19 Weeks

Baby boy was confirmed today. Not that the last photo left anything for debate, but baby is for sure 100% a boy. Today I had my high risk ultrasound at the special clinic. I did this with Jack too to rule out cleft palate/lip/nose. Both the kids came with me and it ended up being an hour and 15 minute ultrasound. WOW! longest ultrasound of my life. I was expecting max 20 minutes. I kept thinking they saw something wrong, but nope he is perfect. And surprisingly my threats worked and Hannah and Jack stayed in their chairs for over an hour. Even the doctor complimented how well behaved they were so baby three, if you're listening, you have some big shoes to fill. When we walked through the doors of the hospital, Hannah said "Mom, if the baby has a cleft palate, I'm going to cry." It broke my heart because I was feeling the same way, but I love seeing her sweet motherly side. I know she will always protect my two boys and they will do the same for her. Doctor is 95% certain that the baby is cleft free. Lip and nose are easier for them to tell, but he was pretty sure the palate looked closed. Woo Hoo! so happy. Brain, heart, liver, kidneys, bile ducts, spinal cord, etc all looked perfect. They also checked all of my parts like uterus, ovaries, cervix, etc and said I look good. They were slightly concerned that baby's heart rate was 111. I guess they prefer over 120, but the doctor said that the rhythm of the beats looked normal and the structure was good so told me not to worry. I also got a call this week that my screenings for down syndrome, trisomy 18 and fragile X all came back good. Baby is the size of a sweet potato. The measurements today indicated he was 10 oz. I have been feeling lots of movement lately which is fun. Not so fun is the heart burn which is attacking already and my separated pelvis which I got 6 years ago with Hannah. The baby/fluid is heavy enough now that it puts pressure on the injury. I know it sounds bizarre probably to most that after six years it returns, but it truly is very painful. It's the worst when I walk long distances and when I try to put pants/underwear on (lifting one leg and stepping up motion).Not much new on the name front. Hannah and Jack are pulling hard for Tom. I have no idea why, but they love it and call him baby Tom all day long. Next week half way point bump watch...



Hannah loves this one because it looks like he's doing 'gymnastics'


I've never had a thumb sucker, could he be the first?

Month 4 Bump Watch

16 Weeks. This pregnancy is flying by and knock on wood I feel great. Baby boy is the size of an avocado, or as your brother Jack likes to say the size of a donut. Much more exciting than always being referred to as a fruit or vegetable. I have started to feel slight flutters a few times per week. Getting excited for some bigger movements shortly. Many of you have asked about names. We don't have one yet, but a few possibilities in the works.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

I am the type of person who has to know the gender of a baby as soon as humanly possible. From the moment myself or anyone dear to me is pregnant I have the feeling that I must know. I don't like surprises. I just want to start bonding with my baby as a boy or girl, give it a name, get it's clothes out of boxes, paint the room, etc. That's when it all becomes real to me. I'm 15 weeks and had to go back for another ultrasound because of the hematoma. I was actually really happy to do so because I wanted confirmation of the gender. What you readers don't know (and don't be mad) is that we were actually told at our 12 week scan that tater tot #3 was a boy. We were all four in the room to hear the news. But something was different than previous pregnancies. With Hannah and Jack I was making phone calls before my feet even stepped foot in the elevator. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I've known more and more people getting the wrong results at early ultrasounds (including baby's newest cousin Ben who was a 'girl' for a few weeks) or if I just needed time to let it all sink into my brain, but for whatever reason, the four of us kept it to ourselves. With that said, I was very excited to hear confirmation at the 15 week scan. Well, the ultrasound tech was correct it's team blue all the way. My sweet boy is healthy and growing. The hematoma is gone! Jack was sitting next to me and so happy when they told him mommy can finally pick him up again. All along Hannah has guessed girl and Jack has guessed boy. I'm pretty sure he thinks he won something, but really it just means he has to share all his things. I kid, he did win. He won big, the biggest gift anyone can ever win. I am so happy he will have a brother and best friend for life. I hope they always realize just how lucky they are. Jack is the cutest and sweetest thing I've ever laid my eyes on. He is my snuggle bear, gives me 100 kisses a day and they must be "on the lips" as he says. He is always happy and gentle and kind. I pray his little brother is exactly like him. As for Hannah, she remains the sole princess. I know she will be the best sister to both her brothers and it gives me peace to know they both have her. I had to change my appointment to while Hannah was at school because she had her first girl scout meeting in the afternoon. She was disappointed that she had to miss the official reveal and requested that I tell her as soon as I saw her, so Jack surprised her with a gift at pick up. It was a very simple, but sweet moment for me to watch. I am a very blessed mommy!




