First Words

Tyler was born tongue-tied. After reading about it, I was concerned about his speech and ability to speak words. I have nothing to fear - he is a babbling fool! Before his speech really takes off I thought I should record a list of the words he does have at 15 1/2 months.
His first words are:
dog
ball
no (no, no, no, no, no - is usually the combination he shares!)
duck
ma

We sometimes think we hear:
Emma
Mongo
go
up

His first signed words are:
more
eat
milk

We love listening to him babble! For months now he babbles a string of tickle, tickle, tickle. Here is a video from April 2010. He was just 13 months old here!


Two months later he is still saying tickle, tickle. Soon he won't be babbling like this. I will miss this stage. It's just too cute!!!


The final video for today is of him signing more. I had given up on him ever signing to me. I've been signing non-stop for almost 10 months and he has finally showed me it's paying off. Every day he is trying to sign more. He gets so excited that he can tell me what he wants. I know this moment will pass quickly too! Why, oh, why do they grow so quickly?

Father's Day

For Father's Day we met Collin's parents and Grandpa at Cheesecake Factory in Woodland Hills. We had a lovely lunch and then headed over to Topanga Mall to take some photos at the Picture People. These pictures did not turn out as well as the ones he took the day before, but some of them were still cute.

Great Grandpa Elton, Grandma Judy and Tyler

Grandpa Jerry, Grandma Judy and Tyler
Grandpa Jerry and TylerGrandma Judy and Tyler

After lunch, Daddy opened his presents from Tyler and Mongo. He got a new digital picture frame for his office and a luxurious hammock for the backyard. Now he can really relax on the weekends! The three boys love laying in the hammock already!

Father's Day Photos

It has been four months since I took Tyler for some professional photos and decided it was a good time to do it. Now that I'm helping our friend by watching Keaton (13 months) every day going take photos during the week is difficult so the three of us went on Saturday. Tyler was in a great mood which made the session just awesome! We got so many pictures we had trouble deciding which ones to purchase. We hadn't planned to take father/son pictures, but after watching all the dads there with their children, Collin decided he'd take a few. He ran to the store, bought a matching shirt and we got some great shots. We then decided to take one together. I wasn't prepared at all for a family photo, yet it turned out fantastic! We even bought a framed version. Our photographer, Brooke (from Picture People), was great. She got a nice family picture in two shots. At the end of our session they asked us to sign releases because the pictures were sooo cute of our little guy. Here are the thumbnails of our great day! I am glad we got some adorable 15 month shots!!

Visit to Roseville

It has been six months since we last visited Northern California and my family in Roseville. On Friday, June 11 we picked up Collin and began the six hour trip up the state. It was a very uneventful drive. Tyler made it to Galt (about 45 minutes from Roseville) before melting down. It was almost midnight and the poor little guy was just done with the car seat. He was SUCH a trooper!

On Saturday my parents had a BBQ. My aunt Lynne, her husband Dale, my sister Katie, my brother-in-law Matt, my nephew Chance, and my other sister Emily all came over to my parents house. The boys had fun swimming together. Tyler just loved the pool. This was one of the first times he had been in the pool since last summer. He kept dunking his face and giggling. We had delicious tri-tip and enjoyed the evening. After dinner, my sisters left. We put Tyler to bed and had a fun evening playing Apples to Apples! What fun!!!

BBQing buddies!

The boys - Cousin Chance, Daddy, Tyler

Playing Washers - Uncle Matt, Auntie Em, Auntie Katie and Tyler

On Sunday, we had a peaceful day relaxing at home. Collin, Tyler and I went to my sister's house to see a new room they completed on the DIY network show "Housecrashers" which airs on August 23! It was a cool room and made their entrance look sooo large, compared to before. We then had to take Collin back to the airport so he could return to work on Monday. Boo! Tyler and I stuck around for a couple more days.

Tyler makes himself at home. Cousin Chance isn't so sure about the cuddling cousin.

On Monday, my sister Katie came over with Chance. We hung out at my parents, swam a little and just relaxed. That night I played Bunco with my Mom's friends. It was a great time! I've never played before, but definitely will be playing again in the future. I'll probably start a group of my own come fall! Tyler stayed with Grandpa John and was such a good boy. He even fell asleep in Grandpa's arms - heaven for him!!! It was great for Tyler to have one-on-one time with him.

More pool time!

The boys - Tyler, Grandpa, and Cousin Chance

On Tuesday, my mom, Katie, Chance, Tyler and I had a great day. We went to the Sacramento Zoo and to Funderland - a little kid amusement center. Soooo much fun!!! The boys loved the animals and the rides. The boys had their first ride on a pony too! The boys were both a little tired so we passed on Fairy Tale Town (another cool place to take little ones) and met my Dad for lunch. Tyler fell asleep in the car ride and slept through most of lunch. In the evening we relaxed and enjoyed Downtown Roseville's farmer's market. We finished the night with some Gelato and playtime at the Fountain's (a cool outdoor shopping center in town). Tyler was pooped - what a great day!

