Adventures of the Big Boy Bed

It's time. High time Tyler moved to a Big Boy bed. 

 I'll be honest. I was perfectly content to let him stay in his crib because then he had to do just that during nap and bedtime - stay in his crib. But he's gotten so good at vaulting out of his crib lately, so we gave in.

Opa took us shopping and we found a cute bed that Tyler LOVES.

Here he is practicing.

And here he is on his first night, sound asleep.

Since then the whole staying-in-bed thing has been hit or miss. Mostly he's good about it...but there was a time when I got up in the morning and there was floss strung all around the bathroom and my chapstick and contact solution were balanced on top of my contact case. Then once Tyler was supposed to be napping. I went to the bathroom and when I opened the door to come out, I screamed, because there, standing quietly looking up at me was my son. He booked it on back to bed pretty fast. One morning I found my fingernail polish bottle on the living room floor and polish on Tyler's fingers (luckily nowhere else). And then this morning, I found a pillow soaking wet. I asked how that happened and Tyler replied, "I empty the spray bottle!" Oh my little Bounder...I love you!

Fun With Family

Because Lydia's blessing was on a holiday, we had a whole long weekend of family fun!

Having not one, but two grandpa's willing to play outside in the dirt - I don't think I've ever seen Tyler so happy!

Taking a break with Daddy.

Tyler's birthday continues...We started celebrating in May and ended in mid-July, what with family trickling in and out. This boy has had the longest birthday celebration ever!

This storage ottoman was the BEST present, in our opinion. Do you know how many toys you can fit in that thing? Our house has never looked so clean!

"My wish came true!" He wished for a Big Wheel when he blew out his candles on his actual June 4th birthday.

We celebrated July 4th on the Saturday before by having a picnic at the park. In 50mph winds. Good thing we had all that food to weigh down our plates!

Shortly after this round of Bocce Ball, I came across Tyler at home throwing his plastic play fruit around and exclaiming, "Bocce!"

Lydia's Baby Blessing

Today, July 4, 2010, is Lydia Anne Plastow's blessing day. Her Daddy and her Father in Heaven gave her a beautiful blessing at Church followed by a wonderful testimony meeting in the Sioux Falls 2nd Ward. We love our ward. They were so helpful and caring during the difficult pregnancy, it was only fitting we were able to bless her here. We were also blessed to have so many family members able to come all the way out to be a part of Lydia's special day too. We love you, Lydia!

Lydia's blessing outfit is the same blessing outfit that was worn by her mom in 1979 and her Grandma Hillier in 1951.

Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Jim flew in from Arizona.

"Hey, I'm down here!" Tyler loves a good photo shoot.

Opa, Aunt Kristen, and Uncle Matthew were able to fly in from Utah and Arkansas.

Tyson cooked the best tri-tip for our luncheon afterwards.

I just had to post a picture of these berries too. Don't they look delicious?

While Lydia was inside snuggling with Grandma Joyce...

...and then Uncle Matthew...

...and then Aunt Kristen, and anyone else who wanted to,

Tyler was outside exploring our forest with Grandpa Jim.

It's so nice to have family here!

Photos compliments of Kristen Hiller. Isn't she amazing?

Lydia Home For A Month

Here are just a few pictures from Lydia's first month.

First bath - she doesn't know what's coming yet...

"Hey, head massage. This isn't so bad!"

"Well, maybe it's not my favorite thing. Daddy did do a good job though!"

I love it when newborns yawn!

What a peaceful looking baby.

Tyler really loves his Baby Sister (thank goodness!). The other day he realized Lydia was sleeping so he ran to her cradle and threw in his blue blankey and cougar. 

This is BIG. 

 These are his favorite cannot-sleep-without things. Apparently it made him feel so good to share, he raced to the kitchen, grabbed his applesauce, and almost chucked that in as well. I told him he could go ahead and eat it for her. He was okay with that.

Tyler is 3! June 4, 2010

Happy Birthday, Tyler Dearest! We can't believe you are 3 years old already! We made sure Tyler had lots of fun and attention on his birthday so as to not be upstaged by his new little sister. It worked. He had a blast!
Tyler woke up this morning saying, "Is it my birthday today?" He has been practicing holding up 3 fingers for weeks now.

Birthday presents were set up in the living room. A little motorcycle, a life vest, a piggy bank, a Curious George book, and a bunch of Disney's Cars. Other presents from family continued to arrive throughout the week. He loved his extended birthday.

Then Tyler and Tyson went on a Father and Son date to the zoo, the toy store, and SamsClub for pizza.

After his nap, we completed the day with cake and ice cream. In place of dinner. What can we say? It's only your birthday once a year!

From Hospital to Home

Lydia and I were at Sanford Hospital here in Sioux Falls until Thursday, during which time Tyson and Tyler visited often. The hospital was actually quite nice with very nice and helpful nurses, big, clean rooms, and food available for all of us 24 hours (I called it my cruise ship). They had the best toffee and chocolate chip cookies!

Tyler's "bed" where he could watch the hospital's helicopter take off and land.

Big Brother, Baby Sister, and Daddy.

Tyson finishing Fablehaven. I love it when he reads to me! I'm sure Baby Lydia was listening to hear the end too since she got to hear the book while inside my tummy.

Cute :-)

All bundled up and heading for home. Look how tiny she is! I had forgotten how wonderfully tiny and soft and sweet newborns were!

Home at last - Lydia winking.

She is one content baby.

Tyson with 2 of his babies.

Lydia's Birth Day

Though the doctor had predicted an early arrival, Lydia had still not arrived on her due date, June 1st (which actually was a good thing as I had been sick with a flu-like thing for the 2 weeks prior). So on that Tuesday morning we dropped Tyler off at the Jensen's (friends in our ward) and checked in at the hospital at 7am. I was scared to tears (despite my brave face in the picture below), but was blessed with very nice nurses (one prayer answered).

Dr. Landeen came in and broke my water at 8:15 and everything went very quickly from then. 3 1/2 hours later (I got the epidural just in time!) our baby girl was born. She would have been born earlier, but the doctor hadn't arrived yet. It had all happened so fast that the nurses told me, "Don't cough! Don't laugh! Don't breathe!" as the smallest thing would have sent the baby out into the world. The doctor rushed in and a couple of pushes later, Lydia Anne Plastow was born.

8 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long. Born at 11:42am on Tuesday, June 1st.

She is not sure about all of this.

Just minutes old, content to snuggle with Daddy.

Getting all washed up. Instead of whisking her away to the Nursery, the hospital bathed her in our labor and delivery room, which was nice because we got to be there with her.

Lots and lots of light colored hair. We can't decide if it's very light brown or a darker blonde.

All clean! She is healthy and whole (another prayer answered) and looks very much like her brother did when he was born - a lot like Tyson. Don't worry, we have lots of hairbows to show that she's a girl. :-)

Nice and clean, warm and safe, snuggling with Mama. Could anything be better than this?

Tyler finally gets to hold Baby Sister. He loved on her for about a minute, then got bored and started exploring the hospital room.

Daddy, Tyler, and Lydia. The end of a great birth day!

Tyson edited and posted a short video of Lydia's arrival on his blog - http://www.tysonp.blogspot.com.