Happy 1st Birthday Mason

June 3rd, Happy Birthday Little Dude - as you are affectionately called around here. It has been a full year since you came into this world and became part of our family. I am so happy to be your called your Mom. You have been a smiley guy from the beginning.

You have developed an amazing talent for snuggles, making all the cares and worries disappear as you do, for the most important thing to do in that moment is to give you all the attention, love and snuggles you need. For I know, soon you will be running around and too much will be going on around to take time to sit and snuggle.

You have a big brother who adores you, who loves having you be part of his world. You two share a bedroom together, often I find him laying next to you in your crib keeping you company. He makes sure to keep you happy, finding you a paci when you sad and singing you the ABCs while you are crying. He tries to keep you from trouble either by dragging you by your feet across the floor or by showing off his strength and picking you up. I promise he hasn't dropped you on your head or hurt in his protecting process. Occasionally he does help you find trouble.

Your sister loves her Mr. Mason as she affectionately calls you. She loves to help take care of you, bringing toys to you or helping you eat (sometimes stealing your food). Norah loves to squeeze your cheeks and give you sweet kisses.  Occasionally she gets too aggressive, or will try to pick you up - you both weigh about the same, but Mom and Dad are quick to the rescue for our little man.

You have developed lots of curiosity for the bathroom. As soon as you hear that door open for the bathroom you sprint to the door, going to great length and tantrums to get in if the door is being blocked. Occasionally you are left with an open door and your parents are unaware. You love that toilet, it's filled with water to splash around in, just like a personal tub or pool. You have been caught climbing in a few times, but most just stand next to the edge and reach in. At times you leave the toilet fun behind for the real fun of pulling all the toilet paper off the roll, a pastime for most babies. It's completely magical to keep pulling the paper off the roll...it never ends.

Your favorites include bare feet, your love to take those socks off. Sleeping on your tummy, I love peeking in on you while you are sound asleep on your belly with you legs scrunched up under you. Sweet treats, you have already found your sweet tooth, Norah's been sneaking you peanut butter M&Ms. You love to play with balls, trucks and whatever your brother and sister are playing with.

Life is good. You are growing bigger and stronger each day. You are a babbling machine, especially late in the afternoon and at dinner with your constant mamama, dadadada and babababa. Throw in a few lip smacks and a raspberry or two and a great conversation is in swing.

Happy Birthday Mason - We Love You Little Dude!!!

First Tooth

Mason is slowly sprouting his first tooth! It officially broke through last week on January 29th. This week it has continued to come in, oh so slowly, leaving us with a miserable baby boy.

Sleepless nights have come to be the norm the last few weeks as we have come into this new milestone. I sit in the glider at night dreaming that of those wondering full nights of sleep will return soon.

Drooling is abundant, leaving puddles on the floor or on shirts, at times making Mason look like he's ready for a wet tshirt contest. Mason is put anything and everything into his mouth to try and bring comfort to those sore gums. Teething drops provide little relief, at least ibuprofen cuts the edge when it gets really bad.

Mason you have been a trooper, I hope those teeth hurry and break through, giving you some relief (and me too...I could really use a full night of sleep).

Mason ~ 6 months

Where has the time gone, my precious baby boy. It seems like yesterday we came home from the hospital. You were a snugly bundle of joy. So content and peaceful, willing to go with the flow. So much of the is still true, but you have had some big changes as well.

You are 19 pounds already, just a pound and half shy of weighing the same as you sister. You have the most magnificent smile, light up the room and melting my heart. We went through a rough patch the last couple of months, you decided to no longer sleep though the night. This was tough on Mommy who needs her sleep to keep up with your brother and sister during the day. This last week things have been better now that you have recovered from Roseola and a cold, so let's just keep that up. 

We have been working on eating food for a few weeks. It has been a rough start, cereal isn't your thing, carrot and squash get 2 thumbs up while you can't find anything sweet about sweet peas.

