Memorial Day

Dear Tatum,

Today is Memorial Day, a holiday in which we remember the U.S. men and women who have died serving our country. One of the oldest traditions on Memorial day is the Indianapolis 500. Of course, you and Daddy watched the start yesterday before we left for a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" party that some friends of ours held at their house. It was the first time that you met some of our friend's and you were such a good little girl.

This afternoon, after another long nap, we went to Grandpa and Grandma Carter's for a barbecue. You looked like a little doll in your pretty floral print dress and hair bow. You received a beautiful silver bracelet with a heart tag just like Mommy's from Grandma Rhonda. Now we can look like twinkies when wearing our matching bracelets.

Before we came home, we fed you your peas for dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's house. This was your third time eating peas and you ate them all. You would still shake your head and shutter after a few bites, but you continued to eat until your bowl was empty. Great job! We are going to have peas for one more day and then we will try sweet potatoes or squash next. Yummy!

Here are some pictures of you with Grandpa Dale, Grandma Rhonda and your cousin Emma from today. We had lots of fun and everyone enjoyed seeing you today.


Mommy is going to try to go to bed early tonight. We might try a new restaurant called "Mimi's Cafe," for lunch tomorrow with Grandma Vicki. You were a great little girl this weekend and we had a lot of fun taking you everywhere we went. You are a great little buddy and Daddy and I enjoy every minute with you.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Today's book: "My Baby Elephant"

Eating peas

Dear Tatum,

Yesterday we had planned on starting your first veggie. Mommy had decided that we would begin with peas. Since it was also Aunt Jamie's birthday, we had planned on going to Grandma Vicki's for dinner to celebrate with the family. So we packed up your dinner and took it with.

Needless to say, it was quite a good time. After Mommy and Daddy ate dinner, we propped you up in your Bumbo chair on the kitchen table and gave you a spoonful of your first veggie. You probably expected a mouthful your rice cereal that you have been eating so well, but we surprised you with the taste of peas. You would shake your head as you made a very icky face. However, you continued to open for more and continued to eat the peas. After just about every spoonful you would shake your head and cringe. The video shows it all. We are going to continue the peas for a few more days and then we will introduce something new. But in the meantime, Mommy and Daddy are enjoying your funny little expressions.


Mommy and Daddy decided we would go have lunch before stop in at Best Buy today. You enjoyed walking through the department with all of the TVs. You were in a trans for a few minutes and then we decided to move on. A nice sales lady stopped us to have a look at you, which happens just about everywhere we go. She told you how pretty you are and you just smiled at her. She laughed as she said its obvious that you already know that. We talked for a bit more as Daddy watched an action movie on a really nice flat panel and then we headed to the checkout. As we approached the doors, we noticed the mild monsoon that was taking place outside. Daddy said he would run for the car and pull it up to the doors. We made a run for it and were able to get you in your car seat with only a few major rain drops. This is the first time you have ever experienced rain. later we went to the grocery store and a rather large rain drop fell on your head of the front of the building. One drop and half of your little head was wet. Daddy and I just smiled at each other as it didn't bother you a bit.

Monday is Memorial Day and we have lots of fun planned for the weekend. Daddy is off on Monday so we get to spend an extra full day together.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Today's book: Eight Silly Monkey's

First Official Rollover

Dear Tatum,

Today was such an exciting day. This morning I placed you on a blanket in the middle of the family room so that I could go into the kitchen and make your morning cereal. Too your right was the activity cube that Aunt Kimmy and the kids lent us. I suddenly heard the same distress cry you make when we are doing tummy time. I put down your bowl and hurried to the family room to see what the problem was. As I entered the room, I was shocked to find you laying on your tummy. I immediately fell to the floor and repeated, "you did it." You were all smiles and not real sure what you did, but one thing was for certain, you wanted off of your belly. Your first official rollover is from back to belly, not belly to back. Way to go! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you.

We also received the on-line link to your 6 month pics that we had taken last week. Here are a few of my favorite shots. You did such a great job that day. You were all smiles for the photographer as long as she was making those fun bird call sounds. I can't wait until the actual prints are in. You are so darn cute!

Well it's time for bed. I love you and will see you in the morning. Congrats on your first big rollover.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

6 Month Check-up

Dear Tatum,

Yesterday was your appointment for your 6 month check-up/vaccinations. You weighed 14 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 25 in. in length, placing you in the 25th percentile as a 6 month old (your corrective age would be 4-1/2 months old). So overall, you are just perfect.

