What...Snow???

What a crazy week! We went from seeing people in shorts last week to building snowmen yesterday! I guess March decided to go out like a lion!

It's hard to believe, but our baby turned 4 months on Monday! He is growing SO FAST! Mason is such a good baby and just goes with the flow of our hectic life. He is the most happy baby...all you have to do is look at him and he'll give you the hugest smile! He is such a joy and was well worth the wait!

Mason all smiles at Jo's house

Mason, 4 months
The boys in their Iowa shirts from Aunt Marcy

Mason had his 4 month checkup on Wednesday. Matt took him to his appointment, so I feel a little out of the loop! Dr. Paul said he's healthy, doing things a 5 1/2 month old would be doing, and "a big boy." He weighed 16 pounds, 14 ounces(75-90th percentile), measured 25 1/2 inches (75th percentile), and his head was 17 inches (75-90th percentile). Matt told him that sometimes, after eating, Mason still acts hungry. Dr. Paul said go ahead and give him more and if he doesn't spit it up, then it's okay. Then Matt told him we feed Mason 8 ounces at a time and he went "Oh. I've never had a baby want more than 8 ounces at a time. My kids didn't eat 8 ounces until they were 9 months old." Yes, our child exceeds the expectation! So he did suggest that we try feeding Mason cereal. Of course we went out that night and bought some. It went just like I thought it would...a little rough! He was MAD because when I started putting something in his mouth he thought it would be his bottle. Let's just say he's going to need some time to get used to eating solids!

First taste of cereal...what is this?

I want my bottle back!

When I dropped Zane off at Jo's house Wednesday he was throwing a fit because I wouldn't let him bring his Leapster inside. So to calm him down, Jo offered to let the kids have "favorite toy" day at her house on Friday. Jo is so good to the boys! Of course the first thing Zane said he'd take was his Leapster.

Sammy and Zane playing their Leapsters

One thing we learned about Mason is that he loves to snuggle a blanket to his face when sleeping, and it has been working like a charm! He's gone from having rough naps to sleeping 2-3 hours at a time during the day! It has also helped him sleep more peacefully through the night. We've been using homemade blankets because they have "holes," so that if he gets them over his head he can still breathe.

Mason all cuddled up at Jo's

Friday night we took the boys to the movie "Monsters vs. Aliens." Zane had been seeing commercials for it and talking about it all week! This was Mason's first movie and he was fantastic! We went during the time he normally takes a little "catnap" in the evenings, so first he watched the screen for awhile, then he slept through the rest of it. I was holding him while he slept so I savored that!

The boys at the movies

Mason at his first movie

So the weather people told us it was going to snow this weekend and unfortunately they were right! Saturday we awoke to some freezing rain. About 1:00 it started snowing HUGE flakes of snow! It snowed for a few hours and I think we ended up with an inch and a half. After Zane took his nap, he headed outside to enjoy it! He tried riding his four wheeler in the driveway, but couldn't get it to go. He and Matt even put screws in his tires, but that didn't help. They also made a couple of snowmen in the yard. Zane was LOVING it...like any kid would!

Going for more traction

Zane after being in the snow

Proud of his snowman

As you can see, the screws didn't help!

The World According to Zane

• Zane was singing "Ring Around the Rosie" the other day and here's how it went: "Ring Around the Rose, Pop A Tire..."
• We were going out to eat Friday after the movie and we had to put our name in because they were busy. It was seeming to take awhile, so Matt went up to check how much longer it would be. Zane went with him and when they asked what our name was, Zane said "Zane Matthew Baker!" He said it in a very annoyed voice as well!
• Today I was playing "Cars" on the Leapster with Zane. He was controlling the arrows, I was controlling the "A" and "B" buttons. After it was over, he said, "I won! It's really true, I won!"

Spring Break!

This past week was spring break at our house...and what a lovely week to have it! Usually we end up with the short stick on spring break and get a stormy, cold week, but this year we got lucky! You can tell I had the week off by the number of pictures and videos this week! We had lots of quality time together this week and enjoyed the nice weather!

Cool Zane with his bike

Mason in the Baby Bjorn...he loved it!
Cool dude!

The boys enjoying spring weather!

Zane talking about who he loves...

Zane recording himself singing...

