of all his toys...

He thinks this plunger is just the coolest thing ever.

and the closet...

Climbing around. He likes to pull the clothes off the hangers.

Legends.

One morning, I went to Legends, an outdoor shopping center close to our house, to get free Schlitterbahn tickets. The majority of the stores do not open until 10, and we were there around 9...so there wasn't anyone there! It was the perfect time for little man to run around and check everything out.

Mason likes to sit in chairs especially the little chairs for him.

I guess it makes him feel big. I sat him on this bench,

and he started waving to the maintenance people.

Checking out the horse.

We went back to Legends in the evening with daddy...

and Mason likes to watch the fountain.

"Waddlers"

We started classes back at My Gym this week. I just love, love My Gym. Mason is now in the "Waddlers" Class....which is for 14-22 months. He was in the Tiny Tykes class. It is kind of sad when they change classes, it is a reminder he is growing up. We are enrolled in the Wednesday morning class, then there are three free plays that we can attend each week.

In class, Mason climbed up on this platform (made out of plastic) that has rails on both sides...There is music playing while the "waddlers" play.....so picture this-Mason standing on this platform dancing for the whole class...it wasn't just the normal dancing...this included head banging...which he could hardly "head bang" for laughing. Then he would stomp on the plastic platform. It was the funniest dance show...that had everyone laughing. (I am going to start taking my phone into his class, so I can capture moments like this!) He is so funny.

South Dakota Part 2

We visited Arrowhead Park one afternoon so Mason could run around.

This picture is of a barn from 1888.

Mason loved the gravel.

I like this picture. Mason went running down this path...then he realized Heath went down the other so he stopped...It was like he was thinking 'should I keep going or follow Daddy.'

The view from the park.

South Dakota Part 1

On August 17 we headed out for Sioux Falls, SD. Heath is doing a project there for the next couple of months. I decided to follow Heath up so we could spend some time with him. It didn't turn out to be the best trip. The first night, I was sick running a temperature...so I wasn't much help unpacking. I still didn't feel great the next day...then Mason didn't sleep well and was really fussy. At first, we thought he missed his crib (which I think was part of it) but then we took him to an Urgent Care to find out he had an ear infection. Mason would wake up SCREAMING...poor guy. I decided to leave so I could take Mason to his doctor and maybe just being home would help him rest better. He is doing much better.

Here are a few pictures of our trip...Oh, and we miss Heath like crazy!!

This was my view for 6 hours...(I was following Heath and Maci dog...Mason rode with me)

I took a picture of this to show Mason he has been to Iowa.

Just driving and snapping pictures.

...all the corn fields.

(this was driving around Sioux Falls, SD one evening)

Not happy about being back in the car seat.

that smile.

We just love this little smile.

Trying to escape from pictures.

Pop.

Last Sunday (August 15), Heath's Pop, Vernon, and Vernon's brother arrived at our house. Since it was late, Mason was already in bed. Mason woke up Monday morning to see his great grandpa. We spent some time at the house then we all went to breakfast. We were so happy they got to stop by and see us!

Pop reading to Mason

Pop, Heath, and Mason

are you there?

Yes, we are still here....it has been a busy, busy week! I have lots to post....now I just have to find some time to post everything. In a nut shell, Mason got to see his great grandpa, Vernon (pictures coming). We went to South Dakota for a week. I was sick the first night in South Dakota. Then Mason got his second ear infection, and he is still dealing with it. Poor guy. I am in a contest to see how many days I can go without sleep. (haha, I am not actually in a contest, but I think I might win if there was one...the drink Coke is my new best friend at the moment.) I started classes today...and I am already up to my eyeballs in reading and papers. YES, on the first day. Heath is crazy busy at work...overnight he had 50 emails and at the worst time, his phone messes up! So I will get back to posting, in a few days...but at the moment those few minutes at night will go towards my sleep! :)

Mommy's Boy :)

NICU Reunion.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Mason's NICU Reunion. Mason was in the NICU for two nights. Mason was born at 35 weeks, 5 days...so basically a month early. The doctors wanted to make sure Mason could keep his temperature up on his own, was eating good, no breathing problems, and wanted to check for jaundice. Mason did great. Even though he was only 5lbs 4 oz, he didn't have any problems...and we are very thankful for that! The NICU Reunion was really neat. I didn't really know what to expect. There were "graduates for the NICU" from 2007-2010.

The NICU nurses attended this event. There were several different areas: a snack area, a face painting area, My Gym that we attended had an area, a scrapbook area, game area, and some information areas.

 

Mason saw his teacher Miss Morgan from My Gym....then he started playing.

He loves this drum. He thinks it is a teether.

Hand Stand with Miss Morgan.

She is one of the reasons Mason loves to flip, climb, and do all these tricks.

She works great with Mason in his class.

Hand Stand with Daddy.

I received an email from a lady that helps set up this event. She wanted a picture of Mason for decorations. I emailed 4 or 5 pictures and told her to just pick which ones she wanted to use. I didn't know what kinds of pictures she wanted. Well, we saw one table with Mason's picture....then another table...then another table. He was the center of FOUR tables!

Here is a couple of the centerpieces.

They asked us to bring a couple pictures for a scrapbook. They wanted "Then and Now" Photos. The scrapbook will be in the NICU department to bring encouragement to other families in the NICU.

Here is Mason's page that I made.

It was a great event, and I am glad we went!

Mushroom.

Our little mushroom.

"What is this thing on my head?"