The soapy monster...

Dear Tyler,
Today we had to go get the oil changed in the car after school. You and I had fun watching the car up on the lift, we watched cars drive by on the road, and we watched people wash and vacuum their cars. What a trooper you were. With the oil change, we always get a free car wash. Usually you aren't with me for this, but I figured today you were in for a treat. I thought you would love to watch as the car became wet, then soapy, and so on.

However, you moved away from the window a bit, held on to Mo, sucked hard on your binky, and stared out the window intently. You weren't going to let the soapy monster get you. I talked to you the entire time and you remained brave. Some fear, but no tears!

We'll try again. I'm sure eventually you will love going through the car wash.

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

Spring brings...

Dear Tyler,
This weekend , the weather finally showed some signs of spring. It was in the high fifties and sunny! Saturday afternoon you and I went for a walk down to the park. I thought it would be fun for you to try the swings. I went to put you and you managed to get your feet in every area of the swing except for the foot holes. At last, I managed to get your feet in, and we started swinging. You were so interested in watching all of the other kids play that you hardly noticed that you were even swinging.

Next, we tried the slide. I held your hands as you slid down. You didn't seem too excited about it, but you weren't upset by it either. Again, watching the other kids appeared to be more fun. Before we left, you of course had to check out the geese. You are all about the animals!

Sunday morning, Daddy and I decided to go pick up the playscape that Grammie and Grampie bought you for your birthday. It is beautiful... unfortunately it comes in 6 boxes, and still has to be put together. We hear that it takes about 2 full days to build. That should be a fun experience.

Since your own playscape wasn't set up yet, we decided to take a family walk down to the park so you could play. Today, you LOVED the swings and the slide. The higher I pushed you, the more you giggled. The first two times down the slide you waited for me to hold your hands to guide you down the slide, ending with big smiles. The third time, you scooted yourself to the edge of the slide, and headed down just as I grabbed your arm. You let out the best belly laugh. You are quite the little daredevil! Spring will bring lost of fun for our family! I can't wait!

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

Yum...

Dear Tyler,
Today we had some errands to run after school, and it was clear that you were getting quite hungry. I had a hard day, and really wanted some junk food, so... we bought a box of oatmeal cream pies to have for a snack.

I handed you an entire cookie, and you knew just what to do. You clearly love oatmeal cream pies as much as me.

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

Date night...

Dear Tyler,
Tonight was a blast! It started with dinner... you were adorable, poking the "wheel" pasta with your little fingers.

After dinner, we went into your playroom and turned on the Barenaked Ladies. Of course, when there is music, you dance! I picked you up and we danced around the room together. You giggled, probably laughing at what a terrible dancer I am.

When you were "all done" with dancing, we tried out play dough. You enjoyed smushing your fingers in it. I was watching you closely making sure you weren't going to try to eat the play dough, and at first we were off to a great start. You seemed to know that it was not for eating, but then, faster than lightning, you shoved a piece in your mouth. I went in for the mommy mouth swipe, when you spit it out faster than I could get my fingers in your mouth, impressive. How quickly you found out play dough didn't taste very good. After that, you didn't even attempt to put it in your mouth. You are so smart, learning your lesson the first time. I am quite impressed. You had the most fun when the play dough was rolled up in a ball. You threw it at the edge of your tray, and it bounced back at you!

We went back in your playroom, where you continued to prove your intelligence. I said, "Tyler, where's Mickey Mouse?" You pointed at him across the room. Then I said, "Go get Mickey." You ran over, grabbed Mickey, and ran back to me to show me." Wow... I know I am your Mommy, and I am easily impressed by everything you do, but you truly are an incredible little boy.

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

The cold shoulder...

Dear Tyler,
Today was the first day you were truly MAD at Mommy. Daddy got you going this morning, as he has been through most of the winter, but you seemed to want Mommy's attention. I was busy preparing for my day... making lunch & dinner to go, eating breakfast & getting our stuff out to the car. We were finally ready to get in the car, and you made it very clear that you were not happy with Mommy.

