then so much joy as he watched the icing turn from white to blue ("look mama, look. cool.")

Today, just reminded me that I need to do more "cooking" with Tyler as he seems to really enjoy making things. Even the other day when he picked out his own veggies at the store (a tomato and broccoli....two things he has never willingly (i.e. I hid those veggies in other foods he was eating so he has "eaten them", usually I make a veggie puree and put it in his sandwiches, pastas, pancakes, or made-up veggie smoothies and even though I tell him what is in those things anymore, he doesn't seem to care so long as he doesn't have to eat a straight vegetable) eaten. He couldn't wait to get home to "cook" them and sure enough when he had them for lunch he ate them right up. And he has since done that with carrots so long as he is the one to help wash and peel them. So maybe I have finally stumbled across something with him....I guess only time will tell.

Anyways, back to today. Fortunately, he was fine with waiting on making the cake until his cousins and grandparents (something he is eagerly anticipating, and really his first "anticipation" event. He has been talking NONSTOP about his cousins since we told him that they are sleeping at his house. And somehow has decided that the four of them are going to be driving a school bus to our house. ;) Even last night, he announced at bedtime that the is going to dream about "Daddy, Kyle, and Clarissa" (we always ask him what he is going to dream about and he tells us not only what is going to dream about, but what we should dream about and what his stuffed animals who sleep with him (currently Sweet Pea (a beagle puppy) and an orange-colored fish Tyler calls "Eemo" that looks like Nemo in the movie) are going to dream about as well. Just too cute to see how he is connecting time and demonstrating that he anticipates things to happen) arrive as I didn't really want to battle him if he thought that he was going to eat the cake today.

Kevin enjoyed watching the afternoon's festivities from his swing that Tyler helped me move into the kitchen. Kevin just talked up a storm to us while we made a huge mess.

Of course, once we were done making the mess, I informed Tyler that it was time to clean up. At that point, he told me that "Tyler tired" and "Tyler rest his eyes" as he ran out of the kitchen. I followed him into the living room and explained that although we had fun we needed to clean up. He kept repeating that he was tired and that he was going to rest his eyes, as he grabbed a throw pillow off of the couch. He went and put it in a chair and climbed into the chair and laid down. I asked him if he wanted to take a nap, but he told me "no, Tyler rest his eyes" and closed his eyes. Oh, the cute things little ones do! How could I make him clean after that?!?! So I cleaned up the kitchen, and Tyler sat in the chair patiently the entire time. And wouldn't you know it, but the moment I announced that I was all done, he was ready to read some books. ;) I think that he learned the "rest his eyes" routine from Adam the other weekend, but I think that overall the scheme of being too tired or sick to do chores is probably something he picked up from my side if my mother or husband have anything to say about it. :)

While we were reading a lot of books, Kevin was having tummy time and was occasionally looking at our books. The biggest shocker while Tyler and I were laying beside Kevin was that Kevin scooted himself right off his blanket and across the rug! It was a slow process, but he was determined. I was just in awe of watching him move himself around. I don't think that Tyler was very mobile this early, so this was amazing for me to watch. I guess that Kevin just has a little more motivation to get going with Tyler running around.

So, after a lot of scooting, Kevin finally had had enough and decided that he wanted a quick nap. I couldn't believe when I looked over a few minutes after setting him in his bouncy chair that he had given up on the pacifier and was sucking his middle fingers. Giving up the pacifier is becoming more and more routine with Kevin, and I am curious as to how it will all turn out. Tyler used a pacifier until a week or so after his first birthday and never looked back. I wonder if Kevin will do the same or whether he will take up sucking his thumb (something I did) or his two middle fingers (something Adam did). I guess only time will tell. But since the camera was out, and this was something that Adam did as a tyke, I thought that I would take a picture. :)

Our Week

We have been having a lot of fun up north. Last weekend was just wonderful. We woke up Saturday morning and decided to go to the zoo. Tyler talked the whole way there about showing daddy the bears and riding on the choo-choo (something I had told him we needed to wait until daddy was with us when we have previously gone). They day started out cold, but after doing the inside exhibits, it warmed up nicely.


