Great Grand Parents

We are heading back out to Larned today, but took a pit stop in Hutchinson to visit Great Grand Parents. Mason charmed them like he charms everyone else. We met them at Carriage Crossing, it is home cooking restaurant, known for their pies and baked goods. Well, we were a tad bit late, but I didn't think we were too late for any fresh baked desserts, but they were wiped clean. Granny and I were disappointed, we had to ask multiple times. We just couldn't believe we weren't going to have a cinnamon roll or a fresh piece of pie. We did have fried green beans for the first time. Even Mason ate one, and he is a picky eater, but I am thinking if I give him anything fried he will eat it?

Visiting Grandma Ellen

We finally were able to see Ellen's new apartment. Oo la la, very nice and it overlooks a golf course. Rob would like that everyday, but then Mason and I would never see him.

Rob has taught Mason to dog pile. You can tell him to dog pile and he will throw himself forward and fall on the ground or on top of whoever is on the floor. He will even do it when no one is on the floor to dog pile. I think he has dog piled everyone in the family now. He absolutely loves it. I am not sure what he is doing with Grandma Ellen, but I am sure it was a dog pile move turned into a wrestling hug.
Mason has Grandma Ellen wrapped around his finger. Thank goodness he is too young to realize it or we could be in trouble. We had a good time visiting with Grandma Ellen and Mason was spoiled as usual.

Frostina the Snowman

My brother and Jordan built a snowman and named her Frostina. We contributed the accessories, carrot nose, and grape eyes. Mason even gave her a kiss. It was fun watching him play in the snow but more fun to watch Jordan in it. She lives in Alabama and has seen dusting's of snow, but has never built a snowman or played in it.

Meet Isabella Brooks

Mason and I drove from Larned back to Wichita today. We had to pick Rob up from the airport who had better luck than we did on travels. Only took him 1 try, Mason and I are jealous. Mason was very happy to see Rob, it brightens my day to watch the two of them interact.

My brother and his family drove in from Alabama as well. I had the honor of meeting Miss Isabella for the first time. She is a cutie and such a good baby. She is almost exactly a year younger than Mason. It was crazy watching her and thinking back that is where Mason was 1 year ago and then looking at Mason and thinking this is where she will be next year.
I am not sure you can read her shirt, but it says "If you think I'm cute, you should see my aunt" I don't really think anything more needs to be said!

1st Bubble Bath

I am a terrible mom. I have never given Mason a bubble bath and I fear I will never be able to deliver as many bubbles he had in his first bubble bath. Nana made him the biggest bubble bath I have ever seen. He was liking the bubbles, but was scared half to death when we turned on the jets. But with the jets on the bubbles kept growing. If Mason would have gone under water I would have had to fish him out.


Mason's cousin Jordan got in the bath with him and he enjoyed that as well. He has really taken to Jordan, her little shadow. We tried to eat oranges again last week and Mason wouldn't have anything to do with them, but he saw Jordan eating a tangerine and he had to have one himself. It is now his second favorite fruit. Still not eating cheese, should have had Jordan eat cheese in front of him.

Travels to Larned

We made it to Larned and learned Papaw has almost as many toys as we do. Mason is in heaven. One of Masons favorite books is still Hand Hand Fingers Thumb. Papaw read it to him and showed him his rings on fingers and he thought that was pretty cool. Papaw also showed him that if he kicked the door stopper in the bathroom it made a great sound. So Mason will be playing then go running into the bathroom and then you hear the doonnnnng sound.


He also found the pin-ball machine and played it with Grandma Debbie. He would smile and get all excited watching the ball bounce around. Just couldn't figure out why he couldn't pick up the ball. Grandma Debbie also tried playing with a toy train and tracks, but as soon as she would put it together Mason would tear up the tracks. Luckily he got better, and we met our goal for the train to make it around the tracks.

