A little Christmas "Flair"

Merry Christmas to you!!

"For unto us a child is born... "

This is our Christmas Card for 2011 designed by one of my best friends, Mary Margaret Thiel.  

Her business is called "Flair" - find her on facebook or email her at marymthiel@gmail.com

She is SO talented and can design anything your heart desires.

 Thank you Mary for designing our awesome Christmas cards!

I hope you all have a very MERRY Christmas.

I'll be snuggling with my LuLu all Christmas break :) 

Sensory Fun for Lucy!

Santa is coming!!!
Yea, Yea... I know.. 19 days to go!!   I just LOVE this time of year though, and if possible, I love it even MORE  this year.  Having Lucy next to me for all the "traditions" just makes it all perfect.
 Lucy and I had a little "photo" fun yesterday during our playtime! I introduced her to our Christmas tree!!  Ha. I'll regret that next year, I'm sure! BUT this year.. she can't grab or even get to the tree without help so a little sensory fun certainly cannot hurt.  :)
Here are some pictures from Lucy's first "tasting" of our tree. (Of course, she had to be dressed as Santa's elf first) Hilarious. So glad I captured it on film.

"Whoa... look at all those sparkling things..."

"Hmm... What kind of toy is this? It sure is shiny"

"Get in my mouth! You round and shiny thing!"

"What? I wasn't supposed to eat it?"

"Oh well! I'm still Santa's favorite!"

Love this little girl... SO much.

Merry Merry Tuesday!

The Adventures of Milly and Reese

 Once upon a time... there lived two labs at the Mason household.  A white lab named Milly (2 years old) and her mother, a black lab named Reese (5 years old).   Let's meet them, shall we?

Hi! I'm Milly.  I love to cuddle up with my human Mommy all the time- even though we now have this new "bundle of joy" around our house that  has to cuddle with us too. I am a super sweet, good girl.  I follow directions and do whatever my real mom (Reese) does.  I'm also now the favorite lab. 

Hi. I'm Reese.   I am super smart... can follow hand commands, find Dad's ducks, do "dead-bird-back" commands all day long... and my newest trick is to DIG and ESCAPE from my house. I think it is awesome, so does my daughter Milly.  She has now learned to follow me on my adventures.  Our human parents- they don't think its that great. In fact, they now think I am a  I am a bad, bad dog.

We look sweet and innocent, right???

So this brings us to yesterday... I'll tell it from THEIR perspective, just for kicks.

Hi! It's me, Reese. Yesterday, Mom and Dad let us stay inside ALL morning while they went to work because it sure was COLD outside.  We snuggled up on our big, ole doggy bed... living the highlife, for sure.  Dad came home to eat him some lunch around 11:45... and outside we got to go.  It was still a little cool, but we were glad for the fresh air.  Dad asked if we wanted to come back inside but decided we could stay out until Mom gets home at 3! Great idea, Dad!!

Dad pulled out of the driveway and our adventure began!! DIG, DIG, DIG I went.  Milly just watched... some help she was.  That's why I am the smartest, I know how to get out of this yard.  We did just that.  DIG, DIG, DIG- YES! The hole is now large enough for us to escape, so out I go.  I run out to our front yard, jumping up and down. FREEDOM... whoooo....hoo.... Off I go. Oh wait, Milly? Milly? Come here! I am your mother, I demand... you come out here now. You're coming with me.  Ruff Ruff. "Okay Mom", here I come.  Two dogs now out on the loose... yee-haw.

(I'll have to fast forward through this part... because I don't know don't want to know all that they got into in the two hour time slot that it took them to arrive at their destination)

We had to cross a lot of busy roads... Milly and me.  Straight down Wheatly Road, and across this REALLY big road- Mom calls it County Line Road.  BIG road. LOTS of cars... pretty scary to say the least.  Once we got across though... super cool store.  Big store.  Friendly Man.  Ready for the details??

We had now walked about 4 miles so we were pretty tired and thirsty.  At our house, when we are tired and thirsty- we go inside.  So here we walk up to these big glass doors.. they open and close as humans walk in and out of them.  Milly, let's try. Okay??   We walk up, those big glass doors slide right open and WAH-LAH! We're INSIDE!!!!!   We walk up next to this really kind man looking at bicycles... sniff at his feet and what do you know.  He acts so SURPRISED to see us.  He bends down... grabs Milly's collar and gets out this little black box thing.  We've seen it before, our parents both have one. They talk into it ALL the time.    I hear him say, "Mrs. Mason, are you in Academy Sports?"  followed by, "No? Oh, well I believe I have your two labs here."  "Okay, see you in 5 minutes".   

