Tyler joined us on January 15, 2008 and Avery joined us September 29, 2011. Watch them grow!
Tyler had his 15 month checkup on Wednesday and he is progressing wonderfully. He weighed in at 28.8 pounds (down from the week before of 29.4 pounds due to a fever virus earlier in the week) 33 inches long and a 19 1/2 inch head. He was in the 90th percentile in weight and 100th percentile in length and head size. As usual, our doctor laughed at my poor child for just being a "big boy" built for MSU! He is meeting all his milestones including: climbing, turning pages of a book, and speaking at least 7 or 8 words. The greatest news though was that both his chest and ears were clear! It has been FOREVER since we have heard those words in the same sentence.
One of my favorite new things he does is during bathtime. He loves water dumped on his head! He sees me fill up the cup and starts dancing in the tub. Then, if I don't do it enough times for his liking, he takes the cup, fills in under the faucet himself (or just with the tub water) and hands it to me to do it again!
The other best thing he does is throw things away! He absolutely loves it. He will even pick up things himself to throw away! Please tell me how I can keep this up in the future!
Tyler's newest obession is jelly beans. He loves them and knows exactly where we keep them. He will throw the biggest temper tandrum to get them (not that he gets them anyway if he screams like that). He got so mad at me the other morning because I wouldn't let him have a breakfast full of jelly beans! Breakfast of Champions they are not and I'm sure the daycare ladies would have killed me for filling him up on all that sugar and dumping him on them for the day!
Tyler has learned to climb onto my kitchen chairs! My life will never be the same! Its only a matter of time before he figures out he can not only move the chairs (he loves to rearrange furniture) but move them, climb on up, and jump off the counter. Praise the Lord for simple minds!
Tyler's new favorite word is "uh-oh". He has been humming it for a while, but this week figured out the actual words. So, now I am trying to teach him that if he does something on purpose it is not an uh-oh. Good luck with that, right?
In other news this week, after his 12th antibiotic in his life did not work, Tyler got the go-ahead for ear tubes. We have an appointment in the next couple of weeks with Dr. Cannon for tubes. So glad that maybe he won't need as many meds anymore though!
Finally, we have been off our asthma medicine for 5 days now with now problems, even with all the rain and a trip to Tupelo! Maybe we are moving past that too, but I bet this is just dumb luck!
This weekend Tyler started running a fever (about 100-101) and got a runny nose and cough for what feels like the hundredth time. He had been completely "dried up" for about 7-10 days (our longest stretch since October), so we were getting anxious about another one coming. Since we were already on breathing treatments, we decided a trip to the doctor was in our future.
Turns out the poor child had a double ear infection in addition to the 2 two teeth is is cutting. We go back in 3 weeks for a checkup and if they are not clear, we are headed for tubes.
But, now the good news. After months of trying various medications (and threats of various specialists) to diagnosis Tyler, we finally sat down with the doctor and talked through what had been happening the last few days. He said that since he went from fine to bad in just a day really and was continuing to have wheezing symptoms, and seems to flare up with a change in the weather (usually rain) and at nighttime, he was able to begin diagnosing him with Allergy-Induced Asthma. Now, I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it's a step in the right direction and we have a clear diagnosis as opposed to trying this and that for this thing or that thing. We have already been treating him for asthma, so it's mainly just knowing that we haven't been giving him meds for no reason.
It was most likely triggered by the RSV we had at Thanksgiving, but the symptoms have probably been there since last summer (the allergy part). We are hoping to try to hold off until he turns two to send him to an allergist for a skin test to determine what he is actually allergic too. Pray that it won't be Sadie!
Since we haven't posted in quite a while, here's a summary of everything we have been up to lately:
We started giving up the bottle for Christmas and were completely finished by New Years! We even gave all of our bottles away to our friend Reid. Here is my picky child though: Milk will only be consumed through a straw, juice through anything and water from a regular glass (just like Daddy drinks it). Whatever made those 35 bottles go away though, I don't care!
