Big Milestones for the Murray Household

Sporting his new under-roos

January 30th marks the day we really hunkered down and officially started potty training Mason.  We had halfheartedly tried before but weren't consistent....but this time we weren't going back this time.  We faced potty training like we face most parenting tasks without books and when we are all ready.  This has worked for us in the past and worked again this time.  Mason had a few accidents within the first few days but other then that he has transitioned to under- roos well.  We even send him to school in underwear.  Nap time, bedtime and pooping time are the only times Mason wears a diaper these days and we are all happy about that.

January 22nd Ava started taking a couple of steps before falling right on her butt!  It was the cutest thing EVER!  Fast forward to today and she is now walking more then crawling and has become a daredevil.  She is still a little wobbly but has no fear and loves loves loves to climb.  The other day I was straightening up and when I turned back around to check on the kiddos Ava as sitting on the couch next to Mason.  She had used a Lego bucket to climb on up and sit next to Mason.  Ava also loves going up and down the stairs and to scoot off our bed.  She gets it; she turns around and goes feet first and gets excited about it every time.

Our climbing machine

On top of Mason's garage 

Never a dull moment at the Murray household and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Pumpkins, tractors and "costumes" oh my

Does going somewhere two years in a row count as a family tradition?  I'll go ahead and just say yes.  We headed to Ruth Lake's Pumpkin Patch this past weekend and Mason was so excited about the tractor ride.  This year we all got on the tractor and headed to the pumpkin patch where Mason very quickly picked out a pumpkin to take home.  He then rushed back to get on the next tractor... We all enjoyed this family time; even though Mason still seems on the fence with costumes.  He still doesn't want to dress up and although he doesn't mind others dressed anything that could be slightly scary he does not like.  He has a school Halloween party, parade and sing along this week so we will see if I can get him to dress up.  Although I enjoy all things fall I'm not a lover of Halloween so I guess he takes after his mom.

Last Year's Pumpkin Adventure

Mason Turns 3

Rockin out on his Birthday

Mason turned 3 and boy did we have fun celebrating!  I was planning on skipping a birthday party this year and just have my parents, sister and fiance help us celebrate.  However, as Mason's birthday approached I realized he would actually enjoy a party and all the attention that comes with a bday celebration.  I called up some family last minute and invited them over for pizza and cake.  Luckily, the gang was available and made this the best birthday for him yet.  Three weeks later he is still talking about and asking when his birthday is.  I want to give a HUGE thank you to those that made it and helped us celebrate Mason's third birthday.  Family is so special and having everyone come break in our new home for such a joyous occasion was really special.  Time and time again I get to say how lucky we are. Everyone helped pull off a great party in less then a week for a very special boy.  

So to the important stuff....Mason turning 3!  He is weighing in at 39 pounds and is 3 feet 4 inches.  He has a larger than life personality!  He is friendly to every person that passes by; always greeting people with a smile.  Mason is extremely articulate and smart which leads to full blown conversations with him along with many battles of the will.  He is very stubborn and strong willed which can lead me feeling challenged at times.  He remembers everything....do it once, say it once he gets it and remembers it better then the rest of us.  It amazes us all and leaves us in awe of him.  He has grown to love his sister and his new found love has landed him on top of her sometimes more literally then I would like.  But I find him trying to make her laugh, concerned about her when she cries and crawling beside her on the floor.  He loves getting out and about and having visitors over to play.  Mason isn't potty trained yet mainly because he refuses to wear underwear.  Let him run around without pants and he knows exactly where to pee.  He still takes one nap a day which can, if I'm lucky, be for a few hours.  He is the sweetest boy we know and are so lucky be his parents!

 Likes:
- Play doh
- painting/arts and crafts
- cooking (mixing things in bowls/making a mess)
- being outside
-trucks
- reading books
- going to nana & papa's
- juice boxes
- snacks
- his monkeys
- signing/music

Dislikes:
- washing his hair
-loud noises
-being told no
-sharing
-rides
- people in costumes
- socks
- banaids

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy

  















Mason's first bday
Mason's second bday

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Matt's birthday was this past Saturday and we didn't have any plans.  Sometimes a day with no plans can end up to be one of the best days.  Late morning we made the game time decision to  check out  Luurs Garden Shoppe, they had a fall festive going on.  It was a gorgeous day, Luurs is close to the house and the event seemed kid friendly. We all had the most amazing time.....Mason has been asking to go back ever since.

Mommy & Mason

The pumpkin Bounce house, a huge hit with Mason!

Daddy with his pumkin

Ava wanted to join in on the fun

Thought he wanted to go on a train ride but no dice

Baby Girl enjoying the weather and her feet

Luurs hosts a great fall festival which includes a pumpkin bounce house, pony rides, train rides, pumpkin picking.  They also have a cafe open so you can grab lunch or a snack. This is a great option for pumpkin picking if you have small kids.   

