Oakland, San Fransisco and Melinda's Wedding

  We took our first family vacation and went to Oakland, CA for Kollin's cousin Melinda's wedding.

For a couple weeks leading up to it I was stressing myself out on what to pack, how the boys were going to handle the plane ride and just how everything was going to go.

Everything went so smoothly there really wasn't anything to stress about. I am so glad it worked out so well and that we are more confident now to take a vacation in the future whenever that may be.

We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare which was our first big relief. We were able to sit around and let Tanner wander and watch out the window for planes. The flight itself was surprisingly easy. I nursed Chase during takeoff, he slept the entire flight and then nursed him during landing. He was absolutely perfect! Tanner was able to keep himself entertained with the activities I had packed for him in his backpack. His favorites were the silly putty and stickers, which were all we really had time for since the flight was only an hour and 45 minutes or so.

We got our luggage, took the shuttle to the car rental place and drove straight to the hotel using the GPS on my phone. It was so easy!

The next day we walked down to Jack London Square with most of the family that was there. The kids loved running around by the water and on a pretty neat playground that we found. Then we had to head back for everyone to get ready for the wedding.

The wedding was at Preservation Park which was a very pretty enclosed neighborhood I guess you could say. It had older houses, a gazebo area where the wedding was and a big fountain in the middle. 

Melinda looked so pretty and happy! As she was walking down the aisle she was already crying. So sweet.

There was dinner, dancing and a photo booth. We went and did pictures in the photo booth and got some pretty funny shots. Right after we got out of the booth Tanner say Grandma Stark and went running for her and turfed it really good. He got his knee pretty bad and it bled for quite a while. The next few days he has not wanted to walk on it in the mornings since I am sure it gets all stiff as he sleeps.

The dancing was really fun. Tanner was even dancing around and looking so cute! At the end everyone sent off the bride and groom with sparklers. By the end both boys had had enough and were pretty grouchy. Tanner didn't even want to do the sparklers. Until he saw them lit up that is, and then stole a couple from other guests after his burnt out.

On Sunday we walked back down to Jack London Square with who had not left Orlando yet. We were with Tiff, Seattle and their kids, and Cory and her daughter. (Tiff and Cory are Kollin's cousins)

We took the San Fransisco Bay Ferry to Pier 39 and walked around everywhere. We bought lots of souvenirs and took lots of pictures. Chase was a little fussy that day which was to be expected after the night before, but Tanner was almost the worst I'd ever seen him (which was also expected)! He was whining so much and crying at the drop of a hat. Constantly wanting to get into the stroller but couldn't since Chase was in it and was overall just kind of making the whole day hard on everyone. While I was nursing chase one time he climbed into the stroller and zonked right out and took a pretty good nap! Chase also fell asleep as he was eating so Kollin and I took turns carrying him as he slept so we didn't have to wake up Tanner. Once they both woke up they were like new kids and pretty happy for the remainder of the day.

On Monday we packed up everything and headed back to the airport. We got a little lost on the way to the airport since Kollin took the wrong turn to get on the freeway but we got it figured out. That made us very glad we left super early. We got the rental car dropped off and shuttled back to the airport with no issues at all. Our flight didn't leave until around 4:30 and we got to the airport around 11:30 or 12! It wasn't bad though. We were just happy we were early and not late. We all just hung out, ate snacks and got some more souvenirs from one of the airport stores (ya, I know. super expensive). I really wanted to get Tanner a plane like the plane we were flying in so he could maybe remember the trip and I found on in the store so that's what he got. It also kept him entertained with all of the spare time we had to wait.

At one point he was flying around with his plane he tripped and face planted into the carpet. He was ok, but his plane went flying. It went under our seats and stopped by someones foot. I found it but couldn't reach it from where I was and couldn't move since I was nursing Chase. I was telling Kollin and Tanner where it landed and as they were trying to get to it the man who it landed by bent down and got it for us. It turned out he was the captain of our flight! He asked us if we were headed to Salt Lake and we said yes. He then said after we board that we should all come and see him in the cockpit and take pictures and have cookies! It was so nice of him and Tanner loved the cookies part.

