Helloooo!

To our surprise Mason is beginning to pick up words very quick! We were eating lunch at Braums the other day and Laura decided to pull out her phone and start recording Mason. He was making a lot of sounds that we thought were too cute.

This was the first time he actually mocked something Laura said and it was "Hellooooo" The past few weeks Laura has been greeting Mason and shaking his hand. He normally looks at her confused because he has no idea why she is grabbing his hand. She'll say "Hello Mason, it's nice to meet you!" and then precede to shake his hand. She does this a few times and then he will start reaching out for her hand. Laura and I want to make sure Mason has good manners.

Mason meets new faces

During this week Mason has met two new people.  The first person is Ezra who stopped by our home with his mother, Gabby.  Mason seemed to have a good time since someone close to his age was able to enjoy his playroom.  They also watched Toy Story and had dinner together.

Mason and Ezra

Mason sharing his toys 

Wathcing Toy Story with Woody!

Today, Mason met my cousin Chau who I haven't seen in 6 years since I have moved to Texas from South Carolina.  Mason and I met her at the Buttons Restaurant in Fort Worth.  It was a really good Soul Food restaurant and Mason was well behaved as always.  I was able to snap a few photos of Mason and Chau before we parted ways.  Mason wasn't very cooperative with the camera this evening, but I still wanted to share these photos.

Mason not cooperating

Natural photo

Mason's Speaks!

Well, it's official. Mason's first word was Dada! I tried so hard to get him to say mama to no avail. It's okay though. I'm sure he will tell me he loves me first.

Mason's Bookshelf!

We've been working on Mason's playroom for the past month and we're just about done! I've been getting a lot of compliments on Mason's book shelf so I thought I would share where I got the supplies. My inspiration for the book shelf actually came from Pinterest! I'm totally addicted! I saw similar pictures using gutter drains but when we went to Ikea I found the perfect shelf. It is actually used to hang pictures on. We got the picture shelf which is called Ribba on the first floor of Ikea where the picture frames where located at. It comes in white, black and birch.

The decal we purchased from Amazon. I love quotes by Dr. Seuss and I thought it fit perfect over his book shelf! The books we purchased from the first top two rows are all by Dr. Seuss. A lot of the books we got on sale when Borders was going out of business so we got a pretty good deal! As of now we have a toy chest underneath the bookshelf but we are on the look out for a cute little chair or couch for Mason. I saw a couch from Pottery Barn but I don't love the price for it!

Mason's first visit to the Zoo!

So yesterday our family took a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo.  Laura and I have always visited this zoo every year since we have met.  Sometimes twice a year.  The first time was when we took my little cousins, Faith and Alan, back in 2006.  The zoo is definitely different when you take a child along.  One major difference is instead of being able to take the short routes with the stairs/steps, we had to take all the routes with ramps in order for our stroller get through.  

Mason and Me at the Crocodile Cafe which is attached to the MOLA (Museum of Living Art)

Mason with his first glimpse of a crocodile, and vice versa.  

After taking this photo we tried to find the Hispanic Elephants, but apparently they don't exist?

Mommy and Mason looking at the Asian Elephants

If you look closely, there is a sleeping Lion in the background

Mason is definitely a good luck charm.  Out of all the 6 times Laura and I have gone to the Zoo, we were only able to hear the Lion roar once.  However, on this date we heard him 4 times!  At one point Mason was whiney and crying however once he heard the Lion's roar he came to himself really quick!  

Showing off his Lion shirt!

He seemed to really like this Gorilla, his name was Elmo (no joke).

Mommy and Mason before we left.

Mason holding onto Mommy, making sure he doesn't fall into the exhibit.

This family trip was quite a success!  We plan on going to the Dallas Zoo and an aquarium sometime in the near future.  Mason is definitely and outdoors baby and we love it.  Later that night we watched "We Bought a Zoo" too bad Mason fell asleep.  It was an adventurous day for all of us.

Some memorable and funny photos

Here are a few photos we have taken of Mason in the past month.  They seem to be really popular on our facebook posts since we receive so many comments and "likes".  I figured we needed to place them on our blog before we forget.  I always crack a big smile when I see these photos.  I am sure there will be a lot more to follow.  

We were at Kroger one day and Mason kept trying to grab for this Maxim magazine.  Once he got his hands on it, his lips were soon to follow.  

One day Laura and I wanted to take Mason to the local pool.  Unfortunately it was windy and the water was really cold, so instead of swimming he played with the water spout.  This is how one of our photos turned out.  

8 months & 35 Weeks!

