Wrestling his way to 1

Before the holidays take over our lives completely, I want to get Tatum’s 11-month (!) update posted.

My heart and life are so filled up by Tatum’s existence that it’s almost inconceivable to realize that less than a year ago, he wasn’t here.  At this time last year, he was mere weeks away from being born, but he wasn’t real to me yet—not until I held him in my arms on January 10, 2010 could I fully embrace the reality of having our son here with us. 

But oh, is he ever here now!  He makes his presence known continually—Tatum isn’t really a child who sits quietly playing in the corner. Though he will sit still for someone to read him a BOOK these days! Hallelujah!  Mommy-the-bookworm was beginning to worry that her son would forever see books as objects to be tossed, skated upon, stacked, thrown down, eaten, etc.—anything BUT enjoyed for their actual contents. Over the past few weeks, however, Tatum has finally embraced stories and will ask repeatedly (by ask I mean thrust the book into my face, Sarah’s face, or daddy’s face and grunt like a monkey) for us to read to him. JOY!  I’m so utterly delighted by this development that it takes the edge off of barking my way through “Doggies, The Counting and Barking Book” for the umpteen millionth time or once again “growling like a polar bear, roaring Like a lion…”. 

 Tatum stands quite solidly on his own now. He’s taken a few steps from the couch to me or his dad, or from the coffee table to Sarah.  Just a few steps at a time and then he lunges into our arms, but it’s a start!  He doesn’t seem to be in a big hurry to do more, and that’s fine by me. He crawls at warp speed already, the idea of him actually RUNNING around our house is vaguely terrifying.

Then again, why walk or run when you have minions at your every command?  Tatum’s favorite thing to do right now is to be carried about by some willing party (mom, dad, CeCe, Sarah) as he points to his next destination. Point at the wreath in the window, and someone takes him over to touch the wreath in the window. Point at the Christmas tree, and off we go to touch the Christmas tree. Point at the back deck where the dogs are playing, and over to the back door we go to watch them roll around in the snow. He can go on like this for EVER if you let him, just pointing his way from one object of interest to the next. It’s pretty cute, but the kiddo does weight 20-some pounds, so eventually it gets a bit tiring. 

What never gets tiring is having Tatum here, watching him grow and change and develop into this verbal, funny, rough-and-tumble little guy who makes us laugh with his antics every single day. I feel humbled and so very grateful to have been given the chance to raise this amazing little being.

 So, happy 11-months Tatum!   Merry First Christmas.  I can’t believe how soon I’ll be back to post about your FIRST BIRTHDAY.  Unbelievable.  Daddy and I love you SO very much.