last day

Mason,

I'm not the only one quitting my job--you get to quit yours, too. Oh, happy day!

You'll set up your new office at home on Monday, under the supervision of Grandma and Grandpa. They are visiting to care for you during your first week at home while I still have to go in to my office. Then, I'll begin working from home a few days a week and a couple friends will cover your care at home on some random days the rest of the month. Grandmom and Granddad will swoop in at the end of April when I have a stretch of work busyness and have to be away from you during the day.

You never did learn to nap well at your baby job, but that was really your only problem there. You loved the daily walks with your peeps.

All of your teachers were enthusiastic and friendly. And, they genuinely seemed heartbroken when you gave notice of your departure. Here you are with Miss TaKeisha and Miss Donna.

And Miss Daphne.

And Miss India.

And Miss Harriet. I think Harriet was the most heartbroken of all. She threw a killer farewell party for you. You partied all day on your last day and barely slept a wink. You were a train wreck when Daddy got you home that night, which was fitting, considering your rocky sleeping experiences there. You're so cute and fun that your teachers rarely wanted to put you to sleep. They didn't realize that you're even cuter and more fun when you're well rested. A happy baby = a well rested baby. Enough said.

The staff gave you a tricycle (that, Lord willing, you'll grow into) because they love how you lie on the floor and kick your legs, like you're riding a bike. It is such a nice gift! They also created a photo collage and wrote nice notes to you in between the pictures. Our favorite message is from Miss TaKeisha, one of the teachers who spent the most time with you:

"I'm going to miss you so much. I'm really going to miss the way you kick your legs like you're walking and your wonderful smile that's bright like the sun. And most of all, the way you say 'no'."

Daddy and I are glad you had this first job, Cupcake, but we're also thrilled you'll be home now. Had you not had this experience, we might have questioned our decision for me to stay home with you full-time. But now, we're 100% certain that this arrangement is the right one for our family.

Nap boot camp begins on Monday. Grandma's going to make you nap. And you know that Mommy and Daddy will.

XOXO,

Mommy

starting solids

Mason,

Turning six months old brought what we thought would be a welcomed change to your daily routine: eating solid foods. But it turns out that even at six months old, you're like a little old man--stubborn and set in your ways.

From day one, you've been an excellent nurser, and you've shown interest in Daddy's and my food for months now. For these two reasons, we naively assumed that feeding you solids would be a breeze. Ha!

You opened your mouth for the first 3-4 bites of rice cereal the first time we offered it to you. After that, you clamped your lips shut and turned your head anytime the spoon got near you. We tried everything. We made train and plane noises. We sang. We laughed. We tickled. We tried to trick you. We begged. For our next 11 attempts (5.5 days), all we saw was this face.

And this one.

You were traumatized, and had to soothe yourself often.

And then on the 12th attempt, I finally discovered the key to getting you to do anything: make you think you're doing it yourself.

"Mason, please help Mommy. Take the spoon. You do it!" I implored.

And sure enough, you grabbed the spoon, opened your pie hole, shoved the spoon inside, and slurped the food off the spoon, moving your mouth like a guppy. You're an independent little guy--such a stereotypical first-born child!

After you took a few bites "by yourself", you allowed us to feed you.

You even began to beg for it.

Thus far, you've eaten rice cereal, bananas, and avocados. Although you were initially stubborn about opening your mouth, you seem to like each food we've given you--you've spit out very little.

Now, we better understand that eating anything but breast milk via a delivery method other than the breast or bottle is a huge adjustment for you and that it can be a slow process. We'll keep working on it. You'll get there, Sweetie. You'll be using your many teeth before you know it. We look forward to the day when you can eat sushi with us!

Happy eating!

Love,

Mommy

cherry blossoms

Mason,

To celebrate your half birthday, we went to see the cherry blossoms. They weren't quite at peak yet, but were still gorgeous. Although our city is crazed with tourists at this time of year, these pink blooms make braving the crowds worth it.

You were in a silly mood and randomly stuck out your tongue in many of the pictures. You'd never done that before and we had no idea what got into you!

Daddy and I love this annual tradition of seeing the blossoms at the Tidal Basin. It's even better now that we can haul you along with us.

Happy spring!

Love,
Mommy

month 6: reflections

Mason,

Happy half birthday! And Happy St. Patrick's Day--what a fun day to have as your half birthday. We weren't very festive this year, though. We didn't even dress you in green.

