Oh Tanner!

Same kid. Two stories. Mike called me on my way to work the other day to tell me Tanner filled his underwear full of sand and tracked it all over the house. What is wrong with him? Who does that? The next day, Landen was going off about this soccer team they played and how he didn't like them because they kept pushing him. I was telling Landen he needed to calm down. Tanner turned to him and in all seriousness said, "Yeah, Landen. What would Jesus think?" Tanner actually must listen in church!

Tanner Gets Surgery

A few months ago, Mike and I noticed some changes in Tanner's privates. I won't go into further detail about that, but we took him to our pediatrician and he felt Tanner had a hernia. A week later we visited a general surgeon at Primary Children's and he confirmed a hernia and said he would need to get it repaired surgically.

I was nervous about this. Mike has had two hernia repairs and he had to be down for over a week. Can you imagine trying to keep my most active child Tanner down for a whole week? The surgeon assured me that this isn't the case with kids. Tanner would be fine after a few days and I wouldn't have to keep him down. That's why I love working in pediatrics. Kids are so tough!

Landen's tonsillectomy was a nightmare, so I tried to prepare Tanner the best I could about the surgery. We talked about the gas mask and being able to choose a flavor to help him sleep. I told him how mommy and daddy would only be able to walk him so far before the doctor would take him by himself, we talked about the yummy foods he could pick out to eat after including hopefully getting an orange sippy cup (his favorite color) to drink apple juice in. I even told him he could sleep in mommy's bed for two nights after the surgery.


Well, all my prepping worked or maybe Tanner just thought he was getting a lot of attention. He was so wild the morning of the surgery. I am not sure he understood what was really happening. I kept thinking about how much pain he was going to be in after, but he could have cared less. Tanner was bouncing off the walls and being so silly.

Here Tanner is before the surgery messing around on the stool. Love his face!


Before a surgery, parents have the option of giving their child a drug called versed to help calm them down and not freak out when the time comes to leave their parents. I have heard mixed reports that this same drug contributes to their craziness while coming out of anesthesia. We gave this to Tanner when he was 18 months before his ear tube surgery and he was a crazy man after. We opted not to give it to Landen before his tonsillectomy and he was so sad before and the child life specialist actually had to gown up and take him with the surgeon. Afterwards, Landen was still a crazy man coming out of the anesthesia.

Mike and I were thinking Tanner would be ok without the Versed, but at the last minute we decided to give it to him. It is supposed to kick in quickly and kids start to relax and become loose. Not Tanner. He was still so hyper all over the waiting room. A nurse had to come over and tell us that we had to put him in the wagon since he had Versed so he wouldn't fall. Tanner kept trying to climb out of the wagon. I thought this was even more dangerous.

In the end, Tanner wheeled off in his wagon with the doctor not caring where he was going.


We were told to expect the entire surgery to take about 45 minutes. After 1 hour and 15 minutes, I was close to freaking out. Luckily the doctor walked in and told us that everything went great. It took so long because Tanner had a very large hernia.

One parent is allowed to go back into PACU. This job always falls on me and I hate it. Our kids have had a total of 5 minor surgeries up until this point and I can always hear them screaming/freaking out as I come down the hall. This time was different. I got to Tanner's bedside and he was just chillin with the nurse laying with his hands behind his head (he loves this position). The nurse said he was adorable and was telling her all about his brothers. I asked if he had cried at all and she said no he woke up and just started being a chatterbox.

The nurse asked the tech to get Tanner some apple juice. Tanner shouted across the room, "Can I get an orange sippy cup?" I couldn't believe Tanner remembered.

Love this fake smile. Tanner is trying, but his stomach is a little upset.

We were moved into the postop area to monitor Tanner a little longer when he puked all his apple juice. Poor guy. After his stomach settled, the nurse asked him if he would like some crackers. Only Tanner would reply, "Is that all you got?"

I started telling Tanner about how we were going to snuggle and watch movies all day. The nurse asked him what we were going to watch. Tanner proudly said, "We have Netflix!" All the nurses fell in love with him.

When we got home, Tanner laid around for a few hours while we watched an entire season of an old Godzilla cartoon. By that night, Tanner was trying to wrestle his brothers.

It has been a few days and Tanner is totally fine. I think I gave him Lortab once and forced Motrin down him the rest of the time even though he probably didn't need it. So thankful to have my wild child back.

Tanner Takes Swimming Lessons

It's crazy how you have time to do everything with your first child. By the time Gage was 4, I am sure he had at least taken 2 if not 3 classes of swimming lessons. I just haven't had the time to do the same for Tanner. I finally decided it was time since he was going to be 4 soon. I also thought it would be good to have Tanner be in some sort of class before he starts preschool so he would learn to sit, take turns, and listen to instructions. I'm not sure that these swim lessons were a great prerequisite for preschool, but Tanner sure had fun.

I had never had the kids do swim lessons at Layton Surf N Swim. My sister Brandy and I thought we would give it a try. I had heard good things about it. The class had roughly 8 kids with two teachers that couldn't have been older than 20. They unfortunately had their work cut out for them from the start. Many of the kids cried and many didn't listen. Tanner fell into both categories. He cried the first day, but I just handed him to one of the teachers and off he went. Unfortunately for the rest of the 2 weeks of lessons, he didn't listen much. Tanner kinda did his own thing, but he had fun. I also think he did learn to not be afraid of the water so overall it was a good experience.

Tanner playing with his bribe. I know not good to do, but it did work.

Waiting for his class to start.

Tanner loved riding the noodles like a horse.

Practicing his backwards crab walk.

Where's Tanner in the train?

For some reason, Tanner hated to do the back float. He didn't like putting his ears in the water. Or maybe it was the feeling of not being in control.

