Where have we been?
Sorry for the lack of updates and pics lately. Between having an almost 2-year-old (just a few more weeks), a new house that we're trying to work on, and a baby on the way, things have been a little hectic here. At any rate, here's an attempt to get back on board before our world is turned upside down with the arrival of Tanner's baby sister!
Enjoy the newest pics!
Trick-or-Treating Tanner style
So we took Tanner to a Halloween party at a friend's house yesterday. We attempted a little trick-or-treating, but Tanner wasn't exactly interested. He preferred chasing the neighborhood dogs and pick up rocks in the driveways versus collecting candy (this was much to Lance's disappointment).
As you can see from the pics, he was dressed to the nine in a Cowboy costume (thanks to Grammie for making most of the get-up). We started out the evening in the whole get-up...vest, hat, chaps, bandanna, sheriff badge, gun & holster, boots, mustache... Slowly over the course of the night parts of the costume where shed. First the badge and gun went. The vest and chaps were next. Let's just say by the end of the evening Tanner looked more like the "Naked Cowboy" from NY City than anything else. He was rocking a hat, bandanna, boots and diaper — even the mustache and goatee had disappeared sometime before that.
Here's to hoping that next year the costume stays on a little longer :)
Houston, we have a swimmer
Mom and Dad are finally done making the move to the new house. (If only they'd hurry up and empty all the boxes already!) I love the new house...we'll have some new videos soon for you.
Because I'm all about educating others, I thought I might share a few things I learned about the whole moving process.
1. Moving gets a bad reputation, and why? Yeah, you have to put all your stuff in boxes, clean the old house, and carry heavy things, and so on. But, I think you're all overlooking a highly entertaining and pleasant part of moving, that really deserves more attention. Two words: BUBBLE WRAP!
2. When it comes to the part of the day where the real work needs to begin...ya know, the U-Haul is being loaded with boxes avoid the work by deciding to take your nap. If you're lucky by the time you wake up all the hard work will be done.
3. Once you're in the new place, and it's time to decorate. Be sure you have an expert do all the measuring...trust me on this one. And, if you're looking for someone in this department....DON'T ASK MY GRAMMY!!! She's seriously clueless about how a tape measure works.
Hope you learned something....talk to you soon!
Love ya,
-Tanner
Talkin' the talk and Dancin' the dance
Lately my parents have really been getting on my case about learning to talk. I personally think it's slightly over-rated. Grunts, screams, giggles and snorts seem effective enough for me at this point.
So far I've managed to only slightly comply with Mommy and Daddy's speaking requests. I can say 'Da' for Daddy, 'Ba' for Bota, 'Ws tat' for What's that (and I'll only whisper this. why? I don't know, but it keeps the adults wondering.) I can also say 'Maa' for Mommy, but I usually only use this when crying because I fell down, screaming because I'm thristy and want juice or when I'm seemingly upset for no reason at all. Oh, and of course I can say 'Gaab' for my favorite show "Yo Gabba Gabba."
Beyond speaking, I've also expanded my dancing. No, I don't exactly have rhythm (look at my parents, what else would you expect?), but I'm still a pretty good dancer. I practice all the time...whether there's music playing, the dishwasher's running, or the tub is filling up with water. I'm still a little camera shy about my moves, but I've decided that soon I'll let Mommy and Daddy catch me on camera groovin'. When I do, I'll be sure to share the video here.
And one last thing, you might notice in some of the most recent pictures that there's a $3 price tag on my head. We just had a garage sale this weekend...and yes, Daddy tried selling me. I don't know, but I think I should have been at least $10, don't you?
Man Lessons #1
So, first off sorry it's been a while since our last update. We had some Internet issues, then Mom got really busy at work...but better late than never right?
So today was my first Man Lesson with Dad. Yep, I'm a whopping 16 months old and good ole Dad has decided it's about time that I start pulling some of my own weight (which I'm proud to say is a just under 26lbs).
Lesson No. 1: Car Washing.
