URA QT

My little Peanut,
Happy Hallmark Holiday! 4 lllooonnnggg years ago (lol), this was Daddy and I's first holiday and since we were just friends, a simple Happy Hallmark Holiday text was suffice. Still today we don't make a big deal out of it. Of course before Grandma left on vacation, she made a big deal out of it baking you a mini heart cake with conversation hearts, giving you a stuffed monkey complete with fuzzy heart, and she along with Great Grandma, got you a card. I just like the excuse to dress you in my version of a pirate valentine. 

first time exploring the yard

yummy dirt

lots of hair!

moved the water table outside and obviously, it went over quite well

The weather is a PERFECT 63 and you know we played outside and had fun. Before though we went to a free trial class at the Little Gym. You had a great time dancing, running, walking on the balance beam (you did really well), and playing on all of the other awesome mats. Too bad it is so expensive or we would be there every week!
Yesterday we headed to Stride Rite to purchase your second pair of shoes. You measured a size 4.5 wide so we bought a size 5. They are big boy running shoes with traction. Hope they are ready for all your action!
On Friday, you started not only shaking your head no but saying it along with it. You use the motion/word combo correctly 75% of the time. The other 25% is times when I ask you if you want something and you say no then continue to haggle for it. Since we are trying to teach you how to really use the word, we are withholding until you say more or yeah (which you inevitably to a minute later).  You are also started using more again and have started saying all done (when I ask if you are all done because you are throwing your food on the floor).
Happy Valentine's Day Booger!


Love you,
Mom

The Dreaded Ex

Mason, 


We don't have to wait for you to get older to deal with the dread ex. Mommy and Grandma both have to deal with it everyday it was only a matter of time before it would strike you. I am talking about eczema. After hearing you couldn't have athlete's foot (the cream didn't work anyway) and treating you with powder (which didn't help either), I noticed your hands were staring to peel. Mommy's intuition stepped in and I took you to Dr. Saade this morning. You weighed in at 22lbs. 12 ounces and what do you know? You have joined me and Gram in the dreaded ex club. You specifically have dyshidrotic dermatitis. Amazingly, he prescribed a cream that I put over your feet and hands along with Aquaphor and within one application, it looks better! Yeah! You also have a little on your tummy I will start treating tomorrow. 
In other news, your nose is quite runny from that dang molar, your hair is getting longer by the minute, and I love you very much. That is all.


Mommy

Can you imagine it?

Mason,


Can you imagine the perfect place for a toddler? Mess? No problem. They clean it. You like balls, trains, water, and moon sand? They have it. Is the kid a wanderer? Plenty of kid-friendly carpet. We went to that place today along with Jakson and Wyatt (and a super cute surprise guest); Imagine It! Children's Museum. 
From balls falling from the sky to plastic rakes and wooden train tables, to playing with Ben Affleck's kid in moon sand, we did it all.

yum

double yum....I mean, you loved the moon sand...

I loved watching you play with that weird stuff. You were digging in it and really playing with it. That gets me very excited about the beach this summer (and again in November). 

After moon sand, you played Picasso then we headed to the water area, dress up, and back to your favorite...moon sand. 

see it on my lips? nope, it wasn't edible.

all by yourself

We ended the day with lunch at Chick-fil-a then some tummy time at home (yup, no nap).

Great times with great friends. Can you imagine it?

