I know all parents love their kids and think that they are super funny and smart, but I have to say that this kid keeps us laughing and on our toes almost every single day. His imagination has just taken off, and it is so much fun to see what he thinks up next. He is often treating toys as his "friends." Whether lovey is telling him things or he has a new friend like a ball, we always seem to have extra playmates now. Probably the biggest things that happened this month were Ryan spending a week in Germany for a conference and Kyler turning three years old! It was a busy month, but it was so much fun to spend it with such a great kid. Here are some highlights:
After Halloween, he loves to line up his candy, putting them in categories and spelling out their names.
He had a great time riding side by side with Devin in the cart at Costco.
He almost spelled the word "ball" on his own, simply by sounding it out.
We made a paper chain to count down the days until Daddy came home from his trip, and every morning he loved to count the days we had left.
I was sad about something, and when he saw me with tears in my eyes, he said, "Want to talk, Mommy?"
He pooped on the potty!
We lost lovey at nap time, so we prayed for lovey, and then I was able to find him!
He helped to measure and hammer when we put pictures up at the house.
He was super excited to go and pick up Daddy from the "plane station."
He threw up on the couch, but soon felt better and did not want to stay in bed or eat only crackers.
He loved to shovel the driveway and hated to go inside, so we went over and shoveled Grandma and Grandpa's driveway too!
He had fun going to Culver's with family and hanging out with his "friend" (and first cousin, once removed) Kathryn, but he could never remember her name.
He had a great time at his birthday party and did really well thanking everyone.
He had a fun snowy day with Daddy playing on the sled, trying to build a snowman, and coming inside to enjoy hot chocolate and board games.
On his third birthday, Daddy got an unexpected snow day, so we had a fun family day with letter-shaped pancakes, fun outside in the snow, and presents that arrived just in time because of the weather.
We have "I love you" wars, in which we keep saying it back and forth until someone gives up.
He spilled milk at the table and became upset asking me, "Are you mad, Mommy? It was an accident," while he was crying. Poor kiddo.
He saw people kissing on a television commercial and said, "There is Mommy and Daddy."
When asked who his best friend is, he said, "Mommy!"
He had fun watching birds in the backyard with his binoculars.
At his three-year appointment, he was 33.5 lbs and 38 inches tall. As the pediatrician listened to his heart, checked his ears, etc., Kyler wanted the doctor to check his lovey the whole appointment too. It was so sweet to see the doctor do it with him!
At BSF, he often comes home to tell me about the "ten 'mandments" and that, "God lives in a tabernacle, Mommy."
He sat well for his haircut, but did not want to wear the kids cape. He wanted the "black coat" and afterwards told the lady that his hair was "no longer in my eyes now."
At Thanksgiving, he was having fun dancing with KayLynn, Mekinley, and Josie, who were pretending to be princesses, so he told me "I a prince!"
He had a great time helping Daddy and me put up the Christmas decorations on the tree.
When he wants to get out of his room, he will stand at the door and yell "Honey!" for one of us.
He spelled "Michigan" out with puzzle letters, but since he only had one "I," he said he pretended that an "O" was the other one.
Getting ready for bed
Showing off his cool Ampelmann shirt that Daddy got in Germany
Doing some marshmallow art (he did not eat them all!)
Having fun in the first big snowstorm
Playing on his swingset
This kid loves to jump a lot and really high!
"Mike Wazowski doing a dance!"
Enjoying his apple snack
Hanging out jumping and dancing on Devin's mattress
Well, I cannot believe that I am already starting monthly (rather than weekly) blogs for Devin. He has grown so much, and I am so proud of the little boy that he is becoming. This month was a busy month, including Devin's birthday, the Urban Hay Day, Boo at the Zoo, apple picking, my birthday, and Halloween. Devin has been trying a lot of new foods. He loves scrambled eggs (whole eggs now), has started to get used to drinking whole cow milk, and even got to try beets. I am always surprised at how well he seems to do with new foods. Devin has been starting to completely cut out his morning naps, which leads to longer afternoon naps and more time in the morning to try different activities. He continues to roll everywhere and often enjoys getting close to the dog, reaching out to Duncan and smiling when he gets a kiss.
Devin had his one-year check up, and we found out that he is 22 lbs 10 oz (47%), 30.25 inches (63%), and still had a large head at 19.25 inches (97%). He has outgrown his car seat, so we got a new one for his brother, allowing Devin to ride in Kyler's old one. He was not sure about it at first, but he seems to have gotten used to it fairly quickly. Devin still has a bit of a crusty eye, so we are going to have a specialist look at it some time soon. Devin does have a few funny little quirks, such as laughing when other kids cry. I am a little worried that I have a bit of a psychopath on my hands (kidding!), but he also loves to snuggle and gives me big hugs in the morning. It is so great to have such a sweet boy in my life, and I hope that he continues to grow into his awesome little self.
