Tyler is now using his spoon at every meal. He likes to start off the meal using the spoon as much as possible. Sometimes frustration with getting the food on his spoon leads him back to his hands. Although he will still try and go back to the spoon. Sometimes he will hand me the spoon as if to say, “You do it.” He gets better and better every day!

It was funny – a few weeks ago at our Superfriends brunch, all the Daddies got together to watch the babies. Well, Chris came home from that saying that we hang out with a bunch of genius kids and was kind of bummed because although he is the oldest Tyler was the only kid not walking and some of the other kids were already saying things like “Hello, Turtle”. I told Chris that Tyler now feed himself with a spoon and that is an advanced skill. So now he has something to be “proud pappa” about! :-p Tyler will get to some of that other stuff in his own time – all kids do.

Loving the PB & J
The other day I made up a peanut butter sandwich and gave it to Tyler for a car ride. I don’t know what I was expecting, but he ate it just like a big boy! I couldn’t believe it. It was so cute! He is growing up so fast before my eyes!

Eating my Sandwich Like a Big Boy!

Hanging in There
The last week has been an exercise in survival. Poor Tyler came down with an ear infection Thursday. He has also been drooling like a faucet, so we expect more teeth are on their way. I am wondering if they are molars. It is so hard to get Tyler to show you his bottom teeth – he keeps them well hidden. There were some crazy sleepless nights for both he and I. This past Saturday I was up for a total of 3 hours spanning across three wakings. This alone is beating the lesson of patience into me and keeping my expectations low. I wake up not expecting to go to bed anytime soon and just start working any kind of mama magic I can think of.

He is making me a better person already teaching me so many things – patience being at the top of the list. There are days he is screaming his head off and I don’t know why or he is throwing a tantrum. At those times I have to be patient and loving and do the best I can to calm him. It does wear on me, but slowly I am learning to breathe and just take it as it comes. I am trying to empathize more and be more present in his world. Also, I see glimmers of my personality and that helps me to be more empathetic. I am impatient so how can I fault him for being so? That would be hypocritical. The same with his temper and ability to be so energetic and happy one moment and the next moment put that same energy into being so mad. Reminds me of me. I realize as he gets older my job will be to help him channel that energy and find positive outlets for it. A skill I wish I had learned a lot earlier in life.

He is such an amazing little boy…..

OK, He is Taking Steps
Well, Tyler loves to walk around holding our hands and still seems crazy about his walker. He cruises like mad and takes steps here and there. I have some great photos to chronicle his latest strides towards walking.

Quinn Kicks
Sitting at work today and I got my first real kick! I love the kicks and I love the stretches and I love knowing she is in there. I am getting more and more exicted about her arrival even though I know life is going to be completely insane. Honestly, I am so happy to be sleep deprived to some extent, because I kind of remember what I will be expecting, ya know. Let’s all just pray that this time the baby will come the “normal” route so my recovery is much quicker. With two kids, I want to be back on my feet as quickly as possible.

Patience is Coming
If there is one great lesson I will learn from my children is it patience – which is something I have not had all my life. After a really bad night with Tyler where I really did lose my patience, I have had two really good nights. I am really trying hard when he wakes up to think that I may never get back to bed. Erase all expectations. Obviously the nights where he is happy to nurse or snuggle in my arms are pretty easy – even if he is up for an hour. It is the nights where he just can’t get comfy or is in pain and cries, complains and squirms that are harder. Those nights are much more challenging.

Less Sleep is Better
On a strange note – got 7 hours of straight sleep yesterday and was absolutely EXHAUSTED the entire day. Last night got 3 hours, 45 min and 3 hours and feel much better. I guess I have adapted…..wierd!

Project Runway Rules!!
Folks, I am TOTALLY addicted to this show! I got hooked last season during a marathon. I remember Tyler was like 4 months old and Chris had the flu and was at the after hours clinic. I was nursing Tyler and watched like 4 episodes in a row. I usually try to be in bed by 9 or 9:30pm, but stay up til 10pm to watch the latest episode. My two favorites so far are Chloe and Daniel – pretty obvious choices I guess. Anyway, it is just so cool to see their creativity under pressure and how their finished products come out.

