Uncle Tom Visits us in Omaha

Tom, Laurie, and Marina came down from Sioux Falls to visit us while Rob interviews in Omaha. Sioux Falls is only 2.5 hours away, so if Rob gets a job we will be closer to all sorts of family. They of course came bearing all sorts of gifts. Ellery got the cutest outfit to wear this fall. Mason came out like a bandit with multiple gifts. Just to name a few: He got a cute puppy dog pirate button up shirt. It would make Ed smile since he talks to Mason in a pirate voice every time he sees him. He also got a shirt that you can color with markers and then wash and color again. Mason liked coloring the shirt and ended up coloring himself a bit. Let me just say I don't think the marker is going to come out of the shirt that easily. Mason marked up his face and it was on his face a few days later, even after a shower. A bit fat happy thank you to Laurie for that gift. It was fun watching Mason interact with everyone. He had a joyful time at bedtime and giving everyone hugs and kisses goodnight. Ellery was passed around like a sack of potatoes and did great like always.

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Mason Dancing

Mason loves to dance. I think the video shows it all.

Happy 31st Birthday

I celebrated my 31st birthday. I know everyone makes a big deal about the big 30, but I think 31 is more traumatic. It is the true reality that you have left your 20's. We didn't do anything fancy for my birthday, Rob was good to me and got me my cake. I don't think it is a birthday without cake. I also got some yummy peach tea from Teavana. I am on a peach tea kick so it really excites me! I did sleep in a bit and was awoken for breakfast in bed. Now that is how one should awake everyday.

First night out without Ellery

We left Ellery and Mason with a baby sitter for the first time tonight. We didn't use our usual 14 year old that watched Mason, I just couldn't leave Ellery with her. Rob had a friend at work who loaned us their 19 year old daughter who recently broke up with her boyfriend. The kids did fine despite my worries and tearful good byes. It was nice going out with Rob. We went to a reception at the museum for the Medical College. They opened up the Body Works exhibit for us and it was fascinating. It was nice getting out and spending some time with Rob. I enjoyed it except for the part where he parked 5 blocks away and made me walk in the cold wind in heels. I told him I wanted to go back to dating because he would of dropped his date off at the door. He did redeem hismelf by going and getting the car at the end of the eveing and picked me up.

2-Months Ellery

Time flies when you are having fun. I can't believe Ellery is 2 months old. I am not sure she is happy being 2 months old, but the pout is precious. She is a great baby. We still have a few late nights, but we are currently trying to get her down at 9pm rather than 11pm. It has worked a few nights. She does sleep all night and wakes between 5-7am to eat.

We had a busy week this past week and I have had a cold. Being sick with two kids is not ideal. In my tired state I forgot to give little missy her Zantac for her reflux and paid the price. She was up the other night until 3am due to her reflux. I did the early shift and Rob was great and took the 1-3 shift. He tends to get scut work, but being a fellow he is used to that. The good side is when we go in for our 2 month check up I can let the pediatrician know she still needs it.

Ellery smiles all the time and follows my voice and Mason's playing around the room. During her tummy time she can flip herself back onto her back. She tries to roll over from back to belly, but hasn't figured out how to move that arm out of her way.

Ellery dressed up

I can't say I wasn't warned about this video business. My friend Michelle mentioned her mom requests it and makes comments when she doesn't post video for a few days. Well, we have the same story about our Nana as well.

I tried to get Ellery cooing but it isn't the greatest nor the longest. I will try to get more in her peek awake hours.

Tummy Time

We think Ellery enjoys her tummy time. At least when she doesn't have a 21 month old head coming in to give her kisses every time she is on the floor. Tonight I had to tell Mason he had given enough kisses to his sister. He loves to touch and play by her on the floor. When she is on her jungle mat he crawls under it and plays with it as well. He can't keep to himself, he also loves pointing out her body parts.

Belly Buttons

Mason used to be obsessed about his own belly button, but he has now moved onto Ellery's. I think it is the cutest how he says it a jumbled blubblubb. He is doing ok with her, when I say it's time to go he runs to her and tries to pick her up himself. He also likes to rock her when she is in her car seat. I do love that I can ask him to go get a diaper and he does.

Mason pointing out Ellery

Ellery's first bottle

We are heading out without the kids Saturday night and wanted to make sure Ellery would take a bottle. We didn’t have a reason to give her a bottle yet, but I pumped and Rob gave it to her. It feels odd not to feed her myself, but I am sure Rob enjoyed it. Miss Ellery did fine with her bottle. Let me just say girls are much better feeders than boys. Mason was horrible with the bottle; he never really got the handle of it and always struggled with it at daycare. Rob is feeding Ellery in the picture on the left and Mason on the right when Mason was about 2 months old.

