I think having four kids has made me really busy! I used to write multiple times a year in the journals, and here I am playing catch up on almost 3 years! That makes me sad. I'll do my best.
Your first year of life was a delight! We had our ups and downs. I always get postpardum depression after each child, but this time I was able to figure out a medicine that helps me, and it made it much less than it was with other babies. Things were still difficult at times, but not unbearable. You were such a loved baby! Your sisters were little mothers. It took Charlotte a few months to really get interested in you, but once you were smiling and interacting a little more she discovered how fun a baby was! Your first word was "dada", and you were a mover! You loved to roll across the floor to get to toys. You also loved to be outside. We were very busy with all the girls and their activities, and you were my little buddy just being dragged everywhere. You were a typical baby- fussy at times, but mostly happy. I nursed you until about 13 months, and we were both ready to be done. You started walking at 13 months old, and once you were walking we were chasing you everywhere! You loved cars from the beginning. Once you discovered toys, cars were your preferred toy. For your first birthday you had a little mini cake which you loved! You ate and smashed it, with the biggest smile on your face.
You were a harder one year old than I anticipated! You got much fussier, and complained (whined) frequently. I really did not enjoy that, but we weathered it. I think your communication skills were frustrating to you, and that you couldn't express your wants and needs better. During this year we moved from Bluffdale, Ut to Draper, Ut. Grandma and Grandpa took you and the girls overnight while dad and I moved the house and got the rooms unpacked. We have loved living in our new home. For your second birthday you had a car cake, and we went for a hike! You also got many cars and a new stride bike. You are now almost three and you still call it your happy birthday bike.
2020, year of the Covid-19 pandemic:
Boy, was 2020 a crazy year! In February crazy news reports were coming out of China about a new virus. I remember talking to Dad about it and thinking that we would be okay. I went to Costco with you one weekend at the end of February and noticed people with multiple carts of food and supplies. I called Dad and asked if he thought we should stock up on some things. We figured it couldn't hurt, so I threw a few more things in my cart. I remember getting another thing of toilet paper, and boy was I glad for that! A few days after that our country said we would take a 2 week "pause" to help slow the spread of the virus, and to help our hospitals prepare. Schools shut down, and everyone was scared and confused. The media was making it sound very scary. I shut our whole family down, and would not let us see family for fear of infecting someone and hurting them. About 2 weeks after the lockdown started, we woke up to an earth quake! That was the day I broke down and cried and was very overwhelmed. So many things were hard. Dad was working from home, I had to homeschool/ virtual school, and I everyone was scared. By the beginning of May I was starting to realize that things were being blown out of proportion. I was no longer scared, and our State of Utah was allowing people to go to places with masks on. From that point on we lived our life as normal as we could. We wore masks everywhere, but we went out to eat, to museums, to parks, visit family, and in the fall the girls returned to school (with masks). Dad and I felt very lucky to live in Utah where we were allowed to do these things. Many other states had no school all year, no parks, etc. I thought it was very anti-science, and a poor politicized response. I have been very disappointed in the leadership of our country.
In February of 2021 we all flew to Mexico! We woke up bright and early, and you were SO excited. You were chanting and singing all the way to the airport. You were a great traveler. A few days before we left for Mexico you jumped off my bed, which is a normal thing for you to do, and you landed strangely and started screaming, and you would not stand on your foot. After a couple hours of still babying your foot, I took you to the dr. You had a very hairline/ toddler fracture. I couldn't believe it! They said to just have you wear your shoes around the house and sleep in. We carried you everywhere. It actually helped with the plane ride because you realized you couldn't move much. You had a great time in Mexico! You didn't love the beach as much as everyone else, but you really liked the smoothies we got on the beach each day. You loved the kids pools and slides, and after a few days in Mexico you were walking on your feet! We were nervous about it, but couldn't really stop you from doing it. We loved this trip with our family, it was so fun!
You love to ride your bike. You ride everywhere, and are so fast. It is a little scary to watch. You really enjoy riding your bike at the skate park. We have entered you into a little stride bike race during the summer. You still love cars and play with them most of your day. I think it is so cute to see you line all of them up, and see which cars are your favorites. You really like the tiny micromachines. You are a great speaker, and play hard all day. You love chase, and especially if dad plays "cops and robbers" with you. That consists of you two on bikes, with you riding after him yelling "citizen! citizen! you must go to jail!" It is so funny. You ask me at least 10 times a day what's for dinner. That is very annoying. You love to play with Charlotte, and I'm not sure what we will do when she starts kindergarten in the fall! you two are such good buddies. You also are very good at annoying your sisters. and taking their things.
You have no fear when it comes to physical things, but anything else is a very big deal. You do not like the dr, dentist, anyone new, etc etc. You screamed and screamed this week at the dr's office when we needed medicine for an eye infection. I've signed you up for preschool this fall, and I'm nervous for how that will go. You haven't even had nursery at church because of the pandemic! We need to potty train you before you can go. We tried once a couple months ago, and you did awesome! you were going to the toilet consistently and you knew what to do. Then one day you decided you didn't like it and would have screaming fits every time we mentioned the toilet. I just stopped and put you back in diapers- it wasn't worth the fight.
You are a strong willed boy, who loves fun, and loves your family! You are adored by all of us. I love you so very much. You have brought such a light into my life. We have been trying to have another baby, but it looks like it wont happen for us. I've had many miscarriages, and I don't think my body can carry another baby. I hold you extra tight, knowing you are my last everything! I treasure these days with you Tyler. You make all of our days better, and I'm excited to see who you will become!
