Day #209

It's been a long week. I've been very distracted. I'm hoping to get back in focus next week and start rocking things out again. But, for now. Good night moon.

Day #208

Sorry for the fuzzy photo, but it was a quick point & shoot. We have a slight problem...little man thinks it's fun to pull on the oven door and turn the knobs for the stove. I purchased a lock so that he can't open the oven, but I still need to find something to guard the knobs...

Day #207

My mother-in-law gave me this beautiful calendar for Christmas last year. I thought it was great because I needed one for my office at work. Unfortunately when I got it to work and hung it up I realized it was a religious calendar with scriptures written on each month. I'm not a very religious person, so I honestly wanted to replace it. But, here we are, seven months through the year and I still haven't replaced it...

Day #206

My boy sure loves the stairs. We've had to construct a barricade to keep him away from them otherwise he'd be going up them all day...although he hasn't figured out how to safely go down.

Day #205

Good bye old friend. Thanks for being there when we needed you!

Tyler is officially off of formula! Yippee for milk! I tried to nurse in the beginning, but due to a number of circumstances it wasn't working so we had to use formula. It's been a long road, with some tummy troubles as we tried to transition to milk, but we made it! WAHOO!!

Day #204

Play date at the neighbor's tonight! Tyler had a great time with Timmy who is just his size. Timmy eats much better than Tyler. I'm hoping one of these days Tyler will notice Timmy eating something awesome like veggies and try them too, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Day #203

While out with Tyler yesterday we stopped by Bed Bath & Beyond for those spice steps and stumbled upon this gem. It's a wood bar stool with a back...perfect for my craft/gift wrapping area (with those awesome cubbies from the hubby). I love it...now, again, if only I could find more time...

Day #202

I might have a slight problem...I heart organizing things. I went out and bought some "steps" to use in our cabinets to organize our spices. Yes, those are the baking spices on top and the cooking spices on bottom. I heart an organized cabinet.

Day #201

I love my handy husband. He built me this AWESOME desk for MY room. It has nine cubbies on either side and an amazing 4 foot by 4 foot top. It's perfect for all of my gift wrapping and scrapbooking projects. Now if only I had time to play in there....

Day #200

I know this photo might make your eyes cross, but it totally sums up a day in the life over here. I've realized I haven't been documenting Tyler's life in photos as well since he turned one, but I think there is a reason...they all look like this! How do you take photos of kids when they are going a mile a minute and would rather play with the camera than continue what they were doing and let you take the pictures!

Day #199

HOT, HOT, HOT! We're breaking records over here again! I was looking forward to summer and playing outside with Tyler, but it's just too hot to be out there.

Day #198

I thought it was called the "terrible twos"....we're in full blown tantrum mode around here and aren't event close to the two year mark!

Day #197

Bryant's mom knows I've been home trying to entertain Tyler myself for the last few weekends since Bryant has been helping at her house, so in an effort to help me kill a few hours with Tyler today she asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. I of course said "yes." I was thinking we might walk around her neighborhood with the dogs and back...boy was I wrong. We drove to the end of the W&OD trail which is just five minutes from her house, popped Tyler in the stroller and started walking. Well, we were chatting, not paying attention to the mile markers, etc...two hours and SEVEN miles later we made it back to the car! WAHOO!! If I can't find someone to hike or run with me, at least I have someone to walk with!

Day #196

Tyler and I have had a lot of alone time these last few weekends. Bryant has been over at his mom's helping his father-in-law build the sun room extension on their house. Looks good fellas!

Day #195

I'm home with Tyler for a few days since we don't have daycare and I was determined to get at least one thing done around the house, so I scrubbed the cabinet doors, kitchen counters and refrigerator. So pretty and sparkly now. Am I the only one whose cabinets above the stove get really yucky?

Day #194

While making dinner tonight Tyler proceeded to move the pantry to the living room coffee table...whatever keeps them busy, right?

Day #193

Tyler's other favorite past time...shutting the doors and then fussing until we come open them for him. I've tried to get the door stoppers to prevent this game, but he just moves the stopper and shuts the door!

Day #192

Well, the whirlwind summer holiday celebrations are over. I guess it's time to take down our card display and put it away for safekeeping.

Day #191

There are cows among us...

Tyler's favorite pasttime these days is hiding things EVERYWHERE. He puts his toys in the cabinets and pantry, the pantry items in his toy box, dirty laundry in the dresser drawers....he thinks it's great fun, and I have to admit...finding a little cow in the pantry as you're frantically trying to get dinner on the table after a long day of work does put a smile on your face!

Day #190

Biggest strawberry E-V-E-R!! And he LOVED it!

Day #189

We took a trip to the Zoo in Thurmont today with my aunt & uncle. It was a great day. We got in and out before the heat and had a nice lunch before heading home. We saw all sorts of reptiles and animals big and small. Great time!

Day #188

My boy sure loves his fruit. Unfortunately his daddy thought it would be a good idea to put the entire bowl of cantaloupe in front of him at dinner tonight. That boy sure made a dent in that bowl! He kept shoveling in that cantaloupe until his belly was SOOOOO big.

Day #187

I am totally a $20 sunglasses type of girl. I have a HORRIBLE time finding glasses that fit my big head and nose bump without hurting. Many people would shell out for expensive glasses that fit just right, but I'm certain I would break them or loose them within days of spending the money. Not to mention, I've been in the fancy sunglass stores and never saw anything I liked. BUT, since Tyler seems to have used my current pair (that I've had for at least five years) to relieve his recent teething, I was in need of a new pair.

SO, a friend of mine happened to mention that the Coach outlet near us now carried sunglasses in the store. I ventured in one day to check them out. I found a pair that I liked that was originally priced at $110, but on sale and with a coupon I got them for $60 and they came with a hard case! Bryant bought them for me for my birthday and I love them. My only problem is the little heart on the side of the ear piece...I'm not a girly heart type of girl, but I guess I'll get over it!