Merry Christmas

I was feeling guilty for not putting up a tree this year, but Mason loves the balls on the tree. It takes lots of redirection to leave them alone. His favorite toys are balls and can't differentiate ornament balls and playing balls so now I feel justified of robbing him of an x-mas tree this year.
We had a rough night last night. Mason usually travels great and has no problems sleeping. He woke up about 2am and wouldn't let me put him back in the pack-n-play. So for the first time, Mason slept with me in bed. He slept great, but I was nervous about him being in bed with me, so I didn't sleep that good. I have to admit it was nice snuggling with him. He did wake up a bit stuffy and a cough. Probably picked something up in airport.
We are off to Larned today to visit Papaw and Grandma Debbie. Nana is loaning us her car and it has a built in DVD player, I am sure Mason will enjoy it! It also has heated seats, my next car is going to have heated seats no matter where we end up.

At last we arrive in Wichita

Yeah, we made it to Wichita and Nana and Papa George came to the airport and picked us up. Our first stop in Wichita, Sonic. Mason has never really taken to french fries, but 2 days prior Mason and I had our first dinner date during our 3.5 hour airport adventure and he went nuts for french fries. Needless to say, I got my onion rings and Mason got his french fries from Sonic. FYI-We don't have Sonics in Milwaukee. Poor Mason is pooped out.

Mason was spoiled with an early Christmas present from Nana. Her newest published book in her Toado and Friends series, A Huge Lesson for Toado and Friends. He loves to read books and point to the pictures. He is starting to comprehend more and attempt to say what he is pointing at. Currently everything he sees is nana. The little man in is LOVE with bananas. Works out well for my mom who he calls Nana, so he can actually say her name clearly. We just don't tell her he is actually asking for bananas.

Winter Travels

Mason and I should have waved to you from the airport on the news reports. We were part of the weary travelers. It all started on the 22nd, we got to the Milwaukee airport and our flight to Chicago was cancelled due to fog. Rob was nice enough to drive us to Chicago along with a mom and daughter needing assistance. It was an adventure and the fog was bad. We got through Chicago security and played in the airport for 3.5 hours before they cancelled our flight due to the blizzard in Wichita. Luckily Rob shopped in Chicago and picked us up and hauled us back to Milwaukee luggageless. The next flight available for us was the next night at 7pm from Chicago. Well, early in the afternoon that flight was cancelled out of Chicago and I was re-booked to start out travels in Milwaukee to Dallas then to Wichita. Rob carted Mason and I back to the Milwaukee airport and while standing in line to check in our flight is cancelled again due to weather in Milwaukee. I then was re-booked out of Chicago for the 24th. Luckily we were able to get out of Chicago and into Wichita on X-Mas Eve. Rob was suppossed to have 3 days of bachin it up, but he had to spend it with Mason and I. It was nice having the extra time together, but failed travels exhausts me.

Chaplin Family Christmas

Since I will be traveling tomorrow and Rob will be spending Christmas at the hospital, we decided to exchange gifts. I thought we took still pictures, but we used the video recorder and captured Mason opening presents. I have a goal to learn how to get the digital video up and running on the blog someday. Wish me luck!

Anyways, Mason was much more interested in tearing off the paper and trying to feed it to Hudson. Hudson loves cardboard, but not x-mas paper. Mason had a really hard time grasping that. I opened Masons present from Rob and it was a cool night light that Mason can take in the crib. Looks like a stretched gummy toy, but hard plastic. I liked playing with it and assume Mason will too. I gave Mason, but really Rob, a portable tent. Rob has mentioned this portable tent millions of times in the past. We don't need a portable sleeping tent for Mason, but Rob was thrilled. So thrilled he put the tent inside Masons crib with the night light for Mason to sleep in. I should have snapped that photo. We didn't zip him up in it since he was in the crib, but I think Rob was more thrilled about it than Mason. I gave Rob a cool new back pack from North Face and I got the softest cuddliest pink robe. It is really warm, I am not sure if I find it so warm because I am pregnant or if it really is that warm. I guess I will find out soon enough. Freakin WI doesn't warm up until May and I will have a new baby by then so the verdict will be out. I also got an industrial size paper cutter. The one with the big blade that you pull down and makes a huge slicing sound. I am excited to use it for scrap booking and my next set of cards I make. Watch out fingers!

