Gratitude

Dear Tanner David:

You were born two years ago today.  You have constantly made my heart melt ever since.

In the first year of your life you were a terrible sleeper.  Sometimes I would bounce you and sing to you with the hope that you would calm down while all the world slept.  When I felt myself getting frustrated, I would remind myself, "He's so small.  I'm going to miss this someday.  Please don't be upset with him.  You will one day miss these opportunities to comfort him."

You are a much better sleeper now.  And I already miss those evenings of comforting you.  In those rare instances when you wake up in the night, I consider it a privilege to comfort you.  Because already it happens less, and I feel this stage is almost gone forever.

Thank you for reminding me about how cool it is to be a little boy.  One of my favorite routines is coming home from work and taking you to the park.  I love to follow you around and observing in your face the exhilaration of a simple playground and wide open spaces to run.

Finally, a personal indulgence: thank you for surprising me.  You see, before you came along I was already smitten with your mom.  She was - and continues to be - a very hot woman.  I didn't think I could be any more enchanted with her than I already was.  Yet as she reads you stories, plays with you, lets you help cook, I watch her as a mother and feel an increased appreciation and affection for her than I previously imagined possible.

Happy Birthday, Tanner-doodle!

Love,

Lowell Douglas (aka "Dah!")

I'm in the Army Now

For quite a while Tanner has been obsessed with my Dad's Army hat (Dad, Is there a better term for it than that?  Your uniform hat, maybe...who knows?). At every chance he gets, Tanner steals the hat and is very pleased with himself. So naturally when my dad dropped us off at the airport on his way to work, Tanner claimed the hat and was quite distraught when the hat was reclaimed by its rightful owner as we headed to the security checkpoint. 

My dad concocted a solution. Upon our return my dad greeted Tanner with an Army hat of his very own.  Tanner was even made an honorary "Major."  The only drawback - due to Tanner's humongous head - the smallest adult size, which my dad was sure would fit - was WAY too small.  Luckily an exchange was possible and now Tanner has an Army hat of his very own.

He loves to wear it, unfortunately he also loves to be shy and hide from the camera.

Dodging the camera "bullet"

Is it safe to leave cover?

Darn it, I guess she isn't giving up...I can give her one quick smile.

Every good soldier not only needs a hat, he also needs to master the art of marching.  Tanner is no exception and has been practicing with his Grandma D.  (Please excuse the mess that is my house, we had just gotten back from CA and I had laundry hanging all over, not to mention I was holding Spencer so the filming is not top notch.)

 

And that my friends, is the tale of my little soldier.

 

Four Months

Little (or, ehm not-so-little) Spencer is growing too quickly.  A couple days after we got back from California he was officially 4 months old.  At his doctor appointment he weighed in at 19lb 3oz and 24 1/2 inches long. Oh, and his head is still officially off the charts.

His 4th month was a busy one with traveling to CA and all the firsts that entailed.  He loves looking at lights and things hanging above him. He has the cutest belly laugh, and usually reserves it just for me.  I know the "sweet spot" to tickle...the joys of being a mom.  He is usually smiling, unless someone other than his mom is holding him.  In fact, he is quite attached to me.  Makes for lots of snuggle times.  We did learn that he sleeps better with music playing throughout the night.  We are now serenaded with "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" songs on a nightly basis.  Reaching and grabbing are his special skills - I am amazed at some of the things he grabs. 

I need my baby to slow down in his growing up. 

Just in case you were wondering...

Spencer - 3 1/2 months

Tanner - 4 months

While there are some MINOR similarities.  No, they do not really look like each other.  Spencer takes after Lowell and Tanner takes after me.

Balboa

No trip to California would be complete without a stop at the beach.  Typically when Lowell and I have gone, we end up at Newport...free parking and a long walk across the sand.  At the suggestion of Matt, Lowell's brother, we opted to try Balboa this time.  Super close to Newport...yet different.   We LOVED IT!  Plus, we didn't have to trek far across the sand to get to the beach. 
Tanner of course loves the ocean.  That boy has been to the beach more in his almost 2-years of life than I had in my first 22 years.  Lately, Tanner has loved kites so of course, we took one to the beach and he loved helping his dad and watching it fly high in the air.  I liked watching Lowell inadvertently make the kite fall on a lady who really needed more swimsuit coverage (and I promise, it was an accident).  Sadly, it was a little cold that day, so Spencer didn't get in the water, but he seemed to enjoy himself well enough in the baby carrier.

In awe of the ocean

Oops!

More interested in the kite than a picture!

So Excited

Proof Spencer and I exist

Watching the waves roll in

Boo!

As the waves would roll in, they left behind foam on the sand.  Tanner loved stopping on it...then he got a little adventurous and went further into the water.  While running from a wave he tripped and got covered by the wave, Lowell was right there to help him up, but after that he was a little scarred from the water and lost interest in the beach.  Luckily, because Balboa is an awesome beach, they have a children's playground right there on the sand and Tanner took full advantage while Allison and Brant enjoyed more time at the beach.

Stomping on the foam

Not so sure what to think after getting trampled by a wave

Lovin' the slide

After the beach we walked around the shops and headed to Balboa Island to get Balboa bars and a yummy Hippo Cookie for Tanner.

