11 months old

The big achievement for Tyler last month was walking and he's starting out this month by sprinting. Okay, not really, but he's completely mobile now! There's no walking just to Mommy and Daddy- he goes wherever he pleases. I still get nervous when I see him take off on his own and I'll rush to him in case he falls and he looks at me like, "I've got this under control, Mom." And he does! We still haven't put him in shoes because he's completely content being barefoot, but I think we'll do some shopping this weekend.

I'm also excited to share the next big achievement regarding our sleeping situation! We started the new arrangement eight nights ago and so far... great! The arrangement: I sleep upstairs in the guest bedroom while Travis sleeps with Tyler in our bed. Travis brings Tyler to me if he gets too fussy and won't fall back asleep and I'll nurse him and then Travis will try to get him to sleep again. I went from waking up every 1- 1 1/2 hours on Friday night (and way too many nights before) to Travis waking me up twice on Saturday night and only ONCE on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night! We're back up to two times, but I'm completely okay with that! In hindsight, I think the problem with Tyler's frequent night waking was that he had access to the boob. He knew it was right there and would wake for it out of comfort. I really wish we would have tried this sooner and who knows what would have happened. Tyler and I are both feeling more refreshed now and my dark circles are slowly going away (yeah!). The next transition is to move him to his crib and to stop the night feedings. Slowly, we're getting there!

We have five teeth now and counting. I just started brushing his teeth with baby toothpaste a couple of nights ago and he loves this new evening routine. Some of his favorite foods this month are: LOTS of vegetables (spinach, cauliflower, broccoli), tomatoes, spaghetti, pizza, tator tots, yogurt and yogurt melts, and chocolate pudding. He's very generous with his food and likes to share it with us.

Daddy and Tyler have become best buds and I'm not complaining because it provides me with a much needed break when Travis gets home! However, the sweetest thing that Tyler has recently learned to do is give kisses, but he only gives them to ME! He's my little sweetie! :-)

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In action~






This is what happened when I left Tyler alone for 30 seconds to use the bathroom. (And you can see the great job that Daddy does at matching his clothes-haha)


He LOVES these yogurt melts and started stuffing his cheeks full when I started picking them up to put back in the bag. What a little stinker!


Pics and video for Grammy- he loves the bubble machine now. :-)

Sand sans sandbox

Say that three times. :-) A sandbox has moved up on our list of ideas for Tyler's birthday present. I mentioned wanting to get him one months ago, but Travis didn't understand the appeal of playing in sand. He has since changed his mind! We're doing some landscaping in the front yard and Tyler LOVES playing in the sand that we're using for it. And surprisingly, he doesn't try to eat it like he does with everything else outside! I know he'd have a blast in a larger sand area!

Come on Tooth #5

The teething break is over and it's back to business. Another tiny bottom tooth (lateral incisor) popped through yesterday. I think this tooth has been much easier on Tyler (of course, it is only ONE tooth compared to the FOUR he had coming in at once).

10 month old pics

Growing SO fast!

Cruising

Tyler is getting much more independent while walking. He started by taking a few steps to Travis or myself when we were coaching him and now he just takes off randomly whether we're there to catch him or not. Poppa came by to visit us this morning and he gave us some great walking tips. I have a feeling it won't be long before we're chasing him around the house!





*we still get entertained by the trips as well- haha*

Friday Fun

Tyler's buds, Zayd and Brandon, came over to play. Our friend, Lisa, and her kiddos, Robert and Madeline, moved back to Texas this week and they joined in on the fun! The little ones all had a great time and I know I enjoyed hanging with the girls as well!

Tantrums

Mr. Tyler's tantrums are becoming more frequent these days. A lot of the time he's fussing for no reason at all and most of the time it's because he doesn't get his way. This video is actually a sad little breakdown he had because he wanted his Daddy to pick him up. Tyler was already upset because Daddy went to take out the trash and left him behind and then the meltdown occurred when Daddy needed to wash his hands before picking him up. :-(

Little Cowboy!

Tyler playing with Uncle Justin's cowboy hat......

Pappa is our angel.

My Grandpa and Tyler's Great-Grandpa passed away this past Saturday night and we had a very nice service for him today. We found out in December that he had cancer and by the time it was detected, it had already consumed his entire body. Luckily, he didn't have to suffer through the pain of cancer for too long. Pappa was a good man and he battled several other demons as well. I'm okay knowing that he is in a better place, watching over us and is finally able to be at peace. I wish more than anything that Tyler was able to spend more time with him, but I am grateful for the many memories that I have and look forward to sharing them with Tyler (and I'm sure some of those memories will be shared over homemade vanilla ice cream- I so wish that I had gotten Pappa's yummy recipe before he got sick!). I will always cherish our time together.





You will always be in our hearts, Pappa. We love you~


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Tyler got all dressed up for Pappa. This put a few smiles on a few faces too.






We were able to spend a little time with some family members that we rarely see, including Tyler's Great-Great Grandma Gracie. (yes, great-great grandma!)

First steps!

Tyler took his first steps last night! We still have a long way to go before he's walking independently, but this is still a huge milestone! I never knew it would be THIS exciting to watch him try and walk. Travis is bummed that he didn't do this a few days ago or that there weren't 30 or 31 days in February so that we could consider Tyler a 9 month old walker. haha!





He's also mastered getting off of the furniture and bed.