tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60443911284131219722012-02-16T22:20:02.544-05:00Masson MomsTwo crazy ladies starting a family.Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.comBlogger971100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-75149763422120892642011-09-17T22:34:00.022-04:002011-09-17T23:00:40.660-04:00Labor Day 2011<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#990000;">A weekend full of family, friends, and fun!<br />Labor Day 2011 DeBruce, NY.<br /></span></strong><br /></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1f1q3Pb4ok/TnVdJf3IOkI/AAAAAAAAAvI/b75tpq28Q8Q/s1600/IMG_0100.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653527324986456642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1f1q3Pb4ok/TnVdJf3IOkI/AAAAAAAAAvI/b75tpq28Q8Q/s400/IMG_0100.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1nnyY7CmKw/TnVdBleNCFI/AAAAAAAAAvA/x90c3LctWXI/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653527189053573202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1nnyY7CmKw/TnVdBleNCFI/AAAAAAAAAvA/x90c3LctWXI/s400/IMG_0110.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvE12flcazs/TnVc5It4tmI/AAAAAAAAAu4/WYrVbaqB2zM/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653527043895768674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvE12flcazs/TnVc5It4tmI/AAAAAAAAAu4/WYrVbaqB2zM/s400/IMG_0109.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UMf6xQ5L-Uw/TnVcxFC-DaI/AAAAAAAAAuw/9r_S0FnwaH4/s1600/IMG_0108.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653526905471503778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UMf6xQ5L-Uw/TnVcxFC-DaI/AAAAAAAAAuw/9r_S0FnwaH4/s400/IMG_0108.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T471vLg7VY/TnVcRQpMbDI/AAAAAAAAAuo/iZJ6MhgFXRA/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653526358828805170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T471vLg7VY/TnVcRQpMbDI/AAAAAAAAAuo/iZJ6MhgFXRA/s400/IMG_0114.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVuup7AG83Q/TnVcF8j1piI/AAAAAAAAAug/pFgXPsO7qZU/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653526164459071010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVuup7AG83Q/TnVcF8j1piI/AAAAAAAAAug/pFgXPsO7qZU/s400/IMG_0063.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwFg0m4g-k0/TnVb6O5MiTI/AAAAAAAAAuY/Xzv_Qg72MWQ/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653525963222059314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwFg0m4g-k0/TnVb6O5MiTI/AAAAAAAAAuY/Xzv_Qg72MWQ/s400/IMG_0053.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEDUosn_oBg/TnVbx0HmlsI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/GhI-PzlRcLo/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653525818595776194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEDUosn_oBg/TnVbx0HmlsI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/GhI-PzlRcLo/s400/IMG_0050.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhU13JK-arE/TnVbBcPx1-I/AAAAAAAAAuI/6pYrHteDlmU/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524987553896418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhU13JK-arE/TnVbBcPx1-I/AAAAAAAAAuI/6pYrHteDlmU/s400/IMG_0049.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U26HYR8VGus/TnVa6ZDLdWI/AAAAAAAAAuA/dNH5T9LluZ8/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524866436658530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U26HYR8VGus/TnVa6ZDLdWI/AAAAAAAAAuA/dNH5T9LluZ8/s400/IMG_0048.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FY1W0wci0VQ/TnVayv3mNdI/AAAAAAAAAt4/XlK1R43Hu7A/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524735123142098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FY1W0wci0VQ/TnVayv3mNdI/AAAAAAAAAt4/XlK1R43Hu7A/s400/IMG_0040.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HI887T2fNUk/TnVargDUpoI/AAAAAAAAAtw/r7ql6aRi7M4/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524610618271362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HI887T2fNUk/TnVargDUpoI/AAAAAAAAAtw/r7ql6aRi7M4/s400/IMG_0037.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3qrvSpI7uk/TnValVgKvaI/AAAAAAAAAto/03hLI9GJC-Q/s1600/IMG_0036.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524504707251618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3qrvSpI7uk/TnValVgKvaI/AAAAAAAAAto/03hLI9GJC-Q/s400/IMG_0036.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZPrt-ZyAn4/TnVafRyd-SI/AAAAAAAAAtg/bIC0Yv8ZoFI/s1600/IMG_0032.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524400631052578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZPrt-ZyAn4/TnVafRyd-SI/AAAAAAAAAtg/bIC0Yv8ZoFI/s400/IMG_0032.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMBbAT6sZnM/TnVaYGq1SrI/AAAAAAAAAtY/KwiP170Sors/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524277387152050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMBbAT6sZnM/TnVaYGq1SrI/AAAAAAAAAtY/KwiP170Sors/s400/IMG_0030.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiGZe0AUdzU/TnVaRL8tssI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/cjfOkZiaWjU/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653524158545244866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiGZe0AUdzU/TnVaRL8tssI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/cjfOkZiaWjU/s400/IMG_0027.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUJ0sJEO_gQ/TnVZ9yoe9GI/AAAAAAAAAtA/XNNJ0Y5QHe8/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523825331991650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUJ0sJEO_gQ/TnVZ9yoe9GI/AAAAAAAAAtA/XNNJ0Y5QHe8/s400/IMG_0020.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ru2HPV0FV7c/TnVZ3mXVxoI/AAAAAAAAAs4/kvgdnkeVSuw/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523718959646338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ru2HPV0FV7c/TnVZ3mXVxoI/AAAAAAAAAs4/kvgdnkeVSuw/s400/IMG_0017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbKjbDqnDXQ/TnVZwJSelEI/AAAAAAAAAsw/cMsbEIji1lw/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523590895539266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbKjbDqnDXQ/TnVZwJSelEI/AAAAAAAAAsw/cMsbEIji1lw/s400/IMG_0019.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD6bRSPHxts/TnVZqmmK86I/AAAAAAAAAso/-pHoDSM5Ggc/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523495683552162" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lD6bRSPHxts/TnVZqmmK86I/AAAAAAAAAso/-pHoDSM5Ggc/s400/IMG_0013.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iJoNuFm3IL0/TnVZlVR2_EI/AAAAAAAAAsg/CjD39NtV9Ak/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523405135608898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iJoNuFm3IL0/TnVZlVR2_EI/AAAAAAAAAsg/CjD39NtV9Ak/s400/IMG_0009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jgig645WUU/TnVZguEhLRI/AAAAAAAAAsY/WX1XPidTGH8/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523325891194130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jgig645WUU/TnVZguEhLRI/AAAAAAAAAsY/WX1XPidTGH8/s400/IMG_0010.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TR1VLB0Yn_k/TnVZaP8wXsI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/QiLdobzvrPw/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653523214726356674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TR1VLB0Yn_k/TnVZaP8wXsI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/QiLdobzvrPw/s400/IMG_0004.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9_dYIfjMUA/TnVY-Et1zrI/AAAAAAAAAsI/SDLzLum8sJw/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653522730674671282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9_dYIfjMUA/TnVY-Et1zrI/AAAAAAAAAsI/SDLzLum8sJw/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7514976342212089264?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-50577577715812498472011-08-06T17:31:00.002-04:002011-08-07T04:48:20.718-04:00Late July & Early August Photos....<div align="center"><br /><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fps1EOu-e_8/Tj2yxOCaSTI/AAAAAAAAArs/kd4fBvNY6pE/IMAG0744.png" /> </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong>Little farmer girl....<br />Saturday July 30, 2011</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong><br /></div></strong></span><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J9HCAsvpcWw/Tj2yxyXe_jI/AAAAAAAAArw/_H1WayUqrik/IMAG0792.png" /> </strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong>Lucy tells us at 8:30pm,<br />"I go to the store.<br />Don't worry. </strong></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong>I be back!"<br />Naked, with Rachel's purse....</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yjkHhO-rA0g/Tj2y5KrqTYI/AAAAAAAAAr0/vfb3vvy_9B4/IMAG0742.png" /><br /><br />Lucy is headed to daycare and says<br />"Momma, I a movie star!"<br />How do you disagree with that???<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oq6_apqzsKI/Tj2y6PoNRkI/AAAAAAAAAr4/6hnm_eXrfZ0/IMAG0719.png" /><br /><br />Home sick with the belly bug, Lucy<br />insists on wearing her bathing suit<br />and sun glasses for much of the day.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j0EotD7Xz2w/Tj2y6u-FsFI/AAAAAAAAAr8/O4MTLtH931M/IMAG0684.png" /><br /><br />Lucy twirls in her "new" dress from Auntie<br />Tammy, Uncle Joe &amp; Aunt Kat.<br />She LOVES dresses!!!!</strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5057757771581249847?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-37484053787712684642011-08-06T17:27:00.005-04:002011-08-07T04:56:02.981-04:00The Madden Twins<p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;">Ava &amp; Jackson are two of Lucy's favorite </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;">"big kids."<br />They're five years old.... AND TWINS!!!!</span></strong></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KNs5bRy6iVc/Tj2xvNXTJAI/AAAAAAAAArc/MsM0HSNo_-o/IMAG0649.png" /> <img class="gl_video" border="0" alt="Add Video" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"><strong>I asked Jackson &amp; Lucy to "be silly"<br />and this is what ensued...</strong></span></p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZNw5Re6Zaw0/Tj2xv2Ajh5I/AAAAAAAAArg/26AGaO8yA3U/IMAG0632.png" /> </p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>So much fun on a "big kid" slide...<br />Who wants to buy a HUGE<br />play structure for Lucy's yard????? </strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ijuGb3B5piQ/Tj2x-xk8OXI/AAAAAAAAAro/tEFLDJqVgaA/IMAG0660.png" /> </p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>Rock Stars in their 5 year old heads...<br />Silly, Silly Ava &amp; Jackson!<br /></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3748405378771268464?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-9637703064138316812011-07-02T05:10:00.005-04:002011-07-02T05:18:22.890-04:00May 2011<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIad4Pt1CyA/Tg7hrElTsXI/AAAAAAAAArU/UoZ9lqb3gds/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624681114713174386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIad4Pt1CyA/Tg7hrElTsXI/AAAAAAAAArU/UoZ9lqb3gds/s400/IMG_0360.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><strong>Fashionista! </strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBD6FC3EjeM/Tg7hmh1IsCI/AAAAAAAAArM/dg7K_TB5Ig4/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624681036664844322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBD6FC3EjeM/Tg7hmh1IsCI/AAAAAAAAArM/dg7K_TB5Ig4/s400/IMG_0362.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ffcccc;">These boots were made for walkin'...</span></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-963770306413831681?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-50326043347466547142011-07-02T05:08:00.001-04:002011-07-02T05:10:27.129-04:002 Years Old....<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPO_MeG-Dyo/Tg7gRD9OfuI/AAAAAAAAAqs/wu_dJWo-cNc/s1600/IMG_0372.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624679568356835042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPO_MeG-Dyo/Tg7gRD9OfuI/AAAAAAAAAqs/wu_dJWo-cNc/s400/IMG_0372.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Crazy Driver... </span></strong><br /></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5032604334746654714?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-56452178287903921512011-06-21T01:40:00.004-04:002011-06-21T01:45:22.287-04:00May 2011<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Momma's little softball player and hopeful future scholarship baby!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3BrPJhzAXY/TgAu-T2vAuI/AAAAAAAAAqk/9R8-6x5AF38/s1600/Ball%2Bplayer%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmaking....%2BSCHOLARSHIP.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620543982974993122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3BrPJhzAXY/TgAu-T2vAuI/AAAAAAAAAqk/9R8-6x5AF38/s400/Ball%2Bplayer%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmaking....%2BSCHOLARSHIP.jpg" /></span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5645217828790392151?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-36462065875176345362011-04-09T10:20:00.001-04:002011-04-09T10:20:02.816-04:00March 31, 2011<div><p>It's hard to believe that Lucy will be two years old on April 28, 2011...</p><br/><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TaBrDl_0MgI/AAAAAAAAAqY/iFaWWiTHBSU/IMAG0174.png' /><br/><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TaBrEf1RRLI/AAAAAAAAAqc/D_ofRyvWOi4/IMAG0195.png' /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3646206587517634536?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-62757501090530673772011-03-02T17:46:00.001-05:002011-03-02T17:46:22.927-05:00March 2, 2011<div><p>Lucy slows down for one minute while riding her Big Wheel.</p><br/><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TW7IuxyIpRI/AAAAAAAAAqU/7y6hmJbq634/IMAG0049.png' /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-6275750109053067377?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-12449062376608881312011-02-27T06:58:00.001-05:002011-02-27T06:58:47.305-05:00THREE STOOGES....<div><br/><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TWo8dhd7YBI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/n7cY9CqH1o4/IMAG0009.png' /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1244906237660888131?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-16024782260859863112011-02-11T11:20:00.002-05:002011-02-11T11:24:11.435-05:00Lucy in Momma's Shades<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4HadqzNQHc/TVViC7cNZcI/AAAAAAAAAqA/5TFwFSjoksM/s1600/Lucy%2Bin%2BMomma%2527s%2Bshades.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572467916396127682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4HadqzNQHc/TVViC7cNZcI/AAAAAAAAAqA/5TFwFSjoksM/s400/Lucy%2Bin%2BMomma%2527s%2Bshades.JPG" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcccc;">Her Future's SO <span style="color:#ffff33;">BRIGHT</span>,<br />she HAS to wear shades...</span></strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1602478226085986311?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-53640386574401085962011-01-26T09:35:00.003-05:002011-01-26T09:38:45.839-05:00Christmas & New Year 2010<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 384px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566503337775406194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TUAxSwkhHHI/AAAAAAAAAps/3I4_7c554bc/s400/Lucy_xmas_photo.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#990000;">Christmas 2010</span></strong></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566503546427299042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TUAxe53AVOI/AAAAAAAAAp0/eePSVw9VWss/s400/Momma_Mommy_Lucy_Snowman.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">New Year's Day 2011</span></strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5364038657440108596?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-29602397102752860392010-11-21T21:20:00.009-05:002010-11-21T21:34:39.197-05:00More Photos..... Again, MUCH overdue! (Mostly from our June travels)<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Labor Day Weekend.... Rachel, Lucy &amp; I went to DeBruce, NY with Steven &amp; his family for an AWESOME celebration!<br />Can't wait 'til next year....</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUeimnsHI/AAAAAAAAApc/0elCzflnUTE/s1600/Picture%2B017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUeimnsHI/AAAAAAAAApc/0elCzflnUTE/s400/Picture%2B017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542194437606060146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Rachel &amp; Lucy at the DeBruce parade... Children's Books = theme. Lucy dressed as "The VERY Grumpy Ladybug" from the Eric Carle book series.</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUXlkGmYI/AAAAAAAAApU/aiDyW9IXJTM/s1600/Picture%2B018.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUXlkGmYI/AAAAAAAAApU/aiDyW9IXJTM/s400/Picture%2B018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542194318141725058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cousin Cathy (ie Cinderella), Rachel &amp; Lucy...<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUOsi2qrI/AAAAAAAAApM/9hyoFOOQ0OU/s1600/Picture%2B013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUOsi2qrI/AAAAAAAAApM/9hyoFOOQ0OU/s400/Picture%2B013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542194165396712114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Our summer home &amp; condo (on wheels)...<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUHAllGOI/AAAAAAAAApE/laxgCFZkJM8/s1600/Picture%2B012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnUHAllGOI/AAAAAAAAApE/laxgCFZkJM8/s400/Picture%2B012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542194033337899234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">"BOO!"<br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnT3xBFGqI/AAAAAAAAAo8/5Kj1LOWyc5g/s1600/Picture%2B010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnT3xBFGqI/AAAAAAAAAo8/5Kj1LOWyc5g/s400/Picture%2B010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542193771460237986" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Lucy enjoys the beautiful late summer weather...<br />it was cold enough to use the heater at night.</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnTupeSVFI/AAAAAAAAAo0/y93qQUW-5cE/s1600/Picture%2B011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnTupeSVFI/AAAAAAAAAo0/y93qQUW-5cE/s400/Picture%2B011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542193614816433234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mommy, momma &amp; Lucy...<br /></span></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnTlrOcoTI/AAAAAAAAAos/MLwrPekP_RE/s1600/Picture%2B004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOnTlrOcoTI/AAAAAAAAAos/MLwrPekP_RE/s400/Picture%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542193460668047666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">In June, Momma, Lucy, grandma &amp; papa<br />went to Chicago for Auntie Kathryn's<br />high school graduation...<br /></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2960239710275286039?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-52367001361504775052010-11-18T09:25:00.025-05:002010-11-18T10:22:12.422-05:00LONG Over Due Fall 2010 Photos... (More to come soon)...<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU__5Yx86I/AAAAAAAAAok/Fy2e7X16Sy0/s1600/Fall_2010.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540905283518329762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU__5Yx86I/AAAAAAAAAok/Fy2e7X16Sy0/s400/Fall_2010.bmp" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">Fall 2010- Miller's River.<br />Erving, MA.</span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_4-byuDI/AAAAAAAAAoc/MqkCNZ--WOk/s1600/New_Winter_Coat.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540905164614055986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_4-byuDI/AAAAAAAAAoc/MqkCNZ--WOk/s400/New_Winter_Coat.bmp" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#cc6600;">The cold weather is coming...<br />Lucy has "given-in" to wearing a hat.</span> </span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_z2mZEII/AAAAAAAAAoU/1KwuDKTfYd8/s1600/Lucy%2527s_Stylish_Shoes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540905076611682434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_z2mZEII/AAAAAAAAAoU/1KwuDKTfYd8/s400/Lucy%2527s_Stylish_Shoes.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">First Christmas gift of 2010-<br />Cool new shoes...<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_vmDETEI/AAAAAAAAAoM/tJr-n6oSOC8/s1600/Lucy_Sitting_Chuck.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540905003449076802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_vmDETEI/AAAAAAAAAoM/tJr-n6oSOC8/s400/Lucy_Sitting_Chuck.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#ff6600;">Taking a break... </span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_nQHK5NI/AAAAAAAAAoE/GXvGQglbidY/s1600/Lucy_Chuck_Nov_2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904860121752786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_nQHK5NI/AAAAAAAAAoE/GXvGQglbidY/s400/Lucy_Chuck_Nov_2010.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>BFF's...<br /></strong></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_Z4zYqHI/AAAAAAAAAn8/kbhjiT_2Oyw/s1600/rachel%2527s_crafty.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904630526453874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_Z4zYqHI/AAAAAAAAAn8/kbhjiT_2Oyw/s400/rachel%2527s_crafty.bmp" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>I live with Rachel Martha Stewart...<br /></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_VHWlTTI/AAAAAAAAAn0/6CK1edgbc8A/s1600/Lady_bug.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904548532833586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_VHWlTTI/AAAAAAAAAn0/6CK1edgbc8A/s400/Lady_bug.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Trick-or-Treat? </strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_R6WFSrI/AAAAAAAAAns/0uUxtaOct5Y/s1600/in_momma%2527s_shoes.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904493501467314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_R6WFSrI/AAAAAAAAAns/0uUxtaOct5Y/s400/in_momma%2527s_shoes.bmp" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">These are some big<br />shoes to fill Momma!</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_MjWT_fI/AAAAAAAAAnk/5dpi0sdp1HQ/s1600/guilty.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904401429069298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_MjWT_fI/AAAAAAAAAnk/5dpi0sdp1HQ/s400/guilty.bmp" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Lucy's MUG SHOT....<br />Verdict = GUILTY!<br />Crime = Artwork on the dining room wall.<br /></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_GDXmQmI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Ent_KKPe9ps/s1600/grandma_betty.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904289765311074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU_GDXmQmI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Ent_KKPe9ps/s400/grandma_betty.bmp" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Gone to the orchards, be back with<br />apples, cider donuts, and a love for horses... </span><br /><br /><br /></span></strong><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU85-HNeNI/AAAAAAAAAnU/nPEoP_6hGuk/s1600/Picture%2B005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540901883172714706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU85-HNeNI/AAAAAAAAAnU/nPEoP_6hGuk/s400/Picture%2B005.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Lucy sweet talks Andy into coloring with her.<br /></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8r4NUltI/AAAAAAAAAnM/xzgYUC5n4mA/s1600/Lucy%2Bin%2BPurple.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540901641069565650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8r4NUltI/AAAAAAAAAnM/xzgYUC5n4mA/s400/Lucy%2Bin%2BPurple.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Lucy looks GREAT in purple.<br />Check out her "<span style="color:#993399;">Big Wheels</span>!"</span></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8mj_c8dI/AAAAAAAAAnE/XF4JdbzZhOM/s1600/Picture%2B008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540901549743337938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8mj_c8dI/AAAAAAAAAnE/XF4JdbzZhOM/s400/Picture%2B008.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Splish- splash...<br />Lucy LOVES taking baths.</span></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8cbsm2gI/AAAAAAAAAm8/olnyBh17-IE/s1600/Picture%2B007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540901375718119938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8cbsm2gI/AAAAAAAAAm8/olnyBh17-IE/s400/Picture%2B007.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Lucy TRULY believes that<br />Chuck needs a blanket, too!</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8UX1ISyI/AAAAAAAAAm0/NyhC1fRIM1s/s1600/Picture%2B006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540901237241170722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8UX1ISyI/AAAAAAAAAm0/NyhC1fRIM1s/s400/Picture%2B006.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Lucy snuggles before bed with our<br />GREAT friend Liz<br />and her COOL b/f Mike!</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8Hs4U9HI/AAAAAAAAAms/B53W_w7MwXE/s1600/Picture%2B009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540901019553428594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU8Hs4U9HI/AAAAAAAAAms/B53W_w7MwXE/s400/Picture%2B009.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Momma <span style="color:#ff0000;">LOVES</span> Halloween!</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU7pLnd5jI/AAAAAAAAAmk/n-wfLF9i1zY/s1600/Picture%2B015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540900495228266034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU7pLnd5jI/AAAAAAAAAmk/n-wfLF9i1zY/s400/Picture%2B015.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Lucy LOVES cooking with Mommy!</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU7eS_onkI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HyYpV417uG0/s1600/Picture%2B017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540900308230118978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU7eS_onkI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HyYpV417uG0/s400/Picture%2B017.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">It was hard to keep the flour in the bowl...<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU5Ok3BnUI/AAAAAAAAAmU/GybHJw9nG7I/s1600/Picture%2B026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540897839124684098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU5Ok3BnUI/AAAAAAAAAmU/GybHJw9nG7I/s400/Picture%2B026.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Cooking on a weekend morning... </span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU5APrBjUI/AAAAAAAAAmM/LFaNmQKtu1A/s1600/Picture%2B022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540897592919035202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU5APrBjUI/AAAAAAAAAmM/LFaNmQKtu1A/s400/Picture%2B022.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Grace makes a VERY cozy pillow!</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU37Ezu48I/AAAAAAAAAmE/DrvCi7MxarA/s1600/Picture%2B021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540896404591797186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU37Ezu48I/AAAAAAAAAmE/DrvCi7MxarA/s400/Picture%2B021.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Lucy ponders the benefits of sleep... </span> </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU3iTa6WeI/AAAAAAAAAl8/CG2bwpPsukU/s1600/Picture%2B029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540895979017492962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TOU3iTa6WeI/AAAAAAAAAl8/CG2bwpPsukU/s400/Picture%2B029.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">A bottle, dolly, and blanket...<br />LIFE IS GOOD!!!!</span> </span></strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5236700136150477505?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-12335480358533307232010-08-31T10:10:00.004-04:002010-08-31T10:17:35.382-04:00Potty Training- STEP ONE...<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">On August 31st, 2010 around 6:15am,<br />Lucy went "<span style="color:#ffcc66;">pee-pee</span>" in the <span style="color:#009900;">potty</span> for the first time!!!<br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">WOO HOO!!!!</span><br />It was <em><u>STEP-ONE</u></em> in our potty training experience!</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0NeU8eScI/AAAAAAAAAl0/_vG-Pm8MG-4/s1600/Frog_potty.jpg"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 357px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511576333640944066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0NeU8eScI/AAAAAAAAAl0/_vG-Pm8MG-4/s400/Frog_potty.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1233548035853330723?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-2662417683643910312010-08-31T09:59:00.003-04:002010-08-31T10:06:16.284-04:00August 2010<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0LsotcuaI/AAAAAAAAAls/wQc_njD6lJw/s1600/i_love_lucy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511574380441549218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0LsotcuaI/AAAAAAAAAls/wQc_njD6lJw/s400/i_love_lucy.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0LFezz9PI/AAAAAAAAAlk/OgYkdYBrO_Y/s1600/Lucy_August_2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511573707768984818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0LFezz9PI/AAAAAAAAAlk/OgYkdYBrO_Y/s400/Lucy_August_2010.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Fun at Grampy &amp; Neenie's </span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:180%;">(i.e. day care) house...</span> </span></strong></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0K2l8kfQI/AAAAAAAAAlc/K0lCeLmww8s/s1600/Lucy_August_2010_2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511573451986730242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TH0K2l8kfQI/AAAAAAAAAlc/K0lCeLmww8s/s400/Lucy_August_2010_2.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Who me?<br />I wasn't doing anything...</span> </span></strong></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-266241768364391031?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-73821837776313637382010-07-26T14:15:00.010-04:002010-07-26T14:32:29.763-04:00Summer Fun... 2010<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">"S<span style="color:#cc0000;">u</span><span style="color:#ffcc00;">m</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">m</span><span style="color:#ffff33;">e</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">r</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">L</span>o<span style="color:#cc0000;">v</span>i<span style="color:#cc0000;">n'</span> h<span style="color:#cc0000;">a</span>v<span style="color:#cc0000;">i</span>n<span style="color:#cc0000;">g</span> a <span style="color:#cc0000;">blast</span><span style="color:#009900;">.</span><span style="color:#ffcc33;">.</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">.</span>"</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3SizpZhiI/AAAAAAAAAlM/t0lHZKTOj3s/s1600/Pizza+Thief.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498282215510476322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3SizpZhiI/AAAAAAAAAlM/t0lHZKTOj3s/s400/Pizza+Thief.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>"The Pizza Bandit" on the lawn at The Front Porch<br />for concerts on the common...</strong></span> </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3SaF0SulI/AAAAAAAAAlE/6O0vrFC9sf8/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498282065769183826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3SaF0SulI/AAAAAAAAAlE/6O0vrFC9sf8/s400/IMG_0516.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">A woman MUST always be prepared...</span></strong> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3SI_VqGuI/AAAAAAAAAk8/C5BvAkspZHY/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498281771972303586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3SI_VqGuI/AAAAAAAAAk8/C5BvAkspZHY/s400/IMG_0444.