Dyer Family News

Mason is 4 years old! Can you believe it?

2011-01-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 27th my little guy turned 4! I can hardly believe it myself. Last week we switched to a new pediatrician. We loved the old one, but it just doesn't make sense travel to the medical center when there are so many great doctors much closer to home. So anyway, Mason has his first well child visit with the new pedi. Aside from the 4 shots he had to get and the only-natural-and-much-anticipated freak out that accompanied them, he did great! Passed his vision and hearing with flying colors! (I had to take Ian with us, and I swear he was much more anxious than Mason was throughout the entire visit, and he wasn't even being examined!)

After we got home from the appointment I decided to interview Mason (I totally stole the idea from my friend, Janice), and that's what I really want to share you today! Enjoy!

Mason's 4 Year Old Interview

1. How does it feel to be 4 years old?

Older and bigger

2. What is the most important thing you've learned in life so far?

How to talk when I was a baby.

3. How do you think you're different from a year ago?

Taller

4. What's your favorite thing about yourself?

I'm strong and big like Tron people. (I honestly, don't know where this came from!)

5. Who is your best friend?

Joshua. My girls are my best friend cousins, and Ian is my best friend brother. (He collectively refers to Ashlynn, Ainsley, and Bella as "my girls").

6. What do you like learning about?

How to be good.

7. Tell me about your family.

You, Daddy, Ian, and Dixie are my family, and I love y'all over the moon.

8. Tell me something about each member of your family?

Daddy fixes toys. Ian shares his toys. Momma helps find my toys. Dixie quits barking.

9. What's your favorite book?

Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose and Space Case

10. What's your favorite movie?

Toy Story, Cars, and Mater's Tall Tales (he couldn't pick just one)

11. What's your favorite music?

Christmas music and Snazzy

12. What's your favorite tv show?

Billy the Exterminator - he sucks roaches up in a vacuum and kills bees!

13. What's your favorite cartoon to watch?

Phineas and Ferb (it's a passion he shares with his father) and Cat in the Hat

14. What's your favorite word?

poo poo (I answered this one for him because he tries to use it in every situation possible!)

15. What's your favorite toy?

Buzz Lightyear and Monster Truck Mater

16. What's your favorite candy?

Gummy candies and hot mints from Sonic

17. What's your favorite food?

Pizza with circle pepperoni & cheese (When conforted about the fact that he threw a screaming fit a few days earlier because we didn't go out to eat Mexican food he changed his response.) I do love a cheese enchilada!

18. What would you do if you had a whole day to do whatever you wanted to do? Play

19. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger

20. Do you think you'll ever get married?

Like Mary & Joseph? NO!

21. What have you learned about girls?

Coloring with them - they like pink and purple, and they play with dolls.

22. Are you scared of anything?

Nightmares; thunder, and lightening, but not Lightning McQueen

23. Anything else you want people to know about you?

I'm 4!

Mason's 4th Birthday Party

2010-12-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it! My baby is already 4 (well almost)! We did Mason's birthday party a couple of weeks early because we're always visiting relatives on his actual birthday (12/27). This year he really wanted to invite his friends and I was in agreement so we decided to have it at The Little Gym. It was incredible. We had the whole place to ourselves, and three instructors to lead the kiddos in various activities. I was tired from just watching them!

Anyone that knows Mason, knows how much he LOVES the Cars characters, and for months he has been asking for a Monster Truck Mater birthday cake. I failed to picked up the cars prior to the holiday rush, and when I went searching I couldn't find any. I finally found these at Disney.com, but of course, they were on backorder and weren't scheduled to get here until after Christmas. They arrived, however, only a week later so - YAY!

Monster Truck Mater Cake

Mason and his friends

Hanging from the high bar!

Getting ready to open his gifts

I know that he had a fabulous time. He kept sincerely thanking us for his party.

He really is a sweet kiddo! And he is getting so big!

Christmas Trees

2010-12-21T10:28:00.000-08:00

I got the trees up early this year, actually the week before Thanksgiving. I knew we'd be away and I wanted it all ready whenever we got back. This year each of the boys has their own tree inn their bedrooms.

Ian has a Cowboy themed tree

Mason's is decorated with multi-colored balls & icicles

Looking at the outdoor lights from Ian's bedroom window

Preschool Program

2010-12-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

That following Wed. Mason's preschool had their annual Preschool Christmas Program. In the days leading up to this, Mason kept telling me, "I'll go, and I'll get on stage, but I'm NOT singing." He was just as adamant that evening so I didn't even take the video camera, and the camera I did have with doesn't do videos. So, of course, the little guy sang his heart out the entire time, and fully participated with all the hand motions and everything!

He found us in the crowd

Making faces with his friend Alex

The 3 & 4 year old classes

Breakfast with Santa 2010

2010-12-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 4th our subdivision did Breakfast with Santa again. The boys were so excited about it in the days leading up to it, but in all actually they didn't have much love for the big guy when the day came.

Mason just found out he's on the naughty list!

Not really - he just didn't want anything to do with Santa on this particular day. We were finally about to coax him up into the chair. He still isn't very happy, and he just told Santa that he wants "lots of things." Ian did tell (rather yelled at) Santa that he wants a bike!

I had to get a pic of the boys with Santa's Helper. I wonder how long this guy has been in the biz!

Jess' Birthday

2010-11-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

This year Drew and I celebrated my birthday with shopping and dinner out. When we got back home we found that our absolutely fabulous babysitter, Adriene, and the boys had decorated the kitchen and made me a birthday cake. It was the sweetest surprise.

Mason's "car wash"

The cake the boys made!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

We did another low-key Halloween this year. We had a toddler party at a friends. There were 5 families and we had about 12 kiddos (the oldest was 4 yr). We only went to a few houses but it took quite a while to get everyone through the line ensuring that all said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You". Despite the fact that I forgot Ian's stick horse, Bullseye, and Mason's "jet pack" they still had a great time.

Raiders of the Last Trunk

2010-11-23T14:30:00.000-08:00

The church where the boys go to school hosted a "trunk & treat" event called Raiders of the Last Trunk. The kiddos got to play games for candy in the church parking lot.

Woody

A very serious Buzz Lightyear

Getting mummified

Trying to blow the ping pong balls across the pool

Day Out With Thomas

2010-11-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Last month we took a road trip with our friends, the Wagners, to Rusk to the Texas State Railroad for the Day Out With Thomas event. The boys had a great time! Not only did we get to ride Thomas but they got to do a ton of Thomas related activities. They played with trains, colored, got tattoos, etc. They were worn out by the end of the day.

Mason holding his ears as Thomas blows his train whistle

Sir Topham Hat - you'll notice that neither of my boys is in the pic (even after we waited in line). They were cool admiring him from afar, but they wouldn't go near him.

Waiting to board the train. Ian is crazy!

Mason, Ian, & Eli

Because the folks live so close we stayed the night with them. RJ & Susan got to experience hillbilly hell for an evening. A terrible storm rolled through, and the electricity went out for several hours. But we still had a great visit. We put the kiddos to bed and we sat around the kitchen table talking for hours!

Mater Detour

2010-11-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Last month we were in Rusk to spend the Day Out with Thomas the Train and we found Mater! Since the boys love Mater we decided we needed to stop to get some pics with him.

Mason was so excited to touch his "tow hook"

Because we're big into monkey see, monkey do - Ian had to touch the "tow hook" too

Gearing up for Halloween

2010-10-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

After our recent trip to the Pumpkin Patch we have been gearing up for Halloween in full force. Last week we carved and painted our pumpkins and we got out our Halloween decorations. Mason found the scary masks and gloves and went about trying to scare everyone in the house. At one point I caught him wearing the gloves on his feet as "monster feet." Ian even got in on the scaring action! We can't wait for Halloween this year!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we decided to take the boys to the pumpkin patch at TGR Exotics. It's a quiet little animal sanctuary set up in a residential area. The boys had a blast. It amazes me how much they have playing in a trough of corn. We did get to see several exotic animals - they even pet the small grey kangaroo. After checking out all the sites the boys made a couple of pinecone bird feeders and picked out some small pumpkins to bring home and pain.

Swim Lessons

2010-10-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how I could have forgotten to mention swim lessons before now because it was a huge thing for us this summer. Both took swim lessons from Amber K. and she was awesome with them (far more patient that I would have been). I highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone to come to your house or subdivision pool for private lessons. By the end of their 8 lessons she had both boys swimming at least 10 feet to the pool wall, "monkey walking" around the pool until they could get to a ladder, and pulling themselves out. Both boys also learned that if we every fall into the water "go to our backs," which Mason practices frequently in the tub! We started the summer in floaties, but by the end they didn't even want to wear them. They really exceeded my expectations!

