Category: Totally Tatum

Every day with Tatum is an investment. I invest in her building character and having a God-loving, people-loving, courageous heart.

This week was a challenge in that endeavor. WHY? Because Tatum was not only overcoming her supposed HFMD, but she was in the midst of developing an ear infection. Little did I know as she cried or fussed every time she was horizontal which meant changing her diaper was a
 thrill. Moreover, for two nights AND nap time, she cried. I had no idea until Marla gave me this clue: her ear hurts! Of course! Upon a visit from the Dr., this was exactly what she had; a right ear infection. Now I know why I had sleepless nights all week. Now I know why I felt like a failure as a mother since she was always crying and I felt like I wasn’t meeting her needs.

One investment we did make was in teaching Tatum how to eat out; could she last an hour eating and playing at the table? The bears were dancing… until our waitress Holly came up to see how she was doing.

Tatum then shared her bear. Sharing…Very kind.

Investing continued this morning, but Tatum took over today. Investing in piggy 🙂 

 

 

 

 

 

The idea is brilliant, and I should have thought of it myself since I am a teacher! Modeling with a picture book. This idea came from a dear person in my life who I deeply respect (and I fellow educator I might add).

So, I am trying to teach Tatum the simple concepts of “please” and “thank you.” I also want her to understand it appropriately and genuinely. I plan to create a picture book of her doing some of the behaviors I desire by snapping a shot of her doing them! Then we can read them together as she sees herself engaging in the sought behavior.

Today was perfect. She loves her gummy vitamins and always asks for “MO MO…” I reached down and said, “Please?” She smiled and then she actually said, “Tank you!” SNAP! We got it on film! (the phone! 🙂

 What happened next, however, was priceless. She handed the gummy to Coti and let him lick it. Then she put it in his mouth!  She never does that, but that was so thoughtful of her. So, we decided to give her a doggie treat to give to Coti since this seemed to be her modus operandi at the moment. She took the dog treat, let Coti lick it, then ate it herself!!!! NO!!! Yuk. We both winced and shook our heads…”Not for Tatum..YUK…” Thank goodness it was a Natural Peanut Butter treat with no weird pig feet meal or odd ingredient. But still…..!

Disease?

By the 3rd day of a fever (average 102.5 degrees), I took her to the Dr. He knew it was a virus, but either it was JUST a virus, or it was hand-foot-and-mouth disease. According to WebMD “it is an illness that causes sores in or on the mouth and on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks and legs. The sores may be painful. The illness usually doesn’t last more than a week or so.” Well, it usually breaks out “within a community.” I figured that is what she as because she continues to touch her tongue and eating must hurt because she gets very fussy. Plus she has a bit of a rash…. One week or so of this and she’ll be fine, but in the meantime, she is one fussy bunny! Poor thing (yes, and poor Tatum too. ) LOL.

But, I figured we would try to go to church today, and she just sat by me reading and trying to stay still.

  It ended up being a bit of a cryfest, although I attempted to comfort her.

  She did cheer up when we saw friends. She is now blowing kisses and saying “BaBa” for ByeBye. The minute we drive around the corner nearing home, she yelps, “Dah-y…dah-y.” Coti awaits her presence too. Home at last.

REVISED!
She did NOT…I repeat..NOT have HFMD. It was just Roseola. Unexciting, but very blotchy.

He was a good man with a big heart and unrealized potential. Yes, he loved me from the moment he saw me.

and at times he even played with mebut being a father was not his forte.

My father’s birthday was today, and sadly, he passed before Tatum was born. Yes, he would have loved her, from afar, and at moments, up close, but I will never know what kind of a grandfather he would be. However, I do know this: He’d say, “Stephanie, I’m proud of you and support you.”

 

Years ago, I used to watch Sports Center. My favorite part was the “Plays of the Week” because it summed up the highlights of the whole game. This week, it was a game of “what can Tatum get into or what can Tatum do that is new and completely different!?” Altogether, it was such an adventure of her simply discovering herself and others.

Here are her Plays of the Week!
1. Going to IKEA with mom and grandma and finding that it is actually much better in the stroller. Once she was allowed a bit of freedom, the maze of people and merchandise overtook her curiosity to seek out.

