Truth: I'm a grouch today! Maybe I shouldn't be blogging...oh well.

Plus Tanner's had a bad tummy all day oh man it's been rough poor little toad But it's Friday...of course I'm blogging! 

I want to go home so stink'n bad! It's not lost on me that the only grandparent little Mr Tanner Allen hasn't met is Grampa Chip :( (ALL my kids living great grand parents are in St George too...) plus the fact that in two days it'll be May and we haven't been home since December. It's not a big deal for some people but it's hard on me, and  there's somethings Isaac will never "get" and I guess there's things about him I'll never get either. It's not that he doesn't want me to go or wouldn't "let" me he's just worried about me traveling with the boys by myself he has other things he needs to do and he just doesn't get the longing to go. (Reminder this is the guy that didn't even write home for 6 months when he was in his mission) so... I was thinking Mother's Day...wait-remember how much that guy celebrates hmmm 

Anyway-on to other things: Last Sat we had a great time in Nauvoo!! I love Nauvoo especially in the slow seasons-I don't want to fight the crowds for a carriage ride!  I went to meetings the boys got to drive the oxen. I forgot to snag pics off grandmas camera.  But the boys were telling me what you say to get the oxen to turn right and left and stuff it sounded fun.

It was Tanner's first trip to Nauvoo! (And I caught Grandpa Ison with a pretty good smile on the second pic too)

I caught up with them for one of the carriage rides (our missionary tour guide was an Andrus from St George-he knew my Grampa and you know he's and old timer if he calls the Santa Clara guys "Clarey boys" and asks if anyone still plays town bell-they don't-but still) then the boys wanted to go to a park-we went for it because Nauvoo is a fairly common trip for us but we dropped Grandma off at the women's garden/visitors center first.

We couldn't stay all day because Isaac had an awards dinner he had to be back for (I guess I was technically invited too but Isaac had to go solo-sorry Hun) 

Sunday was mtgs before church -we only took Tanner but I'll tell ya what he was no walk in the park, then it ended and he zonked right out in his carrier-hmmm  and another mtg after for me. Yikes. Monday was scramble time for Isaac trying to finish up the projects he wanted to do with his dad. (Well I guess just the snowblower -bro Gilchrist gave him-and the table) Hopefully the snowblower went a little better than the table.

He's since resanded it...again!

Grandma Ison was busy spoiling us too-I just kept finding little things, like the dog had chewed up my dust pan and I'd never replaced it but -poof-one appeared :) I have some beautiful Mother's Day flowers on my porch (to go with my blackest thumb on the planet-I'll try, I will try!) and I said to Isaac "oh good you bought yourself a brush for the BBQ" to which he replied "no I didn't" so grandma hooked us up :) with all kinds of good stuff. Speaking of which she gave Colt a cup of milk with his dinner (I usually hold milk hostage until dinner is eaten-Colt is sometimes ok about it but Cannon would never eat anything if a drink of milk was an option) anyway Colt said "yook mom, damdma hooked me up!" It was hilarious. 

Tuesday morning Isaac headed to work Grandma and Grandpa hit the road, and the boys and I headed out the door to preschool, since then we've just tried to settle into some sort of normal routine where the dishes don't really always get done, the floor doesn't always get vacuumed-but it always needs it- and the laundry piles high! But it's okay and life is good :) 

I took Tanner to the Dr this week-little man is up up 2lbs since birth! I'd love to keep him small but since I can't, grown on little one-as long as you're on the outside! The resident Dr we saw is actually a guy from the other ward- I recognized him from Jasper's baptism. It was fun to chat with him when he asked about Tanner's siblings I said two brothers and he said "oh you're going to be spoiled someday." I kind of looked at him funny and he said "I grew up in a family of four boys and we Looove our mom." It was pretty cute and hey truth is I'm pretty spoiled now! 

I took Cannon to the kindergarten open house/screening. He was terrified, big old tears (I shouldn't have gone to the screening part first cuz he liked the classroom loved the library and once he got a cookie and milk he thought kindergarten was going to be okay after all) but next week is the last week of preschool-life in Kirksville without Mrs Hardee??? I can't hardly handle the thought of that! We're going to have to do some serious play dates with the Tilton's and Mrs Hardee said she still wants to have the kids over to play sometimes too (truthfully I think she's having a hard time with the thought of it being over too) 

I think that's about it this week...

A few more pics 

Somewhere I have a picture of Shad doing this exact thing to my running shoes whe he was about this size. Colt was concentrating so hard on the knots and so proud of himself! Check the tongue-A Frei concentration special.

