Easter Hunt, "I Love You", Blowing & "Eye"Poking

17 Months & 3 Weeks

Enjoy reading the Tyson stories because the blog will be on hiatus again for the next 2 weeks!  The reason this time is because we are leaving for our cruise this Friday!  We can not wait!  I think this year will even be better with Tyson.  He will just love all the new experiences!  I can see him right now smiling at everyone on the boat... it will be so much fun!

Well, I pretty much recapped what happened last weekend with Paul's service and everything... but I didn't mention Sunday.  On Saturday night, we packed up everything at my parent's house and headed to the Edwards' house for Saturday night to spend some more time with Amanda.  We crashed pretty hard and spent most of Sunday just lounging around at the Edwards.  We were all so beat from the entire weekend, we didn't feel like doing anything.  Tyson went room to room, leaving destruction in his path... he is just non-stop.  I have to say that I looked around the living room on Sunday afternoon and had to laugh.  Keith was on his Touchpad, Sonia on her laptop, Heath on his Galaxypad, Adam on his Asus tablet, Amanda with her Kindle, and I was on my Ipad - all at the same time!  Isn't it just amazing how technology just consumes our lives now?  In the afternoon, we managed to muster up enough energy to give Tyson an Easter egg hunt!  We put his puffs, yogurt melts, Cheerios, and a couple matchbox cars into the eggs.  It was so cute - it took him a little while, but he got the hang of it and loved picking up the eggs and putting them into this cute turtle basket that Sonia had gotten him.  What he liked even more was shaking the basket furiously and watching all the eggs fall out of the basket onto the ground.  He's such a boy.  On Sunday night, we headed home and planned to go out to eat with the Edwards.  Well, we kind of forgotten that it was Easter and our first 6 choices for restaurants were closed.  So we ended up at an old favorite, that we had stopped going to because it was pretty expensive... but lo and behold, they had changed the menu and the prices were much more reasonable.  Guess it will be our regular favorite now!  Ty chowed down on an Eggplant Parmesan sandwich, I wasn't sure if he would like it, but he went crazy for it.

On Monday, Ty and I spent most of the day getting our house in order and unpacking.  In the past 11 days, we had spent 9 days in Conway and living out of suitcases.  It was so good to be home.  Ty was so tuckered out from all of this, that he took a 2.5 hour nap.  I felt terrible, but I had to wake him up - so who knows how long he would have slept.  I would normally never do this, but we were on a time-crunch.  We had to get to the grocery store (since we didn't have any food in the house) and get back because Heath and I were having a date night.  I really felt like being at home and not doing anything, but my parents were leaving for Florida for 2 weeks the next day (which means no baby-sitter) ... so we jumped at the chance.  We HAD to go see Titanic in 3D!!!!!  My favorite movie of all time.  I had forgotten how good it was.  Unfortunately, I didn't think the 3D effects were all that spectacular, but you have to forgive them, since the original movie was not made in 3D, so it's not like they tailor-made it to have all those effects.  But you did forget a lot of the time that it actually was in 3D.  Regardless, we had a great time and I was actually able to eat a salad and some bites of a brownie sundae.  My nausea is still horrible and I can't even look at most food.  I'm taking ginger, saltines, Preggy pop drops, seltzer and I just can't eat.  This is very hard for me because I love to eat so much!  Anyways, while Heath and I were living it up, Ty was living it up too and went out to eat at the OG with Noni and Poppy.  They said he was very well-behaved, ate a ton, and went right to sleep like a champ.  It's nice to know that he doesn't give them a problem, it makes it easier to us for us to go our to know that!  Noni and Poppy tried to get Ty to say, "I love you".... by repeating it probably a bazillion times... they swear that he actually said it a few times, but I have not heard it myself.  I heard him attempt to say it... but not quite.

While unpacking, Ty took his portable high chair and climbed into it!

Ty trying on my shoes!!!!

On Tuesday, Ty did a couple cute things.  First of all, I had made blueberry muffins for breakfast and they came out pretty hot.  So I was breaking them up and blowing on the pieces before giving them to Ty.   Well, that kid doesn't miss anything!  Right away, he would not eat a piece of muffin until he had thoroughly blown on it! (=  It was so cute.  He is definitely imitating us so well now.  Words seem to be coming a bit better too.  We had gotten him this giant blue ball at Walmart up in Conway and when he was playing with it - he started saying, "Baw, baw."  I think that's pretty close!  Then, when I was brushing my teeth, Ty was playing in his room.  I walked into his room to check on him and he had his rectal thermometer in his mouth!!!!!  I couldn't help but laugh, but poor guy.  It was in a plastic container that was inside a small ziplock bag, inside a large ziplock bag... he really had to work to get it out!  But he got it!  So Tuesday we worked on laundry all day and then brought my parents to the airport in the afternoon.  My mom had been watching Finley (Shannon was working) so I took over.  After dropping them off, I had to pull over at one of the exits because Finley was freaking me out.  She was sleeping, but leaning completely forward in her car seat with her chin on her chest.  I unbuckled my seat belt and tried to get her head to go back, but she would just slump over again.  I had heard of kids cutting off their airways by doing this, so I pulled over and moved her in the car seat.  Of course she was fine and of course I woke her up, but it was worth it!  That was scary.  We had a nice couple of hours together (Ty, Fin, and I) and then Sean came to pick her up.  Heath had a business dinner on Tuesday night, so Ty and I were on our own.  I gave him his bath, which is now hazardous to both of our healths - Ty is a crazy man in the tub right now.  He won't just sit there and splash anymore... he stands right up and "dances" in the tub and then crawls around (getting a mouthful of bath water sometimes) and nearly falls all the time!  It was exhausting trying to keep him safe!

