Picture Day?

We had the opportunity to have some family photos taken earlier today! Ray's step-dad, Ken took them. I love how they turned out! It was hard to get Tanner to pay attention at times, but he did better than expected.

It started out with Daddy, Tanner wasn't too interested in posing......

With some coaxing he snuggled up next to his cousin Emily and our mini dachshund, Maple for a couple of pictures.

After awhile, he got the idea and wanted to give Maple a hug!

But, being the curious boy that he is.... he was WAY more interested in the waterfall behind him!

Tanner has become such a pointer! This kid literally points at everything!

He loves anything electronic, so of course he is pointing at the camera. He was also pointing at the cars driving by! He loves and is obsessed with cars, trucks, buses, anything with wheels.

A nice pose with Mom! Looking a bit serious.....thinking....why is Mom making such a funny face??

Posing by himself, Tanner turned on the charm! He is now 22 1/2 months old, and so cute!

He is really photogenic and looks so good!

We ended the day just laughing with each other and Ken snapped a picture! What a fun ending to a fun picture day!

Different - But still cute!

The following is a story told by a dad from the spina bifida support group that is my "online family". The best resource out there if you ask me! You can check it out at -

http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a3825/spina_bifida_kids

"I watched a movie called "Letters to God": http://www.letterstogodthemovie.com/ . You can check out the link for the story-line.

I usually don't much go in for the overtly-christian-made-for-sunday-afternoon-movie thing. The production quality / acting is usually poor and the message is usually heavy-handed. This movie is all of those things.

However, there were a couple of gems in the story (I had to watch the WHOLE THING as my in-laws were there).

In one scene, a grandfather explains to the boy with lukemia that his condition causes people to think about themselves in a way they have never had to before. When people see a bright, happy, cheerful boy with a dibilitating disease, they are forced to examine the things that they are constantly complaining about that are small by comparison.

People can't always and don't always know how to react. Some will tease, some will run in fear, some will over-compensate in kindness.

Our kiddos rock people's world on a daily basis - in some of the same ways they rocked ours when we first got the diagnosis.

I guess my point is, when I counsel with parents who are expecting an extraordinary child like ours or I pass by a stranger at the mall who stops dead in their tracks when Annie (his daughter) zips by in her wheelchair, I try to muster compassion for themand think to myself, "I know - I didn't know how to react when I heard the news either".

People respond in nutty ways sometimes - and the nuttier the response, the bigger the opportunity for grace."

This really hit home for me as it is so hard to listen to what people say to me or Tanner. Some people say the most ignorant things or just stare.

Tanner is so special!

And cute too!

I guess what I am trying to say is ............. Next time you see someone that doesn't look exactly like you think they should or they look a little different. At least try not to stare, and be nice. Because next time it could be you it happens too.

What I love about Tanner

On my online support group from babycenter.com, 1 mom started a thread called "What I love about my spina bifida kid."

The following in short sums up what I love about Tanner.

What I I LOVE about Tanner........ EVERYTHING....from his head to his toes!

I love how happy he is to see me first thing in the morning.

I love that he says Mum, mum, mum, mom, mama over and over and over again until he gets my attention!

I love how his eyes light up when he sees people that he knows

I love all the baby jabberish as he learns to say words

I love how he will eat something one day but not the next

I love how stubborn he is, and how much concentration he puts in to do something hard

I love his smile, and how excited he gets over the fact that Daddy is home!

I love his personality, his laugh, and the fact that he "sings" himself to sleep at night.

I love his determination and strength, and the fact that he always has the courage to try try again.

I love the way he sits and "dances" to the music.

I love that he loves cars and trucks. Points to them when we are in the car saying OHHH WOOK! So cute! Or when he has lost something and finds it, he squeals and says "Dere it is!

I love how he still wants to cuddle, and that when he hugs me he says "Ahhhh". I love his open mouth slobbery kisses, and that he's a mama's boy.

I love that he growls at the dog after the dog has growled at him. I love that he loves his dog. Her name is Maple, but he calls her "Apes"

I love that while he is in the tub, he always has to make sure the floor gets wet enough to be mopped.

I love that he picks up EVERY piece of paper or plastic and wants to throw it in the garbage.

I love that he loves to read and to sing with me.

I love how he gets so excited about things that he is waving his arms and bouncing up and down, while squealing!

I love how he has made my life better and me a better person. I love that he has taught me more than I learned before I knew him.

AND I love that HE is MY SON & that God allowed me to be is Mom!

Not Walking - But progress

Tanner still loves his Stander! He is in it for 1.5-2 hours straight now. Getting stronger everyday! So happy he likes it, makes it less painful for Mommy.