Ian swimming to Mrs. Amber

So proud of himself

Mason swimming to Mrs. Amber

He made it!

First Day of School - August

2010-10-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Both boys had their first day of school on August 24th. Mason is attending the 3 yr. old half day program on T & Th, and Ian is attending the 2 yr. old half day program on Tues. They're both in school from 9:00am to 1:00pm which gives me at least one day each week to try to run as many errands as I can without kiddos. I've finally gotten caught up on doctor and dentist appointments! Both boys are loving school. Today (Oct. 19th) was the first day (with the exception of the first day of school) that I was able to drop Ian off without him crying. I'm sure it had something to do with the pancake breakfast they were having this morning, but I'll take it!

Ian's 2nd Birthday

2010-10-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ian turned 2 on July 5th this year. We celebrated his 2nd birthday in Carthage with family on July 3rd. He had a tractor/farm themed party and after presents and cake we went swimming in my mother's FABULOUS pool! At this point Ian was very much into "MOOOOOO" cows and tractors, especially John Deere tractors or as he calls them "Deere Tractors."

His "Deere Tractor" cake

His "Deere Tractor" cupcakes and farm animals "ducks"

Opening his gifts while Bella and Ashlynn look on

Blowing out his candles! He is getting so big!

Lake Hamilton - June

2010-10-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

In late June, Drew and I went on our 2nd annual trip with his former high school classmates. This year we went to Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We stayed at the Lazy Lane Lodge and it was fabulous. There were seven couples and no children! It was wonderful to be able to spend the weekend with such good friends. We spent the days sleeping in and relaxing on the water. Good times!

Father's Day Weekend 2010

2010-10-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Drew spent most of Father's Day weekend fishing with friends in Port O'Connor.

While they were out on the water he was accidentally hooked in the palm of his hand. The were nearly a half hour from shore and no telling how far from the closest emergency room so they decided to remove it on the boat.

They couldn't pull it out because of the barb on the hook so Stephen P. cut it and they just pushed it on through. OUCH! This happened Sunday morning, and the boys and I didn't find out until after he got home that afternoon. He came in, loved on the boys, opened his Father's Day gifts, and then told me he probably needed to head to the ER to get a tetanus shot. It was only when I asked why that he told me what happened!

Upon hearing how disappointed he was as a child for never getting a Snoopy Sno-Cone machine the boys and I decided that he deserved one for Father's Day so here he is with his very own Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine! He left for the ER about an hour after this pic was taken.

Sand Castle Competition - June 2010

2010-10-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

In early June we drove down to Galveston for a day to check out the AIA Sand Castle Competition. It was very crowded when we got there and so we only got to take in a few of the sand castles, but here are some of our faves of the ones that we saw. The artwork was amazing.

Spring Program - May 2010

2010-10-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

In May, Mason participated in the end of the school year program with his preschool class. They started out with 10 kids in his class (9 boys and 1 little girl) and ended the year with only 6 (5 boys and 1 girl). During the school program the kids sang a few songs as an entire group and then as individual classes. He wasn't so much into singing with the whole school, but he did well when it was just his class. Drew and I both agreed that we had never seen him pout quite like this at home! He was front and center for most of the program though and my guess is that it was just a bit too intimidating for him.

Singing with the entire preschool

"Singing" with just his class

Fishing at Gran C's

2010-10-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

While we were home in April we thought it would be a good time to take the boys fishing at my parent's pond. The Easter bunny had apparently left a couple of kid-sized fishing rods at their house! We probably ruined them on fishing. My folks' pond is stocked and they caught a fish with every single cast, which was great for them!

Mason got the hang of it quickly

Mason's first fish

(PeePaw helped him get them off the hooks and throw them back)

Ian caught only one fish and we had to cut his hook off - it was best for everyone!

Notice in this pic he isn't even facing the water.

He kept flailing his rod everywhere, slinging mud on everyone and everything within a half-mile radius! But he was having fun!

Fishing Trip 2010

2010-10-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

In April the Dyer men held their annual fishing trip on the Sabine River. This was Ian's first time in a boat and while I was very hesitant to get him out on the water - he had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful weekend. Here's another lazy slide show with some pics.

American Rose Garden - April 2010

2010-10-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

On a trip back to East Texas in April, the boys and I spent the day with my Granny Shirley and mom. We went to lunch and then spent a couple of hours walking around the American Rose Garden in Shreveport. It was a beautiful day, and the boys had so much fun spending time with their great-grandmother.

The Leaning Tower of Death

2010-10-15T20:27:00.001-07:00

Several days after Easter I discovered that we have a major candy issue in our house. If it is in the house, my children will go to any lengths to get it. On this particular day I was working on the computer during naptime when Mason walked into the office and asked me if I would open and M&M egg for him.

Me: "Where did this come from?"
Mason: "My basket."
Me: "But your basket is on top of the refridgerator."
Mason: "I know."

I came downstairs to find this - The Leaning Tower of Death! That is a toy drum on top of wooden stool on top of a plastic picnic table.

I don't know what was more frightening - the fact that he could've really hurt himself or his ninja-like skills in building it. I never knew that he was even up and out of bed!

Easter 2010

2010-10-15T19:52:00.001-07:00

We spent Easter weekend at home in Houston. After we attended the egg hunt at Trinity we came home to dye our own eggs that we hid in the backyard. Unfortunately, we weren't able to use them later because they were left out on top of the fridge for about 6 hours before anyone realized it. The Easter Bunny stopped by our house on Easter morning and the boys were a little too hopped up on sugar to be very cooperative for pictures before church.

Dying eggs

Hunting eggs in the backyard

Chillin' in the front yard

Checking out all the loot left behind by the Easter Bunny

Enjoying a fabulous chocolate covered marshmallow bunny

I tried to get a picture of the boys before we headed to church that morning, but Drew had the only cooperative spirit.
The boys made quite a mess with the "grass" from their baskets. Drew thought it would be easiest to just rake it with a yard rake! I later got the carpet broom and gathered up quickly.

Trinity Easter Egg Hunter

2010-10-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

So I recognize that it's really lazy of me to put all these pics into slideshows, but it's the easiest way to share them - there's just so many of them! These are pictures from the Easter Egg Hunt at our church, Trinity Klein Lutheran. The boys had a BLAST! The got to hunt eggs, do some crafts, and play some games, but the highlight was the monster truck, Grave Digger. All the males in my house were fascinated by it. Drew took my camera while I was volunteering at the the concession booth, and when I downloaded the pics from the camera I found almost 100 pics of Grave Digger!!

Class Easter Party

2010-10-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Mason's class Easter Party. He started out with 10 kids in his class but they ended the year with only 6 and just one little girl!

Ready to carry some eggs

All the kiddos with their loot

Downtown Aquarium - Spring Break 2010

2010-10-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

My Dad and his crew decided to come down to visit during Spring Break as well. We attempted to take all the boys to the zoo, but that didn't work out so well. We drove around for FOREVER before finally deciding to just head to Aquarium. The kids had a blast there! Here's a slideshow from that day.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2010

2010-10-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

While we did attend the HLSR Kickoff BBQ this year, I didn't really get any good pictures. But here's a slideshow of some pics from our trip to the Livestock Show & Rodeo during Spring Break. We went to the Rodeo with my Mom, David, Jordan, and her friend, Jordan B. but somehow I managed not to get any pictures of them!

Tire Park - 2010

2010-10-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of the boys from the wonderful "tire park" (Matheson Park) in Tomball taken in March 2010.

Mason's 3rd Birthday - Dec 2009

2010-10-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

I realized that I never posted any pictures from Mason's 3rd birthday party. We celebrated it with family while we were home for the holidays. He had a Cars party.

I opted for a grocery store cake instead of the usual custom cake, and the folks at Kroger weren't nearly as enthusiastic about his cake as he was.
If you look closely you'll see that they ran out of room on "Birthday" and just squished it all in.

Mason got tons of bday gifts!

Daddy & Mason

What Happened To 2010?

2010-10-15T14:01:00.001-07:00

So I know that I'm WAY overdue for the blog. I laugh that I left you all with man-ly mustache, and yes, the following week I did get it waxed off! I'm amazed that it has been 10 months since I last blogged. I blame Facebook really! I mean what can't be blamed on that site!

