Dog Stuff and Dirt (of course)

So, my child... I have a hard time keeping him out of:

1. Dirt
2. Dog Food
3. The dog's water bowl
4. The dog's crate
5. The dog's bed
6. Everything

I am so thankful that of all the dogs I could have chosen when it came to picking a breed for my pet, I picked a standard poodle.  To some (my husband) that seems like a less than desirable choice.  However, I can't say enough good things about how laid back he is around Mason.  Pete, our lab/pit mix, is also good with Mason, but has growled in annoyance on more than one occasion and really just moves when he sees Mason coming his way.  Berkley, on the other hand, just lays there while Mason hits him in the face, pulls his fur, walks on him, tries to use him as a step, etc.  I think they have struck up some kinds of a deal though because I find Mason sneaking Berkley Cheerios and Goldfish every chance he gets.

The other day I heard Mason yelling "Ba! Ba! Ba! (ball)"  And I looked out to see him repeatedly shoving the ball in Berkley's face trying to get him to play with it.  

Berkley was not fazed.  Mason moved on to play with dirt.

As I mentioned before, you can usually find Mason with a book or a ball (or 2) in his hand.  He has learned a special crawl that he does (even though he can walk, which is much easier) when carrying a ball or book in one hand. (Which is what he is doing in the picture at the top.)  My favorite is when he puts his lovey in his mouth so he can simultaneously carry the lovey and his ball.  Below we have Mason standing on a dog bed which I try really hard to keep him off of.  I wash the dog beds periodically but in the end, they are still dog beds.

And here we have Mason in Berkley's crate.  Awesome.  It is so clean and germ free in there.  He saw me coming and literally laughed and rushed further into the crate.  All the while I am saying, "No Mason, don't go in there."  He thinks it is funny.  Of course.

And last but not least, I found him taking dirt out of the flower(less) pot and deliberately dropping it on top of his lovey.  The lovey was covered in a pile of potting soil.  I ran to grab the camera but before I could snap the picture he had started to pick it up.  You can still see some of the dirt on its face.  

I am still in disbelief that he is going to be one year old on Friday!!  

Crocs, Swings, and Friends

It all started with a pair of Crocs.  No, it all started when Mason learned to walk.  "This baby needs some shoes," I thought to myself.  "I know, I'll get him some Crocs.  Crocs are cute and practical and he can wear them all summer long with all his play clothes."  But wouldn't you know, they have a million pairs of cute girl crocs in tiny sizes and like 3 pairs of ugly boy crocs in tiny sizes.  I ended up having to pay 10 dollars more to get the "chameleon crocs" that change colors in the sun.  Not that Mason could care less or even notice if they changed colors, but because those were the only cute ones in his size.  I am too embarrassed to say how much they were, but it wasn't until I pulled them out at the zoo (after spending a good hour debating in my head if I should keep them) that I realized they turn bright blue and yellow in the sun.  Oh well.... He has shoes.

 So, Friday morning, Mason and I loaded up, bought some Crocs, and then went to pick up the twins and their momma to meet our friends Kristen and Parker at the zoo.  I love having this zoo pass!

Mason was enthralled with most of the exhibits.  The exhibit pictured above is really neat because you get to walk in there with all the parakeets, pet them, and feed them, and get as close as you like.

 Mason especially loves exhibits where he can attempt to climb up fences, etc.  At one point, when we stopped to feed the twins, he figured out how to slide underneath the bar on his stroller and get out of it.  Then he was running around with only one Croc on because he kept trying to pull them off.  It only makes sense that he would hate wearing them.  In the photo below I was trying to hold Mason to keep him from attempting to climb the fence while taking the photo.  (He is watching the monkeys.)

Mason likes his friend Parker who was born in July after Mason was born in April.  I think Mason is asking Parker if he likes the Rhino exhibit.  If Parker had his paci in his mouth, you would then see Mason trying to pull it out.  Since Mason stopped taking a paci around 2 months or before, he doesn't really know what they are so when he sees babies with them he pulls them out of their mouths.