Snacking at the zoo

Saying hi to the Emu

Grandma, Cousin Chance, and Aunt Katie on the Merry-go-round
Getting ready to ride a pony!
Getting in the saddle
Cousin Chance was a pro!
At first Tyler was alright - then he wanted off!
Driving the cars at Funderland!
Watching Grandma and Cousin Chance driving the cars
The log ride!
Another go on the cars for Cousin Chance, this time with Mommy!
Tyler's turn to drive! So exciting!!!

Wednesday was our last day. Katie came over again with Chance. We left both boys with my parents and had some alone time. It was awesome. We went to get pedicures, then headed to Target. I cannot tell you the last time I went shopping without a little one in tow! We finished the shopping with a trip to Kohl's. Katie needed maternity clothes and she found some cute stuff.

Tyler and I then packed up the car Thursday morning and hit the road around 9. He was just getting sleepy again and was a trooper once again in the car. We made it to Turlock (about 4 hours in to the trip) before stopping for lunch and to stretch our legs at the outlets. If I hadn't wanted to shop for some shoes for him we probably could have made it all the way home. After an hour of shopping and playing on the grass, we hit road again. Tyler was sooo unhappy to be back in the car but settled down and slept most of the way home.

It was a great trip up north but there is nothing better than being home with Daddy and Mongo!

Finally - Tooth Number 16

Around 6 pm tonight I figured out why Tyler was so upset this afternoon. Tooth number 16 finally popped through. It was his bottom left incisor that popped up. The poor little guy is sore from shots yesterday and now his gums are killing. Maybe that's why he has been hankering for cold blueberries for the past two days. He has gone through 6 oz. of the little blue things. I only hope that he still wants more since I just bought two more pounds of them today, trying to keep up with his request for more, more, more! He has finally figured out how to use his signs that I've been doing since he was born. More is one of his favorite ones to use! Maybe now that we have 16 teeth we can have a little break before those last four start poking through. Mama needs a little break!

15 Month Update

Tyler had his 15 month well visit check-up yesterday. Here are his newest stats:

Height - 30 inches (14%)
Weight - 20 lbs 9 oz. (4%)
Head Circumference - 18.5 in (42%)

He continues on the track of being a small kiddo with a big head! We keep asking whose child is this!

He also had two shots - Tetanus and Hep A. He was sooo brave he didn't even cry with either one! What a trooper. I think reading one of his favorite books (Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumb) as the shots were administered helped a little! I'm so proud of my growing little one!

Drinking from a straw

About six weeks ago we attended Elaine's (Collin's grandma) memorial service with all of Collin's family from Michigan. On Sunday afternoon we all went to a Chinese restaurant. Tyler was very well behaved and had fun learning to drink from a straw and eat M&M's off of a spoon. Here are a couple of videos of Tyler with Grandma Judy and Great-Aunt Becky.

May Zoo Day

Silly, silly boy!

Since we have a yearly pass to the Los Angeles Zoo we are trying to go at least once a month. My Mommy group planned another trip last week and so we headed out to enjoy a day with the animals! It's such a great zoo with so many animals to see. The older Tyler gets the more fun he has! After seeing some animals we had a little lunch. We finished the afternoon at the playground at the top of the zoo. Now that Tyler is really walking he really enjoyed the playground!

Posing in between eating lunch!
Yum, yum, yum!!!
Playing on the hippo!
Posing on the gorilla!

Memorial Weekend

This past weekend was a busy one. On Saturday we went to Keaton's first birthday party. The party was pirate themed and Keaton was all dressed for the occasion. He was a little timid about the cake but once he figured it out he loved it!
On Sunday we headed to Anaheim Hills to visit Grandma and Grandpa Schoenfeld. We took Tyler to the pool. He once again showed how much he loved the water - jumping in the pool, dunking his face, kicking his feet, splashing this hands and even floating on this back. After about an hour he'd had enough. I took him out and wrapped him up in his towel! He then sat on the lounge chair enjoying the sun! Too cute!!!
He was pretty exhausted after the afternoon in the water and sun so when I put him to bed for a nap, he fought it for a few minutes before giving in. He just crashed and was soooo precious sleeping!!! I just love my little boy. He is way too precious!!!
On Monday we had our friends the Simcox's over for an afternoon BBQ. The kiddos had fun playing together. Tyler just loves Emma so much!! He lights up at the mention of her name and whenever he sees her!!!