We blinked, and this past month was over. As a result of our busyness, we have few pictures and few reflections, but we'll do the best we can to keep this monthly tradition alive.

You got caught watching TV a couple times. (Mommy doesn't watch TV, so that's clearly Daddy's influence, as evidenced below.)

You helped Mommy try to repair our wreck of a yard and gear up for spring planting season. You also learned how to jump on our laps and in the exersaucer.

You stuck your toes in your mouth.

We started working with you on sitting up. You still have a ways to go, but you're making progress.

You didn't hit any major developmental milestones this month, but we did make a huge family decision: Mommy is quitting her job to stay home with you, at least for the short term. If you've ever wondered how much you've changed our lives, sweet Mason, this act should tell you. Before you arrived, we never considered making such sacrifices. Now that you're here, we can't imagine or embrace any other option for our little family.

You're pretty special, Cupcake. And we love you, love you, love you. Happy six months!

Mommy and Daddy

six-month sticker

Mason,

You're six months old!

And you are exploding with teeth. Three teeth on the bottom are clearly in, and the fourth on the bottom is still a white cap. Just this week, we noticed two white caps on the top, one front tooth and one side incisor. Your teeth sure are appearing in an unusual order.

At your six-month check-up, you weighed 17 pounds, 15 ounces (50th-75th percentile) and you measured 27.75 inches long (90th percentile). You're slimming down--your cheeks are the only chubby part left of you! It must be all that kicking, flapping, and jumping you do. Just wait until you become mobile--your cute cheeks may even grow skinny. (We hope not.)

Your pediatrician noted that you are an affectionate baby because of the way you touch others. Daddy and I have noticed how you love to touch and hold on to us constantly--you did it to Dr. Ariza while she examined you. She said you are affectionate and passionate, and will make someone a wonderful husband one day. I almost wept. Our little grouch has come a long way!

Lots of people think you look like Daddy, but if there's anything you inherit from him, I hope it's his heart. Physical characteristics are fleeting and unimportant. But, you could be an affectionate and attentive husband (like Daddy is) to a lucky lady (like me) for life. Let's not go there yet, though, or I'll start weeping. You're still my boy for a few more years before I have to turn you over to another woman.

Love you bunches!

Mommy

First Presidential Encounter

Mason,

Not quite six months old, and you've had your first DC encounter with the President. Sort of. We were out for a run this evening and decided to investigate the heavy policy presence around the corner from our house. And lo and behold we stumbled upon President Barack Obama coming to dinner in our neighborhood. The motorcade pulled up under a tent, so we didn't actually get to see the president.

We did get to see his motorcade pull in, then his limo pull down the street and turn around in front of us.

He met with some winners of a contest his campaign held at Boundary Road, a new restaurant two blocks from our house. It's only been open a few weeks, but it's gotten good reviews. Unfortunately, you'll probably be in kindergarten by the time we can get a reservation now that the president has made an appearance.

Security was typically heavy with the sharpshooters on the roof. You seemed utterly unimpressed with the whole scene. The Republican in me (and, I trust, in you!) hopes maybe you were expressing your disapproval of his policies. In reality, though, you probably just wanted out of the stroller. Regardless, the random encounters with presidents is only one of the neat things about living in Washington, DC.

And who knows. Maybe in a few years people will be telling their friends and family about their encounter with President Mason!

Love,
Daddy

first family run

Mason,

The last time we ran together was on your due date, September 14, 2011, which was three days before you were born. Sadly, I was in better running shape then than I am now. Today, Daddy joined our party and we went out for a family run. Daddy and I have a 10-mile race in less than a month, and we are unprepared.

You donned your running outfit.

In your excitement, you flashed us your teeth.

You're sweet for aspiring to one day run like me, Honey. Maybe you'll inherit my diligence and perseverance.

But definitely shoot for Daddy's form and speed.

You fell asleep as soon as we began and woke up in an awesome mood when we got home. Running while pushing you is a workout--Daddy and I have both been sore all day, and we only went out for three miles.

I've missed running with you, Cupcake. I'm thrilled you're big enough now to come with us. One day, Lord willing, we will run family races together. Daddy and I can't wait to cheer you on across the finish line!

I love you!

Mommy