9 Months Old and Doing Great

Last week Ty turned 9 months old and he is growing like a weed. He now weighs in at 19 pounds 10 ounces, measures over 27 inches long and according to the pediatrition is very healthy!!

No teeth yet, but the doctor says they are close. We are in no hurry for teeth with the exception of introducing new foods... we believe he is starting to get a little board with his baby food. If I had to eat sweet potatoes and squash pretty much all the time, I would get tired of it too...

No crawling yet, but he is learning to turn around while sitting on his butt and quickly reaching for things he wants. We also are in no hurry for this because once he starts to go, he will never stop!

He is progressing well with his motor skills and also his speech. He has now said "NanNan" or "NaNa" which he obviously does not understand that is for his grandmother... He likes to say "DaDaDa" a lot but then follows with "NanNanNan" then Lori usually says, "What about "MomMomMom"? :-)

As parents we have been very blessed to have such a good little boy. He really and truely is a joy to be around. He is happy and very seldom does he give us trouble. His smile is infectous and his laugh is just adorable. We could not have asked for a better little boy. For instance, the video below... how can you not laugh at this little guy having fun at the doctor's office!?!?

A few weeks back the Keyser Family, from Myrtle Beach, SC traveled to the Waynesboro area to visit family and stopped out one evening for a visit. Their young man, Jakob, came along for the ride as well and had a great time playing with Ty.

Jakob was due exactly one month after Ty, but ended up arriving 1 week earlier then Ty. Jakob already has 6 teeth and crawls very well and is all but ready to walk... mean while, Ty is still sitting still!

As the evening went on, both boys became tired and decided to have some fun in the tub... oh what fun we will have with this photo in about 16 years! :-)

Ty went to bed in his crib while Jakob crashed on the floor! They both were very good boys that evening and had loads of fun! No doubt about that! Too bad the Keyser's do not live closer, I believe Ty and Jakob could become great friends!

As you can see on the right side of the blog, we have a new family picture! We went to Sears a few weeks back for our first family portrait and photos.

Of course, Ty surprised both of us again!

For only having a 10 minute morning nap, he was all smiles for the camera and the photographer... of course, by this time in his short life, the little guy should be used to flash bulb!

Recently Ty's Great Uncle Lewie found a nice new toy for Ty to play with... It is a fuzzy Rocking Horse with wheels on it. Although Ty does not quite have his balance perfected, he does enjoy playing on it from time to time!

Usually children are very afraid of things that make a lot of noise.... like a lawn mower. No, not Ty, he loves sitting just inside the front door and watching dad mow the lawn! Mean while, dad is counting down the days until he can watch Ty mow the lawn!! :-)

Last week we took Ty to the Bowersox Farm in Waynesboro. They have two horses along with a few head of cattle. At first Ty was a bit intimidated by these huge animals, but by the end of the evening he was reaching out to pet them. For being so big, the horses were very gentle and very lovable. Ty also enjoyed playing with the hay, as you can see in one of the pics on the right side of the blog. We can't wait to take Ty out again soon.

Our latest adventure was having some more fun in the sun by playing in our new baby pool this past Saturday. Although he did not enjoy the first 60 seconds in the pool the other 19 minutes weren't so bad.

We put Ty in the pool and we were just getting settled when he decided to reach for one of his rubber duckies... Oh no, wrong move buddy!!! He went from his butt to his belly in a blink of an eye, meanwhile taking in a nice swallow of water and some up his nose. He managed to push his face out of the water and look at us as we practically jumped in the water to save him. I believe he would have been ok but we pulled him from the water so fast and sat him down on a towel that he freaked out. A few minutes later we put him back in and he was fine and dandy as you can tell by the video! :-)

So as you can see we are all doing well, especially Ty! We are just enjoying the fun and the sun of summer! Hopefully it will not be a month until I post again.

8 Months Old... Wow!

Today Ty turned 8 months old. Wow... how time flies! It is amazing to see how much he has changed since he was born and to think in 4 months he will turn 1 year. What does the next 4 months hold for us? I am sure a lot of firsts!!!

There is not too much to report besides the fact Ty loves going outside. Whether it is to swing or take a walk with mom or just walk around the house, grab leaves and coo at butterflies, he loves the sun and the warm weather... don't we all!

We figured since there is not much to report we would just mainly post a photo update this time around... :-) We hope you enjoy!

