Our baby is growing up

Mason has lots of Mason-isms... and they're transitioning to big boy words.

this week, 2 transitions happened.

Mason was sitting on my lap reading a couple of books with me. In one book, a cat was a "meow"... by the next book, it was a "cat." (That's an easier word anyway, but he held onto "meow".)

Last night at dinner, the television changed, too. Up to that point, it had been the "O.V." Don't know why... I guess, it was just letters to him. Last night, it changed to "T.V."

Sigh!

Who is Cute and Who is Not

Post from the Dad this time since Mom wasn't there.

So let me take you back to the afternoon of Friday, February 13. Dinner is on the stove but several key ingredients are missing to complete the meal. Mason and I volunteer to jump in the car for the fast trip to Kroger and are silly through the store with the race car cart. (Almost ran over another customer as we made the turn around the shredded cheese refrigerated island but that's not part of this story.)

After checking out with Mason hollering "Happy Day" to the woman in front of us with balloons, he and I head to the car.

As I put him into the car seat I ask if we are going back home and who we are going to see.

His response, making perfect and complete sense in Mason world, is "Mason ... cute."

So I ask if Paxon is cute: "Yes."

Is Daddy cute: "Yes."

Is Mommy cute: "No."

Mommy's not cute: "Noooo."

Is Mammy cute: "No."

Is TT cute: "No."

Is Mason cute: "Yes."

Paxon: "Yes."

Daddy: "Yes."

Mommy, Mammy, and TT: "Noooo."

Needless to say that was one of my more triumphant entries back into the house with a story to tell!

Consequently in the retelling on the phone, both Aunt Bubba and MarMar asked to see if they were cute. Sorry ladies, just Mason, Pax, and Daddy.

"He thinks I'm cute, he thinks I'm cuuuuuute!" to borrow a phrase from the well-loved Monker DVD.

From a text message on January 26, 2009

Jamey is peeling an orange.
M: Bubba eat. (Bubba is ALSO the name for Ladybug, our dog.)
JC: No Mason, Ladybug doesn't eat oranges.
M: Masey eat.
JC: Ok, here.
(Mason tastes the orange.)
M: EEwwwww. Spicy Orange.
(Jamey laughs... and sends Jen the conversation via text.)

My sweet little valentine

Today, Mason and I were snuggled up in the chair reading "The Napping House." For those not lucky enough to have memorized that book, the last page (in the board book version, anyway) features the granny, the child, the dog, etc. all playing outside in beautiful sunny weather. Over the house is a rainbow.

I don't know whether Mason really had a concept of a rainbow. But, as we got to that page, I said, "do you see a rainbow?" We pointed at it and talked about the picture. Then I handed him the book to "read" and started talking with Jamey, with Mason still sitting on my lap. I hear him saying something over and over again... "Rainbow Nuckshun, Rainbow Nuckshun. MOMMY! RAINBOW NUCKSHUN!" It dawns on me... The Rainbow Connection. You know, the song brought to us by Kermit the Frog.

I learned the song in elementary school-- we had a spring performance that was rainbow-themed and our music teacher taught us a ton of rainbow songs. I still remember them.

Anyway, I've been singing that song to Mason... well, I don't know how long-- a very long time, most of his life. It's part of my repertoire when he's having trouble settling down at night and needs an extra song. Or sometimes, after we've said prayers, JAMEY wants an extra song. It's almost always "The Rainbow Connection" that I sing.

M: "Rainbow Nuckshun, Mommy!"
JG: "The Rainbow Connection?"
M: Nods. "Rainbow Nuckshun, Mommy! Ni-Night, sing Rainbow Nuckshun!"

So, he's been listening. During all the sweet snuggles, the sleepless struggles, and moments in the dark, he was listening. And now he knows what a rainbow is.

The song includes the lyrics, "Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection..." And today, my sweet boy found it, along with the lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Jen

OK OK! I've been lax about posting!

But I've got about a month of stuff to post here... so I'll try to catch up over the next few days!

Jen