Poor sick kid

Tanner is sick. Coughing and with a fever. You can see how miserable he feels. Not sure what it is. He got his flu shot 24 hours before he started feeling sick, so I am wondering if his body is fighting it, or what. We laid on the couch for 4 hours yesterday. He wouldn't let me leave him, and he is too heavy to carry everywhere. He sat through a full hour of Oprah!

Child Labor

No, not really. I was babysitting, and Tanner and Jamison found my broom and mop and played with them for about a half hour.

Silliness

Tanner found these stickers and put them on his own face, then just played like usual.

Grrr

Ok, so I don't know how to fix this problem. He is too smart! He can open it even after I have locked it. Wonder if they make kid proof dishwashers. I will definitely be looking for that feature when I buy my own.

What took me so long!?!

Lately Tanner has been really annoying me when he gets into stuff (the garbage) and crawls up onto things he shouldn't (the table). He does it over and over again! And I get madder and madder every time, so I've been putting things up. Looks tacky, but if it will save me some stress and Tanner scolding, who cares!

Also, I get him to "help" me with things, like unloading the dishwasher or putting toys away. He actually likes it! For now. It keeps him busy for a really long time too--taking things out and putting them in again-- and I can do other things without a crying kid attacking my legs. Why didn't I think of these things earlier?

So, to all you moms that are clueless and frustrated like me with a busy body baby, there are a few tips. Who knows if they are good parenting practices, but they work for me.

Girly boy

I love how he is holding his hand in this first one.

Idaho State University is a no go

Nate finally got a letter from ISU and he wasn't accepted. They blamed it on his one less than perfect grade in Chemistry. It's dumb because he has a 4.0 in his upper division classes--the ones that are actually applicable to physical therapy, but he got a lower-than-they'd-like grade in a prerequisite class--which he won't even use in PT or life ever again--and he is out of the running.

So kind of a bummer, but when we thought about it, we hate the snowy, bitter cold winters in Idaho, so it is probably a blessing that we won't have to be depressed for the next 3 years. We are just waiting on the Arizona schools: AT Still in Mesa and NAU in Flagstaff. One of our friends already got an invitation to an interview at NAU, so we hope Nate has one on the way. It is a tough school to get into though. Lots of people don't get into PT school on their first try. I guess we'd have lots of options if he doesn't. Maybe go back to Oregon for a year or who knows where? We'll just see where Heavenly Father wants us. It will come together; it's just a matter of time.

Floaties in the tub

I went to the kitchen for a second when Tanner was in the bath (I know, I am a bad mom), and all of the sudden I hear him screaming. It was a weird, terrified scream. So, I ran down the hall to find him backing away from a some poo that was floating in the tub. Apparently it was scary, wonder why? Sorry, no picture of this little episode, but here is a link to a funny video with a baby singing. You may or may not appreciate it. If you are from my family, the Tanner side, you will love it.
www.hahahumor.com/funny-songs/babyinatub.htm

David & Tanner

After Alicia and I go walking we let our boys play around. They found some exercise bikes. Tanner wishes he could reach the pedals. Poor David took a fall off of his bike a little after the picture was taken.

I love this last one. You can tell they have a good time together.

Husband tag

I wasn't really tagged, but I thought this would be a fun one, so I just chose to do it. I won't tag anyone, but if you want to do it, have fun!
What is his name? Nathan
How old is he? 25
How long have you been together? Married 2 1/2 years
How long did you date? On and off for a year and a half
Who eats more? Him, but not by much since I am pregnant.
Who said I love you first? Can't remember. That is sad.
Who's taller? He is, thank goodness! I am only 5'4.
Who can sing better? Me, but not much.
Who does the laundry? Me. He's way to busy for stuff like that.
Who pays the bills? I do.
Who is smarter? Depends. When it comes to some things him; other things, me.
Who sleeps on the right side? He does.
Who cooks dinner? I do. Maybe once a month he will--if I am lucky.
Who drives? He does. When I drive, it makes him nervous, and then it stresses me out.
Who is more stubborn? He is.
Who kissed who first? He kissed me, but I had to ask him to.
Who proposed? That is debatable.
Who has more friends? Me.
Who is more sensitive? Probably me. I have never seen him cry--ever.
Who has more siblings? I do.
Who wears the pants? Both of us.