I remember being a kid and hearing all the grown-ups discuss how fast time passed by. I remember thinking to myself that they were crazy - time pratically stood still. I began measuring time around my birthday and Christmas, then it became every six weeks of school, then every semester, and so on. Somewhere along the way time sped up! I'm convinced of it. I find myself being one of those "grown-ups" that talks about time flying by. Is it really almost November? Am I really about to turn 33 in a few weeks? (Yep, I put it out there!) I look at my lil sis at 15 yrs. old and I think, "I can vividly remember being that age! Has it REALLY been nearly 20 years since I was there?!?" I digress! I promise in 2011 I'm going to make a better effort of updating the blog! In the meantime, I'll try to bring everyone up to speed!

A Mustache Just Like Daddy's

2010-01-31T15:47:00.000-08:00

During the course of a conversation, in which, Mason was telling me why I "make his sooooo mad" (I was making him pick up his toys) he looked right at me, and said, "Hey, you've a mustache just like, Daddy!" Yes, I realize I'm long overdue for a wax, but geez kid!

Merry Christmas 2009

2010-01-12T14:47:00.000-08:00

As usual, we spent Christmas with the family in Carthage. Both boys were really into opening presents this years. For Ian it was more about tearing the paper off than the actually present inside, and for Mason, well, Mason was ALL about the presents this year. He'd been asking to open presents for weeks - every day, several times a day. And I'm sure it was all the junk he was eating with all the parties and everything but his little attitude was wearing me out until he I finally talked to Santa and we agreed that needed to go on the naughty list. The whole week leading up to Christmas he was on the naughtly list and Santa was very firm in that if he couldn't take care of the toys he had he certainly didn't need any new ones. Fortunately, for Mason, his attitude improved enough so that Santa moved him to the nice list on Christmas Eve. So while we were away Santa dropped a few presents off in Carthage, but left the boys' big gift at our house. They had a special surprise waiting in the garage for them this year!

My mom (now known for her awesome trees) decorated this tree just for the boys this year.

Mitchell and Brittaney gave Mason some dwarf frogs.

Ian LOVES his bat - thanks Grammy & Pop Pop! We've already had to take it away a few times.

Santa's surprise to the boys. They love it!

Ian's First Haircut

2010-01-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

On December 17th, Mason and I took Ian to get his first haircut. He's been to Cool Cuts (or the Haircut House as Mason refers to it) on numerous occasions when Mason gets his hair cut so he was very familiar with the atmosphere. I was honestly surprised at the fact that he cried the ENTIRE time he was getting it cut. He began crying the moment I picked him up to put him in the seat, and he didn't stop until back on the floor. In fact, the moment I put him back on the floor he was fine. Nothing was helping to ease his pain that day.

So upset

Cutting off his precious locks

Still not happy. Neither the train car or lollipop helped ease his distress.

It's all good!

Breakfast with Santa & A Night in Bethlehem

2010-01-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. Where does the time go?

On Dec. 5th we had Breakfast with Santa in our subdivision. It was a neat little outing. Not only did we get to eat with Santa but Mason was able to get his face painted and make a couple of ornaments. Ian was too little and not interested. Ian was too focused on Santa to do much of anything.

Mason got a Rudolph painted on his cheek

Drew and I were interested to see how both boys would react to sitting with the jolly guy. Last year Mason posed with him but wouldn't talk to him and Ian was just too little to know what was going . This year Mason was excited to see Santa and he told him everything that he wanted without getting the least bit upset.

We should've known how Ian would react - he didn't take his eyes off of Santa from the moment he walked into the room. And when it was his turn, he certainly didn't want to sit with the man!
He did, however, give Santa some "knucle love" when he was back safe in his Daddy's arms.
After breakfast with Santa we went home to decorate our Christmas tree. Both boys had a fabulous time helping with the decorations. Don't worry, they only got to handle the plastic decorations.

He's hanging like the 6th ball onto the same branch!

Ian's job was to get the ornaments out for us.

That afternoon, after nap, of course, we went to A Night in Bethlehem hosted by Resurrection Lutheran Church (that's where Mason goes to school). The gym was filled with different shops where we got to spend our gold coins. We made bread, wove a basket, made a rope, worked with clay, and did other art projects. We also learned all about the oils people "bathed" in during Biblical times, and even got to bring home our own sample of frankincense. We topped it all off with a look at the live nativity.

Making a rope

Rolling dough to make bread

Checking out the camel - this is the 2nd camel we've gotten up close and personal with in a matter of months!
All in all we had an incredible day that day!

Baptisms

2009-11-18T12:37:00.001-08:00

Mason and Ian were baptized into the Lutheran church on November 15th. It was a wonderful day, and both boys did a great job.

Halloween

2009-11-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

We had a really low key Halloween this year. We spent it with the Howells, Wagners, and some of the Farleys. It was a toddler Halloween party - so much fun! There were nine children there and Mason was the oldest!

Drew was channeling Brett Michaels this year, but I better be his only "rock of love."

Mason had a blast trick or treating

Decorating our pumpkins

2009-11-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago we decorated the pumpkins we had picked up at the various pumpkin patches.

Ian painting his pumpkins

Mason & Daddy carving the jack o'lantern (or jaqueline as Mason refers to it)

Finished products

Boo!

15 month checkup

2009-11-04T12:49:00.001-08:00

I took Ian in several weeks ago for his 15 month check up and they weren't able to give him any immunizations because he had a cold at the time so I had to take him back two weeks ago. He weighed 24 lbs. 11 oz. (50th percentile) and was 32 inches tall, which is the same as his 12 month height so they think they measured him wrong then, but that still leaves him in the 75th percentile for height. Doc said that he looked great and he isn't concerned about anything at this point. Poor little Ian was hysterical though. He started crying the minute we got into the exam room (as if he remembered the place). I got him calmed down to have him weighed and measured but the minute doc touched that stethoscope to his back IT WAS ON! He had a full blown freak out - screaming at the top of his lungs and trying to climb me like a baby monkey. Dr. Schaffer was telling him, "Control yourself, my multi-chinned friend." But nothing worked. I had just gotten him calmed back down when the nurse came in to give him his shots, and you can imagine how that went. Poor guy tuckered himself out from screaming and crying so much and he fell asleep as soon we got in the car. Thankfully, Mason wasn't there to witness any of it - he was in school.

Ian is such a goof ball - he has the craziest laugh and the sweetest personality. He is so expressive in his face - he'll arch his eyebrows and he has the most adorable smirk. He is running everywhere and climbing on everything. He is our little monkey, and he believes that he can do whatever Mason is doing. He isn't very vocal - he mainly grunts and points - but he understands what you're saying to him and he can follow directions (at least for now). He says, "mama" "daddy" and "Dixie" and he'll tell the dog to get "BACK" when she invades his space. Interestingly enough, he doesn't call Mason anything right now though. I was talking to the pedi about it, and his response, "He'll have plenty of names for him as he gets older." I LOVE Dr. Schaffer!

Oil Ranch Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

The boys and I spent some time with some friends at Oil Ranch in Hockley. We had a great time playing with the pumpkins, seeing all the farm animals, playing in the maze, riding the train, and just running around with our friends! Unfortunately, Drew wasn't able to join us because he had to attend the funeral of friend.

On the train

Smashing pumpkins

Playing on one of the playgrounds

Just chillin' in the hay maze

Posing with pumpkins and friends

Mason is behind the scarecrow on the far right

Back row: Ian, Eli, & Cade

Front row: Briellen, Ivy, Sidney, Mitchell, Luke, & Cole

Colton was napping in the stroller

Firestation Playdate

2009-10-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Today we went on a MOPS playdate to the Tomball Fire Department. The boys had a blast! A firemen talked to them about their uniforms and equipment and explained what it was used for. Then we got to tour the garage and see the different types of firetrucks. Mason even got to climb through the ladder truck - he was so excited. Both boys are going as firemen for Halloween this year so I let them wear their suits to the firestation. Too cute!

Mason was very intrigued with the mannequins

Climbing through the firetruck

Standing on the back of one of the trucks

Pumpkin Patch 2009

2009-10-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we took the family to TGR Exotics Pumpkin Patch on the Wildside. TGR Exotics is a wildlife sanctuary tooked back into a residential area here in Spring. The boys had a blast. They got to see lots of different animals (pigs, camels, ponies, and a baby kangaroo to name a few). Mason got his face painted and both boys got to paint their own pumpkins. They had the most fun playing in the hay and the corn troughs!

Ian is not too sure about this cat.

Mason finally smiling for a pic!

Trying to pick out the perfect pumpkin.

Playing in the corn. Mason was trying to "feed the deer" by dumping corn onto the ground.

Ian checking out the pigs

Up close and personal with the camel

Painting their pumpkins

Not one of my best decisions - sure, give the toddler a paint brush and some paint - what's the worst that could happen?! Paint, paint, everywhere!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-14T14:37:00.001-07:00

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Mason's First Day of Preschool

2009-08-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Mason had his very first day of preschool today - can you believe it! He's in the 2 year old program at a local church and he only goes one day a week. He's been looking forward to it since I brought home his new backpack.