Potty Chair Updates

Mason isn't making huge strides on using the potty chair, but we did have a highlight today. I asked him if he needed to use his potty chair, his usual response is no, but today he wanted to sit on it. He sat down on the chair and immediately got up and said all done. I told him he wasn't finished, nothing is in the chair. He sat back down and went to the bathroom. When he got up he pointed and said yucky to his results. I was thrilled so I gave him an M&M to encourage him to use it more often.

Mason saying Basketball

Mason LOVES basketball. We will be out walking and he points out every basketball goal he sees. I am impressed at some of the ones he finds, looking through one house and into the alley to point them out. I am thinking he payed a lot more attention to all the college basketball I watched this season than I thought. I finally captured him saying "basketball", sure he has a football, baseball, and soccer ball on his PJ's, but all he cares about is the basketball. I look forward to watching Mason play basketball in a NCAA tournament someday!

Peas in a Pod

Ellery is getting more alert and aware of her surrounding. She is starting to really watch Mason when he plays. Tonight she was kicked in the head while Mason was playing on the bed and she let us know she didn't appreciate it. Funny how you get more relaxed with each kid, I would have freaked out if that would have happened to Mason. He does really well with her, but forgets his surroundings when he is jumping on the bed. We did have him give her kisses to make it all better and he snuggled up with her for a bit. I think they are going to be best buds!

Is Monkey replacing Bunny????

Nana sent Mason a KU Monkey that has velcro legs and arms that you can hook onto things. At first he wouldn't let you put it around his neck, he carried it in the crook of his elbow. He now grabs monkey and places him around his neck. It is a site to watch Mason with his stuffed animals. He still sleeps with the bears Papaw and Grandma Debbie gave him, and we keep his bunny and monkey downstairs. They sit at Mason's table and every morning we say hi to them and we blow them kisses goodnight. He also will be playing with his toys and stop playing and go pick up one of his animals and give it a kiss. Such a loving child.

Mason is also starting the posed picture "cheese" smile. It is very difficult to get a genuine smile out of him these days.

Uncle Ed Visits

Uncle Ed came to visit us yesterday for the evening. I am sure he had some flash back memories of when his boys were little. He was a great help in holding Ellery while we got dinner ready and after when we were all relaxing. Every time Ed sees Mason he talks to him in his pirate Arhhh, Mason isn't quite sure what to think of that. He did con Ed into drawing for him on his magnadoodle and throwing balls into his basketball hoop. Mason loves basketball, he points out all the basketball goals when we go out for walks and when the kids are playing basketball in the park he is mesmerized with it.

Laine sent a book with Ed for me. It is called "Porn for New Moms" http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7066

It is hilarious, it has pictures of attractive men with and without a baby and quotes that moms will never hear, but wouldn't mind hearing. I read this one to Rob and he told me it would never happen. "I found someone to take my tee time again this weekend so I can spend more time with you and the baby."

Daddy dressed me and I still smile

Rob picked out Ellery's outfit today and dressed her. I only requested that he grab tights and put them on her since her legs would be showing. Note I didn't hand him the tights after she was dressed, he had all garments in hand from the start. The picture says it all. I had to hike up her dress and get a picture of how dad placed the tights on her. Not under, but over the onesie.

Little Miss Ellery

Ellery is such a happy baby and a good baby. She does need to learn to fall asleep sooner than 11 or 12, but she does sleep until 5 or 6. She will cat nap a bit before she falls asleep, but not enough for me to get any rest.

She loves mobiles, Mason wasn't really that thrilled and mesmerized by them like Ellery is. She also likes watching the ceiling fan spin around like Mason did. It makes me want to buy a remote control ceiling fan. I think the contrast of dark blades and light ceiling catch her eye. She even smiles and coos at the mobile and fan. She has talked more in 6 weeks than Mason ever thought of. Mason wasn't much of a talker and defiantly didn't coo at his mobile or toys.

Oh and I know her pain receptors work, I was snapping her onesie today and caught a bit of her leg and she let me know she didn't appreciate it.

Mason Sipping through straw

Mason finally has learned how to sip through a straw. We tried teaching him a few months ago, but he didn't catch on. Rob was feeding him supper the other night and gave him a straw and told him to suck and Mason did it. He loves it. I was able to use it as leverage tonight to make him eat more vegetables.

He is learning his colors. He is getting really good at bringing you the color you ask for in toys and crayons. He even says a few color names correctly. We are working on counting, but he has only said one and two. He does try to count with his fingers with you, but he isn't able to bend them correctly but he tries really hard.

21 Months-Mason

I went to the store and Rob put Mason down for the night and when I came home Rob told me to check out the picture he took. He informed me I wasn't the only one that took funny pictures of the kids. Rob said the pajamas inspired him for the shot behind the bars of the crib. It did make me chuckle.

