Our little reindeer is 15 weeks!

Ba Noi leaves back to SC

Ba Noi came on Thanksgiving day and left today.  It was a short but sweet visit.  We shall see her again soon.  Mason is definitely attached to her.

"Ba Noi, please don't leave me"

Ba Noi spending her last few minutes with Mason

The goodbye photo

We have finally set the date!

July 28th, 2012!

We have finally set the date for our wedding.  With the help of Phan's family, they stated this date is a good and lucky day for our wedding.  It will be taking place in Arlington, Texas.  We will give our family and friends more information as the date gets closer.  

The lucky date

Phan's Aunt reading the date's fortune

Mason's first visit to the Buddhist Temple

Bundled up and ready for the Arkansas weather

Thai Buddha

Mason's Great Grandmother and Aunt preparing breakfast for the monks

The monks eating breakfast

The head-monk preparing a special gift for Mason

The monk asked me if you were a boy or girl,
since you are a boy they were able to touch and hold you.

Receiving words of wisdom from the monks

A special prayer for you

You are blessed

Great Grandma requested to take a photo with you.
You are loved.

Mason's First Thanksgiving!

Mason's first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 

Fort Smith, Arkansas.  

Son, 

Today is your first Thanksgiving and there is so much I am thankful for.  First off, I am thankful for your beautiful mother who has been by my side through many years.   She is such a hard worker, going to class and clinical numerous hours a day, and then coming home to care for you while she studies long and tedious hours.   She also gave me the most wonderful gift in the world, you!  

Our Family Thanksgiving Photo

Dear Mason...the word at the moment is "Generous"

Son,

A few days ago we attended a pre-holiday, Thanksgiving luncheon at the office of Midtown Apartments.  While there, we saw a special someone who adores you, Joanna.  After meeting her you could easily define the word Generous.  

Its so easy for you to bring joy into someone's life

He loves to talk

Mason talking up a storm

Dear Mason...no one is perfect, except you.

Son,
It is about 4 am and you woke up our entire family....again.  So to make you feel better, your mother and I changed you, fed you, burped you, and laid you down to sleep.

Afterwards, we had a long discussion about taking precautionary measures to ensure your safety.  Neither one of us want any harm to come to you so we discuss ways we can be better parents.  We both know we cannot always be with you every minute of your life, but there are things we can prevent to ensure you stay out of harm's way.  It is critical we have some sort of plan put in place to keep you out of danger.  Your mom and I only want what is best for you.

Mason @ one week old

As you get older you will realize no one is perfect.  However, I believe you have been the perfect child for the past 14 weeks and no nothing will change my mind for the next 18 years or more.  You see, you are our son, and your mom and I have a lot of learning to do on this long, fun, and life-changing journey of parenting.  All of us will make mistakes, overlook things, or hit a bump in the road.  But remember it is important for our family to come together and help one another.  Life is a not fair, nor is it easy; no one can get through it alone.  So do not forget, you will always have your mom and myself here to assist you in anyway possible.  We both love you very much.

Love,
Dad

The little turkey is 14 weeks

It is going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

Figuring out the correct formula

Until recently, we have been having a difficult time finding the right combination between formula and feeding bottles for Mason.  Ever since the first day he began consuming formula, he has been really gassy and fussy.  We tried Similac Advance first which is the general type everyone uses.  But he did not like it, so we thought since Phan has a history of being lactose intolerant, maybe we should switch to the Similac Soy formula.  The results were pretty much the same.  We spoke to our pedatrician who recommended the Similac Sensitive formula.  It helped a little but Mason still had a hard time digesting and kept on grunting at night.  So we finally tried the Similac Expert Care Alimentum formula.  We have been on it for a month and have had positive results.

Some people stated Mason's gas may be from the bottle he is taking.  We have tried just about every type of bottle from the expensive, Tommee Tippee...Playtex drop-ins (which are really easy to use)...Playtex Ventaire advanced...Avent.  But Mason's preference is Dr. Brown's.  Some people may think its too complicated to use, but it really isn't.   There just two extra parts that insert inside the bottle which is convenient and easy to clean.

