Tatum is Five Months Old!

I truly cannot believe how fast time flies by and that our baby girl is now five months old. I am certain that she knows it is her "month birthday" because she started performing two huge milestones yesterday and could not have made her mom and dad happier! First, she started rolling over like a pro! She had been rolling over on the couch before with a little help here and there; however, last night she did it all by herself on the floor with all of her toys...yay! I know...it is going to make diaper changing even that more difficult but we are ready for the challenge! Also, she started really loving the solid foods. She would only slightly open her mouth before yesterday and didn't seem all that interested. Now she is opening wide and loving every bite (except for peas...not a favorite). After all the fun and excitement she was asleep by 7:00 pm and is going on 12+ hours of sleep as of this moment. The sweet girl loves to sleep.

Today is Halloween and we have much planned. Our mother's group is meeting with all of our babies at 3:00 and then it is off to Sonoma to trick-or-treat with cousin Blake. Blake is a cowboy this year and Tatum is a flower. Pictures to be posted tomorrow of the costumes. We have also been busy with an adult Halloween party last weekend at Dave's house and a baby shower for Silje (and baby Stella) last Sunday. Erik is playing softball three nights a week right now so that has also kept us on our toes...much fun!

At five months:

Weight: We are guessing a little over 17 lbs.

Height: 24 3/4"

Very Blonde Hair

Very Blue Eyes

Loves Carrots, Winter Squash, and Apple Sauce

Is very ticklish and laughs at almost everything

Is rolling over to stomach and raises chest all the way up supported by straight arms

Squeals in delight very loudly

Loves her "jumpy"

Bears all of her weight on legs when standing.

Definitely knows her own name.

Days away from sitting without support

Loves Madeline Books

Loves to lay in her crib and play with her toys

Mom and Dad...I am ready for solid food!

What a great time we are having introducing Tatum to a world beyond bottles! She is loving rice cereal for now and will soon be introduced to pureed veggies from the recipes of my baby cookbook. Professionals say to introduce veggies before fruits because once a baby has the sweet taste of fruits she won't have anything to do with the veggies. Makes perfect sense to me so here we go and so far it has been a hilarious experience. Pictures of her first feeding below!

Current Updates:

• Today she is four months, one week, and one day old
• Loving rice cereal
• Loves to sit up by herself (with a little support of course)
• Is starting to skoot around but not a full crawl just yet
• Is missing her Auntie Taylor in London, but we talk to her all the time
• LOVES her jumpy!
• Belly laughs at anyone who says "Boo"
• Has a new friend named Penelope in our Petaluma Mother's Club play group.
• Is now holding her own bottle..and on her own depending on how much milk is there.
• Hates immunization shots...way too many these days!
• Falls asleep immediately when in the car
• Insists on being held 96% of the time
• Has to be rocked to sleep by her mother standing up...yes, my back is slowly breaking!

What a bundle of nonstop entertainment and I would have a dozen more if it made sense...Erik tells me it is never going to happen :)! Instead, I look forward to the following babies of girlfriends currently expecting:

• Apryl Lopez - daughter, Beya, is 6 months old and she is expecting again, sex unknown
• Silje Klyderud- baby girl, Stella, due in January
• Tiffany Vose- baby boy, due in late December
• Anna Dering- baby boy
• Liz Chapman
• Courtney Peledge- baby girl
• Annalee Hubert

It is all very exciting for these ladies! All I can say is...it goes by way too fast!

A Fabulous Four Months!

Yes, our beautiful and lively child is just reaching her four month mark if you can believe it! I have been extremely busy as one can imagine and having a blast as a new mom. Erik and I are amazed with each new joy Tatum brings us everyday and I promise to be better at sharing it with all of you.

It did not take long for Tatum to settle into a very easy schedule. I am afraid to say it to loudly, but it is true that she has been sleeping through the night since week #5. You must be thinking "yeah right!" but believe me when I say that there are many nights where our sleeping beauty will sleep from 9pm to 9am without interruptions. It makes for a very excited mom and dad! Of course there was the recent cold and runny nose that put a small damper on her schedule, but otherwise it has been very consistant! She also takes about an hour nap in the morning and then two or three smaller naps in the afternoon. Not to mention the fact that she always falls asleep in the car...just like her mom! It is fabulous.

Tatum was very quick to find out that smiling makes our days brighter, laughing makes it even that much better, and that crying definitely lets us know that a diaper needs changing or it is time for another bottle. Naturally, she never cries for very long. Most recently we have found the ticklish spots on her legs for instant giggle gratification, that she no longer needs a pacifier, prefers her hands to suck on over any sort of colorful toy, is amazed with herself every time she rolls over to her stomach, and is deeply in love with her own cooing sounds and sqeals! She has been very busy baby.

