Hmmm...Delicious!

There's no need to explain what has happened in this picture.

Who Told the Funny Joke

Mason loves to smile...especially at the ladies. We have been trying very hard to get him to laugh. The only time he laughed was while he was asleep. That was up until now...

Fancy Dancy is Not So Smancy

The bottle is what did it for me. It wasn’t until I received a free sample of the Playtex vent-aire brand bottle that being pregnant finally set in. It wasn’t the morning sickness, swollen body parts, heartburn, Charlie horses, mood swings, baby shower, sonograms, or high blood pressure. Not even my expanding waist line help snap me into the reality of pending motherhood. When I received the sample, all I could do was to stare at it and hold it. It leaded me to visions of bottles, pacifiers, and refrigerator magnets littering our kitchen. I became obsessed with the bottle and knew this was the brand we had to buy. I got sucked into believing this bottled was miraculously engineered to prevent colic, decrease the amount of air Mason would suck in, and make Mason think he was getting milk from a boobie. Yes, the maintenance was annoying; you almost had to form an assembly line to put the bottle back together as it each had 5 pieces. Seven weeks into using the bottles, they started to leak. So much so that more milk would end up on the table then in Mason’s belly. The outside numbering started to fade as well. Playtex’s customer service was very nice and sent us coupons to replace the leaky bottles.

We are now using Nuby bottles. As you see on the right, there is nothing to them. It’s just a plain plastic cylinder. Let this be a lesson to us that I’m sure we will keep learning over and over again. Simple is sometimes better. We are using the same nipples and the new bottles are working great!

Mason's Two Month Checkup

Mason's 2 month picture

I have to take a picture of him each month to add to his baby book. Ask me how much of it I completed? That's right. You guessed it, none!

Mason is now 24.5 inches long, which puts him in the 90th percentile. THANK GOODNESS! I don't want him to be short like me. He'll get beat up. As far as his weight, he is only in the 25th percentile at 11.62 lbs.

Poor little guy. He had to endure two needles and a liquid vaccine. But as usual, he was charming all the ladies there! We are going to have such trouble keeping the girls away when he gets older.

Let's Go Ravens, Let's Go

Thanks to Mom Mom, Mason caused a lot of commotion today wearing the Raven's jersey. It was all good commotion though. He was able to generate a crowd everywhere we went; church, Friendly's, and Walmart. I don't think Britney Spears could have generated such a fan following. HAHAHA! Now I'm just being that over proud Mother. Soon, I'll be spitting on napkins and cleaning Mason's face in public. What will be next? Ironing Mason's underoo's? By the way, isn't Steve handsome? He's my dreamboat.

Our 2nd Trip to Hershey Medical Center

Mason was such a good boy through the ultrasound, VCUG (doctor shoved a catheter up his private area), and giving blood. At least Steve and I have the official diagnosis:

• He was born without a right kidney.
• He has kidney reflux in his left kidney.
• Based on a stage of 1 -5 (5 being the most severe case), Mason is a 5.

He will remain on his daily dose of Amoxicillin. We will need to notify his pediatrician and urologist should he start acting different which could be a sign of a kidney infection. If this should occur, surgery will be an immediate requirement. Mason will continued to be monitored by the urologist as some children outgrow kidney reflux by the time they are 1 year of age. If not, surgery will most likely be in Mason's future to repair his ureter which is spraying urine back into his kidney.

In 6 weeks, we are going back to Hershey Medical Center so a renal scan of Mason's left kidney can be done. The question now is Mason's left kidney functioning at 100% like it should since it's the only one.

We will keep everyone posted.

Mason's 1 Month Checkup

Here is a picture of Mason at a little over 1 month:

Steve and I took Mason to the pediatrician today. He now weighs 9 lbs and 4.8 ounces and measures 22 inches in length. We must start forcing Mason's head to turn to his left and while it's turned in this direction, massage his neck muscles. The pediatrician said it's common in infants to favor only one side. If an infant would continue to turn his or her head to one side, the muscles could stiffen. The pediatrician said the name of the condition (is it really even a condition?) so quickly, I did not understand what she had said. I'm thinking the name is "tortacolitis", but I have not had the time to research anything. On a funnier note, Mason peed all over the pediatrician. Boy, she reacted with lightning speed. Me, I just always sit and watch Mason spray everywhere because it's hilarious and I can never stop laughing. Mason received his 2nd dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine. He was a good baby and only cried for a few seconds.

The pediatrician gave us a few tips on how to prepare Mason to sleep through the night:

-Make evenings as boring as possible so he doesn't make himself excited (he's only 1 month old; he's not doing that much!)

