Week 37

Josh had to do some work in Oklahoma this week, so Mason and I decided to tag along and see family. We went to Bartlesville the first part of the week while Josh worked and went to Hominy for the weekend to celebrate Josh's birthday. Mason did great on the flight, he slept most of the way there and was really fascinated by the tray on the way home. He just pulled it up and down over and over. He's going through a big dad face right now, so he wanted to be with Josh the whole flight and trust me, that is A-OK with me. In Bartlesville we had a great time hanging out with family, we went to the park one day, cooked out, and bought lots of Sooner stuff for football season! We even got to go to lunch with Megan and Megan one day and meet baby Kate. I took Mason to the gym one day and he loved it. He was a little confused by the trampoline, but had a blast in the pit and all the mats. In Hominy we had a cookout for Josh's birthday, what a great excuse to get the family together. All 6 grand kids were there and its fun to watch them interact. Mason is still going through the separation anxiety issue right now, so with all the new people around all week it was a little much for him. He does fine as long as Josh or I am in sight, but if we leave, man does he scream! It was funny, I think this is the first time he was really aware that he was in a new place. The other times we've been home, he hasn't really noticed, but he definitely new this time! It was so fun to see everyone and the weather was amazing! Its crazy how fast a week goes by! Asleep on the plane

MeMe gave him something to bang on, so of coarse he loved that!

At the park

Cooking out with Grandpa


Nala and Mason had a love/hate relationship this time! I think they ended up friends though!

Hanging out in the pit

I'm gonna get you!

Mmmm .... this thing keeps moving when I try to move!

Hanging out with Aunt Cyndy

On the 4-wheeler with Dad

And around we go again, this time with Papa

Week 36

Its been a rainy, stormy week here, so Mason and I have spent most of the week at home getting ready for Kc and Alison's visit. On Friday I tried to drop him off at Erica and Grant's house for a play date while I cleaned our house, but that ended with an hour and a half cry fest from Mason, so I went and picked him up and attempted to clean with him at home. He's really going through the separation anxiety thing right now and its driving Josh and me crazy. I know that he will out grow it, but I would like to do as much as possible to speed up the process. Kc and Alison came in on Saturday and we all went to eat lunch with Ashley and Finley. Saturday night we had a few people over and cooked out. Mason wasn't feeling well, so he went to bed early, but the rest of us stayed up and had a good time. He's been eating more and more real food, so I'm wondering if it was something he ate that made him sick. He was up several times during the night, which is very unusual for him, and threw up twice. On Sunday he acted like everything was fine and he felt great, so we went to the pool. Mason had fun floating in the deep end and playing in the kiddie pool. He actually went around and played on the toys this time, instead of just sitting in the shallow water. As usual, he liked the stairs and the tunnel the best... it was so funny to see him splash around and move on the big toys. However, I think that Josh and Kc were having way more fun then him! They went down the slides, played on the diving boards, and climbed the rock wall (well at least attempted to!). They even played in the splash zone with all the toddlers. They were like giant kids! We were so happy that Kc and Alison came to visit and can't wait to see them again in two weeks! And don't worry Kc....it only takes 20 minutes to get there!

Mason "helping" me vacuum

And he was "helping" with the dishes....I can't imagine why I wanted to drop him off at Ericas!

He now plays with the table minus the chair

Chairs are for babies Mom!

Mason hanging out with Sophie at Friday night dinner

Who needs a pool when this chair is so much fun?

Swimming with Dad

Kc and Alison

Swimming with Kc and Alison

Kc going off the high dive

Josh going down the slide and Kc waiting for his turn

Mason was so tired after swimming

Mason and Josh taking a nap ......I guess the pool wears out little boys and big boys

Week 35

Mason turned 8 months this weekend and I can't believe it. He's getting so big. I took him to the park this week and he figured out how to go up the stairs all by himself. He would crawl all the way up and across the jungle gym and down the slide. I was so proud of him. He still loves to pull himself up on anything and everything. I wouldn't say that he is "cruising" the furniture by any means, but he is starting to take a few steps around the couch and table. He finally learned how to sit himself back down after standing up and I got a video of him when he first started figuring it out. Its so funny to see how cautious he is about it. He also goes from the table to the couch and back to the table. Not really moving his feet, but at least he's letting go and turning to the other. On Friday he was playing with a upside down laundry basket (one of his favorite things) and was standing up when it started to move, usually he just falls down when that happens, but this time he started to shuffle his feet and take a few steps with it. I couldn't believe it and I am so not ready for that. He's also turning into a super chatty little guy. He just babbles and talks all day to himself. Its so funny. On Saturday we went to Dallas for a wedding and got to see MeMe. We went to dinner with MeMe and got to ride a train (the Dart). After dinner Mason went and stayed with MeMe in the hotel while Josh and I went to the wedding. I'm sad to report that Mason was not that nice to MeMe. She said that he cried the whole time and kept going to the door to find us. Poor guy and poor MeMe. He finally went to sleep for her and I'm sure that she was very thankful for that! Unfortunately he didn't really sleep for us either. Nothing like waking up at 5:00 a.m. after going to a wedding! On Sunday we went to lunch where we got to meet cute little Kaylen Brown and where some of our friends got to meet Mason. It was so much fun seeing everyone and Kaylen was just too cute and sweet. I was so mad that I left my camera at home, but hopefully I will get some pics from other people to put up soon.

