11 Months and Merry Christmas Week

OH SO SERIOUS

This Month has been a huge blur. I'd like to say we are fully adjusted to our new Oregonian surroundings but that's not true. We do have some good grounded people that live near and around us, and we have managed to make some friends. But I think it logical to say it's still not quite home yet, but it will get there. Mason still asks about his Wyoming friends frequently and every once in a while he wonders what our old house is up to.

The ice storms that pushed through here left a lot of people without power. Our lights flickered for a few days, but it felt similar to those extra windy Sheridan days.  The snow on the ground felt like it was sent here just for us. We ran out an played in it, with Mason begging for there to be enough for an ice snowman. We managed to make one that was almost two inches tall, but it melted before we could find it arms.

Now the point of this post, Tanner. Our lovable, strong and impressive boy. This kid is solid. I said the word chunky the other day and I realized that word no longer fits him. I held an actual chunky baby in one arm and Tanner in the other and though the chunky baby had more rolls and was technically bigger, Tanner was still several pounds heavier. Thus, this boy is solid. And He's come a long was in such a short time.

At the beginning of his 10th month he had just taken his first steps. Now he's speed walking through the kitchen because mom forgot to put up the baby gate and he might a chance at the stairs. Thankfully I catch him before he gets two steps up, but he is getting faster by the day. I must be more careful.

His variety of facial expressions has taken on a few new ones but the oldies are still my favorite.

Cupboards. No cupboard is safe. Hasn't been for sometime but apparently his favorite one is the one with rice cooker in it. It makes the best sound being pulled from the shelf onto the kitchen floor.

Hogans Heroes. Tanner dances to the theme song of Hogan's Heroes. He also stops what he's doing and watches it, if its on.

Nursery. No he's not old enough to go into nursery. But he won't let me sit through Relief Society. So we slip into the nursery and practice sitting through there small lesson, we eat snack with them, And play games, and sing songs with the other nursery kids. It helps. Last Sunday he sat through the whole lesson on my lap. So there is hope for the future.

Warmed up to the missionaries. At least one missionary. We have a young man from Utah who is from a very large family so has that face and personality that young kids gravitate towards. At first Tanner would stare him down. Tanner can win a staring contest when he's focused. And in the beginning he had decided he wouldn't smile no matter what tricks this Elder tried. Two days ago, however Tanner decided he loved this Elder. The smiles, the giggling, I'm pretty sure he's becoming more social.

Food. Tanner loves Enchiladas. Anything with cheese. Hot Sausage. Yogurt. Oatmeal. Bananas, any kind of noodles, and he decided a few weeks ago it can no longer be pureed. It has to be right off mom or dad's plate in its original form.

More teeth. No none that have broken through but this kids poor mouth is tender and swollen. There are teeth trying to grown beneath those little gums and I feel for him.

Hence the biting. This boy still bites everything. He'll give you the best, tightest hug and bury his face right into your shoulder and then BITE! Those sharp little teeth clamp down on your shoulder. It kills!

Santa: Sadly we didn't get any pictures of Mason with Santa this year. Apparently Santa got tripped up by one of the reign deer and couldn't have anyone sit on his lap this year, which was fine 'cause Tanner didn't have any interest in the idea. We got closer and Tanner gave me that blank stare which translated as 'seriously mom? this ain't gonna happen.'

Christmas Tree: Tanner likes the tree. He often pulls off the ornaments and chews on them, the decorations have steadily gravitated north on the tree and we have redecorated several times. Mason often pulls him off the tree, he's a great big brother. In his own words he's worried Tanner will get "Frazzled" if he tries to eat the lights.

Best Buds. Mason is Tanners best bud. He chases his brother. Plays with all the toys Mason plays with. They play awesome together.

His voice. He wants to talk so much. I can't wait to hear him speak. I can already imagine his sweet little voice, I'm sure it will match that excited squeal he currently has.

We're headed to the one year mark of life with Tanner and We love it! He's a Momma's boy, a daddy's boy and big brothers best bud. He's growing quickly. He's Healthy. Happy. Adventurous and a smarty pants.

This is our family and we are loving life.