Tanner Time

Then You Might Be A Mommy

2011-12-26T23:27:00.000-08:00

As Aiden approaches SEVEN months, I started to write another "Lessons Learned" post, like the one from August. However, to make this one a bit different, it will be worded like Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be A Redneck If..." So here it is, what nearly seven months as a new mommy has taught me...

YOU MIGHT BE A NEW MOMMY IF...

* You have reinstated the 3 second rule in the household.

* You have considered eating baby food in the pantry because there's nothing else to eat in the house.

* You've gotten busted at work for singing the theme song to "Wonder Pets" without realizing it.

* You've actually had a full conversation wondering why Dora always screams everything she says.

* You've caught yourself whistling or humming "We Just Got A Letter" from Blue's Clues while bringing in the mail.

* You seem to be better at rocking yourself to sleep than the kid.

* Your reflexes are suddenly better than a cat's - especially at catching spit up.

* You almost type as fast one-handed as you do with two hands.

* You spend more time picking your child's nose than your own.

* The baby has more places to sit and play in the house than you do.

* Your feet almost completely function as a third arm.

* You find yourself whispering in rooms where the baby isn't asleep.

* Even though the two turtle doves have a new partridge in the pear tree, you feel more like the maid a-milkin'.

* You have more pictures posted on facebook of your child than you.

* When up late or in the middle of night, you turn on Nick Jr because it's the best option on tv.

* When on the go you're more likely to have a nasal aspirator, diaper cream, or small toy handy than a pen to sign the receipt with.

* You now run the washing machine more than the dishwasher.

* You consider it completely normal to have a discussion over lunch with girlfriends about your child's bowel movements (sorry Whit).

* In the mall you are now better at locating the elevators, family restrooms, and toy stores than your own clothing stores.

* While you used to consider clothes "dirty" because you had worn them for more than 3 hours, now your clothes only make it to the dirty clothes hamper when they have spit up on them.

* Your DVR has more kids' shows on it than your own tv shows.

* You find yourself talking TO your spouse THROUGH your child. ("Aiden, tell mommy she needs to do laundry tonight.")

* You can't remember the last time you ate a meal without having a kid in your lap.

* You can't seem to lose the "baby weight" because you're too busy eating all the words you said before the baby came.

* Batteries are now a regular item on the shopping list.

* There is a sense of accomplishment if you are actually able to start AND finish an entire conversation with a friend.

* The child's nursery is the cleanest room in the house, with every other room looking like a tornado just came through.

* You could sleep through a freight train plowing through your living room, but are wide awake at the sound of a child spitting up.

* You consider 8:00 am to be "sleeping in."

* Going to the bathroom is the only time you're alone - if you're lucky.

Motherly Advice

2011-12-07T15:37:00.001-08:00

It is official! I have earned a new title - AUNT Leslie! My precious niece was born on Saturday, November 26!

In honor of my sister becoming a new mommy, I thought I would take this opportunity to share my (limited) wisdom from my own first six months as a mommy. I thought I would share a top ten list of things that have made life easier with a baby. Now there are of course the essentials - crib, bottles, pacifier, pajamas, etc. But the things I want to share are not the essentials - they are not items you will find on the baby registry at the store or even items that are necessary for caring for a baby. These are 10 items that have made life a little easier on all of us. (in no particular order!)

ONE

SLEEP SACK

As cold weather rolled around I had a lot of hesitations about putting a blanket on Aiden. The thin blankets would no longer do and I was worried about a thicker blanket covering his face. He always seems to kick quite a bit right when I put him down and then again before he wakes up. Blankets just made me nervous, but he needed something! This was perfect! He wears his pjs and we put him in this right before he goes to bed. It is snuggly and keeps him warm and I don't have to worry about him kicking it over his face!

TWO

GAS DROPS

At first I was very hesitant to give Aiden any sort of medicine. But the fact of the matter is that his little digestive system was still adjusting and sometimes just needed some help! Matt and I made it through several weeks of cries and wiggles before breaking down and giving Aiden gas drops. What a difference it made!

THREE

EXERCISE BALL

We had one of these around the house and I initially started using it when I was pregnant. It was often tough to sit for long, causing tremendous pain on my back. Sitting on the exercise ball was the most comfortable way to sit, especially when eating dinner. Once Aiden came, I found so many other uses for it! Along with being a great chair, it also became our rocker. There was a mix-up with our glider, so we went quite a while without a rocker to use to put Aiden to sleep. This did the trick! I was able to hold Aiden while softly bouncing and was a pro at getting him to sleep. He loved the slow, rhythmic bounces and I loved that it also helped me tone at nap time!

FOUR

PACIFIER STRAP

We initially had to get one of the for Aiden for dayschool,but it has been well worth it! It was very helpful, especially around the house. It has also been helpful when we are out and about. I always try to keep an extra strap in his bag and use it to attach his toy to him or his car seat. This way he doesn't throw the toy on the floor and get it dirty or throw it out of the seat and lose it.

FIVE

SPACE HEATER

We had one of these, but never thought to bring it out for a baby - especially in the summer. Aiden squealed through his first two baths once we came home from the hospital. It was not until we went to his newborn photo shoot and the photographer used a heater to keep him warn and he LOVED it! It has definitely been the key to our bath times! He now LOVES bath time and it has been a great way to calm him and almost put him to sleep during the bath. Just be sure to be careful with the heater around the water and not get it too close :)

SIX

SOUND MACHINE

This is the actual sound machine that we have by Homedics and we love it. In fact, when Aiden moves out, Matt and I decided we might need one in our room for ourselves! It has several sounds from mom's heartbeat to ocean, rainforest, and rain. This has been great for giving Aiden that white noise during naps and overnight. It has even been helpful in the mornings to drown out the sounds of Matt and me getting ready for work. Let me NOT recommend the sound machine by First Years. Someone gave us that one as a gift and we tried it first - the sounds were TERRIBLE! Matt even asked if one of the sounds was Satan talking. Seriously, it was that bad! We love this one though!

SEVEN

DVR

Now, I can't even remember what I did without DVR before a baby came, but now I REALLY can't imagine what I would do! Now I don't love putting my child in front of the tv, but sometimes there is no other way to cook dinner or get ready for work. I don't let Aiden watch more than a half hour of tv a day, but I can tell you that there are several episode's of Blue's Clues handy for when Aiden wakes up and unexpected half hour early or mom needs to cook dinner and Aiden won't play on his mat or in the exersaucer in the kitchen. Blue's Clues is about the only show he will watch, but never fear! With the DVR, Blue's Clues comes on any moment of the day!

EIGHT

FISHER PRICE ROCKER

Now, I am not sure what the technical name is, but we call it the hammock in our house. Two of my high school friends gave me this the week before I was due and it has been wonderful! I have used this more than a bouncy seat. It was especially helpful when we got home from the hospital in the weeks after having the c-section. I did not have to bend down so far to pick Aiden up, which was a huge help! I have also liked having Aiden higher off the floor, especially when I have had Aiden in the bathroom while I get ready and the kitchen while I cook. It also rocks when Aiden cries or while he is playing and throwing his arms around!

NINE

PORTABLE DIAPER PAD

Oh the many places I have used this! This is a little pad that folds up smaller than a placemat and stores diapers and wipes inside. It has been great when we are on the go and we keep it in the diaper bag at all times. I love that this is something I can use one-handed. I can unfold it and fold it up again while I have Aiden in my arms. It has been so helpful in changing Aiden - especially in the places where there is no "family" bathroom or changing station. (Even where there is, I put this on top of it) I have used this to change Aiden's diaper in the stroller, in the car, and when we are over at friend's houses and they don't have babies.

TEN

BABY PAPER

My sister gave Aiden one of these and it has been his favorite toy so far! It is a small square of fabric (Aiden's is black and white striped) and inside is some type of paper that crinkles when Aiden plays with it in his hands. Aiden still loves this toy, but he would not put it down around 3-4 months when he was discovering his hands. The best part? I can put it in the wash! It was also a big help at our photo shoot when Matt and I were in the pictures with Aiden and could not help him smile. Our photographer was able to hold it and the camera at the same time so Aiden would look at her rather than us. Definitely a must-have toy!!!

You Be The Jury

2011-11-29T18:41:00.001-08:00

My sister and I were on the phone this evening sharing stories of being a new mommy (as I am now an aunt!!!). One of the things my sister said she is excited to see in the future is her little girl growing into herself. Of course her little girl likes like a baby now, but she said she was eager to gradually see "a glimpse of what she would look like as an adult" as she gets older.

Aiden is certainly growing into being Aiden. My sister's comment tonight made me look back at my sweet boy and compare what we brought home from the hospital just six short months ago....

to the little man I laugh and play with now...

It has been fun to see Matt and me "come out" in Aiden. Aiden certainly has his dad's hairline! Aiden's left ear also has a wrinkle at the top, just likehis dad's right ear. Several times Aiden has raised one eyebrow, which he certainly gets from his mommy. I cannot wait to see what other features, mannerisms, and characteristics he gets from each of us as he grows up!

I always enjoy people's reactions when they first see Aiden or see him after a long absence. According to my family, Aiden does not look like either of us. According to Matt's family, he looks just like Matt. According to my friends, he looks like me. According to Matt's friends, he looks just like Matt. I can't help but laugh when I hear each opinion! So....you decide!

Here is a picture of Matt as close to Aiden's age as I could find...

Here is a picture of me as close to Aiden's age as I could find...

So who do Matt and I think he looks like? Strangely enough, neither of us! However, we do agree that he looks like someone we know and my sister has even agreed. Who? This guy...

We have agreed that if we had to pick someone he looks like, that it would be my dad! (Which we agree is funny because I don't look like my dad! My sister has always been the one we feel like looks more like my dad than I do!)

With so much change in just a few months, I can't imagine what he will look like on his first birthday! I can't wait to see what other surprises little Aiden has for us in the future!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T19:53:00.001-08:00

Since it is a day to give thanks, I want to take a moment before heading to bed to do just that. Here is a brief top 5 list of the things I am most thankful for. Of course everything I am thankful for won't fit in this list, but here is the abbreviated version.

ONE

I am so thankful for a heavenly Father who is forgiving, patient, and sent His only son to die so that I may live. In the past few months I have learned what an amazing sacrafice that is!

TWO

I am thankful for a wonderful husband that God created just for me. We have come a long way and certainly still have miles to go! Having a baby has truly tested our marriage, but I am so thankful for a loving husband who supports me and all the things I try to take on!

THREE

I am thankful for my sweet Aiden! I have such an amazing little boy who is so sweet and snuggly! I have been so blessed to have such a healthy, good-natured little man to call my own. I have loved getting to watch him learn so many new things in such a short time and he has made me so excited for the holidays to come!

FOUR

I am thankful for my sister and brother-in-law. I cannot wait until they have their own little one to hold and love on! I think Hunter would take Aiden home if he could! I probably would have laughed in my mom's face when I was little if she told me that one day my sister and I would be such good friends. I have loved getting to walk through pregnancy with her every step of the way! I cannot wait until Haleigh makes her arrival this week and she and Aiden can grow up together! I told Lauren our class field trip to the McWane Center a few weeks ago made me so excited to take our kids out together to all sorts of fun places!

FIVE

I am thankful for my family. Matt and I were talking this week about how lucky we have it to have two parents who are still married (this coming the day after my own parents' 37 anniversary!) and how rare that is these days. We know that example has impacted us and our attitude towards marriage. I know how lucky I am to have two living grandmothers and the relationship I have with them. I can only hope someday to have the same relationship with my own grandkids. I am thankful for ALL our family! We are truly blessed!

Matt and I were talking tonight about how being a parent really changes the way you look at EVERYTHING now. You don't watch tv, read a book, drive a car, plan a meal, schedule a vacation in the same way anymore! Looking at my sweet little boy each day reminds me that while I am stressed, I am also very blessed!