Vacation, Swing, Words & 7 Months Old

We have made it back from vacation in Myrtle Beach and I believe we all had a great time. We arrived back at home on Tuesday morning around 4:30 AM after a long drive home. Doesn't always seem like the ride home is longer then the ride to? We want to thank the Kipe family for taking us in and allowing us to stay with them while in town. It was a pleasure and we sincerely thank them for a good time!

Ty was again an excellent boy on the trip home. We only heard a few whimpers from him and that was because he wanted his binky. Otherwise, he slept the entire time. Honestly, we could not have asked for a better behaving child while on vacation. Sometimes babies act strange when they are in a new place but not Ty. We did not have any trouble with him eating, sleeping or fussing. He was such a joy to be around, as he usually is! :-)

Ty also took advantage of the family time and gave us a few more "firsts." Along with his first vacation and long car ride, he enjoyed his first time swinging, first time at the beach, and his first word.


The Kipe family recently purchased a swing set for their daughters and Ty was more then eager to try it out.... OK, OK, mom and dad were more then eager for Ty to try it out. :-) It went very well and to say the least, Ty enjoyed himself. We are looking to purchasing a swing that we can hang from a branch on one of the large trees we have in our back yard.






Ty also had a great time one his first beach trips. Last Thursday while the Kipe family was working, we decided to take a ride and ended up at the beach. we broke out the new walking stroller and strapped Ty in and enjoyed the cool ocean breeze and warm sun. Ty enjoyed himself and showed it by sticking out his tongue, giggling and kicking his little legs. We did not set foot on the sand but just walked around.

On Sunday, we along with the Kipe family made another trip to the beach, this time setting up camp for a few hours on the sand and near the surf. It was overcast and a bit breezy but Ty did not care. He again showed his joy by laughing, showing his tongue (we have no idea where this came from) and kicking his little legs. We think he enjoyed the sound of the waves and watching the water...


As I reported a few weeks ago, Ty likes to say "Ba"... well, that BA turned to DA and then DADA... so along with the Kipe's we have decided that Ty has officially said his first.... "Dada!" We are not sure if he knows what it means, but he does seem to look at me sometimes when he says it.... of course, a minute later, he looks at Lori and says it too! :-D

We took a lot of photos while on our vacation, but most of them were of the kids... so I took a few photos and made a collage. I think it turned out great... pictured are Ty, Layna & Abbi (Kipe) and Jakob Keyser.

Yesterday, April 22, Ty turned 7 months old. It does not seem like 7 months since Ty has been born but he is quickly approaching 1 year old... Wow, time flies and so did the last week!

We Made It to SC

We rolled out of our driveway around 7:45 PM and rolled into the Kipe's Driveway at 4:20 AM. It was a great trip with a little rain and a little traffic here and there but nothing major.

We were all pretty pooped out except Ty who slept the entire trip. We never heard a peep out of him the entire time in the car. He awoke when we got him out of the car and seemed to be wide awake for about 45 minutes. But then he gave in and passed out along with mom and dad.

This morning he was sampling the jumper that the Kipe's have and just passed out sleeping... it was such a funny site, we had to just post a picture... he was so cute. He would snap out of his snooze and bounce a few times and then close his eyes again. :-)

The weather is beautiful down here. After a morning filled with drizzle and clouds, the sky cleared and it is presently around 74 degrees.

Can't wait to visit tonight with the entire Kipe Family and this weekend with the Keyser Family.

Happy Easter & 6 Month Checkup News

First off, Ty along with Lori and I would like to send everyone Spring Time Warmth and Happy Easter wishes! It is that time of the year where we see snow in the morning and 60 degree temps by late afternoon... oh the joy of south central PA weather! :-) Come on warm weather!

As mentioned in the last post, we went to see Nan Smith and the Easter Bunny at the Candy Store. For the most part it went well. Ty was a little unsure of the bunny and was not willing to smile but was good enough for us to snap a few pics.

Ty now says "Ba" on a routine basis. We have no idea what it means, but he loves to say it and he loves when mom and dad say it too. It is fun to hear him talk and babble as if he were carrying on a conversation with us.

Ty had his 6 month check up today and everything seems to be going great. He measured out at 26 1/2 inches long (50 percentile) and 16 lbs 9.5 ounces (25-50 percentile). Doctor Colli was very happy with Ty's progress and his playfulness. Ty was not too happy with the nurse who gave him 3 shots of meds in the leg. He cried for a few minutes and then was pretty much OK.

