The Rice Family

Monday, September 24, 2012

Goodbye summer, hello fall

Our little O's fan

Mason's first picnic

smiley boy!

Mommy's cup holder

By the age of 6 weeks Mason had been in 14 states, thanks to 2 road trips (one to Maine at 3 weeks and another to Illinois at 6 weeks). His Great Aunt Judy and Uncle Ed drew us a map while we were in IL that would allow us to hit 2 more states in a half an hour, but we elected to leave them for another trip...

Once again, Mason was a fantastic little traveler. It almost freaked me out how much he slept in the car. I thought we'd pay for it once he arrived, but he continued to sleep through the night :) lucky us!

A rare awake moment in the car

Mason smiled when the frog made a "ribbit" sound but I couldn't catch the smile on camera...still cute, though

It was really special to see great grandma Elkin. Mason is her first great grandchild, and it was cool having 4 generations of "oldests" together (my grandmother, my dad, myself and Mason)

4 generations of oldests

Great Grandma Elkin holding Mason

We also saw Mason's Great Aunts and Uncles. Everyone loved holding Mason!

Great Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ed

Great Aunt Judy and Uncle Ed in the pharmacy Uncle Ed designed/runs (We got a VIP tour. It was so crazy to see a small community hospital on a dirt road. 18 beds TOTAL. Such a far cry from Hopkins!)

You can't go to Illinois without walking through a corn field!

Relaxing at the hotel :)

Traveling is tiring!

We stopped at the Mason County Courthouse in IL!

Time to add Olive Garden to the list of restaurants that have offered us a kids menu for our newborn. Olive Garden went one step farther than the others, though, providing Mason with crayons and paper!

Thanks to Obi for making the drive with us. We couldn't have done it without you!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Family

Mason is lucky to have so many family members that love him :)

Great Aunt Sherrie

Mom Mom

Aunt Julia

Gigi and Obi

Great Grandpa

Great Uncle Norman and Great Aunt Marie

Daddy and Great Grandpa

Aunt Karla and Uncle Kevin (his Godparents)

Great Grandpa, Mommy and Gigi

1 month!

I can't believe Mason is already over a month old! He is spending more time awake during the day, and has started to smile at us :) It is fun to watch him as he seems more aware of his surroundings. I feel lucky that he is still sleeping through the night. Mason is such a good, sweet baby, and we love him so much!

Be prepared...lots of photos because I couldn't pick my favorites :)

Sweet sleeping baby

Baby gym fun time

Mommy and Mason on his 1 month "birthday"

Chubby cheeks!

1 month

Nice fencing pose :)

Tresa watched Mason this week (first time being left with someone other than Mommy or Daddy) so that I could go to the dentist and she sent me this photo while I was gone :)

Visiting Daddy at work

Bringin' back the leg warmers

He fell asleep like this! I didn't pose him!

Happy baby!

He looks older here!

Little monkey

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Time flies!

Time has flown by these past few weeks! I can't believe Mason is already 3 1/2 weeks old!! We are really enjoying our time together as a new family of 3, and I'm sad Derek has to go back to work this coming week :( He has been such a huge help that it will be a big wake up call to be by myself with the baby all day.

Mason is a really good baby. He has reflux so he can be fussy at times, but all in all he is pretty laid back. He started sleeping 6-7 hours/night last week, so I can't complain :)

He is such a good baby that we were able to make the long drive to Maine for my Uncle's funeral this week. While it was sad to be there under those circumstances, it was fun to introduce my extended family to Mason.

Here are some photos of baby's "firsts"

first tub bath

first cloth diaper

first time at a restaurant (and Mommy's first drink in 10 months!)

first pair of shorts

first book

first card game

first shopping cart ride

first walk

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Mason James Rice

Baby Rice is finally here! Baby Mason was born July 31st at 3:55 PM, weighing 9lb 9oz and measuring 22 inches long. He is beautiful, healthy, and perfect in every way, and we couldn't be more in love with this little guy!

Me the morning of the induction (1 week overdue)