Love my graham crackers

Mason has discovered his new favorite food...graham crackers. In spite being all gums (no teeth yet), he loves those crackers. For the longest time, he wouldn't grab them and feed himself but I've finally worked with him enough to feed himself. Now he grabs them, taps them on his tray for a bit and then assaults the cracker with great gusto. And I do mean assault them...he keeps the cracker to his mouth until it's gone, barely coming up for air. I've joked with him more than once "Mason, would you like a side of fingers with that graham cracker!!"

A Day for the Boys

I've had a lot of fun the past two Thursday's while watching Mason and Layton. And now that the boys are old enough to acknowledge each other, the fun has begun. The days started with a few moments of polite staring and then the squealing began. I had to play referee at regular intervals, keep them from stealing each others pacifier. For instance, Mason had decided to pull his plug but I guess he wanted Layton to do the same and yanked his out of his mouth, much to his surprise.

So far the toy sharing is working but there is a little toy envy. When one was intently focused on a toy, the other would stare with great concern and grab it once dropped. They also decided to share in each others pain. This past week, Layton's first tooth began to crown and he was uncomfortable, so I sat Mason in the corner of the couch and then sat next to him with Layton in my lap. Mason watched Layton cry with a smile on his face, attitude unchanged. THEN, Mason just flipped a switch and joined in with the tears. I know I shouldn't have, but I laughed hysterically, I couldn't help it. I will say, the odd response broke the tears.

And as usual, I played with the camera. Layton is on the left and Mason is on the right.

Look at those heads...can you tell they are related??

Layton giving me a great smile.

Mason posing as the waxed-version of himself...LOL!!!

Charlie Brown Christmas

As with so many, watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a vital part of the Christmas season. I was glad to catch it this past week. Such simple and powerful truths in the message. As I've gotten older, I appreciate Charles Schultz's clear gospel message that is shared with the masses. I was also glad to share the show with Mason for the first time. While he was busy playing on the floor, I was reminded of the importance of sharing with him the meaning of the holiday as he grows. JP and I have laughed that as we get him close to the tree, he repeatedly reaches for a wooden ornament that depicts the nativity scene...how sweet and profound. We've prayed long and hard for his life, health and happiness. Perhaps his spirit is connecting to his Savior even now.

On a more superficial note, it was fun letting my Charlie Brown watch THE Charlie Brown. So in my usual form, I decided to get a little creative with the camera and catch Mason and Charlie Brown in the same frame.

Family Pics

Great big Thank You to my in-laws for helping us with our family pictures this year. We had a great afternoon together catching memories around our home and property. Bill and Vicki have great abilities with the equipment and JP has a phenomenal ability to frame an beautiful photo. We talked about what we wanted to capture and he stewed on it for a week. When the time came to take the pictures, he knew exactly where he wanted to position us. These great photos made the Christmas card process much easier this year. Enjoy!!

Thanksgiving in stages

As with any expanding family, we are learning to celebrate our holidays over the course of several days. Mason's first Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We enjoyed a large Shearrer family lunch at Dad and Leigh's house. As usual, Mason and Layton were a good portion of the entertainment for the day. They are really starting to notice and interact with each other now.


John Paul and I made our way to San Antonio that afternoon for some dessert and Cowboy's football with the Padgett's. By the end of the day, Mason had had his fill of being passed around and was very ready to go home. Can't blame him, but so many people love him and want a little time with him.

Then we had Mom, Clifton, Amy and Layton over for the last round of Thanksgiving on Saturday. We opted for a more casual approach to the meal and had a great time. And once again, the boys commanded the attention in the room. When the two boys are together, we all simply laugh. They have brought so much joy to this entire family...truly something to be thankful for.

MY Hand

Had a precious moment of wonder that I wanted to share. We were having some family time in the big bed before church, with Mason between us. He was reaching out to touch his daddy when he suddenly became enamored with his own hand. He reached his arm to the sky and studied the palm of his hand. Then he'd turn his hand over and study the front. He continued this study for 15 minutes, wiggling his fingers, looking at his palm then the top of his hand. Watching his face, I could tell he was making the connection that HE has total control of his hands and they move the way he "tells" them too. It was a light bulb moment and I was so blessed to watch that light bulb go off. He truly is growing by leaps and bounds before our very eyes.

SNOW!!!

That very rare sight has been seen in South Texas. More specifically at our house. I was busy tucking our outdoor plants under the covers in preparation for tonight's freeze and heard that familiar sound. Yes, it is familiar to me from my years at Texas Tech. I could hear the gentle tap of the sleet and then looked up to find snow falling. It's so awesome and so Christmas-like. Keep in mind, the sleet is crazy small, but couldn't resist capturing a bit of this winter treat.

