Dear Little one [4]

Dear Mason,

I am typing this with one hand as you lay peacefully sleeping on my lap after eating.  You are 17 weeks old today.  We have had an incredible four months together.  My maternity leave/summer with you & Daddy has come to a speedy and unwelcome end.  We have just returned from a lovely mini vacay with the Tenbus family down in Delaware, where you had your first experience "swimming."

not too impressed with the pool

You have met and spent time with so many family and friends over the past few months.  You've gotten to play with your cousins Emma & Frank several times.  You have a very cute little friendship blossoming with your gal pal Addison who we've gotten to see a bunch this summer.  Countless visits with both sets of grandparents have you very, very spoiled with so much love and attention.  You were baptized on my birthday surrounded by friends and family.  It was by far the most special birthday I've had.  We have sooo many more wonderful memories to make together.

What you're doing/learning now:
--Controlling your arms/hands; grasping objects, holding on to mommy's chest while you eat.
--Giggling.  It has to be something really funny or new; but when you let loose that little chuckle it makes Daddy & I smile till our cheeks hurt.
--Discovering your feet.
--Thumb-sucking...you are starting to do this more & more since you've gained control of your arms/hands.  You soothe yourself when you first wake-up & that suck-suck sound lets me know you're ready to eat!
--Sitting/Playing in your Exersaucer
--Yelling REALLY loud.  You recently discovered you can make your little voicebox project at oh-so-very-high levels.
--STTN; this is mommy blog jargon for sleeping through the night.  As long as you get a bath, lotion, a sleepsack, & nurse, you will sleep from 830ish until 5.  It is a beautiful thing & I hope you continue to sleep so well.
--Standing with support

Mase, I am so very sad to return to work and give up my days with you.  I am trying to remind myself that I'm doing it for you so that we can continue to provide you with the best life possible.  But it's hard to remember that when all I can think about is how much I'm going to miss you!  You will be spending Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays with Pam; who is a wonderful & caring childcare provider that you spent a few days with this summer.  Wednesdays will be your special days with Grandpa K.  I know that you will be well looked after all week long.  I have built up quite the breastmilk freezer stash (about 250 ounces) & plan to pump a few times a day at work, so you can continue to enjoy your mommy's milk even though we're apart.  I do plan to nurse you at drop-off & pick-up time if it works for us.

what I did on my summer vacation lol

<3

Upcoming things to look forward to?  Celebrating Grandma Tenbus' birthday over labor day weekend, a quick visit with Auntie Amanda & Uncle George, and a few jewish holidays home with Mommy after school starts up!!

Love you little one.
Forever & A Day,

Mommy