End of Year Updates

Well, it has been another fast year for us in the Hayes household. Tyler was born eight months ago, but it feels like yesterday. He is growing up quickly though. He weighs about 21 pounds and is about 28" tall. He can sit up by himself (as of the week of Thanksgiving) and has started clapping his hands and nodding yes (as of the week of Christmas). He started eating baby food around the first of November. He started off slow, but has gotten the hang of it now. He doesn't really have a favorite food yet. Some days he likes bananas, but the next day he won't eat them at all. He cut his first tooth on December 8 and his second tooth on December 15 (both on the bottom). He had his first cold that same week, so he was in pretty bad shape teething at the same time. He is still not sleeping through the night, but he is getting very close. He will sleep 8-9 hours one night and then wake up every 2-3 hours the next. I've started to let him cry through some of the wakings, but it is really hard for me to listen to my baby cry for very long.

Alex is now 39 1/2" tall and weighs 35 pounds. He can recite his ABC's and count to 15 in English and 10 in Spanish (thanks, Dora!). His favorite TV show is (you guessed it) Dora the Explorer or Diego. He enjoys playing games (both board games and on the computer). He has really improved his hand-eye coordination in the last few months playing games on the computer. For Christmas Santa brought us a Nitendo Wii game system. Alex enjoys playing tennis and bowling on the Wii. He is a very helpful little boy. He always helps me with Tyler and enjoys singing to Tyler when he is crying. He is still trying to learn to use the potty on a regular basis. My goal is to have him trained by his third birthday in February (fingers crossed).

Family Pictures

This is a picture of Alex and Tyler with their cousins. Blake and Cameron are the boys in the back. From left to right in the front are Kersten (holding Tyler), Haylee (holding Kiefer), Camille (holding Blaine) and Alex.

This is a picture of my sister and her family. Jessica, Kevin, sons Blake, Blaine and Kiefer; daughters Haylee and Kersten.

This is a picture of the entire family.

First Tooth!

Tyler cut his first tooth on Monday, December 8! It is on the bottom. He then developed a fever over the next several days. I'm pretty certain he just caught the cold that Alex had last week.

The boys are getting ready for a visit from Santa! Alex wants games and Tyler has just about everything because he is playing with Alex's old baby toys.

It snowed last week and we brought some inside to play.

Santa!

Alex didn't want to sit on Santa's lap this year. When we ask him what he wants Santa to bring him, he says "nothing". He says he wants presents from Memaw, Mommy and Daddy. Nothing from Santa. We tried explaining that Santa comes on Christmas Eve after he has gone to bed and that he wouldn't have to see Santa. Then it seemed like he was afraid to go to sleep. What can you do? May be next year he'll be more enthusiastic about Santa!

Tyler's 6-Month Pictures

Cutie

Halloween

For Halloween Alex was a doctor and Tyler was Super(man)baby! Alex would run up to the door and hold out his pumpkin pail. They would drop in a few pieces of candy and he would just stand there and look at them until they put in more candy! We had to keep retrieving him off the door step of many neighbors. Oh, well! It is fun anyway.

The Columbus Zoo

We decided to take advantage of the warm weather today by going to the zoo! Here is a picture of my boys! Tyler is sitting up (with help) very nicely. He enjoys seeing Alex in front of him in the stroller. But Alex prefers to walk because he is a "big boy".

Someone was tired...

Tyler's Milestones

Sat up (with assistance): October 1 (5 months)

Rolled over: September 14 (4 1/2 months)

Laughed out loud: July 31 (3 months)

First smile: June 10 (6 weeks)

Came home from the hospital: May 1, 2008

Born: April 29, 2008

Pumpkin Pickin

Smoky Mountains

Last week we visited some family down in the Smoky Mountains. It was cousin Gina's 5th birthday! She had a big Mickey Mouse party where we all wore our own Mickey or Minnie ears! One evening John decided to take Alex on his first go cart ride. He was thrilled, to say the very least.