While we are waiting on our mom, this other sales clerk walks up and asks why we are inside the store.  This nice ole' man acted like he was our owner... just so we wouldn't be taken BACK to dog jail (thats another story... for a later date).

We try to go wander around but oh no. This guy grabs my collar too.  And makes us sit with him right there in the aisle.  So we do. We sit.  

Guess who walks in the door then?? MOM!!!! Hey Mom! Hey!!

We're so excited to see you.   She looked different...maybe angry even.  Red faced and all. Mom?? Are you not happy to see us?  

Milly starts to jump all around, she's more excited than me to see our mom!  I hear mom tell the man, "I am so sorry! I can't believe they made it this far away from our home. and INSIDE the store".  I knew she'd be impressed... I did, I knew it.  She's proud of us for coming to the store!

 They talk for a few seconds and then she looks at us. Uh oh, its our turn, "MILLY, REECE.. COME". I'm not thinking she is proud of me anymore. Into the car we go... Mom talked the whole way back home, lecturing us about not leaving the yard, how dangerous it was. Blah Blah. Definitely not proud.  It ended with "Just wait until your Dad gets home".

So when Dad does get home... we both get spankings at the sight of my creation (hole).  I guess he wasn't impressed with my work.  He filled it up with some really hard grey stuff (concrete)... boo Dad. That's not fun.

Today, we've been inside all day.  I must say, its not near as much fun as our adventure yesterday.

Hmm... I wonder when Mom or Dad will be home to let us OUTSIDE??!!!!

TRUE STORY.  

Anyone want two labs???

My Christmas "List"

Okay so honestly... it is really hard for me to think of things I want for Christmas this year! Colby and I were talking the other day and really... we feel like we just have all we need! Lucy has blessed our lives in so many ways, one being that I no longer need(want) a huge amount of "things" for ME- I'd rather spoil her with toys and such! WHAT?!! Who am I ? :)       I love it though. Absolutely love it.
However, since no one is accepting my "I don't need anything" spill.. here are the few items for my list of "wants".


Tennis Shoes - I really want to go to "Fleet Feet" and get a pair "fit" for me... we'll see. (Gift Card maybe?)
I do like something like this though:

Stroller:

A jogging stroller that is.  Our Graco works perfectly but it prefers the mall or Renaissance shopping center rather than our 2-3 mile jogs around the neighborhood... Something like this would really be wonderful for Lucy and I!

This one even has a I-Pod hook up! BONUS! :)

Clothes:  

(gift cards to Material Girls, Alter'd State, Libby Story, Victoria Secret... Love 'em.)

Love these sweaters from VS

   

Or an outfit like so.... 

Sunglasses 

Love these Prada ones.. 

Jewelry

* stackable bracelets

                     

*Something with Lucy's birthstone (Ruby) or initials (hint hint HUBBY!!)

         

                           

   

That about does it for me and my list.  I know y'all were all so curious!

We decorated the house for Christmas last weekend, I'll get some pictures up soon.

Lucy LOVES the Christmas lights on the tree.  She just stares at the ornaments/lights and beams!! Precious.  

Santa did Lu's Christmas shopping on Black Friday at Target.... talk about some STEALS! He found her a Baby Einstein exersaucer on sale for $20 cheaper, as well as the Fisher Price learning table for HALF of what it normally is! WOO HOO. I love a good deal, cough cough, I mean Santa does. 

Happy Tuesday to you!! Be Merry!

Lately...

I got to meet this sweet baby finally...

Who is this precious baby boy, you ask?

My nephew, Jon Martin Fountain!  

He is absolutely precious... I am one lucky/proud aunt!! He is exactly 4 weeks younger than my Lucy.  Love him! and Lucy did too!

Sweet cousins.

We had a wonderful trip to Lafayette, Louisiana to visit with Stephen, Cassie, Meena and Jon Martin. The area they live in is amazing- so pretty! I felt like we were in a resort- I mean who can ride a golf cart to the grocery store, bars, shops, restaurants, etc... they can! SO neat! I was spoiled.. literally everything you need is in this beautiful "bubble"! 

Colby, Lucy and I at their house

This was our first family trip- Lucy did SO good.  Did not cry a bit on the 4 hour drive there, OR on the drive back! Angel baby.  She slept for a good 3 hours then I got in the back seat and played with her for the remaining hour.  I was also proud we were able to keep her on "schedule" during our trip.  

By the way... we are having our first "formal" family portrait taken this Friday!! I cannot wait.  (Colby is thrilled too. HA!) I told him he could suck it up and smile... "we're making memories" hehe.. I love pictures... however, he does not. oh well. He will look so handsome in his new shirt... yes. We all have new outfits for our portrait- it is a necessity, right?

Lucy is going to be the star of the photo, of course, ... our beautiful baby girl!

