Birthday, Father's Day and First vacation!!!

So I am a little bit behind in the posting on my blog, so we have to go all the way back to June 17-June 19.

We decided to take a weekend and head to Watts Bar lake with Mom and Dad, Keri, Emilie and Taylor (visiting from Colorado). Unfortunately Shan and Scott weren't able to make it as they decided to go to a overnight boyscout camp.

Anyway Mom rode with Chris, Tanner and I, which was nice because Tanner had someone to talk to the whole way there. Dad, Keri, Emilie and Taylor showed up later that evening. We had a great time at the lake and Tanner did pretty good for it being his first "vacation"

We went on a boat ride and Tanner fell asleep the hum of the motor I guess. I even got in the water and went for a wild ride with Keri on the tube (Chris was driving)

While we were there I decided to take pictures of Tanner being his 6 months and all and they came out pretty good. On Saturday we celebrated my Birthday and Sunday celebrated Chris' first Father's Day and well Dad's 37th I think.

It was an awesome weekend and we thank Mark and Stephanie for allowing us to stay at their fabulous cabin.

Weekend without Daddy

It was that time of year again, when Chris has to head to Manchester and enjoy the smells of Bonaroo.

This year I think it was a little more difficult for him and me, well with Tanner and all. Last year I made a day trip up there, but this year wasn't able to. I made sure that I had plenty of help with Tanner while Chris was gone. With the kids out of school Emilie was able to spend Thursday night with us and was a tremendous help. On Saturday night I had both Emilie and Scott and we made an eventful evening out of it. We went to dinner, swimming...and then back to my house where they spent the night and were both very helpful. The next morning we went to my parents church where more people knew Tanner than me. We went back to the pool where Tanner got to play more with his two cousins and Lydia (one of Emilie's friends).

Finally to the POOL!!!

Since Chris had to work on Saturday, Tanner and I decided along with DenDen and Mimi to meet up with Granny and Slick in Franklin. We don't get out to Hohenwald often enough, so instead of driving all the way out there, we met them for lunch at O'Charley's. Tanner was a little hesitant of Granny and Slick at first but slowly showed his true happy colors. They are coming to our neck of the woods soon and will get to spend some quality time with Tanner for a few days as Mimi has suckered Nonnie into giving up some days during the week so Granny and Slick can get the whole Tanner experience.

On Sunday with Chris back home, we made our annual trip to Rehobeth Methodist Church (The church where Chris and I got married) for the historic Children's Day, Tanner's first but definitely not his last. In a few years he will probably be up on the stage. Afterwards there is always a fabulous feast outside on the grounds but this year it was incredible hot and our little Monkey was just not happy in the heat.

Monday Tanner went to Nonnie's where he is getting to hang out with his 2 cousins, Emilie and Scott, now that they are out of school. Later that night Tanner got his first dip in the Johnson pool and absolutely loved it!!!

Lots of Randomness

The last couple weeks there has been a lot of changes in Tanner's life and ours. He is growing so fast, way too fast, but it is absolutely awesome watching him learn and do new things. We have started solids (previous post), starting to grab at things, sitting pretty well with a little help, and really want to stand (I know pretty crazy). So this post is pictures and videos of just a bunch of Tanner's randoms over the last couple weeks.

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For Mother's Day Chris bought me a smaller camera which I love because I can take it everywhere. I put it in the diaper bag daily and have told both sets of grandparents to please capture Tanner when I am not around to do so. They don't tell me when they take pictures so it is really a true treat when I download the pictures and see the pictures from his days with his grandparents. This was a day at Nonnie's, Tanner and Bogie hanging out on the floor in Nonnie's room.

Tanner likes to lay in our bed while I get ready in the morning. He sits there and watches me get ready.

Tanner is teething so one of his favorite things now is to eat a frozen bananna from one of the coolest inventions ever. We have to take off any clothes and go just diaper because it can get pretty messy.

Tanner is getting to the point where he really doesn't want to be laying down, so we have the exerciser and the Johnny Jumper. Johnny Jumper is really a new experience for him, this was the first day in Johnny Jumper.

All of this growing has worn out my two boys...

The ZOO!!!

This was the first weekend in a long time we didn't have "something" scheduled, it was so nice. Tanner enjoyed it I think just as much as Chris and I did. We started the morning with some cartoons. I can't believe how much he gets mesmerized by them (we will definitely have to monitor his TV watching)

Tanner is really enjoying his "play gym" He is getting so big. Chris took Wylie to the vet and then after that we decided to take our first trip to the zoo!!!

Nope this isn't our little Monkey, but the Monkey's at the zoo were very vocal, Tanner tries to compete with them but they win with the screaming!

Tanner and I tempted to try to get pictures with the meerkats but they weren't anywhere around the hole.