Tanner liked to warm up in the sun after each class and relax for a minute. He worked so hard and "needed to rest" he would say.

Tanner was so proud of himself for passing his first swimming lesson class.

Side Note: Tanner did take this class with his cousin Ady, but they acted like they didn't even know each other during class. Ady didn't really like the class so she didn't participate much.

It's a

Oh yeah, I'm pregnant! It's a BOY!!! It has been very hard to keep this news a secret, some of you found out by default. We are expecting baby #4 and the ultrasound today clearly showed another boy is on the way. I am almost 18 weeks pregnant and due February 5th. This pregnancy has been the same as the other three, so I was totally expecting it to be a boy. I absolutely hate being pregnant, but as Mike would say, "You asked for this." I have been bugging Mike to have another child for over a year and it finally happened. This boy was meant to be in our family and we are so excited.

I have been extremely sick throwing up at least once a day if not more. I am totally not bragging, but as of today I have gained a whopping three pounds. I would easily take more weight gain if it meant not feeling like crap the entire pregnancy. My poor kids kept wondering what the heck was wrong with me. Gage continually told me that I needed to go see a doctor. Oh, we didn't tell the kids until today either. We told them a few days ago that we had a surprise for them and they drove Mike and I nuts waiting for today. We showed them the ultrasounds I have previously gotten and they couldn't tell what it was. I finally told them that I have been so sick because we are having a baby and then I shook my tummy. Gage and Landen started jumping up and down. When we asked Tanner if he wanted a new baby he immediately said, "No." His whole world will be turned upside down when this baby comes.

When I was pregnant with Landen, we were able to keep it a secret until I found out what I was having. It was really fun to be able to say, "I'm pregnant and we know it's a boy." We were planning on doing the same thing with Tanner, but I messed up my knee and Mike in all his wisdom said to his mom, "Stacey needs surgery, but she can't since she is pregnant." So with this pregnancy he was determined to wait until we knew the sex. Well, I have nosy sisters who noticed I was running to the bathroom quite frequently on the 4th of July so they obviously guessed what was going on. And then there was the embarrassing incident at my Aunt Kathy's house where long story short I threw up in her sink, clogged it, and broke the faucet. She had to be told because Mike had to replace the faucet. A few other people were told because believe it or not Mike couldn't hide his excitement. Go figure.

I apologize to anyone who feels like I haven't been myself lately. I feel like I have avoided a lot of people too since I am cranky. I have been hiding out in my house because I feel so crappy, but hopefully things will turn around soon.

Is That Paint?

Tanner came down the stairs looking like this:

It took me a minute to figure out what was all over his face. I wish I could say that his face was covered in marker or red paint. Unfortunately, Tanner got a little finger happy with his nose. Gross!

Gage Starts 2nd Grade

Gage started the 2nd grade today! I can't believe I have a 2nd grader.

Best buds!

By the time we got to Gage's classroom door, he was pretty embarrassed. I am lucky to have gotten this picture and it will probably be the last time I get one of him at school. I would have taken one of him sitting at his desk if he would have let me.

I am a little nervous about Gage's teacher. I haven't really heard much about her. Since Landen is in the Chinese program, Gage gets placed with whatever teacher is on the Chinese track. I hope things go well this year. Gage is such a hard worker. I know he will be great!

Landen Starts Kindergarten

Today, Landen started Kindergarten! I can't believe it. I had to get the usual first day of school pictures by my door.

Best buddies. Gage is excited to have Landen joining him at his school and hopes he will see him around.

I am such an embarrassing mom and have to get pictures of them standing everywhere. Landen didn't mind. He was pretty excited to be starting Kindergarten.

This first day was a mini orientation. The parents learned about the Kindergarten routine while the kids were able to do some crafts and get used to the teachers and classroom.

Since Landen is in Chinese Immersion, he has two teachers. Mr. Lan will only speak in Chinese. Here Mr. Lan is teaching the kids Head, shoulders, knees and toes in Chinese. It was amazing how quickly the kids caught on. Landen is in the front.

Mrs. Larsen will be Landen's other teacher and will teach in English. I didn't know until today that Mrs. Larsen was actually a friend of mine I have known all of my life. We grew up playing soccer together. Small world!

Landen had to make a treasure map. I love how he sticks his tongue out when he is trying to concentrate.

The finished product.

I am so nervous and excited for Landen to be starting kindergarten. He will be there for an extended day because of the Chinese and will even eat lunch there. I hope he can open his milk carton! We love you Landen. We know you will do great!

Boating at Pineview

Once a year, my brother Todd agrees to take the family to Pineview to play on his boat. Todd only has the patience to take us once. He is single with no kids and isn't used to mine and my sister's kids all over his boat. Todd has gotten better and we have a great time as a family. Thanks Todd!

Tanner really wanted nothing to do with the boat. He had too much fun playing in the sand and water.

Doesn't my Dad look good?

Oh how sandy Tanner got.

Oh how muddy Tanner got.

Seriously, how messy can one kid get?

Mike loves riding the tube.

Surprisingly, Gage loved riding the tube. He was able to hang on for quite some time.

Eventually, Todd was able to flip Gage and Mike off.

Mike kept trying to get Landen to jump in the water.

Finally, he did. Or maybe Mike just ended up throwing him in.

All the kids were worn out from the day of fun in the sun.

Gage looks comfy.

My whole family has so much fun boating with Todd. We can't wait until next year. I bet Todd can!

Roy Aquatic Center

While Gage was having fun in New Mexico, we thought we would have some fun of our own. Mike took the day off and we took Landen and Tanner to the Roy Aquatic Center.

Tanner loved this slide and went on it over and over again.