Tamara Shannon

Look at that face. Memorize that face. Sure, it looks innocent enough, but it is NOT to be trusted...at least around a binki. Just after devoting an entire blog entry to my oh-so-sweet and perfect Winston, the "Binki Bandit" strikes again. This wouldn't be the first time either. I've caught him red- handed pawed before with the binki in his mouth (and yes he was "using" it properly). I'm not going to say he's guilty until I can prove it, but here is the evidence: Binki was last scene under Brynlynn's crib at approximately 7:30am today, June 30. Upon discovering that my arms' length was not sufficient to obtain said binki (she can seriously drop it right in the middle of the crib almost every time and it's not a comfortable position to be in either trying to grab the darn thing), I abandoned the mission with the intentions of returning later (sidenote: I had another binki as a substitute close b...

Check it out! I found out yesterday that Brynlynn made it on the COVER of the local newspaper. From what I'm told, her great-grandma practically wore her copy and showed everyone she could. Photo: Courtesy of Brent Shannon (Hand: courtesy of Kristen Shannon-Aunt to Brynlynn) So far today I've been screening calls from countless agents, managers and the paparazzi trying to get in touch with the cutest 4-month old in Texas. ;-)

I would love to say these flowers came from my garden, "these flowers came from my garden!" Actually, no, they're from my personal florist, HEB. Brent admits they're pretty, but likes to focus on how they're already dying. Oh well, it's not like I always have fresh flowers in the house, so it's nice for a change...especially since everything within a 100+ mile radius looks dead. Fruit Pizza! I can't even remember the last time I had a fruit pizza...I think high school. I should've added some blueberries for the 4th of July holiday, but oh well. I still think it's a great summer treat & a great excuse to make a GIANT cookie. :)

Brynlynn has successfully been sleeping through the night for a couple of months now...& I LOVE IT! She still has yet to drop the last feeding before bed-usually 10:30-11 (sometimes later if I lose track of time and forget). I find myself eager to drop this last feeding, but I'm not sure why. A sleeping baby is such a sweet thing. After feeding her tonight, I just held her, snuggled and kissed her sweet (sweet smelling) little head. Oh my gosh I love her! Swollen feet, nausea, leg cramps, pregnancy face, labor...the list is endless and I think I was blessed with an "easy pregnancy" (which is an oxymoron), but it's SO worth it.

This post is long overdue. To know him is to love him. He is my constant companion-always at my feet, or snuggled up beside me wherever I am. He has been great with Brynlynn. I always know if she's fussing when I'm in the shower because he will come sit in the doorway as if telling me to hurry up. On several occasions he goes missing, only to be found at the foot of the crib. She watches him constantly and loves to watch him play. I can't wait to see the two play together. :)

"She looks JUST like you!"..."Every time I look at her I see Brent."..."I think she's a perfect combination of you both." While she is perfect the way she is and def her own person here are some pics of all three of us...you decide! Top: Tamara with her grandma; Bottom: Brynlynn with her great-grandma Brynlynn Brent Brynlynn Tamara Brent Brynlynn Tamara Ok, so the last one isn't really good for comparison, but Brent's so stinking cute! :)

I just love this picture. I think we were both completely unaware that it was being taken. Such a good representation of us...everything around us is moving fast, but we still find each other and it feels like we're the only ones in the room. I hope it only gets better from here on out.

Why celebrate Father's Day with only one day? We devoted the entire weekend to it and had some great family time. We spent Friday and Saturday nights in Floresville with the whole family: Grandma Resa, Grandad, Brent, me, Brynlynn, Seth, Tanlee, Dot, Ella, Winston and Sophie (the last 4 are the dogs). We had a great time, as usual. Swimming time. Photo courtesy of Seth. So, here's why Brynlynn is no longer wearing a swimsuit in the picture above...because I know no one thought I would just toss my baby in a pool with only a diaper. At least, anyone that knows me wouldn't think that. Here she is with her daddy in her new, super cute bathing suit. Mom, had this diaper thing which I initially thought was supposed to go over a regular diaper. However, I was instructed to only put the certain cloth diaper cover on her b/c it was sufficient as a diaper alone. Welp, turns out it was not. Brent took it like a champ. He simply continued holding her until we took the pic th...

Brent came home from work today to find 'his girls' hanging out upstairs in the nursery. He was quick to join us laying on the floor. He began playing with Brynlynn as usual: picking her up, playing air plane etc. He had her sitting on his chest inches from his face holding her hands making helping her dance. She must have been having a lot of fun...so much fun in fact she couldn't keep her dinner down! BLAH! shoots out of her mouth. Good ole dad (probably not thinking how he has her little hands in his), in an attempt to catch...err block...the spit up punches her in the mouth with her hands! It wasn't hard at all, in fact punch may be the wrong word to use, but oh well. We had a good laugh and she didn't seem to mind. She's quick to forgive.

Today we had our first " ouchie ." She was on her tummy in her crib; in a good mood smiling, and scooting around...backwards. She backed all the way to the end of her crib-her feet touching the bars. She kept pushing/scooting until her little feet and legs were sticking out the side. She was still smiling and cooing until suddenly she gave me a funny look (sorry, I didn't capture it...and maybe I'm a bad mom for laughing, but looking back it was definitely an "uh oh" face). The look didn't last long before the tears started flowing. I figured she was just upset that she couldn't scoot any more. I went to pick her up only to realize those chubby little legs were stuck between the bars! It didn't take long to wiggle them out, but she was NOT happy! If she's anything like me, the feeling of entrapment it more painful than anything. I am happy to report that no harm was done and she is making a quick recovery.

Please refer to my previous post upon viewing this video: Girl Time . Brent, as always, is my biggest fan, but also my biggest critic. Thus, in light of recent constructive criticism I've received, I must apologize to all those who read that post (indicated above) because there was no visual aid provided. I posted it on Facebook, but that wasn't sufficient and no one reads blogs just to read them...they want pictures. In an effort to redeem myself, I've attached a video rather than a simple picture. I will do my best, in the future, to not make this mistake again. Enjoy. P.S. Feel free to leave any additional remarks, requests etc in the comment section. I will check with my editor first prior to implementing any changes. ;-)

We missed (second) cousin Noah's birthday party, so we made a special trip. Ironically, I didn't take any pictures of Noah, only his little brother Hyrum (they're about a month apart). They're a super cute little family though! Check 'em out!

Yesterday Brynlynn was not about to take a nap when told. Typically, I can sit her in her swing, she'll look around for a while then drift off to sleep. For some reason, she was not having it. Her newest 'thing' is rolling over in her swing in an attempt to escape! I was determined! I will not lose to a 3 1/2 month old (almost 4 months)! Finally, after completely missing the morning nap, I tried again for an afternoon one (not just because she needed one, but because I needed one too). Swing , laying on the floor , crib ...finally, I laid her on her side, on the couch, facing me. I honestly wasn't even aware that she was watching me because I was looking past her at the TV. I, unknowingly, started making some smacking/kissing noises only to realize that she was watching and that she found it quite amusing! She started laughing, which is so darn cute, so I started to laugh...then she laughed more because I was laughing, so I laughed more because she was. It was ...

I have to give a "SHOUT OUT" to my newly constructed blog! ...it under went some major reconstructive surgery, but I'm now proud to say that I, like my husband, am a coder! Ok, Ok, so he has a degree and all and can do quite a bit more than me, but I am pleased with the results especially since I had all my IT training via internet help-sites & Google. It's not 100% finished, I still have some details/editing to do, but this is sufficient for now. Enjoy.

I seem to think and feel this way every day (especially for the past 3.5 months), but I rarely take the time to write them down. I do journal in my own personal journal, but not as often as I should..and I prefer typing to writing. It never ceases to amaze me how miraculous life is. I still am in denial that Brynlynn is mine; forever a part of my family. I still just stare at her, as I did the day she was born, in awe. Brent and I continually admit, "I can't believe she's ours." I love to go into her room and watch her sleep in her crib...so perfect and peaceful. Such an incredible blessing to our lives. Brent, oh Brent...where to start. I'm actually laughing as I'm typing this because he's beside me working, wearing some painfully, oversized headphones singing beats-lyrics---noises? and air drumming (of course). Gosh how he makes me laugh! ..often unintentionally, because he's just being Brent..the only way he knows how. I've continued to...

Monday we attended a Memorial service. Brynlynn is very patriotic. They actually fired this cannon...don't let it's size fool you-it's LOUD (the cannon, not Brynlynn...though the same principle applies). Some of the "originals" ...Clyde (father-in-law), Sharon, Cathy, Mike and Ned (in birth order). Time with Grandpa while waiting (forever) for some food! She held out for as long as she could... Her Great-Grandfather Shannon. It's impossible to take a serious pic with these guys...but who cares!? The men entertaining themselves outside while their better halves are inside answering questions for the "Not-So-Newlywed Game". This is what he was doing while I was getting dressed...we couldn't leave without at least ONE time on the trampoline. We ended our trip with a visit to the Lubbock Temple. It was a great experience and blessing to spend time with Grandpa Shannon. He reminisced stories of his younger years, times with Grandma Shannon, and ...

This Memorial Day weekend was a memorable one...devoted to family. We started off the festivities at Joyland ! I have to admit after hearing Brent and Aaron reminisce about their childhood adventures there I wasn't all that eager to ride the rides. Hearing 'death trap' or 'I thought we would fall of the rails' weren't exactly selling points for me. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. Despite the 105 degree weather it turned out to be an enjoyable afternoon. Bumper Cars! She was addicted to this ride....apparently it's like crack for tweens. Always one of the kids! We were so excited to find out that Michael flew in from MO! (Completely unannounced) One of her happy moments in Joyland... Riding the "horses"

This past month Tanlee graduated from college (sort of, it was Texas Tech afterall...just kidding!) with a BA in Marketing. We showed our support by sitting through the ENTIRE ceremony. Even though I was in tech territory, I still Whooped and gave a thumbs up. It was the least I could do... I asked Brynlynn if she wanted to go to Tech...she just laughed. :) Congratulations Tanlee!!