We took a leisurely drive through Cades Cove where we saw several deer and a few wild turkey, but didn't have any luck seeing bear this time. I got to do some outlet mall shopping and a little swimming. Alex is still a little afraid of the water, but at least he got into the pool this time.

Apple Picking

We recently went apple picking at Lynd's farm. Alex had a ball! Today he helped me peel and slice the apples to make apple crisp. He really enjoys helping me in the kitchen these days.

Update on Alex

Alex is now 38 1/4" tall and weighs 34 pounds. He is working on being potty trained and has some good days now and then. He loves his baby brother (except when he is crying) and even shares his toys. He is going through a stage now of being afraid of a lot of things (dinosaurs, lions, etc). His favorite animal at the zoo is the elephant. This summer he rode some of his first carnival rides. He even went down the BIG sack slide with Daddy. His favorite color is yellow and he can count to fifteen. He knows most of his colors, but still has a little trouble remembering. He knows all his basic shapes and enjoys playing with his puzzles. I finally broke down and let him do some painting a few weeks ago (I hate the mess). He enjoyed himself, but he also doesn't like to get his hands dirty. So after washing his hands every five minutes, we put up the paints for a little while. If I would let him, he'd play outside all day long. Alex has made some friends in the neighborhood this summer. The kids are all a little older, but they enjoy showing Alex how to play their big kid games. I'm sure they will be a source of bad judgement sometime in the future.

Tyler Visits the Doctor

Tyler visited the doctor today for his routine 4-month checkup. He is growing at warp speed, but the doc says he is very healthy! He weighs 17 pounds 6 ounces (the exact same weight that Alex was at his four month appointment) and is 26" tall. He received four shots in his chunky little legs and one oral vaccination. The poor little guy screamed for a few minutes and his face turned dark red, but he is now sleeping nicely this afternoon. He is still eating at night, but the doc wants me to try to scale him back to only one or two feedings per night. That might be difficult because this kids loves to eat!

I was all prepared to start introducing him to some baby foods in the next few weeks, but the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies not be fed solids until they are at least six-months old. This surprised me so I did a little research online and found the following information interesting.

"Today, more moms and doctors trust that babies nursing instinct (the tongue thrust) is an important indicator that baby isn't ready for solids. And studies have shown a clear link between Chron's disease, colitis, eczema, and other diseases with the introduction of solids. Studies show for formula and breastfed babies, early solids increase rates of respiratory disease and persistent coughing. Despite dire warnings of those accustomed to early solids, waiting till 6 months has not increased rates of anemia. In fact, breastmilk *is* the perfect food, and while no other foods or milks are being given, the iron absorption rate of breastmilk is very high."

So I guess the pictures of those first few messy feedings will have to wait a few more months. I was actually thinking of making some of his baby food myself. We'll see if I still feel that inspired come this November.

Remember this one of Alex when he started eating solids?

Rolling Ridge Ranch

Last week we visited Rolling Ridge Ranch in Millersburg, OH. It is near Amish country in Holmes County. The ranch features over 500 animals & birds from around the world. We fed the animals from a guided horse-drawn wagon tour.

Alex (and Daddy) feed a female Elk.

Memaw feeds a donkey.

This is how he smiles for the camera now...with his eyes closed.

Daddy gets up close to one of the male Elk.

The Boys of Summer

Update on Kiefer

Kiefer is doing well. He is eating more so should start gaining some weight. He is off the ventilator, c-pap and just uses a feeding tube now. See how tiny his hand is in the bottom picture? Like all children, he is such a miracle.

Kiefer John

This is a picture of my newest nephew, Kiefer John. He was born Thursday, July 31 at 2:32 pm. He came to us eleven weeks early, but is doing very well. He will spend some time in the NICU. He weighs 3 pounds and is about 14" long. He is such a little fighter (just like his mom)!

The Tapestry

My life is but a weaving between God and me.
I do not choose the colors; He works steadily.

