Music, Make Outs and Moos

Okay, lots to catch up on, my Tanner Kai blog reader faithfuls. But before I go on, I have

a bone to pick. Does anyone even read this blog, besides the grandparents, uncles and Jamie? (Thanks guys). I spend many minutes (which is hard to come by these days) pouring my heart out with the latest Tanner news and anecdotes, only to be met with zero comments. I know that someday Tanner will enjoy reading all the stories (especially the ones where he peed on Daddy), but sometimes I feel like I'm talking/writing to myself. Zero comments lately. Zero. Throw me a bone here.

Okay, I'm off the soapbox. Lots going on with the Tan Man as Uncle Scott calls him.

Here are some of the latest developments that have us kvelling to the grandparents:

• Tanner has really mastered signing. He knows "no, more and milk." If only I can get him to do "sorry, I"m so whiney mom. I'll make it up to you tonight when I sleep 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep." Here's a funny story. Jason was watching cartoons with Tanner the other night. I put my foot down and made them turn off the TV. Tanner immediately points at the TV and signs more. And of course we had to oblige. We're suckers for the smart baby moves.
• He's also getting good at animal sounds. He knows cow/moo, bird/cheep, dog/woof. Though today he mooed at a pigeon. A for effort.
• He also knows his nose and likes to put his fingers in people's eyes.
• He's been eating a TON lately. Last night, he had 2 meatballs, full side serving of sweet potatoes, side of broccoli and a side of peas. And still left room for Puffs. This morning he had bowl of oatmeal with applesauce, banana and a yogurt. I actually think he's getting more baby fat than he had at 6 months.
• In addition to eating a lot, Tanner now eats anything and everything, though I try to keep him on a well balanced baby friendly diet of fruits/veggies/good carbs/turkey meatballs. (Jenny Craig would be happy). I went away for a girls weekend in wine country and Jason thought it would be a perfect opportunity to feed him stuff that I don't even eat. Tanner ate lox, steak and chocolate. On the same day. Before bed. Not the brightest idea, which Jason quickly found out when Tanner decided it would be a great time to play at 11pm, 1am, 3am and 6am. I came home from girls weekend to two very cranky, tired boys. Speaking of coming home, I was away from Tanner for 2 nights, the longest we've been apart. While away with the fellow mamas, we all discussed our grand reunions with the babies, where there would be big smiles and cheers. Wishful thinking. Our reunion went something like this: Jason walks through door, I hear Tanner's squeal and start running with arms open wide. Tanner looks at me, put his arm's out......and points to a dog. It's like I wasn't even there, let alone gone for 2 days. I guess I should've expected it. After all, I'm affectionately known as "ball." Jason's Dada. I'm Ball.
• We've started up with swim and music classes. Tanner loves, loves, loves swimming. He loves jumping off the sides of the pool into my arms and drinking the pool water. Ewe. We had our first music class last Friday, and it was awesome. It was practically a private lesson, just Tanner and his buddy Reese. (See pics below). Jon, the instructor was amazing - giving them instrument after instrument to play/eat. He also sang, read, did magic and even taught the parents a few things (e.g., where D was on a piano). Can't wait for the rest of Tanner's buds to join us this Friday - Wyatt, Olive and Rose. We gave Tanner some bowls and a spoon to practice at home. (See pics below).
• Tanner's also recently started waving and kissing. Where he doesn't discriminate with the waves (homeless people included), he's very selective of his kissing partners. He only gives them out to his stuffed animals and his mobile. No kisses for Momma or Dada yet. Though his friend Lucia planted a huge one on him last Friday. Open mouth and everything. Tanner played too cool for school, just taking the smooches with little acknowledgement. The rest of the afternoon he spent chasing after dogs while Lucia longingly called to him.

Can you see the spoon in Tanner's hand? Probably not. He's a speed drummer.

This might just be model material here.

Pictures from music class with our friend Reese.

My sweet ride. (Care of Great Grandma Freda)