Our boxer... Mason!

Yep, we have another ALL boy on our hands! We have a hanging punching bag in our basement and now even Mason is using it! Chris put the gloves on him one day and we say "Box! Box! Box!" really fast and as we do he just jabs away! He hits really hard and loves it! So now he's been bringing the gloves upstairs and will go "Ba! Ba! Ba!" really fast and starting anything. (He does it without gloves too, so if you child is in nursery, I'm so sorry come the end of March!)

Mason with the wind up....

And the follow through!

You can see he really lays his body into it as he's beating up my cabinets! I hope he doesn't want to be a boxer?! haha

Mason and TUBES!

So before you all are in shock that you haven't heard from me in a bit, I'm going to try to get you updated. Let me start with one of the more recent events... Mason getting tubes.
Mason has had over 8 ear infections and at least 4 ruptured eardrums all in less than year resulting in every drug given to the poor the kid from the easy "pink stuff" amoxocillin, to a shot with over a 90% rate of getting his ears cleared up called Rocefin?. Anway, for only being one, it seems like he's been sick as much as he's been well. So when he got his last ear infection, mean mommy came out and said, "I'M DONE!" (i really didn't, but doing tubes with Parker, I knew i wasn't going to do this any longer... and went proactive!) So I called the ENT, Dr. Park (not to be confused with my son, Park) and got him an appointment the next day. Sure enough, he agreed to tubes and a week later, we went for tubes.
This past Thursday, December 18th, we took our 14 month old for MINOR surgery. We had Evan sleepover a friends house (Thanks, Carlton's) and figured Tan and Park were big enough to get up and to the bus on their own. We had to be there by 6:30a.m. so we were out the door by 6. We got there, filled out the paper work and then went back to get ready. The following pictures are OUT OF ORDER, but i wasn't going to try to fix it (sorry).
Mason and I walking laps. He was all rigged up with what he needed, but is like his mom in that he doesn't want to just sit in one place to long...always has to be on the go! Plus you can tell it's an early morning as he's still in jammies and I'm sporting the glasses and hat.... before 6 is just too early!!!

I love this shot! We just kept lapping the nurses station and the poor kid had all these wires poking out everywhere that we were trying to hide them so they were "out of sight, out of mind." That is the true joy of a 14 month old. Easily distracted.

One of his favorite toys was the bell. They had a bell in there in case we would need a nurse for something, but he just loved it!!! He would concentrate so hard on getting his cute litte finger on just the littlest part...PRICELESS!

This is a pic where you can see a few of cords poking out and one he kept tripping on (that we had to hide). They also put his ID badge on his ankle so he wouldn't fidget with it.

Trying to keep him occupied and not bored while we wait.... and wait.... and wait!!!

More cords! He had 3 pads taped to his chest, a pulse monitor taped to his toe, and a blood pressure cuff on his arm by the time he left... too much confinment for a Condiff boy!!!

His pulse monitor taped to one of his toes. We put the sock on it to cover help keep it off his mind.

As you can see he did really good and the surgery was successful. He cried and cried when he was done, but after we took off the sheet, the two blankets, the BP cuff, the toe monitor and chest pads, he was happy to go to sleep, slept about 2 hours and been great ever since! We are so glad we have this over with now!!! We hope for a much easier winter and happy, happy baby!!!

Leaves are falling all around....

The joy of backing up to trees in the fall time is taking some time to rake them and play. Parker, decided on his own one day, that it was time to start raking. Bless his heart, he raked and raked and raked until he got a decent sized pile of leaves. It was just too much fun not to share and have fun with them. He was a little sad when everyone started throwing them because "I worked really hard, mom and now they're everywhere!" So the next day, I went out, raked (only 1/2 the yard, it's a workout!) and got smart and got out the leave blower and made some huge piles for him..... to earn some money by picking up! He and Tanner worked hard and was happy he found out that you can work hard and play and sometimes even get rewarded! I think they ended up with something like 15 of those huge black trash bags full! (Not to mention we could do it all again today).

Parker in his pile of leaves!
Parker and Evan

Parker and Mason (who didn't like this at all!)

