Week 21: Go Monkey Go and Raspberries

Someday soon we will be chasing this lil' monkey around this house so for the moment we will enjoy the fact he is not mobile.

Mason is a big fan of "raspberries" aka blowing bubbles and spitting. I tell him "say it don't spray" but he hasn't gotten the hint yet. We don't encourage this but it is pretty darn cute. When he first wakes up in the morning he makes this noise and it always make us smile!

Week 20: Leaps and bounds

Every morning we are so excited to see Mason's smiling face and lately we await the new trick he will reveal that day. For example, holding his own bottle. He has also begun to army crawl for toys or the dogs. We better get baby proofing the house ASAP. He is sitting on his own and rolling over. I know every parent thinks their kid is the coolest (as we all should) so please don't take our blog as braggadocios but just our excitement at being first time parents. Plus this is my way of journaling for Mason's baby book.

A lot of toe sucking these days.

Jumping in his exercisers.

He has outgrown his bouncy seat but we sometimes use it in the morning while I make coffee and Matt makes his breakfast. This morning he decided to squirm out and was lounging.

Wearing dads ball cap

Feeding Mason solids is a lot of fun. I am making my own baby food (so easy). We have tried a whole bunch of veggies and fruits. This week on the menu is peaches and carrots. A few weeks ago my best friend Kai told me to be careful with the bananas, apples, and rice and to add prunes to them to ensure regular BM's. I have been doing this but I think he was having to many starchy foods and for a few days he cried and cried and pushed and pushed. I called our Pediatrician and did a little research. I ran off to the store to buy some suppository's per the doc's recommendation and left Mason with Ange. I got home empty handed and Ange. offered to go to another store (she is such a good Aunt, she said the checker gave her a funny look buying infant suppository's). I decided to put Mason in a warm bath and within 5 minutes it worked, he required another bath after that but he was a much happier baby. I guess we have those suppositories on hand if need be. Anyways, I have decreased the starches to once a week or mixed them with more fibrous foods.

Life is really good. Last night when I laid down I realized being a mom has made me happier than I ever thought I could be and so thankful!

Week 19: Easter galore and family lovin'

Easter weekend was wonderful! We had dinner on Saturday with the Gilbreaths and Sunday with the Armsteads.

GG Bert and GG Larry can't get enough of Mason. GG Larry always says "he is all boy." Its really cute because you can tell how much Mason means to them.

Grandma Nancy and GG Bert are watching dad's skills at changing a diaper.

Uncle Nick was in town, it is always nice to see him. We missed his girlfriend Ange. and hopefully we will get to see both of them soon.

Mason is going to be big and stong like his Uncle.

On a side note I am not sure why I do not have any pictures of Aunt Angela? Sorry Ange. (Yes. Nick and Matt's sister's name is Angela and Nick's girlfriend's name is Angela). Whenever sister Angela comes into the room he just stares and smiles at her...it is so cute. She calls Mason her "main squeeze."

Family shot.

Of course Grandma and Grandpa always host a wonderful dinner. Mason got some really cute clothes and toys and enjoyed every minute of our day spent there. It was relaxing for all.

Sunday morning we drove to my folks. Emily is already having Braxton Hicks every 7-10 minutes so she was do her best to take it easy. She is 27 weeks so that lil' dude needs to keep cooking. Mason loves his Auntie Em. And on a side note she is such a cute prego.

Keegan was a crack up as per usual. He hunted for eggs, opened all his Easter goodies, and helped me open Mason's. I love to tease him and he always has the best reactions. He reminds me of Cade when he was little I could always get a rise out of him. Love you Keegan....you are so much fun.

Grandma with the boys. Mason scored in the toy and clothes department with both Grandmas. Thank you, he is going to be stylin' this summer.

Papa feeding Mason some sweet potato and cereal.

Dinner was delicious and the company was even better. My mom always has the most beautitful flowers on her table. Thanks families for a wonderful weekend, we are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Week 18: Just a few words...

The butternut squash was a hit....hope everyone has a blessed Easter!

Week 16 and 17: Snow baby, Keegan's birthday and cereal

The day before Matt left for Phoenix we received 16-inches of snow. There is something so peaceful about being stuck inside with a fire while the world outside your door is completely silent. The snow dumped and two days later it was 60 degrees and it was gone. We Love Colorado!

The morning after the snow storm we bundled up Mason in his snow gear and stuck him in a snow pile for some baby book shots. He was not sure what to make of the white stuff...before we know it he will learn all the fun things you can do in the snow. Matt did ask me if he was too young to go sledding....um yeah, 4 months is a little young:)

What do you do after frolicking in the snow? Take a warm bath of course.

We packed up all our gear (how do babies need so much stuff for two days?) and headed to the mountains. It was harder than I thought to say goodbye to Matt and while I drove up to my folks I realized it had been over 2.5 years since we spent the night apart. A quick thought crossed my mind about air travel and that my world would be shattered if he did not make it home. Being a single mom was a sad concept but I quickly said a prayer and left my worries in god's hands.

