Ty's 8 month update.

       Ty's 8th month of life has been a fun one, as always. I don't have a ton of pictures. We were too busy playing. :) I love playing with my little boy. I would pretty much do anything to see that adorable toothless grin.
         So it seemed like last month we were hitting a lot of the physical milestones, while this month it seemed like we hit more of the speech milestones. He has learned to use the word Mama correctly and also says baba and just started saying Dada in the last few days. (although Justin says he doesn't hear it at all but its TOTALLY what he is saying.) Mama came way easy for him. We had to work so hard for that Dada though. It would go something like this. ME: "Ty, say Dadada da  TY: *smiles* "Mamama" And actually its less of a mamama and more of a mommommom. It's the best! So we are working on that dadada but I think it will be really soon.
          I have started giving him more table foods even though it completely terrifies me. He just doesn't seem as interested in the purees as he used to be. We still do about the same amount but I give him just a little of whatever he can have from our dinner everyday. Tonight he had corn, chicken, and a biscuit. He definitely loved the biscuit! We were all finishing up and Justin called me over to help him with something. So I ran over, grabbed what he needed, and ran back. I was gone maybe 1 or 2 minutes, but it was long enough for our sly little guy to slide the entire tray of biscuits onto his tray and start feasting! It was hilarious, so I just laughed and took some pictures.
          One of the happiest things about this month though is that we finally started sleep training and stuck to it. (even when he got his third ear infection, which makes us 3 for 3 on him getting an ear infection every time we try to sleep train) It has been the best thing ever! I did the sleep lady shuffle. I highly HIGHLY recommend this method if you have a child like Ty and a Mom like me. I hated the CIO method and was always afraid I would break the bond we have if I did it, so I never lasted long before I panicked. And then he would get an ear infection and it would be an excuse to stop doing it. So then before I knew it he would refuse to go to bed before 10 PM and take 121303, 20 minute naps ALL. DAY. LONG.  And he was sleeping with us every night. We were all waking up so cranky because as it turns out, Ty is a bed hog. So I started researching options that would actually work for us and I found this one. I love it! It is basically CIO but you don't leave them. You get to stay in the room and comfort when absolutely needed. So he got to learn how to self soothe and I didn't feel like I was abandoning him. So you start with the chair right next to the crib and move it a little farther every three days. We are at the last phase and I will hopefully be out of his room by Friday. Since he got another ear infection I am staying a little longer. When we started he would cry for about 45 minutes. Now he babbles and plays for a few minutes and then just all of a sudden lays down and next thing ya know, he is completely out, for 1.5 hours! It also only takes about 15 minutes if I have timed things right. Even though I am in his room until he falls asleep, I have infinitely more time to do things while he naps. And he is way happier. I wish I would have found this method sooner because I think it is the perfect method for us. I honestly believe their is no perfect method of sleep training. You just have to find the one that is perfect for you and your baby. I suppose for child #2 (in the distant future! This is not a pregnancy announcement!) I could end up using a different one. It just depends on that kids personality. Although I will still be me.
           Anyways, we have really enjoyed the 8th month with Ty. I can't even imagine life without him. I just love this little stinker who is ALWAYS happy even if he does have a double ear infection. I want to be just like him! He reminds that there are a lot of excuses to be sad or mad but they are just excuses. There are tons of reasons to be happy though. And he always is, no matter what. One more story and then I will throw some pics up so you can ooh and aah over his cuteness too! Since he has had so many ear infections but does not exhibit a lot of symptoms I always feel silly taking him in. He never ever acts sick. This last time was in no way different. He was still a pretty happy little guy. He had one symptom. He rubbed his ears. We went back and forth on whether it was silly to take him in. I thought there was no way he had anything wrong because he was acting way too happy to be sick. I ended up just taking him in feeling stupid the whole time. He was screeching and giggling in the waiting room. Flirting with the nurses. I just kept thinking "they have got to be thinking I am one paranoid parent who takes her kid to the doctor for sneezing once" Anyhow, the doctor came in and it was confirmed that he had a DOUBLE ear infection! What the heck?!?! This same kid who was just giggling in the waiting room at 10:30 PM just because he liked the way it echoed? The same kid who has been happy non stop? I have a feeling this little Ty guy is going to always keep us on our toes. I honestly believe he was sent to our home for a reason. I learn as much from him as he does from me. When I was a child I loved to hear and sing the song "don't worry, be happy" I would even try to whistle to it. To this day I still cannot whistle. Or wink for that matter. Ty is truly what that song is all about and exactly what I want to be. He is always looking at the bright side of life. Never worried. Always happy.