Crazy boy

Tanner looks sweet enough, but he is trouble. The other day from down the hall I heard clanking silverware. I walked into the kitchen and he had the dishwasher door down and he was sitting on it playing with dirty silverware. He knows how to unlock it. He has pulled the oven door down a few times too. Scary! Here is his favorite place to sit. He hasn't fallen off yet. I am dreading the day that he does, and I am sure it will come. I try to keep him down, but he is a bit of a rebel. You can see his energy in this video. He's crazy I tell you! That is why I am nervous about having another boy.

Snow!

Tanner and Dad playing in the snow. See how deep it is. It is about as deep as Tanner is tall.



He really likes to kick it for some reason. If we let him walk outside he won't go without kicking the snow.

Well, the Spence name won't stop with us

We're having another BOY. I guess that is what I get for marrying a Spence. Good luck Mickie and Michaela. I was sort of hoping for a mellow girl, but a boy will be good for Tanner. He likes to wrestle and play rough.

Can you see the baby's profile in the middle? He looks kind of goofy to me. He's got a Nate nose and his chin is kind of far back. That's not a good combo. But I thought Tanner's chin looked too far back when he was born, and he's turned out to be a cutie.

Dallin is the name we like, but as usual we have no idea on the middle name. So we are open to suggestions. :)

President Hinckley died

Here is a brief report from a news channel in SLC. It is sad that he is gone. He has been my favorite prophet so far, but I look forward to President Monson.

SALT LAKE CITY - The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon Bitner Hinckley, died on Sunday at the age of 97 after spending more than a decade as the Mormon faith's leader.

"President Hinckley passed away at 7:00 p.m. tonight at his apartment in Temple Square," said LDS Church spokesman Bruce Olsen. "He has been a great leader... this is going to be a blow to everyone across the world."

According to church officials, Hinckley died from health complications due to his advanced age and was surrounded by his family when he passed away.

Born on June 23, 1910, Hinckley ascended to the church presidency on Mar. 12, 1995. For nearly 13 years, Hinckley served as the 15th prophet of the LDS faith as a successor to Howard W. Hunter.

MY hair cut

I said I would post pictures, but I haven't really done my hair the last couple days, so that is why no pictures. But I did it today, so here you go. A couple different angles. It is shorter than I wanted, but it seems like it always is. You'd think that the hair dresser would realize that when your hair is dry and fluffed up it is shorter. Oh well, it grows, and it isn't a bad cut.

Hair cut--finally

Before

After

He did awesome. He sat their still the whole time. I think maybe he was petrified of the buzzer. I think Tanner is so cute with long hair, so it was hard to see it go.

-20 degrees feels like -35

I think this morning was the coldest temperature I've ever experienced. I took Nate to class at 7:45 and it was -20! Brrrr! Weird thing is though, once it is below zero it kind of all feels the same. Here are a few pictures of the icicles around our apartment complex. And Tanner watching one of his new favorite shows "Dance Wars"

Trying to dance standing

Tanner hasn't really danced much standing up, so he's a little unstable. My favorite part is when he touches his nose when it says "nose". Smarty pants.

Time for a change in hair style

I think I will get my hair cut like this tomorrow. I always love Meg Ryan's hair. Won't take off too much length just give it some shape. If it turns out good, I will post some pictures.

Yuck!

In case you can't tell this is a jar of peanut butter. I know, I am a mean mom. :)

Tanner walking

I think he has just about mastered walking. He tries to walk everywhere now. The snow is all new terrain though.

1 down 3 to go

Nate heard from University of Utah and they aren't interested in him. I'll tell you why, they supposedly didn't get the application fee from him, which they did. Nate put it in the envelope and I double checked to make sure everything was in there before sealing it and sending it. He emailed the lady in charge just to see that they had everything right before the deadline, so he could send anything else if needed. She said we have everything, we'll let you know in a month. Well, we were watching our account and the check wasn't clearing, so he emailed they lady again to see what was going on, and she said he didn't send a check. Um, why didn't you say that the first time he contacted you! She didn't say what that meant, if he should send another or if he lost his chance. So we just waited and today he got the letter. Bummer deal since it was one of his top choices. I am sure it will be a blessing in the end. At least he didn't lose the $75 AND get rejected. He just got rejected. :( I've decided I don't like that University anyway.

Newest girlfriend

I babysat this little girl today and Tanner couldn't keep his hands off her. It was pretty sweet.

Cream cheese & Peanut butter

Any time we give Tanner something with cream cheese he just eats it off. He would eat it by the spoonfuls if we'd let him.

So, you know how Tanner is allergic to peanuts. Well, I was eating some peanut butter and holding him and talking to him and he started dry heaving; even the smell gets to him!

