Tanner July Update - 19 months

July has been full of adventure for Tanner. He is constantly learning new things and loves to get dirty! If he is not getting into things around the house, like emptying the cupboards, scattering toys and books everywhere, "helping" with the laundry..... He is playing in the dirt outside! Tanner loves the dirt! He would probably eat more if I would allow it! :) He is learning how to use different sand toys, and has mastered getting covered in dirt from head to toe! Tanner is also getting into building things, he loves legos. He also loves trucks and anything with wheels. And he loves water! He is having more and more fun in the tub and pool, but still hates to get his face wet. He says new words all the time, and is growing as he should.
Tanner is now 19 1/2 months old, weighs 23 1/2 pounds and is 34 1/2 inches tall. He is becoming such a big boy! And is so cute too!

We have been able get a couple of Standers (standing frames) to help Tanner get stronger to stand on his own. The one with wheels we are borrowing from his physical therapist, until we are able to get one just for Tanner. Needless to say, it took about 2 seconds for Tanner to learn how to roll it around, and saying that he loves it is an understatement! He would probably stay in it all day if I would let him! I love that he thinks he is playing, but he is gaining strength while doing it!

This is a stationary stander that was given to us by another mom that has a spina bifida son from Texas. Thanks Kari! I "met" her on my favorite online support group, the spina bifida group on babycenter.com. Best support group and bunch of parents ever! Greatest source of information and understanding! Doesn't he look so big in it?

California

Ok, so December 2009 I won 4 park-hopper tickets on the radio (Mix 96.9) to Disneyland!

And I never win ANYTHING! So I ws so excited. Disney was also doing the give a day, get a day promo for Disney tickets. So we set thigns up so that Don & Arcelia and their 2 kids, Emily and Allen could go with us. Only 1 ticket and 1 park hopper upgrade needed to be bought. Great deal if you ask me!

We ended up going the first weekend of June, and we had a blast! The package also included a 2 night stay in a disneyland hotel. We ended up getting upgrading to the Disney Californian Grand Hotel for free due to no space at the other hotels. It was quite nice and close to the park, which made things very convenient.

Below are some of my favorite pictures and some of Tanner's too! W

Mater from the Movie Cars - Tanner loved the character parades! So enthralled by them!

Amazed at the effects and all the bubbles!

Tanner loved this turtle, just kep pointing at it, and saying Oh, ook! (look)

We were able to take Tanner with us on almost every ride. On the rides he couldn't go on we did "child swap" so we didn't have to wait in the long lines twice. It was nice!

Tanner liked the river safari ride, and but he also didn't really know what to think.

Tanner loves his Uncle Don - He was stuck to him like glue most of the time! Thanks to Don, Tanner had a comfortable time.

Here we are just beyond the front entrance to Disneyland. The Mickey face is made up of all flowers. Very cool!

Sitting down for a breather in front of the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue in the square.

Went to see Mickey inside his house in Toon Town. Tanner wanted to see Mickey, but was afraid when he say how big Mickey really was! LOL - too cute!

Tanner really didn't know what to think about Goofy. He probably thought he was just that - Goofy! Ha ha - I know dry sence of humor!

Near the end of the trip, everyone felt that this hat fit me the best. I do love Goofy!

We also went to the beach. It was pretty, but very windy. Tanner HATED the wind! He buried his head on my shoulder most of the time we were there, and screamed if he was put down. I don't know which scared him more, the wind or the waves. It was also quite chilly with the wind, so we didn't stay as long as we wanted too.

Yay!!!!

Tanner had his 6 month checkup with his Orthopedic surgeon today, Dr Segal. Tanner no longer has to wear the ponsetti afo's and the brown bar! Yay! He just has to sleep with his afo's on which he does anyway when he naps, so it works!



As you can see, Dr Segal is wonderful! He always gets down and plays with Tanner on his level. He and Tanner are balancing shoes on their heads, to see which one will fall first! It was too cute! Luckily one of the nurses had a camera on her, and she snapped this one and emailed it to me. Had to share - I love it!

Both Ray and Tanner love to play our Wii and they both really get into it. I love both of these videos and had to share! The one with Tanner is a bit long.... but still so dang cute! Tanner is playing bowling, and Ray is boxing.

Dirt for Lunch

Tanner thought that he would try some dirt for lunch. He thought is was funny at first, especially when Mom said, EWWWWW!!



After a few minutes, he wasn't too sure about the taste! His face shows what he is thinking.... :)

After a big mouthfull of dirt he was not happy! He hasn't ate dirt since!

We took Tanner camping with Ray's family for the first time. We camped near the Superstition mountains, the Friday and Saturday before Easter Sunday. I'm (Star) not a big camper, but I had fun anyway.





All the kids dyed Easter eggs, but Tanner was not interested. He just wanted to drink the colorful dye.




Tanner really enjoyed playing with his cousin Tade and getting really dirty!

Don't ask me what is so fun about filling up a pot with dirt and rocks, but Tanner loved it!

Tanner also loved the tent! He was scared of it at first, but once he got used to it he loved to sit inside.

All in all, we had fun camping as a family! And plan to do it again!

Okay.... so I'm not as good at this blogging thing as I originally hoped to be. Although I'm a stay at home mom right now, I'm also looking for another job and trying to tie up loose ends as well. Meanwhile..... Tanner is really getting curious about EVERTHING! And he loves to try to climb things. He will dive right off the couch if you aren't watching.....so constant watching it is... and meanwhile nothing else gets done! :)


Tanner is getting to be such a big boy! He is now 15 months old! Where did all the time go??? He is always smiling and laughing at something! His hair is finally starting to fill in, Yay! Do you see all of his teeth? He's got 14 and more coming in. He is becoming quite the picky eater, so meals have become a challenge. He is learning tons of new words, he now says mama, dada, hey, no, yessssss (yes... the extra ssss are there! sometimes he sounds like a snake!), uh-oh, I did it, and let's go. He has also learned some sign language which has been helpful, especially if he wants more.

Tanner loves to have his shirt and braces off, but prefers to have shorts or pants on. To me he looks just like a little country boy. :) And as always, Maple's toys are more fun than his. :)

To my dismay... Tanner's latest accomplishment.....Crawling out the doggie door! He does it a lot if I'm not paying close attention. The backyard is just dirt and weeds, not the ideal place for a little boy to be going .... by himself... no less!

One thing for sure... he sure keeps me on my toes!

Tanner's laughter is so contagious! I love to make him giggle and laugh. Below is a video of him being his cute self.