A Christmas To Remember

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Having Mason for Christmas was such a blessing, and he made it so fun! We are so lucky to experience everything new through his eyes. It was fun to let him tear wrapping paper, and now that he is starting to army crawl we had to watch him really closely!

For our parents I made them scrapbooks of their first grandson from when he was born til now. We took Christmas pictures to incorporate in there and they came out so nice.

I really liked that Christmas fell on Sunday this year, because we got to go to Church. What better way to celebrate then that! Even though I spent most of the service in the nursery, it was still awesome to be there with my son.







I love my family so much. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. Mason wore a perfect shirt from his Uncle Casey, he looked just like a little lumberjack. Dinner was delish, and Mason enjoyed some mashed potatoes, and even had a taste of pumpkin pie. He sure does eat well. I love my family, and am very thankful for all of my blessings. Here are some pics from the Holiday,

It Was Mason...

Okay so I know since I have had Mason it seems like whenever I update this blog, I write about him. But the fact is that he is so much of me, and everything I do now involves him. I mean not everything, but mostly everything. Anyway it's almost 2:30 in the morning and here I sit looking at my blog, because I couldn't sleep. And when I am able to sleep, I won't be because Mason will be bright eyed, and ready to play.
I was reading about when I discovered I was pregnant, and how I was feeling, and back aches, and Charlie horses, and food cravings....... and while I was reading it hit me... It was Mason in my belly. I didn't know then what I know now. Sure I loved my baby, was excited to be pregnant, to meet my baby, to find out boy or girl... but it was Mason who kicked me, Mason who grew from a bean to a watermelon, mason who made me a mom! What I mean is I didn't really grasp that my child would be as wonderful as he is. Everyday I am getting to know his little personality. He is smiley, and flirty, but he also can get really cranky. Sometimes while he is crying he will start laughing at the same time. It really is cute. He likes to grab my face and pull it to his mouth and he screams while drooling on me...it is funny for sure. It was Mason this dear, precious baby boy who lived in me, before he lived outside of me. Looking back I can now see and almost hear a clock ticking as the months went by as my body grew Mason. We knew we were having a baby, we knew our life was going to change, we thought we knew...but we really didn't know. It was Mason!! I wonder if he knew how much we were going to love him. I wonder if when he was laid on my chest after he was born if he thought "yeah I have them right where I want them". We are thrilled everyday to have his little soul that brings us so much joy. I mean real joy is in our house... and it started with God who brought us together. He gave us love to share with eachother. In that love grew a gift...and It Was Mason!

Zumba!

My friend Cheri asked me if I'd like to join her for zumba class. I started going and it is so fun! I am still trying to get used to the routines. I feel a little like a dancing gorilla at times, but it makes me feel so good to get some exercise.
Cory and I are planning a dinner date soon, we haven't left Mason with a baby sitter yet (babysitter meaning 1 0f 2 grandmas who can't wait until we ask them to stay with Mason)... but going to Zumba which is only an hour was a little hard. One: I had to leave Mason and even if it is with Cory I still really, really miss him. Two: I hadn't worked out in a while. Three: Since I have been staying home with Mason I've kinda been out of social contact with adults. So all in all this Zumba class is very good for me. I get exercise which I really need. I get out of the house and get to interact with other women. Four: I get to bust a move... it really is so fun. Five: It makes me feel good. Cory and Donovan have been working out since late May and they are both looking and feeling so good. Cory encouraged me to get out and try Zumba and I have to say it feels really good to do something for myself. I have always loved to dance and Zumba is a really fun, dancing workout. I totally recommend it!!

Does.......

Does every mother think that their baby is the cutest baby they ever laid eyes on?
Does every mother pray that their baby feels safe, happy, and loved?
Does every mother want to freeze time so their baby will stay ever so dependent on their mommy?
Does every mother realize how much they really have inside themselves to give to their own?
Does every mother think that their baby is REALLY a genius? ;)
Does every mother wonder how they ever lived without their baby?
Does every mother want to wake their baby up to play, kiss, and hug?
Does every mother secretly wish that they could nurse their baby forever? (it really is the most bonding experience ever)
Does every mother wish they could bottle the smell of their baby and use it as their daily perfume?
Does every mother look at their baby and see all they ever wanted to be?
Does every mother thank the Lord a million times for the greatest gift in the world?
This mother does.

Random Phone Pics....

