Tyler's Six Month Portraits

Eleven days and two cancelled appointments later.......here they are--Tyler's six-month portraits! He was in a great mood--all smiles and giggles for the camera. I ordered prints of these and got TONS of extras so let me know if you want any copies!

Fun in the Sun!

We have definitely been enjoying this wonderful weekend weather with temperatures in the low 80s! We started the day with an early morning walk to Miller Park. It was a little windy but we had fun walking around.

Then Tyler came home and had a quick nap....

Afterwards we went out for a little shopping and then out for another walk. Then we came back and hung out in the backyard. It was an afternoon full of walking, playing catch for Mike and me and of course a little modeling for Tyler. Here are some pictures of Tyler enjoying the sunshine!

He's lovin' it!

In the backyard with Daddy (notice the clash in Chicago baseball teams)

Giggling with Mommy

Getting ready to head back inside....what a fun day!

Feeling Good Again

As you can see, Tyler is feeling better! We know he's feeling like himself again because his appetite is back in full force! He's also been awake more and wants to play. Thanks to Grandma Breclaw and Grandma Ellsworth for coming to watch Tyler while he was under the weather. Hopefully Tyler won't be getting icky sicky anymore now that it's getting warmer outside.

Still Icky Sicky

Unfortunately Tyler has not bounced back from his most recent illness like we expected. He's had flu-like symptoms since last Wednesday. A fever started in Sunday night and stuck around for a few days so we took him back to the doctor this week Tuesday. Again we were told it was just a viral bug and that we had to wait it out. Then last night/early this morning, Tyler's temperature actually dropped to 96 degrees. We took him the ER (mostly because of his history), where they got his temperature back up within an hour or two with the aid of some warming blankets. The ER doctor said he looked perfectly healthy but decided to do a full sepsis work-up to rule out an infection. So Tyler endured more needle sticks to have blood drawn, a chest x-ray and collecting a urine sample. The chest x-ray revealed he has "early pneumonia" and sent him home with oral antibiotics. Luckily they did not have to admit him this time but he's still icky sicky. Luckily his temperature has stabilized for the most part and he isn't running a high fever anymore but he still isn't his usual fun-loving self. I'll keep everyone updated and hopefully this will run it's course, the weather will warm up and we will have no more icky sickies for a long, long time.

Our New Vehicle!!

We went to Peoria today with the intention of purchasing a new vehicle and that's exactly what we did! Mike has been having some major back issues lately--he had an MRI recently revealing that he has lumbar spinal stenosis with two bulging lumbar discs--and we can attribute some of the pain to his old vehicle. He was having an awful time getting in and out of it and putting Tyler in the car seat because it was so low to the ground. So we decided it was time to start looking for an SUV that could grow with our family. We found this 2009 Chevrolet Equinox to be just perfect!

Getting ready to drive our new Chevrolet Equinox off the lot

Happy Six-Month Birthday Sick Boy!

Happy six-month birthday to you
Happy six-month birthday to you
Happy six-month birthday dear Tyler
Happy six-month birthday to you!

Many more birthdays to you
Many more birthdays to you
Many more birthdays dear Tyler
Many more birthdays to you!

Wow! Six months have passed since Tyler’s birth! I always felt like time flew by but never as fast as when you are watching a child grow. Unfortunately Tyler is not feeling well on his six month birthday. It seems he has a touch of the flu. We got a call Wednesday that he threw up at day care. He already had an appointment scheduled to see his pediatrician later that afternoon for his six month checkup. Unfortunately it went from a six month well baby checkup to a sick child visit. When we got him home Wednesday night, he acted pretty normal…..still happy but just a little tired. We sent him to day care on Thursday and thought he was well until we got a call that he threw up again in the afternoon. He threw up a couple more times last night too. We are pretty bummed because he almost made it this whole month without getting sick.

