Mommy & Mason dates

Starbucks date

We are in the throws of winter and cabin fever has hit the Murray household. More so the adults than the kids (thankful it isn't the other way around). Spring may or may not be around the corner so it is very possible I will have to endure several hundred more hours of daddy finger videos of all varieties (including languages from several other countries). To make the frigid days and weeks more bearable (and to give Mason some special time now that he is a big brother) I have instituted Mommy & Mason dates! This gives Mason and I some alone time and gets me out of the house. We usually hit up starbucks and treat ourselves to a drink and a snack but sometimes we hit up the grocery store or indoor playground. I am not sure who enjoys this time more...him or me. Either way we both look forward to our special outting

lunch date

Mason is smart, stubborn, talkative, silly and so very loving. I feel so lucky to be his mom. I tell him this almost everyday along with the hundred I love yous.

mommy mason selfie

New obsessions!

Our Nespresso machine! I've been debating on taking the plunge and investing in one of these bad boys for awhile.  I've had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket for awhile as well but I had so many questions about this machine.  After getting some friend referrals and watching some youtube informational videos I was ready to invest.  We ended up going with the Citiz but honestly if you like lattes or cappuccinos I don't think you can go wrong.  We have had the machine for about 2 weeks and I have only ventured to Starbucks twice since.  Matt has even jumped on the fancy coffee bandwagon and enjoys a cup before work each morning.  I've order several different capsules so far and we have liked all of them.  If you like coffee and tend to head to Starbucks as much as I do (like everyday) this is so the machine for you.  As a bonus the caffeine levels are reasonable and work well with my pregnancy limits.  This is going to come in handy when baby girl arrives in the middle of winter and getting out of the house won't be easy.  I will be able to enjoy a nice latte without longing, plotting and planning on how to get to the nearest bux.  Still needed Starbucks vanilla syrup and we will be the new coffee shop in town.

Warby Parker, ok I will admit I haven't actually received the glass I have ordered but they will be here very soon and I can't wait!  I wear prescription glasses to drive be it day or night so I have totally put off getting new glasses....for like 5 years.  This is in part due to the price and in part why fix it if its not broke.  Well, last week Mason was climbing around my car and my glasses broke.  I called both Costco and LensCrafters to see what their pricing was like; while they both were very reasonable as far as an eye exam goes (Costco saving us a few dollars) the cost of lenses and frames add up quickly (again Costco being more cost effective).  I have read blogs about Warby Parker in the past but was concerned about the turn around time and the fact I wouldn't be able to take advantage of their Home Try on Program.  Either way I was able to do some trying on via their virtual try on center and ended up choosing these.  Orders take about 10 days from start to finish, however my order was completed on Friday and the glasses are expected to arrive today (Wednesday).  Long story short, if you are need of a new pair of glasses or sunglasses check out Warby Parker you can't beat the price!

On the hunt for: a new diaper bag that is suitable for two kiddos and isn't too pricey and the perfect pair of sorel boots for this winter (I can't seem to decide).  Suggestions welcome!

Cups cups....and more cups!

We hit the one year mark which means it was time to  switch to whole milk. The transition went smoothly, along with the first few days of whole milk.... Then we hit a wall. Mason started drinking way below the suggested 16-24oz and I didn't know what to do. I bought a special sippy cup, I tried his favorite sippy cup and tried the old sippy cups (which we didn't have luck with in the past). None of the above worked and while the nurse I spoke with recommended we begin again; I just couldn't see how buying his very expensive liquid formula and adding one ounce in the bottle would be the right move. So, we turned to Dora (perhaps we have created another issue) but for now when all else fails we watch Dora and drink a bottle. The last few days we have even drank some bottles sans Dora. While I never anticipated any issues with the milk transition sometimes things don't go as planned.  As of today we are in the right track....drinking 16 plus ounces of whole milk. If we keep that up we will slowly remove the bottle from the equation (which the doctor said needs to be gone by 15 months).

A cup for me and a cup for you; has become my new motto! My Starbucks addiction is rubbing off on my son. Even as he starts to walk (yep, we have a walker) he has his cup in hand.  I have rinsed out some of my used bux cups to give to the babe to play with.  Who needs toys when you have a Starbucks cup!?!?!?  His need for my cups doesn't extend to a glass of water but water bottles, coffee|tea to go mugs must come in twos.





Mason is walking! He uses walking and crawling to get around.  He only walks in the house right now, for some reason he isn't a fan of trying out his new shoes on the pavement or grass.  He LOVES saying the word shoes but it is touch and go when it comes to actually wearing them.  Either we are totally enjoying this new stage Mason is entering.  Here is a video of him taking some of his first few steps. Enjoy!