I was looking through my pictures on my phone, and they are all of Mason.

Here he is after falling asleep in his jumper.... he jumped himself right to sleep. The funniest thing was that when he woke up he didn't even know he had been asleep and just started jumping again!


And here he is enjoying a bath all smiley and happy as always.....


This one is a little fuzzy, but it's me cuddling my little man as he snoozed....


And here he is with a fro, I couldn't wait to take his picture wearing this... so cute...


This one is Mason and his little cousy Liam reading a book together....


Here he is being a little monkey....



I love him!!!!!!!

Mason's First Halloween

Can I just say so far Holidays are so awesome with a baby. I think this is the funnest Halloween and it's because our little monkey makes everyday so joyful. He looked so cute in his monkey costume. Mason's two Granny's, and two grampys, and his auntie and uncle came to see Mason on his first Halloween.







I can't wait for Christmas!

Peg Bundy, Mr. Clean, and the Cutest Monkey You Ever Saw...

Saturday my cousin had a Halloween party for the family. Her house was decorated so cool and she had some great food... ear wax q tips, spooky cookie fingers, deviled eggs with a spider surprise.... I wish I had gotten a pic of the food table. Originally I wasn't sure if I would dress up, as I always have a hard time figuring what to be... but I just happened to have just about everything for Peg Bundy... and Cory well he wasn't originally enthused about dressing up. However I presented him with the easiest costume for him, Mr. Clean and it worked out just right. Then our little Mason was a monkey, his costume was from Uncle Casey and Auntie Andrea...



We had a lot of fun. My sister Melissa also had a halloween party, but we didn't make it because we had to get our little monkey to bed. He's pretty used to his schedule. Tonight is actually Halloween and I am having the grandparents over so they can see Mason in his costume. I am making frito pie, green chile stew, apple cider and pumpkin cheesecake muffins. I'll leave you with some more photos. Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!

It Takes A Village

*mason and his cousin sheyenne*

I've always heard the saying it takes a village to raise a child. Now that I have a child that phrase takes on new meaning. Being a mom is amazing, yet it is a big and challenging responsibility. I have this little, beautiful, miraculous soul that God entrusted me to care for. He depends on Cory and I, he needs us. It feels so good to love him, to care for him, to clean him, to feed him, to play with him, to comfort him by rocking, singing, and kisses. As I have taken on this new role of mom, I am seeing how growing up with my mom played such a big part of getting me ready for this exact time in my life. My mom was and is a great mom. She nurtured me, took care of me, and everything she did for me stayed with me, and as I am mothering Mason I pull from that love I had growing up. My mom also surrounded me with a village, my grandma, and my three aunties. These women all loved me, and I can clearly see that they all taught me how to take care of my baby. The tender way I cuddle him, I had that. The tickles and goofy voices and sounds I do to make him laugh, I had that. The concern of making sure he is warm, or cool, and comfortable, I had that. I appreciate my mom, but now that I know what it really is to be a mom, makes me appreciate her even more. And I also am grateful for that village that surrounded me. I can truly say Mason also has quite a village around him, and everyday I feel so lucky to add to his experience of living. This morning I laid Mason on my bed and cuddled next to him. His beautiful eyes pierced through my soul as they do everyday an once again I thanked God that he chose me for him. I thought about how I didn't know if I'd ever have a baby. No matter how I pictured what our baby would be like, I never knew he could be as perfect as our little Mason.

Saying Goodbye

Lastnight I went to a retirement for my former co worker Ken Podborny. When I decided to stay home with Mason full time, I was sad to be leaving Wildlife Services. It really was a great place to work, and like one big family. I really can say that if I ever needed anything I could reach out to the people I worked closely with for 8 years. Anyway I knew that I would miss Ken. He is a smart man, a family man, honest, hardworking, and even though he acts tough at times, he is really a softie. I have been reflecting on the way life is since I had my baby boy. Suddenly life has changed... I am on a new chapter in my life and now so is Ken. I feel happy for Ken that he is going to move to Texas to be near his daughter and his grandsons. I am thinking about how people come in and out of my life. I know I probably won't see Ken again, but I will always remember him.He was a man of wisdom, and I learned a lot about being a good person from him. Ken told me once that you should always say what you want to another person because if you don't let them know how you feel no one else will. Lastnight at his party even though I don't like to speak in front of people, I made sure I told Ken that I admired him,that I thought he was a great supervisor, and that he would be missed. Ken is taking a lot of work and life experience with him, and I know that he made a big contribution to Wildlife Services with his service as a great employee. So it seems the season of knowing Ken in my life has come to an end.. I'm glad to have known him.

