Pampered Chef

We're leaving my party open until Friday (March 7th) for orders. :)
 www.pamperedchef.biz/kelliep
Go to shows I'm invited to and enter Kim Hess as the host

Goodies goodies goodies!

Spring means new Pampered Chef products!!  Whoopeee!
Having a Pampered Chef party soon but if you're not in the area here's the link to order online. Check it out...I think they have new products even!
www.pamperedchef.biz/kelliep
Go to shows I'm invited to and enter Kim Hess as the host.

My silly goose...in video form

Happy Half Birthday Masey-Moo!

My BABY is 6 months old today. Happy half birthday my little love. You've changed my world in more ways than I can put down and I wouldn't change a second. You came into my life when I didn't know I needed you, turned my world over, shook it out and put it back together the way it should be. I was headed down a road making mistake after mistake and you turned me right around. I love you and have never been so grateful for anything or anyone in my life.  I can't believe you're 6 months old and can't wait to see what you do next!

These are from his 6 month photo shoot with Racheal Benavidez Photography.  I'm so lucky to have such an amazing, happy little boy.    

So big!

Can you believe my teeny tiny baby is going to be 6 months old in a couple weeks?!  It's insane.

Here are his 5 month photos and a video of his goofy self this morning.

 

 

 

 

Here's Mason hanging out with me this morning while I got ready for work. :)  I love his silly little facial expressions and how he's constantly looking around taking it all in.  This boy is the best.

 

 

Baptism Video

There are more videos but I haven't had the time to get them onto my YouTube.  Aunt Becky took them and I'm sooo glad she did. :)  Mason did awesome.  Here's the blessing.

 

 

Baptism

Here are some photos from Mason's Baptism on Saturday.  He did awesome and loved every minute of it.  I'm so lucky.

Here are more Baptism photos from the awesome Racheal Benavidez Photography!
http://rachealbenavidezphotography.zenfolio.com/mason

 

I'll upload a video soon. :)

 

January...where did you go?!

Big things have happened for Mason this month! He's holding his own bottle (most of the time), using his hands like a pro and picking up toys and grabbing mommy's face and now he's starting to sit a bit here and there on his own! January was a huge growth month!!  When I ask him for kisses he grabs my chin and pulls my face to him.  His "kisses" are putting his forehead on my chin and rubbing my face.  It's the sweetest thing ever.  He's still not too sure about swallowing food but we're practicing.  He's drooling like CRAZY and I'm sure we'll have teething drama sooner rather than later.  He's making a lot more sounds and responds when you talk to him.  He makes one in particular that sounds like "hi" and I think it really could be.  I say "hi" to him all the time so who knows.  He also says something that sounds like "mommy" and no, it's not wishful thinking on my part...he really says it. ;)  He's started rotating in his crib too.  When he wakes up he plays for a bit while I shower and every morning he's completely backwards from where I left him in his crib when I go in to get him.  He thinks he's pretty funny. :) 

 

It blows my mind that he's almost 6 months old!  His favorite toy right now is this orange pattered giraffe that has a flower attached with a tag.  He gnaws on it constantly and loves shaking it around.  He loves taking a soft blanket and rubbing it on his face and if he's tired all you have to do is put his pacifier in his mouth and give him a blanket on his face and he's out.  He likes being read to and dancing with mommy to our Pandora tunes.  His sitter Sara takes him to Story Time at the library on Wednesdays and says he loves it and loves watching the other kids and flirting with everyone.  Mason watches everything around him; he's very alert and is constantly looking around.  He thinks his Grandma and Grandpa are just the bees knees and loves when we go visit them.  He gets to spend some afternoons and Fridays with his GG Peggy if Sara has an appointment or something and is always super happy to hang out with GG.  He also thinks his Aunt Becky is pretty neat.  He got to hang out with her last weekend while I dominated Phase 10 with Grandma and Aunt Sue. ;)  Not that I'm bragging but I totally won.

 

He's getting baptized this weekend so that's exciting!  Mom got Katie's baptism gown out for him to wear and it fits just right.  We'll have the Baptism and a little reception after and I'm looking forward to the family time. :)  I just can't believe how big he is now...where did my little bitty baby go?

 

We've been in our apartment for 3 months now and love it.  I can't wait until the weather is warmer so we can take off in his stroller and go for walks.  I also joined the gym down the street from the apartments through work so as of February 1st we'll be able to walk down there for mommy to exercise.  They  have childcare as part of the membership so it's awesome.

 

Here is Mason giggling with his Grandma the other day.

 

 

And here he is trying to sit up this morning. :)

 

 

This is one of his favorite blankies.  He sleeps and snuggles with it and it's super soft.  I got home the other night and he even had it in his bouncer with him. :)

 

 

Did I mention he loves to chew on my finger???  He grabs at my hand and says "HAHA" like he won some sort of tussle when he gets it and then puts it in his mouth and goes to town...kid's got some strong jaws!

 

 

The wide world of sweet potatoes...

Mason is still trying to get the hang of swallowing food.  He does well with getting it in his mouth but then his tongue takes over and he forgets to swallow.  Here's our first attempt at sweet potatoes mixed with his rice cereal.  He didn't seem to be a big fan but I'm going to try again...it might have just been something new.  Don't want to give up yet!