Mason did not like the regular advance, it gave him a lot
of gas and he was always straining at night.

The soy formula, did not change anything...
pretty much same results.

The sensitive formula helped a little, since it was
specifically directed towards fussiness and gas.

The expert care formula gave the best results and this
is what we are currently feeding Mason.

This is Mason's preference in bottles, Dr. Brown's.

Baby Einstein's Jumper

Dear Mason,

Today we all went to Babies R Us and purchased Baby Einstein's Jumper.  We opened up the box and discovered there were over 20 parts to this toy.  Mommy didn't think dad could put it together, however dad proved her wrong.  It took him a while, but eventually it was completed in an hour.  The jumper is recommended for 4+ months, but we wanted you to get a head start.  The jumper is supposed to grow with you, however even on the lowest height setting, your feet still won't touch the floor.  So dad figured something out (see photos below). You seemed to really enjoy the jumper, we can't wait for you to become even more active and really enjoy it.  We love you son.

Mom & Dad

Mason watching dad put together the new jumper

"Mom, I don't think dad knows what he is doing"

Dad completed it!

Mason testing it out

Almost there, but not quite yet...

Our little man still wants to try it out.

Dad is so smart!  Thanks!

Worn out

Mason's pre-birth video

We forgot to post this on our blog, Laura made this video during May 2011 while she was pregnant.

It is great being able to look back on these memories even though it wasn't too far away.

Ultrasound test results...

The doctor called us today and told us Mason's ultrasound test results came back negative.  

So he is a healthy and happy baby boy.  

Mason getting acquainted with his Bumbo

Mason is 3 months old!

Today Mason took his 3 month photos.  He sure is getting big; he is starting to make the calendar look small.  We can't wait to see how much he weighs in another month when we go to the pediatrician for his check-up.  

Dear Mason...today you visited the police station.

Dear Mason,

Today I took the day off from work to go on "baby duty."  Mom has a very important test in a few days and needs to concentrate on studying.  She needed some peace and quiet and asked me to take you out for a few hours because you are obviously distracting.  This is how our day went...

First I took you to the East Police Station where you met a few Officers, Sergeants, and Detectives.  You were a big hit and Detective Heisel, who is pregnant was finally able to meet you.  One day you will get to meet her son, Wyatt.

Next we drove to the North Police Station.  Here you were able to meet a few dispatchers which included Jaime, Cherie, and Michelle.

Finally, I took you to Kroger where we bought Salmon and other groceries.  We drove home and I cooked everyone dinner.   Mom asked me to take some photos from our father/son day out.  Thank you for behaving and not causing a ruckus.

Love,
Dad

Dressed and ready to go

Your Birth Announcement in Detective Heisel's Cubicle

Jaime

Cherie

Michelle

13 weeks

Lucky #13
(Taylor Swift's favorite number)

Resting his feet

Breaking Dawn Part I
coming soon in movies theaters

Mason uses his hand

Mason learns how to use his hand for the first time today.

We are so proud of him.

Dear Mommy, this is our family's 100th blog post!

"Dear mommy,
Today was dad's day off from work and he said you were studying at the library. I know you told dad to not let me nap more than 30 minutes, but he let me nap for a total of 3 hours!  He spoils me.  So since I napped all day I am well rested and energetic.  I will be awake waiting for you to come home tonight."

-Mason

Dad & Me on his day off

Mason's Ultrasound @ Cook's Children

Today our family went to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth for Mason's Ultrasound.  Apparently it is common for children who are breeched to get this check-up after two months.  Since Mason's delivery included a c-section the Doctors wanted to check his hips to ensure they moved and rotated correctly.  We will get the results tomorrow, but the check-up went very well.  Also, the hospital was really nice, located inside are :  Starbucks cafe, Build-a-Bear Workshop, and a nice Food Court.  

Mason taking it well

The nurse applying the ultrasound with cold gel

After 12 different images, we are eventually done.