Frederik Meijer Gardens

Michigan has four wonderful seasons, but winter always tends to linger a little too long. The itch to go outside can become very strong in March, when there can still be a few feet of snow on the ground. This year, we thought it would be a great idea to join the Frederik Meijer Gardens, so that during these long dreary months, we could take Kyler to some great indoor areas to run around and look at nature. During March and April each year, they have a great exhibit called Butterflies Are Blooming in the largest of the botanical rooms. Ryan's spring break was filled with snow, so we enjoyed taking Kyler to see something that we did when we first started dating. Later on, we also went with Aunt Lori and cousins KayLynn and Mekinley, as well as with cousin Sarah and Josie. Kyler loved to watch the butterflies and people, and he especially enjoyed getting out to run around at the children's indoor create-your-own sculpture park.

Hanging out in the stroller, wanting to get out and explore!

Such a pretty close up!

Finally a picture of the blue morpho butterfly! (On previous visits, Ryan could never successfully catch one of these)

Two cute scientists!

Playing with the kids' sculptures

Action shot!

So many pretty colors!

Kyler pointing out butterflies

Meeting girls with no fear...and showing off

Such cute cousins!

"Sharing" the butterfly seat for pictures...

...until Kyler pushed KayLynn off

Kyler -- February and March 2013

Weekly blogs were nice at first, but now with the monthly blogs, I figure it makes more sense to go with calendar months rather than months with respect to Kyler's age. Plus, in February, we found out that we are expecting our second child in October, so this would further complicate things once the baby is born. But on to more catch-up!

Our little boy continued to grow and change, even picking up a few new behaviors that we hope disappear as quickly as they showed up. The main problem we began facing was the sudden hatred he had for his changing table and all of the flailing that occurs when we have to change his diaper or clothes. He got much better at standing on the changing table to allow us to pull his shirts on, but it was a battle of wills for everything else. He also began to take a very big interest in Duncan, but his "pats" are more like hits, so we have had to work on being gentle and teaching him to give Duncan some space (and vice versa).

Kyler started to say a lot of new words, even though they are hard to fully understand unless you are around him often. He began to say "juice," "cheese," "fish," and "ga-fish" (for goldfish crackers), while continuing to say "Da-da," "this," and "Mama" (but only when he wants something).  Kyler became very fond of brushing his teeth and identifying his body parts, including his eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, ears, toes, and hair. He continued to be extremely "motoriffic," with pretty much nothing too difficult for him to try and climb onto. Despite numerous falls off the couch, he never seems to be deterred. We also tried to work on Kyler's artistic side, providing crayons and markers for him to draw with, but he preferred to eat his artistic implements.

Kyler's appetite continued to be adventurous, as he tried honey, apricots, fish sticks, chili, and a Shamrock Shake that Ryan had to fight him for. The weather started to warm up enough to explore the outdoors and the many puddles that the melting snow left for us. When visiting the grocery store, Kyler became fascinated by the fish tanks in the pet department and all the kids he sees going by in their respective carts. He loved going to visit the "grandmas" in the nursery during my Thursday morning Bible study. On Easter, Kyler enjoyed his first Peeps and a new basketball that has barely been put down. Kyler also experienced his first haircut, which seemed to be pretty traumatic. But he looked so cute afterwards.

Light switch rave!

Gotta love snuggle time with Daddy

Cannot wait to get into his "tubby"

Looking cool...and working it

Working on his coy look...watch out girls!

Wait, isn't that supposed to be Duncan's bed?

Slam dunk action shot--obviously watching too much March Madness with Daddy

Yep, time to get a haircut!

Getting his first haircut--before the tears begin!

Looking so much older after the haircut!

We may have a future PT in our house...

"Pull your knee into your chest, Daddy"

Super excited about his Easter gift

It might be a little too big for that hoop, little boy!

Lining up the shot

His first Peep! Happy Easter!

Kyler -- Month 15 (1/18/13-2/17/13)

It was another busy month for Kyler! He tried many new things, had lots of visitors, and even gained a new cousin! One of the first things that he learned this month was how to kiss people goodbye. It is always cute and nice to get a little affection from this little one, but he has still not mastered the "closed mouth" kiss, often leaving the recipient with a pretty wet cheek. At meal time, Kyler began to fold his hands when we ask him to pray, and even though he may only keep them folded for a short time, we still love it. Kyler has liked to "blow kisses" or pretend to eat food with his hands during meal time. He also began to go down the stairs during this time, learning to sit on his "buns" when we ask him to. He spent many hours just going up and down the stairs with Mommy and Daddy.

We had some great visits from Uncle Bob and Aunt Dawn, and later Papa and Grammy with Uncle Dave, Aunt Kami, and cousin Kathryn (who will be a student at Hope next year). Kyler loves to show off for his visitors and has so much fun bringing them toys and trying to make them laugh. At one point, we had a pizza party with cousin KayLynn, where Kyler's long hair ended up in bows (yes, that would be his Mommy's doing). A few days later, Kyler also got to meet his newest cousin (KayLynn's baby sister Mekinley) at the hospital. Though he was not too interested in her right then, I know that they will become great friends just like Kyler and KayLynn.

Kyler continued to love being out in the snow, climbing on anything that he could (including the new couch), and trying new foods, including a new fave--pomegranate seeds! Though they can be messy, he eats them like candy, and we can barely keep enough of them on his plate. Kyler began transitioning more and more into having only one nap in the afternoon, but even on those days, he still had mornings where he was sleepy and almost asking for a nap. One time he even took his soccer ball with him to bed. Our little boy always keeps things busy and fun!

He loves cottage cheese... Yum!

Mommy and Kyler during snuggle time

Does this kid look excited about cars or what!

"What do you mean I have something on my face?"

"Okay, time to bust some kneecaps!" Uh-oh...

Real men can rock bows, and Ky can even handle the pink polka-dot kind!

"Gotta get my miles in before nap time"

Getting so good at drinking from a cup

"Uncle Bob makes me laugh!"

"Yes, I know I am cute"

This little boy loves his puffs

Had a great time with Uncle Bob and Aunt Dawn!

Snuggling with Mommy on the new couch... I wish these moments could last forever!

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