Tyler

Tyler walks very fast now. His transition was gradual. He was letting go of our hands and taking a few steps for about a week before he finally ventured around the room on his own. Two years ago when Grandma Galina visited, Lydia started all-out walking on her own the very day she left (July 4, 2006). For Tyler it was within about a week. What mean children. Grandma comes thousand of miles to visit, and they torment her by making her slouch her back to walk them around everywhere. So Tyler was up and walking during the week that the family was with Grandma and Grandpa in Oregon. I'll set the date as Friday the 13th, June, 2008. A late birthday present for me, and exactly one month behind Lydia's walking expeditions (by age).

Tyler is both smiley and cute, and whiny and resolute. People love to watch his bit smile and laughter, especially when they smile at him or tickle him. It's also hard to distract him when there is something he wants, and he doesn't calm down easily when he's upset. Holding him doesn't calm him down either, unless that's what he was complaining for.

I think Tyler will turn out to be more methodical and calculated than Lydia---maybe not so energetic but even more stubborn.