9 months!

Another month has come and gone in the life of Mason Thomas! I can't believe he is 9 months already! I know I always say this but this baby time with him is going way too fast for my liking! I just want my little man to stay little forever. We have made some big changes this month and hit some new milestones!

*Mason is starting to crawl...in his own crazy way! He has an interesting way of getting from here to there but he gets where he needs to go.
*He can also go from a crawling position to sitting up all on his own! I must say I was quite impressed with this move!
*Mason has one new tooth on the top and he is getting another bottom tooth. We are having a hard time with these two but he is being such a trooper!
*He is now on three meals of solids a day! He has been sick for a couple days so he hasn't been eating just nursing but I am sure he will get right back in the swing of things. I will also be adding some meat to his diet this month.
*He is working on using his sippy cup. I am thinking of getting a new one...the one we have I am not too happy with. I had the best training sippy cup with Syd but she destroyed it and of course I can't find it again. Any suggestions?
*He is talking a ton! He says Dada, baba, and papa!
*Mason is such a smiley baby! He just smiles and laughs at you all the time! I was truly blessed with this one!
*I have also noticed that Mason is starting to discover what his toys are really for. He is really starting to "play" with his toys. He got a little work bench for Christmas and he accidentally did something with it and discovered it made a noise, so he continued to repeat his action and laugh each time. It was so cute to watch him discover and explore his world!

We don't go for his 9 month visit until the middle of next month...I think his schedule there got messed up once so we go 2 weeks after he should, so I will update on his weight and height after we go in January.

Happy Birthday baby boy! We love you so much!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We hope you have a great holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

Our first broken bone

Well folks...it's official, we have our first broken bone, and hopefully our last! Last Friday morning Keith and I were rushing around trying to get things ready to go to Ohio. Sydney was playing and running around her room when we heard a crash and crying. I didn't think she was crying hard so I didn't even go to her, Keith did. Well she was actually crying so hard that she couldn't get sound out. She was favoring her wrist and Keith thought right away that it was broken. But if you know our daughter she tends to be a bit of a drama queen so we iced it and waited to see if she calmed down. After about 10 min she was not calming down so I called her doctor and they said to bring her in. I got her ready and headed out. We got there and they took one look at her and sent us to the hospital for X-rays. We ended up waiting about 1 1/2 for results. I was not prepared to be there that long and Syd was restless. We went and ate lunch and shopped in the gift shop. We finally heard from her Doctor at about 12:45 that it was fractured. We had to wait around some more to find out if we could get in to see the ortho that afternoon. No such luck. Her doctor's office said we should just wrap it and we could get in Monday. Keith did not like that at all so he called the ER (since he works at the hospital he can sometimes get things done for us that normally wouldn't happen for others) and they told him to send us in the backdoor (like a VIP haha) and they would fast track us through. We were in and out in less than an hour and they were so nice to us. They gave her a splint and wrapped her all up so she was secure for the weekend. They also gave her a stuffed frog. They wrapped his arm up too so he was just like her! She loved that!

So this morning, Monday, we went to the ortho and got her cast. She picked hot pink (with some prodding from Mommy!) and she only have to be in it till January 5th! She has been so brave and such a trooper. I am so proud of how she has taken everything in stride and believe me it has not slowed her down one bit. She is still running around and jumping off of things like she has two good arms

Eight Months!

My baby boy is 8 months today! He is becoming quite the mover and the shaker!

-He now has one tooth...finally!

-He now eats two meals of solids a day and is starting to drink from a sippy cup.

-Mason's new trick is scooting backwards! He is soooooo close to crawling! He get's up on all fours and then he can't figure out how to get his legs going.

-He loves playing on the floor now! I just get all his floor toys out and spread them all out on the floor and he just moves to what he wants to play with.

-He is such a happy baby. He really only cries when he needs something.

-He loves to play on the floor as well as his jumperoo. He gets that thing going!

-He is super chubby and I just love it! He is wearing size 4 diapers and wearing mostly 12 month clothing. He still wears some 6-9 or 9 mon but his jammies are all 12 mon!

I can't believe that I am already thinking about his first birthday. I know I have four months but time is flying by and with the holidays coming I know it will be March before I know it. Happy Birthday baby boy!

Holiday Cards and Shutterfly

I was just informed of this great deal by Shutterfly. If you blog about their great products then you get 50 free holiday cards! Awesome right! I have never actually sent out holiday cards let along ones with a family picture on them. I am so excited to send some great cards out this year!

I have ordered from Shutterfly before and everything has always been great and of high quality. I have ordered four different photobooks in the past and I love them! They are a great little photo book to look back on and I didn't have to do a thing but upload my pictures! I have also ordered personalized calenders before and they were a great gift for the grandparents! You can even add special holidays and dates that are personal for your family. You add your own pictures and sayings and they do the backgrounds and put them all together for you! I have also recieved a book from them as a gift and I loved it. Be sure to check out Shutterfly for all your picture needs!

To make your own calender go here... www.shutterfly.com/calenders
To check out their photo books go to... www.shutterfly.com/photo-books

Here is the link to get your own free Holiday cards!
http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

Another Milestone

Well folks, we have reached another milestone...new car seats! Mason is currently still in his infant carrier but man is he heavy and Sydney is in a Britax Marathon Convertible car seat. Syd could stay in that car seat for a long time yet by the weight, the weight limit on that seat is 65 lbs. But I think she will outgrow the height sooner than later, not sure of the limit though. But Mason's weight limit for his car seat is 22 lbs and he was 20 lbs last month. I am sure he is close to that limit now. So Mason will be moving to Sydney's car seat and she will be moving to a booster seat with a 5 point harness. We ended up getting her a Graco Nautilus 3 in 1. I love it because the head rest can be raised and she won't outgrow the height. I think this is the last car seat for her because this seat can be used with the 5 point harness till 65 pounds and then a high back booster with the regular seat belt and then just a booster. So it was definitely worth the money. I haven't moved the kids car seats yet...I want to go to a local store here in town and get them put in professionally and learn the correct way to put them in. We never learned how to put the Britax in when it was rear facing. We just never moved it until she was ready to be forward facing! Silly! So I want to learn! I am so over carrying Mason in his infant carrier but him not being in it leads to a whole new set of problems. Putting him in a cart at the store or having the stroller? What to do with Sydney when I have to carry him and hold her hand? I think things will be a little more complicated without the car seat. It is a little bittersweet to get rid of that infant carrier because it will be the last time I will have one in my car (probably!). My babies are getting too old too quickly!

