Time Flies with a Toddler

So it's been since January that I have blogged, and I refuse to do a what-has-happened-in-9-months-update. Instead, I'll focus on the present and future. I'll be finishing up with school in may, and am in the works of a beauty/fashion advice blog. We shall see how that goes. The family is all good. Just ready for some positive changes to take place with upon my completion of school and whatnot. And yea, that's really is. I'm also thinking it's time to get a hard copy of all of my blogs posts and shut this thing down. It's lived a good life, and served it's purpose as a pregnancy/early motherhood diary to read Mason one day.

Long time, no see

Things that have happened recently.
-Christmas (awesome)
-Mason's first haircut (bittersweet)
-I came off the waiting list in school! I will officially be a cosmetology student in April!
-It's snowed like ridiculously crazy. Wth.
And yeah, that about sums it up. I really need to take some time to redesign my blog. It's a little outdated.
Anyway, I am super excited about starting classes. I've been waiting since last summer to come off the waiting list. It's definitely going to strain our budget more since I'll have to put Mason back in daycare, but still won't be able to work. It's already difficult for us to save, but we better start trying since daycare is $100 per week.

I know in the end there is a huge payoff. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be licensed and working! My main focus will be hair (cut and color), but I'm addicted to makeup. I want to be able to offer my clients the best of both, so I'm really excited about learning.

Also, does anyone have any good personal recs for a laptop? I'm attempting to save up (buy selling some around the house things) and hopefully get one soon. We have a home pc, but with a toddler, well I can't just leave him unattending and run upstairs to websurf, blog, etc.

Blah, whatever. End of blog.

Christmas Cards!

After browsing through the usual websites for photo Holiday cards (snapfish, walgreens, walmart, etc), I came across Shutterfly. I've always heard great things about the website, and after hearing about their great deal on 50 free cards, I thought I'd really check into it. They have an adorable selection of contemporary, tradtional, and even vintage cards! They are also printed on cardstock, which will hold up better than the photo paper I have previously has my cards printed on. I've picked out about 5 that I absolutely love, and will have a difficult time choosing which card to go with this year!

Of course I don't have 50 people to send cards to, so I know I will either need to find more friends soon or else I'm going to have a lot left over! :) Here are a few of my favorites!

 

Going on 14 months!

This is a little early, but what the heck. Mason will be 14 months old next week and I thought it was time for an update on the little guy.

He loves cheese toast, strawberry poptarts, dancing, 'singing', and giving kisses. He has improved on his walking tremendously. It seems like we went from two-four steps at a time to running around the living room.

Spongebob is still his favorite show, and loves everything Spongebob related.

He's going to be a garden gnome for Halloween. Why? Well first of, it's just a cute as crap costume. Secondly, Mason has been fascinated with garden gnomes for months. He calls them 'babies' and giggles everytime he sees one. He even has two little garden gnomes that his Mimi got him for his birthday.

His favorite words are 'Daddy' and 'Baby'. Here are some of the words he's recently added to his vocabulary: bubbles, poop, 'Mimi!' (finally), ball, juice, cup, water (wawa), bam (when he bangs toys around), book (sounds like boot), and a few others I can't recall at the moment.

He says 'Mmmmm!' to everything tasty he puts in his mouth, and loves his toy broom.

We are officially done with the bottle, and I'm ready to get rid of the pacifier next.

He healed amazingly well from his orchiopexy, with just a few small scars as his battle wounds.

He is into everything and a ball of happiness and curiosity.

I love being at home with him. He is the easiest baby around.

He climbed into my lap a few days ago and my heart melted. He cMe over to me on a different occasion and gave me a giant bear hug. That was a first. I still haven't gotten over how sweet and wonderful his tiny baby hug was.

He makes me the happiest I've ever been.

I love my growing, sweet, happy Mason.

