Yo Gabba Gabba

Tanner's Girlfriend, Rose.  I think he was way more into her than she was into him.

Does this qualify as sitting up? 

Tanner's new favorite game is taking off his socks. I, however, don't find it as funny as he does.

Just like Mom and Dad, Tanner LOVES TV.  And luckily, he's not yet addicted to reality TV like Mom.  Just cartoons like Dad.  His favorite is Yo Gabba Gabba, which Mom likes too because it teaches kiddies how to put away their toys.

Phlllllttttt

Call us weird, but Jason and I like to make fake tooting noises with Tanner.  We're so proud of our little boy.  He's now mastered it on his own.  I now know what to put under "Special Talents" on the pre-school applications.

Bless Me

The past few days have been great.  Grandma Sandy came for a long weekend and got in some long overdue bonding time with Tanner and with me.  In only a few days, we did it all - museum, the beach (it's been 70 degrees here for a week), spa, vineyard and yummy lunches and dinners out.  And even a well behaved Tanner joined us at dinner twice (more on that later).  I could go on and on for a while about all the fun we had (especially Tanner and Grammy Sandy), but given that I only have a 20 minute nap window, I'll make it brief.  Plus, you probably really only want to see the pics anyway.  I do have to share this story:

Grammy Sandy loves fish tacos.  It was our mission to take her to the best fish taco place, so we went over the Golden Gate Bridge to Joe's Taco Lounge in Mill Valley (pics above), where Jason and I had our first date over 7 years ago.  Wow, we've come a long way.  While waiting outside on a bench, an older gentleman approached Grammy Sandy and Tanner and asked if we were Catholic. No. Protestant. No. Episcopalian. Nope. Apparently this guy was pretty blind.  One look at the Kressner clan, and you know you're dealing with Jews.  When he finally got down to the last option - Jew (cause we're always the last), Grammy Sandy asked why.  Old guy's response, "Because whenever I see such a beautiful baby, I want to baptize them. "  I nearly died laughing from the guy and my mom's expression.  Grammy Sandy was a trooper and let god lead the way as the guy, who was a minister, proceeded to whisper a prayer and make a cross over Tanner while Tanner just looked at him with a blank stare (as well as all the other people waiting).  Well, I guess now Tanner will be the only boy in Hebrew School that's been "baptized." 

Bodega Bay

Yes, that's massive drool about to hit my face.

Over the holiday break, we took a daytrip to Bodega Bay, about an 1.5 hour drive north of San Francisco through rolling sheep and cow farms.  It's a gorgeous place with lots of cliffs overlooking the Pacific.  On the way back, we were fortunate enough to find a Hawaiian lunch spot where we found a Kai liscense plate in the window.

This past week, Tanner and I went to our third Moms Movie - Marley and Me (good rental, not worth $10.50 ticket).  We were sitting next to my friend Erin and her adorable 6 month old, Rose.  We thought Tanner had a thing for blondes, but apparently he really likes the baldies.  Halfway through the movie, we caught Tanner and Rose touching hands on the cup holder, and then a bit later on, Tanner leaned in to catch a closer glimpse.  Just when we thought he'd plant a wet kiss on Rose, he burped in her face and then smiled.  Just like Dad.  It worked for me the first night I met him.

We also went for Tanner's 4-month check up with Dr. Goldstein. He got a thumbs up, growing 1 inch and about 2lbs.  (Stats are on the left of the page).  Surprisingly, she told us to wait till 6 months to start solids, even rice cereal.  It looks like bottles only for the next few weeks, which will suit Tanner just fine now that he's starting to hold them with both hands.

Catch Up

Fooled Him

Over the past few weeks, we've been webcaming with our families, which is a blast.  We even managed to catch Jon (Jason's bro) in the buff and celebrated Hanukkah with the Kressners.  Every time we webcam, Tanner's less than entertaining, despite all our efforts with funny faces and bodily noises.  He doesn't crack even a small smirk.  Our families our lucky if they even get a small nod.  At the end of each call, we swear that Tanner's fun and does more than lay in the buzzy chair with a stoned look on his face 24/7.  Unfortunately, he's on to us with the camera, video camera and now the computer.  Doesn't give us anything (as you can see with the limited smile pics on the blog).  Well, we tricked him. Jason got him all riled up with idiot antics and I grabbed the video cam as quick as I could.  See if you can find the 2 spots where Tanner caught me filming.  We have another video of the laughing (that's even better) that we're attempting to upload with great difficulty.

Hot Mamma

Despite what the title of the blog suggests, this one isn't about me.  It's Mallory.  She knows how to shake it and she wears little skirts.  She's Tanner's favorite hot mamma (or rather monkey).  We hit another milestone this week - playing.  Tanner actually plays with his toys. Okay, it's more like feels them up (especially in Mallory's case), but it's nice to see him entertaining himself rather than staring blankly at me with the occasional fuss mixed in.  Tanner also attended his first 1 year old birthday party at the zoo and gave his pal Roxy a really cute sweater and matching shoes for their first date.  Tanner wasn't as into the zoo as when he went with Poppy and Grammy to the Oakland Zoo, but did get his first talk on the birds and bees and incest.  (The lions- father and daughter, were, let's just say enjoying each other.  I'm hoping our friend Tony posts the video on that one).  

Tanner also enjoyed a great day with Jason's Nannie, Aunt Connie and Uncle Joe.  He got lots of kisses and enjoyed a good inconsolable cry at lunch over looking Fisherman's Wharf.  The family fun continues tomorrow when Uncle Scott and Uncle Jorge arrive to take Tanner on his first shopping spree at Union Square.  But before that, we're off to Mommy and Me movie today.  I'll be taking Mallory with us, but chaperoning the whole time.  

Super Sunday

Sunday was about as good as they come.  Tanner continued to dazzle us with his amazing feats (and feet below).  He turned over from his tummy to back ---which is a big deal.  Unfortunately, I looked away for a second to grab one of his toys and I found him lying face up under the coffee table.  No idea if he turned over himself or the turnover fairy had something to do with it.  Jason also reported that he has a thing for elephants (just like mom) and intentionally grabbed for his purple one on the activity mat (vs. accidently batting it in a fit of frustration which is normally what happens).  We ended Super Sunday with a good ol' bath.  Tanner went in his birthday suit, but Dad was a bit more conservative.  Oh, and I almost forgot the best news yet - Tanner's been smiling for almost a month now, but he's continually eluded the camera.  We put him on our bed and wouldn't let him up till he gave it up.  The progression below says it all.  Every time I look at it, I melt.  But then again, I'm his mom and a sucker.

I can't sign off without telling you how awesome it was to webcam with my two Grandmas (Sarah and Freda) on Thanksgiving.  I will never forget all the wet kisses they gave to the cam and the Yiddish songs.  Speaking of Yiddish and the non-kosher, my Grandma Freda appropriately gave Tanner's Franks & Beans a new name after seeing them - Pepperoni & Kneidlach (Yiddish for matzoh balls).