Pajama Party

Last night at Bunco we had a pajama party! Great idea Becky! I, of course, don't have pajamas, just sweats, and I was told that was not good enough! So Lisa was kind enough to pick me up a pair from consignment and Sarah washed them for me! What great friends! All I had to do was pick them up and change! I took Syd this time because Becky, Lisa, and Sarah all have little girls around Sydney's age. Sydney is the oldest by about 4 months. It is so fun to watch them interact and play together! They had a blast and were pretty good. It got a little loud and rowdy toward the end of the night but we didn't really have to worry about them too much. We only had about 50 potty breaks between the four of them! If one of the girls had to go, then the others thought they should too! The food was awesome! We had cheesy chicken alfredo with garlic bread and no bake cookies! AMAZING! I am so happy to be a part of this group. Sarah asked me to join about a year and a half ago and I am so glad she did. I have made some great friends and I so look forward to my one Tuesday a month! Keith watches both kids, unless I take Syd, and I get a whole night to myself! I am so grateful for the friendships I have made and the amazing girls I have met. We always have a good time and usually do more talking than actual playing! Last night we actually played the whole round and I even won two prizes! I won Toy Story 3 (which I loved and am so excited about!) and a basket with popcorn, candy, and tissues (which I will need because I cried the first time I saw this movie!).

The girls showing me their eyes! Playing in the kitchen

Sydney wearing the Bunco mask!

Cindy and I were the first two to get Bunco's, so we got the wear the masks!

The girls playing "Bunco", looks like Sydney is giving Hannah the business

The four happy girls!

Thanks girls for all the great memories and for the many more to come!

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!

Sydney's 3!

My baby girl turns three on Tuesday! Where has the time gone. I am so depressed about her becoming a preschooler and no longer being a toddler. It seems like such a big step to me. Sydney is my little comedian. She makes me smile, laugh, cry and yell all in the same day! She is just like me which is why she can get on my nerves so much! She is just growing up way too fast and she acts so old! She talks very well and holds and sustains a conversation like a pro. She makes me so proud!

Here are some things that my big girl is doing
*Sydney loves telling knock knock jokes. Her favorite one is knock knock, who's there, Boo, Boo who, Don't cry it's just a joke! She laughs and laughs!
*She loves dressing up and playing pretend. I have noticed in the past few months her ability to make up stories and do dramatic play with her dolls and toys. She has always been good at independent play. From the very beginning I wanted to instill in her the ability to play by herself and entertain herself. Sometimes she plays by herself in her room for hours without a peep. I play with her of course but she loves to play by herself as well. This has made me having Mason much easier. She is able to play and not need me as much so that I could/can focus on Mason when I need to.
*Books still have a special place in her heart. She loves reading and always has. We recently took our first trip to the library and she loved it! We have gone twice now and she loves borrowing books and bringing them home to read. She can read for hours and hours.
*Sydney loves to bake and cook with me. I am starting to let her help me more. I have a bit of OCD in the kitchen and I don't like a mess but I am learning that the fun she has outweighs my need for cleanliness.
*SYDNEY IS POTTY TRAINED! I am so happy to add this to the list. She wears a diaper at naptime and bedtime but that's it. I am so proud of her for making this big step. She has trouble getting her pants up and down by herself so most of the time when we are home alone she only wears a shirt and her underwear.
*She still loves Barney and Dora but her palatte is expanding. She likes lots of different Disney movies and Strawberry Shortcake. She also likes Max and Ruby and a lot of the Nick shows. She loved Spongebob and ICarly as well. I know that makes it sound like she watches a lot of tv and she does but to defend myself she has the tv on for noise but she doesn't sit and watch it all day.
*Some of Sydney's famous lines are, "Mom, quite acting like a freakin child!", "Ok, ok, just relax!", "Booty booty booty booty rockin everywhere" and the list goes on and on. She is HILARIOUS!

I am so proud of Sydney and become more and more proud of her everyday. I love her with all my heart and she is truely the best little girl. I can't believe how fast she is growing and changing but she is just so much fun to be around. Happy Birthday Big Girl! Mommy and Daddy love you!

TEETH or should I say TOOTH!

Well, Mason is almost 7 months old and no teeth. Sydney had teeth at 4 months and by now she had four of them. I was starting to worry but secretly loving it because I haven't been bitten (with teeth) while nursing him. Today I peeked in and I saw that tell tale little slit! I think he will be sprouting a tooth within the next week or so. It is so bittersweet because I have been loving the no biting and his big toothless grin. I am so in denial that he is getting older. He can sit up by himself now and is eating one food meal a day of baby food. Starting next week I am moving to two meals a day. Teeth are just the beginning of him losing that baby look.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Mason

My baby boy is 6 months old today! It is so bittersweet...I love watching him grow and change but I feel like it is all happening so fast!

THEN

NOW

Here are some things Mason can do now

*Mason still nurses at 7, 10, 1, 3:30, 6 and then usually before bed. He also now eats cereal once a day mixed with a fruit or a veggie

*He can get anywhere he wants to go by rolling! He gets all the way across the living room in no time!

*He still sleeps through the night but has been taking less time to sleep during the day. I think he has a hard time sleeping during the day because of his loud sister!