The twins thought the zoo was boring and slept through most of it.  But hey, at least they came.  

 Here is our group photo.  All of the kids looking out at the elephants.  Izzy and Lily can't get enough.

Then we decided to take a turn on the swings.  At first Mason thought this was sort of fun.

Then he wasn't so sure.

Then he thought he might puke.

Parker was loving it!

Then he rubbed it in Mason's face that he was having a blast and Mason was about to barf.

I promptly removed Mason from the swings at this point.

And here are Mason's friends' mommas a.k.a. my friends...  Kristen

And Shana

(the twins are so excited)

The peacocks apparently get to have the run of the zoo.

And for you pharmacy people out there, I took one look at this sign and read, "Sumatriptan Tiger Exhibit."  Then I thought, who knew drug companies would advertise at the zoo?  Then I thought, wait, sumatriptan is generic so they wouldn't advertise that.  Then I read it again. Oh. I am crazy.

Easter, Memories, and New Friends

Neely sharing her Easter Eggs with Mason at Grandma and Grandpa's House

Easter is always a special time for many reasons, but this year I couldn't help be be so thankful for all that has happened in the previous year.  Last year, Easter fell on April 24th which was the day we got to bring Mason home from the hospital!! We were beginning our 5th day at Jackson Hospital and we were ready to take our baby home.  Ben and I had been up pretty much all night long feeding Mason every two hours while still keeping him under the light (he had jaundice), making sure his eye mask didn't fall off, and wishing we could hold him and not have to see him in the little tanning bed all by himself.  We were beyond thrilled when the doctor told us that Mason's counts had dropped ( a good thing) and we could leave at 11:00 am.  We.could.not.wait!  We had both of our parents and my brother and sister waiting on us at our house preparing a celebratory Easter lunch.  It was the best day!

We dressed Mason in his going home outfit with a little bunny on it and loaded him up.  He hated getting dressed then, and still does!

  

Mason's first time in the car on his way home

Getting Him Ready to See His Home

            

                   

                    

I will never forget how wonderful it felt to finally be home!! My family had cleaned the house, bought flowers, lit candles, had Mason's swing up and going, and even installed the ceiling fan on our porch!  Mom and Dad had all of our Easter baskets ready, all of those are the baskets we had as babies and Mason's new basket is on the right.  I can't believe it has already been almost a year since that day.  Since Easter came earlier this year, Mason has gotten to celebrate 2 Easters before turning 1!

This year's Easter weekend was almost as exciting as my parent's came in town and Mason took his first consecutive steps!  It was so exciting and I was so proud.  The next night, mom and dad kept Mason so Ben and I could go on a date night.  We went to Bone Fish (one of our favorites) and then to see The Hunger Games!! I have been wanting to see it since I read all the books and I was not disappointed.  Ben enjoyed it too and he hasn't read the books.  It kept me in suspense the whole time even though I knew what was going to happen! 

On Saturday we had a fun time eating and shopping (me and mom) and then Saturday afternoon Ben, Mason, and I joined Ben's family at his grandparents' house for an egg hung and cook out.  Mason always loves being around his cousins and it won't be long before he's running around behind them now that he is walking.  

Ben, and Mason with Uncle Neal and Neely

Mason Blowing Bubbles With Mimi

Pop took Mason on His First 4 Wheeler Ride. Cate is helping hold him on!

On Saturday night I came down with a stomach bug. Ugh.  It totally wiped me out for the next 2 days.  I was so disappointed since I had to miss church, didn't get to prepare the Easter lunch I had planned, and had no energy to do anything.  It was a bummer.  I did manage to slide from my chair into the floor for some pictures when Mason noticed that the Easter Bunny had come to visit him!  We didn't show him his presents right away since I was sick, but he found them on his own and started yelling.  He knew it was all for him!

