hustle and bustle

Wow!  What a crazy three and a half months it has been since we moved into our new house (and not to mention the ten months before that, living in very small quarters with a baby). Our sweet girl turned one on March 24th and we moved in shortly after that.  There were still quite a few things that we had to do after we moved in, so between all the crazy weekends we have tried to get some things done.  Our garage is still a mess, we're waiting until next spring to do our landscaping however, we did lay sod, and have gotten some other important things done.  I think it is going to take us a good year to feel like we finally have finished the housebuilding process and can move on to more fun things.  Oh the joys of building a house yourself!  

Most importantly, we have tried to spend as much time as we can with our precious Taterbug.  She has gotten so much bigger, smarter, funnier and more precious every day since we have been in this house.  So far this summer we have tried to fill our days with lots of fun.  We have been out of town a few times, visited the zoo and gone swimming many times.  Who knows what next summer will look like, so I am trying to soak in all the time I can with my baby girl.  My mom has been awesome in that she watches Tatum for a little while in the morning while I go workout and hangs out with us during the day if we are in town.  My parents living room now looks like a baby store and Tatum absolutely loves it.  

Tatum is finally on a one nap schedule which has been great!  The time that she sleeps though, does vary (1.5-2.5 hours).  Tatum is now almost 16 months old and is talking up a storm.  She says about 15 words that she can spout out at any time and then she will repeat just about anything that we tell her to.  She loves to read books, hang upside down, do flips, give kisses (only when she wants to), play with her babies, chase Millie, carry around and wear mommies shoes and go through any cabinet or drawer she can. There are definitely moments where I have to take a deep breath and regroup, but our girl is an absolute joy and makes us laugh constantly.  

Since moving in to the new house, Addison and I have had to do a little regrouping ourselves, and remember what it's like again to just be us three.  I don't do very good with transitions.  I tend to get overwhelmed easily and that brings on anxiety and anxiousness.  All of those things tend to bring on unhappiness and leaning more on myself than on God.  Thank God for a loving and patient husband that has helped me to see the light in everything and helps me to always be thankful. At this new house, we focus more on quality time, working outside and just being together.  Let me tell you, it is such a sweet time being in constant communion with my two favorite people.  We decided against getting Direct Tv, so we have a little cable box and get about 3 good channels.  We also got an Apple TV box for our living room.  This helps us stay intentional about our quality time and cuts our TV time way down and saves a good amount of money each month!  

As August quickly approaches, we are going to try and enjoy the last little bit of summer we have left.  Although, I can't say that I'm not ready for Fall to be here already!  

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Eleven Months!

(As of 2-24-15) It seems as though I can only get in Tatum's monthly updates, but that is what is most important anyways.  Eleven months came way too fast.  We are staying really busy with building the house so naturally, days with our girl are flying by.

Tatum Blair, you are month away from being one year old!  You are the biggest joy we have ever known and we can't get enough of you!  You are a dream baby and so fun to be around.  

You still sleep about 11-12 hours at night but your bedtime has been moved a little bit later.  If you are happy, sometimes we will keep you up as late as 9:00 because we just love to watch you play!  

You love to get in Millie's dog bed.

On average, you go down between 8:00 and 8:15 and will wake up between 7:30 and 8:00.  You sleep so well these days and I am still forever thankful!  You drink a 6 oz bottle when you wake up (which you like to hold by yourself) and then have fruit about 9:15.  You play until around 10:30 and go down for an hour and a half nap.  When you wake up, you get another 6 oz bottle and a little bit of lunch.  When you eat, we give you a sippie cup and you can down some water!  This is something that I have always felt was very important, which is why I still have not truly introduced any other liquids besides water and formula.   

On Tuesday's, we go eat lunch with Mema.

