Lately

Mason,


We have been quite busy lately. I am sorry I haven't written in a while. 
Lately, 
you have been mimicking even more than before


you have been dancing more with your arms and head. SO freakin' cute


we received a notice from another modeling agency who wants to meet with you next weekend!


when you hear the garage door, you pause then yell "daddy." you've been doing it for a while but tonight you were playing in your ball pit and you got so darn excited when you heard the garage door!


you have had a fever for 2 days now and you are on ibuprofen every 6 hours on the dot or it will come back. Grandma is taking you to the doctor tomorrow (other symptoms: runny nose, slight cough, and completely dead without medication).


You and Daddy (along with Uncle Todd and Grandaddy) have been working very hard on the backyard (I'll give myself some credit too!). Today we spent the entire day outside!

mom, I am trying to work

why does he get to ride the mower....?

sickness or teething? based on this face...teething

and it only took me 5 minutes!

jammin' out to the radio

I love you, Booger. I start work tomorrow and I know you will have a great time with Grandma!

Mommy

16 months

My little Mason,


Happy 16 months, Buddy! You are changing every day, growing into a hysterical and active little boy. At your last check up Ms. Diane mentioned that between now and 2 your language will sky rocket. Since then I have really been paying attention to all you can say and understand and it truly amazes me. Grandma has always told me I was a talker and combined with your love for some good play time (from Daddy), you are little a little super dude!
You love to kick. Whether it is at swimming lessons, in the tub looking like the karate kid, or playing ball with Daddy and I, you can not only say "kick" but you do it well. Soccer Tots in in your future for the fall. Speaking of swimming lessons, today you went to your first swimming class at the local aquatic center! You and Grandma had a great time. She said you loved kicking and playing in the water and you didn't want to leave the pool! I am so excited I get to take you on Wednesday.
C has definitely been the letter of the month. This month you have started saying, "cookie", "cupcake," and you have mastered, "cracka (i.e. cracker)" and "cook." I love when you say c words because you say it like with a yiddish gargle! 
You have gotten much better at throwing in the past couple days. You have started using a fork and honestly, you knew exactly what to do with it and while we are for sure still in the messy stage, you are pretty darn good at it. As far as the potty goes, you go on it sporadically and for some reason, go potty 99% of the times Daddy puts you on it.
Today you spent your birthday with Daddy playing in the woods and spying on a family of deer. 

Today we also learned that Mommy is headed back to the classroom next week. While the opportunity came up very fast, Daddy, both of you Grandparents, and I believe it is the best option for our family right now. I know I will miss you tons but you know as well as I do that when we are together, we will make up for it times 10! Speaking of both sets of your Grandparents, I want you to call both of them right now and thank them for all they have done for you. Memaw, Granddaddy, Grandma, and you beloved Pop love you so much!


I love you,
Mommy 

15 1/2 month well check

Mason,


1 shot (didn't even make a face. area got red but no reaction)


22 pounds 4 ounces - 25th percentile


46 cm head - 25th percentile


29 1/4 inches long - 10th percentile


I think you got cuter today.

Daddy is teaching you how to play baseball as I write this. You are so smart. He says, "go get your bat" and you get it and you are loving carrying around the bat and ball. 

We are working on rolling the ball too. You can throw, not too far, and you liked throwing the ball to Jack (Drew and Monique's dog).
The other day we shared some delicious girl scout cookies.

happy dance! rockin' his awesome new sandals (thanks Grandma)!

Yesterday we played at a really fun park with A.J. and Wyatt. 

climbed all the way to the top

A.J. and I wold love to think you are best friends but to be honest, you don't care much for each other (or you just enjoy bullying him). You were sharing Cheerios and you wanted the one he took so you stuck your hand in his mouth. You still have a nice size bite. Then you got so mad about the whole ordeal that you started grumbling loud then grabbed Wyatt and pushed him down. He is the only baby you bully and we have no idea why.
Another comment about how smart you are. Today a lady was walking by while we were outside playing. She smiled at you and you said, "hi." She said hi back and continued walking. A few seconds later she asked me how old you were. I replied, "almost 16 months." She replied, "and he just said hi to me? that's good." Yeah, we know. I pointed and asked you just a minute ago when you were looking at your parking garage toy funny to go get your cars. Without hesitation you turn, spot the cars and grab them and bring them over. Speaking of cars, you love to push them all around. As I watch you play, I am reminded of a funny thing I passed down to you. When I am concentrating or in the zone, I make goofy faces or stick my tongue out. You either have a small part of your tongue ot or you tuck your top lip.

You are a love machine lately. I ask for a kiss and I get a big open mouth! You only do it for me (sometimes A.K. or Grandma) and I LOVE them!
There is so much more I could brag on that it is hard to even think of all of the great things you are up to. I enjoy every minute I spend with you, even at 3 a.m.


Love,
Mommy

U Smile

Mason,


Just wanted to fill you in on a few little things. Brushing your teeth is getting quite difficult. I use a finger brush and my finger bleeds 95% of the time because you bite so hard! You now have 3 back molars and 2 bottom canines. Seems like they all popped through while you were sick (good timing).
A few days ago you met a new friend, Paxton, who is only a week old! To be honest, you were way more interested in the dog and the cage but the first time you really noticed him you looked at him and said, "hi" in a gentle little voice. I almost cried.

