How much?

Last night, while putting Tyler to bed, he did his usual bedtime stalling tactics of asking for water, needing to find all the stuffed animals he wanted to sleep with, looking for his blanket, etc. In the midst of all that, he said to me, "Mommy! Do you know how much I love you?"
Me: How much?
Tyler: I love you a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot!!
Me: Do you know how much I love YOU?
Tyler: No...
Me: Well, I love YOU a lot, a lot, a lot, alotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalotalot!
Tyler: Wow, that's a lot.

Three-and-a-half, going on eight...

Dear Tyler,

Today you are 3-1/2 years old. To me, you seem much more mature than many kids your age, and I have come to expect more from you…often forgetting that you’re only 3-1/2. A typical 3-1/2-year-old is expected to throw tantrums, not be able to pronounce certain letters/sounds/words, and be a little selfish. You, on the other hand, rarely throw an all-out tantrum, can annunciate your words very well, and are always willing to share (toys, food…anything, especially with your little brother, Mason). I bought you a set of flash-card-type cards, meant for 4-5-year-olds. You’ve gone through the first set of cards with such ease, that I’m hoping the cards get harder as we go…otherwise I’ll have to get you the 6-7-year-old set!

You are very polite and kind to others. We hope that we are teaching you respect for other people, and it seems as though you understand. You certainly know the difference between asking politely for something and whining about it. I think you have also figured out that Mommy and Daddy have a soft spot for you when you do ask nicely for something. You, Mason, and I were at the library the other day, and we were getting ready to leave, but you wanted to play for a few more minutes in the children’s area. I had said we were running short on time, but you calmly pleaded, “Mommy, can I please play over there for a few more minutes? Please?” Well, what could I do but agree? (And also be secretly happy, because that was an example of what Daddy and I have been trying to teach you for so long!)

You were watching a movie this afternoon, and I was watching you. You looked so much older than 3-1/2 years. Your face looked more like a 7 or 8-year-old’s face, and I found myself imagining what you would look like in a few years and on. You’re a gorgeous child, and you easily smile, showing us your 4 dimples! How I love those dimples and what I wouldn’t do to see them!

You’ve become so independent, doing so many things on your own. You rarely need help with day-to-day activities. You can go to the potty by yourself, wash your hands, put on and take off your clothes, go to the refrigerator and get a snack, get out your toys, clean up your toys, and get in and out of the car (including opening and closing the door). You run very fast, you love to jump from high places, and you give wonderful hugs and kisses. You are very loving and gentle with Mason, and you are just as proud as Mommy and Daddy when Mason accomplishes new things (clapping, standing, etc.). You can make Mason smile easier than anyone else, and you enjoy doing things you know will entertain him.

With your independence has come a little bit of fear. You’ve recently become afraid of the dark, monsters, and growling (even if it’s fake growling that Mommy or Daddy is doing to play with your stuffed animals). Some days, you may have a bad day at daycare because you miss your cousins or us, and you want to be home.

Tyler, you and I have been tending to some tomato plants and basil plants this summer. You get very excited when a tomato turns red and you’re allowed to pick it. We’ve gotten quite a few tomatoes already, and I’ve already made 2 batches of pesto from the basil. You helped me transplant some tomato plants as they grew, you pick off the flowers from the basil plants, and you’ve helped me water the plants with your own watering can. I’m excited that I could teach you the little I know about gardening, and that our plants are doing so well!

You are so, SO smart! You've grasped some pretty complicated concepts, especially for a 3 (and a half) year old. You can play many board games all the way through, following the directions: Candyland, Hi Ho Cherry-O, Memory, Chutes and Ladders, a Thomas the Train board game we got at a yard sale, dominoes, Go Fish, War, and you almost played a whole game of checkers with me! You can tell a knock-knock joke, too!

You love your cousins, and you get along very well with all of them. Right now, it seems like Lauren, Hannah, and Reese are the ones you play with most, since they are all closest to your age.