Our Love bug

Mason is growing and getting bigger everyday! At four months he is becoming quite the smiler and he is almost laughing. He is starting to try and hold his toys and direct them towards his mouth. He has started teething and drooling so a bib is a must. He likes to chew on his cold teething rings and also will happily chew on our fingers. He loves attention and is the star wherever he goes. Our little Mason has so many people who love him. We sure are proud of him! Everyday I take pictures of him, and it is evident that the camera loves him...he always looks so cute. We sure do love our baby boy........sigh. Here are a few favorites...notice the pic where he is looking at his first ultrasound pic on the fridge...he was mesmerized by it!



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This Face............

OMG this little face is getting cuter everyday. I'm just saying......

Family of Three....It's Bliss

I love being a family of three. Cory, me and Mason. The weekends are so fun, just hanging out together. I decided to stay home with Mason full time. I struggled with the decision before I had Mason, because I really love my job, and the people I work with...But then when Mason came, he made the decision easy. How could I have the option of staying home with him and not take it. I know God will take care of us, and this is a new chapter in my life. I feel lucky to be able to stay home with him. It will be me who gets to see all his firsts. I have already had so much fun. In the mornings I have been taking him for a walk around the block in his stroller. He loves to be outside, and he is smiling so much these days. He follows me with his eyes when I am walking around the room. He knows his food source that is for sure! Being a family of three is greater then I ever knew!

Children Won't Wait

A lovely lady from my church gave me a gift for Mason, and with the gift she enclosed a poem. The poem was beautiful and so true that I thought I'd share it here. I am loving being a mother so much. I know it won't always be easy, and there will be hard times. This poem embodies the kind of mother I really want to be.



Children Won't Wait
by: Helen M Young

There is a time to anticipate the baby's coming, a time to consult a doctor; A time to plan a layette.
There is a time to wonder at the ways of God, knowing this is the destiny for which I was created; A time to dream of what this child may become, A time to prepare myself that I might nurture his soul. But soon there comes a time for birth, For babies won't wait.
There is a time for night feedings, and colic and formulas.
There is a time for rocking and a time for walking the floor,
A time for patience and self sacrifice,
A time to show him that his new world is a world of love and goodness and dependability.
There is a time to ponder what he is- not a pet nor toy, but a person, an individual- a soul made in God's image.
There is a time to consider my stewardship. I cannot possess him.
He is not mine. I have been chosen to care for him, to love him, to enjoy him, to nurture him, and to answer to God.
I resolve to do my best for him.
For babies don't wait.
There is a time to hold him close and tell him the sweetest story ever told;
A time to show him God in earth and sky and flower, to teach him to wonder and reverence.
There is a time to leave the dishes, to swing him in the park, To run a race, to draw a picture, to catch a butterfly, to give him happy comradeship. There is a time to point the way, to teach his infant lips to pray, To teach his heart to love God's word, to love God's day, for children won't wait.
There is a time to sing instead of grumble, to smile instead of frown, To kiss away the tears, and laugh at broken dishes. A time to share with him my best attitudes- a love of life, a love of God, a love of family.
There is a time to answer questions, all his questions, Because there may come a time when he will not want my answers.
There is a time to teach him so patiently to obey, to put his toys away.
There is a time to teach him the beauty of duty, the habit of bible study, the joy of worship at home, the peace of prayer, For children won't wait.
There is a time to watch him bravely go to school, to miss him underfoot, And to know that other minds have his attention, but that I will be there to answer his call when he comes home, And listen eagerly to the story of his day.
There is a time to teach him independence, responsibility, and self reliance,
To be firm but friendly, to discipline with love,
For soon, so soon, there will be a time to let go, the apron strings untied, For children won't wait.
There is a time to treasure every fleeting minute of his childhood. Just eighteen precious years to inspire and train him. I will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position, or business or professional reputation, or a paycheck.
An hour of concern today may save years of heartache tomorrow, The house will wait, the dishes will wait, the new room can wait
But children do not wait.
There will be a time when there will be no slamming of doors, no toys on the stairs, no childhood quarrels, no fingerprints on the walls.
Then I may look with joy and not regret.
There will be a time to concentrate on service outside my home;
On visiting the sick, the bereaved, the discouraged, the untaught;
To give myself to the "least of these"
There will be a time to look back and know that these years of motherhood were not wasted. I pray there will be a time to see him upright and an honest man, loving god, and serving all.
God, give me the wisdom to see that today is my day with my children.
That there is no unimportant moment in their lives.
May I know that there is no other career so precious,
No other work so rewarding,
No other task so urgent.
May I not defer it or neglect it,
But by thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by thy grace realize that the time is short and my time is now.... For children won't wait!

