We love cousins!!!

After 18 months my mom and dad are headed home from serving their mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Sydney Australia! We couldn't let them get off the plane without us, so the littles and I jumped in the car and headed up to Washington to be a part of this monumental moment. Now after a weekend of fun and games and hours before we were going to meet our missionaries at the airport there plane was cancelled and now we must wait another day before seeing them.

😱 Noooooo!!!

But thats okay. Because we Love our cousins. So heres some more impromptu fun.

Simple things

Clouds in the sky and the sun peaked out.

So out we went to explore. So see. To feel.

To taste. (Eww)

To run. To chase.

To glide.

to fall.

This us. Enjoying our simple day.

8 Months (and 3rd haircut)

Many pictures. They were spontaneous and boy did this boy not care at all about what was happening. Any smile we got out of him was a miracle! Ask Mason he did everything he could think of and Tanner hardly flinched. I was laughing hysterically though. Mason was on a silly roller coaster. But that just proves Tanner has his own personality and I actually adore how serious he can be. It makes those moments when he laughs and giggles so much brighter. 

Tanner has figured out how to crawl. 

Tanner has also figured out how to pull himself up onto his feet. And often startles mommy with the locations which he decides to do so. Such as using a wobbly toy that hits him in the face several times before he succeeds. The box fan, which is no longer on the floor. Or the desk chair, which has also hit in him the head several times. He's an active boy, I'm trying to brace myself for the bruises.

Tanner has two and almost a half teeth. That top tooth is killing me SMALLS! Seriously. It appeared and disappeared and it's appearing again. In my opinion teeth should not play peek'a'boo, that's just rude. And poor Tanner hasn't had a normal nights sleep in weeks because of it.

Tanner loves to say "da-da-da-da" especially right in the middle of sacrament meeting. 

Tanner loves that Mason goes to preschool. He wakes up from his nap and is thrilled to have Mommy all to himself. It is amazing how he changes in that moment. It's so much fun too.

Tanner loves to tackle Mason. Especially if Mason is not paying attention, Tanner will attack. It's so much fun to watch.

Tanner loves to tackle Daddy. I thought Mason was a tank but I think we were wrong. Tanner has the grip and the body strength hold on and not let go. He curls up in a ball, grabs your face and throws himself into you. Tank.

Tanner is wearing 12 month clothing. I bough the 6 to 9 month clothes and realized they were tight. He's got some girth this one.

Tanner loves to dance with mommy. We dance. Mason used to love dancing with me but I can't get him to do it anymore. Tanner loves to do the swing, or waltz, as long was we're bouncing and spinning Tanner giggles. Both boys love to listen to the 40s station on pandora. Sets a nice mood for the home too.

Okay I think that's all. For now. The adventures keep piling up. Stay tuned for more. 

This is my family! We're loving life. 

Tanner's Finalization Hearing

We have been blessed with so much this past year. The greatest blessing of all is how little Tanner came into our lives. We love adoption. It is an amazing process where our Heavenly Father can build eternal families. It is a difficult process for all parties involved. And the emotional roller coaster is one that, had I not experienced it, I would not be able to imagine it. But having a strong testimony and a belief in Families makes all the downs and emotional chaos worth it. Having Tanner in our lives makes everything about our struggle to build an eternal family, worth it!

On September 8th at 9:00 Pacific Time, Tanner Keaton Parks was officially made a legal member of our family. Which makes me laugh because to us Tanner became a member of our family the day Tine placed him in our arms. But Hey the legal system has to have it's say to, and to them that day was last Thursday.

After so many prayers and fasting, we were lucky enough to be granted our petition to do the finalization hearing over the phone instead of in a Las Vegas Court Room. A huge Blessing. So we got ready, borrowed the Bishop's office at the church, had the Watson's entertain Mason and we talked to the judge over the phone.

Here's a fun fact: our Attorney was a woman, the Nevada Agency's social worker was a woman, the Wyoming Social Worker was a woman, and the judge was a woman. I'm very certain Mitch was the only male on this call. If there was another man in the room, he never said a word.

The call was short, official, and in a matter of twenty minutes everyone was agreed and papers were signed and Tanner was ours. I am grateful for everyone involved. So many people are involved in the adoption process, so many that sometimes it feels more complicated than it should be. However when it all works out, you can't help but recognize the hand of God in it.

