Kyler -- Month 14 (12/18/12-1/17/13)

I still cannot believe how fast a month can go by, though I know that with the holidays, things went by faster than ever. Kyler continues to grow, learn quickly, experience new things, try new foods, and enjoy spending time with anyone around him. He is a very outgoing little man who seems to show no fear of strangers which has made getting to know people very easy. We started to notice a little more caution and even a few tears when separated from us though. I started going to coffee break at church on Thursdays, and now that we have been fairly healthy, Kyler has also been in nursery much more often. However, even after completely switching over to one nap a day, he still was getting pretty tired right in the middle of the morning.

Kyler learned a lot of new things this month. He learned to shake his head "no," but we are not sure that he really knows what it means. He can now point to his nose, mouth, and sometimes other parts such as ears and eyes. His favorite part is still his tongue, which he will readily stick out at you when you do likewise. When we ask to give kisses, he will lean in to receive them, but he has not figured out how to give one yet. He also likes to lean in and receive kisses from Duncan! We play downstairs more often now that we have carpet to play on, and when asked to if he wants to "go downstairs," he will run to the gate and reach up his hands for you to pick him up. Our favorite thing that Kyler learned this month is how to pray. He will fold his hands together when we ask him to pray and look up at us with a smile--now how cute is that?

Kyler started wanting to watch television much more this month, often bringing us videos to watch and wanting to actually cuddle in our laps while watching. We now have to be strict about how much television is on now so that we do not end up with a couch potato for a son, but one video a day doesn't seem to be too much. We often went out to play in the snow, but Kyler often throws a bit of a fit when he has to come back inside--which was a new experience for us, but certainly not the last. Ryan has taken on the duty of making sure that Kyler gets to ride "Sandy" the horse after shopping for groceries. (For those of you who do not know, it's a mechanical horse at all Meijer stores you can ride for a penny.) Kyler also really started to "sort" things this month, grouping similar things together and in a certain order, only to move them to another place minutes later.

Over this month, we had many different family Christmas parties, Skype conversations, and places to visit. Kyler's foods continue to vary, as he has tried peanut butter, ham, blueberries, cherries, bell peppers, cranberry juice, spinach, and blackberries. He continues to eat very well and has been using a spoon to eat yogurt on his own, though we often have to clean the yogurt off everyone (including the dog) when he is done. We went out to breakfast as a family during Ryan's holiday break, and though it went really well, our days of dining out leisurely are a distant memory for now. Kyler continues to grow into such a good boy, even with the occasional temper flare up, but we love to see his big smile with all 15 teeth!

Batman! Gotta love a boy in a cape

Kyler demonstrating his tongue knowledge

Having a good time with the rockin' table!

Oh, teaching the boy to use a spoon with yogurt...

...yep, not clean at all!

So cute, yet so distracted by the birds outside

Playing in the guest bedroom...we often find toys there

One of Kyler's "sorts" -- because all plastic balls belong in Daddy's slippers

Hanging out after spending the morning with nice ladies at church

"I see you, Mommy!"

Kyler showing his biblical knowledge by putting his zoo animals on the pirate ship...I mean ark

Notice where he puts his blueberries...yet another sort...what are you thinking about, kiddo?

Looking out the window and waiting for Daddy to come home

Christmas!

This was our first year not traveling for the Christmas holidays, and although we did miss seeing Ryan's family, it was a nice way to start our own family traditions. Kyler was pretty interested in our tree, and although he generally listens pretty well, we were forced to move our ornaments higher and higher on the tree. I did buy two soft reindeer ornaments to hang low on the tree where he could touch them, but that did not seem to deter his drive to get into the Christmas tree at all costs. We enjoyed family Christmas parties, video-chatting with other family members on the computer, and, of course, seeing what Santa Claus left on Christmas morning. On Christmas Eve, we (yes, even Duncan!) piled into the car and went out to look at Christmas lights (see video below). Kyler did not seem to mind driving around, especially with his snacks and juice. We felt very blessed this Christmas and look forward to many more together as a family!

Our Christmas tree--with a very minimally decorated bottom half

Ryan's slightly sacrilegious nativity scene using Kyler's Little People toys

Our front porch!

Kyler riding his new rocking horse...

...but he would rather pet the pony instead

Kyler getting Mr. Potato Head

Our little "buck"...I mean, bison :)

Finally learning to unwrap some presents

Daddy sharing his love of superheroes with Kyler

Kyler's first Louisville Slugger from Aunt Britani and Uncle Charlie--watch out, windows!

Ryan having fun with his boy

"I'm all ears, Mommy!"

Santa brought Kyler a whole zoo!

Our little man ready for Christmas pictures

"Cheese!"

