We Made It

We made it to Maryland late last night. In the morning I explained to Tyler that we would go to the airport after nap time. At 9 in the morning he requested a nap. The he proceeded to talk about the airplane and cookie monster during nap time instead of sleeping. On the airplane both boys did fantastic. I couldn't be more proud of how they behaved. When it was time to leave they got a little antsy waiting their turn to get off, but besides that they sat nicely eating, looking at the window and reading books. If only Tyler would go potty on a plane or in the airport where they have self-flushing toilets (he freaks out as soon as he sees one) we would be golden.

This morning we drove down to Annapolis and walked around the Naval Academy. We then walked down the city pier and looked at all the boats. We also spotted ducks, birds, scooters, buses, and lots of other fun things. After a nice lunch we headed home for naps and more play time.

The boys are loving seeing Oma, Opa, and their doggie Dickens. They love running laps around the house, and of course all the trucks and balls they have. Tyler is getting used to Oma taking him potty and putting them to bed so that mommy and daddy can go away to New York City for a few days. They are having so much fun, I don't even think they will realize we are gone.

Preschool is a

NO GO! We had Tyler's evaluation this morning and he did NOT qualify! I am so proud of how much he has grown in the last 15 months. 15 months ago Tyler did not say a single word - not even dada. When he played, he played totally silent- not even making car noises. On overall language Tyler measured in the 7th percentile. They took a picture of him the day he first got evaluated and the picture was of him with his fingers in his mouth.

Today Tyler talks in full sentences. He uses his imagination, he is caring and loving, and he plays with his brother and his friends. He will ask for help from not only me, but also any other teacher. He is measuring at the 50th percentile for overall language - right where he should be. At the end of the evaluation, he had his fingers in his mouth - I guess something will never change.

They kept commenting on how big Tyler's attention span is and how persistent he is. These will be great skills for him when he does go to preschool - but that won't be this year. I will have him with me for another year. I will be able to put him in Kindergarten when I want to put him in. And when he does go in, he will go in completely mainstreamed without a single label him. But even if he did qualify I couldn't be more proud of his progress. He has worked do hard at using his words, calming himself down instead of having meltdowns, and showing himself that he can do things. He will always have his quirks, but that's what makes him Tyler. And mommy couldn't be more proud of the boy he is.

Four!!!

Yesterday was spent having a nice brunch at the club house and the boys getting to ride home in the golf cart. Tyler loved it so much that he got to join Daddy and Grandpa for the last 3 holes of their round of golf. He stayed very close to Justin the entire time, almost following every step. He loved putting the tees in the grass and throwing the golf balls.

The boys also got to play a lot of baseball yesterday. Grandma also had a bean bag throw that we tried out. They thought it would be easier just to put them in the holes, rather than toss them in tho. Today we had a nice breakfast, packed up, and headed home. The boys did pretty well for this trip - only four hours and no stops. There was a little whining towards the end, but for the most part a great trip. It was a great, relaxing weekend and the boys loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa. All Tyler can talk about now is riding on the airplane. (we leave to see Oma and Opa on Thursday) But first comes his preschool evaluation tomorrow. Gotta love busy weeks!

Montrose

For Memorial Weekend we are in Montrose visiting Grandma and Grandpa. The boys did awesome in the car last night. I don't think we heard one cry, whine, or scream the entire seven hour trip. Tyler stayed awake almost the whole way falling asleep at 9:45 p.m. an hour before we got there. Carter read books for a majority of the time and Tyler loved looking for horses, cows, trucks, and diggers. He also sang along to Old McDonald.

We brought along the baseball tee, but its was a little chilly. So today we went to a Children's Museum. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. They got to color on a chalk wall, color pictures, go in a space ship, and watch a puppet show put on by Grandpa. Tyler wasn't so sure of the puppets but Carter loved it and kept asking for more. We came home for naps and then Tyler and I did puzzles so Carter could sleep a little longer. Then the boys had a fun time on

the deck watching Grandpa and Daddy golf the last three holes. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little warmer so we can even spend more time outside.

