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?!?!