Kiddo Tag

Tyler got kiddo tagged by his old buddy Zac from Rexburg:
5 things we love about our Tyler:
1. The way he will jump on demand. It doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing, if we say jump, he'll jump.
2. His monkey-like characteristics. We've been watching Curious George a lot lately and I've seen some similarities. If my phone rings, Tyler will run and get it and bring it to me. It's really nice. I've always dreamed about having a monkey do errands for me or bring me a drink. Maybe someday Tyler will be that helpful :) He also responds in monkey noises often. I love how you can tell what George is trying to say just by the tone of his "E E E's". I can usually tell what tyler is trying to say by the tone of his non coherent words!
3. Hi Fives on demand!! He has learned up high, down low, and finishes it off with a nice "bump-it" fist!
4. The way he says bye-bye. Its pretty much just a constant wave until someone waves back. I'll tell him to say, thank you, bye! and he just looks the other direction, puts a hand up in the air and waves floppily!
5. The first "mama" and "dada" of the morning. When Jeff is here in the morning he will go get Tyler. I can hear him say "DADA" super happy when his door opens and mama mama mama mama all the way to my room! I can be so dog tired and think I don't want him running in my room yelling mama to wake me up. But once he does it, my heart melts and I can't wait to see him! It truly is the highlight of my day. I've never had someone so excited to see me in the morning!

Tyler tags all his kiddo friends!!

This kid is so dang cute-some days I just can't stand it! Today was one of those days. As we were packing up for church, I just couldn't help myself so I pulled out the camera. He just sat there and smiled for me and even said hi. It was more like "hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiya"

Uh oh!!

This is how we found Tyler twice this week. Of course, we got out the camera and had a quick laugh..until the next night when it happened again, except we had to rip his bed apart and do a midnight laundry session. Not so funny anymore. I guess its time to always put pants on him or maybe even pull out some duct tape!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We went to our ward's Trunk or Treat party at church and had a blast! Jeff and I were allstar players and Tyler was a dragon!

As we were leaving the house I asked Jeff, "so what team are we on?" and he was like, "honey, we are not on a team, it is the allstar game- the best from each team..." and continued to tell me stories from both the soccer and football allstar games he played in. He then went over the jersey types and I made note that his is football because it is thicker and I am a soccer player due to the smooth jersey (and the ball I'm hiding under my shirt). He kept saying, I can't believe this used to fit me, and I kept thinking, I can't believe this fits me! It was so comfortable though, I really might have a hard time not wearing it everyday from now on...

Onto Tyler- He was the cutest red dragon I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot of dragons. We desparately tried to teach him "trick or treat" but he learned very fast that when we say it, it means hold out your hand. And that's what he did. At every doorstep and every car trunk. He held onto his bucket very well until it got so heavy he was walking sideways, so I dumped it in my bag (and that's where it'll stay-hehehe). Once I dumped out his bag, he stood there for a minute and looked in his empty bag. I wondered if there would be tears, but he realized there were more cars, so he picked his head up and kept walking and proceeded to fill it up a second time!

FYI: Red dragons are by far the most dangerous of all dragon species. When we first stepped out of the house, the neighborhood cat ran by and it was chased down the street by a red dragon. We watched in fear that the cat would be attacked and eaten alive, but then heard some giggling and remembered that Tyler was that scary red dragon!

Tyler and Jeff carved his pumpkin patch pumpkin into a scary happy face! Tyler wasn't too sure about the gross stuff inside, but loved being able to hold a knife for a second. Seriously, I'm sure if he could talk, that would be his highlight. Jeff's would probably be playing with the camera with the lights out...

2 Months and Counting Down...

Today marks 2 months from my due date! Yay! I'm so done being pregnant and so ready for a cute chubby little baby boy! With the holidays coming up I know it will go by so quickly and I have lots of preparations to do: clean out the hall closet which will become the baby closet!!, sand and restain the crib that tyler has chipped up in his teething days, get all my Christmas shopping done before December, get the house ready for visitors, and keep getting Tyler ready for a new addition to the family!

Maybe tomorrow I will put on some makeup and do my hair and take a belly shot for ya'll! Maybe. or maybe I will just be lazy like today and not! :) We'll see- I'll let you know.

Ok, 4 days later and I've given up on waiting for a day that I feel like doing my hair. But at least I have real clothes on (as opposed to Jeff's tshirts and pj pants) and some makeup on. Definitely a step up from the last few days!

The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm

Time to get our pumpkins! This morning, Tyler and I went with our buddies Becca and Zach to a pumpkin patch!

We got to feed animals like cows, sheep, and goats.

