Shearer Sisterhood

To journal the lives of the sisters Shearer, we have created a new blog.  Check out Tatum and Hazel's life adventure tales at www.shearersisterhood.blogspot.com.

Big Sister Tatum

We'll it's official, Tatum is a big sister to one beautiful Hazel Rae.  After months of prepping her for the big day, and reading big sister books over the last few weeks, Tatum's destiny was filled on January 20th.  Lala came out a few days before the birth to help learn our LA life before taking over Tatum duty for the three days Andrew and I were in the hospital.  We could not have made this transition without her.  We are back home now, settling into life, and introducing a new blog to follow the lives of both our girls Shearer Sisterhood.  Let the journey begin!

Sleeping Beauty

This is a collection of our sleeping beauty series of Tatum.  Since moving into our new house Tatum has really enjoyed the space and freedom of her own room.  As a result, naps are usually delayed by an extending period of play.  Here is a photo of Tatum taken Christmas day.  When we went o wake her, this is how we found her: tucked in bed with her new doll in the doll bed with all the doll's snacks and sippy cup. Tatum too stored her own sippy cup in the doll's crib.

Can you even see our cute bookworm buried in this picture?  This day really tripped us out because Tatum is actually sitting on a pile of books with her head laid down on Big Bear sleeping contently with her fave pink blankie.  

This final picture of our sleeping beauty is cute for no other reason than Tatum brought Big Bear into her bed for her sleeping snuggle.  This is the first time we had seen this and thought it was too cute to not document.







And now a funny sleeping story.   Tatum takes after her me and flips circles in the bed as she sleeps.   Nine times out of ten when we check on her before we go to bed, she is sleeping on her knees in the fetal position belly down a top her blankie.  Often we have to pick her up from the bottom/side/middle of the bed and place her head back on top and cover her with blankets.  The other week we woke to Tatum crying loudly in the middle of the night.  When I went to her room I found that she had fallen out of bed.  I picked her up, put her back in bed, and cuddled with her for a few minutes.  She then turned to me and said in her typical bossy tone "Go to your own bed momma."  As much as I love that she needs me in the middle of the night, I love that she needs me to leave too.  In the morning I asked Tatum, "How did you fall out of the bed?"    She replied, "Brobee did it.  Brobee pushed me."  For those not with kids under the age of 5 and tuned into Nick Junior, Brobee is one of five character from the pre-school show Yo Gabba Gabba. 

My Little Mother Goose

Tatum sits down to talk with the geese at the LA County Arboretum.  She talked and sang with them for about 5 minutes before standing up and declaring it was time to go.

A Rant and then Christmas 2010

Yes, yes, I am cheating the date on this blog post as I do for most all of them.  Today is January 10th and after being asked by almost every member of my family, I am finally updating the blog.  Even though I started maternity leave over Christmas weekend, I have found my time taken up with everyday tasks which have not included blogging.  So here is my morning effort to dedicate some time to catch up on the blog before our family size increases with the addition of our second daughter on January 20th and my time really is going to be dedicated elsewhere....

Ah - to have Christmas morning in our new home was a blessing.  Weeks before I brought home a small Afghan Pine tree from the nursery where I work.  Though it was the perfect size for our little nest, Afghans' don't produce the Christmas Tree smell.  So with the help of Yankee Candle Company, we were able to pull off the scent as well.  As you see, our tree is a humble tribute to our small family.  Although Andrew and I have been together for 13 years this month, our ornaments are few.  When we first met Andrew provided me with a moose ornament from his family ski trip in Utah that year, but as he reminds with every Christmas, I misplaced it a long, long time ago.  So, with the start of our family we have the start of our tree.  It will grow as we grow and become a living treasure chest of memories as the years pass by; but for now, there are a few special ornaments that keep the tree sparkling with love.

Tatum really got into the holiday spirit this year.  Although the idea of receiving presents really did not set in until late Christmas morning.  This I cherished for possibly the last year because it allowed the morning to be lazy and comfortable instead of a 5am frenzy of torn paper (which I expect will happen next year!).  Tatum woke around 6:30am and was easily convinced to watch a Yo Gabba Gabba show and let Dada sleep 7am.  When Andrew did wake, we made morning coffee, which for Tatum is chocolate milk, and sat down to our stockings and presents.

Tatum models her new dinosaur towel  & princess slippers

Starting with the stockings, Tatum clued in quick that Christmas is awesome.   She reveled in each and every gift, except maybe the pack of white socks I got her.  Tatum played the Santa roll and delighted in picking out presents and providing them to each of us.  She would say, "Momma needs a present now.  Which one is for momma?"  or "It's Tatum's turn.  Which present is for Tatum?."   Her consideration of others was apparent as she insisted on everyone having their equal turn.  Part way through our morning, Tatum turned to me in her Tatum style by placing a hand on my shoulder, cocking her head to the left, and then expressed sweetly "Momma no work today!"  That is right sweetheart, momma doesn't have to work today.  It melted my heart.  

Andrew and I each got Tatum a big gift.  Yes, through nearly eight years of marriage, we keep separate bank accounts and we enjoy getting our separate gifts.  It works for us.  Andrew presented Tatum with a baby doll who talks and eats and plays.  When asked, Tatum said her baby's name was Hazel.  Hum.  For those of you who didn't know, this is the name we have picked out for Tummy Nut.   I presented Tatum with a scooter.  Yep, she loved it. 

Christmas was a special morning to share together as a family.  We are starting to lay down our own Christmas traditions - like french toast made from Montrose Bakery's Cinnamon Roll Bread, which Tatum helped to make - and this makes the season all that much more magical.  Next year there will be four stockings hung, and our experience of love and blessings will be that much more!

My little kitchen elf helping with breakfast

Below are some additional shots taken from our Christmas morning.  For all our East Coast Family, while you enjoyed your almost white Christmas we enjoyed scooting around in the crisp 60 degree weather of Southern California.  Remember, you are welcome to visit anytime!

the view from our front porch Christmas morning

Tatum cruises by our house on her new scooter

Scooting Sillies under a Camphor Tree

Safety Talk with Smiles

Late morning doings - popcorn and a viewing of Tatum's new Princess* DVD

* as much as I thought I would keep the world of princesses away from Tatum, there is no stopping their power.  After flying home to NC last year to share Tatum's second birthday with her cousin Sophia for a princess party, there has been no stopping Tatum in her affinity with these Disney characters.  And I too have become charmed along the way and indulged her with some princess gifts from Santa, which she loved.  Really, the princess fantasy is one most every girl has, I know I still do - what is better than marrying a rich prince and living happily ever after.