L-R Nick, Parker, Josh, Evan, Tanner
The boys enjoying some of Parker's hard work!!

Fall Weather that is CRAZY!!!

We have started quite a few trends in the neighborhood. First, it was everyone came over for the tramp, then the basketball hoop or the Foosball table, but now we have most boys aged 5-12 playing hockey! We have one of those outdoor hockey nets where the guy stands in front of it. They love it!

Kids L-R Parker, Austin, Tyler, Tanner, Ryan, Nick, Evan, and Miles.

The boys on a "Beck Break". Snow cones for everyone...Yeah! It was so nice, I pulled the snow cone maker out we had snow cones.



K, I had to share this pic (and cut as much of me out as possible), but Mason looks like he has hair and it looks like it's curly. But, 1. He doesn't and 2. It's not curly, but I thought it was adorable that it looked like he has hair :)

My snow cone helper. Luckily everyone had one. He loved feeling the shaved ice and had a few brain freezes!

SLAM DUNK! He's getting ready for some basketball with the brothers!

Mason as the goalie for the boys....NOT! He kept walking in front of it and standing right here just like this every time. I hope he's not trying to tell me he wants to be a goalie!

The weather has gone from BEAUTIFUL in low-mid 70's to highs of mid 40's. It's definitely fall and is no longer shorts and t-shirt weather. Just wanted to share some fun outdoor shots!

Trick-or-Treat

How cute is he??!!!!

Getting ready to go out on the night!

My "big muscle Spiderman" and his sidekick....Frog :) Evan was flashing his web sign everywhere we went that night! Totally cute!!!!

Another Halloween year has come and gone and before we know it will be Christmas and that's just crazy! The weather was beautiful to were the first time in I think EVER, I was able to wear a short sleeved shirt and pants most the night (the hoodie did come on, but NO JACKET!) Mason was a frog (that's been past down a few years) and Evan was "Big muscle Spiderman". He really wantedto spidey as his best friend, Andrew was also Spiderman. He put the mask on for the picture, but trick or treated with it off. Mason stayed on the porch passing out candy with Mason because he was just happy to be outside! I took Evan around and he LOVED it this year (last year about 10 houses his "feet hurt and he was tired"), so mom was glad to be getting the exercise, fresh air and some good one on one time with Ev. (Isn't that sad when one-on-one time is trick-or-treating?!) Tanner wore some scary mask and was going to "scare all the little kids" but had a buddy talk him into going with him. So my boy who was "too old" to go trick-or-treating last year and past out candy, went this year! Okay, whatever! And Parker went with his skating posse as a Dallas Stars Hockey player. He and his friends all had skates on so they could "get more candy". Ohhhh....children after my own heart!

Pumpkin Patch

I can honestly say this was a very bittersweet pumpkin patch visit for me! We always hit the pumpkin patch by mid October, but with Chris constantly out of town and various activities, we hit the pumpkin patch at 1:00PM ON HALLOWEEN DAY! I mean, really?! To top it off, the weather was PHENOMENAL! It was almost too hot for Halloween (did I just say that?!). I usually make sure the kids are bundled up and look cute on the outside, but as you can see it was a free for all and anything goes this year! I had pants and short sleeved shirt which was one extreme all the way to Mason who had on shorts and T-shirt. No socks, no shoes, no jacket....nothing! Chris of course was sweating in shorts and T-shirt, but then again...what's new! Here are some pics of our pumpkin patch visit ON Halloween!

Parker, Evan, Tanner and Mason on the hayride.

Park, Mase, Tan, and Ev in front of the big bale of hay spider. You know me and spiders...this was close enough. LOL

He's so stinkin' cute! He was so happy just doing whatever! He was entrigued by the witches and bats they had hanging in the trees.

By far his favorite thing to do the whole time we were there and not doing something else was to go and push over the pumpkins. If they were standing up, no matter how big or small, he'd go over and push them over. I was having flashes of football practices in the future and plowing things over. I would go and put it up and he'd go and push it over...it was really cute (and comical!)

This is one of my favorite pics and is GREAT in black and white. He loved the tractor and this was a perfect shot!

