Sand in my Quack

Mason,


June 12-16th was your first trip to the beach. Panama City Beach. We left at 1:00 in the morning (we being Mom, Dad, Chris, and your girlfriend, Alex) and other than the couple of times we stopped (it was bright), you were sound asleep (as were me and Alex). You LOVED the water and sand (more to come about that), but HATED the heat. On the first day, you fell asleep on me immediately after we got outside. I put you in the sand on the second day. It was interesting. You put your hands in it (a little apprehensive at first) then grabbed a big chunk and put it in your mouth. Needless to say, the following day, you didn't put the sand anywhere near your mouth. The 2 of us spent a lot of time playing in our condo. I brought down a blow-up duck bath tub to use on the beach. You liked it but got bored after about 10 minutes (like with pretty much everything). One night, the 5 of us did this maze thing and while it is 100 degrees outside and I am running around trying to beat Daddy, you fall asleep. Yeah, we didn't even finish the maze. You are SO heavy now (I guess a little under 17 lbs.)! On the trip, you started to say, "hey/hi" and you even tried to say, "Al e." You LOVE Ms. Alex (hopefully Aunt Alex). She makes me smile more than anyone. You slept awful in FL (we brought the pack n play which you napped in a few times prior). On the way home, you were an angel. Awake and happy. TOTALLY threw me. I don't know why I ever doubt you; you are extraordinary.

In other news, you are using level 3 nipples, wearing almost all 9 month clothes, can pick up things with your fingers perfectly, make full head turns to see something, are impossible to change, say "ump" or "ummm" and stiffen up if you get mad, hate having your nose wiped, can almost run you walk so fast, sit up wonderfully, bounce really freakin' high, and like to steal toys.

I found out that you are that kid today. That kid you steals toys when other kids are playing with them. Your friends Wyatt (1 day older) and Jakson (1 week younger), their mommies, and the 2 of us went to Swift-Cantrell park today, laid out blankets, and had a play date. Wyatt observed as you took toys from Jakson causing Jakson to "bite" (more like slobber) on your head. It was funny! You are the smallest of the 3 but the most active for sure. 

This one is funny. Right before the "biting" incident.

Staring at a John Deere

Last night the agent from KidsII, the company you did the test shoot with, called the the company LOVED you. They have you booked for a shoot June 24th. I am so excited for you and don't worry; the money will go into your college fund!


Also, you LOVE 4 year olds. You can pick them out. The Friday before we left for Florida, the 3 of us went out to eat with Mommy's friend Kerri, her daughter Kamryn, and Kerri's friend, Mike. Kamryn entertained you in the high chair for over an hour. Then while in Panama City playing put-put, you stared at a boy, following his every move. Although I knew the answer, I asked him his age and he said,l "4." I guess you really enjoyed all the time you spent in Grandma's 4 year old class.

You love to type on Grandpa's computer. The best part is that you look at the computer! Oh and you can give kisses now. Give kiss!

Love you,
Mommy (which you still haven't said)

7 months old

Mason,


I can't believe that 7 months ago at 9:25 this morning, I gave birth to you. I remember it was such a great experience and I was SO happy to finally meet you. It really doesn't feel like it has been that long. Only 5 more months and we will be celebrating the big 1!
You have been pretty grouchy today and the cause is pretty cool. You are getting your first 2 teeth! I can feel the tip (spikey!) of one of the bottom ones and see the white in your gums from both. I gave you some Tylenol (generic brand since the original was recalled) and you are taking a nap (Tylenol didn't seem to help much. Bought some teething tablets so we'll try that). You started putting your feet in your mouth a few days ago (Dad said you did it a while ago but I don't believe him). You scoot backwards when you get mad but you aren't interested in scooting anymore. We have been giving you more showers than baths lately since we have had issues with the water. You don't mind them but you LOVE the bath a lot more. You still get fussy once a night but are put back to sleep with a position change (you like your belly and side) and paci. Last night, we had great family time. Here are some pics (gotta love the "jean" diapers):

Love,Mom

So much fun!

Mason,


We really have a lot of fun together. To be honest, I thought I wasn't made to be a stay at home mom. But just the past 2 weeks, I have really come to treasure every little moment and love spending time with you. Yesterday, I took you to Target and Publix for the first time by myself. It was so nice just me and you. You even sat in the cart for the first time!
You also put your foot in your mouth yesterday (while laying on your back, you do it all the time when you sit up). Speaking of sitting up, just in the past 4 days, you have mastered sitting upright. You love playing sitting "like a big boy." 

You have also become very attached to your "lovies." As far as sleeping in your crib goes, you still are not a big fan of all the space and sometimes you roll into a position Dad and I need to move you out of. You seem to like your new car seat. I love hearing you sing with me (when you aren't screaming your head off of course) in the back seat.
Random but this morning you woke up WAY too early (I LOVE that 7:00 is early now) and Daddy and I put you in bed with us. As you like to do, you began playing with my face. Then you shoved your finger up my nose and made it bleed (lol).
You also found your tongue earlier this week. You will have to see the video to know what I am talking about. You pull up in your high chair and open you mouth really wide for food. I am teaching you to say, "ahh" and you do it sometimes.
Today was your first day in NMC's KCRG. I am guessing you liked it because you pooped and took a short nap. Mommy is still having a hard time letting go; I thought about you the whole time.
We are working on teaching you the following words: dog, hi and bye bye, book, and mama. So far dog seems like it may be the next word. You say "do" and "g" but not together. 
You continue to love reading books before bed. Your favorites include: That's not my Pirate, Black on White, Baby's First Words, Farm Animals (Baby Einstein). 


Love you forever,
Momma

What a difference!

Mason, 

Thought this was funny. Here is Mommy Daddy while we were boyfriend and girlfriend in September of 2007 by a wood pole at The Playground of Dreams

Here was us in May 2010 by the same pole

LOL. Time changes everything. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Love ya Buddy,

Mom

Strike a Pose

Dear Mason,

On Wednesday, I took you for a test photo shoot for the company KidsII. They are looking for models and you got a call back! No cost to us and you had a great time. They only had to take 5 shots and all of them were great. You really are a happy kid.

You love to sleep with  "lovies" (your spit up rags). I loved to sleep with 2 blankets growing up so I figured I'd start you on it.

Daddy and I took you to the animal shelter on his day off. We figured since you love Sicily so much that you'd love the shelter; and you did! You got mad at Daddy becuase you wanted to touch a puppy and when that puppy barked at you, you smiled then giggled. Then a larger puppy barked at you and you did it again! We took you into the big dog room and lo and behold, you fell asleep. You are a strange fella.

Love ya to pieces,
Mom

Product Review

Doodlebug,
I know when you become a Daddy things will have changed but I wanted to let you know my thoughts on some things I love, and some I could do without:


LOVE
Fisher Price Jumperoo Baby Gymnastics
Bumbo chair
Boppy high chair/shopping cart cover
Fresh Food Feeder
Fisher Price Nature's Touch Papsan Swing
Blow up Munchkin brand duck bath tub - for the beach and pool especially
Johnson & Johnson foaming head-to-toe wash
Safety 1st ultrasonic 360 humidifier


HATE
Chicco high chair - hard to clean
Dr. Brown's bottles - good for baby, bad for cleaning
Fisher Price Whale of a Tub - hard to clean and not good for baby sitting up
Vicks cool mist humidifier


I will probably update this as I think of more.
LOvE yA,
mOM

AHH!

Mason,
Sorry I have not updated in a while AGAIN! Here are some notes about the past 2 weeks:

• The night of the last post I wrote we started putting you to sleep without the positioner. You are now sleeping on your side in the crib!
• Friday, May 21st was your 6 month check up (although you were technically 6 1/2 months).

         15 lbs. 4 ounces - 50th percentile
          25 inches in length - 50th percentile
          I cant remember what your head circumference was but I know you were in the 50th  
          percentile
          So basically, you are perfect...not that we didn't already know that!

• The following Tuesday, you weighed 15 lbs. 10 ounces. Growing like a weed!
• Everything is "da da"
• You are getting better at sitting up unassisted but definitely not independent yet
• You no longer shake your body to walk. You straight up bend your knee and put one foot in front of the other. Not much interest in crawling; you still roll too much. 
• You fell asleep on Grandma in the pool
• We are moving you into a big boy car seat today (Britax Roundabout 50)
• We started giving you a fresh food feeder and you tried strawberries and kiwi. The first day with the strawberry, you though it was a bit tart; you could tell by your expression (you would just look at it and make a face!). The following day, I ate strawberries with you and you sucked on it just fine. As for kiwi, negative. You tried it but it was way too tart (I laughed a lot).
• You wake up happy and play in your crib
• Last night, you played with Raegan and you were putting your hands on her and she was doing the same. Then you tried to eat her foot and you guys were cute. Then, Raegan got excited and screamed. Yeah, you cried. After you calmed down and started playing again, she screamed again, and you cried again. You don't even blink hearing dogs bark....hmmm....
• You spent the night with Grandma and Pop Saturday after Daddy's surprise 25th birthday party. 
• You started doing this thing where you look like you are chewing gum
• You can't see your bottle or else you will want it
• Your current schedule:

         8:00 - wake up and breakfast (4 oz. jar and 4 oz. bottle)
        11:30 - 6 oz. bottle
         2:30 - lunch (4 oz. jar and 4 oz. bottle)
         6:00 - dinner (4 oz. jar and 4 oz. bottle)
         9:15 - 6 oz. bottle
         9:45-10:00 - bed


As far as naps go, you usually take 3 1 hour snoozes.


Love Always,
Momma


Pictures from playing with Jordan at the park