Growing up!

February - what a fun month! We spent February with family and friends relaxing at the beach and playing in the Sierras ....

We started the month by stealing away to Mount Madonna Campground over by the coast along with our friends, Steve and Crystal. We were kid-free and loving our new-found adult freedom! It was a beautiful little park. Although it rained on us during our first night's stay, the rest of the weekend touted beautiful weather - - we decided to take the dogs down to the beach. We packed a lunch and had a picnic in Seaside ... the sun was warm on our faces; however, the ocean breezes kept us comfortably cool. After a long stroll on the beach, we decided to head back to camp so we could start drinking our adult beverages and chow down on the yummie dinner we brought. Of course, we capped-off the evening with schmores ... who says schmores are for kids?!

Later on in February we took a trip to the Tahoe cabin. Although Tim was unable to join us for this excursion (due to wrestling obligations), I was very fortunate to have Grammie Margie be able to babysit Mason so I could ski. I hadn't skiied in three years and it was glorious to be on the slopes again! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ski day! The snow was squeaky (for all you fellow-skiiers/boarders, you know that is when the snow is prime)! 

The cabin was a nice little vacation for me, even though Mason had his share of annoyances on the trip. The poor little guy was cutting his molar and was VERY unhappy during the middle of the night. He cried (loudly) in the small cabin for over an hour. I felt so terrible in that I knew he was waking everyone up. Thankfully, Grammie Margie came to the rescue and helped me out. She was able to finally get him down about 45 minutes after coming down to help. Thank God for Grandmas!

Unfortunately, we weren't able to play in the snow this trip as it decided to RAIN the following two days. Thankfully, it was snowing up on the summit of the mountain (as to not ruin the beautiful ski conditions); 

however, the damp weather didn't allow us to complete our yearly tradition of erecting an "anatomically-correct" snow person. 

Mason is growing faster than ever. It is amazing to look at him and see a little boy and no longer a little baby. He has his own set of quirks, habits, and desires. He LOVES to open and shut doors. He could play with a door all day, if you let him! He is (gulp) now able to open doors, too! Our interior door handles are the ones with the pull handle (versus the round door knobs) ... they are WAY too easy for him to open. Thankfully, all our exterior doors have knobs and not handles (as well as dead-bolts)! He is having to learn what rooms are "off limits" and is surprisingly, doing well. 

Mason is very mechanical in nature. You could put a stack of toys in front of him and he will completely ignore them! He would much rather open and shut cupboards, put lids on jars, and stack buckets inside of each other.  It is very interesting to see his little mind at play.

Tim and I are pretty lucky that he has fallen back to his normal sleep routines. He tends to take one, very long afternoon nap (usually 4+ hours) and goes down for bed around 8:15. I usually have to wake him up in the morning when I leave for work around 7:30pm. 

Well, I have posted some pictures and some video from February. I hope you are all doing well and I will post the "ins-and-outs" of March in the not-too-distant future.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=60cie9o.54pm40p8&x=0&y=44ckjw&localeid=en_US

Jenn :)

NO!

The other day, I came to the realization that Mason is no longer a baby. He earned his "right of passage" as a toddler when he learned to emphatically say the word, "NO!" I was feeding him breakfast and when I asked him, "one more bite?" he turned his nose in the air and forcefully said "No!" ... at that moment, Mason's baby life flashed before my eyes ... his first day home from the hospital, his first bath, the first time he rolled over, the first time he slept through the night ... all those lovely moments ... in the past, tucked away in our memories ... we now have a little person who is learning his independence and is interested in testing his boundaries.  It's funny, I see more of myself in him now that he is getting older and is starting to display stubbornness and independence. 

The month of January flew by and was filled with many happy days. We celebrated New Years at our house with a pajama party ... all the kids sacked out early and let the adults play games, drink and enjoy the overall splendor of the evening. 

Mason and I enjoyed a few trips this past month. We took a day trip to Tahoe with the Thorns family in early January. Mason and Stephen had a great time playing in the white fluff that covered the ground. Mason and I also went up to Chico and visited Mason's Great Grandparents, Jim and Rita. He learned how to say "Rita" during his visit and now makes a usual practice of saying, "Wee-ta, Wee-ta" on a regular basis. 

Our little man now has six teeth and is walking more regularly. Although he still scoots around on his knees (mostly when he sees mommy, daddy, or a grandparent), he is much better at walking around. Mason is talking .... a lot. He has quite the little vocabulary for a 16-month-old. He can be such a little chatter-box, if in the mood!