Ty with his biscuit that he worked so hard for. He was super excited! 

7 Whole Months folks!

I would say I am proud of myself for writing Ty's 7 month post, while he is actually, 7 months... but, I am only writing this because I miss him. Where is he you say? He must be in some far off land, not seen in days... Well, He is about 10 yards from where I sit as I type this. Yup, I am a total LAME-O! Truth is, it has been killing me that he has been going to bed so late. The last 6 weeks we have done nothing but travel, travel, travel, and travel AGAIN!!! Hey guess what we're doing tomorrow? (Steph, cuz I know you are going to read this, because I swear you are the only person who does... I am so excited to see you guys tomorrow! We are going to have so much fun!) So anyways.... Traveling has been rough! It was so much fun but wreaked total havoc on any routines we have had with Ty. He is just a little bit like his Momma and has such a hard time sleeping in new places. Not because he was upset to not be at home, but because he was super excited. On one of our trip we went to visit my brother and he would not go to sleep. I don't think I have ever seen him that hyper, and at 11:30 PM at that! Giggling and crawling all over us. Thank heavens for my sister-in-law owning a rocking chair. It was my only saving grace that night. So now, we have rigid routine. Like more rigid than ever before. We will see how it goes because I personally hate routine, but I really feel its what he needs. Tonight it was a total success! In bed asleep by 7:30! I should be celebrating and reading or taking a bubble bath or reading more of Divergent, or... But? I miss the noisiness. I miss the curiosity. I miss the adventure of keeping the little stinker out of trouble. What kind of trouble? Well, let me tell you all about it!

We have a full on crawler. He totally skipped the army crawl and went full speed ahead. It is harder and harder to keep this kid contained. Baby gates are in our very near future! It used to be my kitchen was the cleanest room in our house and that has completely moved to the living room. He gets into everything! We have so, SO many toys and yet everything he finds entertaining is off limits. I don't understand it at all. Aren't toys made to be fun for them. So then what the heck entices them to want to play with things that are in no way meant for a baby? Seriously, this baffles me. Maybe it is just our kid? I don't know.

This one completely, I mean COMPLETELY!!! Through me for a loop. About two days after he started crawling (or 5 days max) he started pulling himself up to standing on furniture! What the hey? I was totally preparing myself that he may not crawl for a few months and that was ok, fine, and normal. So now I just find myself daydreaming about bubble wrapping everything. How in the world do we have so many sharp corners in such a small living space?!?! For real! He falls down a lot. Some days I am terrified to take him out into public for fear people will think I am abusing him! I hope he gets a lot less wobbly real soon, because he definitely is not slowing down any time soon. This kid likes to "move it, move it".

Other than that.... He is finally starting to get the hang of the pincher grip and getting better at putting food in his mouth rather than covering it up with his fingers. Which as it turns out is kind of comical. I would put those puffs on his tray and laugh (out of love, of course) because he would pick one up and couldn't see it in his hand so he just kept going for different ones over and over. But the face he would pull when it simply "disappeared" haha, Priceless!

Totally a side sleeper. As soon as I lay him in his crib he immediately rolls over. Sometimes he rolls over in my arms as I am putting him in his crib so he will be in the position he wants when he gets there. It was hilarious the other night. We put him in his car seat to sleep (because he has ANOTHER ear infection...) and he rolled to his side. He looked SO uncomfortable! But that is how he slept for about 1.5 hours.

