Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Tatum

There is a new Mr. and Mrs. Tatum in town: Congrats to Jeff and Katie! Katie has been in our lives (well, since pretty much I entered the picture) so we are all so excited that it's finally official. Katie has always acted as auntie to our kids, but all the little ones love her so much and we love that she is in our family. The morning of the rehearsal, Hannah awoke with the stomach flu. No surprise there, she was my doctor after all. She was such a trooper and made it though the night fever and all looking as darling as ever. It's hard not to have flashbacks of five years ago. The same church, same loved ones. It feels like yesterday. It's kinda fun walking down the aisle at the exact same time to my husband five years later. I knew that Hannah would feel better the next day which made me glad, but we awoke on the 28th and Daddy was down. Oh dear, enter crazy mommy running around trying to get two kids presentable for a wedding, naps, feedings, baths etc. while taking care of a sick husband who needed to be well enough to be the best man in about six hours and somehow find time to get myself ready. Well, God is good, and somehow someway it all came together. (You do not want to see the mess of our house though) I brought the kids with me to Katie's hotel room and they were perfect. Auntie Laura fixed up my hair and everyone helped out. When I saw how happy and beautiful Katie looked the chaos of the morning disappeared and I just felt such joy for her and her special day. The wedding was beautiful and Katie and Jeff looked so happy. Hannah did a perfect job as flower girl and got many compliments later. I didn't hear a single peep out of Jack so he was also a very good boy. Daddy was amazing. He loves his brother so much and no one would have known how sick he was. He looked handsome, gave a great speech and even busted some moves on the dance floor. Hannah got the dancing machine award though, again making all the guests love her. Everyone was so sweet to wish Tim and I a happy anniversary. Five years! We even got to dance to our first song "The luckiest." Jeff and Katie are a beautiful couple and we can't wait to see where their lives are in five years.

Anniversary Buddies


Happy five years!


And this is what five years brings...HAPPINESS






Katie made me laugh when she said "Didn't know it was dinner and a show" Hannah and the boys loved entertaining the crowed during dinner


Adorable


Pretty lucky to get to dance with the Bride


Katie even brought Jack onto the dance floor


Don't be surprised if this is displayed someday at Hannah's wedding. Hard not to think about it.

Merry Christmas!

Wow! what a whirlwind of a week. Tim and I packed away Christmas today which always makes me a little sad, so I thought I better sit and blog while I have a few spare moments which have been rare lately. We started with our early Christmas 'Robbins' celebration on the 21st. Granny, Grandpa, Auntie Mimi and Kevin came over to our house for dinner, presents, hot chocolate station, and Hannah's favorite a cookie decorating contest. Hannah and mommy baked all morning and then cleaned. Unfortunately, all the photos from that night are on my mom's camera so you will have to use your imagination, but trust me everyone looked cute and had fun. Hannah was so sweet opening gifts. She seemed more concerned about handing out her presents than opening her own. She did enjoy helping baby brother though. With an infant for a brother it's almost like you get double the gifts. Hannah's favorite was an art easel and Jack's favorite was this little stuffed elf. We all had fun decorating cookies. Hannah takes precision in all her work and won first place. Auntie Mimi came in second. Now that I'm writing, I realized I will have to just post some late pictures when I get them cus they are just too cute. After dinner, Hannah entertained everyone with her 'ribbon dancing and song.' Not the first time, I've been told my child should get an agent of sorts. Loves to ham it up. We all missed Uncle Tyler who celebrated in France this year. (Like I said, stay tuned...pics of the night to come).


