From Spoons to Brooms – Tyler’s New Obsession

So remember Tyler's infatuation with spoons? He has a new love. Brooms! The boy is obsessed. He gets really ticked off if you close the broom closet and he can’t get his hands on the broom. A one year old with a broom is not a safe thing for anyone! I’m sure you can imagine the mayhem that ensues as he swings the handle about as he tries to gain his balance toddling around. Today Scott brought the kids down to my office have lunch with me and we walked over to the local food court. Half way through lunch Tyler starts squawking and pointing to something. I look over toward the trash cans and there’s a broom and a dust pan propped against them. It was all good for a laugh or two until a few minutes later when he looks the other direction and notices the most amazing thing…a custodian mopping the floors with a red handled mop. Can you imagine what was going through his head? A handle, like a broom but red, and wet! Even better! Of Course the squawking decibel increased and as soon as I got him out of his highchair he toddled over to investigate. Just at that moment the custodian began walking away. Watching Tyler trying to keep track of this floating red handle was like a scene out of a movie when everything is in slow motion.

Oh my boy and his quirks. At least he keeps me smiling.

1st Hair Cut

Tyler had his 1st hair cut yesterday. Figured it was a sign when two seperate people asked last week if he was a girl. I know he's beautiful but he was wearing blue. I don't think I messed it up too much.

My Little Prince

The other morning I decided I'd pretend it was warm out and dared to wear a skirt to work. Leah saw me putting my stockings on and was asking if I was wearing them because I had a dress on. When I told her yes she responded "oh mommy you're so beautiful, can I be your prince today?" Could she be any sweeter? Too bad I feel like an ogre most of the time.

He's a walker!

He's been flirting with the idea for a couple weeks now and would take 4-5 steps before he'd get so excited he'd topple right over. Tonight Tyler officially made it across the room without falling. He's still not quite sure of himself and if he really wants something he'll get down and crawl for it but I think he's officially a walker now. Leah started walking a little over a week after her 1st birthday so I think they're about even on this milestone. Oh boy are we in for it now.

Birthday Cake

What's a 1st birthday without some cake all over your face? It took him a few minutes to figure out it was edible but once he figured it all out he really enjoyed. Notice him using his left hand...guess the physically therapy really worked. He's going to end up a left handed pitcher after all that LOL. Oh and there's that spoon again....not being used to eat.

Our Little Man is One

Tyler's 1st birthday was rather underwhelming. Scott had a final tonight so there was no cake, no presents and no calls from the grandparents. We'll make up for it this weekend with the Finding Nemo party Leah has become the social director for. Might I just add that Nemo is one tricky fish to find after all. I guess he's not cool anymore so the grocery store, TRU, Walmart and Target no longer keep him in stock. Amazingly there's a whole other world of non-box stores out there....who knew? LOL

Here's my beautiful little man then and now





Happy Birthday Tyler
We love you oodles and oodles my little noodle.

Quirks

Tyler has the strangest and cutest little quirks. When he eats he has to pierce his food with his index finger. Seeing him try to put his chunky little finger through a Cheerio like it's a ring brings a smile to my face every time. Of course this maneuver doesn't work for various textured food but he's amazingly agile at getting food in his mouth using just one finger. It's quite a feat. You'd have to see it. His other quirk that has me giggle is his obsession with spoons. Most kids fall in love with a cuddly blanket or a teddy bear. Tyler has a thing for utensils. It doesn't really matter if it’s wood, plastic or metal as long as it could be used in some fashion to shovel food into your mouth. Of course you know that's not what he uses them for. Each meal we end up using at least three spoons. One of each of his hands and one I use in an attempt to get his food and meds down his throat. At the end of each meal he refuses to give up his spoons and if we didn't use spoons he's not content until I give him one. He then carries them around with him every where he goes. Usually he'll let go of one while in the tub and shortly before he passes out for the night he finally lets go of the last spoon. It just never ceases to amaze me despite crawling, cruising, playing, bathing and dressing he still has a spoon in his hand. I love my little man and all his little quirks.

My life changed 4 years ago

How is it Thanksgiving already? Holidays tend to take you back in time don't they? Luckily Thanksgiving has a special place in my heart. 4 years ago last night I peed on a stick that changed my life. We were headed down to Dayton for Thanksgiving the following evening and while I kept telling myself I wouldn't obsess, I'd wait until my period was offically late the next night, I had to know. I snuck into the bathroom and made my deposit into a cup and tested. When that second line appeared right away my heart skipped a beat. I was so excited and so scared. I walked out of the bathroom and told Scott I had something to show him. I'm not sure what he was thinking I had hidden in there but the rest is all a blur and keeping that secret through Thanksgiving when the smell of all the smoked meats turned my stomach was nearly impossible. Here we are 4 years later with 2 beautiful healthy children sleeping away upstairs. It's a privilege I thought I may never get to experience. Can you guess what I'm thankful for?

