Growing Like a Weed

Most awesome big brother! Tyler loves this shirt.

Even though Daphne was born 5 weeks early, she is now keeping pace with the average clothing sizes. She has just about outgrown all of her 0 - 3 month clothes and I will switch her to size 2 diapers once we finish our current box of size 1 diapers. I can't believe Daphne is already 3 months old!

Post-Nap Smiles

On the count of 6

For some reason Tyler likes to count from 1 to 6 before racing around the house, down the slide, etc. Who decided that counting to 3 was the magic number anyway?

Under the Weather

Sacked out on the couch this morning- I had to
wake the poor little guy up to go to the doctor.

Today was another beautiful spring day and poor Tyler spent most of it sleeping off a fever! He has had a cold with a nasty cough since Friday. Then at 2:15 this morning Tyler woke up with a fever and told me that his ears hurt. We visited the doctor this morning who confirmed a double ear infection and an upper respiratory infection. After some antibiotics and a 3-hour nap this afternoon Tyler is feeling much better.

Welcome Spring!

It is hard to believe that we awoke to a few inches of snow on Thursday morning and then yesterday it was sunny with temps in the low 60s. And today was nice too!

Tyler likes the big kid swings but still has
not figured out how to pump his legs to make
it go despite our helpful instructions.

Daphne napping in the stroller

Last year Tyler was afraid of the taller slides, but he seems to
be over that now and even went down on his belly a few times.

Last year Tyler wouldn't even go near the long tunnel slide.
Now he is all smiles and will go down numerous times.

8 Hours

Daphne has slept for an 8-hour stretch the past 2 nights. Woo hoo! She slept from approximately 9 pm to 5 am both nights. At this rate she will be sleeping longer nights in no time. I wish I was ready for bed at 9 pm too but maternity leave has brought out my inner night owl!

Tye Dye

Daphne decked out in tye dye
like a good little Oregonian

Tyler in the same tye dye onesie
back in April 2009

At Play

While I was working in the kitchen, Tyler made a game out of entertaining Daphne. He ran many laps through the house and each time he passed by he gave her bouncer chair a push. Tyler thoroughly enjoyed this. Daphne, on the other hand, looked like she wasn't sure what to think.

I can do that!

Yesterday I was sitting on the floor and I showed Tyler that Daphne can bear weight on her legs. I was holding her under her arms and had her feet on my thighs. Tyler said, "I can do that!" and proceeded to stand on my thighs.

OMSI

Checking out the cool Lego art exhibit at OMSI. I forgot to
get photos of the incredible art works by Nathan Sawaya
(brickartist.com)

My view of Daphne in her baby carrier

Nap time

These aprons in the water area should come with a warning:
"Does not prevent child from becoming soaking wet!"

Tyler was fascinated that he was able to
suspend a ball in the water spray.

The Fab Four

Tyler has been picky about his shirts for a while now. He never wants to wear anything I like (e.g. stripes, anything with a collar, sweaters). Last fall he turned up his nose when I mentioned wearing this cute Beatles shirt that a friend passed along. I reintroduced it to him back in January and mentioned that PawPaw is a big Beatles fan. Ever since then it has been one of his favorites. When I ask Tyler what he wants to wear his two most popular answers are "soccer shirt" or "Beatles shirt".

Lil' Aggie

Mesmerized by the flashing lights on the bouncer...

Soccer Class

Tyler likes when they play freeze tag in soccer class. The video above shows a short clip of freeze tag.

Chip off the old block

Playing the Pac Man game: kids collect cones after
they kick their ball into the cone. What a fun way to
get the kids to clean up the gym at the end of class!

Routine

Last night was the third night in a row that Daphne only woke up once in the middle of the night to eat. Woo hoo! I am feeling better rested already. And the last two days Tyler and Daphne's naps have overlapped and I have had an hour to an hour and a half of peaceful time to myself. That is a miracle in itself.

Daphne is finally starting to follow somewhat of a routine:

• Awake for an hour in the morning
• Nap for an hour
• Awake for an hour or two
• Nap for an hour or two
• Awake for an hour or two
• Nap for two to three hours
• Power feed every hour and a half in the evening, while alert the entire time
• Last bottle around 9:30 pm
• Asleep at 10 pm
• Bottle between 3 and 4 am and then take about 20 minutes to fall back asleep

Preschool

Now that Tyler is 3 years old and nearly potty trained he got to move up to the preschool classroom at daycare last week. Tyler had still been attending daycare 2 half days a week since Daphne was born but I upped it to 2 full days last week because I was exhausted keeping up with 2 kids and needed more quality Daphne time. This also means I can get in errands with 1 kid and get stuff done around the house while Daphne is napping on those days so that I get more quality time with Tyler when he is home.

Tyler was very excited to move up to preschool, especially since his buddy Jack turned 3 a week before him and also moved up to preschool. Apparently this morning Tyler's previous teacher Ms. Crystal asked him for a hug and instead of giving her a hug Tyler said, "I'm in preschool." Someone is getting a big head!

Tyler brought home this photo from school of
him making art with a potato stamp. He looks a
little grossed out about getting messy (he takes
after his Dad!) but at least he is participating.

Roly Poly

Gotta love those mid-arm fat rolls!

Personal Best

Daphne went 6 hours between start of feeding to start of feeding last night. This is the longest stretch yet and I am looking forward to her breaking this record repeatedly until she makes it through the night. Oh how I miss a good night's sleep!

No Soup for You!

Yesterday at lunch I served Tyler chicken nuggets and applesauce per his request.