All I want for Christmas

I have been listening to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, but it sure doesn't feel like it. Since Mason and I are leaving this Saturday to go home for 15+days, we kept the decorating to placing a wreath on the door. It really is pathetic, but I didn't have the energy to drag out all of the decorations and was worried about keeping Mason from the tree. I have to say, I really miss the tree and next year we will either put a gate around the tree or will have the exceptional children that won't touch it. I do recall Rob and I putting the tree up one year prior to kids with lights and never getting around to placing the ornaments on it. I think it was his 2nd year of residency.
Well, December has been a busy month. Everyone has had some sort of ailment except the cat. Hudson has completed his anti-inflammatory and is off house arrest. He can now go outside without being on lead! Woo Hooo. He hasn't been limping, but his diet isn't going as planned. Mason now loves to go to the dog food and place it in Hudson's bowl, so he gets a few extra kibbles each day.
Rob was sick at the beginning of the month and of course i think this is where it all started. So easy to place the blame. I think he brought it all home from the hospital rather than Mason bringing it from daycare. Could be possible, but regardless between The Holiday Season, Mason having croup, teething, the 25 inches of snow we have received to date, the dogs ailment, and me coming down with a cold. All I want for Christmas is SLEEP!

Check out all of Mason's chompers. His canines started coming in this week and Rob calls them his vampire teeth. I will be happy when all the teeth are in.
The funniest thing happened this morning. I have to admit my laziness, but I have recently discovered the ponds facial cloths to clean my face so now I don't have to lather up in front of the sink with soap and water. I just pull a cloth out of the packet and rub my face. Well, I pulled one out this morning and Mason grabbed the one I had not thrown away from last night and started mimicking me with wiping and washing his face. Very adorable. He is starting to talk a lot more and loves to be doing anything we are doing.

Happy Birthday Rob

We celebrated a milestone today in the Chaplin house. Rob has left the 30's and is now 40. I am married to a 40 year old man. Doesn't seem real, Rob looks so good for 40 and he sure doesn't act like what I think a 40 year old should act like. We had to celebrate last night due to the fact that Rob is on call today. I think this is the third year in a row that Rob has been on call for his birthday. We did have a wonderful dinner last night at the Chop House here in Milwaukee. I allowed Rob to open his presents early. Mason gave him the new Harry Potter DVD and we also gave Rob a t-shirt quilt out of some of his old t-shirts. Rob has a problem with having too many t-shirts and a bigger problem of letting them go bye bye. So now he never has to say good-bye. We also made a Boston Cream Pie and took it up to the hospital for Rob. I realized today, I have never given Mason pudding. He does like it and almost licked the bowl clean. This was the vanilla filling for the pie, and he went crazy for it, think of what he will do with chocolate.
Happy Birthday Rob!!!

Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho

I have been trying to get Mason to say Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho, but all he does is laugh at me. Mason had the honor of meeting Santa the weekend after Thanksgiving in Sioux Falls, SD. You can see he wasn't that impressed with meeting him. We were lucky to capture this picture because the sobs started. We were in the mall the other day and Santa was taking a break and rode the elevator with us. I thought Mason had a staring problem before, but he wouldn't take his eyes off Santa in the elevator. I think he might be damaged and scared of the bearded man?

The Envelope Please

Since we have announced the wonderful news to family and it will be coming out in our Christmas cards we thought we should share it on the blog. Rob peeked at the envelope first and announced the exciting news to me on Friday, November 2nd. It was very sweet how he made the big announcement. He used Mason as a prop of course. He bought a onesie and some puff paint and custom made a shirt. Of course Mason came crawling up the stairs in his new outfit.
The front reads:
Don't Mess with Me

And the back reads:
Or My Sister

I went crazy and started screaming and crying. I would have loved a boy, but I really did want a girl! Bring on the pink. I am very proud of myself. I haven't gone nuts on shopping for girl stuff. I made a deal with myself that I had to wait until after Christmas to start shopping for her. We are now at 28 weeks or 7 months and I just want to see her. I am concerned she will take after her brother and look like her dad, and I know they are cute and handsome, but I just want her to look like me!

