Tanner Kai

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Monday, September 28, 2009

What does $155 get you in SF? Most likely nothing. Yup, preschool applications have begun. Three down and $155 poorer. (That could've been at least 3 outfits for me from TJMaxx). Only 4 more applications to go, plus the additional 4 I applied to 1.5 years ago. Yup, that's pre-Tanner. As I foresaw in a May 2008 blog post, getting into day care and preschools in San Francisco is about as promising as the Giants winning the World Series. You put all your time, energy, money and emotions into it and get nada in return. Statistics say you have a 1 in 8 chance in getting accepted, and like day cares, you should start in utero or in fertility counseling. You're probably wondering how I know this. It's because there are books written on this subject. Yes, there is a book on how to get into preschools in San Francisco. In fact, there are many of them. And I refuse to spend another $18.68 (+ shipping) on this damn sinkhole of money called way-too-competitive-to-get-into-overpriced-and-over-crowded-san francisco-preschools.

I spent 2 hours tonight filling out preschool applications, writing checks and addressing envelopes. I remember the days when the only pre-requisite for nursery school was that you didn't bring a gun to school with you. Now you have to answer application questions like your occupation and the company, ethnicity, what affiliations in SF you're associated with, volunteering efforts, what my child can bring to the school, what do I want out of the school, why this particular school, etc. And the biggest kicker is - if, if, if a spot does open up, you then have to go through a family interview process to then get selected. I say bullsh*t. But I'm still a sucker. 4 more applications to go.

P.S. We're 1 for 6 on the day care odds. After applying 1.5 years ago, we just go into one last week. Figures that I'm not working and can't take advantage of it. I predict that when we finally get into a preschool, we won't even be living in San Francisco.

P.P.S. A big thank you for all the prior postings' comments. I feel so loved again. And I want to know who made the guilt trip comment. Jorge?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Playground Etiquette

Sometimes when you're at the playground and your kid has an affinity for another kid's bucket and shovel, you have no choice but to make small talk with other moms. Most conversations are typical, pleasant ones.

Me: "Oh, your baby is so cute."

Other Mom: "blah blah blah"

Me: "Thanks, he's actually a boy. Just long lashes and hair."

Other Mom: "blah blah blah"

Me: "Tanner."

Other Mom: "blah blah blah"

Me: "13 months this week."

But on occasion, you're forced to converse with the most awful mom there is....THE BRAGGER. Do these people have any clue how painful it is to hear them go on and on and on about their kid? And I've seen the kid. Yeah, she can clap, but other than that, she's nothing to blog home about. I don't want to hear about how she has special snack tray in the afternoon and she puts her pacifier on it when she selectively chooses a French cheese. I don't give a crap that she can go down the slide herself at 13 months. If you ask me, that's dangerous. Yes, she has pretty blue eyes. So don't half the other kids at the playground. And I don't care that she can tap her ruby red, overpriced Janie & Jack shoes like Dorothy. When you weren't looking Bragger Mom, did you see her try to eat bird poop off the bench? I did, and if you ask me, I think she's definitely brilliant.

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)

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

R.I.P.

R.I.P.

Goodbye my dear friend. Though you provided nourishment and sustenance to my first born, and we spent many long days and nights together, I will not miss you. I will not miss the way you made that awful, mocking sound as you worked. I will not miss waking up together at 12am and 3am. And again at 6am. I will not miss the way you made my nipples look like torpedoes. I will not miss all the times you made me use disgusting airport bathrooms with little privacy. The way you left my body looking like a fifth grader's. And most of all, I will not miss the way you made me feel like Bessie the Cow for the past year. I hope you enjoy your new resting place - in the back of my dark closet.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

More Photos to Love

Swinging with Nana

Swimming in San Rafael

Puffs galore

Hanging with Raef

Party Animal

In true Warne (and Kressner) style, the party didn't stop. (See below post). After all the luau festivities, we went up to Guerneville/Russian River for 5 days with my parents to partake in more cake and lots of lots of wine. (Afterall, it's vineyard country.) My parents even watched Tanner so Jason and I could spend a night at the Sonoma Mission Inn to celebrate our 5th year anniversary. The mini vacation and anniversary getaway were divine, everything I needed to relax, recharge and gain 6 pounds. Unfortunately, our camera died, so we don't have a lot of pictures. Here's a few.

Anniversary breakfast at Sunflower Cafe in Sonoma Square.

Dinner at Estate in Sonoma.

Birthday present #1 from Momma & Dada

#2 - Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba. Tanner loves dancing with him. He grabs his hands, sings and jumps up and down. Gotta get it on video one of these days. After going up and down 10 isles at Toys R Us, this was the only thing that made Tanner go crazy. He started "ooooohing."

Birthday Cake, take 2. Tanner liked it a lot more this time.

Happy Birthday, Big Boy!

Holy Moly. I cannot believe it's been a year. People say time flies when you have kids, but you really don't have any idea until you live it. It seems like only yesterday that we brought our little Tanner Kai home from the hospital. We've come a long way.

It seemed only fitting that we celebrated such a monumental occasion with a luau birthday at Chrissy Field with a beach and Golden Gate and Alcatraz views. Unfortunately, the summer San Francisco weather didn't cooperate. It was probably the coldest luau in history, high 50s plus some vicious bay breezes and looming fog. Though, it didn't stop the party, which INCLUDED THE FAMILIES. (Yay!) Nana, Grampy, Poppy, Grammy and Uncles Scott and Jorge all flew in to celebrate. Thanks for making the trek, guys. It made it all the more special.