2. Blowing kisses to Nancy and Connie at the Foster Care lunch hosted at Jan’s house. Tatum mimicked Connie, and then could not stop making kiss noises. This was also the anniversary of the first time I met Nancy (my lovely mentor!)

3. Tatum drank water out of an adult cup today at church. The flabbergasted mother sitting next to me was impressed. So was I. She missed the next minute when she spilled it all over her dress.

 

4. The park AGAIN to ride the train. Tatum took a selfie.

She decided she was ready for the carousel next time as she eyed the horsies. 

5. She has become quite the helper. After going to Trader Joe’s, Tatum helped mommy carry in the groceries. Eggs that were already cooked…I’m no dummy!

After this event, it was about time for bed, and Tatum was already deciding to undress. Not sure if I like this ability in her to whip off her clothes in the middle of the kitchen.

Well, it was a lovely week of Tatum time. Her little personality is growing into a BIG statement. Wherever she goes, she says, “HI” to strangers and smiles at the crowd. My little ray of sunshine is bright.

One week. No, actually 9 full days of Tater Tot. Why is this significant? Well first, today marks her 16-month birthday, and with that comes new behaviors. Now that she is mobile  has feet on fire, she is more creative with her curiosity (understatedly) Therefore, my Spring Break should be renamed “Springy-Don’t-Break That!” 🙂

What are these new behaviors? Most of them are adorable…Come on, with this face, how can everything she does not be ADORABLE:
But, recently, when I come to pick her up from her browsing around, she goes the opposite direction. Then, if I go out of the room, she chases me, “Mommy! Mommy!” I turn to grab her and –psych-she runs away from me! (“Yes, mom, I’m in control and have my own mind, thank you very much.”) From a bit of discussion from “mommy experts” I learned that at this age, everything is a show. The world still revolves around her in her diminutive, brilliant mind, and hence, she is always intimating, “look at me!” IF (and that is a BIG IF) I ignore or diminish/not overreact to her minor tantrum or stern need to be independent (or even walk out of the room), she will soon learn it does not work. Giving attention (even negative attention) to her is what she is seeking. Especially when it comes to meal times. Patience is not her virtue as she cries until she gets her food. I go slower when she does this, and I wait until she ceases the cry. “Please….,” I recite to her.  (Then “thank you, Mommy”) Manners, manners, manners. Model, model, model. This is the only key to success.

So, I decided to sit down on Friday at work (my resting place ironically) and make a week plan of what can we do and how can it be fruitful for all involved, including Tatum! (haha). Time with Susan and Nancy on Sunday will kick off the week. Then, the house needs major attention in making it more Tater-friendly. Step 1:  the patio add-on. That will take up my Monday; as will pulling together/piling together all the obsolete toys, clothes, and mats and find an outlet for them. My thoughts? Sell and donate money to Foster Care at our church. OR find a donation source. Step 2: The Park with Melissa and girls. Mel, Ethan, Gabby, and Sophia are quickly becoming a fundamental part of Tatum’s and my journey through life.

That leaves Tuesday-Friday. Tuesday? IKEA! The mini-kitchen is calling my (Tater’s name). Building it will be the rest of Tuesday! That afternoon must include more opportunities to catch up with my friends who can enjoy hanging with Tatum also! 🙂 Spending time with my family is key for Wednesday and Thursday. Tatum will be at camp on Wednesday morning so I can spend some overdue time with my mom. Yes, I may live with her, but we do not often spend quality time. Movie? Just being together is enough.:-) When I pick up Tatum, we will hit the park and play on the train or carousel.

Thursday, Morgan, Nyla, and Kelly, Tater and I shall generate some fun just probably watching Tatum run around the Kramer house. Listening to Nyla tickle the ivories and having a coffee with Morgan will be on the agenda as well. I savor every minute with the girls and Kell. Creating that family environment for Tatum requires time. TIME! That is it. I just want to spend TIME with my loved ones, modeling for Tatum that this is what a fullfilling life is all about: INVESTING in family and friends.

I must find some time to see Bob, Janette, Denise, and Tacy. Again, I could spend my break working more on the house, working more on my lessons…etc, but as I grow older, my heart yearns for Tatum (and myself) to be surrounded with love, laughter, and Godly living.

Puzzles should be a word that I now use for “what shall we play with?” vs. something I need to figure out with Tatum’s growing curious behavior.