Tyler and Joyce

Tyler just LOVES Joyce, and we do too!! Joyce is Tyler's primary caretaker at daycare, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have such a loving, experienced, knowledgeable woman taking care of him. We don't have to worry each day, because we know her 24 years of excellent work at VCU has Tyler in great hands. We will miss her when it's time to move up to a new room (but thankfully we have 6 long months before we have to worry about that)!!

I woke Tyler from an early morning nap to snap this photo- you can tell he's not into the smiling thing at this moment :)

Sunday morning on the porch with dad (finally showing a little meat on his bones).

He's putting on the weight, partially due to all the new foods he's enjoying. Joyce feeds him rice cereal mixed with formula and bananas every morning around 7:45am. At home, we're introducing all types of new foods for dinner. Tyler has enjoyed bananas, green beans, and applesauce. Up next... sweet potatoes?? (next is dad's choice-- we have carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes, pears, and peas to go for "stage one" gerber baby foods). We'll keep you updated...

Tyler's Weekend

Tyler had a busy weekend trying to keep up with mom. This was the first weekend in a very long time that we were home the entire time!! We went all kinds of places- Costco, the car wash, the mall, the grocery, the ABC store (that one was tricky with Tyler... too many heavy things to hold!). And some places we went twice (the grocery, of course)! I think we wore each other out. We also went on our first long walk outside in a long time, which reminded us why we had quit. Tyler was sweaty from head to toe when we got home- I felt very guilty!! Bath time quickly thereafter...

Tyler is getting so big that it is becoming difficult for me to carry him any distance in his car seat- I'm not strong enough, and it really hurts the crook of my arm now :P Oh well- soon I will be complaining that he has outgrown his car seat and I have to carry him everywhere (or use the stroller more). This will be before we know it, I'm afraid! I highly doubt he'll make it to one year old in the current seat. The weight limit is 22 pounds, so once we surpass this we will have to get a convertible seat (a large seat that is rear facing up to 30 pounds and then switches to front facing, but is stationary in the car- no more removable seats). I'm not entirely sure how much he weighs now, but he's getting BIG... long and solid in the torso... and a little chubby in the cheeks :) Still our cute little boy, but no more chicken legs in this household!

We don't have another official weigh-in (6 month well-baby visit) until August 21st. We'll keep you posted.

Tyler's new favorite (and cheap) chew toy: the renewal fliers out of magazines. He LOVES to chew on them until they're a messy pulp. We took this one away and he threw a FIT. We're going to stop this before it becomes too much fun. We'll find fiber sources in other ways, thank you very much.

We spent many hours Sunday scrubbing the mold and mildew off the side of the house. It may not look very impressive, but the before picture was a wall full of green and grey slime that took a LONG time to scrub off. Mom is EXHAUSTED. Tyler spent most of the time in the tent watching us (with a fan- it was very hot).

Sorry I've gotten so bad at taking Tyler pictures- will try to do better asap.

New Sleeping Arrangements...

Last night we put Tyler to sleep in a sleep sack instead of his swaddle... and would you believe he slept through the entire night?!?! We were very happy (especially mom, who can't sleep through Tyler's wakeful periods at night). I got my first un-interrupted night of sleep in as long as I can remember!! We are going to try to make this permanent (tonight is only night two...). We'll keep you informed.

Tyler had another big milestone tonight-- he ate green beans for dinner!! Although he made an adorable "eewww... what is this?" face with every bite, he continued to open his mouth and swallow the next bite. Maybe it's just a new flavor profile at the moment but he'll be an adventuresome eater like his parents? Afterall, he did eat a full meal of the icky green beans, despite the contorted facial expressions. (Mom felt sorry for him- they smelled aweful). But we've got to get in all our essential vitamins and have a well-rounded diet :P

Maybe some yummy applesauce next to counter the green stuff...

Tyler's New Highchair

Sorry I've been so deficient in posting photos- we've had a lot going on around here :)

We just purchased Tyler a new "highchair"-- one that attaches to a normal chair. It is so much smaller than a traditional highchair and fits in our little house very well. He loved it- and strangely, it helped with his meal time. He was so preoccupied with kicking his feet under the tray that he didn't try to put his hands in his mouth while eating. This was a much calmer, easier, cleaner meal than in days past. He gobbled up his oatmeal and banana cereal, continued to eat all the remaining bananas (refridgerator cold), and then drank two ounces of milk!!! He's eating and drinking lots at daycare as well- growing into quite the little boy :)

Grandma Linda's Visit

Grandma Linda came for a much overdue visit this past weekend. We had a wonderful time seeing her, and she was an awesome babysitter Friday evening while mom and dad had a night away for their 5th Anniversary. Unfortunately our weekend together was cut short when we had to return to Greenville for Great-Grandma Jackie's visitation. Thanks to Linda for being understanding about the situation- we hope to see you again soon :)

Tyler's big smile

Admiring Grandma Linda

Linda blowing our her birthday candles- a slightly delayed celebration :)

(you turned thirty-nine again?? your secret is safe with us!)

Linda and Tyler, while mom and dad made dinner

Dad and Grandma Linda, just before we had to leave for Greenville

Helping dad study the physics of radiology-- so fun!!

Great Grandma Jackie

Great grandma Jackie passed Friday morning, July 10th. We are greatful for the times we shared with her and will always treasure the memory of her first meeting Tyler. She loved him dearly and we will miss her deeply.

Great Grandma Jackie

We love you so very much. We hope you feel better soon- our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. This picture was taken when Tyler and great-grandma first met- back on March 21, 2009.

July 4th Weekend at the Beach

We spent July 4th weekend at the Williams condo near Atlantic Beach, NC. It was Tyler's first trip to the condo and first ride on a big boat!! We had a great time, and really enjoyed meeting John Mark's new girlfriend Marlowe. Thanks to the entire family for making our weekend so enjoyable. The weekend would have been near perfect, if only the ride home had been better. Tyler cried over half the way home (for those that don't know, that means over 2 hours of crying). Mom's exhausted!!! Next time we take a long trip we DEFINATELY will find a way to only take one car so someone can sit in the back with Tyler. Shew... we're finally home.

Uncle Brett brought Tyler a gift- a Carolina Hurricaines kid's club package!! We've got a new t-shirt to grow into, and a fun bobble head toy to play with soon :) Thank you!



Riding with Grandma Jackie on the big boat out to Shackelford Banks for a afternoon on the beach July 3rd. Sadly, dad wasn't here yet- he was still working.



Catching the breeze on the back of the boat with mom. It's HOT wearing all this protective gear!!

It's hot, hot, hot out here!!



Drying off after a dip in the ocean at Shackelford Banks, NC.

Trying out the new raft-- Tyler's got a little growing to do before this works well :)

We walked to the beach across from the condo for July 4th. Grandpa and Drew went fishing, but mom, dad, and Uncle Brett accompanied Tyler to the beach. Look how windy it was- Tyler's tent is at a 45 degree lean!! Although the sand could sting if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, the breeze was a welcome addition to the heat :)

Enjoying the beach with mom on the 4th

Happy as a clam

Lounging with dad. Look at my special trunks for the 4th!! Happy Independence Day to all :)