The dogs aren't sure what they've done, but they are all for the white stuff. They spent the night in their kennel and have been allowed to stay in their warm kennel for the day. Of course they are totally confused when they are sent outside for a bathroom break. Budro actually sat down at the gate to their pen and drooped his ears...he was working the sympathy card as hard as he could.

Have to say I hope the winter precipitation continues throughout the day. Something about South-Texas' version of frigid cold makes the warm cup of coffee that much better.

It's cold outside

Finally got the chance to turn the heater on this afternoon. First time this season and as usual, we set off the smoke alarm in the hallway. I don't care how clean we keep the filter and return-air grill, that alarm sings every year like clockwork (it's our way of testing it). Tis the season for fuzzy slippers, fleece tops, snuggly blankets and Christmas decorations.

Our little chrome-domed son is enjoying the cooler temperatures. Sad to say he's hot natured like his parents, but his beanie has become a regular part of his daily outfits. He's great when it comes to hats. He is not bothered with them at all, which is a blessing seeing that his hair is growing slow. I will have to say it's funny to watch it work up and off of his head as he jumps in his jumperoo.


I'm also excited about the temperatures because if FEELS like we are approaching Christmas time. I know that a South Texas winter leaves much to the imagination, but I enjoy the cool snap in the air. It just makes that warm cup of coffee in the morning that much more enjoyable. And it inspires me to break out my cedar candles in preparation for the Christmas decorations.

I took Mason to go see Grammy D and her christmas tree this past weekend. Mom got an early start to the decorating. He sat under the tree, grabbing the branches and was mesmerized by the lights. I can't wait to get our tree up this week and document his response to his first Christmas.

First trip to Bass Pro

So momma burst daddy's bubble by taking the little man to Bass Pro Shop for his very first visit. But Grammy D was in on the action too so that softened the blow. Peanut slept about half the time we were there, but once he woke up, he took in everything. It's been fun watching him taking in the world. He looked at most of the animals, was mesmerized by the elk display and LOVED the trout stream (water, sounds, fish, rocks, everything).

A truly priceless moment had to be at the large fish tank. Mom was holding Mason and pointing out all of the fish. Then out of no where, the monstrously-large catfish swam up to the glass at Mason's level. Mason got so quiet, eyes widened, and he just couldn't believe what he was looking at. I was armed with the camera and snapped a picture, only to curse the luck of having the flash on. Bright lights, fish and a glass wall don't mix, just in case you ever wondered. So while I didn't catch the moment, I was able to capture the very next moment with Mason...what do you think he was thinking?

The Hunters

John Paul was so excited to join his brother, Billy and his two nephews, Conner and Kade, on a hunting trip to Encinal this past weekend. He's most treasured hunting memories include the "Padgett Boys." When they go hunting, Billy takes one of the boys and JP takes the other. This trip, he got to sit with Conner and they had a blast. The hope was that both boys would have a successful hunting trip and they were. Conner harvested a 9 point and Kade harvested a 10 point. I'd imagine the processing bill from this trip will be sizeable but will be some good meat in the freezer.

When they dropped Uncle John off in Pleasanton, we couldn't resist a photo op with the boys. It brought JP great pride to have his son in this photo. His nephews have meant the world to JP and he's taken such joy watching them growing into young men. Imagine his joy in thinking that his own son will be able to join them some day soon. And Conner and Kade have both said they can't wait for cousin Mason to join them on a hunting trip with the dad's.

Family Legacy

So of all things to pass along to your child, having active nights is one I'd hoped to let die with me. I was infamous for having active, very real dreams. And I was known to get up and walk around while sleeping. Mom and Dad had to install latches on our doors at the very top so I couldn't reach them, unlock the door and sleepwalk outside. I hate to say that it runs in the family, but Clifton has done a few crazy things in his sleep. And his wife Amy has some hilarious stories about Clifton's antics in the middle of the night.

My super-detailed dreams have slowed (probably too tired) and I don't sleepwalk anymore (or so my husband tells me). But to this day, I still talk in my sleep, although those nights are fewer and farther between. My college roommate, Meredith, used to give me such a hard time about my "Night Conversations" and how I'd scare the living daylights out of her when I'd fire up. These days, JP has learned to just roll with what ever I'm saying and get me to fall back asleep.

So where's the legacy in all of this? Well for three nights in a row, Mason has come out of a dead sleep into a full-blown scream and mumbling, tears and all, and then back to a dead sleep in a matter of minutes. There's no telling what he's dreaming about, but his volume is way up when he decided to "tell" us about it. First night freaked JP and I out. I never knew we could move like that at 2 in the morning. And last night was just crazy, because I'm home alone while JP is hunting with his brother and nephews, and Mason lets out a scream. By the time I get in his room, he's out cold but has tears running down his face...broke my heart.