The doctor said to begin adding cereal to your menu in the evening and adding fruits and veggies in as well. We have already added a touch of applesauce to your cereal for some flavor. Mommy had to start mixing your cereal with formula instead of breast milk and you did not like it so much. So, I read that I could add a little bit of applesauce to the mix and you loved it. You ate every last drop and you were so excited the entire time that you were waving your arms and kicking your feet while oohing and aahing. Since we already started with applesauce, we have one more day before we can try something new. By Friday we can introduce something new, a veggie. Yay!

We also asked the doctor about your tooth that broke the surface and then disappeared. Lots of Mommies friends said it happened to their babies as well. The doctor said it was an Eruption Cyst, which is a fluid filled cyst (that can look white like a tooth) indicating that her teeth are coming. It is not a concern as long as it goes away within a month, which it did.

The doctor also ordered another download from your heart monitor. Although there has been no activity that Daddy and I are aware of, he would like to evaluate the report before considering taking you off. He asked what we would feel comfortable with and we wouldn't mind keeping you on it during the night for a couple more months. We will see what the doctor says after you reviews the report.

The doctor also had me contact the Illinois "Early Intervention Program." He was surprised that we weren't already associated with them. Since you were born prematurely, the state offers an evaluation upon the doctors consent to determine if you require physical therapy (muscle toning, etc.) to ensure that you begin crawling and walking when you should. I have already contacted them and they will be calling me to schedule an appointment. If you qualify based on their evaluation, they will begin physical therapy. Daddy and I agree that you are coming along just fine, but we will welcome any assistance that a professional might feel you need.

As for your shots, you handled them so well. You cried for a couple of seconds and then you calmed yourself down. That last shot was the worst, but again, once we picked you up and had a family hug, you were just fine.

You have begun talking for the better part of the day. None of what you have to say makes sense, but I love to listen to it. If I am on the phone with someone, people are surprised to find out that it is you and not the TV they hear in the background. You have such a beautiful little voice and I just love listening to it.


You have really mastered the jumping in your Jumperoo. Daddy and I had lots of fun watching you during lunch today. You jumped for about 45 minutes straight before you stopped and almost instantly began doing sleepy head-bobs. You just love to play now and it is so much fun.

I just carried you up to bed after you had fallen asleep in my arms. The only thought that ran through my head was that there is nothing more beautiful in this world than your sleepy little face.

You are my angel and I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Stop and smell the roses!

Dear Tatum,

Today we spent the afternoon visiting with one of Mommy's closest friends, Kimmy, and her two children, Nick and Ali. They just recently built a beautiful new home and we hadn't been to see it since they moved in. We had a great afternoon, just sitting around talking and playing with all three of you kids. Aunt Kimmy and the kids were nice enough to let us borrow a really cool activity cube that you were instantly intrigued by. We had lots of fun, you were such a good baby today.


I am including some other cute pictures from earlier this week as well. I just love you in this hat and dress. You are so much fun to dress up and very cooperative.

Daddy is off racing this weekend with Grandpa Dale. We need to keep our fingers crossed that they do well. We will hopefully be able join them on a race weekend soon. We miss him a lot when he is gone. He will be back home on Sunday.

If the weather is nice tomorrow we will go for a run. You enjoy your comfy little ride and usually fall asleep within a block or two. Mommy loves being able to workout now.

It's time for Mommy to get some sleep.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Mother's Day

Before you were conceived, I wanted you.
Before you were born, I loved you.
Before you were here an hour, I would die for you.
This is the miracle of a mother's love. ~Maureen Hawkins


Dear Tatum,

Today we celebrated our first Mother's Day together. I want you to know that becoming a Mom has been the best life altering experience of my life. It is one of the toughest jobs I have ever had, yet undoubtedly the most rewarding. You consume all of my energy from 6am to approximately 9pm, 7 days a week. The hours are the longest I have ever worked and all so worth it. I am lucky enough to be able to spend every day with you; reading, playing, feeding, bathing, dressing, and teaching you myself. I wouldn't want it any other way.

