Tyler is 16 Months Old!

We are getting VERY excited about the Summer Olympics.  I am especially excited to watch the gymnastics & swimming events, but I will watch every minute of the track & field & diving as well.  Tyler isn't interested in watching television just yet, but he will dance if there is music playing, and he will clap if people are cheering.  I noticed this when I watched the Olympic trials weeks ago.  :-)  Of course Tyler absolutely loves to turn the tv on and off (a new skill), as well as the dvd player.  He especially likes to hit the eject button on the dvd player, then push it back in, then repeat.  :-)  He has also discovered that he can successfully make it down the stairs by himself (I stay right in front of him just in case).  My mom has taught him two signs, for "work" & "milk".  He also will touch his ear when we ask him where it is.  :-)

This week we had a playdate with Brooklyn & Baby Jason, we took a trip to the pool, my friend Tara came over to visit, & I hosted a Bachelorette finale party for four of my friends from my moms group.  I also attended a Bunco party at my friend Shanna's house & I won $15 - yay!  We visited my friend Cali & her three sons, who just moved back into the area.  Tyler loved all of their neat toys.  :-)

Twice now, on Thursday mornings, Tyler has been woken up at 7:15 by the trash truck.  Sigh.  He yells, "tractor!!!" & then demands that he be allowed to watch from the window.  :-)  We take daily walks to see the windmills & we've met many neighborhood dogs.

Learning New Things

This week Tyler learned how to climb on the couch & how to take his pants off.  I decided to start dressing him in onesies & overalls whenever possible.  :-)  I took Tyler to the pool two times, where he got to see his friends Avery, Brooklyn, & Baby Jason.  Dan and I also took Tyler to the pool one day.  He has quite the farmer's tan.  We also experienced a "miracle mall trip" and Tyler played in the mall's kids area for the first time.  He had his 15 month appointment (alittle bit late) & he weighs almost 24 pounds.  He is 33 inches long! 

My parents celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary this week.  Tyler enjoyed having a playdate with his baby friends, Noah & Joey, as well as a visit from my former student, Catherine, who is now a JMU graduate! 

Tyler's First Haircut :-)

We finally realized that Tyler really, really needed a haircut.  We decided to take him to Cartoon Cuts & we were amazed by how well he did.  He sat in my lap and squirmed for a few seconds two separate times, but other than that he just sat and looked through his 1st Birthday picture album (thank goodness we decided to bring it in!)  Dan did a great job taking pictures.  They gave him a "First Haircut" certificate and put some of his hair in a plastic bag for us to keep.  :-)

My Grannie

There is a beautiful, smiling, new angel singing from the heavens today.  My mother's mom, my grannie, passed away today at the age of 88.  I could not feel more blessed to have had her in my life for 32 years & I know that she will be with us always.  I have so many memories of her that I will cherish.  She had the best sense of humor & such a quick wit.  She also had a beautiful singing voice & we loved hearing her sing carols at our annual family Christmas party.  Tyler loved meeting his great grandma.  She had 7 children, 18 grandchildren, & 16 great grandchildren.  We all love her so much. 

Meeting Julia :-)

This week Tyler got to meet his new cousin, Julia!  We loved seeing my brother & sister-in-law's beautiful new house and Tyler enjoyed playing with all of his cousin Ben's toys.  Julia is two weeks old and so tiny.  It's hard for me to remember Tyler ever being so small. 

We had our first overnight guest since Tyler's birth - my friend Vanessa!  Thanks to my mom, Vanessa and I were able to spend hours shopping & laying out at the pool.  Tyler had a wonderful time with his grandma and grandpa.  He also got to see Dan's mom this week on her way to pick up Aunt Caroline from the airport!  He loves seeing his family & friends.  :-)

We had a playdate at Brooklyn & Baby Jason's house, a playdate at Zachary's house (with his friend, Noah), and a playdate at Avery's house.  I had dinner with my friend Chrissy & I also visited my friend Nichole and photographed her babies, Eli & Evangeline.  My friend Barbara came over one afternoon & Tyler was able to say her name!  Gog, nana, mama, dada, bye bye, ball, tractor, & Barbara are the words Tyler likes to say most often.  :-)

Crazy Weather

This week we had really crazy weather.  Some days were so hot that I didn't want to take Tyler outside.  We also had a horrible storm that left many without power for days.  Thankfully, we did not lose power.  We took Tyler to the pool twice and to the neighborhood park.  I also watched all of the Olympic trials & Tyler clapped at the end of some of the races.  :-)  Tyler got to see his Aunt Caroline who was visiting from California, and he got to see his two grandmas & his grandpa.  Dan and I were lucky to enjoy two dinner dates this week and we also successfully watched an entire movie (21 Jump Street) during one of Tyler's naps.  :-)

Fourth of July Parade

Tyler and I participated in our neighborhood's 4th of July parade on July 3rd.  We met up with our friends Jen, Justin, & Zachary, we dressed in red, white, & blue, & we decorated Tyler's wagon.  We had a great time and Tyler was such a good boy the entire time!  :-)  Later that night we were able to watch all of the fireworks from our house (Tyler slept through them).  :-)