Tanner Rolls over and helps with Christmas

For Tanner's first Christmas, Tyler and I decided this year to go to build-a-bear and build a special friend for Tanner's gift. We figured the grandparents will probably give him everything his heart could desire and spoil him rotten so we wanted to do something different and special. So here is Tanner meeting his new friend Cash. Cash sings him his favorite lullaby and has a heart inside with a special wish from dad and mom inside.



Tanner helped me wrap Christmas presents today. He was very content to sit in the chair and talk to me while I did most the work.

While Tanner and I were attempting to have tummy time he decided to do his own thing. We have known since day one that he has his own agenda and schedule but today he surprised us by rolling over for the first time. Here is a video of him doing it for the third time. I didn't have the camera ready for the first...he kind of caught me off guard. Enjoy!

Decorating for Christmas

Decorating for Christmas this year definately took me a little bit longer. I did as much as I could during the day and then we set aside one night to tackle decorating the tree. Tanner's "baby's first Christmas" ornament from great grandma and grandpa Tolstrup went on the tree first. Daddy helped him hang it in just the right spot. After hanging his ornament, Tanner decided to just supervise the rest of the evening from his swing. Sosa and Callie decided they needed to be in the pictures with us and then they sided with Tanner and supervised from their beds. The rest of the decorating was left up to Tyler, Troy and I (they even wore matching sweatshirts for the occassion). After a fun evening of cookies, Christmas music and laughter our tree was finally decorated and looks amazing.





This ornaments gets a special place on our Christmas tree every year. It is the ornament in memory of my brother Matt. The ornament reads "I love you all dearly, now don't shed a tear, I'm spending my Christmas with Jesus this year". There is an entire poem that goes with it that I read every year when I hang the ornament. I can't wait for Tanner to get old enough for me to tell him all about his amazing uncle that is looking out for him from Heaven.

Photo Shoot

We decided to take some photos for Tanner's baby announcement...which will be coming soon. Here are some of the out-takes...


Our family.My close up...

I tried to fit them both in my mouth...Daddy was not impressed.

Just haning out...

Firsts...

Tyler fed Tanner for the first time with a bottle the other night. He took to it fairly well and so far it hasn't messed with the progress we have made with breastfeeding. It puts my mind at peace knowing Tyler will be able to feed once I go back to work.

We also tried out our bumbo seat for the first time. Tanner was very captivated by what was taking place outside and liked sitting in the seat. He doesn't hold his head up consistently enough to be able to use it alot but it was fun investigating it. When he chose to not be strong he looked like a little old man in the chair (see bottom picture). We can't wait to have more first as Tanner grows up!

Motherhood and Motorcycles

Tanner's first, but definately not the last, time sitting on a motorcycle. Since I can't ride my bike with Tanner in a front pack and I don't have a side car we decided it was time to sell the bike. (It's a good thing I know someone with extras that I can ride) Tanner not only posed on the bike for pictures but fell asleep in the front pack, on the motorcycle while I was getting it warmed up before a buyer came to look at it. I definately think he will enjoy riding when he gets older.

First Thanksgiving

Our first Thanksgiving as a family was very busy. We began our day by putting Tyler on a bus to Montana for a basketball trip. Then Tanner and I came home to cook a green bean casserole for our Thanksgiving meal with Grandma Carole's side of the family. Tanner slept through most of the meal which allowed me to eat. Then we went with Auntie Molly and Uncle Gordon to visit Grandpa Bruce's side of the family for the first time. By the time we got both of us were wiped and we spent the next two days cuddling at home recovering. Grandma Mary bought me my cute shirt to wear for the event.

I forgot...

I guess I never posted the picture we took of him when we first brought him home. Now you have something to compare the other blog picture and post to and my comment of how much he has changed might make a little more sense.

One month old

It is amazing to me that Tanner has already been apart of our family for an entire month. Daily we thank God for our beautiful miracle and are blessed to experience true love everyday. Looking at the first picture taken in our chair and the one I just took, so much has changed. Everyone warned me to enjoy this time because it would go by quickly and now I understand what they were taking about. Below are some other pictures we took!

Grandpa Mike this one is for you! Tanner and his first motorcycle helmet. If you ask me he seemed completely comfortable in it so I am sure if given the opportunity he will ride quads and motorcycles just like his Uncle Matt did.

Daily I get to enjoy these quizzical looks from my son. Sometimes I really wonder what he could be thinking about so deeply.

Today when dressing my son I decided to try a 3 month sleep and play. To my surprise and some sadness...it fit. Especially length wise when he stretches his feet reach the bottom and it isn't all that big around the middle either. Can our son really be growing this fast?

