Mason James : 8 Months :

Mason, you are now an 8 month old wide-eyed, inquisitive, joyful little boy. Life is full with you. You provide us with laughter and sweetness. 

You love reaching out for us, especially reaching closer towards ceiling fans. You adore your animals, even Daisy the cat. 

You enjoy playing with your blocks and jamming on your piano. Splashing during bathtime always brings a smile. 

You are on the verge of crawling. You may not be completely mobile, but you somehow manage to scoot and roll to investigate whatever catches your eye. 

I believe it is time to babyproof our home…

You are saying “mama” but it tends to be a continuous sound and I’m not quite sure you have made the connection of its true meaning, but I’m enjoying the sound regardless. 

Trying new foods has become fun and you get so excited. I’ve been making your food and it has been a success. You have tried peas, zucchini, spinach, kale, asparagus, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, carrots, plums, mangos, apples with cinnamon, and nectarines.  Still no teeth yet though.

Mason, we are so excited with all that you are learning. You amaze us with how much you embrace the world and those around you. (Proud momma moment…at school your teachers share how much everyone absolutely loves you.)

You are so brave. A quality that we hope you continue to embrace. Be brave and stay focused on what you believe in, never give up. You can accomplish anything!

We love you Mason!  

Mason James : 7 Months :

We have hit the 7 month mark and oh, how much fun we are having! Mason, I cannot tell you enough how much you continue to amaze me. All that you are learning, all that you are soaking in with those huge blue eyes.  

You are a pro at sitting up. Rolling around is your current mode of transportation. You still love to jump like a wildman and your puppy stuffed animal always makes you laugh. Napping (even eating at times) isn't always a priority when there's a whole world to explore. If you hear anything, you don't hesitate to investigate. 

The doctor is happy with your weight gain now and you are eating solids twice a day, which you love. You have tried quite a few different foods so far (peas, green beans, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, plums, avocado, mangos, bananas). You have even been snacking on cheerios and puffs.

I must say Mason, your smile and laugh, bring joy to my heart and I can't help but respond in kind. Any time you see me or your Daddy, that sweet little grin appears. You have even started raising your arms up a bit for us to pick you up. Definitely not turning that offer down! You are a perfect mini version of your Daddy. You may have started out with dark hair but now your hair is much lighter, some might say you have a strawberry blonde tint. So handsome!

Despite you not always wanting to nap, I can usually count on you to fall asleep in the car. This particularly happens when we are on our way home during the week.  You play hard at school so as soon as we are on our way, you are out. 

You have become even more talkative and have so much to say at times. I'm teaching you to say MaMa. You haven't said it yet, but you really study my lips when I'm saying it. Other times, you just like to stare and take in your surroundings.

Mason, my love for you has no bounds. You hold such an important place in my heart and now it's hard to imagine life without you in it.  After you have fallen asleep while nursing, I just hold you. Take in that sweet baby smell while I still can. Snuggle you up close to me and whisper my love and my prayers for you. 

We love you sweet boy.

Best friend to be

As I mentioned in a previous post, it is important for us to invest in our friendships.  To keep in contact through the years even when everyday life gets in the way. 

Ad and I met our freshman year of college when we joined the same sorority and became sisters.  We have seen each other through everything, from being really random as roommates through more serious moments of heartbreak. We have stood by each other’s side during our weddings and we have welcomed the births of our sons. Her and her family even made a special trip down to celebrate my big birthday which was exciting because I do not see them near enough.

About a month ago though, Hubby, Mason and I took a road trip up to visit them.  Ad’s little man B turned 2 and it was time for our boys to meet.  (And conveniently that same weekend was the National Farm Machinery Show so of course we had to attend.)

B and Mason hit it off (well as much as a 6 month old and a 2 year old can). B is such a lovable little man and he instantly welcomed Mason with open arms. B read to Mason, brought Mason his toys, hugged on him and even bulldozed him (Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like.) And what do true friends really do...clear toe jam from little toes. Yes, B helped Mason by clearing the unwanted toe jam out. 

Through all this, Mason just smiled and watched, learning all that he could from B.  

