EGGstravaganza

We were so excited to dye our Easter eggs today. This is a fun tradition for us that Hannah really enjoys and this year Jack Jack got in on the action too. Hannah made beautiful glitter eggs. She also did eggs with stickers and fun designs. She loves dropping them in the colors and waiting. It's like it's a surprise every time she would pull one out. I swear every year I boil more and more eggs and it never seems like enough. Last year I did a dozen and Tim complained that Hannah hogged them all so this year I did two dozen and still we were wanting more. Needless to say our house now has very beautiful eggs. My favorite this year was Hannah's purple glitter egg because it just screams "Hannah Grace" and of course Jack Bryant's "1st Easter" egg that he tried to eat. Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Fire fighters in training

Yesterday Hannah and Jack got to tour the local fire station with their friends as part of Luke's birthday celebration. The fire fighters were so nice and went above and beyond making the kids feel special. The kids got to take turns pretending to drive the big engine and trying on the fire clothes. We got a tour of where they sleep and eat. All the kids walked away with pretend fire hats. It was a very cute day and I actually was surprised how much Hannah enjoyed it. She has been playing 'Fire girl' over the last 24 hours instead of princess which is a nice break in a way.





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Hippity Hop

For today's play date, Hannah and Jack met up with best buddies Cole, Luke, Declan and baby Emilee to meet the Easter Bunny. We headed out to Irvine Park and had a fun filled day to kick off Spring Break. The day started with an egg hunt. Jack was a good sport and enjoyed sitting in the grass watching sister run around collecting eggs. After the hunt, we got in line to meet the Easter Bunny. I actually didn't even tell Hannah this part of the day prior to showing up because I thought she would be scared just like with Santa, but I was wrong. She couldn't wait to get in line. When the camera lady asked if she wanted to sit next to him or on his lap, she replied "On his lap." She told him she was going to leave him a carrot and said thank you for the eggs. My only explanation is that the bunny must look more like a character whereas Santa looks more like a man. She loves the Disney land characters so I guess she views the bunny similarly. Anyway, it turned out good much to my surprise. When then laid out our blanket and had a big picnic in the shade. Jack crawled over grabbing at everything he could get his hands on and Hannah and the boys ran around on the grass chasing each other. We ended the day with a train ride around the park. What a fun day for the kids! As we walked to the car, I asked Hannah what her favorite part of the day was and she replied "The bunny, the egg hunt, lunch and my cookie." Sounds like a successful day!

we got a take home picture, but this was just my quick snapshot
















Tired after a long day

Super Hero Strength

When I was little I used to hate when my parents would say things like "You and Tyler are different, we parent you differently, just worry about yourself, etc." When you have your own kids you realize just how uniquely special we all are right from the beginning. Jack and Hannah are no different. I love looking back at Hannah's books and remembering what she was doing at Jack's age and watching for it to happen soon. Only my kids are total opposites as far as milestones go and what motivates them. At Jack's age, Hannah was already clapping and pointing. She is my baby genius, always observing, learning, asking questions, and shocking me with her knowledge. Driven by environment, knowledge, and understanding. Just this week she explained the pros of each season out of the blue (didn't even know she knew the term season, nor be able to name all four, nor be able to actually describe each and I quote "Spring is good because everything is beautiful and then there is fall which I like because the leaves change color." She also recently taught be about the evolution of a caterpillar and described a 'chrysalis' to which I had to ask my three year old "I thought it was called a cocoon?" Later I had to google it and no joke it said Caterpillars hatch from a chrysalis which is often mistakenly called a cocoon. What do you know? Why question Hannah. Won't happen again. Anyway I digress. Back to Jack. So Hannah was clapping and pointing which I try really hard to get Jack to do with no luck. So my revelation, just let kids be themselves, it's going to happen regardless. Jack could care less that I'm trying to get him to clap, he is too busy pulling up on furniture without any help or encouragement from me. Yep, learned all by himself. The kid has crazy super human strength. Driven by action, reward, victory, and bravery. I was not ready for such crazy gross motor skills because stupid me checks Hannah's book who didn't even roll over until 9 months and thought to myself "Plenty of time..." Nope, Jack will be Jack and this little guy has talent. Crawling at 5 months and now pulling up at 7 and he can also walk with no support when holding on to his walking toy. Needless to say we had to lower his crib mattress a few weeks ago because he was attempting to catapult himself out. We also changed his car seat to the big boy car seat because the carrier is just so heavy. I think all of Jack's motor skills keep him skinny because he is so little. The other day I had a size 3-6 jean on him and he crawled right out of them. Turned around the kid had no pants on. I'm curious to see how he falls at the nine month check burning calories the way he does. Another super cute thing I love about Jack is when he eats every single bite, he says "mmmmm" likes he's savoring every minute of it. It's hilarious and now Hannah mocks him. I love the little things about my kids. The little things most people probably would never notice, but I do. I love how Hannah brings me a rock/leaf/stick/flower whenever I'm away from her, I love the two little moles on her hand, I love how the song 'you are my sunshine' instantly makes her world okay, I love that she cries when Jack is really sad, I love how every night she tells me she will keep my spot warm. I love how Jack crawls to me no matter how far because he can't be alone, I love how he laughs if you tickle his sides, I love how he holds his little paci, I love how he scratches his head, I love how he knows I'm his mommy. I love how they make me smile on the worst of days and are a constant reminder of how blessed I am. Keeping me on my toes kids and I would expect nothing less!

