Back to his cute self

So now that Tyler is pretty much back to his old self, we're able to get out more and are up for visitors once again. We're also able to work on "new" skills, such as sitting up unassisted (done!), self-feeding (working on it), and sippy cups (kind of get it). Sitting up is no feat for Tyler anymore. We used to keep the Boppy behind him at all times - just in case. Well, no need anymore! We do try to keep a pillow behind wherever his head may land if he flings himself backwards, but those occasions are rare that it's actually needed. It is so nice to be able to sit him down somewhere and know that he can entertain himself for a few without us needing to run in every 2 seconds to pick him up because he fell. He loves to just sit and play with his toys. And he loves it even more when you get in the floor to play WITH him. Grandpa Ed visited this week, and spent a lot of time in the floor with him, and he ate it up!

For self-feeding, we have given Tyler a few things - mainly zwieback toast and some Gerber puffs. He's gotten a pretty good handle on the toast, and will actually consume a good amount of it, instead of it ending up on the floor as a gooey, soggy mess. The puffs are taking a little more getting used to. He doesn't quite have the "pincher" action going on yet, so he pretty much manhandles the puffs and tries to put fistfuls in his mouth, only to have the puffs either stick to his palms or fly onto his lap or the floor. We were at TGI Fridays this past weekend (right before we raided the Carter's outlet in Williamsburg) and packed a sippy cup and some puffs too. He sat in the high chair and sipped a bit on his cup (well, sort of) and played with his puffs. He did get a few in his mouth, but right now it's just all practice. On the subject of food, I thought I would also just add that he has started getting a 3rd meal each day. We are now sending a tub of veggies to daycare with him. As it stands now, he gets oatmeal with fruit in the morning with Trav, a veggie at daycare, and rice cereal with another veggie with me at night. I have been sending him to daycare with the veggies that he won't seem to eat from me - green beans, carrots, garden veggies. Apparently, he'll eat ANYTHING for the ladies at daycare. They comment on how he just "laps up his food"! Funny how he already knows how to play me.....

Tyler also has been perfecting his kissing and hugging skills - lucky for me, I'm the primary recipient of these hugs and kisses. When I pick him up in the afternoon, he get very excited and wraps his little arms around my neck and opens his mouth very wide to give "kisses". The are the wettest, sloppiest, most WONDERFUL kisses in the entire world. If I'm lucky, I'll get hugs and kisses at home too, but they're more frequent at daycare. It is the highlight of my day. It's OK if he doesn't say "mama" yet. I'll take the lovin' from my little boy anytime.


Finally, Tyler got a new toy this week. His Grandma and Granddad Snead bought him a John Deere ride on toy. He's still a little small for it, but not for long! Travis put him on it and pushed him around the house. Tyler held on tight and was pretty interested in what was going on. He seemed to really like it! As you can see in the picture, my husband being the hunter that he is, put Tyler's poor, defenseless Beanie Baby piggie on the back of the ATV as his "kill". It will be fun to watch him grow into this toy though and see what else he can carry around on the back of that thing! Thanks, Grandma & Granddad!

One last note: I take Tyler back to the pediatrician on Thursday (the 4th) to make sure that he really IS back to his old self. It's possible that we will have to go back to the hospital for a follow-up chest x-ray - we're not sure yet. So keep your fingers crossed that all is well!!!!