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">For some <em>ODD</em> reason, Lucy thinks<br />we're going to <em>STARVE</em> her.<br />Here, she asks for "more" using<br />sign language.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3R97igzJI/AAAAAAAAAk0/qT4EhpMCjDg/s1600/IMG_0282.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498281581973916818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3R97igzJI/AAAAAAAAAk0/qT4EhpMCjDg/s400/IMG_0282.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Nothing but the BEST for the Goose...<br />designer slippers.</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3R2mekOZI/AAAAAAAAAks/ivsX7COy_jQ/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498281456061135250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3R2mekOZI/AAAAAAAAAks/ivsX7COy_jQ/s400/IMG_0040.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>This is ONE of my favorite photos of Lucy...</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">playing in our back yard during the weekend.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RnJI_MmI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xOciFyg2VEI/s1600/IMG_0551.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498281190487962210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RnJI_MmI/AAAAAAAAAkk/xOciFyg2VEI/s400/IMG_0551.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">These 2 are RIDICULOUSLY cute together...</span></strong> </span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RcCpRXJI/AAAAAAAAAkc/EQtw-pXbgJw/s1600/IMG_0499.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498280999765761170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RcCpRXJI/AAAAAAAAAkc/EQtw-pXbgJw/s400/IMG_0499.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Most things are "FUNNY" to Lucy...</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>She's always laughing and having FUN!</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RUAK3III/AAAAAAAAAkU/JoEL_gfmxxY/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498280861662388354" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RUAK3III/AAAAAAAAAkU/JoEL_gfmxxY/s400/IMG_0477.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Momma and Me!</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RK1h0h1I/AAAAAAAAAkM/eHmuHFbk-DE/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498280704187074386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3RK1h0h1I/AAAAAAAAAkM/eHmuHFbk-DE/s400/IMG_0472.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">"CHEESE!!!"</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3Q7oc74WI/AAAAAAAAAkE/qVIlPHshEDI/s1600/Lucy_June+26_2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498280442978885986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3Q7oc74WI/AAAAAAAAAkE/qVIlPHshEDI/s400/Lucy_June+26_2010.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong> Lucy loves swimming and being in the water...</strong></span> <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7382183777631363738?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-44862342081126694152010-07-26T13:39:00.024-04:002010-07-26T20:59:29.391-04:00Vegas, BABY!<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#9999ff;">Rachel, Lucy, and I went to Las Vegas with her dad, John, and his wife Susan</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#9999ff;">from June 20 - 25, 2010.<br />Here are some photos from our adventures...</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3MWJyiXXI/AAAAAAAAAj8/Su5ij9NblwI/s1600/IMG_0376.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498275401046318450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3MWJyiXXI/AAAAAAAAAj8/Su5ij9NblwI/s400/IMG_0376.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><strong> Our residence for 5 days...<br />MGM Grand.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3MQY99H7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/jfTqU0Db4yg/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498275302041526194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3MQY99H7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/jfTqU0Db4yg/s400/IMG_0345.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3MGVKux0I/AAAAAAAAAjs/czo79ryi9Gs/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498275129222678338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3MGVKux0I/AAAAAAAAAjs/czo79ryi9Gs/s400/IMG_0349.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><strong>The Goose had a WONDERFUL time<br />in Vegas, BABY!</strong></span> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3L7xuoCVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Ux1dcHArOrE/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274947910863186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3L7xuoCVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Ux1dcHArOrE/s400/IMG_0347.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><strong> Lucy focuses HARD on running<br />away from the moms at the hotel.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LxIiPozI/AAAAAAAAAjc/23AjPLKTcDc/s1600/IMG_0375.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274765054386994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LxIiPozI/AAAAAAAAAjc/23AjPLKTcDc/s400/IMG_0375.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">My beautiful wife.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3Lqd156QI/AAAAAAAAAjU/CLL27-2LvYQ/s1600/IMG_0379.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274650514909442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3Lqd156QI/AAAAAAAAAjU/CLL27-2LvYQ/s400/IMG_0379.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Lucy was a little FREAKED out at<br />The Rain Forrest Cafe when the<br />lights dimmed, the animals roared,<br />and the lightning crashed...<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3Li4pfYKI/AAAAAAAAAjM/js3-PK_xohg/s1600/IMG_0373.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274520271642786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3Li4pfYKI/AAAAAAAAAjM/js3-PK_xohg/s400/IMG_0373.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">I still HAVE NOT been to a<br />Coyote Ugly... don't know if I could convince Rachel to </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">go on a "romantic date" to such an establishment! </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Hee hee hee!</span></strong><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LagfNwBI/AAAAAAAAAjE/wSTofFO97oA/s1600/IMG_0336.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274376347140114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LagfNwBI/AAAAAAAAAjE/wSTofFO97oA/s400/IMG_0336.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LNnyxkzI/AAAAAAAAAi8/horxSGwc4iU/s1600/IMG_0335.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274154969928498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LNnyxkzI/AAAAAAAAAi8/horxSGwc4iU/s400/IMG_0335.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#9999ff;"> John likes to get photos taken with<br />the "artists."</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LG-UH7UI/AAAAAAAAAi0/KgQF2r_OpAc/s1600/IMG_0334.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498274040756301122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3LG-UH7UI/AAAAAAAAAi0/KgQF2r_OpAc/s400/IMG_0334.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><strong> I thought this was funny...<br />Funniest part, it's a "Gentlemen's Club."</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3K-qAKTHI/AAAAAAAAAis/DJztyEZfX9E/s1600/IMG_0404.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273897864907890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3K-qAKTHI/AAAAAAAAAis/DJztyEZfX9E/s400/IMG_0404.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">We did A LOT of swimming in the mornings...<br />It was 104 degrees by noon.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3K3SJa9QI/AAAAAAAAAik/1ayY-33IlEE/s1600/IMG_0387.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273771202213122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3K3SJa9QI/AAAAAAAAAik/1ayY-33IlEE/s400/IMG_0387.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KucuB-sI/AAAAAAAAAic/ZUTNYWnzCaA/s1600/IMG_0290.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273619421297346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KucuB-sI/AAAAAAAAAic/ZUTNYWnzCaA/s400/IMG_0290.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KiofXXUI/AAAAAAAAAiU/AV9Q8DCOnoU/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273416422579522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KiofXXUI/AAAAAAAAAiU/AV9Q8DCOnoU/s400/IMG_0294.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#9999ff;"> <strong>We went to see the dolphins &amp; big cats </strong></span></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">at the Secret Gardens...</span></strong></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KckA2eII/AAAAAAAAAiM/HkZKh8ozPe0/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273312141637762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KckA2eII/AAAAAAAAAiM/HkZKh8ozPe0/s400/IMG_0297.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">There were SO MANY new experiences for Lucy </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">during this trip. It was beautiful to watch her take it<br />ALL in...</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KWwxAMoI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qTIXVhBHraE/s1600/IMG_0305.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273212485612162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KWwxAMoI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qTIXVhBHraE/s400/IMG_0305.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">She enjoyed watching the dolphins.</span></strong> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KP-pKeEI/AAAAAAAAAh8/Iohvjdfr4rY/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273095951743042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3KP-pKeEI/AAAAAAAAAh8/Iohvjdfr4rY/s400/IMG_0319.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><strong>Lucy "meowed" at the BIG cats...</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div><div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498271755553630706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/TE3JB9RWafI/AAAAAAAAAhk/WDIJN1Zc4W8/s400/IMG_0338.jpg" /></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Apparently, Michael Jackson and Elvis are still ALIVE...<br />Lucy didn't know what to think of Michael's <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><em>BIG</em></span> head!</span></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"></span></strong></p><p align="center"><strong></p><p align="center"></strong></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4486234208112669415?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-32239920696262065062010-05-11T18:49:00.004-04:002010-05-11T18:52:31.531-04:00Yummy....<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-nfmdkcLvI/AAAAAAAAAhc/4gSlWctW55w/s1600/Mmmmm....l.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470149074283671282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-nfmdkcLvI/AAAAAAAAAhc/4gSlWctW55w/s400/Mmmmm....l.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#ccccff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></strong><br /></span><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">I like my bottle with<br />a Greek yogurt topper...</span></strong> <div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-nfDnen9XI/AAAAAAAAAhM/KkFKY8i2s7I/s1600/SMILE.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470148475648210290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-nfDnen9XI/AAAAAAAAAhM/KkFKY8i2s7I/s400/SMILE.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">Milk + Yogurt = YUMMMMY!</span></strong><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3223992069626206506?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-62461889991766473842010-05-10T22:26:00.014-04:002010-05-10T22:44:25.974-04:00May 2010... thus far...<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBwOEpSII/AAAAAAAAAhE/aRjvuNTteAM/s1600/May+9,+2010+Storms_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469834781596928130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBwOEpSII/AAAAAAAAAhE/aRjvuNTteAM/s400/May+9,+2010+Storms_1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"> Can SOMEBODY explain WHY there are <span style="color:#33ccff;">"deep<br />freeze" </span>warnings on May 10th, 2010?</span></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBhEWseuI/AAAAAAAAAg8/lZjltrhS8h8/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469834521290242786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBhEWseuI/AAAAAAAAAg8/lZjltrhS8h8/s400/IMG_0020.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;">More Spaghetti, PLEASE?<br />Mmmm....</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBa-RQV8I/AAAAAAAAAg0/wwKK5X7apjU/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469834416577599426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBa-RQV8I/AAAAAAAAAg0/wwKK5X7apjU/s400/IMG_0024.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;"> <span style="font-size:180%;">Can I <em>NOT</em> feed myself? Geesh...</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBU9baiHI/AAAAAAAAAgs/rihTPJ2rW0E/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469834313272559730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBU9baiHI/AAAAAAAAAgs/rihTPJ2rW0E/s400/IMG_0022.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"> What'cha lookin' at?<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBLm-4NwI/AAAAAAAAAgk/1bedI5Z3jVA/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469834152628467458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jBLm-4NwI/AAAAAAAAAgk/1bedI5Z3jVA/s400/IMG_0017.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"> I <strong><u>AM</u></strong> the boss of this house...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jA_6A0dfI/AAAAAAAAAgc/ibaCliGhbV0/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833951578453490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jA_6A0dfI/AAAAAAAAAgc/ibaCliGhbV0/s400/IMG_0008.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;">"Shake, shake, shake... shake yer booty... YEAH!"</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jA3ORYi0I/AAAAAAAAAgU/-J14yacxYgs/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833802397813570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jA3ORYi0I/AAAAAAAAAgU/-J14yacxYgs/s400/IMG_0001.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"> Wait, what do the wings do<br />and why are they so colorful?</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAx2QkCbI/AAAAAAAAAgM/flc3iP8dCeM/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833710052575666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAx2QkCbI/AAAAAAAAAgM/flc3iP8dCeM/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"> I <strong><u>AM</u></strong> THE QUEEN OF MY BOOKS...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAtXCkTWI/AAAAAAAAAgE/NwOxeWVADXc/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833632952896866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAtXCkTWI/AAAAAAAAAgE/NwOxeWVADXc/s400/IMG_0007.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;">I <strong><u>AM</u></strong> the Drummer Girl...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAmrYYmZI/AAAAAAAAAf8/84mxMoMfAe4/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833518154029458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAmrYYmZI/AAAAAAAAAf8/84mxMoMfAe4/s400/IMG_0011.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;">Why are you looking at me?<br />This is <u><strong>MY</strong></u> pillow...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833397949535330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAfrlZlGI/AAAAAAAAAf0/jDg0TZGppZ4/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;">"Hi?!?!"</span><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAa-rcrDI/AAAAAAAAAfs/nq2feNW-Abg/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469833317175831602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S-jAa-rcrDI/AAAAAAAAAfs/nq2feNW-Abg/s400/IMG_0004.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"> I just want to be me...<br />relaxed, laid back, and FREE!</span><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-6246188999176647384?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-73223003399920637552010-05-03T09:08:00.003-04:002010-05-03T09:13:26.597-04:00Lucy's 1st Birthday<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;"><strong>Lucy Turned ONE on April 28, 2010...<br />Happy Birthday to my Goose!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S97LtkzQX9I/AAAAAAAAAfk/RuIqX-QCsJ0/s1600/Rubber+Ducky+CAke.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467030981507571666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S97LtkzQX9I/AAAAAAAAAfk/RuIqX-QCsJ0/s400/Rubber+Ducky+CAke.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;"><strong>"Rubber Ducky You're the One..."</strong></span> </div></span><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7322300339992063755?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-41592130703204367852010-04-13T07:08:00.009-04:002010-04-14T02:40:17.272-04:00April Love<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RSCg11QSI/AAAAAAAAAfc/WGTi3WZHt-E/s1600/IMG_0141.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459578851408822562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RSCg11QSI/AAAAAAAAAfc/WGTi3WZHt-E/s400/IMG_0141.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">Who needs toys when there's empty milk cartons?</span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RR3zFNRnI/AAAAAAAAAfU/AXg7ytN8bPM/s1600/IMG_0134.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459578667326588530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RR3zFNRnI/AAAAAAAAAfU/AXg7ytN8bPM/s400/IMG_0134.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">Who needs a play structure when there's a Chuck?</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRwHbD83I/AAAAAAAAAfM/mFCe_wzKG7A/s1600/IMG_0130.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459578535348007794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRwHbD83I/AAAAAAAAAfM/mFCe_wzKG7A/s400/IMG_0130.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#ccccff;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Who needs human interaction when there's Fisher Price?</span><br /></span></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRpMqfqhI/AAAAAAAAAfE/V6qpIWFLKh4/s1600/IMG_0123.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459578416495831570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRpMqfqhI/AAAAAAAAAfE/V6qpIWFLKh4/s400/IMG_0123.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">Who needs anything but Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting on their birthday?</span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRUVQ9-CI/AAAAAAAAAe8/HNrnWIVWeUo/s1600/IMG_0088.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459578058027431970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRUVQ9-CI/AAAAAAAAAe8/HNrnWIVWeUo/s400/IMG_0088.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">We all need a few "good people."</span> </div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRN1FwIfI/AAAAAAAAAe0/crbxybp2nCU/s1600/IMG_0085.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459577946311238130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRN1FwIfI/AAAAAAAAAe0/crbxybp2nCU/s400/IMG_0085.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">We all need a good laugh &amp; a good smile.</span></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRDjJw5wI/AAAAAAAAAes/S2swstuq4vE/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459577769697535746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RRDjJw5wI/AAAAAAAAAes/S2swstuq4vE/s400/IMG_0079.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#ccccff;">We all need a little girl with a great personality.</span></span></div><div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RQ8vUZ_tI/AAAAAAAAAek/-2SGnhjjMB8/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459577652704313042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S8RQ8vUZ_tI/AAAAAAAAAek/-2SGnhjjMB8/s400/IMG_0068.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">"LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!"</span></div><div align="center"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4159213070320436785?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-83041846843109787192010-03-31T06:25:00.007-04:002010-03-31T06:41:47.685-04:00March Photos- 2010<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><em><span style="color:#cc66cc;">I'm</span> <span style="color:#ffcccc;">officially</span> <span style="color:#cc66cc;"><u>11</u></span> <span style="color:#ffcccc;">months</span> <span style="color:#cc66cc;">old...</span></em></span> </span></strong> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 382px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454742856631887442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7MjukakplI/AAAAAAAAAeE/gYtXD7woC0c/s400/IMG_0061.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc99;">Look Mommies...<br />I found the stairs...</span></strong><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454743604425984594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7MkaGKlClI/AAAAAAAAAec/NLWyIXunuj0/s400/IMG_0062.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ffcc99;">And... I<br />conquered the stairs!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 376px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454743075504106802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7Mj7TxxrTI/AAAAAAAAAeU/MBoCmRGSaoo/s400/IMG_0055.jpg" /><br />I'm on the move...<br />walking all over the place...</span></span></strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"> <strong></div></strong></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7MjmlocgJI/AAAAAAAAAd8/lkoDLzgQ91s/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454742719519555730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7MjmlocgJI/AAAAAAAAAd8/lkoDLzgQ91s/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc99;">I gree</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc99;">t everybody with a smile...</span> </strong><br /><br /></span></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7Mjf7saFHI/AAAAAAAAAd0/7QOt01RzTSY/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454742605182669938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7Mjf7saFHI/AAAAAAAAAd0/7QOt01RzTSY/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm a happy baby!</span></span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7MjX3u2aZI/AAAAAAAAAds/hLlwvoL5bYc/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454742466680220050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S7MjX3u2aZI/AAAAAAAAAds/hLlwvoL5bYc/s400/IMG_0068.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;color:#ffcc99;"><strong><br />I LOVE reading books...<br />especially "Good Night Moon."</strong></span> <div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8304184684310978719?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-82266703770016782652010-03-14T15:30:00.002-04:002010-03-14T16:15:18.459-04:00March 13th, 2010 = Lucy's First Time Walking<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffffcc;"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;">So, this isn't necessarily her first time walking, but it occurred within the same hour...<br /></span></strong></span></div><p align="center"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-39c1dda98d936125" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/get_player"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=http://v18.nonxt1.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D39c1dda98d936125%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D39F47320C3419A1FCE86B679728BC57458C14F0D.E0547CC061F0F9BA27A3DC5D1632DFFE08DC260%26key%3Dck1&amp;iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D39c1dda98d936125%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DV6ktKq4KV1dA089K3Rs-vw2M_7w&amp;autoplay=0&amp;ps=blogger"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"width="320" height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"flashvars="flvurl=http://v18.nonxt1.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D39c1dda98d936125%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D39F47320C3419A1FCE86B679728BC57458C14F0D.E0547CC061F0F9BA27A3DC5D1632DFFE08DC260%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D39c1dda98d936125%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DV6ktKq4KV1dA089K3Rs-vw2M_7w&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"allowFullScreen="true" /></object></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8226670377001678265?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-24574773979814478362010-03-09T07:35:00.007-05:002010-03-09T07:56:40.920-05:00The babbler, the walker, & the burper...<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">Happy ALMOST <span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">S</span><span style="color:#ffff33;">p</span>r<span style="color:#ccccff;">i</span><span style="color:#ffcccc;">n</span></span><span style="color:#ffccff;">g</span><span style="color:#ffcc66;">... </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">It dawned on me on Feb. 28, 2010 (Lucy's 10 month birthday) that our "little" girl is going to be 1 year old in 2 short months. </span><span style="color:#ffcc00;">YIKES! </span><span style="color:#33ccff;">I mean, it's inevitable that she will get older, but GOSH this happened too fast!<br /><br /><br />So, what is Lucy doing now? Well, she is quite an active little girl. She babbles and makes up words for her favorite objects, she points at everything with her little "pointer" finger (she's definitely right handed), and she is on the MOVE... often faster than the moms can keep up! She's crawling at light speeds, but she's furniture surfing and using EVERYTHING as a walking aid... her toys, her high chair, and particularly any person who will spend time holding onto her little fingers. She likes to explore and she loves the outdoors- thankfully, the weather has been semi-cooperative recently. We can't wait until we can spend the evenings &amp; weekends on our back deck enjoying the beautiful weather!</span></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Here's some recent photos of our precious, not-so-little, girl...<br /><br /><br /></div></span></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446615936898303522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S5ZEVlLOBiI/AAAAAAAAAdk/DnNp7ds9h60/s400/IMG_0018.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy perfecting her fine motor skills...<br /><br /></span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446615430670392850" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S5ZD4HVFHhI/AAAAAAAAAdc/FfLHnf_6220/s400/IMG_0029.jpg" /> </p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Teething on yummy California oranges...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446615092116792498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S5ZDkaHnJLI/AAAAAAAAAdU/6EWQvPvU194/s400/IMG_0008.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Sharing Cookie Monster with Chuck...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446614397751693794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S5ZC7_aEkeI/AAAAAAAAAdM/KgC6G75SkQs/s400/taking+my+highchair+for+a+walk.jpg" /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Taking her high chair for a walk...</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2457477397981447836?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-47781938023806025262010-02-14T09:40:00.006-05:002010-02-14T10:13:35.490-05:00Strong Minded Women in Our House...<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Happy Valentine's Day!<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">To celebrate the love, I thought I would share a few CUTE stories that occurred over the past few days with Ms. Lucy Goose...</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3gOh3wfDjI/AAAAAAAAAdE/V3K4g4UhccY/s1600-h/IMG_0030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438112525115657778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3gOh3wfDjI/AAAAAAAAAdE/V3K4g4UhccY/s400/IMG_0030.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lucy has a fascination with the remote control to the television. We've tried giving her one that goes to an old VCR- she refused to play with it. We gave her our current remote control with the batteries removed- she refused to play with it. Earlier today, when mommy wasn't looking, Lucy "<em>stole</em>" the remote control- she was so proud of herself. Rachel, kindly asked Lucy, "Can mommy <em>please</em> have the remote control?" Lucy looked Rachel straight in the face and shook her head "no" while crawling away from Rachel with the remote control in-hand.</span></span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3gOcxrWWmI/AAAAAAAAAc8/XoSaSnAhCE8/s1600-h/IMG_0024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438112437584157282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3gOcxrWWmI/AAAAAAAAAc8/XoSaSnAhCE8/s400/IMG_0024.jpg" /></a><strong><br /><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Lucy is currently teething. The other night while preparing her dinner, I turned around to find her chewing on her sock. My initial thought was "Apparently, I'm not feeding my daughter enough..."</span><br /></span><br /><br /></strong><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3gOWE_V_SI/AAAAAAAAAc0/KBmh3zHNMR8/s1600-h/IMG_0027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438112322509208866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3gOWE_V_SI/AAAAAAAAAc0/KBmh3zHNMR8/s400/IMG_0027.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lastly, Lucy went to lunch at The Wok with Momma, grandma, &amp; Uncle Seth yesterday. She was <em>VERY</em> well behaved, as always, but started to get a little fidgety towards the end. The waitress, who is a daughter of one of my mom's friends, brought a handful of fortune cookies because she knew Lucy loves them. Lucy was enjoying her cookie and decided to share with grammy. Lucy shoved the cookie into my mom's mouth, my mom gently ate the cookie, and said "Thank you for sharing Lucy!" So, what happens next was a RIOT! Lucy's looks at my mom and burst into inconsolable sobs! We offerred Lucy other cookies, but she apparently wanted the one my mom ate... and... the gesture of sharing was nice, but it wasn't sincere!</span> </span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Oh my, this little girl keeps a smile on my face! I feel the love <em>EVERY </em>day during <em>EVERY</em> interaction!</span> </strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4778193802380602526?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-83742407474861700182010-02-10T20:12:00.017-05:002010-02-10T20:34:00.624-05:00Jan. 14- Jan. 22, 2010 Mexican Riviera Cruise<div align="center"><span style="color:#663366;"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#ccffff;">Here's a few photos<br />from our trip to <span style="color:#cc0000;">M<span style="color:#009900;">e</span>x<span style="color:#009900;">i</span>c</span><span style="color:#009900;">o</span>...</span></strong> </span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbRcrfJSI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Cl7AwVFKyKE/s1600-h/Zihuatanejo,+Mexico.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436789530480813346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbRcrfJSI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Cl7AwVFKyKE/s400/Zihuatanejo,+Mexico.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Zihuatanejo was our ABSOLUTE favorite!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbNJE9PqI/AAAAAAAAAck/PD5UhvfvT2U/s1600-h/Rachel,+Lucy+%26+Elizabeth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436789456499457698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbNJE9PqI/AAAAAAAAAck/PD5UhvfvT2U/s400/Rachel,+Lucy+%26+Elizabeth.