*Mason loves, loves, LOVES his sister! She makes him laugh and smile all day long. As a mom, I love watching them interact and spend time together

*I think he is starting to get a tooth

*He is really starting to love his jumperoo and actually jump in it!

*He plays with toys and can grasp things and grab for things.

*He talks and laughs all the time! He loves his voice and loves hearing it! He screams and yells too...just because he can!

*He recognizes his name and will look if you call him

Mason has been such a blessing and a great addition to our family. There were times early in my pregnancy that I thought I was going to lose him and the thought of not having him just breaks my heart. I can't imagine our lives without this little blue eyed man in it! He has completed our family and filled my heart with more love than I thought could fit. You never think you can love another as much as the first but it was instant love. We love our little Mason Tason Chunkey Monkey! Happy Birthday baby boy! Can't wait for the future and all the fun and excitement that is to come!

Double stuffed!

Yesterday my wonderful husband came up with the idea to put Sydney's old boppy pillow inside the case with Mason's. Mason's is so flat because he is so heavy and even with the boppy I have to prop him up with something else underneath it. It looks quite funny but it works like a charm! Since I plan on nursing him for atleast another 6 months (that's my goal anyway) that seemed like an easy inexpensive way to help prop up my big man!

Side view

Double stuffed!

My very BIG boppy pillow!

Potty training

Well, I finally made the decision last week to actually do this potty training thing and not go back. So last Monday we started with pullups and every 30 to 40 min I had a song go off on my phone and that meant it was potty time. She did really good on Monday. Tuesday was horrible! She hardly peed or pooped on the potty at all and kept going in her pullups. So, I talked to my mom and she said just put her in underwear. I will admit I didn't really want to do it because I didn't really want to clean up the mess but I knew she was right. Sydney would just keep peeing in the pullups because she knows she can. So, Wednesday we started our underwear. By mid-day we ran out! I had to pull out the ones that don't quite fit her because she had peed in all of them! Thursday and Friday morning were more of the same. I headed off to Ohio for the weekend and I was so excited to have my mom help me! Sydney peed on my mom's rub and my mom, in a very stern voice, told her she was not to pee or poop at Grandma's and she was to only pee and poop on the potty. Since then, only one accident and that was yesterday! I am so happy she is finally on the potty training wagon! It took such a long time to get her to want to do it and I kept giving up, which is probably why she never took me seriously and always knew she would end up back in a diaper. But I told her this time I meant it and no more diapers unless she is sleeping. I even let her in underwear on the car ride home from Ohio on Monday. That was a horrible trip, she made me stop 6 times and she never went once! She peed the minute she got home. I had put my mom's little potty in my car in the front seat so when we did stop she could just go in there because it is too difficult to take her and the baby in to go the to bathroom. It worked out nice having it but she really just wanted to sit up front and see all the buttons and mess with everything! She is her father's child! I am not sure how long she will be in diapers at naptime and at night but the last two days she has been dry after her nap so maybe that diaper will be dropped sooner than later. I am so excited to not have to spend money on two sets of diapers! I can not even express how proud I am of Sydney. She doesn't even have to be reminded to go to the potty, most of the time she just goes in on her own! What a big girl I have!

Congratulations Sydney on becoming a big girl! Now you can go to school (when Mommy's ready to send you!) I love you my baby girl!

Some pictures of my babies

This week I decided to skip my weekly post for each child and just post a handful of new pictures I took of the kids today and one of Sydney from the zoo.

Mason during his photo shoot! I love this little man so much!

Big blue eyes!

This picture is so cute to me! I love the way his face looks and his big old cheeks!

My big girl! Where has the time gone?

My babies together

One of my favorites!

Sydney on the train at the zoo

I am not sure how often I will be updating this blog. We have a lot of things coming up for us and it's getting harder and harder for me to take time out to do this. I will try to update as much as I can and keep everyone posted on the fun and exciting things that are happening in the Stephens household. Mason will be 6 mon in a few weeks and Sydney will be turning 3 at the end of next month. We are looking forward to her Barney party and Halloween! Then it's almost Thanksgiving and then Christmas is right around the corner. Where has this year gone? I feel like I just had Mason in March and now we are 6 months later and only a few months from Christmas and 2011! I want time to slow down!

Mason Monday

This post is a day late because I was a lazy bum yesterday!
My blue eyed boy in his sister's hat. I love how the hat makes eyes look even more blue!

Sydney Sunday

I love this picture of Sydney. She looks so innocent and sweet.

Melting crayons!

Today I decided to do a fun project with Syd. I remember doing this with my babysitter, Linda, when I was little. We used to spend the summer at her house and she always had such fun activities for us to do. I took all of Syd's broken yucky crayons, took all the paper off of them and melted them in the oven to make fun crazy crayons! Syd thought this was such a great idea and had so much fun helping me take all the paper off and putting the colors in the muffin tins! Just put the crayons into muffin tins in a 400 degree oven for 5-10 min (mine took about 7 min) and like magic your kids will have new crayons to play with! Watch the crayons though because they can melt fast and you don't want to burn them! Once the tray is cooled you can pop it into the freezer for a minute or so and then they come right out!

Here is our crayons before...

They were pretty tough to get out of the pan...not sure if there is a trick to it or not. I had to take a hammer to the bottom of my muffin pan! Haha, but they came out! Happy crayon melting!

Chicken Parmigiana Recipe

Here is my recipe for the week...I am still not sure how often I am going to be doing this post but I really wanted to share this recipe because it is so good! You dirty a ton of dishes and it is a little time consuming but it is so worth it! The chicken tastes amazing and the sauce is soo good! I cooked the chicken longer than 2-3 min on each side. That seemed a little on the short side for chicken. It was soo good! ENJOY!