Blowing on the muffin

On Wednesday I had to work and Shannon had double duty with the kids.  She said that everything went fine.  Something exciting happened!  Tyson said, "eye"... the unfortunate part was that he said it when he tried to poke Finley in the eye!!!!  He really does seem to love Finley (and vice versa) but his love is a tough love, let me tell you.  Wednesday night it was nice to head home immediately and not stop at the dumpster.  Just for everyone's information... there will be no dumpster-diving while I am pregnant.  I have had too many close calls with falling out of the dumpster, that it's just not worth the risk.  Unfortunately, I will be thinking of all the deals I will missing out on because I won't have those coupons!!!!  Oh well... the baby is definitely worth it!

On Thursday it was my turn for double duty all day with the 2 munchkins, since Shannon had to work.  It went very well, all three of us got dressed and didn't stay in our pajamas all day, so I consider that a success!  On Thursday night, it was just Ty, Heath, and I that headed to the OG.  And we did stop at Burlington Coat Factory and got a suit for Heath (killer deal), a suit-outfit for Ty, and a bathing suit for me for the cruise.  We are getting ready!

Finley trying desperately to fall out of the bouncer

Have a great 2 weeks!  A couple more pics...

Helping Daddy with his tools

I think he might have my OCD!!!  Just watch...

He set up these trays perfectly against the couch... one was crooked just a little bit, and he just had to adjust it! (=

The Invasion, Falls ,Pneumonia Again & Sad Times

17 Months & 1-2 Weeks

The last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind.  I couldn’t possibly get a blog out.  No way, no how.  I will do my best to summarize, but there definitely will not be any day-by-day recaps.  No way.

The most exciting thing that happened to us actually happened 3 weeks ago, but I didn’t dare write about it in my blog last time.  But now it is out in the open, so I can.  We are pregnant again!  I am only 7 weeks along at this point, but I can’t keep my mouth shut… so there it is!  I took the test while Heath was at work and Ty and I looked at it together.  I couldn’t believe it and I looked at Ty and said, “You’re going to be a big brother!”  I got this “Big Brother” T-shirt at Carters and had Ty wearing it when Heath got home.  I knew he probably wouldn’t notice, but I tried anyway!  When he didn’t notice for about 5-10 minutes, then I gave Ty the pregnancy test and told him to “give it to Daddy” – which he did!  It was very cute and then Ty proceeded to try to put the test in Heath’s ears, up his nose, and in his mouth!  What a rascal.  We are very excited and hope that all goes well.  Thank goodness it only took us 3 months this time!  I used the Mucinex every month, just to be sure!

The actual day that we knew!

2 weeks ago, the highlights were Tyson continuing his monkey ways and climbing non-stop.  Unfortunately, once while I was in the kitchen, making supper, he climbed onto the very top of our love-seat… and as I peeked into the family room to check on him… he fell off the top!  Thank goodness I have about a bazillion blankets piled up behind the love-seat, so he didn’t fall far at all.  But he was stuck there for a little bit, while I struggled to get him out without squishing him.  Then another big fall happened right when I was sitting on the couch.  He was sitting right beside me, like a big kid… when he went all buck-wild and crawled down to the other end of the couch (very fast) to reach the pictures on the end table.  Well, he was moving at quite the clip, when he couldn’t stop himself and went head-over-feet off the end of the couch.  Poor bugger… he was not a happy camper.  Thank goodness there haven’t been any sequels to these falls, but I was starting to get really worried… especially because these falls happened within 2 days of each other. 

Very upset because he couldn't get up, but he wouldn't get down either!

He's actually standing on the kitchen chair!!!!  Monkey!

Tyson has gotten very protective of “his” food.  He definitely knows that his puffs, yogurt melts, and certain cereals are “his.”  He is so funny!  I dropped a piece of “Captain Crunch” cereal (a treat that I let him have sometimes) onto the floor and Reeses made a beeline for it.  Tyson saw this happening and started screeching and scolding Reeses.  He knew it was “his” cereal!  The same thing happened when I spilled some of his oatmeal on the floor and both dogs were going crazy licking it up.  You should have heard Ty again… giving them the riot act. 