The following day we drove up to Bishop for Tatum family Christmas. It was Jack's first trip to Bishop and he slept the entire way. Yep six hours. On Christmas eve we played, talked, watched movies and enjoyed the family. We went to Christmas eve service and Hannah loved holding the candle outside in the dark with Auntie Katie while we all sang Silent Night. Jack is just the best and honestly anywhere we take him he is quiet and a good baby. Just the cutest little guy. We came home from church and all put on our matching jamies. Then Daddy read the kids "The Night Before Christmas" and we put out the cookies. That night Santa came and brought a walker toy for Jack and a rocking horse for Hannah. Unfortunately, Mommy woke up at 5 am with the stomach flu and spent the rest of the day in the bathroom or in bed. I cried because I felt like I completely missed my baby's first Christmas. I tried my best to suck it up between vomiting episodes and enjoy Hannah opening her presents. Her little face can make anything better. She had a wonderful time. Her favorite was the rocking horse. Thank goodness, Santa got it right. She kept changing her list so it was a guessing game. The day was really a blur but I know my kids had fun. They missed their mommy though. Hannah kept coming upstairs and 'taking care of me.' she put wet cloths on my arms and got me some water. She made my Christmas with my best memory of the day. I told her I missed her and she replied "Don't worry mommy, I keep you in my heart." Daddy was a super star that day and stepped it up. Although I think he was relived when I woke feeling better the next day as he said, "the whole ship goes down when I'm out." I know my family appreciates me and it made me feel good. Thank God for our village though who is always willing to jump in and help. Whether it's Auntie Laura doing Hannah's hair for church, Auntie Katie grabbing my camera so I have pictures of my kids, or Nana who took the night shift with Jack so I could rest. I love my family and appreciate their help, for it is true "Some days, it takes a village." And if you're wondering why Uncle Jeremy, Gramps and Uncle Jeff didn't get recognized for helping...well let's just say we were all sharing the bathroom :) and with a lot of the men out for the count, poor Nana and her beautiful Christmas dinner had a very small turn out. I think Hannah absolutely loved her day and that makes me happy. The next day we woke and drove back home for the next big event...Jeff and Katie's Wedding!

Christmas Eve


Cousin love




Waking up in Nana's bed Christmas morning. Someone looks excited that Santa came!


Pure Joy

4 Months

So I'm two days early, but with all the Christmas activities in the next few days, I figured it was best to do this post now. Jack is four months old. He is so cute I can't stand it. His favorite thing is to be with mommy. His favorite toy is Scout the green musical puppy. He talks a lot and absolutely loves eating his hands. I have a picture of him with his entire fist in his mouth. He is always chewing on his hands. About two weeks ago he rolled over for the first time and two days ago he found his feet. This sounds weird, but finding of the feet is one of my favorite milestones. I think he looks so cute laying on his back grabbing his toes. Precious! He is complemented the most on his eyes, which I agree is his best physical feature. The funny thing is, no one can really pin down the color of his eyes. I even asked the doctor at his appointment today and her response went a little something like this "Oh his eyes are beautiful, they are almost grey, hazel, with some hints of green and blue, well yours are brown which might be in there too." Oh that clears it up. 16 years from now will that fit on his driver's license. Jack Jack is pretty much just like sister at this point, tall and skinny. I thought he was heavy, but nope. He weighed in today at 14 lbs., 13 oz which is 30%. His height is 25 1/2 inches which is 60%. Head is big at 80% still. He got more shots and took them like a champ. Hannah is so cute, cheering him on and telling him to be brave, it will just pinch. Jack isn't so great at night. He wakes one or two times. Mommy feels bad letting you cry so I always get up and we snuggle, but doctor says you should be crying it out by now. We will see. I love you Jack Jack Bryant

Chocolatey Wasted

One of our favorite Christmas activities is the annual Tatum/Nelson Christmas lights outing in Brea. This is the fifth year we have done it. Tim and I only missed one year when I was pregnant with Hannah. We always go to dinner at Islands, pick up Starbucks and head out to the craziest neighborhood ever. The streets are packed, there are carolers, Santa, people throwing candy, live nativity, hot chocolate sellers, etc. It is such a spectacle there is police escort. This year was so much fun. Hannah loved the lights. It was her first time participating in the Starbucks. She got a kid's hot chocolate which I have decided is really just crack in a cup. I have never seen Hannah so excited/wild/wound up. She wanted her picture taken at every house. She kept saying it was beautiful and had the best smile the whole night. She loved the Snoopy and baby Rudolph the best. She also liked dancing to the music and chasing these red and green moving light up dots. Her and Weston were in true form. Two peas in a pod running around laughing and being crazy. Hannah kept saying "Follow the rules" which is funny because I'm not sure she followed any rules, but she did have the time of her life. Jack Jack was alert and carried so he could look at all the lights. He is so sweet and a good little brother. He really does just go with the flow. The kids had so much fun and didn't want to leave even though it was super late. We had to walk back to our cars and Hannah decided to lay on the grass and move her arms up and down out of no where. When asked what she was doing she calmly replied "Making grass angels" like we were the crazy ones that didn't get it. Her cousins were not far behind and again I was thanking Starbucks. I love the lights and my family. So blessed my kids have these memories.