Money shot is on bottom


Our littlest pumpkin is a BOY

12 Weeks

Today marks the end of the first trimester. I was reflecting today on how fast it went by and I think it's simply because life is so busy you don't have time to stop and think. With Hannah I lived up North. I went to work and came home and talked to Tim. That was about it. With Jack I only worked 2 days and Hannah still napped so I had two hours every day to sit and think about my sweet baby growing. Tatum Tot 3 and I don't even go to the bathroom alone so the days move fast and here I am 12 weeks! Good news is I'm feeling less sleepy. First trimester I felt a slight steady nausea throughout the day. Between 1-4pm I felt so tired, like sleepy tired. I think I'm on the upswing. Woo Hoo. Also different is how fast I am showing. With the first two I swear I could have hidden the belly until 16-18 weeks. I am officially showing to anyone who knows me. I was at the park today and ran into a mom I met two years ago through Singers and Dance. I ended up telling her, and she laughs and says "I totally thought you were just bloated." I've always thought months 4-5 are the most awkward. You're not a 'cute pregnant lady' you just look like you ate a huge lunch. I can't fit into my regular pants, yet I'm not ready for full blown maternity wear, hence most days my pants are unbuttoned and no one knows the difference. Shhh, our secret. Today I had my third ultrasound. Baby looks great. Heart rate was 159 and they were waving to us the whole time. Hannah, Jack and Tim were all there as well to wave back. I also did the first trimester blood work to screen for Down Syndrome and a few other disabilities. Fingers crossed it all comes back great. The hematoma is still there, but getting so much better. I'm sure by the 20 week scan it will be totally gone.

Month 3 Bump Watch


The wave. I love this pic


Cousin Ben will be here any day (Due tomorrow) so Auntie Katie and I were happy to get one photo of the babies in the belly together. Hannah and Weston love each other like siblings and they are 9 months apart. I hope Ben and Baby 3 have the same kind of relationship.

Go Rattlers!

A week after Jack's 3rd birthday was another big event in the Tatum house. Hannah started kindergarten at Robinson Elementary (Daddy's old work stomping grounds). She was very excited with a side of nerves. I think it helped as we walked the mile walk to the room (no joke, first day of school madness) we were stopped a million times by teachers/admins/secretaries all wanting to see her dad and wish her well. We felt slightly famous, now if only he could pull off a staff parking permit for us next year, we'd be golden. Back to the mile walk, looking back, I'm so glad I had that moment. Holding her little hand as it gripped mine tightly is a memory I won't forget. It was sort of her way saying I'll always need you even when I let go. I am so proud to be her mom it's crazy. I know she was nervous, but she acts with such maturity and poise. Her teacher is Mrs. Keller and the room looked amazing. Hannah is loving school so far. Each day she reports that her favorite activity was recess. Each night she sets out her outfit selection for the next morning complete with matching shoes and hair accessory. She has looked so cute each day. I know Hannah will be successful in school, but it's so symbolic of my first baby growing up. I remember when it was just me and her hanging out in our little apartment with nothing to do. The world was ours. Life has gotten much much busier to say the least. We run from one activity to next. While I miss her like crazy, I'm excited to have new moments of togetherness with baby 3. Hannah going to school has reminded me to slow down and enjoy because before long I'll take my last long walk in to kindergarten and let go. Hannah loves to think about how she will be in 6th grade and the oldest on campus when her new baby brother or sister starts kindergarten. Until then, I'll try to slow my pace, smell the flowers, and hold onto those little hands as long as they will let me.

9 Weeks

One positive thing about having some issues in pregnancy is that you get to see your sweet baby a lot. Yesterday I went back for my week follow up regarding the blood clot. Baby looks great, very healthy. Last week it just had arm/leg buds and this week it had long arms and legs moving around which was fun to see. Heart rate was strong (170). The blood clot is unchanged. It's good news that it hasn't grown, but obviously I would have liked to hear that it was shrinking. I'm going to try even harder to rest these next two weeks and hope we see a decrease in the next scan. I love you already so much sweet baby and I'm dying to know if you're a boy or a girl.



When I showed this to daddy he didn't realize that you're upside down and he said "it looks like there's a bow on it's head!" That (bow) like shape is really your legs bent, but it made me laugh. He said up until he saw the "bow" he was 100% sure you were a boy, but he said the 'bow sign' has given him a little bit of doubt and that you might be a girl. The hematoma is the dark area on lower right.



You had your arm and fist up by your face.

It's Time to PAW-TY

While this blog is mostly for baby three to look back on their first year journey, it's fun to include some big events in the family life as well. This past weekend your big brother turned 3. It honestly feels like yesterday he was born and now it's your turn. It makes me want to cherish every moment even more with you because I know how fast time really does go. We celebrated at our house with a Paw Patrol theme. Jack had a great time. I think his favorites were being sung too, opening presents, playing games and eating cake. On Monday, his actually birthday he chose to eat a donut, go to the little zoo, play at the park, and have dinner at Pick up Stix. (Now, back to that pelvic rest)...Jack is such a sweet, loving, funny, gentle, smart and fun little guy that I know you two are going to be best buds and have so much fun together. Happy Birthday Big Brother! We love you!