In honor of Mother's Day, we started off the day with a stop to Grandma and Grandpa Carter's house, where we visited with Grandma and Grandpa Carter, Uncle Doug and Aunt Kim. You were very well behaved and we enjoyed watching you play while we sat around the kitchen table. We then came back home for a couple hours where you and Daddy surprised me with a jogging stroller. I couldn't be more excited with this gift and cannot wait to get it assembled and hit the pavement running. After six months, I would say it is time for Mommy to begin working out again. It's been so long since I have been running, at least a year, so we will have to start slowly. You and Daddy did very well, thank you.

The three of us then headed over to Aunt Randi’s for a barbecue. In addition to celebrating Mother’s Day today, we were also celebrating your GG’s Birthday. Again, you were very well behaved.

Today was special for me. I became a Mom the day you were born and can only hope that if you grow up knowing anything, it is that I love you. I bought you a book to remember this day, it is titled, “Guess How Much I Love You,” by Sam McBratney.

You are my heart.
I love you so much.

Love,
Mommy

Starting Cereal

Dear Tatum,

We received the okay from the doctor to try some cereal this week. Yum, yum. The first attempt was on Thursday, May 9th. Before Daddy left for work, we tried to feed you a couple of bites. The rice cereal is extremely liquidy making it difficult to balance on your teeny tiny little spoon. We could just toss it all in a bottle and feed you that way, but what fun would that be? So first we spoon feed you and then we dump the remainder in a bottle for you to chug. At first you just let it sit in your mouth, then you decided to let it spill over and out of your mouth a couple of times. Then you realized it was food and began to eat it. You grasped the eating concept quickly and began eating like a pro... well almost.

We videoed your second and third cereal eating experiences. Someday we can watch them and laugh with you, but for now Mommy and Daddy are having a lot of fun. Your many facial expressions and the way you bite at the spoon now make us laugh really hard. You are such a smart baby and you catch on so quickly. Way to go!

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Half a year old

Dear Tatum,

Tomorrow you will be half a year old. Daddy and I cannot believe that you are 6 months old already. Countless people told us that it goes by so quickly, but you just have no idea until you experience it for yourself. You are growing so quickly now and we are just stunned at how much you have grown. Your six-month checkup with your doctor is not for another couple of weeks, at which time we will discuss your weight, starting solids and the heart monitor.

Well, we have all been extremely busy the past couple of weeks. I have been unable to find time to write, but we have been having lots of fun. You have gone to four birthday parties in the last two weeks, shopping and out to quite a few restaurants.

You are proving to be a very well behaved little baby. People in stores often ask to see you close up and comment on how beautiful you are. We meet lots of people everywhere we go, which is a lot of fun. You have graduated to your umbrella stroller, which requires you to sit upright. This stroller is much easier for Mommy to manage, as it is lightweight and easy to open with one hand. When shopping, I also carry you in a baby carrier on my chest, which you just love. You talk and laugh as we shop until you fall asleep. At which point I lay you back in your car seat. I enjoy having you with me wherever I go. You are a great little companion.

This past weekend marked the start of Daddy’s race season. I wish we could have joined Daddy and Grandpa Dale on the trip, however Daddy and I felt we should wait just a little longer. We missed Daddy so much while he was gone. We stayed connected by text messaging back and forth and by sending pictures of you from Mommy’s phone. It is great to have Daddy back home.

Today, Daddy surprised us and came home from work early. This was great since Daddy was able to join us on our walk. We took pictures of you in your sunglasses and one of your new little sun hats. You are quite the little movie star.

I am including several pictures from the past couple of weeks. Daddy and I bought you an activity bouncer, the Rainforest Jumperoo. It plays music and jungle sounds as you jump around. You tend to drool excessively when you play in it. It is fun watching you enjoy yourself.

The picture of you in the highchair was taken on Grandma Vicki's Birthday. We had lunch with her at her work and you sat in a highchair for the first time. You looked at your feet for quite a while. It made us laugh. You were such a good girl.

We were also invited to celebrate Camden's 3rd birthday with him at "Chuck E. Cheese's". I was thrilled that we were able to spend a little time with my girlfriend Kris and her family while they were in from California. We will hopefully be visiting them sometime soon, maybe next year.

Tomorrow we are going to meet Aunt Jamie for lunch. She started her new job a couple of weeks ago and we thought it would be fun to meet up with you and Michael.

I love you sweatheart. The past six months have been wonderful. Daddy and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Love,
Mommy

Today's book: "Baby Love"