Kyler -- Week 36 (7/21/12-7/27/12)

We had a lot of firsts this week, including adding breakfast to Kyler's meal plan. We started out the week at Lori's family's cottage. Kyler had a great time playing in their kiddie pool, but also going into the lake. He was not sure what to think of the sand at first, keeping one of his feet off the sand at all times. He did not love his first boat ride at the beginning because the life jacket was in his face, but after I figured out how to pull it down, he was all smiles. Kyler had a great time hanging out with his cousin KayLynn and playing with all kinds of different toys. He had a great time on the swing and played in the exersaucer (which he could not figure out why it did not bounce like his jumperoo).


Kyler also had a great time trying lots of new foods, including his first finger food--puffs! He loves puffs and has started to get the hang of how to get them into his mouth. Kyler also got to try another new food--potatoes. He has found lots of new things to play with, including laundry baskets, and has mastered going up the one stair in Grandma and Grandpa's living room. Kyler has also found that watching Grandpa's fish tank is a lot of fun, but he keeps trying to touch the fish through the glass.

Kyler visited lots of new places this week. We went to the Hudsonville farmers market for the first time and got a lot of fresh produce for baby food. We went to visit our new house and show Kyler what his new room would look like, but before we could leave, Kyler spit up all over the new carpet. I guess he wanted to leave his mark in the new home. We also had a great friend invite us to visit Sandy Pines, where my family used to spend lots of summer days swimming, boating, and spending time family and friends. It was bittersweet to be there; it was great to take Kyler to visit a place that is so dear to my childhood, yet sad to know that he will not have the same experiences there. But whatever Kyler's summers hold, I sure they will include lots of fun, family, and love.

Hanging out with Grandma at the cottage 

"There is a big lake to play in, but I still love being in the pool!"

Not sure about the boat ride or the life jacket...

...but now he loves it!

Such a serious little man in the morning...

Thinking hard about something

Hanging out at the lake with his family, with his sail boat in the floating hipp

"I get into my food, Mommy!"

"What--do you think that I should get out of the pool?"

"Silly Mommy--I just blow bubbles"

Big smile!

Duncan just hanging out in the grass while Kyler continues to splash in the pool

"After 4 large poops, Mommy is taking a big risk letting me skinny dip now!"

Kyler -- Week 35 (7/14/12-7/20/12)

So it has been a long time since we have worked on this blog, and as tempted as I am to just give you an overview of what has happened the past couple of months, I see this blog as a bit of a "baby book" for Kyler and do not want to shorten what is a big part of his exploring days. A lot has happened to us recently--and, really, since before Kyler has been born--and I have been writing a journal about what Kyler has done or experienced every single day of his life. So I am always able to go back and see what has happened during a given time frame, even when I get behind on my blog.

For Kyler's 35th week of life, we were busy with travels yet again. We returned from Ann Arbor on Saturday and discovered that while in the car, if you turn on classical music, it calms Kyler and will eventually put him to sleep. When we returned to west Michigan, he again loved being in the pool just as much as ever, even seeming to have a renewed interest in splashing and kicking the water coming out of the jets. Sunday we went to a new church, but had to take the "old" car seat along to give him a place to sleep during church. He was pretty fussy, but fell asleep right at the beginning of the sermon. I don't think it said anything about the pastor.

Monday brought Ryan's and my 7th anniversary, which we spent going to Costco and hanging around with repairmen fixing my parents' hot water heater. While at Costco, Kyler got a new friend: Cade A. Bear (a.k.a. Bear A. Cade), which has helped to block him from trying to get to stairs. Kyler had fun hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma while we went out for our anniversary to San Chez Tapas Bistro, but he did not want to go to sleep for them. He got to hang out late into the night and laugh as Grandpa and Grandma played "volleyball" in the living room. Guess he thought that was pretty funny.

The rest of the week brought new foods (asparagus and egg yolk), and we found a new friend in his window well that set the monitor off all night long--a trapped little bunny (see the video below). We also started to dislike the jumperoo because of it meant confinement. With the water heater broken for much of the week, we spent a lot of time giving Kyler baths in the kiddie pool outside. On Friday morning, we headed out to Lori's family's cottage and played by the beach. KayLynn and Kyler had so much fun playing together. It will be fun to see what they are like in a couple of years. 

Cousins playing in the kiddie pool with adorable hats

KayLynn is such a loving little lady!

In the pool with Grandpa--happy as a clam

Just looking cute in the pool--a place he has spent a lot of time this summer

"I love my fish toy, but I see you taking my picture, Mommy!"

A thoughtful picture...I think there were butterflies he was watching

Just another happy boy picture :)

Playing in the water, looking for toys

Rolling with his "homey" Cade A. Bear