First Time Swimming

Mike had another weekend act of spontaneity (maybe not so uncommon afterall), this time with a suggestion to go to the pool. So we got Tyler all dressed in his swim gear and headed off. It was a perfect day for it but the baby pool was too cold (even for us). Tyler started shivering so we got out for a while and then headed over to the big pool, which was MUCH warmer. We were only there for probably an hour or so but it was a good time overall. Here are some pictures to enjoy!

All ready to go!

Tyler and Daddy getting ready to go in

Tyler and Mommy (too bad my eyes are closed)
Tyler in his cool Lightning McQueen Cars boat! He seemed to enjoy it!

A Day at the Zoo

We started off our Saturday morning like we usually do....with a long walk to Miller Park. Then Mike surprised me with an unusual act of spontaneity....a trip to Miller Park's little but still impressive zoo. Unfortunately we didn't bring the camera along but Tyler was awake the whole time we walked around (about an hour and half) and he seemed to be interested in some of the animals (although there were times when he was more interested in the girls at the zoo). We got there early in the morning after the animals just ate so most of them were awake and active. Tyler really enjoyed watching a leopard pace back and forth. There were these two sun bears that came right up to the front of their cages that Mike and I thought were really cool but that was one of the instances when Tyler just wanted to flirt with the other spectators! We also saw some jumping sea lions which got me (and hopefully Tyler) in the mood to start our Mommy/Baby swimming class in a couple of weeks!

Big Laughs

I got a positive response when I posted the videos so I thought I'd share these big laughs from Tyler. He pulled his sock off while he was laying in his crib and then thought it was hilarious when I played with it! It's amazing how easily entertained he can be! Sorry about the quality--we are using our old camera and the videos are coming out very dark but you can still hear his adorable little giggle.

Happy Seven-Month Birthday, Tyler!

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

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

Tyler is seven-months old today! Even though I felt like last month he was half-a-year old, I feel like breaking the half-way point means he's almost a year old now! It could also be that he's doing so many more things that it doesn't feel like he's so much of a baby anymore. This month Tyler has mastered the art of sitting up. He also starting riding in his "big boy" car seat and he's using a sippy cup to drink water. He had his first couple front to belly roll-overs. He isn't starting to crawl yet but it seems like it's coming pretty rapidly with the way he scoots around. I'm hearing many more sounds coming from Tyler and he's starting to put some sounds together. Despite thinking he's been teething on several different occasions, Tyler has yet to cut his first tooth. We are just waiting for that one!

On another note, Tyler and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Breclaw for Mother's Day and then spent part of the day today with Ashley and Keith. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures to share. I'm sure there will be many more to come though!

We Have a Sitter!

Tyler has mastered the art of sitting up independently! We probably had about a three-minute photo session of Tyler wearing his robe for the first time and he sat up by himself the whole time just giving me pose after pose!

A First Mother's Day to Remember

We celebrated my first Mother's Day in Joliet at Aunt Michelle and Uncle Terry's. We enjoyed great food from the grill (and Michelle's kitchen--she slaved all day yesterday and made enough to feed the whole neighborhood), good company and of course, a little friendly competition--this time at bean bags. Terry The Instigator picked up special bags to add fuel to the very hot Cubs vs. White Sox quarrel. We had some very fun, baseball-inspired show-downs resulting in another overall White Sox winner--OUCH! Tyler really enjoyed spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa Ellsworth, his Great Grandma Burnett and Aunt Michelle and Uncle Terry! Here are some pictures to enjoy.

The Cross-Town Classic meets Bean Bags

Uncle Terry and Aunt Michelle face off (Terry's a good guy for once!)

Great Grandma Burnett even got in on the action

She was a fierce competitor too!

Mommy and Tyler watch on, quietly chanting "Go Cubs Go!"

Tyler had fun playing puppets with Grandma Ellsworth

Three generations of Mother's

All tuckered out at the end of a long day!

The Mother's Day fun will spill over into next weekend too as Tyler and I spend the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Breclaw! We are looking forward to seeing them!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!

Talking and Giggling

I finally figured out how to streamline videos to the blog! Here are a couple videos from today. The first one is of Tyler babbling with me and the second one captured just a couple of his big giggles. Enjoy!