Tyson - November 2012 - 11 Months

Your first Halloween was pretty uneventful.  You got dolled up in the lion costume and I totally forgot to draw on your whiskers and black nose.  I was so mad!  I'd been waiting all day to do it and then forgot.  Dad was home, so we took advantage of that and had him drive us around to the houses of people we knew, and the big kids made a pretty good haul.  Here's a picture I took of us in the car with you doing the smooshy face.

Logan's kindergarten class took a field trip to Best Friends this month, and for some reason I got the dates wrong and instead of getting to leave you at home with grandma, I ended up taking you with us.  You weren't all THAT impressed by the pigs and horses that we got to see.

Later that day you got a hold of one of Logan's monster trucks and started making the sounds boys make with their mouths when they play with trucks.  This AMAZES me.  I remember Logan doing it too, so it has nothing to do with the fact that you'd seen him do it.  Boys are just practically born knowing that when you play with a truck you have to make the truck noises.  I love to see your personality come out as you start to learn how to play and be more interactive with the rest of hte family.

Ah... the toilet.  I really hate bathrooms these days.  I used to be constantly yelling at someone for not putting the lid down on the toilet.  Then you figured out how to get the lid up, so now I am constantly yelling at people to shut the bahtroom doors.  EVery once in a while when I go looking for you through the house I'll find you splashing in one of your favorite pools.

We stopped at the park the other day on one of our walks and found a perfect pile of leaves that someone had left just for the 3 of you to play in.  You weren't quite sure what to think about the way they felt or the noise they made, but you warmed up to them pretty quickly.

Ah the fridge...another one of your favorite spots.  You love to take things out and chuck them on the floor.  Sometimes you try your bets to put them back, but usually I'm left to clean up the mess when you decide you've had enough.  You also love to throw your food off your high chair tray.  It always makes me wish we had an inside dog to help clean up.

So proud of yourself.  You cruise!  And finally the park is getting a little bit easier since you aren't constantly putting the rubber pieces in your mouth.

We had your buddy Kyler come over and play with us for a whiel the other day.  It was pretty funny to watch the 2 of you "fight" over toys.  You weren't really a fan of someone else playing with your stuff.

Aunt Lisa and I did a "color run" the other day, and Grandma and Grandpa Hillier near the finish line.  You were NOT impressed by the color on my face.

Then you decided I was okay after all and that maybe you might want to lick that colorful stuff off my face.

We're getting you hooked on chocolate pudding early there Sanchez...

Giving big sis a big hug...

Logan got a litle flashlight the other day, and he figured out that he could get you to act like a cat with a laser.  It was pretty funny to watch.

 We had a really good time at Grandma and Grandpa Hillier's house for Thanksgiving.  You spent most of the day working on mastering the 2 stairs going in to the family room of their house and making people jump out of their chairs to catch you when you started to fall.  In your typical Tyson fashion you out-ate your brother and sister at dinner too.  I'm crossing my fingers that trait stays with you because I can't think of one thing I've had you try to eat that you didn't like.

The next day we went and got our Christmas tree up on the Paunsaugunt with Grandma and Grandpa Veater and Uncle Boo and Aunt Bre and your new cousin Tinsley.  This tradition always makes me laugh.  It's fun to see who is going to get grumpy first.  This year it was grandpa :)  There wasn't much snow this year, so dad was able to hike further away from the road than usual and found a HUGE tree and then had to hike all the way back to the truck with it.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving some of the employees from the North Kaibab R.D. got together and decorated a float for the light parade.  You and I got there just as they were finishing up.  We came back later that night and our family was able to ride on the float.  You learned how to wave just in time and did a good job waving at the people.  You heard the other kids saying Merry Christmas, so you joined in with your version of yelling too.  This is a shot of you checking out Smokey while we waited for the parade to start.

You weren't too scared though.

The days before your dad and I go on my bison hunt are going by really fast.  I'm trying to get everything done that I need to plus make sure that I get my extra cuddles from you and your brother and sister.  I feel like such a crappy mom to be leaving you before you are even 1.  Your dad keeps telling me that you won't ever remember this trip, and I know you won't, but I'm so afraid I'm going to miss something or you will be used to your grandma's and not like me when I first get home.  You aren't super close to walking, so be a doll and wait for me to get home, okay?   I've threatened them not to have you practice and that if they see you even thinking about taking a step they should push you over, but if I know your grandma's they will be practicing with you the whole time I'm gone.  I'm pretty sure they think I'm kidding, but I'm not. I'll have plenty of time on the fourwheeler while I'm gone to think about a punishment for teaching you to walk while I'm gone.

You are mighty close to getting your second tooth, too.  I swear some days I can see it.  You are more than welcome to get that tooth while I am gone.  :)  Actually, you haven't been too bad teething so far, so I guess I'll knock on wood that continues too.  (I wrote this 3 days before your actual 11-month date, and I've changed my tune on this.  I've been trying to get the house cleaned and everyone's stuff packed this week, and you are so stinking clingy and whiny it's making it dang near impossible!  I definitely CAN see the tooth, and it is SO close.  I never remember teething being as bad as it is until it comes back around...)

I love you Tiger, and I love your personality that shows through more each day.  I love, LOVE this age.  From now until you hit your Terrible Two's at about 18 months, anyway.  You love to play with us and laugh and tease your brother and sister, especially when we say prayers at night.  We are so glad you are in our family, and I wish I could freeze us in this stage for a year or so and enjoy it for a little longer.

Love you Ty,
Mom