Time is just flying by. Mason continues to grow and amaze us everyday. He is talking a lot clearer now and will repeat words you say. He absolutely loves to color. He will scribble on a piece of paper or coloring book and say all done and want more. It is like his art, I try to encourage him to color more, but her informs me he is all done and wants more. He also loves to sing, his current favorite is Wheels on the Bus. He is still a picky eater, but getting a bit more curious. Still won't touch cheese or sandwiches. I did give him peanut butter on bread the other day thinking he would get excited and he ate a few bites and said all done. I was a bit disappointed, I love peanut butter and expected Mason to love it right away. Mason current obsession is Elmo. That doll scares me on how much control it puts over a child. I did break down and order him a 12 inch Elmo doll. It will be exciting to see his face when we get him. He still loves a plain ball, he will play with you or by himself with a ball. Rob came home with a bat as big as Mason the other day. Mason loves it and wants to go outside constantly to play with it.

Mason trying to pick up Ellery

Ellery's socks had fallen off of her and Mason said "uhh ohh" and was trying to put them back on her. That is why I went and grabbed the camera, I thought it would be cute showing you how Mason was trying to put socks back on his sister. By the time I had grabbed the camera, Mason wasn't concerned about her not having socks on but wanted to hold her. He gets excited to hold her and you will see him patting his legs. We usually place the boppy around him and let him hold her. Today Mason wasn't waiting for me to help him, he attempted to pick Ellery up on his own. He is the helpful big brother.

He still loves playing with balls and will bring one over to Ellery and give it to her. Also, if I hold Ellery at the table while Mason is eating he will hold food out to her and want me to take it from him and give it to her. I am not sure when the sharing mode will change. If Ellery starts crying Mason still runs to me and says up so I can't go pick her up. I guess he is picky on what he will share at this time. I think he is adjusting well to her.

Ellery in strawberry outfit

I have an obsession with strawberry outfits now. Maybe it is related to strawberry shortcake, I used to love her as a child. Anyways, we have received a few gifts of strawberry outfits for when she is older, but Rob found the one she is wearing in the video and I think it is precious. It has the ruffles on the back and everything. I would much rather have her in dresses, but it still cold here and tights don't stay on her yet.
Note the precious quilt she is laying on. My friend Kim made it for her. Mason found it today and was thrilled with the animals on it and snuggling into it. I guess Ellery never has to know it was intended for her.

Mason talking

Mason is starting to talk a bit more and it is getting easier to understand. He also has a new thing he does, he either pinches his nose, pulls his neck, or pulls his private parts and says ouch. We don't know where he picked it up, but he randomly starts doing it. You will see in the video he is pinching his nose and saying ouch. He is good at saying the dogs name, but not his own. His name sounds like the dogs, but they both end in son so it is a start. I think we have been working on him saying Hudson more than his own.

It has been raining a lot here. I thought we had a break this morning and I had the dog ready, Ellery in the stroller and was placing Mason in when it started to down pour. I had to bring everyone back inside and Mason couldn't understand why. I broke his heart this morning, he loves going for walks and playing outside.

Ellery-VIDEO

I can't very well put video of Mason and not Ellery. Here she is trying to smile! Enjoy.

Mason Eating Broccoli-VIDEO

I am finally reaching my goal of posting video. Sure I wanted to do it in January, but I was playing with our camera that we have had for a few years and was pushing buttons and did video. Wahhh llaaaa. I don't know why I didn't try this sooner? I am not a manual reader type, more the button pusher type and just figure things out. I didn't think it did sound, but I guess it does. How exciting is this! My test object was Mason eating his snack this morning of broccoli, who knows what I said I didn't think it would do sound and I am sure we have silent moments as well. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Time to strap Ellery in

I guess it is time to start strapping Ellery into her swing. She fell asleep in her swing while I took a shower today and when she woke up crying this is how I found her. She is quite the wiggle worm now. She is growing up and now requires a buckle in her swing.

GO JAYHAWKS

Mason can point out a Jayhawk if you ask him. Rob was disappointed that I didn't put Ellery in her KU gear today. I did get Mason in his, but never put little miss in hers. I was planning on putting her in it, but didn't want to start the day in it since she is on average going through 2-3 outfits a day due to her "plumbing" working so well. Today I must have applied the diapers on better because she didn't have any accidents.
We are currently sitting here at half-time of the national championship game watching KU play Memphis.

Good little Sleeper

Ellery is sleeping for 6-7 hour stretches for me at night. We think it is great. She isn't the greatest sleeper during the day, but who cares when she sleeps at night. Today we had a house showing and we hadn't shown the house since last weekend so things were a bit messy and out of place. Since Ellery doesn't sleep that great and cries to be held, I had to get creative to make her sleep and stay calm so I could clean up. After using the swing, carseat, boppy, and floor time I turned to the vacuum. It seemed to calm her while I was actively vacuuming and when I turned it off she would cry again, so I left it on next to her while I kept cleaning. After a few minutes I came back to check up on her and this is how I found her. Sprawled out and sleeping like a baby. I need to invent a vacuum swing noise maker for babies. When I turned it off she woke up.