We usually try to get our errands run and see daddy for lunch before your next nap between 2:30 and 3:00.  Another 6 oz bottle when you wake up and more play time.  Dinner is around 6:00 and this usually includes vegetables or whatever we are having for dinner if you can eat it.  Bath is around 7:00 and then you play until about 7:45, when you get an 8 oz bottle and you're off to bed!

You have mastered the fake cry and fake laugh.  Both of these are absolutely hilarious.  Your main words are "mama", "dada", "heeeyy" and "bye", but you will you say a few other things and will try to mimic any other sounds.  You like to bang on the xylophone, give mommy and daddy "love", "love" your stuffed animals, get in Millie's dog bed, play in the bathtub and play peek-a-boo.  You also love to help mommy with the laundry.  You will get out every single piece of clothing and hand it to me to fold.  It melts my heart every time.

You climb on absolutely everything!

 You are so close to walking.  You will let go of things without realizing it so we know it is only a matter of time before you gain enough confidence to take off by yourself.  For right now, you are perfectly happy holding our hands for support.  You love to be outside, especially in your wagon.

You are the sweetest, happiest baby, although you have a little bit of stranger danger.  You definitely know what "no" means and will shake your head and say "uh uh" when someone tries to do something that you don't want them to, like try and hold you.  The best way to get you on someone's good side is by feeding you and getting down on the floor and playing with you.  

Hopefully our last picture in the snow for the season!

Trying on your new smocked bubble that "Sugar" got you, while it was snowing outside.

We are so blessed by you each and every day.  The Lord has been so good to us.  You are so much fun and we can't wait to see what this next month brings!! 

Ten Months!

Ten months old!  I just can't believe it.  I don't even know where to start!  I guess I'll start with a day in the life of being 10 months old!

At ten months old, you are sleeping 7:45-around 7:15.  You have never slept better and I am forever thankful!  You wake up and immediately stand up in your bed, most of the time you throw your paci down on the floor and start talking to yourself.  If daddy or I wait just a minute too long to come get you, you definitely start to "tell" us about it!  You wear size 4 night-time diapers or you will wake up because you are wet.

In the morning, I change you into regular size 3 diapers, make your 6 oz bottle and most importantly, make mommy a full glass of coffee.  I sit you in my lap and you give yourself your bottle, which I have to say is pretty nice.  You play independently so well these days.  We stop to have breakfast about 9:00.  This is usually in your highchair and is normally a variety of fruits.  

At 10:00, you are ready for your first nap and this will usually last until about 11:30.  About once a week you stretch it until 12:00 and I am normally pacing around trying to find more things to do with those extra 30 minutes.  You get another 6 oz bottle between 11:30 and 12:00.  Sometimes daddy comes home for lunch at this point and other days we get out to run our errands for the day. 

You still highly dislike your carseat, but I have pretty much gotten use to this and it doesn't bother me like it did when you were really little.  You love to get out and about though, so once we get somewhere you are just fine. You will smile at any stranger and I know it just melts their heart. 

About 2:30, you go down for your afternoon nap and will sleep until around 4:00.  You get another 6 oz bottle and more play time.  Most of the time we stay home at this point, but sometimes we have to run maybe one more errand before daddy gets off work or we run out to the house to check on the progress.

You go back in your highchair about 6:00 and eat vegetables or whatever we are eating.  You know "more" in sign-language and usually will do this over saying "mmbite" like you use to.  You do still yell at us if we don't get you the food fast enough or if we don't see your sign-language.  I put you straight into the bath and then we normally play until your 8 oz bottle about 7:30.  We put you in bed, on your tummy with a paci and you put yourself to sleep within a matter of minutes.

You love to walk with your walker (getting closer to walking by yourself), pretend like you are talking on the phone, "help" mommy with the laundry, take everything off of your shelves, playing with cabinets (which is  a "no no"), dancing, chasing Millie around, bath time and being tickled around your collar bone.  You say "mama", "dada", "mmbite", "kitty kitty", "thank you" and "uh oh".  You will repeat many other words but don't know what they mean yet.  You also love to shake your head no, and you know exactly what it means!  You crack us up and keep us on our toes. 