-Don't feed Mason to sleep (then he would never get fed in the evening because he can look at the bottle and fall asleep!)

-When he awakes at night, don't turn on any lights (I would break a bone stumbling around in the dark half asleep trying to prepare a bottle!)

-Nightime should only be for feeding; do not change the diaper (Goodness, even when Mason's diaper is changed twice a night, he still pees everywhere. If his diaper wasn't changed during the night, he would flood the house!)

-When Mason is done feeding in the middle of the night, put him back into his crib even if he's awake. This means no rocking, swinging, or talking (I should have asked the pediatrician how long do I allow Mason to scream before picking him up!)

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Mason can now get a real bath and he actually likes it.

In a Land Far, Far Away

Okay, so the U.K. is not that far away, but it makes for a catchy title. My work's international representatives from the U.K. sent Mason a care package. They sent Mason a t-shirt that reads "I'm the little brother" and a chimeball. For me, I was sent some hand lotion which smells very nicely. I was debating whether or not I should keep the wrapping paper since it did come from a foreign land. Then I realized I was being a dork and only I thought it would be a funny gesture so I did not keep it.

The picture of the package was later used to send to Bubbles since she is in MO.

Now I know that I'm not the only one who wraps like this!

No translation required!

The presents are greatly appreciated by Steve and I.

You May Enter, But You Can Never Leave!

A BIG thank you to Mom and Aunt Donna for purchasing the Crib Tent II for Mason. As Steve was putting it together, some of our cats surrounded the tent and wanted so desperately to get inside of it, but couldn't. THAT'S THE POINT! You can't my furry four legged friends. Saige and Jasmine demonstrates the purpose of the tent above. Look how well it keeps out the stuffed animal. Mason will be able to sleep in peace as the cats are bouncing off the tent. HAHAHAHA!

Amusing

Mason only wore this outfit for about 5 minutes before he decided to pee in it. Sadly, the blanket was claimed as a victim with his urination as well.

Look closely at the picture below. No, your eyes have not fooled you. It is baby cologne and courtesy of Steve's sister-in-law, Jen. Can you believe this? I'm envisioning an Axe commercial and now fear for my life everytime I take Mason out in public. I don't want all the female babies attacking me or him.

Play on playa!

Closed Caption

Here are some pictures I took on my phone to share with everyone. This Saturday is a family cookout with Steve's side and I'll be able to get more great pictures of Mason with everyone and a great family photo of Steve, myself, and the kids.

Can someone stop dressing me in ridiculously sappy clothes?

Who's my Daddy?

I am such a chic magnet!

(Bubbles (right), Jasmine (left), and Saige (bottom left) are pictured along with Mason)

Yeah, that's great Mommy; you got a new phone and now insist on closeups of me. Can we quit making it look as though I have bug eyes?

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!

Mason Ray Fowler was born on July 24th at 6:03 AM and weighed in at 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19.25 inches long. Was this thing really inside me? YIKES!

I was never so glad to leave the hospital today. We have all settled back into our home and getting Mason settled. Tonight is a monumental event...his first sponge bath. We will keep everyone informed with regards to his kidney issues after we visit a urologist at Hershey Medical Center within the next 2 weeks. The good thing is they found his right testicle. It was above his bladder and should drop within the next couple of months. Man, would I have loved to have been able to share that information with his future girlfriends.

Monster and Tuff Trucks

Hello ladies and germs! It's been a VERY LONG TIME since I've updated our family blog. We are STILL awaiting the birth of Mason who was due on the 17th. In the past several weeks, I've had issues with my blood pressure and increased levels of protein found in my urine. I've been sent to the hospital to have blood drawn, blood pressure checked, and 24 hour monitors of my pee. They even tried to place me on bed rest. Um, no! It lasted 3 days. I have to give major props to those who are placed on bed rest earlier in their pregnancies and are able to commit to it and take it seriously because I could not. At first, I was going to be allowed to go to 42 weeks before any action would be taken to assist in the birth of Mason. Now, if nothing happens by this Tuesday ( 21st) here what could happen:

• If I am dialated by then (so far I am not), I will be sent to the hospital on Wednesday to be administered pitocin.
  
• If I am not dialated by then, I will be administered two dosages (1 on Wednesday and the other on Thursday) of Cervidil. Each dose lasts about 12 hours and each time it will be inserted and removed by my doctor. This product is used to help soften the cervex. I'm not sure if they will check me into the hospital for this or insert the medicine and then send me home. If need be, I will then be administered pitocin.