Tummy time has become tolerated, you are becoming better at propping yourself up on your arms. We have seen you roll over a few times, but nothing consistent so far. You are also getting closer to becoming an independent sitter, while you do great with supportive sitting.

Toys are becoming more entertaining, right now you prefer your taggie blanket best. You will sit and chew on it until it is covered with drool. You love to watch your brother and sister play, but your are not as tolerant as you used to be when they kiss you extra hard or try to touch repeatedly.

So much love you have given us and that we have for you. Happy 1/2 Birthday, Mason Randall!

Mason's First Food

Next week Mason will be 6 months old....a 1/2 of a year gone by so quickly. It is the time to start eating cereal and baby food. I have been patiently waiting for signs that he is ready. The last couple of weeks Mason appetite has increased, and he has been nursing so often, he has made my supply noticeably increase. He is also beginning to put things in his mouth. Both signs that he is ready, or is he? For the last week we have been giving baby rice cereal and oatmeal, both were major fails, lots of spitting out of foods, swift turning of his head, oh and that the look of betrayal. Its that look that breaks my heart, I am doing this to help you grow little one, not to make you miserable, I promise.

Yep, this looks like some who is not found of baby cereal. So instead of continuing on with cereal which he definitely not a fan of we will move onto squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes. I hope he likes those a bit more. 

One Size Fits All

It's official Mason is in Size 3 diapers, which happens to be the same size Norah wears. Now that we only have to buy one size I feel like we are saving money, but I know that is not the case. It just means that Norah is safe from being put in a size 2 diaper. I found myself often putting a size 2 diaper on Norah, sometimes not realizing that I had done it until the next diaper change.

Now the race is on to see who hits size 4 first.....

Mason ~ 3 Months

I can't believe Mason is already 3 months old (OK, so it was officially last week, but life is even busier with three kids). I can't believe how much Mason has changed in just 3 months.

When Mason was born, Jason and I both remarked at how Mason didn't have eyelashes. Grant and Norah have beautiful eyelashes, they get compliments on them frequently. I thought oh bummer for Mason not to get to share in those beautiful lashes. Well, Mason has been busy growing some long eyelashes catching up to his siblings.

Mason's middle name is Randall, after my dad. We didn't realize how quickly he was going to take after him, but he has decided that bald look is in. All the beautiful brown hair he was born with has been falling out this last month. He does have one spot on the top of the back of his head the remains leaving him with a cute rooster tail.

Mason is growing so fast. The bouncer has already been put away. I have continued to put away those infant sizes and brought out 3 to 6 month clothes. Just look at how much more space he takes up in the swing. The first picture is from mid-July, and the second picture was taken just last week. 

Mason is smiling. He loves to smile for his big brother and sister. Big happy smiles that make you fall in love with him. Mason has just begun to coo over the last couple weeks, and gave us his first giggles just a couple nights ago. We are happy to indulge him with lots of attention to get as many smiles and giggles as we can get.

Other things Mason is up to:

• Tummy time is tolerated, sometimes by Mason just falling asleep on his tummy.
• He is getting closer to rolling over. Jason and I have both been telling each other how far he gets to going over.
• Mason has found his hands. He has banged toys that are hanging down near him, but no reaching for things yet. He biggest find is that fingers are great to suck on, he prefers his index and pointer, but really any he can get into he mouth are great. I have even woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of him chomping on his hand, then thought to myself maybe I should feed him before he really does eat those fingers.
• I moved Mason from his cradle to a pack-n-play in our room. He seemed to fill up the cradle, and would get restless, but I wasn't ready to set up a crib for him away from us yet. In our bedroom he will stay for now.

Angry Bird

A few weeks ago Jason started playing Angry Birds on his phone, which led to Grant playing Angry Birds on his phone, which led to the Chrome version of Angry Birds being downloaded to our TV/computer, which led to me being introduced to a highly additive game.... I think Angry Birds will need to be deleted (but not until all levels have 3 stars).

Then tonight I noticed Mason being attacked by an angry bird!!!

Ha! I just looked over to see the bird resting on Mason's head as he naps.