 We love this kiddo so much! I am so glad we get to have him in our lives. He makes our lives so much better! He is one of the happiest and sweetest baby boys. My heart absolutely melts when he is in the thick of playing with all of his toys and he glances at me from across the room and all of a sudden he crawls to me as fast as he can because he just wants to cuddle with his Mommy for a few minutes. Not because he is tired. Just because. I hope its always this way and he always finds time for his Momma!

Half way to 1!!! Oh my! Ty six months.

Ty is already 6 months! What the hey??? Six more months and he will be just over one. So not cool kid, stop growing, but also don't, you just keep getting funner. This has been the funnest month so far. I can't believe the personality that has developed and all the little quirks he already has. At least he seems to have grown out of the weirdest quirk. We weren't aloud to talk for the longest time while we fed him. He would scream if you started to talk. Sometimes I forget who is in charge... Anyhow He is just learning so much and we are so enjoying him.

So first up, drum roll please.... He is getting mobile.... dun dun dun.... Oh man I have such mixed emotions about this. I had a feeling he wouldn't wait to long to hit this milestone but I was hoping for just a little longer, while being really happy that he is hitting things when he is supposed to. He isn't quite crawling, but he definitely gets where he wants within a few minutes. Usually towards paper, or cords, or car keys or... basically not toys. He still does try every once in a while to use his knees but usually he can only go backwards that way. His whining tells me this isn't exactly the direction he wants to go. I think he is super close. Sometimes, he does this awesome little bunny hop thing. He knows he needs to move his legs but hasn't quite mastered moving them one at a time so he does both and he looks like a bunny hopping. It's hilarious! The funniest part though, is the face plant. We are also working on moving his hands. He forgets to move them and inevitably crashes onto his poor little face as soon as he gets done doing the "bunny hop". haha

He is starting to play with other kids and animals. We went to Boise this last weekend to see Wade and Kelly (who did an awesome job on our taxes! If you are looking for a good accountant my brother is pretty awesome! It runs in the family.The awesomeness, not the math. I definitely can't help you with that.) and Jenny and Steve and all their kiddos. We also got to see Jessica and Chris and Alexis and one of my very best friends Kaity. Anyhow Wade has two dogs. I wasn't very nervous but we weren't sure how they would do with Ty. But Oh my gosh he LOVED them! Bella pretty much stayed away but Buster would come lick him in the face and he would just grin ear to ear and then try to pet him. After Wade's house we got to spend some time with Jenny and Steve. He got to see Kelsie's daughter Serena again, and they really hit it off. We would sit them together and she would coo at him and he would giggle. Then he would say something back which must have been a joke because he would laugh even harder after he got done talking. And then he would suck on her toes....We'll start working on those social boundaries real soon. haha. He loves interacting with other kids though, and it is rare that they don't have him giggling in just a few short minutes.  We also got some stinkin adorable hats from Jessica that she crocheted. (Jessica is AMAZING at crochet!!!)

He is sitting better and better everyday with fewer tip overs all the time. He is even starting to pull himself up a little to a sitting position.

Just hangin out with a very special valentine date!

Jade has been surprisingly well behaved with Ty. If he gets to be too much she just walks away.

Just like Daddy!

Us lately...

I don't know what is going on this year, but it has felt incredibly warm for a January in Idaho. Steph says she thinks this will lead to a ton of snow in March. I love ya Steph... but oh I hope you are wrong. I am SO ecstatic at the thought of warm weather. I think maybe more so than ever before. I was pregnant for most of the summer, THEN caring for a newborn and trying to get as much sleep as I possibly could. Seriously though, I was in survival mode. I left the house as little as possible. (and now I am always trying to leave it haha) So it kinda just feels like it has been an endless winter. So I say if spring is going to come early... Hooray!!! Anyways... a few weeks ago we found a warm-ish day. Justin and I felt it would be a catastrophe to waste it. So we took Ty out, just for a few minutes to swing for the first time. I don't really think he loved it... But I don't think he hated it either? haha Anyhow we had a lot of fun for those few minutes. And I of course wanted to document it. He had a very Eh, this is boring look on his face.