I'm not quite sure why I have to bother with the Cervidil if both scenarioes are to be resolved with pitocin. Then again, I'm only repeating feedback from my midwife and will know more on the 21st.

Okay, so yesterday Steve, myself, Bubbles, and Blaize (Steve's nephew) went to the Buck Motorsports to see the tuff truck competition and the monster trucks which included The Avenger, War Wizard, Brutus, and the legendary Big Foot. Of course Big Foot has underwent some cosmetic surgery because the truck is not how I remembered it as a kid. I envision us next year there with Mason and of course, ear protection device as it was VERY LOUD! Steve loves the tuff truck competition. There is a men's and women's heat and pretty much these drivers bring in junk cars and race them around a muddy course and whoever receives the best time wins. We saw cars loose their drive shaft and mufflers and also saw a few flip over. It was pretty exciting. What was more hilarious were the number of babies and pregnant women attending this event. I think being pregnant made me feel like a redneck...my baby is overdue and I'm at the Buck watching monster trucks smash cars...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Nothin' can stop me ya'll from havin' a rip roar'n' bang up time! Here are some pictures to prove how cool it was!

The pictures below are some highlights from the Tuff Truck competition. Steve and I are thinking about entering next year as anyone can sign up to drive. Of course this means new expenses and bringing myself to actually pay money for a car (even though it's not that much) that could essentially not work anymore after the race. Whoa!

Where Does the Time Go?

Can I shoot whoever came up with the dumb phrase "time flies when you are having fun" How about this phrase "time flies when you are up to your neck in life". There, that's much better. I have had the pleasure of taking a break from school, but it's short lived as I have to start again on Thursday. Our family has had some exciting adventures in between this entry and the previous one posted well over a month ago, but I just have not had any time to showcase them to everyone. I'm sorry! But what I would like to give is an update on Mason Ray Fowler. I had my 3rd ultrasound on 4/27 because the 2nd yielded traces of urine in his left kidney. Urine? I didn't even realize he even peed while inside of me. EW! I want to a specialist where I spent about an hour with the technician and then a doctor who was crazy funny, but had a shakey hand problem. At first I was told to lie on my back, which I just cannot do at all. I get jittery, light headed, and feel as though I'm about to pass out. Mason must also not be a fan of laying on the back because he was going bonkers until I told the technician I need to turn on my side. Once I did he did settle somewhat. I was told I have a mad man living inside my belly which I believe. The good news is that traces of pee in his left kidney is nothing to cause alarm as his muscles just might not be fully developed. On the other hand, no one could find his right kidney. Can you believe those shenanigans? The doctor saw 2 arteries stemming from his left kidney and figured his right kidney was fused with his left. While that may be true, I had to inform him that I have 2 arteries stemming from my single kidney as well and I only discovered that through all my testing as a potential kidney donor for my sister. At this point, we are not sure how many kidneys Mason has, but 1 out of 100 babies are born with a kidney abnormality. The doctor advised people are walking around with funky kidneys and they don't even realize it because it's not something that is really ever checked out until there is a problem. Once Mason is born, the pediatrician will be able to conclude if a right kidney does exist with an ultrasound or even a catscan. It's just hard right now to determine anything while he's still tumbling around inside my belly.

I totally missed belly pictures for 7 months, but I will make sure to post the 8 month belly picture which will be this weekend. Aren't you guys excited to see a fat chic? I know I am...

It's Raining, It's pouring, the Old Man is Snoring...Someone Wake up Steve!

No, it's not the kind of shower you are probably visualizing. I was tricked big time as the ones dear to me celebrated Mason by throwing Steve and I a baby shower on April 4th. Steve's Mom, Oma, came to visit this past week as well and she was even in attendance. Everyone is quite the sneakster! I was pretty much in shock the entire day as I kept staring at Steve and wondering how he managed to help my Aunt Donna and Mom pull this off. Poor Jasmine! I thought Steve and I were going to Mom's that day for Jasmine's birthday party. The girls were even in on it as we dropped them off to Mom Mom the night before because I thought they were having a sleepover for Jasmine's birthday. I'm still not sure how everything was planned so well, but I am incredibly thankful.

I did not want a baby shower. In this harsh economic climate where people are loosing their jobs, gas price increases are sporadic, price of food is increasing, I didn't want anyone to spend money that they possibly did not have. I did not even register. I was doing a good job on cutting corners and trying to formulate ideas on how Steve and I can save money by limiting our spending on Mason. I know that sounds a little mean, but it's with good intentions. Steve has worked very hard all of his life to support his family. I've heard stories of his long shifts with old employers and with his own company. I figured that Steve has worked hard enough that he was entitled to a break. This time is especially important because he is finally having a son. I want to make sure that Steve is able to stay home and bond with his little man at the same time as us being financially stable. As most people know, my mind is always working. I suggested cutting corners by not buying a fancy bed set theme and just buying individual plain crib sheets. Instead of buying the expensive swing set, I was going to purchase the smaller travel size. Instead of a new stroller/car seat combo, we were going to borrow from family. Our shopping consisted of items from Goodwill. Yes, I would be lying if it didn't upset me that I had to hold back from spoiling my first child. I wanted to be like every other mother who buys things she does not really need. In the end though, the material possessions wouldn't have been as important as Steve being able to stay home and teach Mason his first words, how to pee outside, and watching Mason smile for the first time. Steve is so very deserving of those moments. Moments that he may have missed out on with his girls because he had to work so much.

With the generosity of people I call family and friends, I was able to spend a day acting like that mother who was getting everything. A special thanks to Aunt Donna and my Mom for coordinating the baby shower surprise. They even want as far as registering me (with the help of Bubbles and RB) at Babies'R'Us. I also want to thank those who spent their hard earned money on Mason. You will truly never know how grateful Steve, the girls, and I are for your kindness. These people include, Lauren (Steve's sister-in-law), Jen (Steve's sister-in-law), Oma (Steve's Mom), Cindy (my co-worker), Susan (my co-worker), Carol (my friend), Jessica (my sister), Jackie (my sister), Christie (Steve's sister), Delores (Oma's best friend), Aunt Donna, Mom, and Susan (Aunt Donna's sister). If I had forgotten anyone, I'm sorry.

I also want to thank the wives of my two co-workers, David and Ken, for loaning me maternity clothes. Also, Carol again, as she is lending me a high chair and jumper. Also again to Jen who is lending us an extra stroller and small high chair for when Mason gets older and to Lauren, who handed down some clothes for Mason. To my Mom who is lending us a crib she bought for Jasmine, thanks.

I don't want to forget a special thank you to Steve and the girls for buying me a brand new stroller/car seat combo which is what I wanted most. Steve even bought an extra base for the car seat so we have a base for each car we drive. Steve and the girls make my life complete and wonderful. I couldn't ask for anything more than what they give me on a daily basis and that is love.

As wonderful as this day was, this hasn't stopped me from being cheap and proud of it! On Sunday (April 5th), Steve, RB, Bubbles, Oma, and I along with Carol and her husband and son attended a weekend special called Tot Swap. There were a lot of clothes from various vendors and owners on consignment. We bought about 24 items (onesies, shoes, jammy joes, outfits) and paid a little over $30. As fun as that was, now I'm staring at mounds and mounds of items to wash from this past weekend. But that's okay.

I don't have any pictures to post right now of the shower, but they are coming as soon as I can get them from others.

Itsawhatsit is a It's a Boy!

Okay, to some, I'm delayed in spreading the good news. I am knee deep in school work right now and have neglected the family blog. So it's 1 in the morning and I'm trying to update everyone on Baby Fowler. Yes, Steve will have his first son; Mason Ray Fowler. I had my second ultrasound later than usual and it started to eat at me that I really wanted to know. I'm glad we know because it seemed to jump start Steve and I actually planning for his arrival. For example, Mason has clothes now! Thanks to my Mom who sacrificed her $50 Macy's gift card she received for Christmas, Steve and I had a chance to buy real department store clothes. Of course, I was totally lost as I had no clue what size to get; 0-3 or 3-6 months? Mom came to the rescue and said to buy the clothes a little bigger since Mason has all winter to grow into them. Steve's solution to Mom's suggestion was to purchase 7X in boy's and just keep the sleeves and leggings rolled up. He was hilarious and I could not stop cracking up laughing in the store! We also visited Goodwill on the way home and bought onesies which ended up being only $.50. We also fund a cute outfit at BJ's (our warehouse store where Steve and I buy our bulk items) for only $5.99.

Ick, it was also that time again where I had to allow Steve to showcase my ever expanding waistline. I was having a bad hair day, so I did not allow any pictures that included my head.

Mason ranks in the 33rd percentile as far as weight so he's a little small. You couldn't tell that from the size of my belly! Already the poor sap hasn't even made his theatrical debut and he's already being judged.

It's a little dark, but can you tell who's belly is who's? I'm not really sure what Bubbles is doing, but it looks funny.