We did manage to ride the choo-choo, and Tyler has talked about it at least once a day since our visit. I did have three heart-pounding moments while at the zoo from which I realized that I am now truly a mom with irrational fears. ;) First, occurred when we were inside looking at the tropical trail. We had just finished up and so I took Tyler to the bathroom before heading outside to the other exhibits. When we came walking out I saw Adam standing with the stroller (that Kevin was in) in a group of people, and just as it hit me what he was looking at he turned and gave me a grin that confirmed my fear. A snake. And not just any snake. A 35 pound HUGE snake. I quickly went and got Kevin so Adam could get a closer look, and wouldn't you believe it but Tyler wanted to go with Adam to look at the snake. Ugh! My knees were week (seriously terrified of these things) as I tried to push Kevin back to a bench so I could sit. I must have looked how I was feeling because I quickly got the attention of two different men who tried to assist me to a seat! My heart was just pounding and as I watched the zookeeper approach Adam and Tyler, my whole body felt like it was going to pass out.



Tyler LOVED it though. He has told strangers since that he has touched a snake, and in retrospect, I am glad that he does not fear those things like his mommy does. Probably better not to pass on the irrational hangups. :) Adam got a kick out of it too, and I think more so because he had a little boy who was just as excited. And I am okay with it all now, so long as there are never any such things living in my house under the guise of a pet. :)

The next moment occurred not to long after when we went to the bear exhibit. The bear exhibit is amazing. They have it designed so you can see the bears up close at almost all times (just glass between you). Well, Tyler was enjoying running around and managed to climb up these big rocks and was sitting up as high as you could go on these rocks and they were adjacent to the glass wall. Adam was up there with him and they were just sitting there watching the bears, and discussing what bears eat (apparently they eat oranges from all the orange peels right in front of the boys!). So, wouldn't you know it but this HUGE bear just started slowly walking towards them towards the oranges. Sigh. My heart, once again, started pounding from irrational fears since I know that the exhibit is safe. Yet, as the bear walked up and got within inchces of the glass, I was trying once again to maintain consciousness as I watched the excitement going on between Adam and Tyler (as they now had prime seats at the exhibit).


The final heart-pounding moment of the day came at the end when we went to the Tiger lair. Adam's timing this trip was just amazing as all the animals were awake and right up front (most of the time they are sleeping when Tyler and I go). Well, we enter the lair and while we are looking, a HUGE male tiger comes right up to the glass and starts pacing along it. It was neat, but the first time that he paced right by Tyler (and Tyler was talking to the tiger nonstop) my knees buckled as I realized how big this animal was compared to Tyler! So Kevin and I went to sit down while Adam assured me all was fine. So Tyler chased after the Tiger yelling at it "hi Tiger, how are you" and laughing when he would turn around and pace the other way. This went on forever, and each time that Tiger would turn and be face to face with Tyler, I would get light-headed. Adam spent those minutes squatting by the glass and just enjoying the thrill (I finally did it after some convincing by Adam and yes it is a rush) of watching a Tiger pace at you and walk by you within inches of your face! It was definitely a rush to stare at its face as it walked by you. What a big and powerful creature!


Of course, we had tears as we were leaving the Tiger's as Tyler wanted "more kitty". But after some pleading by us (we had been there for five hours and were hungry and tired) Tyler finally gave in and slowly walked toward the zoo's exit. All in all, it turned out to be a wonderful zoo trip and a great time with the family.


Sunday was more low key. I awoke to a "Happy Mother's Day mommy" by Tyler and I thank Adam again for teaching him that as it melted me right away. After lots of hugs and breakfast, we headed out to church where Tyler was excited to "play kids" and because he was wearing a tie (this boy just LOVES ties). After that, we headed out for brunch at a new little diner in town. It was a lot of fun. I think that every waitress came to our table to tell Tyler how cute he was (since he had thrown his tie over his shoulder to avoid getting food on it) and how he looked like a little man sitting there all dressed up. Tyler loved the attention, and Adam and I enjoyed just getting out and relaxing since we had work to do at home upon our return.


Finally, we made it home and got to work on the house. As nice as spring is, we always forget how much the work it can take on the weekends as we always need to mow the grass, etc. But Kevin seemed to enjoy his outdoor nap, and of course Tyler had a blast "working". He helped me pull some weeds before heading out front with Adam to patch up a spot in our garage floor that was settling. When I finished my yardwork Kevin and I went around front to discover a soaking wet Tyler (Tyler was in charge of the hose with the water) while Adam was finishing up his concrete work. After a little convincing to turn the water off and go change into dry clothes, we all headed out for some ice cream, and although Tyler was a little confused at first he LOVED his "birthday cake ice cream" (birthday cake is the flavor he chose) with sprinkles. In fact, he was the last one to finish his he was savoring it so much and was a little disappointed to find out that neither Adam nor I had any left that he could eat.