Well, I finished my sewing class yesterday and am pretty proud of my finished product! I very lovely slipcovered pillow with a zippper. I put in a zipper – I just think that is so cool! I need to find some more of the back fabric because I want to make another one to practice all I learned.

I really think I am going to get the sewing bug. Beyond the curtains for our “new” bedroom, I am already seeing clothes for the kids and clothes for me. I am sure I will come up with holiday projects as well.

After some more practice, I plan to take the level 2 class where we start to learn more about fabrics and make two skirts! Woo-hoo! I think I will also be needing to upgrade my machine at some point. I have a fabulous machine for learning, but it lacks many common options (stitch width and length settings most importantly) that I will need for more complicated projects. Anyway, here are pics of my pillow:

The lovely front – LOVE the satin stitch

The elegant back – check out that zipper!

Had my last sewing class yesterday. And it was so nice when I left because Tyler was in a spectacular mood and having a blast with Daddy! They went to Pillow Park to play for a while before Uncle Bryan came by. Tyler had lots of playmates yesterday! Apparently, Tyler went down several slides at the park including the big “tornado” slide. Later, Chris picked up some gravel for Tyler to play with, but Tyler pushed his hand away, so Chris threw the gravel. Chris said Tyler thought this was hilarious and they ended up repeating this scenario like 20 times! Silly boy!

The one strange thing is that Tyler is starting to NOT LIKE his baths?!?!?! He stiff legs when we go to put him in there. We have started to try and put him in there while the tub is empty and then fill it up after. I don’t think we have had consistent enough response to see if this works. Could be a phase?? Hope so – bathtime used to be so fun for him.

Finally, here are the pics of Tyler feeding himself. He still has a long way to go to master the art of the spoon, but he really enjoys using the spoon and the cool new plate his grandma got him that makes the scooping easier!

Tyler Getting Some Food on that Spoon

Yum! Rice and Beans are Good!

Spoons are so Fun!

I forgot to mention that we took Tyler to the zoo in San Antonio this past weekend. He really seemed to enjoy it! He surprised us by being really interested in the birds. Chris took some pics while at the zoo and I will have to get those posted. Hehehe, Tyler won’t be in them though as he was on Daddy’s back the whole time!

Well, we had the ultrasound yesterday. Thankfully, the baby looks great and healthy as a horse! And we found out we are having a girl. We are so thrilled. We are going to name her Quinn. Haven’t figured out the middle name just yet. So I guess we will not be using Deuce anymore! Here is a pic of the ultrasound.

Quinn Hedge

First real scratch on our new floors {sniff}
Ya know, it’s like the first door ding on a new car, we got our first good scratch in the wood floors and I mean scraped up the finish kind of scratch. It is in the kitchen. Well, that is the risk with wood flooring. But it is what I wanted nad luckily I opted for a wood that has a lot of character so I will fill it in with something and it will probably blend pretty well. Our installer said with this wood, people pretty much spend years filling in scratches with a black Sharpie until they decide to refinish. I love simple solutions like that and to know I am not the only one who does it! Woo-hoo!

While we are at it – cat pee is killing me!
For years now I have had a cat who likes to create a pee spot and pee away on it day after day. It took a while in this house, but she did start up again. I guess I just submitted to it since i hated the carpet anyway. Well, now we have replaced all of the floors and dammit – she is not peeing on my $34/yd. carpet! Grrrrr! I am going to take her to the vet on Friday to make sure there are not medical issues. Something has to be figured out. I told Chris that if I have to, I will put her in diapers. We have laid plastic down so she pees on that, but with two kids, I am not going to spend my time worrying that they or I will crawl or walk in pee and track it everywhere. I do love my animals, but I don’t want my zoo to smell like one, ya know. Sigh.

Finishing up my Sewing Class
Well tonight is my last sewing class and I have really enjoyed it. Can’t wait to see how my pillow turns out. Hope to find more sewing projects and the time to pursue them. I think I would really get into it – heck, it is in my genes anyway. My Nana, my Mom….all big-time sewers. Just need to get me a sewing room going or something.

