Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Mason Month 3: {January 1st - January 31st} + {Photos}

Mason turned 3 months old on February 1st! Matt and I cannot believe that we have a 3 month old! Seriously, whoa!! This has been a big month for our little guy, MMM!
(all photos were taken while in Alabama and the hats are ones Matt's Mom has made to sell; we just used them as props!) 

I decided to do my monthly updates a little differently after seeing how Ruthie Hart did her most recent update for her little guy, Ford. I will use some of her model and kind of make it my own, I think!

Weight: We weighed Mason while we were at Matt's parents' house on January 28th and he weighed 14 pounds and 10 ounces!


Height: We don't know this yet because number 1: we didn't measure and number 2: he doesn't go back to the doctor until March so we don't have that info from them.


Nicknames: Chunka Munka (I mean, have you seen his cheeks?!?),  Moogity Moogity Moo, Boogity Boogity Boo (I Have no idea!), Mason Man, Boo Boo, Moo Moo, Little Stinker, M-cubed


Eating: Mason started off the month eating 5 ounces each feeding 7 times a day; Around the 10th, he started eating 6 ounces 6 times a day (7a, 10a, 1p, 4p, 7p and 10p). By the 16th, he was refusing his 10p bottle so we stopped it and started feeding him 7-8 ounces (7a, 10a, 1p, 4p and 7p). I am pumping and giving Mason the milk I pump. I'm only pumping about 1/2 of what he needs so we are supplementing with Enfamil Infant or Enfamil Gentlease. We use Dr. Brown's bottles but Mason doesn't like those nipples so I use the Medela Nipples still.


Sleeping (naps & night): For night time sleeping, about mid-month, Mason was refusing his 10p bottle so we cut that feeding and he started sleeping 7:30p-7a. Some nights this varies a little bit (example: 8p-6:30 or 7:30-6:45) but for the most part this is his night time routine.

For naps, Mason has been such a good napper but we were out of town for 8 days in which he was held a lot of his naps or in the car for several naps so toward the end of the month, naps weren't as good but he is slowly getting back to it. After each bottle, he is up 1:15 to 1:30 and then naps the remaining time until his next bottle. It's worked very well!

This guy loves a schedule! I am so grateful for that. We utilized the book "On Becoming Baby Wise" from the very beginning and it coupled with some excellent advice from my great friend, Mandy, we were able to established an eating time, wake time, and sleep time schedule very well. It's great for all of us because it allows us to plan a day and still make sure Mason gets what he needs.


Diapers: Mason is mostly in cloth diapers (we use Sunbaby and Jungle Roo mostly). However, when we were on our trip for 8 days, we used disposable for ease and the inability to wash/hang/dry etc. He is in size 2.



Clothes: Mason is wearing some 0-3 months, 3 months and some 3-6 month clothes. It's so crazy how every brand is completely different. I have trouble keeping up!!


Social: Mason started off the month smiling more and more. Although Matt and I laugh because sometimes he is a bit stingy with those little smiles. He laughed once this month and it was obviously a laugh but we haven't heard it again! His first laugh was on 1/20/14. On January 4th, he smiled when Dad came in from work. He saw Matt's face and went from fussing to immediately smiling. It melted Matt's heart! Mason spent his first time in the nursery during my first MOPS group. The ladies said he did great!


New things for this month: We got one laugh! Mason is grabbing for objects more and more. He is also really grabbing onto our fingers or hands when we are feeding him or playing with him. It's super sweet! Mason took his first road trip which was extended by SNOW/ICE! He saw Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana for the first time! He was such a trooper on the trip. It was such a blessing!


Likes:Mason LOVES his bouncer. He seems to realize now that it's not for sleeping but to enjoy and to play. (Thanks Manan for such an awesome gift!) Mason also likes music. This month we started listening to Pandora some during one of his wake-times and we have listened to Disney, Hillsong Kids and of course, a little old school hip-hop. :) He also loves his playmat and for most of the time, he likes his tummy time. He's still a BIG HUGE fan of bathtime!


Dislikes:  Getting out of the bathtub; honestly, I'm sure there are a few more things he doesn't like but I can't think of any! :)


Daddy: Matt and Mason are having more and more fun with each passing day. Matt loves to sit on the couch holding Mason and just chatting or watching a little television. They read together and Matt is awesome with Mason during bath time. Mason pretty much wants nothing to do with me when it comes to baths. It's all about his Daddy! :) I know it won't be long until they are wrestling and rough housing! Can't wait!



Momma: Mason and I have been enjoying our days together. One thing is for sure, even though we have a routine, there is never a dull moment! :) Our favorite things to do together are listen to music, read and play together. Mason is becoming more and more interactive and he loves to smile for his Momma!


Fun things: This month, we took a road trip to Alabama and Louisiana. Mason got to see all of his grandparents and we got to visit with lots of friends too. Our friend, Brittany, hosted a Sip & See shower for us. It was fun even though many people weren't able to come because of sickness or prior commitments. We had such a fun time nonetheless.



Comparison Pictures:

Newborn: 

One month: 

Two Months: 

Three Months: 


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Mason: Week 13 {Photos}

Day 85: Sleeping in the car seat; AL, MS, LA :)

Day 86: We got to eat Raising Cane's chicken with GiGi and PawPaw :)


Day 87: Tummy Time at PawPaw and MiMi's 

Day 88: A little car seat free time while on our road trip; just before the big blowout which resulted in his outfit getting thrown away! (I wouldn't have tossed it if I could have washed it immediately but we were 8+hours away from being able to do that so I had to :( ) 

Day 88: MiMi and Mason

Day 89: Wearing Daddy's old hoodie! 

Day 90: Snuggles with Momma on a snow/ice day

Day 91: Happy guy who was ready to be home! 



Monday, February 3, 2014

Mason: Week 12 {Photos}

Day 78: Tummy Time with Toys

Day 79: Chunka Munka in full effect!! 

Day 80: He looks so big yet so little at the same time! 

 Day 81: After bathtime; don't let the face fool you, he loved it! 

Day 82: First time in the Nursery (MOPS)

Day 83:Comfy? 

Day 84: A little break from the carseat during the road trip! 


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Cardstore {Valentine's Day Card Review}

I was recently contacted by Ivy with Cardstore about partnering with them once again. I loved the card I made and received the last time we partnered together so I was definitely on board this time.

This time, Cardstore wanted me to try out some of their School Valentine's Day Cards. Now, I know that Mason is only 3 months old but we do participate in several activities where he would be able to give some of his new friends some Valentine's Cards (Mom's Bible Study, MOPS and church nursery)  so I thought it was a great idea.

You can see here that Cardstore has some great options for cards. Their options can be could for several ages as well as for both genders.

Here are a few of my favorites:



We ended up choosing this card: 

I added Mason's pictures to the card to personalize them. I think they turned out perfectly!! 

Each card has four separate Valentine's on them. They are easy to cut and they come of a great quality card stock. 

Here is each individual card:




And the back:


Hurry and order yours now. There is still time to get them before Valentine's Day. I ordered these on Wednesday night and they arrived in our mail today. Please let me know if you have any questions!!!

Check any special codes they may have on their website to get an extra deal! 


Cardstore was gracious to give me these cards in exchange for this review.  All written opinions are completely my own, as always.