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!

Overalls and Visit from Family

I found a pair of overalls hanging in Mason's closet this past week.  His Grandma and Grandpa Steiner got them for him a couple/few months ago, but they were too big at the time.  I had kind of forgotten about them.  Fortunately, I found them before he outgrew them!  They are Size 12 Months and not a bit too big.  

If I had been thinking, I would have kept the overall outfit for this Saturday, when my folks made a quick visit.  Inevitably, my dad was wearing his overalls.  They're a bit bigger than Mason's and not the stylish Osh Kosh B'Gosh brand, but it would have made a cute picture.

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As I've mentioned in other posts, Mason is going through a phase where he is not overly friendly with people he doesn't see on a regular basis.  He seems to be less fond of men than women, and seems to warm up more quickly to younger girls (probably because the majority of his caretakers are college-age girls).  

Poor Grandpa held Mason several times during the visit, but each time Mason seemed to be looking for an escape.  As Grandpa wisely put it, "Don't worry. There will be a time when that will change and he'll want to go fishing with Grandpa and ride on the tractor with Grandpa."  I'm sure he will.

Mason has definitely taken a liking to Grandma Steiner (and her big, soft, kissable [aka slobber-able] cheeks), who decided to strip him of his slobber-covered shirt right as I was going for the camera.

Can't you tell, he's just ready to take off running?  This little wild guy loves being up on his feet.

Mason also seemed to get along well with Aunt Martha.  Uncle Alex thought it was probably because she looks like a "Little Jaime."

Mason really gave Aunt Kirsten a workout, as she tried to wrangle him.  See how that mouth is always open?  That probably explains why his little chest is glistening with drool in this picture!

Mason has gotten very good at maneuvering where he wants to go.  Fortunately, Kirtsie was able to hold him securely while still giving him the freedom to wiggle around like a crazy man.

Six Months Old, Two Big Teeth & No Apparent Appetite for "Big Boy" Food...Yet

We can't hardly believe it's been six months (half a year) since Mason was born!  So many milestones have come and gone, and this weekend marked yet another one (or a couple).  Mason got his first few tastes of rice cereal.

As you can see, he was quite happy to try this new and exciting cuisine.

With eager anticipation in his eyes, he prepares for the first bland bite.

He opens up to prove he's developmentally ready for this big step...

But it's just not all it's cracked up to be!  Apparently the stuff isn't very tasty or texturally pleasing.  :-(

He eyes the next spoonful with very evident skepticism, perhaps even with disgust.

Yep, it was every bit as unpleasant as the first few bites.

Although I don't have any pictures of it, he was literally gagging a little at the last few bites we tried.  We'll keep trying, and eventually he'll like it.  Won't he?


Mason is much more pleased to play in his Exersaucer (aka the Poopoo Portal; I just made that up, but it really is a more appropriate name given what always happens in it...yuck).

See those big, old "teefers?"  I can't help myself; I must mispronounce it from time-to-time.

Nice pose, Mason!

He even points out his teeth!  Ok, he didn't really point them out.  This is just an adorable coincidence.

The little one beckons!  Toodles!

Our Baby's Teething!

Mason's two front teeth (on the bottom) have broken through the gum.  Lucky for all of us, the teething process has not included sleeplessness, excessive fussiness, or other serious agitation (although there have been a few nursing, ahem, incidents).

In addition to teething, Mason is going through another interesting stage--"stranger danger."  Anyone he doesn't see daily may be subject to his scrutiny (including, but not limited to: whining, frantic glances to find mommy, tears, terror...you get the idea).  Mason's poor uncles had to experience a little of this during their visit this weekend.  He warms up, but it takes a bit.  He prefers people to play with him, but not to hold him.

Uncle Al has a new 'stache and haircut.  He's very proud of his new look, as you can tell from the pictures below.

Baby Leo is getting so big!  Look at those lovely cheekies!

Mason is getting agitated. Post over.

Mason has a Cousin!

Mason got to spend some quality time with his new cousin this weekend.  Honestly, the new baby is so peaceful and still that Mason really didn't notice him too much.  He sure enjoys playing with Uncle Andrew and [Soon-to-be] Aunt Ashley, though...I should say especially Ashley--Mason seems to prefer the company of ladies.  He's his mama's baby!

Here are a few pictures from the visit.  Uncle Matthew was over at Andrew and Ashley's, as well.  Unfortunately, Uncle Al[ex] was not in town for the visit.  May-may misses him terribly.

(Note to "the girls," you know who you are: Alex requested a shout-out; you were not left out...Mason loves his Aunts Kirsten and Martha...and also his Aunt Tasha who recorded the coolest Hallmark book for him.  I feel like I'm giving an Oscar speech with all of this "don't forget to mention..." stuff...haha!)

Bet it won't take long for the little guy to catch up with Mason!

Mason eyes Uncle Matthew with some skepticism.

Mason let his new cousin borrow the super-comfy Baby Papasan.