The view to Balboa Island

Family Shot

On the way home we had to swing by the Newport Beach Temple.  The boys were sleeping (or close to it in the car) so we just took a quick picture.  Lowell took my to the Newport Beach Temple grounds on our first trip to California and we have managed to swing by a few times since. 

2012

First Trip - 2006

2007

When we got home from the day's activities it was time to pack up for our flights the next morning, but not before the boys spent more time with their grandparents.

A mischievous little boy who doesn't look at the camera

The next morning after some flight delays and one more trip to In-n-out that was possible because of the flight delays we headed home.  Spencer did well on the return flights.  Tanner struggled.  The delays pushed us back into his nap time and he was already sleep deprived from the week's activities.  However, we survived and were greeted at the airport by my dad.  Good to be home.
Thank you Doug & Peggy for such a fun trip.  See you in November!

Spencer's Blessing

Because we like to be difficult...or ehm, include family, neither of our boys have been blessed in our home wards.  Tanner got to fly from Philadelphia to Boise and was blessed at my parents' house.  So with Spencer, we thought it fitting to fly him to California and bless him at Lowell's parents' house.

On April 29th that is exactly what we did.  Spencer looked adorable in his outfit made by yours truly (I am pretty proud of it, there was minimal intervention from my mom - which is impressive.  I actually read and followed the pattern...okay enough about the outfit.)  My well-mannered baby screamed through his whole blessing, nonetheless Lowell gave a very nice blessing and it was a great experience.   I am so grateful for a husband who holds the priesthood and is able to exercise it for our family.  And I am so grateful for my little Spencer who brings such light and joy to our lives.

What most family pictures look like...please note Spencer's calm face

A semi-decent one

The Circle: Uncle Warren, Bishop W., Uncle Owen, Spencer, Lowell, Grandpa S., and Brant L.

The Cute Boy...he was not very interested in posing for the camera and kept arching his back trying to move

Party at the Park

Saturday in California was a party at a local park.  The kids played, the adults talked...and then it was time for cake.  Savannah turned 2 in April and Tanner turns 2 the end of May, add to that Uncle Matt's birthday and it was a celebration.  Peggy ordered the cake from a lady in her ward and since she didn't know what to request, she ordered a Cars cake for Tanner.  Super cute!

Lightening McQueen

LOVE Gloriana's Face

Cousins: Tanner, Savannah, Gloriana, and Lily (After a late night at Disney Tanner had hit is breaking point and went home to a nice long nap right after eating the cake.)

The Happiest Place on Earth

 On Friday we ventured to Disneyland and California Adventure.  We had told ourselves we would never take such young children, but when your husband is from Southern California and has hookups, sometimes you change your mind.  We are so glad too!  We were on the move all day and had a blast.

We went with Allison, her boyfriend Brant, Lowell's parents, and our niece Savannah (a month older than Tanner).

Super Lowell

Waiting to get in the park

Admiring the view of the soon-to-open Cars Land

Tanner is obsessed with CARS.  He loves Lightening and Mater.  I was so excited to take him to California Adventure so he could get a picture with the full-size Lightening McQueen.  Unfortunately it was not to be.  Because CARSLand is opening next month the full size Lightening has been moved and will be relocated.  We had to settle for the Cars exhibit and overlooking construction on the new Radiator Springs that will soon be open in California Adventure.

In the CARS exhibit talking about the new CARSLand opening next month.

Onto the hookups for Disney - Matt's friend Meloney is a performer for Disney and without her we wouldn't have been able to go.  She is amazing!  Of course we had to take a moment and watch her show that day with Minnie's Fly Girls.

Meloney is the one in the middle.  She rocks.

Tanner was not a fan of the Bug's Life 3D Show and we left the room with him screaming.  He enjoyed the rides much more.

First ride of the day.  A little unsure, but he warmed up.

Dad, Tanner, Grandpa S., and cousin Savannah

After the Bug's Life area and a quick ride the Monstropolis we headed over to Disneyland.

It's a Small World - Happily waiting in line.

Spencer decided to get in on the action.

About this point my camera started acting funny and kept turning off so pictures of the rest of the day are limited.  I was able to figure out how to use it for the rest of the trip, but it is now at the Nikon repair facility undergoing lens repairs.  :(

After a while Lowell's parents were tired and headed home with Savannah.  However we wanted to do a few more things.  Lowell and I took turns on Space Mountain and Tanner finally konked out for a nap.  He woke up very refreshed and we decided to conquer the world...or uhem stay until the fireworks because I had never seen them. 

Tanner passed out in the stroller, I have no idea why this picture is sideways nor how to turn it around.

We passed time eating a quick dinner and riding the Buzz Lightyear ride multiple times.  Tanner LOVED that ride.

My Handsome Family (I have to say handsome - I am outnumbered by the men in a big way)

Spencer passed out in the baby carrier so I put on my nursing cover to help keep him asleep while waiting.

Tanner trying to pick a snack while waiting

After the fireworks (which were AWESOME) we made a beeline for the car.  Leaving the park Lowell was carrying Tanner and I was behind them.  Tanner was just looking back down Main Street in awe (as Stephanie says "His mind had just been blown").  That face made the whole day worth it.