boo boos and smiles

Tyler was running too fast and fell on the sidewalk. Of course he skins his knee in the one place that was exposed because of the hole in his jeans. When we got home I cleaned it and put some medicine on with a bandage. I told him that he'd feel better by tomorrow morning.

The next morning he was very interested to see his wound and he declared, "I feel better Mommy!"

no tear driving

Tyler LIVES to pretend to drive real cars. Upon occasion we let him sit in the driver seat of our cars while in the garage and let him play. He tries to move the steering wheel back and forth, turns on the flashers and presses all the buttons despite them all being off!

Unfortunately, this fun play doesn't usually end well. He never wants to stop and bursts into tears when play time is over. This time he asked to only drive for a couple of minutes which caught my attention. I decided to give it a try and talked to him beforehand about the time limit. Amazingly, it worked! When it was time to go inside, he hopped out and said bye bye to the car. This was a big moment for us!!

heaven

We got together with my high school friends and our kids for some weekend fun at a kids playcenter. This was SO fun for Tyler and Dad especially got a good workout trying to keep up with Tyler as he sprinted from station to station. Of particular interest to Tyler was a real fire engine, the ball pit and a music station.

It was also great to catch up with my friends despite the many distractions of kids running all over the place. Baby Max who was born in February was a nice preview to the new addition headed our way. I'm still in denial that a baby will be here soon!

imaginary play

Tyler had developed a new type of play: imaginary! He makes little scenarios for his cars and then has them talk to each other doing voices for each. His stuffed animals play the same games. And he also makes lots of imaginary food. We pretend to eat what he "cooks" and sticks and dominos magically become phones.

another Grampy sighting

Alex took Tyler to Laurel Mill Playhouse where Alex has directed several shows. As they drove toward the theater Tyler started to yell that he could see Grampy and Grampy is happy.

baby newts

Tyler, like Mommy, calls smaller items, "baby" items. An extra small button is a "baby button."

Recently we found that Tyler liked fig newtons. So when Daddy got Tyler some small packages of mini fig newtons, Tyler started to call them "baby newts."

penis (part two)

While lying down on the changing table during a diaper change, Tyler exclaimed to Daddy, "I want to see it! I want to see it!" Alex realized Tyler was referring to the new found penis. Alex helped Tyler bend up so he could investigate. Then Tyler said, "Ohh, I like it Daddy!"

32 weeks

This image is for all those who have been harassing me to post belly pictures. :) Any flattering sucking in won't help at this point!

box fun

Who needs toys when you can have an empty box?!

outer space

After lunch Tyler climbed under the kitchen table to play. He was making noises and holding his cars up in the air. We asked what he was doing and without hesitating he said, "I'm in the Milky Way!" Then he continued to zoom his cars through "space."

penis (part one)

Tyler saw Daddy going the bathroom and asked, "What's that?" Daddy explained that it was a penis and that Tyler had one too. "Oh," he responded.

meeting Chase

Tyler has a new buddy, Chase, who was born Feb. 5. Isn't he so cute? This was Chase's first interaction with another little one and an opportunity for the moms and dads to see how Tyler was going to react to the new baby. It was somewhat anticlimactic since Tyler didn't seem to get overly excited about the baby. Even when Tyler's Mommy held Chase! It will interesting to see how he responds to Jenna -- especially when he realizes that she is staying!

almost 32 weeks

At my checkup today we got to see Jenna. The doctor wanted to check her position. She's breech right now (just like Tyler was)! But the doctor still says it is early and she could move many times over before birth.

Maddy

First there was Bennifer, then there was Brangelina. Now there is Maddy: Tyler's term for Mommy and Daddy.

pregnant mom

Adults ask me how I'm feeling. Alex refuses to let me carry anything remotely bulky or heavy. But Tyler doesn't seem concerned with the my physical limitations. We headed to the playground today to enjoy the first really warm day in recent weeks. Once there he couldn't understand why I didn't want to crawl into the "tunnel" (under the playground equipment) with him. He can run underneath upright and can't fathom why I am leery of crouching over while carrying an 8-month pregnant small volleyball shaped stomach around with me. But he did talk me into going down the slide a handful of times. That must of looked ridiculous to passersby! But we had a good time and then jogged home. (Tyler doesn't really walk anywhere. Everything is high speed!) Later in the evening I noticed that my ankles were a bit puffy - poor pregnant mom.

