Category: Coti’s World

My friend Jocelyn and I used to sneak into her brother David’s room and listen to an AC/DC song which pronounced, “I’ve got big balls…” This now has become the theme of my life with now Coti and  Tatum. She has now graduated to her own big blue ball (from a mini rubber one), and it is driving Coti batty.

At Fry’s today, I decided to buy her a ball since I thought it would be fun to play with it in the park. We walked by an enormous bin of multi-colored BIG soft plastic balls, and Tatum yelped, “BALL! BALL! BALL!” My master plan was to purchase one, so she chose the blue one. Sadly, she had to learn the concept of ‘to wait til we get home to play with the large blue ball.’

Success! UNTIL…………..

Coti saw this ball.

UH OH.

He could not grip this one, and so this challenge became his obsession. This BIG BLUE BALL became the bone of contention (no pun intended), so the lesson in whose ball is whose was the lesson upstairs. Eventually, Tatum gave up and grabbed her old mini rubber ball brought it to me, and proceeded to bring me more baseballs from mom’s collection. Not good. I’ve created ball monsters.

What is it about BALLS???

Tatum and me. Just the two of us all day long; this was my goal, and it ended up going superbly.

We had the privilege of having Monday off since the 7th grade trip began on the weekend, and since it was lovely weather, we opted for a morning at the Railroad Park. Let me in!!! 

She woke up with green goop emanating from her nose, so I was not sure of her stamina. Praying that it was just a passing virus, I opted to try the activities. She has not been on the carousel ride yet, and since the train didn’t come for 1/2 hour, vertical moving horsies it was! Immediately into the ride, she started freaking out! She screamed, “Shoe!” She pointed to the ground and there it was: her other pink Croc….on the sidewalk. Great! Now we go around and around and she sees Shoe…Shoe…Shoe. So much for Kodak moments. She clutched onto Baby the whole time.

We arrived home, and she popped the wheelies a few times

, then wanted, “UP!” on my lap so she could work the computer. Not thinking this was a great idea, I put her baby in the bag so she could find it. Again, not such a brilliant idea. She could not find it amidst the large folds in the bag.

But then TA DA!!! Found it. Hoooray!

Wrapping up the day was a few rounds with Coti and the ball, squeekie hot dog, cow and alligator. He rough houses a bit too much with Tatum, so we are trying to calm him down. At one point, Tatum just got tired of his antics and walked to her bookshelf. She proceeded to bring me a book. Actually, it was a children’s Bible with colorful pictures. She handed me the book then plopped down between my legs. We read about Noah’s ark and she pointed out the elephants, sheep and lions. After reading, I asked her to return the book, please. She gladly put it back on the shelf and brought me another. I was in awe of her responsibility with returning the book to its proper place. Gleefully, I pronounced, “Thank you!” and clapped. (she repeated thank you).

What a gal. What an amazing little bundle of joy.

Coti needed something to read apparently, so she brought him Ten Duckies to enjoy. He was not quite sure what to do with this book besides chew it, so she climbed in to help him.

Coti was not enthused by this endeavor as this little Tot took over his space.

She proceeded to pet him and politely say, “Hi Baby.”
The buddies bonded beautifully 🙂

 

Tatum and Coti cannot get enough of each other. Before school each day, Tatum and Coti play catch. Today, she just wanted to pet him.

I am constantly analyzing, wondering, and questioning. It’s not a confidence thing. It’s a “am I doing this right?” thing. Tatum has been OUT often! Heck, we go to the store, the mall, the park… many “outs.” But sitting in a high chair for dinner at a nice restaurant? This is a new adventure. Finding things to do in “the chair” instead of just eating has its own challenges. Kelly, oh my dear sweet cousin and sista, tells me Tatum is doing great! Me? I don’t know what to compare it to, so I figure, OK. However, I don’t want Tatum to expect table time to be all about her. But, hey, she’s 14 months!
The first thing she did when I plopped her in the queen’s seat (high chair), she tried to make us all laugh with her antics of putting things on her head and bouncing Mr. Bear. Then, she turned around and started to “flirt” with the couple behind her. She just stared, and the lovely old couple smiled and she mimicked them with smiles and laughs. The social butterfly.

The food came, and she scooped it up…loving every bite. I ordered her some steamed broccoli florets, chicken breast and she then enjoyed some parmesan cheese shreds and banana…again..loving every bite. How did I know she was finished? She dropped the food on the floor and said, “Uh-Oh,” and enjoyed watching the food missile down to the ground. 

We got home and then….

took out the Coti as she zzzzzzzzed. 🙂

 

 

What? Are we in trouble? Coti and Tatum seem to love the same toys. She only wants this squeaky dragon when Coti is playing with it, and HE only wants her giraffe when SHE is playing with it. Then, they both look at ME to solve this challenge. So, what do I do? Sharing is not an innate quality of either of these lovely children (is it of any?!), so it must be discussed rationally. “Tatum, this is Coti’s dragon. Let’s throw it together!” “Not for Coti; for Tatum; this is your squeaky monster.”

Oy…the joys of motherhood! 🙂