I have this feeling that in a few years we'll find Mason on the back porch in the middle of the night howling at the moon or something. At least he'll be in good company.

Fire Night

Yea!!! We finally had the first "Fire Night" of the season this past week. We didn't have too many opportunities to break in our in-ground fire pit last winter...burn ban and REALLY dry grass puts a lid on that kind of fun. So as the temperatures have been dipping low, we've been getting excited. So we gathered up the wood in anticipation of the cool night and the temperature did not disappoint. Mom and Maureen joined us for the evening and we all had a great time...good visit, nice relaxation and a general unwind-evening. We talked and laughed like we haven't done in quite some time. And the mixed drinks just tastes better by the fire.

As for Mason, he was mesmerized by the fire-glow but was overcome by the pull of his usual bedtime. He gave it up at 8 and fell asleep in his stroller. We had him bundled up and tucked under a blanket. At one point he woke up and got a little fussy. So I tucked him into my jacket and held him for a while, so sweet to be able to do that. Can't wait for the next cool night and stack of firewood that needs to be burned.

Messy Kiss

I've been trying to catch Mason in the act of his latest "trick." He's becoming more and more loving and he is learning to show that with hugs and kisses. His latest "trick" is his kissing someone on the nose. And if your lucky enough to stand still long enough, he not only kisses your nose with his mouth wide open but with his mouth full of drool. Messy doesn't even begin to describe the experience. While messy, it is such a sweet expression of love.

Daddy's Eye

So I mentioned a while back that John Paul and I have been giving in to the photo bug. JP has been taking some amazing pictures since he was a youngster. He and his family took some amazing summer trips to Colorado when they were younger, and his dad and mom always had camera in tow. Landscapes and wildlife capture his eye and I wanted to share a few of JP's photos from the past month or so.

We had a massive invasion of worms a few weeks ago. When you relaxed your eyes and looked at the grass, it was as if the entire yard was swaying. When he realized just how the grass was moving, he couldn't resist getting on the ground for this one.

This pictures is a study in stalking practice. When it comes to animals, JP can be very patient for the most ideal situation. As it turned out, we've been visited by this praying mantis for the past week on our back porch. He shows up in the evening and walks the railing. Finally one evening they had a staring contest. Either that or the bug enjoyed posing for pictures.

And for anyone that has kept an eye to the South Texas weather knows that rain and thunderstorms have been rare. So when the storms started to roll a month or so ago, he relished the opportunity to try his hand at a lightening shot. Considering that our camera is just a point and shoot, he landed some incredible shots.

Time Change & Milestone

So I'm sure everyone has a bit of a lag when it comes to the Daylight Saving Time dance. I've always been one that takes about a week to reprogram and get used to the shift in light.

This year has been another kind of experience entirely. I never would have guessed how difficult this change would be with a baby. Mason's schedule is completely screwed up. Our early riser is now waking us up at a painful 4:30 or 5 in the morning. Coffee can't begin to fix a wake-up call like that. We're blessed that after having a little milk, he'll drop off to dream land for an hour or two to give us a break. The shift in time has also messed up his afternoon playtime and rest schedule. I've been getting this look from him the past few days...I don't think he is thinking happy thoughts, do you?!?


I'm sure we'll make it through just fine in a few days but it just never crossed my mind to prep for this time change with Mason.

As for the milestone, Mason has been regularly holding his own bottle. We have to wrap his hands around the bottle initially, but he can hold the bottle until the last ounce or two. He hasn't figured out that he needs to push the bottle up high, but hey, at least we are getting somewhere.

Hanging with the boys

This past Monday, Layton and Mason spent the day with Granny Leigh. She was a trooper but secretly (or not so secretly), she enjoyed every minute. I was able to join her for about an hour before Clifton came to pick up Layton. It was fun playing with the two of them. And it's amazing what a difference a few pounds makes. I almost launched Layton to the ceiling when I picked him up.

The boys simply amaze me. They do so well together. They would laugh at each other, start jabbering back and forth in their language and then study everything around them with such inquisitive eyes. They are both drinking in the world.

Mason is entering his grabbing/touching phase. I think he touched Layton's head 20+ times while I was there. He kept running his fingers over Layton's head...feeling his peach fuzz perhaps? Of course, he's simply copying what his parents do to his peach fuzz covered head.

Look at those blue eyes. We call those "Lady Killers" and I have a sneaky suspicion that both boys will learn to flirt with those eyes sooner rather than later.

This one's my favorite...Bottom's Up!!! They are both so proud of their feet, and throwing up in the air at the same time no less. Thank God for pacifiers because I think they would both suck on their toes for hours if not for those pacifiers.