Anyhow, I have posted pictures that can be 

viewed at the following link:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=60cie9o.62o8bc3w&x=0&y=-7pr5gj&localeid=en_US

I hope this finds you all doing well!

Love,

Jenn, Tim and Mason

On the go!

Well, Mason has finally decided to walk! Here he is, a little over 16 months old and is finally on his own. He has been playing "walk the human" for the past few months ... he would walk around with the assistance of an adult finger ... and anytime we'd let go, he would shriek in displeasure and often times, would cry pathetically  ... now, he can walk all on his own!! 

We had a wonderful family Christmas and enjoyed five days strait of holiday parties. We had Christmas Eve dinner with all Grandparents and Mason's "GG" .. that's his Great Grandma Suzie. Christmas morning we woke up and exchanged gifts as a family and then went over to Tim's folks for Christmas morning breakfast (and we were joined by my folks, too). 

Mason wasn't too interested in Christmas ... he was more interested in the bows that decorated the presents! The one thing he really loved was the

 rocking chair that was given to him by his Auntie Kara. He sits in his chair and tries to rock back and forth .. it is pretty cute.

Everything was hunky-dory until Mason came down with my cold on Saturday night ... he was feverish and a little grouchy for our family party in Chico on Sunday. Even though Mason was sick, we still braved the trip to see Mason's other Great Grandparents, Jim and Rita. So five days and five pounds later, we had a wonderful Christmas and Mason is finally on the mend. Even though he has a runny nose and a pretty good cough, his fever has broke and he is jovial as usual.

I have included a link to some pictures taken around Christmas time. I have also included a video taken with my camera of Mason walking!  

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=60cie9o.5gx2g3sk&x=0&y=-ienahv&localeid=en_US

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and that you have a safe and happy New Year!

Love,

Jenn, Tim and Mason

This past Monday, I worked an incredibly long day. I arrived home around 9:30pm to quietness. The Christmas tree lights dimly lit the living room and not a sound was heard throughout the house.  I couldn't find Tim at first, until I realized that he was in Mason's nursery. When I peeked my head in, I saw Tim standing in the middle of the room, trying to rock a wide-awake-baby to sleep.  

Seeing that Mason was still awake, I asked Tim if I could try and rock him to sleep (since I had not seen my boy for two days as the night before was a sleep-over night at Grandmie Marge's house). As I settled into the rocking chair an cuddled Mason in his fuzzy blanket, his body relaxed and sank into mine as the chair squeaked with a rhythmic creek. As he became more relaxed,  he finally focused on my face. We locked eyes and I couldn't help but smile. It was truly a heart-warming experience. I couldn't resist

 the temptation to see his whole face, so I pulled his pacifier out of 

his mouth. As I did this, he smiled at me and let out a cute little giggle. Unable to control myself in observing his cuteness, I too, let out a giggle. What was a moment of sentimental bonding quickly turned into a giggle fest as he returned my laughter. I was unable to control myself as Mason's giggle turned into a full-on belly laugh. And if you have heard his laugh (at this stage), you can confirm that it is hard not to reciprocate the hysterics!

After we laughed so much that Mason got the hick-ups, I started to quiet him down in an attempt to have him in a relaxed sleep-state once more. After a few minutes, I was able to finally lay him down in his crib so he could lazily drift off to a slumber. 

I closed the door to his nursery with laughter in my heart and a truly thankful spirit. I am blessed to have such a happy little boy in my life. Tim and I are very appreciative of the blessings we have in a warm, happy, and loving home! We hope this Christmas season brings warmth and laughter into your own homes and hearts. Take a moment to count your blessings and enjoy the true meaning of CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all of you and your loved ones!

Love,

Jenn, Tim and Mason

Christmas Photos

Liz and I took Mason and Connor to Sears the other day to have Christmas pictures taken. Connor was in a wonderful mood and subsequently, took some REALLY cute photos! Mason ... yeah, not so much. The poor little bugger was tired and it was really hard to get him to smile. Given his mood, I was pleased with the fact the photographer was able to capture a few "smiling" shots of him .... nevertheless ... here are the pics! Enjoy!

Mason and Connor look like little criminals here .... BUSTED!

Mason and Connor on the sled ....

Mason Bubba with his teeth

This is a look he does often, "abuwaaaaaaaa????"

Our smiling little boy ....

Connor is so cute! .......

Cutest little smirk .....