Tyler's New Trick

This past weekend I had to go to Phoenix for work. While I was gone, Tyler showed Daddy a new trick. This morning I witnessed it for the first time too! After Tyler woke up this morning, I brought him into my bed. We cuddled for a little while, then he crawled after Mongo. Mongo tolerated the "petting" for a few seconds and then jumped off the bed. Tyler proceeded to turn himself around at the edge of the bed - making Mommy really nervous - and repelled off the bed. He swung his feet over the side, then just slid down. It was so cool to see. I got it on video in the late morning. The doctor was right when he said we had an adventurous one on our hands!

At 10 months, already repelling!

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve, we had some friends over. Kim, Andy and their daughter Emma came as well as Ashlea, Harry and their son Keaton. We had a nice time watching the kiddos play. Emma is 9 weeks younger than Tyler and Keaton is 11 weeks younger. It's amazing how different each one is with such a little amount of time separating them. The kids stayed up until about 8 and then amazingly they all went to sleep and stayed asleep. We then had a great fondue party - cheese and chocolate and a heated game of Phase 10! It was great to ring in the new year with great friends! Happy 2010!

Emma and Tyler having their dinner!

Mongo, relaxing on Harry!

The next morning, Tyler slept in a little, then came in and cuddled with us. It was a great way to start the new year!

Random December Fun

December was a crazy month with the holidays, my San Francisco shopping trip, a trip to Phoenix for work and just continuing to get settled in our home. Here are some random photos and videos from the month.

Playing with my animals and my train!
Why is he outside and I'm inside? Let me at him!!!
Going for a walk in my goofy hat Mommy makes me wear!

Eating my lil crunchies. I'm getting good!



Gymboree fun

A new game

Tyler has begun a new game. He is now crawling everywhere and getting into everything! His newest game is climbing the stairs. He goes up to the second step, stops and sits. Then he bangs or makes some noise to make sure that someone realizes where he is. When you come to see him and ask him what he is doing, he giggles and takes off laughing all the way to the top! It cracks me up each time he does it. You can see what I mean for yourself.

Christmas at Home

On Christmas Eve, Collin's parents (Grandma Judy and Grandpa Jerry) and Collin's Grandpa Elton came over. We had a nice Christmas Eve dinner. It was my first time cooking a roast but it turned out fantastic! We also had Yorkshire Pudding, my favorite green beans, corn and roasted red potatoes. It was delicious! We all went to bed fairly late as we prepared for Tyler's first Christmas.

Christmas Eve Dinner

He must have known something was up because he slept very well that night in anticipation for the big day! Tyler's first Christmas was a great one. We woke up and went downstairs to see what Santa brought! He brought a stocking full of toys and a Fisher Price Laugh and Learn table. Tyler was so excited with his table!!!

Look what Santa brought!

We then had a great breakfast - orange pull apart bread, bacon and some fruit. We then opened some of our presents before getting dressed and heading to the hopsital to visit Great Grandma Elaine who was recuperating from a surgery.

Overflowing Christmas tree

Santa hats!I love my train!

When we got to the hospital, we tried to get Tyler up to see Great Grandma, but the hospital wouldn't let us. Bummer!!! We all had a chance to visit her and took turns hanging out with Tyler in the waiting room. After two hours, Tyler and I headed home. When everyone else returned, we opened the rest of the presents. There were SOOOO many! Tyler was definitely spoiled (just like the rest of us were)! One of his favorite presents was his red wagon. He loved sitting it in, going for rides, and putting all of his toys inside! We will definitely get lots of use out of this one!

In my red wagon!

Amazing Animals - my favorite!Look at me, I can open my present!!Is anyone watching? I can climb stairs now!

All in all, it was a great Christmas. We all wished that Elaine could have been with us but are thankful we could still see her that day.

At the end of the day, we were all exhausted!

Here is a video from the day!

Christmas in Roseville

Since we spent Thanksgiving in Roseville, we spent Christmas at home. We headed north to celebrate with my family the weekend before Christmas. We had a great time. On Saturday we attended my parents Gourmet Group's Christmas party. A fun time was had by all!

On Sunday we celebrated with a traditional Dodds' Christmas dinner and gift exchange with Katie, Matt, Chance, Emily, and my parents. It was a great evening. It was so fun watching the boys open gifts. Here are the highlights.

Santa came early!! He brought toothbrushes!
And he brought cool salad tongs!
And some good wine for Auntie Em!
Our matching Snuggies from the Chisholm Family!
Katie's big gift - an awesome sewing machine! I'm jealous!
Tyler's first gift!
Checking it out!
Hey Mom, I got a barn!!

On Monday we had pictures taken at the Picture People.

Soooo tired after taking pictures!

Here are a couple of our favorites! After lunch we met Katie, Chance, and Emily for lunch at our favorite - the Squeeze Inn in Sacramento for a delicious hamburger. Tyler tasted his first "skirt" of cheese! He loved it!

Waiting, waiting for our Squeeze!

Chance sharing his ketchup and french fries!

Chance loves his ketchup!
Give me some!!!
All done!!!
Kissing Chance good-bye!
Posing with Grandma!

On Tuesday we packed up the car, stopped at the Fongs on the way home and then drove home that night.

Visiting with Shirlee!

Playing with Christian and Rebecca!

We got home pretty late but were glad to be in our own beds after 5 long but wonderful days away.

Tooth Number 7

On Tuesday morning Tyler woke up drooling away and had a funny grin on. Upon further review, I noticed he got his 7th tooth. I think there are three more coming. Hopefully they won't bother him as they push through. Those little teeth are quite sharp and he loves to grind them. A trait he gets from Daddy!

9 Months Old Already

I've been a bad blogger and am hoping to get this updated soon. In the meantime Tyler has turned 9 months old! Holy moly where has this last 9 months gone? He had his well baby appointment on Monday. He is strong and the Dr. is very pleased with his progress. He is 27 1/2 inches long which puts him in the 56% percentile. He weighs 19.3 lbs which puts him in the 42% percentile. He's a little guy but a STRONG one. He is cruising and babbling away. I'll post pictures soon!

Boys weekend

I left Tyler for the first time to go shopping with my sisters, mom, aunt, and cousin in San Francisco. He is almost 9 months old so I shouldn't feel bad about leaving for a night, but it was so difficult getting on the plane! The boys had a great time. They went down to Anaheim to visit Grandma Judy and Grandpa Jerry. They had lots of fun!

Fun video of their day together. He is sooo tired!

Getting clean after putting up lights!
Sleeping on Grandpa Jerry. It was a tough night without Mommy!

Grandpa's Retirement Party

After many years practicing law my dad is retiring! We were fortunate to be able to attend the retirement party the county held for him. Here are some pictures of the boys playing (Chance and Tyler).

With Auntie Em!

Peek-a-boo!

Chance and his Mommy!

Auntie Emily and Auntie Katie

Run Chance, Run!

Sharing our snacks!