A Little Pool Time Before Lunch

 Sometimes it is really easy to get caught up in the egg hunts and the gifts and candy, but it is awesome to think about the real reason we celebrate Easter.  I love to see the wooden crosses in everyone's yard with the purple cloths draped over them.  Even more, I love seeing them on Sunday when all the cloths are white and I know it is because Jesus has risen and we are all saved! I wish I could've been at church on Sunday to sing "Up From the Grave He Arose."  What a wonderful feeling it is to say those words!!


Before I wrap up this post, I have to share pictures of our newest friends!!  Isabelle (right) and Lillian (left) Phillips have been hanging out with Mason as much as our health will allow.  Our friends William and Shana adopted these precious girls back in January and it has been so much fun to watch them grow.  William and Shana found out on Friday that they were getting twins (born 5 weeks premature) and went to get them the following Monday.  They are wonderful parents and have managed twins as easily as anyone could possibly do, especially having all of 3 days to prepare for them!  Mason loves them and loves to give them kisses!  They are going to have so much fun growing up together.

Mason giving Izzy a Kiss

Playing Catch Up

So, I am a little bit behind to say the least.  Around here we have been sick, well, hurt, well, sick, well.... you get the picture.  I have to warn you now that this post contains around 40 pictures from the last 4 months, most them being of my child.  So, if you are adverse to seeing pictures of babies and family stuff then you might want to come back for a later post.  However, if you are still reading this blog, you are probably a family member or close friend and I think you will enjoy this.... 

 

Here we have the traditional "chair picture" on Mason's 9 month birthday... he had been making that funny face a lot and all we could figure was that he was feeling of his new teeth?  The picture below can speak for itself.

 
 Here he is at 10 months and for some reason I forgot to do the chair pictures this month.  However, this was taken on his 10 month birthday and here you see him eating dirt.  He loves to shove a handful in his mouth and then smile and laugh at me when I run over to dig it out.  He knows he isn't supposed to do that and he thinks its funny. Every. Time.

Mimi came over for a visit this day and played outside with Mason.  He loves his Mimi!!

Eleven Months:  The bus he is holding was a gift brought back to me from London from my grandmother, Neanie.  I was just a baby when she gave it to me and now it is Mason's.  He loves it!

On most mornings and after most naps, we find Mason like this; lovey in the mouth.  Sometimes it is replaced with his silky yellow blanket, whichever he has on hand.

Mason got to go to his first Pump It Up birthday party for his friend Alex.  I could not wait to see what he thought of all the fun blow up bouncy things, but wouldn't you know, he slept through most of the party and then he wasn't sure what was going on!  I love this picture of him and Ben making the same face.

One Sunday after church, we all went over to Mimi and Pop's house to celebrate Cole and Cate's birthdays.  Here is the group photo after many attempts this is the best we could do....

Mason loves being outside and Mimi and Pop's house is the perfect place to play and see the beautiful country side!

Papa came down to visit one day when Li Li (we think that is the name she is going with) had a conference in birmingham.  We took Mason to feed the ducks and he was fascinated.

Here he is at Mamaw's house, all ready for St. Patrick's Day.  He had just recovered from Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, and I was just coming down with it.  Oh Joy.

Great grandmother, Mamaw, loves getting visits from Mason.  He is hard to handle though!

This baby loves some books.  He says "bu" for book and "ba" for ball.  Both of which are his favorite things.  He loves to go get a book and hold it out for you to read it to him as he is doing in the picture.

Mason at Papa and Li Li's house looking outside at the dogs.  I love the way he is standing on his tip toes.

When we went to Florence, we got to spend some time at Deer Step in Waterloo for Henderson's birthday (my brother Matt's best friend and like my 2nd little brother).  It is the most beautiful place and Mason always loves a chance to play outside.