As we boarded they were already expecting us and showed us right into the cockpit. The captain had us sit in his seat and we all took some pictures. It was pretty funny because Tanner thought that was where we were actually going to sit, so he had already taken his backpack off and stowed it under the pedals of the plane. It was pretty funny getting it back out of there when we were leaving to find our actual seats.

After we took off both boys fell asleep for the entire flight and only woke up once we were on the ground again. Such good little fliers! Then my dad came and picked us up in our car and we headed home.

It was a really nice trip the turned out so well for everyone. So glad we went!

 

 

Looking out the window of our hotel room the first morning. He loved seeing all the cars, people and buses from up high.

All dressed up and waiting for the wedding to start.

How Tanner entertained himself while we waited for dinner to start. They are little circle cutouts of maps that were decorations like confetti on each table.

Chase scooted over to me in the morning and gave me wake up slobbers.

The Heart Mom in me wanted a picture by the big heart at Pier 39. This is what I got. Pretty much summed up what our day was like.

Alcatraz Island

Getting cookies from the pilot

Mommy, Chase and Tanner in the pilot's seat and Kollin sitting on the center console thing.

Such good little fliers. I just wish Chase was this good in the car!

Waiting to board our plane in SLC.

About to takeoff in SLC

Our room is the one with the light on. Tanner and Kollin are waving down to me.

Those girls just love Tanner.

All dressed up for the wedding

Big loud train!

Chase found another baby in our hotel room!

New-to-Us Bed

  We purchased a California King bed from one of my Heart friends. She moved to a new place and it was just too big for her room so she sold it to us for a very nice price.

We just had to make some improvements to it....

Before

Before

During. (excuse my hair wrap. I had just taken a shower and it also worked very well to keep my hair out of the paint!)

 

After! We are loving it! it is so so so so pretty all black. It almost looks new. Very excited to sleep on it tonight!

After!

Load Fire

  Kollin called me from work the other day letting me know that he had a fire in his truck.

Here's the story:

He was doing residential that day.

As he was going along he noticed smoke when he looked at the camera that's inside the hopper of the truck.

When he looked again he actually saw flames.

He got out his fire extinguisher and used over half of it with no improvement.

He also tried packing his load to smother the fire.

No dice.

He called his managers and they said to call 911 since the fire extinguisher didn't work.

He called and said he was driving to a large parking lot to try to get off of the main road.

The 911 dispatcher told him to not do that and stop right where he was.

He let them know he was right in front of an elementary school.

They still said to stop.

When the fire fighters got there Kollin, as well as a resident were still not able to get the fire out with his extinguisher and a garden hose.

The fire fighters told him to dump his load where he was.

Well, ok then!

They found that it was a chemical fire and were able to get it out.

It was pretty interesting, and at least he wasn't the one that had to clean the mess up!

We are all very grateful that he is ok!

 

 

Toddler Heaven

  The other day we had plumbers over to fix some cracked pipes in the house.

At the same time there was road construction going on outside.

Tanner was in heaven!

 

He loved the big trucks, but wasn't too happy about how loud they were.

New hiding place for Tanner! Too bad the plumbers closed it all back up again.

On the Move

  We've got a scooter!

Starting position

Just getting going.

Finish. About 5 minutes or so later.

 

Five Months Old

This is going by so fast, but it is so fun!

You are officially laughing now but still don't do it very often. You would rather squeal and screech. 

You are mostly such a good and happy baby. You are starting to not like riding in the car more and more though. When it used to put you right to sleep you spend the majority of the time in the car crying unless I'm sitting in the back seat with you.

 

You are doing so well at sitting up! If you have something that your bum is nestled into you can sit right up without any other support. There have also been a few times where you have sat up without any help at all. You have this cradle that we now have to strap you into since you are getting so squirmy and strong. When we put you in it, you will sit up and just your little head is popping up over the edge. It is pretty cute to see. You also sit straight up in your bouncer when you are strapped into it. That is some great core strength! 

 

I am not sure if you are loving tummy time or if you just don't remember how to roll back over to your back. Whenever we put you down on your back you immediately roll over to your tummy. You will be content like that for long periods of time too, so I'm guessing you like it. You will just look around while holding your head up so well! You're also getting much squirmier and tend to travel a little bit while you're on the ground. Just the only direction you go right now is backwards. You have rolled back to your back many times, but just not very often.

