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.