Current Stats:

• Height: 24 inches
• Weight: 16 pounds exactly
• Wearing 3-6 month clothing
• Hair: Much lighter blonde
• Blue Eyes (Erik's shade of blue) and long eyelashes.
• Loves "Itsy Bitsy Spider".
• Prefers big books over the smaller ones during our reading sessions.
• LOVES a party and people watching.
• A huge fan of watching Dad play softball.
• Coos and babbles full sentences at other babies.
• Puts hands in a fist and shakes when she sees something she must have in her hands.
• Favorite past time is rocking while eating and trying to hold the bottle with me.
• Least favorite thing is to be diaper changed anywhere but on her own changing table at home.

Below are some photos to share with the most recent at the top.

Tatum's First Trip to Bodega Bay

Carried by Dad

Yes, my mom has blonde hair now!
First of many trips to the beach

My Dad's 38th Birthday

My first trip to Texas with mom, grandmother Kelly, and Blake. We saw Devon, Cody, and Baby Dylan. Mom was best friends with these two in high school.

Cousin Blake in Austin, Texas.

Tatum's Room is almost all done!

Cousin Robin in The Woodlands

At the Sonoma City Party. Snoozing with my queenie!

My first of many tutu's

Cousins Sayer and Blake at family picnic in Sonoma

Family Picnic Summer 2008

Uncle Mitch and Aunt Mandy

Cousins Blake, Sayer, and Rosie at Shirley Residence in Sonoma

Lunch kisses in Napa

Emily and Lauren Stilmak

Baby Girl is Here....Tatum Rose Mullins

Erik, Natalie, and Tatum at Memorial NICU

Dad and Tatum just getting home

Dad and Tatum

Sleeping Tatum

Tatum's first bath

Erik and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your love and support as we welcome our baby girl, Tatum Rose Mullins, into our lives. She was born on her due date, May 30th at 9:02 pm and weighed 8 lbs. 6 ounces and was 20" long. She has a full head of light brown hair with blonde roots (maybe a potential childhood blondie like her father?), big blue eyes, dainty fingers and toes, puckered lips, broad shoulders (definitely a Rose girl) and my dimple chin. Many say she looks like me and many say just like Erik...but we like to think of it as the perfect combination of the two of us put together!

As I am sure many of you have heard, it was a bit of a rough labor and delivery that ended in an emergency c-section. Erik and I were so fortunate to have both of our families there for support considering that Tatum had a pin size hole in one of her lungs and meconium respiration. Unfortunately, Petalum Hospital is not set up and capable of handling newborn illnesses; therefore, she and Erik were emergency ambulanced to Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa while I stayed behind to recover after the surgery. As a brand new mother (or mother of any kind in fact)--Words cannot describe how difficult it was for me to be away from Tatum and Erik for any length of time; therefore, I proved to the nurses at Petaluma that I am a fast healer and they let me join Tatum at Memorial Hospital early Sunday morning--maybe a tad bit too early but a mom has to do what a mom has to do. I got to stay with her in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit all Sunday and Monday until she was cleared of all infections and the small puncture in her lung was 100% healed. The poor baby had already been through more than anyone can imagine so I was very relieved when Erik got to bring home both of us on Monday evening, June 1st. We were overjoyed to finally have our little family at home and healthy.

So now we have a wonderful and amazingly easy week old baby girl to love and spoil! Of course, we are a bit sleepy and doing our absolute best to figure out a "schedule" if that is even at all possible to do ! We have had many wonderful visitors and welcome anyone who would like to come and take a peek at our new love bug! She loves to be awake and starring at her adoring parents, but at the same time loves to fall asleep our on chests or in her new pram from my mom and dad...she is already very chic baby! Erik is off for three weeks so we are happy to have this time together and can't wait until we feel confident enough to take her on outings such as Sonoma Farmers Market and various summer events and parties! She has been on several walks and falls asleep immediately in anything that moves (ha ha...just like her mom and I am very proud)!

I can hear her starting to awaken so we must go and tend to the little angel! Again, thank you so much for your sweet thoughts, calls, cards, and gifts! We love you all!

Getting Too Exciting!

Cheers to week #38! Getting so close and it is getting way too exciting! As you can image, the questions and thoughts I have about even the smallest details of giving birth and finally holding our new baby are rushing through my head at all times and I can't wait for the day to get here! Thank you for sharing this experience with me!

For those of you who couldn't believe I am still working...well...great news...tomorrow, Friday, May 16th, is officially my last day at International Quarters! Time for some rest and relaxation before the little one gets here! My ankles are swollen and back is sore so I felt like it was finally time to start resting my huge feet, catch up on things around the house, and enjoying this gorgeous Summer weather (today it is 101 degrees outside...wow!)

I am going to the doctor every wednesday and things are going perfectly! I am dilated, effaced, and the baby is getting ready for arrival! Our bag is packed, baby gear organized in the nursery, and car seats in both cars! Ready!

