Happy Boy

Jack is a little over six weeks old and we finally got the sweet precious smile. The smile of real happiness not just gas. The smile that melts your heart, makes you run to your camera, and makes you say to yourself "you're doing good mom, he's happy." Three different people have told me they had seem him smile over the last week, but in my book unless mom sees it or you have video proof, it's not real. In my mind, Jack saves all his firsts for me. So here he is, his first smile! He's really cute with two dimples and when he does a huge smile he mouth is all crooked. We (Hannah and mommy) got these photos, by shaking a monkey rattle. I think Jack is also happy because Uncle Tyler is in town visiting :)

Child of God

I know I have been missing in action lately, but adjusting to life with two little ones has been crazy. It's a beautiful chaos really. This past Sunday Jack was baptized at St John's Lutheran church. Baptisms are always emotional for me and having it done where Tim and I said our vows is even more special. So let me rewind to the morning of. I gave myself plenty of time to get myself and two kids ready and get to the church in time. Enter the chaos. Hannah woke up sick, laying on the kitchen floor, crying and with a fever. I had Jack's feeding scheduled perfectly so he had enough time to digest as to not spit up on his outfit (which was the same outfit Tim wore at his baptism 30 years ago). Well throw that out the window when thirty minutes before we need to go Tim breaks the kitchen sink and water is skyrocketing all over the kitchen. So now Tim's nicely ironed shirt is being thrown in the dryer Jack is screaming for food and Hannah is on the verge of vomit. This is all happening minutes before we need to leave. I swear I'm lucky if I remember to put deodorant on. Makes me flashback to Hannah's baptism and her poo-splosion at the church all over her white dress right before church started. Why don't we also throw in the worry over if the 90 degree heat or thirty mile per hour winds would ruin his outdoor celebration. It's in these moments I wonder if Satan is working in ways to keep us from Christ. To take us to the point of frustration and exhaustion and utter 'crazy town' that you overlook the beauty in the chaos. Enter beauty. With God, a little water, poop or illness can't over power the glory of his love. We made it to the church and Jack was baptized in a beautiful service. God:1 Satan:0. Pastor reminded us that Jack is a small but very important piece in God's plan. He was so good during the service and it is the most amazing feeling to watch as your child's sins are washed away. His godmother auntie Jamie and godfather uncle Tyler (all the way from London) were there to stand by his side. It was an amazing day and celebration for Jack surrounded by friends and family. Jack's baptism was the perfect reminder to see the beauty and not just the chaos. To enjoy every stick/rock/leaf and pinecone Hannah brings me, to enjoy eating ice cream with my family and not focus on the drips all over the floor, to rejoice in the small things like cuddles, first smiles (which happened today), late night feelings, looks of love from little eyes, hugs, cries for you to lay with them at night, books you've read so many times they are memorized, etc. God gives the little ones in this world a special gift. They seem to always see the beauty, wonder, and enjoyment and never the chaos. Time is short and life moves fast so today I choose to love the crazy and see the beauty in my chaos, I wouldn't have it any other way.

my mom took most the pictures on her camera, but I was able to snap this one

Just keep swimming

Life in the Tatum house is pretty predictable these days: Eat, sleep, poop, cry, repeat. And as for the sleep part of that equation that is mostly just Jack doing the sleeping. Mommy and Daddy are kept busy with big sister playing house, babies, princesses, bubbles, candy land, legos, doctor, kitchen, going to the park (and that's all before noon). No seriously. Jack is still good, but he is definitely more aware of the outside world and for the last week has had extended periods of crying. I guess that's to be expected. He likes to be carried in the front pouch which is helpful so mommy can still get out and take Hannah places. Jack eats a ton. The recommended amount under 4 weeks is 24 oz of breat milk in a day. Jack eats at least 32, but I'm told it's okay and he is just growing. Good thing mommy has a ton of milk in the freezer, so much big sister might not have room to store her beloved pancakes any more. It's so much fun getting more and more toys out for Jack. Last week we took out bee friends and now we have our old friends yodeling goat and musical computer. That's about all the news here. I will leave you with some pics because lets be honest that's what keeps you all interested.





snuggle buddies for mornimg cartoons




my greatest blessings! The last few weeks my favorite time of day is six am. Jack is normally asleep on my chest and Hannah is just waking up and comes and lays next to me on the pillow. I feel like the luckiest mommy and for a brief moment there is silence and snuggles:)

It's Back!

Sweet Jack is just 2 1/2 weeks and already I am getting emotional about how quickly he is growing. Every day he looks older and bigger to me. He also seems more awake and alert each day. I can tell he is already starting to cluster his naps into more defined increments. He also increased feeding size (this boy can eat!) Over the weekend Jack had his first Daddy/Son football day while mommy and Hannah went to Disneyland. This week we also started tummy time and took out the legendary 'bee friends' activity mat. Jack is working on holding his head up and is getting pretty good. Hannah learned that bee friends was her favorite toy as a baby and so now frequently encourages Jack to play with it. It's funny how something as simple as a musical mat can bring back so many memories. So far Jack seems to love bee friends too. He watches and makes good eye contact.

