Baby Fashionista

Dear Tatum,

When it comes to shopping, the past ten months have really been the best. You are by far much more fun to buy clothes for than myself. Recently, we have been shopping for warmer clothing and building your 12 month wardrobe. Mother Nature surprised us with some cool weather this week (60's and 70's) and we were lucky that you had a couple pair of new jeans that Grandma Vicki bought a couple of weeks back. Mommy also purchased your first pair of jean overalls last week. They all look so cute on you.

It is exciting for me each time you outgrow your clothes, as we get to go shopping for more. Here is a glimpse of some of the latest additions to your wardrobe:

Coats:

The khaki corduroy peacoat is so cute on you. Daddy and I had fun picking it out and we couldn't stop laughing as we were trying it on you. So cute. We figured it was a nice coat for the current weather. Last week we went shopping with Grandma Vicki and we picked out the little brown satin coat with faux fur trim. It even comes with little matching mittens. You were such a good sport and let Mommy try both coats on in the store without a fuss.

Shoes:I just love these little pink Converse. Your Cousin Michael also has them, but in blue. Aunt Jamie and I would like to have your pictures taken in them, maybe sometime this week.

We also bought another pair of black patent leather Mary Janes. I think you will always have a pair of Mary Janes no matter how old or what size you are.

Jeans:

I just love that they make such fashionable clothing for little tots. The embellished jeans are very cool, however, the skinny jeans are just too much. I could not believe that they actually had them. We could not resist.

Dresses:

This little jumper was coming home with us the minute I laid eyes on it. This is your baby mod look.

Hair accessories:

You have finally moved from Velcro bows to hair clip bows. We purchased an assortment of colors and sizes the other day. We had lunch with Aunt Kimmy (Winter) last week. We met at Big and Little shoe store for children and they also sold hair accessories. Aunt Kimmy bought you this adorable leopard print bow to wear with your skinny jeans. So stylish.

Daddy just keeps repeating, "I am in so much trouble," and he's right. Mommy loves to shop and loves clothes and you are well on your way. You love being in stores and never seem to mind when we are out shopping. I love having you as my little shopping buddy.

You are so much fun in so many ways. This is just one of them.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

10 Month Update

Dear Tatum,

Once again, we have been busy girls. I am a day shy of being a week late documenting your 10 month update. Summer is just about over and the Fall season is just about here. The weather has changed drastically in the past week and Mommy is loving it. Fall is my favorite season of the year.

You turned 10 months last Saturday and we had a full day of events to attend. Mommy decided to bring you along to Karen and Jeremy's Baby Shower. Not sure what I was thinking considering Daddy and I are a bit hesitant to take you to a restaurant these days. Your short attention span for sitting in a high chair or on my lap in the same place for too long has proven to be risky. I decided to take my Little Tot with me as many Mom's usually do. You were an angel for the first hour or so and then you became bored with your surroundings. I decided it would be best to take you for a walk to the lobby. Which you loved... new faces, new furniture to look at, new pictures to "ooh" and "ahh" over. You seemed to be okay and ready to go back into the baby shower. After a couple of walks, we rejoined the party when the food came. I placed you on my lap. Engaged in the conversation at the table, I did not notice as you grabbed my untouched lunch and pulled it onto my lap. Yes, that is right. Mommy was wearing her lunch consisting of a chicken breast, beans and a side of mashed potatoes. It wasn't as bad as I thought. When our friend Lori lifted the plate away, I only had a small amount of potatoes on my belt. Daddy arrived a short while after so that we could head to our next party. We laughed when I told him about our experience. You were happy that we were leaving and became a different child as we left the restaurant.

Note to self: Move all plates out of reaching distance of baby from now on.

We headed to the next party. Saturday was also Ava's 3rd Birthday party, daughter of our friends Bob and Keri. You were napping when we arrived. Once you awoke, you were fascinated with Ava and her cousin. You watched as they danced and squealed. You so badly wanted to take part in their fun. This party was more your speed and definitely had your attention. Elmo decorations were hanging everywhere you looked. You pointed at a card board Elmo hanging over the kitchen table and said, "Da-da." We all laughed. Daddy is much better looking you silly girl.

Then for a big surprise, guess who showed up to the party but Elmo himself. Your eyes grew bigger than I have ever seen them. Big, red, furry Elmo was standing right in front of us. We went to the backyard to watch as Elmo danced and played games with all of the kids. As Elmo handed out red balloons, he came by to meet you. You weren't afraid as he touched your little hand. You were just so fun to watch.