All this is meant to show you what a wonderful little boy you’re growing to be. You are truly a delight for Daddy and me. We love to watch you play with your toys, play superheroes, and interact with Mason. You love books, and we love reading them to you. You’re a kind and loving little guy, and we are so proud of the boy you’re growing up to be. Daddy and I love you very, very much!

Love always,
Mommy

Fourth of July Pictures

As our family and our extended families grow, I notice that we are trying to establish some traditions. I think that we're trying to get a fun one started, and this is my family's second year participating. Mike's sister and her family invite us to their house every 4th of July (or the closest weekend). They invite all of Mike's siblings and their families, and all of the cousins enjoy playing together all weekend. Two years ago, we all took family photos at my sister-in-law's house. They turned out great, and I truly hope it becomes a yearly tradition. As this blog is public, I'm only going to post photos of my own family. We had 8 kids there, ranging in ages from Mason (7 months) to my nephew who is 8 years old. Believe it or not, we actually got a photo of all the kids together, smiling, AND looking at the camera! Then, we even got a good photo of the entire family (those who made it down)!

Here are the photos of me and the main guys in my life:

Family picture:

Mike and his boys:

Tyler and Mason:
Me and Mike:

7 Months Old!

Dear Mason,

Today, you are 7 months old. It seems like I was just writing your 6-month letter yesterday, but here you are over half a year old! You are such a joy to be around, you smile so easily and laugh at so many things. You are a very ticklish baby, so we take advantage of that often. You’re still very easy-going, happy to play with toys or watch Tyler play with toys. You’re most happy when Tyler is playing with you, though I think you’ll settle for Mommy or Daddy. We love kissing your chubby legs, tummy, arms, cheeks, and nuzzling your neck.

You are a very good sitter, in fact, you love to sit in the bathtub and take a bath with Tyler. He loves taking baths with you, too! Tyler happily shares his toys and bathtub space with you. Though you sit very well, you still don’t like being on your tummy. You might tolerate a minute or two of tummy time, but you would rather be sitting up and able to see what’s going on around you. You still haven’t rolled over yet (either from tummy to back or from back to tummy), but I think you’re going to soon!

You have eaten just about everything that you’re allowed to eat, and you can chew little pieces of very soft noodles and bread. You can also eat those small cereal puffs made especially for babies, but you haven’t yet mastered picking them up with two fingers and putting them in your mouth.
You like drinking water from a sippy cup, and you like chewing on the sippy cup even more. You actually like chewing on anything! Two of your bottom front teeth have fully come out, and Daddy thinks that you’re getting ready to cut a top tooth soon.

We love you very much, and Tyler is especially excited that he can interact with you more. He often asks if he can play with you, he tries hard to make you comfortable, and he’s very gentle and loving with you.

Happy 7-month birthday, Mason!!

Love, always,

Mommy

They like each other...so far!

This morning, Mason woke up early (5 am), so I brought him into our room and let him play on the bed with us. After a few minutes, he let me know that he was actually hungry and that’s why he woke up in the first place. So, I fed him a bottle and we snuggled in bed for a few minutes. Close to 6 am, Tyler woke up and came into our room. He climbed in our bed, too, and we had the whole family snuggling for a few minutes this morning. Mason was THRILLED that Tyler was near, and everyone was sleepy and happy. So, I had to get up and actually start the day, take a shower, etc. When I came back to the bedroom after my shower, I noticed that Mason had fallen back asleep and that Tyler was laying next to him and gently patting his forehead. I stood there and watched as Tyler displayed such genuine affection for his little brother. Mike was asleep, and Tyler didn’t think anyone was watching him. And now, I think back to all the times that Tyler and Mason have been near each other: in the bathtub where Mason usually finds his way to Tyler’s side or is pulling on Tyler’s arm or patting his back, when I’m holding Mason on my lap and Tyler also wants to sit with me, or when both boys are on the couch together and Mason inevitably ends up leaning on or laying on Tyler somehow. Not once during those times has Tyler pushed Mason away or yanked his arm away, etc. Mostly, Tyler will tolerate Mason’s closeness, and sometimes he’s even pleased!