Every month brings so many new things, but it feels like our falls are just so super busy with school starting back up full swing for Ryan and the boys' birthdays. Kyler has been growing up so much, and it has been so much fun to see how his little gears are turning and how he is learning so much. Along with all of this learning, Kyler has started to test limits and throw temper tantrums a lot more, which can be very trying at times. With Devin rolling all over, there is some conflict with toys at times, but Kyler really has such a good heart, and as frustrated as he gets, he does share more often than not. Here are some fun highlights of the month:
Kyler sat in the inflatable tub we got out for Devin and held Olivia in it all by himself--he was so proud!
Kyler loves to do yoga. He gets out my mat and will do poses with me and with Wii Fit on the Wii.
We visited Post Family Farm for donuts, and he had a great time feeding the sheep and chasing the chickens.
He now has nicknames for Grammy (Graham Cracker) and Papa (Poppyseed). He also calls himself Popsicle.
He woke up with blood all over his pillow, and we found a big gash on the back of his head. It was pretty deep, so we took him to the med station, where they said to just keep an eye on it. Fortunately, he did not need stitches.
While coloring a book at the med station, he asked me to "clear it" of color like he does with his coloring app on the iPad.
He said, "Sometimes I do tummy time with Olivia and Devin. They are the best babies ever!"
Both Devin and Kyler had multiple fevers and colds this month, which led to lots of cuddling.
Kyler has been soaking through his cloth diapers and actually pooped on the potty twice!
He has been waking up a lot and can open doors, so he will come upstairs all the time, at any hour. Once I went downstairs with him and was prepared to sleep next to him to help him sleep when he told me, "Mommy, I go to bed now. You leave."
At the front of church, he told his buddy (who did not want to go to class), "We have to go to Bible, Cohen."
We got a clock that changes color when he can get out of bed. At first it scared him, but now it is the best thing ever! He waits for the light to turn green and tells us it is green when he comes upstairs at the proper times!
We had fun going to the Urban Hay Day in Hudsonville, where he had a hay ride, launched rubber chickens with Grandpa, decorated his own cookie, sat on tractors, and had an all-around great time.
After Devin's birthday party, he went with Daddy and family to see the Jenison high school marching band competition and he LOVED it! He kept saying things like, "Here come the tubas!"
He has been able to sit and play a computer game on his own, though he is still not sure about the mouse.
He is getting really good at counting up to 20.
He loves art time and has a great time with finger painting.
He had a wonderful time dressed as a dog for Halloween and loved to spend time dancing with glow sticks with his cousins.
Kyler holding Olivia!
Hanging out in the Seal tub! How much he has grown since we used this for him
Riding the carousel!
Selfie with Daddy!
Having fun at the Urban Hay Day on the tractors!
Finger paint time! Daddy would not have enjoyed the mess...
This kid loves his flashcards
Playing computer games on his own!
Silly boy
Doing some tummy time with his brother--they kind of match too!
We had a great time going to Crane Orchards to pick a few apples. The boys had never picked apples before, and it is something that Ryan and I love doing together. After getting there, we tried a bunch of samples before Kyler helped pick out a wagon. He wanted to pull it all the way to the trees, and he was pretty determined not to have any help. At first, Kyler did not see the apples, but soon after we started to show him where they were, he loved picking them! I was surprised that Kyler did not eat every apple he could, but it was also so much fun to just be outside and enjoy the wonderful scenery. We picked golden delicious, Fuji, cameo, Braeburn and empire apples, and we were surprised to find out that we had over 80 pounds! They have been so good, and I made a ton of applesauce.
Kyler loved to pull the wagon up the hill, but soon it just got too heavy
John Ball Zoo has an event called "Boo at the Zoo," where kids dress up and get treats at various booths. We met up with Lori, KayLynn, Mekinley, Sarah, and birthday girl Josie to walk around with their costumes on. The kiddos looked so cute as a dog (Kyler), raccoon (Devin), Dorothy from Wizard of Oz (KayLynn), U of M cheerleader (Mekinley), and a pink poodle (Josie). There was a lot going on and many other kiddos, but it was a fun time to explore and enjoy the zoo. There were lots of extra stops for music and many decorations.
Hanging out with the big blow-ups at the zoo's entrance