Other than watching the two cousins play together, it was surreal spending time with Clifton and his son. As I sat there with Mason in my arms, watching Clifton tickle Layton I couldn't help but think what an amazing gift it is to share the experience of parenting with my brother. I can remember when he was a little tike himself. We've come a long way from the two little kids that used to drive the Black Hill roads on three-wheelers.

Details, details

The glorious rain and subsequent rebound of the land has inspired John Paul and I to brush off our photography skills i.e. taking photos of something other than our son. JP is addicted to the stormy sky and the Lord has given him many opportunities to snap some amazing shots (I'll have to share those in a future post). I'm a lover of abstract images and seeing the beauty in some of the most unusual places. Of course, having Mason has encouraged us both to learn all the extra features on our camera. One in particular that I've been having fun with is the Macro setting.


I've so enjoyed looking through the lens of the Macro setting. It's forcing me to pay close attention to the little details. And when I look at these pictures, I see amazing reminders of the details that God is responsible for. It could be easy to bypass and overlook some of the littlest blessings, but it is the small praises that make like worth living. And we've been counting our "little" blessings lately.

Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

So I think it is safe to say that our family has the corner on the market for Charlie Brown look-a-likes. It's been a consistent joke at church from the Leija family that we have a "Little Charlie Brown." So can you imagine the scene when we went to the pumpkin patch in San Antonio last week with cousin Layton and Aunt Amy..we had two Charlie Browns among the field of orange.

Mason couldn't quite figure out what the big deal was. Everytime I sat him down, he would look left, right and then slap the pumpkin closest to him. I guess it was his way of getting comfortable. I wonder if he noticed that some of the pumpkins were larger then he was.

I was so glad that I got to join Amy, Lauren and Julie for this quick trip. It was fun to spend some time with other new moms that are juggling all the things I've been juggling. And I told JP that I do believe I was afforded a glimpse into our future with Mason. Lauren's son Cooper LOVES being outdoors, much like Mason. Well, when we pulled up to the pumkpin patch Cooper took off, not at a fast clip but very determined. He NEVER stopped moving around at the pumpkin patch. I think Lauren was lucky enough to get a few photos of Cooper, but I don't know how she does it. I'm certain I'll need new running shoes when Mason learns to walk.

Coast - Round Two

After any period of time following our blog, you will find that we love taking quick trips to the coast. The coast holds some really special memories for me as a child. My Granny and Grandpa Temple took us to the big water every summer and several times during the year. The joke in my family is that as a little girl (we're talking 2 years old), I'd sit up on the center console between Granny and Grandpa and yell "My Ocean, My Ocean!!!" And of course, for John Paul, the ocean is a great fishing spot and he can't wait to share his love of salt-water fishing with his family.

So we had the opportunity to take a quick trip south for some business. For this trip we extended the invitation to Mom (Grammy D) to join us. So we let her entertain Mason in the back seat (or vice versa) and we hit the road early Thursday a few weeks ago. We did our usual stop at Fins for lunch and opted for a fried shrimp platter for all of us to share. I was joking with JP saying I can't wait to introduce Mason so shrimp and well, just look below.

His eyes say it all...and no, I did not let him taste any of that fried shrimp goodness. That will happen in due time. If you remember from a previous post about the coast you know that we introduced Mason to the big water on our anniversary but we tried our best to limit his sun exposure. Fair skin and no hair is a bad combination in the sun. So this trip we decided to let him enjoy the birds, water and sand at dusk. He was mesmerized by the seagulls. And he was still overwhelmed by the shear mass of the ocean but by golly, he got his feet in the sand and surf. He was quiet and kept looking at his feet.


I know that mom got a kick out of watching her grandbaby enjoy the beach that she so dearly loves. She just kept saying, "Thanks for letting me tag along." Of all the people in the world, she understands the magnetic pull of the ocean. I know she must have been thinking of Granny Betty on this trip and I'm glad she is involved in continuing the family tradition of sharing the big water from one generation to the next.

One thing we have learned in our traveling with Mason...he is a mattress-snob. He is not very fond of his Pack-N-Play for sleeping. He apparently prefers softer surfaces to rest his little head. Seeing that this trip was a quick trip, we opted to leave the unpopular Pack-N-Play at home and decided we would just figure out something when we got to the condo (again, thank you Aunt Becky & Uncle Eddie for the generosity). I'm pretty proud of our sleeping solution for Mason. We set up a spot for him in the closet and he did fairly well in his closet-condo.


I mean he has a super soft pad, a blanket to keep him warm, some pillows to keep him from rolling around, his own doors for privacy and a plant for heaven's sake. Traveling like a pro wouldn't you say!