Job Hunt

So I've been unemployed since July 9th, and have submitted my resume or filled out applications for more than 30 jobs. Discouraging? I'd say so. To not be able to provide any additional income for my family, to not be able to buy Mason the things he wants/needs, and to not be able to pay the bills, well it's all getting to me.

I can't force someone to hire me. I wish it was easy to get a job. It's like I've done all I can do, but the rest is out of my control. And I absolutely hate it.

If I was in my cosmetology classes, I may not feel like such a loser. However, I am on the waiting list until March, which is when I'll start. Until then I need to work, and I'm running out of options.

I hate being broke. I hate being unemployed. I love being home with Mason. Thank God he keeps me sane. Most moms gripe and moan about their terrorist children they have to stay with all day. I wouldn't lose a minute without my little buddy. He's the best baby ever.

So cross your fingers for me, and send positive job getting vibes my way. I desperately need them.

Orchiopexy

That is the name of the procedure that Mason had yesterday. When he was born, his right testicle had not decended. Sometimes this can naturally drop down on it's own within the first year, but in Mason's case it obviously didn't. He was also unable to be circumsized, so he had both performed yesterday at Floyd by Dr. Jessie.

When he was born, I almost knew that this would be inevitable. Well, I knew Mason probably wouldn't be one of the lucky few who would have the issue corrected naturally. So for the past two weeks I have been a nervous wreck in anticipation of his surgery day.

We arrived at Floyd at 6:30am. Unfortunately with the Mr's job (not an understanding one), he was unable to join us. I know that made him even more of a nervous wreck. Luckily my mom was able to take the day off and join us, so I was definitely less anxious when she arrived.

After all of the paperwork, and all of the waiting, Mason was given his cocktail to help him relax. And he definitely did just that! The poor guy was as limp as a dish rag. Ha

Around 10:15, they took him back for surgery, and it ended around 1:30. After some more waiting, I finally got to see him a little after 2. Groggy and confused, he sat in my lap and downed two cups of apple juice. I was so glad to see he was okay, and happy to finally have this past us.

We got home and Mason ate some Spaghettios and crashed. He slept for around 6 hours, woke up for an hour and a half, then slept all night. Today he's happily playing like this never happened.

Three incisions later, and my son is happy and healthy. After a year of fear and dread it's finally over.

No one wants to see their child in any pain whatsoever. As parents we continually have to make decisions for what is best for our children. I wanted to have this surgery done as soon as possible, so tht Mason wouldn't have any recollection whatsoever. And now it's a thing of the past.

Dr. Jessie is an amazing doctor with such a positive disposition, and I would recommend him to anyone. The nurses as Floyd Surgery Center were amazing as well. It was a long day for sure, but they kept us updated frequently and assured us that Mason was in excellent hands.

My mom was a wonderful supporter to us, and took my mind off my anxiety. We joke about how we go completely crazy when stuck in hospitals for lengthy periods of time, but we always manage to make it stress free. I couldn't thank you enough for being there Mom, it really meant a lot to me.

Thanks to everyone for thinking of us, all your well wishes and checking in yesterday, and support. I have such a large group of famiy and friends that are wonderfully supportive and amazing.

On the road to recovery!

And sorry for the typos, I'm posting from my IPhone, which is a whole hell of a lot different that sitting at the computer.

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken yesterday afternoon at Berry College by our wedding photographer Mike Robertson. Here are just a few of my favorites! He does an amazing job!

Dear Mason,

I can't believe your first year has come and gone. Before I know it, we will be planning your
second birthday party.

When you were born, I fell in love instantly. I know all moms say this, but you were absolutely perfect. And at a year old, you are still perfect. Mommy is so proud of you. You are such a loving, curious, smart little baby. Everyone tells me that you are the best baby ever. And they are right. You never get angry or bored when your Daddy and I want to go out for dinner. You love to watch people and smile at them, and of course you love food.

Hearing you talk for the first time was a trip. But when you started learning how and when to use
words just blew me away. You are getting so smart!

