Family Pictures

Here are a few more family pictures from this fall.

Credit to Alaina Dooley Photography

11 Months!

Weight: 25 pounds

Height: 32 inches
Not much growth this month.

Clothing Size: Pretty much 18-24 months in everything. Some 12 month pants still work.
 
Daily Schedule: Same as last month for the most part. I wake him up when Ashton wakes up around 7:30/8. Then he naps from 10-11:30ish most days and then again from 2:30-4/4:30. Then bedtime is around 8:30/9.

Personality: I love Tanner. He is such a chill, go-with-the flow kid. He rarely puts up a fight for too long unless Ashton is stopping him from doing something. He smiles at almost everyone. He must be moving at all times. Enjoys playing games with Ashton as long as she goes at his pace.

Firsts: He walks all the time now. He's super close to "Mama." Right now he just says, "mamamamama" until I pick him up. Oh and I guess a first would be no more nursing! Hooray! We're done!

Favorites: 

Meal: Pizza. This kid can demolish a few slices of pizza in a sitting. He also likes waffles and bananas.

Time of day: Anything outside or with water. He loves bathtime and playing outside.

Toy: Anything of Ashton's. He likes playing with these laptop things at Ashton's speech facility. They have some toys in a playroom and he always goes for that toy. Most of the time, you can find him holding a ball from the ball pit as well.

Tanner's a climber. He climbs to the top of our playground slide and the steps on the other side. We have a feeling he won't last long in his crib.

"Helping" hang Christmas lights.

Playing in a jumphouse at the Festival of Lights

I couldn't help but take this picture. He was amazed at the TV.

Thanksgiving 2016

Here's some pictures of our Thanksgiving festivities this year.

Went to the local carnival and these two cute kids rode the rides.

She was really tired one day and fell asleep around 10am. Of course, she woke right up when I mentioned a trip to Target.

He loved the Festival of Lights parade.

Went to the library and there was a real turkey there. Ashton and Tanner loved it!

Thanksgiving turkey

Thanksgiving night, we went up to the Houston Zoo for their Christmas lights. Ashton enjoyed it.

Two helpers to decorate.

Enjoying freedom at the park

10 months old!

Weight: 25 pounds

Height: 32 inches

Clothing Size: Pretty much 18-24 months in everything. Some 12 month pants still work.
 
Daily Schedule: Same as last month for the most part. Except when he's getting his top two teeth. Tanner's been really tired lately due to that.

Personality: We see a little bit more jealousy in Tanner this past month. He is much more aware of what Ashton is playing with and wants it immediately. If Ashton goes outside, he must go too without any delay. He tries so hard to play like a big kid. He still doesn't show much separation or stranger anxiety. We go to the rec center most days and he plays happily there.

Firsts: This last month was HUGE for firsts! First time taking some steps! He loves doing it but will only take 1-4 steps and then he's done. He also can now stand up on his own from sitting. He used to just stand by letting go of furniture/people. But now he can stand up from the floor. And he gives high fives. One of his favorite things to do. He also discovered how to clap the other day. It's really cute to see him try to remember how to do it. Lastly, we see the start of some words coming. If he is sad or upset, he will make the "mmmm" sound. Then when he's happy, he says, "day, day, day." I recall Ashton saying "D" sounds when she was happy and "m" when she was sad. From a child development point of view, I think it is the start of Dada for fun and Mama for comfort.

Favorites: 

Meal: Anything offered in a pouch. We purchased reusable pouches so I can just dump the container of baby food in it. He eats this much faster and hates being spoon fed. He doesn't really do finger food very often. He'll eat a few bites but then prefers the pouch. He will pack down tortellini though if we have that for dinner.

Time of day: Anything outside or with water. He loves bathtime and playing outside.

Toy: This little kid's meal toy that Ashton got last year. I think it's broken so every time Tanner drops it on the floor, it makes noise. He thinks it is hilarious. His second favorite would be the computer keyboard. We're seriously considering picking one up for cheap at Goodwill for his Christmas present. What else does he need?!?

So happy to have discovered how to clap.

What big sisters are for!

He will chase the waves at the beach all day if we let him.