Once Elmo left, we spent some time playing with the other little girls: Ava, Emma and Ava's cousin. They are all around 3 years old and wanted to play with you as well. Ava tried to kiss you several times and wanted to hold your hand. They would bring toys over so that you could play along. You had so much fun. Mommy was quite exhausted and told Daddy it was time to head home. This was the first kid party that you so obviously enjoyed. I can only imagine the years to come.

It is hard to believe how much you have changed in the past month:

• You now have four teeth
• Your hair is beginning to grow over your ears and hangs in your eyes
• Your vocabulary consists of: Hi, hello, Hi GG, Da-da, Ma-ma, ball (you said it once)
• Your play area now consumes a quarter of the family room
• You have mastered crawling and are working on walking
• You love to walk while assisted
• You can stand on your own while holding or leaning on something
• You can pull yourself to your feet while pulling on something
• You point to people and pictures of people
• You laugh out loud as we play now
  
• You know how to fake cough and began fake choking today to get Mommies attention. This is not a good thing as it is very scary.
• You absolutely hate being put in your car seat. I am really looking forward to your first birthday so we can face you forward. Until then we will limit the long rides as you tend to get very upset.
  
• You love to make friends wherever we go. Tonight while shopping at Old Navy, Daddy had a chance to witness how you call out to other children to get their attention. It is as if all kids under the age of 3 have a special language that none of us understand. You were both sounding off back and forth until you were brought face to face, which made you very happy.

You are so incredible. You are turning into a little girl before our very eyes and it is so much fun.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Today's books:
"So Big"
"Eloise Wilkin's Poems To Read To The Very Young"

Here She Comes...

Dear Tatum,

Tomorrow you will be 10 months old. I am pleased to write that you are now a full fledged crawler. You are everywhere. You are into almost everything. It is so fun to watch as you select items in our home to visit... my magazine bin, carbon monoxide detector, plants (now have been relocated outside), your toys, to mention a few.

You can now perform a number of stunts–you turn, roll, push up, sit back. It happened in a matter of days. You went from bouncing and taking a couple of moves forward last Saturday morning. Then showing off your new found skills on Saturday afternoon in front of family at Grandma and Grandpa Carter's house. You were determined to get your little hands on Emma's rhinestone covered cell phone. Emma would select a song and by the time she would lay the phone on the floor you were on your way.

By Sunday you were even more mobile at Grandpa Conroy's house. By Monday, which also happened to be Labor Day, you were easily moving around the family room floor for more than just a few moves. Daddy and I are so pleased to watch as you take your next step in being our little independent Tatum. You are such a hard worker. Good job Tatum!

Mommy took this picture before you were actually so mobile and yet you managed to rip through your toys and get stuck inside your drum. With out much hesitation you were able to break free and continue on with playtime. You are more and more fun to play with and getting easier to entertain. Although this picture is clearly of a very tired looking Tater-tot.

Ever since Aunt Jamie told us about the Radio Disney station that our tv provider offers, we have been enjoying the sounds of Disney rock during playtime. We listen to some really fun songs like "Fruit Salad," by The Wiggles. You smile as we dance around and Mommy attempts to sing. It is definitely more fun than Mommy's music.

You wore your little polka dot dress to Grandma and Grandpa Carter's house last Saturday. We noticed recently that you have been crossing your little feet when in your car seat. Lately, you are not always too thrilled to be in your seat, however, we are only two short months away from being able to face you forward. Life for you then will be much better.

Then on Sunday, the three of us took a ride out to Grandpa Larry's house. Aunt Judy came in for a visit from Florida and it was so excited to finally meet you. She has your picture on her desk at work and said she receives so many comments on your picture. She is so proud of you, as we all are. I am so happy the two of you finally got to meet. We had a fun weekend and had to say good bye to your Great Grandma Conroy and Aunt Judy as they head back to Florida this Sunday. Daddy and I would like to plan a visit with them in Florida. We will need to work on that.

You also received a fun new gift earlier this week from Grandma Vicki. She stopped by to drop off this great new activity tent called, "Let's Play Together Peek 'N Play Discovery Dome." It even has a doorbell that really works. When I put you on the floor, you will crawl up to the front door and ring the doorbell, then you look at me with a great big smile on your face. It is so unbelievably cool to watch your reactions as you play and learn. Today, Mommy was playing peek-a-boo under one of the wall panels. I paused for a second and then you began lifting the panel and dropping it as I said "peek-a-boo." You would just giggle each time and hearing that giggle is something that I just cannot get enough of.

I love you my giggling girl. You are so amazing and loved by so many people.

You are the world to me.

Love,
Mommy