How to Entertain Indoors...

Just thought I'd post some of my favorite pictures and stories from the past few months...

We have found a passion for books! Thank goodness the stage of getting ALL of them out only lasted a few weeks! He has his favorites, mostly ones with farm animals and an ISU book where we find Cy on every page.

So this leads to my farm animal story. We have been working with him on animals, and he had done a pretty good job of repeating sounds when you say them, and had started to even say them on his own. He is good at cow, lion, sheep, monkey, rooster, and turkey. So we went to church one Sunday and he started getting fidgety, so I pulled out a book and opened it, and automatically he looked at the cow and went "moo" - right in the middle of a prayer! I had no idea he knew the picture-sound association. I quickly turned the page and to my surprise, "Baa!" Andrew quickly hissed for me to change the book!!!

Along with the animal sound theme...we were sitting on the deck a few days ago and he pointed to the house and went "neigh"...I was pretty confused on what he was wanting or trying to say until I saw what he was pointing at - our Swedish horse with our name on it! I give him credit knowing that was a horse!!!

He was struggling with eating anything while sick so when he wanted to eat the pudding by himself, of course we let him!

Ok - so one of his favorite words & foods is Banana. Every morning he sees them on the counter and starts begging. So one morning I just grabbed a half of one and handed it to him - and quickly learned that a toddler can shove a half a banana in his mouth and doesn't understand the concept of bites! But he was happy - he got his banana!

Andrew left his fishing pole out and within 5 minutes we had a new fisherman in the house!

Lately I've been trying to finish numerous projects in the house. One is hanging towel rods where you can actually use them in our upstairs spare bathroom. Andrew and Tyler finished this one day while I was out. Andrew said he was drilling holes and Tyler headed to his bedroom. After a minute he came back with his own little drill (Thanks Legion Santa!) and wanted to help! Andrew said he was so proud that he had the same tool dad did!

Visitors, Visitors, Visitors!

February and March brought visitors to our house for a change!

Tyler & Pappa Knute wrestling & playing with the chair.

Great Grandma Pete & Tyler just hanging.

We watched the neighbors one night and they helped build an igloo-fort out of diaper boxes. Abby & Nate often help their mom Darcy watch Tyler when we need a little help. It's cute to hear Tyler say "Abby".

He's content watching volleyball when you give him one of Grandpa's deer sticks! Grandma Julie & Dad appear to be watching him, not Belle playing volleyball!

Aunt Linda & Cousins Lori & Lexi visited Des Moines one weekend and had a hotel with a pool - so we had to go swimming! Tyler thought it was fun as long as he had a hold of Mom!

Uncle Kyle, Andrew, and Dad watching the ISU Women play in the NCAA tourney.

All Things Tyler

So, I've been accused of not posting enough. No good excuse except the computer has been acting up, I've tried to get back into working out and it is taking a major chunk out of my 'free' time, and now that Tyler can walk - nothing is safe! ;)

The first part of 2011 has been uneventful, yet still busy! In January & February we went to an ISU basketball game or two. February marked 15 months for Tyler. He weighed in at 30 1/2 inches and 19 pounds, 10 ounces. Believe it or not, that puts him in the 32% for height and 1% or lower in weight. We were told to 'bulk him up'. Go figure right after that he gets sick and doesn't eat for almost a week!

We have stayed in Des Moines for a change, letting our family come to us! We attended 4 Saturday volleyball tournaments for our niece Belle throughout February & March, with the Perkin's and Newman's all visiting. Papa Knute, Grandma Denise, and Great Grandma Peterson visited for a Sunday afternoon as well.

So - here are a few pictures of our early 2011 happenings, with more to come - and some good stories as well!

Tyler has figured out that he can get into the cereal cupboard and does so daily. He knows that there is cereal, crackers, and cookies in here and he will bring them to us often.

Our Saturday morning relaxation lately has been to get coffee and the newspaper from the gas station and hang out in our pj's. As you can see, we're starting him off early on the java! He gets very angry when you take away his coffee cup. Just like I assume his dad was, this little monkey is a climber. He likes to take all the dipaers out and stand in his caddy. I've caught him often on his table and fire truck in the living room. He has also quickly become at ease on the little slide in the basement. I will work on getting pictures, but in a matter of a month or so we went from being scared of it to climmbing up it backwards and standing on top, looking to dad to tell him no. Need an explanation? He has a fasination with the swiffer. If he gets the chance to sneak into the laundry room, off he goes in every room of the house, cleaning.