7 Months

7 Months, can it be true. I still remember you kicking in mommy's tummy and screaming on your way into the world. I want time to slow down, but at the same time I get so excited with each passing day as you learn and grow and explore. At 7 months, you love kicking in the bath, being outside, stroller rides, fruits, crinkling up plastic bags (totally safe) and paper, playing toys, looking in the mirror, tugging on drapes, crawling, chewing on things, attention from Mommy, paci, animal noises, airplane game, silly noises and being loved. You dislike when your toys are taken away, being tired, vegetables (especially the green ones), getting your nails cut, and being left alone. You love to talk and look at pictures of family. You sit, crawl and just about stand up while holding on to something. You finally are sleeping through the night, with a rough night here and there. I love you Jack and really my most special moments with you are just the everyday moments. I love when you smile at me, I love how ticklish you are and my most favorite...I love when you crawl over to me and grab at my feet waiting for me to pick you up. You make my life happy.

Weekend wrap up

I've been wanting to write to give a little wrap up of Tatum events lately. Things have been busy and fun around here. We have been enjoying story time, Irish dancing night at the library, St. Patrick's Day cooking, baby showers, daddy's birthday events, the farm, visits from Nana, play dates and more. Hannah is completely in the Disney princess phase. It's Disney princess all day every day around here. And yes, she lets sweet Jack be the prince. Jack is finally starting to sleep through the night. We stopped giving him bottles at bed time which makes his diaper less soggy and that seems to be helping a lot. There are still nights he wakes looking for his paci and we have to go in and give it to him, but so much improvement. He is sweet and cute and a very flexible little baby. He loves to sit and play with his toys and chew on things. I'm the boy who cries wolf here I know, but I swear teeth must be coming. He is a mover and goes all over the house. He is a very good army crawler and just recently has been able to crawl up on his knees. One of Jack's favorite toys is Hannah's talking Doc McStuffins doll. I know that babies prefer looking at faces so I'm sure that's why, but it's really funny that he will crawl across the room to get to this doll. Another new thing for Jack is that he is now noticing when I leave. He has never really liked being alone in a room, but now he actually recognizes when I go. I went back to work at 6 weeks with Jack, but I cried in the car for the first time just this past week. The mornings on the days I work are crazy because our kids get up early and we both are trying to get ready so it's a mad house. Anyway I had Jack downstairs playing and Tim was upstairs getting dressed. When I said bye to Jack and walked away he started to cry. It broke my heart. He knows his mommy is leaving. Of course his second mother Hannah jumps in to tell him it's okay but it just made me sad.

Cheering on Big Cousin Zane at baseball


The Farm

"Say Cheese"

Today we picked up Jack's 6 month pictures and Hannah's 3 year pictures. My kids are just too cute I can't stand it.




Jack's 6 month interview (answered by mommy and Hannah)

Favorite color: Green
Favorite Food: apple/blueberry mix
Least favorite food: Peas
Best Friend: Hannah
Favorite toy: "All of his toys"
Favorite TV Show: Mickey Mouse



Hannah's 3 year old interview

What's your favorite color: "Purple"
What's your favorite food: "Macaroni and Cheese"
Who is your best friend: "Jack and Mommy and Granny"
What is your favorite toy: "My bike"
What is your favorite thing to do: "Painting with Granny"
What is your favorite TV show: "Caillou"
What do you want to be when you grow up: "Doctor"
If you had three wishes like Aladdin, what would you wish for: "A baby sister, a small white doggie to sleep on my bed and ummmm crayons." (well 1 out of 3 isn't bad)