I was a little concerned about how it would go since this was the mood he was in early on!

Enjoying his pancakes and bacon (his special request). Shame on mama for not having any strawberries in the house. He told me, "I sure would love some strawberries too!" Crazy kid!

Getting ready to leave

Showing off his new backpack

Checking out the quilt in the hallway at school while waiting for the teacher to get to the classroom.

Once he got inside the classroom he went straight for the dinosaurs.

I handled myself much better than I thought I would! I even managed not to cry. When I went to pick him up I worried I'd be the first in line but, apparently, there were many more moms more anxious than I. I did pick up some strawberries while I was at the store to cheer him up just in case he had a bad day! As she was putting him in the car, his teacher told me that he had a great first day. She said he got a little choked up when he realized Drew and I were gone, but he got over it very quickly. Knowing Mason, some of the other kids were crying and he had to join in a little! He is my little man!

Kids say the darnedest things

2009-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday -
Mason: Mama, where's your friend, Daddy? He makin' money?

Last week -
Mason: I've got a boo boo. (pointing to a red spot on his chest)
Me: What happened?
Mason: A dinosaur bit me.
Me: A dinosaur bit you. Oh my! Where did he bite you?
Mason: In my room.
Me: Was he big?
Mason: It was a teeny, tiny dinosaur.
Me: What color was he?
Mason: Orange.
Me: Did he have any horns?
Mason: A yellow taxi car horn.
This went on for a while and I was able to ascertain that the teeny tiny orange dinosaur with a yellow taxi car horn giggled when he bit with his soft teeth. He drove away in his black car to go home to play with his dinosaur friends.
I'm not real sure what happened, but he's still sticking to the dinosaur story - although he changes colors now.

First Trip to Galveston

2009-07-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Dad, Michelle, Miles, Patrick and Andrew all came down for a visit. We had a wonderful time. Mason and Ian loved having so many boys here to play. On Saturday we all loaded up and drove down to Galveston for the afternoon. It was the boys' first time to go to the beach, and my first time to go to Galveston since moving back to Texas. I wasn't sure how Mason and Ian would feel about the beach, but they both LOVED it. Ian loved it so that no matter what he was doing he didn't want to change. He'd start screaming when I would get him out of the sand to put him in the water, and then he'd scream when we got out of the water. He was just having too much fun. Mason was all over the place. He had a blast digging in the sand and splashing about.

Ian's initial reaction of being in the water

Trying to run in the sand. He would have a difficult time standing when the water came in.

Splashing about - yes, the lifejacket was probably a bit overkill but he had been in much deeper water.

Just diggin'

Sand castle construction crew

Miles, Patrick, Andrew, & Mason

Trying to collect more sand

Sand, sand, everywhere!

Happy 1st Birthday, Ian Bug!

2009-07-05T18:31:00.001-07:00

Today is Ian's first birthday! We celebrated with a pool party at my mom's on July 4th. Tons of family showed up to beat the heat, and fun was had by all! A few photos from the festivities!

Rubber Duck Theme

Getting some assistance from Mason while opening his gifts

Having a blast just beating on bags and boxes

He dove right into that cupcake

Yummmmmm! Drew and I were both in the pool following the party and managed not to get any picks of anyone while swimmming :(. Here are a couple of picks of Mom's pool post party.

Ian went to the doctor this week for his 12 month checkup. He weighed in at 21 lbs. 12 oz. (25th percentile) and measured 32.5 inches (90-95th percentile) in length. He can technically turn around in the car seat. Yay! Doc says he's still tall and skinny, and healthy as a horse. Yay! He only got one shot - the dreaded chicken pox vaccine. (Mason had an adverse reaction to this one, but so far so good for Ian.) He still only has two teeth (the bottom two). And while he still prefers to either cruise or crawl he is beginning to walk on his own. He'll take about 5 or 6 steps before he gets so excited he crashes to the floor! His favorite game is drop stuff from his high chair and proclaim, "UH-OH!" He LOVES to climb - he's our monkey, and he thinks he can do anything Mason can. He's just growing up so quickly!

First Trip Without Kiddos

2009-06-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Drew and I went on our first trip without the kids. We met up with some friends from his high school and rented a cabin on Toledo Bend. It was great getting to see everyone and reminisce. We took in some time relaxing on the lake, fishing, tubing, a lot of guitar hero in the evenings, and a few mean games of spoons! I was bleeding after the first "practice" round! AHHH, good times.

My mother kept the boys and this was my first time to go anywhere without them. The only time Mason has ever been away from me overnight was when I was in the hospital after having Ian. It was very bittersweet. I had a lot of fun but at the same time I was a nervous wreck worrying about them - not that I was worried Mom couldn't handle them, but I just worried how they would handle the situation. They were great! And as a side note, Mom informed me that our retarded dog can't swim!! While the fam played in the pool she got so worked up on the sidelines that she just bailed off into the deep end and totally freaked out. But apparently, she didn't learn anything and kept doing it. Goofy dog. Can you teach a dog to swim? Looks like we'll be getting her a new life jacket!

Pennsylvania

2009-06-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago the boys and I took a trip to Pennsylvania along with my mother, sister, Aunt Christy and her two children. We flew out of Houston directly to Philadelphia where we stayed the night and spent most of the next day.

That evening we did a night-time city tour of Philly aboard a double decker tour bus, and it was really great to see everything we normally wouldn't have gotten to see. It was very informative and a lot of fun as well. We did drive past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell but it was too dark at that point to take pictures (plus we were driving very fast), and, unfortunately, we never made it back to the historic district. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in the Center City area and it was great because we were able to walk to Logan Square, Love Park, and The Franklin Institute, which is where we spent most of our day.

When we finished at the museum we loaded up the kiddos and headed to Hershey, PA. We did the Chocolate World tour, and I made the mistake of allowing Mason to have chocolate milk with his dinner. That combined with the snack size chocolate bar he got at the end of the chocolate tour kept him up until after midnight that first night. Needless to say, he now LOVES "chocwat." Who can blame him? It was everywhere. They left Kisses everytime they cleaned the room and just about every tour you went on passed out free chocolates. They even had chocolate BBQ sauce in the food court!

We had a great time. We spent two days at Hersheypark and rode all the rides and saw a few shows. We took a day to go to Strasburg and took an Amish buggy ride and rode the Historic Strasburg Railroad. It was a beautiful drive and trainride through Amish country. We spent time at Hershey Gardens and took in the Chocolate Museum where Jordan and I went to the chocolate lab to make our own chocolate bars and learn about the different places in the world cocoa bean are grown.

Mason and Ian were little troopers throughout the whole trip, although on our last day while visiting the museum Mason just laid down on the floor and fell asleep! It was a fabulous trip! And the best part, we all survived!

Philadelphia City Hall

Ben Franklin monument located inside The Franklin Institute

Strasburg Historic Railroad

Hershey Park had all the ride heights labeled by candies.

Mason could ride rides intended for Kisses and Miniatures.

We saw tons of candies walking around!

Rest in Peace

2009-06-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

My cousin and I were talking this weekend about how most people think of grandfathers as the the sweet old man passing out Werther's originals, but our grandfather was the total opposite. Our grandfather was a gruff old man always ready with an insult for just about anybody that walked in through the door. He saw everything in black and white and made no apologies for anything he ever said or did, no matter how horribly offensive it might be. He died this past Wednesday at the age of 87.

Boyce Brown was a decorated World War II veteran. He fought with the US Army in the second wave on Omaha Beach in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He was the kind of man that lied about his age to join the Army when he was just 15 (as I remember his story).
The kind of man that drove his motorcycle through the church doors to announce his return from the war. The kind of man that always had a story to tell. Maybe the disappointments he received in childhood and the devastation he witnessed during war times hardened him into the man that he became. As I child, I just remember that he always seemed so mad all the time, and he was mean as a snake.

The older I got the less time I spent with him. I only saw him a handful of times over the past 10 years. Maybe it was his failing health or his old age, but his demeanor had softened over the past few years. He wasn't as mean to me and he was even complimentary of my child. I'm racking my brain, and I don't believe that Ian ever even met him. I only took Mason over a couple of times. I wasn't close to him at all, but, oddly enough, I'm taking his death much harder than I ever thought I would. Maybe it's the guilt.

11 Months Old

2009-06-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but we have been in our Houston home for an entire year now! It's even harder to believe that Ian is 11 months old today! He is such the perfect baby. Drew and I do realize how truly blessed we've been to have two VERY laid back babies.