The name game is on. Papaw Brooks thinks we should name her after him, but spell it Gem. Grandma Ellen doesn't believe it is a girl and calls her Peter. She also refuses to purchase anything pink until we have final confirmation it is a girl. Uncle Tom calls her Penelope. Nana Brooks can finally use all of the pink stuff she bought for Mason. We have a few favorites of our own, but we will save that for another entry. Yeah ITS A GIRL!!!!!

Mason 17 Months

Ok, I noticed I forgot to post our other month anniversaries, but what can one do? Mason is 17 months, my goodness where has the time gone? I had the honor of sleeping in this morning and I was awakened to breakfast in bed from Mason and Rob for no apparent reason. Although Mason had just ate breakfast himself, he still wants what I am eating even if he doesn't like it. He has to have the one bite to confirm he doesn't want anymore. What sweat wonderful MEN I have in my life.

We got 6 inches of snow yesterday as well. We are up to a total accumulation of 15 inches so far this year. Rob did come home with a sled for Mason the other day and we took him out to the front yard and pulled him across the yard back and forth. He loved it and kept signing more. The only things Mason signs are Please, More, All Done, and Sleep. I need to work with him on more signs, but I have been slacking.


Our huge discovery for the day is eating snow. Mason was delighted and amused with attempting to eat the snow. He will have to be a quick learner on not eating the yellow stuff since Hudson is around.


Mason also has a new favorite game. He thinks it is hilarious to stick his hand down your shirt and giggles. I think his dad taught him that????

Hudson is on the Injured Reserved List

Well, Mason is feeling much better these days, but now we are worried about our 4-legged first born. Hudson started to limp a few weeks ago and it would come and go, but it seemed to be a bit worse this past weekend. Off to the vet the family went and $150 later Hudson has a hurt knee and on a high powered anti-inflammatory dog med. Not to mention low activity, so it is back to taking the dog out on lead every time he goes to the bathroom. It is a bit chilly here, so I am not a fan! 19 degrees yesterday to be exact. Mason is enjoying Hudson's house arrest, but I am not sure we can say the same for Hudson. Hudson will be starting a new diet as well. He has gained 5lbs in 3 months. I think the diet Mason has him on will be stopping. It was so easy to call Hudson in for clean up for the food either Mason dropped accidentally or threw purposefully on the floor. Who knew he was getting so many calories from Mason's rejects.

Play dates are F-U-N

Mason had a great time playing with our neighbor Kieran this weekend. We stopped by for a play date on Friday and they were hilarious together. Towards the end of their play they were throwing themselves on the ground and falling down for giggles. It was quite the site. Kieran ended up stopping by Saturday morning to drop something off and we had another play date. We need to have play dates more often, Mason enjoyed playing with toys he hadn't touched in weeks. We also got the tent out and they had a great time playing and crawling in it.

I think we finally wore them out, but only for a few minutes.

Is that the dog barking or Mason

I was jolted out of bed early the other day to a barking sound. It wasn't the dog, it was poor little Mason coughing. I am happy to say he survived his first case of the croup. I think it was harder on me than him. I tell you it is difficult listening to breathing like that. He would get short of breath upon excursion and bark like a dog coughing. I did take him to our pediatrician on Tuesday and she sounded like a broken record. She basically repeated everything Rob had told me. He is such a good dad and doctor! Mason did get 3 doses of steroids to help with his breathing. I have to admit, I hate giving him anything let alone Tylenol, unless it is necessary, so this was a hard illness for dear old mom to handle. I have to say he is doing great now, shipped him off to daycare today and he haven't received a phone call to come get him.

