MY LITTLE MOTHER HEN

Tyler has been playing 'Mom' tonight. It's so cute to watch! I asked Tyler if we should give Brady a bath. He replied with "Ewww, Brady dirty. Wash!" So, after that comment, I decided that we should give Brady a bath. Tyler and I took Brady upstairs and got him into his tub. "I do it." Tyler decided that he wanted to do the washing, so I let him. He did a great job at scrubbing down his little brother! After the bath we went into Brady's room to get him dressed and Tyler took a stuffed animal monkey, wrapped it up in a blanket and was rocking him and patting his back. So cute! I asked him if that was his baby and he said 'yes'. After Brady was dressed we went downstairs. I rocked Brady and Tyler put the monkey in Brady's chair with the blanket on top. "Monkey night night." Brady was so tired and was getting really cranky, so I went into the kitchen and turned on the microwave vent. (This really helps calm him down). Tyler picked monkey and blanket up out of the chair and followed me into the kitchen. We both stood their in the kitchen and swang our babies back and forth. Brady was falling asleep so I asked Tyler if we should take Brady and Monkey upstairs to go night night in bed. He said yes and we proceeded up the stairs. Tyler put Monkey in the crib with the blanket and I rocked Brady for a very short time and then put him in the crib. "Monkey, chair!" Tyler decided that he wanted to take Monkey back downstairs and put him in Brady's chair. So we got Monkey back out and took him downstairs. Tyler put him back in Brady's chair with the blanket wrapped around him. I wish that I had a video camera taped to my forehead so that you could have seen this. It was too cute! He's a great big brother and really helps me out around the house when Lee's at work!

Another quick, funny story.

Mom: Tyler, what do you want for dinner tonight?

Usually after asking this question, I will give him some options to choose from. Tonight, I didn't have to. He shouted out his answer quickly after the question was given.

Tyler: Mac 'n cheese and Fish Sticks!

Mom: You want mac 'n cheese and fish sticks?

Tyler: Yes!

Mom: Okay!

So, I put the fish sticks in the oven, thinking 'Wow, that was really on the top of his mind. He's really starting to know what he wants to eat.' But then I thought...'I wonder if that's exactly what he had for lunch today.' So, I called our babysitter and yes, it was what they had for lunch today, but oh well, the fish sticks were already in the oven, so that's what he got for dinner, too!

BRADY'S 2 MONTHS OLD!

Happy 2 months to Brady! Of course this 2 months have gone fast, but they have gone even faster since I've been back to work. It's amazing how fast the weeks fly by! Brady had his first day at daycare this past Monday. I think the day was a little rough for Tyler. He wasn't so sure how he felt about Brady being on his turf. After the first day, though, everything and everybody was fine and happy! This is a picture of the boys at their daycare on Monday. They had on Big Brother/Little Brother shirts. So cute!!!

At the moment our camera is out of use. Our battery is not taking to the charger anymore, so they are sending us a new one in the mail. So...I do not have a picture of Brady on his 2 month b-day. I will get one posted as soon as I can. Hopefully that battery will come before Halloween this Saturday!

Tyler and Lee decorated this pumpkin at Newton's Octoberfest. This is Tyler pulling off all of the pom poms that they had glued on before.
He thinks that this scarecrow is pretty funny!

Other than the usual day-to-day events, nothing big is happening here. We're awaiting Halloween and wondering if Tyler will actually wear his costume. Tyler is saying a new phrase everyday. His newest one is "Please, Mom, Please!" He also started a fake laugh, which is pretty funny. He cracks us up with all the new things that he says each and every day. Brady is showing more and more smiles. He's got such a great big, wonderful smile! He's the happiest first thing in the morning. It's great to see that smile before going off to work! :)

PUMPKIN PATCH

Written by: Lee

Darcey has been planning this Trip to Carroll's Pumpkin Farm in Grinnell for about 2 years now. Ever since she 1st saw the advertisement in the weekly paper she knew that this had ‘Reynolds family trip’ written all over it.

So the day finally came last Sunday. The weather was cooperating for the 1st time in a couple of weeks and Darcey saw her window of opportunity. The family piled into the van with grandma in the back seat, and away we went.