Sing A Song

Today at church Tyler was in my room. Usually during circle time with me he sits there with his mouth in his hands. Occasionally he will request a song but just watch the other kids sing it. When he is with other teachers he does interact more during circle time, but he never sings a whole song along with the rest of the class. He will sometime sing the last line of the song, or do some of the motions, but never the whole song,

When we sing at home, if I leave out a word Tyler will fill it in, but he never does a song from start to finish. The most I have ever gotten out of him is when he sings the ABC's he goes "a b c d e f g" and then he is done until I fill in letters again. Tyler's speech therapist thinks Tyler is a kid who needs to know he can really do something before he does it. I have noticed that when we are singing songs he will mouth along the words, but yet never sing. Until today that is.

Tyler requested that we sing the bumble bee song. And he then proceeded to sing almost the whole song along with everyone else - including the hand motions. He was with older kids so I am not sure if that's why he did it or if he finally has enough confidence in himself that he can do it. Either way it was so beautiful to hear his little voice belt out "squishing up my baby bumble bee - yucky!"

Getting So Big

I don't know if it because he is in shorts and short sleeves now or if he really did have a growth spurt, but all of a sudden Carter looks so big to me. He is acting big too. It is amazing what he is picking up. He already knows some of his colors, tries to count, and loves to sing songs. He also tells us when he needs to go potty now (although I am not ready for this one - let me get one potty trained first). Carter also is now understanding time out. He knows its not a good thing, and promptly tells you sorry when its time to get out. If you ask him if you do whatever offense it was he will shake his head and in the cutest voice say no. His manners are also way up there. He always tells you thank you - even when he is asking for something. The conversation goes something like this:

Carter - milk

me - what do you say (trying to get him to say please)

Carter - dank ou

Carter has started to really love reading. Tyler has always loved to read so I am very excited to see that Carter is in to it as well. He loves to point out the pictures and even "reads" to himself sometimes. This picture is of him reading the "chicken book" or Rooster's Off to See the World. He is pointing at the fish and at the time he was trying to count them - just like Tyler and I do when we read it. He is just getting so big.

A Father and His Son

Just a favorite picture from this weekend.

Quack, Quack

Last night we went to a local park to feed the ducks, walk around the pond, and then play on the play ground. The boys had so much fun watching the ducks. Carter loves to say "quack quack" when ever he sees a duck and Tyler liked throwing the bread into the water. This park also has a merry-g- round. It was a first for the boys and they seemed to like it a lot. I was surprised that Tyler jumped right on. Carter fell off of it a couple time since he didn't want to hold on, but he always got right back on it.

Tonight was our last official Young Life club of the school year. We had a BBQ at a local park and played some games. Tyler absolutely loves Young Life and getting to play with the kids. As we left tonight he asked for "more ung ife". The kids love to play with Carter as he is always willing to go up to them and give them knuckles. Hopefully we will get to see the kids throughout the summer.

Car Wash

Today was a day full of errands. First was a stop to get haircuts. Carter did awesome, but Tyler freaked out the minute he sat in the chair. The hair dresser got it done and it looks great, but it sure wasn't the best moment ever. We then ran a few more errands which the boys did pretty well for.

After naps we washed the van. They had their very own washcloths and went to town. They loved loading their towels up with soapy water and then wiping the van. After one wipe they thought they should reload their towels. Their favorite part was cleaning the tires. After they cleaned the car they decided they should also clean the sidewalk and the trees. It was so fun to watch them, even if Justin did all the real cleaning.

Sunny Days

The weather has been wonderful lately so we have been spending a lot of time outside. Today consisted of baseball of course and also bubbles. Along with the good weather comes the special treat of ice cream. They have decided that they like chocolate a lot better than strawberry.