Funny, I thought the whole purpose of this was so that Dad could teach me a few things. But, he had no idea what he was doing. I'm glad I was there to make sure everything was done properly. I mean, number one, he didn't even check the quality of the suds...doesn't he know that really getting in the bucket and splashing around is the only real way to make sure you're going to get proper sud action on the car? Number two, when we were done, he smelled nothing like New Car. I guess he wasn't working hard enough. In my opinion if you don't smell like you work at the end of the job, you must not have been doing to job right in the first place. I know that I was definitely spreading that new car aroma all around!
Our next lesson is all about mowing the lawn...here's hoping that next time he knows more than I do.
Attachments:
The Big O-N-E
So last week I turned the big O-N-E! I thought this would be a great opportunity to share a few of my latest discoveries:
1. Cake doesn't require any teeth, so who cares if I still only have two?
2. Walking is overrated. Why spend all that time falling down and getting hurt? I've decided to skip that whole, "balance" thing. I high suggest this alternative: invest a little cash in a walker. Trust me, I've got one of my own and man it's the greatest! Number one, I can go super fast. And two, I look way cooler than most kids my age. I love her so much...I'm currently taking suggestions as I think it's about time that I named her.
3. Bubbles are a kid's best friend. They can really pick you up when you're feeling down.
4. Cellphones – love them. I can see why adults are always using them...they're so fun. I haven't quite mastered how to use them yet, but I have made a few calls...only problem is that I don't talk to whoever I've dialed.
5. Diapers are pure evil! If you're still being tackled and diapered on a regular basis, I high suggest you take the following steps: 1. Trick them with your stillness. Yes, be very agreeable while your old diaper is being removed. 2. Wait for the adult to reach for the wipes and make a mad dash in any direction possible (this is of course only if you're being changed on the ground). The faster you are, the longer you'll be free. 3. When you do get caught, kick, cry, scream, thrash...do whatever it takes to make them think twice before they try and change your diaper again!
Stay tuned...I'll keep you posted with more updates soon.
Love Tanner.
chompin' and stompin'
So it's been a few weeks, but we have teeth! The bottom two have wiggled their way up and Tanner is happy to finally have some pearly white of his own. Hopefully those top two will come in shortly and open up a whole new world of food, not that he needs anymore friends in that department.
His mobility has come along way as well. Although crawling remains the preferred mode of transportation, walking (supported or course) is a close second. He's quite skilled at working his walker. We've got a few problems with it and we're working to get the kinks out. Mainly steering is an issue. Turning definitely not a mastered skill yet. And then there's reverse. He sometimes looks like one of those wind-up toys — he'll push the walker into the wall and although he's not moving forward, his legs continue to take steps. It's usually only a few moments until he realizes that the wall is not going to move.
The other great thing that's happened is the weather is been really nice. The swings at the parks are so enjoyable. And the family has finally decided to invest in some backyard fun – a swimming pool. Granted it was only a $10 investment at Walmart, but to Tanner it might as well be an Olympic sized wonderland!
With only a short month to go, we're in the final countdown to the big ONE! Stay tuned for a big birthday update soon!
Movin' and shakin'
Tanner is now mobile...look out world (or more immediately Bota) this kid has discovered the infinite benefits of crawling. Although he just picked up the skill in the past two weeks, he's now a pro and has relayed these things he's learned: 1. The TV entertainment stand and wires are far more entertaining than the TV itself, why won't my Mommy let me play with them? 2. That Bota sure can more quickly, but luckily his water bowl is stationery and always full (splashing myself is just hysterical). 3. Try as they may, I am far better than my Mommy and Daddy at finding things (especially really small things).
Another skill the wee-one has picked up is the ability to pull himself up to the standing position. A side note, the feazel coffee table has been retired to storage until 'short stuff' is a bit more sturdy on his legs. In it's place is an infatable bounce house of sorts. It offers a cushy place to fall and keeps the boy contained while seeming far less jail like as compared to a regular playpen.
He's still yet to acquire any teeth at all, and would prefer not to discuss the subject...he's a little sensitive on the subject after hearing that Myles (who was born just one week prior to him) already has several chompers.
