the things we do for our kids.

No pump would blow this pool up, so daddy had this fun job!

Making Mason Laugh.

Coat Rack.

While Mimi was out we went to Cabela's. (Who would have ever guessed Heath would want to go there?!ha) I saw this hanging on the wall....isn't it the cutest? Since Mason's room is decorated in deer & moose, this was perfect! We put this up in Mason's room on his level so he can eventually hang his coats and backpack up. Thanks, Mimi!

books.

Our little guy enjoys looking through books. He will actually sit still....and he will smile when you start reading. Of course, he wants to help out by turning the pages or sometimes he likes to chew on the corner. He likes books with finger puppets...They make him laugh.

What Mason is Doing Now.

• 
  
  I feel like he doesn't stop eating...which is a good thing since his little body is growing.
• He really, really likes chicken. I really don't know of anything he won't eat.
• His favorite toys for the moment...two McDonald's cups, blocks, cars, balls, water, cellphones, & socks. (Thank you Fisher Price for making all those really cool toys that Mason doesn't play with)
• He has started to pretend talk on the phone. He carries a old cellphone around just jabbering and laughing. (Proof that it is Monkey See, Monkey DO)
• He will pretend to clean....this is soo cute. If he has a rag or wet wipe, he will wipe the floor or table.
• He weighed 21 lbs 6 oz at his 12 month check up.
• He is 75th percentile for height.
• He started whole milk last Thursday.
• He likes books. He will actually sit (for a few moments) and look through the book. When I read to him, he just smiles.
• Walking to him is the coolest. He doesn't stop and doesn't want your help.
• He can throw a fit.
• He peed on mommy's leg Thursday night.
• He knows what "all done" is in sign language...just waiting on him to do it.
• If Heath asks him to say "dada"...he will say "mama"  :)   (I did not teach him to do this)
• He will dance to any beat....actual music or the washing machine or us singing.
• You can ask him if he chews gum....he will smack his lips.
• He plays with Maci Dog.
• He is very ticklish
• He has eight teeth, and He loves to have his teeth brushed.
• He will sing in his car seat.
• ....and he is still a mommy's boy :)

blogging.

While I was in TN, I was talking to a friend of the family. She made a comment that she felt like she knew Mason after reading the blog and Facebook. This made me smile. I was so glad to hear that because my goal was to keep family and friends updated about Mason...and sometimes us! :) It is hard living away from family and friends....We miss everyone like crazy. We don't want Mason to feel like a stranger to them, I want family to feel like they have been there in Mason's life. We video chat. We send pictures of Mason. We talk to most of the family weekly or daily. I have realized that you don't have to live next door to have a great relationship with family or friends...I do believe that Mason will have great relationships with his grandparents & other family, he will probably LOVE spending summers in TN, and beg not to come home.

I hope you enjoy reading about 'The Life of Mason Man'  :)

SURPRISE...more pictures!

I know it seems like all I do is take pictures of Mason.... and yes, sometimes I think that. I just don't want to miss a moment of our little guy's life. The past year has already flown by... I know I will blink my eyes, and Mason will be graduating...I hope that Mason will cherish all the pictures (and books from the blog). We love this stage of Mason's life. Heath told me a few weeks ago to take tons of videos...because he would miss Mason at this age. (Don't worry, I think we have a video for every day too!) He is such a charmer. He makes us laugh daily. Mason is in the dancing stage...everytime he hears a beat (whether it is actual music or me in the kitchen) he will dance....I have to say he is a pretty good dancer! We were driving around on Father's Day, and Mason was just singing in his carseat. He has started to wrap around my leg while I am trying to cook or get ready...... Those are moments I never want to forget.

Father's Day Afternoon at the Park

sweet baby boy.

sneaky sneaky.

overalls.

Mason was not happy about the overalls, at first.

So mad he just decided to leave ha

this is definitely a daddy look!

ok...just feed me then.

"hello"

Mason pretending to talk on the phone. While he holds the phone to his ear, he will just smile and jabber. 

Sometimes I will put someone on speaker phone and let them talk to Mason. He will "squeal" in excitement.

Father's Day. UPDATED.

Happy Father's Day to Heath!!

I took this picture the day we got back from TN. Mason would just smile

everytime he looked at his daddy. So sweet.

Daddy's Buddy.

Climbing on daddy.

We hear a lot about the importance of mothers, and yes I would agree moms are very important. BUT we don't hear a lot about the importance of dads. Dads are just as important in the lives of their child/children. I am very thankful that Mason has a wonderful dad...one who will be there for him and will always look out for the best in Mason's life. I think Heath is a great role model for Mason...someone Mason can want to be like when he grows up. There isn't a lot of fathers who take time out of their days to get in the floor and play with the kids....or will just help take care of them. I am sooo thankful to share the oppurtunity of raising Mason with Heath. Again, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to a great dada!

Dad, You are such a GREAT dad to me.

I wouldn't be where I am today without

your love and support. I am so thankful for

everything you have done for me. I am so glad

 for Mason to have another great role model in his life.

I love you!

Mason; Father's Day was this past Sunday and I was just thinking about my dad (your papaw) who, although our relationship is currently having some difficulties, has been a great father to me throughout my life, and my papaw (your great papaw) who passed away on May 27, 2009, who was a great papaw to me and a great man to the rest of the world. I wish you could have met him, as I'm sure he would have loved you. I just wanted you to have a photo of him, your papaw and me on your blog so that you would always remember where you came from. While each has done some things in their life that I do not agree with and wish I could change, I hope I am still able to take the best from them and pass it on to you. I wish the best for you in life. I love you...your Dad. *The picture was taken circa 2007*

big THANKS.

I would like to thank everyone for coming to see Mason and me while we were in Tennessee. I can't believe that our trip is already over! I would like to be able to go see everyone, but there just isn't enough time in the day...I know schedules are busy during this time of year...that is why I want to thank everyone who stopped by to spend a little time with us. It is hard to travel (two airports and a car ride) with a little one, the first day both Mason and me are already worn out...but I am just glad to get the opportunity to see family and friends. A lot of old friends got to see Mason this trip which made me really happy :) It means so much to me to know that you all thought about us and took time out to see us. SO THANKS, we enjoyed it!

Little Monkey Bizness

There are so many kid places close to us. I could stay busy everyday with stuff for Mason to do. I hadn't been to Little Monkey Bizness yet so I decided to take Mason on Mimi's last day. There was a lot of things for Mason to play on, and some stuff for when he is a older. He loved going down the slides and bouncing in the bouncy house. I loved the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies! :)

Clapping...yep, he likes the toys.

Playing in the bouncy house with Mimi

Mason likes to look at books...then he saw the tree house.

He is a climber.

The "I don't think so" Look

Pool Time

The weather wasn't too great while Mimi was out,

but we went to the pool Sunday afternoon.

Mason likes the water, but since he started walking that

is all he wants to do...so he just walks around the pool

most of the time.

Our little family :)

Just walking around with Mimi. There is more pictures of Mimi,

 but I just realized I took the pictures with her camera...

so I will have to get those!

I love Mason's footprints :)