Aquarium visit and Squeaky Eel

So to reinforce Tatum's new found love of "Oc-Pus" she and I headed to the Omaha zoo for the sole purpose of finding that Oc-Pus and staring him down. Outside the aquarium there is a bronze statue of a scary looking Octopus. We checked him out and headed inside. Tatum loved watching the puffins and penguins dive in the water, and swim all over the place. She's seen it so many times, but it was all so exciting this time around- she is really understanding alot about many of the animals from some of her favorite books. When we finally got to the Octopus tank, there was one that was sleeping all balled up against the glass. There was a second one that we saw right away and it really scared her (I'll admit the thing was freaky!). It hid from us and we didn't get to see that little dude again. So the Octopus hunt was not as climactic as I had thought, but she really enjoyed the aquarium nonetheless. She loved pointing out "big" fish and I think she is starting to understand the difference between a shark and a fish!

The Eel awakening...

So during our Florida trip I bought Tatum a plastic Eel that squeaks loudly. It was the toy that was easiest to elicit a noise, so that is why it was chosen. Yesterday Tatum was napping and towards the end of the naptime I heard a familiar sqeaking sound.... Tatum had grabbed the Eel from her toybox and was happily squeaking away in her crib. Thanks Alice the Eel!

Tatum is getting ready to spend her first week away from Mommy & Daddy. Our babysitter is going on a 2 week trip to Ireland, so she is spending some time with Grandma Wanda and Nana & Papa Zubrod next week.

Oc-Pus!

Last week we discovered that Tatum had been secretly studying deap sea animals.... We looked at a Baby Einstein Bath Book that has an Octopus doing things in different kinds of water, drinking it, sitting in a boat, under a sprinkler, in the rain, crying and in the bath. We haven't looked at this book for at least a month. Right away Tatum excitedly said "Oc-Pus!" When she saw another octopus, she said it with even more excitement!!! I couldn't help but gush all about it the next day at work to everyone, and you just have to see how cute she is when she says it! This is not the most representative sample, and you can see that it took some coaxing, but here it is!!!

Florida April 1-8

The Silly Stilles flew to Florida to visit Jason's Dad, Brent, and his wife Denise (Grandpa & Grandma).

Tatum was soaking wet the first chance she got- the pool had just been filled but that certainly didn't stop her from playing in the cold water. She especially enjoyed taking a shovel and throwing the water over her back.

H2O FRENZY!!!!!!!

Diaper Dipping!

Lakeland has the most absolutely wonderful park. It is seriously like an outdoor children's museum extravaganza!

Firefighter Tatum at the Lakeland Children's Museum

After dinner at Carrabas!

Saturday the Stilles hosted a family dinner so that we could catch up with much of Denise's family. Tatum prefers to spend absolutely every minute possible outside. We enjoyed temperatures in the upper 70's to 80's for most of our stay.

Jason & Lisa took a day trip to Clearwater Beach. We had lunch with some friends and stayed at Sand Key where we spent most of the day relaxing by the beach, then the pool and then played sand volleyball with some younger spring-breakers.

That evening we took a Dinner Cruise around the bay area.

Tatum enjoyed feeding the fish in the backyard pond.

Spring travels and cleaning

The little Swiffer Helper- Tatum decided to help!

Visiting Great-Grandpa Bob Young at his new digs- The Bickford Cottage in Cedar Falls, IA. Taking a ride to the dining room to enjoy some lunch!

Helping to make cream cheese filling for some yummy brownies.

We were preparing to feed the many friends coming to celebrate the Silly Stille 30th birthdays.

Where's Aunt Jilly's Ears?

And her nose? (Beep, Beep is Tatum's response)

Aunt Jille and Me- Feb 26th

Tatum surprises us all the time, knowing things that we have not really praticed or ever discussed with her. She knows other body parts including: Arm, leg, toes, hair, ears, tongue, teeth, tummy, neck and of course- butt!

We're working on the parts from the song Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes along with Elbow!

Tatum is starting to recognize some colors, and her favorites to say and find are blue and yellow. She also can say: 1, 2, 3- and only in that order :)

Such a cute little tot!

20 months old today!

We've been enjoying spring-like weather here in the midwest, so it is no surprise that kiddos are roaming the sidewalks in our neighborhood. Tatum took her doll for a LONG ride in the stroller.

Bouncing tots... and more Chi-town fun

Here are the pictures (sigh) finally from our road trip to Chicago via Iowa City....

1/2 way back, Enjoying a ride at the mall in Coralville, IA

Our friend Ava Grant- Ava lives in Lisle, IL

Sharing the basket

Ear Nerds Lisa & Sararumen and Tatum at UIHC's Otolaryngology Dept.

Jason's 30th Birthday.... The cupcake cake is supposed to look like a brown paper bag.

Remember he may still hold the Nebraska State record for most points scored at the grocery sacking competition!