My Little Big Man

This morning we had our 6-8 week Pediatrician visit (he's 7 weeks tomorrow) and we had the dreaded vaccination shots...FOUR holes in my poor baby's thighs. But he was a Champ and took it like a little big man-he wailed upon the actual stick, but then I immediately nursed him and he was fine. So far today, we haven't had a fever (I did when I was little), and he had a terrible 30-minute bout of crying but he's been eating and sleeping well throughout the day.

My little Mister is a healthy 10 lbs 12 oz and ranks in the 50th percentile for his weight, length, and head circumference...we're doing something right.

Here he is sporting his fancy appliqued bib, a giveaway won from Monkey Bubbles Monograms. Adorable shirts, diaper covers, burp cloths, and of course bibs found here: http://monkeybubblesmonograms.blogspot.com/

*EDIT*

At our 6-8 week well visit, Mason's stats are...

Length: 22.5 inches

Weight: 10 lbs, 12.5 oz

Head Circumference: 15.5 inches

He's in the 50th percentile for all categories

Happy Music

We attended our first Live music event last night at Sweet Sounds, a benefit for Fight4Life Ministries. Freedom or Fire opened with Act of Congresss headlining- both had great sets and although Mason was asleep for the majority of it, we're still earning our musical-exposure quota!

Here we are dancing to happy music...

Hold Your Head Up High

We normally don't like Tummy Time, but it plays a key role in our motor skills and intellectual development.

So we make it a little easy at first on an incline and against the sofa so Mason can use his legs to push up...And then we move to a flat surface...
And he's there!

Hurrah for Baby Mason!!!

Talk of the Town

This past weekend my family was all able to be in town to see Mason and he was indeed the talk of the town! The poor little guy probably thought the entire town was actually introduced to him... so very many people to hold and love on him.

He was just a little overwhelmed at first.

But he warmed up quickly. Here's Uncle Sean who makes him smile the biggest.
And Uncle Josh who didn't want to let him go.
But thankfully Aunt Mary was able to finally hold him.
And he was entranced with Aunt BeeBee. I think he's pointing to his mouth too...
NO PIERCINGS ALLOWED MASON!

Mason stared intently at Uncle Ashton...whom he's been asked to call "Batman."

Baby Dedication

Our church has started to have Baby Dedication Sunday only twice a year due to the quantity of newborns popping out en masse...there are 11 due this year between January and June!

My large family is scattered across several states and because not everyone will be able to make it for the "official" dedication in June, we had a special after-church service Baby Dedication for Mason this past Sunday. This was particularly important as I wanted Dad to deliver the blessing.

Our Pastor Gary began with a charge to me- that I now have the responsibility to raise Mason as a godly woman and mother. He shared some very touching things regarding my decisions to do the right things and as a result the blessings and honor God has bestowed allowing me to be Mason's mommy.

Then our family and church friends responded with the commitment to support and uplift Mason as he is a child of God's and a part of the church.

I am very thankful Dad was able to be in town for Mason's blessing and was tearful as Dad prayed and pronounced an ancient Hebrew blessing over Mason. It was a phenomenal prayer; here are some excerpts from his blessing:

...May He give you wisdom, a reverential fear of God, and a heart of love...

...May He create in you the desire to know His Word, and a willing heart that will submit...

...May your eyes look straight ahead with purpose for the future...

...May your tongue be as a pen of a writer, writing mercy and kindness upon your heart...

...May you speak the truth in love...

...May your hands do the works of the Father...

...May your feet walk the paths that He has foreordained for you...

...May you always worship God in spirit and in truth.

"Hog say 'De First Dutty Water Mi Ketch, Mi Wash'"

A Jamaican saying that means:
[Make use of the first opportunities that come your way]

As of last Friday, we have a Nanny for Baby Mason!

It was such a blessing finding Nanny. Years ago she was a live-in nanny in New York but moved to Alabama for another job, met her husband, had her daughter (a beautiful, precocious now 9 year-old) and they live less than 5 minutes away. Mom was able to help interview her and we both feel very good about Nanny's qualifications, experience, and especially her attitude and the way we feel she'll handle caring for Mason...she starts next Friday!

P.S. Oh and she's Jamaican, mon =)

No Mo Nubbin

When Mason was born he had FOUR nipples! Ha-ha, actually just 2 but there were 2 additional skin tags on his chest that resembled supernumerary nipples. Remember Chandler Bing's nubbin?

