Nine...As in...9 Months

17 lbs 1.5 oz

28 inches long

And so stinkin' cute!!

I am a few days late, but if you look at Thomas and Taylor's baby books I am a few years late, so I think we're OK.

I probably said this last month or even the month before, but Tatum I can not believe you are nine months old.  I actually made the appointment for your one year check up and I am almost positive I felt my heart ache.  Should I start planning your party now?!?  Too early??  OK fine I will wait til after Christmas, but then all bets are off. 

Anyhoo...

 

You are the one thing that makes everyone in this house smile.  No matter what is going on, no matter how any of us are feeling...the second we make eye contact with you...we can't help but smile.  I am smiling just typing this.  

It's been another busy month for you Lil Sis.  You cut two more teeth...this time on the top, but like a champ it didn't seem to phase you at all.  Like another little girl in our house you are already super independent.  You have no desire to lay cuddly in my arms anymore.  Yep...again my heart aches.  I had high hopes you would be my kid that likes to cuddle!  Not holding my breath for that anymore.  We've been ditching the car seat more often because frankly mom is sick of carrying it...which means riding in the carts.    You are just like your brother and sister were...super curious about everything sitting in the cart entails. 

We tried another sleep over at Nana and Papa's house and minus your new dislike for Lucy and Otis (what is up with that?) you did pretty good.  I even think you might warming up to Papa finally.  We will revisit that in a month though and see if it stuck.  You are into EVERYTHING and when I say "into" I mean everything goes into your mouth.  I forgot that part and the solution eludes me.  Oh well I guess I will just keep telling myself you are building up your immune system.   Bad mom??

Happy 9 Month Birthday Tatum Marie!!  May I be blessed with the energy daily to keep up with you and the shenanigans you get into!

Lemons to Lemonade

I may or may not have yelled at my kids this week.
I may or may not have cried because of my kids this week.
AND I definitely questioned my ability to raise 3 good, respectful kids this week.

BUT...

After all was said and done and I sat on the 4th stair with my head in my hands I decided there was more to be thankful for than not...

So without further ado I will give you my list this year...

1.  For all the moments when being a mom seems thankLESS... there are moments that make it all worth it.  On Tuesday night I went into my closet to get ready for a school function, I put on jeans and boots and then grabbed a shirt...a shirt I thought was cute...Taylor came around the corner and said "Mom, that shirt is UGLY!"  All I could do was laugh...Oh and change my shirt!!  The absolute brutal truth only comes from kids and for that I am very Thankful!

2.  As Tatum's 9 month birthday is one week away I can say I am SOOOOOO thankful that I have had another happy, healthy baby!!  Life can dish out A LOT...but at the end of the day if my kids are healthy I know how lucky I am!

3.  There are days when I still wish I had a job, mostly because I just want an excuse to get away, but I am actually VERY thankful I have the LUXURY of being a stay at home mom!  But what I am even more THANKFUL for...is having a husband that gives me that luxury.  I don't give him enough credit...I am not sure he could do what I do all day, but I doubt I could do what he does either!  I love my hubby!

4.  I am very thankful for my friends.  I have had a few rough days lately and nothing beats friends who listen to you vent!  It is a whole lot cheaper than therapy, which would require me to make an appointment and get a babysitter!  If there is one thing I have learned over the last few years it is that I am not alone.

5.  My mom...she keeps me busy.  Her creativity spills over on me and for that I am thankful.  She thinks I can do anything even if I strongly disagree!!  I love you mom!!


Here's to another wonderful year!  

What are YOU thankful for?!

Did you??

Well these 3 did not, but I did!!

Halloween...Better Late Then Never

My plate has been full lately...that's the excuse.  Up until Halloween I had completely neglected all things in and around my house which is why for the last two days I have done nothing but CLEAN!!! And I am happy to say I have an empty laundry basket...an organized closet...a large batch of homemade applesauce...and my Halloween decorations are down and put away!!

But even though I have closed the book on Halloween 2012 and am now counting down the days until Black Friday Thanksgiving I had to share pics of my little munchkins!!!

As usual my talented mom shared her seamstress skills and whipped up Taylor's costume.  She got off relatively easy this year (wink wink) because I only requested one handmade costume.  Thomas got to pick his own from the store and I ended up buying Tatum's after deciding she may only tolerate it for minutes.  Thank you mom for another AMAZING costume!!!

Taylor was Little Bo Peep and Tatum was her sheep (or lamb) and Thomas was an army guy!!

The girls got to wear their costumes twice that day, once for Taylor's school party and then to trick or treat!!  Thomas had to wait til that night, but now that he is getting a little older he didn't seem to mind. 

ALL 3 made it the whole night with no tears and no fights!!  Two of them came home with completely full buckets and the other one having put smiles on tons of faces!!!  It was another awesome Halloween!!

Personally I think they look adorable, but I might be slightly bias!!