The boys got to shoot their guns (yeah, Ben got a new hand gun so watch out!) and then we took the four wheelers out for a ride along the paths.  That part was so fun, but I have turned into a major scaredy cat.  The last time I was at Deer Step was in 2004 and I was all about flying up and down those hills.  This time, all I could think about was, "I am a mom. I have a baby.  This is scary." When my 4 wheeler kept dying on me, I opted for the "safer" route by riding in that vehicle with my brother (can't remember what it is called).  Little did I know, he loves to ramp that thing.  I was screaming.  I was also screaming at Ben who thinks it is fun to do stuff like pop wheelies going up hills and what not.  Could've killed them both.

The vehicle that Matt likes to ramp and states that you "can't tip it over." Right.

Sissy, the daredevil who flipped her 4 wheeler over last time we were there, was a little bit more reserved this time, but still much more fearless than I was.

Back in Pike Road again.... Ben fell off a dump truck at work and landed on his back.  I am pretty sure this is the worst work related injury he has had.  I find this surprising since he is rarely in the field anymore and was just looking at dump trucks that their company was looking to buy.  He is not accustomed to being injured but he was lucky that it just exacerbated an old football injury and he is on the mend.  We were very thankful for his parents who surprised us and came over and cut the grass while Ben was having to take it easy.  They brought Cate and Neely with them and the cousins had fun sharing Cheese Its.

While Matt was on spring break and my parents were in California, we had the pleasure of keeping Charles, the newest addition to the family.  Charles is a 4 month old Golden Doodle and he Mason became fast friends.

Mason learned to adapt his crawl to a "bear crawl" to spare his knees that were constantly getting scratched up.

We have our yard summer ready now that we have a baby pool and a sand box.  We have already gotten a lot of use out of them both! The other toys by the fence were toys that me, Cara, and Matt played on as children.  The slide with the roof is pushing 30.

The pool water is hard to keep clean when you have 3 giant dogs drinking out of it.  Oh well, what can you do? Mason doesn't seem to mind sharing.

The sandbox can keep this baby entertained for minutes, as in almost 30 minutes!  That is an accomplishment in itself.  He loves playing with toys in the sand and dumping sand in his hair, of course.

We made our first trip to the Montgomery zoo with our friends Tucker, Caroline, and Hadley.  It was so much fun that we bought a zoo pass so we can keep going back all year!  The zoo was really nice and we only got to see part of it in the hour and a half we were there.  We are going back with Daddy for Mason's birthday in a couple of weeks.  I think I am the most excited.

We even got to go on a train ride all around the zoo!

On March 31st, we had bridal showers for my friend Leslie.  Leslie and I were roommates for 7 years all through college and I am so happy to celebrate her upcoming wedding with her!  Here is the set up for the brunch we had that morning... It was at Shelley's house and we enjoyed using all of her new china.  It was a special occasion, after all...

Me reading to Leslie all of her fiance's answers to questions I had asked him about Leslie.  She laughed so hard she cried.  We were all cracking up.  (On a side note, you can see my 1 dimple in this picture. It rarely shows up, but Mason has one just like it. That is how I know he is my child.)

Here we all are at the evening shower at Ashley's house.  That woman cooked 36 pounds of bar-b-que and it was amazing!  I love every chance I get to spend with these girls.  They are all extremely special to me and I have known them for at least 19 years, 2 of them I have known since I was five.  I met Shelley in pharmacy school, but she fits right in there with us! Three of these girls are having babies this year which will make 8 kids between us, all under the age of 3.

Here is little man enjoying his pool.  He likes to step in and then step out.

Can you see the sand on his nose?

I set up a ball pit for him on the patio one day so I could get some cooking done.  He was entertained for a little while and then started throwing the balls out.  Never a dull moment.

At the end of the day, he is one tired little boy.  He goes till he just can't go anymore.  Then mommy and daddy crash too.  I have to add that Mason took his first consecutive steps this week/weekend.  He has been walking a lot more today.  Very exciting!  I will be back to post about Easter soon. ( I hope.)