On the road again

 

We survived. Just barely. We came back home in worse shape than when we left Tyler for Katy last week. All three of us have taken turns being sick, which explains the lack of Thanksgiving pictures. I did take some on the trip there to capture what it looks when you cram suitcases, 2 adults, a baby and two dogs (one of which is surely the size of a horse) into our car.

 

 

Football, family, food, friends, fun and flu virus. That about sums up our Thanksgiving. Hope you and yours are having a blessed holiday season!

Gig 'em Aggies!

Mason is all ready for game day! Maybe someday, his daddy will show him the very spot where Dash made his mark on Kyle Field!

Weigh in

Mason weighs in at 20 pounds 3 ounces (45%) and is 28 inches long (41%). Time for the new car seat. He got his first H1N1 shot like a champ and had his finger pricked to check his iron levels. Pretty easy visit to the doctor. We'll go back in a few weeks for the second H1N1 shot and then hopefully we don't have to see the doctor again until his big 0-1 birthday!

Mason at 9 months

Mason turns 9 months old today. Here's a glimpse into our boy at 9 months...

· His favorite game is to take all things and throw them, only to chase it down and throw it again. All things round, square, alphabet-shaped, but especially remote controls and cell phones.

· He loves his doggies and scrunches up in squeals and giggles when he sees them do something funny or gets a doggie kiss.

· He's becoming a mama's boy but loves his daddy and is fascinated by all things that Dash does.

· He likes music (like his daddy). He drags his little music player around and beats on his drum, always stopping to listen to music on tv. And he thinks it's really funny when mama makes up songs to sing to him.

· He thinks he is too big to be spoon fed now so we have to mix it up with big boy food (finger foods) so we can occasionally get a spoonful in without protest.

· He loves to skype with his Nanny. Nothing else is going on in the world when his Nanny is on the computer screen.

· He never lays still on his changing table anymore, making nasty diapers that much more challenging. Daddy got called to Mama's rescue last night as Mason twisted his way into a handstand with his dirty bottom in midair and dirty diaper underneath. I see fun times ahead with this one. Advice?

· He loves to be outside and squeals as soon as we walk out the front door, especially when it's chilly.

· He has short legs, apparently. All his pants that fit his waist drag on the floor unless rolled up a couple of times.

· He takes two good naps a day with his lovie. And he's still a pacifier boy.

· He still only has his first two teeth that he got on his 8 month birthday, but they create the most precious grin.

· He has crazy long eyelashes according to everyone and their mom, which is usually followed by a "of course the boys always get the long eyelashes."

· He makes hilarious noises that can only be described as 'all boy.' From deep throat grunts from the backseat to loud and long screams that sound a little like the Aggie freshman wildcat yell.

· We love him more and more each day.

Look mama, no hands!

It all started last Thursday when we went to our first story time at the library. Mason got so excited by all the 'big' kids around him, he squealed and then stood up. I think I might have squealed too. He only stood for a second, but since then every day he has been standing for longer periods of time. It's usually so brief that I can't run and grab the camerain time, but today at the park I already had the camera out. There's nothing quite like Gerber baby puffs (or baby crack as some call it) to motivate him. Last count we made it to 10 seconds!

Fall is turning out to be beautiful in Tyler. The weather has been great this past week and it is supposed to staythis way for a while. Next Tuesday, Mason will be 9 months! Next week, we'll also be heading to the doctor for the first time since he turned 6 months old. I can't wait to see how heavy and long he is.

Getting down to business...

Well, it seems like it's been a long time coming, but I'm officially opened for business! Check out my new Etsy store - http://www.westdobbsdesigns.etsy.com/. It's definitely a work in progress, but I'm enjoying it and I think I'm getting better. One of the perks of having a husband that works at a college is that I get to take classes for free, so I'm planning on taking some to learn more in the next few years - like photography and graphic design. Let me know what you think and if you have something you need! I have a few more designs I'm adding this week too. And then a few custom cards to get to!

The makings of a little buckaroo

Last week, I set off making Mason's first Halloween costume. I didn't have a pattern to go by, other than some photos I googled, so I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. He got to wear it to our church's big Block Party (Fall Festival) last Sunday. All he was missing was his horse, though he did have some on his shoes. Mason was battling a cold so he wore his serious face the whole time, but he was cute nonetheless.

How to make a little buckaroo...

Mason's New Toy

Mason discovered a new toy, or an old toy in a new way this week and it is quickly becoming his favorite hangin' out place. You have to tilt your head to the side and ignore the mama voice in the background. ;)

Meet and Greet

Mason and I took a road trip down to my parents' new home in Austin a little while ago while Dash traveled to Laredo for his college coaching debut. While there, we all went to eat at Z Tejas Grill (yum!) and stopped by for Mason to meet the Arboretum Cows, an Austin tradition. Growing up near Austin, I have many photos with these cows... as does everyone else, but nonetheless, it's a fun tradition usually topped off with ice cream.

Table for four now ready

Our dining room/study is finished and ready for use, so feel free to stop by for dinner anytime! Now your only excuse can be that 4-5 hour drive (or 19 hour plane ride). One of the things I love about this room is the chandelier. I never thought I would have or want a glitzy chandelier, but I love this one. The windows look into our soon-to-be backyard (more on that later) and climbing vines frame the view. It's a precious room!

The makings of a first Halloween

Start with this...

And insert this...

... and I think we have the makings of a very cute Halloween on our hands. Which reminds me... where is that sewing machine stashed away??