Chicken Parmigiana Recipe - Food by Yahoo! Shine!:

Ingredients
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 14-1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash black pepper
1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (1 to 1-1/4 pounds)
1/3 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 beaten egg
2 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons olive oil or cooking oil
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ounce)
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
directions
For sauce, in a medium saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot butter until onion is tender. Carefully stir in the undrained tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in basil. Keep warm.
Meanwhile, with a meat mallet, pound each chicken breast half between two pieces of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness.
In a shallow dish stir together bread crumbs, the 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, and oregano. In another bowl stir together the egg and milk. Dip chicken breast halves in egg mixture, then in crumb mixture to coat. In a 12-inch skillet cook chicken in hot oil over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Transfer chicken to a serving platter.
Spoon sauce over chicken. Top with shredded mozzarella and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Let stand about 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Makes 4 servings."

Five months old!

Well, my baby boy is five months old and I am a little depresssed about it. Why does time have to move so fast? It seems like just yesterday he was in my big ol' belly!

Mason is hitting some of his big milestones...rolling over both ways, he started cereal, grabbing things left and right and staying awake for longer periods of time.
-He has been rolling over for a month or so and if we don't watch him he gets all the way across the room!
-The cereal thing...well I am not so good at giving it to him everyday. I am only giving it to him once a day. I was really good about it for like a week and then I didn't give it to him for a week and now I am back in the groove. He usually gets it around dinner time. He really doesn't seem to like it as much as I first thought he did. I think I might try oatmeal because I am thinking the taste might be a little bit better. I am going to try and wait until he is six months to start any first foods.
-I noticed about a month ago that Mason had good control of his hands and grabbing things that were put in front of him. He stares at them really hard and puts his hands up slowly and grabs that toy! He is also partial to hair and necklaces and clothing!
-Now, as far as napping goes, he has never been a good napper. I attribute that to his loud sister running around this house because when she has been gone he sleeps great! He takes little cat naps throughout the day with only one really good nap during Sydney's naptime. And sometimes that one isn't even that long. But he is usually asleep for the night at 9 at the latest and he sleeps till about 7 so I can't complain in that department. He really is a good baby and many many people tell me how easy going he is. He has really fit in quite nicely in this loud always on the go family!
-He usually nurses at 7, 10, 1, 4, 6:30 and then sometimes again at 8:30 or so. Those afternoon ones are always subject to change and sometimes he does that 6:30 one later so then he doesn't eat again until the morning.
-I have noticed that he is enjoying playing more especially in his jumperoo and on his play mat.
-His new trick is blowing raspberries! He is a slobbery mess! But so cute so you can't be mad at him!

Happy 5 month birthday baby boy! We love our little chunky monkey, scooter booter, Mason Tason! We like to rhyme in this house!

Mason Monday

My serious beautiful blue eyed boy! I just love love LOVE his blue eyes! He looks like he is so thrilled to be getting his picture taken! Happy Monday!

Sydney Sunday

This picture was takin a couple of months ago but I think it really sums up her personality quite well! Always cheesin!

Sydney Sunday

I didn't have time yesterday to post my Sydney Sunday picture...so here it is a day late!


This is Sydney at my garage sale with a tissue box cover on her head! So silly!

It's Mason Monday

Mason and his sister's Barney...the cycle is already repeating itself!

Lots of updates

So, I am so not good at keeping this blog updated! So this will be a hodge podge of various events that have happened since we went on vacation.

Well, to start with Mason is now four months old! Almost five now! I can't believe how quickly the time is going! He is rolling over from back to belly very well but for some reason has some trouble with belly to back. He can do it, it's just harder for him to do it that way. He had his four month check and weighed in at 17 lbs 2 oz and was 25 1/2 inches long. Which is 60th percentile and 80th percentile respectively. He just started cereal this week. He loves it! Everytime he sees that spoon he opens his mouth big and wide. Even from the first day! He is such a happy smiley baby. When I go in to get him in the morning he greets me with a huge smile! I just love that! It makes getting up at 7 o'clock much more pleasureable! He just adores his big sister! He just stares at her and smiles and laughs at her all day long. She can do no wrong in his eyes! I can't wait till they can actually play together and interact.

Sydney's third birthday is fast approaching and I can not believe that my baby girl will be 3. Three seems so old to me. We have been talking about sending her to Three year old preschool but most of them want her fully potty trained and she is just not there yet. We are really struggling with that. She just doesn't seem to care to potty train or want to pee in the potty. She will do it if you make her but she doesn't usually initiate it. We are working on it though! I told her no more diapers once she turns 3! She said ok, but we will see! Syd is so smart and funny! I can't believe some of the funny things that she says sometimes. She is also smarter than I give her credit for. She knows a lot more than I knew...I knew Barney and Dora were good for something! She is so accident prone. She got her fingers stuck in an elevator door (thank God she was ok), stung by two bees and stuck something up her nose (that wasn't an accident but you know what I mean) all in the past two weeks! Crazy girl!

My cousin Mike recently stayed the week with us and it was so much fun to have him. He was such a help with Sydney and keeping her entertained. Mike is 11 so I was worried he would be bored but I don't think he ever really was. We took him to the zoo and the park to play soccer. My sister in law Jessie took Mike and Keith to MSU (where she is a grad student in Athletic Training) and they got to see all the facilities and locker rooms. Mike got to try on a helmet and drink Gatorade that they have on tap in their practice locker room! I hope he had a great time with us because we had a great time having him!

We recently got Mason baptized into our church in Jackson, MI. We had so many family and friends come to celebrate in our special day. It really means a lot to us that people will travel to share in those special times with us. We all went out to Olive Garden after that baptism and then back to our house for socializing and fun! It was so great to see everyone!

We recently visited the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum and loved it! We didn't make it through the whole thing because of the whole hand in the elevator incident. But what we did see we loved! Syd was running around like a kid in a candy store checking it all out. They have special area just for kids under 4! It was so much fun and I can't wait to go back so we can see it all.

