" I Do EVERYTHING with Gusto!"

Josh was born with an opinion about everything. And the things he likes to do - he does with gusto! :) (Thank you to Uncle Nathan for this original statement after feeding our son waffles :)) There is definitely no gray areas for him. He either loves it or he hates it. He's either thrilled with life, or hating it. So, here's a few of the things he likes!

Bath Time!!! Yippeee!

How much water can I splash out of the tub?


I LOVE my bath!!!


And my duckie makes it all that much more fun!


Be dainty about eating - ME??? NEVER!!!! The ENTIRE pear goes into my mouth Mom and Dad - I'll sort it out later! How much can I cram in there...maybe a little more - come on!


Guys - where's some more?


Check me out! Up on the tub - over to the chair, back on the floor, up on the tub, back to the chair, and I'm gone again! Let's MOVE!

Friends, Neighbors, and Visitors from out of Town

Matt and I are so blessed by the friends and family that we have. Yesterday was so precious to us with all of the congratulations that were offered. It was a perfect day :). I just want to list out for you so you can rejoice with us at the greatness of friends.

First, we talked to our wonderful family who were thrilled with our news...and then, lo and behold (after a phone call) there was a knock at my door, and Leah came over to congratulate us in person. By the way, she and Georgia also cast their vote for a girl for the new Lytle baby. So, we'll see if God took her vote into consideration :). Then, after that, Lauren from our small group called to congratulate me and went shopping for meals with me for Matt while I'm gone next week. Then, she took Josh so that Matt and I could celebrate our new addition. There's nothing better than church family. Thank you SO much Lauren it was WONDERFUL!

Then, I got to talk to Kelly and Mary Kathryn from my small group and rejoice with them, and then, I got to talk to my friend Jen and revel in the impending arrival of their little one Connor and celebrate our new addition as well. Then, the evening was rounded off with a wonderful visit from Stephanie (also in our small group) for a great night of just spending time together.

I am constantly amazed by how blessed we are with our friends and family. I am also so thankful for our small group - what would we do without you guys??? Anyway, I'm just overwhelmed and excited about all the upcoming things that our life will hold.

Today was also a phenomenal day. I've been trying to build a relationship with our neighbors without much success. But this morning I went for a walk at just the right time and was able to spend over an hour with Laura and Isaac. Isaac is three and Josh just thinks he's amazing because he can walk, run, and do all the things Josh can't :). Then, I got to spend about 15 minutes talking to Patil and Om, two of our other next door neighbors. This was a major breakthrough because I've tried talking to Patil's wife, but she does not speak English, so it's only gone so far. But, Patil is thrilled that he can actually understand me (it helps to know how to speak English to someone when it's their second language (thank you for 2 1/2 years overseas!)). So, he's all excited because he hadn't tried to talk to us because he figured that he wouldn't be able to understand us, like the rest of the fast-talking Americans! So, that's a MAJOR breakthrough there!

Then, my best friend since 3rd grade came over with her son. They live near Charlotte, so it was wonderful to see them. I had the most wonderful time with her. So relaxing and fabulous. It was so great to catch up. So...all of this to say - our lives right now couldn't be better, and I just had to share the blessings of the Lord with you all. Praise the Lord. He is good!

Josh needs your help making a decision

So, Mommy and Daddy told me that I was going to get a new toy...but, I had to pick which one I wanted. I can't make up my mind. Would you help me? This is WAY TOO IMPORTANT A DECISION to make alone! Help please!!!


Here are my two options...


Mommy and Daddy say that if I get this one, I'll get to be her protector. What do you think? It makes me feel like a man!



But...this one will play with bugs with me, defend the fort, etc.

Hmm...How am I ever going to decide???


Why can't I have BOTH Mommy and Daddy???!!!! You're SO cruel! I want BOTH! And 9 months??? Are you kidding me???

Note from Karen...just in case you missed it :) - We'll be expecting the arrival of another little Lytle around the end of May. Yikes!

Fall is FINALLY here!

So...my son wore jeans yesterday! I'm finally going to be able to start putting to good use all of those adorable jeans that have just sat idly in the drawer - my son must have at least 10 pair :). Then, I couldn't resist - he was about to outgrow this outfit from Mimi and so, I put it on him for small group last night (don't worry - he didn't wear the jacket out - I have no desire to cause my son a heat stroke). Isn't he adorable?