We are definitely ready for our trip to Myrtle Beach and our visit with the Kipe & Keyser Families next week. For our sake and Ty's, we have decided to pull an all-nighter and drive throughout the night. We are leaving for South Carolina Tuesday night and will leave to come home the following Monday night. We figured that it would be a lot easier on everyone if Ty could just sleep (we are hoping) throughout the trip. If we leave around 8 PM on Tuesday evening, we should make it to our destination around 5 or 6 AM without issue.

If mother nature cooperates I hope to post a few pics of Ty relaxing on the beach next week!

Ty & Nan at the Candy Store... :-)

Big News!!

This week we have two things to report!

First off, we have new face, Lori and I call it "Snoot" face. Ty smiles and then rinkles up his nose and squints his eyes! So darn cute!



Secondly, Ty has now rolled over 3 seperate times from his belly to his back... and we have video!! :-)

Today, we are going to visit the Candy Store where Nan Smith works. It is their Spring Open House and the Easter Bunny will be there to greet the kiddies. Hopefully, we are able to post a cute photo of Ty and the Easter Bunny sometime this week! :-)

6 Months Young, Likes/Dislikes & Fun Times

Tomorrow Ty will celebrate his 6 month birthday! Lori and I have been so amazed at how fast time flies and especially these last 6 months! During that time Ty has been such a joy in our lives and has changed so much. We have truly been blessed with a fine little boy.



Throughout the past 6 months, Ty certainly has developed some likes and some dislikes. Here are just a few of each!

Dislikes:

- Vacuum Cleaner - screams at the top of his lungs at the sound
- Tummy Time - he does it but not for long
- Drying his Hair and clothes over his head - especially before bedtime
- Waiting too long to be fed - when this little guy wants a bottle, he wants it now!
- End of his bottle - when his bottle is empty, occasionally we get a little upset!
- Staying in one position/place for too long - wants a different view so very often

Likes:

- Itzy Bitzy Spider - he loves it and smiles or laughs every time
- Changing Table - still one of the best places in the evening before bedtime
- Being Nosey - always wants to see what that noise was or who is talking
- Walks with Mommy - enjoys getting some fresh air and having mommy do all the work
- Attention - wants to be held, carried or played with constantly
- Being Scared - never saw a baby like to be scared, but he smiles and laughs every time

Within the last few weeks Ty has began to recognize his name and look at anyone who calls his name. Normally he looks and ackowledges with a smile or grin. :-)

Lori is certainly enjoying her new life at home with Ty and is doing a great job. She has also take Ty on a few shopping excursions and visits with family and friends, pretty much without incident and with Ty being a good little boy.

This past week, we purchased two new items for Ty, an Excersaucer and a Jogging Stroller. Needless to say, Ty loves his excersaucer. He seems to love all the toys on it and seems to enjoy pressing the many buttons as well! :-)

Lori and Ty have not yet used the stroller but I am sure when the weather turns warm, it will be used daily! With the rubber, bike like tires, I am sure it will be much easier to push on the road.

Ty is eating well, he loves most of the first foods with the exception of carrots. He's not too keen on those! But overall, he loves his fruit and veggies! We are excited to see how much he has grown since his last doctor's visit back in February.

Fun times are ahead in the next month. On April 9th, Ty will have his 6 month checkup where I am sure more immunizations await. A joy for any child at any age!

On April 15th, we take a week long trip to Myrtle Beach to visit the Kipe Family and see Ty enjoy his first beach experience. The past few weeks we have been preparing by purchasing some summer clothes for Ty... as you can see, he is going to be one cool dude at the beach!

So Far, So Good!!

So Mommy's first week at home came to a close after a looooong Friday! I believe Lori's words to me on the phone Friday Afternoon said it all... "I think I am going back to work!"

By 8 AM Friday Morning Lori was on a roll cleaning the house. She had both bathrooms clean before Ty even woke up. When he did awake, Lori's day began to drag along. It took her the next 7 hours to vacuum and dust the house. This chore normally takes her no longer then 2 hours total but on this day, she had a baby who was experiencing separation anxiety and would simply lose his cool when she left the room! Lori ended up finishing the dusting by singing ABC's to Ty as she went from room to room!

Besides Friday, the rest of Lori's first week at home was excellent. She took Ty, early in the week, on his first trip to Target shopping for baby food and some miscellaneous items. On Thursday, she met her grandmother, aunt and two cousins at Applebee's for lunch. Both occasions Ty was an excellent little boy. Maybe he was making up for it on Friday?!?

