Shirley, it's not another blog

Greetings from Karsey Street.

2012-01-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

Shirley would like to say "Hi" to all of her friends and family, and hopes everyone is as happy as she has been lately. We took advantage of the mild winter weather this past weekend and spent some time in the backyard, picking up and playing.

Shirley would also like you to know that she's discovered the therapeutic power of bubble wrap dancing, and that we should all do this more often...

"One, Two, Three, Hoken, Hoken, Hoken"

2012-01-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks for being patient with us. We've been hibernating, anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new family member. Shirley is very excited about being a big sister....at least we think she is. It's hard enough as it is to post here regularly, let alone keep up with another baby blog. Most likely they will share this blog the same way they will be sharing a bedroom. We'll see how all of that works out.

Oh yeah... the post title today is what Shirley still says when she counts past three. Even though she knows how to count further, she still insists on adding the "hoken, hoken, hoken". Maybe someday she'll shed some light on what hoken is.

Shirley and her Mommy.

Happy Birthday Shirley!

2011-11-01T01:11:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome Halloween yesterday and managed to catch a few snaps, for the birthday post, before the costume came off. Shirley is 2 years old today! 11/1/11
Happy Birthday to our dearest daughter!

The Adventures of...

2011-10-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

I always liked the opening to that show.

Surf City, Shirley and the Giant Squash

2011-07-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Our short, but restful vacation in Surf City was well worth the hike down the Parkway.

A big thank you to Patty, Ruben and David. We're anxiously awaiting our next beach house visit.

The Pearson family holiday, Surf City 2011

Our rooftop sunsets in Surf City.

Beach Birds.

Barnaget Light was a regular stop.

Shirley loves sand.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee are having so much fun at the playground!

2011-07-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Shirley loves going to Donaldson Park with Mommy & Daddy. The only thing she doesn't love, is leaving.

Summer Bird Watch.

2011-06-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

She is a rare species. One of a kind.

Aside from the mosquitoes, we've been having all kinds of fun outside this summer.
It will be interesting to see how Shirley Bird reacts to the ocean this year versus last year, when she was a little too young to know what was happening.

When she says "outside"...

2011-05-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

...we usually go outside.

Today was our day.

2011-04-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

One Morning in Maine.

2011-04-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

It all happened "One Morning in Maine".

6:30 AM Gardiner ME.
Just like this sunrise over my hometown, our visit was beautiful and brief.
My little brothers downeast wedding was unforgettable. Congrats to Jimmie and Rachel.
Shirley loved spending time with her Grandad, her Gramama & Papa, and all her aunts and uncles on her first visit to Maine. To my family, thank you all for reminding me why Gardiner is so special and dear to our hearts. We can't wait to see you all again in June.
Expect a post full of photos from Shirley's first visit to Gardiner very soon.
I wish I could describe the way the air smells on these cold mornings in Gardiner...clean and familiar. I miss it so much.

ROAR!!! Happy Purim Everyone!!!!

2011-03-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

She's amazing everyday.

2011-03-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

She really is.

Lots to post over here, we just haven't had time to get on here to share it with you all. But we gotta start somewhere though...so...

Our 1st year with Shirley.

2010-12-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Photo: The Daddy.

Shirley would like to say something... " On behalf my family, we're grateful to have had so many amazing memories with our friends over the past year."

Thanks lil' Shirley Bird...well said.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then this clip is, well..., very wordy i guess (over 5,ooo photos from the past year).

Take a moment to relive the awesomeness of our past year in 5 minutes and 41 seconds below.
Until I fix the formatting issue, (the picture gets cut off) I suggest clicking on clip itself and link to youtube to watch this full screen.

We're with her.

2010-11-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

Photo: The Dad.

We've had so many awesome visits with family & friends lately.

So here are a bunch of snaps to prove it.

Check out more fun over here.

1st birthday party!

2010-11-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

on sunday we had a birthday party for shirley's first birthday! family and close friends were in attendance. the intimate soiree was hosted by grandma and saba, and the delicious banana cake was made by grandma as well. shirley sure did enjoy it!

Bonus Birthday Day Morning - in her new chair.

2010-11-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY!

2010-11-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

You are our sunshine, our only sunshine.
Your Mom and Dad are beside themselves at what an amazing, happy & beautiful person you're becoming. Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

Photo: DaDa.

Our little monster...

2010-10-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Shirley bounced back from her ear ache, managed to squeeze in taking her first two steps a week ago, and still had time to practice her scary face for her 1st Halloween (a.k.a. birthday eve)......Awwwww.....our little sweet heart. She really is.

Shirley-wearing time!

2010-10-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

She loves it, and so do we.

