Mr. Independent

Bryce has entered a new phrase of independence lately. He's very observant of whatever Tyler's doing and wants to help with puzzles, playing with cars, trains, etc. Even when he's eating he wants to eat what Tyler's eating and in the same way. Example: I served both of them a quesadilla yesterday for lunch. I cut Tyler's into triangles and broke Bryce's into little pieces. Bryce wouldn't eat his until his quesadilla was in a triangle too. He's also insisting on using a fork and having his food in a bowl. He has a small meltdown if he's not given it to him like this. Its messy but I guess its good practice. I even caught him trying to put Tyler's shoes on this morning.

Four Months

We're into four months now. Whew! So Brandon and I were quite pleased with ourselves for "training" Anya to sleep through the night and she was even starting to take a very reliable long morning nap. Dealing with a three month old was easy as pie...until she started teething. Now we're back to square one. Anya's been reminding us that she still possesses that impressive set of lungs and is not opposed to exercising them on an hourly basis between 1 and 4 am. She went in for her four month appointment today and it was both reassuring and not so reassuring to hear that this is all perfectly normal.

In my vast four months experience as a parent, I keep re-learning exactly one thing: it's not about me. Anya's pretty much learning and growing and adjusting to life on her own. We've got good days and bad days and I'm just kind of along for the ride.

These days, Anya loves...

--Being outside. The end-all-be-all cure for whatever ails her. Luckily, we live someplace where she can spend most of her days outside.

--Chomping down on anything and everything. Particularly blankets, pacifiers and Sophie.

--Dancing with her dad. Anya loves it when Brandon grabs her arms/legs and moves them to the beat.

--The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

--Hearing her own shrieks and giggles.

--Doing little baby crunches with her head and shoulders.

--Standing (with the least amount of support possible). She's already showing a little independent spirit.

--Splashing around in the bathtub.

--Anything with a face.


Anya does not like

--Aching gums.

--Being bored.

Teaching Tyler Scripture Stories

The other night I was telling Tyler about Captain Moroni and the title of liberty. He always wants to hear the stories in the gospel art book that include someone with a sword or who look like they're in battle. I told him the story and then reviewed it to see if he was listening.

(Pointing to the picture)
"Now who's this?"
"Captain Moroni"
"Whats the flag called?"
"The tifle of liberfy" (close enough)
"And what does the title of liberty say?"
"We're supposed to fight with our families"

Gotta work on those prepositions.....

Bryce's Babblings

I'm not sure if Bryce has just taken a significant step in his verbal development this week or if I just wasn't paying as much attention before but he's at least attempting to say quite a few words now.

Mama and Dada are now consistent and purposeful.

Na na (for night night) is becoming more consistent and in fact a few times when he's really over due for a nap and over tired he'll crawl down the hall to me crying and saying "na na. na na." Over and over again. As if to say "Put me to bed already Mom!" Joking around last night - We put Tyler in Bryce's bed and then left the room and Bryce let out a big "Na Na!" to Tyler on the way out.

He's also started to say "Bu" for book whenever its story time and today we were reading the story "Where is Spot?" and every time I pointed out the doggie he'd say "Da" for dog.

I also think I caught a "Ba" today for ball too. I remember Tyler started out this way too only saying the first sound of each word. But I think if I keep reinforcing and listening for it - it'll come.

FYI - I also got him to take a few steps holding on to the couch yesterday and today he really likes taking some rather drunken like steps while holding onto a miniature stroller we have.

Dinner Time Melt down

The other night at dinner (where many of Tyler's end of the day - I'm over tired - meltdowns occur) we were trying to enforce his eating a significant portion of his dinner before he could make any other requests for dinner (i.e. toast and a banana, his usual staples).

Tyler was quite distraught over this. It started to get kind of comical to me when he said through huge tears and gasps "Stop saying those bad words to me Mom. I don't want to eat my dinner. But I LOVE my toast and banana."

Yeah had to feel for the kid. I guess, chicken, brown rice and vegetables didn't look all that appetizing but holding my ground has paid off in subsequent meal times.

BTW - There was no swearing in our house that night the bad words he was referring to were "No, Tyler you may not have toast and bananas until you eat your dinner."

Tyler in Action

This is a video of Tyler showing off some of his "fighting moves." He got this nerf sword for his birthday from Jonny and Richelle. Ben has the same one and they love to have sword fights together.

Getting into trouble and Being Goofy

While I am glad that Bryce has finally become mobile and entertains himself for the most part these days. It also means he's curious about and into EVERYTHING.

Example A: I leave the room for 2 minutes to assist Tyler in a potty break and Bryce has pulled out almost the entire box of kleenex.

He also makes some of the goofiest faces. He managed to get this Kleenex on his head all by himself and it stayed there for awhile. I love the face too.