Kyler's Blog has moved!

This is the last post on this blog. Kyler's new spot on the interweb can be found at:

http://web.mac.com/erichsimon3000/Kylers_Blog/Home/Home.html

Go check it out!

The Last Blog entry

This will be the last blog entry at this website. If you've found yourself here, please see kyler's new 

It's been awhile...

Since the last blog K has acquired the 'commando crawl', the long-awaited 'self-feeding-of-cheerios' skill, lots of teeth (now totaling 8, soon to be 10 based on the amount of drool streaming from his mouth), and the ability to methodically and flawlessly climb the entire staircase unaided (but carefully watched). Most common comments from strangers are "what a smily one" and "what a busy one". SlobberMonster wins the prize for most popular nickname this week, with squirmimoto and fussimoto tied for second. Can't post pix now, not working, will try again later. 

Sir Laughsalot

This has got to be the happiest boy on the planet. He smiles and laughs all day long. His nickname at daycare is Mr. Smiley, and the other parents know him as "that kid who smiles so much". What a great reputation!

PS - We have uploaded a new album of Kyler's latest and greatest photo moments at http://picasaweb.google.com/erichwsimon

Re-post of old pix - Kyler is 6 months!

A re-post of an older blog since the photos didn't show up... Ok, it's been awhile since we blogged. Kyler is growing leaps and bounds! Eating solids, sitting up, reaching for things and getting angry when he can't have them (!).

A few pix from our recent adventures: Mr. K tries on mommy's hat during a camping trip in South Lake Tahoe.

He smiles and laughs all day long, at anyone who will smile at him.

Nana Sarah came to visit for a week - we almost didn't let her go!

Most days, now that it's warm in the evening, we try to give Kyler some outside naked time. He hasn't peed on us yet, but it's a matter of time :)

Kyler is 6 1/2 and 7 months

Erich and Kyler are kickin' it old school in an Oaktown park. Dad has been teaching Mr K the critical elements to being an innercity hipster. Maybe not the best teacher....

The Boy is sitting up and rolling over and reaching for toys, hair, cats, carpets, and fine china. Finally bought a set of plastic wear for mealtime.

Nana and Papa were here to visit for 3 days. We worked 'em into the ground! Laundry, childcare, cooking common meal with me for 32 people, Nana took the night shift for two nights... word has it they returned to LA exhaused. But mom and dad got 2 good night's sleep so we felt great. :)

One of our favorite times of the day is playing in bed in the mornings. Joyfull bliss...

Dimples

I have never thought dimples so adorable... maybe I should have titled this one "crack is cute". At any rate, we're saving this one for his wedding.

Tahoe camping

Another recent Tahoe camping trip... where Kyler was happier out of the water than in. Mom and dad had biked all the way to Fallen Leaf Lake (with Kyler in bike trailer in tow) hoping for a swim, but the water was FREEZING! On our second morning, he exhibited great patience and balance for the 'photoshoot on the rock' to show off his new hat from Nana Sarah. The next day we did a bit of bouldering and made sure the Kid got to try it out too. We like to think he enjoyed it. :)

Mr. Kyler is 6 months!

Photos above: Ok, it's been awhile since we blogged. Kyler is growing leaps and bounds! Eating solids, sitting up, reaching for things and getting angry when he can't have them (!). A few pix from our recent adventures: Mr. K tries on mommy's hat during a camping trip in South Lake Tahoe. He smiles and laughs all day long, at anyone who will smile at him. Nana Sarah came to visit for a week - we almost didn't let her go! Most days, now that it's warm in the evening, we try to give Kyler some outside naked time. In this last photo taken a few evenings ago he reminded Erich of his grandpa, "Pop".

We'll, we've slacked alittle on keeping up with the blog. But we haven't slowed down our picture taking. On the contrary, we've recently acquired a new Nikon D40x Digital SLR camera that takes sick photos. There are way too many already to show off, So I'll tease you all with a few choice ones. First, Kyler and Jonah looking cute as always. Second, Deanna and Kyler learning the fine nuances of really bizarre art. Third, Kyler got a couple quality days with Grandma and Grandpa Simon. And Lastly just a few days ago, Nana and Papa Rosen took baby giggling lessons from Kyler. And next week, Kyler will get to see Nana Sarah, as she's coming down to help with the midnight feedings, er, I mean come visit and see the Little Man in action. It feels good to know how much love this little person is surrounded by. What a blessing!

A glimpse into Kyler's future

Wow. We're having tons of fun with The Little Man. If these photos give us any clues about his future, he could be a herpetologist, horticulturalist, Superman, or a football coach. Hard to tell at this point. But for now, there are some certainties: putting him to sleep in his car seat on wednesday nights and going to the climbing gym, getting a giggle if you find his favorite rib, his ability to stop people in their tracks and make them talk in high voices. Especially women, and especially when he's with Erich. :)

A Great Way to Spend a Sunday

Sunday was glorious. Some attitude in the park. Then a new game: swing the baby in the blanket - produced many giggles from the Little Man. He held his bottle for the first time, and took a nap after dinner on the couch with his oldest friend, Jonah. Ahhh, the good life!

The Man with the Eyebrows

Mr. K has inherited some serious eyebrows. He is good at furrowing them, taking after his great-grandma Rosen (Florence), and his mom (erich is always trying to get me to relax my between-the-eyes area). PS - the happy one is his first passport photo - we should all look that good on our legal docs! (we're going to mexico in Nov).

Mr. K begins to talk

Mr. K and his neighbor Miss Talia enjoy "reading" together. The books and talking are paying off, because today the Man and his Mom and Dad had several conversations! He's just beginning to vocalize! "Nge" and "Ngege" are his favorite orations. "Gla" is in third place. And Erich just installed the library bookshelves around the desk so we can have all the books, from "baby's favorite farm animals" to "Urban Pest Management" to "Sensitive Chaos" all in one place.

Kyler's growing community

This past week on Wednesday Kyler had his first playgroup experience. Here he is with three other babies on the play mat in our house. They all had a blast hitting and kicking the hanging toys that rattle and jingle and crinkle. Mom and her friends meanwhile had a wonderful lunch just outside on the garden patio. And why am I going back to work?!

On Thursday Kyler spent his first day in daycare at the facility in Erich's building, just 5 blocks from our house (we are all jealous of his "commute"). Kia is his teacher/caretaker, and she seems great. There was a little blip when we called at 1pm to check in and learned he wouldn't take the bottle so hadn't eaten all day. Erich hopped downstairs from work to calm him, and I rushed home from errands for an emergency breatsfeeding session. It turns out the bottle nipple was bunk - it didn't have a hole! A new nipple, and all was well in the world. He finished his day happily, and will be there every Wednesday and Thursday from now on.

Turning into a Little Man

We can not stand how cute he is. His cuteness makes us talk in a voice pitch we swore we would never use. But he reponds to that voice; he smiles and coos back. He has a huge smile that can take up half his face. Sometimes we have little conversations and to the outside world we must sound like whales or birds. The most common comments we get these days are: 1) "He looks like such a little person." 2) What distinctive eyebrows he has!" 3) "His fingers are so long." He's really learning to use his hands - batting toys, bringing things (his lion toy, his fingers) to his mouth to chew on, and he is just starting to explore texture. His body control and core strength are great, and with a little more coordination he'll be able to sit up. He loves to be pulled into a standing position, where he can support himself as long as we keep him upright. He still hates being on his stomach, which makes me wonder if he'll be one of those babies that skips the crawling stage. We should be so lucky.