Dear Little One [5]

Dear Little One,

I don't know how much longer I can be calling you "little one" Mase.  I am writing to you now to let you know how busy you've been this past month, your 13th month.  This has been by far the most exciting month.  It seems you have developed SO much in a few short weeks.

First, you sprouted not one or two, but SIX teeth this month.  You went from having zero teeth to having 6 in just one short month.  You have just recently started to show a little interest in chewing.  Your new favorite food is wheat bread; you love to gnaw on it.  I don't get it but it seems to make you pretty happy.  I'm just so thrilled that you are willingly putting something in your mouth that's edible :o)

Also, you have started saying a nice little rotation of words.  They are true words, that are not approximations and have consistent meanings to you.  You've added "fan," "duck," "pup," and "home" to your repertoire.  Your "mom" has become so very clear.  It's so exciting to hear you try to repeat what we say and use words in a meaningful way.  It's even cooler to watch you as you understand more and more of the things said.  You are so amazing baby boy.

Another big development; you are WALKING!!  Just last weekend, you started taking off without holding on to anything.  You still use furniture here & there to steady yourself, but you are getting better and better at walking without any help.

Mason we are so enjoying every minute of being your parents.  Thank you so much for the joy you've brought to our lives.  We can't wait for a summer full of adventures with you!!

Love you baby boy,
Forever & A Day!

Mom

A Wintry May Weekend

This might have been the coldest memorial day within recent memory.  It was windy, rainy, and downright chilly.  We were in the 30's at night and 40's during the day.  There was a frost warning.  We had to turn our heat on!!  Not the way I like spending the "unofficial" start to summer!!  Nonetheless, we tried to make the best of our 3 day weekend :)

Friday night we did the usual pizza & beers routine at my parents' house.  We were celebrating my sister's 1 year anniversary at the Behavioral Health Unit of Sullivan Correctional Facility.  We are all so proud of Amanda!!  Mason is so at home at 31 Little Hollow.  He pretty much runs the show; cruising all over the place, reading books to himself, demanding people sing him songs with a look or a hip swivel.
Saturday we went to Shahola, PA to see some Smith cousins at John's Aunt Gerry's house on Twin Lakes.  They have a beautiful home right on the lake with lots of rooms & space for the kids to run around.  Mason met his cousins Will, Maggie, & John from New Jersey.  We had a nice lunch and visit.  It was so nice to have so much of the Smith family there together; the Kellys & Eicks also made the trip.  We were so proud of how well Mase handled all the noise, stimulation, and new people.  At any given point there were about six kids and at least twice as many adults roaming around and he was cool as a cucumber :o)

                                        

Crazy-haired boys!!

Frank & Mason in their cool new chairs

Emma, Frank, John, & Maggie

Sunday we went to my cousin Ryan's graduation party where we got to catch up with my Dad's side of the family whom we haven't seen in forever.  Mason had a blast with his cousin Amelia.  Monday we hung out around the house and relaxed just the three of us.  We did enjoy a quick visit with Ryan and got outside as the temperature was finnnnnnally somewhat seasonal.

We are only 4 weeks away from Summer '13.  The best part??  We have ZERO plans.  John isn't doing any basketball.  We have no vacations planned.  We are just going to spend about 10 weeks, completely commitment-free, doing whatever, whenever- as a family.  I am so flippin' excited!!

Until next time...

                             

Mothers Day '13

It doesn't seem possible that I just celebrated my second mothers day.  I guess last year as Mason was just a few weeks old, I didn't really feel like part of the club quite just yet.  This year I'm feeling more like a full fledged member.  We had a wonderful Mothers Day weekend...as usual we did the dance between our two families; Narrowsburg one day & Grahamsville the next day.  Mason got to spend time with both his grandmas for Mothers day and give them presents.

Teeth!!

On another note--Mothers Day is better than Christmas!!  Holy cow my loved ones were so generous this year.

My boy made this for me at daycare:

John got me this beautiful "Mother & Son" Willow Tree figurine:

Along with my "Friendship" figurine from Amanda Sue, I have a nice little Willow Tree shelf going:

My sisters got me an Ipad Mini- which is an amazingly generous gift.  I can't even believe it!!  I am looking forward to figuring it out.  John got me a fabulous, sturdy (so needed as it will be as much Mason's ipad as mine), easy-to-spot pink otterbox case for it.  My mom & dad got me a Kohl's gift card & a beautiful black spring dress.  Thanks everyone & Happy Mothers Day to all you fabulous mommies out there.  I have so much respect and appreciation for all of you.

Things My Mother Taught Me

In honor of mothers day this year I thought I'd compile a list of life lessons (some more serious than others) that my Mom has taught me:

~*~The MOST important thing my mother ever taught me is that she loves me.  She loves me no matter what.  She taught me that lesson over and over and over again, and continues to teach me that I'm loved.  She taught me about unconditional love.
~*~Cleaning is best done to Fleetwood Mac or Michael Bolton.
~*~Routines are vital to survival when you're a working mom- the more you can do the night before, the less stress you'll have in the morning trying to get out the door.
~*~Always advocate for yourself and be proactive; whether it's at work, with doctors, places of business, banks, or anywhere.  You have to speak up for yourself and ensure that things are happening as they should.
~*~Educate yourself.  Relates to previous lesson...It's hard to know when you're being taken advantage of or wronged if you don't know what's supposed to be happening.
~*~Be timely.
~*~It's a good idea to do a "red" load of laundry.  Those reds can creep onto other clothes.
~*~Always check the pockets of clothes before washing them.
~*~Most friends will come and go but siblings are forever.  My mom told me this many times growing up as I cried when various 'friends' hurt me.  Back then, I had trouble believing it but she was absolutely right.  My sisters are my closest friends.
~*~Before beginning anything that might make you stressed out or nervous, whether it's taking a test in high school, a job interview, or having a baby--saying a little prayer, always helps.
~*~Always take your vitamins.
~*~Keep the older milk in the front and newer milk in the back of the fridge.
~*~Count your blessings.  One of my mom's favorite sayings is "There but for the grace of god go I."  You may feel like you're going through something difficult but there is always someone who has it so much worse than you.
~*~Hard work pays off.  Being successful isn't always about who's the smartest, it's about who works the hardest.  She helped me write that line in my graduation speech and it couldn't be more true.
~*~Always tip your hotel maid.  My mom worked as a chambermaid when she was young. & always had us pick up after ourselves in the hotel room and left the maid a nice tip.
~*~There is no donkey postulate--Angle Side Side...though comical...does not exist :o)  Sad that's the one thing I remember from her Geometry class.
~*~Be a leader, not a follower....I can't count the number of times my mom said..."I don't care what the other kids are doing..."  Mom always encouraged me to do the right thing no matter what everyone else said or was getting away with...it's a lesson that I took to heart.  To this day I can hear her in my head if I consider doing something that might not be exaaaaactly what I should do.

Happy Mothers Day Mom!!  Love you!!

With Mom at our favorite breakfast spot at Disney's Polynesian
Circa...1993?