A huge smile beamed across Mom’s face, she would not even let me drive. There was an overwhelming sense of anticipation in the Van, such a sense of excitement is contagious, and by the time we got to the Pumpkin farm the boys, grandma, and myself were almost as excited as Mom. I hopped out of the Van and took Brady, Tyler was latched onto Grandma and Mom, and away we went.

The 1st stop on Darcey’s list was the Cow Train (a series of cow shaped cars that were towed by a John Deere Lawn Tractor). Mom stood in line with Tyler and Dad went and found some Apple Cider. It did not take long to make it onto the ride. Of course Mom rode with Tyler (to make him feel safe).

After that we hit up the Corn Barn (giant sandbox made with corn Kernels instead of sand). It was tough to peel Tyler away. He really liked scooping up the corn and dumping it on Dad.

We made our way all around the Farm riding in Wheel Barrows, sliding down slides. Riding on tri-cycles, taking in a puppet show, finding our way through a corn maze, and feeding goats. We did it all.

At the end we rode out on a hay ride and picked out our pumpkin. Tyler loved seeing all of the pumpkins. He tried to pick up as many as he could, but didn’t like the dirt on his hands. “Mom…Dirt” We ended up finding a pumpkin that was perfect and headed home after a long fun day.

Darcey did a great job of planning the day and we could not have done it without Grandma’s help. Thanks to both of them for a great day that the kids and I will remember for years to come.


Dad Pushing Tyler around in the Wheel Barrow.

Mom and Tyler Riding in the Cow Train.

Tyler finding just the right pumpkin.

He makes a cute Pumpkin.

Brady getting in on the action.

THANK YOU, GRANDMAS!

We have made it through 2 weeks of company! It was so nice to have my mom and Lee's mom here to help with house work, cooking, and taking care of Brady. They both helped out so much while they were here. Monday morning is going to be a rude awakening for me. The past two weeks I have had someone to get Brady while Tyler and I are upstairs getting ready. I'm sure we'll be just fine, but I'm sure I'll be juggling tomorrow morning. Spending some quality time with Grandma Mary.

Tyler playing with Brady.

Coloring Lightning McQueen.

Grandpa, Dad, and Brady.

I'm glad that he's still showing a smile when around Brady.

The video on top shows Tyler and Grandma singing row row boat. The video on the bottom shows our smart boy counting to ten!

6 WEEKS AND BACK TO WORK!

I went back to work on Tuesday this week. This is me after my first day back at school, passed out on the couch with Brady, while my mom and Tyler are upstairs playing in Tyler's room and Lee's cleaning up the dishes from dinner. Yes, I was (and still am) exhausted! I only got to take a 20-30 minute nap, but I woke up to find a pool of drool on Brady's forehead. The poor little guy! It feels good to be back at work, but I sure do miss Brady!

My mom is staying home with Brady this week and we are still sending Tyler out to daycare. I think she is realizing how fast the days go when you are at home taking care of a newborn! She has also realized how exhausting it all is. Taking care of Brady during the day and having the energy to play with Tyler and yet TRY to manage Tyler's many fits when he gets home from daycare is a big job! We are lucky that my mom is able to be here for Brady this week and Lee's mom will be home with Brady next week.
Here is Tyler's Halloween costume for this year. Tyler really likes the elephant sound that Lee makes, therefore really liking elephants. So we decided to have him go as an elephant (Dumbo) and Brady is going as a giraffe. As of now, Tyler hates his costume, as you can see. Hopefully that will change soon!
Brady hanging out at Grandma's.
We went to Iowa City for the weekend last weekend to stay at my mom's and attend Katie's shower on Sunday. We had a good weekend in Iowa City!
Tyler chillin' at Grandma's with his hands in his pockets.
Grandma: "Tyler, what's in your pockets?"
Tyler: "hands."
The cutest outfit on Brady! He was dressed for his one and only baby shower at my school. This cute little outfit was given to Brady by my friend Jessica! Thanks, Jess!
My school was nice enough to throw a shower for Brady and I. We had a great time with cake, games, and all the ladies!
Brady trying out the swing.
Mom and Brady at the school park.
Tyler flying down the slide.