Mason and I arrived at grandma and grandpa's relaxed and ready to enjoy some time with them.

Grandma pulled out the highchair and Mason played with his toys.

I made Keegan's birthday cake. Not to creative but at three they are easy to impress. So we had a spiderman/frog themed birthday.

Grandpa couldn't stop kissing those checks but who can? They are some good kissin' checks.

Keegan wasn't feeling to well but he managed to get up enough energy to open his presents as you can see in the video.

The weekend was wonderful, we took walks, lounged by the fire, ate yummy food and most of all enjoyed time with grandma and grandpa. We did miss daddy and we were glad to come home renewed.

Matt flew in on Monday morning to meet us at the Pediatrician's for Mason's 4 month appointment and shots. Here are the stats:
Weight = 17.0 lbs 90%
Height = 26 inches 75%
Our doctor thinks he is going to be 6'4" 200 lbs of muscle....oh my!
He also gave us the go ahead to begin solids....so that night we decided to start the rice cereal. We will try that and oatmeal for a few weeks before we begin veggies (butternut squash).

I asked Matt to take some photos of his trip so I could post them on the blog. He took 2, one of the baseball game and one of a view from a hike. I was hoping for one of Nick and Matt at those places...so we decided the photos are not blog worthy. He did have a nice time in the 80 degree weather with his brother but missed us more than he thought he would which was nice to hear:)

Weeks 14 and 15

We have been busy lately. It is really nice to have Matt home on Fridays even though his paycheck is smaller. We get so much more done in three days. We recently re-did our laundry room with new paint, more storage and a new floor. We have been outside a lot hiking and walking the dogs. It has been in the 70's. We pulled out summer clothes and flip-flops but as my fellow Coloradans know how fast our weather can change. This week we are expecting snow and 39 degree weather. We don't put away winter clothing until June and even then it is nearby for camping trips.

This coming weekend Matt is going to Phoenix to visit his brother Nick and watch some spring training games. When Matt asked me if he could go I was so tickled that he would have the chance. (1)I love Nick and I know how much they miss each other (even if they don't say it) and I was glad they would have some one-on-one time to spend together (2.) He deserves this. He is such a hard worker at the office and home. It always seems like a few days away refreshes your soul and thus makes you better to your family.

I am pretty confident I could handle Mason on my own for the weekend but what's the point when your family lives near. So we are off to Grandma and Grandpa's for a mountain retreat. So in a sense I am getting a little vacation as well. If you know my mom and dad you would understand that they are the type who love to help out. I really love going home. Plus Keegan is turning 3 and I am in charge of the cupcakes and cookies:)

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks.

Grandma with her two Grandsons....a

third is on the way. My brother and sister-in-law are due in the middle of July and recently found out they are having another boy. We are so excited to have another baby. I can just see these three boys as they get older...uh oh T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!! I also think grandma is going to need another arm because they all love to be held by her.

Mason's favorite toy is pluto. Mason and Keegan shared nicely but I think Keegan wanted to borrow him. Later that night Keegan told me he was a dog and his name was Pluto and I could only call him that. He is to much fun these days.

My mom got Mason some new jammies, they are 6-12 months and they fit quite well.

Mason's eyes have turned even lighter blue and he has the longest eyelashes (like his dad). Someday a lucky girl is going to love looking into those baby blues.

His Saint Paddy's day digs. The turtle pants worked quite well for this hokey get-up.



I took this video a few days ago. He cracks me up. He is at the stage where everything must be tasted and than dropped. I apologize for my mommy banter and again all the clutter on my counter. It gets picked up every few days but I am learning my clean freak ways have to take back seat these days.

Week 13: Is it March or May? and baby Yoda

We have had record high temperatures this week. Yesterday it was 77 degrees here and usually this time of year it is in the 40/50's. So we have been taking a lot more walks with the doggies. The only downside to this beautiful weather is we NEED the moisture. Fire danger is high and that is scary.

Today we took a nice long walk and Mason faced forward in the pack for the first time. He is getting so big, actually he is 16.5 lbs!!! I think he is ready to chow down on some solid food but we will wait a few more months for now he is getting his fill of breast milk.

My mom and dad took Mason on Saturday evening so we could attend a friends 30th birthday (we are entering that stage). Matt and I drove up later that night, I am not ready to leave him quite yet even though they would be the people I would do so if need be (Matt liked that idea too). Anyways, he had a blast there. My mom and dad are the best and they are even better grandparents.

Grandpa hanging out with our furry boys and our baby boy. That boppy looks great on you dad, just in time to nurse Mason:)

He loves to stare at grandpa, can't figure out that mustache or all the kisses.

Love those bright colors and my grandparents!

So Matt decided our son looks like Yoda, maybe we have a Halloween costume picked out?