So all in all, it was a great Mother's Day weekend despite being super sore come Sunday night from all the walking at the zoo and yardwork.

Monday morning came though and once again we headed out to the zoo. A friend had taken off work and we were going to spend the day at the zoo together. Tyler was super excited to go see Grant (about 9 months younger than Tyler) and so we quickly packed a lunch and got in the car. The animals were definitely not the focus this trip, as Tyler just wanted to see Grant and "play kids". And so he did. Grant and Tyler didn't have much interest in the animals, so Angela and I had to keep them walking until the playground. At the point we managed to get to the playground, both kids were off sliding, climbing, and investigating all the rocks. We stayed there forever just chatting and helping the boys when needed. When we had had enough we headed out to the farm at the zoo thinking that the boys would want to see goats and cows.


Of course both boys wanted to walk, so our trip to the farm took forever. :) But it was fun watching them run along beside us in the grass and up and down the "hill". We did finally get to the farm after some bribing with snacks and managed to sit down for some lunch. Once the boys were full we headed to the goats were they had a BLAST feeding them (thank you again Angela . . . as I forget cash to get goat food). After feeding the goats the boys started an impromptu game of follow-the-leader up this big hill. It was neat to watch and so I took lots of pictures.


Once we were done with playing on the hill we decided to take off. The boys were getting tired (as whining and crying had started becoming more frequent as we left the farm) and it was pretty obvious it was naptime. :) But a very fun day at the zoo and Tyler was asking to play with Grant the moment we got home. :) So we will have to meet up with them again.

As for the rest of the week . . . it has been quiet. Or at least I have tried to make it more low key after having several outings in a row, and so we have hung around the house. We did take Carlie to her doctor for her yearly appointment, and Tyler really enjoyed getting to meet Carlie's doctor. Just can't believe that Carlie is 4! And then we have watched the neighbor dog, Oliver, (Tyler calls him Ollie) throughout the week. We have also spent hours, and I am serious about hours, each day reading books. Something has clicked with Tyler regarding books (maybe he understands them better??) and that is ALL he wants to do. It is great as I enjoy the time, but man my voice hurts by the end of the day. And of course his books are getting longer and longer, yet he still wants the same "quantity" that he had with his baby books. I guess that my vocal muscles will just have to strengthen up and hope that Kevin enjoys the "bigger boy" books as well. :)

Other than that, I have been slowly trying to get the house back in shape and start preparing for next week (family headed in for Kevin's baptism). But, with Tyler's ability to destroy a room right after picking it up, it has been slow going. :) I had just picked up and put away all of Tyler's toys yesterday in the living room and in a matter of ten minutes Tyler had walked out in every pair of Adam and I's shoes he could reach (he would wear them out into the livign room, take them off, and run back to our bedroom). Sigh. So, once again, we started picking up. Sometimes, it just doesn't feel like you can get ahead with kids and dogs running around, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

As for a few new words Tyler picked up this week: dad, mom, see, and that. He has also started really loving stop signs. Yesterday, when we went on our walk we saw too. He announced them with a yell the moment he saw them and started yelling "stop mama, stop stroller". ;) I had to explain that we didn't have to stop until we actually got to the stop sign, but that didn't stop him from yelling in excitement until we got there! He will tell you that he sees the letters "S T O P" but you never know what order he will read them in, that the sign is red, and that it is an octogon (his favorite shape). So, when we did finally get to the stop sign, I stopped and we practiced looking both ways before crossing the street (no idea if he grasps the concept of cars being in the road and potentially dangerous, but it seemed like a good time to introduce that idea of looking before you cross a street).


Okay, it is time for the boys to get up so I should start closing. A few pictures from our zoo trip with Angela and Grant are to follow. More later!




Dinosaur bones!

Mr. Grant running down a hill.

More Mr. Grant.

Both boys running down the hill.

A very happy Tyler. :)

Checking out the goats.

Trying to decide what to do next. I think that the goat is voting for more food. :)

Picking "pretty flowers" to smell. ;)

A small update.

So no pictures with this post, just a small update on both boys. We have been sticking close to home this week after starting off the week with a bang on Monday by going to the zoo. I really planned on getting more done around the house, but things just don't work out the way you plan. :)

The boys and I have had a great week hanging out, with lots of time spent outside. Tyler LOVES going outside and I don't totally understand how he does it, but he has quite the knack for getting dirty from head to toe. . . and he LOVES getting dirty. Yesterday, he was helping me water some grass seed Adam had put down the previous weekend and just decided to jump in front of the hose. So before I knew it I was spraying him with water and he was laughing up a storm running right back into the water. It was a lot of fun until a neighbor came out in shock and asked if I was spraying him. I guess it was a little chilly to be playing in the water, but once the neighbor saw how happy Tyler was, he just laughed as well (not sure what the neighbor was thinking.....I would never spray a child with water if they didn't want it!). So Tyler had a blast getting soaked and running around in the grass.