On a happier note, this month has been a really fun one for Tyler’s development. He's doing so much, it feels like he warped from baby to little man this month. His personality continues to shine through....he's smiling and giggling constantly. He is really paying attention to toys and books and he seems to be figuring out cause and effect. He is reaching for things and putting everything in his mouth. He really seems to want to sit up more now, although a lot of times he will topple forward or sideways. We are really enjoying watching him grow. He is like constant entertainment because he seems to do something new everyday. I posted TONS of pictures this month, but here are a few gems I've been saving to post....

Just another picture of a big smile (4/5/09)

Tyler in his modeling pose, kicking back on the couch (4/11/09)

Which Is Cuter....?

Here is a picture of Tyler wearing the White Sox outfit he got for Easter. This has started quite the debate in our house…..leaving us with the question “Which Chicago baseball team does Tyler look better wearing?” Of course you know my opinion and Mike’s opinion but we want your opinions. So go to the poll on the left side of the page and vote. Here are the pictures for comparison….. Please limit votes to one per person!!!!! (I'm talking to you MIKE!)
The White Sox say "Good Guys Wear Black"

The Cubs say "GO Cubs GO!"

Happy First Easter Tyler!

The Easter fun continued this morning when Tyler discovered that the Easter Bunny stopped at Mom and Dad's too! Here are some pictures of Tyler's reactions to his gifts....

Excited boy!

Tyler got a sippy cup--he knew just what to do with it too!

Tyler feels like a tough guy in his new pair of 'shades!

He says "Check me out" in his new floppy hat!

And he got swim trunks and a swim shirt

That "Where Are Baby's Easter Eggs?" book must taste pretty yummy

Trying out one of his toys--it's tasty too!



Then we drove up to Joliet where Tyler got to meet his 96-year old Great-Great Grandma Crafton for the first time! He slept through it but she was so thrilled to meet him!

The Easter fun continued at Tyler's Great Grandma Burnett's. His Great Grandma Burnett got him a stuffed Easter bunny. His Grandma and Grandpa Ellsworth got him a big vinyl bib (which he really needed) and an adorable outfit which poked fun at his appetite (it has a shark saying "I take big bites!"). And his Great Uncle Terry and Aunt Michelle got him 5 outfits....one of which was a Sox outfit!

Tyler and his Great Aunt Michelle

Tyler had a great first Easter!

Cheese Balls and Easter eggs

My friend Alyssa and her 19-month old daughter Emma came for a visit today. We started the afternoon with lunch at the Pub, enjoying some very yummy cheese balls. Then we all came back to our house where Emma went on an Easter egg hunt. Here are lots of pictures of the excitement...
The hunting begins...

Alyssa is telling Emma where to look for eggs

Emma snags one from under the couch

"Look what I found!"

Emma shows her Mom

A full basket at the end of a long search

Finding what's inside....Mom says "Cool!"

Emma dug into that chocolate right away!

Alyssa with Tyler and Emma

Me and Tyler, Alyssa and Emma

Later in the afternoon we went to Miller Park where we walked around for a while and watched Emma play on the playground. It was really fun to have a close friend and another little one around! We hope to get together again soon!

Early Easter Surprise!

The Easter Bunny visited Grandma and Grandpa Breclaw's early and left a gift for Tyler. We received it last night and below are the pics of Tyler opening it this morning. Enjoy!

Ready to open the box.....

Curious boy

Cool!

Tyler got a stuffed Easter Bunny

His own bunny ears and a "Little Bunny" finger puppet book

Posing for the camera

Tyler loves to read!

And the rest of the goodies.....eggs filled with money and tattoos, a Clifford CD, and 3 bibs among other little things! Tyler says thanks to the Easter Bunny and to Grandma and Grandpa B.!

Easter Egg Fun!

We colored Easter Eggs for Tyler's first Easter today! Here are some fun pictures to share....

All set up--Tyler looks excited (notice we guessed every color tablet in the wrong cup!)

Mom concentrating on decorating an egg

Tyler smiles on

"Coloring Easter Eggs is fun!"

Dad's turn to decorate his egg

"Okay coloring Easter Eggs is kind of boring now!"

The finished eggs.....Mom's on the left, Dad's on the right. Vote for your favorite!