Mason's a month old!

I'm a few weeks behind with posting an update -- we've had some adjusting to do. Mason and Frank and I have been working very hard to make sure Mason knows that daytime is not just for sleeping and night time is only for sleeping, quick eating and quick diaper changes!!

At last we are falling into a routine with Mason. He really is a very good baby -- only cries when his stomach hurts and/or he is hungry. Oh, and when he really wants some snuggles. I think that's a reasonable request.

Meanwhile, Maddie has become obsessed with the Laurie Berkner Band DVD I bought a few weeks ago. It's an excellent music DVD for small kids and she knows most if not all of the words to the songs. She also is trying very hard to emulate Laurie herself -- she insisted we upgrade her ukulele (she thinks it's a guitar) with a strap. Why?? Because Laurie has one!

Last week, Frank's parents arrived from Germany for their stay with us. They fell in love with Mason, of course. And have been spending a lot of time with Maddie also. In fact, Maddie became sick with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease a few days after they arrived, so his parents and I spent almost a week inside the house with a very, very sick and whiny toddler and a newborn. They were a huge help to us as both Maddie and Mason needed constant attention.

Maddie has now recovered and all her sass is back. We think maybe the changes, including the long sickness, have really set her back with her independence and schedule. She's still a peach with Mason and I guess we'll have to tolerate her attitude until it passes and she's a peach with us again too! I've heard the threes are worse than the terrible twos. We are almost there -- yikes!

The last few weeks in photos:

The obsession begins -- watching Laurie Berkner Band with her banjo.

Hey, this bath time thing isn't so bad!

Ah, snuggles.

Mommy and Maddie time -- making cupcakes

After a while she said, "Mommy, I like to eat 'em."

Jamming with "the band."

After the strap was in place. Note the tie-dye shirt and wild hair.

Frank says, "what have we done??" Two is double trouble!

Big sis time with Mason. She is so gentle and loving with him.

Making apple cobbler for Daddy's birthday.

Third day of sickness. We didn't know at this point what was wrong, but her fever kept spiking and she was not herself.

Oma comforts little Mason.

Opa get some serious snuggle time.