Oh Oedipus!

Matt and I went to the temple on Saturday and when we got home Tyler excitedly asked us if we got married. (A verse from the "Family" song talks about being married in God's temple.) Later that night the boys were looking at some of our wedding pictures when Tyler and I had the following conversation:

Tyler: "When I get bigger I'm going to marry you in the temple mommy."
Me: "Or maybe you will meet a nice girl to marry in the temple."
Tyler: "No I'm going to marry you mommy because I just love you."

Our Christmas

The holidays were a bit of a whirlwind for me this year, I started working full time 2 weeks before Christmas. My mom flew in to help watch the boys which was a huge help! I never got around to making my traditional Christmas plates, but I did send out cards, even though most people got theirs late! My dad and sister were planning on driving down to celebrate with us, but when an emergency came up at work my dad wasn't able to get away. We still had a full house though with my mom, Matt's mom and Mel here. This is the first year that Tyler really got the concept of Santa and he was so excited when he saw all the presents under the tree Christmas morning. He credited Santa with bringing all his presents though, and would correct anyone who tried to tell him a present was from an aunt or a grandparent. He would adamantly inform us, "No all my presents are from Santa!" Once again it took us several hours to finish opening presents. Last year it was because Tyler wanted to play with his toys as he opened them. Unfortunately this year it was because Tyler was sick. He was really excited when he woke up, but after opening two presents he laid on the couch and told us he was tired of opening presents. A few minutes later he was in the bathroom throwing up. He wanted a hug after he was sick, so I was sitting on the bathroom floor holding him when he threw up down my back! Then when he stood up he threw up again right in my lap. Needless to say we took a break from present opening so I could change and Tyler could lay down until he felt better. I don't know what he had, but by late morning he was feeling better and enjoyed opening the rest of his presents. I doubt Riley really knew what was going on, but we dressed him up in a little Santa suit and had him hand out presents. He liked opening his and insisted on throwing each piece of wrapping paper away as he tore it off, another reason it took us so long to open presents! The boys were thoroughly spoiled! They were not the only ones. A few of my presents couldn't be wrapped. Matt finished the railing on our stairs so we could hang stockings, and painted two of the walls in our living room (thanks to Mel and Deb for pitching in on that!) so we could hang pictures! I also got my couches professionally cleaned and they look brand new (thanks mom!). Matt got one of his favorite movies for Christmas so after dinner he and the boys had a movie night while we ladies went out for a girls night. It was a great Christmas!

Our finished railing!

The tree on Christmas morning before the insanity began!

The boys in their Christmas pj's.

Inspecting his stocking.

Love that smile!

Cuddling up with Granny Deb and Aunt Mel.

The newest addition to Tyler's Hess collection, from Grandpa Don.

Deb and Mel.

Feeling much better!

Apparently Matt and my mom took all the pictures Christmas morning because I couldn't find any pictures of them!

Happy Birthday Marci!!!

Happy Birthday sis! I really wish we were in New York celebrating with you! Your birthday card is probably going to be late, so hopefully this makes up for it! We love you and miss you tons!

Riley's turn!

I think it's time for Riley to get a post since the last two were about Tyler, plus I never posted after his 15 month check-up. His check-up went well, it was his first appointment with Dr. Rodriguez and Riley seemed to like him. Riley weighed in at 23 lbs and was 29 inches long which puts him in the 30th percentile for his height and weight. The nurse was surprised he was so low on the growth chart considering how chubby he is! After listening to his heart for about 5 minutes Dr. Rodriguez asked me if he has always had a heart murmur, to which I said no. Although heart murmurs are common in babies, Riley got to go to the hospital and get an echo cardiogram to make sure it wasn't anything serious. He was a good little patient and laid quiet for the first ten minutes before he got tired of having the gel and sensor on him. The echo showed his heart is fine.

He's my stubborn, independent little man! Here are some fun facts about Riley:

* He makes no effort to talk other than mama, dada, see and this. He understands what we're saying though and follows directions, so I know he'll talk when he decides he wants to. If I try to get Riley to say something Tyler will inform me that babies don't talk!

* He loves being outside, but he hates having anything on his hands. When he falls down he uses his hands to get back up, and he freaks out when he gets dirt on his palms. He'll start whining and want me to wipe his hands off. The first time he took a bubble bath he wanted me to wipe the bubbles off his hands every time he touched them.

He insists on sitting on the dryer whenever I do laundry.

He never sucked his thumb or became attached to pacifiers, but he loves his bottle. When he's done drinking he'll play and walk around with the bottle clenched in his teeth.

"Mom I want my bottle!"

If he can't be outside he'll settle for looking out the window.

He is obsessed with putting shoes on his hands!

Two peas in a pod!

Best buddies!

In front of the big Christmas tree in St. Augustine.

Vanessa and I.

My little song bird!

Tyler has really taken an interest in singing lately. His two favorite songs are 'Families Can Be Together Forever' and 'I Am a Child of God'. He also knows the alphabet song, the snowman song, 'Follow the Prophet' (his version has a third verse, "Follow the prophet he goes away"), 'Popcorn popping', and some of 'Teach Me to Walk'. He is always singing! The other day we were getting groceries and he was walking around the store singing his ABC's. He got lots of smiles from other shoppers! Here is a clip of him singing 'I Am a Child of God' after he got out of the bath the other night. Enjoy a little of what I get to hear everyday!

My quirky kid!

Tyler has recently started to find his sense of humor. His new favorite phrase is, "That was just a joke!" He thinks it's really funny to put his clothes on wrong when I ask him to get dressed. Then with a little laugh he will ask me if his clothes are on right. Here are a few examples:

He also likes to keep things interesting when he watches TV: