She's Walking!

Tatum took her first solo steps last week as we were playing on the floor. She stood up from her play table, looked at me, grinned her silly smile, and took three steps before diving into my arms in laughter. She's as proud of herself as we are.

She prefers to walk hand in hand, using both hands for support. If you offer her one hand, she stands with the other extended, moving her fingers asking for the other. With that assistance she'll walk just about anywhere, but definitely prefers walking up and down (and up and down and up and down) steps. Maybe it's because we lack stairs in our house that she becomes so enamored with them in the outside world. Who knows, but its really quite funny, and can be scary. When no steps are around, she entertains herself on the curb. With traffic looming by, this is not our favorite place to play.

So the journey continues. Two weeks have passed since her first steps, and her cautious nature has kept her from taking any more steps alone. So we practice each evening with Tatum walking her few steps between Andrew and I. She gets so excited with the play that she ends up falling down in laughter after each step.

In an attempt to help build her strength and confidence, we've ordered a push toy that will arrive in the mail next week. Let's hope she digs it.

If you're happy and you know it...

CLAP YOUR HANDS!!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, Tatum is clapping. You want proof do you - well I invite you to visit our home and play and see for yourself because photo evidence of this is harder than capturing a shooting star.

With enough requests, perhaps Tatum's folks can post video - but that too is a rare clip...

Stand Up and Take a Bow

Tatum brought in March with strength and determination as she pulled herself to standing. For a while now we'll prop her against the bed or sofa and let her build leg strength; but a few Sundays ago I went into the bedroom to get Tatum from her nap and she was STANDING waiting and ready for me. The crib has come down to the lowest level as Tatum reaches for new heights.

Pulling herself up and standing opens a new world for her. We dusted off Drew and Ethan's (Tatum's twin cousins) old activity center and brought it into the living room where Tatum can take center stage in her own world of fun. This weekend as she was playing at the table she was cracking up, having a ball.

A visit from Lala and A brings surprises

My folks are known as Lala and A to the grandbabes. They visited this weekend from Greenville, NC in an attempt to avoid the snow and cold and experience sunny So Cal; but the weather had other plans. It seems that Lala and A brought a bit of the stormy weather with them - but inside the Shearer home there was nothing but clear skies and sunshine brought by the excitement of Tatum's first crawl! It was quite auspicious to have Lala and A here to witness a first in Tatum's life. Now it's time for Momma and Poppa to clean house.

!!SOLIDS!!

"What am I doing Here?"

"I think I could get used to this."

"Yes, I do like this."

Tatum's First Feeding November 28th, 2008

Look who's sitting!

Two days before her 6 month birthday Tatum performed this milestone display of achievement! She'd been showing short abilities to hold a sitting posture; so when I picked her up from day care last Tuesday, I tested her skill and she sat for more then a minute. Way to go girl!

Six Months and Six Moons

Tatum Bell was born on the full moon in May. On November 13th she saw her sixth moon (pictured above) and on November 20th we celebrated her solar 6 month birthday. This journey is amazing - as all parents know. My favorite "Tatisms" are the following: she laughs like she's been a smoker for 80 years, letting out wispy wines followed by an open mouth gasp of no sound but pure excitement; she loves to fake cough, eh-eh, all the time; when she's tired she turns into an acrobat, lunging out of my arms head first towards the ground (don't worry, i catch her) and this ends up in a full flip maneuver that will continue until I can lay her down; and she does the "Tatum Two Step" when she's excited, kicking her feet frantically in fun. All of these Tatisms are best witnessed in person, but we'll work to catch them on tape and post the video.

Tatum Turns Over

Yes - the first back to belly to back acrobatic performance witnessed by mama and papa is documented here. Cecelia and Maria (aka Cecie and Tia) of Tatum's day care told us last week that she is rolling. We thought we'd lay her down and see for ourselves. Lo and behold - she rolls. She squeals, she gurgles, she spits bubbles, she sticks out her tongue, she sucks her thumb, and she ROLLS!

One could be a bit sad that we missed her "first" roll - but with our working schedules, we are satisfied with the new idea of "our firsts". As she continues to develop, her first words and walks may be with her Cecie and Tia; so we'll look forward to our own special performances and delight in the sheer joy she seems to bring to all those around her. Hey - it's the happy compromise of being a working family - but honestly, I did have to take a moment to process through this idea and let go of any attachment to needing to bear witness to first time events.

Note: though the actual turn is not pictured here - the stages of the turn are. Unfortunately the time delays on digital cameras do not allow instant documentation of the fast events of little ones - oh well. We got video footage which I am working on Andrew to get on line.