Ian is very chill, and usually will roll with the flow. He could be a competitive crawler - he gets around so quickly these days. He's also mastering the art of "cruising" along furniture. He hasn't exactly mustered up the courage to just let go yet, which is surprising considering that over the past couple of days he's turned into quite the climber. He's determined to climb up onto the fireplace hearth, the window sill, and Mason's little picnic table! And every time I redirect him, it just strengthens his will. We are very much into "monkey see, monkey do" these days in the Dyer household. Ian thinks he can do whatever Mason does and vice versa. One of Ian's favorite games is to drop his cup at the high chair or throw a toy over the baby gate and proclaim, "Uh-oh!" He's also saying "mama" and "dada" and "Deeeeeeeee" (whenever he sees Dixie). I'm interested to see what he calls Mason in the future.

Mason is a great big brother (most of the time). He's frequently giving Ian hugs and kisses (even when Ian protests), and he always tries to soothe him when he's upset. "It's okay, Ian Bug." "You're alright, Ian Baby." Sometimes Mason will just sit and stare at Ian for a while and he'll always say, "He is sooooo cute, Mama." Of course, he said that about the goats at the zoo, too. It's soooo sweet. There are those time when he warts him to death as well. For some reason he likes to try to crawl under Ian - through his legs while he's standing and it doesn't always work out well. Ian will take a tumble and everyone gets upset. Or just this morning Mason was trying to stick a set of toy keys down the back of Ian's onesie and Ian just wasn't having it, but that didn't deter Mason. There are days when I have to repetitively get onto him for playing rough, but I know that I'll be doing that for many years to come.

crazy hair

playing with vacuum cleaner attachments

such a big boy!

Memorial Day

2009-06-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

Having some fun in the sun

Ian was having fun

Looking for airplanes while wearing Mom's sunglasses

Playing on his new swing set

Houston Zoo

2009-06-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Drew had the week off from work. We spent most of that time getting some work done around the house but we did decide to take Wednesday off to go to the zoo. It was the boys' first visit to the Houston Zoo, and they really had a blast. The weather was great and it wasn't as crowded as we feared it might be. It was a great day. There were too many pictures to post so I just did a video slide show.

Will it ever end?

2009-05-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

Where to begin?

As if being flooded in for several hours last Tuesday wasn't enough drama, something else had to happen that afternoon - 12 stairs. I had left Ian playing in Mason's room while I took Mason to the bathroom to potty, and I completely flaked on putting the baby gate back up at the door. (We don't have one at the top of the staircase because of the shape and stability of the banister post). Anyway, I was helping Mason when I heard this noise, and then the screaming, and THEN it hit me. I was freaking out far worse than he was. I called the doctor's office, and it was 5:05 so I, of course, had to wait on the answering service to pick up and take my info. They immediately put me through to to a nurse who questioned me about his appearance, consciousness, and ability to move his limbs. Since he appeared to be fine, and was actually playing and laughing at this point she advised that I didn't necessarily have to take him to the ER and gave me a list of signs to watch for. I had initially convinced myself that he was fine, and didn't need to go to the ER, but the more I thought about it the more paranoid I grew. I decided to take him in for my own peace of mine. Rather than drive to Texas Children's Hospital and risk possibly catching swine flu in the ER waiting room, I took him to the Emergency Health Centre upon the recommendation of a friend. We were in and out in about 1.5 hours, and the doc gave him a very thorough examination and concluded that he was perfectly fine. I still put him in the bed with us that night to keep an eye on him, but he is fine.

Last Friday, his first tooth actually broke through! Yay! He turned 10 months old yesterday.

Speaking of yesterday, I took both boys back in to the see the pediatrician to get their ears rechecked. Of course, Mason began running fever Monday evening, and still had a low grade fever when we got to the doc's office. Both boys' ears looked great but Mason's throat was a little red so the doc ordered a strep test. It came back positive so we're back on antibiotics to fight that off. I'm hoping we caught it early enough that it won't cause him much pain, and that he doesn't pass it on to his brother (or his parents). He hasn't been running any fever today so that's encouraging. I'm just so ready for them to get WELL!

So I'm keeping positive thoughts and trying to send positive energy to my kiddos.

12:45 pm - Flash Floods 04/28/09

2009-04-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

For more photos of Houston area flooding check out Channel 2's slideshow.

Water flowing over the gully bridge - it didn't do this during Hurricane Ike!

Police barricaded the bridge off while I was outside taking photos. They also put a barricade up at the opposite street corner.

12:30 PM - Flash Floods 04/28/09

2009-04-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

By 12:30 pm the water had already begun to recede - see below for pics from only 1 hour earlier.

street corner (Candlecreek and Candlebrook)

view of street/end of our driveway

view of street

a car stalled across the street

11:30 am - Flash Floods 4/28/09

2009-04-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

For those of you not currently residing in the Houston area we were hit with flash floods overnight and today. I had been working in the kitchen and watching the ran pour in the backyard, and I had no idea that it was this bad out front. Mason and Ian were watching the rainfall out one of the front windows, and I went to see what they were seeing and I was shocked to see this! We were completely flooded in.

View from front porch of the end of the driveway

front yard

view from top of driveway

What is this mysterious rash?

2009-04-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

I just got home from the pediatrician's office for the 2nd time this week. Even the lady at the check out desk was like, "We've been seeing a lot of you guys lately." My response, "We obviously just can't get enough of you people!" So yesterday afternoon Mason began complaining about a "boo-boo" on his foot that I couldn't see. I did notice that his knees were getting red but I thought it was from playing on the carpet. By the time I began getting him ready for his bath, he had broken out with blisters on his knees and hives all over his legs. The tops of his feet had raised red bumps and the soles of his feet were red and splotchy and he was complaining that it itched. I immediately called the doctor's office to speak to the nurse on call. I was concerned because his prescription information warns, "CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience skin rash or blisters . . ." It goes on to discuss a potentially serious "even fatal" peeling skin rash. Needless to say, I was sorta freaking out. He wasn't running fever, and he was behaving completely normal aside from the itching. The nurse advised me to give him some benedryl every four hours throughout the night, and to call back in the morning if it wasn't any better.

This morning the hives were gone but he still had the blisters on his knees and feet and a few other spots had popped up. He still wasn't running fever but just to be safe, I called back and they wanted to see him. Mason, of course, was freaking out when he realized that we were going back to the doctor's office, but he held it together pretty well. That is until Dr. Schaffer decided he wanted to go ahead and check his ears too since we were already there! Yeah! Anyway, Dr. Schaffer checked out his legs, and then advised that he wanted his partner to check it out too. I'm thinking, "what's going on with my child." But I'm maintaining my composure because this isn't the first mysterious rash Mason has had and the doc had already ruled out a drug reaction. After seeing both docs and reviewing his recent medical history, the fact that he's had upper respiratory issues for the past month, he was diagnosed with a post viral rash. I was sent home with a steroid cream and told to continue administering benedryl as needed for the itchiness. Hopefully, we'll be on the mend in no time.

We met Drew for lunch, which is always fun, and now both boys are napping. Well, Ian is napping, and Mason is playing in his bed. (He had his power nap in the car). Of course!

Round 2 of antibiotics

2009-04-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

So I took the boys back in for their follow up appointment today to have their ears re-checked. Both boys still have ear infections. Ian, particularly, has a "large amount" of fluid built up. So we're trying a different antibiotic, and we go back to the doctor again in a couple of weeks. Yeah! I must admit that both seem to be in remarkable spirits now though.

Mason has been dreading going back to the doctor ever since I told him about the appointment. I was trying to prepare him for it, but he's been crying, "Don't want doctor to check ears. Mama check my ears!" I've been reassuring him that it will be okay. Well, he threw a fit the minute Dr. Schaffer walked into the room today, and cried the entire time he was being examined. I thought the poor kid was going to make himself puke he was crying so hard. After we were all done and he calmed down he (honest to God) said, "Not so bad." The kid cracks me up.

Ian is 9 months old

2009-04-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Our "Ian Bug" turned 9 months on April 5th. Can you believe it? He is an absolute delight, and the apple of his big brother's eye. He is on the move these days - usually trying to follow Mason throughout the house. He especially likes to follow Mason into the bathroom - I think he likes the cool tile floor. He loves to hear his own voice, and we've called it channeling his inner Fonzie because he'll just say, "Ey! Ey!" He's starting to pull up on stuff, and he will laugh hysterically when he can do it, but when he can't he gets so frustrated. The kiddo still doesn't have any teeth. He currently weighs 18 lbs. 3 oz. (25th percentile) and measured 29.5 inches (90th percentile). I expressed some concern about him being so thin, and the doctor stated that he has been consistently "slender" so he isn't overly concerned about it. He is still nursing, and I've began giving him one formula bottle a day. He also eats his solids three times a day with a snack (puffs) in the afternoon.