The Life Long Field Trip Called Parenthood

2011-11-19T20:02:00.001-08:00

Kids LOVE field trips. Why? Because you get to leave the four walls of the classroom, you're completely off schedule for a day, there's less structure, and teachers don't have as much control. Teachers HATE field trips. Why? The exact same reasons - you leave the four walls of the classroom, you're completely off schedule for a day, there's less structure, and the teachers don't have as much control. While a field trip is not any more physically challenging than a regular school day, the teacher comes home exhausted. Why? The day was much more of an emotional and mental challenge - keeping track of kids, watching the clock, keeping track of kids, passing out lunches, meds, and tickets, keeping track of kids, answering chaperone questions, keeping track of kids, trying to enjoy the day, and keeping track of kids, looking for restrooms, keeping track of kids, problem solving when those fun surprises pop up, and keeping track of kids. Oh, did I mention keeping track of kids? I have found motherhood to be much like a lifelong, 24-hour field trip. I was prepared for the physical challenges of being a mom. I knew I would lose personal time. I knew my sleep would be cut in half. I knew I would have to learn to scarf down every meal I eat in half the time. I knew I would be spending countless hours feeding, burping, rocking, soothing, washing, and cleaning. I have kept many babies over the years and thought I was prepared as I could be for the changes and sacrifices a baby brings. I was not, however, prepared for the emotional and mental challenges. Since the day Aiden was born, my mind has not stopped going 200 miles an hour planning and worrying. When did he last eat? Has he had his vitamin drops? Was that a congested cough? Is he getting sick? Is it bath night? Do I have enough time to cook dinner? Is that a tired cry or a hungry cry? Will he forget me when I leave him for 8 hours a day to go to work? Will he have gained enough weight at the next check up? Am I holding him too much? Is he cold? Did I pack enough diapers and an extra outfit? How much longer will he let me snuggle him? I never anticipated how in love with him I would be before I ever saw his face. I never anticipated how much my heart would hurt to hear him cry in a pain I can't make better, but would take from him if I could. I never anticipated the hurt and immense guilt I would feel to go back to work and have to leave him at day care each day - and that comes from someone who LOVES her job and knows that is exactly why God put me on this earth. I can easily say that these past three or four months have been some of the hardest of my life.

I felt confident going back to work. I can't say I was ready and would have loved more time with sweet Aiden, but I felt we were in as good of a place as we could be. What was I thinking? But if I am being honest, it was not just returning to work that really shook the Tanner house, although it was most of it. Let's take the last week of August for example: Aiden had an ingrown toe nail, Open Hoouse at school, mommy got the stomach bug, sister, Lauren, was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, surprise midnight trips to the E.R. for dad, and then mom and dad stopped by later in the week to tell us dad's doctor found cancer and he would be having surgery in October. There have been many mental and emotional hurdles like these: Aiden's cold, sinus infections, coaching during football season, trying to be the best teacher I can be while cutting my prep time in half, and several other things I won't go into. And every time I feel like we have overcome the obstacle, something else comes up and our world is rocked again - Aiden's weight is low and the doctor wants to change his feeding schedule, a week-long cold, or daylight savings time. I would say it is only in the past two weeks that I feel like I am getting control of things - teaching, cooking, feeding, cleaning, etc. And then as I type, Aiden is on antibiotics for a double ear infection and I am in the middle of a bout with pink eye. Then who knows what this week holds...

The greatest challenge has been the new allergy I have developed - Aiden. Yep, that's right. I'm allergic to my child. About two weeks after Aiden was born I started having trouble with my lips. They swell up, turn bright pink, and burn. It looks like I found the perfect shade of pink the 80s had to offer and then had a three year-old put it on me in the dark. After a few days of this, the swelling subsides, but then my lips peel and continue to peel until the next flare up. It makes it incredibly painful to eat, drink, and talk. I have to keep a thick layer of Vasaline on my lips, which just seems to draw motre attention to the problem than help. Since I am still feeding the doctor tells me there is no medicine she can give me because it will affect my milk. "Hopefully you will eventually develop an immunity to it" was her response. The doctor believes my lips are allergic to the oils in Aiden's skin, so she suggested not kissing him, to which I laughed and told her I would just have to look like Bobo the Clown forever. However, Matt and I have found that I have fewer flare ups the more we bathe him. While I am getting used to this being the way things are, it still has been a struggle in itself. It has been hard to see some of my kids at school make fun of it during my flare ups. Middle schoolers will be middle schoolers, but I am a girl and it is still hard to see or hear someone make fun of you about something you are so self-conscious about, no matter how young and/or immature they are. It has also been hard because Aiden and I have very few pictures together because I have not wanted my picture taken like this. However, here is one from last week after our family photo shoot...

All in all, I think we are getting back on track. Aiden is falling into a new routine of feedings and naps, and predictability is what I have missed most! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my little niece, Haleigh. Sharing pregnancy with my sister has been fun and something I am so grateful was in God's plan for us. In a strange way I feel like I have gotten to be pregnant longer from sharing it with her. (Well, minus the heartburn, throwing up, and frequent trips to the restroom) Most of my pregnancy symptoms have disappeared. My carpal tunnel finally disappeared a few weeks after we started school and I was able to write and hold things in both hands without any pain. The coloration spots on both my cheeks have cleared up. The heartburn and reflux are gone. What do I miss? I miss taking Aiden with me everywhere I go. I loved knowing he was with me everywhere - teaching at school, singing in the car, everywhere! I miss feeling him kick. Although it was uncomfortable, it was never painful, and I miss feeling his movements and hiccups. And then finally, I miss maternity clothes! I am still waiting for someone to explain to me why ALL pants aren't made with an elastic waistband...

Well, onto the fun stuff! Let me tell you about my little man named Aiden!

God has blessed us with such a sweet, flexible, amazing little boy. Last Friday when we returned home from our family pictures I noticed Aiden's head was very warm when I took him out of the car seat. I told Johanna, the photographer, that morning he just wasn't himself because he would not smile. I took his temperature - 103.1! We immediately started infant Tylenol and by Sunday morning the fever still had not subsided. Matt and I decided it was time to take him in to see a doctor. We shared with the doctor the things that also puzzled us - he was sleeping on schedule, eating normally, and not been fussy AT ALL. He just had a fever we couldn't shake. The doctor took one look in his ears and said he was shocked at what he saw - an ear infection! He said he had never seen a baby so happy with such a terrible ear infection. He did caution us that having a baby with such a high pain tolerance was a blessing (since we had not been listening to a screaming baby for hours on end), but we had to be very watchful because if he went too long, his eardrum could burst. What a trooper!

Aiden laughs all the time and has recently started a loud laugh, which melts my heart!

He loves Blue's Clues - he will not watch anything else on the tv (with the exception of a little football with daddy). He only watches one Blue's Clues a day, but it is very helpful when mommy needs to cook dinner! His favorite toy is a small, square black and white striped blanket Lauren got for him.

The blanket crinkles when you move it and he LOVES it! (It was a life saver at the photo shoot! Johanna was able to use it to make noise so Aiden would look when we were all in the picture) Aiden has just started rice cereal and applesauce in the past few weeks and is gaining weight! (At his four month check up he was in the 99th percentile for head size and only the 3rd percentile for his weight. We call him the lollipop) Aiden hates to be cold and loves bathtime because we pull in the space heater. He doesn't mind car rides as long as someone is in the back to sit with him. He somehow always knows when mommy is sitting down to eat and I tend to eat most of my meals with him sitting in my lap. Aiden has learned how to use his hands and is becoming better each day at putting his pacifier back in his mouth, grabbing the toys, and reaching for mommy's cup while mommy is holding him. Aiden has also started "talking" over the past few weeks. It is mostly just loud jibberish and shouts, but it is SO funny to listen to!

Currently we are working on sitting up, which has been a challenge because he has also learned where his feet are. When he sees those feet, it is all over and he melts to the floor like the Wicked Witch of the West. Here are a few shots of the little guy sitting up with the help of his boppie...

He is such a sweet little boy and I am quick each day to thank God for entrusting me with this little sweetheart!

Aiden has also had a lot of "firsts" since the last blog post. Many I did not catch on camera, but here are a few I did...

Aiden's first trip to Ttown for an Alabama game...

Aiden's first lovie...

Aiden's first Halloween in his skeleton costume...

This is his weekly picture for the week of Halloween...

Aiden's first trick-or-treating with his buddies in the neighborhood, Grafton and Ethan...

Aiden's first "tummy time"...

All in all, parenthood has been an adventure! As much as I can try and plan and schedule, I have learned that most of the time things

don't

as planned.

In just five and a half short months there are already so many things I regret and feel like a failure for. First that comes to mind is his baby book, which I am sad to say I have not kept updated. The second is finishing his room by now. Just two of the things that have become pushed aside as life got in the way. Before this turns into a pity party, there are a few things I am proud of. First comes to mind is the feeding. Aiden's bottle still comes from me, which includes taking care of "mommy responsibilities" at work. NO EASY TASK! There are many times I have wanted to stop because it is VERY time consuming and really really interferes with the day on so many levels, but I have stuck with it ONLY for the reason that I know it is what is best for Aiden. I have also been very diligent about taking Aiden's photograph EVERY week (mostly on Saturdays since I have gone back to work). I try to use things to measure Aiden's growth by - his green chair, his rocker, etc and making sure he is in a different outfit each week. Here are a few of the most recent...

There is still a lot I have to learn and a lot I probably need to thank and apologize to my own mom for. Right now, it is just a day at a time. But looking at this face each day makes it all worth it, don't you think?

Baby Steps...For Mommy

2011-08-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks or so have been tough ones in the Tanner house, for MANY reasons, none of which I am going to go into on this post. Tonight is all about digesting today. While what Matt and I probably needed was a calm, relaxing day at home, we decided to venture out for a family outing. Although I am SO tired, I decided to make tonight's posting a priority to take it all in.

Our outing today took us to Tuscaloosa. The first stop was the alpha chi omega house for Alabama's bid day. One of the girls I taught several years ago pledged alpha chi and I could not wait to go down and see her in scarlet and green and the letters axo on her jersey! Shea is so special to me and I have waited for quite a while to be able to see her pledge, knowing alpha chi would be the perfect fit for her! Being at the house brought back so many memories of bid day for me (over a decade ago - yikes!) and the friends I made on my college journey. Talking with Shea this week as she went through rush almost made me feel like I was back in college again and it has certainly made the week special!

Our next stop in Tuscaloosa was at Pam's house - the woman who would be the new mommy for my 2 turtles, Shelly and Shelldon. Shelly and Shelldon have been with me for so long, but I knew this day would come. Matt and I agreed when we found out we were expecting Aiden that we could no longer care for the turtles the way they needed to be cared for, didn't have the room for them anymore now that they are getting much larger, and could not run the risk of them getting Aiden sick. (Although it is rare, turtles can carry salmonella and can be more dangerous to kids, who touch the turtles and then put their hands in their mouths. Although it is very rare with indoor turtles like ours, Matt and I agreed we could never live with ourselves if something ever happened to Aiden and we knew a potential risk was possible) So in November we began pursuing other arrangements for them. The Birmingham Zoo was not taking animals at the time. The Botanical Gardens were not taking any more turtles for their pond. We felt we were stuck until after winter. In June, after Aiden was born, Matt began actively looking for a new home for them, since his parents had been keeping them through our move. One day on a whim Matt looked on Craig's List and found a woman who was looking to add another turtle to her habitat in the backyard. Matt contacted her and she was interested in taking BOTH of our turtles. Well, of course when Matt brought it up to me, I cried like a baby. I didn't want to give them up! When he giggled at my silly mommy reaction, I was quick to tell him I had had the turtles longer than I had had him! :) Over the next few weeks I looked into options - possibly building a place of their own in the backyard. The only problem was that this would take away from the already small space Aiden will have in the backyard and that it would be a VERY expensive project to make it worth the effort. After exhausting all possibilities, I told Matt it looked like that was our only answer.

