6 Weeks

My baby boy is 6 weeks old today. I don't know where the time has gone - in some ways it feels like he was born just yesterday, but in other ways it feels like he's always been with us. I can barely remember what life was like pre-Mason. It seems like I slept a lot, and spent a lot of time just being selfish, doing whatever I wanted, but I wouldn't trade it. It's hard sometimes. Sometimes I just want to sleep instead of getting out of bed at 3 AM. Sometimes I'd like to lay on the couch and watch a movie, or read an entire book in one day, or just jump in the car and go without packing enough diapers and formula to last a week. But my baby boy fills a hole I never knew I had. I was perfectly content before, filling my role as wife, daughter, sister, but now I've been allowed to take on a new, amazing role as a Mom. I have someone else to live for, someone else to help me be a better person, someone I'd take a bullet for, someone to complete our happy little family. Basically, I feel like I am now a complete, whole person, and I wouldn't trade it for a thousand nights of peaceful sleep.

Mason got a mobile last night from his Grammy. As soon as we put it up and turned it on, he grinned at Grammy and I - twice! He has the most gorgeous grin you've ever seen, but he hasn't let me get a picture of it yet. As soon as I do, you better believe I'll be posting it! I did get a video of him enjoying the mobile though:

He napped in his swing for a while today. I took a picture, and thought it would be fun to compare his picture in the swing at 1 week old, and the one today, at 6 weeks old. Is that even the same baby??

He's grown SO much!

Last Saturday was Brandy's baby shower. Her little girl, Tennie, will be here sometime in June. She got lots of great stuff, and has enough adorable clothes to dress 10 babies! Mason was able to join us at the shower, and he did great! Here he is with the mom-to-be.
And here's what he did for the entire shower: (Okay, not the entire shower. He woke up just long enough to pee all over Brandy's guest bed. And I had JUST finished telling one of her friends that I have to make sure to cover his...stuff...when I change his diaper, because he's peed all over our bed so many times! So now he's peed all over our bed, Brandy's guest bed, my mom's desk at work, and the doctor's table. Anyone brave enough to hang around while I change him??)

Mason took his first nap in his crib today! I've tried to get him to sleep in it a few times, and he's never been interested. I know he'll be growing out of the bassinet soon, so I'm thankful that he's at least willing to try the crib now! (Yes, he's sleeping on his stomach! Don't worry! He was being supervised!)
I had my 6 week check up yesterday - everything looks good and is healing nicely!

I go back to work on Monday - say a prayer for me! I'm not sure how I'm going to function without my little guy!

Here's one more picture - my Monkey with his monkey. =)

Mother's Day

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day as a mommy! I have new respect and admiration for all the mommies out there after being in their shoes for a few weeks - it is the hardest and most rewarding job I've ever done. I second guess half the things I do, wondering if it's really the best thing for my little guy! I never knew all the challenges of motherhood, but I'm SO glad to be in the club! The good moments outweigh the bad every time. A little grin from Mason can erase sleepless nights and hours of fussing from my mind in a second.

Here's me and "Mommy's Prince Charming" as his onesie says. Note my pretty new necklace - my first Mother's Day gift from Mason and his daddy!


Here's a closer look at my pretty necklace!

I also got a new Willow Tree figurine from my parents - it's called "New Life."


Thank you to my sweet family for making my first Mother's Day special!

Today, we went to Hillsboro to have breakfast and do a little shopping with my good friend Maja. It was great to hang out and catch up! Maja lives in Dallas, so Hillsboro is pretty close to being halfway between her house and ours. But, sadly, she will be moving back to Georgia in June! We sure will miss her! She's a great friend!

Here are Maja and Mason at IHOP!

Letter to my baby

Dear Mason,
Five weeks ago today, you joined our family and made us feel complete. We fell in love with you immediately, and that love has grown stronger and stronger every day. I will always remember the first time that I held you and cuddled with you. You are an amazing little boy. We can already tell that you are going to be big and strong, cuddly and curious. You're growing every day, and you are trying so hard to hold your head up. Sometimes you hold it up for a long time, but it's still a little wobbly - that's fine with us, we don't want you to grow up too fast. Your favorite place to sleep is on my chest, all curled up and warm. I think you listen to my heartbeat and it makes you feel at home again. Other people's chests are okay too - daddy likes to take naps with you on his chest. Grandpa likes to spoil you by walking you all over the house - he's definitely one of your favorite people. You know Grammy's voice already, and you always seem more peaceful when she's around. There are so many people who love you so much, and as you grow up, you will always, always feel that love.

Sometimes I think you smile at me. It might just be gas, but I don't think so, because you look me right in the eye and get this adorable grin on your face. I can't wait to hear your giggle, and see your face light up when I walk in the room. But don't rush, we don't want you to grow up too fast.

You love to look around you and see all the new things. Your favorite things are ceiling fans and light fixtures. Grammy and Aunt Teresa are going to buy you a mobile, because they know how much you love to look up. I'm so glad you're curious, because that means you're going to be an adventurer. I hope you are always willing to try new things and not be afraid. I hope that you learn to be generous and loving and thoughtful, and I will do everything I can to teach you those things. You make me better at those things. I hope you know that you are loved, and your mommy and daddy would do anything for you.

Here's a picture of you at 5 weeks old. You are my little boy, and you always will be, no matter how big you get.

I love you Mason, so much.


Love,
Mommy

Slideshow Mason

Update and New Pictures

Our little man is doing great! He's eating like crazy and growing and changing every day. I cannot believe how big he is getting! The time is going by so fast, and I am trying to savor every moment, even the tough ones. Many times, instead of doing laundry or washing the dishes, I'll just lay with him on my chest and listen to his peaceful sleeping and enjoy the warmth of his little curled up body. The household chores will always be there, but my baby will only be a baby for a little while.

A few people have been asking how I'm doing (others make me feel like chopped liver now that Mason is here) (just kidding by the way). I am feeling great! My incision is healing up nicely (I think) and I'm getting around very well. I stopped taking my pain meds around 2 weeks post-partem. Mason and I have been getting out a lot - taking walks, shopping at Target, visiting Grammy at work. I'm very happy with how easy my recovery has been! I have my 6 week check-up on the 11th, so hopefully then I'll be cleared for exercise. I've lost 45 pounds already, and that's got me motivated to start exercising and lose some more!

I have to go back to work in two weeks. It's only for the last 3 weeks of the school year, and then I'll have the summer off, but I'm already dreading it. I completely trust Terry to take good care of Mason, but I just hate that I won't be there. I'm so afraid that I'm going to miss something! I will leave the camera around Terry's neck and demand videos and pictures all day! Thank goodness I'll have another 10 weeks off to be with my family!

Speaking of work, I got a new job! I'll be back in Belton, teaching 4th grade math and science at Pirtle. This was a hard decision, because I love Iduma, but it is SO important for me to be closer to home now, and not waste an hour of every day on the road! It also helps that I have always wanted to teach at Pirtle, and I think my new team is going to be awesome!

Mason got to use his robe tonight after bath time, and he was so darn cute, I HAD to take some pictures!





I just can't believe how he's growing! I also have some more videos to post now that I know how, so I'll get them up ASAP!

So, my child is gifted. He is advanced in every way. He will soon be crawling. Don't believe me? Just watch! (I'm an extremely proud parent, can you tell?)

Also, here's what he thinks of my favorite shirt...


Might I add that he did not get a DROP on his clothes! =)