Tyler has also really started noticing words. It all started a month ago when Adam would jump or gasp when they were reading books and the word "and" appeared. Before long, Tyler was noticing the words that we were reading and got a huge kick out of pointing out "and" to Adam. And with that, started our word journey. Tyler now really pays attention to words he sees, and seems to pick up a new word or two each day. I had even picked up sight word cards months ago thinking that someday we could try a few, and it turns out that he loves to play with them now, pointing out every word he knows (those cards are on top) and then learning a new one or two each time we play with them. In fact, he is sitting on my lap as I type pointing out the words he knows and asking me about new ones. I am just amazed at his memory. So for fun, I have started a list on the blog to track words he knows like I did when he started signing. I just think it is neat to watch the list progress and gives me a reminder to scrapbook this before I forget. :)

Words Tyler can read: have, all, my, the, he, to, up, ask, of, ride, big, a, many, I, you, is, it, for, and, no, said

Kevin has had a big week too. He has started not sleeping that well (sigh) during the night but has moved into his crib (rather than sleeping in our room). But maybe I have already posted that. I am tired after the longer nights and am not the clearest on thinking. He is smiling up a storm as always (such a happy little man) and his giggles are getting more and more frequent. He has also started working on rolling over. Each day he seems to work in one SLOW roll from back to front (it really takes a lot of work) and then will throw in a few rolls from his tummy to back just to thrill me (just a lot easier to throw your head to the side and have momentum helping you get to your back I think). So those are huge steps for him.

He has also started scooting a little, whether on his belly or back. He doesn't get far as scooting is very hard work, but he will work himself off his blanket or from one end of his crib to the other. He is taking things slowly, which I appreciate, as I know that once he is mobile my sanity will be a distant memory with two boys and two barky dogs running around the house. ;)

Well, there is the update on the boys. :) The dogs are enjoying spring as they are constantly outside squirrel hunting, Adam has been just working and playing a lot of concerts lately with his orchestra, and I am just watching my family in action, hoping a good night's sleep come soon (lame I know....but after so many months without sleep, it is at the top of my "to do" list anymore).

Okay, I must post. Tyler is requesting "more cards" while he bangs on his xylophone and Kevin has just woken up from a morning nap.

Zoo fun.

We headed out to the zoo today. A few quick pictures.

Tyler told me the minute that we got there that he wanted to see the bears, so we headed there first. I was a little shocked when he went straight to these bear statues yelling "hi bears" rather than heading to the exhibit. He gave this baby bear a big hug and was very excited to see these bears. :)



Tyler was also VERY excited to see the "wolf". He just kept saying "hi wolf, how are you?" and gave him a big hug as well.

Kevin laughing at something. Earlier last week, Adam got Kevin to laugh up a storm when they were sitting and chatting/singing songs. Since then we have heard short little giggles here and there. This was taken during a short giggle fest, and then later during his bath I got him to giggle a lot by just asking him questions like "Is your name Kevin?" or "Did you have fun at the zoo?". For some reason, those would just tickle him silly.

Checking out the African exhibit they are working on that is set to open at the end of May. It looks like the ostrich's have arrived!

Deciding that he HAD to walk backwards for awhile. This slowed us down a lot on our way to the playground, but what can you do when you get the urge to walk backwards?!?!

Sliding. Love the tongue.

Kevin enjoying the zoo.

And working in a little nap.

A goose that was blocking the path. He was close so I broke out the camera to get a picture, and once I took it I was a little shocked how close it got!!! (Notice my stroller on the left). We QUICKLY moved away as I was a little freaked.

Checking out a turtle. There was something about statues today as we spent a lot of time talking to them and looking at them.

Playing in a tunnel. Wouldn't you believe it but there were lots of coupons inside!!! Tyler's new "game" has been to gather imaginary coupons. They are everywhere these days. It has turned into quite the thing because he will always carefully transfer them from one hand to another, set them down gently and then come back to the same spot to get them again once he is done with whatever, and/or request that Adam or I hold on to them for safe keeping. So we spent several minutes gathering up coupons from inside the tunnel . . . running them out to me one by one. This was fun to watch because last year he would not go into this tunnel despite Adam going through to show him. :) He is just getting so big!