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy, Rachel/ Mommy, and Auntie Elizabeth.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbH4PlRoI/AAAAAAAAAcc/x2h25IlPMlw/s1600-h/Rachel,+Erica+%26+Lucy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436789366081275522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbH4PlRoI/AAAAAAAAAcc/x2h25IlPMlw/s400/Rachel,+Erica+%26+Lucy.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Mommy, Momma, &amp; Lucy.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbC_hQeyI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Aef1ID4EptY/s1600-h/Rachel+%26+Lucy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436789282135112482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NbC_hQeyI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Aef1ID4EptY/s400/Rachel+%26+Lucy.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy &amp; Mommy.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3Narpm4vLI/AAAAAAAAAcM/oIQTxqut5Ss/s1600-h/IMG_0342.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788881116150962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3Narpm4vLI/AAAAAAAAAcM/oIQTxqut5Ss/s400/IMG_0342.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Momma &amp; Lucy- Zihuatanejo.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NakduoLjI/AAAAAAAAAcE/UN-OhBpv_7Q/s1600-h/IMG_0310.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788757668310578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NakduoLjI/AAAAAAAAAcE/UN-OhBpv_7Q/s400/IMG_0310.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#99ff99;">Aboard the Carnival Spirit cruise ship- </span></div><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Uncle Jake, Auntie Elizabeth &amp; Grandma Susan.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NacsLyhVI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Ajy7KJJYWhY/s1600-h/IMG_0353.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788624109765970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NacsLyhVI/AAAAAAAAAb8/Ajy7KJJYWhY/s400/IMG_0353.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy working hard on her tan...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaXZu7a9I/AAAAAAAAAb0/-UnmZ_02seg/s1600-h/IMG_0294.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788533257530322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaXZu7a9I/AAAAAAAAAb0/-UnmZ_02seg/s400/IMG_0294.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy &amp; Grandpa John on "dress-up" night.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaQGaAhgI/AAAAAAAAAbs/6it6vv6u-8E/s1600-h/IMG_0329.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788407810426370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaQGaAhgI/AAAAAAAAAbs/6it6vv6u-8E/s400/IMG_0329.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#99ff99;">Auntie Elizabeth &amp; Uncle Jake headed to scuba.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaJUAd6-I/AAAAAAAAAbk/FstXZwdbsWY/s1600-h/Uncle+Jake,+Lucy+%26+Momma.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 373px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788291202313186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaJUAd6-I/AAAAAAAAAbk/FstXZwdbsWY/s400/Uncle+Jake,+Lucy+%26+Momma.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy, Uncle Jake &amp; Momma.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaD2WB0gI/AAAAAAAAAbc/6CTjoMOJl0A/s1600-h/IMG_0305.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788197340336642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NaD2WB0gI/AAAAAAAAAbc/6CTjoMOJl0A/s400/IMG_0305.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#99ff99;">Mommy &amp; Lucy on "dress-up" night.</span><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436787727470477186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NZof8Uv4I/AAAAAAAAAbM/TAI0h4oprrQ/s400/Beautiful+Lucy.jpg" /></div><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Adorable Lucy riding in the ergo on Mommy's back.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436788052533227682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S3NZ7a5UsKI/AAAAAAAAAbU/virjxH2himA/s400/Fun+In+The+Pool.jpg" /> <span style="color:#99ff99;">Lucy <strong><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;"><em>LOVES</em></span></strong> swimming!!!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8374240747486170018?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-73638074524850552782010-01-08T08:56:00.005-05:002010-01-08T09:13:42.377-05:00January 8th, 2010<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c9FnHFMKI/AAAAAAAAAa0/hWWc3rlknwk/s1600-h/Lucy_Jumpin%27.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424371442798375074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c9FnHFMKI/AAAAAAAAAa0/hWWc3rlknwk/s400/Lucy_Jumpin%27.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">I Love to Jump!</span></strong> </div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c6RZ00iDI/AAAAAAAAAas/V8DKsr4J1_o/s1600-h/lucy+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424368346855671858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c6RZ00iDI/AAAAAAAAAas/V8DKsr4J1_o/s400/lucy+002.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#33ccff;">Milk drunk drivin'</span></span></strong><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c6CjAK1ZI/AAAAAAAAAak/A7zm9laE3WU/s1600-h/lucy+003.jpg"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424368091621152146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c6CjAK1ZI/AAAAAAAAAak/A7zm9laE3WU/s400/lucy+003.jpg" /></em></a><em><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffffcc;">"But, I want to share my toy with you!"</span></strong></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c51XlApmI/AAAAAAAAAac/a-CDM1wT90A/s1600-h/lucy+007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424367865216149090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0c51XlApmI/AAAAAAAAAac/a-CDM1wT90A/s400/lucy+007.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc99;"> My Two Favorite Ladies...</span></strong> <br /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7363807452485055278?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-33885337839289581352010-01-03T20:49:00.004-05:002010-01-06T08:41:03.068-05:00My first bruise...<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccffff;">I took a "<em>header</em>" which caused my FIRST bruise... despite my moms watching me like a <u>HAWK</u>!</span></strong><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422696197418610738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0FJdfv_cDI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Td5aRtSTAQ8/s400/Jan.+3,+2009_1.jpg" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3388533783928958135?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-71719787462568993532010-01-03T20:45:00.004-05:002010-01-03T20:49:10.989-05:00Bath Time...<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;">Lucy LOVES bath time...</span> </span></strong></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0FIyprxYrI/AAAAAAAAAaI/zEvU-k97EtI/s1600-h/Jan.+3,+2009_2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422695461350892210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0FIyprxYrI/AAAAAAAAAaI/zEvU-k97EtI/s400/Jan.+3,+2009_2.jpg" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422695173731920770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0FIh6OEK4I/AAAAAAAAAaA/ZuLMf-2aqh4/s400/Jan.+3,+2009_3.jpg" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0FIbevkIKI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/8WAYdALjZcc/s1600-h/Jan.+3,+2009_2.jpg"></a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7171978746256899353?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-64884864613734292012010-01-02T22:04:00.014-05:002010-01-03T10:21:25.352-05:00Happy New Year!<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><span style="font-size:180%;">It's officially 2010 and Lucy continues to amaze us every moment of every day. Here are some photos from the past 48 hours...</span> </span></strong></div><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AKGxH9n6I/AAAAAAAAAZw/WEZkkKVMimg/s1600-h/IMG_0203.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422345062736306082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AKGxH9n6I/AAAAAAAAAZw/WEZkkKVMimg/s400/IMG_0203.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> Lucy &amp; Mommy read "The Wheels on the Bus"<br />.... <strong>AGAIN</strong>!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AKBp715LI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wSa2mnKVcRM/s1600-h/IMG_0196.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422344974907073714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AKBp715LI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wSa2mnKVcRM/s400/IMG_0196.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">Despite having my face washed more than once,<br />I am <em><strong>STILL</strong></em> covered in Greek yogurt!<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(If you look carefully, you can ALSO see my 2 bottom teeth that I don't show off very often!)</span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJ7hBywgI/AAAAAAAAAZg/OjZ_ashnLM0/s1600-h/IMG_0192.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422344869436899842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJ7hBywgI/AAAAAAAAAZg/OjZ_ashnLM0/s400/IMG_0192.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">I'm supposed to be "<em>careful</em>?"<br />Hmmm... yeah, I don't know what that means yet!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJ145dEWI/AAAAAAAAAZY/MhApTZaUOOE/s1600-h/IMG_0191.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422344772765159778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJ145dEWI/AAAAAAAAAZY/MhApTZaUOOE/s400/IMG_0191.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">I adore my Auntie Tee...<br />She sings and dances with me!<br />We <em><strong>LOVE</strong></em> the Dave Matthews Band...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJwPY_GzI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/l_lUefJyuGw/s1600-h/IMG_0189.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422344675723778866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJwPY_GzI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/l_lUefJyuGw/s400/IMG_0189.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">I don't care what you say Momma...<br /><em>"I think I can... I think I can..."</em><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJjZZUIOI/AAAAAAAAAZA/HaXORBHGCaY/s1600-h/IMG_0175.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422344455071211746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJjZZUIOI/AAAAAAAAAZA/HaXORBHGCaY/s400/IMG_0175.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">LEAVE ME ALONE... I'm Sleeping!<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>(That DARN camera!)</em></span><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJev-JjPI/AAAAAAAAAY4/VsZRNQm6YlQ/s1600-h/IMG_0174.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422344375231941874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/S0AJev-JjPI/AAAAAAAAAY4/VsZRNQm6YlQ/s400/IMG_0174.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Happy New Year<br />&amp;<br />Best Wishes for 2010!</strong></span></span></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-6488486461373429201?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-1457457102207092602009-12-27T04:38:00.001-05:002009-12-27T05:01:18.637-05:00Baby's First Christmas<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szctl0jUdrI/AAAAAAAAAYw/slm7T7Bz2gg/s1600-h/IMG_0094.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850804348876466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szctl0jUdrI/AAAAAAAAAYw/slm7T7Bz2gg/s400/IMG_0094.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Merry Christmas!<br /></span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctZ0BX9dI/AAAAAAAAAYo/jkXDh7oTJXU/s1600-h/IMG_0054.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850598048069074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctZ0BX9dI/AAAAAAAAAYo/jkXDh7oTJXU/s400/IMG_0054.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">A talking Cookie Monster...<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctTQLLVLI/AAAAAAAAAYg/y0JBbJcYryk/s1600-h/IMG_0090.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850485346292914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctTQLLVLI/AAAAAAAAAYg/y0JBbJcYryk/s400/IMG_0090.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">A "Piggy Bank" from Gramma Armstrong full of money<br />(i.e. Lucy's college fund). </span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctLiqR2cI/AAAAAAAAAYY/hI89d4A0fR8/s1600-h/IMG_0048.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850352869628354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctLiqR2cI/AAAAAAAAAYY/hI89d4A0fR8/s400/IMG_0048.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Cousin, Layla (1 year old).</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctEg-2MrI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/cWKYRYIpcHE/s1600-h/IMG_0050.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850232159941298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzctEg-2MrI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/cWKYRYIpcHE/s400/IMG_0050.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;"> Cousin, Jerad (2 years old).</span></div><div><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcs_pOtbNI/AAAAAAAAAYI/-7iT60O4IjY/s1600-h/IMG_0046.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850148474612946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcs_pOtbNI/AAAAAAAAAYI/-7iT60O4IjY/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">Cousin, Ellianna (3 years old).</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcs5Sxj1UI/AAAAAAAAAYA/ByzGo-Q5rzE/s1600-h/IMG_0077.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419850039367554370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcs5Sxj1UI/AAAAAAAAAYA/ByzGo-Q5rzE/s400/IMG_0077.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Look mommys...<br />Santa brought me "The Wheels on the Bus." </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcs0KtYJiI/AAAAAAAAAX4/4nOpRh_nIhM/s1600-h/IMG_0079.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849951303181858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcs0KtYJiI/AAAAAAAAAX4/4nOpRh_nIhM/s400/IMG_0079.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">The "Key" to Grandpa's heart...<br />My first John Deere shirt.<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsnBCft7I/AAAAAAAAAXw/r9Z32hXnDB0/s1600-h/IMG_0075.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849725369104306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsnBCft7I/AAAAAAAAAXw/r9Z32hXnDB0/s400/IMG_0075.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">My first American Girl, Bitty Baby...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcsh_Zs6yI/AAAAAAAAAXo/pVBBK_dvC3o/s1600-h/IMG_0073.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849639030221602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcsh_Zs6yI/AAAAAAAAAXo/pVBBK_dvC3o/s400/IMG_0073.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">Momma was obsessive about putting a bow on this box...<br />I think it was Auntie's fault!</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsbC62v3I/AAAAAAAAAXg/pbWJLwJd0Oo/s1600-h/IMG_0069.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849519715499890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsbC62v3I/AAAAAAAAAXg/pbWJLwJd0Oo/s400/IMG_0069.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">A new dress to celebrate my 1st Christmas...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsT7caa2I/AAAAAAAAAXY/rX6q1zJiZIk/s1600-h/IMG_0072.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849397449681762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsT7caa2I/AAAAAAAAAXY/rX6q1zJiZIk/s400/IMG_0072.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Grandad Beran sent me a "yummy"<br />stuffed bear...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsIe21HXI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/OzTN9Apw0aQ/s1600-h/IMG_0038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849200797293938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsIe21HXI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/OzTN9Apw0aQ/s400/IMG_0038.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Christmas Eve with Auntie Vera, Cousins<br />Ellianna &amp; Jerad, and grandpa.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsBGi32KI/AAAAAAAAAXI/PCOyZkKbAVQ/s1600-h/IMG_0064.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419849074012051618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcsBGi32KI/AAAAAAAAAXI/PCOyZkKbAVQ/s400/IMG_0064.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">I don't understand how they walk...<br />I want to walk!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcr2uap_oI/AAAAAAAAAXA/tY_nqUiuMDc/s1600-h/IMG_0021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419848895736446594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcr2uap_oI/AAAAAAAAAXA/tY_nqUiuMDc/s400/IMG_0021.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">Christmas Eve morning with Liz &amp; Josh.<br />I was showing off my motor skills.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcruSZzDnI/AAAAAAAAAW4/p1jiCrvg2sE/s1600-h/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419848750777699954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcruSZzDnI/AAAAAAAAAW4/p1jiCrvg2sE/s400/IMG_0013.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#33cc00;">Christmas Eve Day... we visited Santa's workshop.</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">I'm still uncertain...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcrpdNMLcI/AAAAAAAAAWw/B3uBD56B60k/s1600-h/IMG_0028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419848667778264514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcrpdNMLcI/AAAAAAAAAWw/B3uBD56B60k/s400/IMG_0028.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">My first Christmas tree.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcrg998WEI/AAAAAAAAAWo/ddfh1nfsAho/s1600-h/IMG_0020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419848521953859650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcrg998WEI/AAAAAAAAAWo/ddfh1nfsAho/s400/IMG_0020.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Momma &amp; I sitting like royalty at Santa's Villiage.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcrXAmsUtI/AAAAAAAAAWg/zJJKBqINDdk/s1600-h/rachel+and+lucy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419848350862955218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcrXAmsUtI/AAAAAAAAAWg/zJJKBqINDdk/s400/rachel+and+lucy.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Mommy &amp; I visiting Santa's workshop.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-145745710220709260?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-85993462316418109882009-12-27T04:22:00.014-05:002009-12-27T04:38:39.617-05:00More Chicago Photos...<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoW6rQnpI/AAAAAAAAAWY/3MQdUwqWum4/s1600-h/lucy+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419845050736615058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoW6rQnpI/AAAAAAAAAWY/3MQdUwqWum4/s400/lucy+012.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcccc;">Sleeping beauty...</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoS9brKtI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/eLfM9ly3cvA/s1600-h/lucy+036.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844982757075666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoS9brKtI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/eLfM9ly3cvA/s400/lucy+036.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><span style="color:#33cc00;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Look, I'm crawling...</span><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoJw-OR9I/AAAAAAAAAWI/8VCvCLBaCSI/s1600-h/lucy+018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844824793499602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoJw-OR9I/AAAAAAAAAWI/8VCvCLBaCSI/s400/lucy+018.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">Flowers for Auntie...<br />She's on the phone with grandma in Massachusetts...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoDRa1kZI/AAAAAAAAAWA/LgQPPod9xcU/s1600-h/lucy+009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844713244365202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcoDRa1kZI/AAAAAAAAAWA/LgQPPod9xcU/s400/lucy+009.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#999900;"> We read "The Wheels on the Bus" at LEAST twice daily...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcn52EDcvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/E344zeqmyn8/s1600-h/lucy+019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844551282225906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcn52EDcvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/E344zeqmyn8/s400/lucy+019.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">The <em>LARGEST</em> Whole Foods Mama has EVER seen...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnzrRxxxI/AAAAAAAAAVw/FIRfik_wqFk/s1600-h/lucy+025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844445307782930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnzrRxxxI/AAAAAAAAAVw/FIRfik_wqFk/s400/lucy+025.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#ff9900;">I LOVE KiKi, the kitty!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnunbkvwI/AAAAAAAAAVo/p9llJBZ1qVg/s1600-h/lucy+014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844358375784194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnunbkvwI/AAAAAAAAAVo/p9llJBZ1qVg/s400/lucy+014.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">The reindeer were resting at the<br />Christmas tree stand near Auntie's house...</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnooK2M5I/AAAAAAAAAVg/xj-pbtTioGw/s1600-h/lucy+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844255494845330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnooK2M5I/AAAAAAAAAVg/xj-pbtTioGw/s400/lucy+002.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">Sightseeing while Lucy is asleep...<br />The B'Hai Temple.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnkEWujMI/AAAAAAAAAVY/oy1Hs0K7rW0/s1600-h/lucy+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844177161522370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnkEWujMI/AAAAAAAAAVY/oy1Hs0K7rW0/s400/lucy+001.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Lucy tests out her "portable" highchair...</span> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcngddsg9I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/e_ov2DF3Byk/s1600-h/lucy+022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844115182158802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcngddsg9I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/e_ov2DF3Byk/s400/lucy+022.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#cc66cc;">Getting ready for Christmass... and Santa...</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnaQYaE_I/AAAAAAAAAVI/ioBpMB08GKk/s1600-h/lucy+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419844008591102962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcnaQYaE_I/AAAAAAAAAVI/ioBpMB08GKk/s400/lucy+027.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">We <em>ALL</em> had a GREAT time!<br />Thank you Auntie, Joe &amp; Kathryn!</span><br /></span><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8599346231641810988?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-62903889666489049792009-12-27T03:58:00.007-05:002009-12-27T04:21:22.129-05:00Lucy Travels to Chicago<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419839979212531122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzcjvtxsZbI/AAAAAAAAAUo/jkN0CPEW90c/s400/lucy+006.jpg" /><span style="color:#009900;">Chicago Skyline from Northwestern University- </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">a few blocks from my aunt's house.</span><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">We left our house around 4am on Tuesday December 15th and headed to Bradley Airport and landed at Midway in Chicago just before 8am. Mixing business trips with family time is a possibility now that I am unemployed. While Rachel put in long hours at work, I spent the days in Evanston, Il. with my Aunt Tammy, Uncle Joe, and Kathryn. It was the first time Lucy had the opportunity to meet Auntie, Joe, and Aunt Kat. Overall, the trip was great, despite a few unexpected bumps along the way. Not to mention the "Blizzard of 2009" that landed on the east coast the day before &amp; the day we were scheduled to fly back home- Sunday December 20th, 2009. Fortunately, SouthWest prevailed and we arrived back at Bradley a measley half hour later than originally scheduled.</span><br /></span><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419841030836174722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szcks7YTv4I/AAAAAAAAAU4/eEofswfXpaw/s400/lucy+033.jpg" /></span> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#009900;">Lucy &amp; Kathryn spend time together.</span><br /></span></span><br /><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419841818519760770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Szclaxutb4I/AAAAAAAAAVA/v1wTGEzKaho/s400/lucy+032.jpg" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Lucy crawled for the first time<br />on December 18th, 2009</span></p><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419840339603776226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SzckEsVqYuI/AAAAAAAAAUw/68n-YVmMcHs/s400/lucy+008.jpg" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Auntie &amp; Joe introduced Lucy to her<br />FAVORITE new book, "The Wheels on the Bus."</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-6290388966648904979?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-20498322400900330592009-12-25T10:49:00.003-05:002009-12-25T10:50:39.772-05:00Christmas Eve Day....<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">Today, Lucy cut her first tooth. The second one is moments away, too... Both bottom central teeth- the right one came in first &amp; now we're awaiting the break through of the second!<br />Merry 1st Christmas to Lucy!</span></strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2049832240090033059?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-84361217402790343672009-12-14T09:30:00.013-05:002009-12-14T09:46:05.049-05:00Sunday December 13, 2009<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZNNkeh84I/AAAAAAAAAUY/2LnIarJTg_4/s1600-h/DSC06756.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415100497484968834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZNNkeh84I/AAAAAAAAAUY/2LnIarJTg_4/s400/DSC06756.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Lucy's first experience of Santa &amp; Mrs. Claus...<br />The jury is still out as to whether she liked them or not!</strong></span> </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZNJB6rZKI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/_C-tpASFHn8/s1600-h/DSC06783.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415100419488310434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZNJB6rZKI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/_C-tpASFHn8/s400/DSC06783.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">Getting ready for Daycare on Monday following her party... it was a "rough" morning for all!</span></strong> </div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZNDKhhfDI/AAAAAAAAAUI/0gLWRyTESyo/s1600-h/DSC06757.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415100318719507506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZNDKhhfDI/AAAAAAAAAUI/0gLWRyTESyo/s400/DSC06757.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Lucy &amp; grandma at the holiday party<br />prior to Lucy's adoption celebration.</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZM7aSXsVI/AAAAAAAAAUA/uO6Omm19H6U/s1600-h/DSC06776.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415100185511965010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZM7aSXsVI/AAAAAAAAAUA/uO6Omm19H6U/s400/DSC06776.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">William, Lucy's "boyfriend."</span></strong><br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZM1wO1cqI/AAAAAAAAAT4/cCrluam0tC0/s1600-h/DSC06760.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415100088323502754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZM1wO1cqI/AAAAAAAAAT4/cCrluam0tC0/s400/DSC06760.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span><span style="color:#ccccff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Ava, "babysitting" for Lucy prior to the adoption celebration!</span></strong><br /></span><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMwBUN9UI/AAAAAAAAATw/tpdXt4GIqKc/s1600-h/DSC06774.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415099989830268226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMwBUN9UI/AAAAAAAAATw/tpdXt4GIqKc/s400/DSC06774.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">Olives, Feta, &amp; Cuke Skewers...<br />Thanks to the Foodnetwork!</span></strong><br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMrZA3AvI/AAAAAAAAATo/vBOPV9RSTXI/s1600-h/DSC06775.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415099910292177650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMrZA3AvI/AAAAAAAAATo/vBOPV9RSTXI/s400/DSC06775.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Roasted root veggies, fennel slaw,<br />&amp; garlic green beans.</span></strong><br /></span><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMmcEb-_I/AAAAAAAAATg/u7X8Zvd2yx8/s1600-h/DSC06773.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415099825213144050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMmcEb-_I/AAAAAAAAATg/u7X8Zvd2yx8/s400/DSC06773.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>Dinner is ALMOST served...<br /></strong></span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMguPE18I/AAAAAAAAATY/1bVWePMgO_c/s1600-h/DSC06769.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415099727010387906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMguPE18I/AAAAAAAAATY/1bVWePMgO_c/s400/DSC06769.JPG" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="color:#993399;">A giant cupcake for Lucy...</span><br /></span></strong><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMWO8LkOI/AAAAAAAAATQ/42trADFCEcU/s1600-h/DSC06779.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415099546810945762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZMWO8LkOI/AAAAAAAAATQ/42trADFCEcU/s400/DSC06779.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">Mama &amp; Lucy...</span><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8436121740279034367?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-56813654566191175212009-12-14T08:43:00.009-05:002009-12-14T09:30:35.851-05:00Adoption Celebration<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415088258322673714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZCFKC2MDI/AAAAAAAAASw/5frdoa69sXs/s400/DSC06771.JPG" /> <div align="center"><div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcccc;">Snow + rain + ice + 22 adults + 8 children (ages 2- 6) + Lucy = One <em><u><span style="color:#cc33cc;">HECK</span></u></em> of an adoption celebration! We pulled off a fabulous gathering at our house last evening for our fabulous Ms. Lucy. </span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415087785182889714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SyZBpndiBvI/AAAAAAAAASg/NmPCvmPzIYA/s400/DSC06767.JPG" /></div></div></div><div align="center"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5681365456619117521?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-77882191502636076232009-11-29T20:53:00.003-05:002009-11-29T21:17:17.959-05:00Carrots = Organic Teether<p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><object width="360" height="263" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-d958ad4ceb81b5a" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/get_player"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=http://v24.nonxt7.