Week 16 Update

COOPER:

Cooper continues to give us lots of smiles and laughs, especially in the morning (which makes getting up so early easier). He has become very aware of how his hands work. He has no problems getting them in his mouth and has begun to grab for toys. He is working hard on trying to roll from his back to stomach and is so close.

Likes: Hands (in his mouth preferably), being outside, toy paper (yes, they make toy paper for babies - its tag said "because babies love paper," they are so right), pacifier and Mason.

Dislikes: Waiting for his bottle to be warmed up, his carseat and being tired.

MASON:

Mason continues to be a sports and Wii fanatic. He is anxiously awaiting his birthday. We used to tell him that his birthday was next until one day we were headed to Red Wing for a shower for Rachel and I told Mason that I was going to a party for Rachel. Mason got upset because "but my birthday is next." Now we tell him that his birthday is after Rachel and Chad's wedding.

Likes: Milk (Mason is giving me this list), waffles, sports (see Mason perfecting his golf swing above), being outside, Wii Tennis, Wii Sports, books

Dislikes: Boxing (again from Mason and note, he is still not allowed to play Wii Boxing), going to bed and eating most foods.

Cooper's Three Month Pictures

Goodbye, Hello

My husband will be the first to tell you that I never make things easy. And this is just another one of those instances of making things difficult (on myself mostly). So a couple of weeks before returning to work, which is traumatic enough in itself, we decide to make a daycare/preschool switch.

For those of you who have ever talked daycare with us, you would know that we have had nothing but love for the Eagan North Kindercare (despite a few bumps in the road of course). We had been sending Mason there since he was 12 weeks old. So why change...

1. We knew that we would need to change the boys' daycare once Mason would start Kindergarten (which is Fall 2010 provided he is ready to go). We knew that we could not have one kid in Eagan and the other in Farmington. The more we thought about it, the more we realized that it made more sense to transition Mason now to a new place (since he would be there before and after Kindergarten) so that he doesn't have a new daycare and start Kindergarten all at once. And that way we wouldn't have to change Cooper's care either.

2. Have you seen this place? We fell in love the minute we walked in and their curriculum is phenomenal.

So on Friday, July 10, we said an emotional goodbye to friends and staff at the Eagan North Kinder Care. I hadn't intended to be the one that picked Mason up on his last day because I knew I would be an emotion wreck, but it turned out I was done with work early and had to be a grown up and say the goodbyes, tears and all. The tears didn't let up either once we got home I read the note below from Mason's teacher Ms. Jackie. I just hope that the teachers at Anna's Banana's love Mason as much.

On Wednesday, July 15, the boys said hello to Anna's Bananas Daycare and Preschool. Mason joined in the fun with the four year olds and Miss Rachel in the Coyote room. Cooper was welcomed into the Bunnies room with Ms. Anitra and four other babies.

I love that we got art on his first day!

Week 12 Update Addendum

I cannot believe that I forgot to include a very important Mason update...we can officially say that he is potty trained.  Yay!  As many of you are aware, this was a long, hard battle for us.  We smile everyone time he says "I have to go potty," it just doesn't get old.  He has been potty trained for over a solid month, but I have held off on making the declaration as not to jinx his success.  Congrats Mason:)

Happy 4th of July

         

We spent the day at the annual Wadley family 4th of July pool party at Grandma Geralyn and Grandpa Mike's.  It was a day filled with fun, family and food.  We even had a fireworks show by Erik and Joe, which prompted our favorite conversation of the day:

Mason:  "Grandpa, what is Joe doing?" (as Joe was lighting a bottle rocket)

Grandpa:  "Joe likes to live dangerously."

Mason:  "Where does Erik live?"

It is funny how his mind works:)

Week 12 Update

COOPER:

I will probably say this every month, but how is Cooper already 12 weeks old?  He has changed so much since he was born.  He is an active baby, well, as active as you can be at 12 weeks.  He has recently learned to "scoot" himself on the floor and in his crib.  It is amazing how far he can make it.  Within the last four weeks, he has begun to giggle, which may be one of the best sounds I have ever heard (that and Mason's laugh of course).  Another highlight is that he has begun to organize his nighttime sleep and now only wakes up once for a feeding, he even surprised me with sleeping through the night on June 30 (it only lasted the one night, but I will take it).

Likes:  Playing on the floor, sitting up, cooing, Mason, kisses, scooting

Dislikes:  Lying down in the crib for daytime naps, being in the car when it stops, being overtired (still).

MASON:

Mason, oh Mason, he is just so much fun.  I know that I am biased, but I think that he is just the coolest kid.  He is funny, sweet and a little trouble all mixed into one.  Over the last month, he has really become very interested in reading again and the best part is that he can now read many of the words in his books.  His favorite these days is the Froggy series by Jonathon London.

Likes:  Baseball, playing outside, swimming, reading, Mario Kart Wii, Mommy and Daddy time

Dislikes:  Quiet time, going to bed early, rainy days

Maternity Leave Comes to a Close

After a number of emotional weeks leading up to the end, I returned to work today.  I swear that this return is much harder than my return with Mason, probably since I had twice the enjoyment this time since I got to spend so much time with both boys.  

Who wouldn't be sad to leave these two?

I made it through the first day with some tears, a few of which Mason saw.  He later asked Corey "Why was Mom crying about work?"  It was nice of him to worry about me.