Best.Show.Ever.

In my opinion (and that's the ONLY one that matters here, right!) LOST is the best show in the history of television history. ANd those of you that never jumped on the bandwagon just don't know what you're missing! The season finale was Thursday night and I finally got to sit down and watch it yesterday while Mason was napping and OMG, WHAT an amazing season finale!!!!!!! I laughed....I cried.... I gasped in disbelief....and even screamed in shock and horror!!!!! yes you can say I'm just a bit of a fan....atic! HAHA!
All I can say is....
I now heart Ben. (i think!)
I still heart Desmond.
Sayid can kick ass.
Sawyer is still H.O.T.
I'm totally intrigued with Charlotte.
and I CANNOT wait until NEXT SEASON!!!

LOST totally ROCKS MY SOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Allergies officially UNDER CONTROL!

Thank you LORD!
SO yesterday on my way home from work I stopped off at the Healthy Approach store thats right down the street from us. I have to say their groceries are not the cheapest, but for Mason's snacks and foods they are a blessing (not to mention right down the street) I do love Sprouts, but its a little far for us to drive for groceries *gotta save on Gas when you drive a YUKON!* (but they do have the best produce for sure!) For Mason's everyday snacks Healthy Approach has worked out great for us, and after all my research and educating myself in label reading (not to mention thanks to Sara for googling certain ingredients for me while I do my grocery shopping! LOL) we've found some great tasting and nutritious snacks for Mason! I think I've finally found some relief (still not happy about how much our grocery bill has increased though!) The cookbook "deceptively delicious" has also been a HUGE blessing and help me figure out some alternative ideas (helps alot with cutting out eggs, etc.) Yesterday i found a GREAT thing- its called Meredith's Marvelous Muffin/Quickbread mix by 123Gluten Free (123Glutenfree.com) I found the mix at Healthy Approach & decided i'd give it a try for Mason (i've been struggling with new ideas for him for breakfast) so this afternoon I made muffins and on their website they had directions for Carrot Cake Muffins well I have a ton of carrots so I shredded some up, substituted the egg with Bananas, added a little milk to help thin out the batter a little and added a little cinnamon and brown sugar and WOW I'm overly impressed with this mix! You'd never know they are Gluten Free, Egg Free, Soy Free and Corn Free, and they're so nutritious! I couldn't be more thrilled that Mason LOOOOOVED them, lets just say within about 3 hours time tonight he ate 4 muffins! LOL SO I guess we found a great new brand that is going to be a staple in our house- next we'll try the pancake mix! AND now that I've really been able to nail down the soy (finally i've nailed down all these ingredients that disguise the soy) Mason's itching has stopped, in fact in the past 4 days we've only given him his itchy medicine ONCE, and havent used his steroid cream since early this week! We continue to treat him with Zyrtec every morning because that really helps with his outdoor allergies, but his skin is looking SO SO much better, his excema hasnt flared up and looks like his excema spots on his feet are really fading! HORRAY! Finally we've got some relief- thank you God!!

Girls Night Out!

I have to say i am SO excited for tonight! 10 of my girlfriends and I are going to watch the Sex & The City Movie! We're making it a girls night with Dinner, the movie and then dancing at the Glass Cactus! I can't wait, I know I'll be tired tomorrow, but I'm sure it'll be worth it! :-) Pictures to follow tomorrow!

Allergies suck.

