Family Vacation 2012

Left to right: sister's family, brother's family, parents, & us
Tillman at almost 23 months and Caroline at 36 weeks

The last weekend in July we went on a Family Vacation with my whole family (all 12 of us).  This was the first time that all of us had spent a week together...ever!  Tillman got to play with all of his cousins, learned a few things from them (ugh...opening doors-not cool, we have a pool in our backyard), adjusted to being one of four instead of an only child, and I'm sure he taught a few things too.
Cute things he learned was every one's name.  Since we aren't around each other a lot, he really didn't know his cousins very well.  Now he knows all of their names.  When we got back from the trip, he was going around the house calling for them. 
We also adjusted to actually taking off a full week from work and daycare.  This is the first time that Tillman has been away from daycare more than three days since he was enrolled (5 mo old).



The Grandboys

Tillman has a new love for "junk food." Nick's not too into junk food, so we really don't buy a ton.  I personally love it and consider vacation a time to pig out, so Tillman got to join in on the fun at the beach.  He now knows all about Capri Suns, Doritos, cookies of all kinds, Fruit Loops, and probably stuff we don't know about!  I can tell you that he was sure thankful for the food.  He didn't let anyone miss a meal without folding his hands waiting on the blessing.  He knows the prayer starts with God and ends with AMEN! What he says in between is unclear, but he is saying the blessing!
While on vacation, we had some family photos taken to capture the trip and this snapshot in time of the family.  In just a few weeks, a little girl, Caroline, will enter the family! 

Easter 2012

After Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday

We spent Easter weekend in Lexington, SC with my family.  Nick enjoyed riding his bike while there, and the whole family enjoyed the egg hunts, Sunday service, Easter Breakfast and a family get together.

Tillman headed to the church egg hunt
 in his Chick Magnet shirt CiCi made!

Tillman LOVED the Easter Bunny!
Couldn't get enough of him!

I think it was because he was
giving out GOLDFISH!

Tillman eating grits in his Easter best
 that CiCi made him!

Group shot of 7 out of  10
(soon to be 11)
 Great Grand Children

Chaos!

 Tillman and his Peeps say 

"see you next time!"

(CiCi made this shirt too!)

19 Months

Happy Easter!

19 months was filled with Easter festivities (as soon as he got better from the yucky virus)!

Tillman went to 4 Easter Egg Hunts this year.  As they say, practice makes perfect, and that is certainly the case for hunting eggs...OR "footballs" as Tillman calls them (he's all boy!). The first hunt was at the church where he attends daycare; Tillman wanted nothing to do with picking up any eggs.  He was running around like a "Banchie" the entire time and picking up eggs and throwing them like a football (I think he's going to have a great passing arm). The daycare director asked Tillman if picking up eggs was too much like clean up time.  We walked away from that hunt "batting zero!"

The Egg Hunt was over to the left...
not interested & wouldn't hold the basket

The next week, Tillman had a hunt at daycare.  Unsure the results of that hunt, but based on his skills after that hunt, he must have found that hunting "footballs" was fun!  At the next two hunts, he found 6 eggs and then 9 eggs all by himself!  One thing that slows him down is that he has to pick all the pine straw out of the bucket before finding the next egg.  Only eggs in Tillman's bucket!

Tillman with his findings

This "football hunter's" 19 month stats:

Weight: holding steady around 23 lbs

Diapers size: Little Movers size 3 during the day and size 4 at night

Clothing size: 12-18 months (some 24 mo shirts)

Shoe size: 4.5 or 5

Food tricks: drinking from a small cup (without a lid) & learning to feed himself

Naps: 1 nap during the day around 11:30 and sleep until 1:30

Play (new things): puzzles, dancing to music, and giving hugs and kisses to all that ask!