Usually in the car we sing and we talk... you laugh and smile... today there were no smiles! I sang, you ignored me. I talked to you, you turned your head. I tickled your knees, no reaction. I knew that I had upset you. I felt, and still feel terrible.

As I brought you into Cathy's, I tried to snuggle you up and give you extra kisses for the day, like I usually do as we walk in, but today you weren't having it. You turned your head, put up your hand, and continued to have a sour puss look on your face.

When we got inside, and I put you down, you were immediately happy. I got the message Ty. You are mad at me. I am so sorry I didn't take a few minutes to play with you this morning. In hind sight, I realize that stopping to play with you for a few minutes, and getting to school a little bit later wouldn't have impacted my day as much as you being upset with me has. Tonight I am at class, so I'm sure you are still upset with me, and to be honest, I am upset with myself. Tomorrow night Daddy has class, so you and I will have a date. I will do my best to make this up to you. I hope you will forgive me!

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

P.S. Daddy just sent me this picture... it appears you are enjoying your dinner with Daddy. Wish I was home with my boys!

Your last bottle...

Dear Tyler,
This morning, watching Handy Manny, you had your last bottle. Honestly, you weren't that interested in it either. Dr. G. said that we should stop your bottle and go right to sippy cups with whole milk or water. Daddy and I decided that we would make the switch this weekend to watch you for any reaction to the milk, only we didn't have any milk.

After running a bunch of errands this morning, we stopped at Friendly's for lunch, where we ordered you your very first whole milk. Daddy poured it into your sippy cup that I had brought along, and you happily and nonchalantly drank your first cup of milk. There weren't any reactions to the new liquid you were given, no funny faces, no puzzled looks, you simply drank the milk as if you had since the day you were born.

This evening, putting you to bed, it hit me that this transition appears to be much more difficult for me than it is for you. I felt so sad putting you to bed tonight without a bottle, while you didn't mind at all. We snuggled for a couple of minutes in your rocking chair before I laid you down in your crib. I kissed you goodnight, covered you up, and headed out the door. Of course I watched you on the monitor, with tears rolling down my cheeks. Daddy gave me a hug and reminded me that it is your job to grow up, and it is our job to support you in doing just that. Switching from bottle to sippy cup is only one teeny tiny step in your life. I will do my best to put you to bed without tears tomorrow.

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

A new angel watching over you...

Dear Tyler,
We found out that our beloved Grandma Bunnie passed away at 3:15 today. She was the only grandmother I ever really knew, and she was simply amazing. We only saw her about once a year because she lived in Virginia, but when we did she made the most wonderful memories with us.

We would sit outside and blow bubbles in the breezeway, catch fireflies, and snuggle up before bed. More recently, we've been able to visit her when we went to Virginia for the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon. Everytime we saw her she'd say to me, "You ran all that way. You be careful da'lin'" Just thinking of her sweet southern drawl brings tears to my eyes. She had a heart of gold. Even though she wasn't biologically my grandmother, she loved me with all her heart, just as I loved her.



I am so thankful that this past September you were able to meet my Grandma Bunnie. She fell in love with you instantly, and you loved her. The two of you just giggled together. I am so sorry that you didn't get to know her better. Luckily, she is now in heaven with Granddaddy Dick, her husband and best friend.

You never knew Granddaddy Dick, he passed away about 15 years ago, but he was equally as wonderful as Grandma Bunnie. My favorite memories of him are going to the pond and feeding the ducks, rubbing balloons on his head and sticking them all over the walls, and eating slices of ice cream with him every night.

They were the best grandparents a kid could ask for. I feel so blessed to have had them love me. Today while I lost my grandma, I feel that you gained a new guardian angel. We will forever love Grandma Bunnie and Granddaddy Dick.

I love you Tyler!
Always,
Mommy
xoxo

P.S. Each time we play Skip-Bo you can thank my wonderful grandparents... they were the ones who taught me to play!