"Wave Goodbye to Summertime Shirley"

2010-09-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Shirley's first summer was legendary. Needless to say we're all ready for some mild weather this fall. Shirley and I are livin-it-up on our days off together. Shirley and I just got back from the park, with Dorian and John. I'm not going to appologies for the lack of post, because I was busy being productive. I will however try to muster up another update sooner than later.

The Pearson's in Surf City

2010-07-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

We've been back from our first family vacation for a bit now.

Here's one shot from our time in Surf City, for more check our flickr pages in a few days. Many thanks to Patty, Ruben and David for our little get-a-way.

The Pearson's first vacation.

little swimmer, little queen

2010-06-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

today shirley and i went to her second swim class. this time she didn't cry and she discovered the fun of splashing. she kicked her legs, smiled at other babies, let the instructors hold and play with her - she had a great time!

no photos today, but next week she is going to go with harry, so i will be sure to take photos.

also, this week shirley started waving. its so cute! plus, it will come in really handy when she becomes the queen of england someday.

shirley's first trip to nyc

2010-05-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

we had a great time visiting with aunt dee dee, going out for brunch, visiting chelsea market and walking the high line. shirley had so much fun!

Happy Cinco de Mayo Shirley!

2010-05-05T05:51:00.000-07:00

Shirley has been eating rice cereal for the past four days, in her highchair.
The first few nights weren't as successful as the past few. We're pretty sure that she's as stoked as we are. We're very proud of our little girl.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

2010-05-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Happy anniversary wife, are you the goddess?

2010-04-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

Thought I wouldn't remember, huh?
Happy anniversary wife, are you the goddess?

Shirley's new friend Ana.

poop in the bath

2010-04-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

all i have to say is eeeeeeew

all the news

2010-03-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

here is all the news: no news! haha ok well, there might not be much news, but we are all doing great. shirley is happy - she sleeps well, eats well, and spends most days with her loving grandma and auntie sophie (the dog). she holds her head up, smiles a lot, and laughs sometimes. i know you just want to see photos, so here you go...

shirley with her uncle jimmie

she sits!

family portrait

happy baby

she's flying!

2010-03-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

that's right folks - shirley can fly! she can also grab a toy when you place it on her belly when she is lying on her back, and she can stick that toy right into her mouth!

Newness

2010-03-02T06:10:00.001-08:00

Snow dayz...Kick'n it in the yard with my girls.

Tami and the Shirley-bear in the backyard.

Ramona and friends.

thumb: found!

2010-01-30T14:24:00.000-08:00

she is getting better at finding her thumb every day. the best part is when she looks at her hand and slowly draws it toward her face and into her mouth!

Sorry for the delay.

2010-01-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

January has been dragging, and we've been slack'n on the post, so I do apologize.
Sweet pea, Shirley, has been so good to her mom and dad.
She sleeps straight through the night, and then some.
She takes her bottle a bit better than she did before.
And she's cuter than ever.
Please stay tuned for more, very soon, and video posts for sure.

thumbs, smiles and freedom

2010-01-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

this past week with shirley has been wonderful! she is smiling and talking so much! check this out.

oh yeah. we got a flip video camera. its awesome!

anyway,back to shirley.

so, yes, shirley is smiling, cooing and lifting her head even more, but the best thing that has happened is that she has found her thumb. now, she can't find her thumb every time, but she finds it more and more often every day. yes, it is wonderful that she is quickly discovering her fingers and toes (she loves looking at her feet in the bathtub), but it is even more wonderful that soon we won't need to give her a pacifier (and pick it up and wash it off every time it falls out of her mouth) - she's got her thumb! last night she even fell asleep with her thumb in her mouth. it was adorable beyond words.

and lastly, today all 3 of us had our first family outing to the grocery store! shirley did great. she slept through most of it, but woke up towards the end. she was quiet and alert, and i think she really enjoyed all the new smells!

Happy New Year Shirley!

2010-01-02T05:58:00.000-08:00

The whole family welcomed in the new year by sleeping straight through it.
Pretty good way to start the year if you ask me.
Shirley has been keeping her mom and dad on their toes in the evenings, during bedtime, the past few nights.
And last night was no exception.
While dad was in Shirley's room rocking the babe to sleep for what seemed like an eternity, mom invited her evil twin over for internet mischief with the cats.

Photo Fun: H. Pearson

its been a while, hasn't it?