We stopped off today at Pam's house, who happens to be a professor at the U of A. She was SO kind and truly has a passion for turtles! (She even showed us her pictures of her recent trip with her husband to Africa - where they went to see and pet other kinds of turtles!) Her backyard was AMAZING! She has turned the entire area into a beautiful garden and habitat for her fish and for her turtles! She already had 2 land turtles in the enclosure, Winnie and Pooh, as well as 3 red ear sliders (same as Shelly and Shelldon) - in the pond, Tori, Baby, and Chicken (who, I think, is really names Fred, but earned the name Chicken because he is so shy). Pam took the time to listen to me tell her all about my 2 - their names, their physical differences, and their personalities. I could tell very quickly she would love them as much as I do. After showing me where they would live, she told me I could even be the one to put them in their new home and said it might help me to see them swim and play with their new friends. Although it was hot, Matt and Aiden let Mommy watch her other 2 babies explore their new home. I thought it would be SO much harder to let them go, but I know deep down that they will be happier where they are now than if they were here with us. The best part? She told us we could come visit them anytime! I told Matt that I feel like we have an open adoption! She encouraged us to come by when we come down for game days. She even talked about Aiden getting to hold them one day when he is older! I told her I would really take her up on it and she encouraged me to! Here are a few pictures of my sweethearts in their new home...

My last picture with my babies! When I got them, they were only the size of a quarter!

Mommy letting them go in their new pond. This one is Shelly - Shelldon went first. He dove in, went straight under the bushes, and stayed there!

Shelly is exploring her new home and loved it! I never would have thought she would be the more adventurous one today and Shelldon would be so shy and timid! It seemed that as I moved around the pool, Shelly would follow. She was eager to see her new place, but seemed to stay closer to me as I moved around the pond!

Shelldon finally came our from under the plant to scope out the new place!

Shelly decided she had enough of swimming and getting to know the others. She decided to climb up the new ramp and catch some rays!

Shelly even gave her mommy one last look before we left. I know she is going to love it there!

Aiden was such a sweet boy and actually slept most of our time outside with the turtles (which made me forget to get a picture of him with the turtles before we let them go!). When we got back in the car and I was on the verge of tears, Aiden woke up and these are the two faces I quickly got. They made it ALL better and reminded me that I was doing what was best for our family...

So we were off for our final "stop" of the day - driving through the tornado damage. Words could not begin to describe what it was like to drive up McFarland through businesses, turn left of 15th Street, and everything was GONE. Even some of the places we ate in college - Taco Casa, Milo's, Krispy Kreme - GONE. As we drove farther, the lake that is shaped like Alabama with a tree on an island where Tuscaloosa is, stood exposed and barren. Everything around it - trees, houses - all GONE. As we drove up Hackberry, everything was fine until the sharp curve to the left. Everything GONE. One house stood tall and undamaged, then several blocks of nothing, then another untouched home. It was easy to see the path of April's tornado. Matt and were reminded of that day and watching the tornado tear through Tuscaloosa and feeling so helpless and afraid. As we watched the tornado rip through Tuscaloosa, I felt like it was ripping out a part of me as well.

After a very emotionally draining day, we stopped at Tut's for a late lunch (15th Street Diner and City Cafe were closed) and let Aiden get out to stretch. We agreed it had been an emotional and tiring day, but a good one.

When we got home, we decided to take Aiden for his first swim. It was a bit cooler from a quick rain and close to sunset, so we thought it would be the perfect time to let him explore the water without other kids splashing. I wasn't sure what to expect. Aiden LOVES bath time, but that is with warm water and a heater. Aiden hates to be cold and the temperature had dropped into the high 70s by this point. However, he was a trooper! He sat in the chair with me and just took in the cool water. From sweating SO much through the day, he probably enjoyed the cool water as much as Matt and I did! I was surprised he didn't kick his feet or play more, but I realized just how tired he was when he fell asleep on our walk back to the house! Here are a few pictures of his first swim, and a perfect end to our family day!

Lessons Learned

2011-08-01T16:46:00.001-07:00

As Aiden turns 2 months old today, I have been thinking of all the things I have learned in these quick 2 months:

There is nothing like seeing your child smile. It never gets old and I can't imagine it ever will.

Naps on mommy's chest make everything better - for baby AND for mommy.

The 2 month doctor's visit (complete with shots) is A LOT tougher on mommy than on baby.

Red lights are the enemy and pot holes are now a lifesaver with a baby in the car.

Pain is all relative. You think you know your limits, but somehow a baby changes what you thought you could tolerate.

Thank goodness for digital cameras and free film or we would be broke by now.

External harddrives should be sold in baby stores and available to put on the registry.

You suddenly realize how different things now are when you head to the beach and the baby has more swimsuits than mom and dad - combined.

When packing for baby, think about how much luggage mommy and daddy will have. Now double it.

Where I once grumbled and complained about burping and passing gas in the Tanner house, suddenly it is encouraged and even gets mommy's praise.

Cooking dinner for the family is one of the most helpful things someone can do for a family with a new baby - no matter when it is done or what the meal is.

People love babies. Have a response prepared for when a random stranger walks up and asks to hold your baby. It WILL happen.

Babies bring out the baby voice in everybody - even tough guys like daddy.

People who think MacGyver is resourceful have never been a mommy and had to nurse, heat a bottle, change diapers, and take care of a baby on the go.

Nothing can replace the first few weeks with the baby. This week has convinced me that he knows my face, my smell, and my voice. While it has frustrated his daddy beyond belief, it is an amazing feeling to have your crying son handed to you and he immediately stops crying when he sees my face.

Sleep deprivation can make you say and do some funny things. You've been warned.

Always tell a new mommy she looks amazing, no matter what she looks like - it will make her day. After feeling so skinny for the first two weeks, you suddenly realize you aren't when you wear a swimsuit for the first time and someone asks you at the pool how far along you are.

Buy stock in Energizer and Duracel before the baby comes. ALL baby supplies need batteries these days.

I now have tremendous respect and sympathy for cows.

Whoever said "There is no use crying over spilled milk" clearly was not nursing or pumping.

A baby's nursery needs a fan. It doesn't even need to be a working fan, they just want it to look at.

The key to a successful bathtime is a space heater. Trust me on this one.

When preparing for a baby, think like Noah - 2 of everything. You will need a back-up of everything from crib sheets to pacifiers.

They do make sleeping pills for babies - they're called car seats.

I never thought I would be so relieved and excited to see a VERY dirty diaper.

If you are ever selected to be a contestant on Supermarket Sweep and need training, may I suggest taking a newborn that has just woken from his nap and is 3 hours since his last feeding. You will shave your shopping time in half, I promise.

One word - mylicon.

And most of all, there is nothing that anyone can say or do that can prepare you for a baby. It is an unexpected adventure each day!

I'm In Love With A Bald Little Man

2011-07-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official - I'm in hopelessly in love. Don't tell Matt, but this other guy is short, bald, depends on me to do everything for him, and (I'm sorry to say) passes gas all the time! Matt is still the love of my life, but I have to say that I am smitten with this new guy. Did I mention that this new guy is only nine pounds and sucks on a pacifer? It is sweet Aiden and I cannot believe that he has been here for a month already! I spent a lot of time this weekend thinking about our first month together and thought this would be a great place to record my thoughts, along with some of my favorite of his 4 week-old photos.

My Greatest Challenges

This first month has certainly brought many changes and change is usually a challenge. I think my greatest challenge has been nursing. The experience was not what I thought it would be AT ALL. It always looks so sweet and endearing on tv. Not so for me. It has been VERY painful in so many ways. A bout of mastidas has also been a challenge and possibly the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. Along with the pain, I am not a person who can sit still very well. I constantly need to be doing something and nursing does NOT allow that. Add that in with the fact that Aiden needs to eat every 3 hours (and for one week we had to feed every 2 hours to get him up to weight) and I am forced to sit still and do NOTHING for close to 5-6 hours a day and I am about to go crazy! Matt says his greatest challenge has been the lack of sleep. I don't think it has been as big of an adjustment for me because I really have not slept well since January and have not slept all the way through the night since October. I guess that was just God's way of getting mom ready! (Don't get me wrong, though - I am certainly tired!)

My Greatest Rewards

The first month has brought challenges, but there are also so many rewards! My favorite reward has been
Aiden's faces! He has SO many expressions and I laugh at him so often! Matt and I have named so many of his looks and expressions, such as "Blue Steel" and "Pirate Eye." He even has a face for when he is done eating, hungry, curious, and even making a dirty diaper. The best face has been his smile! He has started to smile and it is the amazing! (Don't get me wrong, I realize it is probably gas, but it still wonderful!) Aiden also gets in a deep trance when he finds the fan in either the bedroom or the den. He could watch the fan for hours!

Unexpected Twists

I can't say there has been much that has happened in the last month that I didn't expect. I was prepared for the lack of sleep, long and slow recovery from the c-section, constant repetition of laundry and bottle washing, and complete disappearance of any personal time I had before. However, I think there are two things that have caught me off-guard: the post-preggers weepy-ness and my mommy instincts. I didn't have emotional meltdowns during pregnancy, but I have had several good cries since Aiden has arrived (and over many things I would not have guessed!). The most unexpected was my gushy sob when Matt told me he has found the perfect new home for Shelly and Shelldon (the turtles I have had for years). I am not sure why, but I sat on the couch and sobbed! I knew this time would come and we have been looking for a good home for them since finding out I was pregnant, so I am not sure why I was so weepy to hear the news! The other surprise has been the mommy instincts. I didn't think that I would freak out over being away from Aiden, like I hear other new moms talk about, especially if it is just for a short time. Matt has kept Aiden once or twice at the house to allow me some "mommy time" at the pool to get some sun. I have had to force myself to stay an hour and then constantly watch the clock! The first momentary freak-out was for my 2 weeks check-up with my doctor and my sister's 16 week doc appointment. We set up the appointments together so Lauren could drive us, since I was not allowed to drive. We were running late to the appointment (no surprise) and Lauren had to drop my off before parking in the deck and going through the maze of the hospital so I would be on time for the first appointment. Since I was not allowed to carry Aiden, she would have to bring him later. No big deal, right? After signing in and being called back I constantly watched the clock wondering where they were! It took all I had not to call her after 10 minutes and ask why they were not there yet. I held off until 15 minutes went by and no appearance of my sister and son. I called and Lauren reported she was still in the waiting room because the receptionists were googling over Aiden. What was wrong with me?? Then over the weekend I got weepy AGAIN when Matt and I began discussing schedules when I go back to work in THREE weeks! I told Matt I want to go back to teaching - I LOVE teaching - but at the moment I could not bear the thought of not being with Aiden all day! All reactions I was NOT expecting from me!

The Future

In the second month, my goal is to finish Aiden's nursery. There have not been pics yet because it has been very slow coming together (I blame Tanner Time). The glider should be here soon, hopefully the hutch bookshelf will be done soon to put his books on, and Matt will finish his art work and we can get it on the wall. I cannot wait for Aiden's new discoveries - his hands, his feet, his toys, and the beach! As silly as it sounds, I am also eager for Aiden to be able to wear some of his clothes from his sweet friends! Right now he is still too small to fit into most of his clothes, so he has worn his gowns and the 2 newborn pjs I got him. He has many cute things I cannot wait to see him in (including the shark bathing suit his mom got him that I am sure he will fuss at me for later!). But for now I am enjoying every moment, knowing he will not be this tiny and cute and snuggly much longer!

In Awe of Aiden

2011-06-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

To My Son, Sweet Aiden,

On your 3 week birthday, I have spent quite a bit of time today thinking about the past few weeks and the time you and I have spent getting to know each other. I cannot begin to tell you how quickly these past 3 weeks have gone by and it pains me to think that we only have a few weeks left before you and I cannot spend our days together anymore. I knew the first moment we met that you were something special. You had my heart at your first look, when the doctors handed you to me and and your big, bright eyes looked at me, and for a moment the whole world stood still.

