toddler room...

We've hit another big milestone...Mason has been transitioning to the toddler room the past few weeks and we only have a few days in the infant room before Monday arrives and we move to his new room full time. I know he's technically been a toddler since he turned one...however this one has been hitting me harder than I thought.

I'm not ready. At all. Mason has been ready for weeks. And as I stand at the window in the morning, watching my baby walk off to greet his friends, interacting with them and exploring the new world around him, I wipe the tears that are streaming down my face. And I realize my baby is no longer a baby.

Once you become a mother, you can't count the number of times you've been told how fast your kids will grow up. And you mentally respond, "yeah, yeah I know." I think we all know how fast it is going to go...but you don't really have time to think about it as you go through the days, just trying to keep all the balls you are juggling from all landing on the floor. Life gets in the way of realizing how fast the minutes turn to hours and hours turn to days and days into weeks.

But then it hits you like a brick wall...a moment of clarity so to speak. That was my moment this week as I watched him go off into the toddler world and not really need me. It broke my heart. Yes, I know he still needs me...he still needs the hugs and kisses and the love and reassurance that only a mama can give. But he's taking his first steps towards independence and it hurts my heart. And to hear about him sleeping on a cot for his nap, following directions, holding hands with his friends as they walk from their room to the muscle room or seeing him all bundled up, playing outside on the playground...it's surreal. Because I swear I blinked and I went from feeling him kick in my belly to this moment of watching him through his classroom window.

How did we get here already....

15 months

Better late than never....here are Mason's 15 month picture!

our year in review...

What a year...it's hard to believe how fast the past year has gone. And once again, we've been blessed beyond words, God has been so good to our families this year.

In January, I was adjusting to life being a working mom...after 3 months off at home with my little man, it was quite the adjustment for all of us.

In February, Joe started his new job at Ameriprise. His first week there, Mason got RSV. I ended up spending 4 days home with him...a very scary experience for us, I had to take him in each day to make sure he wasn't getting worse and needed hospitalization.

We celebrated Mason's first Valentine's Day...

Also on Valentine's Day, I had my interview with Target. I never in a million years thought I would ever get in...but a few days later, there was an offer in my inbox and I started my next adventure. It was exciting and scary, leaving the comfort of my job at GD. But the shorter commute would be worth it all.

Mason also had a big month...eating rice cereal, holding a bottle, painting...

March was a busy month...Mason turned 6 months!

I also said goodbye to some very good friends and colleagues that had become family and started a new career path in retail. We celebrated St Patty's Day and Dr Seuss' birthday...Mason learned to roll over....learned how to giggle...and slept through the night for the first time ever!

April came and brought baby food making to our house. Mason had his first taste of real food and Mom had a blast making homemade baby food. His first food....avocado...he loved them!

We also celebrated Easter and had Mason's 6 month professional pictures taken.

Joe and I also celebrated our 2 year anniversary!

Then came May and that was when Mason started to get ready to crawl!

Mason also tried bananas for the first time...which is funny now to look back on because he LOVES bananas now and asks for them every morning for breakfast with his milk.

And there were lots of Mommy and Mason snuggles...

I got the mom chop!

And we had Packer/Viking family pictures taken...

June was very busy for us...Joe quit his job at Ameriprise for the chance of a lifetime with State Farm. After a long discussion and weighing the pros and cons, Joe took the leap of getting back into insurance.

We also went to Mason's first Twins game for Father's Day...

Mason had his first puffs and learned to use a sippy cup...

Playing with blocks & bats...

Mason also stood for the first time in his crib as well...

Mason went for his first pontoon ride....

July was crazy too...I celebrated my 31st year and here is Mason celebrating our nation's birthday!

We also went on our longest road trip with Mason, we headed to Madison for a family reunion with my mom's side of the family...Mason was his usual ham-bone :)

4 Generation Picture

Mason also got to spend some quality time with his Auntie Deb Deb and Uncle Trev Trev for a few days...

Mason got a new wagon...

August brought the last of our quality time on the couch because Mason was crawling like a pro and was pulling himself up and starting to walk. Mason couldn't get enough of his finger foods.

Having fun at the Lake!

And then September came and our baby boy turned 1. It seemed impossible to have arrived so soon, felt like I was just pregnant and we were picking out nursery paint colors and furniture.

We visited the pumpkin patch in October, Mason wasn't in the mood the day we went but had a blast carving and playing with the pumpkins when we got home.

November was a busy month for us, we decided to list our house and spent most of the weekends de-cluttering and fixing up our downstairs bathroom and finishing the dropped ceiling. We have an amazing family who helped us out so much! I also decided to become a Scentsy consultant. And we had a great thanksgiving with our little man!

And we ended the year with our favorite holiday, CHRISTMAS!

Mason met Santa for the first time, he wasn't impressed!

We had our first snow storm, we got 14 inches. Mason played in the snow for the first time.

And we had a wonderful Christmas in Wisconsin with my parents and brother. Mason sure got spoiled!

We had a very blessed 2012...we are so lucky! And we are looking forward to 2013 and all it has to bring! Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy new year!

XOXO