I am also thinking about starting some new regular posts on my blog so I can keep my interest in it going. I am thinking about posting a new picture of each child once a week. Sydney Sunday and Mason Monday. So, look out for those! One of my other fellow bloggers Kristen thought it would be a good idea to start a weekly (or maybe biweekly or monthly) recipe post. I think this is a great idea. We can start a What's for dinner tonight post and share all of our recipes with eachother. So, in honor of this I am posting a recipe I found online for some very yummy Lemon Garlic Tilapia. I have made it once already and am planning on making it again very soon!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2325881_cook-tilapia-easy-recipes.html
Also on that link are 3 other recipies for quick and easy tilapia. Let me know if you try any of them! I would love to have a review before I take the leap!

Vacation

We recently went on a mini vacation to Frankenmuth with my parents and my sister. We stayed at Zehnder's Splash Village and had a great time! We arrived on Thursday at about 1 and met up with my mom and dad and had lunch at The Bavarian Inn. We then went to check into our room which was very nice. The hotel was very clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. After we were all settled in our room we decided to walk over to Bronner's and check out all the christmas stuff. We got Mason's personalized stocking like we got Sydney last year and a little prayer plaque for Sydney's room. Syd was pretty good at the store for not having a nap and Mason slept through most of it! After that we decided to end the day at the water park in our hotel. It was small but plently big for Sydney. We ate dinner down there and had a great time watching Syd. She is so adventurous when it comes to water. The lazy river they had was low enough that she could walk in the water so she wanted to do that instead of riding on a tube or someone carrying her. She is pretty fearless. Keith said she kept trying to run into the deep end!

Friday we decided to spend most of the day shopping and seeing the sights downtown. We decided to take an hour long boat ride and it was so much fun. Sydney loved it and they had snacks you could buy on board so we got her some popcorn. They also told us we could feed the popcorn to the ducks which she loved. Everytime we got near a group of ducks they would make a bee line for the boat! Mason did well on the boat too. He woke up about half way through and got a little fussy but I had a bottle ready for him. I was able to pump enough so that we always had a bottle when we were out of the hotel room. I brough two frozen ones with me and the rest I pumped there! After the boat we shopped for a bit at River Place and then headed to Zehnder's for lunch. The food was very good but by this time poor Syd was exhausted and was acting out a little. After we ate we headed back to the hotel for naps while my parents and Julie shopped some more. After naps Keith took Syd back down to the water park and Mason and I (and my parents/Julie) headed back out for a little more shopping with the plan that I would go back and pick up Keith and Syd for dinner. Well, they decided to walk from the hotel! We all went to dinner and found out that the fireworks were that night. We went back to our hotel and sat in the back of our vehicles and watched the show. We had a great view and didn't have to deal with all the traffic and people. Sydney loved them and kept saying Oooooh and aaaaah and oh I like that one Mommy! After that it was up to bed. Another great day!

Saturday brought our check out and the end of our stay in Frankenmuth. We headed to Birch Run, which is about 5 miles away and went to the outlets. But first, we had to go to Tony's so Keith could get his massive BLT with one pound of bacon on it! All their portions are huge. My omelet and hashbrowns came on a seperate plate and it came with 3 pieces of toast! After we were all stuffed the shopping commenced. We didn't make it all the way around but we hit the stores we wanted to. I bought the kids quite a bit of clothes and new jammies. Keith and I got a few items of clothing and I stocked up on my Bath and Body Works. After that we headed home. It was a great vacation and we had an awesome time. My mom, dad and Julie were huge helps with Sydney!

Then on Sunday we decided to get Syd's pool out again and grill out some burgers for dinner. Everytime we do something on a holiday I always think about making our own traditions so I made the decision to go to Mason last night and watch their fireworks. We parked at Meijer (with about 300 other people) and sat out on their grassy area our front to watch them. They put on a great show and Sydney did pretty good until the end. She was just so excited that she wouldn't stay on our blanket and that was scaring me. We were near the parking lot and I was nervous she would get hurt so we had to leave early because she wasn't listening. But we basically saw the whole thing. I am glad we didn't even attempt to head to the fairgrounds where they were really shooting them off. I am sure it was packed. All in all, we had a great weekend! So much fun with my little family! Oh and the bonus was that Sydney did a great job peeing on the potty while we were on vacation! We will see how this goes from here on out!

It's been long time!

Well, I haven't updated this blog in a month! Mason will be three months old tomorrow! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I have been holding off on moving him into his own room and I suppose it is about time. He is such a big boy now! He eats about every 2-3 hours during the day still and he usually has his last feeding between 7 and 8 and then he usually sleeps through the night or gets up around 4 or so to eat and then right back to sleep. He is not a good napper during the day. He will only sleep in his swing now and even in that he will only sleep about 40 min or so. He has become more fussy lately and I am not sure why that is. Probably from the lack of naps! He just adores his big sister! He follows her around the room with his eyes and just lights up when she is near. She loves talking to him, kissing him and hugging him. She always says, "Aww, he is so cute!" and "Mommy, I Love baby Mason!" Poor Mason will forever be called Baby Mason! I just love watching the two of them together. I love it even more when Keith joins them and I get to watch the three of them together! When things get stressful and hectic I just think about how lucky I am to have the three of them and then it is a little easier for me to relax

Sydney just amazes me more and more everyday. She says things and uses words that I have no idea how she knows them. She is putting long sentences together and her memory is incredible! She remembers everything! She loves singing and dancing and she loves dressing up like a princess and pretending to go to the ball! Her pretend play really blows my mind. She is so imaginative and plays so well by herself. She has always been independent like that and from the beginning I wanted to make sure that she was able to entertain herself and not need constant stimulation from other people. She reads for hours in her room. The kid has more books than toys! Which is great but I am running out of places to put them! She is such a water baby and would be in the pool all day if you let her! She likes to take showers now, which I find so grown up. The only thing that she is slow on is the potty training thing. I have no idea how to get her to want to do it. She knows how but she doesn't want to. My mom called her and asked her if she was using the potty and Sydney said, "No, but I should!" She knows what she is supposed to do but doesn't want to. I have bribed her, used gifts, stickers, taken things away and nothing works! I guess she will do it when she wants to but man I would love to save some money on diapers! Buying two sets is terrible!