Good Little Sleeper

Yeah, I got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. Little Miss went to bed at 11pm and didn't wake until Mason woke her at 5 am. I didn't even get up with Mason last night, he is feeling much better now that he is on antibiotics. I don't think his ears are hurting him near as much.

We have two kids

I can’t believe I have two kids. Rob and I were laughing the other day because we said children. I am not sure why I find it so amazing, but I do. I think I have amazing children, an amazing husband, but not an amazing dog.
Masons new thing is licking. He started licking after he watched Rob and I kiss, maybe he saw our tongues, who knows, but it is hilarious. He has a photo book with pictures of people in his life and when he saw Rob’s picture today he started licking the page. I also sealed a few envelopes today and looked down and Mason was licking my jeans.
Oh, and it warmed up to 50+ deg today and we played outside in the back yard. I went around the house for 2 seconds and when I walked back around I found Mason sticking his head and submerging his face in the dog’s water bowl. I guess I can be glad he is on antibiotics right now!

Coloring

Mason received some retractable crayons from Papaw Brooks and Grandma Debbie for Easter and he absolutely loves them. He really enjoys coloring, and life is much easier with the retractable. When he breaks the regular ones he brings them to me and wants me to fix them. He sits at his table and he will pat the chair next to him wanting you to sit and color with him. He is starting to say more words you can understand and will name you the colors. He is also able to find the color you are asking for and if you point to the color on the page and ask him to find that color he can. Although yellow tends to stump him a lot. He currently tends to favor purple and blue.

Ear Infections

Went to the Dr today and I am happy to report I didn't lock the kids in the car. I am sad to report that Mason has a double ear infection. Poor kid, he doesn't tug or pull at his ears, I think he might have a high pain tolerance. We have the joy now of giving him Amoxicillin for 10 days. He does however weigh in at 32 lbs. I did place little miss on the scale fully clothed and she weighed 10lbs 5oz. All I could think about was I was born at 10lbs 9oz and she doesn't even weigh that yet but she has grown leaps and bounds since birth. All Rob said was "and you worry you aren't giving her enough breast milk".

Scary Bathtime

Mason wasn't too thrilled the other night when I added the J&J Soothing Vapor Bath and it bubbled up in the water. He refused to sit down and we had a standing bath 2 nights ago. I have added it before but after the water was in so it didn't bubble up. I am not sure if he is bothered by the bubbles or if burned his skin? You will see he has the crouch position down tonight, but refused to sit down in the water. I didn't add the soothing vapor bath nor did he have bubbles, but he wouldn't sit down in the water. Needless to say, when he was getting his ears washed tonight he cried, I had Dr. Dad look into his ears when he got home and he reports seeing puss. Mason did show up with a rash yesterday on his chest and woke up today with it on his face. He did have a low grade fever of 99.5, but he was acting ok and wanting to play. I am losing my nomination for mother of the year, Mason was probably sick the past 2 days and I contributed it to crankiness and not sickness. I am going to take him to the Dr. tomorrow and hopefully I won't lock my keys in the car again.

Ellery is doing great, she is getting more head control and starting to smile and frown. She gets much more interactive everyday. She sits in her swing like a good little girl while Mason gets his bath. I did give him the squirt bottle you use after giving birth to play with in the bath tub and he has only squirted her a few times.

Day in the Park

I forgot the camera today, so no visual to go with this story. You will have to use your imagination and picture it.
It warmed up to 40+ deg today so we went for a walk as usual, but decided it was warm enough to stop and play in the park. Ellery stayed bundled in the stroller so nothing fun to report with her, but Mason on the other hand was funny to watch at the park. It took him a good 10 min to warm up to the fact that he could either swing or play on the jungle gym with slides. I thought we could start with swinging but when I asked if he wanted to he gave me a clear NO, but being a pushy mom I tried to make him. I never got him in the swing, but held him while I swung and he didn't like that, so off to the slide. He did enjoy the slide, he goes down head first and feet first all by himself. I don't even have to catch him or help him off, he does it all. I told him one more time and he holds up the number one for me, way too cute and then we left the park in the dust. Mason wasn't thrilled with leaving and kept saying and sighing more all the way home.
Our friend Katie called later in the afternoon and requested to meet us at the park, so we did round 2. So Mason got his wish of "more". His friend Brody loved the swing, so I thought I could shove Mason in the swing next to him. I did get Mason in the swing by himself, but he had the look of terror and wouldn't relax into it, so we were back to the slides. We are starting to get a hint of spring around here! Yeah!
Ellery did give her first pout today that I witnessed and of course I didn't capture that on camera.