Maybe we will have better luck later on. Also, my Mom knitted that blanket! Isn't it adorable? Totally in love with it.   

I am so SUPER excited at how much Tytus loves books. He especially loves his touch and feel book. Its all about farm animals. Each different animal has fur. I forgot I had it for awhile and it just sat on our shelf. One night I finally pulled it out. Mostly because I felt he was more ready for it. It was so much fun. Now he thinks that every book is a touch and feel book, so he grabs at all the different people/animals/things on every page just hoping it will have something cool. He also loves turning the pages and inevitably trying to eat the book after we are done. I definitely am sticking with the board books for now. He is way too handsy and I don't want to discourage that in any way. So to protect all our other books, we will just wait until he is a little older. Aunt Amy came for a visit, so naturally she read him some books. I think they both had so much fun! 

And if you were wondering about the book, its called "Little Blue Truck Leads The Way" It is kind of long for a baby his age, IMO, but he actually sits through it just fine. The story is really cute, has a moral and I love the illustrations as well. AND I got it for a few bucks at TJmaxx. Who can complain about that? (besides Justin...) 

We have also been trying a new way of feeding Ty his solids. Its called baby led weaning. If you have never heard of it there is a TON of info online. Basically you give whole foods to your baby. Either large pieces that they can bite pieces off of or cut up pieces that they can pick up and put in their mouth. I tried the first and it was actually terrifying. I also don't feel super excited about the small pieces. So I got one of those Munchkin brand mesh feeders (thanks Monica!) and we love it! He loves it too! Tonight I gave him Avocado and he chowed down like crazy! I was worried because we have one person in the house who hates avocados, and one person who adores them. I won! Yay! I just am not sure how much actually made it into his mouth. There was avocado EVERYWHERE!  

I could rattle out a list of reasons why we are choosing baby led but i'm not writing this to convince anyone. Just writing what we are doing. If you want to know, let me know and I can share. 

So I feel like I write a ton of stuff about Ty and not really anything about Justin and I... But lets face it, thats why your here. All 2 of you! But just humor me for a minute you guys.... And nod your head and act like i'm important too...

Me: So probably the biggest thing going on with me right now is a new diet (lifestyle change) and I am going to start training for a 5k on monday! I haven't talked to a ton of people about this. Things started feeling very different for me when I got pregnant with Ty. Especially in the food department. Duh, right? Hello morning sickness. Except it wasn't morning sickness. Unless it stays with you after you have the baby too. So I was still feeling sick after having Ty. Like ALL.THE.TIME! Finally a few weeks ago I was like well this isn't really normal... I gotta figure this out. So I started narrowing things down and trying different things. So what has worked for me is cutting out gluten and drinking milk. (Don't ask me to give up my cheese and yogurt!) I actually am quite in love with lactose free milk and chocolate almond milk. Like more than regular milk. But why does it have to be so expensive? Anyone tried the vanilla? I'm scared! Honestly if I do those two things I feel SO great! Sometimes I deviate and usually I regret it, but sometimes gluten doesn't make me sick. Its like an 80/20 ratio. But when I regret it, I REGRET it. Also since I have made the switch I have lost 7 lbs. Yay! And hopefully I can lose more while training for the 5k. I have always admired runners. Always wanted to do it. I am slower than tar! Seriously! (Ask me about my first after school detention sometime.) So Lindsey, thank you in advance for putting up with me. Also I have now convinced myself that I need chia seeds to make me run fast. Haha. If it doesn't work i'll spend the rest of my days making and selling chia pets. 

  

Oh, and Justin says... "i'm doing good" That sums it up I guess!