Life with the Pabens: These are a few of T's favorite things...

Oh my goodness! Tanner is growing so fast! Within the last month, he has started talking a whole lot more! His new words are Apple, Bubble, and Pee-Pie...all very clear. He is also working on saying "flower" and "thank you." For now, he signs thank you. He can also sign please. It is so cute because he knows he has to say it when he wants something. It makes me so proud that he is already learning manners!

There for a few days, he kept saying, "Elmo." I wasn't sure what he was saying because he doesn't watch much TV at home, let alone Elmo. One day I picked him up from daycare and he said it. I asked them if that is what he was saying and they told me yes...apparently, they watch Elmo a little too much. Now he can see Elmo anywhere...books, diapers, anything...and he says, "E-mo."

Tanner LOVES to read. He brings you books that he wants to read. One of his favorites is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." If you tell him to go get it, he will. He has his favorites already. I think he likes the pictures more than anything at this point. He will back his little self right up to you and sit in your lap. I just love it!

Tanner is already very picky about his shoes. The only shoes that I have found that he will wear without throwing a fit (literally) are PediPeds. I have tried to get him to wear other shoes but he will sit in the floor, pulling at his feet, screaming and crying until he gets them off or until you take them off. The thing about PediPeds is you can only buy them at certain stores and they are not cheap. They have proved to be challenging to find. Thanks to my friend Tara, I found a store that sells them. He wore one pair out so I bought him another pair a few weeks ago that are Navy. I also bought some PRECIOUS sandals in brown, ONLY because he walked around for 10 minutes in them in the store. They are not PediPeds but they have squeakers in them. So every time he walks, they squeak. Annoying?? Yes, but if they get him to wear harder soled shoes I can endure the squeaking every time he walks. So I figured, since he walked around them in the store, he will wont have a problem walking in them outside of the store. Correct assumption?? WRONG! We got home and he screamed and cried. Well crap, I guess I have to get him some different ones...seriously??? My cheap butt is spending $35 a pair on these shoes for my 1 year old...he better wear them!! So yesterday, I take off to buy him the brown ones below. Cute huh?

I get to the store and as I am wrangling my child and trying to get out of there as soon as I can. I already knew they had them, so I quickly grab the shoes before T has a melt down or tears something up in this store. Momma ain't buying anything else...they have designer outfits for babies that cost a whole weeks pay and cute little Miss Me jeans for little girls. So in and out...in the car safe from embarrassment from a screaming baby. I get almost home and realize I got the wrong size!!! SOOOOO I get to go back to exchange them...hopefully with out T this time! It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to drive 30 min to get to the store. Oh well, I guess I will sacrifice! BTW, PediPeds are a little more expensive than some baby shoes but they are GREAT shoes! If you have a little one, they are worth the money!

Tanner is also a climber! Here is his two favorite spots to climb. On the toy box and in the chairs at the dining room table.