11 Months Old!

11 Months Old Already!  As Mason grows up we have more and more fun with him. Each new stage and new thing he learns to do is so exciting. We are so happy to be Mason's parents and have him in our family!

• Has 4 teeth (3 top and 1 bottom) and 4 close to coming in (3 bottom and 1 top)
• He is really good at running. When he runs he leans his head forward and holds his arms back like he is a bird flying aerodynamically (that's how Chad describes it).
• Loves pointing at things and following them, especially squirrels and birds
• Waves at people and cars as they go by
• Says hi to friends and people who walk by
• He's close to being able to climb up onto our bed (it's a low Ikea one)
• Loves to throw things - books off the shelf, food off his tray, toys, balls, etc.
• He is getting good at rolling the ball around and can kick it sometimes too
• Loves running around outside and exploring
• Still loves reading and is learning how to open books and turn pages by himself
• Loves music and dancing and kind of "sings" along
• Mason knows when we are getting ready to go somewhere and he goes and gets his shoes
• Daddy taught him how to throw a ball into his exersaucer seat so it will come out the bottom and then throw it back in again.
• Likes playdates with mommy and friends, going to the park, walking to 7-11 with Dad, banging on things, playing with balls and puppets...
• Loves to play chase. He goes up to you and smiles and makes noise and then runs the other way when he wants you to chase him.
• Mason loves to skype. He recognizes the sound skype makes when it opens up and when he hears it he runs to the computer, jumps up and down, and says hi over and over again.

Mason likes playing with friends. He gets really excited and "talkative" when they come over.

He loves to sit outside.

And run around outside.

This is Mason's favorite park. All of these ride on and push toys are part of the park and there are tons more than what is shown in the picture.

Spring Break 2013

Last week was my fourth Spring Break since becoming a teacher.  Teachers undoubtedly need this break as much as students do to help them get through the year and keep working down the final stretch until Summer Break.  This year was the first year with Mason, the newest addition to our family, and that made things a lot different than previous Spring Breaks -- and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

First off, this year we stayed home instead of travelling.  In previous years we've gone to places like Florida where it is very warm, but there really wasn't any way we would want to make Mason stay in a hotel or fly on a plane (again!) so soon.  Plus, what we wanted most was the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time together as a family and it didn't matter where we were.
The simple joys of relaxing at home and spending time with my family made this Spring Break the best that I could have asked for.  Getting to spend the entire day with my young son who I normally only get to see for a couple hours after work before his bedtime was priceless.  It was great to get to be there for his entire daily routine for a whole week, it really makes me look forward to the Summer break and getting to be there with him all day for a couple months!  As in years past, it was hard when the break ended and it was time to go back to work, but that is life.

Highlites from Spring Break 2013 include the following:

Mason getting his 3rd and 4th teeth and loving to use them on anyone and anything!

Mason learning to go stand by the front door to tell us he wants to go outside (kind of like a dog now that I think about it...)

Getting to get Mason out of bed and feed him breakfast

My mom coming to stay with us for a week and Mason getting reacquainted with his Grammy

Michelle and I puting together a 1,000 piece puzzle of all the monuments and landmarks of Washington, D.C. and gluing it together with Modge Podge

Buying one way tickets to Boise for the Summer

Riding my bike from Alexandria, VA to Harper's Ferry, WV (about 80 miles)

Spending a whole week together as a family