debate

Rolling up behind my daycare provider's truck as we arrived, Tyler started pointing and kept saying something that sounded at first like truck. I said oh yes that is Debbie's truck. He corrected me no duck, duck! Baffled for a few moments I told him I didn't know to what he was referring. Then he clarified that ON Debbie's truck window were some ducks. Huh? Taking a closer look I saw some mini Maryland Terps on a sticker in her back window. I corrected him and said they were turtles. "No mommy, ducks!" We debated back and forth a few times when we decided it was best to take a closer look to settle the argument. Sure enough mommy was right. And somehow turtles are much more exciting than ducks and Tyler was sure to let Ms. Debbie know that she had TURTLES on her back window!

who's coming?

Preparing Tyler for the weekend when Aunt Joy was going to come to babysit, I asked him "Who's coming this weekend?" Tyler smiled and yelled, "Jenna!" 9 more weeks and he will be right!

mister independent

Tyler's new thing is to help us do any and everything. Correction: Tyler's new thing is to take control of a task no matter how difficult. Two weeks ago he wanted to hang the curtains in Jenna's room. I told him that he could help daddy and me, but that wasn't cutting it. He said, "No mommy and daddy. Me do it!" ME DO IT is now more recognized in our house than the famous Nike slogan. He also wants to sweep the floor with a full-size broom, feed himself with a spoon, get his own tissue, take off his own shoes, and turn on and off all lights. Mister independent.

And with all of these big boy activities and observations of adults come many questions: "What's dat?, What's da matta?, Why cuz?"

your turn

Tyler is big into sharing. He likes to share a granola bar with me but he quarterbacks the entire event. "Your turn! My turn! You go! Me now!"

jenna's room in progress

We did the bulk of the work setting up Jenna's room this past weekend. We painted a third coat of pink when I didn't like the original hue. We cut the paint in half with white and did a final layer that finally satisfied me. (Thanks to Alex for not even groaning about the extra work.) We were able to keep the same bumper and bed skirt from Tyler's nursery - just added new sheets to the mix. Also added new curtains and a new toy storage. Now I just have to create all the artwork for the walls and shift the last of Tyler's clothes to his room. See photos of her room still in progress:



After his bath, Tyler uses what will soon be Jenna's changing table.

showman

Like father, like son.

missing Grampy

A kids magazine about baby animals showed up in our mailbox. Apparently, Grampy had ordered a subscription to the magazine as part of Tyler's Christmas gift and the first issue just arrived. I told Tyler that he had a present from Grampy and Tyler started to clap and cheer, "Grampy, Grampy, Grampy! Grampy coming?" Ouch. Then for the next two days he identified everyone in photos as Grampy even when there was absolutely no resemblance. So we spent some time looking at photos and video of Grampy and that seemed to ease his mind.

Week 29

Well into my 7th month of pregnancy, Baby Jenna moves and kicks a LOT! Tyler didn't seem to move quite as much, but he also delivered karate-chop-like blows whereas Jenna is more gentle. I've been blessed with another kind pregnancy. No sickness again. Back pain earlier and more intense than the last time, but I've so far escaped the swollen ankles that I had previously. I also had a bigger problem with breakouts just below each side of my mouth, but thankfully that has finally started to subside.

Yesterday during my last monthly doctor's appointment, I took a test. Thankfully, once again I tested negative for gestational diabetes. My upcoming appointments will be every 2-3 weeks until they adjust to weekly during the final month. It will be here before I know it!

snow day!

We've had a well below average accumulation of snow this season. That means a shortage of sledding or snowman-making opportunities. But today was different and our family took full advantage; we had over 6 inches of snow! Just enough to come up to Tyler's knees and allow Daisy to burrow underneath. "Snow, daddy! Look Mommy, snow!" Tyler would exclaim with glee.

bra wear

My little boy is so silly. Tonight after I changed into my PJs Tyler came behind me and picked up my bra from the chair and put it on his head. I immediately giggled. Seeing my amusement, Tyler started to giggle and then put the bra across his chest to outdo himself. He is such a ham!