A new start..

We had Tanner's cousin Alyssa do some family pictures outside our apartments in the village a few weeks before we moved. She did a great job, we absolutely love them! (alyssa kay photography, she's on facebook if you're interested). We gave them to our families before we left so they would have an updated picture of Eric before we left. These are some of my favorites:

Eric was a little stink and wouldn't smile most of the time, but once Sheboygan was brought in, he obliged.

This one is my favorite. I just love this face, those dimples, and how you can see his adorable chub. Also, those big blue eyes kill me. He's just the cutest little guy, and we love him so much!

We made it! We arrived in Milwaukee, WI on Monday, July 11, around 4:30 pm. It was a crazy journey. We left Saturday around 6 am. It has been a tearful past week, but we are excited to be here and feel more and more blessed each day. This video was on Sunday. Eric was such a trooper in the car and while he was awake he had a lot of fun with his friend Sheboygan (a toy giraffe). We still can't believe we drove 1450 miles to get here, it was a crazy 3 days. It already seems forever ago.

Thank goodness my dad and brother Dillon drove our second car out here and got here on Tuesday. They also helped unload our stuff, along with a bunch of awesome neighbors that jumped right in to help us. We have already met a lot of people and are so happy to be here. Our landlord Fred is amazing! He took us out to dinner with his wife when we got here. He is so nice and is taking great care of us. Our neighbors are all med students with families as well, so it perfect. We had three offers for dinner on Tuesday night from neighbors, they are all so great. They were all an answer to our prayers. On Monday as we were getting off at the Milwaukee exit, we both got so nervous and kept asking each other, "What have we done?" "Why did we come out here?" The first night here we didn't have any of our stuff, so we bought an air mattress and slept with beach towels for blankets, it was so funny. Don't worry, Eric had real blankets and slept comfortably in his pack'n'play.

Eric has been so great, poor little guy. He has tolerated moving into my in-laws and losing his bed, being stuck in a car for three days and sleeping in hotels, then sleeping in a new room again in his playpen. We set up his crib yesterday and we thought he would be relieved to be in it again, but we put him in it and the poor little guy lost it. Every time we put him down to sleep yesterday he would freak out. I think there were just too many changes for the little man. It was so sad. He is still having a hard time today, but doing better. But once he's up he's as happy as a clam. Here is a video today from his first food: peas! He was not sure what to think and kept shivering like he was getting the chills, it was hilarious.

We are having so much fun and discovering what is around Milwaukee. The main thing we are discovering is food. There are lots of local places that are so good, but if we keep eating there, we will be a lot bigger by the time Tanner is done. The humidity is an adjustment as well, but it isn't too hot, so it isn't as bad. Tanner's school is incredible, the hospitals around it are just massive. I thought the big hospital in Utah was huge, but this place is just massive. I also have an interview on Monday for a unit like the one I worked on before, we are so excited! We just feel so blessed right now, it is sad and scary leaving everyone behind and completely changing our lives, but we feel so close to each other and so close to the Lord, we know it will be great. But that doesn't mean we aren't excited for family and friends to come visit, we have a third bedroom, so when we are done packing, get on out here!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Wow, this past month has flown by! We really can't believe the time has come for the big move. Here's what we've been up to; Tanner has his first Father's Day with the cutest little boy ever, who obviously is excited that he has the best daddy ever.

These are all out of order, but here are some of the most amazing girls I know-my friends from nursing school (minus Nicole). Ashley and Christie are weeks away from their due dates (Christie has actually had her little boy this past week!). We had a few last get togethers, which were fun and sad at the same time. They are some of the most amazing women I know. Ashley is so smart and trendy. Christie is caring and funny. And Rachel is gorgeous and one of the strongest women I know. I am so sad to leave them, but I know we will keep in touch. Our boys will all be in the same grade, how fun is that?

Eric stripped down in the heat the other day and we spent some time on the grass lounging outside.

I love these rolls!!!

