Category: Totally Tatum

Yep! She is CRAWLING…movin and groovin on down the floor! 🙂

AND..I love waking up to this smile! 🙂

Tater time has become the focal point of my day (aside from my time with God :-)) Precious moments occur in the small doses, but they mean more now. From the moment I walk in her room with a melody of “Good morning to my Tot…” to the second we get into the car, it is quality. We play as much as possible while I get ready in the morning; it’s a good solid hour!

She also is learning to tie a shoe. Yes, this little Fisher Price boot, which was mine, is creating many learning opportunities! Square people…triangle people…laces! Oh, the choices.

Perhaps I should taste them first?

Once I pick her up, they give me the “report.” She is the class clown making everyone laugh constantly. She rarely cries, and loves to be silly. We come home and play in her playpen until dinner. Man, it challenges me to the core as I question our “bonding,” but I am constantly reminded that she is my gift from God. I will never take her for granted or forsake our relationship for the “other” in my life which, at times, can occupy all of my time.

This weekend, I spent ALL of Saturday and Sunday working…grading…planning. My job is round the clock, but NOW, I am so mindful of Tatum being number one. The work just happens around her/with her as I sit in her room and play as I try to focus on those countless Schaffer paragraphs I must assess. Soon, she’ll be my assistant!

Now, being Labor Day, I can rest with her ALL DAY, and be reminded that I’m so blessed. My goal for her is to be a kind, caring, loving person (who has some smarts but that won’t be everything.) Character counts, which keeps me aware of my character deficits and needs for improvement.

I must also thank my mom for being SOOOOO intergral in Tatum’s growth, my growth and my sanity. May we never forget the blessings.

It is hard to believe that one year ago today, I received a phone call from Dr. K. The opportunity crossed my path to become a mother. Three months TO THE DAY, November 22nd, Tatum Isabella was born. Yes, it is her 9-month birthday today, and I could not be more in love with her. Well, yes I could, but it just keeps getting more intense every day.

I rush to pick her up at 4pm and whisk her home to play with her. I soak in every minute, as I don’t even open my computer or phone for those 2 1/2 hours before she goes to bed. She is at the stage where she just wants to crawl all over me. We go up to her room for some “rocker” time before she goes to bed. She’s not a big cuddler and really would really be playing on the floor climbing all over the place. But, I don’t give up. We say our prayers and attempt to read a story every night.

Happy Birthday Tater Tot! :0)

Tatum sits. No, not as I plop her down in her Bumbo, but ON HER OWN! At one point, she was on her back playing with sucking her Fisher Price Radio

and the next moment, she was erect!

Now, I never would “label” her a sitter, but this really helped today at Safeway. I have always wondered when you move from 1st foods to 2nd foods. Thank you Gerber! Now they have a little person in the corner which designates what your baby’s stage should be. Ex: 1st foods: “Supported sitter.” 2nd foods: “Sitter”. (Coincidentally?), today, I bought her “sitter” foods. The difference? Size and mixtures. Child abuse would be if they had pureed spinach in a bottle. (when I was young) Now, they disguise it in “Garden Veggies” which is peas, carrots, water AND a wee bit of spinach. Smart. So, today? We shall try this concoction as she is now a SITTER!

I love these two words. Why? Because, time is so precious. Every single minute of the day is a gift of the present.

Every year, I have had EVERY duck in my row, completely ready for the year to begin (at least physically). This year, I will enter my classroom on Monday morning which is the required day back. Oddly, I’m not freaking out, but I am feeling a bit discombobulated. My plans are pretty near finished, and I have my materials, but my classroom is a bit of a disaster. Why? Because I chose to spend time at home with Tot. In 4 days, she will be at Temple Chai for 8 hours a day and that sends chills up my spine. It will be harder on me than her, but I know it will be short-lived because I will BE INTENTIONAL with every second we have together.

She is now scooting like crazy and discovering so many new toys, thanks to my mother’s help and creativity!

At least I get to wake her up in the morning and put her to bed…cute little bootie!Thank you God for my present and my present.