All Smiles

I just realized that all the pictures I've posted do not represent my little guy accurately. He is seriously almost ALWAYS smiling. None of the pictures show his little grin so I decided to add some smiley pictures of him. Enjoy.

Work Schmerk

Ahhhhh.... the sound of silence. Pete is out playing cards. Little Dude is sleeping. I'm appreciating my alone time. Life is good. I do have some worries though. School starts soon - very soon. I will have to leave my little one and go back to work. There is no other way to describe it except to say that it totally sucks. I love my job, but it just doesn't feel right to leave Mason with someone else. I feel like he's my responsibility and I should be caring for him. Its just not possible for me to stay home. I've accepted it, but I still am not thrilled about it. I am lucky enough to have someone come to my home to take care of him. My work is only 1 mile away so I can run home if need be. He's taking a bottle like a champ these days so that is not a worry for me anymore. I just know that it will be kinda hard for him at first and that makes me feel horrible. He doesn't go to sleep well for other people. He likes to nurse or have Pete rock him. My mom has stayed with him a few times, but other than that we have not left him. One of us is almost always with him. Mason is a good baby, but he gets cranky when he's tired and he wants his mommy or daddy. And he will cry... and cry - just ask my mom. I know that I am very lucky to have been able to spend 4 1/2 months with him. A lot of mommies have to go back to work a lot sooner than that! I know it will be fine. I know that it will be good for him to develop relationships with others. I know he will be safe and well cared for. It just sucks and I'm dreading it. I'll keep you posted, but for now, that's where I am on that.

Babies belong with their Mommies....

and Daddies. Work schmerk.

Chunky Monkey

Okay, I'll admit it - there have been times when it has gotten to me when people say over and over AND OVER how big Mason is. He's big, I know, you don't have to say it a gazillion times. Thanks. I know, I know... it shouldn't bother me. He's a happy, healthy, chubby cutie pie and that is all that is important. But it still has gotten under my skin at times - I don't know why. I'm writing about it, however, because I don't think it will ever bother me even in the least any more. I met a woman yesterday that has twins that were born premature. They are now 3 months and they are very small still. She mentioned that it bothers her when she goes places and EVERYONE says "WOW, they are SO small!" I told her how I have the opposite dilemma. She said that she'd rather have it my way. She made me think. And think. I've actually been thinking about it since I saw her and I've come to the conclusion that I agree with her. People must make her feel like she's not doing something right (she is doing everything right by the way). When a person (or a baby) is viewed as too skinny it is assumed that there is a problem. When a person (or baby) is big he or she is just viewed as big. I don't think anyone looks at my baby and thinks there is something wrong with him. People are just surprised at how big he is for his age. They comment on his chunky legs then he smiles at them which makes me feel proud and makes them feel special. It must be very difficult to see someone looking at your babies and notice the wonder in their eyes. The questioning look that implies you are doing something wrong followed by those stupid words "so small". A look that must devastate a new mom who is providing excellent care for her two tiny angels. So next time you take a peek behind a stroller shade to glimpse some one's baby, remember your words mean a lot to a new mom. Choose them carefully. Oh yeah and I don't think I'll ever get that wave of annoyance over a random remark about size. I think it will just remind me how lucky I am.

Mega Moose

Recently, Mason has started trying to put everything in his mouth. Its very cute for us to watch him because its one of the few things he can do on his own. Our fingers, washcloths, any toy he can get a grasp on goes straight for his mouth. A normal baby activity I know, but it still sparks chuckles from Pete and I regularly. The other day while we were playing with him while he was sitting in his high chair I gave him Mega Moose. Mega Moose is a stuffed moose that my niece brought him in the hospital the day he was born. It was especially thoughtful because Pete is from Maine. Since Mason ended up with an extended stay in the NICU (5 days) we left the stuffed moose in his plastic crib for him. One of the few times we ventured away from the hospital for a meal, the nurse called to tell us that Mason was still hungry (I was breastfeeding). We rushed right back. He was very upset and the nurse had seemed to try everything to soothe him. There was a small tape player playing some classical music, she held and rocked him, she had tightened his swaddle AND she placed the moose right next to him. I think she thought the stuffed moose may have smelled like usand might help him calm down. We thought it was so cute! And we were thankful that she had tried so many different things. We took pictures of the mosse watching over him. So, the other day when we pulled out the moose, who we named Mega Moose during the photo session at the hospital, he went right after it. It was so funny. He wrapped both arms right around it and it seemed as though he wanted to stuff the entire doll into his mouth! Check it out -

And Mason with Mega Moose watching over him in the NICU when he was just days old. Check out the difference. I can't believe that was only 4 months ago!

Beach Bums

Friday Pete and I took Mason to the beach. It was an absolutely beautiful day. I brought Mason to Jaycee Park several weeks ago and I referred to the trip as his first beach trip. But since Jaycee Park is actually a spot on the river, Friday was his first "real" beach experience. What a fabulous day it was too. I LOVE the beach. I always have. I used to refer to it as my part time job. You know - working on my tan. I would actually say that I was going to my part time job when I was really going to the beach. Its a wonder I don't have skin cancer. I used to go almost every day. So anyway, Friday I timed it so that it would be Little Dude's nap time when we got there. We set up camp with my huge umbrella, a sheet and a couple of chairs. Mason soon fell asleep. He slept for almost three hours so Pete and I got to lounge around, soak up some FL warmth, and enjoy the peace of the blue sky and roaring surf. Here's a picture of my little guy sleeping under the umbrella with the water in the background.

