One Year Later

We got pregnant right around this time last year during the holidays. It's amazing to me to reflect and look back on 2009.

We got pregnant within 2 months of trying. I had a relatively easy and drama free pregnancy. I had a pretty easy labor considering it was a c-section. And we have a pretty easy going kid. I am thankful that God blessed us with a healthy, happy, beautiful baby boy. He is the absolute love of our lives. I often wonder if my heart will actually burst I love him so much. I have friends who have lost babies before they were born, and just shortly after. I have friends with sick babies, and babies who will never be "normal". I have friends who can't have babies of their own after years of trying.

And here sits my baby boy, and I think to not say thank you for my blessings would be a tragedy. I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful that he's healthy. I am thankful that we have the resources to feed and clothe him. I am thankful that I had such a gracious maternity leave. I am thankful that Chris lost his job and can stay home with Mason for just a little bit longer. I am thankful that my mother was able to be here when Mason was born and help keep us sane. I am thankful that we have so many people in our lives that care about Mason and want to love him and help support him. I am thankful that Chris and I have a strong healthy marriage that hasn't been shaken too badly by parenthood. I am thankful for all of the memories that we are building as a family and will continue to build together. I am thankful for my family of 3 and look forward to someday making it a family of 4.

Christmas 2009

Grandma Donna was in town to visit for Mason's first Christmas. She got here Wednesday night and just flew out to head home to Phoenix this evening. We had a wonderful time relaxing and visiting and just enjoying.

As you can see, and I am sure, imagine, Mason was SPOILED WROTTEN this year!! He received so many wonderful toys and clothes and things that I fear I'll be writing thank you notes well into 2010!! I love knowing that so many people are invested in our son. It really does melt my heart. Thank you, all, for your generosity.

We normally go out on New Years Eve, downtown to a nice dinner and then off to watch the fireworks. This year we'll stay home and watch the ball drop on tv. It's funny, as I have always been the one to drag poor Chris out into the cold festivities, but this year, I really am ok to just stay home and hang out on the couch with our family of 3.

Movin and Shakin

No, this is NOT the position we left Mason in on Christmas Eve when we tucked him into bed! He was laying with the stripes, not against them!! We figured that Santa must have snuck in to get a peek at our handsome boy, and then not put him back right.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Grandma Wafstet sent Mason a pop up book of The Night Before Christmas, that we unwrapped and read tonight. He was pretty tired, and hungry, so it was a short read, but we got it done. My parents, and grandparents, used to read this story to me on Christmas Eve. I love carrying on the tradition with Mason.

Grandma Donna is here, so we had Swedish meatballs for dinner. YUMMO!! She's such a good cook. Tomorrow morning we'll have "big pancake" (a tradition in my house) for breakfast and then we got a honey baked ham for dinner. I am all about enjoying and not cooking!!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Grandma Donna Gets Here Tonight

Mason woke up early this morning - I think he's excited for Christmas, and for a visit from his Grandma Donna!! She flies in at 6 tonight and we'll be there at DIA to get her. We are having a small winter storm, that I hope doesn't interfere with her flight. But, she'll just fly the darned plane herself if they give her too much grief! I am not silly, I know she's not coming to see Chris and I! She's coming to see Mason!! I got a few minutes of lovin in before I had to head off to work. He sure does love to sit in a dark living room and watch the lights on the Christmas tree. I love to just watch him.

3 Months Old

We took Mason for photos today and he did SO GOOD! I am waiting patiently (ha, ha) for there to be an email to let me know that the proofs are ready. The photographer spent 2 1/2 hours with us! She actually had to unload some of the memory card part way through she'd taken so many photos of Mason! I can't wait to see them and to share them with everyone. But, for now, you'll have to look at the ones I took. Poor guy, he slept for 3 1/2 hours this afternoon! We really wore him out!

Happy 3 month birthday my son.

5 Days Til Christmas

Tomorrow is Mason's 3 month birthday. To celebrate, we are going to get pictures taken. We were supposed to go last weekend, but the photographer's kids got sick. Mason has been healthy so far (knock on wood) and I was happy to let her keep her germs. I am hoping to get some good shots of him. We shall see.

Oh, and we finally ordered Mason's jersey to hang above the crib. Chris settled on "09" since that was the year he was born. It looks great in his room!

Grandma Donna gets here on Wednesday night. I feel bad for how her visit went when Mason was first born. I was a wreck. My kid was a wreck. Chris was a wreck. It was just bad. And here stood poor Donna, and Janelle, trying to visit and hold Mason while I cried. And cried. And cried! I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled him aside and asked if I had completely lost it! So, I am looking forward to her having some quiet one on one time with Mason.

Mason and Santa

Here are the photos from when we took Mason to see Santa. It took us about 2 hours of standing in line, so, by the time it was Mason's turn he was pretty much over the entire experience. But, we got a few good shots in. Hopefully next year we'll get there sooner!