Sitting on a rock to talk about all of the coupons inside! Shortly after this a BIG group of kids around his age showed up and he was done with coupons as they all just wanted to run in and out of the tunnel yelling. Tyler loved it.

After the tunnel we headed to the tropical fish to looking for "eeemo" (Nemo). Tyler go into the dark room and started yelling as loud as he good "Hawkeye fish" as he saw all the black and yellow fish (and there were a lot). His excited yell got the attention of everyone (sigh) and although I was a little embarrassed, I quickly realized that it was pretty cute to watch his excitement.

Kevin was not as excited to go to this exhibit. He had fallen asleep in the stroller and I guess got scared when he awoke to it. Something about a lot of big, bright fish moving around quickly must have scared him because he awoke very startled. So, since Tyler was VERY entertained yelling out every fish he could see ("look mama hawkeye fish", "look at that one, big papa fish" (sharks), or "looks mama silly big fish") I grabbed Kevin and just sat to enjoy the exhibit and hopefully calm Kevin down.

While we were sitting two little girls arrived (separately). Before long Tyler was running around with them both and there were lots of giggles and yelling about nothing. They were playing a game of chase and although I couldn't understand what they were saying (they all seemed to be about the same age), Tyler was having a blast. The girls were chasing him! And when they would run him into a corner or he would run after them there was lots of hysterical laughter. It was pretty fun to watch and lasted for a good ten minutes!

Heading out to the car. Man, Tyler looks old in this picture!

All in all, it was a GREAT day to go to the zoo and a lot of fun moments. Tyler told me right after this picture (as I was debating leaving at that point) that "Tyler tired miss daddy". So, with a little help from Tyler I decided that we had probably spent enough time there and we headed home. Tyler proved not to be as tired as he said as he talked my ear off the entire way home (about how his favorite exhibit were the "hairy dogs" (prairie dogs) and how he "fed goats" (which we didn't today, and in fact didn't even go to the farm exhibits) and then refused to rest at all, insisting that he needed to "work in the dirt" (we spent a lot of time on yard work last weekend and Tyler helped" upon arriving home (even getting his own work gloves at the store, which quickly he found upon arriving home in hopes of going outside to work)).

When Adam walked in the door, Tyler was beyond excited. He straightened his back (in the way he does) and threw his arms down stiffly and yelled "daddy tie" in the MOST excited and loud manner. He was so THRILLED that Adam was wearing a tie and made it seem like it was the highlight of Tyler's day. This tickled Adam and I as it was just so darn cute, and Tyler really enjoyed having Adam home to tell him all about the zoo and to have a buddy to sing with (Tyler now enjoys to pretend sing in a way only a two year old can....with lots of "bom boms" as he tries to sound out the songs rather than actually sing them (if that makes any sense).

An Interview with Tyler, Working Outside

Just realized that it has been a few days without a post, so I thought that I would post. Just thought I would document a conversation Tyler and I are having as I post. His answers convinced me to delete what I was writing and adopt this format.

Tyler Donald
Age: 2 years, 4 months
Height: 2 Feet, 1o inches
Weight: 29 lbs
Likes (in his own words): play laundry, play groceries, play cars, play football, play Thomas, Kevin, Matt, McQueen, Tyler, telephone, and broccoli
Dislikes (in his own words): dream, night-night
Favorite color: red
Favorite number: ten
Favorite letter: F
Favorite word: Zero
Profession: Tac law
Weekend plans: Play kids with daddy, play dirt with daddy, play with baby brother, grandma, and grandpa


Tyler outside today helping me work in the backyard.


Kevin Bradley
Age: 3 months
Height: 24 inches
Weight: 14 lbs, 2 ounces
Likes: pacifiers, green pacifiers and fish (according to Tyler), snuggling, talking to people, smiling at people, standing in his jumperoo, his swing, being swaddled
Dislikes: big brother getting too close, being hungry, dropping his pacifier, tummy time
Favorite color: TBD (Tyler says it is yellow)
Favorite number: TBD (Tyler says that it is ten)
Favorite letter: TBD (Tyler says that it is P)
Profession: Play piano (says Tyler)
Weekend Plans: Play more cars, play laundry (per Tyler)....my guess would be sleep, eat, and watch the chaos that is around him. ;)


Kevin watching Tyler and I work. This was the first time I put his sunglasses on him and he seemed to be fine with them. He just hung out in his bouncy chair all afternoon catnapping and talking while Tyler played with his toys, and I worked on the backyard a bit.