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D0d958ad4ceb81b5a%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D783CC4B592C5660617A37FE4D35738BE06EC8A97.7E1A522361B7B439B15269E9FFD9363905CFAD49%26key%3Dck1&amp;iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Dd958ad4ceb81b5a%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3D0WZ09rd3rreJGl4msigRh-c_UhI&amp;autoplay=0&amp;ps=blogger"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"width="360" height="263" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"flashvars="flvurl=http://v24.nonxt7.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D0d958ad4ceb81b5a%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D783CC4B592C5660617A37FE4D35738BE06EC8A97.7E1A522361B7B439B15269E9FFD9363905CFAD49%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3Dd958ad4ceb81b5a%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3D0WZ09rd3rreJGl4msigRh-c_UhI&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"allowFullScreen="true" /></object></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">Rachel and I have an on-going battle about allowing Lucy to try food; Rachel is more cautious and I think Lucy should be able to try new things- obviously within certain limits. I totally don't want to rush into anything and put Lucy at a higher risk for allergies and/ or reactions... But, tonight while I was cutting vegetables, Lucy grabbed a carrot and enjoyed some organic teething.<br />Lucy is totally curious about food...<br /><br />What are other people's thoughts?<br />And, what did other parents do?</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7788219150263607623?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-43882504232134607612009-11-28T20:52:00.003-05:002009-11-28T20:59:09.853-05:00The week of November 21- 29, 2009<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SxHVR2gfAzI/AAAAAAAAASY/MCaUJ1AUgn8/s1600/flu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409339130114933554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SxHVR2gfAzI/AAAAAAAAASY/MCaUJ1AUgn8/s400/flu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">The week of hell is blessed with a significant event- Lucy’s adoption. It all started last Saturday (November 21st, 2009) when I called the pediatrician’s office because Lucy had this deep congested cough. As I stated below, everything was “fine” except for the cough; lo and behold, the next morning she spiked a 102 degree fever. Like concerned parents, we telephoned the on-call pediatrician’s phone number and were told if the fever lasts long than three days, they wanted to see her in the office again. Not wanting to leave Rachel home alone with a miserable baby, I dutifully cancelled my trip to Sandy’s surprise fortieth birthday party.<br /><br />Needless to say, Monday November 23rd, 2009 was Lucy’s formal adoption hearing in the Franklin County Probate Court. We originally were not going to bring her because we didn’t want to infect anybody else. However, since the court appearance was scheduled for first thing in the morning, we were unable to get in touch with a lawyer. Thus, we bundled our little snot-nosed, fever baby and headed to the court house. She was well behaved during the entire 45 minutes we were there. She charmed the judge, the lawyer, and the entire court room (it was a private session- therefore, she charmed the court personnel). Unfortunately, due to Lucy’s illness, we needed to cancel her adoption celebration that was scheduled for that evening. Additionally, we needed to cancel our trip to visit her father in Santa Cruz, CA. for Thanksgiving.<br /><br />The flu hit our house like wild fire- she was a sick little goose. All she wanted to do was sleep and be held. She whimpered because she was so miserable; Rachel and I were miserable because there was nothing we could do to make it any better- other than Tylenol and Motrin around the clock. Wednesday hit and she still had a fever of 101 degrees, so once again, I was on the telephone and once again we were off to see the pediatrician. This time, she had an ear infection and junky lungs (i.e. congested) and he put her on a ten day round of Amoxicillin.<br /><br />Rachel and I were optimistic and made alternative plans for Thanksgiving to go to her boss’ house. We bought the items that we offered to bring to dinner and prepared them Wednesday evening. However, both Rachel and I were not telling the other that we were feeling lousy. We were in denial that perhaps we could have caught Lucy’s illness. Once again, the flu ruined our plans as we woke up Thursday morning and felt like death. Luckily, Lucy was beginning to feel better and she wanted to move around, whereas Rachel and I wanted to sleep. We hadn’t planned on being home; therefore, we didn’t buy much food because we were first expecting to be in California and then expecting to be at her boss’ house for Thanksgiving. Course, we weren’t going to starve to death, but our refrigerator was bare and our freezer was stacked, but neither one of us could imagine cooking while feeling so darn lousy. We tried calling every place in Greenfield to see if we could get delivery; we assumed that the Chinese restaurant was open. We were WRONG! Ughh… then, we began to heat up a pan to cook some pasta and meat sauce. Literally seconds before we put food in the pan, my mother arrived with leftovers from my sister-in-laws family’s house. We were able to eat Thanksgiving food after all.<br /><br />Today, Rachel and I are feeling more human. Lucy is still our favorite snot-nosed daughter, but she is also feeling much better as well. Thank god this week is almost over. I honestly think it was the worst week and one of the most challenging weeks that Rachel and I have experienced. And, definitely, it was the worst Thanksgiving in our history as a couple. It can only get better…</span> </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409337999073480354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SxHUQBDMDqI/AAAAAAAAASI/HG3XEgaI3X0/s400/aDOPTION_CERTIFICATE.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4388250423213460761?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-732208761227198532009-11-23T21:47:00.004-05:002009-11-24T03:12:41.106-05:00Curve Balls....<div align="justify"><strong>Life throws curve balls at you…</strong><br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407498272274772530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SwtLB0p58jI/AAAAAAAAAR4/zj95nJiklcQ/s400/shr1358l.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"><br /><br />When you’re least expecting it, life sometimes hands you circumstances to see how well you are able to cope. As a social worker, I base my current status on the ability to provide for my family and the ability to provide to individuals in a community that I “believe in.” Prior to my current position, as a social work supervisor on the BRAND new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender unit, I worked with adolescents on a long-term residential unit. Both of which, I “believed in!” My last position, I worked as the only social worker on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender in-patient unit of one of the well known, “Ivy League” psychiatric hospitals. It literally just celebrated its 175th year in existence and I just recently celebrated my 3rd year of employment. Sadly, following my three year review, I received notice that my position was being eliminated as a reduction in force throughout the hospital. Where does that leave me? As an unemployed, licensed in Massachusetts and Vermont, LICSW, with a heart of gold, a decent resume, and a family to support.<br /><br />As we all know, social workers don’t get rich due to their profession. The non-profit world does not create an atmosphere where one can make a decent living; however, with a LICSW, one would think that I can become employed rather quickly. On the other hand, I’m not desperate enough to take any employment opportunity that falls upon my lap. Fortunately, I have a wife who makes a decent wage and with some per diem work, we are able to supplement our income enough for me to be able to choose a position that works for me and family.<br /><br />Speaking of family… Lucy amazes me daily. She is up on both hands and knees trying to crawl; however, she hasn’t put all of the mechanics together in order to make it happen yet. She is VERY close! Also, she has been sick with a cold this week. She has quite a nasty cough and nasal congestion. We made an emergency appointment to the pediatrician’s office today. He, not our general pediatrician, stated that Lucy’s ears were “generally” clear, but that we might want to follow-up on the left one in about 2 weeks because it looks “suspicious.” And, that she doesn’t have the “flu” because she doesn’t have a fever; however, if she spikes a fever and/ or becomes unable to sleep at night, to bring her in immediately. He also, sadly, told us that we should not travel to California on Wednesday because Lucy would just be “miserable” and the two moms would spend the entire plane trip trying to provide symptom relief. He stated “If possible, I would reschedule for a time that Lucy is feeling better because everybody (you, your wife, all the plane passengers, and the folks that we’re visiting) will enjoy the trip better!” I appreciated the pediatrician’s advice &amp; I immediately went to CVS to obtain the saline solution that he suggested would help loosen Lucy’s phlegm and nasal congestion.<br /><br />Currently, Lucy is asleep, but these periods of sleep only last for a short amount of time while she is not feeling well. Generally, our baby is so wonderful and hardly fusses. In general, Lucy Elizabeth Masson is a wonderfully happy, content, and secure baby.<br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407498487847110642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SwtLOXuWx_I/AAAAAAAAASA/VjaU4XH81m0/s400/curveball_12.jpg" border="0" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-73220876122719853?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-18395245693076075422009-11-01T10:17:00.006-05:002009-11-01T10:23:29.785-05:00Photos from the past month...<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2nLWyF1pI/AAAAAAAAARw/nzIPQ23l-uA/s1600-h/lucy+028.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399155341823170194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2nLWyF1pI/AAAAAAAAARw/nzIPQ23l-uA/s400/lucy+028.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> <strong>Apple picking with Mommy, Vik &amp; Izi.</strong></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong></strong></span> </div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2nCECXv2I/AAAAAAAAARo/QHq-lXdUgSc/s1600-h/lucy+024.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399155182172356450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2nCECXv2I/AAAAAAAAARo/QHq-lXdUgSc/s400/lucy+024.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Vik &amp; Izi.<br /><br /><br /></strong></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2m7yezK_I/AAAAAAAAARg/FXZjfRezT-I/s1600-h/Lucy,+Rachel,+Erica+%26+Izi.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399155074380540914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2m7yezK_I/AAAAAAAAARg/FXZjfRezT-I/s400/Lucy,+Rachel,+Erica+%26+Izi.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong> Lucy, Mommy, Momma, &amp; Izi.<br /><br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2m2SPVEtI/AAAAAAAAARY/_Q7JXDsgEUY/s1600-h/Where%27s+Lucy.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399154979826373330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2m2SPVEtI/AAAAAAAAARY/_Q7JXDsgEUY/s400/Where%27s+Lucy.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong> Where's Lucy?<br /><br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2mvpVBd_I/AAAAAAAAARQ/pIUCS29w5VU/s1600-h/Mama+%26+the+little+dicuky.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399154865765185522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2mvpVBd_I/AAAAAAAAARQ/pIUCS29w5VU/s400/Mama+%26+the+little+dicuky.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong> Mama &amp; her little ducky.<br /><br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2mrZF1jbI/AAAAAAAAARI/uAcwozaxZj8/s1600-h/Duck,+duck,+Goose!.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399154792687046066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Su2mrZF1jbI/AAAAAAAAARI/uAcwozaxZj8/s400/Duck,+duck,+Goose!.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong> </strong></span></div></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Duck,<br />duck,<br />Goose!</strong></span> <div><div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong> </div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1839524569307607542?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-73205658947627650352009-10-28T11:00:00.004-04:002009-10-28T11:03:54.072-04:00Lucy is 6 Months Old Today<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SuhdCGmATxI/AAAAAAAAARA/TdXqGLeNUug/s1600-h/birthday.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397666444114677522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SuhdCGmATxI/AAAAAAAAARA/TdXqGLeNUug/s400/birthday.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Happy Half Birthday<br />to<br />Our Beautiful Baby Girl!</span><br /><br /></strong></span><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397666308600170770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Suhc6Nw1CRI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/p7ZPkzoH8Iw/s400/Happy+6+months.jpg" border="0" /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7320565894762765035?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-64161806367770358362009-10-26T21:44:00.007-04:002009-10-27T09:01:40.734-04:00Adoption<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ccccff;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Many months ago, Rachel and I began the adoption process for Lucy. Despite the fact that we're legally married in Massachusetts and despite the fact that I am listed on Lucy's birth certificate as her second parent (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">i.e.</span> non-biological), I <em>STILL</em> have to adopt her. Thank goodness for our lawyer from Northampton (I won't mention her name here), but she is highly familiar with the process and fluent in the same-sex parenting necessities.<br /><br />According to the Massachusetts court system,<br /><br /><span style="color:#6666cc;">second parent adoption or “co-parent adoption” refers to the ability of unmarried couples to petition jointly for the adoption of their child(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ren</span>). For many gay and lesbian couples, this means that the non-biological parent of the couple’s child(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ren</span>) may now enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities as the biological parent. In most adoptions, the biological parents must agree to terminate their parental rights in order for the adoption to go forward. In second parent adoptions, however, both the biological and non-biological parent are granted equal legal status.</span><br /><br />Not only did Rachel and I file an astronomical amount of paperwork, but Steven was also involved in signing paperwork. On one hand, he had to acknowledge his parental rights and on the other, he had to terminate his parental rights. This process has not been easy for any of us, as we are very close with Steven and Jeremy... AND... we <em>fully ak</em>nowledge that they, too, have formed a bond with Lucy. Thus, Rachel and I make a point of having the two of them involved in Lucy's life as often as possible. We frequently spend time meeting Steven's family (he has a HUGE family), we met Jeremy's son-in-law from London last evening, and we try to go to the "Front Porch Cafe" every Saturday morning- just to name a few... Jeremy and Steven have been wonderful throughout this entire process and we, honestly, couldn't have been blessed with two of the most generous and wonderfully giving individuals in our life, but especially to partake in Lucy's life, as well. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Thank you!</span><br /><br /></strong>Okay, now that I have been side tracked with the wonderful men in our life. I'd like to acknowledge that Lucy is going to be 6 months old on Wednesday. GOSH time flies! She is getting bigger by the day and is truly ready to crawl at any moment. Despite her daily milestones and wonderful accomplishments, she has <em>NO</em> idea that this legal business is going on in the </span></span><span style="color:#ccccff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span style="font-size:130%;">peripherally. BUT, her adoption date was originally schedule for November 9th, 2009 @ 8:30am and based upon court documents that we received in the mail today, the entire proceedings would last a total of fifteen minutes. YIKES- we went through all that paperwork and emotional turmoil for fifteen lousy minutes in front of a judge? <em>Hmmm.... just seems wrong.</em> But anyways, to make a LONG story short, we were told the other day, that the Franklin County Court House was rescheduling hearings on November 9th to another day. So, once again, we sit in limbo, waiting for an adoption date....</span><br /><br /></span><br /></div></span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ccccff;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397094162638500146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SuZUi79m8TI/AAAAAAAAAQw/2ZYwVA3kA0w/s400/09.06.2009.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></strong></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ccccff;"><strong>Lucy Elizabeth September 2009- Labor Day Weekend<br /></strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ccccff;"><strong></strong></span></p><p align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ccccff;">(PLEASE stay tuned for additional information &amp; newer photos)</span></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-6416180636777035836?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-26703268926262117992009-09-24T18:05:00.004-04:002009-09-24T18:08:38.725-04:00Lucy at Neeni's...<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Lucy goes to day care at my dear friend (and substitute mom) Lisa's house... here's a photo today that I received while at work.<br />This totally <span style="color:#ffff33;">brightened</span> my day!<br /><br /></strong></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385158885619180882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SrvteYRepVI/AAAAAAAAAQo/XyP2hiFs79E/s400/lucy_09_24_2009.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">What a cute little face...<br /> covered in sweet potatoes!</strong></span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2670326892626211799?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-15020758633337418272009-09-13T19:40:00.001-04:002009-09-13T19:42:06.609-04:00Saturday September 12, 2009<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Lucy slept in her own crib, in her room, and not in the mommies room...<br />WOO HOO!</span></strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1502075863333741827?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-19215794352358768892009-09-08T04:01:00.004-04:002009-09-08T04:05:41.575-04:00Labor Day 2009<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc33;"> </span><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last year during this <em>VERY</em> weekend, Rachel found out she was pregnant.<br />This year, look at the beautiful result...</span><br /></span><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379004441351808498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SqYQCkwF5fI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ncZ3oNhHkxU/s400/09.06.2009.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffcc33;">Photo Credits = Tee Crawford<br />September 6th, 2009</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1921579435235876889?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-21926561209215770732009-08-28T19:24:00.002-04:002009-08-28T19:26:41.733-04:00We SURVIVED 4 Months!!!!<div align="center"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Lucy is officially 4 months old today...<br />WOO HOO, we survived the first 4 months of parenthood-<br /><em>YEAH</em> for us!<br /></strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2192656120921577073?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-43170125032899064742009-08-25T19:47:00.003-04:002009-08-25T21:07:49.605-04:00Lucy...<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:180%;color:#666666;"><strong>Just a sweet video...<br />she loves sheep's fur/ skin...<span style="font-size:85%;"></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"></strong></span> </div></span></span><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><strong><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-44f1e3b0b7098057" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/get_player"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=http://v22.nonxt3.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D44f1e3b0b7098057%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D2BDB94C970274C9A5D0D9879773484355AEB4A49.60B6F3CB684FB7156B948BDDF0441D1B2094F53D%26key%3Dck1&amp;iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D44f1e3b0b7098057%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3Dn4cz7OPsErs7hjs2Ox5_2kwhYGI&amp;autoplay=0&amp;ps=blogger"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"width="320" height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"flashvars="flvurl=http://v22.nonxt3.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D44f1e3b0b7098057%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D2BDB94C970274C9A5D0D9879773484355AEB4A49.60B6F3CB684FB7156B948BDDF0441D1B2094F53D%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D44f1e3b0b7098057%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3Dn4cz7OPsErs7hjs2Ox5_2kwhYGI&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"allowFullScreen="true" /></object></strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </p></span><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;">Hope you enjoy...</span></strong></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4317012503289906474?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-80968828868372280272009-08-20T14:40:00.004-04:002009-08-24T20:01:07.649-04:00Developmental Mile Stone!<div align="center"><span style="color:#33cc00;">Lucy</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">flipped</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">over</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">today...</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">Rachel</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">&amp;</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">I</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">totally</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">missed</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">it</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">as</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">we</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">were</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">busily</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">getting</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">ready</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">for </span><span style="color:#6633ff;">work.</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">But,</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">we</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">totally</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">look</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">forward</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">to</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">our</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">little</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">wiggle</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">worm</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">moving</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">all</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">about</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">in</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;">the </span><span style="color:#6633ff;">coming</span><span style="color:#33cc00;"> days!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#993399;"><strong><em>Woo Hoo!<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></em></strong></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#993399;"><strong><em></div></em></strong></span><p align="center"><object 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height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"flashvars="flvurl=http://v1.nonxt8.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D6842d58634ef46a1%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1331644459%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D1A42BC79A1359E244DDC721BF6437866B22AE08A.41A0E7F45D263D3E366A0BDC1E75EE6FB205F204%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D6842d58634ef46a1%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3Dx6w-eVDyr-MgqfOqL0b8TKMTZxg&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"allowFullScreen="true" /></object></span></p><p align="center"></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8096882886837228027?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-90780468612021100822009-08-18T08:42:00.004-04:002009-08-18T08:58:40.570-04:00August 18, 2009<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SoqkJNJiDiI/AAAAAAAAAQM/BWEZOBHZpdY/s1600-h/Happy-Anniversary.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371285983648157218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SoqkJNJiDiI/AAAAAAAAAQM/BWEZOBHZpdY/s400/Happy-Anniversary.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>4</strong></span> Years ago today, Rachel and I had our first date...<br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">2</span> </strong>years ago today, we were married...</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffff99;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>16</strong></span> Weeks ago today, we were blessed with Lucy.<br /><br />Here's a funny little story- as many of you know, Rachel met my entire family and <em>ALL</em> of my closest friends two days after meeting me- she came to my graduation party from Smith School for Social Work. During the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">party</span>, one of my dear friends, George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pappas</span>, and I were talking and I said to him, "This is the woman that I am going to marry." He reminded me of that conversation on our wedding day and it brought joy to my </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">heart</span><span style="color:#ffff99;">. It just goes to show, when you meet your soul mate, you know it immediately!<br /><br />Life is good in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Masson</span> household. However, Ms. Lucy is suffering from her very first</span> <span style="color:#33ccff;">cold</span><span style="color:#ffff99;">-</span> <span style="color:#ffff99;">she sounds like a seal barking when she coughs, she's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sneezy</span> &amp; has a snotty nose. She and I spent "<em>good quality time</em>" together this morning from 4am until it was time to go to daycare... at which point, she fell fast asleep. Hopefully this cold will pass quickly! I can't imagine having a miserable cold right now because it's been 90- 95 degrees outside with about the same percentage of humidity- the days are long and nights are long... it's never comfortable even with our one lousy AC running on the highest setting!<br /><br />But, as I said previously, "Life is Good!"</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371285481905005298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SoqjsAApIvI/AAAAAAAAAQE/QPR8VnjrKRs/s400/life+is+good.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /></div><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-9078046861202110082?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-70885991405336736842009-08-13T17:13:00.003-04:002009-08-13T17:15:44.219-04:00Sandy = PA<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">On 08.12.2009, Sandy graduated from Northeastern University as a PA. Lucy &amp; I made the trek out there with our friend Kim. Here's a photo of Lucy in her pretty purple linen dress from Anti- Christ... Ooops, I mean Auntie Chris! Hee hee hee!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"></span></strong></div><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369559834319264578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SoSCOFzOG0I/AAAAAAAAAP8/ghqJ2WVpVsc/s400/Debbie,+Erica,+and+Lucy_08.12.2009.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Debbie, Erica &amp; Lucy</span><br /></span></strong></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7088599140533673684?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-1682731348527587562009-08-03T20:57:00.014-04:002009-08-06T13:24:29.718-04:00Lucy turns 3 months old...<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Lucy turned 3 months old this past Tuesday. She is a wonderful little lady &amp; beautiful in every way; Rachel &amp; I just adore her! Since I spend so much time doting on our daughter, I spend little time updating our blog. Sorry for the delay... so, below are some recent photos... Hope you enjoy!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365907356833748066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneIT627FGI/AAAAAAAAAOc/koYAN8E3FN8/s400/IMG_7917.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Lucy at her first annual Falcon Ridge Folk Festival...<br />Carrie was great at entertaining Ms. Lucy!<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365908042745973474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneI72FJCuI/AAAAAAAAAOk/a-TfPubpIj8/s400/IMG_7891.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Lucy with "Pops" (i.e. Erica's dad).... </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365908290577016562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneJKRUqpvI/AAAAAAAAAOs/O9Xd5bgUHO4/s400/IMG_7946.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Steven &amp; his folks.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365908519643424978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneJXmqWqNI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Pqr1dANEt18/s400/IMG_7921.jpg" border="0" /></span> <p align="center"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Cha-chi Sus &amp; Lucy @ FRFF 2009.<br /><br /></span></p></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365908759172687042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneJli-lJMI/AAAAAAAAAO8/eI5NyWqzIRo/s400/IMG_7944.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></strong><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Lucy with Steven's dad, "Griffs."</span></strong></div><br /><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365909308703765570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneKFiI_9EI/AAAAAAAAAPE/mnv6zaOxyC0/s400/IMG_7864.jpg" border="0" /><br />Splish-splash Lucy loves takin' her baths...</span></strong><br /></span></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365909560865565282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneKUNhDqmI/AAAAAAAAAPM/XJ6Fa8K8tyM/s400/IMG_7890.jpg" border="0" /><br />"D" is fior DIVA...</span></strong></div><br /><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365909918951569234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneKpDfad1I/AAAAAAAAAPU/8oSnXevmscE/s400/lucy+095.