Not sure what Mason asked Santa for this year, but I am sure he's bound to get it since he's been such a good boy. No coal in his stocking.

FINALLY Getting Some Sleep!!!!

My office Christmas party was Friday night. We put Mason to bed when we got home, later than usual, at about 9:45 and went to bed ourselves. I woke up at 3:15 in a sheer panic, since I hadn't heard a peep from Mason. I raced out of bed and flung open his door only to find him sleeping like an angel. I even put my finger under his nose to feel him breathing, just to assure myself that he was fine. So, I went back to bed. 4:30 rolled around and I checked on him and he was still sleeping. Finally, at 5:30, some 8 HOURS LATER, he stirred. Oh my goodness, it was heaven to sleep that long!! Since then, both Saturday, and Sunday, and even last night, he's slept ALL NIGHT, waking up at about 4am to eat something. Of course, having been the one to get up every 2 or 3 or 4 hours with him until Chris went on leave from Scotts, I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous.

I survived my first day back yesterday to the office. I feel pretty lost here, and go from half started project to half finished project, never really getting any one thing done. I know it will take some time, but I feel so terribly discombobulated!

End of an Era

Today is the end of my maternity leave. 11 weeks off and I am facing a long drive into the office on icky roads covered in snow and ice. I have to sneak into Mason's room in the morning and kiss my baby boy goodbye without waking him up. I hate that our time together is over. I hate that I will not be here when he cries to sooth him. I hate that there is so much of his day to day activities that I will miss. I just plane hate it.

My Last Monday at Home

This is my last week of maternity leave with Mason. I remember when I was getting ready to leave work, I kept saying "please call me if you need me, I am happy to come in". HA! What a joke that was!! I have loved and will forever cherish my time home with Mason. I see changes in him daily that astonish and amaze me. But, this is my last week of being here with him each and every day. I am worried that he'll do something new and exciting and I won't be here to see it. I am sad that I'll miss the first time he rolls over. My heart aches at the thought of missing him say "mommy" for the first time. Truth be told, I never wanted kids. I thought I would live out my days married, but childless. I work for criminal defense attorneys and I see some really awful people. And worse, I see some parents who hit the end of their ropes and hurt their children. I didn't want to bring an innocent life into a world gone wrong. I thought it was better to live without a child than to have one that someone could hurt. But, now that Mason is here and a part of my life, I can't ever imagine my life without him in it. He is the apple of my eye, the love of my life, and my reason for being a mom. I know that we'll have evenings and weekends and long holidays, and I know I will just have to make the most of them. But, for now, I am going to go cuddle on the couch with my son and take a nap together.

Getting Ready to Meet Santa

Tagawa Gardens, the nursery that Chris and I like to get plants from in the summer, has Santa and some reindeer visiting tomorrow. So, we got Mason all cleaned up tonight so he could go meet Santa tomorrow. He has been drooling and blowing spit bubbles lately, so we figured a good scrubbing would do him some good. And, I somehow had only 1 photo of him in the bathtub to show his future girl friends, so I took the opportunity to snap some good ones!!

I wonder what he'll ask Santa for tomorrow??

Happy Thanksgiving

Mason really seems to be getting the hang of having his fist, or finger(s) in his mouth. When he's hungry it takes both of my hands to hold the bottle and get his hand out of the way so he can eat. And he makes this funny noise, almost like he's laughing and crying at the same time when I take it away. Such a funny boy!!

He's been in his Bumbo (thanks Ang and Rod!!) a few times, but isn't quite sure what to make of it yet. I don't keep him there too long cause he gets fussy. But, it's good for his posture and for sitting up, so I try to get him in there once a day or so.

We spent Thanksgiving the way we always do - lounging around in our pj's. Chris watched football and I made dinner. Mason slept while we ate, but woke up while I was trying to clean up the kitchen. Next year he'll get to have turkey and pumpkin pie and all of the fixings with us.

Two Month Pediatrician Appointment

Mason skipped his afternoon nap yesterday, which made for a very tired and cranky kid last night. He didn't want to eat. He didn't want to sleep. He didn't want to cuddle. He was just absolutely miserable. And so were his parents who could do nothing right. But, at the end of the day, he spent the 2nd night in a row in his crib in his room.

Today he saw the pediatrician for his 2 month appointment. He gained 3 pounds, 4 ounces from last time and now weighs 11 pounds 12 ounces! Good god!! He went from the 10% in weight to the 50%!! And he grew another 1 3/4 inches, and is also in the 50% for height. My guess was going to be 10 pounds 2 ounces. WOW! Was I wrong?!?! He got looked over from head to toe was was proclaimed to be perfect! Of course we've always thought he was, so it was nice for the doctor to agree!! He got 2 shots, and some icky stuff in his mouth. He survived, but we both cried. Poor guy. We are just watching for any adverse reaction to the medicine and trying to give him a little extra TLC. I think we'll lay low and stay home for a few days. Less than 2 weeks and my maternity leave is over.

