October Overview

October has been a great month! Its been so fun to see Mason grow and develop. We are now starting to see smiles, which is very rewarding! Also, we are proud to report that on occasion Mason sleeps for 8 hrs. straight during the night. This isn't necessarily consistent yet, but when it does happen, it is very nice for a sleep deprived Mom and Dad.

As the leaves change colors and the weather cools down, I am reminded that this is my favorite time of year! Nothing better than taking a walk with Mason, admiring his smile or sleeping face, the beautiful trees, and watching the leaves fall and dance around on the ground. And, nothing smells better than a pot full of chili or pot roast and something yummy baking in the oven. I love Fall!

Yesterday, Mason and I went to Grandma Gillispie's for the night. It gave Richard and I a chance to get a full night of interrupted sleep (Grandma gets up with him when we are down there) and Mason and I got to spend some quality time with his GG! Thank Heaven for Mom's/Grandma's!

Stay-cation

It's been a great week... Richard was off work, and we just enjoyed a nice stay-cation as a family of three. We visited family and friends in Joplin and then went to Kimberling City to visit more family. Several nights we took turns with the night shift and it was so nice to get a little uninterrupted sleep. Mostly, we just worked on settling into our new role as parents.

We did manage to drop Mason off with his GG and Richard and I snuck away a few hours for a Jeep ride. Beautiful Fall afternoon, top down, good tunes, great conversation and a 'Bucks (that's what we call Starbucks) ~ Just like old times.

Slowly, I think we are starting to figure this parenting thing out... and usually when I begin thinking that, Mason shows us who is really boss. Good thing he is so stinkin' cute!

Trading in my Sassy High Heels for Soggy Huggies

I absolutely love our little boy, but every morning (and I use 'morning' loosely, because on some days I don't get out of my pj's until like 2:00, if at all) I walk into my closet, I see a long line of sassy, sexy high heels and am reminded of the contrast between my former life and life now.

I went through a 'shoe phase' and I loved heels! Basic black, bright red, hot pink with black little bows, zebra print, giraffe print, snake skin, purple... I could jazz up any outfit! Now, I'm lucky if I manage to put on a pair of house shoes to keep my feet cushioned from running back and forth to the nursery.

It's a beautiful fall day today... In our former life, Richard and I would have taken the top off the Jeep, put on some hoodies, got a hot Starbucks and drove around all afternoon exploring back roads. Today, we're planted on couch and we both feel lucky because each of us got to take a shower and even managed to eat breakfast before lunch time. No more discussions of "What are we going to do today?" we know exactly what we are doing... Feeding, pumping, diapering, swaddling, laundry... every 3 hours. And while it's tough, we wouldn't change it for the world!

With that said, we're trying to enjoy our little MaMo at this stage, but I do look forward to when he's old enough to wear a tiny hoodie, get a small hot chocolate from Starbucks and we can have family time in the Jeep.

Mason's Big Arrival

*I took this post from The Life and Times of Mason Moss blog.

Your dad and I prayed for you before we even knew you existed! In early January 2010, God answered our prayers and we found out we were pregnant with you. We had a ton of emotions about it, but most of all we were really excited! From day one, we couldn't wait to meet you!

On Tuesday, Sept. 14th, 2010 your dad and I reported to the hospital very early in the morning. We didn't mind getting up so early because I don't think either of us slept that night because we were so anxious to meet you! Mom's nurse name was Christy and her doctor was Dr. Lacey. Both were fantastic!

At 4:33 pm, you finally decided to make your big entrance into the world! You were so small, weighing only 6 lbs. 5 oz. and was 20 inches long. You were so handsome from the start! There were lots of people waiting to meet you, so after about 30 minutes of spending time with you mom and dad, you got to meet all your grandparents and Aunt Jill. Everyone fell in love with you from the get go!

10 weeks along

38 weeks along

Yay! You made it!

Our first family picture only 5 minutes after you were born

It's Official!

On Tuesday, Sept. 14th, 2010 we welcomed Mason John Moss at 4:33 pm. He weighed in at a whopping 6 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 inches long (and he is handsome like his daddy). The labor and delivery went great (all except when my husband, sister and mom came in smelling like Schlozsky's and I was starving!). Mason had a touch of jaundice, but other than that, extremely healthy! What a blessing!

It's amazing how you walk into the hospital as a family of 2 and you leave as a family of 3. My husband was absolutely amazing and I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with him even more, but hearing him tell me that I was doing a good job when I was absolutely exhausted and seeing him change diapers and willing to do anything for me or our son overwhelmed me so much (I have to admit the crazy-out-of-whack hormones didn't help either).

We feel so blessed that God picked little Mason to be our son!

A huge thank you to the staff at the hospital who took care of Mason and helped him arrive safely. Also, thanks to all of our friends and family for all of their prayers and support! Please keep 'em coming because after being home for just under two weeks, I've already figured out that labor was the easy part.

When It Rains It Pours

I'm sitting here in the nursery, enjoying a few days off before baby Mason arrives. It's pouring outside, but I don't mind because I'm still in my pajamas and love hearing the rain! As I sit here, I reflect on the rush of emotions that have come over me the past few days. I don't know if it is the hormones or what, but they have ranged from being all out giddy to meet our little guy and excitement to being completely terrified (that feeling came during the hospital tour).

I look over at the crib and it is so mind boggling to think that in less than a week, it won't be empty any more. It makes me laugh and brings tears to my eyes all at the same time.

So blessed to have such great people around me, who support me, no matter what flood of emotion comes over me. My sister has been a God-send! I only wish I could have been as much of a support to her as she has been to me. Everyone needs a Jill ~ and I'm the only on lucky enough to have the one and only! My mom has been making arrangements to come and stay with me and has been awesome about putting up with me! My mother-in-law has been doing the same. I cannot image being surrounded by a better, more experienced, more understanding group of women. Richard, too, has been great. Poor guy, he has to walk that delicate line of being compassionate and understanding but also has reel me in when I start to go into a downward spiral. Somehow, 95% of the time, he knows exactly what I need (which is difficult because most of the time, I honestly can't tell you what I need)... whether it be a hug, a laugh, a kick in the pants, or a brownie batter Blizzard.

The Things You Do For Love

The things you do for love...

1. I listen to my husband talk about his old black Jeep all the time. He loved that thing and put a lot of sweat (and a lot of money) into it. We fell in love in that Jeep. Something magical about those long Sunday drives down the back roads of southwest Missouri. There is something about bundling up in a cozy sweatshirt, with the top down, admiring the beautiful fall colors and sipping on a Starbucks hot chocolate that just can't be duplicated in a car, no matter how many windows you roll down. We shared some great conversations, some great music and some great memories in that Jeep. When we decided to start a family, we decided we needed something a little more practical (not to mention I couldn't climb in the darn thing because of the monster tires and the huge lift!). I know this was a huge sacrifice for him to make! Thank you R! The things you do for love...

2. Since I am 8 1/2 months pregnant, I can no longer see my feet, let alone, reach my toes. When Richard saw me struggling, he just smiled at me, grabbed my nail file, and pulled my feet up in his lap and went to work. I honestly think feet gross him out, but he didn't even hesitate or complain. The things you do for love...

3. I endure my husband's gas and sometime neurotic behavior. Oh, and I love his cat Henry. The things you do for love...