I just loved soaking all these little moments in.  Seeing our boys together. When Ad and I met all those years ago, we had no idea of what the future would hold for us. No idea that in time, we both would have little boys. Future best friends. Just like their mommas. Two little boys running around, letting their imaginations soar. Getting dirty, while farming or building things. I see so much for B and Mason and I can't wait.  

Treading water

This blog is a chance for me to share updates into our lives as new parents, to share with everyone what a cutie we are raising and just other random life happenings. This blog is also a place where I hope I can be real and share.

To share my struggles and to know that I’m not alone. That sometimes juggling motherhood, being a wife and still maintaining a sense of self is hard. Some days I feel like I’m barely treading water, overwhelmed with the constant loads of laundry, cooking dinner, organizing at least some of the chaos of our home while taking care of Mason. My mind racing with everything that I want to accomplish, my to do list long. And how does that turn out for me…let’s just say not too many items get marked off. I’m the queen of saying…Oh I need to do this, I need to do that. Yup, usually doesn’t happen which ends up frustrating me and creates a sense that I’m lacking at times. Some days I’m just tired of the monotony of cleaning bottles and pump parts. And some days I’m just plain tired, not necessarily because I’m sleep deprived from waking up with Mason, but mentally.

Being surrounded by all the social media these days probably contributes to my struggles. It is easier to play the comparison game. To see how other moms seem to have it all together because I know I sure don’t.  

Please remember that I DO love being a mother. I DO love being a wife. I am grateful for all that I have, some days I just have to make more of a conscious effort to remind myself because it is so easy to get bogged down.     

I know that time with Mason is precious now, that he will not be a baby forever, so I am trying to focus on him, on creating those special memories of us as a family…

but I would appreciate some order to our home, maybe a table without the random piles on it. It would be a start…

30

Today, I celebrate my 30th birthday. It's hard to believe this "milestone" birthday is already upon me.

Here are a few things I have learned throughout my twenties:

1.  Don't get caught up in the idea of planning out your life. It will always change and go in another direction when you least expect it.

2. Change IS good and may be exactly what you need.

3. Reminiscing about your college years will happen, you'll laugh and even cry from the memories and that's okay.

4. Hold tight to your friendships. Invest in them because when everyday life happens it's easy to let them slip.

5. Listen to your parents. They do know what they are talking about (most of the time :).

6. You can consider your mom one of your closest friends.

7.  I miss naps. Seriously.

8. It is important to live on your own and become self-sufficient.

9. On the other hand, it's not the end of the world if you live with your parents for a bit after college.

10. Have confidence in all that you do.

11. You are stronger than you can even imagine.

12. Your priorities shift. Going out becomes staying in which is perfectly acceptable.

13. Travel when you get the opportunity, especially to another country.

14. Getting out of your comfort zone will strengthen you.

15. Sometimes all you can do is laugh, or cry, or even both.

16. Organization is not my forte despite my best intentions.

17. Nothing prepares you for parenthood. You have to experience it for yourself.

18. There's alot that I still want to learn.

19. There's nothing like waking up with the love of your life every morning.

20. It's the everyday little acts that make a difference.

21. Motherhood is my calling.

22. Hand holding never gets old.

23. Slow down and enjoy.

24. Babies grow way too fast.

25. What truly makes my house a home is my family.

26. I can live with a deer head in my living room.

27.  My body is amazing and I need to remember that my stretchmarks are evidence of my greatest accomplishment.

28. Questioning God does happen.

29. Don't miss an opportunity to share your love.

30. God has never strayed. He has stayed right beside me through it all.

I know I have learned even more from this past decade of my life, but I wanted to share the main ones that came to mind. There are regrets, but I try not to waste my energy. The past cannot be changed. I can only move forward and move forward I have. 

My life is special and each day I am purposeful in reminding myself that I have so many reasons to be thankful. Being 30 is another day in my extraordinary life :)  

Thumbs up for birthday celebrations!



Mason James :6 months:

I can’t say enough how fast our time with Mason has flown by.  We blink and he’s growing, so here we are at 6 months.

Oh Mason, you amaze me. All that you are learning and grasping already in this world.

