I know, I know, I know. I'm a slacker. I missed a week of blogging. I'm sorry. Hey, I mean it! It's definitely turning to summer around here though. The days are full of things to accomplish and time flies even faster than ever. So I apologize to those that needed their "Tyler fix" for last week. I hope that the plethora of pics in this post will help ease you out of withdrawal.

Our little boy is getting stronger and bigger with each passing day. Travis & I had discussed the need to remove the head rest and move the straps up on his car seat because he was looking a little strained. We made the move today. He looks like a big boy now in that carrier. He's not the little boy that we brought home from the hospital in March.

Tyler's new trick is "standing". He loves to stretch those legs out wherever he is and practice his new trick. His legs have gotten really strong and just when you think he's calming down, he'll kick those legs out with such force and lock his knees and just stand there while you hold him. And he gets this very proud look on his face. He'll be running around this house raising hell before we know it.

He also has started using a new toy - his exersaucer (compliments of his future girlfriend, Emma Bowler - Carol & Chris' daughter). I picked him up from daycare and Miss Brenda, one of the teachers, mentioned to me that they put him in a saucer for the first time earlier in the day. She said that he loved it! So I got excited and ran home to have Travis get our saucer out of the attic. We weren't thinking that he'd be ready for it so soon, but we are thrilled. And so is he. He has a blast in there, jumping around, twisting and turning, and looking at all the toys. He's starting to grab for things now (my hair and necklace included - ouch!) so it's really a treat to watch him.

Is he rolling over yet? Nope, not yet. But it's not for a lack of trying. This kid will play on his tummy, with that head held so high, and he'll kick and squirm and move all about. But no rolling. Travis works with him on it and Tyler has a good time playing, but just hasn't mastered the art yet. All in good time, all in good time. We're just happy that he seems to enjoy "tummy time" and has excellent head and neck control. He's come a long way in just a few short weeks.

Tyler has also started to notice the TV. On several occasions, we have noticed him staring at the tube, completely enthralled in whatever is on. And it doesn't matter what it is - Mommy's TiVoed Young and the Restless episodes, the evening news (with Charlie Gibson, of course), NASCAR races. He loves the colors and the movement. We were at Once Upon a Child today and bought him two Baby Einstein DVDs. We figure if he's going to be drawn to the TV, he might as well see something that is somewhat educational. I'm sure Trav & I will have the content of these DVDs memorized very soon.

As I write this, Tyler is sleeping in his crib for the first night. Ever. As I have mentioned before, we have let him nap in his crib, but he has continued to sleep in the bassinet of his pack-n-play in our room at night. As I was dicing onions for dinner tonight, Travis was upstairs with Tyler, getting him ready for bed. Travis comes downstairs and tells me that he has made an "executive decision". Tyler is sleeping in his own crib in his own room starting tonight. I start crying. I blame the onions. Travis knows that I'm lying. But I know it's best. Though I may not be ready for my little baby to start becoming a big boy, it's happening and I need to "cut the cord", you might say. Though I sleep poorly with Tyler in the room with us (because of all of his little baby noises), I have comfort knowing that he is right there at an arm's length from Travis. But he needs to learn to sleep in his own room. And Travis & I need to be able to watch TV at night before we go to sleep, and talk in bed about our days, and not have to worry about tripping over something and waking the babe. Yes, I know that this will be best for all. But it makes me sad because he's not a little baby anymore. We're hoping that this first night (and the nights to come) will go well. He has napped well in his crib up until now, and we have no reason to believe that he won't do well in there at night. Keep those fingers crossed for us.

One more thing that we've started in the past week or so is Baby Massage Time. At night, we have a bedtime ritual. Travis gives him his bath and then brings him to me in the nursery. Using a night time lotion, I gently massage the lotion into his arms, legs, and feet. And he just lights up! He could be the fussiest baby in the world, but as soon as that lotion hits his body, he just grins. I love this extra little time that I have with my son. It's a part of both of our nights now. After massage, I nurse him once more to "top him off", and Trav puts him to bed. And he's still sleeping well, only waking once in the middle of the night to nurse. I expect that this feeding may be eliminated soon, as he never eats for very long and goes back to sleep very quickly. I'm looking forward to having a longer stretch of sleep at night.....when and if it comes.

We've got a fairly busy summer ahead of us. We have our annual beach trip to Emerald Isle with my Dad, Eddie, and friends for a week in July. We're excited for Tyler's first beach vacation. He has so many cute beach outfits that I can't wait to dress him in. And I can't wait to just relax on the beach. I don't care if Tyler fusses all week, at least I'm at the beach. (Note: This does not mean that I want Tyler to fuss all week, so will the powers-that-be please note this?) Also, Trav's sister Jennifer, is getting married August 4th. I am the matron of honor, so we'll be busy with that as well. We also have Tyler's 4-month appointment at the end of this month. We can't wait to see how much our little man has grown since his last appointment in early May. We're "guesstimating" that he's about 15 - 16 pounds by now. We'll see how close we are soon. So much going on, and so little time.......

Oh and one final thing....HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to Travis, my Dad, Trav's Dad, and all the other Dads out there!!!