Cousin love


Merry and Bright (this face makes my life complete)


My loves an my favorite house in the background


Crazies


Who needs snow, in So Cal we make Grass Angels

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

This week, we had our third annual trip to see Santa with the Markos, Scigliano and Thomas families. We go to South Coast Plaza because that's where Santa looks most legit. Hannah has been confirming since June that she was not going to sit on Santa's lap this year so I was not shocked at all that Jack is solo in our picture. I tried to get her to just stand next to him, but the poor thing just kept backing further and further away. Year one she screamed while sitting on his lap, year two is a look of terror and has me in the picture because she wouldn't go alone and year three no picture at all. So I joke, maybe next year we will test out Hanukkah. Hannah tried really hard to be brave because she has genuine anxiety about Santa but in the end it was too hard and I wasn't going to traumatize her forever. However when I told her Santa said she had been good, she got a big smile and asked if I told him about the 'art supplies.' It's cute to see deep down there is a believer. Actually, in the end only 1 of the 4 big kids was willing to sit with Santa, so I guess Hannah isn't alone. Jack doesn't really know who's holding him so he did great. Big sister used Jack's free ride on the Reindeer carousel which made her day. We went to lunch and enjoyed time with friends. Later that night, Tim and I took the kids to the Lake for the community lighting of the huge Christmas tree. We bundled up because it was freezing but the kids had fun. Hannah danced to the carolers and LOVED the free donuts and hot chocolate (Thanks Daddy for waiting in the really long line). The next day, I was gone at an all day Bachelorette Party for our soon to be Auntie Katie so Daddy surprised the kids by taking them back to the Lake for free cookie decorating. In the picture I saw, Hannah's was covered in sprinkles. I love the holiday season, and each year I seem to enjoy it even more.



2011-2013

O Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving came late this year which means after the turkey digested, the Tatums got straight to work on Christmas. This last week, Tim and I had off from work and we spent pretty much every day doing something Christmas'ey' with the kids. We hung the lights outside. Hannah loved holding the strand for Tim and Jack watched from his seat. Mommy was the director of course and Daddy was the muscle/height. I think they look really good this year. Hannah still likes to say "Purple, my favorite." She is so thoughtful of other people and also has to mention that Daddy likes Blue, Grandpa likes Green, Mimi likes Yellow, etc. We also put out all of our decorations. This was another family affair. I sort of forgot how much Christmas we have and how long it takes, but I love seeing the excitement it brings to Hannah. Now that she is old enough to help, I have to let go a little if things aren't just right because if it makes Hannah happy to help then it was worth it. I want to enjoy the memories not just have the perfect house. Hannah loved getting out all the Christmas books and stuffed toys. Her favorite thing though is still the Candy Cane Train. I'm sure we will be replacing the batteries in that soon. We got the elf on the shelf out. Ours is named Dexter. Hannah thinks it is so fun looking for it each morning, but the kid has higher level thinking skills higher then most two years old. She just looks us straight in the eye and says, "So who moved it, you or Daddy?" For now she is happy to play along with us, but she knows something doesn't add up. Other fun toys are her nativity. Baby Jesus now goes to the doctor for check ups (because that's how we play in this family.) We also went this week and got our tree. Or should I say two trees. Hannah was excited because we let her pick out her very own 2 foot tree for upstairs. She enjoys running through the trees and collecting the fallen branches. Tim always puts on Christmas music and we decorate as a family. Hannah actually did pretty good. I only had to fix about three that were so close to the edge they were barely hanging on. This year she says her three favorites are her age 1 Minnie mouse ornament Granny made, the pink sparkle heart from Aunt Linda to forever remind us how strong she was at her surgery and her new snow white. Also new this year is Jack's stocking from Nana. I will have to post a picture of our stockings because Nana makes the best one of a kind stockings ever. I really love Jacks. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot but it's late and blogging with two kids has become short and sweet. Basically, our home is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and I love it!