You can tell by his face and his crossed arms he wasn't too excited about touching or feeding them. His favorite animal was the rooster, and when he saw the only one at the farm he screamed "bir" really high pitch. We get to see birds everyday- and that's what excited him the most- funny.

Then it was time for the hay ride!

Tyler loved standing on the tractor and of course, throwing the hay.

After the hay ride, we got to search for the perfect pumpkin. Tyler found his very fast. We didn't even make it to the second row. He happily picked up the first one he saw and carried it around, until...

he found a "stick". And then that was way more fun than any old pumpkin.

We made our way to the truck for some photos and the boys loved exploring




And of course, he had to upgrade to a bigger stick. First he found the medium one and quickly put down the pumpkin stem. Then he found the huge one and carried them both around.
What a fun day!!

Thanks for dinner Tyler

Monday night, Tyler made us dinner, his specialty, spagetti. He is a very good cook...

Calm down Grandmas... I know what you are thinking... Jeff was standing right there!

They were so cute from the back just cooking away. I had to snap a shot.

And pretty cute from the front too!

Frosting Cookies

On Monday, we made and frosted cookies with my friend Emily and her daughter Chloe. Tyler loves when Chloe comes to play and both kids really enjoyed eating cookies and licking frosting...

He pretty much licked the frosting off the top of the cookie and then gave it back to me... all done!

Friday Five: Tyler's Faves

Tyler's top 5 favorite things...

#1. eating bubbles- they are just so delicious

#2. riding (I mean sitting on) his hot pink girlie bike

#3. being a trash can monster. or laundry basket monster or blanket monster

#4. eating spagetti or anything messy

#5. bath time and especially the after bath cuddle

Tyler, my helper

Tyler is my little helper. I was reading this week in my babycenter newsletter that "Toddlers love to feel like they're making an important contribution to any activity, and chores around the house are no exception. You may find your child's help makes chores more fun for both of you — or you may find yourself dismayed by how long it takes to get anything done."
Here are some ways Tyler helps around the house (and some ways that his "help" is not helpful!)

Helpful:

• Dirty Diapers: He loves to put his diaper in the trash. Reminding him that he gets to do that is one of the only ways I can get him to hold still during changing time. He proudly walks to the pantry and stands there until I open the door- he slam dunks the diaper into the trash and then holds up his hand for a high five!
• Dirty Clothes: Just today I started having him put his dirty clothes throughout the day in the laundry basket. This also helps the changing process.

Um, not so much:

• Dishwasher: When he hears that thing open, he comes running. Grabs the first knife he can and waves it around while I scream! --I'm only exaggerating a little. He loves to "help" with the dishes, but usually I just stick a few take & toss plastic ones on the floor for him to sort out. I'd rather wash them twice a day so I can get the job finished!
• Laundry: Another situation where his "help" makes the job longer... especially if I am doing his load. If he even sees one of his blankets in the washer or dryer he freaks out! He will hug his blanket while it is soaking wet and I have to somehow distract him to get it in the dryer! Also, as I am changing loads and putting clothes in the dryer, he will stand there and pull stuff out (sometimes without me knowing) and climb in himself. Jeff said, the dryer was his favorite place to hide as a child too!

I love having Tyler around with me all day long and I just don't know what I would do without my little helper!!

Tag from Jeni, I'm it!

I am: tired
I think: I need more sleep
I have: 2 bracelets on
I dislike: long days with no nap, but somehow I get more done
I miss: living near my parent's grocery store where I could have whatever I want to eat for free
I fear: my baby will come early or that there will be problems
I feel: lots of kicking around in there
I hear: the fan blowing, paper flapping, and tv background noise
I smell: yummy bath & body works tropical passionfruit handsoap
I crave: chocolate cake, pumpkin pie, in-n-out, patty's burritos
I cry: about once a day and whenever I watch babystory...stupid hormones. stupid show.
I usually: check my email too many times a day
I search: for Jeff's keys, cell phone, shoes and wallet daily
I wonder: how we will adjust to #2
I regret: no...I'm working on not regreting
I wish: I had more money :)
I love: my husband, my children, my parents, my siblings, my extended family, my friends
I care: about others easily
I always: try to do a load of dishes everyday
I worry: about money, about labor, about tyler eating enough, about work--pretty much everything a mom worries about
I am not: good at being frugile
I remember: my first year of college vividly
I believe: that families can be together forever (thank goodness!)
I sing: the wheels on the bus when Tyler gets fussy in the car--it always works!
I don't always: clean the house as well as I should
I write: on the blog more than in my journal!
I win: most conversations (ha!)
I lose: at hearts everytime I play
I listen: to tyler talk about life--"bligadigadigablooloo"
I understand: that gibberish talk and translate for others who don't know tylish
I can usually be found: at home, playgroup, grocery shopping or at the park
I need: more "me time"
I forget: anything that is not on my calendar (and some things that are!)
I am happy: when I have a good day- its the simple things like a clean house, conversation with a friend, a yummy treat, Jeff home early, family "sky watch" on the trampoline, and sweet hugs from Tyler that keep me happy!
I tag: Katie, Sarah, Melonie, Ashli, Becca, Kendi & anyone else who wants to do this!