You are getting a little attitude and even though it is quite funny, daddy and I are trying to be more stern with you (hah!). You definitely try and push the limits already.  Man it's hard to be a parent sometimes!  We would literally give you whatever you want, whenever you want, because you melt our hearts to pieces.  There are times however, that we want to try and teach you good manners and that you won't always get what you want.  We believe that it is never too early to start teaching these things but know that we have a long road ahead of us.  We just pray that you will always be respectful to others and treat others like you would want to be treated.  

You have the biggest personality and we laugh at you constantly.  I can't believe that when I look at you, I am starting to see more and more of a toddler coming through.  You are the biggest blessing we have ever received and cannot wait to find out what you do in month ten!

Anyone there?

I've missed this little corner of the internet where I can share my thoughts, my heart and what is going on in my little family's life. I will try my hardest to include most details of what has been going on since last August.  Our family has gone through a lot of changes!  Getting ready for the longest post in blogging history. 

We went through 5 more glorious months of raising our baby girl.  Words cannot even describe how much we have enjoyed  every day watching her grow into the sweet girl she is.  I cannot believe in 2 1/2 months she will be one year old.  I think I might have to carry a box of tissues around with me that whole day.

Going back to August...just before Tatum turned 5 months old, we welcomed our precious nephew, Sawyer Robert Templeton into this world! Due to complications during Courtney's pregnancy, she had to have him in Houston.  We got to Houston just as she was delivering him by C-Section and waited anxiously to be able to see them both.  Abe and Courtney were amazing throughout the whole process and took to parenthood instantly.  We stayed a little less than a week in Houston and got to know our sweet nephew via the NICU in Houston.  He is safe and sound now in Abilene and is growing like a weed.  We love him so much!  

Tatum turned 5 months old on August 24th!  She was still waking up about two times/night and momma was one exhausted lady!  She was still nursing every 3 hours on the dot.  She was learning how to sit up better without support, loved puppy dogs and was getting better about putting herself to sleep for naps and bedtime. 

At 6 months old she continued the same routine until about 2 weeks in.  At 6 1/2 months, my milk just completely dried up and with all of the pumped milk used up, we switched to all formula and also incorporated baby food.  She ate them both up great and became a completely different baby when it came to sleeping.  Just like that, she started sleeping through the night and it was glorious.  I guess she had gotten into habit of nursing during the night and when that wasn't available anymore, she just slept right through those "feedings".  Tatum started getting into everything that she could reach while rolling all around instead of crawling.  She started to say "mama" and it absolutely melted my heart.

We got Tatum's 6 month pictures taken and they were so so precious.  Aunt Ashlee also took her picture by some pumpkins and they turned out so cute.  October marked the beginning of a fun journey of building our new home.  

At 7 months, I knew something was different with Tatum and I contributed it to teething.  We didn't see a tooth pop up until 8 months but she were definitely in pain during month 7.  She would rock back and forth on her hands and knees but didn't start crawling until a few weeks later and then she was off!  She started "dancing" when she heard music and it was the most precious thing ever.  We also started telling her "no no" when she would touch something that she wasn't supposed to.  Such a funny baby! Tatum was a mouse for Halloween and stayed nice and cozy in Sugar and Grandad's house with her first sink bath to follow!

During month 7, we dedicated Tatum in our church to our Lord Jesus Christ.  We know that she only "ours" for such a short time. We will do everything in our power to point her to Jesus and be a light unto the Lord.  We thank God for however much time we have with her but know that He can take her whenever He pleases and in whatever directions He wants.  Blessed be the name of the Lord and thank you God for our precious gift in Tatum Blair!

At 8 months old, Tatum got her bottom two front teeth, started pulling up on furniture, loves to open/close cabinets, says "mama", "kitty-kitty" and "ho ho ho".  Still loves puppy dogs and still the happiest, sweetest baby around!