We also have completely given up baby food (only took 3 months!). Of course, that has been replaced with thicker, more solid foods, that can easily be grabbed out of the mouth and thrown to the floor if he doesn't like it. Thank goodness Sadie is always ready and waiting to "clean up".
We have almost mastered running, so that means we are on to climbing! So far, we can only climb into Tyler's big green chair and on top of Sadie (such a good sport). He is eyeing his crib though, but surely are still a ways away from climbing in or out of that! He has got some Go-Go Gadget arms and legs though when it comes to anything on my counter tops or tables.
We are up to five words now: MaMa, Dada, Bye-Bye, Uh-Oh, and Bubbles! Bubbles is funny because he loves to yell it whenever he wants to play with them. He and Sadie fight over who gets to pop them (Sadie usually wins!). So funny though!
There is only one TV show that will hold his attention: Imagination Movers on Disney. It is basically 4 guys that sing and dance around solving problems. Horrible for Momma, but if he will watch it, I'm good. Can't wait for American Idol to get into the live show though. That is his 2nd favorite show (and much more pleasing to us!).
We are still on breathing treatments, twice a day. But, we have made it 3 days without Albuterol (which he started at Thanksgiving) and a week without Prevacid (been on that for a month) and is now just on his asthma meds (which we are hoping to lose that as well). But, all this means that he is finally getting better....for now at least!
This week, Tyler's school held their annual Christmas pageant. Now, when we first heard about said pageant, we said surely, Tyler will not be involved. But, alas, we were mistaken. Tyler was to wear a halo and be a cherub. This also meant a parent had to be present to walk him up to the stage (nominate Mommy!). This also meant that his entire class was supposed to stand quietly in the back of the auditorium and wait for their turn to enter the program (about 30 minutes in). They, understandibly, got kicked out since they learned fast that banging on the chairs makes a really fun and loud noise (mainly just Tyler and his friend were involved).
Once their turn arrived, we all processed up to the front where Tyler watched quietly (yeah right) until they brought in the baby Jesus. He started clapping then. How adorable was that!!!! What we saw of the rest of the program was actually really cute, so I can't want till next year when maybe I'll be able to actually pay attention to it!
For those that haven't heard the full story, here it is. Last Saturday, we went to the After Hours Clinic for a cough and a runny nose. He wasn't wheezing at the time, so the doctor did not think he needed to do an RSV test, although his original thought was that was going to be the diagnosis. So, he decided it was a sinus infection instead and sent us home with an antibiotic and said that by Tuesday, he should have "turned a corner". Well, he turned a corner alright. By Tuesday morning, he had a fever of 103.5 and didn't want to do anything but rock (which if you have spent any time with him- is EXTREMELY rare). So we went to see our pediatrician, Dr. Flowers. His nurse took one look at him and before the doctor even saw him at all, she had done the RSV test and gotten him a breathing treatment. The breathing treatments were supposed to raise his oxygen level from 92% to above 94%. The first one raised it to 94, so we did a second one. This got us to 93. So after a prayer moment with Dr. Flowers (did I mention we love him and his staff), we were off to the Children's Hospital.
Once we got there, the nurses got him hooked up to an oxygen monitor, an IV, and an oxygen tube (see pictures of my poor baby below). He did so great the first night that his respiratory therapist and Dr. Flowers took him off the oxygen the next morning with the note that he had to be off the oxygen for at least 12 hours before he would go home. He did wonderfully all day until he went to sleep and his oxygen levels went down to 89-90%. So back on the oxygen we go. The next morning (Thursday), the doctor came by and said he had to be able to make it through the night without any oxygen, but he could go off it for now. That was the last of the oxygen. Now, our only problem was the wheezing, which would come and go quickly. The doctor would say no wheezing, he could go home today. Then, half an hour later, the resident and respiratory therapist would hear something and we bought ourselves another day. We finally convinced them that all he was getting at the hospital was breathing treatments, which we already had everything we needed to continue those at home. So, after 5 days and 4 nights, today we broke free.
Obviously, Tyler's First Thanksgiving did not go as planned. However, in the meantime, we came up with a list of things we are truely thankful for this holiday weekend:
1- All of the calls, texts, and prayers from family and friends checking up on us. You will never now how much they meant to us.
