Shout Out to Dads

I hope everyone had as nice as a Father's Day weekend as we did. The Baldo and Murray Families met for an early dinner on Saturday night at Greek Island. This is a perfect spot to bring Mase because the food is good and comes out quickly. We topped the night off with ice cream and watching the Hawks game.

Sunday was a perfect day in Chicago; warm and sunny. Dad and Matt golfed while Mason and I enjoyed pancakes with mom and his new pool. Mason is such a little fishy, he played on the pool for an hour. Sunday night was spent grilling out and hanging out with mason. Overall, a very nice weekend!

I want to give a shout out to my dad! He is such an amazing man, mentor and friend. He is always there for us above and beyond the call of duty. I am so lucky that we live so close and that Mason has the opportunity to form a strong bond with him as well. Dad, thank you doesn't seem adequate....but THANK YOU for EVERYTHING! I love you so very much and appreciate everything you have taught me and do for me. Mia and I have the best dad ever.

Watching Matt with Mason warms my heart. He is a pro at all things dad and it comes so naturally to him. I am so thankful to have such an amazing partner in the adventure of parenthood. And Mason is so lucky to have such a wonderful father who one day he will call a teacher, mentor and friend. 

Happy Father's Day to all fathers!

Mason is 8 Months!

It is so hard to believe Mason is 8 months old already! Watching him change and explore the word is pretty fascinating. However, when it came to taking his 8 month picture it was a little frustrating. Mason was very interested in the sticker on his shirt which made it difficult to even get a picture of him. I needed extra hands so I had Matt help...this is what we got.

At 8 months Mason loves to watch cars & trucks drive by, walks, trains, his pacifier (this is a fairly new thing), all food (except green beans) and cute girls (he has become a little flirt). He also LOVES being in the pool. We started swim lessons this week and Mason loves it. 

Mason can:

Sit up by himself

Feed himself puffs or bits of food

Pull himself up to sitting when in his crib (we had to lower the crib to the lowest position just in case he figures out how to pull himself all the way up). 

Hold his own bottle 

Babble (ba, ma & da are a few of his faves)

Get up on all fours & rock

He is so ready to move on his own; it is only a matter of time at this point! We have not baby proofed the house but we did pick up the essentials to do so. Wish us luck for when this moment arrives; Mason will be everywhere.  

Murray Family Vacation

Matt, Mason & I took a week off form our usual and spent some time in Florida!  We were so very lucky to be able to do this because we truly enjoyed our trip.  Plus, we got to spend a week in warm weather.  Traveling with 7 month old isn't easy but the three of us muddled through it successfully.  I truly tried to be prepared for everything but one can't plan for poop everywhere pre-security check in on our way to Florida.  Or for a poop diaper on the plane ride home with turbulence which equals not being able to change said diaper on our way back home.  Shit aside (literary) our trip was a success and very enjoyable for us all!  Mason loved the pool and he didn't seem to mind our VERY hot walks.  Matt and I enjoyed this time as a family; we hit up a few of our favorite dinner spots and did a little outlet mall shopping as well.  We had the pleasure of taking Mason to the beach for the very first time and I am pretty sure the sand didn't bother him.  All he wanted to do is jump in the ocean.

During our trip we also took our first road trip with Mason (a 5 hour one) to Palm Coast for Megan & Dave's wedding. We are so happy for Megan and Dave and very glad we were able to celebrate with them.

Here are a few pictures for our trip!