Life Lately...

Lots has been going on around here lately.
I thought a little photographic tour was in order... ENJOY!


Zach went to get Tatum up from a nap the other day and when he didn't emerge after a while, I went looking for what exactly was going on in there.

This is what I found!

Yep, that's Zach IN THE CRIB with his little baby. TOO FUNNY!

I think this is my new favorite picture of my babies

One of Tatum's other new favorites is to play in Daddy's new Scout. She loves to crawl and walk around inside since there are no seats and most of all she loves to "drive". She will turn that wheel back and forth so fast and just squeal with glee. She is TOTALLY her father's daughter.

Tatum's newest "favorite". I found this wheeled bucket in the kid's gardening section at Wal-Mart and couldn't pass it up. It was bright pink and $3! I thought I could actually use it myself. What a great idea, right? A bucket on wheels? Well, Tatum thinks it's just fabulous and will carry it (yep, pick it all the way up) to you for a ride. She liked wheeling her toys around in it initially, but after Zach took her for a spin, that's all she wants to do now. She's so cute all squeezed inside...

I tried out Tatum's swing on a dare from Zach. He didn't think I'd fit. My hip bones weren't too happy afterwards, but I proved him wrong! :)

We spent Sunday of Memorial Day weekend at my parent's house. Listening to the thunder in the distance, we sat outside eating our brats, dogs, and sweet corn. Tatum "helped" shuck the corn and even had her first taste of corn ON the cob. She loved it.

Today was a play date at the park for the Meet Up group here in town. Several mommas showed up with Tatum's little friends. It was a perfect morning to meet and let the kids play... no sun, cloudy sky, and it was actually kinda cool. I don't think it got above 85 the whole 2 hours we were there.

This was Tatum's first time to enjoy playing there since she's been walking so well. The bark mulch makes balancing a little tougher. She impressed us all and even got brave and climbed up the small playscape ramp for the FIRST time. You could tell she was so proud of herself.

Check out the last picture. Classic Tatum... eating, of course. Perfect snack eating pose... legs apart, hand shoving way too much food in for one bite!

Tatum spent the afternoon with Gramma and Grampa (and even had a little dip in the pool) which left her exhausted. This was the first time she has transferred from the car seat to our arms without waking up. Zach was so lucky! :) I was jealous.

Pool Party

Tatum invited her friends, affectionately known as the "posse" over to Gramma and Grampa's to swim this week. The "posse" consists of Harper, Paxton, and Henry. Her boy toys! :) We had a little cool down weather wise, so the water was a tad chilly. The kiddos still had fun and provided oodles of entertainment.

Harper and Tatum

Cool Guy Hank

Tatum was at it, drinking the pool water as usual!

Paxton, the oldest of the bunch LOVES jumping into the pool.
Right into his momma's arms that is. Talk about an adorable picture, huh?

Harper and Tatum

Get me away from the cold water and into the shade... pronto!

Ah, messes.... they seem to follow us around like Pig Pen's dust cloud from Peanuts.

Mondays With Music

We have our Music Together class every Monday. We have been going since December and I can't imagine stopping anytime soon. Tatum enjoys it more and more each time we go and with her increased mobility, she seems to gain even more ways to be involved.

Her wonderful teacher is Ms. Petra. Ms. Petra is so patient, kind, talented, and COMPLETELY child-oriented. She constantly seeks ways to involve every child in the class and often includes their sounds/movements/requests into class each week. Tatum loves her so much that when Ms. Petra is sitting in the circle singing, T will walk over and plunk herself down right in front of Petra for first row seating! It's almost like Tatum is under Petra's magical musical spell.


Class usually consists of all the students and parents sitting in a circle while we sing and do the motions with all the catchy tunes. For several songs, Ms. Petra will pull out various instruments the kids can explore. She's got maracas, jingle bells, ribbons, bells, balls, a HUGE parachute, drums, and the kids' favorite... an enormous box of all kinds of other fun instruments the kiddos jam to at the end of each class. The best part, I think, is that you get a cd at the beginning of each session with all the music, so you can sing along at home or in the car! Tatum loves nothing more when she's crabby in the car than to listen to and "dance" to her music cd. And I'll have to admit, I know all the words and don't mind singing alone myself. :)


Unfortunately I can't seem to get all the cute pictures I want of her in class because she's walking and running around so fast! I was able to snag a few while she was sitting and playing some instruments.

Tatum, seen here "playing" Paxton! :)

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

My Mother's Day Part 2 was spent here. We had such wonderful weather, we just HAD to go! The Center is on the south side of Austin, just about half an hour from Wimberely. We pass it every time we go in and out of town, but have never stopped to enjoy. Please visit the Center's site for more information and make a trip yourself!

Lady Bird

We got to try our our new hiking backpack while we were there. I'm glad Zach was the one to wear her most of the day though. She's HEAVY!

These were my favorite flowers we say all day and wouldn't you know that I completely forgot what they are called. Cone something?? They were everywhere, evidenced by the 10 or so pictures I took of them.

The ONLY scorpion Tatum will ever get close to!

Caught mid-crawl and oh so cute...

Now I know why the fella at REI said these backpacks are easiest to wear when you have walking pole things... kinda like skiing poles. I was VERY top heavy.

Silly Bug

Life with Tatum is never dull.

We hang out naked. Let me correct myself, SHE hangs out naked! :)

She chews on shoes... well, she chews on everything really!

She learns to blow kisses... even when making a TOTAL mess out of lunch!

She chews on shotgun shells... you never know what you'll find on the floor by Dada's side of the bed. (Don't worry Gramma and Gran, I only let her have it long enough to take the picture!)

My First Playscape

I'm not even sure if you can really call it a playscape, but you've got to start somewhere. Thanks Daddy for putting it all together for me today. I'm glad we got to play before it rained!

Ummm, Dada? I think you're too BIG!

First Dip

It's not quite summer yet... school's not out, BUT it's stinkin' hot and it was time to pull out the pool!

Our little guppy drank most of the water, but not before she had some fun. I am really looking forward to swimming at Gramma and Grampa's house! She hasn't yet been in their pool and I think she'll LOVE the float we've got for her. You know, one of those kiddie ones where she sits in the ring and we can play motor boat?? I certainly won't forget my camera.

But until then, we'll certainly settle for a little excitement in our own backyard.

Enjoy the pictures!

Ah, that feels just about right...

She must have downed about half the pool.

Splish Splash

Jack is never too far away from his Tatum.

Trying to play frisbee with Piper

I have no idea why she was so fixated on climbing into this box over over. I took this shot on her third (unsuccessful) attempt.

Hanging out in the new Scout. A girl after her daddy's heart.

Happy Mother's Day!

Three Generations
Gramma, Tatum, and Mommy

Mother's Day was off to a great start when Tatum slept in until 9:20! As soon as we were all up and rolling we headed out to the Wimberley Cafe for some YUMMY breakfast. I just love their breakfast tacos. Seems a lot of other people had the same idea, including our friends Shannon and Chris. (They belong to Tatum's friend Paxton) We spent the rest of the day hanging out at home together. My favorite thing to do.

Best Buds, Gramma and her Bug

Later in the afternoon, we headed out for a ride around town (nap for Tatum) and then ended up at Gramma and Grampa's house for a steak dinner. Tatum entertained us as usual walking all over the place, showing us her new dancing moves, and posing for tons of pictures for Grampa.

It's hard to believe I've had two Mother's Days already. I think it's quickly becoming my favorite holiday. I think the first homemade card from Tatum will be the BEST gift ever. Well, of course SHE is the best gift ever, but you know what I mean.... :)

I actually get a Mother's Day, Part Two next weekend when we are going to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I have wanted to go for YEARS and since we didn't quite have time on Sunday, we're gonna visit next Sunday. I can't wait. I've heard how beautiful it is so many times. We picked up a hiking back pack for Tatum in Austin today, so it will be a perfect trip to try it out! Not that we will be hiking necessarily, but I don't think she could quite walk all by herself a lot while we are there and I'm certainly not going to carry her the whole time! She's HEAVY! I'll be sure to post some good pictures after our trip!