And Colt's not my kid that will read scriptures for hours on end (Cannon will) but when it's that or nap Colt's all in...or asleep. Speaking of Cannon such a proud big brother...

And how do I not have more pictures of Tanner? Poor 3rd child-oh wait I do but they're all the same. Him in my arms (or lap) fat cheeks-I'm starving him ;) with the  perm-a-scowl actually his eyebrows aren't too scrunched in this one or trying to catch a gas bubble smile...

Maybe more variety next week...

The boys re-staining the table tonight

And Colt in the mothers lounge at church trying on my shoes then says "I'm mom man!" Cuz everything is man around here Cann Man Colt Man Undie man when they're running around in their undies, nakey man when it's sans the undies and sooo mom man...hmmm 

And I totally forgot to include my favorite quote from Grandpa Ison last week. Isaac stepped outside cuz he's the grill man and Ralph turned to me and said "by the way, I'm sorry but Green needs to go-it's junk!" Haha you don't have to convince me! But that car has been a huge blessing I call it a tithing blessing, I thought we should've parted ways with it before we moved to Mississippi. Isaac has more faith than me;) Ralph told Isaac the same thing a little while later. It's not going anywhere until it dies beyond repair-Isaac bought "her" a new battery today. Ralph also apologized for Isaac being so cheap haha I said "it's a blessing...and a curse" and it is! 

We'll see what next week holds! 

Grandma and Grandpa Ison came!!

Oh holy cow we have had such a fun week. Saturday we got to go to Cannon's friend Jason's baptism that was cool. (Cannon's been so excited) Sunday we braved church (Tanner not even 2 weeks old but hey-no sense in sluff'n when we feel great.Oh my heck though, these gals in my ward, they are so great, I can't even count how many people have offered to bring us dinner. So nice. I just keep turning them down, we really are fine. But seriously, I'm overly impressed with all the offers! And I feel kinda bad turning them down but my mom was here, then Isaac's, and we're totally fine.) Anyway ... church...3 kids...put us on the late plan UG, I HATE being late but I think I might need to just get used to it. 

Monday Grandma and Grandpa Ison got here :) Cannon had to have checked the door 30 times in about a 45 minute period when finally we smartened up and called. They were still and hour and a half out so I was glad we ended up talking to them so we had a pretty good idea of when they would get here so he could quit checking/asking.

 

Grandma showed up with a loot of stuff for the boys. (Truthfully I was in taking a little cat nap when they got here cuz Isaac had sent me to bed-I hate it when he tells me what to do but he was 100% right I needed to go have a little rest.) I only got the tail end of the unwrapping fest but the boys had a blast! And Grandpa brought projects. Some he's done with the other grandkids too and some Isaac's put him up to. I did love when Karen told me that Ralph had been really excited to come, I thought that was cool! (I already knew she was excited) 

Thursday they went down to St. Louis to the zoo. Tanner and I stayed home. They had a great time, we had a great time-that's a win for everyone :)

Today was Grandpa Ison's birthday, we made some cupcakes but didn't really do much to celebrate. When I told Isaac his parents were going to be here for his dad's birthday he said "Oh, when's my dad's birthday?" Classic Isaac right?

Grandma slipped down to Hamilton to check out the Missouri Star Quilt stuff one of the days, she liked it, I'm going to have to go one of these days. And tomorrow we're headed to Nauvoo (it worked out really well because I have training for primary stuff over there so we're just going to load up the minivan ;) ~first time filling it up~ and make a day out of it.  So we should be able keep the good times rolling. 

I will say thought Grandma and Grandpa have gotten to see some real fits! Yikes!...our true colors I guess. Mostly Colt. Oh well. Life is hard when you transition from spoiled youngest to big brother. Then you have ole Cann Man, he is going through a phase where he likes to tell me how hard it is to be the older brother (pretty much every time I ask him to help with something) so naturally Colt-ever the follower-then chimes in, or rather whines in, "its hard being the middle brother" such a rough life... No naps kills us in the fits and whining dept. and this:

 is what happens when dad takes you for a ride in the bike trailer on a no nap day.
My big boys also busted out the roller blades this week. Of course they're the best little helpers with any/all of dad's projects, and have I mentioned I love having a yard-I do!

 

 

 

 

Cannon came in saying "Happy Mother's Day" and throws my bouquet of dandelions all over the floor I said "whoa whoa whoa thanks but you need to pick those up" so Colt picked them up and started singing "happy birthday" close...Hilarious! 

 

 

Such good big brothers.

Oh and I registered Cannon for kidergarten this week. YIKES how is he old enough for that??