Halloween

I suppose I should get off my butt and post some halloween pics. Hey I have made some progress in eliminating some of the procrastated list. I finished editing our 2006 videos. Just need to burn a few DVDs for the fam and on to 2007 we go.

Well here's Chubby and Skinny...errr....Lion and Lady Bug...errr Tyler and Leah....oh and Scott too

Our Pumpkins in the Pumpkins

GOOF

How can you resist this goofball? He just loves making people laugh.

OH, Break My Heart

Leah realized that Mia wasn't coming home today. I hadn't lied to her about the situation in fact when Scott left to take her to the APL Leah ask where Daddy was and I told her point blank "Daddy is taking Mia to look for a new home". She was confused and asked what he was bringing home for Mia and I told her "nothing". Tonight Leah wanted to feed the dog and when I told her the dog food wasn't in the bathroom anymore, it was on the ledge where we kept the cat food I think things started to click. She nervously laughed then told me "Mommy that's silly, Mia doesn't like dog food" so I told her "Leah, Mia doesn't live here anymore, remember?". She broke down sobbing and told me over and over again "I want Mia to come home, I want Mia home with me". I sat on the kitchen floor to comfort her and she cruled up in my lap. Tyler was upset by all the commotion and crawled over looking for comfort as well. The whole thing absolutely broke my heart. I miss the cat too but I'm certain this is for the best. I hope Leah will understand and not think of this as punishment for something she has done. I hate to see her so upset but when I started thinking about mothers that have to break awful news about a loved one that's not coming home I realized how lucky I am.

Baby or Toddler?

My baby boy is just getting so big. I'm so excited to see him grow and learn new things but in the same hand I'm misty. My baby boy is almost ready to start walking....then I'll have to call him a toddler :(

The Freedom of Having Children

A single friend asked me several months if I ever regretted having children. I was taken aback by such a question as I suppose only a parent would understand. Of coarse I don't regret having children! Such a thought never crossed my mind particularly as some one who tried so hard to get pregnant and knows the heartache of losing a baby. I admit when I pass the Winking Lizard or my old local Pub at happy hour I think to myself how nice it would be to stop by for a drink after work and wonder what life would be like if I didn't have any responsibilities at home. I think back to college when the most pressing thing I had to do for the day was go get a carton of cigarettes (bleck can you believe I put those nasty things in my mouth?).

It recently occurred to me all the freedom I have now as a parent and all the fun things I get to do that I wouldn't otherwise do.
I get to take my daughter pumpkin picking, go on hay rides and stand in line for pony rides.

I get to go to the Popcorn Shop and drip chocolate ice cream all over myself.

I get to go to the zoo and trick-or-treating.

I get to go to family fun fest and bake in the sun while having bugs nip at my toes.

I get to squeeze myself in to a bathing suit 2 months postpartum, climb into a pool in the dead of winter and have 60 year-old women ask me where I bought my suit.

I get to ride on the scenic railroad and go to Hale Farm and village and meet the chicken man.

I get to put corny decorations all over my house and to stub my toes on my kid's toys lying on the living room floor.
I get to make a fool of myself during ballet class trying to get my shy 3 year old more comfortable.

I get to take pictures and delete any I don't like of myself.

I get to relive my childhood.

Best of all I get to see the light in my children's eyes when they learn new things. I get to hear I love you mommy and receive the world's best hugs.

I don't envy my single friends and have no desire to go back to that boring time in my life.

Kudos To Pop!

So what's up with this whole blogging thing? I been thinking of starting one for a while but I'm either not interesting enough, not a very good writer, or no one would honestly want to know what is going on in this head of mine. If nothing else I need to simplify my life. Photobucket for videos, Flickr for photos, Myspace for blogs....how'd you like to have one place to get bored by me?

So where to start.

My dad was inducted into his high school hall of fame the other week. I'm actually pretty proud. We went to the homecoming game where he was honored at 1/2 time. What a strange experience. You know I never once went to a high school anything game while I was in high school. I guess it wasn't cool to have school pride or I don't know what our problem was. High school was such a non-event for me that I honestly don't recall much of it. Anyhow the whole evening was kind of fun to watch. Reminded me of Friday-night skate (not that I went to many of those either....what was I doing all that time?) We actually saw some one we knew...although I'm confused why they would be there. It was just amazing to see the number of people that came out for this event. I didn't even know that many people lived out there. The kids were great and Leah stalked the tiger all night but wouldn't dare shake it's hand. I still don't get cheerleaders. Does any one watch them? Does anyone watch the game? The home team band sucked but the Tigers rocked the Bissons.