I can't begin to tell you about our journey over the past months together. You have taught me more about myself than anyone else. I can't say that our journey together was an easy one (or is now, for that matter), but you have shown me that I am stronger than even I thought possible. Even now as I think back to the past 10 months, I have struggled to remember the throwing up, the fatigue, the headaches, the back pain, the indigestion, the sleepless nights, and the other pains and uncomfortable symptoms of being pregnant. I never thought that I would ever be able to endure the things I did and for as often or as long as I did, but knowing you were coming made it all worth it and I would do it all again in a second. While at the time the pain and sickness were all VERY real and there were many days that I didn't know how I would make it through, all of those memories vanished when you first looked at me. Even now on days like yesterday, where I was in so much pain from the surgery that it brought me to tears, the only thing that could make me feel better was to hold you and know that every ounce was completely worth it to have such an amazing little boy. You have taught me that love makes anything and everything possible.

As we walked around the neighborhood the other night, your daddy and I talked about you and what a blessing you have been to our family. We can't believe how our lives have changed in just a year - that this time last summer we were talking about possibly starting a family and now we have one! We agreed that you, Aiden, have been the greatest part of our marriage. You have made our relationship stronger and shown us that we need each other's love and support, especially during hard times. In the past 3 weeks you have shown us that communication, teamwork, and encouraging each other can get us through even the toughest challenges we will face. Your dad and I agreed that you have brought a deeper appreciation and love for each other that no one else could do. Your dad and I also agreed that you have shown us Christ's love more than anything else as well. You are truly a gift from Him and we feel so blessed that the Lord has entrusted us with you. I am not sure how anyone can look at a newborn and not be amazed at God's power and love. You are a blessing, Aiden, and your dad and I are reminded of this each time you look at us with your big beautiful eyes that never cease to make my heart melt.

To my sweet boy, may you continue to be a blessing in our lives. My favorite part of the day is our morning nap, where after a bottle and burping, you sleep on my chest and snuggle with me up under my chin for a little over an hour. I know that the time we can do this is limited and each morning I cherish each nap and snuggle. I look forward to many of the things to come in the future as well - especially the first time I can hear you giggle and talk. As I am learning each day that being a parent and a mommy brings new challenges, emotions, and desires, my prayer is that God will guide me through each day and each challenge. I will continue to pray that God will strengthen mine and your dad's marriage and guide us in being the parents we need to be for you.

Happy 3 weeks, sweet Aiden! With all my love,

Mommy

How Two Became Three

2011-06-10T11:18:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, May 24 - The day before our due date!

Although I can't say I honestly thought I would make it this far, I was looking forward to (what I thought would be) our last doctor's visit before our little man arrived. However, the news from the doctor was the same as every weekly appointment in May - only 1 cm dialated and hardly thinned out. Matt and I were presented with two options from the doctor: we could go ahead and schedule a c-section to take the baby or we could go up to a week past our due date to see if Baby Tanner would come on his own. Since the doctor encouraged allowing him to come on his own and a c-section was a last resort for me, the decision was made to come back for another appointment the following week and see where we stand. However, the doctor did have some concerns. First, Baby T was measuring very inconsistently - every week in May was different - a week ahead, a week behind, two weeks ahead, etc. She was concerned with his size, so we were scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday, May 31, the day after Memorial Day, and would then meet with the doctor to discuss the results. Her second concern was that I was not having contractions yet - or the ones I thought I was having were questionable. I was having more cramping that would last for hours, rather than contractions. Matt and I were hopeful for the news the following week.

Wednesday, May 25 - Due Date

Eager to get out of the house, I ran up to the school to see my sweet kids on their last day and take them popsicles and eat lunch out with Matt. It was my first time driving in a while, but by this point I was ready to get out of the house for a bit! I knew when I took on carrying around a little one for an extra week there would be physical challenges. Once Matt got home, my back had gotten the best of me and I suggested going for a quick swim before dinner to ease the pressure off my back. Here is a quick shot of Aiden on his due date before Matt and I left to go for a swim...

Friday, May 27

After dinner I suggested a walk around the neighborhood, as we did most nights in efforts to bring on labor. It was not long before I was cramping and having pains. As we decided on a final lap around the circle, I struggled to finish the walk. As we got closer to the house there were moments I had to stop to let the pains pass before taking another step. We came back in the house and I went straight back to the bed to lie down. Matt and I admitted later we were both secretly very anxious and excited that night going to bed. I don't think either of us wanted to say anything, but I think we were both hopeful this was the start of the arrival of our little boy. However, we both woke up disappointed Saturday morning.

Tuesday, May 31

Knowing this would be the last trip to the doctor (and my level of comfort in dire need of help), I was eager and anxious for whatever news she had. The ultrasound also made me eager for the visit because we had not seen our little man since December. But the ultrasound turned out to be nothing I expected - he was HUGE! The ultrasound tech said his head was extremely big and that his tummy was so large the computer could not even register the size. The look on her face said it all when the computer estimated him to weight around 9.5 pounds. Her remarks to us as we left to see the doctor were, "Good luck delivering the hoss!" (Not really what I wanted to hear at the moment, as I knew that spelled out the makings of a c-section).

Matt tried to calm me in the waiting room, already knowing what was going through my head. The doctor confirmed - Baby Tanner was so big he was unable to fit through my pelvis to enter the birth canal. As a result, he was basically stuck - my body couldn't push him down (which was why I was not contracting, just constant cramping) and I was not thinned out hardly at all (because the baby was not being pushed down). She said we had two options again: schedule a c-section or we could try an induction if I still really wanted to delivery naturally. We asked her what she felt would be best and without hesitation she answered "c-section." She said she does not usually encourage moms (especially on their first pregnancy) to not attempt labor at all and schedule the c-section, but said she felt this would be a "traumatic delivery," where they would either have to break the baby's shoulder to get him out (if my body did respond to the induction, which she was not hopeful about) or it would lead to an emergency c-section (which she said she felt would be most likely). Matt and I did not hesitate to schedule the c-section for the next day, knowing it would be what was best for the baby and for me.

Wednesday, June 1 - BIRTH day!

Matt and I spent a nice, relaxing morning after getting up very early - both of us far too anxious to sleep. Before getting up, we decided on the most important thing first - our little man would be named Aiden Matthew. Aiden was a name Matt and I have both liked for a while and after seeing a very fiesty, kicking, wiggling little boy at our first ultrasound in December and learning that Aiden meant "fiery," it seemed to fit. Matthew comes from his daddy's middle name. With the name finalized, we enjoyed a calm morning since we did not have to be at the hospital until 10:00. Here are the last few shots of sweet Aiden and mom before we left to go to the hospital... (exactly 41 weeks)

Look, no hands!

Car is packed and time to go!

Once we arrived at the hospital, things moved smoothly, but quickly. I was immediately taken back and prepped for surgery. I was changed, hooked up to monitors, hooked up to an IV, and prepped about what would happen. The anesthesiologist came in and I was given the epidural. My nurse continued to tell me that I could touch my belly now, but once back in the OR, I couldn't touch anymore. She told me this so frequently, I wondered if I was supposed to be touching my belly more? I soon realized what she meant - as I left Matt to be taken to the OR, I had my hand on my belly and felt Aiden kick. However, it wasn't the type of kick that I normally felt since I realized I was numb from the chest down. This was a kick like what everyone else felt - I could feel it on my hand, but no longer feel him inside of me. I had a few tears as reality set in that this was the last time I would ever feel my little boy inside me, despite how ready I thought I was to get him out after months together. I spent the next few moments on the table with my arms as wrapped tightly around my belly as I could get them, holding my little man while the doctors continued to prep for the surgery.

As my arms were moved, the next few moments are a blur - a sheet was put up to block my view, Matt came in to sit with me, a nurse told me they were beginning, there was pressure, and then a little cry! Aiden Matthew was born at 12:24 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs 13 oz!

Love at first sight!

Aiden and Mommy meeting for the first time!

Back in the recovery room after surgery, spending our first hour as a family of three!

Not sure who snapped this one, but it has become my favorite. This is in the hall on the way from the recovery room to being moved to the second floor, our home for the next 3 days.

Once on the second floor, it was time for the first picture of our new family!

My second favorite picture of the day - just a few moments before the family came in to meet Aiden for the first time.

The rest of the day, unfortunately, is nothing much than a blur. Once on the second floor I was put on morphine for the pain, which my body did not react well to. The medicine had me VERY out of it - I look very confused in most of the remaining pictures of the day and Matt said I often would daze out, where I looked awake, but my eyes were closed. Along with slurred speech and not making much sense, the hardest side effect was the vomitting - NOT an easy task for my stomach and abs and stitches and staples after the surgery.

We spent the next few days in the hospital soaking up every moment of our sweet little boy. There were even a few moments early on Friday morning after a 4 a.m. feeding that Matt and I sat in the hospital bed and watched our little boy in amazement as he peacefully looked at us, I am sure wondering who these silly people were that kept kissing him and talking to him as the sun came up. I repeatedly told Matt parenting was not this easy and we should not be fooled - we had not heard the child cry more than a whimper during our time in the hospital. The doctor even commented that he was the best baby she had ever had for a circumcision - he barely made a peep. However, all that changed on Saturday.

Saturday, June 4

Saturday was meant to be our discharge day and we had BIG plans. I had bought the perfect outfit, we were going to stop by Star Lake for a quick picture on the way home to show Aiden where his mom and dad had their first date, their first kiss, and their first walk on the night they were married. We would then wrap up by taking too many pictures once we arrived home to commemorate the occasion. But life never happens that way. When the nurse came in to go over our discharge information around 1:00 p.m., she had to do her final check of Aiden before we left. She said she would go ahead and remove the bandage around his circumcision, despite other nurses telling us it would come off on its own. She struggled to remove it, and once it was finally off Aiden began to SCREAM. And he screamed and screamed and screamed. Matt and I wanted to wait to leave the hospital until Aiden finished crying, but 2:00 came and went, then 3:00, then 4:00. Aiden continued to scream - he would not nurse, he would not sleep, he would not take his pacifier, he could not be calmed. Then 5:00 came and went and we were approaching 6:00. With our nerves on end and needing to just get out of the small hospital room and knowing that pharmacies would be closing soon, we decided to put our screaming child in the carseat and just tough it out. Fortunately, the car ride home pacified Aiden to a quick nap, while his mom lost it. I cried the entire way home - knowing my sweet boy was in so much pain and there was NOTHING I could do about it. (Although at moments I thought punching that nurse might actually make me feel better) Once we got home and Aiden was out of the car, the screaming started again and continued through midnight into the early hours of the morning until exhaustion set in - for all of us!

Overall parenting has been quite an adventure - as you can tell! I am sure we have not seen the last of the ups and downs, but it has been such a wonderful experience. I feel the best thing to leave you with are the things that have filled my mind the most over the past two weeks (well, besides Aiden!) - James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" and Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a gift of the Lord."

Showered with Love

2011-05-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

I don't believe a child has ever been so "showered" in his life! While I should be catching up on all the thank-yous for the six showers, the carpel tunnel in my hand will not allow me to write with my right hand. So, on (possibly, hopefully) my last day of being home alone, I have been thinking of the last few months and the arrival of our little boy. Here's 3 of the 6 baby showers...

My 8th Grade Cheerleaders

On the last day of March during the week of SAT testing, Jana suggested we eat dinner together to relax and take our mind off school and babies and testing. She suggested Jackson's in Homewood and I was in! But once we walked in the door, I realized I had been set up! In the upper balcony stood 17 squealing cheerleaders who had decorated the balcony for a baby shower for our little boy! (Who this group has named "Logan") We spent the next few hours giggling, eating, opening gifts, and guessing what the little guy would look and act like. As we opened gifts, we got to "ooo" and "ahhh" at all the little baby things. I even got to hear stories of how THEY chose each gift in the store - and see pictures of one cheerleader (who shall remain nameless) that actually crawled in one of the cribs at Buy Buy Baby! The girls were the perfect little hostesses! An afternoon of laughter was just what I needed during that stressful week!