She is at SUCH a fun age. Turns 4 months on the 18th, I cannot believe it.  I know I say that every month but TIME GOES SO FAST.  I was reading through some of my old "pregnancy" blog entrys the other day- so emotional re-visiting those feelings while holding her in my arms. God is SO amazing.

Anyways, Lucy is smiling big, laughing, LOVING play time in the bath and on her Baby Einstein mat, sitting in her bumbo chair, cuddling up close, sleeping through the night (9pm to 6:16am usually! YAY for a schedule!!).  I love her more every second- truly.  She is SUCH a blessing to our lives. 

 This week, my sweet baby really started teething    :(

She isn't extremely fussy but has had two "big" cry moments when I just knew she was in PAIN.  It broke my heart.  I can already tell, I am not going to do good through this stage, I don't want my sweet girl hurting! I have her some teething rings that are already in the refrigerator and yesterday I gave her a tiny bit of Tylenol.  The combination seemed to help a lot and today she hasn't seemed bothered by them.  Fingers crossed that tomorrow will be a "good" day for my new teether - at least during our picture session!  Ha. 

Do you know what I am getting SO excited about?  You all know I LOVE Christmas.. but I am SO excited this will be Lucy's 1st Christmas with gifts from SANTA!! I mean.. I am totally ready to start all of our own family Christmas traditions- take pictures with Santa, Christmas Eve church service, birthday cake for Jesus, leave cookies/note out for Santa on Christmas Eve, spreading reindeer food so Santa doesn't miss our house.. yes. all of it.  It begins this year!! (Hey.. I know Lucy won't know what's going on for a few years BUT its NEVER too early for these traditions)

Here are some  of our options for Lucy's Santa this year:

Graco's wooden high chair- yes... we are only a couple of months away from "food".

I like this wooden one because it turns into a perfect "toddler" seat once she is ready.

Super fun excersaucer- She'll LOVE this.  Not sure if this is the exact one Santa will bring but one like this.  

Door Way Jumper

Learning Table Fun- this folds down on the ground for playtime now (before she stands)

Also, and this may top my excitement of Christmas (although only momentarily) BUT guess what else?

Who has tickets to the BREAKING DAWN, PART 1 Midnight premier?? THIS GIRL!!

SSOOOOOO excited to see it next Thursday night with the girls. I really wish they had just made this one 4 hours long  rather than making us watch the first half then wait a YEAR to see the "part 2" but whatever... I guess we can wait, again.  

Team Edward... all the way.  Before you poke fun- read the books, you'll be obsessed, too!

Okay, well time to get back to my "to-do" list that are in front of me. 

Merry Merry Thursday!

3 months! Say what!?

Three months ago tonight at this moment, I was pushing... I had been pushing since five thirty and continued to push until exactly 7:31. 7:31, the moment my life forever changed. The moment the greatest baby in the world took her first breath! Why do my eyes fill with tears when I write that! My goodness, I cannot believe it has been THREE months. Time please slow down a little bit.
 Lucy is steadily  growing a little bit and reaching milestones each day. She is focusing on different objects, reaching for toys, loving her lovies, recognizing me, Daddy, her grandparents... It is simply breath taking when I walk into the room after work and she sees me... That smile.. Ah. There is no place I'd rather be. No matter what kind of day it has been, there is no such thing as a bad day once you see her smile... And kiss those cheeks...and feel her little hands grab at your shirt. Oh my. Tears again.. Geez. oh by the way.. she laughed for the first time this week! I was bathing her and singing.. making faces/sounds... you know- acting a fool! BUT she LAUGHED!! A deep, belly chuckle kind of laugh. The BEST moment.
She is absolutely an angel baby. Fussy only when she needs a diaper change, is hungry, or tired. She is still sleeping in our room at night in her bassinet... We will possibly attempt to move her into her crib in the nursery around 4 months I think... I'm just not ready to let her go "out" yet. Her nursery seems so far away! Besides, she sleeps from 9:00pm until around 5:00am without a peep... Like I said, angel baby. We just adore her.  (If you haven't noticed.. hehe)

What did I blog about before Lucy was here?! My mind simply doesn't revolve around anything except for her these days, HA! (probably why there has been a huge lacking in my blogging)
Anyways, lately my shopping has been holiday focused and on Lucy, of course! Lucy is fully clothed for Christmas! We have outfits for church,outfits for parties, outfits for pictures with Santa, outfits for Christmas card pictures, outfits for Christmas day, oh,outfits for Christmas eve! Outfits, hair bows, headbands, shoes! Here is a little sneak peak...

I know... Out Of Control! But won't she just been precious!?