With mommy after the bath. I just love being a mom so much, I never comprehended how fulfilling and joyful it would be. He is the best little man ever and I love him so much I can hardly stand it.

We had a fun trip with Tanner's family to Moab. It was nice to get away and it was my first time there. We hiked Delicate Arch while Linz watched Eric and Noelle back at the condo. We had so much fun and are so grateful to our wonderful parents for taking us all on such a fun trip.

These are the nursing school kids (sounds like a club, like those old books, the boxcar kids, eh?): Gavin, Eric, and Kaylee. Christie's newest little guy is Connor, I'll post pictures later.

There aren't words needed with this adorable face. I just love him. He is four months here. Here are his stats from his 4 month appointment:

Height 24 in-50%

Weight 15 lb. 11 oz.-75% (He was 10% when he was born!)

I don't remember his head circumference, I have that packed away already. He has also learned how to roll over, eaten rice cereal, and starting laughing. It is such a fun age and we are loving every minute. Tanner is ready to work on crawling, I'm fine with him not learning that for a little while yet.

And Eric is looking more and more like Tanner every day. This picture just makes me laugh every time I see it.

I will post pictures of our last weeks with family, our other computer is already packed away. Our stuff has already been shipped and we are driving out in 4 days. I can't believe it is already here. The sadness didn't really hit me until this past week. I had my last day at work Friday, I will do a separate post on that later when I have all the pictures. There are just so many emotions we both feel. It is saddest to think of our families not seeing Eric as often, especially with him changing so much. But we will visit and it will be great. I will be better at updating and the next post will be from Milwaukee!!

Happy happy joy joy!

Tanner and I both graduated this past month!! Woot woot! It is such a good feeling, though at first neither of us quite knew what to do with ourselves. Kind of like Eric looks like he doesn't know what to do with himself in this picture.

Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering, yeah!

This was Eric's blessing day, May 7, 2011. We did it on a Saturday so friends and family could come because our chapel is too small to fit many people on a Sunday. It was such a great day and Tanner did an amazing job, it was a beautiful blessing. Even my brother who isn't LDS said that there was an amazing feeling there.

Yay, I'm three months old!

Getting so good at tummy time!

I don't know about this bird here.....

Mother's Day was wonderful, I woke up to feed Eric and Tanner made us breakfast and gave me a gift certificate for a real massage! I can't wait to get it. Even better, he conspired with one of our good friends so he got his wife the same thing and we can go together!

Even though it's been a couple weeks since Mother's Day, I want to write down some of the feelings I have about being a mom. I can't believe how much love I can have for someone. I love Tanner so much, but I didn't realize my capacity to love until Eric came into our lives. He had already taught me so much; I understand more about true selflessness, putting things in the Lord's hands, being submissive and humble, trusting, and completely loving. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and the sealing power. I can't imagine our lives without Eric, it feels like we've just been waiting for him to come along. I feel blessed to be his mom and realize how lucky I am.

We are moving in less than 6 weeks! It's exhilarating, frightening, and heartbreaking all at once. I can't believe it's here, Tanner is going to med school. I have never lived outside of Utah or been so far from friends and family, it is going to be a big adjustment. I cried when I gave my manager my letter stating my last day. I love my job and the amazing people I work with. There is so much we are leaving behind, but I feel peace with the fact that we are going and I know there are so many blessings and wonderful experiences in store for us. We have our apartment already and I am currently applying for jobs. I feel terrified and I can't wait at the same time. Whenever I start to feel scared or down about leaving, I remind myself of how blessed we are and that there is nothing we can't do as long as we trust in the Lord. I've always believed that if you look for the positive in any situation, you will find it and the good will always present itself. Tanner read an article that said that optimistic people tend to be more successful because they believe things will be ok and don't let difficult circumstances get them down. I know it will be hard at times, but I know that it will be so great for our family and if I am focusing on the bad things, I could miss out on what the Lord is trying to teach me and the blessings he has in store.

It's official....

