Happy First Birthday Mason!!!

It's hard believe that our 5lb 13oz baby boy is now a 20+lb toddler who is turning one. I know I say it every month but seriously, how has the time flown by this quickly. Is it possible to rewind or at least slow down the clock?! On your first birthday we sit and marvel at how far you have come. You continue to amaze us each and every day. Here are two letters for you, one from daddy and one from mommy. One day, you will be old enough to read these and when that day comes I know I will be smiling and thanking God that we wrote these to you.

Dear Mason,

The first year has come and gone, and we have survived.  There have been some sleepless nights (for both of us), many bottles, and countless renditions of “Puppies and Piggies”.  You have learned a lot in the first year, and I have learned a lot about you and about myself.  You have created some lasting memories for me, and because you are too young to recall them, here are some of my favorites that I will never forget:

-the skinny newborn baby with a head that fit perfectly in my palm and a body that was just the right length to lie in the crook of my elbow

-wearing our “shades” together when you had to stay under the bili lights for a day

-the first ride home from the hospital, when driving a maximum of 10 miles per hour, with you strapped into a car seat so tight that movement was not an option

-every holiday wearing a matching seasonal outfit that your Mom picked out for us

-flying across the room in your Superman cape

-reaching with all your might for your spoon and the last helping of rice cereal

-moving to a new house and decorating your new room just right

-the first time you stood on your own, and promptly fell back down

-pushing your toy lawnmower outside, slipping and getting a strawberry on your forehead

-greeting me at the door with a waddle and a saggy diaper

-and last but definitely not least, that infectious belly laugh that can make anyone smile.

It has been a pleasure to watch you grow and learn.  I couldn’t be prouder of my son, and I wish the best for you in the coming year.  It will be an adventure, but we are in it together.

Love,

Dad

Mase, 

You are one. I am having such a hard time wrapping my finger around the fact that you are no longer a baby and are a toddler now. Granted, you will always be my baby but you are growing up. Growing up right before my very eyes. No matter how much I want to stop the clock, I can't.  

The joy and love that you have brought into our lives in immeasurable. I always knew I wanted to be a mom but I never fully grasp just how much I could love a tiny human being until you came into our lives. From the moment I held you, you had me wrapped around your finger. If I could give you the world, I would. You have no idea how much I want to always protect you from the world. I know you have to grown and learn but when you hurt, I hurt. When you smile, I smile. When you laugh, I laugh. And oh Mase.. those hugs you give.. please NEVER stop giving them. 

A few things I want to always remember about this stage in your life:

 - Generally, you are a happy boy. If you are ever grumpy, we take you outside and immediately you perk up. You love the outdoors. 

- Perhaps one my favorite times of the day is right before you go down for a nap. You nuzzle your head into my neck and give me the biggest hug. I never want to let you go. 

- Deacon and O'Malley can always make you smile. They are the best big brothers ever. 

- Your smile is infectious. 

- You have 4 teeth (2 top, 2 bottom) with 2 more top ones breaking through. You are wearing size 3 diapers during the day and size 4 at night. It's time to move up to 4's during the day and as soon as we finish this last remaining 3's, you will be in 4's. You love water from a sippy and also love whole milk from a sippy. You are walking all the time now and practically running. You show no fear. 

Thank you Mason. Thank you for making me complete. Thank you for being such a fun, loving little boy. Thank you for making me a mom. 

I love you to the moon and back. 

Love, 

Mommy

And because his monthly post always include these two:

Happy Birthday Mason James! We Love You!

Minted Mommy Cards

I first learned about the chance to score FREE mommy cards from Nina's blog. Since that time, mine have arrived and I wanted to share them with you!

The cards are from Minted and they are extremely nice. They are well made and printed to thick paper. From the minted website:

Top 5 reasons we love mommy cards:

• A chic, mommy calling card makes you look organized, even when you're not.
• Eliminates the awkward silence when someone enters a number in their phone.
• They come in a cute and handy holder!
• Free lunches come with dropping your card.
• In a bind, use it to clean the crumbs out of the tiny crevices in your car.

I couldn't have said it better myself!!! 

I decided on the Apple for a Teacher design, even though I'm not a teacher, it allowed enough room for all the information I wanted to put on the card. Plus, my email address is a little on the long side and it fit on the card. I really love the design!

My phone number is blacked out for privacy reasons. 

The cards also come with a cute business card holder!

These are the perfect cards to give out at play dates, mommy groups, church, practically anywhere. 