The week was full of adjustments for both Mom and Ty. Ty had trouble napping during the day, nothing new, but it caused some intense moments before bed time. Let's just say, when Ty wants a bottle and bed, he wants it all to occur within seconds. Not minutes, seconds! But throughout the week Mom and Ty became better adjusted to their new life!

Ty is also now enjoying his vegetables. He seems to love squash! And as far as his fruits, no problems with applesauce or peaches. He loves them too. So far so good!

Lori, being the excellent wife that she is, had some pretty good meals cooked for me when I got home too. Chicken in the crock pot, meat loaf and some stir fry. Pretty tasty meals, hope she keeps that up! :-)

On Saturday, Nan (Smith) came over to baby sit Ty for the evening while Lori and I met some of my old co-workers at Buffalo Wild Wings in Hagerstown. It was nice for Nan to come over and get some one on one time with Ty and for us to get out by ourselves on such a nice warm evening. When we returned home and asked Nan if Ty was good, her words, "He was an Angel." :-) We must be doing something right!

Lori and Ty also got to enjoy the beautiful weather by taking some nice long walks around the neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday. In fact, on Sunday while they were gone, I completed a couple chores of my own and got myself cleaned up. After nearly 75 minutes of them being gone, I was a little concerned and about ready to send out a search party. :-) As I walk out into the drive way, here come Lori and Ty. It seems as though they got hung up with some neighbors down the street and Ty really enjoyed the attention. Guess he is not getting enough at home! Yeah Right!! :-)

Until next time...

The Day Has Finally Arrived.... Lori's Last Day!

At 5 PM today Lori will officially move from Career Mom to Stay At Home Mom! Needless to say, we are both very very excited at this new endevour!

I asked Lori last night if she will miss work... her reply, "I will miss the people." It is hard to leave a job where your coworkers are close to you and a part of your life. Lori has known most of her coworkers for nearly 10 years, so I am sure it will be hard for her. But on Monday morning while I am getting ready for work and she does have to do a thing but take care of Ty, I am sure she will be loving it!

We feel very priviledged to even think about her staying home, let along actually doing it. In today's world, economy and life, it has almost become a neccesity for both parents to work to pay the bills and put food on the table. I feel very greatful we are able to do it.

As for Ty, on Sunday he turned 5 months old. It certainly does not seem 5 months since we were in the hospital but it has. He also has had a big week of firsts... Finally getting over his First cold, First taste of Apple Sauce and First taste of Pears. And boy, does he love the food!


It is so funny to watch him eat! As soon as he sees his little bowl and spoon, his eyes get really big and his arms and legs start moving around like he is jumping for joy! :-) He knows it is food and he knows it is time to eat! After he gets the first spoon full, he looks like a little bird with his mouth open. Looks like he has a BIG appetite, just like daddy!

We also laugh at some of the goofiest things... like mommy and daddy's funny sounds and faces. Check out the videos below and see if you giggle! :-)

Counting Down The Days.... & Ty's First Cold

After today, Lori will have 4 more days of work (she has Friday & Monday Off) and then she will officially change her title from Working Mom to Stay-At-Home Mom. She not only is excited but I am as well. It will be a welcomed change in all of our lives... especially for Ty, because now he will not have to get dressed every work day at 7 am in his snow suit.

Ty is doing well but he is currently experiencing his first ever cold. He is a little congested and coughing and sneezing quite a bit. The last few nights have been somewhat long because of his occasional coughing, sneezing and crying but overall he is getting through it pretty good. He is still laughing, playing and eating like normal, so I guess it is not too bad.

Speaking of eating, Ty is doing excellent on his cereal and is becoming quite a little bird when he realizes what is happening. Once he gets a spoon full the first time, he swallows quickly and opens right up like a little bird waiting for a worm from momma. I think we are a week or two away from trying some baby food for the first time!

This past weekend Ty got to experience his first Valentines Day and he sure did enjoy reading all of his cards. :-) Ty asked me to thank everyone for the Baby's First Valentines Cards and Gifts so Thank You!

Ty has still not rolled over on his own. Lori and I have thought a few times that he was going to, but he always seems to pull himself onto his back again. I think Lori is kinda hoping he holds off for another week so she has a better chance seeing him do it. :-)

I have been taking some videos of Ty with my hacked iPhone and am in the process of editing them. Once that is complete I hope to post a few on here for all to see. A few of them are quite comical!

Until next time, hope all is well and stays well!