Visit from uncle John

We got a unexpected visit from uncle John on his way back to Washington. Here we are at brunch.

3 months!

Mason is 3 months. Yay!

We don't have an official weigh-in, but we estimate Mason is between 15 1/2 and 16 lbs! He gained another 3 lbs in the past month. He started to take 2 bottles during the day while I am at work, and he is eating about 7+ ounces per bottle!

Mason is also doing better with tummy time. I won't say he likes it, but he lays on his tummy and holds his head up for a few minutes.

Watching the Broncos with Daddy

... too bad the Broncos lost.

Back to work

My 12-week maternity leave is coming to an end. I can't believe how quickly time has gone. I've been preparing mentally and logistically for my return to work. I am comforted that Mason will be with my parents, saving us daycare fees and it is emotionally easier to leave him with his grandparents. I work only 6 miles from home, saving commute time and I can be back home in minutes if anything is needed. I can and will work from our home office a few days per week, allowing me to nurse or spend some time with Mason during breaks. It will still be hard to go back to work, but I know it could be much harder.

In a couple of weeks I have my first business trip. I'll be away in Vegas for 3 days. I'm sure there will be tears!

Visit from Godmother Diana

Mason's godmother, my cousin Diana, came to visit from NYC this weekend. She came to check out her new godson. She brought him a Burberry outfit complete with bib, on which Mason promptly spit up. As Mason grows up, Diana will make sure he stays fashionable in designer clothes.

Heads up

Mason has a large head! My doctor told us this during a ultrasound while he was still in the womb, and that was confirmed when he was born (14.5 inches around in the 90th %ile). At our last visit (2-month check up) his head was 16.5 inches around, still large but he has fallen to the 80th %ile. So, it is amazing to us that at 2 1/2 months he is holding his head up, not just briefly, but all the time.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a full Labor Day weekend. On Saturday, we went to the Taste of Colorado. We had some yummy food, looked at the arts and crafts, and hung out with Mason on a picnic blanket. The festival actually provided a tent for baby nursing and changing, but where we were was pretty private and I saw another woman on the other side of the field nursing her baby discretely and that empowered me to do the same. Mason got to wear a new outfit from auntie Shaolin and we got him a new hat. On Sunday, we went to visit our friends Winston and Jen, and their two kids (3 yr-old Ethan and 9-mo old Cadyn) at their new home in Centennial.

We moved into our home in March, but between preparing for Mason's arrival and time spent since he arrived, we still had unfinished projects around the house. Bill spent some time this weekend hanging drapes in the living room and dining room, hanging a few paintings, and installing a new ceiling fan in Mason's room. Mason loves ceiling fans. He always stares at the one in our master bedroom, so we decided to replace the old and loud fan in his room with a nice quiet new fan.

Thankful parents

We are very lucky and very grateful for our good fortune.

First and foremost, we have a very healthy baby! Mason has been growing as he should and has met all his developmental milestones thus far. Thank you God.

Mason has a loving family of parents, aunts and uncles (Diana, Shawn, Mary, Heather & Jamie, Holly & John, Heidi & Greg, Shef & Sandra), 9 cousins (Edward, Tommy, Nikki, Haylie, Ben, Candler, Julia, Laura and Alec) and 3 sets of grandparents (Brantley & Sandra, Helen & Jack, Simon & Lilian) that love him and will continue to support him as he grows.

I am grateful that I had an easy pregnancy, delivery and been successful at breastfeeding. I may even consider doing this again in a couple of years.

Mason really has been a great baby so far! He is not very fussy, he falls asleep easily at night, and is very happy.

We have so many great friends who have been so generous to us. The baby shower in Atlanta given to us by Bill's parents, where we received so many gifts and great books that Mason will enjoy for years to come. All the baby stuff from our friends Syl and Pete, that their 18-month son Otto has outgrown. And all the things my friend Karen (who is a buyer for Baby Style) has sent us, from maternity clothes to breast pumps, video monitors, and 5-6 boxes of other stuff. And all the gifts from friends that seems to arrive weekly.

We just wanted to take the time to be grateful for all of you.