You have been taking naps and sleeping at night in your very own crib in your room with Tanner. It has been a very smooth transition. You haven't woken Tanner up hardly at all and you can sleep 4 or 5 hours at a time sometimes. Usually it's only 2 or 3, which we need to work on.

We have started you on solids and you are doing so well! Right now you are loving squash, banana and apple. It's a little bit of a fight to get you to eat vegetables, but you eventually get them down. You've also been holding your own bottle every now and then and are getting pretty good and putting your bink back into your mouth.

We believe you have been teething lately. You are nothing but drool, chewing on your fingers or anything you can get into your mouth really and a bit of a runny nose. Just waiting for that first tooth to pop through!

You have now officially upgraded to size 2 diapers and into 3-6 months clothes. I was so sad when I put away your 0-3 month clothes, but the new wardrobe is pretty fun. I love putting you in outfits that I love when your big brother wore them and you are just as cute in them!

Weight: 15.8 lbs (home scale)

Height: 26.25 inches

You are so much fun and can't wait to see what you do this next month!

xoxox

mommy and daddy

First Annual George J. Cannon Family Summer Party! (and some rain)

Earlier this week was the First Annual George J. Cannon Family Summer Party! It has always been the big family Christmas party in the past. This last year it was put to a vote to keep it during Christmas time, or to move it to the summer. I think it is good that it was moved to the summer since the holidays are so so busy with everyone growing up and having their own families. One less party to go to during that time makes things easier. The only sad part is there will be no more Santa for the little kids which was always such a fun memory I had as a kid growing up. I think this will work out just great though!

It was at Sugarhouse Park and we were all getting together, eating and visiting before the program started. A little into the program when my Great Aunt Virginia (I may be wrong, I'll have to make sure) was speaking about Great Grandma and Grandpa Cannon (George J and Lucy) I could see clouds rolling in. 

And then it started to get really windy. 

And then it started to sprinkle. 

And then it was an absolute downpour! 

There are skylight windows going all the way up the roof of the pavilion we were under, but they were all gone! So everyone jumped up and huddled into the middle of the pavilion where we were getting the least amount of rain.

Before this all started Tanner was playing at the drinking fountain (anyone that has been to these pavilions at Sugarhouse Park know these drinking fountains and how fun they are for little kids to play in), and Kollin, my dad and Gwen were all near him. I assumed Chase was somewhere over there in his carseat as well since I couldn't see him and my dad was the last person to have him. I was under the pavilion eating and visiting with relatives.

The next thing I know some papers are starting to blow away so I grabbed them and headed for the garbage can to throw them away when it started to rain. I look back and everyone was running for cover. Apparently what happened is Kollin grabbed Chase and was looking for me to get Tanner but I was nowhere in sight since I was at the garbage can! Luckily my cousin Chase was close to Tanner and grabbed him to bring him under the pavilion. Needless to say Tanner was a little traumatized. 

I thought the whole ordeal was hilarious and was trying to get video and pictures. Tanner was fine after he got over the original scare, and Chase was doing just fine under a picnic table in his carseat under his canopy. But Kollin was not happy and was cold. So we headed out to the car to go home. It was so funny and crazy at the same time! Too bad the part got cut so short though.

Pictures are out of order since I'm too lazy to rearrange them.

We got absolutely drenched. Tanner was not impressed.

Hanging out under Grandpa Cannon's umbrella.

This was when I first got him from my cousin Chase. I was still trying to grab things off the tables and help others so I couldn't hold him. So he just clung to my leg. Poor guy.

My dad is like a boy scout. Always prepared.

You can't really tell, but I am dripping wet! You can't even see out of the windows of the car because it was raining so hard and fast!

Cabin Shenanigans

This last weekend we all went up to my family's cabin and spent a night with my parents. It was a lot of fun and we are pretty impressed with how both boys (especially Chase) did overnight in unfamiliar surroundings.

Tanner loved sitting like this in the loft and having us look up at him.

By far Tanner's favorite of the whole weekend. He loves these marbles and I am surprised he remembered about them from the last time we were up here months and months ago!

Loving this picture.

I was asking my dad how old he thought these marbles were. He said probably around 80 years old! I knew they were old, but not THAT old! It is amazing that my dad, me and now Tanner have all played with these marbles and egg cartons as children.

