Tyler is ONE!

It's true... my baby is now one. And he doesn't seem like such a baby anymore (I'm really trying not to cry right now). Now that Tyler is walking, I guess you could call him a "toddler" - how did that happen?? It seems like just the other day that I was anxiously waiting for his arrival...

Sunday, May 4, 2008:
The day before I had TONS of energy, and I felt like I had to get everything done NOW! I cleaned the entire house, put away all the laundry, ran lots of errands, and even bathed the dogs! I felt great - that could only mean one thing....
The next morning I woke up and felt rested. I remember talking to my mom on the phone, "You think you're going to have the baby today?" she asked. "No mom, nothing's going on so far." I replied. After we hung up I started having some contractions, but that wasn't very surprising. I always have lots of contractions during my pregnancies. But then they started to hurt my back. And they started coming every 5 minutes.
We were getting ready for church. Dan asked if I wanted him to make a big breakfast before we left (our Sunday morning tradition). Except I didn't feel like eating bacon and eggs, something told me it wouldn't be a good idea that morning. We got the kids in their church clothes. Should I put on a dress? I was still having contractions, and even though I wasn't in any pain I thought perhaps we should take a trip to the hospital.
Of course by the time I tried calling my mom to see if she could watch the kids she already had turned off her phone - she and my dad were attending the regional stake conference in which they formed the new Kyle Stake. Since the hospital was right by our ward building I called my friend to see if she could watch the kids at church. I figured we could pick them up afterward if it was a false alarm at the hospital.
When we dropped off the kids at church I felt so weird. I thought, "Here I am at church wearing my grungies and not staying for church, what will people think??" But then I had another contraction and realized I probably wouldn't be the one picking Natalie and Nathan up from church that day.
We arrived at the hospital around noon and it seemed pretty empty. I checked in at labor and delivery and told them I thought I was in labor - still having contractions every 5 minutes. I could tell they were skeptical since I obviously wasn't in any pain. But they went ahead and hooked me up in that little closet room to see if I really was in fact in labor. I remember chatting and laughing with the nurse as she took my vitals, and I even asked her if it was picking up my contractions. They didn't feel as strong when I was lying down. But yes, I was still having them.
Then another nurse came in to "check" me and see if I was dilating at all. I had been at a 3 at my dr's appointment earlier that week. We were all surprised when the nurse told us, "You're already at a 6!" What?!! I'm over half-way there?? So I asked her, "Does this mean I'm not going home?" She laughed and told me, "You're gonna have this baby today!"
They got me checked into a nice big LDR room, got me my epidural, broke my water, and then I took a nap. During all of this we kept calling my parents to tell them the news, but still no answer from them. So Dan's sister, Michelle, came and picked up the kids at church and took them home until my parents could come.
I woke up when the doctor got to the hospital and checked me around 3:30. She said it was almost time to push, so they started prepping the room. Fortunately my parents called right after that and said they were on their way. By 4:00pm they were all set up. So with Dan by my side I pushed a couple times and out came our sweet baby, Tyler. They held him up for me to see and the first thought I had, which I told everyone, "Oh look at his feet - he has your feet Dan!" He was absolutely beautiful and perfect, and big - weighing 8 lb. 5oz.
I watched as they cleaned him up and weighed him, completely in awe of how wonderful an experience it was to bring him into this world. I couldn't stop smiling. I said to the nurses, "wow, that wasn't too hard." They said I made it look easy. I guess I found something I'm good at? Having babies. (Don't tell Dan, that'll make him nervous)

And like they say, the rest is history. I enjoyed bonding with my new little man in the hospital, and then bringing him home to be with his family. We all fell in love with Tyler from the moment we met him, and that love has only continued to grow. Tyler is part of our family - for eternity.

Now he is one year old.

Tyler had his one-year check up at the doctor's office. They were really impressed with how well his fine motor and gross motor skills are developing. And none of us were surprised that he's still in the 90th percentile for his height (31.5 inches) and weight (26.7 lbs). We've got a big boy!!!

Here are some of this past week's highlights from Tyler's birthday....

The birthday boy

Enjoying his new puzzle from Granddaddy Al -
thanks for bringing it over on his birthday Dad!

What could be more fun than that??

Tyler's little cake on his birthday

(look at that face!)

He likes cake

Cake was enjoyed by all (except Dan, who was in NYC)

We planned to have his party at the Jumpy Place, but Tyler slept through it.

Fortunately, Natalie, Nathan, & Keldon still got to enjoy it!

They loved the big slide!

Twirling

Once he woke up, Tyler was ready to party!

Time for cake

The Cake

The candle was too tempting...

See if you can figure out what happened here

If you guessed that Tyler stuck his finger in the flame and we all shouted during the singing, which scared him so he started to cry, so the kids came to the rescue to blow out the candle - then you guessed correctly!

Isn't it wonderful how something sweet (like cake) can make it all better?

Mmmmm...chocolate....frosting...

We sang to Michael too - Happy 35th!!!

Time for presents (put some pj's on that boy!)

Thanks Grandma for the pj's!!

Tyler loves "patting" Katie, although he's still learning how to be gentle

The birthday boy - "Handsome just like Daddy", playing with his favorite toy, a ball!

Thank you to everyone who remembered Tyler on his birthday, it really meant a lot to us. We look forward to watching him grow and develop over this next year. Happy Birthday, Tyler - we love you!!!