Mason is 2 months!

2 months. 8 weeks. I feel like I blinked and here we are 2 months later.

Mason, you have already grown so much, today I tucked away the first outfit you have outgrown. I sure there will be a few more in the next couple weeks. You are growing so fast because you eat and sleep amazingly well. I appreciate your patience as I tend to your siblings and appreciate that you let me know when I have taken advantage of your patience. I love the beautiful smiles that you give while you sleep. Your first month you were such a noisy sleeper, but now you have found peaceful slumber, I'm not sure which one makes mommy more anxious. Yesterday you gave me you first on purpose smiles. It came in a two parts. First the left side of your mouth would turn up to smile, then a few seconds later the right side would follow. You are tolerant to the gently yet aggressive touches from your brother and sister, as they come to say "I love Mr. Mason" and to soothe you by given kisses or pushing your paci into your mouth. You are not to found of that paci, unlike your brother and sister (who still doesn't want to give it up), but you'll occasionally put up with it while I try to quickly finish a task. You have learned quickly to tag a long with us on play dates, therapy and doctors appointment. You usually sleep through the event, but if you do wake, you are wide eyed taking in the new surroundings. You don't mind spending time on your belly as long as mommy or daddy are right next to you making it fun. I still marvel at how much you love your bath time since that first bath. Never tears, you just want to sit and soak as long as mommy will let you. I sneak in as many snuggles and cuddles as I can, and you don't seem to mind, Thank you. Don't ever forget that I am always available for a snuggle if you need one. Love, Mom

Discovering Grass

One of my favorite first for all of our kids has been discovering grass. That first time they are gently placed in the bed of lush long green grass. Their face goes from being shocked from the new sensation to one of wonder, what is the long tickling stuff all around me. Last night I watched in amazement again as I laid Mason down in the grass. He enjoyed kicking his legs, and squirming around. He even reach out in attempt to take hold of it. I do believe he liked it. At least for 10 minutes then he wanted back to a place he prefers these days, in his mommy's arms.

Enjoying Millennium Park

I thought I share some more pictures from last Saturday when we were in Chicago. We arrived early to the park in anticipation for the days' events. I didn't want to be late because of construction or the unpredictable Chicago traffic. While we waited for our friends to arrive, we had fun looking at ourselves in the large mirrored bean that sits in Millennium Park. It was so fun to see Grant and Norah discover their reflection. Norah took a little bit longer to discover her reflection but once she did she wanted to keep touching and give kissing it.

Once it was time for us to part ways with our new friends, we had to fulfill a promise to a very cute little boy who wanted to play in the fountain. It was such a gorgeous afternoon, we couldn't say no, and I came prepared with extra clothes for these 'just in case' moments. Norah liked to watch the water, but when it can to be near it and the possibility of getting wet she didn't want anything to do with it. Jason kept a watchful eye over Mason while capturing some good  pictures of us stomping in the water.

Once we were wet, we strolled around the park drying off. We enjoyed the rest beautiful afternoon with our little family. Jason told me that he didn't think we were considered little anymore, now that we have three kids, but I disagree. It feels like we are still a little family so I'm stick with it.

Once Grant was spun until he couldn't walk straight and his picture was taken next to the 'Grant Park Music Fastival' Sign, and Norah had posed for a dozen pictures where she continues to 'pick nose' and Mason had taken a nap and ate again, we finally had to leave Millennium Park behind and head back to Wisconsin.

Double Baptism

Train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. ~Proverbs 22:6

While we were home over the 4th of July weekend, Mason was baptized along side his cousin Jack, who was born just a couple weeks before him. My dad had asked my sister and I to consider doing this since he would have a hard time finding coverage for his business to come to two separate baptisms where we each live. Since Mason's middle name is Randall after my dad, we felt that is was very important for him to be there. Unfortunately doing this 500 miles from where we live meant that Jason's family was unable to be there, and were missed.

 

Mason and Jack were able to be baptized by the same minister that married their parents. They were also baptism in the church I attended growing up and where Jason and I made our wedding vows. It truly was a special day.