2009-12-29T16:54:00.000-08:00

so it has. sorry! things, as you might imagine, are busy these days. so, here is a quick update.

shirley smiles - a lot!

its ridiculously adorable!

i think she is on the verge of giggles.

shirley also holds her head up very well, sleeps in her own room, loves looking at the mobile above her crib, and has almost figured out how to get her thumb in her mouth!

oh yeah! i almost forgot. she looooooooves bathtime!

wearing shirley

2009-12-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

for the past couple of weeks shirley has had a little cold and a lot of gas, so she has been a bit fussy. last night was especially difficult. i think she cried for 3 hours or so before she finally drifted off to sleep. i think the one thing we forgot to try was wearing her. so, this morning when i decided it was time for shirley to take a nap i put her down in her crib. she didn't sleep and started to fuss after about 45 minutes, so i decided to wear her. i walked around, started some diaper laundry, read her dr. seuss and within 10 minutes she was fast asleep and still is. i am wearing her as i write. i did more laundry while she was sleeping, ate cereal (without getting any on her!), read all my blogs and as soon as i am done with this i am going to watch last nights episode of sing off. yeah!

Whens day?

2009-12-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Stoked on....My daughter's hands. There's strong

Photo: H. Pearson

Stoked on....My wife. She's a natural at this mom thing.

Photo: H. Pearson

Stoked on...and warm place to come home to. Again, I'm lucky.

Photo: Tami Pearson

whats new

2009-11-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

well, i have to say that keeping up with this blog is quite difficult, but if we can manage at least one post a week between harry i, i will be satisfied, and i hope that will satisfy our readers (and shirley when she is older - assuming this blog survives a good 20 years or so. i suppose that is when she will appreciate it.).

so, here is what is new:

shirley is 5 weeks old and now weighs in a 9 lbs. 9 oz. her belly button stub fell off and she now only poops once a day (which, really yes, is ok). she is definitely bigger and definitely adorable! and she is starting to coo and make all kinds of noises. i wonder what she is saying...

anyway, there are tons of new(ish) photos right here.

here is one of my favorites (even though shirley's face is a bit squished).

At work and missing them.

2009-11-25T05:49:00.001-08:00

Photo: Dad
Our first Thanksgiving is going to be radness though.

2009-11-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

this is how shirley wakes up...

..and then falls back asleep.

bathing and walking

2009-11-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

this is what we did yesterday:

and we took a really loooooong walk to the park, around the park and then home. shirley slept soundly the whole time, and i was exhausted after. we had excellent weather, though, and it was great to get out and move around.

besides that not much else is new - shirley is doing great. she is sleeping a lot, which is good for us, and eating a lot, which is great for her. so, all is well!

Dadness

2009-11-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

Finally, I'll be posting with real purpose now.
I think I have about a million things I'd like to write about our daughter, but I think these pictures convey the message I'd be sending.

She's the best.

my little zombie

2009-11-09T15:39:00.001-08:00

do you watch zombie movies? we do. and actually, when i was in the ldr (thats labor, delivery, recovery for you non-parentals) on halloween, sometimes numb and sometimes not (the epidural had to be re-administered after about an hour), we were watching zombie movies. kinda weird. anyway, i digress.

if you watch zombie movies, you know that zombies will try to eat whatever flesh is closest to their mouth, so if a zombie is coming after you and you try to push it away, it will just try to eat your hand or your arm or whatever limb you are pushing it away with. here is an example (from shaun of the dead - one of our favorite zombie movies):

this is pretty much what shirley does when she is hungry. her head sort of thrashes back and forth, she tries to eat your hand or your nose or whatever is near her mouth, and she makes grunting sort of noises - just a like a zombie!

shirley is my little zombie and i love her.

first week

2009-11-09T03:37:00.000-08:00

it is another blog! this time the authors are mommy and daddy - tami (thats me!) and harry, but i think we will have some guest posters once in a while to spice it up (hear that allison?!).

anyway, it has been a whirlwind of a week starting with the birth of our daughter, shirley lucille, and ending with a traditional baby naming ceremony for little shirley. we gave her the hebrew name, shayna, which means "beautiful," and she really is! shirley was blessed by the rabbi in the company of many of our friends and family who traveled from all over the world and from maine to new york to north jersey to join us for the special event welcoming shirley into the jewish community. it was wonderful!

over the course of shirley's first week, we have gone from struggling to wake shirley up to eat, to hearing her little coos and lips smacking after a 2.5 hour nap - waking up ready to eat! she was a little yellow in the beginning and now she is pink - bye bye bilirubin!

we are tired and physically exhausted, but unbelievably happy and thankful for our little shirley. she is amazing.

check back for regular updates on this blog. we will post photos, funny stories about our adventures with shirley, talk about cloth diapers and whatever else comes to mind. we hope you enjoy it!

before i go, i want to send a special thank you to our friends and families who have spent many hours of our their time cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, and doing whatever they can to help us. harry and i love you guys - and so does shirley!

see photos here.