He and Mason have both been battling colds/allergies since early March. The week before his scheduled well baby appointment he developed a really nasty cough with wheezing so I called got him in early, and he was diagnosed with upper respiratory issues and I had to begin administering breathing treatments. The doc couldn't say for sure if it was allergy related or a virus because Mason also had a URI at this time and I had to give him a prescription antihistamine. Neither of them was doing much better the following week (in fact, Mason was worse) so I got the doc to examine Mason too at Ian's appointment. Both boys were diagnosed with ear infections, and prescribed different antibiotics. Plus, Mason had to begin breathing treatments. We're still on the antibiotics but they're both doing much better! They go back next week for a follow up.

Toothless smile

Taken at the Children's Museum

Easter 2009

2009-04-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

We spent Easter weekend at home in Houston. The boys did participate in an egg hunt at church, and then Mason did some arts and crafts. They had a ton of fun, but we've had to hide the candy because Mason was behaving like a crazed candy addict. "I need candy!"

Happy Easter

Hunting for eggs

Let me see.

Bunny face

Bunny face - 30 seconds later

Potty Training

2009-04-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

Mason is virtually potty trained - we rarely have an accident now. It's taken a few months, but he's been doing great. He's in cotton underwear most of the time now. I still put him in a pull up for nap and bedtime, but he wakes up from both dry most times. We took our first road trip a couple of weekends ago, and our driving time home increased by a full hour and a half but when he says he has to go we try to take him seriously. Many people have asked if he goes #2 on the potty, and he does. He gets a special treat (marshmellow or M&M) when he does, and he only gets special treats for #2. Notice in the pic below that while he's taking care of business he is also reading a Diesel magazine and eating a tortilla. Classic!

Taken with Drew's cell phone

Spring Time

2009-04-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

I want to pet a pig, NOW!

2009-04-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

After our last trip to the livestock show, Mason wanted to go back to pet more animals. He walked around saying, "I want to pet a pig. I want to pet a pig now!" He woke up talking about petting pigs on this day. We went back to the Livestock Show and Rodeo on this day with the intention of seeing Brooks and Dunn perform. We managed to make it through the 3 hours of rodeo, but that was all the boys could take. So Drew and I took them back to the Reliant Arena to ride the tractors, visit the petting zoo, and, of course, ride the ponies! Mom and Jordan stayed for the concert, and they said it was very good. We'll just take their word for it.

Children's Museum

2009-04-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Over Spring Break we decided to visit Children's Museum of Houston. My mother, Jordan, and her friend had come into town for a few days. We had a blast but it was so crowded. When Jordan was much younger we would go to the museum, and she always loved. It is SOOOO much nicer since they completely the expansion. Because it was so crowded we (the boys and I) spent most of our time there in the Tot Spot - Mason and Ian both could move about freely. Mason also immensely enjoyed Water Works.

Learning about pulleys

Will it float?

Tea time in the Tot Spot

Ian had a blast in the tot spot - crawling through a tunnel

Hello, handsome!

Livestock Show - March 7th

2009-04-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

On March 7th Drew was working the Livestock Show so the boys and I decided to tag along. I had no idea we would be out there ALL day, but the boys were great. We only left Reliant Arena to go outside for Kids Country exhibits. Mason had a blast at the petting zoo, and seeing all the baby animals in the birthing center. I used to love going to all the shops, but a double stroller made that pretty difficult this year!

Trying to feed his egg to a cow

This was as close as he was getting

Ian was VERY good all day

We had to end the evening driving ALL the tractors on display

Portraits - March 2009

2009-03-06T11:45:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I took the boys to have portraits done since I have not had their picture taken professionally since before Christmas. Ian was great, but Mason is still very much into asserting his independence as a two year old. He wanted to whatever we weren't asking him to do! Crazy kid. It's hard to believe but Ian is now 8 months old and Mason is 26 months.

World's Championship BBQ Contest

2009-03-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

Last week was the World's Championship BBQ Cook Off. Drew's team, Kilowatt Kookers, didn't take home an big awards this year, but it was still a lot of fun. Here are a few pics from Friday afternoon (it was so hot) and Saturday afternoon (it was so cold and windy)! Mason had a blast playing in the midway.

Making some sort of demand.

Daddy & Ian

Trophies

Outside of Kilowatt Kooker tent

Someone call TABC!

Where did these people learn to drive?

Wheeeeeee!

For more pics taken at the BBQ check out: Flickr

Mason speak

2009-02-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

One morning, while I was feeding Ian I looked over to find Mason sitting in the swing.

Earlier that same morning he snuck into the exersaucer when I stepped into the kitchen. I don't know how he climbed into it without making a ton of noise.
(Notice his pj top and bottoms don't match - he likes to pick out what he wears to bed.)

Wearing one of Ian's infant hats while reading a magazine.

Mason's vocabulary is growing exponentially these days, and even if he can't correctly articulate the words he gets his point across. I have become the Mason-speak interpreter. Just a few examples:

hair poo = shampoo
bear pooh = Pooh bear
cov = blankie
fat pat = Batman
bat pat = backpack
bubba = bubbles
Blue's clue = anything blue
faawk = fork (this one drew a lot of attention and a lot of stares in public but he is beginning to put the "R" in there now)
quash = squash = anything solid Ian is eating
want bite sip = I want what you're having.
Milehk = Miles

One word the boys refuses to say (will have a meltdown if asked to say it) - "Please."
Mason: "Wanna bite."
Mom: "Say please."
Mason: "Noooooo." as he covers his face with both hands, and slumps over.
Mom: "Say please, and you can have a bite. All you have to do is say please."
Mason: "Wanna sip."
Mom: "Say please."
He covers his face again and begins to melt, sobbing as if I have taken away his favorite toy.
When that doesn't work, we move on to -
Mason: "Wanna hold." (meaning let me just hold it then)
Mom: "You can have a bite, just say 'please.'
Mason: "Noooooooo."
We know he can say it, it has just become a battle of wills at this point, and neither of us will concede.

He is also very much into saying, "No way" when asked to do something. I'm guessing he picked this up at the church nursery because we don't really say this at home.
Mom: "Gran C is on the phone. Do you want to talk to her?"
Mason: "No way!"

We're potty training right now, and while we've been doing very well we have some days that are better than others. This was a rather difficult day.
Mom: "Let's go potty."
Mason: "No way!"
Mom: "Yes, let's go potty."
Mason: "Bring book."
Mom: "Ok, you can read your book while you potty."
He sits on the potty chair for several minutes looking at his book.
Mason: "I done." as he gets up from potty chair
Mom: "You didn't potty. Try to go potty for me."
Mason: "I done."
Mom: "Ok, let's put your pants back on."
Mason: "Wanna see big truck." (which is actually a jeep on his Cars pullups)
I show him the big truck, and he tries to put his pull up on backwards.
Mom: "The big truck goes on the back."
Mason: "Front."
Mom: "No, it goes on the back. You can't wear your pants backwards."
He reluctantly puts on pants.
15 minutes later I see him tugging at his crotch
Mom: "Mason are you poo poo?"
Mason: "No, I tee tee."
I check his pants, and discover that he, indeed, is wet.
Mom: "Tell Momma when you have to go potty. Let's go sit on your potty chair."
Daddy: "Mason, only babies tee tee in their pants. I thought you were a big boy. Are you a big boy or a baby."
Mason: "I a baby!"
Mom: "Come on, Mason, let's go sit on the potty chair again."
Mason: "No way!"

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

My beautiful tulips

I was ill all week leading up to Valentine's Day, and unfortunately, I still wasn't 100% on V-Day. Poor Drew did such a good job of trying to care of everything at home and work all week; I know he was completely exhausted, as well, by Friday.

His parents came into town to visit, and while we had planned on going out for a very rare fabulous evening without kiddos we ended up just going to the mall in an attempt to just get out of the house without kids. It was so late by the time we got out all the restaurants were packed, and while my stomach wasn't feeling that great anyway cocktails were also out of the question. Needless to say, we still had a great time just being together and having adult conversation.

It's finally fixed.

2009-02-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

We finally got our fixed fence a few weeks ago. It was damaged when Hurricane Ike hit in September. Months without a fence has driven me to the brink of insanity! I was having to take the dog out on leash and was unable to just let her outside to run off some energy whenever necessary. So she is as excited as we are about the new fence. Yay! I'm sure the neighbors are also excited!

I still miss those trees.