New Years in Utah

Tanner enjoyed playing with Jason and Uncle Matt. We had fun with the Wii. Nate wants one now. Maybe someday when they are less expensive. We had fun hanging out and playing games. We went bowling and got to use our new shoes. Thanks to Matt and Mickie and Will and Kristin for letting us stay with them.

Rexburg Temple Open House

No, I didn't take these pictures, obviously. They were in a brochure. I just took a picture of a picture. The temple was amazing. Lots of stairs. It is 4 floors including the basement. The first picture is the entry way. The wood in the temple was imported from Africa. It is flawless wood and they wanted to keep it that way so there were no nails used just glue. The second is the baptismal font. Third and endowment room. The murals are amazing! Leon Parson did them. The fourth is of a sealing room and the fifth the Celestial room. I can't wait to go through to do work. It is by appointment only for now.

Christmas

We had a quiet Christmas. Got great gifts. The only ones we really had to open today were from Matt and Mickie and they were really nice. Thanks Matt and Mickie! Tanner especially loves his Tonka truck. He gets in the back and pushes it around. We got money and gift cards from other people so no surprises there, but that is totally fine. We got some things we've been wanting like a toaster oven and bowling shoes. Other than that we got our TV and entertainment center last month. We spent most of our day at Paul and Paula's with them and some friends from back home.

Mmm Fudge

He ate the whole thing, and really fast.

Grades are out!

And Nate got all A's. Well, and an A-, but that is still all A's. It bumped his gpa up enough to give him an academic scholarship. However, he might have to take 14 credits to get it and he might not be able to fit it in his schedule. So, we'll see, but it's still exciting. He's done so well.

Taking his own medicine

Got in on video

Tanner is feeling a little more brave now. I was doing something and noticed him trying to take some steps on his own, so I pulled out the camera. Watch how he tries to find his balance, and how long it takes. Don't worry the video is about 35 seconds or so, I think.

3 steps

Tanner took 3 steps today! I think it was a fluke, he hasn't done it again. He is 16 months, so he's gotta walk soon. It is kind of funny, he will brace himself against a wall or something then put his arms up in the air as if it is helping him keep his balance and h.e'll stand for a few seconds then fall. Even when he took his steps his arms were high in the air. Wonder if that will stick. That would be interesting. I will try and catch him on video.

Finally finished

Tanner's stocking took me a year to finish. It is cross stitched, and the most complicated one I've ever done. Guess I better start on the next babies now and maybe it will be done by next Christmas.

Correction

Nate wanted me to add this about the Smart Grant. He said it wasn't just given to him for being in the major he is, it was because he has a high GPA also and he is a full time student, which he didn't really need to be this next semester. He only needs 1 class and his internship. We were looking forward to more family time and less stress for him, but he is taking a few extras to get the grant. But his classes aren't all hard. He is taking an auto class for fun, well, and because it would be extremely helpful, and he will probably be able to do half his internship during Christmas break, lightening the load next semester.

Pays to be Smart

Have you heard of the Smart Grant? Well, I guess it is for certain majors, mostly really hard ones like engineering and sciences. Well, Nate's major has been Exercise Science but they switched the name of it to Exercise Physiology, so now he qualifies. He is given $4000 just for being in the major he is. That is on top of the Pell Grant. Such a blessing! BYU-Idaho and the Government have been so generous with us. We have received thousands of dollars from both places to pay for our school and avoid student loans. Once graduate school hits though there aren't as many opportunities for grants, just loans. Guess we'll put this money aside for later.

Sumo Wrestling

Kelly and I had the chance to see Sumo Wrestling. It was everything you could hope for. I've posted two videos that we took and a picture. The guy in the picture is named Manny "Tiny" Yarbrough. He is 6'8" and 740 lb. Yes I put in the right figures. He goes to a junk yard to get weighed. The videos are "Tiny" and another guy. Basically it is Big vs. Small. The heaviest against the lightest. I thought it was pretty funny. The other video is the championship for the competition. The Japanese sumo is undefeated and as you can see continues to hold that record. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed every minute of it. Kelly said at first she felt like she shouldn't have been checking out their rear ends, but you can't not look! Every time I see this I laugh. Hope you enjoy it as well.

Pray

Tanner is learning how to pray.

Allergy?

Nate gave Tanner some peanut butter and this is what happened just minutes later. Looks like he may be allergic. It has happened a few times before, but I never knew if it was the peanuts. Bummer huh? I love peanut anything.