 

 

Mr. Giggles

We've been busy playing...

While reading my sister's blog today I realized that it's been FOREVER since I posted on mine so I should catch it up a bit.  Last time I posted I believe Mason was 8 weeks.  He's going to be 5 months old on Friday and is just over 21 weeks old.  He's grown so much.  At his last appointment my little angel was 24 3/4" long and 14 lbs 5 oz.  He's learned how to laugh and thinks his feet and my hands are hilarious.  He has a favorite Cookie Monster toy and a blankie from Aunt Becky that he goes nuts for.  He's still on just bottles/formula but is getting more and more curious about the spoon and watches me like a hawk when I eat.  He thinks his Grandparents are the bees knees and is super close to rolling over.  He gets to his side and gets stuck on his arm; he'll figure it out and then I'll be in trouble.  He's borrowed Avi's doorway bouncer and goes absolutely crazy bouncing in it.  Before work every morning I make my oatmeal and sit on the floor by the bouncer while I eat and he bounces.  It's our special time and I power through my whole day on those 15 minutes of giggle and oatmeal.  He's in 6 months clothes for most brands and size 1 shoes.  He wears his Converse from Aunt Becky the most because, come on, they're super cool.  He had his first hair cut the week before Christmas and boy oh boy did he look handsome.  Our first Christmas together was wonderful.  We were super spoiled with lots of family time and even got to play with Aunt Katie, Uncle Adam and cousin Avi since they came home to visit.  Mason got some really cool toys that he loves to look at and will eventually play with but his motor skills just aren't quite there yet.  He's more in the "grab it and put it in my mouth" phase...and believe me, anything is fair game.

As for me, I'm the same.  Work is the same, still loving our apartment, hanging out with Mr. Mason every chance I get and onward we go.  We did switch to a new babysitter.  Not because Hillary wasn't amazing but some changes came down the line in her life and so now we have Sara.  The coolest thing about Sara?  She comes to the apartment every day to watch Mason so I don't have to get him together in the morning and take him out in the cold.  IF he's still sleeping I can leave him be instead of wake him up to take him to the sitters and that is AWESOME.  We adore Hillary and will play with her often but the change, especially with how cold it is these days, hasn't been terrible.

Anywho, here's some current pictures of my little monster.  Love you all. xoxo.

 

Mason snuggling with his cousin Dariahn.

The haircut!

NOT a fan of Rice Cereal...

Christmas!!!!

Big boy carseat

Bouncing with Teddy

Big boy booster at Grandma & Grandpa's

Christmas!!!

Happy New Year!

 

Big boy...8 weeks, bumbo and oops, a little spittle.

What a big boy.  He LOVES sitting up in his Bumbo and mommy LOVES his smiles...win win.

Fresh starts

Mason and I are moving!  We got an apartment that I can afford all on my own and will be moving the beginning of November.  I'm super duper excited and can't wait.  Patience has never been my strong suit but I'm trying.

Mason's 7 weeks old now and laughed for the first time yesterday.  Of course he'd just made what we refer to as "Mason's split pee poop soup" for mommy and was probably laughing AT me instead of WITH me but I'll take it.  Cutest sound ever.

When we went to the doctor for his cold they weighed him and he's up to 10lbs 3oz!  We go for 2 month shots in a couple weeks.  Time is FLYING.

He's really strong and loves to pull on your fingers and try to pull himself up.  He holds his head up really well and his legs kick constantly.  He's started pushing up with his legs and I'm pretty sure he's going to LOVE a johnny jump up when he's big enough for one.

He's still got all of that awesome hair and his eyes are lightening up and seem to be headed towards my blue which I'm pretty excited about.

Ryan and I have filed our divorce and long story short are waiting on the Judge's approval.  Then we move on.

New apartment, divorce and a perfect baby... Life is looking up.

 

Helping mom get ready for work this morning...I guess it was hard work!

 

 

7 crazy awesome weeks

Can you believe it's been 7 weeks since this little monster made his way into the world?  It's been amazing and I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything.  Here's to you little man...adventure on!

The terrifying first cold..

Whoof it's been a long couple of weeks.  Poor little Mason got his first cold.  Unfortunately mommy got one at the same time.  I tell you what...you really wish for a second, third and maybe 10th set of arms when you're a single mom with a head cold and a sick baby!  I've never felt so helpless as when the little guy looked at me with that sad little face and practically begged me with those big blue eyes to make it feel better.  That's my job right?  Mommy the fixer.  And telling him that I can't fix it...explaining to him that I can squirt saline up his nose, suck the boogies out with that mean blue bulby thing, prop him up and run the humidifier...but I can't just make it better.  Feeling like he's blaming me for that, regardless of how unreasonable it is to feel that way....for hecks sake he's a month and a half old.  He's blissfully unaware of the human ability to place blame.  Giving him every minute I can of snuggles and doing my best to make him comfortable while his tiny little body fights off the oogies.  Second guessing everything...is he propped up enough?  Is it too much?  Is it going to hurt his neck or is he going to slip down and get burried under his blankie?  OMG I'm going to kill him by trying to keep him warm!  Rediculous crazy thoughts right?  Totally.  But the world is terrifying when you have a baby!  Some moms are super strong rock stars and some second guess EVERYTHING...I'd like to say I'm right in the middle.  Oh!  Don't forget the worry that I'm the one who got him sick.  Did I bring home some horrible germs and infect my baby?!  Bad mommy.  Bad.