Dixe is glad to get her yard back

Playing Peek-A-Boo

2009-02-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the sunshine

2009-02-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

Stetsons and Stilettos

2009-01-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Backdated.

Last night Drew and I got the opportunity to venture out and attend the annual Livestock Committe Gala and Auction - Stetsons and Stilettos. Proceeds benefit the Livestock Committee Junior Exhibitor and Awards Programs. We bid on several items in the silent auction but literally, got outbid at the last second, and the live auction for the big ticket items is always fun. Hunting trips, diamond bracelets, and chute seats for the Jonas Brothers concert were just a few of the things auctioned during the live auction that brought in big bucks! Needless to say, it was nice to get dressed up and out and about. We had a great time. My mom came down to watch the boys.

Ian & Gran C

Time Flies

2009-01-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

Today Mason had his two year checkup. He currently weighs 28.5 pounds (50th percentile) and is 36.5 inches tall (90th percentile). The doc said that he looks great. He had to get just one shot today, and it was hard because he could actually articulate, "It huuuurrrrts!"

Ian also went in for his 6 month checkup and immunizations. He currently weighs 15 pounds 12 ounces (25th percentile) and he is 27.5 inches long (90th percentile). He only began eating rice cereal a couple of weeks ago, and he was only getting one serving a day until this week. Doc says he looks great too, and I'm confident he'll pack on the pounds as he begins to eat more solids.

As I look at both Mason and Ian I can hardly believe how quickly they are changing. I've posted short videos of photos of the boys from just the past year. They have both changed so much.

Mason's 2nd Year

Ian's First 6 Months

Whose kid is this?

2009-01-05T13:12:00.000-08:00

Terrible twos - oh I won't have to worry about that - not with Mason anyway, he's so laid back. Boy was I WRONG! He is very much into asserting some authority these days, and on more days that not I am emotionally and physically drained!! I know what I'm supposed to do - I did get paid to teach people how to parent at one time. I'm finding out just how clueless I really was. So I'm trying my best to give him more age appropriate power - milk or juice, red shirt or blue shirt, spiderman or batman pjs, etc. etc. etc. Once he sets his mind to something he is like a wild mustang that can't be broken. It's like a switch went off when he turned two. It really began at Christmas when he began proclaiming, "Mine" or "Mas'." He has come to the conclusion that every toy in the house is his, and doesn't really like sharing with this brother yet. He'll take toys from Ian just to take them - he'll have no intention of playing with them. He'll just take them and throw them (something else he never used to do).

The other day we loaded up as a family and drove to Bellville to pick up the deer that Drew had processed at Bellville Meat Market. On the way we passed a drive-in theater that actually still shows new releases so we decided to check it out. It's called The Showboat Drive In Theater and it's in Hockley off of FM 2920. We took the deer meat back home, and changed the boys into their pjs, and headed over to see Marley and Me. Yeah, we have a way to see the movies without having to stress about a sitter - or so I thought.

Mason was HORRIBLE! He screamed the entire time. He wanted to drive (sit in Drew's lap and play with the steering wheel) that was fine, but then he wanted to play with the windshield wipers and headlights. Not cool! We had packed some toys for him to play with and had folded down the back seats of the Expedition so that he had a play area, but it was too dark for him to play back there. And the dome light was too bright to turn on - it would have bothered those around us. Of course, we have flashlights that would've been perfect for him, but they were all at home. At one point, Drew even tried to take him for a walk but that didn't help either. I could hear them as they got closer to the vehicle. I must admit that he hadn't had a nap earlier that day since we had been out and about, and that was probably the root of the problem. We haven't completely given up hope of enjoying a movie at the drive-in, but next time we will be much better prepared! And in the meantime, I will continue to pray that my sweet baby boy's disposition returns!

At Grammy's house on Christmas Eve - sporting the fairy wand and Mickey cap.

Those dreaded pengs!

2009-01-05T12:52:00.000-08:00

We stayed at my mother's house for Christmas this year and let me remind you that her bedroom is currently decorated in penguins for the holidays. Mason loves to follow his Gran C throughout the house, and did so one afternoon shortly after we got there. Now when I say her room is decorated in penguins keep in mind that she has like two dozen 10 inch penguins on her tree alone, a few 18 inch penguins scattered about, and two 3 foot tall penguins (one of which is close to her bedroom door). Well, Mason accidentally bumped into one of the big penguins, and in his little two year old mind he came to the conclusion that the penguin bit him! He began declaring that the "pengs" (as he calls them) are bad and they bite. I thought maybe if he could hold one of the baby "pengs" he would be okay, but it was a no go. We even tried showing him the penguin having fun in the firetruck, and even let him see Ian holding it. This elicited a strong reaction as well. "Ian, pengs! Pengs bite. Pengs bite. IAN!!" He was terrified to go near any of them for most of the week. Finally, at the end of the week he wanted to see the baby penguin but not touch it. I must say that they are very weird feeling so it may be a textural thing. He would, however, hit it with his toy cars, and laugh maniacally while doing so! He will still occasionally mention the pengs, especially if I'm talking to mom on the phone! I'm hoping he doesn't forever associate them with her.

Baby pengs like to drive the firetruck!

Ian has no problems with the pengs!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Mason!

2009-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Mason turned two years old while we home for the holidays. Because he and his cousin, Bella, share the same birthday, and we knew we'd be pinched for time, we decided to have a joint birthday party with the family for them. She had a Strawberry Shortcake theme and Mason had a Blue's Clues theme. He's very much into Blue's Clues these days.

Cakes & Cookies done by Carrie in Beckville.

Mason's cake was adorable, and I assume it tasted good.
I didn't even get a piece! I do know that the cookies were delicious!

A Very Merry Christmas

2009-01-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics of the boys from Christmas. We went to Carthage to spend Christmas with our families, and had a great time, with the exception of the stomach bug Drew and I picked up on our last day. Good times!

Ian was all smiles most of the weekend

Mason was very much into opening presents this year.

Helping to clean up after the festivities

Drawing with his cousins Ashlynn & Bella

Poo-tastrophe

2008-12-17T20:42:00.000-08:00

So I realize that my blog has basically been a dumping ground for photos, and I rarely post anything other than pictures. Like I have a ton of free to just sit and type. But lately all my funny stories have been told over the phone. So I decided I would try to make a better effort of sharing this information with everyone. After all, this is supposed to be your one-stop-shop for Dyer family news.

So let me tell you a little about my day today - good times. My dog ate an entire bar of Cetaphil soap of Monday evening, which resulted in vomitting and diarrhea for the next 48 hours. I called the vet this morning, and the earliest appointment they had was for this afternoon. No problem, I thought, she really ought to be checked out given there are chemicals in the soap (unlike the cotton socks and underwear she normally prefers). The appointment was scheduled for 2:30, and her vet clinic is about 30 minutes away. Ian actually woke up from his nap around 1:30 which gave me time to feed him. Around 1:50 I went upstairs to wake Mason up from his nap and make him go potty - we're potty training now. Everything was running smoothly, and it looked as if we'd be out of the house by 2:00. I put Ian into his infant carrier and then went to load Dixie into her box in the back of my car before I loaded the boys up. I was about to step outside when I looked down and realized I had baby poo all over the front of my shirt. Ian was apparently leaking out of the back of his pants and I hadn't realized it. Remember, I've already put him into his carrier at this point. I ran and changed shirts quickly, and made the decision to get him out and change him. His backside was COVERED. How had I missed this - it was just oozing out of the top of his pants. I got him out to change him. I grabbed a towel and laid him on it - Thank God because he was rolling everywhere and leaving a poo trail along the way. Then I checked the seat, and it was all over the carrier cover (the built-in blankie). I was able to take the blanket off, but I had to undo the straps to do so. By the time I got everyone cleaned up, and ready to go it was 2:25. I knew I would never make it for that 2:30 appt. so I called and told them I was running late but I was on my way. They were very accomodating. Incidences like this one have become far too common for us these days, and I have lovingly referred to them as poo-tastrophes.

A little something to get you in the holiday spirit

2008-12-16T07:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Jesus

2008-12-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Drew and his father went out to West Texas again to hunt so his mother came to stay with the boys and me. We had a fun-filled weekend of shopping and visiting, but we made time to attend the Happy Birthday Jesus party at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church (where we attend MOPS). Mason had a blast doing various art projects and eating sweets (too many sweets).

His newfound passion (aside from vacuuming) = drawing

Oh the weather outside was frightful . . .

2008-12-15T07:07:00.001-08:00

Okay so not really that bad but we just don't see snow that often in Houston, Texas. Last week Houston got its first snow fall in four years! It melted as soon as it hit the ground (at our house, anyway), but it did accumulate on the vehicles and plants outside. I was so glad that I didn't have to commute to work the following morning because it was a nightmare for many Houstonians!

