Peek-a-Boo!

This week Tyler started pulling himself up in his crib. We couldn't believe it when we looked on the video monitor and there he was...STANDING! He's done it a few times since and we still haven't caught him actually pulling himself up. It's hilarious how he gets down too...he just lets go and plops down. We took these pictures the first night we were fast enough to run up and catch him standing there smiling away! I think it might be time to drop the bed down to the lowest position! It's just a matter of time before he learns to climb and escapes the crib!

Our little wild man! We're definitely in trouble!
"Ha ha Mommy and Daddy...I figured it out!"
Man this crib tastes good!

Cookie Monster

I have begun to investigate the wide world of organic baby products thanks to my organic-loving friends Kimmy and Marina sparking my interests (thanks ladies!). I have also started reading some of the labels of the baby foods while perusing my local grocery store for new and exciting foods for Tyler...and I don't like what I am seeing in some of them. While at my local Wild Oats with my reusable grocery bag (I'm such a cliche)...I came across these baby teething biscuits and figured what the heck! Tyler loved them and, as messy as they are, we are thrilled they were a hit (and dairy and wheat free at that). We will try the Earth's Best baby foods next (what fun!) We'll keep you posted.

Tyler got is first package in the mail too. It arrived on Valentine's Day and was a cute baseball bear courtesy of his Great Aunt Alison & Great Uncle Dave. He loved the box as much at the bear!

Tyler has also discovered cartoons and they have become a staple of our morning routine. He enjoys Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Pooh and Friends Supersluthes. It's really hilarious when he smiles when the theme songs come on and we can barely get him to eat his rice cereal because he's so into them. Mike and I have the theme songs stuck in our heads...it's driving us crazy already!

Watching his cartoons

We've got crawling!

Tyler is going to be 8 months tomorrow (Monday) and tonight right before we put him in his pj's he crawled for the first time. He's been scooting and making "bridges" for a while now. We knew it was only a matter of time. Even after crawling a few times Ty was already improving. We are really in trouble now! It was a very exciting moment and we were so grateful both Mike and I were there to see it! See video below for proof!

My Daddy & Me

I am a very lucky woman because I married a man that is the most amazing dad! Mike is really "hands on" with Tyler and we definitely co-parent and help each other out. He does it all...plays, feeds, diapers, lays down to sleep, babysits when mom goes to the gym, helps me teach baby sign language...everything! I could not do this without him! I love watching Mike & Tyler interact and beam with pride at how much they love each other. Now if we could only get Ty to say "da da" instead of calling for me all the time :) We're working on it!

Snow Days

Yes Cincinnatians are a bunch of wussies...and we get an average of 5 snow days a year. Being a Chicagoan it's quite embarassing really! I understand in some ways because it's very hilly here and the schools don't want to take the risk busing the kids to school. On the other hand...are you serious...I mean we could still see the grass peeking out and we get a snow day...come on people! Chicago gets real snows and still has to schlep themselves to school. On a happier note, however, on these snow days I get to stay home with my little guy and pretend to be a "stay at home mommy" while still getting paid:) Could not be a better deal! :) Here are a few pictures of Tyler and mommy snow day fun! We even went out in the snow for a few minutes. As you can see...Ty didn't enjoy the cold much...but I got some cute pictures and got to use the snow suit at least once that won't fit him next year!

Oh Lord...he's standing!

Sitting up and playing after breakfastCan I have that mommy?I'm so cute:)Laughing awayThis is his new move. I think he's trying to crawl but it's turned into this "bridge" pose Dressed in his snow suit (thanks Great Aunt Louise) ready for his first romp in the snowGetting some use out of his sled from Grams and Granddad in our front yardTasting the snow (don't eat the yellow stuff Ty!)

We've got Wood! hee hee

A non-Tyler post...I know...shocker!