PreSchool {the new norm}

I can sum up how the first few weeks of preschool are going in two words, LIFE CHANGING! I'm not going to lie; I was worried....very worried about how the whole preschool thing was going to go.  I wanted it to work so badly but I just wasn't sure if he was ready (sharing isn't one of his strong suits and either is doing things he doesn't want to do).  I was pleasantly surprised how well Mason took to the entire experience.

I picked our particular preschool based on their pick up/drop off policy.  They do a car line where the teachers grab Mason out of his car seat in the morning and put him back during our pick up time.  Ava and I get to stay in the car which will be key when winter hits.  Mason LOVES preschool and asks daily if he gets to go to school.  He loves going to school by himself, he loves the teachers, he loves music class, playing with play doh and dressing in the color of the day.  I couldn't be more happy and either could he.  Not only does Mason love going to school he seems to have "grown up" a bit from being at school. I have a feeling this will continue to happen throughout the school year.  He know actually cleans up when we sing the clean up soung (hello, LIFE CHANGING).   Yay!!

The other reason this new norm is AMAZING....Ava usually naps while Mason is at school (did someone say fabulous!?!?!).  So Tuesdays and Thursday have officially become laundry day, straighten up the house day, pay the bills day...you get the picture.

To sum it all up preschool has been great for both of us!  My favorite part of preschool; picking Mason up and hearing about what he did in school.

Mason's first train ride

Mason has been asking to take a train ride for some time now. I needed to have all the logistics ironed out prior to his first train trip (I know, I'm such a mom). I knew we would need two adults involved. I knew mason wanted to ride the train but I wasn't sure how he would feel once on the train so I wanted him to be able to get off at any stop and have a ride home.

Matt took the day off last Friday and we figured it would be a great time to take a mini trip. Ava and I dropped them off at the Hinsdale station and waited for them in LaGrange. Mason did great on the train and now asks more often if we can take a commuter. So I see many more rides in our future. 

Here are a few pictures of Mason & Matt's adventure:

Mason & Daddy waiting for the train

The train ride was followed by hitting up the toy store, grabbing hot dogs for lunch and taking Mason to Tates (an old fashion ice polar) for some pink and blue ice cream. 

Mommy Mason Dates

Mason and I had a few mommy & Mason dates this week and boy does it make a difference!  Most people would consider our dates "running errands," however Mason and I call them dates!  This week we went to the bank, grocery store (twice), bakery, Starbucks and took a walk.  This time is special for both of us and seems to recharge Mase a bit.  He loves this time alone with me and I feel the same way.  It allows me to focus all my attention on him - no ipad, laundry or cooking going on.  Just some good old fashioned quality time with my son.

Thanks to my mom for poppin' in while Ava napped; allowing Mase and I an hour out and about.  The juggling act with two kids, dinner etc is a real balancing act and sometimes a real struggle (that's for an entire other post).  It takes a village and I appreciate ALL the extra hands and help when given to me.  Words can't express how special this brief alone time out with my son means to me & I'm fairly certain Mason feels the same way.

Color wonder how we love you

Color wonder products popped in our lives prematurely (maybe when Mase was about 1) but we have discovered them recently and we are obsessed. Crayola hit the mark perfectly with this line; mess free markers, paints and finger paints. A dream come true for children and parents alike. For the past few days we have been coloring away with the marks on blank paper and their Princess Sofia coloring book. This has been such a fun activity for Mason and I to do together.  I have been on the hunt for the paint without any luck so I let it go until Mason asked for the paints (which he saw on the coloring book). So today, we hit up Target and we found them! 20 little masterpieces later we are completely out of color wonder paper and have had to hit up the nearest Target post bath to get more. I love being able to let Mason be creative with little to no mess. This also keeps him very busy which is a win win or both of us.

I'm impressed with his paintings; we may have an artist on our hands!

Small Victories

We've had a rough week; no one says being a parent is easy, right?  However, even on the toughest of days small victories are made.  This week marks two...take that back three.

1) On Thursday March 12, 2015 Mason peed in his big boy potty!  We have had the potty for sometime now; and although Mason loves to sit on it he has never actually used it.  During bath time on Thursday night he was getting in and out of the bath expressing that he had to potty.  I quickly grabbed his toilet and let him stand over it.  This happened several times with nothing to show for it.  I then told him if he went in the potty he would get two M&Ms....this seemed to do it for him.  He stood over the potty and went.  Now, by no means is he potty trained but baby steps in the right direction.  He went again during bath time the following night so we are on to something here.  Yay Mason!

2) Ava and her sleeping.  I'm almost afraid to blog this but we had one night where she slept from 10pm to 6am and another night that she was asleep by 8pm with an 11:30pm and 6am feeding.  I will take it.  Again baby steps in the the right direction.

