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:)