Walk Walk

More walking fun with daddy & Uncle Sheldon! 

We have almost officially entered the toddler years...we spent almost an entire meal at El Torito walking around the restaurant with Mason.  If there wasn't food in front of him, he didn't want to sit! 

Path of Destruction

I'm starting to feel sorry for Mason's toys.  I'm not sure if this is a boy thing or a baby thing, but he literally throws EVE-RY-THING that he can get his hands on.  This includes balls and toys, as well as cell phones, sippy cups, papers...everything but food.  Which he's too busy shoveling into his mouth to think about throwing :)

Good Morning!

Just a typical morning in Mason's room.  He is always so happy when he wakes up - sure makes starting our day easy!  That, and the fact he doesn't get up till around 7:15 or 7:30 every morning ;)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the three most amazing men in my life!  Mason is so lucky to have such strong male influences around him, if he turns out anything close to the men you are we won't have to worry about him one bit :)

Walkin Walkin Walkin

Getting closer!

Ok so now are you ready to see how that video ends?  I thought about editing out, but it's just part of the process so I had to keep it in! 



If You're Happy And You Know It...

We never have the TV on when Mason's around - if he's up, we want him to be playing and not get hooked on TV so young.  We noticed that even if we had the news on in the morning, he would stop what he was doing and stare for forever.  So, off the TV went. 

However, we started him on the "Your Baby Can Read" program a few months back, and that's the one video he's allowed to watch.  He absolutely loves the videos, and is learning so much.  We're not sure yet if he's learning the reading part, but he's caught on to so many words, actions, and songs.  This one's his new favorite ever since he learned how to clap a few weeks ago.  I know they're subtle actions, but you can tell he knows the song - stomping his feet when they say, and raising his hands like the kids when they say "Horray!" 

We watch the videos a few times a day (they're 30 minutes), and it's also the one time of day my very busy little boy will actually sit and cuddle.  After singing his favorite song, this was where he ended up.  Rather than cuddle up into my lap, he likes to lay across me or on my legs.

Makes me want to clap my hands!

(you know...caus it makes me happy!)

Grandpa

My dad's dad, or Grandpa Charles as I know him best, passed away last night after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer's.  My grandparents were married 58 years, and despite the fact it's been years since my grandpa recognized my grandma, she has spent the past 7+ years visiting him daily in the care facility he's been in - feeding him, telling him stories about his family, showing him pictures of his first great-grandson, Mason.

He was a wonderful, hard working family man who loved his wife and kids and adored his grandchildren.  I have many, many fond memories of time spent at my grandparents house - playing in the lake they used to live on, Passovers spent playing with the gefilte fish on our plates while he led us through the prayers, and many family events.  He even took me on a special grandpa-granddaughter date one time when I was in middle school - a night on the town in Orlando.  We went out to dinner and then to see a Broadway play, just the two of us.  He was a pipe smoker, and to this day that sweet smell reminds me of him.  And he loved his Manhattans - one every night :)

Sadly, he's been sick for so long that I feel like he left us years ago.  But it doesn't make losing him any easier, especially thinking about my grandma and how she's going to cope with his loss.  My heart is broken for her, and I just pray now that she takes care of herself and knows how much we all love her.

I'm not going to be able to make it back home for his funeral - too far, too expensive, too quick.  It's definitely times like these that being so far away from home is hard.  But we'll be home in July and I've already purchased a special Hebrew stone to place on his grave. 

My cousin took this picture a few years ago, and I just thought I'd share it with you all.  We'll miss you, Grandpa!  RIP.

Bouncing & Clapping

Mason is picking up on things so fast these days.  I'm LOVING how we're watching him turn from a baby into a little person before our eyes.  The other night Tristan taught him to bounce the ball rather than just chuck it across the room.

My favorite is when he starts clapping for himself!

A Kid's Favorite Toy

I always hear other parents joke that kids always get so many toys, and all they end up playing with is the box.

Yup...it's true :)

Clap Clap!

For months, Mason has been air clapping.  Couldn't quite figure out how to get his palms together.  On Tuesday he finally figured it out - his hands slapped together and made a noise, and we could see the lightbulb go off.  So cool!

And now, it's his favorite new trick.  Mine too, I think it's the cutest thing ever!

Gigi & Pop

My mom was able to come out and stay with us for a whole 2 weeks to spend time with Mason.  It was great because it allowed her to spend the entire time with him, and provided us with extra (free) daycare while we worked, so it benefited us all!  My dad joined us a week later, for Memorial Day weekend.

Mason had an absolute blast with them, and I of course know the feeling was mutual.  Here are some fun highlights of their trip:

Singing some songs on Gigi's iPad

Mason loves bubbles!

Hey Pop, is my new toy ready yet??

No really, is it ready yet??

Yup, all done!  Let's play basketball!

Hiking by Lake Poway, near our house

At the park!

Enjoying one of his LAST bottles ever. 

Almost every day they walked over to Starbucks (PS yes I live walking distance to a Starbucks!), and Mason got a cherry granola yogurt parfait.  Spoiled baby!



All in all, it was a fantastic visit.  Mason misses them already!  See you in Florida in less than 2 months Gigi & Pop!