Little Friends

Old photo of Ked, Tyn, and some of their friends at the park. 

This was almost a bad parenting moment.  At some moment during my photo shoot, Tyn suddenly leaned a little too far forward. . . I just barely caught his head in time!

My BABY has become a TODDLER

It's official.  Tyndale is now walking full time.  

TA DA!

I love how his chest is puffed out with pride in this photo.  Really he is just about to throw the ball.  He loves to throw and chase this ball around the house.  (Thanks, Katie!)

 Tyn took his first steps around 10 months, but didn't really get solidly into walking until after 11 months.  He especially likes to carry things around the house. 

And he continues to put everything into his mouth.  A sock is yucky, but it's a lot less dangerous than some of the other objects he holds in his mouth while walking!

Despite his energy, he is absolutely refusing any food from a spoon, and most other foods require GREAT persuasion.  I spend most of my day preparing new various foods and just trying to get him to eat, especially when it's obvious he's hungry.  Then he's so much happier when something is finally in him!  The flat, empty belly when he's already in the 1st percentile for weight is worrying me!

Boston

A few days ago, I was explaining again to Ked that Sam was in Boston.  

“Moson,” Ked said.  

“Boston,” I replied.  

“Moson.”  

“Ba-ston.”  

“Moson.”  

“Ba-STon.”  

Finally, Ked decided to help me get it right.  

“No, Monson and Uchtdorf!"

Walkin' Tyn

Tyn's first steps were at 10 months, 2 weeks, but I think he has too many push toys that he'd rather use.  But here he is practicing some of his moves.  11 months, 1 week

Pete's Dragon Dance

You have to be familiar with this part of the movie to really appreciate this.  He's still working on the heel-kicking part.  I love this boy.  

Ked, 34 months

The Calm After the Storm

We took a quick road trip to Kentucky.  Last time to see my sister before she moves!  :(  Now no one in my family will be less than a 16 hour drive away.  Ked has been begging go back to visit cousin Dane, but I think he still likes his toys more than anything.  

Evening chat on the porch.  Brandi and tired Dane.

Grateful we were able to make it to the temple!  It's getting trickier with multiple kids and the distance.  Many thanks to Brandi and family for providing us a great place to stay and watching the kids for us.

Four years of marital bliss!  And I still can't take a good picture.  I was tempted to cut myself out of this one, but that would kind of defeat the point of a picture in front of the temple, no?

The Tyn-man has discovered the Dora car.  He prefers to ride it backwards.  Unfortunately, he has also learned it can be used as a stool, so sometimes I hide it from him.  Too many near disasters and at least one unfortunate incident.

Some days he's more excited than others that he can do a little walking.  I think he has too many push toys to play with instead. Three cheers for him now eating like a champ!  Just starting this last week.  I now have high hopes he'll rise above the first percentile in weight!  11 months

Just as we were packing up to head home, we got multiple phone calls from friends from church asking if we had power and if we needed a place to cool off or cook food, etc.  Turns out we missed the most exciting natural event of the year!  A derecho--super strong, hot wind storm.  Without rain.  Knocked down tons of trees.  Of course, it wouldn't have been so exciting if we were like many of our friends who were without power (and AC in the humid heat and without water for many who use pumped well water) from 5 hours or so to a day or a few days or a week.  And at least one of my friends still doesn't have power or running water nine days later.  Because of our location, we probably only had our power flicker a little.  

Sunday night there was a fierce thunderstorm in the middle of the night.  I normally love them (we don't have a lot of big trees right next to our home), but this one seemed a little more intense, and it surprised me that I actually felt slightly frightened.  Taking the boys out the next day, I was amazed at all the tree litter scattered across the big grassy area behind our home.  Nothing really big, but lots of little brown branches from the Friday storm, and green branches from the Sunday night storm.  

On the 4th at the park down our street.  One of many downed trees.  

My ingenious husband figured out how to allow Ked to enjoy fireworks!  He loved them, as long as these things were on!

We just watched them from home, as Tyn was asleep, and we live pretty close to where they are set off.

Fun with Papi

Tyn loved our friends' tree swing with his Papa.

Grocery shopping is way more fun when Papi comes!

Tyn 11 months, Ked 34 months

Snakes, Teenage Girls, and Two of my Cuties

(copied from BBW blog)

I was recently asked to head the program for young women (teenagers) in our church. I've been both very intimidated and totally thrilled.  It's a big responsibility and time commitment, but I am totally loving it, and Sam is very supportive, which is crucial.  So neat to be able to have a part in the growth of the girls' faith in Jesus Christ and determination to follow Him.  Of course, it's a big growing experience for me too.  And humbling!

This last week was a week-long outdoor camp for the girls.  I could only go a day (because of nursing), but it was a neat experience.  I thought this snake was a strip of tire while I walked alongside it a few feet away.  I've always liked snakes (my mom's a great snake catcher), but here I don't know a poisonous one from a non-poisonous one, so they are all a little more scary to me.  

And thus we see why I wash all the big utensils right before they are used.  This is Tyn's favorite playground.  

 

Tyn (10 1/2 months) has taken a few steps here and there, but still has a ways to go before really walking, I think.  But he is a little mountain goat climber, and we have found him in some precarious situations, which is scary!

Ked has decided that sometimes he likes the hardwood floor more than his bed.

