"Ahhhh!"

Just wanted to share a couple new developments re: Mason:

The first being he has started to yell and Tim and I. It mostly occurs when we pick him up to take him in his room to change his diaper. We're normally "interrupting" him and therefor he feels the need to "yell" and make his anger/frustration known. It's normally an "Ahhhhahhh" but he'll do it a couple different times with different tones, maybe adding a whine in with it. He's still not talking but his non-verbals are something to be envious about!



The second is when asked if he wants a [Hershey] Kiss or juice or something that he DOES want, he'll start to point at where he wants it. If he's up in his chair, he'll point at his tray as if saying "Please drop it here." Sometimes if he's in the kitchen with me, he'll bend down and instruct me to place his cup on the ground in front of his feet. It's is insanely cute and adorable, but why shouldn't I just hand it to him? He definitely knows what he wants!

Oh and here is a picture of the house with the lights. Yes, that's a Palm-like-shrubbery with lights.

Christmas 2008

Christmas has come and gone and it was exciting. It was Mason's 2nd Christmas, but the 1st he was only 3 months old. He's still too young to understand "Santa" or any of the traditions but it was also our 1st Christmas with him at home (last year we went up to PA). So we started our own traditions and had the house all decked out (inside and out).


Tim: He made out with a new pair of New Balance shoes (which I got 1/2 size too small!), some kitchen utensils, some socks, t-shirts, a new electric shaver and a visa gift card (he'll most likely put towards the laptop he's wanting to purchase).
Funny story about the shoes. I had wanted to get them for his birthday in November, but the order (through a relative) never got followed through, so I picked them up at JCP and wrapped the shoe box as is. I got home and was teasing him "Can you guess? Can you guess?" And he tried, but it never came to him. He over heard me talking to Mason one day and I was saying "Una Mas" Talking about one more fry or something. He said "are you learning Spanish from Handy Manny on the Disney Channel?" And I said "No, actually Mason has Spanish word cards [he had gotten as a gift for his birthday] and they're just scattered around the house. One just happened to have been thrown under the tree and it was "dos zapatos" or "two shoes." " Tim immediately said "That's what you got me, for Christmas, shoes!" He made the unrelated connection from the flash card to his present being "under the tree."

Stacy: I got what I asked for. My family and in-laws have been so kind and generous to donate towards my BOB Revolution Duallie Stroller and I was able to have it for Christmas. It is the greatest. We took it out for a test stroll this morning and it's so smooth and versatile and it fits through my front door. (It's supposed to fit anywhere a wheelchair can fit.) It's perfect and Mason climbed in and out of it easily and seems to enjoy it. I'm happy! Tim also picked up on some not-so-subtle hints that I wanted the Pink CD :-D


Mason: What a ham! I have to put this picture of him eating Ravioli in here even though it's not "Christmas related"! He won't let us feed him so we're like "Okay buddy, you're on your own..." and what a mess he makes - AND LOVES IT! - if you can't tell.
Santa delivered a RadioFlyer Pathfinder wagon for Mason, he's been in 2 of his friends' and LOVED it. So since September, I knew I wanted to ask Santa for one. He also received a mini music set, lap easel, paints, 2T clothes, ABC Leap Frog, and much more.

Mason first woke at 6am and Tim changed him and gave him his milk and let him watch TV in his room (as is the usual schedule). It was still too dark for him to see what was in the living room. We then turned on the Christmas Tree lights so when he opened his door an hour later he got to see all that was under the tree. We strategically placed the wagon closest to his door. Once he was out he climbed in the wagon and didn't come out. He insisted on opening his presents and eating breakfast in his new wagon. It was sweet. He did great through it all. We got dressed and went on a walk w/the wagon and the stroller.
He seemed to enjoy the ribbons more than actually unwrapping the gifts. Here's a picture of him playing with the ribbons of our Christmas Eve (pajama) presents.

Nolan: Not much new here. Still very active. Making these last 6 weeks uncomfortable. Mason did point to the seat next to him while sitting in the stroller, maybe he knows more about Nolan coming that I think he does. Next OB appointment is scheduled for next Friday, 2 Jan.

Bunny: So, we think bunny is gay. Last week we found one of my deodorants in his cage. Then Tim found a little compact mirror in there. Either bunny is trying to come out of the closet or some toddler keeps putting random things in random spots! You never know what you're going to find.

Mason: Going along w/bunny's blurb, I find things in the oddest places. I found a puzzle piece in my Tupperware cabinet, in the bathtub, Baby Dolly was found in the recyclables, Christmas Tree ornaments under the desk, etc. This kid keeps me on my toes that's for sure (and I love it!). He can always put a smile on my face.
He is going through a separation anxiety phase right now. I noticed it last week. Long story short I had to leave him w/Erica (Friend) abruptly b/c I was running late for an appointment and he did fine at her house, but now associates her house w/"mommy is going to leave me." He did this at the Post Office and playgroup: He goes to walk in the door and turns around to try and run back out the door. He'll start crying and maybe even add a scream for a little dramatic effect. While at playgroup today I was putting up the toys and had to go back stage behind a curtain and in his eyes I just vanished, he was playing, he turns around and I was gone. He started in on a hysterical cry and ran to Erica. She kept saying "She'll be right back" and then I started calling his name. I sat down and opened my arms and he came running like he thought he was never going to see me again. He has always been the most flexible child I know, from new people to new places. I'm flattered that he loves me so much, but at the same time, I loved the flexibility of his comfort levels. Toddlers! I hope this goes away soon, definitely before Nolan comes hopping along!