so while we were in CA we were really lax on what Mason ate (bad bad parents!) it was too expensive to buy everything to be able to make all of his stuff from scratch, so basically we let him eat what we ate. His excema flared up and he had more congestion. So we've gotten back into the grind and feeding him what's right. I think I've just been really down about all the food allergies. If it was just wheat or just soy, but BOTH are in everything and I'm just getting frustrated. We FINALLY got back the extensive blood work results and Mason is allergic to just about every tree possible, Soy (being the highest of the food allergies), Wheat, CORN (thats a new one to us! and sadly Mason's favorite veggie, but corn products are in alot of things, so SOMETHING else to cut out), the egg whites are lower on the scale and considered a moderate food allergy, and also CATS. I was in tears thinking i would have to get rid of the beloved cats I've had for almost 10 years. Thankfully the allergist said no need to get rid of them, there's precautions we can take to lower the reaction to pet dander.
Anyway, I just feel beaten down about the food allergies. Its the soy that gets me (and Mason too apparently!) its in literally everything (except fruits and veggies thankfully!) but trying to cut it out is SO hard!! I just pray that he out grows that one REALLy quickly. I can do with the wheat allergy, its not easy, but its SO much easier to cut out than Soy! I've been struggling with things to be able to feed Mason for breakfast- basically he gets his Rice crackers for breakfast with blueberries & "Pirates Booty" not exactly the breakfast of champions, but its the one time of day that he doesnt want all fruit. I can't make him oatmeal because of hte chance of cross contamination with wheat. The last possible thing i thought i could make him was grits (ew) but that has corn in it-cant do that one now! So i think I'm going to have to play around with all these alternative flours and such and see if I can come up with a combination to make him some kind of muffins. I've used the gluten free all purpose flour and its just not right! YUCK! i tried some rice flour in stuff today and it seems better, next I'll try Buckwheat flour and see if its any better.
So enough of my vent, Mason is clearly not starving, but I've just been having a hard time, and I'm acutally getting tired of cooking so much!! (thats a first!) even though I've been back stocking meals for him, its been taking along time and not to mention EXPENSIVE!!
So please say a prayer for Mason that he grows out of these food allergies at a young age and doesnt have to deal with these thru adulthood! I sure don't want to be making these meals for him while he's in college! LOL

Random Ramblings

So I've got a big project in the works. Once everything is official, I'll let everyone know what's going on! In the mean time, just say a prayer for us that things work easily for us!

For some reason Mason has started waking up again at night--right around 4 am (UGH.) and so we've been having to let him Cry it out again (he wants to sleep in our bed) but we're not having any of it! Hopefully, (cross your fingers) last night was the last night of it. I am TIRED today!

I officially love Craig Fergusen. not really, but I just adore him. I have finally found my late night show that is meant for me! You all know my sense of humor, well I have discovered the Late Late show and OMG, he is HILARIOUS! I have almost peed my pants several times in the past few nights during his show. I have to remind myself to take care of that before his show comes on . ;-P
Sara and I might make a trip up to Oklahoma next weekend to see his stand up comedy act. Good stuff.

Its been so stinkin' hot here. I cannot WAIT until July until PT08 (parents trip 2008) and to be back by the beach! i think its like 50 some days left. its too far away!!!

Less than 2 months and counting down!

Less than 2 months (but WHO's counting!!) until we're back in CA (parents only trip!) and I'm back on my working out kick (vacation kinda put me on a delay and strep didn't help kick me back into gear at all!). I just gotta pray this motivation stays strong! I am devoted to losing weight and looking way BETTER in a swimsuit (usually thats an idea that makes me cringe!) So I have decided that one way to throw myself back into gear is to devote myself to "Total Conditioning" class twice weekly (really that's all that my schedule allows- most of the classes are during my work schedule, but at least I know I can devote myself to 2 of the classes weekly.) and yes you read right, I'm going back to the Total Coniditioning class! What am i thinking? I guess I'm looking for a good ass kicking. SO wish me luck, motivation and pray that I survive!!!

My nose!!

How can you tell if your nose is broken besides the obvious (see a dr, black eyes, swollen nose?) I was on the floor playing with Mason this morning, when of course I get knocked around. Mason busted my nose, and boy did it hurt this time (I've gotten head bonked many many times before) well, almost 12 hours later, my nose STILL hurts. No black eyes thankfully, my nose is slightly swollen but dang does it hurt still! ( and not just my nose, but the inside of my cheek bone and even my top lip) If its not broken, Mason sure tried hard at it! :-(

Crawfish Boil!

We went to our first Crawfish Boil tonight (or Crawdad Massacre- as I called it! haha!) our friends the Delins have some property out in Roanoake and John got a great deal on some crawfish- so they invited us and friends out for a crawfish boil. This was my first crawfish boil (and Mason's) but Gavin has been to several when he was younger.
So we get there and for some reason, it never dawned on me....they'd be ALIVE when you cook them! HA! Mason and I had fun sticking our heads into the coolers of crawfish and yelling at them, all their little claws would go straight up in the air in defense, it was kinda funny looking when they would all do it. Mason liked pointing at them and yelling too, but he wouldn't go any closer than that. He did really enjoy eating some though! Kudos to the chef John for our yummy delish dinner!

