A Moment with Mason I Will Never Forget

I am still in disbelief at what I saw on television tonight, even after 7 years. I cannot believe the time that has passed since that unforgettable, horrible day. I remember sitting in my Research Methods class, a graduate class at MTSU I was taking along with 2 other classes before moving up to Louisville to attend the Univ. of Louisville for my Master's in sociology. It was about 8:35 am and a teacher poked his head inside the door to inform us that a plane had just hit one of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. I did not really think much about it; for I had visited NYC last in December 2000 and had an opportunity to visit this thing called the World Trade Center, but really had no desire since I didn't really know much about it. Boy, do I regret that! Anyway, for some reason my professor started laughing. I will never forget that. I guess he didn't believe the professor who had told us, but I still could not quite understand why he was thought it was humorous. I then went on to Spanish class where my sweet little instructor from Brazil was in tears about what was happening. I remember that day on MTSU's campus like it was yesterday. It seemed like a complete nightmare. I remember driving home the long 50 minutes not even really paying attention to my driving because a million thoughts were racing across my mind... was my college friend Lauren Padalino who who had taken a job at NBC okay? What about my friends who I graduated with from high school who were currently living in New York City? Wait, did my high school friend, Michelle Marck, still live in NYC, or had she moved on to her next adventure by now?? And then to get home to sit on the floor in my bedroom for hours straight with my eyes glued to the news. The channel I was watching happened to have a video camera on the towers when the second tower was hit. I just didn't know how this could be happening. I mean, we hear our parents talk about tragedies happening during "their day," but something that was actually happening during my generation!?!?!? Something that I would have to tell my children someday... "Mommy was in graduate school during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center..."

Well, tonight that moment happened. Marc and I were sitting down for dinner when we started discussing how Mason is 4 months old today. He was born on May 11th, and now his big 4 month b-day had finally arrived!! Well, while Marc and I are in awe about how much our little boy has grown and changed over these last few months, many families and friends are still grieving what tore their lives apart 7 years ago on this day. Many lives were lost and they will never be forgotten. We turned on the t.v. to the History Channel where a documentary was being shown of several NYC residents who happened to be out and about with their video cameras on the morning of September 11, 2001. So, we got to see what happened that day from their eyes.

Mason had been fussin' a little bit since his eating "session" had just finished, but as soon as he saw that Mommy's demeanor had suddenly turned serious as she was watching the t.v., he just stared at me soo intently like he sensed something was wrong. His eyes turned to the t.v. to see why Mommy was sad. As soon as he caught sight of the television program, his eyes were glued to it for the next 45 minutes. He was sitting in the Boppy in my lap, and all I saw was the back of his little head as he was taking in all of the action, many colors, and hustle bustle of New York City on that horrible day. While the ideas of all the parenting books that little babies aren't supposed to watch television, etc., etc. went through my mind, especially the events being shown on the television tonight, I still didn't take Mason away from the t.v. There was just something in his little 4-month old, blue eyes telling me to not do that... All I could think of was Mason growing up someday to help people (a prayer Marc and I say for Mason every single night when we put him to bed), just as the firefighters in NYC did that day. It's hard to explain...

I asked Marc to run upstairs and grab our camera so that I could capture this moment. I always remember the story my mom tells me of my older brother, Jody's, eyes being glued to the television during President Jimmy Carter's inaugural speech in November 1976, when Jody was just 2 months old. She has a picture of that moment in Jody's baby album and I still think about it every now and then. This moment tonight with Mason reminded me on that picture of Jody and Jimmy Carter. We put Mason in his little bouncy seat in front of the t.v. and he and Daddy sat together and watched footage of the Twin Towers coming down. Here are the images I captured:

Mason's First Shots - back at 2 months!

I just realized I never posted pics of Mason's 2-month shots that he had July 11th. I meant to that very day, but never got around to it! My dad went with me and I'm soooo glad cuz I needed all the help I could get in holding down his sweet little legs! It sure broke my heart! I'm sure all you mommies out there know EXACTLY what I'm talking about!! That nurse just shoved those shots into his legs like he wasn't even just 8 weeks old!?!?!? He did one of those screams that doesn't come til 20 seconds after the mouth is wide open. Thank you. And that's not typical for Mason. For those of you who have been around him often, he doesn't really cry very loudly... just this quite little sweet whimper. (Well, until he's around just his mommy & daddy and that's when the real tears come... when he's hungry!) But, Mason just cried for a couple of minutes then was fine. He fell fast asleep the second we put him in the car and he slept all the way home. I didn't even have to give him Tylenol or anything for the rest of the day. He just slept and chilled. Not a big deal! I was really afraid he would have one of these crazy reactions that I kept hearing about, but nothing.
So, another two months have passed and it's time for Round #2. This should be interesting! His shots are Monday, so say a little prayer that this time goes as smoothly as the last. Here are some pics from Round #1:

When we first got into Dr. Hain's office... All laid back and his typical, happy-go-lucky self

Poppa Jack was trying to keep Mason's mind off what was about to happen!

Poppa Jack explaining to Mason about the different planets. Thank you. He was telling him all about the rings around Saturn... oh wait, or is that Jupiter?? I'm the most confused. But Mason was paying him the most attention and was all serious about his solar system tutorial. He was craning that neck all around!
Mason loves the planets of our universe!! He is very well-educated on them already! Maybe he will go to fake space camp someday like his Mommy!
Oh no, Dr. Hain has entered the room!! It's almost time!!! We just love her. She is sooo sweet with Mason!

