going to school

Ok so its daycare, not school, just don't tell Mason.
Mornings at our house are a little hectic to say the least. I remember when I was pregnant Tom and I would laugh that we have a hard enough time trying to get ourselves, alone, to work on time. How were we going to do it with a little one?
Thank goodness Mason is resilient and rolls with the punches and our chaos as we run around trying to get breakfast, lunch, dressed all while juggling a happy toddler. Its really quite funny (exhausting) as I picture it in my mind. But as soon as Tom says "Mason its time to go to school" and he opens the door there too goes Mason.

my happy boy so proud
down the side walk to daddy's car

and scooped up into reassuring arms knowing this is going to be a great day! Even if we are 20 minutes late :)

wagon rides

Tom and I got this radio flyer wagon from our neighbors garage sale when I was still pregnant. Mason loves it! I'm pretty sure he prefers wagon rides to stroller rides, he's into antiques. I would have paid our neighbor girl Ellie to do this ALL day, hey that's not a bad idea...

the tongue always hanging out of his mouth- a falzone thing.

the two HUGE front teeth- a bosma thing

the door

Opening and closing the front door (well any door to be exact) is Mason's new favorite activity.

Yesterday he would open the door say "HI" and then close and repeat.

So far he has yet to open and run out the door and down the street but in due time I'm sure. In the meantime Tom and I are arguing over a devise to place on the door to "childproof". He says a deadbolt and I say a little bell that rings... any opinions? suggestions?

to the zoo

I hate zoos. I made an exception for my baby, and on my stay-at-home mommy day we trekked to the beautiful Merced Zoo (don't laugh, we have a cougar and two bears, it consists of all rescue animals which makes me feel better)
and all Mason saw was the inside of his eyelids!
don't worry I woke him up to feed the goats he was not thrilled.

M's first haircut

bye-bye are the days of the baby mullet.

Mason got his first haircut by Tom's lady barber Mary.

she was so fast!

I was thankful I didn't try such an endeavor.

Mason didn't even realize what hit him. No tears.

I didn't even get a before or an after (what a bad mom) but I did get the little curl, why you ask? I have no idea. My mom kept mine all these years, I just figured I was supposed to torture Mason as well. Ahh traditions...

that shirt!

I just noticed that Mason is wearing the same green shirt in my last four posts. Tom is in charge of dressing Mason in the morning and knowing him he picks the one on top, which just so happens to be that green rocket shirt.

can anybody hear me?

let's just say I've given up trying to keep that glass clean!

little monkey

mmm good

I've been watching you guys, I know how to eat this stuff...
like a pro, he loves pizza!

lock the doors folks

We're in trouble...

bike ride

Mason got a bike seat for his birthday and WE love it! I practiced going up and down our street.

Tom running by my side just in case I tipped over...
so far, so good.
Mason loves our bike rides together. He just smiles and holds on tight.

Happy Birthday Mason!

Mason is 1 year old!

I know... I can't believe it either.

We had a great celebration with Mason's friend Dottie on Saturday. I think he read the birthday book on how to eat your first birthday cake.
he did it all by himself.

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy!

To Mason,

You are 1 now! Such a big boy, full of smiles. You're a toddler now. You are walking all by yourself and boy are you proud. You took your first steps at 11 months and now you cruise around the living room checking everything out from your new perspective of almost 3 feet tall. You have 3 teeth and are patiently awaiting your fourth. But let me be the first to tell you that you are a great eater. Your dad is already starting to complain that he has to share his food with you and that we should order you your own plate. You are a master at the "motor" sound. The sound for boats, cars, airplanes, helicopters, you name it, you make it go and have the best sound effects. You're a chatterbox. You love to play. We've moved the all furniture against the wall so there is plenty of room for a game of catch and wrestling with your papa. You have the sweetest giggle, so contagious and easily one of the best sounds in the world. You seem to manage to always wake up happy, it doesn't matter if its 5am or 3pm. You wake up chatting away, telling us all about it, whatever IT is, you make us laugh just the same. You've been done with the bottle for almost 2 months now. Seeing as it was so hard to get you started on one, you were happy to see it go. You're on to bigger, better and messy-er things, the cup! Thank goodness for Tibia. Speaking of Tibia, your buddy Tibia... You love to play chase with tib-tib-tib, as you call her, I'm not sure she knows she's playing but man do you get a kick out of her when she turns and walks towards you. She is a gentle girl as you tug on her ears and jowls. She allows it, as long as you throw her the ball every once and while. Feeding Tibia, has to be one of your greatest pleasures, even though you take a little off the top she doesn't seem to care. You're saying dadada, mamama, mmmm, Hi, baby. Your latest word, "no-no-no" as you wave your index finger in the air. I have to bite my lip trying not smile at your new independence and self-expression. You are a little sponge, you seize to amaze me as we practice the sounds of animals, and names of your biggest fans.You're an outdoors, kind of kid, seems to run in your genes. If your fussin' just take you outside to see the birds, play in the fountain, walk in the grass or pick veggies from the garden you are one happy boy.

Thank you for making this past year so full of love and joy. You have helped me to grow so much as a person, you made me a mom, for goodness sakes. I'm going to miss that sweet baby breath of yours, those chubby wrists, and holding you without you trying to wiggle away. My cup runneth over with love for you, my baby boy, my first born, my Mason.