Making some potty strides

As many of you know, one of the biggest challenges that we face as a parent is toilet training a toddler. So, as we prepare to welcome "baby brother" into this world we have also begun to introduce the potty chair because we are well aware of the fact that our lives will be much different in about 5-6 weeks. We have been allowing Tatum to run around in big girl undies for a few days now and we have gone from being completely unaware of our plumbing system to announcing as we crawled into bed that we pottied in our diaper. As we still have a long way to go this is a big step! Last night Tatum used the potty 4 times before going to bed and we also used the potty twice last week. While she is initially very hesitant to sit on the potty her sheer joy and excitement is felt when she does manage to pee-pee on the potty. Afterward we take a trip to the toilet and Tatum gets to flush everything herself which she loves to do. Let's cross our fingers that we can make this stick!

Very proudly displaying the "goods"

All gone...time to put the potty back

A new addition to the big girl room...

Tatum's big girl room is now totally complete (there is no room for anything else anyhow)! This past weekend Tatum received a special delivery from Grandma Liz - a needlepoint picture that hung in mommy's room for many years and was made while Grandma Liz was still pregnant with Lindsey. The needlepoint hangs perfectly over Tatum's new dresser and makes the room feel just right. Thank you Grandma Liz!

Tatum's "Big Girl" Room

After Tatum told us that she would move out of her crib and into her new room in "five months" we decided that it was time to contact the "Crib Fairy" about paying a visit to our house. This past Sunday she came and disassembled the crib while Lindsey and Tatum were out running errands. When she returned home Tatum was a little surprised that her crib was gone but she appeared just as excited to go and play in her new room. We have not looked back since Sunday and Tatum seems to have taken very well to being in a big girl bed. Now we just need to kick the "nanny" (aka pacifier) and work on potty training!

Showing "Baby Kara" the room from above

Can anyone find Tatum?


Tatum also came home to a new bookshelf!

Swimming Lessons Take #2!

We were once again lucky to score a spot in the "parent and child" swim classes that are being offered by the city of Norfolk. Tatum really enjoyed her time in the class this past fall so we were happy to make time for swim lessons once again. Luckily we were able to get into the Saturday swim class so that both mommy and daddy would have the chance to get into the pool with Tatum. While Grandpa Lonnie was here visiting we were able to snap some pictures and videos of Tatum and Daddy during swim lessons. Enjoy!...

The class making the rounds...

Reaching for the floating fish (used to encourage early arm strokes)...

Got it!

One of Tatum's best buddies and his mom

Snow Day!

According to local weather experts, the Norfolk area averages one 6+ inch snowstorm every 8 years and one 12 inch+ snowstorm every 23 years. Based on these stats, we were in fact due for a good snow here since it had not happened since 2003 and that is exactly what we got. On Saturday we all awoke to snow falling at a fairly fast pace and quickly piling up. Although we had our fair share of snow in Maine it was fun to enjoy a true taste of winter and Tatum had a lot of fun playing with her friends in the snow and making a snowman. Here are a few pictures from our snow day:

Getting ready to go play in the snow

The 3 Musketeers: Tatum, Elise, and Carter

Attacking Rebecca in the snow

Rebecca and Elise


Eating snow from the "snow bar"

Tatum and her snowman made with the help of Daddy

Bending down in the snow is not easy at 7 months pregnant!