Aww, I love this one! Mason trusts her with his life! He thinks it's night-night time. I love his sweet little head in the mirror.

And here he is... just a minute after his shots!! Aww, his sad, chunky little thighs with his little band-aids!! Did he ever care about his Scooby Dooby Doo band-aids? Thank you. Wait, maybe that's not Scooby on that band-aid??

Poppa Jack putting Mason's little outfit back on him while trying to cheer him up

One second after we got in the car. Thank you. Look at Poppa Jack's cute little head all perched up in the driver's seat!

Look at Mason's sweet little onesie... Mrs. Herndon made it... mommy of my good friend, Beth! You may have noticed that she made the "Mason" bib with the pacifier attachment thang in the pics of us visiting MaMaw Thomas

Mason woke up just a few minutes after we brought him into the house. He was the most disoriented... like, "What in the world just happened to me?!?!?"

Getting a little upset when he felt his Band-Aid

Okay, I know you all will be the most disappointed to hear what I'm about to say... but I can't seem to find my battery charger for my camera! I have been searching the house for it all this week. And the 2 batteries I have are completely dead, so no new pics this week! I haven't gone this long since Mason has been born without taking pictures!! I think it's been what, 3 days!??!?! So hopefully I will find it by his 4-month check-up on Monday!! :)

Mason Thomas... my gift from above!!!

I was just sitting here thinking... Wow, my Mason Thomas is going to be 4 MONTHS old TOMORROW!!! That is just crazy. He is SUCH a big boy with his long little legs! He is now wearing PANTS so that makes it seems as if he really is old! He is going to get his 4-month shots this week, so it'll be interesting to see if his reaction to these are any different than his reaction at 2 months. He has been sleeping 12 hours pretty consistently lately, with a 2-hour nap in the mornings and not really one in the afternoon!! He is just so excited to see his daddy walk through those doors at the end of each day, that he can't seem to settle down and take a real afternoon nap. It lasts all of 30 minutes!! Silly boy! Is this normal for 4-month olds? I wanna hear stories!!

Mason is upstairs sleeping soundly as I write this and I just wanna pic him up and hold him all night!! I just look at that sweet, innocent face and it reminds me what really is important in life. All those piddly things seem to not matter anymore!!

I have LOTS of new stories and pics to post, so be looking for new posts soon! I've been wanting to do a shout-out post for forever now of the friends and family who have been visiting Mason this summer. So many people have come out of the woodworks to show their love for us and to meet this precious miracle, and I want to say thank you in a small way. :) (even though that doesn't even BEGIN to touch my love & appreciation for these people!)

Our Visit with MaMaw Thomas!

This past Saturday my parents, Mason, and I took our 2nd little road trip up to Sparta & Cookeville, TN to visit my grandmother in the nursing home (Nola) and my Aunt Bea & Uncle Everett. Mason met his great-grandmother for the first time back in July, but both he and MaMaw were kinda grumpy that day. This time, though, she was back to her happy, silly self and Mason was in the best mood!! He just seemed so in awe of his great-MaMaw! Of course, the pictures kept a flashing because we wanted to catch all these sweet moments between MaMaw & Mason. I just love these pictures! I'm just still so thankful each and every day that Mason has been able to meet her. She is 94 years old and it is a blessing that she is still on earth with us to meet my precious son! This is a huge answer to a prayer I've been praying a long time!

My mom loves the infamous hand shots!!

Mason was getting kinda mad here... I don't know why, he usually loves kisses from the women!

Okay, this one is hilarious. This was from the end of the photoshoot and I think he had had about enough! You can see his tonsils almost!! :)

I cannot get over how much lighter his hair has gotten since he has been born! It's very light blonde now, but it looks like in this pic that the hair is just missing!

I love the look on Mason's face as he's studying his great-MaMaw

Oh, time for a snack! The nurse snuck this vanilla ice cream into the room, cuz MaMaw isn't really supposed to have sweets. It made her the most happy, though, and all rejuvenated ready to take more pictures & hang out with Mason!

He loves to stretch!! He is just a growin'!

This one is probably my favorite of the day! It's like he wants his great-MaMaw to take him!! "Please hold me!!" Mason doesn't even reach for people yet, but Marc is anxiously awaiting that day! :)

MaMaw kept saying, "Look at that pretty little boy!"

Look at his cute little grin!

Oh gosh, Mason discovered the tv!!! His new favorite, but horrible, hobby!! I know, we're terrible for allowing him to watch it! Especially some random Eddie Murphy movie. Thank you. This man was obsessed with the tv and everytime he would leave the room we would try and turn it off cuz it was the loudest. Well, he would roll himself right back in that room and almost cuss us out! Thank you. So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!! That's Mason's & Poppa Jack's new motto!!

But did that man even know he had 2 new friends? He was not paying us any attention.

All tuckered out at Uncle Everett & Aunt Bea's. We set Mason up shop with all of his favorite things and just let him have some relaxing time. He loved every moment of it!! He really does love just hanging out on the floor at home.

Mason is so content with his Uncle Everett. He was a little fussy, but calmed right now the second he was in my uncle's arms!

Good night, sweet boy!! Oh, but you gotta wake up soon cuz we have an hour and a half drive back home!!

Once again, another day filled with abundant blessings!! I will never, ever forget these special times we have with our families. Mason spent today with his other great-MaMaw! She came over to be with him for a little while so that I could get some stuff done around the house. It helped me sooooo much! More pics to come! :)