Now can we talk about funny Isaac stories (ahhh remember way back when I used to put them on the side bar? Not acceptable as they don't print out in the blog book) oh and one little warning...all three of these are a little "crappy" 

So last week Isaac's helping Colt in the bathroom and I look up and see this in the mirror!

I laugh every time I see it. "I don't know what we'd do if dad were in charge!" That's not a quote from me, it's from the dad man himself, he was talking to Tanner and here's what provoked it: I do the night shifts-cuz Isaac goes to work to support our family. But if it's been a rough night after 5:00am I count as "morning" and I don't hesitate to take Isaac up on his offers to help (he always offers, it's really nice of him) I then hope to catch some sleep between 5 and 7 (side note-without fail at 6 or 6:30 he'll tell me the baby is hungry-but that's okay too) anyway so I passed off the little man the other morning with the fair warning that his tummy was hurting and he probably needed to go to the bathroom. Soooo Isaac took over and I went to sleep. Well come 6 or so Tanner is in his bed that's by my side of our bed and he starts fussing so I figure he really is hungry so I reach down to pick him up and he's soaked! Soaked soaked from head (well neck) of his little jamas to toe. The I put my hand under his little butt and that's all I can feel is his LITTLE BUTT. No way I think to myself and head to change him. Unzip the little jama and the little man is totally commando! No wonder he's soaked! Isaac cleaned him up after he'd filled his britches and put him back to bed with NO DIAPER! 

Sigh...and so little Tanner...I don't know what we'd do if dad was in charge either! 
Here's a quick pic (bad shadows) of the little naked man. (Chunking up)

 

They grow so fast~slow down little man, slow down.  

Anyway I have one more Isaac story, he didn't let go of Tanner but I swear he still "threw" him as high in the air as his arms would reach. He was sitting on our bed burping Tanner when Tanner -once again-filled his britches. "It was a violent one." Or so Isaac claims, and it scared him. And he jumped and threw Tanner up in the process, it was pretty funny. Not the first time Isaac's come a foot an a half off our bed when that's happened. Its so funny how bad it makes him jump every single time. I can't do it justice in my attempt to describe it, but I do get a pretty good laugh every time.

And finally today. Today we took Isaac's classes in a treat and took the little Tan Tan to show him off. I really like his graduate students (they are the ones that hooked us up with the huge diaper cake and such) but I swear last time I took the boys to an afternoon class I said I'd never do it again~here's to hoping I remember for next time. It made for a no nap, tons of fights and whining, exhausting day. Oh well. We dressed everyone up in Truman gear. And even put the purple booties the business secretary gave him. When Isaac brought them home I said "Did she know he's a boy?" ...I'm pretty sure that was the only time we'll wear them. Shhh don't tell.

 

Well its late and quiet as a mouse around here~I better jump on this sleep train while I can! So peace out, until next week.

Life with Tanner here (fair warning--lots of pictures)

This first pic was blurry but waaaaay to cute to leave off-Oh Tanner, I love you too! More than you'll ever know :)

 

 

I love love Love the newborn phase. The up all night doesn't really bother me-it's way better than being up all night pregnant and just holding this little peace of heaven, I love it. And sometimes I feel so bad for him knowing his little tummy hurts but dang, those gas bubble smiles are so stink'n cute!  (hard to catch on camera though)

Recovery this time has been a breeze-I'm not complaining! So mostly we've just been enjoying life and cashing in on snuggles from this cute little brother! (Oh notice my Utah necklace in this pic-I never take it off...until I saw the imprint of it in Tanner's head. Sorry buddy. It's now taking a little break.)

 

Sunday, I felt good enough to go to church but I played hookie cuz I didn't want to take Tanner yet. But Cannon got to hold Tanner standing up-it was a big deal-I was hoping for a cuter picture but no such luck. (I got Tanner a little tie like that too :)  I just need to modify it to make it short enough. So fun. I'm hoping it ends up all three of them with and cute smiles on a blog header or something....maybe...a mom can hope.) Sunday Isaac's coworkers hooked us up with all kinds of goodies, the boys had fun tearing into it and a they are enjoying the new toys and books before Tanner can too.  

Cannon was assigned photographer for the first couple baths. I hate it when he messes with the camera settings on my phone but...the black and white did turn out pretty cute.