I absolutely love when you give me hugs just because you want to, and how you love everyone around you. You are so loved, but you love everyone just as much.

Everything is new to you, and your Daddy and I get a kick out of watching your amazement and wonder to all of the new things you see and experience.

You love being read to, and I love our quiet time together. You are such a funny little guy. I love that you love Spongebob, because a lot of these other cartoons are obnoxious. You sing and dance, and it's just too cute. Your personality is definitely shining through. You loved being scared, being chased, and chasing Daddy.

As you enter your 2nd year, I look forward to all that you will learn, seeing you grow and change, and loving every minute we have together. I hope your wonder carries with you throughout your life, as well as your sense of humor. You are such an amazing little man, and I couldn't be more proud of you. Keep seeing life the way you do now, with love, curiosity, and humor.

I love you through and through,

Mommy

One Year Old

I have a one year old. Whaaat? When did this happen? Where did the time go? It snuck up on me and sprinted straight by...

Mason Jack is a toddler. That blows my mind. Sure, I can reminisce on the day he was born, the day I brought him home from the hospital, and all of his many firsts. Instead I want to focus on the here and now.

Mason's birthday party was a blast! He was surrounded by all of the people that love and care about him so much. He loved the fact that everyone he knew was in the same area, and spent the majority of the day being passed around.

The kid dove straight into his smash cake. No hesitation whatsoever. I mean what else would you expect? He loves food! I thought he would end up getting sick from the amount of cake that he ate, but he enjoyed it way too much.

Mason has become the most carefree, kind hearted little man. He loves giving hugs and kisses. He loves babbling, playing with new musical table that he got for his birthday, and "reading".

He has yet to walk. I know it's a lack of confidence more than anything. He is terrified to let go of my leg and actually take a few steps, but he is cruising around and standing up by himself.

He loves watching "Bob Bob" (Spongebob of course), and was super excited about his season 1 DVD of Spongebob that his Mimi gave him.
Right now we are in the process of taking the bottle and pacifier away. He uses a sippy cup the majority of the time, but sometimes he gives me that "What the heck is this?!" look when he realizes I've put his milk in his bottle. Luckily, the little guy only takes a pacifier when he goes to bed. He doesn't get it during the day. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be one of those things that ends up making us both stay up half the night.

Glad to be back to blogging again! My goal is to blog at least once a week.

Oh, AND....drumroll please....
I have lost 27 lbs!

11 Months Old

It has been awhile, and I've been a bad, bad blogger. I keep making promising these posts that never have the time to be written. Well, now that I am unemployed again, I have more time than I know what to do with.

Mason is doing great. He had tubes put in on July 21st, and hasn't had the first sniffle or problem since. He is getting so big and so smart. I am so proud of my little guy. His vocabulary is rapidly growing. He can say (and knows when to properly use) "Bye Bye", "Hey", "Baby", "Kitty Kitty", "Ball", "Pop", "Mama", "Dada", and many, many more that I can't think of off the top of my head.

He also likes to mimic the sounds he hears from TV or sounds that other people make.

He dances to music, or when you sing to him, and also "sings" along with the songs he hears.

He loves being read to, and laughs when I point to certain things and tell him what they are.

He absolutely loves vanilla custard and Gerber puffs.

No, Mason hasn't started walking yet. He CAN walk. He just refuses. He clutches onto me or anyone else with all of his might, and shuffles around the walls and furniture. He has 7 teeth now and is munching down on anything he can get his hands on. He can climb the stairs like a pro, and our current project (with our unusual staircase situation) is attempting to keep him off of them!

I can't believe his 1st birthday is quickly approaching. It's such a bittersweet time for any mother. Saying goodbye to that little tiny baby you once knew and welcoming the next stage of their life-becoming a toddler! Their are so many things I need to do for his birthday, which is what I am currently taking a break from to write this post.

Currently I am in school for cosmetology, and hope to be working as a master cosmetologist by next summer! I'm making an A in the class I am in now, but I'm ready to start learning more. My friend Jana has given me the opportunity to come into her salon and learn some tricks while I'm in school, so I am very thankful for all of her help.

