Tanner is getting so grown up. His replies to things are just so “grown up” sometimes. Today in the car I pointed out something Ty said and Tanner replied “Ya that was so cute.” I love how his speech inflects my tones and phrases (and Daddy’s too). That is a fun thing to listen to in your children.

Good thing Tanner is “growing up” because unfortunately he has better common sense than I do sometimes. I have a feeling that my little boy is soon going to be very protective of mommy because he watches out for me all the time. The other unfortunate thing is that apparently I need it LOL. I consider myself to be a strong and dominant woman but thankfully I married a stronger and MORE dominant man. For this reason, my household is not unbalanced by my nature. I may be strong, outspoken, confrontational, full of boundaries, determined, stubborn and possess other dominant traits compared to most woman but when standing beside Jim, no one is confused about who is the boss. I always hoped that I would be able to teach my sons to be strong leaders but in truth, that isn’t an easy thing for a mommy to teach. I think Daddy has made more in roads on this. Truth be told, Jim is a wonderful example to his boys in how he treats their mom and the boys love Daddy and want to emulate him. Jim is very protective and nurturing and definitely my stronghold. How lucky I will be if both my boys take on these same traits!!!!

To name a couple of examples:

1. When we enter a restaurant, Tanner begins looking for the best place to sit and a high chair that will work for Ty.

2. The other day I asked Tanner to do something for me but he was in the back seat of the car and couldn’t reach what I was asking. He explained that he couldn’t reach and then said “Mommy do you see the problem?” in a very adult tone. I had to giggle and admit that I did indeed see the problem.

3. Today I had to drive Ty to his OT. His OT is a good 35 minutes away and I often get lost in the music on the ride. Today’s drive seemed particularly lengthy and Tanner from the backseat said “Mommy. Your going the wrong way.” I then said “No. I am going the right way. Don’t worry.” A few minutes passed. Tanner said “Mommy. You ARE going the wrong way. You passed it!” Again I repeated my position and told him the OT was just up ahead. Another minute passes. I start closely inspecting the landscape. It all seems familiar. Uh oh. It is familiar because I intended to drive to Cave Creek and this is Cave Creek but the OT is not in Cave Creek she is in Carefree. Oh heck. How did this happen????? I then say “Uh Tanner. You were right. I did go the wrong way and right now I can’t figure out where I made the wrong turn. Do you happen to know?” Tanner said, “You passed the gate. I knew you went the wrong way.” Good grief.

I heard him telling his grandma this week “Grandma, it is taking me a long time to grow up like my dad.” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I just mumbled “thank you God” under my breath.

ABC

My little Noah can sing his ABC’s. My Tanner cannot. He does not chose to invest the time in this learning activity. Everyone was affirming Noah the other evening for his wonderful performance of this time honored song. Tanner looked at Noah and said “Hey Noah. Listen to me. A…B…C….I know ALL my words.” LOL.

Mannerisms
I love the way Tanner has learned to touch a tooth when he gets nervous or shy. It is adorable. You see him doing this in the Quando video and in the Christmas pictures too. One Christmas picture in particular is especially hysterical because it paints a perfect personality picture. Tanner does not want to continue the photo shoot and mommy is getting angry that no one is cooperating. Tanner’s response to my wrath is to touch his teeth in a display of nervousness. Ty is covering his ears. Figures. Need I say more?

X Marks the Spot

Do you know the tickle on the back game X Marks the Spot? Here are the words: X Marks the Spot, zero in the dot, spider crawls up and bites you in the neck. Blood rushing down blood rushing down blood rushing down. Cool breeze, tight squeeze!

When you are done with this little game, you get the chills from the tickle. Aunt Beck is not real happy that I used this little poem on Jamie and Jenna and then conveniently changed the words when I became a mother:).

For my own boys I say “X marks the spot, zero in the dot, mommy crawls up and tickles you in the neck. Tickles running down tickles running down. Cool breeze tight squeeze.”

Tanner rates my performance each time based on his level of chill bumps. I did a good job the other night and he rewarded me with this classic statement: “Mommy! You made my bumps smile!”