Belleview Children's Park

We took Mason to this great little park today in Englewood - just up the street from my first apartment when I moved to Denver 11 years ago. My friend, Katie, told us about it, so we went to check it out. Mason seemed to enjoy the animals, though he wasn't quite sure what to think of them all. But he had a good time petting them and enjoying a picnic lunch under the shade of a tree. There is a train that you can ride around, but when it came out of the tunnel and the train conductor blew his whistle, Mason cried, so we decided to skip it. Maybe next time when he's a little bigger. We played in the water and enjoyed our Sunday together.

The goats are always my favorite - I'd love to have a few . . . they'd certainly cut down on the lawn mowing we need to do!!

SO HOT HERE

It's been in the mid to upper 90s all week and weekend. I am so over it and so ready for fall. I don't like to be hot. I don't like it one little bit. When you are cold, you can always add layers and put more things one. But, when you are got, there comes a point when you can't (legally) take anything more off!! So, we've been spending lots of time in the pool and the shade. I don't know how any of Chris' family in Phoenix make it out alive each summer! Gah!!

Quick Updates

Mason tried yogurt this weekend and while he's not totally sold on it yet, he really seems to like it. It's one of the few cold things he has, since he practically insists that all fruit, veggies, meat, oatmeal and formula be warmed up (or he pretty much won't eat them) so that was a pleasant surprise. So, we can add yogurt to the growing list of things that are Mason Approved.

I have been trying to get used to carrying him without his car seat since he's only got about 1 inch of growing before he grows out of the infant car seat Grandma Donna got us and will go into the big boy car seat that is in the basement, waiting for him. Before we leave for Montana in August I will for sure have switched seats. He still has to ride facing back words, but it's a little higher and I think he'll appreciate having a better view, even if it is watching the world back words. The drive from Denver to Missoula and back is a long one. Here's hoping we don't all kill one another!!

Happy Fathers Day

Mason and I woke Chris up this morning and then took him to breakfast to celebrate Fathers Day. We ran a few errands and even caught a short nap while Mason slept this afternoon. He got his gift already - the toolbox that about killed him - so today was just a few cards to show Dad how much we love him. I asked Chris if he was begging to think he'd never get to celebrate Father's Day as a Father, and he said it had crossed his mind. I know he's just as head over heels in love with Mason as I am, and he's an awesome father too!

9 Months Old

Mason is 9 months old today. Time seems to be flying by, and I feel so completely powerless to stop it. I picked up a pool from Target this weekend and it was a nice day today so I filled it and tried to let it warm up while Mason napped. He enjoyed splashing around, but I think the water was still too chilly. You can't see them, but he's covered in goosebumps!! So, we drained the water and we'll try again next weekend.

Chris has been teaching Mason a few new tricks. He sticks out his bottom lip and hums, while raking his fingers down his lips. It's hard to explain, but it's cute. And he's also learning to blow raspberries with his lips too. He talks up a storm (just like his momma) and loves the sound of his own voice. Chris got me a digital tape recorder for a stocking stuffer at Christmas, and I like to play it back for Mason so he can hear himself. He cracks up and thinks it's just hilarious.

Happy 9 month birthday my son. Momma loves you more than anything.

We All Survived

It's been a rough few weeks at the Holbrook House. Mason had a stomach bug that left him feeling pretty icky and cranky and not much fun to be around. We had our first round of full blown diaper rash, which was awful. But, he seems to be on the mend.

His 9 month pediatrician appointment was last Friday. He weighed 18 pounds (15%) and was 27 1/2 inches tall (25%). So, that wasn't so good. I had thought maybe we had packed a few pounds on him, but it doesn't seem that was the case. Oh well, back to the drawing board. He's been getting "puffs" when he has his meals. He wasn't terribly sure what to do with them, or think of them, at first, but now he can get them in his mouth pretty quickly. The dr said his top two teeth are right there and ready to come in. Maybe once they do, we can move onto Cherrios or Kix. Something that requires a little chewing.

Chris's Fathers Day gift this year from Mason and I was a new Kraftsman tool box from Sears. He was in the garage 2 weeks ago playing with it and doing some re-organizing when he messed his back up pretty badly. He was out of work for 2 weeks. It was not fun having to pull all of the weight around here, but, I made it. He's got some serious making up to do though!! Serious!!

Upset Tummy

It's been very hot here this weekend, so we have been trying to lay low. Mason seems to have a bit of an upset tummy. Since he didn't show any allergies to any of the foods we introduced, I guess I threw caution to the wind and have been giving him lots of new things to try. Well, that seems to have caught up to me this weekend, with LOTS of dirty diapers. I must have jinxed myself with all the times I said "Mason never gets diaper rash. What are those mom's doing wrong?" Well, now he cries whenever I try to wipe his bum. Poor guy.

His 9 month check up is Friday afternoon. My list of questions is as long as my arm! Luckily our pediatrician is very patient!! I wonder what he weighs? At his 6 month check up, he fell off his growth chart for weight, so hopefully we've packed a few pounds back on him.

FINALLY! He Rolled Over

Memorial Day weekend was a busy weekend for Mason. Saturday morning, Chris and I were messing around with him on the couch, and we put him on his tummy, and he rolled over. We thought maybe it was just a fluke, since he pushed off using my hand on his foot, so I put him back on his belly, and what do you know, he rolled over again! And again, and again! Personally, I know I was relieved to see him finally do it! The book I have on the coffee table says he should roll over by 4 1/2 months. Not 8 1/2 months. But, motherhood is slowly teaching me that I can't rush things.

Cyndi, one of my bosses, said to my mother "I think God gives us what we need, and Traci needed something she could not control". Truer words were never spoken!! Now, if only I could remember them when I am worried about what Mason is, or isn't doing yet.

Friday Mason also had his 2nd tooth break through, so now he has his two bottom middle teeth. He uses them like a saw, to saw off whatever fruit I am sharing with him, even though once it's in his mouth, he's a bit unsure what to do next.