Nolan: No new news. We have an OB appointment on Friday morning.


Tim: He came home yesterday w/"good" news. He said that they're doing away with the F-15s and that will cut down Ammo's work load, meaning needing less people. He said they're going to start dispersing people out in phases (like they did Pope). He said since we just got here the likelihood of us going is slim but we're redoing out "Dream Sheet" anyway. Our first priority will be overseas and then our theme is "Near Family." Hopefully within a day's drive to either Tim's family or mine. He really wants to stay out of California, Beale and Hill are an option for his field. There are a few bases in VA and possibly Dover on the East Coast. We'll see. But again, it may not touch us. We're not "planning" on anything, just updating in case ...

New Teeth

So... I am happy to announce the presence of FIVE new teeth! One in each quadrant and TWO on the lower right have broken the gums. Mason is such a trooper w/teething. You can tell that something is abnormal, but he doesn't scream, whine or cry excessively. He mostly just puts things like paper towels or wash clothes (or sometimes socks) in his mouth. What a great kid! Just wanted to let everyone know!

The Switch

The first post for the new blog; no pressure!

I wanted to change from totsites.com to a new blog for a couple reasons: The first being that I ran out of storage for all the pictures I was uploading and I really don't want to pay to post pictures. The second is I had Mason's page setup and I'd have to create a second account for Nolan - too much work to keep up with. And the third reason is I know you all want to know about Tim and I too!!

I'll still keep www.totsites.com/tots/masonmontgomery for any one interested in the pictures posted of Mason through is first+ year of life. You can always save the pictures and print them out for your keeping.

So, with that, I'll break it down:

Tim: Tim is finally back on day shift again. We had a rough patch where he was on swings and then mids for a few months. That was so incredibly hard on all 3 of us! His schedule had him going to work at 1030pm and coming home around 7am. He'd be crawling into bed exhausted just as I'm crawling out to go to Strollerfit. He'd sleep for as long as he could, usually only about 5 - 6 hours before Mase would eventually wake him up, being the kid that he is. So Tim would crawl out of bed around noonish - 1pmish. It seemed to throw us all off! Glad we're back on track!
He needs to be studying for his Staff Sgt test early 2009, we're expecting it to be in February, which we all know is already a pretty busy time for us already! So next time any of you talk to him, ask him "Have you started studying yet?" And help me nag him, don't leave me to that harsh task by myself!

Me: Not much new. I'm still enjoying strollerfit 3 days a week. Wednesdays Mason and I go to playgroup on the base and we've made a few consistent friends there. I must say, I think I enjoy the socialization just as much, if not more, than Mason.
I was recently invited to a Christmas party from a friend I met at Playgroup. It was nice and refreshing, no husbands, no kids, just us girls. We did a white elephant gift exchange and while I didn't walk away with what I wanted (because it was stolen!) I got a nice little Starbucks gift basket, not complaining!


Mason: Busy bee! He's really starting to get into the grove of things. He's learning something new EVERYDAY! He's been climbing on the couch and on Tim and I as proxy since we're sitting on the couch. He likes to sit really close to us and watch TV. He's eating out of a bowl/dish now w/out spilling its dry good contents all over the place (for the most part!). We're starting to watch Sesame Street together. He LOVES Ellen and likes to dance (er...bop up and down) to her show. He started walking right to the car door when we're going somewhere. He knows about when to expect Daddy home from work and will say "Dadda" and go to the door when we spot him pull up.
We went to a Breakfast With Santa event last weekend and it was a bust! Remember that poll posted on his totsite about how'd he react? Yeah, he was grabbing at my shirt and hair begging me to not leave him w/the strange white hairy old man, screaming. It was super surprising since he has never had "attachment" issues. He did get a great present even if I was left without a 2008 Santa and Mason photo!
Stay away from LUVS brand diapers. They keep EXPLODING all over the place with those little gel absorbent balls that are super difficult to clean up. Back to cruisers we go! You get what you pay for!



Nolan: What a terd! This boy is intent on making the last 2 months of our pregnancy HELL! He's so much more physically aggressive than Mason EVER was and it's non-stop.
We went in for a 30 week ultrasound to assess his size (because my fundal height was 2 cm off), great 3D photo op right? WRONG! This kid is going to be just like me, a stubborn little ass! And I say that with all the love in the world! He just wasn't feeling the camera at 730am, who can really blame the kid.
We did find out my average measurement put me a week ahead of schedule, not that that makes too much of a difference considering the men in my life are in no big hurry to do anything to help make my life easier! (i.e. Mason came 6 days late)

I think that is all I have right now. I'll again, do my best to update as things pop up. If you have questions or requests for specific posts, just send me an email @ stacyaberger@gmail.com.

We love you all very much and hope you find this blog a good way to keep contact easily and conveniently.