 

Colt took a few pics too...they mostly look like his fingers were covering the lens. And that poor little guy got sick-AGAIN. I swear, he catches everything! (Could have something to do with going to sunbeams and there's 12 other little kids there catching/passing everything but still YIKES) He had a bad fever and stinky sinus infection but luckily his fever broke in the night Tuesday night and he seems to have kicked it! Grama cashed in on few extra snuggles. She had to leave Tuesday but she took Isaac with her and dropped him off at the auction Tuesday afternoon and it was basically buy a van or hitch hike home :) So it happened! We are officially mini van people.

 

 

How bout it? Plenty fancy for me, a little nicer than I thought we were going to go actually but I'm good with that! (I say thank you tax return, Isaac doesn't even really like the tax return thing he'd rather not have paid extra money in, "it's just giving the government and interest free loan" oh Isaac but back to the van, its been great all 2 times I've driven it-to preschool and back) The boys love it though and want Tanner to sit in the very back with them. But the first thing Cannon said was "Noah and Zach's has a button they can push and the doors shut, how come ours doesn't...Can we get a new mini van that has the button?" Oh brother.

Cann was make'n the most of his photographer job...then he jumped in on the group selfie-its how we entertain ourselves.

The sun is terrible in this one but the big brother is pretty good, playing some music for Tanner on his new little toy.

 

Love these guys! Look at the one with Colt holding Tanner. Colt: I've got him. Tanner: Oh no! Save me!

Oh now onto the stories.

Last Friday I had to take Tanner back to the Dr because he had blood work done in the hospital because he had "petechiae" or little red spots all over him when he was born. Holy torture they prick his little foot then scrape that dang thing across it gathering one drop at a time. Only they could get enough so they did it to him AGAIN, only to have me get to the Dr appt and him tell me, they still didn't get what they needed cuz it clotted up too soon or some dang thing. I didn't let them do it again. They said we can check it again later-my vote? Sure, quarter past never! The red spots are gone so WHY? Anyway

I was going to incorporate the hospital craziness this go around but then my cute visiting teachers came and brought us dinner -so nice, I felt bad cuz we really didn't need it, this has been the best easiest recovery so far, I feel great!- anyway so one of my visiting teachers is pregnant but she's going to deliver back in Utah this summer and the other one had a baby here last summer. So I asked about her experience and the hospital and she said "Oh it was great, I loved it." 

Oh.

Really?!

Maybe I'm a snot...ok I am a snot
But then Julia (Lingwall) came over and I was asking her and she was a scheduled induction and still ended up with natural child birth because Anesthesia didn't get there in time. Soooo, it wasn't just me, maybe its ya win some ya lose some, around here, I don't know-- I'm just going with my story of some of the craziness:  

I just thought the petechiae was dried blood because they seriously didn't wash him off! -Until hours later- Seriously, love him, so glad he's here, yes set him up on me, but then sweep him away, clean him up, (and clean me up) and put a diaper on him so I don't end up with newborn poop all over me and the blankets and then bring him back in a cute little bundle! I didn't think they were going to bathe him at all and  I was plotting how I was going to pull in off in my counter-less hospital room. But I guess here they just wait until ya ask them too. Weird. My other thought was that the petechiae was from them stink'n exfoliating him with the roughest towels on the planet. Good grief! He was brand new--no softness here! Seriously if I had it to do again I would take my own towels...among other things. Those dang pack your hospital bag lists that have everything and the kitchen sink on them-ya you need it here.  Like soap in the shower--they did have that but you have to ask and I just had my mom bring some from home. Oh that shower it hit me about chest high-but it had the little wand thing but if you turned on the wand pretty much all the water sprayed out of the leaking top of it. Yikes. And (continuing on my rant but in no particular order) they don't use wipes for the baby-so weird right?! They give ya a big old stack of gauze and you have to get it wet...or you could go all sandpaper on him-he'd had it before with the towels! And last but not least how about the "optional" hearing test that's mandatory. I tried to say no thanks, I know he can hear, and the paper they gave me indicated 2 out of every 1000 kids have hearing loss...um that's .2%, tap the side of his little bed and he jumps, pretty sure he can hear-whoa that landed the director of the OB Floor in my room "I'm the director...I'm the director" she had to have told me that 7 times, I wasn't amused. Ultimately I gave in on the hearing test (I was so mad cuz I knew Isaac would have been able to say no and stick with it and I caved.) Then the girl did the test and said "I've never had a kid not pass" as she was leaving. Yeah! My point exactly! Oh well they did let me out of the hospital a day earlier than the other two, that was a bonus.
Ok rant over...until I think of more!
How bout more pics, they're way more fun!
Pics from the Hospital

Some 6 days old pics.

 What my brothers do while I'm being torture with the picture taking by Grama and mom...

 Back to the torture...so tuckered out.

I guess that's it--until next week :)