ABC

Pintrest has become my frenemy.  There are so many amazing ideas on there that I don't have near enough time to do, however, I did find time to make an ABC wall for Taitum's room.  I love it and hope she lays in bed at night, reciting her letters and appreciating all the work that went into them ;)

Carnival

 We see this carnival over in the mall parking lot periodically and this time I made Jared stop and let Taitum participate. It was hot and the people were trashy but it was totally worth it.

9 Months

Gideon's Stats

Weight: 23lbs 6 1/2 oz  85 %
Height: 29 3/4 inch 80%
Head: 45 cm 40%

Wears 12-18 month clothes
He is starting to pull himself up
Menuvers his way around the room on his stomach or sitting pushing his legs
Loves to jump
Loves to swing
Started to get shy and burry his head in my shoulder when people come around - cutest thing ever!
Still loves the water/bath
Smiles and laughs all the time
Loves to bang toys together

Is getting his two top teeth at the same time - nightmare
Sleeps through the nights 8 pm-7 am (sometimes)

Friends

We met Tiffany and Jessica at the Fountains the other day.  It was nice to hang out with other moms and to watch Taitum play with her friends.  I love that she loves them!

( The kids held hands on their own - too cute!!!)

8 months

Gideon got his second tooth

Started at 7 1/2 months - claping and saying dada

Is in a front facing carseat

She's Crafty

My friend Tiffany and I never need an excuse to get together but this time we thought we would take our daughters to do crafts. Of course, it ended up that we did the crafts and they just enjoyed making a mess. Either way, it did the job of getting us out of the house and having a little fun.

Month 7

First tooth March 2 - 1 week after turning 7 months

At 7 1/2 months Gideon weighs 21 lbs, 13 oz

Wears 9, 12-18 month clothes

Almost out of his baby carseat

He still doesn't roll over but will rock back and forth on his knees/belly

Loves to make noise and will bang ever toy together until it does

Loves to eat and chew. Great at drinking from a cup

He has a distinct scream which means "diaper change" - high pitched while he stares right at me

Snow Day

Lee loves to make wooden toys, chairs, beds for his grandchildren and mine are no exception. He made a sled for them to enjoy in the snow. Here is the one outing we had this year - they had the best time!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Taitum 2 1/2

Taitum is 2 1/2...how did that happen?! I have loved things about every age/stage and here are a couple to remember:

Taitum is a lot like me, this is good and bad. She is very particular about things and likes things a certain way aka very stubborn. While I understand how she is and can relate it doesn't make it any easier at times. Taitum doesn't really play by herself, but rather wants me to do everything with her. I hope this changes when Gideon gets a little older and can play with her so I can have some time back.

I often wonder how Taitum acts when she's not around us. We asked her Nursery teacher how she is and we were told that she's good other than she bosses the other kids around and doesn't like playing with everyone. When they go for a walk together she makes sure everyone is in line and holding on to the rope. If a kid that she doesn't likes comes to play with her she tells them "no" and won't play with them. I'm glad for her strong personality but certainly don't want her to be the "mean, snotty girl". We'll have to work on it.

She's cautious about everything and worried about hurting herself. Jared had high hopes that she would be a tough girl and would love riding any of her many bikes. Unfortunately she won't get on a bike but will ride this scooter around the garage a little. I hope one day when we have more of a yard and driveway she will acquire the skill.

Taitum loves riding the train at the fountains. This is from our recent trip with my sister Kathleen. Taitum loved having Kathleen come and visit and was attached to her from the minute she arrived.

There are a few things Taitum loves playing with right now. She loves it when I take all our coins out of her piggy bank so that she can put them back in. This is an activity that keeps her busy for a few minutes while I try to get things done around the house. She is also really into her squishy bugs/animals and letters. She organizes them into colors and I find them all over the house.

Taitum loves to do everything Gideon does and also loves helping me with him. If Gideon is laying down, she wants to lay down. If Gideon is eating baby treats, she wants to eat baby treats. It is so cute to see them becoming better friends every day. They are really into taking baths together and Taitum loves helping wash Gideon. I have countless videos of them laughing and splashing together in the tub! I love bath time because I can just sit and watch them play without having to interact with them...it's the best!

Funny things Taitum says/does:

• Taitum went downstairs to see Jared before work, " it's just me, Taitum."



• Playing with bugs one day I told Taitum that the spider makes a web and she told me that we couldn't because she didn't have her letters.



• Taitum's favorite things to say "told you ". " just a minute". " catch it to me"-playing ball. "play soccer game". " play bagos" (Legos). "mommy name amber"



• Taitum says" hi buddy" to Gideon whenever she sees him. " sick Gideon, that's sick" whenever he puts his hands/fingers in his mouth.



• While looking at a curling iron insert paper she told me " I'm trying to do work".

Taitum knows most of her colors and all the letters

Favorite songs: Ring around the Rosey, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and London Bridges

Taitum is about 90% potty trained. We have decided to use pull ups at night and naps but they are mostly dry when she wakes up. She will go days without having an accident and is pretty good about telling me when we are out that she needs to use the bathroom. I was regretting this transition and while there is a little more planning and preparation on my part, it is not as bad as I imagined it to be.