Newman Christmas

Christmas in January! We traveled to Stanton the first weekend in January to have Christmas with the Newman side. We had a relaxing weekend hanging out, visiting relatives, eating great food, and of course, presents! Here are the highlights....

The boys entertained themselves with the video games prior to gift opening.

Tyler got a great nursery rhyme book from Grandma & Grandpa.

Andrew got a great gift from the Perkins!

Boy how the boys can model their gifts!

Apparently Tyler fits in with the rest of the Newman clan - Kesslers for Christmas!

He had a lot of fun playing with Johnathan's drum set....I don't think Johnathan saw him doing this though!

Uncle Kyle got all of the kids Kool-Aid shirts - Merry Christmas!!

New Year's & Christmas

This year we combined the New Years with a wedding and Christmas celebration. On New Years Eve the Hallquist family made their way to our house and we took pictures of the kids and Grandma & Grandpa for their Christmas gift. We then went to Allen & Libby Lundgren's wedding in Ankeny. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a ball! Chase konked out early, but Emma & Tyler were on the dance floor when the ball dropped at midnight!

Tyler got to hang out with Grandma & Grandpa Newman at the wedding. Mom & Dad enjoyed the numerous babysitters!

Dad, Tyler, Erin, & Nichole hanging out.

Everyone spent the next two days hanging out at our house to celebrate Christmas. We opened presents, watched cartoons, played with new toys, played cards, and ate WAY too much good food!

Grandpa reading books to the grandkids before present time.

We caught the three kids opening presents before it was time - reminds me of when I caught Carrie and Mitchell doing the same thing at a Peterson Christmas years ago!

Grandpa showing Tyler how his new puppy works.

Tyler got a new Lightning McQueen chair from Grandma & Grandpa for Christmas. He was checking it and his new book out. Since getting the chair, he figured out how to dive into it and flip it over - talk about being a little crazy boy!

After some good naps, Grandpa put together Chase's new toy and we all played with it.

Andrew dressed the boys up as Iowa State fans - they had fun showing off on the couch!

Next they wrestled Grandpa!

Then hugged - how cute!

Here is breakfast the next morning - bananas anyone?

Apparently IN the toybox is the place to be!

We can't thank everyone enough for spending the weekend with us. We had so much fun and we miss everyone so much! Anyone up for Christmas in July too? ;)

Christmas at the Newman's

Well, Christmas was interesting this year, to say the least. We spent the evening of the 23rd packing up, making food, and getting all ready for the 4 day trip to Stanton. It snowed all night, and Christmas Eve morning Tyler slept in and we got up to go scoop the drive and pack the cars to head back. Half way through the drive, Andrew doubled over in pain - and out went a disc in his back! I somehow got him inside, found a chiropractor that was open on Christmas Eve, practically threw Tyler to the neighbors (Thank you Baysingers!!!), and neighbor Kevin helped me load him into the car. After a long visit there, a visit to the walk-in to get drug perscriptions, I got him back home by 2 PM. By 4 I was back with Tyler, movies, drugs, and a lovely McDonalds supper! Needless to say our trip was cancelled and we spent the next three days holed up watching tv, movies, and trying to come up with creative, 'festive' meals since we hadn't planned on being home. It was nice to be in our own home (but not soo nice sleeping on a loveseat recliner), and Tyler did like the attention. But it was very hard on us as it was the very first time ever we hadn't spent Christmas with our families in Stanton.

Tyler got a cell phone in his stocking!

He also got a Cookie Monster book. At least Andrew was able to lay on the couch part of the time and be with us.

Santa brought Tyler a farm, complete with animals and sounds. He enjoyed a new toy over the long weekend.

He enjoyed 'talking' on Dad's cell phone more than his new one.

Merry Christmas!!

Santa Visit

We spent a weekend in Stanton in early December and Santa visited Tyler and cousin Johnathan at Grandma & Grandpa Newman's house. Tyler wasn't so sure of the big guy and held on tight to Mom. The boys then had a blast the rest of the night showing off the power tools that Santa gave them.

In addition to Santa, I just had some cute pictures of Tyler and his food habits.....

We mastered the corn dog with no problem....

We know exactly where Mom & Dad keep the cereal and crackers...

And popcorn is one of our favorites!