His precious gifts!

My girls

Opening gifts

More gifts!

At dinner with his sweet cake

The girls at dinner

My 6th Graders

On the day of our 1950s party at school, my 6th graders wanted to throw a shower for our little boy. (Who this group named "Cameron") Some of my sweet parents came in and decorated my room while the kids were at pe and we had so much fun once they got back! We got to eat a few snacks, play a name game for the baby, and even guess our classmates from THEIR baby pictures. A few were easy and obvious, but none of the kids guessed mine! When it was time to open gifts, the kids had gone in together and got Baby Tanner an exersaucer - which all the kids quickly named the animals on the toy after each of them! These kids have been such a big part of my pregnancy, as I was innundated with questions EVERY day about his name, what he will look like, what I think he will be like, how I was feeling. I think some of my kids were just as excited as I am! Even on some of the days I didn't feel so good, their excitement made me excited and joyful. Mrs. Brown and I had set up to skype with the kids from the hospital so they could meet him, but I guess Baby Tanner is on a different schedule. I already miss my kids since I have been gone and they will truly be a group I will never forget!

His gifts in his nursery once we got them home

Checking their answers in the name game

4 of my sweet girls - Hannah, Simone, Lucy, and Millie Grace

3 of my memorable boys - Sam, Ben, and Faulkner

4 more of my sweet girls - Mariana, Hannah, Lizzie, and Sara

Eating our yummy snack once they got back

The precious decorations - including the wreath we are taking to the hospital to put on the door

My 8th Grade Cheerleaders (my new squad)

In late April my newest 8th grade cheer squad wanted to host a shower one day after school for our little boy. (Who this group has named "Austin") We met at Dorothy Pate's house, where all the girls were dressed up and ready to giggle! After eating a few snacks, the girls were eager to open gifts! We had a fun afternoon laughing and getting to know each other! I cannot wait for a new year with these amazing girls! I think they are all just as excited about meeting Baby Tanner as I am!

Half of the girls

The other half

We all wanted to feel him jump and move!

His gifts in his nursery when we got home

2011-05-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

COUSINS!

While I cannot wait to be a mom VERY soon, I have something new to countdown to - I am also going to be an aunt! Lauren and Hunter announced they are expecting in November! Since they shared with Matt and me as soon as they found out, we were able to schedule one of our doctor's appointments together - Lauren for her 12 week appointment and me for my 38 week appointment. She and Hunter got to hear our little man's heartbeat and then I got to hear my neice/nephew's heartbeat!! It was a lot of fun and probably the only doc appointment we will get to go to together!

Right before leaving the hospital - Lauren at 12 weeks 4 days and Leslie at 38 weeks 6 days

Out to eat with the family one last time before Baby T comes

An update: I am now going into my third day past our due date of May 25. Being uncomfortable has definitely become an understatement and has just moved into funny now. To get up and out of the bed in under a minute has become a thing of the past - as well as rolling over during the night. There is still a fair amount of indigestion that keeps me up at night. The new symptom that popped up in the past two weeks has been carpal tunnel. While it has affected both hands, it has really affected my right hand the most. A lot of easy tasks have become impossible - especially holding a pen to write. It is a challenge to hold a hair brush, hold my toothbrush, stir a pot, hold a glass, or grip anything, so I drop things constantly! (So much for all the thank-you writing for his 6 baby showers I was planning to do on my time off!) It has been quite annoying to say the least!

The doctor this week did not share encouraging news. While he is dropping a good bit, there is still not much dialation. We are scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday before our doctor's appointment because he keeps measuring inconsistenly every week - either ahead of schedule or behind. Hopefully the ultrasound will reveal how big he really is. If all goes well at the ultrasound and doc appointment (meaning he is not too big and a c-section is necessary), we are scheduled for an induction first thing on Wednesday morning. We have joked that he can either choose his own birthday or we have decided it for him! Hopefully by this time next week, we will be parents!

Here is an updated photo. With the pain in my lower back this week, we decided to go to the pool after Matt got home from work. This is Baby Tanner on his due date - May 25 - before we went swimming.

2011-03-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Beach Bum with a Bump

Baby Shower

First, an update on our first baby shower! The week before spring break several teachers at the school hosted a wonderful shower for Baby Tanner. I always love the showers at the school because it is one of the few times we get to see the teachers from the other grades. It was quite an overwhelming experience! First, I am not one that likes to be the center of attention in a large crowd and opening all the presents in front of everyone was interesting. It was unbelievable to look down the table and see so many gifts lined up for our little man - almost every teacher in the school sent a gift! The shower certainly made it much more real! Bringing everything home and going back through it all helped Matt and me to realize just how truly blessed we are. It was amazing to see such an outpouring of love for our little guy!

My sweet hostesses and coworkers - Elizabeth, Casey, Jana, Pam, Kim, April, Darby, Landon, and Donna

I was lucky enough to have my mom and both my grandmothers come to the shower! 4 generations in one picture (if you count the one in the tummy!)

Aunt Lauren even came to join the fun!

The baby bump and our class pet - the bear (long story)

As many of his gifts as I could get in one picture, not counting the items packed up in the boxes. LOTS of precious clothes, his bouncy seat, diaper pail, activity mat, bottles, bath tub, video monitor, noise machine, toys, bottle warmer, and lots and lots of accessories!

Beach Bum(p)

Since last week was spring break, I had a decision to make. Should I be a responsible, soon-to-be mom and stay home to prepare for our upcoming arrival OR be impulsive (and possibly a little selfish) and go to the beach. Well, realizing it will probably be the last time I relax, I chose the later. :)

It was such an amazing trip! I went with 4 friends from school - Jana, Casey, and April. We could not have asked for a better trip! We went on a long walk every day, ate out every night, did some shopping, and in 4 days spent the days on the beach in 75 degree weather without seeing a single cloud! One of the highlights of the trip was digging a big hole in the sand and laying on my tummy for the first time in months! It felt SO good to stretch out my back and I even took a pretty good nap. You should have seen the faces of the group that settled in next to our sandy spot. Boy, were they surprised when I stood up from my belly-down nap! It was such a great trip and I was excited to think about the next time I put my toes in the sand I would have a baby in my arms and not in the tummy!

The view from the beach - if you look closely the black fin just below the horizon is the best picture I had of the pod of dolphins that swam by right past the sandbar!

The tummy-sized hole! Casey dropped her phone into the bottom for a better shot :)

Me and Baby Tanner. I don't think anyone is ever a fan of a bathing suit pic, but if you can't get away with it when you're pregnant, when can you get away with it?

Final Update

We had our 30 week doctor's appointment yesterday and all went well. Matt even had an unexpected good day at work (Mondays are usually rough for him) and was able to leave early to go with us! My blood pressure was good and his heart beat was nice and strong. I teased the doctor that I thought about making a sunscreen smiley face on my tummy when getting a bit of sun and she laughed. She said all is well and looking on schedule (little does she know I am giving him nightly pep talks to come a week or two early!) :)

2011-03-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

PAST DUE

My apologies to our friends and family on how late this blog post is! (Especially my sweet out-of-town sister-in-law who can't be here as much as she would like) It has been something I have put off and the longer I put it off, the more overwhelming it became. Hopefully this can fill you in on the last few months of our life in the Tanner house...

It's A Boy!

Thanks to a friend of Matt's, we were able to find out we were having a little boy a few weeks before our scheduled appointment so we would know before Christmas. On December 11 we went up to Huntsville to stay with my grandmother and uncle and visit Meghan at the hospital for the ultrasound. She was able to take a few pictures and tell us we were having a little boy! Matt and I were SHOCKED! We were both convinced it was a girl! The night before we took several online gender predictor tests - all said girl. Chinese calendar - girl. I was SO sick (still was at that point), and so many told me that meant one thing - a girl. We were so surprised and went out that night to buy a baby name book, since the only names we had been considering were for girls! The visit was SO much fun and since we grabbed a chocolate milkshake for mom on the way to the hospital, our little man was quite active! He was kicking and moving and stretching - Meghan had no trouble getting a good shot to determine the gender. The hard part was getting him to hold still for a picture!

Our actual ultrasound appointment with our doctor was on December 27 and she confirmed it was a boy! I was so excited because she let us bring Aunt Lauren and Aunt Meredith, who was in town for the holidays. It was so fun to have them along to see the baby and get to hear his heartbeat. However, I don't think we did a very convincing job of acting surprised at the news that it was a boy :)

Here are a few pictures from those ultrasounds, probably the last time we will get to see the little guy until he arrives:

Head, Tummy, and Arm

Head and Hand - sorry, we can't tell if he has daddy's dimples yet :)

Looks who found his thumb! Our video shows him sucking it and swallowing!

Tiny foot

Since then...

I first felt him kick on December 31 while Matt and I were out running errands. I am not sure if I felt him before this and just never realized what it was, but while we were in the car I was sure of it! Well, as the month of January went by, Matt became frustrated that he couldn't feel him too. I would try, especially at night laying in bed, but the kicks were so far apart or Matt's hand wasn't in the right spot and we would give up. At our doctor's appointment on January 26, he asked our doctor how much longer. She promised it would not be long - and she was right. That Saturday morning while we were laying in bed, Matt got to feel him kick and kick and kick! While Matt is able to feel him more often, there are still times where we laugh and say the little guy isn't a performer. He can be so active, but when Matt puts his hand on my tummy, all goes quiet. I told him it's because he's scared of daddy already. :)

February 23 was my glucose test, which I grew very nervous about. I knew several friends who struggled with their tests and was worried about making it through the test and then the results. This would also be my first doctor's visit without Matt and I was nervous without the support. However, the test went ok and the results were great - sugar levels were good, iron levels were good, weight gain was good, and heartbeat was strong - all good news to mommy's ears!

Baby Bumpdates...

Tanner is currently my alarm clock. (Our little man still doesn't have a name yet, so we just call him Tanner. All of us except my cheerleaders, who have become impatient with our decision and just call him Logan - not sure why) Tanner wakes me up pretty consistently between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. with his kicking. Matt and I laid in the bed this morning for over half an hour and laughed at the movement of my tummy! This morning was beyond just kicking - Matt said he looked like he was trying to stand up and pop right through my tummy! We could not believe how active he was!

Pregnancy Symptoms: I am glad to say the nausea and vomitting has subsided, but been replaced by heartburn and reflux. The biggest adjustment has been having to sleep sitting up, which took some time to get used to. I am also struggling with a lot of back pain. By 8:00 at night my back is DONE and I can't even sit up. I am trying to make an effort to stay off my feet as much as possible while I am teaching. I have also seen a little bit of swelling, especially with my feet. I am hoping flip flop weather will be here before my feet quickly grow out of my shoes! I can't say I have had a craving yet, but there are still several aversions: Chinese food, anything tomato - pizza, marinana sauce, etc. Mexican has made a slow comeback, though, so Matt is happy.

Our first baby shower was this week, hosted by the teachers at the school. While I was so excited, it was all very overwhelming! It certainly made things seem SO real! Almost every teacher in the school gave our little man a gift and the amount of baby stuff still sitting in our den (until the nursery is painted) is unbelievable. Matt is convinced this little boy will not wear the same outfit twice for the first few months (but I don't think that Matt realizes this little guy will require his clothes to be changed on several days). Along with clothes, bottles, toys, blankets, we also got a diaper pail, activity mat, bouncy chair, bathtub, baby monitor, and a friend of ours made a wooden elephant that was the centerpiece on the table that matches Tanner's nursery. (pictures to come later - my mom had the camera) Some days the word "blessed" is the only word that comes to mind.

As we start our 30th week, our main goal is to get the nursery painted now that we (think we) have picked a color. I am heading off to the beach, but Matt has taken a few days off work to paint while I am away. Pics to come when I get back.