"Mason Cottontail"

"Zane Cottontail"

Zane's preschool was still in session during spring break, so he went there on Tuesday and Thursday. It was nice for Mason and I to have some "alone time" those days and we made the most of it! He's such a good shopping buddy! Wednesday we headed to the Ottis house to have lunch and hang out for a little while. They have so much fun together!

Nora, Madelyn, Zane & Mason

Zane riding Madelyn's "Smart Cycle"

We also got the basement finished this week! I'm sure Matt is breathing a huge sigh of relief! It's taken up a lot of his time lately, so now we will use all the extra time to enjoy all of that hard work by using our new room! The bathroom is finished, shelves in the closet, and we even cleaned out our sub-basement!

At Home Depot, getting our shelving unit

My parents were in town for a hardware show this weekend, so they came over Saturday afternoon. Aaron and Michele came also. We grilled out and had a nice time just hanging out with them! The next pictures/videos are from when they were here visiting.

Aaron, Papa Hammer, & Zane

Papa Hammer & Zane

Mason & Uncle Aaron

Searching for that thumb!

Ramping!


Making skid marks!



The World According to Zane

• Wednesday afternoon Matt came home while the boys were napping so I could go to my hair appointment. When Zane woke up, Matt was outside. He heard Zane sobbing and walking around the house. When he went in, Zane was all upset and when Matt asked him what was wrong he said, "Mommy leaved us. She stayed home with Mason and Zane but now she leaved us." He explained to Zane why I was gone...but even when I got home he said "Mom, I was looking all over for you. You leaved us!" Talk about breaking your heart!
• A couple of weeks ago we went out to eat pizza. Zane had to use the restroom, so Matt took him in. He told Matt to turn around so he wasn't watching him, then he said "Dad, sing me a song." (Any bets on if Matt really sang him a song?)
• I was getting Zane's shoes on one morning and he started itching his leg. He said, "There's a spider on my leg." Then he itched his arm and said "Here too." Then he itched his other leg and said "Here three!"
• We've been checking out double strollers and I told Zane we were going to the baby store and going to try one out with both of the boys sitting in it. He looked at me and said, "That's a great idea!"

Swaddle No More and a Sick Boy!

This has been a monumental week...we've been able to give up our swaddle blanket! Since Mason has been born, we have swaddled him to sleep both during naps and at night. It really seemed to relax him and allow him to sleep longer, so we kept doing it. I just hated it though, becuase I felt like I was putting a straight jacket on the kid! So, this week Jo tried letting him sleep without it on Thursday and he did great for both naps! As you'll notice in the picture, he did require a few "extras" to help him feel comfy. I think he just like feeling snuggled!

Mason's first day un-swaddled

Friday all the kids at Jo's house wore green in honor of St. Patrick's Day this week and also in honor of Jo since it's her favorite color! They all looked so cute! They had fun making cupcakes during the day! Zane had a great day...there wasn't school becuase it was a teacher work day so Erika and Lauren were home and played with him. He came home with glue in his hair because they had made hats! They love to play school with the daycare kids!

Zane eating donuts at Jo's

This weekend we decided to go to Iowa. We stayed at my parents' house. We decided to go ahead and try Mason without a swaddle Friday night and were very pleasantly surprised because once he fell asleep, we didn't hear a PEEP out of him until morning! In fact, we had to wake him up! I could not believe it and wondered if it would have gone that well had we taken it away sooner! Here he is Friday night...looks like he's thinking "aah...I'm free!"

Mason's first night un-swaddled

Friday night we were awoken by Zane crying...and then he got sick! I think he had a little bug of some sort. He got sick one more time Saturday morning. Saturday he was okay all day, but you could tell he didn't feel completely well. Sunday he played and acted completely normal. Then this morning at about 5:00 we heard him crying and went in to find him getting sick again...48 hours after the last time! It seems like this is what happens to Zane when he gets sick...he's okay for a day or two then gets sick again. It's so unpredictable! Lucky for us it's spring break, so we are home. He seems to be fine today!

Mason "talking" himself to sleep!

Most of the weekend Matt spent working on the racecar. He was hoping to get lots done so we could hang out here the next few weekends and maybe not go home until Easter. I think he got a lot done, but not as much as he'd hoped. Saturday night we stayed at Mom and Dad's. We ordered pizza and played a fun game. Sunday we went to Matt's grandparents for dinner. Zane spent a lot of the day outside on the four-wheeler.

The World According to Zane

• If Zane really likes something lately, he tells us it's "super coo!" (super cool)
• I told Zane it was time for bed the other night and he said, "I don't like that big idea!" (If he does like something, he said "I like that big idea.")
• Sometimes Zane has trouble saying some letter blends, like "tr" and calls monster trucks "monster cucks." So to help him say it correct, we "stretch" the word out to him. He found this game online that had monster trucks and when he told me about it he said, "Mom, I found a monster tur-uck game!" (He was doing what we said)!
• Matt and Zane were at Lowe's the other night. Zane looked at Matt and said, "Dad, my brain can say Spongebob! It's not "fongebob," it's Spongebob, see!"
• The girl who cuts Zane's hair has been gone on maternity leave lately, so we've gone to a different stylist. She is now back and called us to see if we wanted to switch our upcoming appointment to her schedule. I told Zane that Lauren had called and wanted to know if she could cut his hair and his response was, "Yes she can!"
• This morning Zane was laying in our bed with Mason and I told him I needed to go start laundry. He told me he would stay with Mason and I asked him if he could get Mason's boppy pillow for me. He laid down on the bed and said, "I can't." I asked why not and he said, "Cause I'm sick." (Play it for all it's worth buddy!)
• I was watching "A Baby Story" on tv and when one of the babies was born I told Zane, "Look, a baby." He said to me, "I want a new boy. One that doesn't look like Mason." I prodded him a little more, and figured out that he was saying he wants another baby...a boy. Um...he's going to have to wait awhile for that wish to come true!

Giggling & A Sleepover!

Well, we began the week with snow on the ground and by mid-week it was 80 degrees! I'd rather have the 70-80 degree days instead of the snow, how about you? It was a quick, but pretty calm week around here.

Zane, Erika (Jo's daughter) & Mason

Mason smiling at Jo

Mason and Zane were laying on our bed watching tv and Zane said, "Mom, go get your camera and take us picture!" So I did and here it is:

We were kind of afraid Zane was getting sick this week. One morning he woke up and was crying and wanted a drink. When Matt took him to preschool he was a little clingy and didn't want Matt to leave, which isn't normal for him lately, but he did fine all day. We think he was just worn out.

Mason is getting to be so much fun! All you have to do to get him to smile is look at him! He loves to be talked to and smiled at. He is such a happy and relaxed baby! He is a little particular when he sleeps...we still have to swaddle him or else he can't sleep, but hopefully he'll get over that soon...the swaddle we have for him is getting a little snug! Here's a video of Mason giggling as I'm tickling him.

Friday night Zane and his preschool-aged friends from Jo's house had a "campout!" Jo and her family took them to Chuck E Cheese to play games. Then they ate pizza and headed home. They all brought their sleeping bags and had a "campout" in the living room! Jo was about to go crazy from them all asking about it all day Friday, they were pretty wound up for it! When Matt went to get Mason, Zane was pretty much pushing him out the door! Jo said he wanted to leave Mason there and go to Chuck E Cheese before Matt got there! They had so much fun! In fact, when he saw me Saturday morning, his bottom lip came out and he hid behind a chair. He cried when we had to leave! Zane has become pretty good buddies with Sammy lately. He made sure Sammy would be there when we talked about it! We are so lucky to have Jo, she is so good to the boys! It's going to be a sad day when Zane has to move on and not go to Jo's house anymore (probably more sad for mom...but for Zane too)! We also learned just how grumpy your child can be the day following a sleepover...YIKES! Enjoy the pictures of their preschool sleepover!

Dragging his carseat out to the car

Zane, Erika & Sam at Chuck E Cheese

Zane & Sam in the monster truck

Zaner having a ton of fun!

Madelyn, Erika, Ryan, Zane & Sam

Zane ready for bed!

Everyone comfy and cozy!

The World According to Zane

• Last Sunday we bought a pineapple while grocery shopping. Zane held the pineapple in his lap the whole time, saying "This is Spongebob's house!" When we got it home and went to cut it up, he said, "No, don't cut it, Spongebob is in there!"


• One day this week Zane really wanted us to carry him down the stairs. We told him he could go down the steps by himself. He was crying/whining and sat down on the steps and said, "My feet are sleeping, I can't walk!" When we started laughing, he wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry!


• Lately, if Zane doesn't like an answer we give him, he says, "Dad, that not very nice."


• As we were eating supper one evening, I was trying to talk to Matt about our day. Zane looked at Matt and said, "So, Dad, what are you doing?" It was pretty funny!


• Zane has a comment for everything! Most recently we've been hearing "That super cool" or "That super huge cool."


• The all famous "why" has made its way into Zane's vocabulary! We're just noticing him asking "why" about EVERYTHING!


• Our newest fish, Tiger fish, died this weekend! We were afraid Zane would be upset (it happened when he was at Jo's at the sleepover). When we got home Saturday, we had a little "flushing" ceremony. Zane told me Tiger fish was going to find Shrek and Donkey. Matt dumped him in the toilet, flushed, and as he was swirling around, Zane said, "Bye Tiger fish" and blew him a kiss!

Spring? Winter? We're Confused!

What a crazy week of weather! We don't know whether to wear short sleeves or snowpants! Tuesday was the Science Fair at my school. Zane was SO excited to go to "Mommy's school." We had fun showing Mason off to everyone! He and Zane both got lots of attention from the teachers and families there! As we were walking through and looking at the science fair projects, Matt's response was "I can't wait for Zane to do Science!" (Remember Wall-E...we'll have to work on those "student made" projects!)

Mason & Zane hanging at home!

Can you believe Mason is 3 months old already? I can't! Here's our monthly "Big Bird" photo...the outfit that Mason is wearing is one of Zane's outfits...and he wore it in his 6 month Big Bird picture! I think Mason has Zane beat in the size category!

Zane couldn't resist...had to get in a photo!
Our two boys!

One day this week when I went to pick the boys up, Mason was sitting in the jumparoo! I was surprised...it just doesn't seem like he should be big enough to be able to sit in there! Jo said he just sat there, looking around, and bouncing up and down while watching the kids!

We were visited by Uncle Brent Tuesday-Thursday. He was in town for work. We drug him all over...the park, Pizza Shoppe, to take our car to the shop...and he even took us out to supper two nights! I think Zane enjoyed having him here...Brent got to practice his coloring skills a LOT!

This weekend we headed to Iowa to spend time with our families. We stayed with Papa/Gaga Farmer. Saturday we woke up and looked outside to see snow covering the ground and still coming down! Zane was SO excited...much more so than we were! After dinner he bundled up and headed out into the snow with Papa. Later on, he went back out with Matt!

Papa & Zane ready to go out in the snow

Mason in his "car" at Papa/Gaga's

Zane had to try the car out also!

Northwest's newest fan!

Zane & Matt having fun in the snow!

Fun in the snow with Papa

Fun in the snow with Daddy

Sunday we headed back to KC early (for us) and got home around 2:00. My mom, dad, and Adam were in Tulsa for the weekend visiting Tulsa Welding School. Adam has been accepted to the school and will be attending in the fall. They stopped at our house on their way back to Iowa. They had a fun weekend there and even found Adam an apartment. We enjoyed seeing them and they were surprised at how much Mason has grown!

The World According to Zane

• The t.v. was on in the background when we were playing one day and Zane heard them say something about dogs. He said, "speaking of dogs..." I had no clue what he was talking about and he told me that they say that on Mickey Mouse!
• We were playing around and Zane opened my mouth and looked at my teeth. He said, "I'm dentist the menace."
• Zane likes to sing songs a lot, and was singing the ABC's. He got to the middle and said "Elmo and P." Now he thinks it's funny so he does it all the time!
• When Brent was here this week, I asked Zane if he was glad that Brent was here. He said "Yeah. I like Brent. He's not a bad guy."
• We were at the park the other day and Zane was walking up the same steps that a girl was trying to go down. She reached her hands out to block him (her mom stopped her). Zane looked at us and said "That is not good!"
• On the way to Iowa this weekend, we had to stop for a bathroom break. Zane was going to the bathroom first and then I told him I had to go. He said "You go to the bathroom with your peeper?" I tried to explain to him that I didn't have a peeper and he said "Someone cut your peeper off?" I then told him that girls don't have peepers...and later this weekend he told me, "I'm a boy because I have a peeper." I asked him if girls have peepers and he said, "No, just butts!" (Already learning about the birds and bees...)