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Bath time with Momma...</span></strong></span></div><br /><strong><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"></span></strong><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365911246553086626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneL2VMR-qI/AAAAAAAAAPc/P3M1L2SQtrA/s400/inside+me_1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Inside me...<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365911522514876226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneMGZOst0I/AAAAAAAAAPk/gTKvFFg2F8Y/s400/kickin%27+back+with+momma.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Feet on the dining room table...<br />Kickin' back with momma!<br /><br /></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365912166451096130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneMr4FDqkI/AAAAAAAAAP0/q9fTEFrEyEw/s400/lucy+012.jpg" border="0" /></span></strong> <p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">Mommy teaching Lucy how to cook yummy food!<br /><br /><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365911802068825330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SneMWqpjdPI/AAAAAAAAAPs/Pu--P34rzdc/s400/Little+Feet.jpg" border="0" /> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Little feet...</span></strong></span><br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-168273134852758756?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-21300928791623674892009-06-28T09:19:00.005-04:002009-06-28T09:23:42.104-04:00Dinner at the Marina...<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SkduDsHHIgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/MXKDOOdKREQ/s1600-h/Steven+and+Jeremy+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352367691812774402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SkduDsHHIgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/MXKDOOdKREQ/s400/Steven+and+Jeremy+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#990000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Lucy with Steven &amp; Jeremy</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">(aka The Fairy God Fathers)</span><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2130092879162367489?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-52161141569038078192009-06-28T09:06:00.004-04:002009-06-28T09:13:34.148-04:00Lucy is 2 Months Old TODAY!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#9999ff;">Happy 2 mnth. birthday to our baby girl!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Here are some updated photos...</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352364584250174882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SkdrOzic7aI/AAAAAAAAAN8/5OW3Usps1Ko/s400/LUCY-1_edited.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br />Just woke up... still in our PJ's...<br /></span></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352364716228750594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SkdrWfMmLQI/AAAAAAAAAOE/ssjhOqcdaeA/s400/LUCY-2_edited.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><br />Hangin' out in bed with momma...<br />nothing like a little snuggle time!</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352364887419619666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Skdrgc7riVI/AAAAAAAAAOM/kz4wRJJ3YlM/s400/lucy+008_edited.jpg" border="0" /></div><p align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;">Lucy LOVES the play gym that<br />Uncle Bruce &amp; Aunt Momo sent...</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5216114156903807819?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-29133233427541855982009-06-15T19:46:00.010-04:002009-06-15T20:04:07.590-04:00ERGO = LOVE<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SjbgSCnfy3I/AAAAAAAAAN0/phMnsfPJjrw/s1600-h/Austin+Motel_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347708208093842290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SjbgSCnfy3I/AAAAAAAAAN0/phMnsfPJjrw/s400/Austin+Motel_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div align="center"><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">So, back in the fall, we visited Austin, Tx. Rachel's best-friend from high school, Cruce, and his wife, Rachel, greeted us with open arms and invited us into their home with their 5 month. old (at the time) son, Crucie. We had a wonderful week and learned MUCH about parenting from 2 experts- Cruce &amp; Rachel. Thankfully, they faithfully believe in a backpack-type carrier called an "Ergo" which they have since bought us for Lucy. The pictures below exhibit Lucy in her stylish Ergo in her "newborn insert" (which I refer to as her "expensive taco"). Lucy loves to be attached to mommy and momma.... here's a photo of her &amp; Rachel....</span><br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347705998547193682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SjbeRbahj1I/AAAAAAAAANM/BTd5nWqu6Y8/s400/Ergo+001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">Check out Lucy's little feet hangin' out... she has GREAT little shoes on...</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347707668962878690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SjbfyqMqJOI/AAAAAAAAANk/3nDNgoDfBUU/s400/Cruce,+Rachel,+Crucie+%26+Stephen.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#99ff99;">Cruce, Rachel, Crucie &amp; Cruce's "little brother", Stephen.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347708036974409986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SjbgIFJceQI/AAAAAAAAANs/emHJ5135rvw/s400/Crucie+The+Political+Statement.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">Finally, Crucie, with his onesie making a political statement! </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2913323342754185598?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-39790371925039818232009-06-09T07:08:00.010-04:002009-06-09T07:24:01.627-04:00California Family Visit<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong>John &amp; Susan's Visit...<br />Santa Cruz, Ca. to Greenfield, MA.<br />June 2-6, 2009<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345283468512526098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5C_nx0_xI/AAAAAAAAAMk/p8J_2mplkEo/s400/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+003.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong>John explains fascinating ideas to Lucy.<br /><br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5DKT6VpaI/AAAAAAAAAM0/47GpieOiYWw/s1600-h/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+005.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345283652158072226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5DKT6VpaI/AAAAAAAAAM0/47GpieOiYWw/s400/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+005.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong> Lucy &amp; John enjoy breakfast together on Saturday.<br /><br /></strong></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5DGSt8KTI/AAAAAAAAAMs/BY-cS40rDpY/s1600-h/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+004.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345283583118158130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5DGSt8KTI/AAAAAAAAAMs/BY-cS40rDpY/s400/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+004.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong> John insists he "likes" to hear babies cry.<br /><br /></strong></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5C51nPcKI/AAAAAAAAAMc/15In0gINV8g/s1600-h/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+001.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345283369147003042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5C51nPcKI/AAAAAAAAAMc/15In0gINV8g/s400/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+001.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong>Susan comforts Lucy...<br /><br /></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345283733220078530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Si5DPB5Bs8I/AAAAAAAAAM8/QTe3s3cdfNc/s400/John+%26+Susan%27s+Visit+007.jpg" border="0" />John shows his canine grand<br />daughter, Grace, some attention, too.</strong><br /></span><div align="center"></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3979037192503981823?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-45563059244888295342009-05-31T19:39:00.009-04:002009-05-31T19:51:15.608-04:00Black-n-White<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342137227000710114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SiMVgQzEg-I/AAAAAAAAAL8/IdBLZITkOlg/s400/May+31,+2009+012.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#cccccc;">It's a sleepy time in the Masson household.<br />Saturday May 30th, 2009</span><br /></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342137311568029154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SiMVlL1fZeI/AAAAAAAAAME/B67dbLtp_c0/s400/May+31,+2009+013.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">Lucy sleeps soundly like a diva on Momma's legs...</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342137385518267842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SiMVpfUmfcI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ZSRWhF8a2tk/s400/May+31,+2009+014.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Despite the lazy-haze of the evening,<br />Momma finds energy to snap<br />"artistic photos" of her favorite girls...</span><br /><br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342137474840042690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SiMVusEknMI/AAAAAAAAAMU/OXhg1AbOm1c/s400/May+31,+2009+011.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">Mommy enjoys the lazy evening by reading<br />"Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">by Barbara Kingsolver...<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#cccccc;">(</span><a href="http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/"><span style="color:#cccccc;">http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/</span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;">)</span></span><br /><br />N'Nighty Night Y'all!</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4556305924488829534?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-42842910152494308322009-05-19T16:00:00.001-04:002009-05-19T16:03:03.813-04:00CELEBRATION!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;"><strong>WOO HOO- Lucy's bilirubin level was 10.5 today! We can officially return the billi-blanket! If I had the energy to do a little jig, I would... but I'm too tired &amp; I'm at work. So, for now, I will send my energy into the blogging world!</strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4284291015249430832?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-41810346373855449362009-05-18T07:05:00.007-04:002009-05-18T07:13:30.527-04:00family...<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"><strong>Lucy has a LARGE loving family...<br />here are just a few...</strong></span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ShFBExET4SI/AAAAAAAAALc/hSgR-FTbvpI/s1600-h/May+17,+2009+012.jpg"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337118583557447970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ShFBExET4SI/AAAAAAAAALc/hSgR-FTbvpI/s400/May+17,+2009+012.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a><span style="color:#99ff99;"><strong> Grandma Betty (Rachel's mom)</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337118757284538946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ShFBO4QE6kI/AAAAAAAAALk/gJFYWQiCPj0/s400/May+17,+2009+001.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#99ff99;"><strong>Great-grandma Gloria (Erica's Gram)</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337119031751697186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ShFBe2uJYyI/AAAAAAAAALs/sajD_GQzL-k/s400/May+17,+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /> </strong></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#99ff99;"><strong>Momma</strong></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337119216632934050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ShFBpndRLqI/AAAAAAAAAL0/UmSdK2bQ0l4/s400/May+17,+2009+007.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#99ff99;"><strong>and, Little Naked Me...<br />catching some rays<br />chasing the jaundice away!</strong></span><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4181034637385544936?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-2798945635659067072009-05-12T14:45:00.001-04:002009-05-12T14:47:10.823-04:00Lower, but not quite there...<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ffff99;">So, Lucy's bilirubin level was 13.5 today at the pediatrician's office. Not quite 12, but definitely closer... we see him again on Thursday. We'll keep you posted...</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-279894563565906707?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-70177693215332219392009-05-08T13:17:00.007-04:002009-05-08T13:27:07.655-04:00Our little "Glow Worm"<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">Lucy becomes more photogenic...</span></strong> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333504960544119218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgRqgOUEGbI/AAAAAAAAALU/59DIjZBeQOk/s400/May+8++2009_5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>Yes, the glowing device is her bili-blanket, otherwise known as "phototherapy" and one of the most common treatments for jaundice. Here are a few photos from yesterday....</strong></span><br /></span></div><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong></p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333504088870396466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgRptfE2ojI/AAAAAAAAAK8/ITf04pQOQRw/s400/May+8++2009_4.jpg" border="0" /></span> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">I'm so utterly in love with this little person; Lucy is so beautiful and a blessing to our family.<br /></span><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333504567080912402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgRqJUjIBhI/AAAAAAAAALM/0wD-lRt0-7g/s400/May+8++2009_3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;">Alert, alive, and TOTALLY amazing...</span></strong></span></span></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7017769321533221939?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-43929299084761309282009-05-07T17:16:00.004-04:002009-05-07T17:20:20.661-04:00Bilirubin Levels<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#cccccc;">Today, her bilirubin is down to 15.3 and the pediatrician said that we can be more "flexible" about using her blanket (i.e. we can leave our house); thus we went on a trek to Southern Vt. to introduce Lucy to friends at both my work &amp; Rachel's work. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cccccc;">After our jaunt, we all needed a nap....</span><br /></span><br /></div></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4392929908476130928?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-46153903916025726422009-05-05T17:38:00.003-04:002009-05-05T17:44:18.111-04:00Going down...<div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgCytax2COI/AAAAAAAAAKk/mArZu3PO5-4/s1600-h/May+4,+2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332458452158908642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgCytax2COI/AAAAAAAAAKk/mArZu3PO5-4/s400/May+4,+2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">Her bilirubin levels continue to go down- which is EXACTLY what they should be doing! YIPPEEE! Anyways, her visit to Dr. Sola-Gomez went well today. We'll continue to keep her on the biliblanket until her levels hit 12. She is far more awake, alert, and less lethargic than before. She's feeding tons, pooping tons, and just amazes me! She's so beautiful &amp; we are so in love!<br /><br /><br /></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332458633106439250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgCy383GPFI/AAAAAAAAAKs/S0BGF2ho2PE/s400/May+4,+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332458832374836386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SgCzDjMYrKI/AAAAAAAAAK0/_29KXKG3Bew/s400/May+4,+2009+010.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div> </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4615390391602572642?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-19336350800870346692009-05-04T21:06:00.003-04:002009-05-04T21:26:09.343-04:00<div align="center"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>May 4th, 2009...</strong><br /></span></span><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sf-Ux7C7vDI/AAAAAAAAAKU/aW9qrtMp_eo/s1600-h/May+4,+2009+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332144069214452786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sf-Ux7C7vDI/AAAAAAAAAKU/aW9qrtMp_eo/s400/May+4,+2009+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;">The word “jaundice” means “yellow.” Most babies are a nice pinkish color, but some turn funny shades of yellow. Lucy is currently a nice shade of orange and the “whites” of her little eyes are also a nice shade of yellow. Jaundice is caused by a build up of a chemical known as bilirubin in her bloodstream and body tissues, including her skin. According to the medical supply dude, Doug, it often builds up in areas such as knees and elbows because it can “pool.” Bilirubin is a waste-product of old red blood cells that the body no longer needs. Under normal circumstances, the liver filters the bilirubin from the blood and passes it to the bowel to be removed from the body in the bowel movements.<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;"><br />Resources online state that some newborn babies produce bilirubin faster than their bodies can eliminate it. This generally happens because 1) Early in life, newborn babies have to take their fetal red blood cells out of circulation and replace them with new, adult-type red cells. Disposing of the fetal red blood cells can load their bodies with a lot of bilirubin in a short amount of time; 2) The body systems, especially the liver, that usually process bilirubin and change it into an easily disposable form are not very efficient in the newborn, especially if the baby is a few weeks premature (<span style="color:#009900;">WHICH TOTALLY APPLIES TO LUCY</span>); and 3) The only way for bilirubin to actually leave the body of a newborn is in the bowel movements. Babies who don’t nurse vigorously or often enough might not have enough bowel movements to eliminate the bilirubin from their bodies. </span><a name="A5"></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;">Newborn jaundice is usually gone by about 2 weeks of age. However, it should be “fading” after it peaks around the 4th or 5th day of life. In other words, your baby should not still look as jaundiced at one week old as he or she did when 4 or 5 days old. The bilirubin level changes over time, and it could still be going up. Unfortunately, bilirubin is not like blood pressure or cholesterol, where you can look up what “normal” is, and then compare your baby’s bilirubin level to that normal value. It’s much more complicated because a very wide range of bilirubin levels are considered normal in the first week of life for healthy term newborn babies. Doctors and nurses uses special graphs to precisely determine what is normal (or too high) for each individual baby at a specific point in the baby’s life.<br /><br /><em>So why am I telling you about all this?</em> Well, poor little Lucy was discharged from the hospital on Thursday and since then, we have been taking daily trips to the lab where they take blood from her heel for a bilirubin test. On Thursday when we left the hospital, her level was 11.2, but then it peeked on Friday at 18.9 and has since gone down to 16.9 (as of earlier today). BUT… this process hasn’t occurred without much assistance! She has been attached to a medical device called a “biliblanket” (I’ve attached a photo below of Lucy’s “power pack” or “personal tanning booth”- two names that we’ve been calling it) for as many hours as humanly possible each day; which means, that we have been within 9 feet of an electrical outlet at all times since Friday evening to assure optimal phototherapy results. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;"><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332140314088243826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sf-RXWHFAnI/AAAAAAAAAKM/0Y4OAc24qmw/s400/biliblanket.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><br />In most cases, jaundice is treated with a little sunlight; however, because Lucy’s peeked so high and so quick, she has been receiving phototherapy since Friday evening (thus the visit from “the medical supply dude, Doug” that I mentioned earlier). Dr. Roberts, the pediatrician who was covering for Dr. Sola-Gomez on Friday prescribed a “biliblanket” for Lucy. The biliblanket provides the highest level of therapeutic light available with a pad of woven fibers (it looks like a thick belt that goes from under her arms to her belly button and wraps all the way around her abdomen, around her back, and connects to itself in the front). The covered fiberoptic pad is placed directly against her skin to provide the optimal amount of light. Absorption of this light leads to the elimination of bilirubin. Most babies require the biliblanket for several days- we will know more tomorrow about the next step in Lucy’s treatment because we have to get her blood tested when the lab opens and then head to our first visit to see Dr. Sola-Gomez.<br /><br /></div></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332144248695374194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sf-U8XqhQXI/AAAAAAAAAKc/EkV1qA-732A/s400/May+4,+2009+013.jpg" border="0" /> <p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;">Stay tuned for more updates as they come in and as I can run away from baby duties for a few minutes to type something… something that is hopefully coherent and written in a manner that is easily understandable.</span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1933635080087034669?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-45704327798729811672009-05-02T22:25:00.001-04:002009-05-02T22:27:21.202-04:00Birth Announcement- Greenfield Recorder- 04.30.2009<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sf0A69ak35I/AAAAAAAAAKE/ym1cDp8d5ww/s1600-h/birth_announcement_greenfield_recorder.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331418546794979218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sf0A69ak35I/AAAAAAAAAKE/ym1cDp8d5ww/s400/birth_announcement_greenfield_recorder.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4570432779872981167?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-31397893083795787132009-05-01T08:25:00.002-04:002009-05-01T08:28:49.059-04:001st Night Home...<div align="justify"><span style="color:#99ffff;">Our first night at home went as expected... little sleep. But I currently have this little yellow ( 1. due to the minor case of jaundice; and 2. because she is wrapped in a soft &amp; fuzzy yellow blanket) bundle of joy sleeping in my lap &amp; Rachel is catching up on some sleep upstairs. As I said, we have many photos, but the unfortunate news... I don't have the right transfer cord from Kim's camera to my computer- so needless to say, we expect to get this minor detail worked out on Saturday. I'll have a TON of photos posted soon! Stay posted &amp; keep checking the website for updates!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3139789308379578713?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-25755048728988958072009-04-29T13:11:00.004-04:002009-04-30T18:53:02.639-04:00Lucy Arrived!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SforjdJJ4BI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/mZwl3TwrJPA/s1600-h/April+2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330620997064843282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SforjdJJ4BI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/mZwl3TwrJPA/s400/April+2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Lucy Elizabeth Masson<br />Born: 04.28.2009<br />Time: 3:58pm<br />Weight: 8lbs. 1 oz.<br />Length: 20 inches<br />Status: Healthy!</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330620870293765682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SforcE4kvjI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/NSdyaIRqhVs/s400/April+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330620531709391202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SforIXjxMWI/AAAAAAAAAJk/sIeqf9PW7JU/s400/April+2009+001.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2575504872898895807?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-86850071450831190712009-04-28T00:31:00.001-04:002009-04-28T00:31:50.644-04:00It's only time. Kim will keep you posted...Her water broke...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8685007145083119071?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-45321476047900978802009-04-27T17:33:00.001-04:002009-04-27T20:29:27.984-04:00May 11th, 2009 = AROUND THE CORNER...<span style="color:#ff99ff;">It’s OFFICIAL, Rachel is 38 weeks pregnant today, which means, exactly 2 weeks from today is Lucy’s “due date.” We are TOTALLY ready for her arrival and anxiously await our little princess. This past weekend, we did last minute preparations such as assembling her crib, getting the rocking chair and glider in their respective places, and we even belted her car seat into the Jeep. All this… and… we still haven’t even packed our bag for the hospital yet! We spent much of yesterday afternoon writing “thank you” notes from our many showers and complaining about the heat + humidity- we resolved that issue by retreating to our back deck for dinner and then installing our fans WAY earlier than we have in years past. Both, Rachel and I are <em>TOTALLY</em> ready for Lucy to be born- she (Rachel) is, at this point, uncomfortably pregnant… and I… well, I don’t have such a good excuse, I’m just being selfish and want her here because I hate waiting!!!!<br /><br />Not only has Lucy been on the move almost continuously for the past few weeks, but Rachel’s contractions have increased significantly over the past week. Her belly becomes torpedo shaped during contractions &amp; you can visibly see the belly shifting &amp; Lucy's movements are quite apparent! As Lucy actually prepares for the birthing process, “What to Expect” states that she is shedding Vernix (white cheesy substance that covers and protects the skin) and lanugo (downy hair on the body of the fetus) from her body into the amniotic fluid. Additionally, her lungs continue to mature as more and more surfactant (fluid secreted by the cells of the alveoli [the tiny air sacs in the lungs] that serves to reduce the surface tension of pulmonary fluids; surfactant contributes to the elastic properties of pulmonary tissue). A neat little fact that I learned from another website (The Visible Embryo) explains how the skull is not fully solid at this point because the five bony plates, known as fontanels (little fountains), are still separate and are most commonly pushed together during the birthing process. I’ve heard stories about babies being born with “cone heads” and this now explains that theory because apparently, the birth may mold and elongate the fetal head which is a safety precaution to reduce the skull's diameter for an easier birth, without damaging the fetal brain. After delivery, the baby's head returns to a rounded shape. Lucy doesn’t have tear ducts yet because they appear a few weeks after birth. I remember when we babysat for my niece, Laylah, when she was less than 8 weeks old, and I commented to Rachel that she (Laylah) had a “pot belly.” Well, again today, I learned that there is a reason… the fetal abdomen is large and round because the liver is producing red blood cells and working overtime.<br /><br />As for our life outside of the home, we both busily prepare our workspace nightly in case we do not return the next day due to Lucy’s unexpected arrival. This week has been insanely chaotic for me (pardon the choice of words because I do work at a psychiatric hospital), but I’m preparing three discharges, one transfer, and a possible admission later in the week while also trying to get all caught up on my progress notes and treatment plans. Additionally, I didn’t mention that I was recently promoted to a social work supervisor position, and will most likely to begin in June officially, but am working with the clinical nurse manager behind the scenes on interviews and resumes/ staffing issues. Lastly, I should mention Rachel and her quest to accomplish <strong><u>all</u></strong> of her work prior to maternity leave; she intends on not returning to work until August 3rd, 2009.<br /><br />We’ll blog as soon as possible when Lucy is born- possibly with some assistance from our good-friend Kim. Hope you all are enjoying your spring &amp; we look forward to talking to you soon!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4532147604790097880?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-12938066952907583552009-04-22T17:31:00.008-04:002009-04-23T12:53:13.557-04:00A few more pictures to keep you going...<div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong>I have so much to write, but no time to write... today, I took a "personal day" from work to accomplish some last minute BLL (before Lucy List) items. I feel like I didn't get much accomplished, but "Oh well!"<br /><br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;"><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327632911029240898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Se-N59OUBEI/AAAAAAAAAJE/HrfrNDqK1xA/s400/Still+cookin%27.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong>Rachel's still cookin' &amp; entertaining at 8+ months pregnant... and, as you can see... Lucy's still cookin' too!<br /></strong></span><br /><br /></p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327633191073516130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Se-OKQeEimI/AAAAAAAAAJM/xw8P9XYFpRA/s400/Silly+Rachel....jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong>Rachel's being silly, posing in front of my new grill.... check it out- it's a Weber!<br />Woo Hoo!<br /></strong></span><br /><br /></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327633436631096658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Se-OYjPj3VI/AAAAAAAAAJU/TJasAmPMLNU/s400/Lucy%27s+New+Changing+Table.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffff33;"><strong>It doesn't look like much, but DAMN, it's a pain in the bottom putting baby furniture together! Here's the new changing table... the crib is coming soon- I just need to get another person to help me unload it from the Jeep &amp; bring it upstairs to Lucy's room for assembly.<br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327633919385500754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Se-O0ppLfFI/AAAAAAAAAJc/uooEwaPmTZE/s400/The+new+changing+table.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br />Side view of Lucy's changing table...<br />I just threw the stuff from the old one on the first shelf here...<br />Rachel has grand plans to get baskets to contain all of the diapering things</strong></span><span style="color:#ffff33;">.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1293806695290758355?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-25604340058734175802009-04-07T07:30:00.004-04:002009-04-18T11:13:45.704-04:00A taste of the baby shower...<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SensOiRNgcI/AAAAAAAAAI8/pMGceofGEMA/s1600-h/baby+shower.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326047768803639746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SensOiRNgcI/AAAAAAAAAI8/pMGceofGEMA/s400/baby+shower.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326046394911340434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Senq-kHwt5I/AAAAAAAAAIc/36CuxT8xKN8/s400/March+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="color:#ccccff;">Rachel Happily Arrives...