Category: Totally Tatum

Saturday, July 4th. The whole entire day with Tatum with no break. (I’m not complaining, but I could use some ideas today). Everything is closed today, so I had to make the best of our day at home which usually goes fine. Our afternoon plan to hang at the pool fell through due to a toddler’s prerogative to change her mind. Honestly, I truly did not feel like being the entertainment committee this afternoon (as I usual am the president, vice, secretary, treasure and all the members).

We read the new Highlights magazine before nap today, and it had an activity I figured I would try!

It required a pool noodle, scissors, tape, and some construction paper. No problem! I cut up the noodle and figured we could make pool noodle castle, perhaps thread some of it and decorate them. What a grand idea!

Until implementation…

She was more interested in the scissors than the activity to begin with. Then, as I got out the construction paper, cutting was more riveting for her. Then, lacing the noodles? Well, that was more fun for me! OK, that 5 minutes was not successful. Now what? She did not want to draw, throw the ball or any of the plethora of activities I suggested. At this point, I figured I’d work on cutting out the laminated puzzle mom gave me for her to practice her letters. I told her she would just have to find something to do.

Initially, she asked for her babies and stood around with that classic look of fingers in mouth and puppy eyes at me. I went on with my work and just asked her questions of things she could do. FINALLY, she went to retrieve Bella, her baby, and cooked her a meal. The imagination began as she took her to the virtual splash pad, church, the store, a restaurant. She told Bella to eat her breakfast and that she would need to take a bath. 

After this, she asked me to retrieve her mini garage which has been collecting dust for months. Next thing you know it, she is talking to the “little people” telling them they’ll “be OK” and “we are almost home.” 

She was P…L…A….Y….I…N…G!! Halleluia! We struck gold. It did not require me to turn on the TV. I did not have to do my usual song and dance pony show (which I must admit is pretty awesome); I did not have to pull out a “new” toy or “new” book. She used her imaginative mind creatively. And all is well. I’m even writing this post as she continues to reassure her little people friends that they are OK as they are having a blast flying in their pink mini convertible bug.

Her requirement of me coming up with something to do is diminishing, and she is realizing that she is in charge of her brain. For me to come to the rescue always will not allow her to just figure it out on her own. I want her to be bored sometimes so she can navigate HERSELF through the options of ways to entertain herself…sans electronic means.

This 4th of July, not only being a wonderful time to celebrate our country, turned out to have its own fireworks of fun at our little humble abode.

 

Today before we arrived to the gym, I discussed the usual basics. This is nothing new. We go through this drill pretty much constantly all day. “Hi, how are you? How is your day? Hello _____”. Nice to meet you” etc etc etc. Kindness. Being focused on the other person. Sharing. You know, the equation for happiness; for gratitude; for expression of Jesus’ love!

She is excellent at saying “Hello ______”, but it usually ends there. Now, she does ask Mama “How are you, Mama?” often, and that warms my heart. It’s starting a conversation!

But, today, was extra special. She walked in, greeted Kathleen, and walked right up to a “giant!” (an 8 year-old) and said, “Hi, I’m Tatum. What’s your name?” As I picked up my jaw from the floor, I smiled and noted that my girl was being caring and kind.

When we got home, she helped me feed Coti, open and close the door, picked up what I dropped, and waited patiently for lunch. This day was a direct opposite of yesterday which will remain unmentionable or I’ll chalk it up to a “learning opportunity.” She even told her baby, Bella that she was naughty yesterday. Introspection! I did not have to remind her; she knew and really cared that she was, desiring to not be today.

I know there will be more challenging days, but to see her grow from a negative experience, turning lemons into lemonade, well, that is just what it’s all about.

We nestled in the rocking chair for our usual 30 minutes of reading and she easily went right into her crib with Bella, the babies, multiple books, a smile, and a desire for a hug and kiss from me. “Bye mommy!” (I can hear her reading to her babies and Bella right now. )

This morning we did begin the day (after getting dressed) with a “Beginner’s Bible” video on Creation. 25 cartoon minutes of fun teaching about the first 7 days of Creation. It even included the serpent tempting Eve and then them being banned from Eden forever. These stories will be the introduction into the hope of Jesus. She kept asking where He was!

Her teachable spirit, her desire to learn, her heart for being better each day…it all blesses me, and I continue to pray for her heart to be filled with HIS love for her.

Thank you, Lord for this amazing Tot.

 

Tot’s semi-private Blowfish class started last week, and my heart was pounding out of my chest. Apparently the Hubbard staff could hear it because Naomi, Charmaine, Kylie and Ed all came over to comfort me that she was doing swimmingly!
She really was because the other boy, James cried for 30 minutes straight. Tot did have a mind of her own at some points in the lesson, but it ended up being  true success.

She took her “gobbles” off after each turn, and then requested them to be put back on. Sage finally just accepted the fact that Tot has to have it this way, and smiled as she asked me again for the returned gobbles.
After, as promised, two froggy slide-downs. The hardest/longest/wettest part is always the showers after. It doesn’t get much more fun than waiting in line with a bunch of naked 2-5 year olds! Still, she really does thrive in the water, and she is filled with joy and confidence. So proud of my Tot!