ThankFULL

2010-12-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

I am now in my 15th week, and while I can't say things are great, they are better! Pregnancy has certainly been a roller coaster! Along with the extreme morning sickness (I have seen the inside of a bathroom more than the inside of our new house), there have been a whirlwind of other pregnancy signs. The last few weeks have brought the worst acne of my life (my blunt, pre-teen 12 year-olds are asking ME what all the red bumps on my face are), extreme exhaustion (I feel like a toddler from all the naps I take), sudden bouts of nausea that require me to eat immediately (I carry around a small convenience store in my purse), excessive burping (my husband is now calling ME gross), 2 a.m. trips to the restroom (I am convinced my body thinks it is preparing me for 2 a.m. feedings), and several other symptoms that would just be too much information.

With all that said (sometimes it is good just to get it out!), these things have not been my focus, just challenges to overcome. A few weeks ago I was able to get up early and felt good enough to go to Frist Priority (thank you Zofran!). In reflecting to prepare the devo that week, I did a lesson with the kids on being thankful in honor of Thanksgiving. Our target verse for the week was:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

After a VERY emotional week, I thought what better for a blog post than a list of the top 10 things I am thankful for?

1. a patient and understanding Heavenly Father who has given me so many unexpected blessings in my life
2. a quirky, patient, fun husband who began embracing his new father-to-be responsibilities with a smile several weeks ago - from holding back my hair to getting our new home ready for a family of three
3. a new little baby bump that has popped out in the last week for me to rub and poke at and talk to that shows the healthy little one snuggled up inside
4. a mom who has cooked for us every day and helped me in so many other ways at a time I needed the help the most
5. a dad who has "played it cool" about becoming a granddad, but deep down I know he is so excited because he has put his new "James Bond" car outside in the cold and frost at night so his preggo daughter can have his warm spot in the garage
6. an excited sister who, I am convinced, has already bought more stuff for the baby than I have
7. an amazing support system of women at work who have helped me get through the last few weeks in every way imaginable
8. a great group of excited kids at school who ask me EVERY day OVER and OVER if it's a boy or a girl, when it's due, (yes, they forget their homework too), if I am feeling ok, and what we are going to name it
9. one of my sweet little girls who gives me a hug at least once a day, although she has no idea how much I look foward to it (6th graders don't dish out many voluntary hugs to their teachers) and every time she does it makes me excited for May and the chance to hug our little one
10. amazing friends that I don't get to spend as much time with as I would like to, but are always there for me to celebrate new adventures

A Tiny Tanner!

2010-11-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

Well, it is official! In May we will become a family of three! This post is long overdue, since Wednesday will begin my 14th week. Matt and I found out we were pregnant at 5 weeks, much to our surprise. I actually took the pregnancy test with little expectations, brought on from the months of negative results before. In fact, I took the test and left it for some time before even remembering to come back to check it. When I did, Matt was confronted with a teary, speechless wife and couldn't understand why!

Matt and I decided to wait to tell anyone until our scheduled ultrasound in the 7th week. (Well, other than the few teachers at school who figured it out!) With this being the first grandbaby on both sides, we wanted to be VERY sure of all the details and hear the heartbeat before getting the grandmothers too excited. So at 7 1/2 weeks we were off to the doctor for the first time and got to see...

So I admit that it looks a little more like a worm than anything, but the heartbeat was music to our ears! It is also not a very good picture, but that is a long story involving unclear directions, a clueless first-time mommy, and an incompetent ultrasound receptionist. We were able to share the good news with the soon-to-be grandparents (who were more than elated) and even the soon-to-be GREAT grandmothers!

Matt and I initially agreed that we would wait until the safe 14 week marker to share the news with anyone else, especially my kids at school. However, things don't always go as planned. The week before this ultrasound morning sickness kicked in. The week after this ultrasound, things took a turn for the worst. At this point, Matt and I had just moved in with Mom and Dad, which is a true testament to God's timing. Morning sickness was in full swing, holding true to its name. I was sick often, especially at 7:00 a.m. Eating became a daunting task, despite many possible remedies - small meals, snacking, hot foods, cold foods, setting an alarm to eat in the middle of the night, crackers, bland foods - everything. In a time where each day was a struggle of nausea and exhaustion, my sweet mom was there to cook and help me out, especially while my poor husband was trying to manage the move to a new home (and the temporary home).

Another saving grace in the toughest weeks was my friend Jana. Being sick at promptly 7 a.m. didn't allow me to get out the door until around 7:45 and some days 8:00, making me late for work for several weeks. Jana and I were able to come up with a system where I could leave the work for my kids at school to get started and Jana gave up part of her prep period everyday for weeks to get my kids started in the morning. For a while I was able to get away with various excuses to my 11 year-olds: traffic, car trouble, a meeting, sick, etc. As I have told Matt often on our cheer sleepovers, it's when the kids are quiet that you have to start to worry. After a few weeks, the kids stopped asking why I was late and even asking me if I was feeling ok when I came in. I should have known then that they knew. The kids who can't figure out what to do if they forget to get a fork when they go through the lunch line had put the pieces together to figure out their teacher was expecting.

So at around 11 weeks and a series of a long, bad night that led into a bad morning that sent me home from work barely able to walk, my doctor finally switched me to a new, stronger medication. Since then, there has been a complete turn-around! While I have still lost close to 10 pounds since the ultrasound visit, I have been able to eat better and keep the meal down. I am sure the weight will come back (and much faster than I expect), especially since the little guy decided to pop out last weekend!

My favorite part of being pregnant has been telling family and friends. Telling our parents was certainly fun. Then there was nothing like sitting around a table at Yogurt Mountain with some of my favorite girl friends explaining the layout of our new house - the bedrooms upstairs, including the one that will be the nursery in May - and seeing their faces and the shocked, "nursery?" "May?"

Then there was the day I got to tell my kids at school. Matt and I painted letters the night before that would be hidden in the library. In pairs, the kids had to find a letter, bring it back to the table, and unscramble the message. In the end, here is what they came up with...

Then there was telling the cheerleaders. After school Jana and I met with our 8th grade girls and Jana did such a great job telling them after their "disappointing practice yesterday" and how their behavior "didn't show the positive role models they could be," they would be completing a brief team-building exercise before going home that afternoon. The girls solemnly began unscrambling the letters, which had been dumped out on a table. The mood completely changed when Amanda was the first to unscramble a word and shout out "BABY!" and Savannah unscrambled "Tanner!"

My high school girls have been the most excited about the possibilities of a baby, asking every time I see them "WHEN?" and leading me to make something up. In scheming with my favorite high school senior cheerleader, Shea and I decided to tell the cheerleaders the same way I was telling my kids. Alison, a pledge sister from college, is the new college counselor at the high school and helped us in getting one letter to each cheerleader through the day. At practice, Shea instructed the girls in putting the letters together and solving the message. Here was the pic and text message I got shortly after 3:00... (note the use of "Furlong" rather than "Tanner" since most of the girls had me as a teacher/coach before I was married)

Overall, pregnancy has been quite an emotional, exciting, unexpected journey with more twists and turns sure to come. At latest, we will find out if it is a boy or a girl the week after New Years. If things go well, maybe we will be able to find out a bit sooner than that!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

2010-08-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

There comes a point when a haircut is necessary. Sometimes beyond necessary. I had a woman stop me about 2 weeks ago in a restaraunt and ask me, "Is that your real hair or do you have extensions?" That is a clear sign that a haircut is necessary. Long hair can be a pain - a long time to wash, to dry, to brush, to fix. When a haircut would be the easy way out, I have to remind myself what I am doing it for.

Last week Lauren and I went for our haircuts. It was time to cut off our hair that would be donated to an organization called Locks of Love, which uses the hair to create wigs for children who have lost their hair due to a medical condition. This haircut was my fourth (maybe fifth?) donation. I am weirdly attached to my hair. When it is curly I am happy, no matter how bad the day. I can't imagine being without my hair, much less losing it at such a young age. I am too big of a wimp to donate blood, so when I heard about this organization years ago, I knew this was a project I could get on board with.

Any time I cut my hair I am reminded of my first (or was it my second?) time to donate. I went to Hunstville to visit my grandmother. We thought it would be fun to donate my hair while there and then surprise my family when I returned to Bham with my new haircut. We went to the salon and the hairdresser took her time measuring the hair, putting it in a ponytail, and beginning to cut. As she cut off the ponytail, she began to cry. As she began to even out the remaining hair, she continued to cry. Not out loud, just calm, silent tears. My grandmother an I could only look at each other and wonder what was going on. My grandmother finally asked, "Are you ok?" The hairdresser explained that her daughter lost her hair to a medical condition and received wigs from Locks For Love. She told us she would be thrilled if her daughter received my hair one day. That was it - I was hooked. I knew that this was one way that I could help others by sacrificing a part of myself.

Ok...the part you have been waiting for - the pics. The gold star for bravery goes to Lauren, who didn't have the 10 inches to keep her hair long enough to stay at her shoulders. She definitely made a sacrifice with this donation!

me before

me after (with my donation)

Lauren before

Lauren after (with her donation)

Sisters with new haircuts!

Party Like It's 1999

2010-08-02T20:50:00.001-07:00

The year I graduated things were different. We wore flared leg jeans, iPods didn't exist, Britney Spears was a rising star, Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, I could only dream of the day I would have a cell phone, Saved by the Bell was as cool as it got, and there was only one high school - Hoover High. Things are different now. Skinny jeans are in, all of my 11 year-olds have a cell phone that plays music, makes calls, texts, and checks facebook, and rap music tops the charts. Ten years ago things were different.

For the most part high school was the worst 4 years of my life. Caught in the midst of teenage angst, I was perceived as a hellion and rebel by my parents, while everyone at school saw me differently - almost a goody-goody. I couldn't understand why my parents thought I was such a heathen while everyone at school couldn't understand why I was such a rule-follower. The division made for some of the toughest years of my life. Early curfews, strict rules, and long punishments were a common part of life for me. Sure, there were high points. I would go back and be on the dance team all over again - band camp, pep rallies, dance camp, football games, morning workouts, and all. I didn't know it then, but there was a passion in my heart for dance that I didn't know existed. I think it was dance team that saved my life and got me through those 4 years. Naturally, when I heard about the ten year reunion, I was not jumping at the chance to go back and relive some of the memories.

As the time got closer and I began to give it more thought and had to decide if I was going to spend the obscene amount of money to stand around and visit with many people I had not talked to in 10 years, a thought hit me. My happiest times in high school were AT school. I looked forward to going to school and hated to come home and I started to wonder why. It wasn't my teachers; sadly I can only name about 5 through my high school career. It wasn't lunch; I remember the food, but not where I sat or who I sat with. It wasn't my classes; while I am sure I learned a lot, I don't remember sitting in a single class. I realized it was my friends. It was the group of girls that I depended on throughout those 4 years to get me through. While they couldn't understand me or what was going on at home, they just loved me unconditionally. They understood when I had to leave at 9:45 to make (or usually miss) my 10:00 curfew all the way through graduation, didn't give me a hard time when I didn't drink, listened to my fuss when I needed someone to talk to, and basically put up with me. I have been fortunate enough to have one of the girls - my solid rock and best friend - with me in Birmingham all these years, but after finding out ALL the other girls were flying/driving in from Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, and Mississippi, going to the reunion was an indisputable must.

I said it all week and it became true. I told Matt I was not glad I was going, but I would be glad I went. I can't say I enjoyed the dress shopping or getting ready, but the weekend turned out to be one of the best ones in months - despite that my feet have not hurt so badly since the day of my wedding.