Mason's first snow of 2007

Mason playing in the snow 2007.


Mason being shoved in the snow by mom in 2006. Exactly 1 year ago.

We got 5 inches of snow last night and then freezing rain on top of it. A very wet snow, but the first snow that Mason got to play in. Hudson enjoyed the family outing in the snow as well. Hudson was a lot more playful with Mason in the snow, but I am not sure Mason enjoys Hudson type play. Notice the fancy boots he is wearing. Dad was proud as can be to put his Sorels on him for the first time this year. Mason still enjoys helping you in whatever task you are completing. I am lucky that this blog will prove that he enjoyed shoveling snow. I am counting down the years that I don't have to do it. Rob always seems to be on call or post call when we get big snows. Hmmmmmmm

Studious Mason

Rob brought home a table and chairs for Mason when he went to Chicago in October for a few days. Mason enjoys sitting at his table, and he sits at it more when I am working on my projects at the big table. He likes to read his books, attempt to scribble, write on his doodle pro, and play on his toy phone along with other misc toys. It makes me chuckle watching him, he is mimicking us a more these days, so I am going to have to watch what I say and do just a tad bit more. Mason is also getting into puzzles. He has been doing puzzles, but the past week, he is really enjoying them and will dump them all off and put it back together before he moves onto another toy. His new favorite book is Crunching Munching Caterpillars. It counts down from 10 to 1 and at the end the caterpillars turn into 10 butterflies, and the 10 butterflies are pop ups and he goes crazy for it. Mason has also learned how to hug and put his arms around you. It melts my heart and my absolute favorite thing when he does it. My ultimate favorite is when I am holding him and he puts his arms around my neck and gives me a squeeze. Hormonal mom tears up sometimes when he does it.

Thanksgiving Fun

We had a lot of fun visiting South Dakota for Thanksgiving. I am not sure Laurie's kitchen will ever be the same. I think Mason did some rearranging of her tupperware, pantry, and other things she might still be discovering. Laurie brought her outdoor fish in for the winter and we did catch Mason stirring them with a wooden spoon. Marina was a big help. Mason enjoyed playing with her. Tom also taught Mason a new song. Tom sits Mason on his knees and bounces him nicely as he sings "This is the way the ladies ride, the ladies ride, the ladies ride, this is the way the ladies ride clipity clipity clop" Then he bounces a bit faster and higher and sings "This is the way the gentlemen ride...clipity clipity clop" Then he alternates him on his knees slowly like he is on bumpy ride and sings "This is the way the farmers ride....clipity clipity clop, and pretends to drop him. Cute as can be. Mason loved it! Mason also loved the carpeted stairs. Loved them so much he treated them like a slide and would slide down them head first. I feel bad he had to come home to the hard wood stairs. He did attempt to go down our stairs head first when we got home, but I put a stop to that fun.


Mason also enjoyed playing the piano with Grandma Ellen.


Along with Ping Pong with Dad. Watch out Grandma Debbie Rob and Mason want a ping pong challenge with you over our X-Mas visit.

Happy Thanksgiving

We have a lot to be thankful for this year.





We took a long drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Mason did great in the car, we stopped a couple of times at fast food play areas. I used to think they were germ infested gerbil cages for children, well I still think that, but boy does it help get some energy out. Mason didn't enjoy the gerbil cages that much, he did enjoy being free and running around. I am curious on what parents do when the children don't come out of the gerbil cage or get lost. We didn't witness any incidents, but they have to happen?
We celebrated Thanksgiving with Rob's brother Tom and his family. Grandma Ellen visited as well. Mason wouldn't eat any turkey, so his Thanksgiving meal wasn't any different than any other day. His first thanksgiving meal and he wouldn't eat it.