So Family and Friends, for your prayers, your thoughts, your encouragement, and just being there for us. Thank you! Tanner is now legally a Parks, Soon he will be sealed to us for Eternity and all our dreams will have come true.

Together Forever, this is my family.

Seven Months

Mason is so proud he knew Tanner was 7 Months old before Mommy did. It came so quickly I almost forgot about this month completely. I'm glad I didn't though, so much about Tanner has changed.

What's New:

* Tooth! We have a tooth. It broke through yesterday and I'm happy to say, YAY FINALLY. Teething for Mr. TK is going to be difficult. He had a rough few weeks with his poor swollen gums and he was just unhappy and couldn't sleep. Which meant I wasn't sleeping which was horrible for everyone. We're doing better now. That little tiny tooth broke through his gums, and though we can't see it very well we sure can feel it.

* Attempts to crawl. He's up on his knees more often than I recall his big brother. Tanner very much wants to move around. He's got his eyes on Mason's toys and knows exactly which ones he's going for when he figures out how. I often find him up on his hands and knees rocking back and forth...

* Moble. He is moving though. He knows how to scoot around, usually pushing himself backwards. When on his stomach he turns in circles. He rolls everywhere. Though he doesn't necessarily have much control over which direction he ends up migrating, he still tests his limits and then yelps when he realizes he can't get back the way he wants.

* Sound effects. We are hearing all sorts of sound effects from this little guy. Lots of clicking of his tongue. Squeaks. His "pay attention to me" cough. Spitting, with his lips and also with his little tongue out. And now the wonderful sounds of Mum-mum-mum-mum and Da-da-da-da-da. oh and the Growling. Now this one fascinates me. Sometimes it comes along with his poop-face, so we know what he's doing. Other times he's just growls. I end up laughing so hard I haven't gotten it on video but it's hilarious.

* Bed Time. He's getting good at going to bed on time. His ability to sooth himself back to sleep is unpredictable. Last night was awesome, the night before that, not so good and as for tonight ... I'm praying.

* Toys. Balls, rings, cars, baby toys he loves everything but most of all he loves his brother's toys and as long as Mason is on the floor playing around him, Tanner is content hanging out with whatever is in front of him. He loves anything he can chew on and is fascinated, at the moment, with Mason's helicopters. He still absolutely loves his doorway jumper, especially when there is someone there to swing him.

* Clothes, he's in 9 month clothing. Give him a bit of room to grow but he's getting pretty long. And around 20 lbs.

* Food. He has decided he doesn't like Peas at all. He literally spits them out, in the spray fashion, when they touch his lips. Carrots are beginning to get a similar response. Still LOVES bananas, and sweet potatoes, so anything I mix with those he'll eat. However he's been eyeing the food on the table. I toss some in the blender but he knows the difference. He wants what we eat, how we eat it.

That's all for now. I really feel like it's a matter of weeks and he's going to be climbing into things and we're going to discover we are not as baby proofed as we think.

The adventures keep coming.
Thank you for following along as we experience new things.

This is my family, and we are loving life!

Bye-bye curls

I feel like I first have to explain myself. I love Tanner's hair. The curls are so loose and soft just so perfect. The most amazing thing is, his bed head looks amazing. He'll go to sleep and wake up with a little more fluff but still curls galore. Whelp it turns out the reason for that is while he's asleep the poor kid sweats like crazy. Doesn't matter if he has a blanket on him or not, if he's wearing PJ's or just a diaper, the boys curls tighten up because his head is sweating. 

The logical solution to his sweating made me sad. 

His curls are so perfect! What if I cut them and they don't come back? What if I cut it to short and I lose the blonde streak in the back of his head forever. 

He's only 6 months! What 6 month old baby really NEEDS a haircut?

Well, this one. I couldn't let him sweat like that anymore. And though both of us cried a bit with every curl that landed on the bathroom floor I think this will actually work out.

THE BEFORE PICTURES.... YES I could put it in a ponytail. 

DURING .... Because we were both oh so sad about what was happening. 

COMPLETED ... Still as handsome as ever! phew, so glad I didn't mess it up completely. 

6 Months!!

Six Months has passed since this little boy entered our lives and boy is the personality bubbling over. Tanner, who goes by several nicknames, is truly one of a kind.

Dislikes:
* Pacifiers! He hates them. I've finally given up wishing he would take one, yes it would make life so much easier but I've tried so many times and he either screams or looks at me like I shoved a toxic object into his mouth. So, since week two on this earth, he decided no pacifiers.