First Night in His Crib

Mason spent last night in his crib. In his room. Alone. And, looking back, it really was the best decision, no matter how hard it was on his mom!! I didn't sleep very well from when I laid down til the first time he got up. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hear him with just the monitor. And it was so quiet without him next to me. But, after that, we both slept good. Well, let's say I slept better than I have for the last 2 months, and he was a real trooper. He even smiled at me this morning when I came down stairs to see him when I woke up.

Good News, Bad News

Chris was laid off today from Scotts. The good news is that he has a return date of no more than 90 days, so, basically the end of February. The other good news is that he gets some time with Mason for some father-son bonding. I go back to work in 2 weeks (boo!!) and was dreading the idea of taking Mason to daycare already. The bad news is we have to figure out how to live off unemployment for the next 3 months. But, we'll make it work.

Two Months Old

Mason and I went to my office yesterday to visit everyone. He was very impressed by my office, having only seen it from the inside. Ha ha!! He was passed around and thoroughly oo'd and aw'd over by the girls.

Tonight, to celebrate his 2 month birthday, Chris and I are leaving him with my boss, Terri, and going to dinner. It's been a long time since we were out without Mason. I am looking forward to some nice time just the two of us, and some good conversation.

Happy 2 month birthday my son.

Mason Has a Savings Account

We took Mason to the Credit Union that we bank at on Friday and opened up a savings account in his name. He had gotten a check so we wanted to get it set aside. Our bank offered us $20 for "referring a friend" so we added that to his account as well. We might as well get used to him taking our money, right?!?!

Houston, We Have A Thumb

Mason has been trying to find his thumb for a while now. He always keeps his fists clenched really tight, which has meant he puts his entire fist in his mouth instead of his thumb. But, the other day, he finally got it. It didn't last long, but, long enough for me to get a photo. I don't know why, but Chris is totally against him sucking his thumb. I figure it's going to happen, so why fight it. Anyway, just sharing.

Not Ready to Uncork the Champaign Yet, But . . . .

I'm not ready to celebrate just yet, but, Mason seems to be sleeping better at night. He's even got somewhat of a schedule going during the day, which has been nice. Last night he went to bed at about 9 and didn't wake up to eat until 2. He didn't sleep straight through, he was up and awake some in his bassinet, but, he managed to entertain himself, and go back to sleep. So, that was nice. Hopefully we are all headed for some more rest!!

I can't believe how much hair he has! Every time we give him a bath, and comb it, Chris threatens to cut it. I've heard that his hair will all fall out in a few more weeks, and then grow back in. I won't recognize him without it.

I had my final OB appointment last week. I brought her a bottle of Montana wine from me, and a bottle of Colorado wine from Mason. I know I am not the easiest patient, and wanted to say thank you for all of her time and care. I had to take Mason with me since Chris was at work. She was holding Mason and said that she thought his eyes would stay blue since they haven't changed yet. We'll just have to see. I'd love it if he had something other than my boring brown.

Happy Halloween

Mason spent his first Halloween mostly sleeping, but did hand out candy to some of the kids. I love the little little ones and their cute costumes! I have the best time just watching them. Chris and I watched Flatliners while Mason snoozed. We had a ton of snow here in Denver, and it ended up being a pretty low key evening. I have a ton of candy left that I'll be sending to Chris' work.

Mason is still not sleeping well. I swear, I feel like a broken record, who does nothing but complain. He's pretty good all day, and pretty easy going. But, he still has a stretch from 2amish to 4amish where he stays up and won't eat and won't sleep. And then he's up and ready to go at about 6amish. God help me!! My books all talk about how at 6 weeks they start getting their days and nights better, and start sleeping better. I sure hope so!

I have 5 weeks of leave left before I go back. While I am looking forward to it, and to having an excuse to shower and not just put pj's back on, I do know that I'll miss Mason when he's at daycare. Why can't we just be independently wealthy and all stay home?!?!

Just Some Photos

Mason just has so many faces that I love. Maybe it's because I am his mother, but I think he's just the most precious thing in the world!!

A Smile

They say any smile before 6 weeks is either gas or coincidence. I say it's a smile. To hell with what they say!!

BRRRRR!!!!!!

It's been snowing here in Denver since Tuesday evening. We have 23 inches in Aurora so far, and they say we'll get another couple of inches tonight before it's all said and done. Here are a few photos to show what our yard looks like. Mason has been pretty unimpressed by all of the snow. If he only knew about snow angels and sledding he'd be sad he missed it!!