A few weeks ago...Mike and I took on a gigantic (and quite frankly stupid) home improvement project...putting in wood floors. We figured that we would save lots of money if we put them in ourselves...and oh GOD what were we thinking!?! It was a much much bigger job than we had originally intended and it has taken us countless hours and many weeks...but finally it's done and we're soooo proud! I have never been so sore in my entire life (including after marathons!). It was hard work but I think it was worth every bead of sweat, blister, and splinter! What do you think?


BEFORE - with the ugly faux-shag carpet and the laminate (gag!) floor

AFTER!!! :) = the beautiful wood throughout!

The Gift of Gab

He did it! It's official...Tyler spoke his first word...and it was mama!!! I cried I was so excited...and of course touched! He started to say it this past weekend. We were pretty sure we heard it but today it was for sure...an obvious mama as he was calling for and looking at me! Here are 2 videos of it. The second is the best!!!

Big Changes!

Sorry we've been MIA from the blog scene for so long! We're still alive here in good ole Cincy...and still surviving sans the flu which has taken a strong hold onto my school in the past week....almost 20% of students and staff out last Tuesday...quite a disaster...thank God for vaccines! My camera charger was being held hostage by my forgetful (yet loving) busy brother in Chicago. My camera died 2 weeks ago, after our trip to Chi-town for Pam's 30th...so I couldn't upload all the new and exciting news! Here goes...lots to report! Hang on! P.S. Thanks Uncle Brian for the cute "Milk Tester" shirt! :)

1. Our trip to Chi-town for Pam's 30th was awesome! We got to see and spend time with everyone we really love and miss. It was just a perfect weekend and a successful car ride for little Ty. It was a big weekend because we were away from Tyler overnight for the first time since he was born. My parents did a great job with him and, although they thought it was too short...I barely made it without him. However, it was amazing seeing old friends and help a special gal celebrate the beginning of her 30th year. Aside from seeing Pam & Ryan, we got to spend time with Marina & Corey, Lisa & Bob, Amy, my brother and his girlfriend Therese, Ryan and Kristie and we got to run into Pills, Becky & Cort, Venessa & Jimmy and Rebecca at the bar later on that night. It was really a great weekend!!

2. Tyler is pulling himself up! It's a scary thought...but I think he's on his way to being "on the move". I'm so enjoying this "stage" of him being able to sit up on his own but not being quite mobile. It looks like it might be short-lived!

playing on his knees

success! He's up and loving it!
Smiley baby boy up and a bit wobbly but having fun!

3. We got Ty a new walker and he is a little beast in it! He is so mobile that he's figured out how to go over carpet and has thus forced us to childproof our downstairs...and quick!!!! He has figured out how to go backwards and has already pushed every button in the DVD player and VCR and has pulled out a small nightlight we have in the outlet in the hallway. We're rushing to cover outlets, put catches in our drawers and get gates up. He's on the move!!!

4. There was a scoot! It occurred while he was on his hands and knees and he kind of scooted forward towards some toys. It was quite an amazing moment. We have flip video. We'll post soon!

5. We're eating fruits in a netting. He loves it! I am obsessed with this new toy of ours and am on the lookout for a specific version that has a great frozen bottom to keep the food cold AND a top to keep the fruit from getting frost-bitten. What an invention! We have tried apples, bananas, and mangos so far...I have peaches and pineapples waiting in the wings. It's been so much fun and a great addition to his teethers...since his tooffees have been hurting him as of late.

6. Puffs are a go! It was slow at first...but now he's not only eating them with both hands...he's changing them from hand to hand.

7. The carrier is GONE! We have moved him to his new car seats now and it's been great. He took his first ride in the cart last weekend and he loved it! We have been having fun watching him explore various stores in the front of the cart sitting on his own. What fun. Thank God for cart covers though...some of those carts are nasty!

It's been an amazing time of growth and change for Tyler and we can't believe all the new things he's learning to do! It's so neat watching him change on a daily basis. What fun this time is in his life!