Oh, and he also started GYMERCIZE!  The philosophy is building a child's confidence and self-esteem through a fitness geared program. The objectives of the class are gross-motor coordination (tumbling mats and tunnels) and developing eye-to-hand coordination through use of balls, hoops, and awareness games.
Tillman is learning how to tumble!  He put his head down the other day on the carpet and his behind straight up in the air.  He was all set up for the flip.  Nick helped him with his "follow through!"

Christmas 2011

No family pic this year....
gifts started before daddy could get a shower.

I'm way behind on posting about Christmas 2011, but I'm (secretly) still listening to Christmas music, so I ok with it.  We spent Christmas with Nick's family.  We rotate sides of the family every year.  All of Nick's family gathered at Nick's sisters' house in Kentucky, which is about an 11 hour drive for us.  Nick's dad road with us, so at least we had company and an extra driver.  Tillman did very well considering the LONG drive, so we were impressed.  Thank goodness for McDonald's in-door playgrounds, gold fish and portable DVD players!
It was funny along the trip.  He didn't too much enjoy watching the DVD as he did playing with the player by pulling on the cord, closing it, and pushing all the buttons.  He did enjoy the music.  Tillman loves to dance and  shake to the beat.

Cranky T....this is around hour 5 of the drive home.

Tillman got to play with his older cousins and spent time with his Great-Grandmother, Mimi (Nick's mom), and his aunts and uncles (two of which he had met for the first time, Nick's Aunt Suzie and Uncle Bobby). Tillman really enjoyed playing with his older cousins Parker and Mason.  They chased him around the house, and Tillman loved it.  When going to bed each night and even for naps, he was worn out from all the excitement.

Tillman and Mason unwrapping gifts

Christmas morning was crazy.  There was barely a place to sit with all of the gifts around the living room.  In Nick's family, they go around the room and each person opens their gifts and everyone watches.  Tillman, being the youngest, went first.  He wasn't too interested in opening gifts after about two of them.  He was more interested in doing his "own thing," which consisted of eating his breakfast and walking the Swiffer mop around the house while everyone else opened gifts.  He was completely content, but wasn't into all the excitement around the tree.

We made it a very quick trip to KY.  We left Charleston on Friday and started our venture back home early Monday morning.  We were LOADED DOWN not so much with Christmas gifts but with hand-me-downs.  Tillman had a double Christmas, and Aunt Robyn and Uncle Brad had the chance to clean out toys and clothes their boys don't use anymore. We are so thankful that they held onto all of these items, it's a budget saver for us and Tillman just loves all the toys.  I think we have more toys at our house than the daycare.  Boy can a room get messy in a minute!

On the way back home, I pretty much sat Indian style because every inch of the Tahoe was full.  Tillman got a Power Wheels Jeep, basketball goal, lots of small toys, clothes, and we even came back with a kitchen table. Nick had to use his side mirrors for sure to get us home because there was no seeing out the back!

Tillman being silly with gold fish
crumbs on his face!

Oh yeah, we had melt downs too along the way.
This is what Tillman thinks of a 11 hour road trip!

16 months 1.12.12

Successful landing after going down the big slide

Tillman turned 16 months on Thursday.  The months are going by faster and faster they seem.  He is growing more and more independent, and at times he surprise me with what he'll try.  I feel he is very strong for his age and size (as they say... dynamite comes in small packages).  This morning, he drug a 6 foot tunnel (toy) from the living room all the way into the kitchen. He struggled to get it around the stairs and through the door way, but he did it.  His other favorite thing is to lift/carry this small waste basket (not yucky...we don't use it) around the house.  When he needs a rest he just sits it down and beats on it like a drum.

The one time with mommy

At 16 months, Tillman went to his first really birthday party.  Friends of ours' son, Carter, turned 1 this weekend and had his party at Monkey Joe's.  We had not been before, but glad we were introduced because Tillman had a BLAST (Nick did too)!  Tillman tried out all the slides and jump houses (with Nick in tow).  Surprisingly, all the other kids (most were older) were very patient with Tillman and would wait their turn although T could be slow at times trying to muster up courage to go down the big slide.  It was cute to watch him figure out how he was going to go down (sitting on his bottom or turning around to go down on his belly). When we left the party, we had on tired T.  We can't wait to go back, but next time, I'll be going in yoga pants!

