Do they really know?

Recently I read a blog of a family who unexpectedly lost their mother. She was the blogger in the family and in past posts she had done a post about one of her son's birthdays and what she loved about him. What a treasure that is now.
Even though I plan on being around for a while. I realized that I need to be better about letting my family know how much I love them. I need to tell them those things that I admire about them and the talents and strengths they possess. I am hoping that I can renew my blogging efforts and be able to have some of my thought's and feelings put into words.

Today I will start with my little Bossman. :)
I don't know if it's because he is my last baby - but I love just watching him. He is SUCH a busy and curious little boy! I can just see those gears turning in his head from the minute he wakes up.

He has these cute eyebrows that are so expressive - and GOOD GRIEF - if you have ever seen his lashes?!
Even though he is only 14 months - he already has a sense of humor and likes to tease. He does it with a toothy smile.
I also watch him observe his older siblings (usually when they are throwing fits) and you can tell he is documenting and storing that behavior for later. He is such a smart little guy.

Even though I am old and desperately need my beauty sleep - I have never minded getting up with my baby at night. I truly treasure those moments when I just get to hold and cuddle him. Usually during the day he is much too busy to let mom love on him too much.

Speaking of loving on him..... his CHEEKS!! They are so smooshy and kissable! What makes him even more kissable is how ticklish he is! He has this cute little giggle. When you snuggle under his chin or pinch his little fat rolls his giggles are too contagious.

He also LOVES music and dancing. Every morning while he eats breakfast - he wants the ipod on so he can eat and groove. I have tried to get this on video - but as soon as he knows what I am doing he just stares. :) One day I will prove it. ;)

Boss also likes to be a shadow. As soon as dad gets home he becomes Ryan's puppy dog. :) Especially if Ryan is working on a project outside. (See picture)

He brings such a joyful spirit to our house. I am so grateful that I get to be his momma.

Yep - I am certifiable :)

Most of you reading this post are already completely aware that I am pretty much insane. This insanity is caused by many different factors - but I think the main factor is... (you think I am going to say my kids don't you?) me. I have some filter issues going on in my head. The filter that says "no - you have enough on your plate - lets set this idea aside for another time. Instead - I jump up and say "oooh! fun! ok!!"

So here is my latest project - which I am actually really excited about!
I am now a "Fashion Consultant" for Vault Denim! The short explanation is - a designer jean party!
Granted I am still working on my baby weight (registered for a half marathon on May 7th to get that process jump started.) but my filter failed me once a again and I said "ooooh! fun!! ok!!"

If you live close by I would love for you to stop by and try on a pair. Or I would love even more if you want to have a jean party! These jeans are 100% authentic. Brands you would find in Buckle or Nordstroms and they cost a lot less.

My party is Wednesday April 6th - come anytime between 1pm and 7pm. Feel free to bring your kids - mine will be here too!
Everything is cash (check, charge) and carry - you get to wear your jeans home! Sizes 0- 16. Even if you don't buy - I would love to see you! (Plus I will be cleaning my house for this event - and we don't want all that effort to go to waste!)

This company is less than a year old and doesn't even have reps in every state yet. So if you are looking for a way to earn some extra cash - let me know. I honestly have yet to see how this will work into my daily life - but I do know that I am excited about it. So here I go! Wish me luck!!!
p.s. Don't worry - Uppercase is in the blood now - NOT giving up on that! :)

Merry Merry Christmas!

Tara's late with Christmas jolly falalalalalalalalala
Hope you can forgive her folly falalalalalalalala
Life is good but very crazy falalalalalalalalala
Grateful for our friends and crazies (aka family) falalalalalalalalala.

Just a little harmless ranting

Today as I was reading some of the headlines across the country I came across this one:

Law curbs McDonald's Happy Meal toys

You can read the entire article here.

But if you just want the gist of the article... the city of San Fran has banned kids meals w/toys until they up the nutritional value of the food.

Um really?! This is so wrong to me on many levels. First, I will state I am NOT a McDonalds fan myself. Much to the disappointment to Ryan and the kids. (Infact, Ryan had to organize a Micky D's day at work just to get his fix.) With that in mind it should be obvious that I am not defending McDonald's for their taste or quality of food.

People that go to McDonald's KNOW it's not a health conscious decision. It's pretty much a no-brainer you will consume large amounts of empty calories. We don't need anyone or any government to make us aware of that. I think San Franciscans should feel a little offended that their government leaders see their citizens as unfit parents that can't make good decisions for their kids. 

Does anyone else see this as insulting?

I won't even go into the government trying to run everyone's businesses for them. Good thing the gov't is run so efficiently - otherwise things could be a lot worse..... oh. wait.

 

Halloweenie

So I know I will probably lose some likability by posting this - but I must.
I do not love Halloween. Infact, the last minute costuming and the kids hopped up on sugar causes me great mental pain. (not to mention the hit my hips take with all the sugar laying around the house.)
However, I will post some pics of the kids - because they still love this holiday with every fiber of their cavity filled beings. :)

Miracle of miracles

I have some serious catching up to do! I am not silly enough to think I will every fully catch up but in the attempt to try I will not necessarily be posting chronologically. :)

The next miracle (besides the fact that there is a new post on my blog) is my Bossman. I have yet to blog about him and he is going to be 7 months on Sept. 22nd!

Here is a recap of highlights of his first 7 months of life. :)
He was born on Feb 22nd via c-section at about 9:30 am. (It would have been earlier but the dr slept through his alarm.) He was 8lbs 15 oz (pretty much 9 pounds) and 22 inches long.

6 weeks

 He like Maddy had to be under the lights when he came home.  It is always stressful for me after my babies are born. I worry - a lot. In this case the dr said if his #'s went up any more he would have to return to the hospital. So I did my best to keep him under the lights and feed him every 2 hours. The next day some how his points had dropped from just over 18 to 12!!! I know it was tender mercies of the Lord that allowed that miracle to happen.
We blessed Boston in April. His full name is Boston Seth Tanner. Ryan gave a beautiful blessing - he is such a good dad.

Boston started sleeping through the night at 2 months. IT was so nice to get real sleep again! Until.... he was 4 months and was lucky enough to have croupe and a double ear infection. It completely RUINED his sleeping and he hasn't gotten back to sleeping through the night since. :(
Part of the problem is that he shares his sleeping space with Maddy and I can't let him cry it out like he needs to. Guess it's time for a bigger house.
Boston has already flown twice! The first time was in May to California.

Cardon is gone...

We took our family vaycay to Disneyland. I thought it would be doable with a young baby that could sleep most the time..... well not so much. He did NOT miss a feeding first of all. (Good thing Disney has a nice little nursery place for babies and moms.) It was a little crazy with 4 little ones and only 2 adults. More about that for a future post.

His next flight was to St. Louis MO where I went to my Uppercase Living convention. Again - a little chaotic. He did get to meet lots of women who were very supportive while I was pregnant with him.

Boston in Downward Facing Dog position :)

Lately he has been VERY busy. He is great at sitting - infact too great. I expect him to crawl any day now. He also loves to pull himself up on things and cruise around the sides. I am SO in trouble. I do love this little guy to pieces though. We are so glad he is a part of our family!

Still alive

So I am a pile of crap. I am. I have yet to blog about our newest family member (who is now 3.5 months) or our trip to Disneyland. I promise I will catch up.... as soon as I finish my latest project.