Well, back to party planning! Happy Thursday!

9 Month Checkup

As I was getting Mason ready for the doctor's appointment this morning, I walked into the kitchen to get his bottles together for daycare. Within about 3 short minutes I return to the living room to find that Mason is sitting on the third stair playing with a pair of the Mr's shoes.

Seriously?

Yeah, he can climb. And climb he did. When I discovered him perched up on the third step, I think I stopped breathing. Because a third step, hardwoods steps, for a 9 month old, well that's just scary. These are the steps I have fallen down sober, pregnant, barefoot, and with shoes on. (All seperate occasions obviously). I've busted it so hard I walked with a limp for awhile, wasn't able to move my arm for a day, and had a bruise on my ass back that looked like I got hit with a baseball bat. So the third step for Mason is, well, the equivalent in my mind of me falling down the entire flight.

Baby gate for the stairs, now added to the list of babyproofing items I need to buy immediately.

So back to the check-up. Mason is 29 1/2 inches long, 20 1/2 lbs, and healthy as a horse. His ear infection is clearing up a bit. (Yes, we had another one of those lovely things pop up last Friday). He wants to see him again this Friday to give him a quick check and see if we need to make a trip to the ENT.

He's saying 'Mama', 'Dada', and 'Baba' like crazy. He is starting to brave the world of standing without holding onto furniture, and he eats everything in sight (regardless if it's edible).

I never imagine I could love someone as much as I love him. He's my world, and it just gets better and better.

Time

It's been too long since my last post. I just can't find the time in the day. Currently my days go something about like this...
6am - Snooze it for another ten
6:10 - get up and run bass-ackwards getting myself ready for work.
7:00 - Start making Mason's bottles for daycare, and getting together his diaper bag.
7:15 - Wake Mason up, change diaper, put clothes on him, get him in the carseat, load him and everything else in the car, drive to daycare.
7:35 - Leave daycare and head to work.
8-5 Work of course!
5 - Leave work and head to daycare.
5:30 - Get Mason home from daycare, sit and play for at least an hour.
6:30 - Start laundry, tidying, dinner, whatever it may be. All the while taking care of my little man.
(This makes up for the majority of my evening).
Anywhere betwen 8:30-10 - Get little guy in the bed, have a moment to myself. (Most of the time this is used staring at the ceiling in my dark bedroom.)

There isn't enough hours in the day.
Financially, we are struggling pretty bad. As is everyone, eh?
Emotionally, we are happy.
Healthwise, we are strong. This can change at any time. Mason has had two ear infections in the past month (one being a double ear infection).

I love working. I think I could flip burgers and be happy.
I hate missing work because Mason is sick.
But I love spending time with him. Just the two of us. All day. It makes me miss being a stay at home mom sometimes.

I miss dates. I miss going out with friends. But I also enjoy being with my family, and still having wonderful friends who want to be constantly be a part of mine, The Mr's, and Mason's lives.

I hope that I will be able to blog more. If I can steal a few minutes in the day, I definitely will. I miss you blog world, but I'm slowly coming back.

Spring and Growth

I didn't realize it had been over a month since my last post. So much changes in the course of such a short amount of time. Mason is two weeks shy of his 8 month birthday, and I have yet to take his 7 month pictures. Bad mom? Nah. Just a busy mom with not enough hours in the day. So I thought I would take a quick moment before I head off to work and give an update.
Mason is pulling up, crawling all over the place, and still, of course, a very sweet and happy baby. Last week he had his first ear infection and he was miserable. But luckily he's back to himself now. I'm pretty busy with work, so time has been flying by.
Hopefully I'll have a minute to sit down and blog
later this evening! I've missed the blog world!

Stress Diet

This really can't be helped. I'm trying to eat and all, but I'm nauseated most of the time.
So, I'm down 11.5 pounds from my start weight. Woohoo! I weight 192.4 or some junk.
Whatever works. Pft.