Mason partied hard into the night, and this was one of the things that kept him going!


A piece of our dinner just before he met his Maker.


Crawfish trying to eat Mason!

Loungin'.

I was taking a picture w/my camera on my phone tonight and I found this pic I snapped in CA of Mason lounging on the chaise on the patio. Just thought it was too cute not to share!

Home too Soon...

Our trip out to CA went WAY too fast. I could move there in a heart beat. But then again, who wouldn't with a house like Dad's to stay in???? We're definitely spoiled by his beach house! Its an AMAZING house (we're talking cream of the crop upgrades and an absolutely amazing view within just seconds walking to the sand) one of the big bonuses of the house (besides all those things!) is it is down in this great cove area among less than 2 dozen other houses with 2 small beach areas. The beaches are considered 'public' beaches, but there isn't any public parking in the cove, so accessing them unless you live down there, isn't easy, so needless to say, they are VeRy quiet beaches! Anyway, enough about the house-- we had a GREAT trip, it was too quick, and I really enjoyed hanging out with my 3 boys! I think I've had my fill of testosterone, I need a girly night!!!!!!!!

On to the photos you've been waiting to see!! (and YES, there ARE photos of MOMMY in here!)

Mason yelling at the big fish at the Aquarium of the Pacific


Colorful Jellyfish at the AOTP


Me looking at the couple of Lorikeets that landed on my arm, i would have liked them better if one had not pooped on my foot! (thankfully it was just clear liquid...and thankfully for wipes!)


Mason and I shopping in Laguna Beach


Mason on his favorite spot in the WHOLE house!


Mason on his beloved Chaise Lounge (he would have probably slept here if I let him!)


Gavin and his Mini Me


Daddies on Duty (Gavin with Mason and Roman with Maddy and McKenna) notice our loaded out get up/stroller from when we were at the Aquarium! I took our big stroller, but it wouldnt even fit in the BMW trunk (oops!) THANKFULLY Cathy brought one of her many double strollers, we loaded it up with bags, sweatshirts and kiddos!) HOW did I ever miss taking a picture with Cathy????


Mason on the Beach


Amazing sunset last night

Swimming with the Seals

I haven't been able to upload any pictures yet, as I forgot to pack my card reader, but we've been taking lots of fun pictures, so I'm sure tomorrow night I'll upload them all if I'm not passed out from our travels.
We had a quick moment today that was truely fascinating, I WISH I were fast enough to snap a photo, but I was more shocked by what happened. This evening, Mason, Gavin, Josh and I headed down to the beach for some fun for a bit before the sun went down. Mason was enjoying himself in the sand playing and eating it while I was busy snapping away pictures, Gavin and Josh were throwing around the frisbee. The water was COLD today. Gavin accidently threw the frisbee about 10 feet out into the water. So Josh & Gavin were debating who should go out and fetch it. Josh waded out into the water about 5 feet and was deciding if he should swim for it or not. I was watching the water by him and I said, "Josh, I think there's a big fish right there in front of you." Next thing you know, a seal pops his head up, looks at us and swims off! It was pretty neat to see and so close. We've been seeing quite a few seals out in the water, and I saw a few dolphins today from the patio balcony out in the bay by Balboa. When Mason hears the seals barking outside, he must think they're dogs, because he barks back at them. yet, again....they do bark! LOL its really neat to hear.

Today we met up with Cathy, Roman and the kiddos and we headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. What a great aquarium, it was really neat. Exciting day for me, I had some lorikeets land on me, and I couldn't get them off me (I'm not a huge bird fan, although they were really pretty...they're noisy buggers!) One pooped on my foot. I got soaked by a Bat Ray (in the sting ray family) during their lunch feeding (that was pretty cool) and Mason decided he was going to squirt water out of his mouth like the dolphin, but all on me. He found that rather amusing. Oh yes, and I sat on an orange. So you could say, I was a mess today! LOL But it was fun, we had a good time with Cathy & Roman. I always love spending time with them!

