Take me out to the ball game!

Tanner experienced his first baseball game (and hopefully followed by many more)! And from the expression on his face...he definitely liked it.

He was so excited with anticipation that he was singing on the car ride there.

And riding on Daddy's shoulders brough a whole new dimension of feeling on top of the world.

We met up with some friends from Dental School - Austin & Megan and Cassidy & Tyler - along with Chels & Avery.

Avery soon wanted a turn riding on Anthony's shoulder's as well.


Chelsea took Tanner - and a moment later - he was cuddling with her. I mean, he never cuddles with me unless he's really tired and about to fall asleep. And look at how cute they are together, but I'm not jealous or anything!

Can you see how excited Avery and Tanner were before the game?

But that quickly changed.

We had a great time...including all the kids. We purposefully got the cheapest tickets possible so the kids could play around - or their favorite - watch the Six Flads rollcoasters in the background.

I had to hold onto the railing and have Anthony hold Tanner as we were walking up to our seats - it was so so high up there.

Tanner preferred to have his own seat, just like the other big kids.

And to think we almost left Tanners at home with a babysitter...

One more month...

Tanner is now 10 months old. And here's my recap of the past month. Yes, it's a pathetic mom's attempt to remember every little detail. YES, I am obsessed with Tanner. But I can't help myself.

Sick as a dog.

One long month of drudgery. Ear infection in both ears. Strep throat. Yeast Infection. High Fever followed by a rash all over his body - most likely Roselo. Hence, many long, sleepness nights, OD on children's Tylenol, and 3 trips to the doctor followed by many more phone calls. But he FINALLY is all better. However, what took me 8 months to get Tanner to sleep through the night was quickly unwound in just a few days of illness...so we're starting all over...and hoping it goes MUCH quicker the second time around.

And while Anthony and I have had our own fair share of sickness, one look at this bright eyed, open face smile can do wonders for the soul. There's no other feeling quite like it.

Tanner staying up late with Dad. Really, he just wanted to watch the Mavs beat the Spurs in the playoffs.

On top of the world.

Now that Tanner has mastered crawling, he's on to the next stage - standing. He's constantly pulling himself onto anything and everything. And the simplest task brings an exquisite joy. The victory is over and Tanner has conquered. The look on his face afterwards is as if he climbed Mt Everest.

Couches. Crib. Bookshelfs. Windows. Chairs. Bathtub.

(ps - tanner acts as if he's a captain at sea commanding a ship)

And humans.

Unfortunately, he's still learning - allbeit the hard way -that not everything works so well. Like the fireplace screen is for decoration purposes only and cannot support a 22 lb Tanner. He got the message when it came tumbling down on him. Needless to say, we apparently need to start childproofing.

And lately, he'll let go and stand for 10-15 secs, then grab back on. Or when he's near me, he'll let himself fall so I catch him. And then laughs hysterically and thinks its so much fun. But when day he'll do it when I'm no there - and it won't be so funny.

New tricks.

After just one or two tries, Tanner learned how to raise his arms when I ask "how big are you" and respond "so big". He also claps his hands together. Anytime he's excited, happy, or just wants to be cute.

He also will do it when you sing "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" or "Do as I'm doing."

Grooves to the music. He dances along with the peep - bopping music. This video doesn't do justice...but it's a glimpse.

And waves. But that's old news. Anthony has also been teaching him to raise one hand up in the air - like superman when he flies - and say "power to the people." Don't ask questions.

Sleepovers.

Avery has spent the night which Chelsea was doing her 3rd shift clinicals for school. At first, Avery hadn't warmed up to Tanner. On the other hand, Tanner was quite obessive over her and was insistent on her attention. He would follow her around and Avery would complain "I don't want him to come get me" or "he's hurting me" anytime Tanner layed a finger on her.

It really was quite amusing...but Tanner found a way into her heart. By the end of the day, she was telling me, "I don't want Tanner to take a nap" and loved making him smile and giggle - and she's really good at it. She also helped feed him, change him, bath him, etc. She kept asking - who sleeps with Tanner - and was very concerned that he sleeps in the crib by himself all night long. The best part, when we were gettin ready for church, she entertained him while I got ready. And while we were getting our church bag together, she made sure she got toys and snacks together too. Whatever she did, Tanner had to do also.

I always thought juggling two kids would be completely overwhelming...but I'm starting to see the light at the other end of the tunnel.

Food. Food. And more Food.