Action shot

Tillman's medical update: Yes, this monthly update on T wouldn't be complete without the doctor report.  Tillman went to the doctor on Friday.  Originally it was to recheck his ears and get his 15 month vaccines.  Well, the daycare called on Friday and said he had a 101.2 temperature.  Nick and I just knew it was his ears.  We were so frustrated about it.  Well, good thing we are not doctors because Tillman's ears were fine (all clear...two doctors checked him out just to make sure), and he had a virus.  Seemed to be a 24 hour thing because he was great over the weekend, and it didn't slow him down.  Needless to say, he didn't receive his vaccines due to the fever, so we have to go back this week to get the shots.

Tillman trying to decide tummy or bottom

This Dare-Devil, 16 month old's stats
Weight: ~23lbs
Diaper size: 3-Little Movers during the day and size 4 at night
Clothing size: 12-18 month, but it varies by brand
Shoe size: 4.5 (or 12-18 mo size)
Food: Drinking whole milk and eating more table food. Drinking water and milk from a sippy cup during the day and gets bottle at night and early morning. His favorite foods are broccoli, gold fish, veggie sticks, Ritz, cauliflower, yogurt, apple sauce and if mommy and daddy are eating it, Tillman wants to try it (sometimes he enjoys it; other times he spits it out and Graham is right there to catch it).
Nap:1.5-2 hour nap around 11:30AM
Sounds: Chatter box...loves to talk! Just about everything is "da da" and "bye bye." He understands what you say to him but has not interest in talking back.
Gestures: Blowing kisses, waving, and every facial expression in the book (he doesn't have a poker face at all)
Playing: Walking, playing outside (begs to go outside), loves stairs, starting to learn to throw a basket ball (loves to be picked up to make the basket), and still loves electrical outlets and cords (oy vey!)
Toys: Tunnels, Scout (his Leap Frog pal), balls, play-tools, daddy's desk drawer, books, and the frig farm

Tummy slide

14 months 11.12.11

Tillman at the Pumpkin Patch

Mr. T was 14 months old on Saturday.  Nick and I were actually away for this "birthday."  This was our first time away without one of us being with Tillman.  Nick and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on 11.10.11, and we headed to Chicago and the Purdue vs OSU game (Purdue BEAT OSU in overtime...wonderful game).  Tillman was in great hands.  Cici, my mom, and Aunt Sylvia came down to keep Tillman Friday through Sunday.  

Nick and Me at Purdue Game 11.12.11

PURDUE WINS! 

Before going out of town, I was giving my mom the run down of Tillman's routine.  I realized after explaining everything,  A LOT has to be done for this child! 
Here it goes:

• Tillman gets an 8oz bottle (8oz milk, 20 drops of Echinacea) and his first round of antibotics when he wakes.
• 8:30AM, Tillman should be ready for breakfast (grits, waffles, yogert, cereal, oatmeal, etc are options)
• 10AM is snack time-water in sippy cup with gold fish or some type cracker
• 11:30AM is lunch time-we had things in the frig he could eat.
• 11:45AM is nap time-8oz bottle.  When at home to set the "nap time" tone, put him in his sleep sack and go into the bedroom to give him his bottle.  Once he finishes bottle, he should know that it is "nap time."
• Sleeps from then until 1:30 or 2PM usually
• 2PM snack time-water in sippy cup with gold fish or some type cracker
• 6PM dinner time
• 7PM bed time routine (bath, diaper, brush teeth, nose spray, dress in sleep sack, etc) and then 8oz bottle (8oz milk, 20 drops of Echinacea, and Zyrtec) and his second round of antibotics before bed.
• Sleeps 7PM - ~6:30AM