3 month pics

Here are Jack's three month pictures that he took about a week ago. He is too cute:)







For a C & C, here is Hannah at 3 months.

Gobble and a Giggle

Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for this year. I have so many blessings and at the top of my list are sweet Hannah and Jack. Jack spent his first Thanksgiving at Granny and Grandpa's house. I love the holidays and being surrounded by loved ones. We ate a delicious meal. Jack enjoyed his milk and slept through Thanksgiving dinner. Hannah wore a beautiful dress all the was from London (Thanks Uncle Tyler, we missed you). She enjoyed helping Granny cook and playing Bee Tree game with Cole, McKenna and Uncle Ricky after dinner. After dinner, Granny took Jack upstairs to get his jammies on and she got him to laugh. He is so cute. I started yelling to Tim to run upstairs. How sweet that his first laugh was on Thanksgiving. I guess, Jack feels pretty happy and blessed too. Two days ago we drove up to visit Pop and Jack had his first trip to Big Bear. It is such a fun place to visit. Jack got to see snow for the first time and Pop taught Hannah how to jump rope. God is good and in all things we give THANKS!

Jack's First Laugh

3 Months

Happy 3 months little man! Time is going so fast, the holidays are here and my precious Jack gets more lovable everyday. His favorite things to do are take a bath and be with mommy. He likes to look around at the world and be outside. Hannah gets him smiling more than anyone else with her silly noises. His favorite time of the day is first thing in the morning. This is when he is all smiles. His least favorite thing is tummy time. Jack can hold toys and hold his head up. We are getting really close to a laugh, but man the kid makes you work for it. He loves chewing on his hand and licking things. If Hannah wasn't so late getting teeth, I'd be convinced he was getting a tooth soon. But if he follows sister's path we are a long ways away from that. Same with rolling over. He coos all the time which is super cute. Jack still sleeps right next to mommy, and I love it that way. He wakes once during the night so we are almost there. Dare I say I think I will miss our middle of the night mommy/son time when it's gone. It's just the only time of day where all is quiet and it's just me and him looking at each other. My two favorite mommy moments with Jack are when he is asleep on my chest in the morning and Hannah comes in and lays by me. And my other is when I pick him up from my mom after work. When I go up to him he gets a big smile and it makes me feel like he knows who I am. My little man eats formula now which I'm kind of regretting, but one mom can only do so much so you choose your battles. Jack still has blue eyes. It's so weird to me but very cute. He also lost lots of his hair this month. Hopefully it grows back soon. He weighs about 14 lbs and Hannah just hit 30 lbs. this month. So needless to say when I carry them both at once up and down the stairs, I'm super mommy. Jack is such a sweet, patient, and snuggly boy. He makes my heart fill full. Both of my children make me a better person and make me want to fight harder to be the hero they think I am. Thanksgiving is next week and boy am I blessed!


We took his professional 3 month shots yesterday, so I will post those when they come in. He didn't smile, but there were still cute. He are a few I took this morning.

What's New?

Thought I'd give a little update about Jack. Last week, he found his hands which is always a funny milestone. They have been in his mouth ever since. He absolutely loves sucking on his hands. Sometimes you can't even get the bottle to his mouth because his hands are in the way. A few days ago he started holding things, no not rattles, but he held a spatula for Hannah who wanted to play kitchen. No joke, she said Jack was in charge of flipping burgers. Too funny. Also new in Jack land is that he is sitting in his bumbo seat. It's a nice change I'm sure from always laying on your back. Did I mention he hates tummy time. The big news is that Jack had his first trip to Disneyland. In 80 degree heat on a very busy day. What a champ. Or should I say mom and dad are champs. Jack's very first ride was Jungle Cruise and I think he is probably the only person on earth that can say they received a standing ovation on their first ever Disneyland ride. You know how the driver of the boat is always funny, well we had a guy who was hilarious. As we were boarding the boat, he said 'Welcome baby Simba and started singing the Lion King song into the mic." Tim held Jack up just like Rafiki does with Baby Simba and the whole boat started clapping, cheering, roaring, laughing and standing for Tim/Jack. Even the people on the dock waiting for their turn were clapping. I have to say it was pretty funny on Tim's part. So Jack made a grand entrance into Disneyland. He also got to meet Mickey Mouse and see the parade (Which he slept through).

