C newborn pictures

In the past I've posted about the stress of taking family pictures...how the pictures always turn out great but the experience is miserable. Taking newborn/family pictures this go round was SO different. We found an AMAZING photographer (Mandy Johnson photography... if anyone is searching I highly recommend her) who made us love family pictures again. The session was less than 2 hours and all the boys (I am including Kyle in this) remained happy and cooperative. I wish I could post all of them, but as I sit here Mason and Camden are "playing" on the floor and the quiet is bound to end soon.

 

 

2 months

Yes, believe it. He is already 2 months old. Life is just now starting to feel normal again. I had forgotten how long it takes to get into a routine, yet alone try to keep a routine while having a 2 year old. While most days are still totally hectic and chaotic, it is at least a manageable chaos. God truly blessed me with a happy, healthy baby ( I think he knew Mason was going to turn into a crazy, stubborn, test your sanity kind of a kid right about the same time). I am much better at determining the reasons for his cry, as opposed to 3 weeks ago when I had NO CLUE why he cried all the time. Between getting him on a better routine and limiting my dairy intake (sigh), life has changed dramatically.

So at 2 months:

~Wt: 10 lb 9 oz (20th %)
~Ht: 24 in (75th %)

Eats every 2.5-3 hours, with 1.5 hr naps between.
Sleeps 6 hr stretch at night (hasn't kicked that 3 am feeding)
Loves his playmat that lights up and sings, the swing, and of course, cuddle time
A little scared of his big brother (don't blame him here... at any given moment M can turn from gentle to defensive)
My favorite: He has started smiling and cooing to our voice

Melt my heart, please.

Mason has started new fall sports... baseball and gymnastics being his favorite. He has a niche for the gymnastics (loves the rolls and swinging). Future gymnast? A 2 year old and baseball may be the funniest thing I have watched in a while. Coach Emily is amazing at keeping them focused and actually teaching them skills. Mason will come home and practice throwing and using the "alligator hands" to catch the ball.

He is loving his 3 year old class at Otter Creek Kindergarten. His favorite part is getting to ride in the front seat of mommy's car while we wait in the drop off line. Last week was lunch with Ms Pat where we got to meet other moms and talk with his teacher, Mrs Betsy. Before we left, I snapped a photo of what I thought I would NEVER witness...him sleeping on a cot.

Speaking of cot...Mason continues to have major sleeping issues with his bed. Why he can sleep on the floor at school and not sleep in his nice, comfortable, mickey bed continues to perplex me. After talking with the pediatrician and having affirmation that is, indeed, ok to let my kid "SCREAM it out", I have resorted to this:

The tape is because I don't know how to use the adjustment on this fancy gate and Kyle was out of town. The electrical tape did not hold... so it was a failed nap day. But it did make for a few minutes of peace while Mason stared in confusion at this contraption.

Of a way more exciting note, my sister had her baby! Baby Kate was born on August 29th. She is healthy and beautiful, and her twin sisters are in for a huge shock!

The hotel we stayed at had a ton of fish, so each morning we would walk around in our pajamas and hunt for the biggest fish.

Summer Finale

With the end of summer approaching, we have tried to cram as many activities in as possible for Mason. From birthday parties to meeting family and, of course, the fair... it has been a busy few weeks.

We took our first "road trip" (if you can call going to Alabama a road trip) with the baby when he was about 5 weeks. Unfortunately the summer and fall is Kyle's busiest time with work, so who better to call on for support than my mom! And Camden was able to meet his great granddad for the first time.

 

Mason loves going to granny's (his great grandmother) house to feed the ducks. A tradition that we started last year, but had no clue that he would love it as much as he does. Added to that tradition, granny completely spoils him with one of his favorite things: smoothies.

Camden also got to meet his older cousins, Maggie and Emily (and baby Kate, but she is still inside Aunt Heathers belly). It was a good chance for the girls to see what a little baby is all about. Of course, they loved him and wanted to hold him the whole time.

 

Three of Mason's best friends had birthdays this month, so Mason indulged in lots of sweet treats (something he doesn't get very often). His good friend Will turned 3 and had a party at the pool. Mason learned a big lesson that day after he was running and fell smack on his head. After 20 minutes of tears and a big bruise on his forehead, he learned NO running at the pool. He has been much better about that since (the hardest lessons are the ones you have to experience for yourself... he found that out that day).

 

Miles and Foster also turned 3 and had a party at Pump It Up. This was our first time there, and I would say Mason had a great time. He spent most of his play time in this machine:

 but he did venture out of the machine for the slide a few times.

 

This is a sad reality, but I don't recall ever going to a county fair growing up. I did ask my mom just to be certain, and she basically confirmed this. Kyle, however, went every year. So why is it that I, not Kyle, was super pumped about the Williamson County Fair? I depicted something in my head, and for the most part it was as awesome as I had hoped. Who doesn't want to spend a day eating fried oreos and giant sized lemonades with the smell of goat poop and throw up in the air? I certainly do! While Mason HATED the rides, we did have fun on the tractors (which were inside, praise God because it was 95 degrees that day), looking at the farm animals, and tasting delicious lemonade for the first time (our bellies hurt for 2 days afterward, but it was totally worth it in the moment).

This was right before he started screaming and they had to stop the ride to let him off. I give him credit... I had just had a talk with him the day before about how bumble bees are scary and we should avoid them. Good listener, Mason!

He loved watching the dogs jump into the water... we probably stood right here for 45 minutes. The little things that entertain toddlers...

And to end the summer fun... Mason's first haircut. Tears. I really didn't want to cut it, nor did I think it was necessary yet, but I was scared that if given the opportunity Kyle would chop all his curls off himself. Who doesn't love baby curls?! The great news is that by cutting it, he actually has MORE curls! It's a win-win for me!

He was pretty weirded out at first, but after the police car and lollipop, he was good to go!