I'm not ready to come home yet, this trip has been TOO quick, but I am REALLY looking forward to coming out this summer a few times. There's so much more that I wanted to do on this trip, but we had a nice relaxing time and got to see some of our family and friends (which is always mantadory in my book!) I'm still hoping I can get in my frozen banana from Balboa tomorrow before we leave! (that's something you always have to eat while on the beach here- or at least I do (I grew up eating those everytime we made a trip to the beach) that would be like going to the State Fair of Texas and not having any fried food. (HAHAHA, oh the difference between California and Texas!) I do believe that in my midlife crisis (if i ever have one) i might move to the Coast- it must be my true Californian native in me that i LIVE for these sunny 70 degree weather days with the smell of Jasmine lingering and amazingly fresh fruit at my fingertips and sand between my toes!

I get the "Best Mother's Day" Award!

This morning, we woke up and Gavin gave me a wonderful large framed print of Mason in the Bluebonnets! (he sure knows what I like!!) Then we headed off to the airport and flew out to California. (that was previously planned! ha!) we had an easy, quick flight, that Mason was a champ as usual. He's such a good flyer- thank goodness for all the white noise!
We got in early this afternoon to the beach house, put our stuff away and jumped in the BMW and headed down to Laguna Beach for some shopping and Groceries. Apparently everyone else wanted to spend Mother's Day with us in Laguna, it was packed! It was just a few minute drive just down PCH. We had the top down and enjoyed the cool breeze, Mason loved driving in the convertible!
After lunch we headed out to see The Davis' (long time best family friends) and spent the afternoon chillin' with then and even got to see Jimmy's beautiful headstone at the cemetery. Mason and McKenna had a blast running around wearing each other out. We headed to Brea's Best Burgers for a quick dinner with Cath and then headed home to Newport. We got Mason down for the night, and now we're just chillin' on the patio with a nice glass of wine and as we sit here, we can hear the seals out on the beach (which is about 40 feet away) Does it sound like I'm bragging? Heck yes its absolutely amazing at my Dad's place and I will definitely use my family benefits to enjoy his house! This is how we celebrate Mother's Day! Now, I really gotta get creative to top it for Gavin on Father's Day....hmmm, maybe we'll just have to come back! LOL

Big Boys.

I was planning a quiet evening at home for us tonight, but while Gavin mowed the yard, Mason decided to throw a tantrum UNLESS we were outside, so dinner was never made tonight. So it was getting late, and we decided we needed dinner soon! So we headed to Grapevine for a quick dinner then a run to Southlake Town Square. So much for a quiet evening, although Mason was quite entertaining.
We went to Springcreek BBQ for dinner and before we left, Mason had to do his usual Once around the restaurant. He first stopped off at the cashier and just said, "Hi". Then he headed over to the bread counter, looked at the girl with the oven mitts on and said, "Hot." (while he shakes his hands for hot things) /i assume he was referring to the bread, not the girl. Then he finally headed to the front door where Gavin was already waiting outside for us. Before we headed out, Mason turns around towards the restaurant, shrugs his shoulders and says, "All Done!" it was too funny.
Gavin was sitting outside on the bench, and Mason just felt the need to chill with his Daddy, so of course I had to snap a shot of my boys. You'd never know Mason is sick! LOL


Mason being funny climbing on the benches by himself


When we got to Southlake Town Square, Gavin had to run into the Apple store, so Mason and I walked all over (wearing him out) when we walked into the apple store, (shows how MANY times we've been there) Mason walks in like he owns the place, says "Hi" to the greeters, and struts to the back of the store where the kids can play with the computers, he likes to sit on the "ball" and doesnt actually play on the computer, but he just clicks away with the mouse like he knows what he's doing. However, he does NOT want any help! Daddy tried, but Mason wasn't interested in him even sitting on his chair!

Spoke too soon.

Eh. Mason has strep. I picked him up from school yesterday afternoon and he was warm. Sure enough, he had a 101 fever. (didn't have that yesterday morning!) came home, he took a 2 hour nap (thats pretty uncommon for him to nap again after school). And then he'd didn't sleep so good last night. I forgot what sleep deprivation feels like. I went to bed around 11:30- and was up at 1:30 with him. He sure was happy at 1:30 am! I was SO stinkin' tired, I let him run around the house to wear himself out. He was laughing and squealing. The tylenol must've made him feel real good!
Gavin took over at 2:30 and I headed to bed, and he got Mason back in bed. Mason woke up again at 5am, and Gavin brought him into bed with us. Well, after that I sure didn't get much sleep!! So I think Gavin and I both are surviving today off 5 hours of sleep max each.
JUST in time for Mother's Day, I didn't want Mason getting worse over the weekend, so I thought- okay lets call the Dr and see if we can get in (I was wondering if it was strep since its going around- fever, congestion, diahrrea, cranky.) So Mom's instinct was right (arn't I always right!? lol!), but we got some good meds for him so he should be feeling MUCH better by Sunday!