* Pants: This is not a joke. Though dad says it as a joke all the time, Tanner prefers to go around with no pants. It makes sitting up easier. Overalls he'll accept and the onsies that button as shorts acceptable, but I put an elastic band around his waist and that just complicates the day for him.

* Being alone: He doesn't like to be left in a room alone. If I leave the room for any reason and he discovers he's alone, he becomes unhappy. It's usually okay if big brother stays nearby.

* Car seat: I can't blame him after taking a long trip in the car to Washington, but he's never liked his car seat. It's a tough life.

* Arching his back: Okay this isn't really one of his dislikes but what he does when he doesn't like something...or just because. I guess it's more accurate to say this is one of Mommy'd dislikes. Tanner is STRONG, and he can almost fold in half backwards. He throws his head back and his feet go back until he's almost a perfect U, I'd be really impressed if I wasn't the one trying to console him or strap him in his car seat, or change his diaper. Yes all those times he makes it quite an adventure.

Indifferent:
* Water: This includes the tub, swimming, the beach,  and the splash pad. He just doesn't care one way or the other.

* Stroller rides. All he cares is that he's moving. Not that it's fun or he loves it, just keep moving.

* Mommy taking a picture! It takes a lot of work to get him to smile for the camera. He smiles easily for me other times but when the camera is out, he's already conditioned himself to not respond. Luckily he's still cute, But know if he's smiling for the camera, I had to work for it!

Likes:

* Food: He enjoys eating and, after watching everyone else chew their food, he's decided he too needs to start chewing his food. Which results in some very messy meals. But he does chew his little snacks and he loves it! No teeth yet so we're a bit limited but the chunkier the food the better, in Tanner's eyes.

* His Big brother: Tanner will definitely be able to hold his own against his big brother. Though his size might not match up, Tanner is feisty and has already shown signs he can hold his own.  When Mason gets in his face, and he doesn't want him there, Tanner has given him a look that clearly translates to, "You just wait until I get control of these hands" and then he grunts.

* Jumping: Still loves it. And now he spends an hour in there before being done. I don't know how much more my doorway will take, he's catching some real air.

* Eating his fingers: He hasn't figured out how to use them to sooth himself to sleep at night, but everywhere else, even when he's eating dinner, his fingers find his way to his mouth.

* Chewing: So his fingers, and food we've established he loves to chew but his other favorite is to chew on whoever is holding him. He prefers it over any toy you might give him. And boy when those jaws clamp down, ouch. Not looking forward to teeth.

* Using his feet: He uses his feet when playing and when drinking his bottle. He can almost hold his bottle between his feet and with his hands and drink. That'll be fun.

* His Mommy! I have a mamma's boy! I cannot tell you how happy this makes me ... actually I'm sure you can guess. Mason was a charmer. He loved being around people and if mom wasn't around he wouldn't notice but Tanner notices. He notices when I walk in a room. He hears my voice and he turns to me. I feel extra special that I can finally win over daddy most of the time. (Not all the time.)

* Daddy: We were on our trip to Washington for over a week while daddy had to stay home and work. We missed daddy, but when we got Daddy on the phone Tanner's eyes widened and he'd start talking. He knew daddy's voice and had so much to tell him.

* To be startled: Tanner thinks peek a boo is hilarious. He thinks a smiling face that jumps out and scares him, is funny.

* Dinnertime: we've mentioned he likes food but what he also loves is sitting in his highchair by the table when everyone is eating.

*Music: doesn't matter what kind, this little guy just needs a beat

New things he can do:

* Roll Over: Tanner can now roll over. He'd do it several times when no one was looking. I'd return to the room and he'd be on his back. A few times I would wonder if I had actually put him on his tummy or just imagined it. Then we saw it! He rolled over to get a ball he likes. YAY!

* Standing: We all know he has some strong legs, with how much he loves to jump in his jumper, so I'm not surprised he's already standing. Before climbing into the tub he likes to stand and watch the water fill up and now I don't have to hold him there the whole time. Just when his legs get tired.

* Rubs this eye with the backs of his hands.

* Scoots:  he doesn't realize it yet but he's already moving, mostly backwards or clockwise

We're all guessing on his weight. Mitch thinks he's 18 lbs. Mason says 20 lbs. I'm guessing he's not quit 18 probably around 17 and half. We'll see who's right at the next doctor's appointment.

According to my yard stick he's around 28 inches. He's growing and there is no stopping him.