Reading and walking

Ethan is becoming our little reader. He can read words like seed, read, bat, ball, cat, eat, see, meat, ram, sad, me, that, this and so on. He is starting to read sentences like, "the ram is sad". I love the reading book we are using to teach him. The book not only teaches him to read but works on other skills like rhyming, reading comprehension, and writing. It's so exciting to see him progress!

After a month of Tanner crawling/walking it's safe to say he is a walker. He walks everywhere and this seems to please him as he can be a little more involved in what is going on. We are seeing him leave the baby stage and become more of a toddler. Just this week he has started to walk all over the place when we go to the park which is fun to see. It's been nice that Tanner has been happy to sit back a little more and not be in such a rush to walk. He is still SO petite and such a cute little boy. I love it!

Newport Dunes

We went to Newport Dunes (aka "Back Bay") for a night while in Tustin. We rented a little cottage that was perfect for our little family. It had bunk beds, a sofa bed, little kitchen area with a microwave and fridge - all in one single room. It was the first time we have all slept in one room together and it actually went really well. We decided this is as close to camping as we want to get for several years. It was the perfect set up for us though.

The first day we played in the sand, had a BBQ and went swimming in the pool and spa. The bay was too cold and dirty to go in so we were grateful for the pool. This time we went during their "off-season" (before Memorial Day) because it was cheaper, but next time we would go during the summer since that's when all their rentals are open and the main activities are going on. They have movies on the beach at night and we could rent boats and other water activites during the day. It was a perfect little vacation with the boys and something we would enjoy doing every year.

A few highlights

We have been in Tustin for a week while Jared has been studying for his last board exam, Step 3. Jared came down with us but has been locked away while the boys and I are having fun. The test is today and tomorrow and then we get to party with Daddy. So far we have:

-Gone to Disneyland with Grammy. It was Tanner's second time at Disneyland but first time on the rides. He seemed to enjoy what Disneyland had to offer. His favorite thing was the "ball" aka someone else's balloon.

-Visited the Bedke's. Ethan loved playing with Blake and Madison again. They played so well and made me miss the fun times we had with them and the times we could have had, had we still lived close. Karl is graduating in a few weeks and then they are off to San Francisco to start real life with a real job. I'm already planning my trip out there.

-Played at the train park with the Brooks cousins. The kids had fun playing on the train, on the swings and in the sand. The boys enjoyed each other and played happily.

-Went to church with Papa and Nana - the boys were excellent! Tanner happily sat on Papa's lap almost the whole sacrament meeting. Tanner is at the age where it's starting to get hard to contain him especially during our 9am church because it's his naptime. Only five more months until nursery, that sounds crazy!

-Disneyland with Papa and Nana tonight. Ethan is at the perfect Disneyland age as he now knows and understands the Disney stories a little more. We had a great evening.

One year stats

At Tanner's one year check this week he weighed in at an even 20 pounds (10th percentile) and is 31 inches tall (78th percentile). He is starting to walk, taking 10-15 steps at a time. It's cute to see such a little thing walking towards you. He is talking more and repeats things we say. This week he said "Jesus" and "ball". He even repeated the first few notes from Beethoven's 5th symphony (which he heard while watching Little Einsteins). It was amazing how right on key he was too. He is becoming a little more independent and really starting to explore the space (including climbing on anything he can). He can be a good eater at times but is starting to take after his older brother since we often have a hard time getting him to eat enough. This morning I offered him at least five different options and in the end he only had a few bites and threw the rest on the floor. He is an overall happy easy-going baby and we love him lots!

Energizer Bunny

Just by the title you could probably guess who I am talking about. Yes, that would be Ethan. He is non-stop and definitely my child. As a little girl I was constantly on the go, but man this kid has energy like no one else. It is play, play, play all day long and usually requires my undivided attention and participation. I love playing with him but a girl's got to have a break every once in a while! Once the afternoon rolls around I am completely exhausted.

He wakes with the sun and is begging me to do workbooks or flashcards with him at 6am. Then off to play trains, go on the swing, play the organ with him (he conducts while Tan and I play the organ), ride bikes, go to the park...you get the point. But I am so grateful for the bond I have with Ethan - he really is my little buddy and is so cute. He gives me hugs and tells me he loves me very often. He loves cooking with me and is always up for a trip to the store or ready to do whatever I am doing. I really am living my dream by having a family of my own with sweet boys whom I love and get to stay home with. I feel so blessed!

Mothers

I am grateful to be a mother to these little boys. I am grateful for my mom and the love and example she has always shown to me, the many things she has taught me, and her constant willingness to do anything for me. I am grateful for all the other women in my life who have helped shape the person I am today including my mother-in-law, sisters, grandparents and friends.