Well this morning I am happy to announce that both "nubbins" have fallen off on their own(which the Pediatrician predicted). Look at that double chin & Buddha belly!

My Little Asian Leprechaun

got milk?

What a sucker!

Actually, we've had a great past 4 1/2 weeks with the whole nursing bit. Mason has been a barracuda baby and I've had more than adequate supply-so much that when we weighed this past weekend, Mason is now at 10 lbs 2 oz. Yep, in 4 1/2 weeks, he's gained 3.5 lbs! He cluster-fed at week 3 because of this growth spurt, and while my little chunk is filling-out so quickly, I keep reading that breastfed babies can't nurse too often. Evidently if he does, he'll spit up the excess.

Mason's a "boob man"

We attended a La Leche League meeting a week ago because I was interested in a breastfeeding support network and resources, especially for when I return to work. Ideally I'd like to breastfeed at least 1 year, but I'm making my goals in 3-month increments. I feel really good about our Nursing- we've bonded, we're latching properly, I'm not "damaged," we've tried out every position, Mommy's losing weight, but most importantly he's gaining weight in the healthiest way possible.

Stocking up

From 1 1/2 weeks, I've been trying to build up a freezer stash. Mason does a great job with the bottle and doesn't seem to have any nipple confusion issues. Pumping-wise, I've expressed around 150oz so far and have stored a little more than 40 bags, although we've tapped into that supply to introduce the bottle to Mason.

Got Milk?

I'd like to increase my supply slightly so I'll have an adequate freezer supply; I've tried a few galactagogues. Mother's Milk Tea doesn't seem to significantly increase my supply nor does it appear to affect my let-down. Today I baked some Lactation Cookies and they're very yummy! Even if these don't increase my supply, I'm happy to gulp these down!

Here's the recipe, it makes a huge batch.

1st Month Celebration

Mason is already ONE MONTH OLD!

I am in awe of how such a tiny little guy can be the biggest thing in my life. Thank you God for this precious child- he is healthy, beautiful, and I love him dearly!

• One week ago, we found out that Mason gained another 2 lbs (he weighed 8lbs 10oz at 3 wks & was 20.5 inches long), so we're guessing he's surpassed the 9lb mark by now.
• He's rolled over 3 times tummy-to-tummy, but we're still working on doing it all on our own from the floor.
• We've mastered the whole nursing bit, but will not easily take a pacifier.
• Mason is indeed spoiled- he used to like his infant swing until he realized that he prefers the coziness of being cradled in warm arms. Same thing with sleeping in his infant carrier...we just won't do it anymore!
• Getting to sleep at night is still quite a task- we take our bath and then Gigi's favorite thing is taking him up to the glider and rocking him to sleep while Mommy gets ready for bedtime.
• My treasured time of the day is usually first-thing in the morning as we both grunt and stretch ourselves awake. He's such a little man...just in miniature form.

He didn't particularly appreciate the fact that his Mommy wanted to dress him up and take pictures with his special 1-month cupcake to commemorate the day. So we tried the following day...and this was the best "unfrowny face" we could muster. What a tough life for Mr. Mason!

*Edit*

At our 2 week well visit (technically we went in at 3 weeks), Mason's stats are...

Length: 20.5 inches

Weight: 8 lbs, 10 oz

Head Circumference: 14.5 inches

Workaholic

Mason made it into the office on Saturday and we found he's already taking on Corporate America. Such a workaholic!

He's too stinkin' cute! (3.5 weeks old)

Long Overdue

Yes, it is indeed long overdue (thank goodness I mean the photos and not Baby Mason!). Here are the photographs from my maternity session with Jan King of Two Sisters Photography. Check her other work out at www.twosisters-photography.com

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Never Wake A Sleeping Baby

Mason's just like his Mommy...he loves his SLEEP!

In the middle of feedings...

During our social time...

He's so content...

And enjoys having his arms free to put his hands near his head...

We're trying to sleep more in the bassinet...

But Gigi can get him to sleep in record time!

Let It Snow

Sunday morning, we woke to a Winter wonderland outside. We got Mason all bundled up and decided to enjoy it from the cozy indoors. In just a short time, he'll be able to enjoy the magic of this white weather; but for now, I'm keeping the Baby warm...

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event"