</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326046128171001922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SenqvCb6KEI/AAAAAAAAAIM/VOTNDJAFO3k/s400/March+2009+001.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <span style="color:#ccccff;">Set-up before guests arrive...</span><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321910525293464290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Sds5bRKHiuI/AAAAAAAAAIA/gaQNQzAcC4Q/s400/March+2009+004.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <span style="color:#ccccff;">The beautiful cake made by Erica's cousin Penny...<br /></span><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SenrIFDdjrI/AAAAAAAAAIs/xpERx9sfROQ/s1600-h/March+2009+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326046558370500274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SenrIFDdjrI/AAAAAAAAAIs/xpERx9sfROQ/s400/March+2009+006.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#ccccff;">Friends from near and far...</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SenrDHvJWzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/GYtKUt99AUo/s1600-h/March+2009+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326046473191250738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SenrDHvJWzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/GYtKUt99AUo/s400/March+2009+010.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#ccccff;">Family &amp; friends celebrate...</span></div><div></div><div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Senq5Jajs8I/AAAAAAAAAIU/mR9oavISbwM/s1600-h/March+2009+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326046301843076034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/Senq5Jajs8I/AAAAAAAAAIU/mR9oavISbwM/s400/March+2009+009.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Many wonderful gifts, but the most beautiful gift </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;">is the love and support that we received...<br />Thank you to all!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;">Baby Shower for:<br />Lucy Elizabeth Masson<br />April 4th, 2009<br />Putney Friends Meeting House<br />Putney, Vt.</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div><div></div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2560434005873417580?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-85351538804638619302009-03-08T11:42:00.003-04:002009-03-08T11:50:10.803-04:009 Weeks To Go...<div align="center"> <span style="color:#99ff99;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We began our Birthing Education classes this past week. My first comment to Rachel when we reached the car was, “Are you sure we can’t get a refund?” Being in the healthcare field(s) and being well-read, educated individuals, Rachel and I found ourselves in a dramatically different place than two out of the three other couples. I’ve written in the past about our experiences in Greenfield- a small town community of hard-working, middle class individuals; there’s an estimated population of 13,736, which they report 91.6% to be white, non-Hispanic. Needless to say, and my point, is that Greenfield, despite being a decent place to live, lacks culture and diversity. We were the only lesbian couple in our class, and definitely the oldest couple. We’ve decided that we will pick and choose a few more of the classes to attend, but by far, we don’t need to attend the next five, two-hour sessions.<br /><br />Rachel has successfully reached week thirty-one. She continues to feel healthy, her belly continues to grow, and thus Lucy Elizabeth is well on her way to a health birth. “What to Expect” says that Lucy is on a roll, meaning that she is growing at leaps and bounds- she should measure an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds. But, we can expect her to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before she is born. During our last ultrasound, Maggie (our favorite midwife), said that she is in the seventy-six percentile for height and weight, and further concluded that she would weigh approximately 8 pounds, 8 ounces at birth. YIKES- that’s not a small baby, nor does it seem the “two vessel cord” is effecting her growth rate- Thank God! We’ll have yet another ultrasound on March 19th, 2009- we’ll again, post more photos then!<br /><br />Again, according to “What to Expect,” Lucy’s brain is working in overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and Lucy can now perceive information from all five senses. Of course she can't smell anything right now, but that's only because she’s submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. I think it’s amazing that the first things that Lucy will smell is Rachel, and that is partially the reason why the mother-daughter bond is so strong and will hopefully become Lucy’s favorite scent. Right now, Lucy is very active in Rachel’s ever-growing belly- she’s making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with her little hands and feet along Rachel’s uterine wall, and even sucking her thumb. Some resources actually say that some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a little sucker!). Hee hee hee!<br /><br />For some time now, Rachel has been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions- these contractions are literally like a “dress rehearsal” for the actual birthing contractions that will occur at a later time (hopefully around the beginning of May). What happens is, Rachel’s uterine muscles are flexing in preparation for the big job they'll have to do in the near future. They’re reported to be caused by pregnancy hormones sending messages to the body to (very slowly) start the childbirth process. Braxton-Hicks contractions usual last about 15 to 30 seconds, but sometimes as long as two minutes, and causing Rachel’s abdomen to become very hard and strangely contorted (almost pointy). When this happens, we palpate Rachel’s belly to guess what part of Lucy’s body we’re feeling at that moment- we will never know the actual answer, but it’s certainly a fun game and it helps take Rachel’s mind off the uncomfortable nature of the contracting muscles.<br /><br />Lastly, we have concluded the planning phase of the baby shower with MUCH assistance from Rachel’s sister, Elizabeth, who lives near Washington DC. We sent a combination of Evites and paper invites- mostly, our friends received Evites and our family members (or individual’s without computers) received paper invites. We owe Elizabeth a HUGE thank you for her hard work and keen ability to decode our complicated lists of family members and friends. During this process, Rachel and I have been repeatedly reminded of the wonderful group of family and friends that will help welcome Lucy into this wonderful world!</span><br /></span><span style="color:#99ff99;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Thank you to everybody!<br /></span></span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#99ff99;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310844600165062322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SbPpBpoj1rI/AAAAAAAAAH4/2iI25Zhp79c/s400/thank_you_typewriter.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8535153880463861930?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-17305149427429452912009-02-24T19:48:00.003-05:002009-02-24T19:52:03.689-05:002 Photos<span style="color:#ffccff;"> Here's 2 photos of my beautiful pregnant wife. Hope you enjoy- CHEERS to 30 weeks!<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span><br /><p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306530855991016338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SaSVssT-e5I/AAAAAAAAAHw/N9Kzbd4fAUY/s400/30+Weeks,+10+to+go....jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><br />Rachel- 30 weeks down, 10 to go... Feb. 24th, 2009<br /><br /></span></p><span style="color:#ffccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306530762812013650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SaSVnRMXvFI/AAAAAAAAAHo/oH01K6II1Hk/s400/Ariel+view+of+my+baby+and+baby%27s+momma.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Artistic View of my beautiful wife and her pregnant belly.</span><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1730514942742945291?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-33110079917474458802009-02-23T18:10:00.006-05:002009-02-23T18:21:56.027-05:00Lucy in 4D<div align="center"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong>Hey Folks... many of you have heard about our fabulous experience of seeing 4D ultrasound photos of Lucy. I promised to post them.... so, here they are...<br /><br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306134560329765986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SaMtRP7hFGI/AAAAAAAAAHg/VxnhwZLfxZc/s400/02_19_2009.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong>The two 4D photos are self-explanatory, but let me tell you about the other 4... </strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong>Upper right hand corner = Lucy's forearm- At this point, they measure the length of her bones to monitor growth rate. By the way, she's in the 76% range for overall growth and the midwife said "She's thriving!" WOO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HOO</span>!</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#ccffff;"><strong>Middle photo on Left = the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">circumference</span> of her skull- the white halo is her hair -or- peach fuzz.<br /><br />Middle photo on Right = Facial profile.<br /><br />Bottom Right Corner = Face.</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#ccffff;"><strong>On March 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nd</span>, we begin our "Preparation for Childbirth" class which will last 6 weeks. I'll keep you posted about the classes later. Until then, I hope you enjoy the photos!</strong></span><br /><br /></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3311007991747445880?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-12147695622163446092009-02-16T09:29:00.004-05:002009-02-17T15:56:30.368-05:0028 Weeks = The Beginning of the third trimester<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303402845555354466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SZl4yhYfa2I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ha4tbYlBPAY/s400/birthing+book_2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffffcc;"><strong>Welcome to the last and final chapter of pregnancy through Erica’s eyes… this week marks the third and final trimester of our adventure before parenthood (don't worry, there will be many more posts). Thus far, it has been a learning experience for both of us, and from my perspective an “easy pregnancy” meaning that Rachel has had few negative pregnancy side effects. She has had some belly achiness as her muscles are loosening and allowing Lucy more space to stretch out, she’s had cramping of the legs (i.e. Charlie Horses), her center of gravity has shifted, she’s had vivid dreams, her breasts were tender (at first), and recently she’s experienced some achy lower back (through the sciatica). Within approximately twelve short weeks, we will be mommies!<br /><br />As suggested by many, Rachel and I will be taking three new parent courses through Baystate Franklin Medical Center here in Greenfield. First, we will take a six week, Preparation for Childbirth class (i.e Lamaze), one evening workshop on Breastfeeding, and one evening workshop on Infant Care/ Transition to Parenthood. These classes will begin in March and stretch through mid-April. We’ve also contemplated taking a class suggested by a co-worker from the Retreat called Hypnobirthing. Apparently, hypnobirthing is a birthing method that is recently being used by many parents and medical professionals. The blurb for the book states, “You and your partner will learn to use self-hypnosis, guided imagery and special breathing techniques that can help to bring about a shorter, easier, and more joyful birthing, free of harmful drugs for you and your baby. You will birth your baby in a more comfortable manner, awake, alert, and fully in control.” Since Rachel is highly interested in a natural birth, free of unnecessary drugs/ medications and medical interventions, this method may be the way that we steer.<br /><br />I feel like I haven’t offered any information about what’s going on with Lucy lately. According to “What to Expect,” Lucy’s brain wave activity shows different sleep cycles, including rapid eye movement phase, the stage when dreaming occurs. Not only is Rachel having vivid dreams, but it appears that Lucy is also having dreams, too. Which makes me wonder what she dreams about; last night I was suggesting to Rachel that she dreams of sugar plum fairies and growing up in a wonderful home with mom’s who love her dearly, but then I also added that I think she dreams of Santa Claus and all the wonderful presents that she will gather in the future; Rachel laughed at that notion and responded “Our daughter isn’t dreaming of cultural specific activities.” Regardless of what she is dreaming about, I hope that they are happy dreams and that she thinks as fondly of us as we do of her.<br /><br />By now, Lucy weighs about two and a half pounds and should be approximately 16 inches long (measured head to toe). She has added blinking to her growing bag of tricks. (Outside in the real world, blinking is necessary to help keep foreign objects out of the eyes.) Other impressive new talents being added to Lucy's roster in the womb include coughing, more intense sucking, and, perhaps most important, better breathing. Rachel has recently begun to notice rhythmic sensations which may be hiccupping. Also, Lucy continues to be an acrobat and at times, sticks her body into funny configurations- thus one side of Rachel’s belly is raised, creating not such a smooth, round surface, but rather a bumpy belly that often changes from moment to moment.<br /><br />Also according to “What to Expect,” babies born this week, though premature, have an excellent prognosis because their lungs have reached the point (for the most part) of maturity. Of course, it's still best if a baby doesn't check out of that uterine hotel just yet — there's still a lot of growing and maturing to do over the next 12 weeks.<br /><br />Previously, I noted that we would also keep folks up-to-date regarding the baby shower and the details. Well, we have finally settled on a location and date. The grand event will occur on Saturday April 4th, 2009 from 2pm until 4pm at The Putney Friends Meeting House located at 17 Bellows Falls Rd. (Rt. 5) in Putney, Vermont. Rachel’s sister, Elizabeth, has been kindly orchestrating the event from afar (i.e. Columbia, Maryland) and will be contacting family members/ friends regarding the remainder of the details.</strong></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffffcc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">And, PLEASE welcome Charlie/ Chuck to our family- he's a 5yo yellow lab who we (and Grace) love dearly. We adopted him from our close friend, Kim.... can't wait for you to meet the "man of the house!"</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303403272500701570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SZl5LX4MaYI/AAAAAAAAAHY/2FoDNfUWQWw/s400/Charlie.jpg" border="0" /><br /></span></strong></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1214769562216344609?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-7361634724512146452009-02-01T18:00:00.004-05:002009-02-01T18:10:07.870-05:00The Wonders of Our "Situation"<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>As lesbian mothers, Rachel and I have the pleasure of making the rules up as we go... The other day, I had a wonderful conversation with my grandmother. The result = she wanted to let me know that my teenage cousin, Kathryn, (who was also in our wedding), is interested in being referred to as Lucy's "aunt" rather than <em><u>just</u> </em>"cousin." Since I do not have any sisters, and Kathryn would make a wonderful role model for Lucy, it was a <u><em>clear</em></u> decision- we promoted Kathryn to "Aunt Kathryn." An additional factor, is that I have a truly wonderful relationship with my aunt, Tammy, Kathryn's mom; one that I truly value and treasure. </strong></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Some day, I am positive that Lucy will value and treasure the role that Kathryn plays in her life.</span><br /></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffcccc;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297969014360412658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SYYqv6v6kfI/AAAAAAAAAHI/NCNF8dxIp4c/s400/Wedding+057.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Kathryn- August 18, 2007 (Erica &amp; Rachel's Wedding).</span><br /></strong></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-736163472451214645?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-87564794092072413382009-01-29T16:30:00.003-05:002009-01-29T16:35:30.883-05:006 Months = 26 Weeks...<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SYIgIsDcz8I/AAAAAAAAAG4/cJ-tEfBbQ8c/s1600-h/bottle"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296831445377798082" style="WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SYIgIsDcz8I/AAAAAAAAAG4/cJ-tEfBbQ8c/s400/bottle" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Well, I yet again write to you from snow-covered New England… currently, Rachel is sitting on a patio in downtown Santa Cruz eating Mexican food with her dad. I can’t even begin to explain my jealousy! After an extended trip yesterday, due to delays and lovely snow storm related travel, Rachel arrived safely in San Jose around 9:30pm (i.e. 12:30am our time)- my poor wife was exhausted and my daughter, Lucy, was expressing her discontent with flying. Apparently, Lucy was kicking up a storm and generally acting unhappy immediately following the air travel. Picky little girl already –or- should I say “She knows what she likes?”<br /><br />This is week 26, thus, we’re officially into month six of Rachel’s pregnancy. Approximately 14 weeks to go! WOO HOO! What to say about the recent pregnancy developments? Well, we posted this past month’s ultrasound photos below and Rachel is scheduled to have another one on February 19th, 2009 @ 8:30am- we’ve invited my grandparents to join us for the appointment. Lucy continues to develop as expected and is one healthy little girl!<br /><br /><em><strong>Here’s what “What to Expect” says about Lucy’s development:</strong></em><br /><br />Lucy’s eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are beginning to open. What this means is that she is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in Rachel’s uterus isn't all that exciting). The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing her eye color (Rachel has blue eyes and Steven has brown eyes). Even the color she is be born with might not be the permanent shade; so we may be kept guessing until she is close to six months old.<br /><br />Lucy’s brain-wave activity is kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means she can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity. And talking about activity, at your her current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate she is growing, she will soon be feeling a little cramped in Rachel’s uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for her to grow. It just means our little gymnast will have less room for somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.<br /><br />What else can I tell you this week? Well, Rachel’s sister and mother are in the process of planning our baby shower; looks like it will occur in Vermont on April 4th, 2009- but don’t forget to bring presents for me because it’s the day before my birthday! Hee hee hee! Just kidding! We’re definitely in the pre-planning stages of this event, but we will keep people posted. I ordered cookie cutters (see above &amp; below) in the shape of a baby bottle and a baby carriage so we can share my grandma’s delicious sugar cookies with our guests! Rachel and I are also in the early phase of scheduling birthing classes and tours of the birthing center at our hospital. </span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Needless to say, everything is falling into place and our dreams of beginning our family are becoming a not-so-far-off reality!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SYIgPg6nyMI/AAAAAAAAAHA/vDZ_xv9PrKY/s1600-h/carriage"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296831562647062722" style="WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SYIgPg6nyMI/AAAAAAAAAHA/vDZ_xv9PrKY/s400/carriage" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8756479409207241338?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-75455171642244922372009-01-19T08:51:00.008-05:002009-01-19T09:01:00.888-05:00There's an alien in Rachel's belly!<div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Today begins week # 25...</span></strong> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Good morning folks. I thought I would start the week off with some new ultrasound photos. Not only can we feel Lucy kicking in Rachel's belly, but last night while we were watching television, I could actually see Lucy moving around in Rachel's belly- it was <em>AMAZING</em>!<br /><br />Happy Monday &amp; I hope you enjoy the new photos of our beautiful little girl. Cheers to an early spring and no more snow!<br /><em>WOO HOO!</em></span></span></strong></span><em><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></strong><br /></div></em><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXSF6Fi6OyI/AAAAAAAAAGY/CsuJRAnYJxw/s1600-h/01_12_2009_Hand.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293002695034682146" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXSF6Fi6OyI/AAAAAAAAAGY/CsuJRAnYJxw/s400/01_12_2009_Hand.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">Lucy says HELLO!</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXSGKHNFq0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/lHk3SJaWOt8/s1600-h/01_12_2009_Face.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293002970357934914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXSGKHNFq0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/lHk3SJaWOt8/s400/01_12_2009_Face.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;"><em>CHEESE!</em></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXSGTngS00I/AAAAAAAAAGo/0L75_y90G-8/s1600-h/01_12_2009_Profile.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293003133647246146" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXSGTngS00I/AAAAAAAAAGo/0L75_y90G-8/s400/01_12_2009_Profile.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>A profile photo of our beautiful little princess...</strong></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7545517164224492237?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-90425292750958274882009-01-16T10:21:00.005-05:002009-01-16T10:50:31.716-05:0024 Weeks Down, Approximately 16 to Go!<div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">As many of you know, Rachel and I are really bad at keeping secrets. But, we haven’t openly discussed an issue that we discovered during our twenty week ultrasound that occurred on December 22nd, 2008. Obviously, that is the anatomy scan where we found out that the “Masson baby” was a girl, but we also found out stressful news at that time.<br /><br />One of the important tasks of the technician during the anatomy scan is to scan Lucy’s umbilical cord for the presence of three vessels: one vein (which carries oxygen and nutrients from Rachel to Lucy) and two arteries (which shuttle the waste back to Rachel, to be processed and disposed of by her kidneys). Instead of those three vessels, Lucy’s cord has only two: one vein and one artery. Two-vessel cords — also known as single umbilical artery (SUA) — occurs in 1% of single baby pregnancies and 5% of twin and multiple pregnancies. Researchers don't quite know what causes SUA, though they theorize that the second artery disappears at some point during early pregnancy.<br /><br />You’re wondering <em>“What does this all mean?”</em> and <em>“Is Lucy okay?”</em> Well, let me explain more… and Yes, Lucy is okay- she’s healthy and developing as expected. <strong><em>BREATHE!</em></strong><br /><br />Upon returning home that day, of course, we immediately got on the internet to research our little two vessel cord and telephoned both Kim (who’s in nursing school and the mom of beautiful ‘premie’ twins who are now 3years old) and Sandy (one of my closest friends who is currently finishing her degree to become a Physician’s Assistant). Despite the midwife’s reassurance and numerous verbal prompts to “not worry”- Rachel and I were a WRECK! During our research, we found out that two vessel cords is the most common malformation of the umbilical cord. It does not necessarily pose a risk to Rachel or Lucy as an umbilical cord with just one artery is sufficient to support a pregnancy to term. However, SUA does increase your Lucy’s risk for certain birth defects.<br /><br /><em>Still, we were not convinced and we were nervous about the outcome and concerned about Lucy’s well-being.<br /></em><br />But, all of the websites mentioned that the “practitioner” (i.e. our widwife) would order additional testing to rule out chromosomal and/ or birth defects, including a low birth weight, heart defects, gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, and problems with the central nervous system. Lucy’s respiratory system, urinary tract, and musculoskeletal system could also be affected. Luckily, Rachel and I had already undergone the additional testing that is common to order, the “quad screen” and the AFP (alpha-fetoprotein test). And, even more, both tests came back “normal” with no indications that Lucy was at a higher risk for chromosomal or birth defects. Thus, the next preventative measure was to go to Baystate Health (Springfield, Ma) to The Wesson Women and Infants' Unit for another “phase II” ultrasound. The only difference between an ultrasound in Greenfield at Baystate Franklin Medical versus one in Springfield is that it is monitored and reviewed by a Perinatologist on-sight. We had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Michael P. Plevyak, who was very knowledgeable and helped relieve all anxieties we had prior to the appointment.<br /><br /><br />A lengthy ultrasound revealed that there weren’t any birth defects, her heart and organs were developed as expected, and he was able to conclude that Lucy was 100% healthy. In general, he would also order an echo. but Lucy was cooperative during the exam and he was able to get clear photos of her healthy little heart right there and then. Additionally, he was able to answer questions that we had regarding how the gastric bypass surgery affects Lucy’s nutritional intake and other concerns we had prior to our meeting. Overall, we were pleased with our experience and totally relieved! Following our appointment, Rachel and I went to Ruby Tuesday’s for a nibble and then we headed to Babies R Us to register. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">I promise to post more pictures soon. Until then, be well, stay warm, and read some good books- like the one below!!!! </span></div><p><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXCnMdrPpLI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/jlHEni-oAHs/s1600-h/book+photo.jpg"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291913394726610098" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SXCnMdrPpLI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/jlHEni-oAHs/s400/book+photo.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-9042529275095827488?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-53948397657092373742009-01-10T20:16:00.012-05:002009-01-10T20:39:29.244-05:00January 10th, 2009<div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Things have been emotionally difficult around here this week, as we had to have Riley "put to sleep." It was a difficult decision, but we feel like it was the right decision.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">The joy we feel, as Lucy's due date approaches, helps us keep things in perspective. Lucy is constantly on the move, using Rachel's belly as a spring-board for acrobatics. Even I have been able to feel this little gymnast at work. Many people have asked for 2 things... 1) our baby "theme"; and 2) to see Rachel's belly... H</span><span style="color:#33ccff;">ere's some pictures of Rachel &amp; the baby's nursery.<br /><br /><strong>Welcome to week # 23...</strong><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;">Rachel's Baby Belly... Up close &amp; personal...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlJL86ojFI/AAAAAAAAAFg/1iyEazZ8Las/s1600-h/New+Years+Eve+2009+002.jpg"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289839707002801234" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlJL86ojFI/AAAAAAAAAFg/1iyEazZ8Las/s400/New+Years+Eve+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><span style="color:#33ccff;"><div align="center"><br /></div></span><p align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Lucy Elizabeth's nursery theme...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlJYJkCgRI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ZquKMxmgV5A/s1600-h/Baby+Theme+005.jpg"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289839916556124434" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlJYJkCgRI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ZquKMxmgV5A/s400/Baby+Theme+005.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br />Her crib and sleepy area..<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlJsQNRvXI/AAAAAAAAAFw/I1KJfnc-rMQ/s1600-h/Baby+Theme+003.jpg"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289840261937085810" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlJsQNRvXI/AAAAAAAAAFw/I1KJfnc-rMQ/s400/Baby+Theme+003.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br />Cuddly-soft blanket...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlKGei1sgI/AAAAAAAAAF4/2X-LPdaiViE/s1600-h/Baby+Theme+002.jpg"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289840712462217730" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlKGei1sgI/AAAAAAAAAF4/2X-LPdaiViE/s400/Baby+Theme+002.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br />The light of her life...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlKS8n_UeI/AAAAAAAAAGA/0hp4TMM_21o/s1600-h/Baby+Theme+004.jpg"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289840926695313890" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlKS8n_UeI/AAAAAAAAAGA/0hp4TMM_21o/s400/Baby+Theme+004.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br />and... the rug under her feet...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlKkmNW7oI/AAAAAAAAAGI/w7MhHPVfdNE/s1600-h/Baby+Theme+001.jpg"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289841229915680386" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SWlKkmNW7oI/AAAAAAAAAGI/w7MhHPVfdNE/s400/Baby+Theme+001.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5394839765709237374?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-14176439038866625362009-01-02T23:19:00.006-05:002009-01-02T23:24:20.208-05:00My beautiful wife, Rachel...<span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong>Here are some photos from Christmas Day 2008... </strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SV7nsgKgrpI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/o9tqXzp1Hug/s1600-h/Week+%23+21-+Christmas+Day+2008.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286917764313820818" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SV7nsgKgrpI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/o9tqXzp1Hug/s400/Week+%23+21-+Christmas+Day+2008.JPG" border="0" /></strong></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong>Belly Photo- Just starting to "pop."</strong></span><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SV7n5u6lmPI/AAAAAAAAAFY/VUUfS4Bc7YA/s1600-h/Mittens_book.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286917991611865330" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SV7n5u6lmPI/AAAAAAAAAFY/VUUfS4Bc7YA/s400/Mittens_book.JPG" border="0" /></strong></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ffffcc;"><strong>Lucy is going to be an avid reader...</strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1417643903886662536?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-32818646320768013052008-12-31T08:51:00.007-05:002008-12-31T12:15:36.574-05:00Lucy Elizabeth Masson<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVt6xb3LatI/AAAAAAAAAE4/R1zGh_Cs9Q0/s1600-h/banana.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285953577360779986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVt6xb3LatI/AAAAAAAAAE4/R1zGh_Cs9Q0/s400/banana.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Summarizing Week # 21:</em><br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Many people have responded to our personal e-mail account regarding our last post, so I wanted to publicly introduce Lucy Elizabeth Masson. Her officially due date is May 11th, 2009- but we all know how that goes- what is it, give or take 2 weeks on each end? So, theoretically, she could be born any time between April 27th, 2009 through May 25th, 2009. Honestly, I don’t if I can wait that long!<br /><br />At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, Lucy is about the size of a large banana –and- during our last ultrasound, see the photos below in our last post, the technician notes that the baby is just under one pound. Woo Hoo- she’s a whopper all ready! But, I think the coolest part of the entire experience was seeing her heart up close where you were clearly able to distinguish all four chambers of the little “lub-dub.” Hope she has lots of room in that heart for love, because she is greatly loved by us already and we haven’t even met her yet. How on Earth does that happen? How can you fall in love with a little being that you haven’t met –or- fall in love with a little person who isn’t fully developed? Wow- this whole process is VERY intense!<br /><br />At 21 weeks pregnant, your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day — not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting — skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what Rachel’s eaten (spicy Mexican food one day, or sweets another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain tastes in utero via the amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now! Your developing baby still has a great deal of room in your womb — though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!). With all that belly dancing going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day! (Now if only you could get some sleep!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Summarizing Week # 22:</em></strong><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Guess what? At 22 weeks pregnant, Lucy has finally broken the one-pound mark. This week, she is making more sense of the world as her sense of touch develops. In fact, her grip is quite developed by now — and since there's nothing else to grab in utero, she may sometimes hold on tight to that umbilical cord (don't worry — it's tough enough to handle it). The sense of sight is also getting more developed. Lucy can now perceive light and dark much better than before (even with those fused eyelids). Unless Rachel and I are shining a flashlight over her belly (which you can do, by the way), it'll be mostly dark for Lucy inside that cozy womb. Moving up from the eyes, the eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now — and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. Hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white- yippee- we have a little toe-head!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>In General:</em></span></strong> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Today is New Years Eve 2008, it’s snowing like crazy outside- we’re expecting four to six inches by 6pm… and by 9pm…. We’re expecting Sandy and Debbie to arrive at our house. Tonight, we will partake in our New Year’s Eve tradition of eating fabulously delicious food prepared by Rachel, we will imbibe spectacular cocktails again created by the wonderful Rachel, and we will no-doubt engage in some smack-talking and good ‘ole fun during the many hours of board games- Cranium, Apples to Apples, and Scrabble are at the top of the list tonight. Tomorrow is supposed to be down right balmy, but if we can bear the frigid temperatures, we may try to get some snow shoeing in prior to Sandy &amp; Debbie’s departure at 4pm- I promised Debbie that I’d kick them out by 4pm because she has to work early on Friday morning (as do I).<br /><br />We had a wonderful Christmas and Hanukkah with our families; as always, we received many thoughtful gifts. Speaking of which, I think Lucy had more gifts under the tree than we did- Rachel’s sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Jake, purchased a beautiful traditional Winnie-the-Pooh bedding set for us along with wonderful outfits, Betty bought a Curious George jack-in-the-box, my Aunt Marlene crocheted a beautiful blanket, a book from Auntie &amp; Joe, and my grandparents bought some wonderfully adorable outfits. Needless to say, Lucy made out like a bandit!<br /><br />As always, I took many photos of the holidays with the family and I’m sure I’ll take many photos of our adventures tonight. I will make it a priority to post some of the photos of Rachel and the growing belly as soon as they’re downloading. Speaking of Rachel… I’ve somehow forgotten to mention her too much… Gee Whiz! Anyways, Rachel continues to feel great- She continues to work out daily and she is healthy. However, she continues to be easily tired and goes to bed around 8pm nightly, but she also works out at 5am… so, in general, we are on different sleep cycles as I can’t possibly fall asleep that early, nor could I drag my bum out of bed that early- I like my sleep and I hate the cold mornings of the winter!</span><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">Cheers to everybody </span></strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">for a </span></strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">Safe &amp; Happy </span></strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">New Year!</span></strong><br /></span></em><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285953824422464002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVt6_0PRigI/AAAAAAAAAFA/384ItcH7kg8/s400/new-year-pooh-bear.gif" border="0" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3281864632076801305?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-77768625232066835242008-12-31T08:45:00.003-05:002008-12-31T08:51:08.311-05:00The Stream of Life<div align="center"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>I just wanted to share this sweet poem with everybody...</strong></span> </span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVt4LBOd7iI/AAAAAAAAAEw/eqCOK9ERFjo/s1600-h/The+Stream+of+Life.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285950718352420386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVt4LBOd7iI/AAAAAAAAAEw/eqCOK9ERFjo/s400/The+Stream+of+Life.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVt3tn9qypI/AAAAAAAAAEo/likFIiLw_ds/s1600-h/The+Stream+of+Life.gif"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7776862523206683524?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-37658183595170816392008-12-22T19:58:00.012-05:002008-12-22T20:10:20.967-05:00Pink -or- Blue....<div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Rachel and I are so happy to FINALLY share the following ultrasound scans with with...</span></strong><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA4KELbLhI/AAAAAAAAAEA/fE9idTP13ck/s1600-h/its-a-girl.gif"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282784108477099538" style="WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA4KELbLhI/AAAAAAAAAEA/fE9idTP13ck/s400/its-a-girl.gif" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">The official ultrasound.... and the verdict is in....<br /></span></strong><br /></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA4mGR05HI/AAAAAAAAAEI/eD1QitFToOs/s1600-h/It%27s+a+Girl_12_22_2008.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282784590077158514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA4mGR05HI/AAAAAAAAAEI/eD1QitFToOs/s400/It%27s+a+Girl_12_22_2008.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">The profile of our princess...</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></strong><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA4v4Zny6I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/PYDGyDF6bkA/s1600-h/12_22_2008.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282784758150450082" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA4v4Zny6I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/PYDGyDF6bkA/s400/12_22_2008.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffccff;">Happy Feet...</span></strong><br /></div></span><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA46D5GOUI/AAAAAAAAAEY/W2c6zLSugOw/s1600-h/feet_12_22_2008.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282784933033949506" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA46D5GOUI/AAAAAAAAAEY/W2c6zLSugOw/s400/feet_12_22_2008.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"><strong>And a HUGE round of applause...<br /><br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"><strong></div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></span><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA5OYdrhxI/AAAAAAAAAEg/nTtptjowG-Q/s1600-h/hand_and_spine_12_22_2008.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282785282153482002" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 312px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SVA5OYdrhxI/AAAAAAAAAEg/nTtptjowG-Q/s400/hand_and_spine_12_22_2008.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-3765818359517081639?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-47570734043282655632008-12-20T10:31:00.000-05:002008-12-20T10:32:26.435-05:00Baby Masson's First Onesie...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SU0QAMYYRuI/AAAAAAAAAD4/8-JgtU8FNBQ/s1600-h/first+Onesie+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281895533484984034" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SU0QAMYYRuI/AAAAAAAAAD4/8-JgtU8FNBQ/s400/first+Onesie+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4757073404328265563?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-41877573955098775442008-12-19T23:28:00.006-05:002008-12-19T23:43:59.665-05:00Introducing Steven...<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUx1liuCPtI/AAAAAAAAADw/MQ63AK1dC2c/s1600-h/steven+%26+jeremy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281725750834249426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUx1liuCPtI/AAAAAAAAADw/MQ63AK1dC2c/s400/steven+%26+jeremy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center">Rachel and I have tossed the idea of having a "known" donor in our lifes vs. an unknown donor (i.e a sperm bank) for a LONG time now- our conclusion was that we would have a conversation with a wonderful couple to see if they were at all interested.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Steven and Jeremy, who Rachel and her mother knew for many years (prior to me meeting them at their restaurant, The Front Porch Cafe) are fabulous individuals who want to assist Rachel and I in the process of having a family. I don't know what year this photo was actually taken, but Steven (the donor- is on the left) and Jeremy (his life-partner/ husband is on the right). I'm also hoping that the "boys" will send us more recent photos and a "bio" on themselves, soon.<br />Peace, </div><div align="center">love </div><div align="center">&amp; </div><div align="center">cheer!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4187757395509877544?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-84197155551003878622008-12-19T10:38:00.004-05:002008-12-19T18:35:04.911-05:0020 Weeks...<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUvDYpkeMpI/AAAAAAAAADg/swRCWrJshuM/s1600-h/cantaloupe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281529816265142930" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUvDYpkeMpI/AAAAAAAAADg/swRCWrJshuM/s400/cantaloupe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#9999ff;">The Masson baby weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches- Think small cantaloupe (and probably as sweet too). Is it a boy cantaloupe or a girl cantaloupe? We'll be able to find out the baby's gender on Monday December 22nd, 2008 @ 3pm. Apparently, if the baby is a girl, her uterus is fully formed this week and her vaginal canal is starting its development. She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries now, seven million of them — though by the time she's born, that number will be down to two million (still more than she could ever hope to use). And interestingly, your baby girl will be born with all the eggs she'll ever have.<br /><br />What if the baby is a male? If it’s a boy, his testicles have begun their descent this week, though they're still located in the abdomen, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop into in a few weeks. Though the external genitals in both male and female fetuses still have a way to grow, you should be able to find out the sex of your baby during the ultrasound exam.<br /><br />Two appointments ago, Rachel was offered an additional prenatal test. Our theory on these tests have been: 1) As long as our insurance covers the majority of the cost; and 2) As long as there aren’t risks to either Rachel or the baby’s health. So, she had a simple blood test done- actually a small prick of the finger for an “AFP Test.” We didn’t know much about the test, other than it was looking for genetic markers that would indicate the likeliness of genetic abnormalities. With a little research, I found some additional information. Also, our mid-wife, Maggie, is WONDERFUL at explaining the details and especially the “pro’s” and “con’s.” But here’s some more information for all of you who were not in the room with us when Maggie gave her explanation.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong><u>When is the Alpha-Fetoprotein test performed?<br /></u></strong>During the period of 15 to 20 weeks gestation, about halfway through pregnancy, many pregnant women are offered and encouraged to undergo more invasive prenatal testing. One of the tests available is called the AFP or Alpha-Fetoprotein test. The AFP test is a blood test used to screen the baby for certain conditions. The blood taken is that from mom, but a sample can be obtained for testing from amniotic fluid. The AFP test is not a diagnosis. It can only be used to test for the increased likelihood of an abnormality or birth defect.<br /><br /><strong><u>What is Alpha-Fetoprotein and why is the AFP test done?</u></strong><br />Alpha-Fetoprotein is a substance produced by the fetus in utero. AFP stops being produced once the baby is born. The AFP is excreted in the fetal urine which crosses into the mother’s blood stream. This is why AFP can be detected by a blood sample taken from the pregnant mother.<br />High levels of AFP can indicate an increased chance of the fetus having a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Another possibility with a high level of AFP can be a low level of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. An abnormally low AFP level can indicate an increased risk of Down syndrome.<br /><br />The AFP is rarely performed alone. AFP is usually part of a test called a “triple screen.” The purpose of the triple screen test is to use the results of all three blood tests to increase the accuracy of the results. There are practically no risks involved with having the test performed.<br />The accuracy rate of the AFP test is estimated at 80%. Many times women who under go testing are given results that indicate a high risk for birth defects and the baby is born without an abnormality. This is referred to as a “false positive.”</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUvDezRA4iI/AAAAAAAAADo/Q-wKHjLrjSQ/s1600-h/Week20.jpg"></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8419715555100387862?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-51868491218907827902008-12-17T10:02:00.012-05:002008-12-17T10:38:43.688-05:00Parenting Decisions...<div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>After spending an entire weekend with my 2 neices (ages 11 weeks &amp; 2 yrs 9 mnths) and my nephew (1 yr 9mnths), Rachel and I are 100% certain of one thing... We <em>NEVER</em> intend to have three children under the age of three at any point in our parenting career! Granted, my neices and nephew are well-behaved, wonderfully talented, and purely beautiful children- caring for them and their needs is virtually impossible! Jerad (my brother) and Vera (my sister-in-law) have their hands FULL!</strong></span><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><u><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Here's some photos of our weekend:</span></u></span></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkVZmp3_hI/AAAAAAAAACo/dle0mPkjcJc/s1600-h/pig+pile.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280775567685713426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkVZmp3_hI/AAAAAAAAACo/dle0mPkjcJc/s400/pig+pile.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Pig Pile on Auntie Erica.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkXRbqGmCI/AAAAAAAAACw/CSoMccD5_n8/s1600-h/laylah.jpg"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280777626318182434" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkXRbqGmCI/AAAAAAAAACw/CSoMccD5_n8/s400/laylah.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">Laylah.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkXhjnHCXI/AAAAAAAAAC4/CU37P4co4-A/s1600-h/pumpkin.jpg"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280777903331019122" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkXhjnHCXI/AAAAAAAAAC4/CU37P4co4-A/s400/pumpkin.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ff33;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;">Shmooshy-faced Ellianna with Auntie.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkXsotCUoI/AAAAAAAAADA/lJR8bsN74n0/s1600-h/tubby.jpg"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280778093676614274" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkXsotCUoI/AAAAAAAAADA/lJR8bsN74n0/s400/tubby.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ff33;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></div></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ffff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ffff;">Rub-a-dub-dub...<br />Moose-a-man's in the tub!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ffff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ffff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ffff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#99ffff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkX80aI8_I/AAAAAAAAADI/_Tp-DLJx1WM/s1600-h/santa.jpg"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280778371696489458" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkX80aI8_I/AAAAAAAAADI/_Tp-DLJx1WM/s400/santa.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ff33;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></div></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Brunch at The Blue Heron with Santa...</span></div><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span> </p><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"> </p><div align="center"><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkYqVrQUtI/AAAAAAAAADQ/TJWXmGav4sA/s1600-h/ellianna.jpg"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280779153720758994" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkYqVrQUtI/AAAAAAAAADQ/TJWXmGav4sA/s400/ellianna.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#33ff33;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></div></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Ellianna wanted <u>NO</u> part of photos with Santa. She just wanted to play with his bells while other children and parents were trying to take photos.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkY-K-Q16I/AAAAAAAAADY/09H1xxR_W9U/s1600-h/Erica+&amp;+Rachel.jpg"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280779494445078434" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SUkY-K-Q16I/AAAAAAAAADY/09H1xxR_W9U/s400/Erica+%26+Rachel.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffff33;">Rachel &amp; I at the Brattleboro Retreat 2008 Holiday Party.</span></span></div><p><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></span> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>WOO HOO! We survived a full weekend of 3 children under the age of 3... two of which had runny noses and were crabby toddlers at times. There's nothing like teamwork! We look forward to the challenges that lie ahead with parenting a newborn and acknowledge the importance of working together to establish a routine that works well for both of us and the baby. In less than one week, we may know the gender of the Masson baby! We've officially began our 20th week, I will have more fun-filled baby facts in a later post this week! Hope everybody is happy abd healthy this holiday season!<br />Cheers to all!</strong></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5186849121890782790?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-89335313654155374872008-12-09T09:55:00.003-05:002008-12-09T11:11:43.784-05:009+ Months of Pregnancy...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ST6HSmC-7WI/AAAAAAAAACg/Tx247rWHhCI/s1600-h/large+mango.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277804566845255010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/ST6HSmC-7WI/AAAAAAAAACg/Tx247rWHhCI/s400/large+mango.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ccccff;">Instead of the 12 days of Christmas, this is the 9+ months of pregnancy…<br /><br />I hope the holiday season is treating everybody well out there. Today is the first time we’ve had actual snow hit the ground this season… it’s more than a dusting, but not a true accumulation; perhaps we’ll get two inches of snow, but it’s supposed to turn to rain and it’ll either ice over or disappear. Yee Haw for the lovely New England weather!<br /><br />Rachel continues to feel well and has begun to feel the flutter of movement in her uterus. She continues to work out and yesterday was “re-invigorated” after reading all of the benefits of exercising during pregnancy. Me, I continue to sleep in and hibernate like a bear until the very last minute of the morning- you know, the last minute that if I pass, I will be REALLY late for work- yeah, that one! I don’t like the winter, I don’t like the cold weather, and all I want to do is stay in my bed where it’s warm. Rachel is quite opposite- she’s a “Get up &amp; Go” type gal… she heads to the gym at some un-Godly hour- I don’t even hear her alarm go off most mornings and she returns before I get out of bed. Yeah, we definitely have a routine!<br /><br />So, last week we visited Maggie, our beloved midwife- she’s wonderful! Everything is progressing as expected- we heard the heart beat (as we do at every appointment), she asked a billion questions, answered our three billions questions, and then scheduled an ultrasound for December 23rd, 2008 @ 8am. Do you know what that means? It means that we MIGHT know baby Masson’s gender two days before Christmas. YIPPPPEEEEE! In my mind, I’m more excited about that appointment than I am about Christmas! Plus, the parents and grandparents will most likely get little picture frames as gifts that say “It’s a _____!” I will definitely post a blog on that day!<br /><br />Alright… so, we’ve entered week # 19… what does that mean? Well, our baby is about six inches long and about eight ounces in weight –or- the baby is the size of a large mango (thus the "large" mango picture above). Not many people know, but one of my favorite movies is the Matrix, and in “What to Expect” they say that our “little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves” meaning that the baby has more control over his/ her movements of it’s limbs because the arms and legs are finally in proportion and the neurons are now connected between the brain and the muscles. Plus, the cartilage throughout the body is finally turning to bone. Another huge development this week is the formation of the vernix caseosa; the actual latin translation is “cheesy varnish” which is greasy and white, and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Our baby is lathered in anti-wrinkle cream!<br /><br />Rachel hasn’t added her two cents to our blog yet; she stresses over what she’s going to write. Additionally, I haven’t been able to gather pictures and information about the donor to introduce him yet either. I will work on both of those topics for future blog entries. For now, I leave you with this great quote I found online:<br /><br />“The moment a child is born,<br />the mother is also born.<br />She never existed before.<br />The woman existed, but the mother, never.<br />A mother is something absolutely new.”<br />~Rajneesh</span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8933531365415537487?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-851701816362149372008-12-01T12:19:00.005-05:002008-12-01T12:27:09.434-05:00Beginning Week # 18 with Excitement...<div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Did you know that because Rachel’s uterus is growing so rapidly, that her center of gravity shifts? Not only is her uterus the size of a cantaloupe, her lower back has pulled forward and her abdomen is now thrust out more. The most fascinating fact of this week, for me, is that in the next few weeks, Rachel will be able to start feeling fetal movements; they’re described as feeling like gas bubbles, but this is definitely assurance that she’s carrying a baby and not just the produce department (as “What to Expect” always describes size in comparison to produce). I’m not exactly sure how Rachel’s shifted center of gravity affects me, but I wonder if this means she will topple over more easily or if she shouldn’t be climbing ladders or standing at great heights. Hmmm…. Six feet in the air is a great height to me, does this mean she needs to sit all the time? Gee whiz… according to WebMD, the only time women notice a difference in their balance is primarily during the third trimester causing them to feel “perpetually off-balance” which is caused by a hormone called Relaxin which apparently is released towards the end of pregnancy to allow the hips, knees, and ankles to be more flexible and ultimately it makes the woman feel more wobbly, achy, and more likely to fall. I guess I’ll continue to allow Rachel to stand tall for now because good posture is very important to alleviate some of the related back aches and pains associated with pregnancy.<br /><br />At this point, most women are visibly pregnant… but Rachel is still “theoretically” pregnant because to the unsuspecting, ordinary person, Rachel appears to be a six foot tall, slender woman who, as always, is glowing, happy, and boisterous. Though, on my way to work this morning, I got a call on my cell phone from Rachel stating “My work clothes don’t fit me anymore (because of the baby bump).” To which I replied, “Well, you could wear my clothes.” But after a brief second of thought, we both agreed: 1) As most of you know, she &amp; I have entirely different styles- not to mention the feminine nature of her clothing and the masculine nature of my clothing, and the pure fact that I don’t share well with others (yeah, you heard me correctly- I think it’s a product of being the oldest child &amp; always being forced to share things with my younger brothers- I don’t know, but that’s a good excuse and I don’t necessarily have to take responsibility for it); and 2) She’s much taller than I am which would cause my pants to be “high waters” or my shirts to be “½ shirts” none of which would be appropriate for her business attire needed for work. So…. Yes folks, we’re in a clothing quandary… but alas, Rachel found a decent solution which was recommended by, our trusty, advice giving, queen of all things motherly, Kim, and secondly “What to Expect.” She purchased a “belly band.” (I hope I’m not sharing too much information because this could be cause for Rachel to banish me to the couch, or worse, the camper). Anyways, Rachel has another check-up with the midwife this week (I think it's on Thursday) &amp; I'm sure I'll have more information following that appointment, but because I lack time-off, I don't get to attend the meeting with her. BLECH! I believe that we will be able to have an ultrasound during the week of Christmas where we "<em>could</em>" discover the gender of our baby... we'll keep our fingers crossed!<br /><br />According to a “well-known” pregnancy store, a “belly band” is a seamless, maternity accessory band that you wear at your waistline, over your unbuttoned pre-pregnancy pants, over slightly big maternity pants, or around the waistband of any maternity clothing that falls down. Rachel purchased one and wore it all day yesterday. She reports that it was comfortable, soft, and easy to wear. At first, I totally didn’t understand this contraption and she said “It’s like a tube top for your belly.” Which for some odd reason, made much more sense to me… I know nothing about tube tops, they actually puzzle me, but for some reason, it helped me better understand this new article of clothing. The band holds up your pants, disguising unzipped/ buttoned pants, and creates a smooth belly surface (or a lack of bulkiness around the belly bump). The best part, that makes the MOST sense to me, with the belly band, no one has to know your pants are undone or loose. And, according to the “well-known” pregnancy store, you can conceal your belly band or let it peek out from under your top for that hip, layered look. If your shirt rises, it looks like a t-shirt or camisole - not a funky mechanism (like safety pins or straps) to expand your waistband or hold up your pants. Thank god for the belly band because maternity clothing is ungodly expensive and mostly ugly, non-fashionable, and unappealing to my beautiful wife.<br /><br />Now, what the HECK is going on inside Rachel’s belly (or uterus to be exact)? Well, the baby is definitely growing like a weed; he or she is about 5 ½ inches long and approximately 5 ounces. The baby continues its acrobatics, but this week has also perfected its yawn. Not only is he/ she becoming more talented and acquiring more tricks, but the nerves are now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, the baby's is growing more acute, making him/ her more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body.<br /><br />Okay, so that is the “facts and statistics” and details of this week. But, many of you might want to know what is going on in our lives outside of Rachel’s uterus. Well, Rachel’s travel for work has ceased for the time being, well as least through the holidays. She continues to be busy with work, but luckily, she had the week of Thanksgiving off during which time, she completed some items on the “honey-do list.” Window treatments were at the top of that list over the past week, especially because we had company for Thanksgiving. Rachel installed, purchased, and dressed our living room windows- we now have a much warmer and inviting living area. Additionally, yesterday we went to Home Depot to purchase paint for the walls that have been stark white since we moved in a little over two years ago. We finally agreed upon “Cobblestone” with an accent wall of “Cup of Cocoa” which both are in the earth-tone, tan/ brown spectrum. We’re also in the process of obtaining some assistance with re-doing our bathroom. A brand new toilet sits in its box, in the kitchen, while the ceiling has a brand new heat light and is awaiting a skim-coat and ceiling paint, we’re anticipating a purchase of a pedestal sink in the near future, and will most likely also paint the walls and the wood work. As for me, I’m still working my tail feathers off at the Brattleboro Retreat as a therapist in the co-ed residential program. I’m currently completing a certificate program at a local graduate school in non-profit management and I’m working approximately two shifts per week in the admissions department (at the Retreat) assisting with admitting patients who require in-patient level of care. I enjoy my job, but it was blissful to have four consecutive days off over the holiday weekend. We continue to entertain, train, and parent two wonderfully needy dogs, Riley and Grace, and two independent cats who crave attention, Midnight and Greta. Lastly, the weather in New England continues to exhibit unstable, and undesirable forecasts- yesterday, it rained, snowed, and became slushy; today its “mild” and we can expect temperatures in the low-50’s, and by Friday we can expect extremely cold, and unpleasant weather- highs, as described by the local radio station, in the low-30’s with wind-chills causing it to feel much colder. Now I ponder…. “Wouldn’t it be much easier to hibernate until the baby is born?”