New Year's Eve

Today is the last day Grandma and Aunt Renee are here visiting so we went over to see them and ring in the new year! The new year will bring many wonderful things for my family and I will be a toddler! It's almost time for my 1st birthday. Wow, time just flew by this year. I am learning so much and understanding Mom & Dad's words more. I'm trying to get better with this walking thing, but sometimes I just keep falling down.

Taking a 30 second break

Daddy playing with us

All of this walking is making me thirsty!

Me & my Uncle Eric sharing a moment

What a beautiful day it is! Mom loves this pic of me.

Haircut #2

My little guy is getting bigger by the day and he was in need of another haircut. As you can see he is very proud of it. He is a happy customer!

The days after...

Here are some new pics outside. It was unusually warm this weekend. As soon as Mason got outside he just wanted to run and noone was going to stand in his way. As we approach the one year mark for Mason, he has done quite a bit so far in the past couple of days. He definitely is asking for me now, but he says "namananana" and that means mommy. :) Hopefully in the next month he will be perfecting the "m" sound. He has finally graduated to crawling on all fours now instead of commando style. And he is now dancing a lot more with his new musical toys. Sometimes he sways stepping side to side or he will bend his knees and go up and down. Finally, he had his first meatball for dinner and loves them. We are slowly adding new foods to his rotation.

Now that Christmas is over, I can focus on his birthday. I am still in denial that one year has gone by already. He is growing up way too fast! Here are some pics I took of him recently after Christmas. His little smile melts my heart.

Mason's 1st Christmas!!!

Mason had a wonderful Christmas! We got up bright and early and went over to my brother's house to open presents and have breakfast. We arrived at 9am and Mason was already dressed in his special Christmas PJ's ready to go. Mason and Emma started opening gifts and I was frantically trying to take pictures because Mason was all over the place. After the first gift he didn't know what to play with first with all of the other presents there. He and Emma both loved the new blocks. He was very overwhelmed, but just happy to be walking everywhere and picked up toys here and there when he stumbled upon them. We were there all day so the kids got a chance to slowly play with each toy. For a few minutes they sat together and played with the toys. After breakfast the kids took a nap. After their nap, they got dressed up in their holiday outfits and I took more pics of course. We had dinner then loaded up the car with all of Mason's gifts and headed home. He was very tired after a full day of excitement! We can't wait for Christmas next year. Today was a special day as well because Mason had his first real cookie. He LOVED it!

Thank you to my family for all of the wonderful gifts!

Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the house
my little guy was walking
quiet like a mouse
until he tripped and fell
we heard a yell
poor guy hit his face
on the edge of the fireplace

Well, this is Mason's 2nd boo boo, but he managed to handle it very well...better than I did! He still looked cute as a button even with his boo boo. He was happy that Grandma and Aunt Renee were here. And during his bath, he brushed his teeth for the first time and he loves the toothpaste! Off to bed to wait for Santa!

Santa's Little Helper!

I'm all ready for the holiday! I'm wearing my new PJ's and Santa hat that my Nani sent me. And I am so excited to see my Grandma and Aunt Renee tomorrow! We are going to have so much fun on Christmas day. Mom will take lots of pics.
HO, HO, HO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Santa's little helper!Here I am practicing by pulling and ripping paper. I'm getting really good at this. I can't wait to open my gifts.

Just Chillin...

Daddy's little bear!

I'm ready to go! On my way to daycare.

Comfy???

How sweet!

A letter to Santa...

Dear Santa,

This is my first Christmas and I wanted to write you a letter because I have been a very good boy this year. I can't bake yet, otherwise I would make you some cookies. This morning Mom took me to see you at the mall and I was a little scared.......ok I cried...alot! Doesn't every baby? Mom sat down with me for the picture and I calmed down a little bit. You were very nice to me and even gave me a lollipop afterwards. Thanks! This year I would like to wish for:

-time with my family

-lots of new toys (oh, the kind where I can play standing up)

-and possibly a little snow. Everyone keeps talking about it, so I want to see what it looks like.

As you can tell from my picture I am very excited for Christmas I can hardly contain myself. Mom even bought me some cute new pajamas to wear on Christmas morning when Emmie and I open our presents! I'm sure Mom will post some pics of that day. Well, Santa...I hope you read my letter and send me lots of toys because I was a very good boy. Tell the reindeer I said hello and try to keep warm when you are out dropping off presents.

Merry Christmas Santa!

XO,

Mason

Walking Tall and FAST!

Mason is walking so well and with more speed now. Tonight he walked back and forth in the kitchen and he was so proud of himself! Every time we would chase him, he went faster. He knew that the tickle monster was lurking! :) He also loved pushing his hippo around the living room. He only uses one hand. We tried to tell him to have two hands on the wheel at all times, but he wanted to do it his way. (Just like mommy!)

Well, this morning reality hit........Mason will be turning 1 in less than a month. I just can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I can still remember his first days when we came home from the hospital. My baby is growing up. I'm so glad I saved EVERYTHING! It is so exciting to watch him discover the world and to see his reactions; to see his personality evolve. Tonight he said "ma ma" over and over again. He is finally saying his "m" sounds! I'm sure he hasn't connected the dots, but it makes me happy! :)

Make a Smilebox photobook

Happy Birthday Aunt Michele and me!

Today is my 11 month birthday and it's my Aunt Michele's birthday too! I think she is like 21 or something. We invited them over to celebrate. Dad made dinner and Mom made cupcakes for dessert. We had bangers and mash - ok only the adults had that. I did chew on a roll and have a bite or two of mashed potatoes. Dad is a very good cook! After dinner I spent the evening walking all around the house while Emmie was playing with my stand up table. We had so much fun!
How embarrasing Mom! At 11 months old , I am so much better at walking. I am drinking out of my sippy cup by myself and my bottle of course. My favorite things are laptops, any kind of wires, and anything left on the kitchen floor. I am clapping more and waving goodbye and hello. :) No more words yet other than dada. Mom is trying to get me to say "Ma-Ma" still, but I am not ready. On the weekends now, I have made the exective decision (since I am older now) that I will only be taking one 45 minute nap per day. Mom and Dad do not agree with me. I would much rather just play with my toys and walk around all day, what can I say?!! My top two front teeth are coming in nicely. I may even have some more soon to follow! I am learning quickly how to push buttons and listen to sounds and music. I especially love the buttons on the TV and laptop. :)
Me & Dad

Daddy & Emmie

Learning how to share :)
I love holding things in my hand and walking everywhere. It's my new thing. I am trying to pick up the pace now, but I seem to fall when I do that. Maybe it's because I trip on my jeans - sometimes they are too long.

Emmie & I playing

Aunt Michele blowing out her birthday candle.