Bath time buddies

How cute is that? Last weekend, we went to visit the Rueckel's and decided the little ones needed a quick bath after our swim in the pool. This was the first time Mason had been in the 'big' bathtub with lots of toys and he loved it. I'm not kidding when I say we've got a serious water-baby here... So, we decided it was time to pack away the ducky tub at home. Bath time has always been a favorite, but now we can hardly get him out of it.

Here's another fun picture of Ashley and Mason. This will definitely be blackmail for the teenage years!
If we forget to close the baby gate and he 'escapes', this is where I ALWAYS find him.
We went with an 'Elmo' theme. Check out all those toys! He loves to splash and make a big mess!
And climbing on the side of the tub.
Close-up of my sweet boy.
All clean! This is after the nightly temper tantrum when bath time is over.

Sickly summer

This is my poor baby on Day 5 of the virus from hell. Yes, ladies, he's single...

July has been a rough month for us. Mason was sick the week of the fourth of July and just recently fully recovered from that. Then I was called to pick him up from daycare on Monday because of a fever. After 2 trips to the doctor and a very long week at home, he's finally on the mend from a nasty virus. We had a few really scary days when we could not get his fever below 103, even with alternating tylenol and ibuprofin. I know he's building up his immune system now and hopefully it will pay off when he starts 'real' school, but mommy and daddy need a little break please!!

Summer is flying by!

Now that our child will not sit still for ONE MINUTE, all of my blogging time is spent chasing him around the house trying to keep him out of anything and everything. He is definitely ALL BOY and very inquisitive! Chris did a great job of baby proofing, as you can see from the baby jail picture, which thankfully, is keeping him from tumbling down the stairs!
Yet he still manages to find something to get into... Don't worry, it's just a basket of stuffed dog toys - he's fine! He also loves playing in Shadow's food and water bowls (he even tasted some the other day - yumm!). We're trying to figure out a spot to keep them out of his reach, but still allow the dog to eat and drink. Not easy...

We had a fun and relaxing July 4th weekend with my family at the lake. Mason truly loves the water. His favorite thing to do now is to sit on the side of the pool and jump into my arms. I considered trying to find him some swim lessons for this summer, but I think we'll just continue getting him used to the water and do formal lessons next summer. Here he is after a 'few too many' at the pool (it's a joke people - no calling DFACS please).

And watching TV in the air-conditioning with his Uncle Lamar.
Unfortunately, Mason got sick on the Fourth of July and spent most of the following week battling his very first ear infection. It probably would not have been so bad had it not been accompanied by bronchitis and the croup. It was a long week for everyone, but he's back to his old self now! Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks. I can't get him to sit still long enough for many pictures these days.

We try to go outside everyday, but it has been SOOOO HOT (heat index was 110 the other day)! I wish we had access to a pool at home.
Mason and Shadow longing to be outdoors.
I think it's about time for someone to get a haircut? I don't mind 'shaggy', but it's starting to look more 'homeless'.
And this is the reason we have fewer pictures these days. Even when I try, I usually get something like this... he's always on the move!

On the move!

Mason (finally) started crawling on Father's Day. It's actually more like a 3-legged crab walk looking thing, but he's mobile! For some reason, he does not want his knees touching the floor. My mom said that Lamar did something similar when he was a baby, so maybe it is hereditary? And in case you're wondering, he does alternate which back leg to use as the 'walking' leg. See the attached video below - he's actually much faster after a week of practice.

Happy Father's Day!

Remember this picture of Chris with Mason last year right after he came home (about 2 months old)? As you can see, my boys still enjoy napping together :-). What a perfect way to spend Father's Day weekend.

Chris and I had a nice date night last weekend at Rathbun steak, which was his early father's day present (thanks Margie and James for babysitting!). We're having a pretty low key weekend at home and don't have much planned for the actual day. Happy Father's day to all the great dads out there! Especially the two special ones in our lives - we hope Grandpa and Dee are enjoying a day on the golf course!

Here is a cute card that Mason made for Chris at school. Happy Father's day, Chris! You're a great daddy and Mason loves you very much!

And another card that he made in the church nursery this morning. What can I say, my child makes great (and for some reason always green?) hand prints!

Riding toys

Mason is definitely all boy. He already chooses to play with cars, blocks, balls (his FAVORITE) and other 'boy' type toys. And especially riding toys! He got several new ones for his birthday and he's having a blast trying them all out. Unfortunately, his 'playroom' (aka our former living room) is out of space, so we have to rotate the big stuff in and out so we still have room to walk!

This is his 'Cozy Coupe' that Mimi gave him for his birthday. He likes to climb in it, but he's not quite big enough to move it yet.

Another birthday gift from Nana. He LOVES rocking on his horse. He can really make this thing move!
And his rocker/push toy from mom and dad. He loves to sit on it in front of the TV.
Here he is watching NASCAR with daddy last weekend.

First Year Stats

Mason had his official 12 month check-up today. It's amazing how far he's come in just one year. From that tiny little baby in the NICU that couldn't even breath on his own to a very healthy and active 'wobbler'. His pediatrician was very pleased with his progress and development. He got a few icky shots and we were on our way!

12 month stats:

• Weight - 21.6 lbs (30%); Height - 29.75" (50%); Pretty good considering he was in the 10th% in height at 9 mos!
• Eating 3 solid meals, plus 1-2 snacks and lots of formula. We got the go ahead to switch to whole milk, so we'll be transitioning soon. We're still struggling with table food. He just isn't interested and usually makes himself throw up if we force it. The doctor said to be patient and keep trying and he'll eventually get it. I'm a little worried we're going to have a picky eater...
  
• He currently has 5 teeth (2 top and 3 bottom) and we're on the lookout for more any time. I feel like he's been teething constantly for 3 months with no end in sight!
  
• His sleeping has regressed a little since he started teething. He generally sleeps 8pm-6:30am (sometimes earlier - any tips on how we can get him to sleep a little later PLEASE??) and he occasionally wakes up overnight.
• He's VERY vocal - definitely saying 'mama' and 'dada' (and means it). No other 'real' words yet, but almost constant baby jibberish. He thinks he is really having a conversation with you, which is very cute.
• He never sits still and gets around pretty well by scooting and pulling up on anything. We can't take our eyes off of him for a minute. Thankfully, we're almost done baby-proofing!
  

His likes and dislikes haven't changed much since 9 months. He's very social and is happiest when he's with people and other babies. And he LOVES his 'school', especially since moving to the wobbler's class. They have so many daily activities and he is always exhausted when I pick him up (even with 2 hour naps). He adores his teachers and I am so thankful we found such a wonderful daycare!