Alabama Trip

My step-sister, Rindy, graduated from college in Alabama. My parents and my step-sister's family planned to come down for the graduation ceremonies. Since it is only a 8.5 hour drive plus Joseph's grandparents live in Alabama, we decided to head over for the week. It was nice to have a family vacation with Joseph for once. Over the summer, we went to Wisconsin twice but he couldn't join us. Vacations are much nicer when both parents are there! Right before we left, my parents had some RV/vehicle problems so they didn't make it. It was still a wonderful time with cousins and family.

We split the drive into two days on the way there. We stopped in Baton Rouge and went to the zoo there. Joseph met up with an old friend at night to watch Monday Night Football so he was happy.

 

The kids did well in the car. Ashton loved her new headphones. It was a way to keep her quiet during Tanner's naps.

Tuesday afternoon to Friday, we stayed in Gulf Shores, AL. We rented a beach house, which was perfect for the family! Everyone had their own room/area so that was wonderful!The kids did well on the trip. Ashton was so excited for a road trip because she had no clue what it meant. She made it almost to the end of our driveway before asking if we were there yet.

Wednesday, we went to the beach across the street from our place. After lunch, we went on a dolphin cruise in the gulf. Ashton enjoyed seeing the dolphins swim around. That night, we celebrated Joe's birthday with his favorite meal, tacos.

They made the kids wear lifejackets on the dolphin cruise. Tanner was not impressed. Thankfully after about 10 minutes of him struggling to fall asleep during the cruise, the captain said I could take it off. Then he fell asleep.

Ashton thought we were playing hide and seek with the dolphins.

Thursday morning, Ashton and I went mini-golfing for the first time. She enjoyed it a lot. That afternoon, we went swimming and then went to the open house/social for Rindy's school.

Friday, we watched our nephew while Rindy graduated. Joseph took Ashton and him to a cool park while Tanner slept at the house. After lunch, we headed north to see Joe's grandparents. His parents were there as well for their visit.

Friday afternoon was spent picking pecans and having a family dinner at one grandparent's home. Saturday morning, we visited the other side of the family and took the kids to the family farm. Ashton enjoyed petting the cows and dogs as well as picking up chicken eggs. I sometimes wish we had a big farm to take the kids to. So much exploration and learning happens there! Then we had a picnic lunch at a park with family.

A cute dress we found in Gulf Shores.

After playing with family at the park, we headed back home Saturday afternoon and drove straight back. We made the 8.5 hour drive with only one stop for dinner! The kids did really well on the road trip. I still prefer to fly but driving went well. Thankfully we won't be going on any long road trips anytime soon.

Halloween 2016

Now that we have two kids, I thought theme costumes would be great this year. We love Eric Carle's book about the very hungry caterpillar and the beautiful butterfly. Since Tanner is crawling, the caterpillar costume was perfect for him. And Ashton loved the idea of being a butterfly. Ashton enjoyed the trunk or treat at church and is asking every three seconds for candy...

Ashton's costume has wire hangers to help hold it up/in place. It was a bit heavier than I wanted but she managed. Tanner didn't mind crawling around with the green thing on. He didn't love the hat so I only made one to share between the two kids.

I'm already thinking of next year. Any thoughts on cute, coordinating costumes?

Free Night at Fair

We've manged to make it to the county fair the past three years. There is a free night each year and since it normally costs $15 per person, we take advantage of this. We've discovered that the fair is getting more expensive each year we've gone. Our first year, we spent a few bucks to buy the food to feed the animals. Last year, Ashton got a 5 dollar pony ride. This year, she instantly saw the fair rides and wanted to ride a few. Since we really don't do many activities that cost money, we caved in and let her ride some. She had a blast and can't wait to go back next year. Joseph has lots of great memories from his hometown fair so I am sure we will create some memories in the upcoming years.

Before heading out, Tanner showed off his popular pose. He wasn't too sure about these shoes. First time wearing anything on his feet.

After my dad's and brother-in-law's motorcycle accidents, I doubt Ashton will ever ride a real motorcycle. But she sure enjoyed pretending!

He loves pulling hair so riding on shoulders is one of his favorites.

This girl! I love her!

Hugging all the animals

She figured out she had to carry the food above her head to avoid the animals from helping themselves.