4:30 in the Morning and Eating by Myself

So, this morning Josh decided that the day should begin at 4:30 a.m. Matt and I disagreed, and we left him in his crib until 6:30. When I walked in there he was sitting up in his crib, hollering up a storm, and playing with not one, not two, not three, but four pacifiers. "Mom, I told you I was up, and these pacifiers are NO FUN! Get me out of here!"

A couple of days ago, my husband found my son's face adorable during mealtime. Check out the shots he took.


What's up Dad? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something here?


Eating is SERIOUS business


Now, that's what I'm talking about...Give me some more!

Every Man Needs a Tool Box

So, every man needs a toolbox. I saw this at Target, and decided it was time for my son's initiation into manhood with his very first toolbox. The other reason I decided to get this is because we started independent play time today. There's a great book that I just read that we plan on implementing some ideas from. It's called Creative Family Times. It's only 60 pages long, but it has some great ideas. It was recommended to me by my co-teacher at North Wake. She's an AMAZING woman. She has 6 kids 8 and under, and her children are so wonderful. They are all so well-behaved, well-adjusted, social, etc. Talk about amazing. So, I asked her for some advice because Josh would wail everytime I left the room - we're talking extreme separation anxiety. And ignoring it wasn't getting any better. She recommended the book, and it teaches how to begin with 10 minutes a day of independent playtime that builds to 30-60 minutes of "sit" time for your two-four year olds. She said that she did it with all but one of her children, and that child she had to go back and reteach. Basically, she realized that with 6 kids, they needed to learn to play independently as well as together, so this is a way to build to that.

So, in preparation for his first 10-minute independent play time, I decided a new toy and cheerios were in order. He did GREAT! He played for 15 minutes by himself in the pack-n-play (so that he would be safe), and Mommy got some things done, and Josh was fine. I went back in after 15 minutes and scooped up an adorable and happy baby. We've also started working on not rewarding the "fuss/whine cry" with attention or "rescue" from Mommy or Daddy. Talk about hard, but we worked for the entire morning on it (trying for both Mommy and Josh), but after his nap, he did great. He had remembered, and instead of working himself up into a full-fledged fit, I would tell him "Josh, no" in a calm voice and he'd stop and get back to playing. Hopefully, this trend will continue...I'll keep you posted!

Fun with Ceiling Fan

Josh has a favorite new game. We discovered it while standing under the ceiling fan in his room. Upon seeing the chain(s) hanging from the fan, he decided to try to grab it. It didn't become a game until he tried to catch it again after he let go (and it started swinging). He found out that it's harder to hit and grab a moving target and loved every minute of it.

I would encourage him every time he grabbed the chain. This meant that whenever he grabbed the chain (or at least made contact), he would look to me for approval. This quickly turned to a laugh-fest for Josh. I don't know when I've ever seen him laugh so much at one time without being tickled (and even being tickled). As it would happen, I was able to film some of the action with my phone (which explains the bad resolution). This may qualify as the cutest thing ever. Enjoy.

Teeth and Movement

Josh has FOUR teeth broken through, and two more that are going to break through in the next few days. So, in an attempt to be good parents, we do the teeth brushing routine every morning...and when we remember...before bed :).

And just a little more proof of movement...he's still not officially crawling, but that's because he's convinced he can walk (see his attempt to stand upright on his own - 2nd picture). He's out of control!

A few new things I've been up to...

First of all, I had to switch this to a private blog, so I tried to send invitations out to everyone I could think of, but if there's someone I left off - just have them e-mail me, and I'll put them on the approved list :)...but onto more fun stuff...

Both of Josh's grandmother's had birthdays since the last time I posted. Check out their presents...well, these weren't the finished products, but those are on the other computer - so I thought I'd give you an idea :).




And proof that "love is in the air"...Georgia was crawling by Josh today and he pulled her down into his lap (we're going to have to talk about appropriate displays of affection) :)


But, I love her mom...


...and she loves ME!


...Yes, son...but, you're still a little too young...

Hope you're all doing great!