More pictures from our visit up North

My cousin Brady.

Grandma Mary was very excited to have us close to her for an entire weekend.

Mom's friend Raeann. I can't wait till I'm big enough to play with her two kids.

Auntie Lisa and my cousins Caden and Alexa.

Auntie Lori and my cousin Lindsey.

My First Trip Up North

Last week we took our first road trip up North. The car ride went great as Tanner slept when we weren't stopped to eat. Once we arrived the meeting and greeting began. We calculated that Tanner met close to 50 people in one weekend and managed it pretty well. Here are pictures of all the great family and friends that Tanner finally met. The picture above is Tanner's cousin Cassidy. She was great at sharing her horse Lulu for short amounts of time.




We finally met Nayeli who is just six weeks older than Tanner. It is pretty cool to go through this adventure of motherhood with one of my oldest and closest friends and have our kids so close in age.

Tanner finally met Grandpa Mike.

Tanner and Great Grandpa Katzenmeier. We spent the whole weekend at his house and were able to spend lots of time with him.

Halloween

We spent our first Halloween as a family watching the Oregon Ducks play USC over at our friend's house. We decided to dress in all our Oregon Ducks gear and go as Ducks Fans. Tanner was dressed as a frog so that he was still in the Duck's colors. The top picture is all the boys together(Matt, Tyler, Tanner, and Brian) and the next one the girls(Katie and Me) with Tanner.


Tanner's adorable frog costume. All the excitement from the game wore him out. He didn't get to collect or eat any candy but the boys ate enough out of the candy we were suppose to be handing out for him.

Tanner Matthew

Tanner Matthew has blessed us with his presence~ 8 lbs 4 oz. 22.25 inches long. He was born at 5:52pm Tuesday night and we made it home as a family Thursday afternoon. We feel so blessed to have such a precious gift from God and that he chose us to care for His child. Even though I had to be induced I couldn't have asked for an easier delivery. My body apparently just needed a bit of a kick start...with a little assistance I progressed quickly and after pushing for an hour our new adventure began. Here are a few photos to keep everyone happy until I can add the others.

This was taken the first night he was home. The two boys in my life are already alike in so many ways. I am truly blessed!

40 week update

If having a baby wasn't enough...we have had lots of excitement around our household. First we had a water leak in our driveway so they had to cut out the pavement, find the leak, and then fix the pipe. Our driveway has been torn up for about 2 weeks now. Today the wonderful sight of the asphalt workers graced my front window. Our driveway is getting repaired! A few weeks ago we were also notified that our renters were moving out of our rental house. So this week we have been cleaning walls and carpets trying to get the house ready for the new renters this weekend. Tonight we have a wonderful crew of friends that have volunteered to come help us finish up the final projects. Trying to get all this done with a baby due at any time...talk about a deadline.
So now for the information you really care about... baby Toney. Tyler and I have decided that he is just too comfortable to want to come out. At our last doctor's appointment we decided that if nothing happens by next Monday night that we will induce. That means that sometime in the next 5 days we will get to meet our blessing from God and begin our adventure as a family. Knowingthat there is a light at the end of the tunnel and a plan in place is comforting. Thank you for all the prayers and concerns, we feel very blessed to have such a support group of friends and family. We will keep you updated if anything happens before Monday!

Just waiting...

Here is the latest belly picture. This was taken at 38 and a half weeks. The doctor says that everything looks great and to keep doing what we are doing. We are now just patiently waiting to meet our baby boy.

With a little help the shelf is up, straight, and sturdy.

The crib and changing table are ready to be put to good use.

We are so grateful for the hard work my mom put into the curtain. It was not as easy as the pattern advertised but she stuck with it and it works great. With a little creativity, $2.99 bed sheets, and a collaborative group effort the window finally has curtains. Sosa decided he didn't want to be left out of the picture.

Pregnancy Photos

We decided to document this exciting time in our lives by snapping a few pregnancy photos. Our friend Katie volunteered to work behind the camera and her parents graciously allowed us to use their home and beautiful backyard. Here is a preview of a few...

Baby Shower #3-Tyler's Family

Last Sunday Tyler's sister, mom, and Aunt hosted the third and final baby shower. The day was filled with delicious food, guessing the amount of candy corns in a bottle, and wonderful gifts. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and feel blessed to have so much love and support.

Here is Tyler's Aunt Kristi, Great Aunt Judy and Grandma Reitha.

Here's me opening one of the many gifts our baby received. Thanks again for all the wonderful gifts!