2 months!

Well folks, we made it to two months old! Mason is sleeping really well through the night and usually does one long stretch from about 9 till about 4. Last night he slept from 9 till 7! Hopefully this starts a trend and we will be able to get him in his own bed in his own room very soon! At his 2 mon well check he was 13 lbs 11 oz and 22 3/4 inches long! He is growing like a weed and the doctor said he is perfect. His skin is very sensitive and he has a yucky rash right now. She recommended some Aveeno lotion but it seems to not help and is actually making it worse. The first time I put it on him he cried really hard like it was burning him. So, for now he is not getting anything and we changed our laundry detergent for him. If that doesn't work his doctor told me to give up dairy! That makes me sad because I love cheese and milk and ice cream but I will do it for my sweet baby boy! He is currently wearing mostly 3 month clothes and some 3-6 mon. Here are some of his current likes and dislikes....

Likes
-His swing
-His bouncy seat and he likes to be bounced really fast!
-EATING! All the time!
-Taking showers with Mommy
-He loves to be bounced around! He doesn't sleep if you are holding him...which makes me sad because I want to cuddle with him but he just won't have it!

Dislikes
-Taking a bath
-Getting in his car seat
-Being in his car seat when the car is not moving

He really doesn't have too many dislikes at this point which I am grateful for! He is now smiling and cooing and laughing which I love! He is starting to get his little personality and I just love it! Sydney loves when he smiles at her! I am just loving this time with the both of them!

Six weeks

I can't believe it has been six weeks since I had Mason. It has gone so fast I can't even fathom it! Mason is doing well. He eats every 2-3 hours during the day and then anywhere from 3-5 hours at night. He finally got over his cold after about three weeks. He ended up needing to stay on the reflux meds because he gets very fussy and spits up more if we don't give it to him. He has started to really smile and starting to talk a little. I love those first little baby sounds. I swear the other day he laughed at me...even though I know he probably really didn't. Mason is such an adaptable baby. He comes right along with us and is usually quiet and good wherever we have to go. He has already been to the zoo and to Ohio many times. He does well on the rides home, usually sleeping the whole 2-2 1/2 hours.

Sydney is doing well and has really adjusted to having a little brother. She really can't get enough of him and loves holding him. I feel bad for Mason sometimes because Sydney is constantly touching him or poking him or getting in his face. Poor kid has a hard time sleeping during the day because his sister is so loud and always bugging him. I can't believe how much she has grown up these last few weeks. The stuff she says just cracks us up. The other day our landlord was out mowing our lawn and he and his riding lawn mower fell in the creek behind our house. Keith took Sydney to the window to look at him and she said, "That's a big problem!" Then later when I asked her if she saw him mowing the lawn she said, "No Mommy, he was mowing the river!" I just love her! She is too funny!

I think that I am finally adjusting to having two children. Everyone always worries about the other kids in the house and as a Mom you forget to get yourself used to the idea of another child. It was much harder than I expected it to be and I think I was very overwelmed with all that I was expected to do. I think this week I am finally starting to feel like I can handle this. I love them both so much but man they are work!

Happy One Month Baby Boy

This post makes me so sad to write. My baby boy is one month old today. Where did the time go? I want to cherish every minute and moment of this time because more than likely this is it for me and babies. That also makes me sad but is a whole other topic! I feel like you want to cherish every moment when they are this little but you can't because you are so freakin tired! Especially if you already have a child or children. But this post is about Mason...here are his likes and dislikes as of now.

Likes
-Eating all the time!
-Sleeping
-Being cuddled really close
-Being held
-The after bath time when he is all relaxed
-The bouncy Mommy walk! (all you Mommy's out there know what this is!)

Dislikes
-Sleeping flat
-Being swaddled
-Not being held
-Getting his diaper changed or taking a bath

He is currently wearing 0-3 mon clothes but also fits quite nicely into 3 mon clothing! He is a big boy and never got into anything newborn. He currently has blue eyes just like his mommy! He also poops more than any kid I know. We were at the Dr.'s office last week for an hour and he pooped three times and was poopy when we got home! He is usually fussy during Sydney's naptime and then quiets down when Sydney wakes up! He is sleeping about 3-4 hours at a time at night! He then eats and then goes right back to sleep (most of the time!). He is just such a joy and I love watching Sydney interact with him. She just loves him to death. She never leaves the poor kid alone! I just love being the parent to my little man and my big girl!

A Challenging Week

What a challenging week we have had. This was my first week alone with the kids as Keith went back to work. Tuesday we made a trip to the doctor because both kids were congested. We didn't get to see our regular doctor we had to see a nurse practioner. She told us that Sydney had allergies and that Mason had reflux. They both had the same symptoms for the most part...congested and bad coughs. Fast forward to Saturday...we are in Ohio for our weekend home and Mason is just getting worse. We decided to call the nurse line through our ped office and they told us that baby's his age shouldn't cough and to take him to a Pediatric ER. We got there and they took a chest x-ray and were told he had a viral cough and to follow up with our doctor on Monday. Our doctor told us he just had a very bad cold and that we can discontinue the Zantac for reflux. That kind of upset me that he has been having all this medicine for no reason. She also said that Sydney probably doesn't have allergies and we could stop giving her the Zyrtec. That also upset me. I hate them being on medicine when they don't have to be. Hopefully they are both healthy by the weekend. That is what the doctor told us.