Friday Five

FIVE things that have been going on this week

1. Another face bonk & a bee sting: I always thought my kid would be the one who would never get hurt because of his amazing coordination (passed down from his father, of course). Seriously, this kid could kick a soccer ball at 14 months and can throw and catch pillows and balls at 18 months. Lately though, he has been showing more of my genes than Jeff's. Both sets of grandparents remind me (often) of how I was always "bouncing off the walls" as a kid, so I shouldn't be so surprised. (My mom, however tells me she doesn't recall such memories, and that I was a perfect angel...ok I made up that last part). Within one week, Tyler has had 2 bad falls and a bee sting: I've had my dad on speed dial for medical advice and encouragement. Every parent hates to see their children in pain and this week has been a dangerous one... luckily no broken bones or stitches yet, but I'm just crossing my fingers that Jeff will be home when it happens, I don't know what I will do when it does!

Tyler and Chloe just chillin'

2. Room Makeover: Our bedroom has been soooooo blah lately, which gives me no reason to keep it clean. I don't know why, but it has always been my last priority money & energy wise. After seeing many friends' master bedrooms that are beautifully decorated and clean, I've decided to give us a makeover. I'll keep updating pictures periodically, but this will have to be a work in progress that will probably last until Christmas!

BEFORE: messy and totally unattractive

STEP 1: rearrange furniture (more pictures to come- remember this is a MAJOR work in progress!)

3. Baby plans: This week, my parents and Katie have booked flights to come for the baby!! They are coming on Dec. 26- Jan. 2, and my brother Tommy & sister-in-law Melonie (and 2 kids) and brother-in-law Jarett & sister-in-law Kara (and 2 kids) may also be coming for some New Years' partying. Kara is going to do newborn and family photo shoots and is available if anyone would like to book some time while she's here in Dallas, she's discounting her services for us-- check out her website, she is super talented. I'm so excited! It's always fun to think about when the baby will come and then to think about family here also is super exciting!!

4. My growing belly: wow am I getting big. I can't imagine being much bigger and I am a little over 6 months along. My body is starting to really feel it. Every morning I wake up with aches and pains that seem like I've been running in a marathon, doing 500 sit ups and way too many squats. In reality, I haven't worked out for months. Maybe that's my problem, I'm too weak to handle this extra weight... my body hurts!

5. Jesus picture: I love this picture of Christ with the children. I had it in my room growing up and my parents sent us one for Tyler this week. I LOVE hobby lobby and their frequent sales and this week was custom mats & framing. I put it up in Tyler's room and throughout the day today, I'd say, "Tyler, where's Jesus?" He would stop what he was doing, take my hand and lead me to his room. Then he'd look up and point, and say "Jsus, Jsus, Jsus" actually it's more like just the "J" sound and then just the "S" sound. It's really sweet. I know he will love seeing the picture every morning just like I did when I was growing up. Thanks mom & dad!!

OUCH!

On Wednesday night while I was at mutual, Tyler and Jeff got some more boy time at the pool! They had a great time except that Tyler fell going down the stairs and has a face full of scrapes to prove it. This is definitely his worst fall and it breaks my heart everytime I look at him. He is such a tough little guy though, Jeff said he only cried for a few seconds and it hasn't seemed to bother him since, he is always so happy!

We got about 50 pounds of live rock for the tank!! It's starting to look like a real reef! I also took a picture of the four line wrasse, the newest addition to our fish family who joined Jay Jay and Big Jake a couple weeks ago. (You'd think that Tyler named them or something!)

Tyler loves to feed the fish. He'll hold out his hand until we pick him up and then we sprinkle the food in his hand and he turns it over. Then we have to set him down so he can see the fish eating and he gets super excited. Then of course, we wash our hands. He's got this whole routine down pat.

New doo and swimming too

Tyler's hair has been getting long, I've been noticing it curl behind his ears and get very ratty after naptime!! So I decided to give it a buzz!!

BEFORE

AFTER

posing for the camera

sharing his lollipop with that cute boy in the mirror

When Jeff got home, he told us to pack the swimming bags so we could go to the pool- it was cold! But we had fun playing

Notice the farmers tan! Cute