Often times He weaves sorrow, and I in foolish pride, forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not' til the loom is silent and shuttles cease to fly, will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's Hand as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

- Anonymous

Tyler Laughing

Tyler has just started to laugh out loud a little. I was just smiling at him while changing his diaper and he started this cute little giggle. By the time I got the camera, he had stopped. But I was able to get him to giggle a little on camera.

Our Summer

We've all had a fun summer so far! Last month Cousin Gina and Aunt Terry visited for a few days. We went to the Zoo and Coco Key Water Resort. We also had fun just playing outside together. Aunt Terry led the marching band around the house (several times) with Gina playing the bells and Alex on the drums.

Over the 4th of July we watched fireworks out at Grandpa Byers' house. Alex ran around playing with all his cousins and chasing toads. He really enjoyed watching the fireworks this year.

Most recently Alex attended Vacation Bible School at our church. I was a little tentative on signing him up this year because he still has a little separation anxiety. But after the first night, he was so excited to go back the next day. He didn't cry when I dropped him off and the teachers said that he was their favorite of the group. Okay, they probably say that about all the children, but it made me feel good anyway. At the end of the week he was sad that he couldn't go back. I explained that he would see the same kids and teachers each Sunday, but that didn't seem to make a difference.

Some of his favorite things to do this summer include watering (and smelling) the flowers outside, playing in the water hose, going to the library and playing at McDonald's (on hot days). He has also started "helping" Mommy in the kitchen as well as cleaning the house. Give him a dry Swifter duster and he will get everything at his level to the floor!

Tyler spends time in his swing and on his activity mat. He is growing like a weed. He is sleeping better each and every night. We are blessed to have good sleeping kids!

John got a new mower and spends much of his free time finding reasons to get it out and race around the yard. He takes pride in being able to mow the entire yard in under 15-minutes.

I have been making an effort to read a few books that I've been sitting on for several months. I also am trying to cook more meals at home and introduce Alex to a more variety of foods. You know how toddlers are when it comes to eating. I also enjoy researching possible travel itineraries. I'm currently working on a Mexican Riviera vacation for sometime next year.

Well, that is our summer recap so far. We hope that you are enjoying your time as well!

Tyler & Daddy

John's baby picture

This is a picture of John at age three months.

Tyler's Bath

The Car Wash

This morning Alex and Daddy went out to wash the cars. After a bit, Alex decided he needed to wash his tricycle. It was so cute!

Boys growing up!

Our little one is growing so fast! Today he went to the doctor for his routine check up. He will be nine weeks old tomorrow and he weighs 13 pounds 11 ounces! He is now 23.5" tall! He is easily wearing 3-6 months sized clothing. He received five shots and one oral immunization. The poor little guy screamed his head off. But as soon as it was over and I was able to hold him, he went right to sleep. He has been sleeping all afternoon.

I'm also attempting the first phases of potty training with Alex. We went out and bought all the supplies (Diego training pants) this morning. Wish me luck!

Our Mini Beach

Cousin Gina brought a really neat sandbox for Alex! It has a section to put water so you can mix in the sand and build a castle. It also has a nice hard cover that he can race cars on top. He LOVES to be outside constantly, so this is a nice toy that he can play with in the shade for hours.

We also pulled out his swimming pool and have a little beach set up next to the sandbox! It really helps on those HOT days.

Coco Key

We took the kids swimming at Coco Key water resort last week. Alex enjoyed looking at the water and splashing his hands in the water, but he did not want to get water in his hair! We sat him on our lap and went down the lazy river a few times. Daddy got him to go down the mini water slide a few time also. This indoor water park is really cool!

Smile!

A smile to melt your heart!

Family Photo

Tyler is only five days old in this picture taken at his church dedication.

Looking back...

Don't laugh! This is my baby picture (Amber). Now I know where Tyler gets his Mohawk!


This is probably my first or second grade photo. I see a lot of Alex in this picture (especially the side view).



I'd like to get a few pictures of John so we can see how much the boys look like him also!

Brotherly Love

Alex has certainly warmed up to Tyler. He gives him lots of hugs and kisses everyday!