Like I said, emotions have been coming out strong this week. I already want him to slow down. Tim would call me crazy as he is anxious for the middle of the night feedings to be done, but honestly they really don't bother me. I know this time is so short, a brief moment in time and I hope when I look back on my life it's the simple things like bee friends and midnight feedings that I can be proud of and smile about. Today as the three of us journeyed to Target, the song 'My Wish' came on and I started crying (hormones I know). I've always loved this song and it was also the song Tim and his mom danced to at our wedding, but now I love the song even more. Listening to the song thinking of Jack was just overwhelming. I love him so much and just want his little life happy. And with that, I leave you with the lyrics by Rascal Flatts:

"I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish..."


BEST BUDDIES ALREADY (P.s. I do dress Hannah every day as well, but the child finds one way or another to only wear underwear, don't ask)

Two Weeks

My little man is officially two weeks old. I cannot believe how fast time is going. Jack is so good. I just can't explain how easy and sweet he is. Today we went to our two week doctor's appointment and I had no questions because he is just perfect. It was a weird feeling because with Hannah I always had questions and was always getting referred to specialists. With Jack we were in and out. He looks perfect! He weighed in at 8lbs. 6 oz. The doctor weighed him twice to be sure because it is typical for newborns to be back at birth weight at the two week check. Jack has far surpassed that. I told you he eats and sleeps a lot. Growing boy needs his rest. I was worried I was over feeding him, but they were very pleased and even said I should be proud because each oz. was due to my hard work. As most of you know I am not a fan of breast feeding and I really would prefer not getting out of bed every three hours to pump milk, but I do it so that Jack gets the best. It made me feel good that I am helping him grow big and strong. I don't know Jack, it's going to be hard to beat your daddy in height, but maybe. The whole family is doing well. It's a weird feeling knowing that I have two kids, and I couldn't be more blessed.







Daddy wore this outfit 30 years ago

Happy One Week Birthday!

I honestly can't believe sweet Jack has been in my life for a week already. In some ways it's hard to remember life without him and in other ways I feel like I was just at Hoag anxious to see his cute face. Jack is literally the dream baby (knock on wood). We had such a hard first few weeks with Hannah that maybe this is normal, but he is just so easy and good. Tim and I both laughed saying that if he was our only child we would be bored. Jack loves to eat and then goes right back to sleep. At night he goes four hour stretches and doesn't even need to be held. He never needs to be rocked or walked. We haven't even had to pull out the five S's of baby whispering. In his first week of life he has gone to the doctor and got a perfect bill of health. He also went on two short outings. Prep time for the outings is about two hours. I'm going to have to get use to going out with the kids because it's a bit crazy. His umbilical cord fell off around day five. We think he has blue eyes like daddy, but still hard to tell. He also got his first bath which was the most we've heard him cry, but as soon as he got his towel he was happy again. Jack had a special photo shoot and slept for two hours. He got an A++. Hannah is in love with him and seems really proud to be the big sister. I feel so blessed to be this little guys mommy. Each day I love him more. Obviously I am tired, but I just can't imagine life without him.

He's Here!

My sweet Jack Bryant, Mommy was so proud to welcome you into the world on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 10:21am. Our journey together has been one of the best memories of my life and now that you're here I can't wait to see what the world has in store for you. Mommy had a doctor's appointment on the 21st and was already 4cm, 70% effaced. The doctor guessed you would be here in 24 hours and she was right. At 2 am mommy woke up with contractions and I knew you were on your way. I woke daddy and called granny to come stay with Hannah. We were so excited to meet you. The week leading up to labor was a little difficult due to terrible back pain, but labor and delivery was a breeze. You were so good to mommy and made things smooth and quick. You had so many loved ones there to meet you. Granny, Grandpa, Nana, Gramps and Hannah stood outside the deivery room door and heard your first cries. They even heard mommy laughing as I pushed you out. You came out lungs a blazing with lots of cries. You felt so light when they put you on mommy's chest, but really you were an average weight 7 lbs. 9 oz. You are also a long 21 inches. Everything about you is perfect and mommy loves you so much. You have had so many visitors during the first few days of life. I hope you always remember that from the moment you were born you were supported by friends and family who would do anything for you. You enjoy eating and sleeping. So far you seem like a really calm sweet baby who tries his best to be good. You were even giving mommy four hour stretches between night feedings on night two (knock on wood). My Jack, you started as a dream and became a reality, a secret only you and I knew until Christmas morning, you were a Christmas miracle and now a gift from God. You are my Jack and though outside of my belly now, please know you will forever be carried in mommy's heart because you are a piece of me and I love you more than life itself. Happy Birthday Baby Boy. Can't wait to document this next year of life as you experience the world around you!

This picture was taken moments before you were born. The doctor/nurses were saying "Time to have a baby." Hannah was such a proud and happy big sister. She waited patiently for you to be born.


You were delivered by Dr. Flora who made the whole experience fun and easy for mommy


First family photo


Since the moment you arrived Hannah has been bringing you toys, books, stuffed animals, balloons, etc. She loves to sing you songs and say "It's okay Jack." She can't stop giving you kisses, hugs and patting you. She tells mommy that she can take care of you.


On our way home


I love you JACK BRYANT