Mason turned 8 months on the 15th and 35 weeks Monday April 16. Well I decided just to take one picture since I promised Mason I would only do one. I think he's getting tired of his weekly photos so I didn't want to make him upset!

Mason now has 4 teeth growing out up top and still 2 bottom teeth. Tylenol has been his best friend to get him through the pain as well as Sophie's friend Vulli. I really do not know what happened to Sophie, I think Shorty hid her. She loves the squeaking noise.

Big booty!

Noah Davin Guevara

Friday, April 13th was a very special day for one of my best friends. She had her first baby. I was so honored I was able to meet Noah the first day he was born. Likewise, she was able to meet Mason minutes after he entered this world. Special moments like these are ones that I hold dear to my heart. I'm sure we will both continue this tradition when we have more children in the next few years.

Tamara's first time meeting Mason

Baby Noah is just as cute as they come. I forgot what it was like to hold such a tiny baby! My heart opened up with so much love for him and I know Tamara felt the same way about my son Mason. I hope as they grow together they will become the best of friends like us. I always joke with Tamara when we have girls they will marry our sons.

Love him!

Noah's little Asian eyes! He looks like Mason's cousin :)

He's Finally Back!

It has felt like an eternity since I last saw Mason.  This past weekend, starting Friday, he went to Arkansas with my Mom who flew down from South Carolina.  I picked her up at the airport and she went to Arkansas with my cousins to celebrate my Aunt's Birthday.  She really wanted to spend time with Mason and since Laura had to study for an exam and I had to work; we both couldn't make the trip.  Therefore, we let Mason spend the weekend with her in Arkansas along with the rest of the family.  He had a fun time like always, and once again he went to go visit the Buddhist Temple.  His great grandmother also cooked him some Vietnamese porridge aka "Chao."  It was his first taste of an authentic Vietnamese dish.  He loved it.  Although we missed him dearly, my family sent us a lot of photo messages.

While in Arkansas, Mason received a bath everyday from my Mom

Mason sticking to his roots

Mason came back to Texas on Sunday and we went to go pick him up and say bye to my mom.  Then on Tuesday I found out I had court early Wendesday morning and that was at the same day and time Laura had her exam.  And unfortunately our babysitter backed out at the last minute.  However, thanks to my Oanhderful family, Mason's great Aunt and cousin volunteered to take care of him for the day.  So Tuesday I drove him to Sachse where he spent another fun filled day with lots of family members.  Laura and I picked him up the following day on Wednesday after we were able to catch up on our sleep.  We received good reviews that Mason was very well behaved and stuck to his sleeping schedule. 

Mason enjoying his time in Sachse

34 Weeks

Mason did not want to take his picture this week. I guess I can't blame him. He has been such a good sport for the all of the other ones. Although, I think he might have been a little grumpy because he is teething. He currently has two teeth at the bottom and now he's starting to cut two teeth up top! 

33 Weeks & Easter Pics!

This week Mason turned 33 Weeks! His personality is starting to shine through and his new favorite thing to do is give kisses. He's such a sweet baby. I wish he could stay this age forever. It's bitter sweet to know that my little baby is growing up.  

We went to NorthPark Monday to go get his Easter pictures taken which was great because we didn't have to take his weekly photo. He loved the live bunnies and started to pull their ears. Luckily, the bunnies stayed calm and didn't react to the ear tugging!

Easter 2012

Baby Mason goes Easter Egg Hunting for the first time

Yesterday the Vo's invited us to go Easter Egg hunting at the town of Trophy Club.  It was Mason's first time celebrating this holiday.  We bought him his very own easter egg basket and he must have known he was going hunting because he decided to wake up extra early.  We knew he would enjoy egg hunting since it was being held outdoors.  Thankfully the weather was nice, slightly cloudy with a refreshing breeze and no rain.  However, he was only able to get a few eggs even though he was in the 0 - 3 year old group.  Next year, once he starts walking he will get more eggs.

ready for the egg hunt to begin 

Lots of competition

Learning how to pick up eggs and place them into the basket

Easter 2012

Mackenzie, Tanner, and  "Baby" Mason

Mason and the Easter Bunny

First time swimmer

About a week ago we took Mason to his first Birthday party which was held at an indoor swimming pool.  We figured it wouldn't be an issue with Mason because he loves to take baths and he enjoys water.  So we bought Mason some swimming diapers, trunks, and a float.  We put him in the pool and he really enjoyed it.  Thanks to the Vo's for having us as their guests.  We have also scheduled Mason to take swimming lessons which will begin April 10th.  We can't wait!

Mason and Dad swimming together

Mason getting dried off by Mom

With his Toy Story towel and swimming trunks

 his pruned feet