gulp

Tyler tried his first bites of solid food today! He's been interested in what mommy and daddy have been eating and drinking for quite some time now. He especially loves my water bottles and tried a couple gulps from the water bottle last week.

As for the rice cereal, he took to it right away and ate about 10 bites before he was finished. But in typical Tyler fashion, he wanted to try feeding himself and tried to grab the spoon and dish several times. He's been used to holding his own bottles, but he's not ready for the spoon yet no matter how much he thinks he is!

big buddy

This weekend Tyler had another pint-sized visitor. Hunter, the son of our friends Katie and Eric who now live in SC, came along with his parents to hang out with us on Saturday night. Tyler loves to watch other kids but was startled when Hunter, 18 months, who was excited to see Daisy, belted out a loud noise. Poor Tyler still doesn't like really loud noises and starts to cry. But not for long; he went right back to smiles and curious looks in no time.

first cold

Tyler started coughing last night. Just a little bit, but it continued today. It's the first time he's even remotely seemed ill. Awwww. But it hasn't slowed him down all that much. Ironic thing is that Alex brought the cold home and spread it to Tyler, not the other way around! Tyler was able to avoid the doozy of all illnesses earlier this year when Alex brought a bad one home and ended up missing a lot of work. Then spread it to me after a week of me avoiding it. Maybe we should send Alex to daycare since it seems safer than JHU.

ham

Is it his nature? Is it because he spends time with other kids at daycare? Is it because his parents are that way? Not sure, but Tyler loves to meet new people. He is giggly, flirtatious and an all around ham! This past week he was able to meet his relatives, Gerry and Sharon, who travelled from Illinois to see his Grammy and to meet him. We went to Ram's Head in Annapolis for a celebratory dinner. His Uncle Dylan also happens to work there. So after Tyler finished going from Sharon's lap to Gerry's lap to Grammy's lap and flirting with a nearby waitress, Uncle Dylan took Tyler back to the kitchen to meet the other staff members. And Tyler didn't disappoint. Ladies love cool T.

monkey got your foot

Yesterday Tyler started to grab his feet each time we change his clothes. He looks like a little playful monkey. In the past he would typically concentrate on jamming his bib in his mouth or roll on his side so that he can see the paintings next to his changing pad. But now it's all about the feet. He's even managed to get his toes in his mouth. Maybe he's just combining old and new habits.

thumbs up

Who needs pacifiers? Not Tyler. He's never shown much interest in them other than turning them around and chomping on them. Well now that he's starting to teethe, he's found a way to soothe himself -- his thumb. And he's an equal opportunity thumb sucker; he uses both his left- and right-hand thumb.

roller-sitter

Tyler has been toying with the idea of rolling over for quite some time now. For weeks he has come so close but not shown a great interest in pursuing it. He'd even get his head and shoulders around but not quite get that last leg around. But I've not been rushing him since I like the idea of him staying put for a little while! :) On the other hand, he's been wanting to sit up on his own since month one! He's always had really good neck and head control and loves to be up where he can see what is going on.

On Friday, just minutes after getting the bad news that our beloved friend Sean had passed away, Tyler sat up on his own for the first time. It was like Sean gave him little angel wings to hold him up.

Today Alex, Tyler and I walked Daisy after work and when we returned to the house Tyler had some tummy time. Our neighbor stopped by to chat with us and while he was in the house, Tyler rolled over completely for the first time! It won't be long now until this kid is MOBILE!

new favs

Tyler loves: water bottles, his yellow giraffes, his gator toy flying a plane that makes spaceship noises, BIBS (no matter who is wearing them), giggles, laughter, Daisy, TV, my fish screensaver, his left hand (sometimes he looks at it like it is the first time he's ever seen it), playing peekaboo (he'll pull his bib, bundle me or burp cloth over his head to play on his own), B sounds, pulling faces toward him with both hands, putting his hands in our mouths, his exersaucer, flying like superman, and the song You Can't Hurry Love (he's gotten over Kool & The Gang's Celebration).

5 months old

Has it really been five months already? Wow. It is amazing to me how much he has developed and grown. He's so strong and curious. He swivels his head around to catch more and more of his environment. As we walk the dog and he is tucked into his Baby Bjorn strapped to me, he looks up in wonderment at the trees overhead. His eyes are filled with a cross between inquiry and awe. It's amazing!

happy easter

We had a really blessed holiday. My mother was feeling well despite her ninth chemo treatment and second blood transfusion days earlier. So my brother, Dylan, brought her over to our house for brunch and an afternoon of fun with Tyler.

And boy did Tyler have fun! He hadn't seen Uncle Dylan in several months and he loved showing off how much progress he has made in that time. And better yet, Tyler loved digging into his Easter basket full of toys and candy (mom and dad will help him with the latter)!

belly laughs

Tyler is a big giggler these days. Well, I guess he has always been a happy giggly baby. But new things have started to trigger his laughter and many of his laughs have become bigger and louder or "belly laughs." Things Tyler finds funny: goofy faces, zerberts, superman flying (and then dropping), when we stick our tongues out and makes noises, some things on the television, all-over-face kisses and mom's silly dances.

back dive

Tyler has learned how to use his stomach, back and leg muscles to thrust himself as if doing a back dive into a pool. Only trouble is that he hasn't learned to warn us. But so far he has no fear - he happily wiggles in our arms, lunges backwards and loves to be lifted up and down quickly. Is he ready for rollercoasters yet?

dream

I dreamt last night that I was sitting at a table surrounded by family and friends. And sitting to my left was Tyler. It was his first birthday. We sang and he tried to blow out the candle. We were so happy. Funny how a snippet of a moment from your unconscious mind can feel so real and so good.