So needless to say it was a long week with the two sick kids. Sydney did pretty well this week but she is definatly acting more like a two year old and acting out for more attention. She doesn't take it out on Mason, she loves him to death, but she just does things she knows she isn't supposed to do. I was trying to let her do fun things, like I let her paint on Wednesday. She was in my eye sight but I was feeding Mason and then things got really quiet. I went over to check on her and my whole wall was red and she looked as though she had murdered someone! Thank goodness it was Crayola paint and it all wiped right off but I was so mad. I held it together well though and didn't yell at her and freak out. Hopefully this week will go a little better and hopefully they both get better quickly!

My Big Girl

My big girl

I am this big mommy!

My two babies on Easter

I feel as though I have been leaving my amazing little girl out of all these posts. Sydney has adjusted to her little brother so well. I am so proud of her! She wants to hold him all the time and is always checking up on him and letting us know if he is ok. I feel so bad that she has been a little neglected by me these past two weeks but her daddy has taken care of spoiling her. They have been to the park a ton of times and we all went to Chuck E Cheese and the zoo. She has been acting out a little to get attention but I am not sure if that is due to her brother or just the fact that she is 2 1/2. She seems to be the smartest little girl, in my eyes at least! She loves to sing and dance. Her favorite songs to sing are Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle, Ring Around the Rosie and her ABC's. She loves to dance to the Chuck Theme song...we usually have to rewind the DVR atleast 3 times! She loves to do anything artistic...coloring, painting, chalk, playdoh. She is also my little water bug. She would just swim on her own if you would let her. She hates to be held in the water but loves to be in it! Her new favorite movies are Cinderella and Snow White. We have watched both numerous times through these two weeks. The only thing I am concerned about with her is that she has no interest in potty training whatsoever. She is getting a little old I think and I really want to get on her about it but if I push her I fear she will not want to do it even more. She had a lot of interest last summer and was doing really well but then I got pregnant and was so sick for about 5 months and just didn't have the energy to do it with her. I regret that now but at the time I didn't know I would totally regress her.

I just can't believe how fast the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday it was Sydney that was this little. I know everyone tells you how fast it goes but you don't really know until you have your own. Looking back to when Sydney was a baby I remember wishing the time away. What I mean by that is I would say I just wish she would sleep through the night, or I just wish she was talking or walking already. Now I know not to wish any of this precious time away. I want them to stay little forever. I am so not ready for my kids to grow up. I just want to freeze time and hold on to them forever!

Our first few days

Mason has been a complete joy so far. He sleeps really well through the night...about 3-4 hours at a time. He wakes up and eats and pretty much goes right back to sleep. He likes to poop in his sleep though and then you have to wake him up and change him which I hate but I would hate leaving him poopy more. Sydney just loves her Baby Mason and talks to him all the time. Today she asked to leave the park so she could come home and see mommy and Mason. This is the child that you have to drag out of there on any normal day. She asks to hold him all the time too. It has really been a relaxing first real day home with both of them. Here's hoping it stays this way!

A few things I left out

My mom informed me that I did not do my water breaking story enough justice! It was really funny. I will start from the beginning again. The Dr came in and broke my bag in three places because nothing was coming out. The nurse said it was probably because the baby's head was pressed up tight against the cervix and when he moved it would all come out. A little while later while I was still in bed it did start to gush out. I layed there for a while longer thinking it had all come out. I got up to go to the rest room and boy was I wrong! There was a huge gush and I just flooded the floor. Keith went right into Nuc Med mode and started to treat me like a patient which in turn cracked me and my mom right up. He gets his gloves on and is giving me directions on what to do. Meanwhile, my mom is laughing so hard she is choking on her apple fritter and Keith is yelling at her to just sit down so she didn't asperate the fritter which makes us laugh even more. Then as Keith is cleaning it all up he is worried about the socks that I have on, which didn't get wet, telling me that since those are from home I better throw them away! It was hilarious!

Also, when I was doing my laps around the floor, slowly I might add as I was contracting, there was another patient also doing her laps. Only she was freaking running! I think she thought it was a race. She lapped me three times before I could get to the end of the hallway! Everytime she would go past me when I was having a contraction she would look at me like what the heck is her problem. This was her first baby come to find out and she was not having any contractions yet, she was also an induction. I thought, oh honey, just wait! I swore I was gonna trip her. She was going so fast that her husband needed to sit down and rest and she went on by herself in her fake uggs! We dubbed her "Mallwalker"! She later became known on the whole floor by this nickname. When my labor stalled she was still walking and I said I swear if she has her baby first I am going to freak out! By the time I had Mason, she was still walking! Much slower now though! She didn't make it down to the Mother Baby wing until the next morning and she ended up right next door!

These two funny events really made us laugh throughout the day and kept my spirits up!

Mason's Birth Story

Mason Thomas Stephens is finally here! He made his debute on March 29, 2010 at 7:29 p.m. and was 9 lbs 1 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. My big man! We got to the hospital at about 7 and my IV and pitocin were started by about 8:30. I started to feel contractions pretty soon after it was started so once I got to the right amount being infused I was able to go and walk. (On a side note...when the DR broke my water it didn't break really because the baby's head was pressed down so it couldn't get out. So when I stood up to go and walk I flooded the floor and Keith said gross I have to get some gloves! It was so funny! I was just standing there laughing!) Once I started walking I was really feeling the contractions. They were coming every couple of minutes. I got back to the room and they checked me and told me I was able to get my epidural! YAY! I was a little nervous to get it this time because I wasn't out of it like I was with Sydney. It really wasn't bad at all and once I got it I was so much happier. At about noon I was around 4 cent and the nurse said I should be able to have this baby by 3! I was so excited. I had her check me about 2 and I was almost 7-8 cent. Then all of the sudden the baby moved his head a little bit and it was all down hill from there. I went from 7-8 back down to 6 and I got really swollen. They had me flipping and flopping on my sides trying to get my cervix thinned out and get the baby to reposition. The Dr then said, we are going to cut your epidural in half and up your pitocin so we can get things moving. I thought I was going to kill him! Things were then starting to get really painful. I begged for them to turn it back up but no go! There was just this little piece of cervix that was keeping him from coming down and it would just not go away. And let me say, women that don't have an epidural you are rock stars because I don't know how I did it. I was laying on my right side when all the sudden I felt a pop and I said I think the cervix is gone let's get this baby out. I was right and they called the Dr down. My gosh the pushing process was the more painful thing I have ever been through. I pushed for less than 15 min and then my big man entered the world! I have a 2nd degree tear and have stitches. The pain and all that I went through was so worth it to have Mason here.