Life Sucks

I thought I would take a moment to catch up on my blog while Mason naps. Mason is doing so good. He is learning to crawl extremely fast, get into everything, sit up, and pull up. He's such a happy baby. He giggles and smiles a lot, and I just hope that means I'm doing something right.

Everyone knows by now that my marriage situation is not a good one. I tried not to blog about it, because it is such a personal matter, but I guess I feel like I need to for myself and Mason. This blog was for Mason, and I guess one day he will know (however the situation turns out) what happened.

The Mr. and I are no longer together. My heart has been broken into a million pieces. It was really unexpected to me, and he hasn't been home in a few weeks. We don't really speak much at all, and when we do, it's regarding Mason and not what the heck is going on.

Right now, I honestly don't know what is going on. I'm completely clueless, shocked, and hurt.

I take it day by day, and try to continue being the best mom I can be for Mason. Because right now, that's really all I can do. One day he will know how he was the one that pulled me through this. I never knew such a sweet little baby would be my rock, what makes me smile all the time, and the one person who won't ever leave me. He's an amazing little man. And I love him sooooo so very much.

6 Months Old

Well, I thought I would take a moment to update on what Mason has been up to. Life is completely different now.
Mason is crawling around like crazy. He is getting really good at it, and he's on the other side of the living room within before I know it. Of course that makes my job as Mom even harder, chasing him around all day long. It's so fun to watch him growing and changing. I can't believe he's already half a year old!
He's been eating fruits and veggies. He absolutely loves pears. Bananas he wasn't so sure of at first, but he seems to enjoy them now. He has been such a good baby.
He had his first night away from home, and away from me, and he didn't sleep! The poor little guy knew he was away from home and I guess he just couldn't get used to the new place.
He's started blowing bubbles and raspberries all the time. It's his new favorite thing to do. He makes the most serious face when he's doing it. It's way too cute. Hopefully I can snag a picture of him doing that.
Other than that, he's growing like crazy. At his 6 month appointment he weighed 20.1 lbs and was 26 1/2 inches long. Every day he is doing something new, and it's just so fun to watch. I'm loving every minute of it!
I'm going to attempt to take his 6 month pictures today (although a few days late), but we will see how that goes since he's a baby on the move!

Fitness Friday

Start Weight: 203.2
Current Weight: 197.2
Weight loss: 6 pounds!
And that is all I'm blogging about. :)

Fitness Friday

Stress, Stress, and More Stress

Stress has overcome every aspect of my life. I don't think I've ever been so overwhelmed. Well, I've never been so overwhelmed and not known how to handle it. That's the biggest difference.
Finances. Ugh. I hate money. I hate debt, and bills, and not having money. We were expected to get a great tax refund this year, but we received a notice that all of it was applied towards a debt that we didn't even know we had. As of now, I know it is a student loan in the Mr's name, but we don't know what type, from when, what company, or any details.
We were planning on using all of our refund to pay off a ton of medical bills and other bills we have piling up, with the exception of keeping a small amount to buy Mason some new clothes.
So much for that.
Yeah it paid some debt. But when it's a debt you didn't even know existed, it's like you're still at square one. Although I don't normally discuss mine and the Mr's relationship on here, I will say that we have been neglecting it for the most part. With a baby, and financial issues, and his job, our marriage has been ignored by the both of us. It's not the best place to be, and we are working through it.
We may take a social hiatus of some sorts for the next couple of weeks so that we can focus on us again. I'm hoping we can get out of the house a few times and spend some time alone without Mason. We need that.
With that, I probably won't be blogging much for a little bit. I have been slacking off anyways, but my main focus is my family. The Mr. and I are having a date night. It's past due and we need it.

Lesson Learned

Proofreading is necessary. Even in the blog world.
I will not blog from my phone because my thumbs are retarded spastic and I'm illiterate.

The End.