Yesterday was great grandad's birthday so we met all the Roberts--about 20 of them--at Macaroni Grill. The cousins (Steve, Andrew, Conner, Mason) see each other often so Tyler & Gavin were a hit with the kids. Tyler in true fashion was very quiet and reserved, sitting politely and watching everyone get wilder and crazier in the restaurant. Meanwhile, Gavin was good and enjoyed all the attention as long as nobody, including Daddy, attempted to pick him up. Tyler told Great Grandpa "Happy day to you Great Papa!" and I'm pretty sure Art knew what Tyler was saying. It is so easy to forget that not everyone can understand Tyler as well as I can. He's definitely getting there, though. And on the way home, Shawn & I heard him chattering away in the backseat and as I listened to figure out what he was saying, it occurred to me that he was telling the story we are reading at bedtime We're Going on a Bear Hunt. This was the first time I've heard him recite a story from memory, and we've only been reading this book since last weekend when Uncle Mike gave it to him for his birthday. Brilliant!

Tyler also showed some significant empathy last night. While feeding baby Gavin who is working on his second tooth, I screeched in terror and began crying immediately when he sank his razor sharp baby tooth into me. I couldn't help myself and got even more frantic when I realized I was bleeding. Always the observer, Tyler watched the scene unfold nearby. He had never seen me cry. I could see the concern on his face as he stayed out of the way, but kept his arm on my leg, his eyes locked on me watching every move as Daddy helped take care of me and take Gavin the vampire out of my arms. He was so concerned, but not overly sensitive. This is a great balance! Always the parent, I took the opportunity to tell Tyler this is why we don't bite. He went on to relive the event as it happened and used the past tense for his first time. "No bite Mama, Baby. Mama cry. Baby bit Mama. No bite Baby." He repeated this over and over, as if to exercise his knowledge of using present and past tense together. I was impressed! Baby's going to be getting bottles only from now on.