And Kyler Pauly...

In a few weeks, Kyler will turn the big "2". Hard to believe that this is the case! WoW! What a crazy few months he has had. He (FINALLY) started talking. I really truly thought that this would never come! I am not sure if it is a case of second-child syndrome, or if it was because of all of the ear/illness trouble he has been having, but the poor kid just wouldn't say a word for ever! I am going with the second explanation for now...

As most know, Kyler has dealt with ear infection after ear infection after ear infection. He also dealt with a year of snotty noses and various eye infections. I was starting to think that the kid would never be "well". He had the tubes. He has been on EVERY antibiotic out there. We have done EVERYTHING. Finally, he was sent to a specialist. Who diagnosed him with "chronic sinusitis" (never-ending snot face, in layman's terms). The only remedy? Take him out of daycare. Hence, the in-home sitter for the summer. And, amazingly, to my dismay, the doctor was... right. The whole thing went away about two weeks ago, and he's been snot free since (the longest ever). So, hopefully when he returns to daycare in the fall, he will be well enough to fight off all the bugs. (Hopefully.)

So, like I said, Kyler has started to talk. He has gotten so far as two to three words at a time. This week, he told his dad on the phone "Me, Bracky, Anra (Andrea), poo (pool) Daddy" when talking to his dad on the phone about his day. So, I officially count that as 5 words. Ok, it's a stretch, but still, it's something! His favorite word is probably "Bracky". Or at least I must assume, as he says it ALL the time :). He knows all of the names of those around him. He named a few colors the other day (kinda thinking that was luck, though). He knows a lot of the animals and their sounds. "Please" is a popular word, too. Oh, and "Me do." "Me do" this, "me do" that, "me do" all of these things that I can't do and end up getting in a pickle over. But still, "me do".

Kyler's personality and temperament have really started to shine though, too. He went from our docile, perfectly quiet little baby, to, how do I say - hell on wheels! He is not even close to the same kid as he was when he was 6 moths old. Like I said, he is SO independent. And such a trouble maker (I say this in only the kindest way)! When the two little guys get into trouble and get a lecture from mom or dad, Braxton collapses in tears, Kyler laughs at us. LAUGHS! As you can imagine, this is frustrating as heck when you are the one with the finger pointed. But, when you are watching, it is simply hilarious! At least for me. Not sure how many times I have had to hide my face when Kyler points his finger back at his dad, smiles, and says "NO!" right back.

And, oh, those little red curls! How I love them! Neither of my kids have spent a lot of time the first few years of their lives growing hair. Braxton didn't get a haircut until after his second birthday. And I decided to stick with tradition for Kyler. So, now Kyler has these beautiful RED ringlets all over his head. I absolutely LOVE them. Jon, on the other hand, can not wait until they are gone. He threatens to cut them about every other day. I, unfortunately, have grown quite fond of them. That first haircut is going to be a bit of a tear-jerker for me, I fear.

Again, there is not much more that I can say other than "what an amazing kid". And the idea that love is the only thing that grows when divided is absolutely true to the 100th degree. I never thought I could love someone as much as my Bracky. And to find that I can love another child just as much, and my love for the two of them just continues to grow and grow. And our family as a whole, just grow and grow... Ok, I'm getting a little sappy, I know. But, well, it's true! :)