Lucky the Fish Still Alive

Just wanted to give proof and prove my point on how much Mason likes helping. Our beta fish named Lucky is still alive and kicking. We only clean the bowl when necessary and when Nana visits her job is cleaning the tank since she was so nice to give Mason the fish in the first place. We only wish she would visit more often! Rob bought Mason the handy step stool shown in attached photo of Mason helping me clean out the bowl. If only he would love helping like this forever. If someone would have told me that I would enjoy watching my 16 month old place fish pebbles one by one into the bowl I would have said "No" but that is what I did for 30 min yesterday. Watching the joy it brought Mason brought me joy, so corny and so true. And Rob says I'm not a patient person. PROOF that I am!

Mommy's Little Helper

Mason is such a big helper these days. It is kind of nice. You can ask him to go get your shoes and he brings them to you. He gets all excited to throw his diaper away in the forbidden trash. Still loves helping me with laundry, we have a lot of unmatched socks since he has been helping. I need to find out where he is stashing all of them. He now helps me unload the dishwasher. Hands me the dishes. Anything I am doing he wants to do too.
He is also very loving. He gives hugs away to anything. He loves his stuffed animals, live animals, toys, laundry, and of course mom and dad.
Our newest addition to our vocabulary is "NO" Ask him anything and his answer is "No" Very short and actually kind of cute. Ask me again in a few months and I bet the cuteness wears off.

Injured Reserved List

Rob and I play fantasy football with our neighbors. I should say Rob plays 2 different teams. I haven't been very good at keeping my team updated. I did learn about the injured reserve list and have had to replace some players.

Speaking of injured reserve, Mason received his first scar under his parents watch. We were outside playing and I started chatting with our neighbor as Rob chased Mason around the yard. Mason got excited when he spotted a small pumpkin on their front porch and went to go get it. He was successful until he had to dismount off the porch. He tried to step down like a big boy while holding his pumpkin and took a nose dive onto the concrete. Only about 5 inches, but enough to leave a mark. Rob had scooped him up and was consoling him like a great dad, when I say ohhhh he's bleeding. Rob gave his usual Noooooo then realized I was correct then went with his second favorite saying to me. "It's no big deal" I agree he will be ok, but not what I want to hear when our child is bleeding and crying. Rob has informed me that if he ever thinks something is a big deal with Mason I am in trouble. Needless to say, Mason is fine and the scar is ever so faint. The funny thing is that his school/daycare took pictures a few days later and captured the marks. You will see they tried to take the picture from his right side rather than his left due to the nose. I couldn't resist attaching the pic we took a few hours after injury.

Shirt from Papaw

In honor of Halloween and dressing up, I thought I would share this photo and story.

Is that a dress on Mason? No it is a shirt from Papaw. Grandma Debbie wasn't with him when he bought it, so that is why it is a bit big. Size 4T to be exact. Papaw keeps saying, he is a big boy, just not quite as big as Papaw thinks! Yet, I think he will fit into just fine this spring/summer. A big thank you for thinking of us!

Happy Halloween

Argh Matey! HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Mason is the cutest pirate. He has a sword, but it is difficult to capture a picture of him these days. He is always on the move. We plan to walk him around the neighborhood tonight and show him off. Milwaukee does Halloween different, you could potentially trick or treat for 4 days straight here. Each neighborhood chooses to celebrate either on a weekend night or a weekend afternoon. Since he wasn't feeling well last Friday night and went to bed at 6pm he wasn't able to participate in our neighborhood celebration. So we are going to take him out this evening if he can stay awake long enough!

Grandma Ellen Visit

Mason has a cold. I came home late Wednesday night and he woke up Thursday congested with a cough. He is always a bit more snugly when he is sick. Although right now he is a daddy's boy. You hate it when he is sick, but the extra cuddles are hard to complain about. He is usually a kid on the go.