You too can order FREE cards for yourself!! Choose from over 150 designs, Personalize any way you like and only pay shipping ($7.95). I can assure you, it's worth the money! Head over to Minted and order yours today!

McKinley's First Birthday Party

Last Sunday we headed back to our old stomping grounds aka our old neighborhood to attend Mason's buddy (girlfriend) McKinley's first birthday party.  The party was held at Miller Park and we feasted on yummy hamburgers and hot dogs. We had a wonderful time and Mason enjoyed seeing his girlfriend and meeting/playing with new friends. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking..

Birthday Girl making a stylish entrance to her party

The Birthday Girl

All the pretty decorations

First Birthday Party 

One of our favorite families

Mason giving McKinley a birthday kiss

Birthday Cake!!

Dig in girl!

Happy First Birthday McKinley! We love you and thank you for inviting us to your party. We had a blast!

Family Friday: Mason and his Girlfriend

Is this not the cutest picture? Mason giving his girlfriend, McKinley, a little birthday kiss. Katie and I already have an arranged marriage in the works for these two. :)

Recipe: Petite Turkey Meatloaves

Another great recipe coming to you via Skinnytaste. Can you tell I really dig this recipe blog? It's fantastic. 


This recipe was so easy to make and took no time at all. I promise you, you will love it! I forgot to take pictures of our loaves before we dug in but here is what they look like. 

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Petite Turkey Meatloaves 

• 1/2 small onion, minced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1.3 lb 99% lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup ketchup + 2 tbsp
• 2 tsp worcesterchire sauce
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp marjoram
• salt

Preheat the oven to 350°. Saute olive oil and onion on low until translucent.

In a medium bowl mix turkey, onion, oatmeal, egg, ketchup, salt and marjoram. Divideinto four equal loafs and place each loaf into a non stick mini loaf pan or shape into small loafs on an un-greased nonstick baking pan.

In a small cup mix remaining 2 tbsp ketchup with worcesterchire sauce and brush onto each loaf to give it a nice glaze.

Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes at 350°. After baking let it sit for 5 minutes serving.

Max's Baptism

Last weekend Mason and I traveled to Raleigh Friday morning for Max’s big baptism weekend, while Brian stayed back to watch Deacon and O’Malley. Colleen asked me to come up a day early to help decorate and set up for the party that would follow the baptism. We spent Friday hanging out and later we went to Colleen’s moms house (Jill) to ice cupcakes and enjoy a delicious and healthy dinner that she had prepared. By this time, Jennifer and Reagan had arrived and the kids enjoyed playing outside while dinner was cooking.

Friday night was an adventure as my sleep lovin’ little man turned into a night owl and refused to go to sleep. Granted, we were sharing a room with Jennifer and Reagan and putting two babies to bed at the same time proved to be difficult. After Jennifer successfully got Reagan to sleep, she offered to take a nighttime walk with Mason and I in hopes to getting him to sleep. Thankfully it worked and by the time we arrived back at the house, he was snoring in the stroller.

Colleen, Keith and Max

Saturday was the big day for Max. He was being baptized at St. Francis Catholic church. The church is within walking distance so Jennifer and I loaded Reagan and Mason into the strollers and headed to the church. It was a beautiful ceremony and surprisingly short considering 9 babies were being baptized. Max did wonderfully and even slept through part of the ceremony. After the ceremony had ended, we took pictures inside and outside before heading back to Colleen and Keith’s house for the party.

Colleen, Keith, Erica (Godmother), Ben (Godfather), Max and the priest

We had a wonderful time and the party consisted of yummy food and drinks. Mason and I hit the road around 2 as it was his nap time and I didn't want to chance him missing another nap.

We had a wonderful time and it was so nice to catch up with best friends. Thanks for hosting us Colleen and Keith!

Happy Birthday Dad

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As a boy, everybody thinks that their Dad or Grandpa can do everything better than anyone else.  Not everyone can say that it is true, but I can.  I’ll never forget that grapefruit you kept under your shirt sleeve (your muscle) compared to my grape.  No other Dads would let their 2-year old son drive a bulldozer or parallel park between the hay bales.  Thanks for everything and I hope Mason can share just as many memories of his Grandpa as I did.

Happy First Birthday McKinley!!!

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Happy FIRST Birthday to the sweet McKinley!! We love you very much and have enjoyed watching you grow up right before our eyes. We couldn't have asked for a better buddy/girlfriend for Mason. Looking forward to this arranged marriage between you and Mason. ;)

Baby McKinley

Big One Year Old McKinley!

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We look forward to many more play dates in the future.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!!!!