Day #186

Daddy has learned to multitask too...  :) I love the look on Tyler's face.

Day #185

Frankenbaby!

Tyler has started walking! He's still crawling much of the time since he's so quick, but is trying to walk as much as possible. It's so much fun to watch him learn and grow!

Day #184

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone is out enjoying this great holiday! I got the day started by running in the Firecracker 5k at Reston Town Center. It was HOT, but I did my personal best. WAHOO!! And, it was especially great because Bryant and Tyler came too! They walked around the town center and got breakfast while I was hoofing it. Great fun!

Day #183

Continuing the festivities, my mom and grandma visited today. We went running shoe shopping (my birthday present from mom), had a yummy lunch, and played with Tyler while he showed off his new walking skills!

Day #182

Let the festivities begin! We had a great time today at Bryant's uncle's house visiting with family, cooking out, swimming, and watching fireworks. Here's Bryant and Tyler with Bryant's favorite aunt, Julie, and her partner Angie. We are so blessed to visit with them this weekend. We do not get to see them much since they live in southern Virginia and Julie has been unable to travel the last year while she kicked cancer's butt!

Day #181

One of the joys of working from home during the summer...watching Rocko sunbathe in the backyard on a beautiful summer morning. He's so handsome!

Day #180

I am not familiar with this...sincerely, a dog person.

My co-worker is out of town this week. She was in a pickle without anyone to watch/feed her cat while she is away, so I offered to help. I am not a cat person by any stretch, and it's rather out of the way for me to go to her house twice a day to take care of the cat, but, I'd like to think that one day someone will go out of their way if I was in a pickle and needed help. So far we have had success...the cat has not scratched or clawed me yet, unlike every other cat I've ever encountered. And, Tyler is so cute. I walk in the house and say "Hi Tiggi" (cat's name is really Tigger) and Tyler says "Hi TiTi!" So cute.

Day #179

Tyler's first strawberry...he loves it as much as his mommy does!

Day #178

Have you ever seen a kid shove more watermelon in his cheeks! Tyler litterally shoves so much watermelon in his cheeks that he can't chew without spitting some of it out, and still reaches for more! He's like a little chipmunk!

Day #177

We're finally back from the beach. Maybe next year will be a bit more relaxing...

Anyway, we stopped at Panera for lunch today. I ordered Tyler his very own kids meal (grilled cheese - which he eats at home), but wouldn't you know...he'd rather eat dad's baguette than the sami! I just can't win!

Day #176

Tyler taking a break from baby pool playing to wave at passers-by down below the deck.

Day #175

Ah-ha! We blew up a baby pool and put it on the deck where we are staying...more than 10 minutes of entertainment...WAHOO!!

Day #174

Well...at least Tyler likes the boardwalk! Really, he just likes eating his Cheerios while waving at the kites and screaming at anyone who walked in front of him (yes, he squealed at strangers). But, at least he was entertained for more than 10 minutes!

Day #173

The men went deep sea fishing today! It was hysterical actually. The "girls" and I were wondering all day when they would be back since we expected them at noon but they did not show up until 2:00. It turns out that they went out and caught several tuna, but two of them (hubby included) were sea sick the ENTIRE SIX HOURS that they were out there. Needless to say that hubby has sworn against ever doing that again...and then he napped for 3 hours.

Day #172

Tyler's first attempt at eating corn on the cob. (I think he just likes licking the butter off.) He won't eat it off the cob, so here's hoping it catches on!

Day #171

We're trying the pool today. Luckily at the place we stay we have access to the beach AND a community pool. Here's hoping Tyler enjoys the pool for more than 10 minutes!

Day #170

Uh oh...it's going to be a LONG week...Tyler is not a fan of the sand at the beach or the ocean water.

Day #169

Happy Father's Day to my awesome husband and amazing father!

Would you believe that my husband does not own a tie other than the one he wore with his vest for our wedding? We've been squeaking through weddings and funerals by going tie-less or borrowing a tie from a cousin. So, I thought it fitting for Tyler to get Bryant a tie for father's day. His first official tie (yes, the man is 34 years old).

Day #168

Where's munchky?!

The car is [REALLY] packed any we're ready to go! We are off to the beach for a week. We sure hope Tyler enjoys the beach and the pool...and that he sleeps for the three hour drive to get there!

Day #167

One of the highlights of our visits to see grandpa is that his house-mate is from Morocco and makes the most divine humus I've ever tasted. I sure wish I could whip this up like she does, but it just can't be matched!

Day #166

Grandpa opening his father's day present. It is a clear acrylic frame with a photo of Bryant, Tyler and I on one side, and a hilarious photo of Tyler crying at Grandpa's St. Patrick's Day outfit. It is nothing fancy, but can be used as a napkin weight on the boat. (All items going to the boat must serve multiple purposes!)

Day #165

We got to visit with grandpa this week. This is probably one of the last times we'll be able to visit with him before he sets out on his great cruising adventure in open waters. But, we had a great time and Tyler enjoyed eating with and sharing his dinner with grandpa.

Day #164

Well, the good news is that Tyler will now eat mac & cheese AND noodles with spaghetti sauce. Despite how it looks, he did actually get quite a bit of it in his mouth!

Day #163

I had been dreaming about this oh so comforting dish all day. It is the mac & cheese bowl from Noodles & Co. My coworker and a retired friend went there for lunch today and although not certain that the others would want to go there, I had been secretly hoping that they were up for it since I was craving this dish. It is delicious and I ate entirely too much of it. I attempt to balance the calorie count of this dish by paring it with their equally delicious cucumber and tomato salad. YUM-O!