The Sweetest Smile Ever

Okay so now I totally get how mom's think their baby is the cutest baby they ever saw... because my little Mason is pretty darn cute.... oh my sometimes I seriously want to eat him. I see myself in the lower part of his face, his chin, lips, and jawline.... but he really does look a lot like his daddy. He started smiling... mostly he smiles in the morning, and I don't think I've ever woken up to anything more beautiful!! I just love to grab him, and kiss his little face. I have acted like a dork trying to get him to smile for the camera and was able to get a couple of shots, although some were a little blurry. Having a baby is so fun. Don't get me wrong it's a lot of work... but it is so worth it!!

Life With My Little Man

Life sure has changed in the Dupuy house since our little angel arrived. I'm not going to lie, at first it was really hard. I had a little post partum depression and it really freaked me out. They warned me at the hospital not to be surprised if I started crying out of the blue. I thought that was strange... but wow it happened to me. I was a mess. Crying, worrying about not being a good mom, worrying about Mason if he was okay, worrying about how I was going to get everything done, and feeling so guilty that I had this little miracle that I had been praying for and here I was so sad, with this ache in my heart that I couldn't get rid of. It was HORRIBLE. I heard about post partum depression, but I just never in a million years thought it would happen to me.... and now i have compassion for those who face depression, because it is real, and it is scary, and you feel totally alone, like you are in a hole you keep trying to get out of, and you can't. After going to my two week check up, the doctor told me that what I was going through was completely normal, and not to feel crazy. She said it is a combination of hormones, lack of sleep, and just the change of lifestyle. I seriously was so scared that I wasn't going to feel normal again, and I felt really alone. I kept praying to God to help me be myself again... and finally one day I was familiar to myself. My mom was such a huge blessing to me, she stayed over with me to help me, and she held me while I cried, reassured me that it would get better and prayed for me. It feels so good to be back to myself, and now I can fully enjoy my little Mason........ who by the way is the cutest baby I have ever seen. He is very sweet, and I can't believe how much he has already grown. He is already 10 lbs. I kiss him so much that I make him mad... but I can't help it. Cory gets home from work and there is a magnetic force from him to Mason as soon as he walks in the door, he goes straight to his baby boy and loves on him. I really can't imagine not having Mason, and I thank God for him. At night my prayers begin for him, and when I wake almost always by his little cries my heart yearns to comfort him. I love taking care of my baby. I massage his little body after baths which he loves, I sing to him silly little songs, usually ones I make up myself. This mom needs to polish up on nursery rhymes. So thankfully I am feeling better and better able to enjoy my little monkey butt, yeah I call him that along with my love, Masonater, chubber lover, and sweetie pie.....Oh he is sooooooo precious and dear!

Mason Reid Dupuy

Our son Mason came into this world on Mother's day May, 8th 2011 at 8:53 pm. He weighed 7lbs, 1.6 oz. and was 20 in. He stole my heart the minute I laid eyes on him, and his daddy's too. Having a baby is so emotional, and like nothing I have ever known.I love our little baby, and I thank God for this amazing gift. You know it didn't matter how many times I heard people tell me that the love you have for your child is like no other... and oh it really is true that it's like your heart is outside of your body. It has been hard to answer emails, and texts with learning everything to take care of our precious son. I am trying day by day to get the hang of it.... but the most important thing I am loving him and cherishing him. Babies are God's little miracles....... I feel so incredibly blessed.

Maternity Photos

I love how people take pictures these days to remember special moments in life. Looking back I think I have only seen one or two snapshots of my mom when she was pregnant with me. Our friend Greg offered to take maternity pictures of me. I got the pictures yesterday.. and I really like them. He even did some full body silhouette shots. It will just be so nice to look back and remember "when" one day. He got a lot of good ones, here are a few.




Maybe it's hormones but these pictures really make me tear up.