Gran C's Christmas Decorations

2008-12-14T21:30:00.001-08:00

As many of you know my mother's home was decorated beautifully last year for the holidays for the Parade of Homes, and I have been receiving numerous questions about whether or not she went as extravagant this year. While she hasn't put up all of her trees she has put up most of them. In addition to these trees she also decorated the dining room, but she was still in the process of putting up that tree so I didn't get any photos. I wish I had gotten photos last year, because it was awesome! She had an upside down tree in her bathroom that looked like a woman diving into the tub!

You should be able to click on the pictures to enlarge them to see the details.

The Entry Way Entry Way Tree - last year's tree was a huge live tree decorated in live roses

Master Bedroom

Jordan's Room

Jordan's Bathroom

Guest Room - yes that is a black tree

Gameroom - this tree isn't actually finished in this photo!

Grandkid's Tree - this is actually a completely NEW tree and one of the only two trees she put up in the den this year. Last year she also had a fireman's tree and a kiddie car tree with a race track running around the tree.

Biggest tree in the den and it actually rotates

Kitchen

Kitchen - (after the meal but before clean up)

Breakfast nook; this tree also rotates

Our Little Elves

2008-12-04T19:48:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T12:53:00.000-08:00

An art project I did with the boys to give to the family for Thanksgiving. Mason had a blast with the paint, and we had to be quick to get it off of Ian's hands as he was trying to eat it!

We had a very happy Thanksgiving visiting family in East Texas. I apologize again to those that we didn't get the chance to see. Maybe we can catch up at Christmas.

Portraits

2008-11-25T06:16:00.000-08:00

Last week I took the boys to have their portraits done. Because we always had such good portraits done at Sears in the past I decided to take them there; I've learned that it's the luck of the draw on your photographer. I wasn't incredibly impressed with the shots, but in all fairness it was not as simple as I had hoped. We did manage to get a few. Mason is very much asserting his authority these days, and refused to be "a show pony." He wouldn't pose or smile for anything! Ian, of course, gave all his best smiles off camera as well! Trying to wrangle them by myself was also interesting because Mason wanted to climb on everything while I was trying to help get Ian into position and smile. At one point Mason actually climbed into the stroller and said, "Want to go." Our appointment was at 10:00, and it was after noon when we got out, and we were the first appointment of the day so we didn't have to wait. I've posted of few of the shots below (don't worry I didn't buy all of these but you get all the shots on the CD that came with the package I got.) As you can see, it was a lot of fun!!

The only photo we got of Mason by himself.

Refusing to smile or hold his brother

Ian's had enough!

One of the few very good shots.

Another sweet one with slight smile from Mason; Ian was loving it.

My fave of the two of them. So sweet!

Ian is 4 months old

2008-11-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

On November 5th I took Ian in for his 4 month check up. I was surprised at how big he is. He weighed 14.5 lbs (50th percentile) and measured 26.5 inches in length (80th percentile). Ian got his immunizations and Mason got his flu shot - both handled it very well.

Ian's gotta little Captain in him

2008-11-07T13:42:00.000-08:00

A conversation with Daddy

2008-11-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

This video was taken 10/20.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-11-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

We went to the pumpkin patch at Old Time Christmas Tree Farm a couple of weeks.

Waiting to begin the hayride.

Are you done with the pictures yet, Mom?

Mason kept trying to pick up the pumpkins.

Ian's Halloween costume. It was too hot for Mason to wear his spider costume.

We took the wagon to pull the boys and pumpkin around in.

Mason feeding the goats. I kept having to watch him because he wanted to stick his whole hand into the fence, and I didn't want him to get bitten.

Our carved pumpkin.

Fall Fun Activities

2008-10-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Friday night we were invited to a neighborhood block party to celebrate Halloween. It was great to finally get out to meet some of neighbors. Mason had a blast running around, chasing balloons, begging for food from strangers, and eating far too much junk food. He also bobbed for apples! Ian was the hit of the party, and he flirted with all the ladies until he finally passed out.

Mason eating his "bobbed" apple

Mason's apple - two hours later

Ian in his Halloween onesie.

Bye-Bye Baby Mullet

2008-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took Mason to Cool Cuts for Kids to get his first haircut. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. He didn't cry once. It was obvious that he was quite confused as to what was happening and he was somewhat apprehesive about having a strange woman with sharp objects so close to his head, but he mellowed out when we let him have a lollipop. It's amazing how something as simple as a haircut can change one's looks. He doesn't look like a baby anymore, he's turning into a little boy!

Waiting to get started. His seat is a firetruck.

He's focused on the movie in front of him, Disney's Cars.

Enjoying his sucker.

No more baby mullet. Drew misses "his locks."

Ian's Three Months Old

2008-10-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

Time has really flown by since Ian was born. It's hard to believe that he turned 3 months old on Oct. 5th. He's getting so big, and as you can tell he can already sit comfortably in his Bumbo seat! He is such a happy baby - with the most adorable smile!

Deer Lease - Comstock, Texas

2008-10-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Drew recently got on a West Texas deer lease in Comstock with several of his Kilowatt Kooker team mates. A couple of weeks after the hurricane he and his dad took a trip out to fill feeders and work on the lease.

The cabin

Pecos River Valley

The lease has about 2 miles of river front on the Pecos.

The Swimming Hole

Market Street Fountains

2008-10-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

These were taken a few weeks ago, but I've just been able to post them!

Playing in the Market Street Fountains in The Woodlands.

Hurricane Ike Damage

2008-10-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Finally got the Internet up and running at our house again on the desktop so I can post some pics. These are some of the hurricane damage we received. Our boil advisory stayed in effect until 9/30th. That was a pleasant experience.

Small tree in the front yard

Uprooted trees in the backyard - we lost 1/2 our shade

Another angle of trees in the backyard

We lost two sections of fence

Backyard after much work

Suck it, Ike!

Hurricane Update

2008-09-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a quick update on our status since Hurricane Ike. First and foremost, we are all ok, and didn't suffer any major damage to our home. Fortunately, we were already planning to go home to East Texas for the weekend. The boys and I already had plans to stay a few extra days, and my mom would bring us back, which worked out great since we were out of power until Tuesday evening.

Our neighbor called on Saturday evening to let us know that we lost a few trees and our fence. Since we knew that we didn't have any power, Drew just came back on Monday morning for work. Thank you so much to RJ and Susan for letting Drew crash with them for a few days. And thanks to everyone that helped Drew cut up the trees that fell and clean the yard. Our water was out until Monday, and we still remain under a boil advisory. Our home phone is still out as well as our high speed Internet - I'm blogging using the wireless card. So if anyone needs to contact us try our cells. We are really fortunate to have electricity because there are many in our subdivision (just two houses down, in fact, that still don't have power). When you look at the zip code map our zip isn't scheduled to have power fully restored until Monday, 9/22nd.

The boys and I returned home yesterday (Thursday), and while Hurricane Ike has caused us some inconveniences I am so thankful that we didn't suffer any major damage and all of our friends and family weathered the storm okay.

I'll post some pics soon.

MOPS & MOPPETS

2008-09-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Today I had my first MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting, and Mason had his first Moppets meeting. A friend had invited me to join her MOPS group, but after much consideration I felt like I needed to find a group in my area so that I could start networking with other moms close to our home with children Mason's and Ian's ages. I was very apprehensive about leaving Mason in the nursery because I just didn't know how he would do (because Ian is breastfeeding and is still so small I opted to keep him with me). We did go to an open house a couple of weeks ago so Mason could see his room and meet his teacher. When we got there today he was a little hesitant but walked on in. Nearly 3 hours later when I went to pick him up he didn't want to leave! They said he did great; never cried. I really like that they also give you a pager when you drop the kids off so that they can page you if necessary to come get or console your child. I am really looking forward to meeting so many wonderful moms. It's going to be lots of fun!!

2 Months Old

2008-09-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Ian is already 2 months old. We went in for his well child checkup and immunizations on Tuesday. It was Drew's first time to witness the immunizations and it was as heartbreaking for him as it was for me. Ian is doing great though. He weighed 10 lbs. 14 oz. (just under the 50th percentile) and he measured 23.5 inches (75th percentile). The medical assistant tried to tell me initially that he weighed 14 pounds but I knew that couldn't be right! It's amazing enough that he has gained almost 4 pounds since birth. He is still only eating breastmilk, and he is sleeping at least 8 hours through the night. He is smiling a lot lately, and his cooing is the sweetest thing. It's just crazy how much more quickly time seems to be flying with two children.