You also got to play with Haven at the park this week.

You want to be outside all the time. Daddy and I love that you like to be out so much but it's the bringing you in that's tough. You could rake the yard for a straight hour! Seriously you come downstairs in the morning and before we even talk breakfast, you are standing at the back door!
You wake up between 7-7:30 and cry for your paci (like there isn't 5 in your crib) once or twice a night. Makes Daddy and I sad. Don't get me wrong, we love you but we need sleep (going on 3 years no sleep so at this point there is no sleep in sight). 
You continue to love singing (you say, "old macdonald very clearly), Super Why, and your movie. When you are watching your movie, you love to lounge like a bump on a log sometimes with your head in my lap (love). Anytime I say the word, "music" you put your hands together like you want to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider or you point to the computer and we jam out to Justin Bieber (I LOVE him!) or Dr. Jean.
Today you hung out with Memaw and Grandaddy while Mommy was at work and passed out in the swing! They sure know how to keep you busy. You went to see your Great Granny and she is so excited you will be spending Saturdays with them! While we were there, you started saying, "Granddaddy" plain as day. You love it over there!
We received an invitation to meet an agent from a prestigious modeling agency in Atlanta today. Of course that doesn't mean we will in fact be represented but once they meet you, I imagine they will jump to (even if they don't, we are still working with Ms. Stacy)! Honestly, I am not sure we would even do it if asked. Typically agencies require an exclusive agreement  and I really like working with the people we work with now. I imagine your Dad is the most excited about all of this modeling, you look just like him!


Love you,
Mommy


p.s. you tried a Krispy Kreme doughnut for the first time today and LOVED it!

Take the Plunge

Mason,


 Yesterday at the shoot, Stacy said I really needed to get your haircut before Thursday's shoot. Dad and I knew it was coming so we agreed with her and Grandma and I took you to Pigtails and Crewcuts for your very first haircut!
Ms. Gwen was great. We just kept feeding you cookies (that is why you look like a chipmunk in the pictures) and she was talking you through what she was doing and you just chilled!

bye bye mullet

You look adorable. I really don't think you will be called a girl anymore. You look even more like Daddy and just too much like a big boy!


Love,
Mommy

Too much fun

Boo Boo,


We have had so much fun the past few days. From playing outside, to Mommy and Mason cuddle fest 2011 on the couch two days in a row, we just couldn't be happier. Since you love being outside and like Daddy, we figured we'd put you to work!

last year on Feb. 20th

Today you had a shoot for 4 toys by Bright Start. You looked adorable and were pretty defiant (stiffening up combined with flimsy limb....scary for Mommy on set), but Grandma said they got a few great shots. All that matters! 

like my foot in the shot? thank God for cropping

this is the casting sheet along with all the info for the day. so organized!

you aren't modeling the ice cream cone. they are going to photoshop in the bee ball in the picture above.

you did some pictures without your "sister" too

Leaving you with a video from"batting practice."

In the semi-potty training news, you peed in the potty this morning. This evening you went into the bathroom and tapped on the seat. Since I too am new at this I just kind of moved you to the side. Then you squat down and pee in your diaper. Sorry buddy. Sometimes I forget how smart you are!


Love,
Mommy


p.s. I am seriously diggin' when the two of us sit on the couch and you look at me then lay your head on my shoulder and it just keeps repeating. Then we giggle and give love. Ahh! Love you!

Spring Fever

Mason,


I am not going to lie, I have had my doubts about medical professionals over diagnosing and prescribing medications for conditions that they aren't even sure the child has. When Diane told me you had the flu and a sinus infection and prescribed all that medicine and pain reliever, I was very skeptical. I was proved wrong. Just a few days in you have no fever and are back to Mason. No runny nose or anything. Praise God. 
Since you have been feeling so good we have been able to take advantage of the amazing weather we have had. I had a friend cut down almost all of the trees in the backyard and I moved your treehouse and house onto the porch and we have been out back ever since. The other night you just stood by the door. You LOVED it. Needless to say we are so ready for spring!
In other news, you have starting using the potty. I know, crazy! Yesterday morning, Daddy got up with you and let me sleep in. I heard you two come upstairs and Daddy turn on the shower. Then Daddy yelled, " YOU WENT PEE PEE ON THE POTTY!" I shot out of bed and joined in the celebration. Daddy said he figured he'd set you on the potty and patronize my practice. Within a few seconds, it happened! Fast forward to yesterday evening. Daddy took you home from dinner and after he changed your diaper he said he could tell you had to go potty. He asked you then sat you on the potty and you went instantly. Crazy! By no means are we full-on potty training but we are so excited that you seem to be interested in the idea.
Yesterday I took you to the mall. They have a kid play area and of course, you had a good time. All of the children were older and you really just barked at them and giggled and followed them around. While we were there, I asked you if you wanted a cracker. You said loud and clear, "cracka." Alright, you get a cracker. Later I handed you your sippy cup and I could see it was getting in the way of your playing. You walked over to me, smiled, and said, "ho dis." Sure buddy, I'll hold your cup.


Love you,
Mommy