Family Visits!

Guess what? Whilst wasting time online I came upon an article that told you how to "steal" pictures from facebook! Oh internet....our friendship remains intact. Keep up the good work. Anyway, being that these are pictures of MY child and were taken by members of MY family and are not copy righted I don't feel bad in the slightest.

So, as I said previously, at the end of January my mom came to visit us and soon after she left my dad and sister came. It was a good week and a half! Grandmas, grandpas and aunts are the best! Here are some pictures of the visits - courtesy of Melissa and my mom.

Tyler and the computer. He loves the computer and I think his toes are so cute!

What? Dirt? Where did he find that around here?

One good thing about Apple Valley - occasional 70 degree weather in January.

Tyler loves swinging on the swings.

Higher mommy higher!

Slides are becoming a new favorite.

Of course Tyler wants to go up by himself.

Cute baby face!

Tyler and Auntie Melissa

Tyler and grandpa

Sunglasses! Gotta love that face!

Back at home . . . this time with grandma.

Chillin' on the couch, eatin' pretzels, good life.

Tyler and mommy

Tyler and grandma

Oh we miss our family! Good thing Tyler and I get to go up to Oregon in March for a visit. YAY! (I will survive the airplane ride, I will survive the airplane ride, I will, I will!)

Random Tyler

At the end of January I had family visit! I love it when that happens! First my mom came and stayed for a few days, then my dad and sister, Melissa came. I unfortunately didn't take any pictures and just assumed I would copy from facebook the ones my family took (which is what I've always done). Well apparently the powers that be that run facebook don't let you do that anymore. So I've got nada. Boo! But while my mom was here we did take lots of videos of Tyler. They don't highlight any major development or anything, just cute videos of Tyler doing random things. You will see him taking a bath, putting away his laundry, eating pretzels, playing outside, and just being adorable.

A Moment in the Life of Tyler

Tyler has turned into quite the little musician. No, I mean really! He conducts and sings along with the hymns at church and the other day I found him with my music notebook singing and conducting to himself. It was pretty dang cute! It's amazing that he already knows the difference between music notes and regular book words/pictures and what to do when he sees each.

While my mom was here a couple weeks ago, he found our much neglected guitar and discovered a whole new way of making music. Tell me you don't die from his cuteness when he sings. He also discovered the joy of chapstick. Enjoy a little video of both.

Independent Tyler

I have lots of pictures and videos to add, but until I have the time to get it all organized and edited and what not this will have to suffice (don't worry, there are a couple videos at the end).

Tyler has grown EXTREMELY independent as of late. Almost to the point of driving me absolutely bonkers. He wants to do everything by himself: putting on socks, shoes, clothes, eating with or without a utensil, reading books, building blocks, turning on the TV and putting on his favorite show, making and drinking a bottle, going to bed, brushing his teeth, taking a bath, going outside, getting into the car, putting and buckling himself into the carseat or high chair, getting the food out of the box, we can't just hand it to him anymore he has to get it for himself, etc etc. I know this is what kids do and that's how they learn so I just go with it and laugh it off (ok most the time I laugh it off). :) It really is quite cute and I love how much he is learning, Our routines have now become quite elaborate as I have to sneak in ways to help him without him figuring out that I'm actually helping. If he doesn't feel like he's doing it by himself a tantrum generally ensues and we have to start over from the beginning. I have learned that Tyler is very stubborn and opinionated. He likes things his way. I've realized this also as I've tried to teach him new things. If he doesn't care about the animals or what sounds they make then he simply won't work with me. However, if he does want to learn something (like using a spoon or getting into that one cupboard) then nothing will stop him. Same thing goes with talking. If he wants to know the word he will learn it and say it, if he doesn't - he won't, plain and simple. I'm amazed that he can already say "outside" but refuses to say "dog." I can only hope that he will want to read and learn how to add or school might be awkward! :)

First video: Brushing Teeth- this video was taken before Tyler insisted of doing it himself

Second video: Tyler feeding himself cereal. He graciously allows me to help him put it on the spoon, but after many mornings of fights I have learned that he puts it in his mouth or it flings across the kitchen.