Makeshift Slide

I came in from the kitchen to find this scene. Loved it. The moments I live for. Creative new entertainment for Ked (courtesy of Sam); my beloved strumming and crooning a spontaneously fashioned song; and happy, active boys. Oh, and a tolerant baby brother. Ked now often requests the slide, and if Sam's around, he demands he play the guitar and sing.

I didn't notice until watching the video that in the beginning, Ked is pulling Tyn off the table and pushing him underneath it and saying, "Go down the bridge, Tyndale."

(If you think we are rough on our furniture, well it's true, but the couch was already broken when we inherited it, and the table was $10 at a yard sale.)

My Extra Set of Arms

The day has finally arrived. I have sprouted the extra set of hands that I've wanted ever since I had my first child.

Being a parent of only young kids, I'm not sure what's typical or not. So maybe this is typical, but it's also exceptional because normally even I have a really hard time getting our active little Tyndale to eat. (I often beg Sam to either hold him or entertain him while I sneak food into his mouth.)

Respite

(originally from BBW blog)

I've been telling my family that in the past few weeks, I've felt like I've been in the eye of the storm, so to speak. That after several somewhat crazy and exhausting (yet wonderful!) months, I feel that life is "normal" again, a lot of my stresses have decreased, and I can be a little more relaxed and focus on things other than just the necessary and the essentials. Things are just as busy, but not so stressful. And now I'm praying for help in using this time wisely before the next wave hits!

I read this the other day, and really appreciated it. (But it also concerned me a little. . .  if things are easier now, what's to come?!) 

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3:11-12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain. . . . This life is an experience in profound trust--trust in Jesus Christ."

I'm grateful to be able to look back and see where that "stretching" was a conduit for growth. Too bad I have so much more room to grow! I'm enjoying the respite, but know that more challenges will come. And maybe they're already starting. . . Tyndale just started teething. . .

Mobility

It all started when Tyndale would wriggle off of his blanket or rug.

(4 1/2 months)

Then he would unintentionally scoot backwards and end up in funny places, like under the table or couch.

(5 1/2 months)

Then he was able to sit up without support.

(He was absolutely fascinated by water bottles. Loved them!) (5 1/2 months)

And finally he was crawling.

(6 months)

At the same time he started crawling, he started doing this funny thing. He does it all the time, but usually his feet are together, and sometimes he puts his head down and his bum goes up really high. I always think in my head, "Gimme an 'A'!"

(6 months)

Funny how we splurged on a soft rug for Tyndale just a week or two before he figured out how to get off of it.

He's so happy being mobile!

In the last few days, he's figured out how to get to the sitting position on his own (one foot forward and one back). And he's also starting to climb and get up on his feet and knees.

(6 1/2 months)

Patiently waiting for breakfast.

Love this cute boy! (6 1/2 months)

Prayer of a Sleep Deprived Mother

I started composing this in my head around 2am one recent morning. . . It progressed (and became a little more exaggerated) as the night went on.

Now I lay me down for the 50th time tonight

I beg and plead that I might sleep alright

And if my boys continue to wake me every quarter hour

I pray that when I wake I won't be grumpy and sour

And when my husband's alarm goes off in not too long

I ask that I not hear the song

Or at least that he won't push snooze time after time

So I can enjoy just a few moments of sleep sublime

Can anyone relate? It's a good thing these little ones come so irresistibly adorable and loveable!

Chiasmus

Ked has begun speaking in chiasmus.

"I hungwy sta-vin' me!"

We are so proud of our two-year-old literary prodigy.

Two Way Treat

While sometimes we're very aware of Ked's limited vocabulary, other times we forget what limitations he has. Good thing he reminds us.

Yesterday, Sam was talking to Ked after Ked had hit his cousin Dane for the bajillionth time.

Sam: Ked, Heavenly Father wants us to treat others kindly.

Ked (with a hopeful voice): Treat?

Ked 28 months

Who to blame? Part 2

All day I've been telling Ked not to touch our little Christmas tree or it's lights. And he's been on multiple time-outs for an infraction of that rule. Later I caught him once again flirting with tree disaster. I reminded him that he would be going on time-out if he touched the tree. He paused, and then took his teddy bear and threw it hard right at the tree. I came towards him and told him he was going on time out. In his defense, he explained, "Spank da teddy-bear."


Here's Tyndale (at 3 1/2 months) in one of the rare moments when he gets to hold his own teddy bear, since Ked has taken it as his own. Everything Ked sees us do with Tyn, Ked does with the teddy bear--feed, burp, change, put him to sleep, hold him when he cries, etc. So cute to see him nurturing his fatherly skills.

Rosy Cheeks and a Dimple

Just two more reasons I adore this boy!
Tyndale, 4 months

Christmas Card Photo

Three smiling. Two looking at the camera. Not bad.

Who to blame?

Today Ked suddenly jumped away from my laptop and ran into his room laughing, presumably putting himself on "time out." Looking at my laptop, I discovered that several of the keyboard letters had been pulled off. I left him in his room as I attempted to fix it. (Still working on the space bar--this is taking me twice as long to type.) Then I went into his room, bent down to his level, and trying to use language he could understand, I told him he had broken the computer.

Holding his teddy bear in his arms, he looked at me very solemnly and replied, "Da te'y-bear bwoke it."

Hmmmm. . .