Love you,
Mommy

15 months

Mason,


It is hard to believe your rate of growth. Seriously dude. People tell you when you are pregnant that your little ones childhood will fly by but when you have a newborn, you have no idea what they are talking about or just pray for them to grow up so you can't sleep at night. You are a walking, talking, screaming example of a toddler now and I can't believe the Lord chose me to be your mom.
I am a ball of energy. I love to go, go, go. Whenever I wonder where you get it all from, I forget to take a look at myself. Of course, we all know you look like Daddy but you are opinionated, grouchy, and goofy, which are all your mom. 
At 15 months, your schedule has remained pretty similar other than the move to one nap. That's right. You nap for 2 hours beginning between 11:30 and 12:00 and typically waking at lunch time. If we happen to be in the car at 6:30 (seems to happen quite a bit), you will take a short snooze then too (never let it be more than just the car ride though). You head off to dream land between 8:15 and 8:45 and we won't hear you most of the time until at least 8:00. Sometimes, you will be fussy around 7:00ish which is when I pop you in bed with me. In that situation (guilty of it 4/7 mornings), we wake up around 8:30 and cuddle (my favorite!). 
When I get home from work, I pick you up and you lay your head on my shoulder. I am the only one you do it to! 
Last night we went out to eat with A.J., Wy, and Ms. Greene and you broke the first plate you have ever broken (and the first ever broken at the restaurant). Yeah for milestones....
Check this out to find out what words you can say, understand, and those random big words you say out of no where.
You have horrible athlete's foot we are treating with powder. Cross your fingers it gets better. Your feet just get so sweaty (and super stinky!). 
You shake your head no and it's still cute. You have just started to walk up stairs while holding on. You and Daddy had a man day and ate at Moes and played at Oregon Park. 

You sleep 11-12 hours each night and put yourself to sleep after a short singing session. You know where your hair, tummy, and head are. We are wearing size 12 month clothing (which is 9-12 months) and in Old Navy, size 12-18 months.


Love you,
Mommy

Holy Moley

Mason,


Fun. It's our family motto I think. Today we had just that, we began the morning with a play date with a new friend

After brushing our teeth, 

we spent the day goofing off. You were extra cuddly today because your back molar has broken through! I could tell it was bothering you too. I can't believe you still have more molars to cut. Holy moley!


This evening, Chris, Alex, and both sets of your grandparents came over to watch the superbowl. We definitely need to have people over more often. You loved hanging with the guys (doing your ninja moves), grabbing chips and dip, and playing with both of your grandmas.


Earlier this week, we hung out with Mrs. Lisa and Haven. You two had a great time tearing up playing in the cabinet. Haven kept walking up to you and giving you big hugs and you didn't mind at all. In fact, you walked up to him a couple times to do the same. Mrs. Lisa said, "wow, he really is a talker!" Yup, always jibber jabbering away.


Love,
Mommy

Communication

Mason,


Being married for 21/2 years has taught me something about communication. You have to have it if you want to get your point across. If you don't get your point across, anger will ensue and in the Turner house, you don't want to go there. Seems in your almost 15 months of life, you too have learned a little something about communication. 
You talk all the time. Some real words used properly, some jibber jabber meant to be words that we just don't understand, and some plain jibber jabber. You mimic and read lips constantly. Today while you were eating lunch I asked you, "are you watching the microwave?" Then you whispered, "microwave." Not even in baby speak but straight up. Especially when we are singing (a few weeks ago happy birthday, lately Itsy Bitsy), you will stare us down and move your lips. The wheels that must be turnin'! 
Your favorite song is Itsy Bitsy Spider. Want to know how I know? You make the spider and move your arms up! No lie (got it on video, what what!). When you hear a song with even the tune or if I ask you if you want to sing a song, you put your chunky little fingers together and move your hands up. We are working on the rest of the hand movements too. 
You have great communication when it comes to getting what you want. Just in the past few days, you will walk around with your arm up and seem upset, when I take the time to look at what you are pointing at, it will be a sippy (sometimes a pacifier). Tonight, you wanted to play a new game my great grandpa played with me; clap hands, clap hands, oops! (I clap your face). You love it and sometimes when you'd put your hands together, I was thinking you wanted to sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. You shook your head and got sad until I started the clap hands game. 
I am glad you are starting to really be able to communicate with us but I am scared because I know full sentences are right around the corner. Stop growing up so fast!


Love you little love,
Mommy

Lil' Scrappy

No...the REAL Lil' Scrappy

Because A.K. is an intern at Kennesaw State University's Owl Radio and has worked very hard, she now has her own radio show once a week. After your first visit to the station, everyone fell in love with you and they wanted you to be there mascot. Crafty Grandma whipped up an owl costume and voila! Now you walk around saying, "owl" and "hoot hoot." KSU's mascot is named Scrappy so we "dubbed" you Lil' Scrappy. When you are on-air (which you have been), you are DJ M Dub. While at he station, I heard you say, "owl" and "Cata (Carter)" for the first time. Go Owls!


Love,
Mommy