Here he is laughing because he almost ran over Mommies toes! I had to jump onto the couch to avoid getting squashed!

I often see Tanner sleeping like this, and wonder.... can that really be comfortable??? It must be cause he does it a lot! So cute!

Tanner has been doing something new with his mini walker. He gets up on his knees and pushes the walker. It's not walking yet, but it's a start!

I'm going to get you......

Tanner has this new thing where he likes to roar, scream, and chase (crawl) after me. I finally was able to get a bit of it on video.

He is almost too big to get through the doggie door. Good thing for both me and him, he just doesn't realize it yet! :)

Dancing.....

Tanner has been really into moving and trying to dance lately. Here is a video of him doing his thing, while growling. So adorable! It also shows how quickly he gets distracted. Such a short attention span!

Its the pits..... Oh I mean pots!

Was in the other room cleaning... when all of the sudden I heard such a racket. Came out and this is what I found.


Mind you, I never showed him where any of this stuff was, he found it all by himself!

So noisy - yet so fun! He had a great time!

Bathtime

Tanner now is a big fan of bubble baths! He is getting better at getting his hair washed as long as I "style" it and show him in the mirror. His latest "dew"......

Tanner laughs at pretty much EVERYTHING! All it takes is 1 funny face, or sound and it sets him off! Love it!

He loves to splash and ususally does it all of the time. But when I get the camera out, it would seem that he has to be prompted.......... but he still does a good job hiding the "goods" :)

Silly September Boy!

As Tanner would say....
September has been full of fun for me! And I loved every minute of it! At 21 months old I talk a lot! I will copy pretty much everything mom and dad say, so they better watch out what they say! I constantly liked to say, while pointing... Whoa.... Wook at Dat! I am looking more and more like a little boy and no so much like a baby. My hair has filled in nicely, and is sandy blond. My eyes have stayed brown, so Mom has a brown-eyed blond headed cute boy. I know I'm cute if you ask me! I now weighs over 24 pounds, and is 35 1/2 inches tall! Almost 3 feet and not even 2 yet!
Mom was once told by one of my doctors that most spina bifida children are short in stature. I don't think this one applies at all to me.


I had my first ice cream cone! I loved it so much I just had to have Mom's too!
When Mom objected.... I thought it was pretty funny! Mom says I'm such a goofball!

Ohhhh! I'm so excited to say! I'm pleased to announce...........that....... Oh, I can hardley contain myself...... scroll down please!

I can eat with a spoon now! Yay for me! Mom is really excited too! Go figure that cheerios with milk is easier for me than anything else!

I also pull to stand all the time, and am getting strong! I like to climb and try so hard not to fall! Because falling hurts! Believe me, I know!

I also love to "read" books! I do it a lot, and Mom is proud of me. :)

Maple and I are getting along a lot better now than when I was little. She still growls at me sometimes, so I chase her with my cars and trucks. She runs away, and I think its so funny!

I give her hugs everyday because I love her.

Don't tell Dad, but the other day I stole a cookie off of the table..... shhhhh.... It was so good!

Mom caught me in the act........ I hope she doesn't tell Dad... cause I think the cookie was his.... I'll just give him extra kisses tonight to make it all better.

Oppps! I fogot about all the chocolate on my face. Kinda hard to hide that! Where in the world is a napkin when you really need one!

Labor Day Camping

We all went camping over Labor Day weekend. Grandpa Ken, and Grandma Pat thought this was a GREAT idea!

As ususal Tanner stuck with uncle Don..... He loves his uncle Don!

He didn't want to be with anyone else!

We went camping at Christopher Creek. It was nice and reminded me of Utah camping. We had a lot of fun, and plan to do it again.

August for Tanner

August for Tanner was another exciting learning time. He is constantly amazing me with all the things he can do and all that he "copies" me doing.
Here he is "talking" on the phone. It's so fun to watch him put the phone completely behind his head and start blabbering away!



He also still loves to suck on his toes! He is obsessed with his feet! He is learning that they aren't toys, and that he shouldn't hurt them, slowly! his feet are pretty stinky at times, and who knows... Maybe they really do taste good??

He is getting more and more into helping. Loves to help put clothes into the dryer and play with the drum light switch. So inventive!

For some reason he will put bowls, plates, cups, you name it on his head.... but he won't wear a hat!

This last picture I just like because it shows how he ususally looks at me when he is "up" to something! He is such a ham!

Tanner is 8 months old, loves books, trucks, and getting into things! His favorite people right now are mom and grandma. He still loves his stander and is getting stronger and stronger. He is quite the picky eater and lives off of mixed vegetables, pasta, and peanut butter sandwiches.

I love my little man!

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.