The best part of the weekend (for me) was lunch. Getting all the girls at the same lunch table chatting, gossiping, giggling, and remembering made me feel like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. There was a moment where I sat back as the girls talked and had to remind myself that it really had been 10 years since the last time we were all together at the same table and my heart started to ache when I realized it would probably be another 10 before it happened again. The reunion was a great time as well, but I knew it could not top lunch. It really was great to catch up and see so many people that I had not talked with in years. I was amused at how tough reunions must have been before facebook. I already had a pretty good idea of which classmates already had kids, where they were living, and their career from status updates and posts on facebook. I even won an award for "least surprising career path." I must admit that I smiled as I looked at the certificate on the way home, since one of the few things I have never doubted in my life is that I was meant to be a teacher. I found it fascinating that others must have seen that in me 10 years ago. I spent time catching up with good friends, former prom dates, elementary school friends, and of course - the girls. We had a great time dancing and reminiscing and joking about the fact that I didn't have a curfew!

Here are a few shots from the night. I was disappointed when I got home and saw there were only about ten pictures on the camera.

Me and Christin

Me and JR

Jackie and me

Jenn and me

The girls (missing Meredith)

Me and Sarah Beth

Me and Whitney

Whitney, me, and Audrey

Me and Derek, a childhood friend and senior prom date :)

Furlong Family Florida Vacation

2010-07-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

It was that time again - family vacation time! These trips are always unique in their own way, and this one was no different. For the first time ever there was a 3-way tie for Dad's Dessert Dinner Quiz - Lauren, Hunter, and me. (A huge disappointment for me considering I actually studied this year!) Last year was the first vacation of an official family of 6, but this year Dad's "third daughter," Whitney, and her husband, JJ, were able to join us for a a day or two. We also had one very UNinvited guest - the oil.

We were fortunate. We arrived late Friday night and had beautiful weather until Wednesday. Once the oil arrived, so did all the other inconveniences that come with it - helicopter fly-bys every half hour, fencing closing the beach, tractors filtering the sand, workers to clean the sand, and many other things. I think pictures can sometimes explain things better than words...

Trying to keep the beach clean

The tractor brought in to filter the oil from the sand (seen in the back)

The view down the beach - notice the black fence brought in to close the water from the public

The view from the umbrella - the black silt fence and the coast guard helicopter

Again, we had beautiful weather, great food, and of course a lot of fun. The oil didn't stay for too long. We couldn't help but think about how bad it could get or what would happen if more oil washed up or the worst - what will happen if they can't stop it? We talked about how long it would stay and how the beach would change and I couldn't help but wonder if my own kids will one day be able to play on the white sandy beaches and build sand animals the way I was able to as a kid. On the last day, Lauren and I were fortunate enough to spend about an hour on the beach. Here is what we had to leave behind and the image I will remember of the beach...

Birthday Bash

2010-06-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

My NB portfolio was due on Wednesday, March 31 by midnight. After going to bed on Sunday night (the 28th) I made a promise that I would not go to bed again until The Box (with my portfolio in it) was complete, packed, and shipped. While I am pleased to share that I kept that agreement, I am sad to say that I did not mail The Box until a little after 1:00 a.m. on the early morning of March 31. Yes, that means teaching all day on Tuesday with NO sleep the night before. By that point I was running on pure adrenaline and excitement. In fact, it was several hours before I could settle down enough to sleep after returning from FedEx/Kinkos at 2:00 a.m. With SAT testing going on, a day off was not possible (or I would have taken it earlier!) and made the week drag by. It didn't matter. Months and months of work were over. Now all there was to worry about was the test in June...

I quickly turned my attention to Matt's 30th birthday, which was creeping up on April 30. After going back and forth between a party with friends and a trip away, I decided we could both use some time away. I quickly set off making plans...and finding a partner in crime. A coworker and friend, Jana, was also eager for a quick trip to the beach. Since our husbands have become such good friends, our weekend getaway would be filled with laughs and fun. I quickly set to the plans. First, a weekend. With an upcoming, unused inclement weather day, I had April 23 off - the weekend before Matt's birthday, which would make it the perfect unsuspecting weekend to slip away. I contacted a coworker of Matt's, Keana, to get Matt the day off work from his boss. Next, a place to stay. I got in touch with Matt's Aunt Sandi to stay at their place in Panama City. Finally, birthday dinner. I made reservations at Matt's favorite in the world (which happens to be in PC), Captain Anderson's for his big birthday dinner. The suprise was set - all I had to worry about was keeping my mouth shut...

The big week came and we were set to leave on Thursday. I got a call on Monday night from my father-in-law telling me Aunt Sandi had called with urgent news. While at the beach house over the weekend, Uncle Tommy had a mild stroke. He was in the hospital and too weak to be moved back home to Mobile. This meant Sandi and other family members who would come visit would need the beach house for the upcoming weekend. I quickly set to work to find another place and my sister came through on Tuesday afternoon. Her in-laws have a condo in Gulf Shores and there were no reservations for the upcoming weekend. It meant no birthday dinner at Capt Anderson's, but it did mean a beach trip.

I emailed Keana at Matt's office on Thursday to make sure Matt still had Friday off and asked her to get Matt out of the office a little early - he needed to pack a bag so we could get on the road. She emailed back to say that she and another older woman at work, Dorothy, emailed the staff to say the office was being fumigated and everyone needed to be out promptly at 5:00. She later emailed to let me know everyone shot out at 5:00, except for Dorothy and Matt. Dorothy had to wait on her husband to come pick her up each day and Matt refused to leave her alone at the downtown office. After 15 mintues she finally told Matt her husband was picking her up at the grocery store up the street. She had to leave and walk up the street just so Matt would get in the car and go home!

When Matt got home I was waiting. I asked him if he would help me empty the trunk of my car, where I had secretly stored the beach chairs and umbrella I picked up from my parents. He agreed and after opening the trunk he said, "You planning a trip to the beach?" I immediately told him, "Yes, and you're going too. You have about 20 minutes to pack a bag." He ended up with only about 10 minutes to pack a bag - it took me at least 10 minutes to convince him I wasn't kidding and we really were going to the beach! Jana and Will were there shortly and we were off!

The only thing I forgot to do was wish for good weather. Friday was breezy, cloudy, and chilly - not the day I was hoping for. However, Matt managed to burn from the several hours on the beach during the very overcast afternoon. After a calming nap on the beach wrapped up in my towel, we showered for a dinner of seafood. It was then that the weather took a turn for the worse. Saturday was filled with thunder, lightening, wind, rain, and very high winds. The waves were so high there were patrols on the beach forcing people out of the water during the breaks between storms. On a half-hearted dare, Will decided to test the waves and go in while Jana and I cheered him on from the balcony. It was only moments before he too was called out of the water by a lifeguard. However, a bad day at the beach is better than any day anywhere else. We spent the morning playing cards, the afternoon shopping at the outlet mall, and the evening playing a comeback round of Hand and Foot, hoping the girls could redeem themselves from the loss the night before.

Sunday we woke to a beautiful day and our departure time quickly changed from "after lunch" to "late afternoon." We were quickly out to the beach for the perfect, sunny, breezy beach day. While the storms left the large, overpowering waves behind, it did not stop us from enjoying the day!

The view from the condo on Sunday morning

Red flag = fun on the beach, but not in the water

The birthday boy

(note his chair under the umbrella)

The view from the chair

(note the bird on the left, who decided to hang out with our group for quite some time and continued to make the most annoying sound I have ever heard)

The trip ended that afternoon when we packed up to head back home. Jana and I were proud of ourselves, surprised that after about 6 hours in the sun we were leaving barely pink. However, after stopping for dinner in Montgomery, we got out to find ourselves a bright shade of red. (First thing Monday morning, sweet Yaseen was the first one in the classroom door - as always. He quickly made it over to my desk where he signed "Tanner, your face red." I signed back "I know." Before leaving he signed "My face brown, but yours shiny RED." All I could sign back was "thanks.")

The trip was a success - a surprise getaway that allowed us a little rest, fun, and relaxation!

Reflections

2010-03-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

Although I am about sick of hearing this word, reading this word, writing this word, and thinking about this word, I figured I could use it to procrastinate just a bit more. I am looking at the cold, gloomy, overcast day outside the window from the seat of our dining room table for the third day in a row now. However, I am happy to say that this is the first day I feel like I have seen light - but the one at the end of the tunnel.

The process of National Boards has been much more than I thought it would be, and I will say I was expecting the worst from the experience I heard from others. I was prepared for the work, giving up my spring break, and the times required to write, but I was not prepared for all the other stuff. I can honestly say that I have not spent a weekend away from this computer and this room since Christmas vacation - and it is clear I have not been blogging at that time on the computer! However, with months and months of work, the deadline is now just two weeks away. I am only a few pages away from having the papers written, but I not too naive to think that there is still much more work ahead - revising, editing, printing, sorting, packing, etc. I can easily say it has been a challenge - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have thought about this process and the work involved since the day in July when they called to tell me I was accepted to the program. This process has affected every part of my life, in good ways and bad.

This process has truly tested my marriage. Bless my wonderful husband for my mood swings, my tears, my frustration, my complete neglect of cleaning the house and cooking in at least two months, and his patience to understand that I have to lock myself up each weekend to work. I remember calling Matt after my first NB class, telling him that the supervisor said if you were getting married, pregnant, moving, getting a divorce, thinking about any of these things, have a child under the age of 5, or don't have time for a part-time job, then you needed to get up and leave right then. I laughed at the time, but looking back now I know she was right. Along with my immense stubbornness and mentality that I can do anything I put my mind to, there has been the added pressure that I am doing this all on someone else's dime - making failure NOT an option.

This process has truly been a toll on every aspect of my life, including those outside my marriage. I am sad to say it has affected my relationship with Christ, impeding on my concentration in church and with my First Priority group at school. I am sorry to say that we have skipped church several times since the first of the year so I can have an extra 3 hours to write, since when I am at church I can't concentrate, make notes, and tap my foot until Matt tells me to stop. This process has almost taken everything out of me emotionally. I haven't really seen or spent time with my friends since early December, devoting every minute of the weekend to writing and preparing and reflecting. With my weekends devoted to NBs, that means I have had to spend extra hours at school each day. I can't even remember I day I left the school with the sun still out. Many nights the janitor comes to find me when he gets off at 7 to make me go home, refusing to let me be the only person in the building. The added stress and pressure and work have been indescribable. As silly as it sounds, I can't yet think of the day that I will get to take this big box full of 8 month's worth of work to the post office and mail it away without tears appearing. And then even worse - what if the results come back and I didn't pass.....

Along with my amazing husband, the only other thing that has gotten me through this is my support system at school. My coworkers, my teaching partner, and most of all my precious kids. I have to have 2 videos that are 15 minutes in length and must be UNedited and UNinterrupted. Well, the first video took 4 times to shoot, and I still ended up having to use a clip that had an interruption. My kids fussed at all the people that walked in (ignoring my signS on the door) and ruined my video - even the counselor and vice principal! Seeing the faces of all my sweet little ones when I tell them "I'm sending this in" and watching them do their best and check their spelling and grammar and then run to ask me "Will this get you a good grade?" It took me a few moments to compose myself before the last video shooting - one that I had ONE shot at (since along with being stubborn I am also a procrastinator). Before starting the video I was reminding my kids of the video rules - talking quietly in their group so the mic doesn't pick up everyone's noise, no getting up, no sharpening pencils, etc. One of my little girls stood up (in her chair) and said "Come on, guys! Let's do this really good for Mrs. Tanner so she gets an A!" which was followed by a round of applause. My kids have been amazing through this whole time and I know God had a plan when he put each of these kids in my class this year.

Well, I think that is enough reflection time for one day. More updates to come in the weeks ahead - hopefully one the day IT goes in the mail. I just hope ALL the work that went into it can fit in the box.....

The Icing on the Cake

2009-12-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

My birthday began with surprises. The first one from my husband. After frustrating him by shaking the present to find it was a puzzle, I quickly opened it to find a panoramic puzzle of Times Square. The second surprise came once I got to work...