Tanner loves food. I think he get's it from me. For dinner, I'm constantly surprised at how much food he can back in. For example, one night we went out to eat. Beforehand, I nursed him and fed him a serving of veggies. While we are at the restaurant, he ate a few slices of bread and kept insisting on more and more pasta. The kid can pack it in. Especially if it involves feeding himself. His attention spans dwindles when I'm feeding him with a spoon, but if he can feed himself, he has no limit.

As another side note, I had packed some baby puffs in the bag especially for him, but the seemed to miraclously disappear on the way to the restaurant. Avery seemed to find my secret stash, but of course had no comment. Have you ever tasted one of those puffs - they're weird and gross. But the girl is obsessed with them.

He eats like a king. I make homemade baby food from fresh fruit and veggies. His favorite - besides yogurt - has expanded to pancakes, black beans, cottage cheese, canteloupe, pineapple, mangos, strawberries, and pasta. And he still eats his veggies - sweet potatoes, brocoli, green beans, zucchini. So far, the only thing I found that he doesn't like so much - baby nutrigrain bars. He just had a bite, made a weird face, and didn't want anything to do with it afterwards.

What I love most.

I always thought that once he started crawling, I'd have to complete with the world for his attention. But it's quite the opposite. He still can't get enough of me and makes it clear that I'm the center of his world. For example, one morning Anthony got up early to let me sleep in a little longer. When I awoke, they were playing together in the family room. As soon as the little man saw me, he started "sprinting" towards me. It wasn't easy - Anthony was blocking him. But he climbed over him and flipped himself over - and then just kept right on crawling until he got to me.

Determination. But it was oh so worth it for a sweet embrace!

More pics

cousins madison & sophie

hammer time

this toy was intended for some kids that were visiting...

but tanner still was very much amused by it

Easter Morning!!

The Easter basket was left in his favorite spot - the french doors overlooking our backyard.

Now that Tanner has not officially mastered the art of crawling, we decided to make him work for his easter basket.

Ready - The goal is in site.

Set - Bottoms up!

G0 - Take a leap forward.

Almost there.

Gottit!

The best part - watching Tanner play with the eggs. I decided to keep Easter simple...and just did these egg shakers. Each egg was filled with something different and made a different sound. A week later - and he still LOVES playing with these eggs. Now every toy he picks up - he shakes it to see what kinda sound it makes.

But I have to save the best for last. It's Tanner's very own smile. He does this on command as soon as you tell him too. It's his very own super intense smile.

I think it's quite possibly the funniest/cutest thing I've ever seen.

He uses every muscle in his body to smile!

Happy Easter!!

These posts are a little late, but better late than never, right?

We had a fun filled weekend, filled with friends, family, and an Easter Egg Hunt of course. We were sad not to be able to share with my parents as they've moved so far...

but hopefully they're reading this right now.

Tanner gearing up for the big hunt.

Tanner finding his first egg.

Ok - so I did help him with the first. But not with the second egg.

Ok. We're done.

Time to chill.

PS - But I still have my game face on.

Avery & Tanner

This picture was a little dangerous...

luckily he stayed still long enough not to fall off.

Mommy & Tanner

Thanks Val & Christina for such a fun activity!

You have got to me $%!$%#$% me!

Quite literally.


I never thought the comparision to having a dog was anything like having a baby.


Until today.





So let me explain.


Tanner has had a bad diaper rash - most likely a yeast infection (and yes, boys apparently can get these). It all started with the antibotics he has been on to treat his ear infection - which kills the good bacteria that normally prevent these such things.


His ped recommended getting as much exposure to the air as possible. I thought I'd trying lying him down for a nap, but Tanner wanted nothing to do with a nap. I thought it would be safe to let him stand up and play with his favorite toy for a while. He had nursed over 2 hours ago, had a wet diaper, and already had 2 poopy diapers for the day - more than his average.


Well - I leave for a minute or two to put away some toys in his room. I hear this cry I've never heard him make before - it wasn't his normal tired or whiny or sad or hungry cry. It sounded different - so I thought I better go check it out.


And this is what I found. Now I've learned this is Tanner's - "Holy Cow. What is going on!" cry.


But I still haven't learned my lesson. I heard the same cry again this morning. When I laid him down for a nap, I took off his diaper and laid him on a water-proof mat.

A few minutes later, a crying Tanner. When I went to check on him, him and the blankets were soaking wet. The water-proof mat - in a corner by it's lonesome self. Tanner, apparently, decided he wouldn't be needing it.


