Seasons Changing

This past month has been a month of changes for us! The weather has been changing over to fall, colors have switched over from green to yellow/orange/red to now.... almost leafless trees, and this past weekend we 'enjoyed' our first snow and below freezing temps! (this next weekend it is supposed to be 70)... The fall is such beautiful time of year, and Tatum loves playing 'soccer ball' with the leaves, and really, just being outside.

We took a trip up to the mountains, to hopefully catch the end of the fall colors, but instead we found snow and snow flurries. Tatum helped us find the elk, and was (and did) going to tell the Daddy Elk that she peed in the 'big girl potty' and he is/was going to be so proud of her! LOL... We did find the elk and she did tell him... and he was sooo proud of her! :)

We have finished traveling, so it was finally time to start the potty training. Tatum wanted nothing to do with the potty, until my neighbor introduced us to "Bear in the Big Blue House"- Potty Time with Bear.... and after a few days of watching this, she was ready to be a big girl! She has been going in the potty for over a week now, and refused to wear a pull-up during nap time yesterday. (and did not have an accident) That has definitely been our big change and we are sooo proud of her!!!

Monday, I started watching a 6 week old little boy on Mondays and Tuesdays for about 4/5 hours. Holding him/feeding him really brings back memories! Changing him, however, did not bring back memories, especially when I was baptized by the fountain of pee! LOL.... It is amazing how little they are at that age! Although it is only two days a week, it is helping to prepare me to know how I want things set up before Baby Girl's arrival, and how to juggle a toddler and an infant.

Family Time in Texas- Happy 1st Birthday, Grace!

Two years ago from the day of this picture, we were in Scottsdale, AZ, holding our little burrito.... now, she's almost as tall as me! :) Last week we were all fortunate to go on vacation TOGETHER!!!! (Matt included) :) Today, August 26th is our niece, Grace's, 1 year birthday- so we headed to Texas to join in the celebration. Before heading to Austin, we headed straight for the BEACH!!! (Thank you Dan & Kim for choosing to live in coastal states)

We went to Galveston Beach, not knowing what to expect and spent Monday evening there, and the morning of Tatum's 2nd Birthday! Happy Birthday, Tatum! (maybe next year we can celebrate my birthday on a beach... hmmmm)

Tatum enjoyed running away from the waves on her own, but enjoyed jumping over the waves with Mom or Dad. Just like my daddy, I make friends everywhere I go!!!

We headed up to Austin to stay with Dan, Kim, and Grace, and how excited was Tatum to see Grace!!! That's all she would talk about on our way there... I go see Grace; I share this with Grace; I play with Baby Gracie... etc. She was so excited to play with her 'baby' cousin! We hung out Wednesday in Austin, then decided to go crash Lola & Pocky's (Ron & Patti) beach vacation- they were headed to Corpus Christi/Padre Island.... soooo... to the beach we went :)

We had a great time playing in the Gulf, pool, and at the Texas State Aquarium where we were able to watch a short dolphin show. Thank you Lola & Pocky, for letting us join you! We had a blast!!!

How perfect is the name of this Bait & Tackle???

The camera evading Pocky... CAUGHT!

How did a coconut end up on Padre Island? I saw no coconut trees!

After enjoying the beach a bit more, we headed to Austin with a short stop to see the Alamo. Then off to Uncle Dan and Aunt Kim's house we went! Again, Tatum couldn't wait to play with Gracie. Saturday was Grace's 1 year birthday party and what an enjoyment it was to see our niece enjoy her chocolate cake! Good Girl!!! :) She was a little hesitant at first... then came the smiles! :)

Good times in Texas! Tatum's first time at a 'real' beach (salt water/ocean), Grace's first birthday, finally visiting Dan & Kim in Texas, hanging out with Lola & Pocky.... loving the family time! I'm glad we could all get together!

Tatum's first official flight with her own seat!!! (made for a MUCH more comfortable flight) We definitely took advantage of her flying free before 2!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Tatum!!!

Before we jumped on a plane for Texas to join the celebration for Grace's 1 year birthday, we had a day of birthday parties. The morning was a friend's 3rd birthday- she invited us to "The Hop"- where Tatum and Matt enjoyed jumping around. It was a first for Tatum, but she ended up loving it!

We headed home, took a nap, and had Tatum's 2nd Birthday Party at the house. We had a great time with friends- Tatum was soooo excited that almost all of her friends were here at once! Having 7 kids age 5 and under over at once was a little scary to think about, but it turned out great! They all got along and shared (for the most part). Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us! The Dora Balloon made it through the week until we got home from TX.... Tatum LOVES it! She carries it around the whole house... all day long! lol... who needs toys???

It's A Baby.....

As Matt says, we're going to have to get our own zip code for my belly by the end of this one ;) This pic is at 19 weeks.

Fun times w/Tatum

Here are just some fun shots of Tatum....