Tanner was very good and stayed awake the whole time. He amazes me at how he can stay so happy with such little sleep (definitely not like his mommy). We actually ended the day believe it or not with buying a new car and Tanner was awesome the whole time. It was a great weekend of not "having" to be anywhere!!! We ended up getting a zoo membership which I believe we will use the heck out of.

Wedding Marathon

My family has always known how to party, but this past weekend my Aunt and Uncle threw a great party/wedding. My cousin Christie and Dave finally got married this weekend in the sink hole (prettiest sink hole) at my Uncle and Aunt's house. Christie and Dave actually started dating when Chris and I began dating oh about 13 years ago, granted they were both still in high school. So anyway Friday night we had the rehearsal dinner and then Saturday morning was the brunch and then wedding that night. Tanner attended both the rehearsal and the brunch, but the night of the wedding was for Chris and I. He was so perfect at both events he went too, we are truly blessed. Anyway it was a wonderful and yes tiring weekend.

1st Mother's Day

It has been long time waiting for me to celebrate Mother's Day as a Mom, and I can't believe I finally got too. It was disappointing that Chris wasn't able to share the weekend with me due to the Smyrna Air Show, but I had the best time with my little man. I was so excited to be able to share this day with my Mom who is my true inspiration. She has been a great role model and I hope and pray that I am half the Mom she is. I am so blessed to have my Mom and so many other great Mom's as role models!!! So I guess I am thanking all those Mom's that have touched my life and made me the Mom I am today. You all know who you are and I love you tons!!!!

Solids and Easter

On Saturday, Tanner got to try solids for the first time. He is still trying to get used to the texture.

Easter started with Tanner getting his first Easter basket, inside was a toy, little bunny, 2 books and a Veggie Tales video which he absolutely loved. We then went to Pop's and Nonnie's for lunch but spent the first part of that time in the closet. Tanner has spent more time in the closet at Nonnie's this time I was in there with him. After that we went to DenDen and Mimi's where Tanner slept the whole time and only really got to spend the last hour with them, good thing they will see him three times this week.

4 Months and growing!!!

Tanner had his 4 month Dr. appointment on Friday and wow is our boy growing. Now when Tanner was born he was 5lbs 8oz and 18 inches long, 4 months later the little monkey is 13lbs 12 oz and 24 1/2 inches long. He is now in the 75th percentile in height and in the 25th percentile in weight. The Dr. was absolutely amazed at how tall he has gotten, Chris was thrilled too because now he has hope that Tanner won't be vertically challenged like me. The heart murmer that she thought she heard at 2 months was gone, and we get to start foods. What an exciting time. On Tanner's 4 month Birthday the 20th of April he rolled from tummy to back, he is right on schedule and Chris and I couldn't be happier.

We are very excited to be celebrating his first Easter and can't wait to put him in the adorable Easter outfit Mimi bought him. Pictures will be posted tomorrow I am sure. Chris and I have learned that we are no longer the "important" people in the grandparents and great-grandparents life. Tanner got a Easter card from Granny and Gramps this week and inside was $20, wow, this kid has more money that we do already!!! I am glad he is loved.

More tomorrow I am sure.

3 but really 4 Month Pictures

Crash, Boom, Bang, "Say Cheese"

This week was very uneventful until Friday...

At about 6:00am I was feeding Tanner and heard a large crash then boom and bang, 10 minutes later Chris comes limping into the bedroom grimincing. I asked if he fell and he nodded and then I asked how? Apparently something was wrong with our garage door do Chris got the ladder and was trying to fix it when the ladder slipped, Chris came tumbling down ontop of my car mirror. Needless to say my mirror is thankfully the only thing broken. Chris has a few cuts and bruises but is thankfully okay. So I am driving around with a broken driver side mirror until next Saturday when we have a appointment to get it fixed. Oh I wish we had another car!!!

Saturday was picture day for Tanner. Chip Sprague the awesome photographer who did Chris and my maternity pictures came to the house and did Tanner's 3 month pictures (Tanner is actually 4 months, but a wise friend told me to do 3 month later). Tanner is normally a very happy baby, but Saturday he woke up on the wrong side of the crib. I knew at 6:00am pictures at 10:00am were going to be difficult. Tanner did okay, was a bit crabby but toughed it out. I didn't know if we were going to get any good pictures until Chip sent me 10 of his favorites on facebook Sunday morning and told me that we will probably have 50 good pictures. Amazing!!! Can't imagine what we would have gotten if Tanner was in a good mood. (Pictures to follow, or go on facebook to see the 10 favorites)

So the week ended and we made it through another week, barely!!!

Oh what a Week!!!