So, as you can tell by the routine, this child gets a lot of meds and herbs (we didn't even put herbal ear drops on the list), he has been fighting ear infections left and right.  We are trying every remedy out there before going to ear tubes.  We'll evaluate ear tubes at the end of the year once we've given these things a chance to work.
Also, you can tell by his schedule that he really does love his bottle.  No, we haven't given up the bottle yet.  Tillman LOVES it.  He doesn't use a pacifier or have a blanket, so I guess if he is stuck on the bottle, then that is his thing. We have transitioned to sippy cup for snack times, but will not drink milk from a sippy cup.  He really doesn't like to drink anything but water and milk (juices have so far been a "no thanks!").

Funny story from the weekend:

Tillman was put down for a nap.  He wasn't ready to go to bed, so he played around in the crib for a while.  When mom went to check on him, he took off his socks and pants and threw them out of the crib.  I guess he was hot?

Tillman is developing his little personality.  Independent would certainly rise to the top as one of his strongest characteristics.  He doesn't like to be tied down-doesn't enjoy the carseat or stroller.  We've gone to the wagon for walks and for the car....well...we just wrangle him into the carseat (yes, I've been kicked in the face by this child getting him into the carseat).  Mr. Independent *hates* getting his diaper changed as well.  As soon as we lift him to the changing table, he knows what is coming.  It is pretty much a war while we get the diaper changed each time.  Unsure why this is....maybe potty training will happen faster with his independent personality?
His independence has also been shown in his social skills.  He can now point to things he wants and go get things in reach that he'd like (ex: gold fish sitting by the high chair...he stands on his tippy toes to get them...not always a good thing).  He uses pointing a lot...not just for food.  When he is "talking" to us, of course we don't understand what he's talking about, but he often points to things, so now we can communicate better.  An example of him pointing while playing is, he will come over to you if you are sitting near the couch, he'll point at the couch, which means he wants to climb up you to get to the couch (once on the couch he loves to jump and do all things children shouldn't be allowed.)

14 month old Tillman has also brought the love of "rough housing."  He likes to wrestle, jump on furniture, slide down the slide head-first...this kids has no fear. 

Tillman and Nick checking out the farm animals
at Legare Farms after visiting the pumkin patch

This Independent, Rough-housing, 14 month old's stats:
Weight: ~22lbs
Diaper size: 3-Little Movers during the day and size 4 at night
Clothing size: 12-18 month, but it varies by brand
Shoe size: 4.5 (or 12-18 mo size)
Food: Drinking whole milk and eating more table food. Drinking water from a sippy cup and gets bottle at night and early morning.
Naps:1.5-2 hour naps
Sounds: Chatter box...loves to talk!
Playing: Walking, playing outside, wagon rides, dirt, climbing/jumping on couch, loves these tunnels they play with at daycare, and drawing/coloring with crayons

Family Beach Pictures (Sept 2011)

Cherry Grove Beach
Labor Day Weekend 2011

Tillman LOVED the beach chair

Laughing at everyone behind the camera
singing and dancing to "if you're happy
and you know it!"

Cousins

Cici and JRS's clan

Me, Nick & T

Cici and JRS with the grand-boys

Party Pics-Tillman's 1st Birthday Party

Tillman's birthday shirt
made by Cici

Tillman's "stage" all set up and ready for T & his CAKE!

Tillman's 1st birthday was a duck theme.
This punch was labled "duck bath"

A few of the horderves: duckling dip, quacktastic veges
and fruit (see the duck tracks on the table?)

Tillman's SMASH CAKE
Made with love by Daddy
(mommy wrote on it)

Adult cake with Tillman's engraved knife to be used for all his
birthdays and one day wedding!



Right before diving in....

Tillman just tasted it, but was more interested
in getting his hands dirty!

Love opening wrapped gifts

Tillman taking matter into his own hands with his
Boilermaker hat on!

Mr. Independent opening his Cars toy!

Mommy and Tillman!