Grandpa taking Tanner on an adventure. They found about 6 different bodies of water he could throw rocks into.

We took a walk around Silver Lake.

Chase trying so hard to sit up!

Tanner wasn't too excited....

Until I showed him Mickey Rock. Then that was all he wanted to find while we were walking around the lake.

It was a beautiful, cool and overcast day.

Eating s'mores in the rain.

Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Week!

Chase napping while we were packing and cleaning.

Bubbles! ......Also notice Tanner's pants (they're backwards if you can't see). He put them on himself. He is doing SO great with potty training! I'm probably going to do a catch up post before this one so this may be old news, but oh well. He is an expert with #1, but is still absolutely terrified to go #2 in the potty. But the good thing is he will tell us when he needs to go and asks for a diaper on. We still have him sit on the potty when he knows he needs to poop just to try to get him to do it and get used to it. But he never does. And we don't want to force the issue and make him even more scared. So we're just waiting until he's ready. At least pooping in a diaper is better than in his undies any day! I'll take it!

 

Four Months Old

Our smilie boy is 4 months old!

You are such a joy and so fun to be around!

This last month you have almost started to laugh. Daddy said he got you to once, but no one has been able to get you to repeat it again yet. You substitute for an actual laugh right now is the cutest little screech/squeal. You love it when we attack your neck with kisses and raspberries. But still not quite sure what to do when we tickle your ribs or armpits. You just let out a big grunt like your trying to go to the bathroom. It's pretty funny.

You have been grabbing everything you can get your little fingers on lately. You are really trying to hold your own bottle and you pinch the living daylights out of me when you are nursing. You have found both your hands and your feet and love to stick them in your mouth. You have also found your thumb and love to chew on it! It is so cute!

You have gotten very squirmy and have gotten a lot better at rolling over from your back to belly for the past couple of weeks. We'll put you down, leave the room to do something and when we come back you are facing a completely different angle from where we left you! I should have known it was coming, but you squirmed your way right off the bed yesterday morning. It wasn't too bad. I picked you up, put your bink in your mouth and snuggled you and you were smiling up at me 5 seconds later. Sorry though! I hate that parental right of passage!

You are still in size 1 diapers although Daddy thinks we should go up a size. I think you'll still last a while in the 1's. And in size 0-3 month clothes still. They are getting more tight than last month, but they still fit. Probably not much longer though. But thank you for not being in a size 12 month! I have been worried that you are growing so fast that you'd be in really big clothes for your age. It makes me feel that you are not too too big and I still have somewhat of a little baby.

Weight: 14.12 lbs

Height: 24.9 inches

We are so in love with you and love how well you fit into our little family!

xoxox

mom and dad

Happy 4th of July!

Three Months Old

This is going by way too fast! 

You are such a big, beautiful and sweet boy.

You haven't been as gassy or choliky anymore, but you sure are starting to fight going to sleep! Like right now.... Currently throwing a fit so I better hurry.

You have been starting to coo and squeak a lot more this month. You love to smile and have been starting to stand and bear weight on your legs. 

You have started to have interest in some toys. You have a crinkle elephant that you seem to like and other times you like a ball of Tanner's that has a bunch of holes in it so it is easy to grab.

You have been rolling over for a few weeks now and there have been a few times I have left the room and come back and you are on your stomach when that wasn't how I left you! You little sneak. You also scoot a lot with your legs and push yourself backwards. So that tells me I need to start keeping a close eye on you and probably start having more floor time so you don't push yourself right off the bed or couch.

I am happy to report that you are still in size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. Although some are starting to be on the tight side. Stop growing so fast would ya!

An update from your 2 month post, we went to the specialist to have your head checked out and he said you look great and no surgery is needed! Yay! So happy and relieved to hear this and that we don't have to plan another major surgery anytime soon.

Since you don't have a 3 month Dr. visit we measured and weighed you ourselves at home. So it probably isn't as accurate but here are your current stats:

Weight: 13.4 lbs

Height: 14 1/2 in

You are really freaking out now so I better go. We love you so much little one!

xoxo

mom and dad

Roll Me Over!

This little bugger rolled over today! (BOTH ways)

Tanner had to show me he could still roll over too.