AWESOME BABY BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone it's morgan,OMG i watched lisha's baby video thursday SHE'S HAVING A BOY!!!!
I cant wait till she has her baby boy in july, I CANT WAIT TO HAVE A BABY BROTHER!!!My CRAZIE WACKO WEIRDO dad bought MASON RAY peepee teapea's.(my CRAZIE WACKO WEIRDO dad call's them wii wii hats) EEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!. I wanted lisha to have a baby girl, but now thatt i realized it sence im gonna have a brother he wont try to steel my make-up and clothes. YYYEEEAAAHHH!!! im glad im gonna have a baby brother because know it will be some thing different than havin another sister.I CANT WAIT TILL JULY 17.


I LOVE YOU MASON!!!
LIL' BRO

Progression of a Fat Chic: Belly Update

So here we go again. I still don't understand the excitement that's involved when it comes to watching my belly expand to where it looks like I swallowed a pillow. Normally, I do not publish my belly pictures until the 25th of every month, but RB wanted to blog about her night spent watching her friend doing gymnastics. So RB is posting tomorrow (everyone, make sure to tune in) and I am posting today. Bubbles will also be posting about her new bank account she just opened with Steve. Isn't that awesome! Her entry will probably not be posted until Sunday as they will be gone all this weekend with their Mommy.

Okay, back to baby Fowler...the itsawhatsit is kicking. It's so funny right now to feel baby Fowler because it's a tickling sensation inside my tummy. The baby does most of the kicking while I am at work so Steve has not been able to share in the experience until a few days ago when he felt his "little man" (Steve is convinced!) karate chop his hand.

My belly is starting to take the shape of a baby bump. Saturday as I was laying down, my tummy was completely shifted to the right as if Baby Fowler found the vacant area of my kidney and settled there...HAHAHAHAHA! It was weird looking, but so cool at the same time. Because my tummy is finally filling out, I was able to wear the "baby bump" shirt Steve bought me for Christmas. I have to act like a superstar for a moment and say he bought it from Motherhood. Okay my superstar moment is over. Don't worry, according to Steve, the t-shirt was on sale so he didn't squander away the girls' college savings buying it. Even though I love the "baby bump" shirt, it made me a joke target around the office. You would not believe how many times people thought they were being original and said the same thing over and over again..."You are pregnant? I thought you were just getting fat". HAHAHAHA...NOT! It's almost like driving with a "baby on board" warning sign suction cupped to your back window hoping people will actually take time to read it and respect your little ones in the car. Ah, not in this current day world. The drivers will most likely find humor in tailgating and running you off the road.

The family joining in on the fun...

My First Charley Horse

Well, you hear people say that you must try to experience everything in life, even it is only one time. I hope my experience will be my first and last. Yesterday morning, I woke up with a sudden pain in my right calf muscle that lasted for a few minutes. My leg seem to be stuck in place and my first reaction was to move my foot to stretch my calf, but I couldn't even do that. It's like I had rigomortis in just my right leg. All I could do was whimper and hoped that Steve would wake up and breathe life back into my frozen limb. He didn't and when I told him about my brush with death, he commented that he didn't even hear me move or make a sound. Eventually, the pain subsided and I spent some time the next day googling what in the world had happened. Well folks, I had my very first charley horse. Charley horse is a popular North American term for a painful leg or foot cramp. These cramps have many possible causes, one being a common side effect to being pregnant. Thanks baby Fowler! It's not enough that I'm vomiting, constipated, tired, bloated, and that you insist on kicking me causing internal tummy tickles that make me crack up laughing in the middle of conversations. No, you had to unleash the beast and cause me to think I was having a heart attack, just in the wrong spot. Was I unkind to you that day? Did I not feed you enough? Do you already think I'm a bad Mother? Tell me!

On another note, the term "charley horse" may date back to the late 1800's from American baseball. A pitcher named Charlie "Old Hoss" Radbourn suffered from painful cramps. Others speculate the term was inspired by a horse named Charley who was used at the Chicago White Sox's ballpark.

Other countries have their own terms. The UK refers to it as a dead leg. In Norway, it's called a thigh hen. Wooden thigh is a term used by Denmark and in Sweden, it's called a thigh cake. Australians refer to it as a corked thigh or corkie.

It's been over 24 hours since Baby Fowler attempted to end my life with a charley horse and I have to say, my calf is still so sore that I can hardly put pressure on it. What's even more surprising is who would have actually thought I had a calf muscle that could even cramp!?