I wouldn't have survived without Grandma Ellen here visiting. I was exhausted from my trip and G-Ma Ellen took Mason for a long walk, while I caught a few zzzz's. She of course spoiled him while I was gone on my trip. When she opened her suit case when she arrived it looked like she was traveling with a child, she had clothes and toys galore. Mason now has the proper attire for Chiefs and KU. She also brought him a baby leap pad. He enjoys pushing the buttons and brings it to you to play with him. Then on her last day, she came back from Walgreen's with a pumpkin flashlight(see picture). It is hilarious watching Mason shine it on things and play with it. It makes a circle on the floor and he tries to step inside of it. Of course it moves around and he chases it. Sort of reminds me of what the dog used to do-funny!

Surviving without Mom

Mason survived without me and did great. I came home late Wednesday night and we was tucked in all snug as a bug in a rug. Still cute as ever if not cuter. I swore he has grown in the 2.5 days I was gone. He also learned how to jump while I was away. It is the funniest thing. He squats down and bends his knees and throws his arms into the air. I have seen him get air a couple of times.

He also likes to carry a ball around: beech, soccer, or any kind. If he drops it or throws it at you he says "Out" thanks to his dad. Rob likes to play dodge ball so he throws the ball at you when you aren't ready and hits you then says Dodge ball your out. Now Mason has picked up on the fun game.

The envelope remains sealed. I have to admit I am starting to crumble.

I did attach a picture from last weekend when we went to the pumpkin patch with Grandma Ellen. Mason had a great time with all of the activities and people.

Head first down the slide

Grandma Ellen is visiting this weekend, she is helping Rob with Mason since I am out of town this week. A good think she came, Rob was on transport last night and got called out for 2 hours. Grandma Ellen had to finish dinner, bath, and get Mason ready and into bed all by herself. She did an excellent job and Mason is enjoying his time with her.
We did take Mason to the park this past weekend and he enjoyed the slides. Wasn't into going down feet first this time, he was all about going head first. He even went head first down the circle slide. I am not sure I am ready for this no fear stage.

1st Time Away from Mason

I had to leave Mason yesterday morning for the first time. It wasn't too hard leaving him at daycare, because it felt like our normal routine on the days I work. What was weird was last night, I missed picking him up from daycare. I think it was the first time I wasn't present when picking him up. Rob said he came out of daycare and turned to the left and looked for me and Hudson, and stopped in his tracks puzzled because no one was there. He had a great night last night with Rob and Grandma Ellen, but I missed him. I didn't miss picking up all of his food from the floor and cleaning up after dinner. It is a guilty pleasure being away, I read half of a book yesterday on the plane and in the hotel. Rob put Mason on the web cam this am for me. So cute and weird being on the other end of the camera. I return late tomorrow night, I just might have to scoop him up from his crib and rock him.

The Envelope

FYI-We still haven't peeked in the envelopes. Rob has one in his bag that he carries with him everyday, and mine is still sitting on the table. Mason did pick it off the table the other day and bring it to me impromptu. I think it was a sign, but I still haven't peeked!

15 month check-up

Mason had is 15 month check up today. He is right on track and progressing well. His stats come in at Height: 33.25 inches Weight 27.5 lbs and a whopping head circumference of 47.5 cm. He had a tiny head when he was born, but has made up for it now. Last year I bought hats and gloves for this winter on sale and I bought the 12-24 months, but they aren't going to fit this year. They are a bit to small and leave a mark around his head if I put them on because they are too tight. Now I don't have a small head, I would call mine average, it appears Mason is going to take after his dad with the big head. He did get three shots today and was a champ. He doesn't cry ahead of time only when he gets the shot, it breaks my heart. Shots get worse as he gets older and can cry and let out the emotion more.

I like to slide

I took Mason to Betty Brinn Children's Museum this past weekend. It was cold and rainy all weekend and we couldn't 't play outside so I decided to take him to the museum to get some energy out. He loved it! I think his favorite was the sand box. I took him away from the sand box to show him the slide and he screamed. Once he discovered the slide he was ok, but it took some serious persuading to get him to climb the stairs and then go down the slide. Once he figured out the process he was going up the stairs and then down the slide all by himself. After about 7 slides he was running back towards the sand box. They also have tracks built for golf balls in the older kid area and he gets really excited chasing after all of the balls. We really haven't discovered any other areas of the museum except for the 3 year and younger room and the golf ball tracks.