A visit from G and Grandpa

Dash's parents (aka G and Grandpa) cruised into town this past weekend for some tennis and we were lucky enough to occupy their free time. G and Grandpa have been there, done that with historical homes, so it was great being able to hear about their experiences and get advice for ours. They also got to see Mason crawling all over and he shared many of his precious smiles with them.


In our front yard, we have an impressive magnolia tree that is as ancient as our house. While Grandpa was here, he put up a swing for Mason. See the small red swing?




And we're already reaping the rewards!

G, Mason and I checked out a park close to our house called The Children's Park. It's a very serene park with no play equipment but instead has creeks to wade in and waterfalls to splash in. It's dedicated to children and babies that have passed away. As a mom, I got mixed feelings - sorrow for those parents who lost little ones and I was reminded of the huge blessing that Mason is to us. We'll go back but maybe when Mason is a little older and can enjoy it more.

Dash is heading to Laredo this week with his players, so Mason and I are packing for Austin to spend a week helping Nanny and Papa set up their new home. I hear it's just beautiful so I can't wait to see it!

From our house

Another room is complete and others will be following closely behind. We spent one night recently hanging things around the house. This doesn't sound like much of an accomplishment, but when the fete involves lumps in your wall the size of your head and trips to the old storage building out back with a creepy animal (or small cat) that makes your husband run, it indeed is a great accomplishment!

Take a look around our living room, one of my favorite in our home (and Maddy's too, if you can't tell).

One of the fun things about living in a historical (sounds so much better than old!) home is the original features that give it personality. Here are some from just the living room.

Discovering Tyler

With a few found hours of sunshine, Mason and I strolled over to a few shops in our neighborhood today. Our first stop was Brady's Specialty Coffee, where I enjoyed one of my few cups of coffee since we arrived in Tyler. It was great and even better on the walk home. Mason enjoyed being the center of attention and an elderly lady told me that "he made her day" with his smiles and giggles for her. I love how my little man makes friends with everyone. Then we meandered over to Brick Streets Pharmacy where we discovered a fun collection of greeting cards, more strangers who oooo'ed and awww'ed over Mason's eyelashes and Blue Bell ice cream. Blue Bell ice cream just a few minutes walk from my house, we could be in for some trouble. My legs need to get used to this small town living as they are complaining to me right now, but this is slowly starting to feel like home.

If you come visit us in Tyler, keep an eye on the road for my husband. We knew one of the changes we were going to have to make when we moved to Tyler was to get rid of one car and the car loan that came with it. We held true to our word and are now sharing our CR-V. But Dash did get himself another vehicle to get to and from work and I think he's rather proud of it. I even offered to pick him up from work the other day and he turned me down!

Taking it out for a test drive...

Posing to satisfy his wife and looking thrilled about it...

We learned a whole new vocabulary when we went shopping for the bike in Dallas. As you can see, we splurged and got the helmet and front and rear lights. Dash decided to hold out on the padded biking shorts, but if he finds out he needs them, don't worry, I'll be sure to make him pose again. :)

From our new home

We've arrived. Actually, I've been here over two weeks now. That's hard to believe. We've been busy cleaning, unpacking, cleaning, setting up and cleaning our new place in Tyler. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little OCD with it comes to other people's dirt. Ask my husband and he'll roll his eyes and tell you that I never take my flip flops off in hotel rooms and refuse to touch the comforter. You can roll your eyes now too. Lucky for me, the person who I inherited my OCD tendencies came to my rescue. My mom spent the better part of last week helping me clean every cabinet and drawer, every piece of furniture and every floor. There's still some left to do, like find a breakfast table or a dining table or both so we no longer have to eat on our laps and Mason's high chair can leave its prominent place in our living room. But our new home is coming together well. We do have one room completely finished. Let me introduce you to our bathroom (yep, just one!)!



The owners have updated the important features in the house - the cabinet hardware, windows and blinds, sinks, faucets, but kept most of the original light fixtures that give the home character. As you know, Dash found this house for us and I only saw it in photos until Mason and I moved up here. The home is even better than the photos, as historical charm is present in every room. And I'm happy to report that I walk barefoot in our house. Well, almost the whole house. Flip flops are still required in the pink and white tiled bathroom.

Lasts and Firsts

This week has been an emotional week of lasts, ending with today, my last day of work in the real world. My new boss doesn't have much hair, is quite a bit shorter and weighing in around 18 pounds.

I'm looking forward to weeks and months of firsts starting tomorrow. After one last wave goodbye to my mom, my roommate for the past 2 months and who quickly became my best friend since moving to Houston three years ago. Hopefully soon, we'll be hugging hello at my parent's new home in Austin.

Someone is pretty excited about seeing his daddy, his doggies and his new home tomorrow though. Well... until we get our Internet connected in Tyler, goodbye Houston.

Already?

Is my little man really 6 months old already? Like people always say, kids grow up too fast. I already find myself searching my memory for what he was like as a newborn. I guess that's why we stalk our babies with our cameras. I am cherishing these days as Mason is showing more and more of his personality. He is still growing leaps and bounds and smiles at everybody. His laughs fill the house and he babbles to all his toys. At 6 months old, Mason weighs in at 18 pounds (50th percentile) and stretches to 27 inches (75th percentile).

To celebrate his half birthday, Mason gave his mama a present and crawled for the first time. Apparently, there's nothing like a red cell phone and a big box of Goldfish to get my baby moving. He still needs a lot of practice though. He only makes it a few feet before he gets frustrated.

Just a week and a half until we're Tyler bound!