7 months

I cannot believe how much this little guy has grown. He's not so little anymore. He rolls or inches his way to toys by muscling along on the ground. He sits like a champ and is getting good at keeping himself up rather than plopping on his back unexpectedly like in the past.

Tyler is still full of personality and loves meeting new people, investigating new objects and playing with the cutie in the mirror. I always hear from people, "He's just so happy," "He has amazing eyes," or "He looks like the Gerber baby."

Tyler can't get enough of gadgets that light up such as cell phones, remotes, screensavers and security system panels. He also loves necklaces, dogs, singing (especially Old MacDonald) and walks with Mom, Dad and Daisy!

first tooth

Tyler's first tooth appeared this weekend! I thought I felt part of it pop up on Saturday but he really didn't let me investigate thoroughly. Apparently it's ok to put everything in his mouth until I want to put my finger in there! :) But yesterday I was able to get a better look after feeling the top of a whole tooth. Sure enough, his bottom left tooth has made its entrance!

uncle brian

My brother came over Friday night to help us plan out some house projects. Oh, and of course to see Tyler! Awww, isn't that special?

grampy daycare

Tyler enjoyed a full day with Grampy since his usual daycare provider was on vacation. Grampy even managed to take him on a stroll along with Daisy. Both Campbells were thrilled to have Grampy's attention.

bridesmaid=boy?

On our return trip we stopped in NC to visit Teresa Gillespie, who was a bridesmaid in my wedding. Three of my four attendants had boys within months of each other. (Must have been something in the water at the head table.) Katie had Hunter in October 2005, Teresa had Ethan in December and Mollie had Logan in February 2006. Tyler joined the bunch in November 2006. This was the first time that Ethan and Tyler had met, but it hardly seemed that way.

playtime

While in FL there was no shortage of loving hands to hold Tyler. Granny gave him lots of hugs and Aunt Barbra gave him a new perspective on things. As you can see, he really enjoyed all of the attention.

pool party

Tyler took his first dip in a pool at Granny and Gramps. Kick, splash, kick, kick... snooze?. After playing in the water and floating in his raft in which Daddy pulled him in circles, Tyler got sleepy, popped his thumb in his mouth and leaned on the side of his float ready for a nap.

merry may christmas

Tyler and I have now partaken in a Campbell-side-of-the-family tradition -- a summer Christmas. When we didn't see Alex's family at Christmas they postponed the celebration until Memorial Day weekend when we could be there. The soft pudgy guy everyone focused on wasn't Santa this time!




..................... I love my Great Grandmother! .....................

gatorland

Tyler has left the state! On our trip to visit Alex's family who had not met Tyler yet, he passed through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina (an overnight stay at Chez Linn), Georgia and finally FLORIDA! On our first outing with Tyler's Granny and cousins Justin and Zach, we ate at RJ Gators. Tyler remained unscathed after a scary gator encounter.

babbles

Goo, Ya, Ma, Da, Ba, Boo, Ga, Ba... Baby Tyler is quickly learning his consonant sounds. He babbles with a string of them especially the B sounds. He just seems to love them. Could Bam Bam be his first words?

bam bam

I gave birth to a little Flinestone. Tyler's earned the nickname Bam Bam because he's been banging his hands on any and everything. From his exersaucer buttons to our arms and shoulders when we're holding him, he's rough wth those Bam Bam arms but laughs the entire time. Just having a good time!

MmmmMaMa

Last night Tyler tried two new things. First he ate some squash and seemed to really enjoy it. Much more so than the rice cereal which he has seemed to find boring lately.

Then while playing in his exersaucer he started to get a little upset. I let him be for a bit to see if he'd calm down on his own until I heard the magic sound... ma mmm ma ma. Not sure if he was really meaning to call me already but he's definately got the M sound down.

insert foot in mouth

Oh to be this flexible and to always have a snack only a leg's length away!

first mother's day

What an absolutely beautiful day Sunday was. Chilly, but beautiful. My mother and brother joined us at Eggspectations, our favorite brunch spot. It was a popular day to be out and about so there was a wait for seating. While waiting, the manager walked by and saw Tyler bundled up in his carseat. She commented on how cute he was. Then while passing by again later once I had taken Tyler out and was holding him in my arms she said to him, "You are so cute, you should be in pictures!"

