I blinked and it's August.

Cue obligatory teacher rant about how quickly the summer is going and how close school starting up again is coming blah blah blah.

My available free time these days is VERY limited as my little 15 month tornado needs attention every.single.second.  So I'm just gonna skip a long intro & jump right into recapping what we've been doing lately (ya know for the past month!)

We enjoyed such an exciting visit with the Knoxes!!  George & Amanda are expecting their first baby in January and while they were home, they were spreading their happy news.  Such a special time for them.  Mason really bonded with George this trip (of course being the baby whisperer she is, Mason has been akin to Amanda since, well, practically in utero).  Amanda & I even snuck in a girls day.  It was a great week or so, and they'll be back at the beginning of August :)

A Rafferty reunion of sorts was enjoyed by many at Glen's Graduation Party at the 1st Class Club in West Point.  Notable was that my cousin Laura, her husband John, and kids Carmen & Rylan from Colorado Springs made it out and finally got to meet Mason!!

We spent the 4th of July with John's family at the Eick's house in Wilkes Barre.  Mason was chasing Frank & Emma around and got some swimming in.  He warmed right up to his godfather and we had a blast watching the kids and eating delicious barbecue.

Shortly after the Knoxes' visit,  sadly, my grandfather passed away.  He was up visiting us and it was quite clear that he was extremely weak and sick.  While I will miss him more than words can say, I am happy that he is reunited with 2 of his sons in heaven and all his loved ones that went before him.  He was 87 years old and truly one of my favorite people.  He told the best stories, loved to sing, and always put everyone around him in a better mood.  Some of my happiest childhood memories are spending time with my grandparents; 4th of July parades in Highland Falls, card games at cousin Helen's, visits at their villa in Florida, they were there for my all of my religious milestones, graduations, and even got to meet and spend time with Mason.  Luckily, my grandmother is in pretty great health and hopefully we'll be able to enjoy her for many more years to come.

After celebrating the life of my grandfather and laying him to rest, we had a busy week or so of summer fun.  Wednesday we went to Claws & Paws with my friend Danielle, her husband Ed, & their kids Griffin & Kayleigh.  We saw lions, tigers, and bears....and giraffes, snakes, jaguars, foxes, and monkeys.  We had a nice time.  The next few days in a row were EXTREMELY hot so we spent a few days straight over in Narrrowsburg cooling off in Grandma & Grandpa Tenbus' pool.

We had a playdate with Alicia & Kylie at the beginning of this week, and our friend Megan joined us with her daughter Riley.  It was a beautiful afternoon.  Unfortunately Mason only had a 25 minute nap & was very clingy and tired.  He barely got out of my arms :(  Hopefully we can get together again before school starts up.

Mason & I stopped over to see his babysitter Pam.  It had been a month since he'd seen her and he was pretty cautious about how close he was willing to get.  I think he's gotten very spoiled spending a month straight with Mommy & Daddy pretty much every waking hour.  He will go to Pam's for a day next week to spend the day with her.  I'm sure he will warm right up & get back of the swing of things there.

Summer sure is flying....we are enjoying every day!!

Meeting Cousin Laura at Glen's Graduation Party

Mason, Carmen, Rylan

With Uncle Frank on the 4th

With Cousin Frank on the 4th...Twins!!

Enjoying the Knoxes

Reading with Great-Grandma

Scoping out the lion at Claws N Paws

At the Zoo

A Giraffe!!

Hanging with Grandpa T

Playdate with Kylie & Riley

On to August!!

Kicking Off Summer 2013

It's hard to believe we've only been on summer vacation a week.  There has been so much going on, it's been crazy.  Life with our busy, growing toddler is so, so fun.  (I am a tad tired LOL).

Here's what we've been up to in no particular order:

~*~My grandparents are up visiting from Florida & this past week they stayed with my parents.  We took Mason over for a few visits with his great-grandparents.  It was so much fun watching them react to each other. 

~*~John & I have both started up with fitness regimens.  We both feel so much better when we're working out and getting healthy is a top priority of ours this summer; it's difficult with Mason, but we've decided we just need to find a way to make it work so that both of us can get done what we need to get done.

~*~We've taken a few day trips to Narrowsburg to spend time with John's parents.  Mason recently enjoyed his first swim in the pool.  He was very good; he was a little clingy but overall, he seemed to like it.  We also tested out Grandma & Grandpa's playground...the jury is still out on the swing.

~*~My mom watched Mason one day so that John & I could get out and have a meal just the two of us; we tied it in with a visit to the eye doctor in New Paltz.

~*~We celebrated some wonderful graduates...while we didn't make it to all the parties we were invited to, we had a great time at Mareena & Keira's party, Ryan's party, cousin Peter's party, and will attend cousin Glen's party next weekend.

~*~Mason has graduated to a BIG BOY bed.  Mason never really slept in his crib.  He didn't mind his bassinet.  But he's been sleeping with us for several months now.  We decided we're gonna work on him sleeping more in his own room (at least starting the night there), so we put the full bed in the nursery & stored the crib.  We'll see how it goes...

July is just starting and we are VERY excited for this upcoming week; visiting with the Knoxes, celebrating the 4th with the Eicks, and seeing lots of Rafferty family at Glens graduation party.  Ok summer '13, don't fly by too fast!?

Things My Father Taught Me...

Well I did it for Mothers Day so its only fitting that I compile a similar list in honor Fathers Day.  So here we go, in no particular order:

~*~As with my mom, first and foremost the most important thing I learned was that I was loved.  That love from my father is completely unconditional, no matter how much I may mess up or drive him crazy.  And in my opinion after working with kids for five years now, I wish more children had this solid foundation of love. It makes growing up a hell of a lot easier.
~*~Spaghetti sauce is most delicious with a pinch of brown sugar and a splash or two of red wine.
~*~Music is an important part of life; certain songs will bring you back to special memories.  Music has the power to calm you down, psych you up, teach you about history, kill hours of time in the car, or tell you a story.
~*~Whenever your child does something new or gets rewarded in anyway, you WILL cry and you WILL NOT be able to control it.  I always felt so bad making my dad cry growing up; he cried when I made big accomplishments, he cried when I went away to college, he continues to cry when big things happen for me. Well apparently I learned this lesson very well because Mason has me in tears all the time.  I can just think about him doing something in the future and I tear up.
~*~A suitable vehicle needs 4-wheel drive, a decent sound system, and a nice rear view mirror so you can look at your children in the back seat :)
~*~You treat people how you want to be treated; not how they treat you.
~*~The best decisions are made around a round table with lots of family conversation and a few drinks (when everyone is of age, of course).

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!

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?