Splish Splash

Today was the first warm day in San Jose and it finally felt like summer. Tim and I took advantage of this by taking Hannah to the pool for the first time. She was so cute in her bikini. Hannah loves to splash in the bath tub. She kicks her feet and sprays water everywhere so I was eager to see how she would respond to a big scary swimming pool. As soon as I felt the water, I thought she would hate it because it was freezing. We decided to give it a try anyway. To my surprise, she really seemed to like it. Tim held her and let her splash her feet. It was so fun.

On a different note, Hannah started eating carrots. She seems to enjoy them. She doesn't really smile, but she opens her mouth and leans towards the spoon so I take that as a good sign. You have to start with one food at a time and do only that food for at least four days to ensure no allergic reaction. We have switched to rice cereal for breakfast and eat carrots for dinner. This is in addition to her regular bottles, so I am sure she is growing quickly. I am happy she is growing, but introducing baby food is sure messy.

And the final piece of good news, Hannah continues to sleep through the night. She doesn't even stir anymore. Yeah! She is doing all of her naps without the snuggly wrap, but we still use it at night time.

Carrots


Laying out by the pool


Swimming with Daddy



Drying off after a fun filled day in the water

5 Months Old

Last week Hannah and I took a trip down south. We celebrated baby Markos at his baby shower on Saturday. Hannah can't wait to have another friend to play with. My dear friend Madeline is due in July so keep her in your prayers. It is always so great to be home. Hopefully this summer we will have more time to spend with people as it is so difficult finding time to see all the people we miss in such a short amount of time. For those of you we did see, we had a blast! Also, while we were down, Hannah celebrated her 5 month old birthday. At 5 months, she eating rice cereal, babbling up a storm, smiling at everyone, and laughing. Her favorite toys are a purple singing puppy from her uncle Tyler, bee friends activity mat, and squeeky giraffe. SHe most enjoys playing with and eating her feet, peek a boo, and bath time. She least enjoys being bumped as she is very sensitive. She is also getting a little more hair. She is almost sitting. Yes you heard me, I expect a blog any day announcing the completion of the sitting milestone. I'm not sure when to technically count it because she sits for a few seconds and then falls. I've decided when she sits long enough that I can grab a camera to snap a picture for proof then it will be official. Silly girl has by passed rolling over all together. She is on to bigger and better things. More exciting news is that she is sleeping through the night again. Hopefully it will stick this time. Last night when we got home I told Tim that I wanted to stop using her little yellow bed because she seems too big for it. Her legs hang over the end and I wonder if it plays a roll in her not rolling over because when she is confined in that she can't turn on her side at all. So, we moved her to the pack and play. THis also means she is no longer in my immediate sight where I can quickly grab her at the first move she makes. Last night she went to sleep at 9 and woke up at 8!!! During the night she woke up at her regular 3am, but instead of feeding her, I just laid there and listened to her move around. I was fully expecting a full blown cry within five minutes of not being attended to, but instead she fell back asleep. SUCCESS! I hope it works again tonight. Once again we boxed up her closet and her new summer clothes are ready to go. THat means more pictures because I honestly think I document every outfit she owns. Speaking of pictures...

Hannah's second date with Luke. THey are so cute. Luke seemed a bit more interested this time around, but Hannah is still the aggressor. Hannah leaned in for the kiss, but Luke started crying.



These were from the day she turned 5 months



My mom just moved into a new home and they have a tot lot so Hannah got to play in a sandbox for the first time. (she sat more than played)

ENT update

I have officially completed my last 7 weeks of work and it's summer. You wouldn't know though as today it is raining:( For the first time in awhile, today was back to me and Hannah. I have so missed spending my days with her. She is getting so big. She is wearing her 6 month clothes, and has been using a few new toys lately. We finally got to put her in her hot pink car. I also got her a doorway jumper which she has been enjoying. Last week Hannah went on a swing for the first time and got to experience her first two rides with her cousins (a little dinosaur train and the carousel.) Today Hannah had an appointment with her ENT. Things look the same, fluid has not increased and there is no infection so we are still holding off on the tubes. I really hope we can make it to her big surgery so she only has to go under once. Four more months to go with no ear infections, cross your fingers. He said the hearing loss is still around 30% so in his words "you just have to talk louder, you know be more in her face." So with that said, another big thank you to Zane and Weston who definitely followed Dr's. orders. I really do think that Hannah's speech improved being around the boys because she learned some new sounds. Now that I'm home, my goal is to work on getting Hannah to be able to sleep without having to be swaddled up. It's not that I mind wrapping her up, but they only make them up to 22 lbs. which she is fast approaching and I worry that summer might be too hot for her. TOday was my first attempt at nap time without it and I gave up after 30 minutes. As soon as she got in her snuggly as we call it, she fell fast asleep. Oh and one more thought, Hannah can almost sit by herself. She sits for about 30 seconds then falls to her side. A couple more weeks and I think she will be a sturdy sitter. This is said knowing that she still chooses not to roll over. The little stinker rolls on her side and then hangs out there. So I have decided she will be walking before she rolls over. That's just the way it is. Tim has about two weeks left of work. It will be nice when we can all three spend time together.

