New Hood Ornament

OK, so I know that's a statement that dates me but it comes to mind when I look at the picture below. You see, I've got almost two weeks of working in my new office at home under my belt. The balancing of work and motherhood requires me to be a bit unconventional with my work arrangements. So I figured I'd try putting Mason in his Bumbo chair on the corner of my desk.

Surprisingly enough, he cooperates really well with me while sitting on my desk. He likes face time and seems to think I'm talking to him when I'm on the phone with my Bluetooth in my ear. We laugh, coo, smack our lips, sing and more. He'll look outside for a time then want to be turned around and tap his feet on my desk to the music. He's a great work buddy and keeps me focused on just how important choosing to work from home has become.

I'm a big kid now

What possessed us to dress up our little boy to make him look so grown up. The time is flying by at light-speed and we are just amplifying it with Sunday clothes like this. Someone at church made the comment that he'll be ready for school next year if he keeps growing at his current rate. He's a little disappointed in the shoes though...they keep him from chewing on his toes.

Speaking of church, JP has had a great year heading up the Meek Wagon. It is a bar-b-que ministry through our church. We give away free tacos once a quarter and take the opportunity to minister to the people when needed. Mason and I were able to join him for the first time for the most recent event and had a blast. I've either been pregnant or watching a new-born. We had a great time and served 500 tacos. Here's a few pictures from the event.

Look what I can do

Our little monkey is figuring out he has lots of new skills he didn't even know he had. He's learned to smack his lip and make the coolest sound in the world...to him. Every time he smacks his lips, I'll repeat and he gives me the biggest smile ever. He's also learned to mimick the sound his mom makes when pulling him across the bed. I vibrate my lips and make a motor sound...very boy friendly. And then there are his feet.

He is such a limber little tike. We regularly find him with his foot in his mouth...LITERALLY!!! He's especially fond of his big toes and the balls of his feet. And of all the things Mason puts in his mouth, his feet seem to bother his dad the most.

JP has also notice a sleeping trend with Mason. JP has fond memories of watching his dad nap. He learned to cover his eyes with his arm just like his dad does. Apparently it's genetic, because has learned to do the same. We've caught him many times in the middle of a nap with his arm over his eyes...it's a third-generation light blocker.


I'm sure I'll pay for this, but I have a funny story I've just got to share about my loving hubby. Mason has an exceptionally explosive diaper a few mornings ago. We're talking up and out of the top of the diaper...very messy. When they are this bad and we are both home, we make this kind of diaper change a tag-team event. So with a soiled diaper and a soiled outfit on our son, JP seriously asked "Do I need to get the scissors to cut the onesie off." I couldn't hold back the laughter on that one.

Five months old

We've blown through another month of milestones and surprises. Mason continues to blow us away with his temperment. He is such a happy-go-lucky child and we are grateful for it. Of all things, he has experienced his first illness...slight ear infection (we caught it early). Hurt his mom and dad more than our little guy. He rebounded well, but because of the timing, we were in the Pediatricians office just a few days before his birthday and got some measurements.

Weight: 19lbs 8oz
Height: 27.25 inches
Head: 18 inches

We continue to be blown away buy his growth. To put this in perspective for you, he's comfortably wearing 6-9 month clothes. While he's big, he is not "fluffy" as one friend told me. He is solid and only has little fat-pockets on his thighs and his baby-booty. He's only 3 inches away from sizing out of his infant car seat...it is technically supposed to get us through the first year of his life. For a little more perspective on his size, we took some pictures of him standing on the counter with us. Can't imagine where he's going to end up in his teen years.

Lovin this weather

Can you believe this weather?!?!?! I didn't realize how much I've missed seeing those large thunder clouds and the dark blue skies. A few days ago, the sunset was beyond anything we've seen in some time. JP started snapping pictures and we decided to make it a family event.

We've missed those gorgeous colors and beautiful skies. JP and I used to spend every evening on the porch a few years ago when the weather was more kind. We are looking forward to evenings under the stars again, and Mason enjoys every minute we give him of outside time. And should the temperatures start to give way to the fall season, we can't wait to break in our new fire pit. It's only 5 months old but just couldn't bring ourselves to purposely start a fire with the dry conditions.

And wouldn't you know it, we started getting the major downpours or rain when we got finished dealing with everything at the bookstore. God blessed us a special treat of over and inch of rain after all of that hard work.

Breaking my heart

We've been a hot-bed for sickness this past week. JP had a horrible weekend of fever, aches and coughing, coughing, coughing. We got him some Amoxil and he is finally starting to feel some relief. Above all of the physical pain, his most painful time was his inability to love on Mason. JP kept saying, "He's breaking my heart with that look."

In spite of our best efforts, we then started dealing with our first sickness with Mason. We caught a very early ear infection after Mason started having a fever and was generally cranky. He's had tons of drainage from his sinuses, had a low-grade fever and has been sullen and quiet...so not his normal mood. JP and I have joked that he sounds like our personal Darth Vadar. After going to see Leigh Ann (Granny Leigh and his Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), JP and I were relieved he didn't have the flu but are frustrated to have a sick little guy.

Both of my boys are turning the corner, thank you Lord. JP is joking around again (a good sign) and Mason has found his smile again. We are hoping to be over this foolishness in a few days but we have both agreed, watching Mason through the night was heart breaking.

Grandma Shearrer

After 99 years, Grandma Shearrer completed her time with us on this side of heaven. While her body has been slowing down for several years, her heart just kept pumping. But the past few weeks, her heart began slowing. We were praying for a peaceful passage and God was faithful. It was hard saying goodbye to my last grandparent, but she blessed me with so much of her time that my memories will sustain me for a lifetime.

Speaking of memories, we had a great celebration of her life this past Thursday at her memorial service. As part of the service, Debbie Miles (the oldest grandchild) was asked to represent the 14 grandkids. Rather than try to sum up Grandma's life by herself, she asked each of the grandkids to share a memory. It was so much fun to hear the different aspects of Grandma's life. We laughed and cried which was a great gift. We talked about hunting, her lawn, the catfish pond, driving, her ability to braid hair, her opinions of everything and her pound cake (it was legendary).

She and Papa Shearrer blessed us with a legacy of love and laughter. I'll miss her but can't wait to see her again.

Busy week last week

Last week, JP had an opportunity to work with his brother Billy at the Chup (code for going to the hunting lease). Before JP headed out for the weekend, I snapped a shot of my two hunting buddies. Notice the sunglasses are positioned the same.

Billy is on a hunting lease down in Encinal and has invited JP to join him this year on a management rifle hunt and some bow hunting...quality boy time. In spite of the severe heat (110+ during the day) they got feeders up and bow blinds set for the October 3 opening weekend. JP came back really tired but he was rejuvenated after having some time on a hunting lease.

While JP was at the lease, Mason and I enjoyed two full days by ourselves. First off, I don't know how single-parents do it. I was glad that the girls were willing to pass him around at the bookstore as we closed out the last day. That helped to give me a bit of a break.

But as expected, we missed Dad. Every morning, Mason and I would play in the big bed. I'd occupy him for a few minutes but then he's start looking at the bathroom and bedroom door. He was expecting his daddy to enter at any moment. I thought Mason would shoot over the moon when he heard his dad's voice over the phone. A 4-month old is more aware that you could imagine. And in true Leslie fashion, Mason and I had to take some goofy pictures for daddy to come home to.

By the way, this last picture was the precursor to Mason figuring out how to smack his lips. He is so proud to make that sound by himself.