2 Thursdays ago, Tyson was sounding worse instead of better with his cold that had been lingering for 10 days.  He had wheezed all Wednesday night long and had barely slept because of his coughing.  He was so bad that I took him in the pediatrician on Thursday and he had pneumonia again.  He has had it two times now.  I’m afraid we gave the kid some bad lungs, unfortunately.  I told the doctor that I was concerned about giving him Amoxicillin again, since he had that terrible rash.  After talking about it, he was convinced that it was the non-allergic rash and really wanted to try it again.  Against my better judgment, I agreed.  Big mistake.  All it took was for 1 dose, and he woke up 2 Fridays ago with the reddest face you have ever seen.  No rash on his face, but his entire face and ears were swollen and bright, bright red.  And he did have a rash to his chest and legs.  Unfortunately, that means that he is now allergic to all Cillins.  Son of a gun.

After his doctor’s appointment 2 Thursdays ago, I brought Ty for his 2^nd haircut.  His hair was getting terrible again.  I had them chop it.  He looks so much better!  But it is a bit short in the back.  So short that his cowlick will not go down and just stands straight up.  But it’s still much better, regardless.

Before...

After!  I timed it perfect and he was due for his nap... so he was zoning the whole time!

2 Thursdays ago (after all of that),  I got a call from Heath that his grandfather, Paul, had gotten pneumonia at the nursing home and had taken a turn for the worse.  Heath got home early and we got up to Conway.  His breathing was slightly labored and he was unresponsive, but his pulse was very strong.  But on Friday morning, he definitely declined.  Most of Heath’s extended family was there and we took turns taking shifts on Friday, so he would never be alone.  We were eating at Heath’s grandmother’s apartment on Friday night (just about ready to go back to the nursing home) when we got a call from Heath’s aunt and uncle, who were with him, to come right away.  Heath’s grandmother lives about 7 minutes away from the nursing home.  We went as fast as we could, but he died while we were driving there.  It was so tough.  Of course we all wanted to be there with him.  But God is good.  It was very peaceful and his suffering is over now.  We spent the next 3 days with Heath’s grandmother (Norma) and the family.  It was good to have that family time.  We stayed at my parent’s house, since they are only about 10 minutes away from Norma’s place. 

We ended up telling Heath’s family that we were pregnant on the day that Paul died.  We had Tyson wear his “Big Brother” shirt and just let them notice it.  It did bring some cheer, but it was also very surreal.  We had told my family that we were pregnant with Tyson the day my grandmother died 2 years ago.  What are the odds of that happening?    My family had been at Music Clinic all weekend, so we ended up telling them when they got back – with the shirt.  They were very happy, of course!  It’s all announced on Facebook now… a picture of Ty doing his “freak-out” with his shirt on.  It seemed to go over well!  Very exciting!

That's the Facebook message that we used

Last Monday night, we got home after being gone for 4 days.  I didn’t have it in me to go to the pharmacies, so I took the week off.  Oh yeah, I have been feeling absolutely miserable.  I barely had any nausea at all with Tyson’s pregnancy, and the little bit that I did have was not until week 9.  I have been feeling sick all morning, afternoon, and night since the first week we found out.  Just terrible.  I’ve also been so tired, which I remember from last time… but I don’t remember being THIS tired.  As you know, I usually go to bed by 1:30-2:00 AM… but I can barely make it to 11:00 PM now.  I just can’t do it! 

The rest of last week consisted of Heath and I working very hard on a slideshow for Paul’s memorial.  We went back up to Conway on Thursday (Heath worked a half-day), went to supper at Heath’s parents, so we could visit with Amanda, who had flown in from Nebraska.  It was so good to see her!  On Friday, more work on the slideshow and then we helped my mother with the program for the memorial, since computers are not her forte.  Everything turned out well, but Heath and I were beat.

We had the memorial on Sabbath, which was a wonderful service.  A lot of people gave personal tributes to Paul and it was very touching.  We had a near-disaster when the computer crashed and the music did not start immediately with the slideshow, but Heath recovered quickly and it went well.  Right after the service, the Navy presented a flag to Norma and played “Taps.”  Paul had been in the Navy for 14 years.  It was just a great service, it really was.  Please just pray for all of Heath’s family, but especially Norma right now.

I think that is enough summarizing for now.  I hope you have a good week.  Here's some random pictures from the last 2 weeks.

3 Amigos rolling around the floor

Are they related or something?

Ty knows he is busted, pulling Shannon's phone out of her diaper bag!

He loved the drums at Aunt Sandy's house

Bode Henry

They love each other!

Showing off his belly