A Mason Man Update

This picture was taken at the beginning of May 2009. I selected it because it captures Mason perfectly. Mason loves to be included when it comes to Hunter and any of Hunter's friends. What you don't see in this picture: Hunter and cousin Hudson. They are watching a show and I'm pretty sure that Mason started laughing because Hunter and Hudson did. Mason is the "me too" kid. Anything his big brother does, he wants to do too. Yesterday, Mason reluctantly followed his brother into the child center at Life Time Fitness. Usually, Mason cries when I leave him, but on this day, he was allowed to play with the big kids. Watching him follow Hunter in was precious. Mason seemed so tentative but willing to do what his big brother was doing.

Mason is a chatterbox. This morning he informed me that he wanted "oatmeal" for lunch. He got it. He can also speak, not always but sometimes, in complete sentences. This morning he said, "I want to go in there." He says "please" and "pank you." Actually, he says, "pank you mommy." In Mason's world, all men are "daddy" and all women are "mommy." He often greets strangers in the store with a "hi mommy" or "hi daddy." The hero in Mason's world is currently Mitch. Mitch's leaving a room can make Mason dissolve into sobs. Mason cries a lot. He's at that stage. He tattles a lot too. While he cannot fully explain what happened, there is a lot of pointing toward a certain five-year-old and an accusatory name uttered, "Hunter."

Mason is currently asserting his independence by refusing to sit in his high chair. I do have to force the issue sometimes when he eats yogurt or something. Yesterday I made the mistake of giving Mason a yogurt while I was on the phone. Because I wanted to finish my conversation, I let Mason sit at the table. All was well until I realized that Mason had dipped his hand in the yogurt and was touching everything that could stain, including the carpet and our couch.

Mason's favorite possession is his "blankie." He still chews on it and loves to carry it around with him in the morning. Mason loves to play "downstairs" with Hunter (all words in quotations are words that Mason can say). He loves to play "outside." He loves to drink "juice" nonstop.

Mason will turn two-years-old on September 15th. We are planning his first birthday party. Last year he didn't have one because he had something contagious. It may have been RSV. Here's hoping that everyone stays healthy for this year's bash.