At the carwash...

What a nice man I have to wash AND wax my van... with a lot of help from Evan and little help from Mason. (And yes, I'm sure this was his unconscious effort to get out of the dog house :) haha) It was BEAUTIFUL weather on Saturday that it was screaming water and fun. I don't know that washing the car was fun, but Evan loved it. Mason, OF COURSE, loved the bubbles and was just as happy to play in the bucket of suds. It was so clean when Chris was done, he said "Let's go sell it and get you a new one!" I laughed and said, "Are you ready to start the INSIDE?!" So, YEP! I'm still the owner of one certified M3 Vehicle.... (Mormon Mommy Minivan).

Mason's First Steps

Chunky Monkey has decided that it's time to grow up and start walking. He took a few steps when Chris was out of town last week and by the time he got home on Sunday this is what he was doing. It's so fun to see how excited he gets just standing there clapping for himself. He will walk anywhere for as long as you want him to as long as he has one finger. Once the finger is gone he'll do about 10 steps and start laughing and fall. He's growing up sooooooo fast. He is officially my slowest to walk and yet he's just past his one year birthday. Good job, Mase!!

Mason's Presents/Toys

To finish off the night, we had a few presents for Mason to open. I think he was so excited it had nothing to do with cake, he would have been happy to just go to bed (it was close to 10 pm by this point and half his problem was that he was tired). He didn't understand that he was to open presents and toys because of course they come in a square box with so many security measures to get through! I swear! Do we have nothing better to do that twist each one of those metal things on and have an average of what...10 a package? And don't even get me started on the zip ties!
He did like the wrapping the paper (after the kids gave him space and a chance to try it himself.)
Those looking onward to see what the next new toy was going to be!
Someone a little happy about that vacuum? You know you vacuum way to much when your one year old immediately knows what to do with it and the sounds it make. After Evan, Chris swore we would never have another vacuum (Evan was the only one thanks to some neighbors who had one and got Evan hooked), but I knew how much Evan loved it and figured Mason would too!
Our little muscle man. He was so proud of this vacuum that night. He didn't want to go to bed after getting this toy. Thanks to all who helped make his birthday special and thanks to our friends, the Dawson's for coming over and helping us celebrate! (oh! And introducing the vacuum and many other "girlie" items to Evan!) The End.

Bathtime AFTER the cake!

Bathtime is Mason's all time favorite thing in the whole wide world! If he's crying for any reason, he will ALWAYS stop and do a 180 and be so happy for the bathtub. How can you not eat up those eyes?!!
He loves the bath! He got more icing on his face from crying and rubbing his eyes than anything else. He loved getting all cleaned up for his "party". Bring on the fun!

Mason's 1st Birthday... the CAKE!!!

Wow things have been crazy with Chris gone over a week and also realizing it's been OVER a week since I've posted. The worst was realizing I haven't posted Chunky's First Birthday.... what a bad mom I am! So here's a few of the classic pictures with his cake:

Why is everybody looking at me?
What should I be doing with this big thing on my high chair?
Nope!!! I don't like it! It has too many calories and will make me fat!
As you can see from Parker's reaction shot in the background, we were all surprised when our Chunky Monkey, Mason, decided to chuck his cake OVERBOARD instead of eating it and playing in it like most one year olds like to do. (By the way, nice action shot, babe!)

More cake!

So he finally looked like he might just like this after all.....
As he thinks to himself... WHAT IS THIS???.... (Now starts the music......)
Oh YES he did! He hated it so much that if you notice in the picture we had cake flying everywhere! So much for trying to save "around" the highchair with a tablecloth on the ground. Ohhhhh no! We had it all the way behind him on the counters - to on the carpet ~10 feet in front of him! He went ballistic over this cake thing. (again to Chris... great action shot!)
We gave him one more shot to try to eat it or like it and he just wasn't having it.
So on that note... Birthday cake is officially over! He kept crying saying "momma, momma, Momma" and reaching for me as I was an awful mother saying in a nice motherly voice, "This is fun, Mason. It's okay, honey! Play in your food :)" Now that he's chalked me up to the devil himself, I did redeem myself by putting him in his favorite place... the bath tub :)!