• Tyler: What are you having?
• Me: Soup and bread.
• Tyler, rather authoritatively: No soup and bread for you Mom!

I had to chuckle as this reminded me of the infamous Soup Nazi episode on Seinfeld.

Tyler Hits the Slopes

Tyler on toddler skis that allow the use of regular snow boots.
I am sure this is way more comfy than actual ski boots!

Apparently Tyler was grinning the entire trip!

Snowball fight with Dad

Tyler and Daddy had a blast!

Michael took Tyler skiing for the first time this past weekend. They found a small hill at Meadows where Tyler could try out toddler skis that are meant more for gliding through snow than actual downhill skiing. They didn't even bother with the chair lift, which can be tricky for beginners. (I know Michael and I fell getting off the lift numerous times when we first learned!) The area they played in was also near the maintenance quarters (lots of cool snow plows) and the ski patrol (awesome snowmobiles) and so Tyler got a kick out of all the snow toys.

Mr. Competitive

Tyler definitely inherited the Hulett competitive nature. It still remains to be seen to what degree this is. I have been trying to use this to my advantage though. For instance, when Tyler does not want to go potty and I know he is due I'll say, "Well I have to go potty and I am going to beat you to the potty." In a flash Tyler is off and running and taking care of business in the bathroom. This seems to work with hand washing too!

Rockin' a Hoodie

Ride on Cowboy

Yee haw! Hangin' on to the bucking bronco!

Calvin is not sure about this cowboy thing.
Maybe if there were pick-up trucks involved?

Our Little Cupcake

First Agreeable Bath

Up until yesterday, Daphne has not enjoyed baths and has cried for the duration! She still does not like to have her face or hair washed, but after I got through that yesterday she was pretty content to sit in her infant tub and let me wash the rest of her.

Tummy Time

Tummy time on the beautiful quilt that Pam made.

Where's the Poop? In the Potty at Last!

Tyler with his prize for pooping in the potty:
the Grave Digger monster truck

Lots more prizes that still need to be earned!

Tyler has been exposed to potty training for what seems like a year now. He has been able to pee into the potty standing up for quite some time now but has not been super motivated to be potty trained. We have been somewhat lazy and busy with pregnancy and the new baby to be super motivated either. But now that Tyler is 3, Michael and I decided it is high time for him to be potty trained. This will ultimately make life easier and cheaper (no more diapers/wipes and a reduced daycare rate).

About a week and a half ago we decided to go hard core and put Tyler in regular underwear all day long and to only use diapers for naps and bedtime. The first day Tyler had 7 accidents (incidentally 5 of these happened within a 3-hour span). Now he is down to 0 or 1 wet accident(s) per day after feeling how uncomfortable it is to have wet underwear and pants. The biggest hold-up has been that until today Tyler would not poop in the potty, which apparently is very common. This has made for some messes! Yesterday we camped Tyler out in the bathroom for a good chunk of time. We got a new kiddie potty seat because he said his other one was uncomfortable. Tyler also sat on the regular toilet seat facing the toilet tank based on a suggestion from one of his teachers. That is what ultimately did the trick today along with a lot of help from the iPad. Michael set up the iPad on the toilet tank and we let him watch cartoons. This motivated him to sit for quite a while and get relaxed enough to do his business. I know we still have a long road ahead to finish potty training but I am relishing this small victory.

Smile!

Daphne is starting to express herself more and will smile back at you when you smile at her. I LOVE this new phase! Previously most of her smiles were smirks of content after finishing a bottle.

Better Sleep

After being congested for most of February, Daphne finally got better this past week. That means she is sleeping much better! There was a 2 or 3 week period where I was sleeping reclined on the couch with Daphne in my arms so she could breathe better because it was the only way either of was getting any sleep at night. Thankfully Daphne is now back to sleeping in the bassinet and I am back in my comfy bed!

All Aboard

Tyler received more train tracks for his birthday and so he and Michael have been exploring new configurations. He also received a railroad crossing and sometimes Tyler likes to have his monster trucks wait at the crossing even though two of the trucks are way too big to fit through the gates when they are open. My transportation engineering observation: the rail crossing is cool but is not complex enough in lights or signage to meet ODOT Rail standards!

2-Month Doctor Visit

Daphne had her 2-month check-up today. The stats:

• Weight: 11 lb 0 oz (48th percentile)
• Height: 22 in (29th percentile)
• Head Circumference: 15-1/4" (43rd percentile)

This time the pediatrician did not have to adjust the percentiles for prematurity. Daphne has filled out and is definitely no longer reminiscent of a preemie!

3-Year Doctor Visit

Tyler had his 3-year check-up today. The stats:

• Weight: 35 pounds (81st percentile)
• Height: 3'-2" (61st percentile)

Overall he had a clean bill of health. Tyler is so talkative now and did a great job answering all of his pediatrician's questions and following all her directions. Tyler and Daphne had a joint appointment and at one point they were both on the exam table- Tyler in just his underwear and Daphne in just her diaper. Tyler said, "We're both naked Mom!" and giggled.

Feeding Daphne

Tyler has helped hold Daphne's bottle on occasion. This evening he hopped up on the couch where I was about to sit down and said, "I want to feed Daphne!" He did pretty well. After a few minutes though Tyler was happy to let me take over so he could get ready for bed with Daddy.

Captain Tyler

Tyler is telling Calvin to get in the boat.
He's not bossy at all! Ha!

Completely at ease at the helm

The crew is on the lookout for pirate ships.

Daphne snoozed through the maiden voyage.