</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-85170181636214937?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-14362357764266117212008-11-26T09:54:00.005-05:002008-11-26T10:04:37.082-05:00We're cookin' a baby in this oven...<div align="justify">So, as many of you know, I haven’t seen much of Rachel over the past two weeks as she’s been traveling non-stop for work. Rachel has been lucky enough to visit the warm west-coast in Southern Californian and was able to view the effects of the catastrophic wild fires first-hand in Anaheim, CA., she slept one night in our bed in Greenfield, spending less than 24-hours in Massachusetts before she ran off to Washington D.C. and the Virginia areas for more college fair fun. Despite her physical absence from my life over the past two weeks, she has been on my mind constantly… it’s bizarre to think that there is a baby doing acrobatics in her uterus, while she runs around both the west and east coasts. She continues to feel well and hasn’t had (knock on wood) any negative symptoms (i.e. morning sickness).<br /><br />Right now, according to <em>“What to Expect”</em> (during week # 12) the baby is in constant motion and because it weighs half an ounce now, and the crown-to-rump length is about two and a half inches, Rachel wouldn’t be able to feel the baby’s daily calisthenics. Apparently, at this point, babies begin growing at different paces, some faster than others, some more slowly, though they all follow the same developmental path. In the past two ultrasounds, the fetus has appeared “top heavy”, meaning that the head was about half the size of its body, which was expected, but by the time the baby makes his or her entrance into the world, its head will be only one-fourth as large as the body. It’s amazing how anatomy &amp; physiology work and how Rachel’s uterus is cooking up a little person!<br /><br />Since we’ve missed a few weeks of blogging, I thought I’d provide a mini-recap of the developments over the past few weeks. As noted earlier, Rachel continues to feel well and she isn’t having any overt pregnancy symptoms. She’s gained a mere 1.6 lbs. She continues working out at the gym with our faithful friend, Josianna. And more importantly, while away, Rachel continues her gym routines at the hotels where she stays. She tends to be a little more tired than usual and she definitely craves sweets. Here’s what <em>“What to Expect”</em> says about the specific baby developments over the past few weeks:<br /><br /><strong>Week # 12- Fetal Organs and Systems-</strong> Most of your baby's systems are fully formed. This week marks a turning point for your baby. The herculean task of developing new bodily structures is nearing an end as most of your baby's systems are fully formed. Now comes the maintenance phase, during which your fetus' systems continue to mature for the next 28 weeks and the organs get to work. The fetal digestive system is beginning to flex its digestive muscle — as it starts practicing contraction movements, a skill your baby will need after birth to push food through the digestive tract. The pituitary gland at the base of the brain has started producing hormones. And the bone marrow is making white blood cells, which will one day help your baby fight infection.<br /><br /><strong>Week # 13- Fetal Growth Rates-</strong> Your baby's intestines are also in for some big changes right now. Up until this point, they've been growing in a cavity inside the umbilical cord; but now they're moving to their permanent (and more conveniently located) address, in your baby's abdomen. And to serve your growing baby's needs, the placenta is also growing. It weighs about an ounce now and will weigh one to two pounds at birth. Your baby's vocal chords are also developing this week, because sound can't travel through your uterus, you won't be able to hear any sounds or cries just yet, but those vocal chords will get a good workout once that baby is born.<br /><br /><strong>Week # 14- Your Baby is a Mover (But Not a Shaker Yet)-</strong> <em>WOO HOO- Welcome to the 2nd trimester!!!! </em>Growing by leaps and bounds, by week 14 of pregnancy, your baby is leaping and bounding. He/ she is on the move almost constantly — and those movements are a far cry from those jerky twitches of last trimester They are now ballet-like, smooth and fluid. Your baby’s neck is getting longer, helping his or her head stand more erect. This gives your 14-week-old fetus a more straightened-out appearance. Growth is happening on top of the head as well, your baby could be sprouting some hair (though the final color may not be determined until birth) and the eyebrows are filling in, too. Hair growth isn't limited to the baby's head, though. He/ she is also covered with a downy coating of hair called lanugo, largely there for warmth. Most of the lanugo will shed — though some babies, especially those born early, still have a fuzzy coating at delivery (it sheds soon afterward).<br /><br /><br /><strong>Week 15- Baby Kicking and Curling-</strong> So what keeps your baby busy all day? Mostly, your fetus is in rehearsals — practice, practice, practicing, and getting ready for that big debut. Babies practice breathing, sucking, and swallowing so that when they leave your comfy womb and move into your comfy house, they'll have the skills necessary to survive. Fetal body movements continue to get practice this week, too. But because your baby weighs so little (a bit over two ounces), you won't feel the calisthenics going on inside your abdominal gym. But don't let that fool you. Your fetus is holding daily aerobics classes — kicking, curling toes, and moving those little arms and legs.<br /><br /><strong>Week 16- Baby's Hearing Develops-</strong> Popping out of your clothes yet? At 16 weeks pregnant, you're getting to the point where the bulge in your belly says "baby" and not "fat." So, when you’re screaming about “getting bigger”, remember that the tiny bones in your fetus's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking. In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born. And baby's busily boning up in other ways. For one, the backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now — strong enough, in fact, to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more. Baby's crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches in length, and weight is hovering around three ounces.<br /><br />On this day, the day before Thanksgiving 2008 (November 26th), Rachel is beginning <strong>week # 17</strong>. Our baby is about five inches long and more than three and a half ounces — they say, it’s the size of an open hand. The Masson baby's body fat is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time he/ she is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his/ her weight. The baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises such as the Grace or Riley barking, will actually startle the baby (and also get him/ her used to such noises). His/ her eyes (which have finished their migration to the front of his/ her head) are making small side-to-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, the baby is sharpening his/ her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first suckle at the breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that he/ she will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now and there’s some proof that he/ she is truly one of a kind- within the next week or so, the pads on his/ her fingertips and toes will become adorned with completely individual swirls and creases (aka fingerprints).<br /><br />Today, I give thanks to my beautiful wife and the family that we are beginning. I also give thanks to the wonderful friends and family that have supported us through this adventure! I hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-1436235776426611721?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-79732068605609535342008-11-04T08:22:00.011-05:002008-11-04T11:16:29.508-05:00Yesterday, today, & Tomorrow<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SRBdkVqjbeI/AAAAAAAAACY/9jxZOpeNJco/s1600-h/Greenfield_MA.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264810843268410850" style="WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SRBdkVqjbeI/AAAAAAAAACY/9jxZOpeNJco/s400/Greenfield_MA.gif" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Today there were record numbers of voters at the Greenfield High School. The entire parking lot was full and I had to park between the football field and the hockey rink. For those of you unfamiliar with Greenfield, it is a rural town in Western Massachusetts with 13,736 residents (as of July 2007). Generally when I go to vote in the morning prior to work, it takes approximately 20 minutes, ten of which are spent socializing with individuals that I haven't seen in years. Today, I arrived promptly at 7:05am and did not get back into my car until 7:45am. It's important to point out, I did NOT socialize this morning- I was on a <em>serious </em>mission- vote &amp; get to work!<br /><br />According to: <a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/">http://www.sec.state.ma.us/</a>, Greenfield has 11,526 registered voters as of October 15, 2008; the breakdown is not so surprising- 3,831 democrats, 1,243 republicans, 6,335 unenrolled, 56 green rainbow, and 21 working families (which from my calculation still leaves 40 unaccounted individuals). Anyways, back to my point... it was a crazy, mob scene at good 'ole GHS this morning. Not only were we voting in a historic presidential campaign, but there were some necessary ballot questions as well as races for senate, congress, and a wide array of important political positions.<br /><br />During our primaries, Rachel and I researched the ballot questions and decided early on how we would vote. Question # 1 proposed a law that would reduce the state personal income tax rate to 2.65% for all categories of taxable income for the tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010. Question # 2 proposed a law that would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties, to be enforced by issuing citations, and would exclude information regarding this civil offense from the state's criminal record information system. Question # 3 proposed a law that would prohibit any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of dogs occurs. And lastly, Question # 4 calls for supporting legislation that would establish health care as a human right and opposing any laws penalizing the uninsured for failing to obtain health insurance.</p><p align="center">Who out there is asking "<em>What the hell does this post have to do with the Masson baby?"</em> I agree, Right? Where am I going with this rant... well, today's election is historic and will ultimately impact, not only us as voting adults, but will ultimately impact our baby and future generations. Todays election is inspiring millions of Americans to vote and has caught the attention of our international peers, as well. Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, could become the nation's first African-American president. And, if the Republican nominee Sen. John McCain wins, he would be the oldest person elected to a first term as president, and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, would be the first woman vice president. </p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Today kids, I voted and DAMN IT, I hope this time... the presidential candidate that I voted for wins!<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SRBdQxHVmSI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Yj9P9Mmw8ds/s1600-h/Obama-Biden-2008-Wallpaper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264810507039512866" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SRBdQxHVmSI/AAAAAAAAACQ/Yj9P9Mmw8ds/s400/Obama-Biden-2008-Wallpaper.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SRBboAGSdAI/AAAAAAAAAB4/mTlmzcJALzQ/s1600-h/obama.jpg"></a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-7973206860560953534?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-45247916063549256512008-10-27T18:53:00.004-04:002008-10-27T18:59:53.441-04:00Week # 13<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SQZHL_0KOxI/AAAAAAAAABo/YiZBVQeUrbM/s1600-h/10.27.2008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261971486063344402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SQZHL_0KOxI/AAAAAAAAABo/YiZBVQeUrbM/s400/10.27.2008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff9966;">Today begins week # 13 and the final week of our first trimester. I'm so exhausted that I can't possibly type anything coherent, but I wanted to post our latest ultra-sound photos. During the appointment today, the baby was an active little thing... bouncy, moving it's arms &amp; legs, and sucking it's thumb like CRAZY.<br /><br />In the top photo, you can see fingers &amp; toes. The next photo shows the baby sucking on it's thumb. And lastly, you can very clearly see facial features. Apparently, we won't know the gender until week # 20.<br />... sigh...</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4524791606354925651?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-41030270693030062922008-10-15T10:54:00.010-04:002008-10-15T17:04:35.475-04:00Week # 11<span style="color:#ccffff;"><strong>Welcome to Week # 11…</strong><br /><br />As I write this, Rachel is lounging in a shwanky hotel in Houston, Texas, lying in a king-sized bed, watching television, enjoying room service, and definitely fulfilling those wacky food cravings! I, on the other hand, am working my tail feathers off (working 40+ hrs. in 4 days), pulling the house back together from Riley’s independent evening alone in the house from 7:45pm – 11:20pm (she flexed her Great Dane power by refusing to go back into her crate following play time with my mom), packing my belongings and prepping our house for the wonderful dog-care savior, Julia. I’ll fly out of Bradley at 7:15am on Friday (10.17.2008) to meet Rachel in Dallas, Texas. We’ll spend a night in Dallas visiting one of my best friends from high school, Heather (Breshers) O’Connor, and then we’ll drive over to Austin for the remainder of our visit (until Thursday) to spend time with Cruce, Rachel, and their baby dinosaur (Crucie). I’ve never been to Texas and I haven’t seen Heather since graduation day in 1994, and spending time with Cruce &amp; Rachel is always a BLAST! This is going to be a wonderful and well-deserved break from the monotony of our daily routines here in the spastic weather of New England. My only concern while I’m away is being able to follow my New England sports teams- the Red Sox and their lousy, unenthusiastic quest for the World Series, and the dying dynasty of the New England Patriots… ughhh… maybe I need a break from both of them, too. Regardless, I am in desperate need of a vacation!<br /><br />We’ve entered week # 11 of Rachel’s pregnancy. I’m not sure if she’ll kill me for sharing her wacky food craving story or not, but she’s in Texas, and a delayed death is the best way to go! Hee hee hee! Last Saturday, we were hanging out at the house with my niece and nephew. The weather was beautiful, it was the most perfect autumn day in Greenfield, and we had plans to go apple picking followed by a fund raiser at Landmark College called “Empty Bowls.” Originally, we planned to take the kids for just one evening (Friday to Saturday), but we always have this mushy-gushy feeling when we wake up the morning that we’re supposed to return them; we call their parents and arrange to keep them for an additional night. Generally, we regret this phone call towards nap time that afternoon or by the end of the weekend when we’re absolutely exhausted, accomplished nothing all weekend, and realize that we have to return to work in a few short hours. Anyways… back to my story… Rachel had been “craving” cinnamon rolls and decided that she wanted to try her hand at making them from scratch. She left me with the kids and took a road-trip to our favorite "mom and pops" operated grocery store, Foster’s, for the missing ingredients. She came home with one bag. I looked into the back and saw the ingredients which made perfect sense to her craving and the necessity for cooking. However, she then says to me “What you don’t see is my impulse buy.” Now, if I was Grace (our puppy), I would’ve looked at her with a cocked-to-the-side head and ears perked, and a huge imaginary question mark in a bubble above my head. She then said “I love you.” And of course, I became more suspicious. Rachel then launched into a story about how the seafood department manager at Foster’s told her that he hadn’t seen lobster prices so inexpensive in the fourteen years that he had worked there, and thus, Rachel purchased two one &amp; ½ pound lobsters for $5.99/ lb. The seafood department would have our “afternoon snack” steamed and ready for pick-up at 3pm. Being a HUGE lobster connoisseur, I feel that I “lucked out” in the wake of Rachel’s “wacky” food craving and I didn’t have much room for complaining. Needless to say, the cinnamon buns were not created on that day, but Rachel prepped the dough for the 24 hour “rising” period and proceeded to make delicious cinnamon buns on Sunday morning.<br /><br />Now, onto the facts and figures that I have learned this week regarding our little piece of fruit in Rachel’s belly. Wait, has anybody else out there noticed that every time a resource describes the size of the fetus, they compare it to a fruit, nut, or vegetable? Anyways… I’ve been scouring two websites daily to keep me apprised of necessary knowledge, facts &amp; trivia: </span><a href="http://www.visembryo.com/"><span style="color:#ccffff;">http://www.visembryo.com/</span></a><span style="color:#ccffff;"> and </span><a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/"><span style="color:#ccffff;">http://www.whattoexpect.com/</span></a><span style="color:#ccffff;">. The visible embryo website self describes as visual guide through fetal development from fertilization through pregnancy to birth. In my opinion, it is much more factual-based and scientific, rather than “What to expect” and their educational approach to both pregnancy and parenting.<br /><br />According to the visible embryo, the fetus length, from crown-to-rump, is about 1.25 to 1.68 inches (31 to 42mm). The major areas of growth include: head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, limbs, and skin. One of the most exciting facts that I found is that the face has developed a human appearance. Apparently, sockets for all twenty teeth are formed in the gum lines, the nasolacrimal groove forms on the upper lip, separate folds of the mouth fuse together to form the palate, and early facial hair follicles begin to develop. Our fetus is becoming a little person! Previously, we noted that there is a possibility that we would be able to recognize a gender during our next ultrasound on Monday October 27th, 2008. The information notes that genitalia begin to show female characteristics (labium minus, urogenital groove, labium majoris) and male characteristics (glans penis, urethral groove, scrotum). However, neither male nor female genitalia are fully formed. I think the ultrasound will be “We have a good suspicion that your baby will be a ______ (fill-in the blank with a gender). For some odd reason, both Rachel and Stephen believe that we’re having a girl. Jeremy and I are more skeptical of their rationale since they formed their opinions prior to insemination!<br /><br />“What to Expect” makes the fetus more human-like, rather than a science experiment and/ or an alien that has implanted itself inside Rachel’s uterus. They say that Rachel will continue to feel tired and they explain the cause nicely. It’s a relief to read about the woman’s experience because it allows for both of our anxieties to rest, especially to note that what Rachel is experiencing IS, in fact, normal. Here’s what they say:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ccffff;">Are your two favorite positions these days sitting and lying down? Pregnancy fatique is normal, especially at this stage. That's because you're running a baby-making factory that's in business 24/7 (and since you're the only employee, you're on the clock around the clock), causing your pregnant body to work harder at rest than your nonpregnant body did on the run. And for the next few weeks, a baby's not the only thing in production — so is the placenta, the magnificently complex mission control that will serve as your baby's life support system until delivery. The result? You feel tired and overworked, even when you're not doing a darn thing. Your energy should pick up once the placenta's up and running and your system adjusts (as best as it can) to the hormonal changes of pregnancy — probably early in the second trimester. In the meantime, keep your blood sugar level up with frequent snacks of complex carbs. and protein (cheese and crackers; nuts and dried fruit), try a little exercise (which can actually give you an energy boost), and most of all — listen to your body. When it calls for a break, take one.</span><br /></span><br />Not only does this website speak to the emotional aspect of the changes (i.e. exhaustion), but they also speak to the bodily changes, and the fetus development (similar to the visible embryo). They note that it is common during this time for the woman’s lower abdomen starting to protrude now. The woman’s body begins to produce the hormone progesterone which can cause an increase in bloating, burping, and passing gas. For us “gastric girls” these are actually common occurrences because our digestive tracts have been surgically altered. During pregnancy (according to "What to Expect"),<br /><br />the production of progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue in your body — including the gastrointestinal tract — slowing down digestion to allow more time for the nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream and passed to your baby. But what's good for baby isn't always good for mom. The uncomfortable fullness you feel in your abdomen, especially after eating, might only get worse for some women. As your uterus grows, it'll crowd the stomach and intestines, putting more pressure on the digestive tract, and causing you to feel even more bloated during pregnancy. But here's some consolation: your baby won't feel your pain. In fact, your baby is oblivious to all your intestinal distress, and may even be soothed by the gurgling of your gastric symphony.<br /><br />This concludes my educational information section regarding our baby’s development. What are some fun things to talk about and to begin conversations? Some open-ended questions for people to ponder: How do we accommodate two large families and many, many friends for a fun-filled baby shower –or- do we have more than one? What have others done? Also, we’re always in search of the “BEST” products on the market for the baby – we’ve begun to register for items, but I don’t know much about this stuff. Does anybody out there have experiences with the video baby monitors? What are the items that we may forget to register for, but should be “must-haves?” Has anybody out there (besides Kim &amp; Rachel + Cruce- we’ve already picked their brains) used cloth diapers? If so, what brands and what was your experience? Are there any tips or tricks that people have used to combat mood swings, cravings, or gas? </span><br /><span style="color:#ccffff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ccffff;">We will definitely post information following our phase II ultrasound on October 27th, 2008, but until then, I will (most likely) have sporadic e-mail access because we’ll be road-tripping through Texas. Oh wait… anybody have suggestions about places I MUST visit while in Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio? Since I've shared intimate details of Rachel's pregnancy, I will share a guilty fact about myself... While in Austin, I really want to check-out the "Coyote Ugly Saloon." Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know… no need for comments… I’m still young &amp; crazy after all these years of pretending to be an adult!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-4103027069303006292?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-54553325317823449392008-10-12T22:20:00.006-04:002008-10-12T22:27:18.127-04:00Pets...<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SPKxG5DEU9I/AAAAAAAAABA/3nSmevXOdw0/s1600-h/Riley+%26+Grace.jpg"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256458447045809106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SPKxG5DEU9I/AAAAAAAAABA/3nSmevXOdw0/s400/Riley+%26+Grace.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;color:#ff99ff;"> **Photo Credits = Tee Crawford **</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;color:#ffff99;">Right now, our dogs &amp; cats are our "babies." They have NO idea what they are in for once May hits... Here's a photo of our innocent and unsuspecting dogs. Riley is the white Great Dane &amp; Grace is the golden <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Labradoodle</span>.<br /><br />Week # 11 updates coming soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#ff99ff;"></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-5455332531782344939?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-84336348345217681792008-10-08T14:06:00.003-04:002008-10-08T14:16:08.196-04:00Week # 10<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SOz3ew9DiNI/AAAAAAAAAA4/T0OLMLSDOWs/s1600-h/1_ultrasound_october_8_2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254846973143648466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dCMTlHnn1pI/SOz3ew9DiNI/AAAAAAAAAA4/T0OLMLSDOWs/s320/1_ultrasound_october_8_2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Whew... it's been a LONG week! Our appointment(s) went very well. Because Rachel is so tall, they had difficulties locating the fetus, so today we went in for our first ultrasound. It was <em>so</em> exciting! We saw the heart beat 176 times per minute (it looked similar to a butterfly flapping it's wings), there's four limbs, a head, and the very beginning formation of a spine. Our baby is happy, healthy, and PERFECT!<br /><br /><br /><br />"What to Expect" says this about Week # 10:<br /><br />Your baby's growth is fast and furious now. He or she is nearly an inch and a half long and the size of a prune, but not nearly as shriveled (even with all the time it spends in water). In fact, your baby is really taking a human shape now. Bones and cartilage are forming, and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. The arms (complete with elbows) can flex already, but don't run to the store for a baseball bat just yet. Though your baby's arms are taking shape and getting stronger, each one is only about the size of this number 1. The tooth bud fairy is making her appearance this week, heralding the arrival of your baby's little choppers, which are forming under the gums. (Those pearly whites won't break through the gums until your baby is close to six months old). Other systems are go, too. Your baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine, and, if your baby's a boy, he's already producing testosterone (yikes!).<br /><br />Rachel continues to have no signs of morning sickness or any nightmare pregnancy symptoms. YIPPEEEE! We're hoping to post a blog entry in the next week or so about the donor (Stephen) and his spouse (Jeremy). They are wonderful men who we adore and greatly look forward to introducing you to them soon!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-8433634834521768179?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-91811679768714189462008-10-03T20:23:00.003-04:002008-10-08T14:16:53.851-04:00Week # 9Week 9 means that our embryo is officially a fetus! WOO HOO! Our baby is approximately one inch long and has develop a heart beat which could be heard with a Doppler (a handheld ultrasound device that amplifies the lub-dub sound the heart makes). It's exciting to know that this week, some of the organs begin to form (the liver, spleen, and gallbladder) and minuscule muscles. We are extremely excited to have our first visit to the midwife, Maggie, on Tuesday October 7th, 2008.<br /><br />Rachel has been quite lucky thus far. No morning sickness, but she has been quite tired. This morning, we stayed in bed until almost 7:15am- normally, she is awake and running out the door to the YMCA around 5am. But, according to "What to Expect" (<a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/">http://www.whattoexpect.com/</a>) Rachel is experiencing "pregnancy fatigue." They say that "extreme fatigue during pregnancy is a common symptom, especially in the first trimester. And for good reason. Making a baby is hard work — make that very hard work. Consider this: During these first weeks and months of pregnancy, your body is manufacturing the placenta — your baby's life-support system. What's more, your body's metabolism and hormone levels have increased significantly while your blood sugar and blood pressure tend to be lower. Add it all up, and it's no wonder you feel as if you're competing in a triathlon each day." Alas, I have the third trimester to look forward to, because they say "The good news: You'll recover a lot of the get up and go that has gotten up and left once your body has adjusted to being pregnant and your baby's placenta is finished developing — somewhere around month four. The not-so-good news: Pregnancy fatigue is likely to reappear during the last trimester as the demands of toting around a larger fetus increase."<br /><br />But don't worry folks, not only is she experiencing pregnancy fatigue right now, she's also in the midst of what they refer to as "swing time." No, this isn't a fun afternoon in the park... this is "amazing: One minute you're getting a medal for being the best spouse in the history of the world, the next you're being berated by a sobbing woman. Don't fight these mood swings, it's the hormones talking…and they'll be doing a whole lot of talking in the months to come. A hug, if you can get close enough, will do wonders. And keep a tissue box handy for those insipid TV commercials that will reduce her to tears." I've already threatened to move out of our house &amp; into the Jeep Commander with the dogs!<br /><br />Needless to say, it's Friday night and I'm sitting here on the computer because it seems to be the "safest" room in the house... only seven more months of hiding in the computer room! <span style="font-size:85%;">(Unless she bans me from the computer after reading this post!) </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-9181167976871418946?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6044391128413121972.post-21062725883492669262008-10-02T10:29:00.002-04:002008-10-02T10:32:25.585-04:00Welcome!Today, Rachel and I decided it would be appropriate to begin blogging about our experiences with pregnancy and motherhood. We hope that you read the blog often, that you offer feedback &amp; comments, and that you continue to offer your love and support through this amazing journey.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6044391128413121972-2106272588349266926?l=massonmoms.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Erica and Rachel Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990392810126899466noreply@blogger.com3