When Will Winter End?

This has been a weird weather week in the midwest.  We had a 70+ degree day and a barely greater than freezing day this week.  With the crumby weather, I suppose it was only appropriate that our poor kid would come down with a case of RSV and pneumonia.  Thankfully, he is quickly on the mend and nearly back to brand new.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the month of March...including a few from today!


Mason is a pro at standing up.  Once in a while he lets go with both hands and is able to remain standing for a short moment before kerplunking onto his diaper-laden behind!

My family came for a quick visit this past weekend.  Note the exciting new 'do Alex is sporting, courtesy of Tony.  Why they thought those lines on the side of his head were a good idea, I'll never know.

Look at those lashes...Martha and Mason's!

Happy in grandma's arms...

Checking grandpa out...

Oh, no!  Grandpa got too close!

Mason's cousin Leo isn't scared of grandpa.

Leo checks Mason out...too cute.

Getting cozy with Aunt Kirtie...

A new toy from Grandma and Grandpa!  Mason pushes it around and walks with it without falling!  Pretty impressive for 8 months old!

Mason's all-time favorite non-toy--the plastic bottle.

Uncle Al babysat for Mason for a few hours today...it was a successful arrangement!  Mason was diapered, fed and put to bed (well, nap...but I like rhyming).

And here Mason is again exhibiting his standing ability.  He's already looking like he feels great despite being home "sick" from daycare.

And for good measure, a picture of the delicious stuffed chicken breast dinner my wonderful husband prepared tonight.  He's showing me up!  I've got to break out some new dinner tricks!

Back to the Daily Grind

After a lovely week of vacation for both Tony and I, we've been back at it [boo, work] this week.  It was so nice to get to spend so many consecutive days with my guys!

During our vacation, Tony and I took Mason on what I would consider his first "major" road trip.  We went to see Grandma and Grandpa Gaines in Oklahoma.  Mason was a pretty good traveller.  The ride down was fairly uneventful with only two stops.  The way back was a bit rougher, but I think that's our fault since we left mid-morning (instead of middle-of-the-night).

Here are a few pictures of Mason, the now CRAWLING baby, during our time off.  Seven months and crawling.  I fear 9 months and walking could be a reality...eek!

Mason seems to be teething and working on some more teeth.  The teething may have made him a little less smiley than usual.  But he's always expressive.  Just check out his little facial expressions with his eyebrows.

Grandpa Gaines got some good bonding time with Mason.  Although Mason gets a case of "stranger danger" with some non-strangers who aren't seen often, Mason was content to sit with Grandpa Gaines for a good while, but not without giving him quite the funny look.

In case you're wondering who he's turning his head looking at, it's his mommy, of course.  Haha!

Grandpa time over!

Here's a few pictures of Mason getting kisses from Grandma.

While we were in Oklahoma, it became apparent that the bassinet insert in Mason's Pack n Play was no longer safe.  The little wild man was trying to pull himself up and out, so we ended up removing the bassinet in Oklahoma.  Mason enjoys playing in the Pack n Play.  Mommy enjoys it too...it allows me to worry a bit less about what he's getting into!

It was definitely a fun, restful and productive week.  Productive, you say?  How was it productive?  Well, when we got back from Oklahoma, we found a house we love and put it under contract!  Assuming inspections go well, and closing goes through [on April 15], our first home will surely be the subject of many a blog entry.  Stay tuned!

Fun Times This Week

Mason has really started liking bath time now that he can sit up and splash with a reasonably high likelihood of NOT falling over and bumping his head or getting a face full of water.  Here are a couple of Internet-appropriate bath time pictures.  

You're probably sick of seeing "Mason in the exersaucer" pictures, but he has such a good time in there, I can get really good pictures.  And I don't have to worry about him getting in to anything he shouldn't be getting into.  Although he's not crawling yet, he is really getting good at maneuvering on his tummy.  He pivots on his belly and sometimes slides himself backwards.

We visited Uncle Andrew's place yesterday.  Leo is getting big!  He's about half Mason's size already (Mason weighed in at 22 lbs, 28 in at his doc appt this week).  As you will notice in the icture, Mason is looking at Andrew a little warily.  He still hasn't gotten over his stranger danger with Andrew.

Uh-oh!  Uncle Andrew is too close for comfort!  Look at the cryin' cousins!  

Mason was checking his cousin out.  As you can see, the little guy's not so little!  What a cute little face!

While Mason isn't quite comfortable with Andrew, he LOVES Ashley and allows her to hold him without fear.  Andrew thought that Mason's comfort with Ashley might give him an opportunity to get in for a kiss on the cheek.  Not so much...

Mason pushes off of Ashley's collar bone to get away.  He also uses this technique to avoid medicine and solid food.

Mason's just not a "man's man," yet.  He loves the ladies.  Hopefully, he will grow out of this and begin to appreciate his male relatives!

Snow Day for Adults!!!

We are getting absolutely HAMMERED with snow today.  I've always missed the snow days of my childhood.  But today, with snow significant enough to prevent safe travel, even the adults are getting a snow day here in the midwest.  I'm loving it.  I'm doing some laundry catch-up, baking a few cookies (admittedly, from a pre-made fundraiser dough purchased from my sisters), playing with my kid and just RELAXING!

Here's some pictures of the current conditions in Columbia--very blizzard-like.  Heck, there's no "-like" about it...it's a blizzard.

As you can see, we're getting plenty of snow.  I actually opened the patio door and screen to take these pictures, so the reduced visibility is real.

Mason is such a good baby!  He's over here playing with toys and actually giving Mommy a chance to do this post.  Better let you all get a glimpse and then get back to being semi-productive.  :-)

Because I can't help myself, here are two other pictures from last night when the wiggle worm was actually being calm!







Smiling Mason...













and staring Mason.  I love this kid.






Stay warm where you are!