Enter logic.  Mason was born at the end of summer so he's too young when fall and winter hit for any of the good drugs that mask the symptoms and help make it bearable to be sick.  His babysitter's daughter goes to school and could have come into contact with any number of oogies, or we could have found them in the grocery store, the doctor's office...who knows!  Covering him with a blankie is NOT going to kill him and he's going to let me know if he's propped in a way that makes him uncomfortable.  This is when I look in the mirror and yell GET A GRIP MOMMY.

Fast forward two weeks and we feel much better.  WE lived.  Who'd have thought.

Waaa waaa waaa says the mommy

For some reason this post from September 9th didn't publish. An update on my condition is that it's not in hernia but a blood clot, my incision is finally healing, and the blood clot will reabsorb on its own. No worries.

Here's the post:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanna hear my latest drama?

I think I have a hernia. I've never had one but I have a knot the size of a golf ball above my incision (which is still somewhat infected), the knot is tender to the touch and it's not going away.

Day before yesterday I was sitting in the recliner and they sat my darling niece on my lap, which is the best I can do because I can't lift the wiggly 4-month old. (she's such a ball of adorable fun that it's sooo hard to not pick her up and play with her!)  She was getting sleepy so I turned her around and started rocking her. She decided to fight me and kicked me squarely in the owie/guts. Lets just say ouch is an understatement.  I couldn't figure out why it hurt soooo bad because she didn't kick my incision, she kicked above it.  So I was feeling my lower abdomen that night to try to isolate the main source of the pain and that's when I found the lump.

Best part? (Enter sarcasm)
This is my last week off work and when this week's over I'll also be completely out of sick leave, vacation days AND comp time. So, in short, I don't friggin have TIME for a hernia.
And to add insult to injury my sister and her little family go back to Washington Tuesday. Super-duper sad face.

BUT...
The beautiful part of being Mason's mommy is that even as I type this he's snoozing away in his cradle and I'm so full of love for my little angel that I'm not even mad at my situation. I couldn't have imagined a love this big and pure a month ago. Mind = blown. 

A quick minute...

Guess who is 4 weeks old already!  It seems like it happened all of a sudden...like I blinked and its passed us by.  The 4 week mark means I have to go back to work...Monday is the dreaded first day back. It would be easy to lose my weekend to the dread of Monday but I'm trying to focus on the amazing 4 weeks I've just experienced instead of the upset of what's coming.

Mason's growing like a weed.  He's got himself a little Buddha belly and it's adorable.  His big cheeks make his smile all that more precious and he's making all sorts of new noises, coos and such.  He's sleeping an average of 3 hours between feedings at night and if I play my cards right he only gets me up twice.  We're trying "dream" feeding, which is where you put them down and once they're asleep you feed them (carefully) while they sleep and it helps them stay fuller and sleep longer before the first wake up of the night.  He's getting the hang of it. :)  

He's bumped up to 4 ounce bottles and during the day eats every 2-3 hours.  He's definitely a growing boy. I got on mom's scale with him day before yesterday and he weighed in at exactly 9 pounds.  Love my little Moo.  

He smiles a lot and loves to stare at shadows and shapes.  He's a pacifier baby and loves his wubbanubs (pacifiers with stuffed animals attached...he has Dino the Dinosaur and Leo the Lion).  He's a great snuggler and is starting to really like tummy time.  He holds his head up really well but isn't quite sure what to do with it from there.  He's very strong and has gained a lot of strength in his arms and legs in the last couple weeks. He "flops" a lot less now than he used to.

His eyes are a beautiful blue still and he's still got a full head of hair.  His eyes and his hair are lightening up and I'm excited to see what he ends up with.  His hair gets really fluffy after his baths and reminds me of a hedgehog.  Fitting, right?  He seems to like his baths in his tub, but isn't a fan of sink baths or sponge baths. 

He's still hopelessly addicted to his hands and they're always at his face.  He does this adorable thing when you put a paci in his mouth where one hand automatically goes to the paci and the other goes up and plays with his ear or hair.  It reminds me of Prince John on the Disney cartoon Robin Hood...

We had some help from a friend (Thanks Melissa Blue!) yesterday and managed to get some great 1 month shots.  He's just so easy to be around and even easier to take pictures of because he's not only adorable but he's also very expressive.  I can't help but think I've hit the lotto with this kid.  He's pretty cool.

Here are the pictures that Gene Russell's studio took while we were still in the hospital and then the pictures we took yesterday for his one month.  :)  

In these 4 photos he was 2 days old.

These are the one month pictures from yesterday.

It's so cool.  Every day I wake up and wonder what he's going to do next.  I can't wait to watch this kid grow up.