I walked into the 6th grade hall to find a teacher waiting for me and quickly pulled me into her classroom. She asked me all sorts of crazy questions, like asking me to name all my favorite Christmas carols. After a few minutes of this, I asked if she was stalling, sure that something was going on. With a big smile on her face she said, "Yes, so make yourself comfortable. I am supposed to stall until the tardy bell." After another ten minutes the tardy bell rang and I was off down the hall. I arrived at my classroom door to find this.....

Behind the cracked door I could hear "shhhh!" and "quiet!" and "she's coming!" I slowly opened the door to find all 46 kids crouched in the doorway with a handful of confetti and paper streamers. I quickly called Matt to drop the camera off at the school after finding the kids had arrived early to decorate my classroom, with the help and supervision of my team teacher, Mrs. Brown. In true party fashion, the kids brought a few yummies to share with the class. I got tons of hugs from the kids (the best present) and a few fun cards and surprises on my desk. My favorites included a Christmas light necklace that blinks, flowers, a football helmet animal bracelet, and several handmade cards. One was made by all my homeroom boys, complete with their sweet signatures and Alabama drawings. Another card came from one of the boys in my homeroom. It read, "Mrs. Tanner, I hope you have a great birthday. You are a great teacher. In "girl talk" that means: i <3 (heart) u!" All my birthday items are in my "Why I Became A Teacher" box; a box I keep around for those tough days on the job where I need a reminder of why I put my all into each day at work.

Here are a few pictures from the day....

The bookshelves in the back of the room

Decorations on the window (the balloons did not stay up for long, thanks to my boys)

The sign they made out of Kit-Kat candybars behind my desk

My sweet Yaseen, who teaches me more about sign language each day

While they remind me each day that they are all stubborn, anxious, and emotional preteens, they also reminded me that they are caring, funny, eager to please, sweet, and sneaky! I always said growing up that I would be a teacher, but NEVER for middle school. Funny thing is, now I can't imagine teaching anything else!

Tanner - Party of 17

2009-12-20T14:53:00.000-08:00

Next on the update list is our cheerleader sleepover!

Last year, Jana - the other 8th grade cheer sponsor with me at HMS - and I started having a sleepover for their cheerleader Christmas party. This is something I have always wanted to do with the cheerleaders, but living in an apartment did not provide me enough space. (or insulation for noise!) The girls march in the Homewood Christmas Parade on the first Saturday in December each year, so we have the sleepover on the Friday night before and take them to the parade in the morning.

The night began with a group outing. We met at the Summit on Hwy 280 to eat dinner and watch a movie. The 17 girls and 4 adults (Jana and I with our poor husbands) ate at Macaroni Grill, where the girls colorfully decorated their tablecloth with the crayons given to us by our overwhelmed waiter. The highlight of dinner came toward the end. As if the 21 of us did not attract enough attention, the girls decided to make sure the restaurant noticed their table. A young woman was coming around to each table singing opera-style Christmas carols. Upon arriving at our table, the girls did not want to hear "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" or "Silent Night," they wanted "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." She did not get through the first line before all 17 girls were (loudly) singing along with her - and including the hand motions and the funny parts in between the verses. It was not long before the entire restaurant was looking our way - some even standing up or letting their small children stand in their chairs! The girls received quite a round of applause from the restaurant!

After dinner we took a short trip across the shopping mall to see The Blind Side as a group. Trying to find 21 seats together on the second week of the movie opening was difficult. The girls sat together while Jana, Will, Matt, and I sat a few rows behind. The movie was fantastic - all the girls loved it! (If you have not seen it, I strongly recommend it! It is wonderful!) A big surprise met us as we all walked out of the theatre together - SNOW flurries! As we headed to the cars while the girls boisterously sang their "We Rode With Matt" rap, Jana and I quickly caught up on weather updates, which were predicting 1-2 inches of snow and ice throughout the night. We packed the girls up and headed back to the house for more Christmas fun, worried that 17 girls could be snowed-in at our house!

Once arriving at the house, the girls unloaded and unpacked - but not before waking up our neighbors as they sang out in the snow in our driveway. Once inside, many changed into their pajamas and were eager to play! Jana brought items for them to build gingerbread houses, so the girls were broken into groups and got busy! They were VERY competitive, but only one team could win! After building, eating, and then demolishing, we played another game where the girls had to guess facts about their teammates that their mothers shared with us. We wrapped up the night by watching some old dance team and cheer videos of mine and Jana's. It was not long before the girls slowly disappeared downstairs and the rest were asking if they could go to bed!

Second Place!

The Winning House!

Erin is out on our deck around 1:00 am and yes - she is barefoot!

During their sing-along in the den

After a few hours of sleep, Jana and I were up and getting the girls ready for the parade. We were also greeted by quite a bit of snow, since the prediction was just "flurries." The girls took a few moments to walk around and play before heading to the parade. When I called to make sure the parade was still on, the man on the phone was very surprised at my question and almost seemed to wonder if I was joking. We found out shortly it was because Homewood did not get near the snow that we did in Hoover on top of the mountain. After a bitter cold parade with 17 chilly, sleepy girls, we walked back to teammate Riordan's house for breakfast and meeting moms. The girls had a great time, but Jana and I left the breakfast eager for a nap and the SEC championship game!

Giving Thanks

2009-12-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

While there are so many things to update on, I will start with our Thanksgiving holidays.

We started our Thanksgiving holidays with a trip down to Dothan. After a rough start, we finally reached Dothan in the early morning hours of Wednesday. Matt and I awoke to the pitter-patter of little feet downstairs and whispers that sounded through the halls. It was Matt's two little cousin's kids - Lillie and Ella - twin girls eager to play. Breakfast was full of anticipation and excitement as Ella was cheered on by the table while she wiggled her loose front tooth. When a sixth graders pulls out a loose tooth, it is no big deal. I had forgotten the thrills of a little one pulling out her FRONT tooth! There were many cheers, applause, and pictures to be taken! The afternoon consisted of trying to get Lillie to come down from the tree in the backyard and Christmas shopping. We woke up Thursday morning and had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with the family and had to say goodbye to our two favorite blonde twins and head to Auburn for the big football game on Friday.

Auburn was a good time! After riding with friends, David and Anna, from Dothan to Auburn we were able to catch up on recent happenings. Friday was full of friends, tailgating, and football! After a VERY eventful football game, both Matt and I surprisingly left the game "happy." I say "happy" because although his team played very well, they lost and while my team did not play very well, we won. (Editor's note: I have been asked to clarify "happy." Matt was in no way happy about the loss, but happy about the apparent direction his Auburn program is headed in, but hey - whatever - it's my red Alabama star on top of our football tree in the den.) We wrapped up the night with a nice dinner with lots of Auburn friends to close the football season until next year. Again, we stayed with more friends and woke up again to the sounds of pitter-pattering little feet downstairs and whispers. However, these whispers came from Sarah and Joseph's little boys, Ford and Luke, wondering when we would be up to play. Ford came up to show us that he got to sleep in the playroom (since we took his bed) and then showed us his new toys downstairs. After visiting with the family for a bit, it was back to Birmingham.

Once back in Birmingham, Christmas came a bit early for us! Some neighbors in mom and dad's neighborhood were looking to get rid of some of their dining room furniture. After getting back in town on Saturday afternoon we went by to look at the furniture and were eager to take it off their hands. So now we have a dining room, complete with table, chairs, china cabinet, and buffet table. It may need some work this summer, but we are glad to give it a new home!

Orleans Outing

2009-10-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Matt and I took a short weekend trip with a few friends down to New Orleans. The purpose of the trip was the Auburn - LSU game, however, we did not go to Baton Rouge for the game. Matt and I decided to fly down since the airfare was cheap. We left after work on Friday and met up with our group that night. Years ago Matt and his friends agreed to meet up in New Orleans every 2 years for this game, so we met up with 12 other people and stayed in a Victorian house which was very interesting! The style of the house was unique and the bathrooms were certainly authentic! I think it has been my first time to pull a chain from above to flush a toilet and take a shower in a footed bathtub! If you are interested in seeing the house, here it the website where you can see pictures: http://www.victorianhousenola.com/

While I can't say that New Orleans was one of my top places to visit, it was quite a place to see! For someone who loves people-watching as much as I do, I think I found the perfect spot! We also found many great places to eat around the city. I must also mention that while Bourbon Street is an interesting place to be, the strangeness reaches a whole new level on the Saturday night before Halloween! While the men watched the second half of the Auburn game in a restaurant, the girls were able to step outside for a bit and see the large city Halloween parade. The floats and costumes were unbelievable! I have seen hard work and creativity in other floats, but these were amazing! And there are never more unexpected surprises than running into former students (from last year) with their dads on Bourbon Street just after midnight on the eve of an LSU win! Of all the sounds from the bands and bars and thousands of people walking on Bourbon Street, there is nothing quite as strange as hearing "Mrs Tanner!" Before flying out on Sunday afternoon, Matt and I were able to spend another day walking around the city. We ate beignets at the famous Cafe Du Monde and walked around Jackson Square while having a quiet lunch in a local cafe. As we left we were also able to briefly see some of the remaining damage of Hurricane Katrina from the cab.

I must also admit that the highlight of my trip came on the plane ride home. After a brief 30 minutes in the air, as we were asked to put our tray tables back in their upright positions, Matt's friend, Rory, told us to look out the window. On the clear, October day we could perfectly see Bryant-Denny stadium, the U of A quad, the Coliseum, Tutwiler, and I was even able to find the sorority house! I don't think the planefull of Auburn fans quite felt my excitement, but it brightened my weekend!

Beginnings

2009-10-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well, after much encouragement, Matt and I decided it was time to jump on the blogging bandwagon. Hopefully this will be a great way for us to share what is going on in our crazy, busy, over-scheduled life! I know this will be quite the endeavor for me to write just once a week, since just finding a name for our blog took much longer than I expected. Our final decision came from a friend, Chris Tanner, who is quick to remind us that Matt and I run on our time schedule, which he affectionately calls "Tanner Time." It only seemed fitting for the place where we would share what is going on in our lives.

As I write, it is a typical fall Saturday in the Tanner House. Football is on the tv, ungraded papers sit next to me in stacks, and I am still in my pajamas. Matt recently bought a new laptop to work on some of his other design projects outside of work, so it looks like a day that will be mixed with work and play for both of us. The unusual happenings are outside. Along with the strange 50 degree weather for mid-October, it is quite noisy outside. After Matt has owned this house for close to 3 years, we are finally having the house painted! The crew arrived this morning and are pressure washing the house and starting some of the repair work on the windows and exterior. I can't wait for the day to come this week when I will arrive home and the house will no longer be a blinding white with deep stained cedar shingles, but a khaki color that actually compliments the brick. Other than the kitchen updates and repairs, this is the other big house project I have been waiting for! I will be sure to post pictures of the final product!

The homecoming dance tonight will wrap up a crazy week for me. It was homecoming week at the middle school - that means dress up days, door decorations, pep rally, football games, cheer practice, decorating for the football players, hyper children - all the things that drive teachers crazy. The dance tonight means I have made it through all that. The highlight of the week came on Thursday - as I relived the 80s and danced with several other teachers at the school pep rally as Michael Jackson during the song "Beat It" and then sitting through 2 football games in the pouring rain while I watched my girls destroy their new white uniforms in the mud. It has been quite the week and I have not been so thankful for a weekend in a while!

In other pursuits in our lives, I have taken on National Board Certification as well this year. While this is such an important certification for teachers (and also means a raise), it does not come without a lot of work. I have already been in classes on Thursday afternoons between school and the football games. There is a lot of reading, a lot of preparing, and a lot more work ahead. Matt and I knew this would not be easy and would mean a lot of work, but hopefully it will pay off in the end. Since Matt has had to sell most of his Auburn season football tickets for me to stay home and study, he is also hoping it will be worth it in the end!

Now it is time for me to grade papers, get ready for the dance, pull the Tide through a homecoming victory, and making our chili for my starving husband......