This week started with Tanner in a closet at Nonnie's house. We had some horrible storms come through. When I told Nonnie to put a helmet on him this is what she did. I believe this is Pop's bike helmet. Everything came out okay, and Nonnie even said Tanner laughed while they were in the closet waiting for the horrible storm to pass.

I was super Aunt this week as well. I had to pick up Emilie on Monday because they had no after-care because no electricity and then another day during the week I had to pick Scott up because Shan was stuck in traffic. Thank goodness Ms. Shannon was home to watch Tanner so I didn't have to take him in the school, so on Saturday Chris and I had to go to a party and Aunt Keri, Uncle Shan, Emilie and Scott babysat (they owed me), I think he was good, but no one will tell me the truth.

On Sunday, Tanner went to his first sporting event (even though Chris didn't want him too) Emilie's soccer tournament. It was really hot, but Tanner did awesome as did his cousin Emilie. The girls on the team really took a liking to him and I think he was their good luck charm as they won!!!

Week 2 Complete

I don't plan on doing an update of each week but week 2 of me at work is done and we are getting ready for the next week. Tanner did great again at both grandparents. I think that they are really enjoying having the little man around. Apparently some grandparents are even doing cheers for the little man (MiMi) and making the other grandparent (DenDen) a little jealous that he doesn't get cheered to. We are so blessed that Tanner gets to stay with family and doesn't have to do daycare. He has had a little stomach bug this week, not really sure what is wrong, but the diaper pail is being filled to put it nicely. Otherwise he is very happy. The greatest thing is that you can see his little mind really thinking and wanting to do things. He really wants to grab things and you can see his little mind thinking how to get them, soon I tell him you will reach it soon. Below is the picture of the week, this is an outfit that my boss and his wife got Tanner. I was just happy that he was able to wear it. Will update next weekend or sooner if Tanner does something amazing!!!

Weekend Catch-up

Since last week was my first week back at work I didn't get much done around the house or much sleep, so this weekend we just played catch-up on everything. We did laundry and we caught up on sleep. Not too exciting but we spent the whole weekend together as a family. Chris did have to take some pictures of Tanner since he finally was able to fit into his Colts outfit, so we took this picture to send to someone Chris works with. Apparently he must be a Cowboys fan and well we aren't. Until next week.

Hump Day Update

For the first week away from my little monkey I have to say that I am doing pretty good and so is he. Having people who truly love him and care about him watching him has made a huge difference. The one thing that has started catching up with me is the lack of sleep. Believe it or not I was getting more sleep staying home with Tanner than working. I am missing my afternoon nap. Tanner has had an awesome week. Yes Monday started off a little rough for both of us, but Tuesday went so well (Chris was able to hang out for a little bit with his parents which was a huge help) and Tuesday night cousin Taylor spent the night and was a huge help while Chris had to work late. On Wednesday, Tanner was with Nonnie and Taylor again and had a great day, apparently they went shopping and he is quite the shopper. Wednesday night was a quiet night, as Chris and I were both exhausted.

1st Day Back

Today was the dreaded first day back at work, and I would like to say I didn't cry. Not because I wasn't sad, because I was, but because I was glad that it was here and going to be over with. Poor little guy though had a rough day, didn't sleep very well so when I got home he was exhausted and all he wanted to do was sleep. I know it will take time and he will get used to it, not sure if I ever will though.

A Busy Day with a trip to Hohenwald

Today was a busy day for our family, we started the morning bright and early and then Tanner and I fell asleep for a 2 hour nap (love cuddling with my little monkey). We then got up and took Tanner to Hohenwald to visit his Great Grandpa (Slick) and Great Grandma Shirley (Granny). They haven't seen Tanner since Christmas when he was 5 lbs and 3 oz and now he has to be over 10 lbs. It took Tanner awhile to warm up to everyone but by the time we left he had once again stole their hearts. We then came home and got everything ready for Tanner's first full day with Nonnie and my first day back at work. Then it was bath time and bed time. What a great day!!!

The Not so great picture day

So today we decided to get pictures of the cousins, there are 4 total: 2 teenage girls (Taylor and Emilie), 1 antsy boy (Scott), and 1 baby (Tanner). How big families get great looking pictures I will never know, because we maybe got 4 okay pictures. In order to get happy Tanner we waited till after he ate. So Taylor fed him his bottle. We then put on the overalls and went outside. He was a very happy baby until.... we got him in the sunlight. Tanner is a lot like his father in more ways than just looking like him, he hates to be out in the sun without his glasses and you can't get a good picture with glasses. So we took all the kids to a shady spot and told the 3 older children stay looking at the camera and smiling because once we get Tanner smiling we can't worry about you. The picture below is what most of the pictures turned out like. We did end up getting a few okay pictures. Chris and I wanted to get family pictures but Tanner had enough so we went inside to calm the little one down and of course he was happy as a clam once he got on the floor inside, go figure.