I had another beautiful baby shower given at Julie and John Shirley's amazing home in Sonoma! It was perfect and a great time was had by all! Thank you to all of you who were there to celebrate and thank you for all the fabulous gifts! We are going to have one very stylish baby! Especially in the 2008 Inglesina Pram that mom and dad gave us and Baby Trend stroller/car seat system as a gift from Erik's parents! Now I will have to get ready for alot of walking and running once we are settled into the new baby lifestyle!

Below are some photos from the shower and the newest picture of the proud big cousin to be, Blake who is getting so big and super handsome! He is ready to be a big cousin even if he doesn't quite understand why his Aunt Nat's belly is so huge! Can't wait to have both the little ones cruising around and entertaining the family!

Cake by Alexis Baking Company

Flowes by Anne Appleman

Cute Girls

My girls...mom and Taylor

The hostesses...Judy, Dede, and Julie

Me and my Allie

Blake enjoying Tuesday night Farmer's Market

Okay...time to get serious!

Amy Farr, me, and Julie Garcia (all due within 2 weeks of eachother)

The Shower Hostesses and Best Friends- Lola Andres and Amanda Frank
Feeling the little one with big kicks

Adorable Gift Baskets and Diaper Cake Decor
The Shower Brunch
Petaluma Sweethearts- Angie Garcia and Gina Gibbs
Julie Garcia and Amy Farr
Ice Cream Cake and baby stories

I am so sorry it has been so long! I promise to start getting serious now that it is down to the wire and I am 36 weeks pregnant! Yes...only weeks to go before the much anticipated baby gets here!

To recap everything that has been happening I will start by staying that I am getting bigger by the minute! However, I must admit that the weight gain has been easily manageable and I am actually quite surprised that I haven't had all the "cravings" that family/friends swore I would have. Don't get me wrong...I love a huge piece of cheesecake from time to time (thank you Erik!), but for the most part I stick to sandwiches, fruit, Thai food and salads. My huge belly may tell a different story, but I have been very pleased to feel so great throughout this whole experience. Not to mention the fact that I do still have a belly button...I know it is hard to believe...but I do!

This baby is a wild one! Constantly moving from about 9:00 am to about 11:00 am and then again mid afternoon. We end the day with lots of movement right after I eat dinner. This is my favorite because Erik gets to sit with me and we watch as Baby T gets comfy. It is truly a one of a kind experience. Talk about making you smile! Another favorite past time is sitting in the nursery- daydreaming, organizing, and reorganizing all the decor, toys, tiny clothes, etc. I have caught Erik doing the same thing, but don't tell him I told you :)!

We are ready! Well...almost ready...but will for sure be prepared after our Baby Shower on May 10th! I also had a Baby Shower on March 19th that Lola and Amanda threw for me (pictures above) and I can't believe how wonderful my girlfriends are and how supportive and excited everyone is for Erik and I. Can't wait to return the favor when they have babies themselves! Overall we feel like we have done just about as much as we can to prepare ourselves! We have finished the newborn care class, extensive labor class (we actually knew two of the other couples surprisingly, and the breastfeeding class! So much information to soak up for what is yet to come and we feel as prepared as we will ever be!

I am now going to see Dr. Spivak once a week...typically on Wednesday mornings...and every appointment is even more exciting than the one before. This past appointment was the first set of measurements and it looks like Baby T will be arriving earlier than expected although it is always unknown of course. I am dilated almost 2cm and 45% effaced. The body is turned in the perfect position and definitely getting cozy in my pelvic bone. I apologize if that is a bit to graphic, but it is very exciting and I feel like sharing even the smallest details. I laugh because everything feels like it is dropping so much that it makes me walk like a "bow legged cowboy" (a bit of Texan coming out of me).. but it is true! Other than that I feel lucky that I have had minimal swelling and am still wearing both wedding bands, although I realize that may change very quickly! I just can't believe that within the next few weeks we will be proud parents...I feel inspired to pack for the hospital this weekend!

Other than baby joy there have been so many wonderful events. Apryl and Keith had their baby girl, Beya. Devon and Cody Gonzales had their baby boy, Dylan. Julie and Alfred are only moments away from the arrival of their baby girl, Ava. AND...Erik's cousin, Jennifer, just got married this past Saturday in Fresno. We loved the wedding and are so happy for Jen and Jerry! So much to celebrate and so many babies to get my hands on!

Everyone in my family is fabulous, enjoying the start of a warm summer, loving Farmer's Market is Sonoma every Tuesday night, and excited for Taylor's upcoming trip to London for the summer. Blake is loving pre-school when the other children aren't contaminating him with their shared colds. Erik's entire family is constantly in celebration mode since it has been a year of weddings and babies. Its been wonderful!

Erik and Scott in Fresno

At Jennifer's Wedding

Jennifer and Jerry

36 weeks pregnant!