Monday

I typically hate Mondays because it means I have to go to work and leave little man. But today is a Monday unlike many, it's a hurricane make up da. One of the planned days to use if there is a hurricane day during the school year. Since we didn't use it early on in the year I got the day off today. For once I like Monday. We've had a lazy day lounging in bed, playing with the music table and trying to coax Mason into eating some bananas. I think we're going to hit up the craft store, get some lunch with Daddy and then head back home for some laundry and a nap. I think God gives me days like today to refresh my spirit and remind me that this horrible phase of leaving Mason "too shall pass."

Shoes

As Mason continues to grow like a weed we aren't only challenged with clothing to buy, but also with shoes. He has learned how to curl his toes to make it nearly impossible to put any sort of shoe on him. Our most recent adventure has been the baby Crocs. It's so hot some days that his feet get terribly hot in socks and sneakers. Well, Mason has learned how to remove the shoe and found a much more enjoyable use for them. I guess to him, teething is more important that covering his feet.

Mason loves cereal

Baby cookies

We gave Mason some baby cookies for the first time today. It was such a mess. I probably shouldn't have tried it before we went to church, but oh well. At first he ate some cookie with applesauce on top, then we made it into a cereal with some milk, then he finally graduated to eating the whole cookie at once. I thought he might get a bite out of one, but the end result was him gobbling up like 5 cookies! I wanted to take a picture of him eating the cookie, but he stuffed the whole thing in his mouth like a champ and I had to police the cookie eating, so this is the only picture I was able to get. He's eating the leftover cookies from his spoon. I'm sure there will be many more cookie and milk experiences to come. 

Splish splash

After we returned from Costa Rica we've tried to keep Mason in the water at every chance we get. Mason loves to splash around in the water. We blew up this cheap little baby pool and filled it with warm water and let him play in the garage for a bit. I can't wait for the summer to come and him to play in the big boy pool. What fun it will be. 

Pollito

Pollito, that's Spanish for chicken. The custom in Costa Rica is to give a baby a chicken with the first tooth comes in. Well, Mason got his on an airplane going to Costa Rica when we went for spring break. Nana found him this stuffed chicken that she just had to get him, and being that the chicken is dead and won't leave a trail of feathers I allowed it. It's amazing how much he loves to play with Pollito. The silly chicken only cost a couple dollars, but he loves to sit in his high chair and examine Pollito's legs and beak and belly. It's a wonderful experience to watch him learning and growing as he plays with his toys. I know he's going to love Pollito for years to come. I guess he really is Mama's little chicken wing. 

Happy Saturday

Happiness. Sleeping in with little man. Watching him sleep. Feeding him cereal in the morning, walking the dog, playing Halo with Daddy, going shopping, enjoying the sunshine, and spending a Saturday with Tim and Mason is happiness in its fullness. I love Saturday, I hate Monday and I count hours between Monday and the end of Friday. Saturdays are cherished, I savor every moment of Saturdays because they hold the fullness of our family. I hate having to go to work and miss precious moments with my son, but I realize that life is like that and sometimes you have to do the impossible for the ones you love, and I would do anything for my little man. Man do I love Saturday.

The Sixth Month

The sixth month is here and I can't believe how quickly time has passed. Mason endured his big boy shots, had his first cold and has discovered he can pet Mocha if she gets close enough to him. He certainly is growing like a weed. He measured in at 27.5 inches and 18 pounds. He sits up all on his own and gets all excited to shuffle about. He works awful hard on crawling, he'll get it soon I'm sure. Each Monday gets harder and harder as I have to leave him and go to work again. I love spending my days with his smile and laughter. He is such a happy baby, I love hanging out with him.

Baseball

Baseball is not one of my favorite sports at all, it just takes too long to play and there isn't enough contact for me. Nonetheless it is my father's game of choice. As a young boy he was in love with the game and played with a passion. I remember being a little girl and my dad taking me to buy my own baseball glove and ball. I know he loved his little princess, but you could tell he would have had a blast playing ball with a little boy. So while I was back home this past week I found my old ball and glove and set Mason out with them. He loved them! It's just a pleasure to see my dad smile at my son. 

Half a birthday!

Six months. I can't believe six months ago I was giving birth. We are so blessed to have our little miracle in our lives. To celebrate the big event of a half a birthday we took Mason to the pool for the first time, had lunch at Los Suenos and fed Juanchito the iguana. Mason has had a blast, as is evidenced by him passing out when we got back to the condo. It's been a wonderful day and a wonderful six months. 

First teeth

Teeth. Such necessary evils. While helpful for eating, they are a devil to get when you are a little one; even worse is having them cut through while you're on a plane! Yes, that is exactly how it happened. While Mason was on the plane to Costa Rica he screamed his head off and I saw TWO clear little teeth poke their tops through his gums. What joy.

Mason with his Granddad

After having spent time wondering about my dad's health, it is such a wonderful thing to see him with my son. Now that Mason is a little older, Daddy is really able to hold him and enjoy him. It brings such happiness to my heart to see Dad with Mason. Regardless of what life has for our family, at least we have these wonderful days to hold as memories in our heart.