Best family picture this year...Kyler has become much more wiggly :)

Snow!

Kyler seemed to love every flake of snow we got in Michigan over the winter. Though we often struggle to get him into his snow gear, he loves to point, walk, and touch snow. We have a nice little sled that he loves to ride in, and you often got a small grin on his face when you went a little faster than walking. Kyler loved attempting to walk in the snow, but with all his layers, he needed a little help to get back up after falling down.

"I like my sled, Daddy--what do you mean you need a break?"

Hands full of snow, but still looking out for more

A boy and his dog--the best of buddies

After a little tumble, he was back up and ready for more

He has this downward dog thing figured out, but he just can't move well in those snowpants

Mommy doing the walking assist

"What do you mean I have to go inside?"

Pink cheeks right before heading inside for some juice

My little snow bunny

Kyler -- Month 13 (11/18/12-12/17/12)

[Sorry for the delay -- Ryan will take the blame for this...]

It was such a busy month for our little man! There were many new places to explore, foods to try, and trouble to get into. His one year appointment went really well. Our "little man" has remained tall (31.5 inches) but with all his activity his weight has started to plateau (23 lbs 15 oz). The pediatrician called him "motorific," and we could not agree more with that descriptor of our child. He continues to dig into our cupboards, but has now discovered that he can find and bring us snacks when he wants food (which seems to be all the time). Kyler discovered the fun of gravity and the great bounces that things take when they are thrown through our gate and down the stairs. He still loves to push anything with wheels, but has also started to "ride" the toys and push himself backwards. He started to climb into boxes and onto different toys to get up into things we once thought were out of reach. Though at this point he could not climb onto the couch or chairs yet, he displays no fear of heights and if you are not right there, he will take a flying leap into the great unknown (or Christmas tree). After his evening baths, Kyler loves a goofy game of "peek" with his bath towel on the changing table. Even though he is continuously busy, he also started to migrate towards only one nap per day, which has been an adjustment for everyone.

Though Kyler is extremely advanced in his motor skills, he still does not say many words clearly, but now says "Mama" and "Dada," as well as sticking out his tongue when you ask him to do it or do it yourself. He started to shake his head "no" even though we are not sure where he picked that up. :) He has been following so many directions, including doing two things consecutively, like "find the ball and put it into the truck." Much to Ryan's excitement, he became very good at hitting a ball with a bat (on a stationary tee of course), and--to Ryan's dismay--he has shown an affinity for kicking/dribbling a soccer ball. He continues to try many new foods, including cows milk, beets, egg whites, tomatoes, oranges, and strawberries. We have worked on drinking from a cup, and he does it very well when he wants to. Kyler often likes to put his food in the cup and then try to "drink" his food. Thankfully, we have been able to get the "all done" wave down, but often not until Duncan has been fed most of Kyler's food.

We also had a lot of fun traveling to see family and visiting with friends. We had a great time visiting the whole Bebej family over Thanksgiving, and Kyler had a great time playing with his cousins and celebrating his birthday. Kyler especially loved that he got to sleep in his parents' room, and after much screaming and crying, he even got to have an impromptu sleepover in bed with us. Kyler slept great, but Ryan and I found no comfortable way to have a toddler sleep between us without at least one of us being awake. Kyler has also become very curious about wheelchairs and walkers, taking Great Grandpa Hodge's for a spin and stealing walkers from little old ladies while visiting Great Grandma Van Dyke. We visited Ryan at work and ran around the halls of DeVries Hall (not very quietly though). We visited Hager Park with Jess, Michael, and Ashley and for Ryan's birthday. During these trips, we discovered that Kyler's walking skills are diminished with any incline or decline. :) It has been so much fun watching his mental wheels turning more and more, and we are so excited to see how he continues to change in the months ahead!

Zombie baby? Too much Twilight? Or just eating beets? :)

The best toys are usually the cheapest -- and balloons last for a very long time!

Dressed up for Christmas pictures...

Kyler truly has become attached to his lovey...

...But how cute is this!

One of the best Christmas pictures--looks like Kyler didn't hate it too much!

Showing off our newly acquired tongue skill in the tub -- and check out those curls!

We now like to empty out the container bin from inside the container bin!

"Hey, I'm driving here!"

The wonders of the sippy cup :)

Never stationary for very long, this kid is always on the move!

We even like to ride on our pirate ship! Preparing to come aboard!

All the grandkids at the Bebej family Thanksgiving dinner

Kyler still showing off his tongue know-how

Loved playing with his cousins and the new birthday truck!

This is hard to believe, but he does remain still for BRIEF times

"Now, how can I get the DVR to record Super Why?"