Quick update

So I got a little blog burned out after all the posts last week, but I promise to get some of the main events up soon :)

Just wanted you to know that my child has (and had) hit his weight plateau. I took him in for his ONE YEAR check up and he cracks me up!!! At 5 months, he weighed 24 lbs 5 oz.. Big deal you say? At 9 months he hit his peak at 25 lbs 3 oz and at a year weighs 24 lbs 8 oz. So he basically has weighed the same since 5 months old. He is now only in the 74% of weight. :) He was 31 3/4" long making him 89% height. So he's dropped from his 98% :). Not that it's a big deal, but people will comment on "he must have a big head"......NO! It's the CHEEKS, people! So just fir your info, his head was 69%.

So all in all, my chunky monkey isn't as chunky monkey as he's been. He is everywhere and has taken quite a few steps alone and then gets laughing and falls (it's really cute). I don't know what we can call him now, so if you have any good names, let me know :) haha

Happy FIRST Birthday, MASON!!!

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Mason, Happy birthday to you!!! I can't believe that one year ago today at 12:57pm, Mason Andrew Condiff would come to our family. He weighed 8 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. He arrived with some serious sized "paws" and feet and as handsome as the rest of the Condiff boys! (Only this one had a few of mommy's features...YEAH!)

This has been a GREAT year with our "Chunky Monkey". We first thought we would be calling him "big MAC" (for Mason Andrew Condiff and because he was big), but he very quickly became our "Chunky Monkey" or as the people at church calls him... "TANK". :) He just brings a huge smile to your face. He has the best personality and is so easy going.

The feature I love most about Mase are those CHEEKS! He has had these huge cheeks that even strangers will come up to me and comment about how big they are try to give them a squeeze. When he started to crawl and move, he “slimmed down” and his cheeks just aren’t what they used to be, but people still comment on them.

Another feature I just love on Chunky are his HANDS! Those paws on him are so solid and big… you just know he’s going to do something great with those hands. Evan had skinny, long finger hands, but Mason’s are huge and thick!

Another favorite feature on Mason are his EYES! He got his momma’s big brown eyes and I love that! Not that I don’t love Evan and Parker’s eyes, but I just love his brown eyes! (Tanner’s eyes are brown too!)

And of course, I just love his DIMPLES! He gets to laughing and he has the cutest dimples! Or when he’s trying to be shy (or flirt with the other hot babies at church) he does this really subtle smile, but his dimples just kill you!

Here are a few pics from his first hours to his first week. Of course I wanted to post about 100 pics, but that's not happening today.


Oh, how sweet was this!!! This was about 4 or 5 hours after he was born. Check out that dimple! (Note to myself: My fingers were so fat and swollen that for the first time ever after already having 3 kids, I had to take my wedding ring off :(. I've never done that before, and hope I don't have to do it ever again!)


Getting ready to go home. He loved the carseat.

Some mommy and me time. I can't believe that he was ever this small. It only lasted what seemed to be days and before I knew it, he was a month old and HUGE! lol

This was taken when he was 6 days old. Pretty content at that point, but oh has times have changed..........

Busted again.... and again...AND AGAIN!!! SERIOUSLY, MAS!

No lie!!! About an hour after I posted Mason in the kitchen drawer I couldn't find him... and it was QUIET! HELLO!!! Major red flag there! So I'm calling him and calling him and finally hear something in the laundry room. The door is shut and thinking that Evan shut the dog in there I go to look. NOPE! It's Mason!!! He had shut himself in the laundry room and had pulled out my pedestal on my washer and was just hanging out helping himself to some dusting products! He is SOOOOOO on the go and I can't keep up! My sister was commenting how Blake is moving and crawling now and inside I'm so evil that I do this little evil laugh to myself and think "oh she doesn't know what's coming!" (Actually she knows, you just forget between kids.) The best part is AS I WAS POSTING THIS.... the little turd was behind me... had taken the metal vent cover out of the floor and was "stuck" with one of his thunder thighs in the vent! I mean seriously, Mason....Serious?!!!