first word

ok, we're finally convinced that he's said a word instead of just sounds. The word is "Mommy!"

utensil me

Tyler loves to eat like a big boy now. He used his spoon to feed himself applesauce (albeit messy) and at dinner used a fork to feed himself potatoes. He still has to work on his technique but he's well on his way.

merry christmas, part II

We made it to Florida on Dec. 27 (happy birthday daddy!) and celebrated Christmas again with the FL folks. What a lucky boy that he gets multiple celebrations! He napped for a good part of the gift-opening session, but woke up just in time to make out like a bandit. His favorites were his iZoom car carage, musical phone and Amazing Animals kangaroo and tiger. He did alright during a brief visit from Santa as well. Look who ended up in the Ho Ho bag!

funny trees

Tyler got a big kick out of seeing palm trees for the first time.

first hotel stay

The day after Christmas we piled ourselves into the Pilot and headed South. Tyler did really well on the trip. Nearing midnight we finally stopped for the night at the Holiday Inn in Santee, South Carolina. We tried to transfer Tyler from the truck to the room without waking him but were unsuccessful. He was so thrilled by the new environment that he jumped, clapped and explored until finally settling down to sleep at 2 am. It's the first time he's been up after 10 pm since he was less than two months old. And in our exhausted state we were not as happy as he was!

merry christmas

Tyler's 2nd Christmas was really fun. He still doesn't get the Santa concept, but he did like ripping the wrapping paper. I think his favorite gifts so far have been his Thomas the Train book that has musical buttons to go along with the story and his Radio flyer wagon. Uncle Dylan and mommy took him for a ride and he LOVED it! He also really enjoyed playing with Uncle Dylan. Everything Dylan does seems to highly amuse Tyler!

christmas eve

Well, not much this week as gone as planned. We were all sidelined last week with a really brutal stomach virus. Tyler got sick a week ago and just today did his appetite and personality seem to come back at 100 percent. We were really looking forward to Christmas Eve dinner at my dad's house, but unfortunately he and his wife, Jeanne, have caught colds. My dad and I decided it was best to postpone the festivities until after the new year to avoid getting my mom, who's getting chemo, and Tyler ill. We also don't want to pass anything along to Alex's dad, who just had heart surgery, when we visit for the holidays.

MaMmmMaMm

Tyler's learned how to get my attention! When he wants to be in my arms he uses his M-sounds. (Here are some photos from a play date with Simon a couple of weeks ago.)

walker

While Tyler took his first steps a month and a half ago, the concept is finally settling in. As soon as he decided he liked the action, he went full throttle. He's been walking across the room with ease, about a dozen steps at a time. Sometimes he'll stop and stand while watching Daisy and then quickly follow her.

on the mend?

Ugh! This has been a really, really tough week for the Campbells! We thought Tyler was on the mend when he had one more bout of vomiting on Thursday evening that caught us all by surprise. His appetite is still way down and he's not been quite his normal self, but we're praying he'll be all better in time for Christmas!

a family affair

Well, despite Tyler throwing up all day Monday, he started taking five or six steps at a time on his own. Not sure if it was the delirium of the illness or natural progress that gave him this newfound courage. He's also pointing to things that he wants such as his milk or a container of apple wagon wheels.

Unfortunately, Tyler was still ill a second day and I came down with the same thing. So between Tyler's bouts of puking, Mommy had her own! I can say that this was as bad as the time I had food poisoning so I can't even imagine how little Tyler must have been feeling. Alex has, so far, (fingers crossed) missed the rough parts, but wasn't feeling great last night. We're hoping it skips him.

first cookie toss

My poor baby! Tyler has thrown up three times so far today. He has no fever, and keeps going and going like he's fine, but he has trouble keeping anything down even the water and bland food I've given him. I'm so thankful that we were able to escape this until now.

eighth tooth

Tyler's front eight are now complete. His left lateral incisor popped in place sometime in the past few days. His four molars are still working themselves onto the scene but I'm guessing he has a little more time before they come through the gum.

happy birthday simon

Simon is just a week away from turning the big 0-1! Tyler enjoyed celebrating with Simon and friends.

seventh tooth

Oops, while I was so busy watching the four large mounds forming in Tyler's mouth (that will one day pop through to be his molar teeth) his right lateral incisor on the bottom made its debut.

T-dog

That's his new nickname given to him by Meg after she watched him push a toy along the floor with his nose. :)

13 months

What a big, happy boy?!

ulaaulaa

Tyler has figured out how to stick out his tongue and move it left to right to make funny noises.

first kiss

Today I was holding Tyler in my arms when I kissed Alex goodbye as he was leaving the house. I turned to face Tyler and he planted an adorable open-mouth kiss on me. And then a second one. I tried to get him to kiss Alex but he was too shy.

first bloodshed

We spent the rest of the evening pulling out the bins of Christmas ornaments and decorating the tree. Tyler was very curious to sort through the bins. He was standing in front of one when he fell on his rear and clipped the plastic bin with his chin. We think his lip bumped against his teeth because he started to bleed from the mouth although he wouldn't let us investigate fully. But no worries, he was back in high gear after only minutes.

tree hunting

We set out to pick up a tree to decorate for Christmas. Funny thing is that we end up purchasing it from a guy from Melbourne, FL (miles from where Alex is from).

lights on

I taught Tyler how to turn the lights on and off using the light switch. He was so pleased with himself.

pounce play

I'm thinking Tyler might have been a cat in a past life. Sometimes while we're goofing around, he's kneeling down and raises his arms above his head and then pounces on a toy or us with all his might. Meow!

meeting logan

Tyler finally got to meet Logan, Mollie and Andrew's son, who is 9 months older. Last time I saw Logan, Tyler was still in my belly. It was so neat to see them together with their own personalities still forming. Tyler was quite enamored with Logan and liked to watch everything the big boy was doing.

crazy happy

Tyler is so funny! He's such a happy boy and finds humor in so many little things. Daddy plays a particular song while in the car and Tyler just goes nuts. It's hysterical.