Tyler has had a great last few days behavior wise - he is becoming such a little helper. He is complying with a request the first time we ask it and the tantrums and meltdowns have ddecreased significantly - at least for today anyway. He goes in stages tho with his sensory stuff, so while the meltdowns are less he is in sensory seeking mode always wanting to wrestle, run into things, and jump up and down. Also at times he is processing questions like an all star and other time he looks at us like he has no idea what he should say to answer. I just wish I could find come consistency to all this. But for now I am loving the helpful, happy boy I have.

Another bonus to our sunny days - the flowers have started growing! I know I am just as shocked as you!!!

Drummer

Tyler was in the young toddler room with Carter and I at church today. He hasn't been in this room for a few months now, but there were only 10 kids today so he did great. He loved playing with all the "new" toys. As usual when we first got there, they were the only kids in the room. One of the other workers showed Tyler a drum in the room and a block to use as stick. Tyler kept marching around the room playing his drum and asking everyone to dance for him. We have some musical instruments here at home that he loves to play with as well. His favorite has always been the drum. The picture is of Tyler at about 15 months old when the love of drumming began.

Can You Hear Me Now?

I have been meaning to write an update on Tyler's hearing test, but we have been busy. We talked it up all morning - how Carter was going to go to a friends and Tyler and I were going to do something just the two of us and he would get his ears checked. As we drove away from dropping off Carter he even said "ears" as he pointed to them. I was thinking this would go well.

We get there and I fill out some paper work, we go potty twice (and he pooped), and we have a tantrum when we have to go back to the room. The audiologist tells Tyler to sit in my lap and tells him that she is going to tickle his ear. He puts up his shirt and says to tickle his belly button instead. When she reaches for his ears he covers them and screams. - so much for going well.

So we do the next part where she goes into a booth and talks/makes noises in different tones. If Tyler looks at the correct side of them room where the noise comes from a light comes on and he sees a stuff animal move and make noise. He does great during this so she tries some tones. Tyler no longer looked - he just kept asking for a certain animal to come back on. She comes back in and tries his ears again and he once again screams and covers his ears. As we leave we have yet another tantrum since we can't stay and play.

Diagnosis - come back when he is three so we can try again. Since his preschool evaluation is in the same place she doesn't want it to be a place that he doesn't like to come to so we didn't push him. I have no idea what this means for the preschool part tho (the hearing test is required for the preschool evaluation). I hope how he acted isn't jut a sign of things to come, because it obviously didn't go the best.

Happy Mother's Day!!

It was such a wonderful day! I had a great Mother's Day thanks to all of my wonderful boys. It started with the boys reading quietly together while Justin ran to the store so I could check my e-mail.

Next came cards and pancakes for breakfast.
Then a fun filled trip to the zoo. They had some new exhibits so they were fun to see and the boys did awesome. Tyler went potty at the zoo, we rode the carousel and train, feed the giraffes and birds, saw some bears wrestle and just a great time. After the zoo I got to go shopping - by myself - and then we had dinner with friends. No part of this day could be better!

Favorite Things

I know I have posted before about Tyler waking up and yelling to Carter to also wake up from the other side of their room. The other morning I hear Carter yelling "Ty-er" from his crib to wake Tyler up. I don't think there is anything better than watching your children love each other so much. That to them, nothing is better than the other one. Carter tries to do whatever Tyler is doing at all times. When its time to go pick Carter up after church Tyler is more excited to see him than he is me. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Two Minutes

Tyler's new thing to do is when we ask him to do something (usually go to the potty) he will say "in two minutes". About half the time when those to minutes are up he will do what we asked without hesitation - the other half ends in tantrums. Last night after the two minutes were up he said "in 14 minutes".

I am working less this month since the church isn't as busy in the summer. We are all enjoying being home more and our days are spent with baseball, sandbox, baseball, trucks, baseball, playgroups, and baseball. Tyler would play baseball for hours on end if it would just stop raining. We got him a new tee that came with some bases so now he has actual bases to run around. The next morning Justin set it up In the kitchen before he left for work. The boys have never been more excited for breakfast. Next task - to get that running around the bases in the correct order, and not thinking the pitching mound is a base. Time to go to some more baseball games I think.