When Mason was born he had a pretty high fever so they had to run some tests and do a blood culture. Everything has come back normal so far. His bilirubin was a little high but nothing that is going to keep us from all getting to go home together! He will also have to go and see a Ped Urologist because his forskin is too short and there might be a small abnormality to his internal anatomy. So they were unable to circumsize him here. They will have to do it there. The night we got moved to our Mom and baby room I started to have chest pain. The nurse kind of blew me off so when my Dr came in the next morning I told him about it. He immediatly said he would call the cardiologist and get him to come and talk to me. That made me so relieved to know he was so on top of my care. I had to have an ECHO and a CAT scan. Both came back normal and so did my blood work. The cardio just thinks that it is from the stress of pregnancy and labor and should go away soon.

With all of this happening we had some uncertainty about when Mason and I would be able to get discharged so we sent Sydney home to Ohio with her grandparents. Both sets will get some time with her and my parents were already planning on coming up on Friday to stay the night so they will bring her back up then. Also, Keith's cousin offered to take our dog. What a relief to have such great family memebers who are so willing to help us out!

Great news though, Mason and I are both getting discharged today by about 2 or 3! I am so excited to get him home. We have to follow up with his ped dr tomorrow morning but other than that we are pretty much getting a clean bill of health!

Finally Baby Day!

Well folks...today is finally baby day and I couldn't be more excited. A little nervous about the pain...I am starting to remember how unpleasant this whole process is but I know I am going to meet my son today so it will all be worth it! I am having so many feelings about today. Excitement, nervousness, anxiousness, happiness and on and on. I worry about how Sydney will adjust and if she will love her brother and accept his as a member of this family. I know she is a good girl and I think she will adjust quickly.

Yesterday was a little bittersweet for me knowing it was my last day with her as just a mommy of one. I got a little teary eyed at one point thinking this is the last time it's just me and my baby girl! She has been acting up a little lately and I wonder if it's because she knows there is big change coming or if she is just being 2. I don't even know if this all makes sense but if you are a mommy and if you have had more than one child I think you probably know how I feel.

Well, I am heading into the hospital at 7 for the induction to start and my mom and dad are going to come and be with us. My dad will stay for just a little bit then he gets to come and spend the day with Sydney. I think that they will have a lot of fun just the two of them. No one gets a lot of one on one time with her except Keith and I so I am sure that he is excited! I set out all her clothes for the two days we are gone and she has a big sister shirt for both days! I made her one and then found one at Meijer for $2. I am so excited for her to come and visit us at the hospital later today! Then tonight Keith's parents are coming into town and they will be staying with Sydney at the house overnight. Not too sure what we are going to do about Tuesday night yet...we don't really have anyone lined up to stay here with her so Keith might have to come home and stay and leave me alone at the hospital. Not too excited about that but maybe we can work something out.

More to come and loads of pictures too!

39 Weeks and still Pregnant

I am now 39 weeks and still very much pregnant. I went to the doctor yesterday and he checked me...nothing going on. Mason is head down but not dropped and I am not dilated or effaced. A little frustrating for me but he also said that it doesn't mean much because this is my second baby and things can go fast. So that gave me a little hope! We went to Meijer last night so Keith could do the cans. He said he could go by himself but I said no, I wanted to go and walk around to see if I could get something started. No such luck! Just made myself sore and uncomfortable! I am hoping that the next time I add a new post to this blog it will be news of our little man's arrival!

Oh, and yes, Mason Thomas is the baby's name. We were going to keep it a secret but when I named this blog JKSM Stephens Family I never really thought anyone would figure out his name. Well, I have two very smart relatives so we were outed! That is ok though! We told our parents and anyone else that asks we tell them too.

Getting Started

Well Folks, I have taken the plunge and decided to start a blog. I thought this might be an easy and fun way to keep my family informed of the goings on with The Stephens Family.

Right now I am still pregnant. I was really hoping that I would have had this baby by now. I will be 39 weeks on Tuesday. I go to see my OB on Monday and he will check me. There better be something happening by then! I am so ready to hold this little guy. I really have been trying to get him to come out and he is just like his sister, stubborn! Sydney keeps yelling at my belly saying, "You're big, come out!" She is really funny with my belly. The other day she said she would share her M&M's with her brother and tried to stick it through my belly button! Too funny. I think that she is excited about this whole little brother thing but we will see how it really goes once he comes out.

Sydney is changing and growing so much everyday. I am amazed how much she knows. She can count to 10 in both English and Spanish and she is learning her colors. She knows most of the alphabet. Now, she won't do any of this stuff if she doesn't want to. She is just one of those kids. If she doesn't want to do something, she won't. She is such a joy to have as a daughter but man is she tiring. She just goes and goes. Oh to have her energy!

Keith and I are pretty much the same. Keith is still working at Allegiance Health as a Nuclear Medicine Tech and really does like his job. I am so lucky to have a husband who works so hard so that I can stay at home and raise our babies. We are currently living in Leslie, MI and I really like it her. Very much like Oak Harbor except that no body knows us or our business, yet! The town is very family oriented and I really like that. Not sure how long we will be living here, at least another year, but after that who knows.

I guess that was pretty good for a first blog post. Not really sure how to end these things. I feel like I can't just stop so I guess...Over and out!