Playing with a spoon .... I buy him tons of toys and he likes things that he finds around the house

More spoon time, why do I spend money on toys again?

Mason chatting it up and sitting down, AKA falling down, before he learned how

Mason singing and chatting and sitting down. Oh and terrorizing Chewy

Week 34

We took Mason to his first Astros game this week. I figured that we would only last a few innings, but was pleasantly surprised that he lasted the entire game. He loved people watching and just sat and listened to the crowd and watched the lights. He really liked the train that moves down the track after a home run. I was a little worried that it would be too hot, but they had the dome closed and the air on, believe it or not I was actually cold by the end of the game! We were in the club level, so we had a waitress that would come around and get drinks and food for us, after all my favorite part of baseball is the nachos and beer! That made it extra nice not having to try and juggle Mason around while holding food in line with everyone. Overall it was a very fun evening and I'm very excited to take him to more games! Oh and the Astros won!

Before the game

So excited to be going to the game!

At the game

The Home Run Train!

So tired after the game! I'm sure he's dreaming of baseball....ok probably not.

In his new tunnel...he likes to just sit inside and play

Just Chillin'

I accidentally scrapped Mason's leg on his stroller when I was taking him out...I felt so horrible, he didn't cry at all when it happened, but it sure left a mark. I think that this is his first big time boo boo. However these days he's got small bruises all over him from all the running around he does! He's 100% boy thats for sure.

Week 33

So Mason has been going to Gymboree for about 3 months and if you haven't heard by now, I'm not the biggest fan! I think that its very expensive and for the most part (especially when he was younger) they do things that I could do by myself for home. However, he LOVES it, so we continue to go every week! Its so fun to see how excited he gets when we walk in the gym. His face just lights up and he starts laughing. Now that he is crawling its a lot more fun for me to watch too. He climbs on all of the slides and likes going in and out of the tunnels. I still think that his favorite part is the parachute and bubbles though. This is my other issue with Gymboree! They are really big on teaching "problem solving" and use obstacles to get the babies to figure out how to get around them. At first I thought that this was a good thing until I started trying to keep Mason away from things at home. Now no matter what I do he uses his "problem solving" to get what ever it is that he wants, no matter what I try. Stupid Gymboree! I guess I'm a prime example that parents will do anything (even if they think its stupid!) for their kids. I'm a sucker for his smile! Speaking of smile....Mason finally has teeth! After months of swollen gums his two bottom teeth popped through. They came in fast. One day he had nothing, the next you could actually see them and now they are pretty tall. They still have some growing to do, but at least they are there and he hasn't seemed to be too upset about them. Eating the tactile on top of the wedge

Inside the tunnel Mat

"Who's that Spartan in my T-pee!?"

In the tunnel

More tunnel time

In the tube

Getting out of the tube

Waiting for bubbles

Bubble time

Standing in his crib....this is usually how I find him after nap time!

I know that he's planning his escape and its just a matter of time!

All the way up the wedge

Week 32

So I've gotten behind on blogs because I spend my whole day chasing Mason around! Who knew they could be so fast?! And to make it worse, he's into EVERYTHING and leaves a trail of disaster behind him. At least I know where he's been by the mess he leaves behind him. He now loves to knock over the candlesticks, pull on any hanging cords like the lamp or his monitor cord, knock over picture frames, pull out the air fresheners (that have now all been removed!), chew on power cords and open the fireplace doors, and those are just some of his favorites! He also likes to pull himself up on things like dresser drawers and the bathtub. His other new favorite thing to do is to scream/screech when you take something away from him that he wants or if he doesn't get his way. It's crazy! Who knew a seven month old could throw such a fit?! Obviously we started to baby proof the house, but he still finds ways to get into trouble. The best is when he is doing something that he knows he's not supposed to do and I say "Mason No!", he'll stop what he's doing, turn and look at me, give me a big smile, and continue on doing what he's not supposed to be doing. I have to admit that its pretty cute, but talk about being mischievous!

Don't let his innocent face fool you!

Destroying the magazine

His new favorite place to play (notice he's getting into a bag that he's not supposed to have)

Pulling up on the table toy

Trying to figure out the safety plugs and using them to help him pull up

BUSTED!

Trying to open the fireplace doors and playing with the safety latch

Climbing up the wall to get the toilet paper

Got it!

Grabbing for the camera

Silly Mason!