 

We enjoyed her first movie in a theater being Penguins of Madagascar. Robert, Nicholas and Tatum nestled on top of us Mommy’s laps and laughed at most of the appropriate times. Jennie, Elizabeth and I of course caught most of the more elevated humor. “Nicholas, cage the suspect!; Drew, Barry, more power!; Hugh, Jack, man the ship! ha ha…very clever.

Tatum lasted the whole time and did not need to get up. Nicholas and Robert did get up, but only to stand at the railing. They kept engaged however, and it ended up begin a blast. The hardest part was getting her out of the arcade area. The billboard for the new Peanut’s movie had me excited for November!
Dreaming big is what I do often with this wonder of mine! :-))

 

Times have definitely changed. The only memory I have of going to the dentist was a big white chair, drill sounds and a huge spotlight in my eye. It also smelled like fluoride..awful. Knowing this, I diligently prepared for this visit with Dora books and twice daily tooth brushing and practice saying “Ahhhhh.” 

What was I thinking? When we arrived at Desert Ridge Pediatric Dentistry, I thought I entered another planet, literally. Sitting out front is a life-size astronaut
and his green alien friend. He is reading a newspaper catching up on the latest news about aliens overhead of the area. Is he supposed to be rescuing us? If so, what’s the deal with the green guy? He’s reading something too so perhaps it  an instruction manual on abduction or something. Well, either way, Tatum just wanted to chat with them.

Finally, we entered the “spaceship office.” It’s the closest I’ve come to being in a rocket or spaceship, so for me, it was a first as well. Instantly, Tatum was off pushing buttons, climbing under the rocket, climbing up to the rocket, and discovering her first iPad device on the ship. 

For the parents, they have a  separate waiting room, and I think I want to move in. They had a huge screen TV, books, magazines and…..yes, a deluxe espresso machine with all the fixings. You can even make a cappuccino. Insert pod, pick your strength, add hot water for an americano or milk for a frothy cappuccino or latte. Dang…. Tot was busily pushing buttons on her iPad rocket, when we heard her name called. I had to cease the conversation with a nice young dad and slurp my coffee down, but nevertheless, we were there to see the dentist. (Tatum completely forgot as I tried to pull her away from this device. Note to self: Limit the iPad use unless absolutely necessary.)

Once we got in the office, Mikey was taken in by Tatum’s charm and sweetness. She sat on my lap, and petite adorable Dr. Libby Bienstock entered. A perfect ped dentist. Tot immediately warmed up to her, and Tot opened wide and so well! They were in shock. Both said they see kids all day and have never seen someone so compliant, and moreover, at 2 and 1/2! She had some yellow buildup on her teeth from iron in her vitamins. She also should not be eating gummy vitamins. A big no-no for cavity protection! Chewable only. Dr. B asked her if she could clean her teeth and Tot laid on top of me getting cleaned. It had to have been about 10 minutes. Again, they were floored. She was amazing and I was so proud of her. Dr. B complimented ME up and down, and man did that feel so good to hear. (At that moment, I just lifted up a prayer to God…thank you Jesus for allowing me to be with her). The work of bringing her to all of my appointments paid off. And, being with her all day I suppose. 

After we were finished, I was told a rice sized tartar control toothpaste daily and floss. We’ll see how that goes tonight.

On our way out they gave us INCENTIVE to come back. You get this card and each time you come you get points toward prizes. Now come on..what planet is this? The dentist office, that’s right.

It was not easy leaving. They gave her a balloon, a large gift bag with a huge cup, toothbrush, stickers, a bouncy ball and toothpaste with floss.

We will be back, Planet dentist with a shiny report. Go TOT!

What? No nap today? It was worth every minute. Levi, dear little Levi, turned four today, and we had to be there no matter what time his party occurred. Of course it had to be right between 2-4, but again..worth it. Plus, she got cake.

Robert and Tot sat next to each other with their no-dairy vegan lemon cake, and oh….was it a treat. Tatum ate every last bite. In fact, all the other kids left the table, and she finished without batting an eye that she was all alone. The rest of the kids went out to get their snow cones. Tatum? Finishing that cake! So was I going to give her more sugar? She did not realize that snow cones were flavored, so she literally enjoyed every teeny bit of this shaved ice creation in a penguin cup. 

Of course it was 115 today, so she had to eat it pretty quickly.

When we got home, Bella got to go for a ride. Tatum tried to carry her, but I made her a little pouch out of a pair of her pants. 

Oh Bella, would you like some juice? Do you feel sick, Bella? Let me hold you Bella…

Here is something to drink, Bella. Bella is in my pouch, mommy!

Finally, I figured my pants would work better for this homemade pouch, and they did.
When she had her nice and snug, she gave me a hug and kiss and said, “See ya later alligator!” She decided to take Bella shopping! But first, we played catch, and the funny thing was her trying to run with Bella. I said, “See Tatum? It’s a bit harder with a baby in your pouch, isn’t it?!” Ahhhh…the memories!