National Book Festival

Mason,

You've discovered the joy of reading, Darling, which makes me incredibly happy! May your love of books never fade.

Last year, you were exactly one week old when you attended your first National Book Festival. This year was a different experience. You're two for two with this festival, Sweetie!

Much to our surprise, you writhed with excitement when you spotted the furry PBS characters. We recognized a few characters from your books, but we didn't know most of them because we don't watch TV. But you were so excited, we had to stand in line to meet as many characters as we could.

However, once you got close to the furry friends, your excitement turned to fear.

You did okay with Clifford.

But not so well with George.

Reading to you every day is fun. Watching your love for books abound is joyous. Looking forward to celebrating the joy of reading daily, as well as each year at the book festival, with you.

Happy reading, Mason!

Love,

Mommy

Mark Twain country

Mason,

We kept pretty busy on our visit to Illinois. One day, we went to Hannibal, Missouri, to tour the Mark Twain sights. This was a meaningful excursion because I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer right before you were born, and had started The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on September 12th, five days before your birth. I remember thinking that I'd easily finish Huck at the hospital while I was in labor. I mean, what else would I have to do? HA! My labor was plenty long enough to finish the book, but the last thing I was able to focus on was classic literature. I finished reading good old Huck about two months after you were born.

Daddy had never been to Hannibal, so we had a ball touring the cave and other sights. I can't resist photo opportunities like this one.

Dada showed you the mighty Mississippi at Lover's Leap.

My home state, Illinois, is across the river behind us.

Grandma and Grandpa were nice enough to haul all of us around all day, and to listen to your grouching in the car. (Side note: this trip made it evident that you're not used to riding in the car very often or for very long. You're such a city baby!)

We toured homes and buildings that were a part of Mark Twain's tales.

May you come to know, appreciate, and love great literature, Mason. If you end up being a book lover like your mama, we can say that it all started with Tom and Huck.

Love you!

Mommy

marathon day

Mason,

Today we had a marathon day--we were away from home for over 11 hours. Before you, this type of day was not unusual for me. It was kind of nice to discover that I can have marathon days with you in tow. So get used to it, Cupcake. This is how your mama rolls.

We went to the University of Maryland to visit with my colleagues. Pushing a stroller there was weird; babies (and pets) are like aliens on a college campus.

You were a little angel while meeting my co-workers. You have never behaved as well for anyone, even Daddy and me, as you did for them. I can't blame you, though. They're good people!

I got a quick picture with you in my office before we left. Look how clean my desk is! You can tell I'm not working this semester.

We ran all kinds of errands: post office, bank, Babies R Us, and Target. You were a trooper!

After running around all day, you made your debut at my book club that evening. Mason, in the 9.5 years I've been a member of this book club, I've finished every selection before the meeting (97 books to date). However, October's selection, Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby, will go down in history as the first book I wasn't able to finish reading before the meeting. Guess why I was only able to read a measly 123 out of 400 pages, Sweetie?

You take up a lot of my time! Even during other busy periods of my life, such as completing a PhD program while working full-time and training for two marathons, I always made time for and finished my book club books. However, unlike school, work, or other activities, babies can't be dealt with whenever I find it convenient. Your basic needs trump my own basic needs, let alone my desires. So, the book fell by the wayside this month.

It's okay. I'll get back on track eventually. In the meantime, I'm counting all the children's books I'm reading to you toward my 2011 reading goals.

Cheers to marathon days and lots of reading in our future!

I love you!

Mommy

hospital time

Mason,

Our two days in the hospital flew by. On the night of your birth, Daddy and I read your first book to you. Good habits start early! Being a city baby and all, we thought you'd enjoy a book about your hometown.

The first night in the hospital was rough on all of us. You were starving and we couldn't satisfy you. We tried to send you to the nursery so we could get some rest, but the nurse there kept sending you back to us, saying there was nothing she could do to help. You finally wore yourself out at 5 AM, and Daddy and I passed out with you, and then awoke in a panic at 7:30 AM because we hadn't heard a peep from you, and we wondered if you were still breathing.

On Sunday, you had two unexpected visitors. Your grandmom and granddad, Daddy's parents, took a detour to DC on their drive to their annual Myrtle Beach vacation to briefly meet you.

The labor and delivery ward and the maternity suites were hopping the weekend of your birth. We ended up staying in an older wing of the hospital that is scheduled for renovation and normally not used, but we were still thankful to have a private room. We had a great and very experienced nurse named Corinne. She seemed to like you a lot!

Here are two pictures of our room.

The rest of our time in the hospital was spent with various classes, appointments, and checkups. Once we finally got your hunger under control, we did send you to the nursery a couple times so Daddy and I could rest up before taking you home. We suspected we would need as much energy as we could muster. Boy, were we right!

We love you!

Mommy