A Tribute to our 8-year-old Birthday Boy! January 13, 2009

SEE ALL ABOUT TAN IN POST BELOW:

Happy 8th Birthday Tanner!

Well, it is happening. My first-born is turning eight years old! How did this happen? I have asked myself this many, many times. I have told him to stop growing numerous times and could he PLEASE just stay my little boy forever? He has always replied with an, “I can’t mom, I HAVE to grow.” And he’s right. There is nothing I can do to stop it, so instead I am trying to enjoy it…or at least deal with it!

In many ways, he is very much still a little boy. He still loves to sit on laps. He loves adults in costume such as Chuck E. Cheese, Disney characters, and Cosmo. It wasn’t too long ago that he has hugged one. High fives were never enough, always a big hug for Tanner! He still likes to play with his little brothers and sister and absolutely thinks Happy Meals are the best meal ever (I try not to think about what this says about my cooking skills!) But in many other ways, he is growing up also. He is more independent. He’s been known to use the microwave and toaster (quite often now), vacuum the floor and play football outside with the big neighbor kids (we are talking Jr. High kids, and they ask for Tanner!) He is fast losing those little boy qualities as fast as he will lose more teeth.

It was love at first sight with this boy! He was my little miracle and my life suddenly took on a whole new meaning the day he arrived. I couldn’t be more grateful for this special little auburn-haired boy (one of his friends at school calls him “Captain Carrot”!) It has been hard to let go, but I wouldn’t want to hold him back, so I am bravely forging forward in my journey as I watch him grow. Hopefully during the process, I can be the best mother he needs.

Happy 8th Birthday to my Tanner!