Where did our baby go?!?! {9 months}

Honestly, where did our baby go? The one I nursed & rocked hours on end!!! At 9 months our little baby has transformed into an independent toddler (ok, not really but we are getting there). Mason started crawling & boy is he on the move. He is great at communicating with us which makes our job a littler easier. Speaking of communicating he has added the following words to his vocabulary mama, dada, ba (bottle), car, up, bubbles, pool & papa. If we say the word he can repeat it...so fun! He can also pull himself up which is a little nerve wracking at times. Not going to lie falling and bumping his head are the norms these days. He likes to feed himself which makes meal time a little bit longer these days. We have to provide food for him to feed himself and then in between bites spoon feed him. And if we are lucky he will offer us a piece of his food which is like the cutest thing ever.  

Mason's likes:

- the book Lama Lama Nighty Night 

- straws

- avocado & watermelon

- his toy cars & trucks 

- being outside (I'm in trouble when it starts getting cold)

- playing in his room by himself 

Dislikes:

-  door stoppers (they scare him)

- bumping his head

We are so lucky to be Mason's parents! I love spending my days with him; it is priceless. 

4th of July

Unlike most of our weekends we had little to nothing on the agenda for the weekend of the 4th. This gave us an opportunity to catch up on some little things around the house and plan for the baby proofing that is getting very necessary these days. Of course, the weekend wasn't all work!

We celebrated the 4th with some friends! Mason loved splish splashing in the pool with all the ladies. 

This Child is Happiest in Water!

Come to think of it the rest of our weekend revolved around the pool! Mason did some skinny dippin' Friday night and we had a family pool day at Ruth Lake on Sunday (which may need to be a new family tradition).

 

We hope you all are enjoying your summer as well!

A Day Of Fun|Mason Style

My little man is on the move which has brought us to the next stage in parenting. But this post is strictly reserved for Mason. Today we spent the day together as a family doing things Mason enjoys (no errands allowed).  

We started the morning with a dip! Mason LOVES the pool; he kicks and splashes around. Occasionally he puts his face in...attempting to blow some bubbles. 

After a nap we hit up the carnival! There was lots for Mase to see. He watched the kids run around and the rides go this way & that way. They had live music too which also captured his attention for a bit. We took Mason on his first marry go round and train ride. Of course he just loved all of the above. 

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!

A love for motherhood!

Words can't describe the joy Mason has brought me! I love being a mom and more specifically I love being Mason's mom. Being a mom is the best job I have ever had and the job I always dreamed of having. Now, I am not trying to glorify the task at hand (hello, I have to turn this little guy into a man....a strong, kind, intelligent  loving, gentleman). And don't get me wrong my "to do" list never gets completed 100% and 6am comes early each morning. But I am in love with our son; everything about him. And I love being a mom.

In spirit of Mother's Day I have to thank my mom! Her love and support for me is endless and I feel it everyday. I can only hope I am following your foot steps as a mother and one day Mason can say the same about me.  I did learn from the best! Love you so much mom; thank you for everything.

I can't believe Mason is already 7 months old! Where is the little baby that was once in my tummy?

Mason is pretty much sitting up on his own. He Loves music, being outside, bath time, rolling around in his crib and food!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms!