Kitty...

We have been trying to get Mason to say "Mama" or "Dada"...but he just looks at us and laughs. Then, unexpectedly and very clearly, Mason said his first word this last Wednesday. "Kitty"! No joke...what a BIG first word! The following day, Mason started pulling himself up. It's amazing how quickly things change! In the blink of an eye we'll be taking him to get his drivers license!

I had hoped to post on Mother's Day, but it was a pretty busy day. My first Mother's Day...it was wonderful. Mason was dedicated at Church that morning, then we went out to eat with my Mom, Dad, Brother, Sis-In-Law and Big D. That afternoon we just hung out at our house and ate cupcakes that I made the day prior. Big D insisted that everyone had to have a candle in their cupcake, make a wish and blow it out. Can you tell he is in BIRTHDAY mode? He will be turning 4 on May 25th.

Health Update: Mason had a Dr's appt on May 13th. He was 19# 7.5 oz and 28.5" long. He still had a rash, which seemed to be getting worse. The Dr. instructed us to stop using our current baby bathing products and lotions and to try a new baby wash from Aquaphor...to only bathe him every other day and not to use lotions. We had been using the Bedtime Bath by J&J and bathing him each night. Anyway, the Dr. said if this doesn't help the rash, he would look at a possible milk allergy next. Well, we have followed the Dr's instructions and Mason's skin looks SO much better! It's a little dry though...wonder if Aquaphor makes a baby lotion?? I have their skin protectant (which I love). We hope his skin continues to improve and it was really as simple as changing bath products!

Dedication Day...

Mother's Day...

Another visit from the Hair Fairy...
Cute lil' Mohawk...
Some pictures Mommy took this morning...

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" 3 John 4

Please Pray For The Orphans In Guatemala...

Oh how the ups and downs of the adoption process remain fresh in my mind. I would literally be totally excited one day and crying the next. It seemed the news we received changed almost daily. Unfortunately, the most recent news on Guatemalan adoptions is NOT good.
Guatemala has suspended ALL adoptions, including those grandfathered in and all current inprocess cases, for at least 30 days. Although Mason is safely home (Thank you, Lord) the orphans of Guatemala are in my thoughts and prayers daily (especially those at the Eagle's Nest). I feel absolutely sick for the waiting parents. Please keep the waiting children and families in your prayers.

Life at our house is good. Mason turned 10 months old on May 5th and has been home for 2 months today. I would almost bet that he will be walking by his 1st birthday. He isn't "pulling" himself up, rather "pushing" himself up to a standing position. Speaking of his 1st birthday, we have been thinking ahead to exactly what we plan to do to celebrate this day. I am trying to come up with some cute ideas for a birthday cake or cupcakes. Bloggers...if you have any ideas that you would like to share, please do so!

Mason and Papa

He has the cutest belly laugh!

Mason and Big D

Hangin' out with Big D

Somebody had a visit from the hair fairy!

Our Announcement...after 2 months!

Mason's first softball game...Daddy's team won!

"O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in times of distress" Jeremiah 16:19

Lord, please uplift and give strength to the families who are waiting to bring home their babies from Guatemala.

Back To Reality...

I went back to work this last Monday. I honestly bawled my eyes out Sunday night after putting Mason to bed, I did fine on Monday though. Fortunately I am "easing" back into work, so I am only working 2 days a week through the month of May. I will step it up to 3 days a week in June and then will be back f/t by mid-July. Even when I am back f/t, my plan is to only work 4 days a week. We are actually very blessed at this point as I am working on Daddy's days off, so Mason gets "Daddy Day" twice a week. Once I am back f/t, Mason's week will consist of staying with Daddy 2 days, Mommy 1 day and then a friend of mine will keep him the other 2 days.

Mason continues to learn and grow daily. He is finally feeling a little better...we ended up on 5 days of Prednisolone last week. He has pretty much had a runny nose since the day we met him...I am beginning to think "allergies"?? His rash came back this week too....I don't know what to make of that, it's on his chest, tummy, neck and upper back. He has a check up later this month, so I am hoping we can hold out on anymore Dr visits or calls until then.

More Mason Updates:
*His second tooth is almost completely in.
*He is now crawling at lightening speed!
*He has a new bruise on his forehead...because he is know trying to pull himself up!
*He continues to love being outside...stroller rides and his new tree swing.

*He experienced his first good ol' Midwest Tornado Warning! The sirens went off at 1am, so we got to head to the basement in the middle of the night. Luckily we didn't have any of the severe stuff in our area. Mason was a trooper, he barely even woke up and went right back to bed when it was over.

Family Fun:
*Mason has a new cousin....Brileigh Jo who was born on April 25th (also my baby brother's 30th birthday)! Brileigh is the daughter of Matt's brother, Lee, and his wife Ande. Brileigh is adorable and so, so tiny!
*My cousin had a little girl on April 24th! Look out Addison Lynn...you've got 4 big brothers to keep track of!

Eagle's Nest News:
*2 more babies are coming home to their forever families! Gabriel and Nathan's cases were approved by PGN. (See "Trusting For Seven" and "The Schommers")

Picture Time...

You can thank Aunt Darl for this someday!

Snack-Time!

Uncle Lee, Cousin Brileigh, Mason & Daddy
Bedtime
Bubble Beard
Aren't the sunglasses hilarious!?

Mason and Mommy

"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today." Hewbrews 3:13