2- Flavored Tylenol. If you have ever tried to feed a baby unflavored, you know the flavoring is so worth it
3- All of the nurses who did not strangle us when Tyler pulled out his IV (this happened at least 4 times) or the sensor on his toe monitoring his heart rate and oxygen levels (this happened at least 4 times a day)
4- The UMC cafeteria for cooking a halfway decent Thanksgiving dinner for the three of us. Well, mainly just me and Clint. Tyler would only eat the sweet potatos and the pumpkin pie.
5- My parents for cooking us a real Thanksgiving dinner and my grandmother for ordering us a ham once we got home since our kitchen was more empty than usual.
6- Danielle, the nurse's assistant and family friend, who got us everything we needed as soon as we asked. She also recommended the UMC cafeteria for our impromtu Thanksgiving dinner.
7- Wooden cribs. Trying to lower/raise a metal crib with a sleeping baby is not something I want to ever do again.
8- Drawers and doors. These provided HOURS of entertainment for Tyler while we were stuck in his room. Since he was contagious, he had to stay put.
9- Nurse Lyn, who finally unhooked Tyler from his monitor so we could roam the halls and wear out the child once his energy returned. Of course, during our first outing, we also fell flat on our face, and got our first busted lip and nosebleed.
10- My parents who brought us anything we could possibly need, from more baby food and juice to a clean pair of socks. This especially wonderful since my poor brother was home from school and had all four wisdom teeth pulled on Wednesday.
11- Last but not least, we are so thankful for the wonderful miracle that is our baby Tyler and are so blessed to have him home and getting better.
So, I've been up to so much here lately. Most of you know that I am the youngest baby in my class at school. Well, I've been so frustrated lately because some of those big kids can do so much more than me (like walk- no, I don't realize that several of these kids have already turned one) so I have been on a mission to walk. And last week I started working real hard on that mission. I took a step, balanced for a minute before I fell. Tonight, I took multiple steps, from the ottoman to Daddy on the couch. No, I don't care that I am only 8 months and one week old. I have to keep up with all the other kids. Mommy is so sad though, something about me becoming a toddler and no longer being a baby. Don't worry Mommy, I still love you more than Daddy!
A note from Mommy: Yes, I do have a freak of nature. This weekend confirmed it. We went shoe shopping for Tyler's school pictures tomorrow and his foot measured in at a 4.5. Which we soon found out was bigger than we thought. Stride Rite does not carry the soft-soled shoes in anything bigger than a 3. Stasberg Children's stops at a 4. My poor little freak of nature. Do they make big and tall for babies? We did find one brand online that sells them, so apparantly he doesn't have the biggest feet ever! We're in for a long 20 years...
I am in love with my child. There is nothing more wonderful than what happened yesterday at my parents' house. Tyler crawled right over to me, started climbing on me and said "MaMa", just as clear as day. There is no more precious sound than that, especially after weeks of "DaDa" all day long (what- I'm a competitive person by nature). Of course he only did it that one time and Clint still doesn't believe me, but I have a witness! My mom heard it to. Things like that make all the sleep-deprived nights, dirty diapers, hair pulling, etc. all worth it.
UPDATE: Tyler is now giving equal time to his "dada" and "mama". Now, he can't distinguish between who is who. I get called "dada" as does his big toe, any toy, Sadie...you get the picture. But, he is only eight months and he is growing up so fast! Slow down kid, please!
Well of course I couldn't just get one tooth...I have at least two coming in at once. Poor me! Teething makes me fussy! How many times do I have to do this? Hopefully not many more!
By the way, WE LOVE YOU PAULINA AND WILL MISS YOU DEARLY!!! Paulina is one of Mommy's good friends at work who has found herself another job outside of Columbus. We will visit often, we promise! Good Luck with everything!
I am getting my first tooth! Mommy can feel and see a little white bump on my bottom right gum! I am so ready for it to poke on through... chewing on iron cabinet knobs is not fun...