It's a .......

We had our 20 week ultrasound Tuesday afternoon. Everything looks great. I can't believe we are at the half way point of having another child! March 4th will be here before we know it! We have our sealed envelope with the sex of the baby, but haven't looked at it yet. We can't decide if we should find out or be surprised again. Rob is leaning towards finding out, but I am nervous. I think it is a boy and Rob thinks it is a girl. I do want a girl, and if it is a girl I want to find out so I can buy all the cute stuff ahead of time. Decisions and drama in the Chaplin house.

Pumpkins

Went to a pumpkin patch while Nana was visiting. Mason enjoyed crawling around on them and even tries to lift the big ones. It is quite amusing. He likes to carry around the mini pumpkins, but discovered the mini gourds this time. Just his size.

He is stronger than I give him credit. I had a watermelon on the floor a few weeks ago and Mason was trying to lift it and was successful at lifting it up, but not so successful and putting it back down. He dropped it and it split opened. He did give the appropriate Uh-Oh.

Check out my Tent

Nana Linda came to visit this pass weekend and we all had a great time. We spent Friday night in Chicago picking her up and visiting some friends. Saturday night Rob and I celebrated 6 years of marriage!!He took me out to eat at a very nice restaurant and we got free baby sitting from Nana! Went shopping over the weekend, and Nana bought Mason a tent. It came with 50 filler balls, and we learned Mason is partial to the blue ones. He enjoys it, but only wants to play inside if someone is in with him. Nana is inside with him when we captured this kodak moment. At one point we had Rob, Mason, and Hudson inside, quite the site. It ended with Mason getting stepped on by the dog. I am sure it will bring hours of joy in the months to come. The crinkly floor is hard to get used to, but he does enjoy dropping hit toys inside of it at this point in time.

Found a Shoe String

Mason has discovered gravity. He started playing with a shoe string last week, and he really enjoyed watching it drag behind him. Fun times and minutes of entertainment. Rob tied a key chain to the end and Mason was really excited to watch that drag behind him. He then learned he liked to walk backwards and watch it drag rather than look over his shoulder. He is getting better at stopping before he runs into things now, but in the beginning he would intensely watch it drag and not realize his surroundings and just run into or fall over things. I am not sure why we buy him toys, he really enjoys the simple pleasures.

Mason newest "trick" is CHEERS. Rob taught him to cheers with his sippy cup. It is pretty adorable. He lifts up his cup and clinks it with yours when you say cheers. Next step is to teach him to say Cheers.

Evel Knievel

Mason is growing up so fast. He is becoming successful at climbing up on the couch and beds. Still needs a little help, but realizing that he can lift his little foot into crevices and pull himself up. He isn't successful at getting down on his own yet. He is expressing his independence a bit more. If he is unsuccessful in getting up on the couch, he will sit down on the floor and bend himself like a taco and throw a mini fit.

He loves his bike as well. He will stand up on it, but if you ask him to sit down he will. The other day he was rocking on it so hard, he nailed the front of his head on the front of the bike. It was humorous, but it did scare Mason a bit.

He really enjoys reading books. He will sit and cuddle with you while you read to him and he will bring books to you. He used to love his shapes book, but now his favorite book is Wheels on the Bus and the Ants go Marching. I think he likes the rhythm and singing of it. He does have a touch and feel book he likes to read as well. He will touch it himself then take your hand to make sure you touch it too.

Race for the Cure

Mason attended his first Race for the Cure in Milwaukee. We all had a great time walking the 5k, in celebration of Nana Brooks. It was a beautiful day and great family fun!

I think we might go into the stroller designing business. We were thinking we should market a stroller that will allow you to jump on a ledge on the back to ride down a hill, and then make the seating area big enough for an adult. Rob could have ridden on the back down the hill, and then when we went up the hill I could cozy in with Mason. Ooo La La!