Both of families and sponsors of Mason and Jack



First Bath

Mason's first bath

Mason's belly button is finally healed. No more stump hanging off his belly and icky oozing, so it was time to head to the little blue tub that fits in the sink. Mason had been a little ornery all day and I thought a nice warm bath to end the day would hopefully get both of us some good intervals of sleep. Well Mason loved the idea as well. Grant's and Norah's first baths were filled with crying (maybe one would call it screaming) from start to finish. Not Mason, he soaked it all in falling asleep within the first minute. I was caught off gaurd. I was prepared to get his first bath picture, wash him and have him out with a couple minutes. Instead I let him enjoy the soak. He only began to make a sound when I drained his warm bath water, as to say "I'm not done yet, let me stay in longer."

Mason is happy to be clean, & I love that clean baby smell

Peaceful Slumber

Mason, I can't help but try and capture some of these sweet moments of peaceful slumber. For I can already tell you are growing fast and won't be my snuggly little infant for long. Your sleep is often interrupted by your siblings who adore you and want to give you hugs and kisses, and letting you know that you are loved.

Our Newest Addition

Mason Randall Zehrung

Arrived Friday, June 3, 2011 @ 5:17pm.

He weighed in at 8lbs 10oz, & 21in long.

Friday at noon Jason and I left Grant and Norah with their Granny at our house and head down the street for our scheduled csection. I was one day shy of 39 weeks pregnant and ready to meet this little one.

We arrived at the hospital and walked back to our preop room. The room didn't have a bed so we were walked around the labor and delivery department looking for an empty room for us. Apparently it was busy, and the csection that was supposed to be happening then so I could go at 2 oclock was being postponed. But we reassured that everything should be caught up and we would be going for my csection by 2:30pm.

We got setup in our room, my IV was started and I was hooked to the monitor to see if the baby was happy. I think it was to remind me of all the contractions I was having.
  

Well we waited and waited. Then the updates started coming. My doctor was in the OR with another surgery (my doctor was also the in house doctor that day). The next update there is four women all about to deliver within the next hour, darn women who went into natural labor and don't have to have a csection (I was a bit jealous). Then the anestheaologist that I had met with the day previous to discuss my previous problems with epidurals and spinals wasn't going to be available for my csection, so let the discussion begin again...

Finally at 4:45pm it was my turn!! I hadn't ate anything since 9pm the night before, and nothing to drink since 7am, I was getting cranky and anxious to have my baby. Once settled in the OR they brought my husband back to me and things were finally started. 

I have to say have a csection is surreal. You are laying on a table wide awake, being cut open, feeling tugging and pushing, but not really pain. People are in and out of the room and conversation are being had all around you, some about you and some about the NBA finals. Even though this was my third csection, it was the first time I was lucid enough and not in an emergency situation to realize this. Anyway after all that tugging and pulling, the best part, watching my baby come out. He was born at 5:17pm and came out peeing everywhere. Soon after came his little cry. The neonatologist checked him oven and gave him apgar scores of 8 and 9, and he was healthy!!

Now for the hard part, what was this little boy's name going to be. Jason and I had a list with about twenty names we liked, but just coiuld narrow down until we meet this little one. Everyone put in a vote for the names they liked. It was hard to decide but once in recovery and spending sometime with our newest addition, we quickly knew his name. Mason is a name both Jason and I have liked and felt suited our little man. We have continue the tradion of giving our kids middle names of from our families. Randall, Mason's middle name, is my father's name.

Grant and Norah were able to meet their little brother the next morning and already love him and want to help take care of him.

We hung out in the hospital until Monday afternoon, and have been at home enjoying our little ones ever since. Mason is doing great, Grant is being a great big brother trying to help get anything we may need with the occasional tantrum, and Norah is having the toughest time adjusting sharing her mommy, but loves giving Mason lots of kisses.  Lots of the to Granny for taking care of Grant and Norah while we were in the hospital, we miss you.