Flowers

About a month ago I found a kit with a small flower pot and sunflower seeds (gotta love the Target dollar spot) so I bought a couple. I finally got around to it and the boys had a blast. First we painted the pots. Carter was very careful to only get the paint on the outside of the pot. Tyler painted everywhere and got most of it on the table - this is usually the other way around so I was very surprised. Then we mixed the dirt, put in the seeds and now we wait. I have never kept a plant alive in my life so hopefully these will work. Otherwise Tyler is going to be asking "see flowers grow?" for a very long time.

Favorite Things

Just a few more things that Tyler says that I never want to forget:

When we are driving in the car he will tell me which way to go "this way mama" and point in the direction.

Here is an example of a conversation we have at least 10 times a day:
Tyler - Whats this mama?
Me - They are glue sticks
Tyler - Oh they are glue sticks
Obviously the object changes, but every other part is the exact same.

And my favorite - we were grocery shopping and the boys were in the race car cart. Tyler leans over to Carter and says "I love you" (for the first time) and gives him a big hug and kiss. Life can't get much better than that.

Countdown!

In about 3.5 weeks we are flying out to Maryland to visit Oma and Opa and to go to Sesame Place. We have been talking it up to Tyler about getting to fly on the airplane and seeing Cookie Monster. Well we may have started on the talking it up a little early. Everyday he wants to go on a "plane ride". So today we made a countdown chain. I am not sure they really get what its for yet, but at least they had fun making it right?

In other news I scheduled Tyler's evaluation for preschool today. As soon as I got off the phone I felt sick to my stomach. I am not ready for my baby to start school already, and I am not ready for him to be "labeled". I am hoping that he has made enough gains that he won't qualify. But then that means no more therapy and I get to wonder if he is falling behind again. Oh the life of a worrier. I guess we will find out in three weeks.

Surprise!

For Justin's mom's (Grandma)60th birthday she was surprised with all her sons, grandchildren, and sister being in the same place at once. Everyone got here last night and we all had dinner. Today consisted of getting pictures of all the grandchildren, hiking at Garden of the Gods, and dinner and dessert. The boys have been having a blast with all their cousins and of course getting to see Grandma and Grandpa. Tomorrow will be another fun day of seeing everyone.

Boys Will Be Boys

I admit it. In our house the boys are lucky if they get baths every other day. Its usually more like 2 or 3 times a week. I can make excuses saying that they have dry skin, (which they do) and they don't get that dirty, but the truth is that most nights we are either out of the house or just being lazy and don't get around to it.

That was until the last couple weeks. All of a sudden they are dirty - all of the time. They either are caked in sand, have food all over them (even Tyler who usually hates to have food on him), or just have a grime to them. I have no idea what changed. All I know is that the boys are now taking baths everyday. And baths are usually in the middle of the day, because that's how dirty they are.

Well maybe I can think of one thing that changed - my babies have turned into boys.

Gotta Love Colorado...

Yesterday was an absolute gorgeous day with a high of 78 degrees. The boys wore shorts for the first time this year (which Tyler took awhile to get used to) and we played outside all day long. Today it is snowing. Back to the winter coats we go (at least until tomorrow). Carter is still talking up a storm and getting new words everyday. One of the ones he says the most "Taer" or Tyler. Whenever someone leave the room he always wants to know where they went. He asks this by saying "mommy go" (for example) and then lifting both arms up.

Tyler's speech is also improving leaps and bounds. He is down to speech therapy once a month now and no longer is getting OT services. He is also getting more interested in other children. We were at the mall and ran into twin girls that are in Tyler's class on Wednesdays. They got to play with each other for a bit at the play area and all Tyler wanted to do the rest of the day was see "the girls". Last night at dinner we ran into another boy who is in Tyler's class and Tyler recognized him right away and even remembered his name. I love how he remembers things we do each day now and can tell us who we played with at church and what they did together.