Tyler and Alex got me the most gorgeous necklace in honor of my first mother's day. It has two organic pieces (one silver and a slightly smaller gold one) that nest together and symbolize the bond between mother and child. I love it!

phamie and jill

Jamie and Phil (aka Phamie and Jill) joined us for dinner this past Saturday night. We pretended that they were there for the good conversation with us, but we know the truth. Tyler, who popped into this world one week after attending Phil and Jamie's wedding in utero, had a great time hopping between their laps.

6 months

Happy Half Birthday Tyler! A package arrived today with a onsie inside that says "probably the best baby in the world." And we certainly think so!

weighing in

Time for Tyler's 6-month checkup. He weighed in at 17 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 26 1/2 inches in length. He's in the 50th percentile for weight and a little under the 50th percentile for height. So once again our boy is average in size, but never average in personality. All of the nurses commented on how happy Tyler was during the entire visit. The receptionist is sure that his sunny disposition is a result of how much I enjoyed my pregnancy. Whatever the reason, we certainly are enjoying everything about Tyler.

bath time

It seems like Tyler may need daily baths now that he's eating rice cereal. I hope he gets more inside his mouth than the large amount that ends up on his face, hands, feet, stomach, arms, hair, up his nose and on his Bumbo chair.

He loves his bathtub. Especially chewing on the fish-shaped cups that came along with it. He's already outgrowing the infant sling in the tub, so he'll be sitting up in there in no time. Bring on the splashes.

...louder, rougher...

Tyler is quickly approaching 6 months old! He's taller, bigger, stronger, louder, rougher, smarter, funnier and happier. When we started him in his exersaucer his feet barely grazed the bottom. Now he puts his feet squarely on the base and has room to spare. He pounds on the buttons, yanks on the dragon and nearly bends the plastic vertical caterpillar on its side so he can munch on it. And in just the past few days he has really started to talk, gargle, and sing so loudly. And best of all, his giggles are loud dolphin-like squeaks that are contagiously joyful.

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.

bib eater

ok, think of the Hall & Oates song "Maneater." But trade a few words and it's all about Tyler.

(Oh-oh, here he comes) Watch out bib he'll chew you up
(Oh-oh, here he comes) He's a bib eater

I don't know what it is with this kid, but he LOVES bibs. He likes to chew on them, play with them and pull them over his face. And if another baby is wearing the bib at the time it just doesn't seem to bother him. Simon and Audrey can attest to this phenomenon. Maybe he's reacting to the sadness of growing out of a few of his favorites.

checkup

Tyler had his 4-month checkup today. He is 25.5 inches long and weighs 15 lbs. 14 oz. This puts him between the 50th and 75th percentile for both height and weight. He's "very proportional" according to Dr. Gutierrez as well as healthy and happy. Good combination.

4 months

Tyler's growing so quickly! Not just physically but also his personality. I've yet to really capture his spunkiness with still photos, but everyone around him notices. Miss Debbie asked me where I mail-ordered such a perfect baby. What can I say, it's in his genes. HA!

The pictures below show him two days before, and on his 4-month birthday respectively. Has it really been that long already? This precious time in his life seems to be flying by and I'm trying to soak it up and enjoy every minute of it!

gerber baby

When I picked Tyler from daycare today, Miss Debbie told me that another parent saw Tyler and said he looked like the Gerber baby. Awww! Aunt Joy thinks it is because of his huge blue eyes and long eyelashes. He sure puts them to good use. While Joy and I went out to dinner tonight, Tyler checked out everything and everyone! His head moves to follow all the passersby and then he charms them with his personality. He put on one of his typical Tyler shows where he squeals with delight to make sure that everyone within earshot knows he's there and happy. The woman seated in the booth next to us said he was "precious!"

baby steps

Tyler is still not interested in rolling over or crawling. But he is all about sitting up and walking with assistance. This boy is all legs and loves to show off his strength. He's been flexing his muscles for quite some time but in the past fews days he's taken the standing to a new level. Now he wants to stand with me supporting him under his arms and then take steps! Left foot, right foot, left foot... Maybe he'll be one of those kids that just skips crawling altogether.

name recognition

Tonight Tyler seemed to understand and respond to his name being called. Could it be that he knows his name already?