keeping busy.

Recently I picked up quite a few more books and some flash cards to keep Tatum and I a bit more busy throughout the day. It's made for a nice little change. She couldn't care less about the French flash cards (unless she's chewing on them), but that's okay. FOR NOW. <-------Kidding.

She loves reading her books together, as do I.
And she really loves her flash card flip book. It was free with our order, so I figured, why not? It's pretty neat, and a major plus to it is that it has laminated pages. So, T can bite, chew, drool on them all the live long day. She's happy, I'm happy.

I really love all of the books we purchased except for "I Kissed the Baby."
It's just...not my scene. My friend Bridgette told me she felt the same way, but did point out that the pictures are at least good for babies (b + w, with pops of color). Silver lining!
My favorite of the books is probably "Happy Hippo, Angry Duck." I do some really cool voices with it, so it's fairly entertaining if I do say so myself.

I think I'm going to pick up some child style musical instruments soon, too. Just for fun!

Parents, what sorts of activities do you like to do with your babies?
Any book recommendations?

the springfield meetup.

I think I speak for all of us attendees when I say that the Springfield meetup was everything we hoped it would be. While I already knew Lesley + Naomi, I was meeting the other girls (Casey, Anna, + Kristin) for the first time, but that really didn't seem to matter. It kind of felt like we were all just old friends, catching up, having a family/friend date at the park.

While we talked and the babies played, we enjoyed pink lemonades (complete with cute, striped straws!), lemon bars (my apologies if you ate these...yikes.), cupcakes, and watermelon slices. 

And of course each others' company. : )

It's so fun to watch the babies interact and see all of the adorable things they do.

Paschelle went on an adventure with our stroller.

Izzy was crazy for cupcakes.

Ellie wanted to steal said cupcakes. ; )

And Tatum. Well. The only thing she wanted to eat was grass + sticks.

Little cuties.

Not many people came, but honestly, that was fine by me. Don't get me wrong! I would have loved to have seen more faces, but I was still happy with the turnout. I enjoyed the low key, typical day at the park feel.

I have loved getting to meet these wonderful women and their families. It's so nice to have made some new friends!

A Mini Blogger Meet-Up: Lesley + Ellie.

 {lesley + ellie}

{t + me, taken by lesley} 

{baby besties, taken by lesley} 

{taken by lesley}

Yesterday Tatum + I met up with Lesley + Ellie (of Lemoncakes). We had so much fun! We went to a local park, Phelps Grove. The little ladies played in the grass, while us mommas talked about some plans and ideas. Then, we walked around the little track a couple of times and talked some more while the babies slept. It was such a nice time.

This was my second time meeting Lesley, but our first encounter was very brief, so I was really excited to get together again and really start to get to know each other. She's THE sweetest girl, and her little Elle is such a cutie. 

Check out her blog HERE! You'll love it. Pinky promise.

the baby love of my life.

Finally, there are pictures of the two of us. I'm so happy to have this memory.

Tatum Auden: 4 Months.

 

{just don't mess with me, okay?}

Height: 25.5 inches.
Weight: 13.3 lbs.
Head: 16.6 inches.

I can...

-roll in both directions now. I started rolling belly to back at 2 months and back to belly at 3.5.

-yell! And I do it at all the time. Taking me places like the post office can get a bit awkward...

-smile and laugh in reaction to people. It's Smile City over here.

-scoot. I don't do it much, but when I do, I can get a couple of feet in my dust.

I like... 

-playing Airplane.

-visiting my family.

-my toys, but only in very small doses.

-being on my belly. It's virtually impossible to keep me on my back these days.

-chewing on stuff!

I don't like... 

-when people make me wait.

-playing with my toys for more than about 10 minutes.

{I know people hate me for this, but there isn't much that the kid doesn't like. And she seriously cries for maybe 10 minutes a day.}

The First Ouchie 

A couple of days ago, Mom put me on my rocking caterpillar toy for the first time. It was awesome. And then not so awesome when she let go for .00021 seconds and I started to fall off, sideways. Luckily, she grabbed my arm for part of the fall, so my landing wasn't too traumatic. 

I may have still cried, though...

Eating...

My doctor says I can start eating a little bit of food here + there! 

Mom + Dad let me try some oatmeal the other night, but we're not sure about it.

We're rethinking things and might just eat veggies and the occasional fruit for now.

See ya next month, guys!

Love, Tatum

happy four months.

My little bean (string, vanilla, green, burrito...you name it, she is referred to as every variety these days) is four months old* today.
It's crazy how it feels like it hasn't been that long at all, yet it feels like she's been here forever.

She is growing so, so big. Learning something new every day.

It's exciting to watch her grow. Even if at times it does give me a slight sting in the heart.

I love you so much, T.

I am so proud to be your Mama.

*developmental update will be posted on the 21st, after her doctor appt.

send help now.

{the evidence}

You guys.

I have to tell my child on a daily basis that I fear her. 

Sister is scary!

The past few days, it's like all she does is yell. And she's not crying, fussing, or upset. She's just yelling. She has something to say + you better listen. Or else.

Sometimes, she just sits hunched over in her bumbo...rubbing her hands together...growling...plotting?

We're scared.

we know, we're awesome.

{a top knot AND hipster glasses?! i'm such a blogger cliche!}

However, she is slightly more awesome...

I'm okay with it.

0 months to 3 months // Baby Monster

YOU GUYS. Check out my baby big head! I love her. Even if, when we're in the middle of an obviously important photo shoot, she pulls my hair and makes this happen:

She's obviously not sorry about it, either. Just look at that face...There's a reason we call her Baby Monster.

For Anyone Who Likes Cute Babies...

This post is for you.

 

So far, San Francisco has been great. We haven't done anything "touristy" yet, and that stuff will probably be kept to a minimum this time, since we did some of it last year. Our big plans for this time around are to go to Alcatraz (beyond excited!) and to the Walt Disney Family Museum (beyond excited again!).

Basically we've just done some shopping + eating. Which I'm totally fine with. Because I love both of those things. : )

baby feets.

Teeny, tiny, cutesy toes. 

For now at least.

Unfortunately, she got my feet. : )

-----

I wanted to note that I'm linking up for The Paper Mama photo challenge for the week.

Wishlist Wednesday: The "If I Had a Daughter" Edition.

i'm just in love with absolutely all of it.

now, all i need is a child to put in it.

but that's a long time coming...

so i guess what i really need is for j. crew to make their adult line as cute as their children's line.

please and thank you.

xo.