Tanner and I are both college grads! Just had to share the exciting news, now to figure out what to do with ourselves instead of worrying about homework. I didn't walk because I had to work and I already had a graduation when I got my RN, but pictures to come soon of Tanner's graduation!

Eric- 2 1/2 Months

Some recent videos of Eric-the first two are Eric talking to Aly and the other is Eric fake crying, it was so cute-and keep reading, lots of new pictures below!

Country music and other goings on

Tanner has been constantly singing the Rascal Flatts song "The Broken Road" or whatever it's called, and I can't get it out of my head. He has maybe three random songs he sings really well, and that is one of them. We say "chills!" every time he sings them because it's so good it gives you the chills. I know, we're goofy. Anywho, life is great! Some really big news: I graduated last week!!!! I officially have my BSN, what a great feeling! I only had Eric for two months of school, I have no idea how people do it with kids, it was a lot more than I expected. Also, I had to go back to work on the 13th, which was hard, but I am lucky enough to work with amazing people and to love what I do, so it helps. I am also insanely busy, which helps the most.

Tanner has his final projects due tomorrow and he is totally done, graduation is one week from tomorrow!! We are so excited, but I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves with all the free time we're going to have. We have set a tentative move date, we'll most likely leave for Milwaukee July 10th. It's coming up so fast, and is sad, but at the same time we are so excited. The unknown is scary, but at the same time I love change, because it brings so many new experiences and opportunities. I know we'll be a better family for it. The thing that's hardest about it will be being so far from family when we see them so often. I've been terrible at updating, so here are a ton of pictures over the past month. Eric is now a smiling, cooing machine and just loves attention and to be loved on and played with. He is so much fun and has the sweetest personality. We feel so blessed to have him in our family!

I've started digital scrapbooking lately, because normal scrapbooking is just too messy and time consuming, and I came across this:

Eric's first bath. I can't believe how quickly he went from that skinny little thing to this:

Just look at those little dimples! He is so happy, I just love it!


Rockin' the snappy turtleneck from aunt Aly. He knows he looks like a stud, hence the pose.

Eric with Grandma Fullmer and Noelle. It's so cute, for some reason Noelle does that with her hands when smiling for pictures.

I just love this one! And this:

Cutest Daddy-Son photo. Ever.


Hanging out with mommy is fun too

The face he makes half the time when he sees a camera


Easter, April 2011. I don't know why, but we were horrible about taking pictures, but we got this great one of Tanner with Eric, his dad, and grandpa. They are all first sons, Tanner loves to point that out. Does this give you any clue of what Eric will look like when he's older?

Playing with Noelle


Looking so cute!

All worn out. I just love those chubby little wrists. Actually, I love everything about him.

2 Months!

We can't believe Eric is already 2 months old! Time is flying by and he is just getting cuter by the minute. He is now cooing and smiling all the time and such a little flirt. He is so sweet and happy, we just can't get enough of him. The only thing I can say about him is that is very gassy and loves to pee and poop all over everything, but that's every baby, right? :)

He just had his 2 month check-up, here are his stats:

Weight: 25th percentile 10 lb 11 oz
Height: 50th percentile 22.5 in long
Head: 10th percentile 38 cm

He is a little guy, but his numbers are up quite a bit from birth, so the doctor is curious to see how much he will grow by 4 months. He's getting so chubby, I just love it!

Here he is playing with Aunt Tay, he had a fun conference weekend getting so much attention.

After the weekend was over, he was pretty pooped. This is with Great Grandma Fullmer holding him, he slept the whole time!

Life is good, we are really busy wrapping up the semester for both of us, thankfully my school ends next week, and my graduation is the week after. I am so excited! Sadly I do have to go back to work next week, which will be really sad, but my amazing sister-in-law is going to be watching him, so I know he'll be in good hands. Things are so different having a baby, but we can't imagine our lives without him. We just know that he was meant to come to our family and are loving seeing his sweet and fun personality more and more each day.