BOO!

This Halloween season has been so much fun. I can honestly say I'm sad it's over. Every year just seems to become more magical for Hannah and now with Jack in the mix I just enjoy all the activities so much. On Tuesday night we ordered pizza and carved our pumpkin. We did a silly one because last year Hannah was scared of Jack-o-lanterns, but this year she did great. Hannah wanted to paint a pumpkin so Daddy carved, Hannah painted, and Mommy and Jack hung out and watched. Last night was Halloween and we had our annual trick or treating outing with cousins Zane and Weston. I went trick or treating with my cousins every year so I love that Hannah gets to do the same. We had four families over to our house for a little pre-party. The kids loved playing with the balloons and glow up sticks. The adults chatted and ate yummy food. Speaking of food, Hannah was so excited to make Mummy cupcakes with mommy this year. We had so much fun together baking and decorating them to look like mummys. She couldn't wait to show all our guests what she made. We headed out to the streets about 6 and always last a long time. Hannah walked the whole way! When we got back to our house she kept saying she wanted to go to more houses. It was so amazing to me to stand back and watch this year with all the adults on the street and all the kids doing the best job running up to doors all by themselves. Saying "Trick or Treat" and "THank you." Crazy how fast time goes. We were trying to keep up with the kids. Hannah looked absolutely adorable as Snow White and her cool light up shoes to lead the way. Jack was snuggly in his Halloween jammies. He was a JACK-o-lantern. Mommy carried Jack in the front pouch the whole way. Hannah kept shouting "Stop, and listen to stay safe" which is a Daniel Tiger song. It made me laugh how many times she sang it. I think she loved feeling like a big kid and not needing a stroller or hand held. Jack was awake and took in all the decor. Our neighborhood really goes all out for Halloween. They put up big blow up lawn things, string pumpkin lights, hang spider webs everywhere, etc. We all came back to the house after Trick or Treating and stayed up way too late watching Curious George Halloween show. It was really one of my favorite family nights yet because all the kids seemed to have so much fun. Hannah's bucket was beyond heavy at the end of the night. Funny thing is she doesn't even like candy. More for me:)

2 Months

Yesterday my little jack turned two months old. Jack enjoys being held, rattles, bath time and eating. His least favorite things are getting his nails cut and being ignored. He can push up on his tummy and hold his head up, smile, follow objects and is starting to realize he has hands. Jack is a good boy. At night he gives one four to five hour stretch. Then he wakes and wants to be held by mommy. I think he's the cutest thing ever and can't get enough. Today he had his two month appointment. He got two shots and did amazing. Just a cry when it went in then he fell asleep. What a champ. Hannah held his hand and told him to be brave. How sweet. His weight is 50% at 12 lbs. 1 oz. and his height is 85% at 24 inches. His head is large like Hannah. The doctor said he looks perfect. There is no greater blessing. Keep up the good work jack. We are looking forward to you holding toys and laughing soon.

3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch Picnic

For the last three years, the Tatums, Sciglianos, Markos' and Thomas' have been going to the Irvine park pumpkin patch. We make it special for the kids by having a big family picnic after the patch where the kids can run and play while grill master Derek cooks up the lunch. It's wide open space so the perfect place for the adults to chat and the kids to run free. Every year it is so fun, but this year was the best because the four older kids have so much fun together. None of them wanted to leave. They loved playing with sticks, the wagon, and just running around. I love watching them grow and interact. We take a group photo every year and it is so much fun to go back and see how they have grown. I really think this family event is a memory the kids will always enjoy and talk about. This year Jack and Emilee got to join in the fun. Jack was so good and just hung out enjoying the outdoors. He likes looking around and taking in the scene. Hannah had fun picking out our pumpkin. She always wants the biggest one there, but we settled for a medium sized pumpkin with a funny long stem that she likes. We are so greatful to have friends that are family. The four really do just treat each other like siblings it's too funny to watch.