Here is her Thanksgiving dress:

and her "first" Halloween wardrobe selection:

 Like I said... OUT OF CONTROL! :)

Colby and I did get to have a night out in Oxford recently! (which meant Lucy had her first sleep over at Khakis, my mom! She did great! ) We went to Oxford for the Georgia game... SO much fun! We saw all of our college friends and loved catching up with Heather and Jim. Fun, Fun! It was a great night. Other than that, I have been back at work with my Kinders, Colby is working and getting ready for hunting season, and Lucy is continuously stealing our hearts! Here are a few closing pictures!!

Happy Fall!!

What my baby is doing right now on her 3 month birthday! Snoozing away with her lovie and her pas-pas.

and here we are before church last Sunday:

A VERY Merry Mommy, indeed.

Have a great week!

Letter to Lucy: 1st month!

Dear Lucy, I cannot believe I saw you for the first time one month ago today. It seems like yesterday that they handed you to me... You had Daddy and I wrapped around your finger from the start! You have already grown so much. Hands down, you are the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I love you more every second, even when you are screaming in the middle of the night...you have a way of melting my heart. We, as a family, have already overcome so much since your arrival! Daddy started a brand new job! He was so excited his first day of work, He just loves his job!! Yay! That same day (you were a week old) we received some sad news about your grandaddy, Pop! Your Pop had to have a serious and scary surgery for what we thought was pancreatic cancer. I held you tight during many tears that week... But God carried us through as only He can.. And even better, He healed Pop and took the cancer away! You have gone with me to take care of him at Pop and Khaki's house a lot the last week. You make him and Khaki smile! They say you look like me, but EVERYONE else says you are a copy of Daddy! I see a little of both of us, though! We havent been that many places yet. Mommy and Daddy took you to Waffle House this past Sunday, but you stayed in your carseat with a blanket covering the whole time. Daddy was so proud you went to his favorite breakfast restaurant! Yesterday, you and I went to the grocery store for the first time... You did great! I love my shopping partner! At your 2 week doctor check up (you were actually 3 weeks though) you got a great report! 8lbs, 11ozs! You've gained 2 full pounds since we've brought you home- healthy baby... And you love Mommy's milk! Today, on your one month birthday... Mommy has held you ALL day long. You don't want to be put down, and that has been fine with me. It's storming outside so I am happy to be lazy inside with you!! You are laying on my tummy while I type this. You have been wide awake for an hour now... Not crying or anything, just looking and talking (ok, cooing) with me! Its moments like these I don't want to ever forget. At one month, Lucy, you are lifting your head up, so strong! You like to fight your sleep and peep through one eye at us, listening to your Daddy sing calms you down when you are fussy. His favorite song to sing to you is "should have been a cowboy", this makes Mommy laugh.. A lot. Today you put your paci back in your mouth for the first time!! Usually you pull it out on accident and can't get it back in, but today... Whether you meant to or not, you did it! You wake exactly every 3 hours ready to eat,I'm so proud of your being on a good schedule already! Your favorite things right now are your pacifiers, being held by me and Daddy, and your swing. You fuss if your tummy has gas, if it takes mommy a long time to warm your bottled milk (or pump fresh), or if you have a dirty diaper. You like baths, a lot! You are focusing your eyes and turning to look when we call your name... So smart! You are just perfect, my Lucy. I love being your mommy! Your cousin, Jon Martin, was born this week. He is exactly 4 weeks younger than you! It's going to be so much fun watching you grow up with Weslee and Jon Martin. Noah and Meena will be showing you all the "ropes" around here. Okay sweet Lucy, time for me to stop typing and cuddle up with you- my favorite thing to do! Happy one month my baby girl! I love you SO very much!! Love, Mommy

4 weeks old!!

My baby girl is 4 weeks old... where has time gone?!!

Here are a few pictures from Lucy's newborn photo shoot with Lisa Siddall- she takes them at her house in Brandon.  Lisa is SUPER talented... and I am just in love with the pictures she took of Lucy!

 I love this one because Lucy already LOVES her "wubba nub" pacifier. 

 This is her holding it (the paci connects to the baby doll)

We had to bring in Lucy's cousin (Weslee) for a picture! They are 7 weeks apart!

Isn't it just precious?

And here are some pictures of my sweet baby girl on her 4 week "birthday"

We like to have "photo" shoots around our house while Daddy is away. HA!

I used to be smaller than my baby doll...

At 4 weeks... I'm now the same size as my baby doll!

Grr.. I cannot get this to turn sideways. Sorry!

Okay... baby girl is ready to eat! 

Have a great week!

Classroom Pics!

Welcome to Mrs. Mason's Classroom !!!

Here are some photos from my room- My back to school theme for this year is "pirates"!