We miss the boys


Trying new things



Snuggly

Fun Week

This has been a wild and crazy fun week for Hannah. She has been watched by her Auntie Laura, and big cousins Zane and Weston. It has been so fun for her to be around young kids. Zane is such a great helper. He is so gentle and great with babies. When Hannah cries he brings her toys and makes her laugh. He also loves to be the diaper thrower awayer. Westy loves his cousin and always wants to give her hugs. Tim enjoyed taking them to the local park after work and Zane helped him bbq dinner a few nights. Both boys are so sweet and it is a special treat for me to be able to spend so much time with them. Hannah loved watching them play and liked all the noise I think. Today we went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate my first day of retirement. THis weekend we are planning to go to Happy Hollow and the Children's Museum. As you can see, it is much more fun and exciting for Hannah when the boys are here. But, with three little ones of course Laura had her hands full and there were bound to be some funny moments. For starters, it was funny to see the boys sharing Hannah's hot pink sippy cups. THey are such 'boys' so drinking out of pink cups was new to them. Weston, woke up from a nap with Hannah's paci in his mouth, and Zane thought it was funny to pile toys on top of Hannah. Family events throughout the years sure will be fun. I can just see Hannah chasing after them saying 'wait for me.' We are so blessed to have such a great family and I want to thank all of Hannah's 'babysitters' again. I so appreciate all of you that took time away to watch her. She loves you all:)

Laura and the kids


Tim's story time


Hannah...I mean Weston


THis is what happens when you have two big boy cousins

Long Overdue Update

Sorry for the long wait in blogging, but last weekend we were out of town for Jeff's graduation from Concordia. It was a very beautiful campus and ceremony. Hannah cried through the church service, but she was very good during the graduation. Congratulations Uncle Jeff and Katie! We are so proud of you both and look forward to seeing what the future has in store for both of you. Also last weekend, Hannah had her first date. We got to meet Luke David who is the cutest little guy ever. Hannah was very interested in him, Luke not so much. As my friend Ashlee says, he was playing hard to get. I know Hannah and Luke will be great friends growing up. This last week, Hannah has been watched by her Nana. They had lots of fun together snuggling in the morning, cooking, and walking to the shoe store. Next week we are looking forward to Auntie Laura, big helper Zane, and her best friend Weston. Hannah is talking so much more and has a new high pitched noise she likes to make. She is sooooo close to rolling over. She makes it to her side and then gets stuck. She still enjoys eating her feet (yes she is that flexible), playing with her bee friends, and laughing at peek a boo game.

Proud Tatum Fam


Blide Date



27th Birthday

Ouch

Today Hannah had her 4 month shots. She cried, but recovered quickly. She now weighs 14 lbs. 11 oz. She is 75 % for weight, height, and head size. This weekend I enjoyed my first Mother's day. TIm and Hannah made me breakfast and we had a great lunch at PF Changs. I am so lucky to be her mommy.

4 months old picture


Mother's Day SHirt

Yummy

It has been a busy week for Miss. Hannah. For starters she is feeling much better. The fever only lasted one day and her runny nose is almost gone. This is great news because she can get her shots next week and she has been eating well again. It also meant that she got to eat rice cereal! What a learning experience. I don't know about you, but rice cereal is considered a 'solid' in baby terms and additionally, when I think cereal I think a bowl and spoon. So silly me, I was picturing a texture that resembled oatmeal. I was wrong. When a baby first starts eating 'solids' aka rice cereal the ratio of formula to rice is that of which creates a texture equal to milk. It is completely liquidy. However, Drs. recommend you give it on a spoon so that we did and she LOVED IT! See pics below...she instantly had a big smile. However, I quickly decided that it would take far too long to spoon feed the liquidy substance so for now I am cheating and giving it through a bottle. She gets it one time a day. THey say this is bad because it's important for them to learn to use a spoon, but I will try again at 5 months when you can make it a bit thicker. Also in the works this week, was babysitting by Gramps. Hannah loves her Gramps and I think she will share his love for music. He is very good with her and would patiently stand by the 'magic lamp' with her whenever she needed it. The third exciting event is that Hannah found her feet. It's really funny because she loves to pull on her toes. I am really looking forward to my first Mother's day and I'm grateful for all the mothers out there in my life that have been role models for me. I hope all of your days are great as well.

Hanging out with Gramps


FIrst bite, not quite sure....


SHe LOVES IT



Feet are very interesting