Here's a pic of him in the waiting room thinkin' he's such a big boy! LOL I sat him in the chair. Gavin was sitting next to me, Mason points at his own chair, and says, "Dada." and then smiles. He LOVES being JUST like Dada. Gavin dressed him in jeans and a black t-shirt today (that's Gavin's usual Uniform), and Mason came struttin' into my bathroom pats his chest, points back to Gavin and says, "Dada." I've now figured out he's saying, "Just like Daddy!" Having a Mini Me sure is an ego boost to Gavin, especially when everyone comments on HOW CUTE he is! Haha!

Sleep Training Update

Guess I never updated about how our sleep training with Mason went! Its been what- about 6 weeks now. Within the first week he learned he's got to stay in his bed, that's HIS bed! Within the 2nd week, he started sleeping alot better, waking up happy, happy to play in his crib, stopped waking up at night. Even when we were trying to figure out the food allergy thing, it didn't bother Mason's sleeping. So its been about a month now that I have been getting GREAT sleep! Mason sleeps all night- about 11 1/2 hours, now RARELY waking up. its very unlike him now to wake up after going down now. Yeah for GREAT sleep! No more coming into bed with us, etc! Horray! I wish we had only been able to do it earlier!

Speak English?

I don't think my child speaks English. He carries on LOOOONG conversations with toys, with the dog, with me, with the trash can, but I don't think its just baby jibberish, today it sounded more like German I think. We encourage him to talk, but apparently he enjoys speaking in other languages. He follows the layout of a conversation great- he yells at the dog in his own language, he asks me questions, and I even think he makes jokes because he laughs at himself (Yes, he does get that from me!). You know, I DO remember Josh doing this as a kid- he was about 5 or 6 when he'd do it though. He'd make up his own language and talk to us in his secret language and then look at us like we were dumb when we couldn't understand him. Maybe Mason is just being like Uncle JB, he's too smart for us!!

Splish Splash, not quite a Bath!

it was so nice and warm earlier this week before all the rain started. Mason loves being outside so much, I thought I'd keep him busy with something new- water! I've been debating about finding some sand/water toy, but haven't decided on which one yet, so I improvised and filled up a bowl, his hamper and his wheel barrel with water and handed him some measuring spoons and such and he had a blast! I could barely get him to look up at me for the camera (which usually he's good at posing!) I guess he really enjoyed himself!



Splish Splash!

Free Ride

Mason LOVES helping do laundry. He especially loves scattering the clean laundry all over the living room floor. His favorite part of doing laundry is putting the clothes from the dryer into the basket. I know how he thinks though, he's only doing it because if he helps he gets a free ride in the laundry basket!

Some words

Mason is still saying just a few words, we try to get him to repeat things, but he doesnt. But what does he repeat? A phrase! LOL his favorite thing to say now is, "Uh Oh, All Gone!" and he'll also now say, "All Done!" but yet, he still won't call me Mama! I know within a few months we won't be able to shut him up, but I'd at least like to called Mama!

My workout buddy gets an F!

F for Failure! Maybe, I'm the failure, but she gets an F for effort! LOL Kristin & I have been attempting to go to the gym a few times a week for some weight lifting and cardio. We decided to kick it up a level and try one of the cardio classes. Kristin thought we were going to the 30 minute "Core Conditioning" class, but instead she took us to the HOUR & 10 minute CLASS of "TOTAL conditioning" class instead. And to our bad, we were some of the last ones in the room, so we had to be at the far side of the room (that meant AWAY from the escape door) we DID survive the ENTIRE class (barely.) Lets not forget to mention that TOTAL conditioning meant endurance training, weight training, cardio and aerobics. So I blame kristin completely for my condition for the past 2 days. ;-P Lets just say, half of the muscles used and that are still sore, I haven't felt those since BIRTHING Mason! so TOMORROW we will be trying the "CORE conditioning" class and not the "TOTAL" conditioning. As we all know, i do need the total coniditioning, HOWEVER my body is just not READY for that one yet ! LOL