Sweet snuggles with my girl

3) And maybe the most important....the weather!  Some warmth and sunshine has hit our neck of the woods and it has brighten our moods greatly.  I have been able to take multiple walks this week and on some days more then one walk a day.  Mason is playing on the (enclosed) back deck and enjoying every second of being outside.  He already smells like a boy.

Our new norm 

Mason pushing Ava on our walk around the block

Cheers to the toughest job in the world and small victories!

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

Let it Snow!

                                             

After 5 straight weeks of one Murray or another being sick the house became officially germ free. This means we are free birds; so many errands to accomplish and getting Mason out of the house were at the top priorities.

Well, the weather or Linus (as many are calling it) hit. We were all snowed in and besides playing in the snow staying in was our only option. We hunkered down on Sunday and most of Monday. We finally convinced Mason to put on his boots (which he now loves) so we allowed him to go check it out the snow. Of course, he would be allowed out more often if we could just get him to wear gloves too.

the end result 

Up next, more cold temps and snow headed our way. Thanks to extended baths,  Lego duplos and dance parties to Uptown Funk we are keeping busy. However, Mason and I really want to hit up the mall this week....which we can do because a stroller for 2 is being delivered this week, yay (details of the epic stroller dilemma another day).  Hope you are staying warm and cozy! As much as I am longing for FL winter and a new baby are the perfect combo.  We will be ready for our usual warm weather antics with Ava in toe once the weather changes.  

TGIF {Just Rockin' Out}

I look forward to the weekends; even as a stay at home mom!  It is nice to have Matt around and to do things as a family.  This morning Matt was at home with us and our new Nespresso Machine arrived (extra bonuses all around).  We don't have anything special planned for Matt's extra time off but hanging out together and maybe getting some "to dos" accomplished would make for a great weekend.

Mason made our morning with some rockin' out in the car this morning while doing some errands.  I hope this put a smile on your face like it did ours.  

{Click Here to See Video if you can't see it}

TGIF to you and your loved ones!

Nighty Night

Bed time has always held a special place in my heart as a mother! Bedtime looks different from our nursing and rocking days but there is still something so special about this time with my son. Lately, bedtime has become an even more precious time knowing months from now my hands might be full with an infant (Matt will then have the  honor of putting Mason too bed). My very favorite part is sitting in the rocking chair post books and just snuggling. Many times our snuggles turn into belly laughs and I find myself wanting to snuggle more instead of placing him in the crib. There is just something so peaceful about this time with Mason. These days I step outside the situation and feel so full; Mason on my lap, baby in my belly. Change is heading our way but for now I cherish bedtime with my first born. 

Kids say the darnedest things!

Mason has always been a talker and these days he is talking more then ever. It is clear he isn't shy because when we are out he is sure to say hi to any passer by (sadly the person usually doesn't respond and Mason just says hi again). Although, we are use to the chattering he does, which mostly includes bossing us around there are times he even surprises us. 

Matt and I were making breakfast and Mason said "want to go bye bye." In response we asked him where he wanted to go. His response "Starbucks." 

At Starbucks waiting for my coffee a tween age girl walks in. Mason says, "hi girl." 

At initially ewe visiting my mom, we walk into a shop filled with knitters. Mason says, "hi ladies."  

I was laying on the floor and Mason says, "rock rock," while rocking my belly back and forth.

Last but not least...because it is my personal favorite. "Bye peeps." Now where the heck did he pick up the word peeps?!?!?

Mason has always liked music. It seemed to calm him when he was fussy as a baby and get him excited as a toddler. Lately he is picking up songs from the radio and singing a few lyrics. We then have to listen to the song over and over again. Currently on his top three list:

Girls Chase Boys Ingrid Michaelson

On Top of the World Imagine Dragons 

E.I. Nelly

Life with a toddler is so fun we are certainly enjoying this stage!

Post 4th Haircut 7.22.14

Water table = lifesaver

                                               

Summer time isn't always easy! With countless hours outside (I repeat countless) it is hard to prevent Mason from getting hurt. He might even give me a heart attack with the spills he takes while running head up at super human speeds. Keep up with him you might say; well it doesn't work, he then thinks we are chasing him. Which results in faster running and less paying attention on his end. Our gated back porch has been great but he usually wants to roam the backyard in like .2. Solution: a water table! Our water table strategically placed in the shade on our back deck equals hours (or what seems to be hours) of fun! And more importantly gives us a chance to either sit down or get a meal going. Yay for the water table and making our summer livin' easy (aka easier).

                                                  

This is the water table we have but honestly I don't think it matters a whole lot which one we would have gotten. Add some ice cubes (a new fave) to the mix and we have one happy boy!