The Summer Draws to a Close

During August I turned 31, baked two pies from scratch (for the first time ever), and canned 23 (1/2 pints) of wild blackberry jam (with my mom's help, of course). I successfully completed my first on-line graduate class, which was way too much work and way too much money, but I did learn a great deal. Lastly, I returned to work for the first time after having my little Mason. Lars made my birthday super special with homemade waffles, bacon, mimosas, a beautiful mother's necklace, cleaning the house, mowing the yard, and throwing me a big party with my friends and family!

Mason's top two front teeth are DESPERATELY trying to push through and they are almost there!! Mason is very mobile. He enjoys spending his days creeping all around the living room chewing on whatever he can get a hold of. He is also beginning to pull himself up onto his knees by himself. When we act as the pull device he can make it to his feet. He is VERY eager to get going! He is starting to voice is disdain more than before. He loves to sing and coo. He doesn't like to cuddle as much as before, but will still cuddle a bit during bottle time. He loves people and shows no fear. He is very adaptable. He poops a TON!

Both boys got their first colds of the summer the first week I went back to work.  This year they will be babysat by Haley, Juliann, & Debbie. So far, they love going over to their houses. I am grateful and blessed to have them to care for my babies.

Max informed me during lunch, "Jesus is coming to our home. He's gonna save us from fire and lions. Hurray Jesus. God is with me." He only goes to Sunday School once or twice per month, but he it is obviously rubbing off on him. We read a lot of Bible stories, pray, sing Bible songs, and talk about God with him often. Max LOVES to talk. He enjoys playing with his Daddy's old CD player, a cassette/MP3 adaptor, a monitor, a monitor cord, cell phones, his Leap Frog (email), Leap Frog (Fix the Mix), telephones, and remotes. He is obsessed with electronics and is fascinated by electricity, energy, batteries, and how things work. He also enjoys using his imagination. His imagination has developed incredibly this summer. He often plays "pretend" games with himself, his barn toys, his stuffed animals, electronics, and his kitchen set. He loves to play in the sprinkler and swim. He loves playing and rough housing with his Daddy. His favorite person is his Daddy. He also enjoys playing the piano, singing, reading, dancing, listening to music, doing somersaults, and watching TV and movies. His favorite movies is "Cars". He adores the theater and begs to go in it. This summer he has also begun to eat a lot more and is enjoying a wider variety of foods. He also loves having company over. Whenever we have people over he is elated and calls it a "PARTY!" He often asks where everyone is at and when we will have a party again. He is very friendly and has very good manners. He has some definite fears, i.e. the jets in the bathtub, the vacuum cleaner, and usually anything loud. He seems to have overcome many of his fears this summer. He is so smart and has a wonderful sense of humor (much like his Daddy's). Max is getting better at using the potty. He pees in it almost every time he has to go and rarely has a pee accident. He has pooped in the potty twice and struggles using the toilet for pooping. He is VERY close to being fully potty trained. He is a joy to have as a son!

Custard Pie

I baked my first pie from scratch yesterday! I feel very proud. It was my mom's favorite kind of pie, custard.

Cat Pee

Recently discovered our cats have peed all around Max & Mason's room. After tireless efforts, we think it is cleaned and deodorized, but we are NOT pleased with our two feline friends. I guess I'm not as much of a cat person as I thought because I'm having a hard time justifying the value of these two culprits.

Max Poops

We are excited to report Max has officially pooped on the toilet this morning just before noon at Nana & Papa's house! All it took was some patience sitting on the pot for a few minutes, with a reading of an alphabet book, and he got the big job done! He now gets to enjoy chocolate gummy bears and Dairy Queen Ice Cream to celebrate his success!