But to make me feel better, Momma let me take my first big boy bath (not in my infant tub). I can get into so much more trouble that way. I had a blast making Momma slide me around the tub and standing up and falling down (you get a much bigger splash that way!). I think Momma was worried that I would hurt myself, but I loved it!
Happy Birthday to my new friend Reid Grayson Massey, born on Monday!!!
I decided it was time to get myself well and give Mommy a break. I slept all the way through the night, not making a peep at all (a rarity for me since I have been sick for so long!). You're welcome Mommy! I also tried some solid food, the Gerber puffs this week. I did not understand that I had to put them in my mouth myself. (side note from Mommy: Yes, the child that puts everything in his mouth, would not feed himself. Please help me explain this one!)
After 6 1/2 weeks, Tyler finally got a good report at the doctor...his ears and chest are clear!!!! Of course, we traded that in for a horrible diaper rash and diarrhea that was the result of a reaction to the medicine that worked. Oh well...take what you can get right?
Congratulations to my friend Brody who was baptized this past weekend!
Tyler's first haircut (a de-mulletization really) Before picture
After shot!
Tyler watching TV while sitting still...very rare at our house!
Momma's little man all dressed for church!
Tyler loves to help out around the house!
Washing dishes with Daddy
Tyler's first taste of cupcake...
Everyone wears the birthday hat on their birthday at school. Tyler hated it...
Because no meal is complete until the hair tries it too!
Thanks Tyler for sharing your cupcakes with the class!
Notice how clean they are? Only Tyler got to have the icing on the cupcakes!
Tyler got his Momma's sweet tooth, can you tell?
Yes, this lead to a sugar rush later!
I get a second cupcake! Thanks Daddy!
Maybe that second cupcake wasn't such a good idea?
Milk will make it go down!
What did I tell you? No problem!
But, I wasn't finished with those crumbs!
Tyler's favorite teacher, Ms. Elnor, cleaning him up so he could at least think about getting in the car.
No party is complete without party favors!
Aren't they cute little dinos?
Happy Birthday from Momma and Daddy, Tyler!
Tyler's party table
Tyler's cakes and the "birthday plate" that Momma and Uncle Jess always got to use (I just got to look this year!)
Still loving that icing!
Balloons! BEST GIFT EVER!
Family photo! Aren't we cute?
Santa's little helper...
juice break...Helping Santa is hard work!
Treadmills are great to get rid of the excess energy!
Maw loved her picture of Tyler!
Waiting for Santa...
Sorry Sadie, the bed is mine!
Gotta love a moving target!
My sweet boy...
on a mission...
Come on Sadie!
Yes, he sweeps the floor for us...
See, he does a great job!
No, he is not for hire...he's mine!
Santa came!
Teeth #3 and 4...10.5 months
Learned to clap to anything...10 months
First two teeth: 7.75 months
Stood Alone for 3 seconds!!!- 6.5 months
3.75 years: 47lbs, 42 inches
Twenty months: 33 lbs, 35 inches
Fifteen Months: 29.4 pounds; 33 inches
Thirteen months: 26.8 lbs
Twelve Months: 25.2 lbs, 32 inches
Eleven months: 24lbs, 12oz (still!!!); 32 inches
Six months: 22lbs, 28.5 inches
Five months: 20 lbs, 8oz
Birth: 8 lbs, 10 oz; 21.75 inches
omigoodness! amanda--i didn't know you had a little one!! i know it's been a long time since we hung out (like freshman year....) but you look great and congrats on the little one!!! do y'all stil live in jackson? i got married several, several years ago and we have a 3 year old name jake (check out our blog at www.greernation.blogspot.com).
i'd love to hear from you!! have a happy thanksgiving!!
suzanne love greer
Congrats on officially being called "Mommy" by the person who matters most! Sounds like he's doing much better. Hopefully, he'll be all better once those pesky teeth grow in!
How do you get the bar with the toys hanging down to not hit him in the face. I have to take Brody's off. He can't stand in the thing without them hitting him! Weird!
I can't believe how big and grown Tyler is! Its amazing how different our two babies are. Crazy!!!