During November, we also traveled to College Station to spend Thanksgiving with Addison's family.  Addison and I even got to go to an Aggie game on Thanksgiving night.  It was a lot of fun until I started feeling bad about halfway through and ended up getting the stomach bug.  Booo!  

Also, the house started to form, Addison ran his second half-marathon,  and we took Tatum to her first Christmas Parade in downtown Abilene.  Tatum graduated from her baby bathtub (this was way overdue) and since I'm too cheap to buy a bathtub seat, I lay a towel down at the bottom of the tub and watch her like a hawk.  She loves bath time and loves playing with her bath toys.  

 A sweet kitty came upon our doorstep at the barn and found just the sucker to take care of it....(me).  It has still stuck around and I guess that means it will be our snake and rat killing machine when we take it to our new house.  Just like that, we moved into the last month of year...

December was fast and furious with lots of things going on.  My sweet husband put up a small Christmas tree in the barn that Gaylene had up in storage.  I hung all of our Christmas cards on it as ornaments and Tatum loved being able to pull them off and put them back on herself.  Tatum also got to go to Annalee and Macee's 3rd and 1st joint birthday party!

We had a fun time at the annual FDLIC Christmas Party where we played Blackjack all night and listened to my favorite local band, "Freeride".  I know I say this every year but we are truly blessed to be apart of this amazing company.  

Sugar and I took Tatum to visit Santa and she took to him quite well.  She was very intrigued with his beard and just kept smiling and staring at him.  

We had such a fun first Christmas with Tatum and everyone spoiled her rotten!  We first had Christmas with Addison's whole side of his family.  This includes twenty-two people in his immediate family when we all get together.  We all have so much fun talking, playing games and cooking.  We just love it when everyone can get together.  

Christmas morning was spent with my parents and two brothers opening presents, eating cinnamon rolls, drinking coffee and watching Tatum play with her toys.  We also went and visited my sweet MawMaw (my moms mom) in the nursing home. We were sad to have Christmas lunch at her house with all of our family without her being there. She fell before Christmas and had to have a hip replacement, in addition to have Alzheimer's and Dementia.  We are so thankful to be able to go see her and give her a hug before we left or Taos the next day. We were blessed beyond measure this Christmas season!

The day after Christmas we left for Taos, NM at about 3:40 in the morning to go skiing with my family.  Tatum slept for about 3 more hours and was such a trooper the rest of the way.  I was so excited to get to go skiing this year as last year I had a big belly with a beautiful baby girl inside.  Before this year, it had been about 6 years since I went skiing, so it took me a little bit of time to get use to it again.  By the end of the week I was having such a fun time getting more comfortable with everything.  Tatum stayed with Sugar inside the cabin and slept and played! 

Tatum turned 9 months old on Christmas Eve.  She still really enjoys her baby food but absolutely loves people food.  Even though there isn't that much room in the barn we went ahead and moved her high chair in here so I could start feeding her more "people food" meals.  She has started to stand on her own sometimes without realizing it and then quickly grabs on to something so she won't fall.  It's just a matter of time before she is running around!  She loves to get into the dog and cat food, chase Millie around, get into everything she shouldn't, fake cry, fake cough and is just the silliest girl around.  Nine months is so much fun!

Since we've been back from Taos we have been getting back into our routine here in the barn.  Addison is back to work (with a new job title I might add...we are very proud of his accomplishments!)  and Tatum and I are quite settled spending our days playing, learning and doing things for the new house.  

We have about three months left (give or take a few weeks) before we are in the new house, so we are trying to take advantage of the "easy life" until then.  I will begin to plan Tatum's first birthday that is in just a few short months and am looking forward to her first Valentine's Day next month!  We feel very blessed going into 2015 and cannot wait to see what the Lord does in our lives in the next year!