"sling"cessful

We did it! We figured out how to successfully use the ring sling. I tried a few times and it never felt right. One time he actually fell out. I caught him of course as he slid out of the bottom. With some help from Michelle, I realized that it was way too loose and all I needed to do was tightened it up! Now I've worn the sling a few times and I really like it. I used to use a structured carrier to wear him, but now that we've mastered the sling it will definitely be my carrier of choice. I always felt like the BabyBjorn and the Snugli kind of pinched his legs. He never complained, but it just never looked all that comfortable when I checked us out in the mirror. Anyway, success feels great!

Roly Poly

Today Pete put Mason on the floor for some tummy time and he rolled over for the first time! We were so proud. He pushed himself up like a pushup and - FLOP, over he rolled. We both saw it and were so excited I think we scared Mason because we both yelled and clapped. It was awesome.

Tomorrow, tomorrow...I love ya tomorrow!

Pete's been gone for 5 days and tomorrow morning I am picking him up from the airport. YAYY! We are very excited. Its been a great week for both Pete and myself, but I'm ready to have him home with us again.
I don't really know how much Mason has actually thought about Pete for sure, but the other morning I know he was missing him. Mason sleeps in his own crib at night, but most days when he wakes up I feed him and then let him lie in the bed between us. He usually kicks around for a while then drifts off back to sleep. One of the things he does is punch his arms all around. He is just getting the drift of using his arms and hands for things that he wants them to do. So he will use his little fists to touch Pete's back over and over until Pete will finally turn around and talk to him. So the other day he's on the bed with a wall of pillows on the other side of him instead of Pete. He starts punching the pillows in all different spots. He had a very determined look on his face. It was so cute. He turned on his side and kept punching in all different directions. It was like he couldn't understand why he couldn't find Pete. I think the idea that Pete wasn't there did not occur to him - just that he couldn't get his tiny fists in the right spot to touch him. He worked on it for a good five minutes until he was distracted by something. It was so cool to see Mason working so hard at something as well as to realize that his little brain is developing right along. I sometimes fear that he will not develop as he should. I'm sure every parent has some sort of thought at one time or another, but I think about it often since I've made my career working with children with developmental disabilities. It would definitely not be the end of the world, I know from experience, but devastating none the less. So its always nice when Mason shows me little signs that he is making connections, problem solving, focusing, even moving his body when he tries, etc.
I can't wait to show Pete the pictures I hung of our little guy while he was gone. I got the perfect white matted frames. Found the perfect pictures, edited them into black and whites, had them blown up to size and finally hung on the walls. I just love how they look and I'm sure he will too.
Its funny... today when I was hanging the pictures I started to notice a ton of spots around the house that similar pictures would look perfect. I thought for a moment I could decorate the whole house with pictures of Mason. Jeez, its weird what motherhood can do to a person. I'm glad I caught myself because it would be super strange to have pictures of the little dude on every wall of the house!
Ahhh, I've rambled for a while so I'll wrap this up. OOOOO, I just can't wait to get to the airport tomorrow! Yay!

Why?

How come when I'm out and about and I need to feed Mason I usually look for a private place? Today at Target I sat in a bathroom stall on a dirty toilet and fed him. The other day at the outlet mall I asked the woman in the Nautica store if I could go in a dressing room (where I had to sit on the floor) while I was standing next to a nice bench. I have a hooter hider in my diaper bag. Why do I feel the need to hide my entire body instead of just my chest? From now on - forget it... I'm not hiding anymore!

Early Morning Adventures

Pete is gone for the weekend and I've decided to savor the time to myself. Little Dude woke up this morning at 6:30 and instead of bringing him to bed and letting him kick and coo so I could catch a few more half asleep moments, I decided to go to Target and get the picture frames I've been thinking about for Mason's bedroom walls. I got up and dressed; moved the laundry along from yesterday; straightened up and went out the door. It was just after 8am. Believe it or not I haven't been out of the house that early since we got out of work for the summer. Even with a 3 month old I still sleep late most days. I went to Dunkin Doughnuts for a coffee. I was really looking forward to it. Mmmm, something wonderful like hazelnut or irish creme... I decided on vanilla. Medium vanilla coffee with splenda on the side is what I ordered. I eagerly added the splenda and stirred. I took my first sip and.... PLAHHH! It tasted totally gross. I think the lady put too much vanilla in it or the vanilla was a little bad. It really didn't matter it did not taste like the coffee I'd imagined. Pete's words were ringing in my ears - "eww, your sweet flavored coffee tastes like shit". On this occasion, he was definitely right.
Target was great. I took my time walking around since Mason fell asleep. I think I was wandering around the store for about 2 hours. It felt like when I used to go shopping by myself without having to think about getting home to feed the little dude. It was nice. I found some picture frames that aren't exactly what I wanted, but will do just the same. Now I just have to decide what pictures to have printed to put in the new frames.
Here are a few I'm thinking about using:

Starting Out

I'm going to try my hand at blogging. I'm a little behind the times as I just discovered the world of blogging and I've really enjoyed reading others' blogs. I've decided to give it a go and see what happens. Pete has been making fun of my blog interest lately and often calls me little names like Bloggy McBloggerson or Blog Bloggy. Or in his best high pitched imitation of me says "Oh god! I HAVE to read my blogs! BLOGS BLOGS BLOGS!" You'd think I spent night and day on the computer. Geez! Well, throwing fear of his taunts to the wind I have created my very own blog. Hopefully my site will get better as I learn more about all the features and options.