Tanner 2 1/2 Years

Wow is it possible he is 2 1/2?!? At the same time he talks so well and is very aware of what is going on that I often think he is 3. He is one of the funniest little munchkins and keeps us laughing constantly. He loves Jackson and wants to hold him first thing in the morning. Now he thinks that he can calm him down and so when Jackson cries (usually this has to do with Tanner) he quickly tries to grab him and maneuver him around because he in his words, "I want to calm him down." It is a little sad because it doesn't work and so I have to take him from him. He always refers to Jackson as "little buddy." Not sure where he got this, but I think it is so cute. He also has a stuffed giraffe that he has named Jackson and will carry it around with him where ever he goes. The other day I went out and he was sitting holding him and I asked what was wrong, he said, "I hit him with my bike, giving him kisses, he'll be OK." Such a tender little heart. If he ever sees me cry, which I try to not do in front of him, he will stop what ever he is doing and rub my back and say, "You're OK mom, You're OK." He has the best memory and is constantly surprising me with things that he remembers from last year. Tanner is also very, VERY active! He is constantly using the couches as a trampoline and is scooting around on his bike (which some days is a scooter, and others a motorcycle). He is a very good driver on his bike and it is impressive because he goes so fast around corners and throughout the house and has never even bumped Jackson. He loves to roll around Jackson - not my favorite activity, but it is hard to stop because Jackson loves it as well. He loves to talk and if anyone says anything to him he will try to start a 5 min. conversation. I love it, but it makes it hard at the store. The combination of the two boys adds all the life to our house. We are so blessed to have them and love every minute.

Jackson 9 Month

Jackson (also known as by Tanner: little buddy) is a very excited baby (unless he is in a new place then he is a little more serious) and will flap his arms and giggle. Sometimes he is so excited that it comes out as a snort. He is so full of expressions it is hilarious. He also knows what a camera is and loves to smile for it. It is so cute because he has a bald little head, no teeth and a huge smile. It is like he knows it is the cutest smile and so he is showing it off everywhere we go. He always makes us laugh, and no one makes him laugh like Tanner. The hard part is sometimes Tanner will hold him and roll all across the floor, which of course I don't want him doing, but when I tell him to stop he always says "but he's giggling"-and it's true. Tunnels are a large part of fun for the boys. Tanner is so excited to finally have someone to play with and I cannot get him to calm down and so Jackson gets run over constantly and doesn't even seem to mind. They both laugh and love playing together. He loves to smash his face into me and if I am not careful he will bite my jaw, I have a bruise from it. He loves to stand and crawls all over. It is so fun to have him be able to follow Tanner and go where he wants. He is such a funny baby and makes me laugh so hard all the time.

Here are some other favorites:
1: Boxes- if there is a box of any type on the floor he thinks that he needs to sit right on top. Once he gets up he will give you the expression like, "what is this funny to you."
2: 4-wheel driving- If there is a pillow or other obstacle that he can't sit on he still thinks that he needs to crawl over it. He has a lot of tumbles but gets right back up.
3: Smashing faces- he loves to smash faces with...really anyone he knows.
4: Stranger danger- He lacks this. If I am near he prefers to be with me, but he is fine to go to others (as long as there is a time limit).
5: Tanner's bed- In Jackson's opinion this is the best place on earth. He loves to hold onto his bed rail and jump and then smash his face into the net.
6: Jungle gym- He loves to have me or Brad lay on the ground. He will come over and crawl all over us and then roll around us kicking his legs. He will lay for a long time with his head smashed into my arm and be the happiest baby ever.
7: Dancing- somehow this is in our boys blood because they love it. When he hears music he will quickly get to a place where he can stand up and then start to bounce.
8: Morning- he is on pins and needles to get up in the morning and usually despite all of our efforts cannot make it past 5:30- this is not one of my favorite things...
9: Hair- yes this is still a favorite. He loves to reach up as I rock him and run his fingers through it.
10. Crawling- he is very good at crawling, but he funniest is when he gets excited. He will crawl around with his head down bobbing it back and forth and swing his arms as he crawls. Sometimes it is to crawl to me, but others he just goes back and forth sitting up and throwing himself back into crawling position. I cannot help but laugh every time, which is a lot.

Binky Bandit

Jackson HATES binkies; however, if he sees Tanner with his blue binkies in his mouth he races as fast as he can to steal them. I cannot keep him off Tanner's face. It is so funny and Tanner is very good about it. Since they only come out at night it is usually when we are trying to read before bed and Tanner will either play along or just move Jackson's hand out of the way without even looking away from the book. On occasion that Jackson does steal it the look on his face is priceless.

He's Mobile!

Jackson is mobile!!!  He has been scooting for awhile but as of about a week he is actually crawling.  He is so cute and LOVES being able to move where he wants.  He still wants me close but sometimes just smiles and crawls away, just not too far.  Tanner is having fun laying on his tummy and calling Jackson.  He usually sounds something like this, "Come on Jackson, you can do it!  Yes you can! Come to Tanner!"  It gives me a little peak into what I sound like.