If I could only clone myself...

Being a working mom of two, I am still trying to find enough time to spend with both of my children, and my husband. Before we had Mason, I already found it difficult to spend enough time with Tyler. During the week, our main goal for each morning is to get everyone out the door dressed, somewhat fed, and somewhat on time. Our main goal for each evening is to get dinner ready and eaten, get the kids bathed, read stories, and get everyone to bed before 9:30 PM. While that’s a rare occurrence, our evenings are still so busy that I don’t feel I have enough time to just hang out with my kids. I cherish my weekends home with them, and love to spend free time with my family. During the week, if I decide to play with Tyler and Mason for a little while when we get home, dinner doesn’t get on the table until later, and therefore baths and bedtimes get pushed further. To ease my guilt for having them up so late, I tell myself that they’re growing up and they won’t be like this forever, that I need to enjoy and treasure those times instead of feeling guilty.

I played volleyball last night, and I was gone from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. When I got back, Mike had both boys in bed, and he was reading to Tyler. I went in Tyler’s room and said bedtime prayers with them. I asked Mike about Mason, and he told me that I might want to check on him, since it had been a little while since he put him down. Tyler said, “No, I want Mommy to stay with me.” I told Tyler that I would be right back. Well, Mason had a bib on, and it was covering his face, so I flipped it back down and tried to take it off without waking him. That was unsuccessful, and he started crying. I made him a bottle and fed him in the rocking chair. Then, Tyler came in, saying he wanted to say goodnight to Mason. He kissed him, and I kissed Tyler and told him to go back to bed. Mike later told me that Tyler went back to his room, and once he got there, he hung his head and moped slowly back to bed. Mike asked him, “What’s wrong?” Tyler said sadly, “Mommy’s not coming back. She’s feeding Mason.”

Luckily, Tyler was still happy with Mike staying with him, rubbing his back until he fell asleep.

Indy Race!

We took Tyler to the Indy Race last night. Tyler was more excited about watching the pit stops and crash-cleanups than seeing the cars go around the track 300 times. But we still had fun, and the weather was much nicer than last year (although, there were many more crashes last year!)

The sign on the car says "Please Do Not Touch". Hahaha.

There must have been a crash:

How does your garden grow?

Today my parents came down to visit us. They spent the day with us, hanging out and playing with the boys. I showed my mom the tomato, basil, and green pepper plants. Tyler and I planted some sunflower seeds, but they’re just sprouts right now, only a few inches tall. All the plants are looking so good, though! I’m so encouraged by it, I can actually grow healthy plants.

I harvested some basil leaves last week and took advantage of having my mom in town to make some pesto. It turned out so YUMMY!! I can’t wait to make some more!

We’ve also been waiting for the tomato plants to start producing tomatoes, and my mom found one when she was out on the deck with Tyler! Tyler was so excited, he ran inside just to tell me that we had a tomato.

Mike is pretty impressed that I can actually grow stuff, too. All the indoor plants we’ve had while living together have never seemed to survive. Last summer, I planted some “monkey grass” and took care of them. Now they’re still going strong, and multiplying!!

Mason is 6 Months Old!

Dear Mason,

Today, you are 6 months old! You and I went to the pediatrician for your well-baby visit, and we found out that you are a whopping 20 lbs 12 oz., 27 inches tall/long, and are back on the growth chart for your weight! (Your weight was off the chart at your 4-month check-up). You fit best in 12-month clothes right now.

Mason, you are now sitting up very well, though you still lose your balance and fall backwards, sideways, or forwards. Then, you’re stuck and you need help sitting back up. You can’t quite roll over yet, but it looks like that is coming very soon. You are very good at grabbing things and putting them in your mouth. You like grabbing your feet and toes when you don’t have anything else to play with. It also seems like you can understand simple concepts very quickly: we had a dinosaur-shaped toy that has a few holes in it where balls are supposed to be placed. Though you don’t quite have the hand-eye-coordination to put the balls in the holes yet, you know that they go in the holes and if we put one next to a hole, you will push it in.

You love being in the doorway jumper! You get so excited when you’re in there, and you jump all over the place! You will be quite content in the jumper for well over an hour. Sometimes, when we take you out, you still turn and longingly look at it, probably wanting to go back in. Myself, I think it would be pretty fun to have one of those, and I can understand why you like it so much!

You smile at everyone, and it’s very easy to make you laugh (I know to kiss you on your neck and below your ears). You were completely mesmerized with your Uncle Chad, who had a goatee and a mustache when you first met him yesterday.

Mason, you are babbling more and more, but now you consistently say, “Dadadadada,” which has made Daddy very happy! Sometimes, I swear I hear you saying things like, “Hi!” or “Mommy!”

You love to eat baby food! You’ve tried just about everything, and it’s only been a month. You are now opening your mouth for each bite and especially love sweet potatoes.

You cut your first tooth on May 17, 2009, (your bottom tooth) and now your second tooth is coming in next to it! It’s already broken the skin.

You love bathtime. You love watching and feeling the water come out of the faucet into your baby tub (which you will probably outgrow in the next month, or so). You like the feeling of water pouring on your belly, and you love sucking the water out of your washcloth (yuck!). Your big brother also loves taking baths with you. If you’re already asleep at bathtime, Tyler always asks, “Where’s Mason? I want to take a bath with him!”

Your big brother loves playing with you, and I can tell he’s getting more excited as you are able to do more things. He likes showing you how your toys work, he likes sharing his cars and trains with you, and he really gets a kick out of making you smile and laugh.

Mason, we love you so much, and we are overjoyed at watching you grow, knowing that you are on the brink of learning so many more things! Happy 6-month birthday!

Love, with all my heart,
Mommy