You still have the biggest and bluest eyes and they do not miss anything.  Constantly staring and taking in all of the details around you. I seriously would not want to take you on in a staring contest. Hands down, you would win.

You seem to be in constant motion. Grabbing anything within reach, then putting any items in your mouth. Sitting up while playing with your toys. Rolling around all over the place. Smiling at us. Laughing with us. Reaching for us. The simplest of things, yet milestones at this age. We forget where we all started from, how we had to learn all of these things as well. It’s exciting to see the developmental growth you are making, Mas. We are definitely proud of you!

Can I mention again that you are reaching for us?? You continue to reach straight towards your momma’s heart when you do that. Love it.

You have started eating foods on a regular basis in the evenings and you LOVE it. You get so excited when you see that bowl of food coming at you. Your little hands start reaching out and your mouth starts moving. I can’t feed you fast enough sometimes. Peas, zucchini, green beans and avocado have all been sampled. You are happy with most of them…avocado didn’t receive quite the same response, but I think I need to work on the presentation.    

Life with you Mason is not dull and I can imagine this is only the beginning of an entire new active little boy. I will say that parenthood is hard. Hands down, the hardest thing I have ever done. Yet at the same time, I have never known anything as rewarding. Amidst the tears and uncertainty, we have you, Mason. Our wonderful and perfect little boy who loves his momma and daddy.

Can I tell you Mason, that I continue to look at you in amazement and wonder that you are a part of your daddy and me? Who we are is woven through you. I pray that we can lead, guide and shape you into a strong and compassionate person. We love you always and forever.

My journey in breastfeeding

I always said I would breastfeed my baby. Always for at least the first year. When people asked, that’s what I told them. Well, we have hit the 6 month mark.

 Honestly, until the baby is here, you don’t realize how difficult breastfeeding can really be, how many challenges can occur and just how painful it can be in the beginning. Granted, everyone is different, but collectively something that our body is made to do, you would think it would be a bit easier. Regardless, a new mom has to maintain a strong mindset that she can do this. (Please keep in mind that I know some women are unable to for whatever reason.) It helps to have friends that just continue to reiterate get through the first couple of weeks. That’s what I kept repeating to myself in the beginning. And you know what, my body adapted and I really started to enjoy it.

The health benefits alone are huge, but the bonding experience…there’s just nothing like it. When Mason first made his appearance, he was placed on my chest for an hour…skin to skin. Nursing was the first thing that he “knew”. It’s instinctive for a baby. Unreal.

Now here we are 6 months later and I am still nursing him.  I have not faced many challenges that other women face.  Once I got past the initial pain, breastfeeding was easy for us and for that I’m thankful because I know that’s not always the case.

Lately, I have had a few setbacks (dealing with thrush, a lower supply due to sickness), but we’re still trucking on. Another setback…being told at your baby’s 6 month checkup that he is not gaining weight, has dropped down to the 5th percentile and dropped down 2 growth curves. Not what a momma wants to hear especially when you are the sole food source. I cried. I couldn’t help but feel that I had failed to some extent. That my body was letting me down. The doctor wanted me to supplement temporarily after I had nursed him. And breastfeeding mommas know that this could potentially be detrimental for supply.

Those were my initial feelings. I KNOW that I am NOT failing at feeding Mason. He is right where he needs to be in regards to his development. He’s just a long and lean little guy. I realized the importance of taking care of myself as well.  We’ve been battling sickness which in turn has affected my diet and my water intake, which affects my milk. I am on the mend now. Mason has started eating some pureed foods at night. I’ve increased the amount of breast milk he gets at daycare and he is getting some formula at daycare after he finishes his normal bottles of breast milk. I know there is a different chart of growth for breastfed babies and I’m not sure if that is what our doctor used, regardless, we’re working on plumping Mason up just a bit.  And I’m continuing to nurse him whenever he wants as long as he wants when we are together.  That’s my first priority.

This is just a temporary setback. We will get past this and continue to breastfeed as his primary food source. We will make it to his first birthday and if he wants to continue for a bit past that, that’s fine with me.