I hope potty training goes nothing like this!!

MOM + DAD =

Quite argueably the cutest boy ever... Tanners!

Easter Sunday 2008 - 9 months!

And just one year before...

Easter Sunday 2007 (6 months preggo)

Hello & Goodbye

Another first today. Tanner learned to wave.

Grandma waved to Tanner from across the room while watching general conference- and he waved hello.

I was telling my sister Chels about it on her way out the door - and he waved goodbye.

And mom. I've waved a million times to him on the way out the door and never got a response. But there's tomorrow. And he better perform :)

A Month in Review

EAT.

DRINK.

AND BE MERRY!

Field trip - Dallas Musuem of Art

Wrestle Mania

Rocking Horse

(Tanner giving the horse a kiss)

And more rocking.





Buckets. At first, he held them to his mouth for a drink,
but quickly found out there was not water.
Standing next to his leap frog table.
Or just being cute.

But if were only that simple.

Teething is no fun.

Toys get old after awhile.

And crawling is hard work.

But finally - a nap. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Not so fast!

Tanner is growing up quickly--but finally slowed down on the growth chart. Finnally...maybe my baby is going to stay my little boy a wee bit longer! What his 9-month Dr Appt revealed - he's jut average as far as weight and height are concerned.

• Weight - 20 lbs 12 oz - 55% percentile
• Height - 28 3/4 inches - 60% percentile
• Head Circumrance - 44.8 cm - 45% percentile

But let me tell you - this is no average little boy!



He's getting smarter by the moment. There is no fooling him.

While he's just as playful as ever, he's fianlly catching on. When we toss him in the air, we usually count to 3. Now he anticipates it and laughs before we even do it. Too cute! Or will start jumping when we're holding him to let us know he wants us to play with him.

He notices every detail. Whether it's a zipper, botton, pocket, embalishment, he'll find it on my clothes and beging to play with it. He also likes to play with every part of my faces - nose, ears, eyes, mouth - even tried sticking his entire fist into my mouth. When we talk into a room, he likes to stare at the ceiling.

In the bathroom, the toothbrush has lost it's appeal. He's now into playing with the water in the bathroom sink. He knows how the turn faucet on/off - which has become his new favorite activity while I'm getting ready in the morning. And I've already mentioned his fascination for emptying the water bathtub.

He still loves books, and now knows how to turn the pages or lift the flaps in the peek-a-boo books. He LOVES anything peek-a-boo. If you just say the word, he starts laughing.

His favorite toy - my PDA. This has so many buttons, makes sounds, and lights up. And unfotrunately, I can't send a text, read an email, or listen to voicemail without Tanner wanting to take his turn playing with this.

And yes, he now has begun to cry when you take things away & he objects. But he does NOT cry when he falls down from standing up. He usually smiles or laughs.

Drinks out of a big kid sippy cup. He actually prefers these to the other bottle-like sippie cups.

To date, I still haven't been able to find anything Tanner doesn't like to eat and refuses or spits back out. Usually, he tries to fit stuff too much in his mouth. Like one day I gave him steamed carrots and later on, I noticed he still had some packed away inside those cheeks of his.

Always wants to standup. At church, he won't let me hold him. Instead, he wants to stand up holding onto the pew and look around. I'm sure it's quite distracting to the other families, but it's the only thing that will keep him happy. At home, he loves to standup alongside the furniture or toys.

While he still friendly and goes to strangers well, at the end of the day, he loves his mommy. Now before bedtime, he'll put his head on my shoulder and let me sing to him before I put him down. These are the moments I live for.

Ok - I know I am biased - but I swear he's the cutest boy. But other people DO tell me it too. I've always expect 80+ year old women at the grocery store to tell me. But even guys. One dad told me if they could have a baby that cute he'd have another.

Two Times the Charm

TWO visits to the doctor in one week.

One for his 9-month check-up (more on that later).

But after TWO nights of Tanner waking up at TWO in the morning screaming - not even wanting to nurse (this is so UNLIKE him). With some persuasion -the bottle did him in.

It was time for the second doctors appointment - this one to report not so good news.

TWO ear infections. And possibly strep throat too. We didn't do a seperate test as the antibotics would conquer both. The best part - they gave me the antibiotics right there in the office. No trip to the pharmacy afterwards and it was free.

But through it all, he still managed to keep his smile. And maybe after Anthony and I sleep tonight, I will too :)