Volunteering with Babies
My neighborhood assocition had waned every since I joined it – is it me? :-p No, but I find with babies, that I have become so much more unreliable. My energy level is so unpredictable. I am really seeing that I should bow out until the kids are older. Staying home with two kids is going to take a lot our of me and I think the stress of commitement on top of that will just made me feel bad. Don’t know. Just frustrated with the organization and tired of feeling pulled in so many directions. I think I just want to stay home and focus on home, Chris, kids, and me for a little while.

Sorry I have been absent the last couple of days. Work and life have been crazy! Due to some crazy deadlines set by our higher ups, I have had several client projects due this week and have actually worked full days yesterday and today. On top of that, Tuesday morning I get a call from Tyler’s daycare as I am pulling into the parking lot at work. He had explosive diarrhea. Had to call my mother-in-law to see if she could watch him as I was already home with him Monday and had to be at work.

Chris Sick, Not Sick
I came home from my sewing class Tuesday night to find Chris curled up on the couch not looking well. Thankfully whatever he had didn’t last long and he is headed back to work today.

Granparents Save the Day
With me needing to be at work this week and Chris either sick or stuck at work, we leaned on the granparents for support. Chris’ parents graciuosly watched Tyler Tuesday through Thursday and my parents are taking him to San Antonio this morning where we will join them later today or tomorrow. I honestly have no idea what we would have done if they were not an option for us. I really feel for parents who do not have family close by because it really makes a difference when both parents work. I am looking forward to staying home in the future as these conflicts will not arise and a great deal of stress around baby being sick will be eradicated.

Tyler Signs “All Done”
Well, Tyler has done his first signing! He signs “all done” in his high chair and is learning to apply it to other situations. We are going to start working on a few other signs, namely, “more” and “hungry”. I really didn’t think that it would take and Chris didn’t believe me at first when I said he was doing it. Well after consistently seeing Tyler do this for several meals, he is a total believer and is helping me teach Tyler more signs.

Sleep Happens Occasionally, but Still a Struggle
I keep telling myself at some point he will sleep. Last night he was out from 12:30pm to 6:30am. That was a REALLY nice Friday gift. His molars are still taking there sweet time coming in – and it is only the top ones right now. And of course the diarrhea was taking its toll on his little body. Sigh. I am not always proud of myself at night because I can get really upset with him. It is so frustrating to have him fall asleep in my arms several times over the course of an hour only to wake up because he can’t get comfy or upset when I lay him in his crib. I can’t really problem solve, just think about getting him back to sleep. Once I have been up for at least 45 minutes, I am more awake and more patient. Those first 30 minutes are a killer – it is so hard to get in a sympathetic state of mind. Although I don’t like it, going to bed as early as possible (8:30 some nights) helps me get an early start on my sleep and puts me in a much better place to focus on Tyler and what he may be needing at the time.

Walking Kind of on Hold
Since he has been sick, I think his walking strides have slowed. I am sure by this weekend, he will get back into it. He was really getting confident doing lots of practicing on his own. It won’t be long.

So Much Going On
Tyler is changing so fast. The words are coming faster, we just got “duck” the other day. He is becoming such the little boy, it is almost scary. On top of that, we find out Monday whether “Deuce” is a boy or girl. It is funny, for so long we kind of personified Deuce as a boy. But now Chris is absolutely conviced it is a girl. Like Tyler, we just have a girl name we both love – Quinn. We will see. The cool thing about being pregnant the second time is that I feel so differently towards my unborn child. I have started to feel the baby move when I lay down at night. And it is like, I already love this child. Before Tyler was born, I had no idea what is was like to be a Mom and what that felt like. Now I know and so now I can already extend that motherly love and connection to my unborn child. It is really cool actually to have that awareness before the baby is born. I just hope the baby is okay in there. Deuce has had a tougher environment to endure this time around – especially with my still hauling Tyler around so much, my not so admirable eating habits, my lack of physical exercise, and my lack of good sleep. Thankfully, I know there tons of healthy second children that have been born to Moms in my same shoes. I just continue to pray that we are blessed with a healthy child.

Mommy, It’s For You