I was instructed

Because Tucker boy often gets overlooked these days, I was instructed to mention when he decides to post something on his blog.  He takes pride in his blog and the posts about his life.  As I said earlier, he's full of pride and gets his feelin's hurt when he's not acknowledged.  Anyone who's been to our house to visit can atest to the overall craziness that happens if he is not acknowledged within exactly 1.5 minutes of entering our home.

So, Tucker especially wanted to post something special on his little brother's birthday, so please take a moment and visit his blog.  It will make him feel good.  And we all want Tucker to feel good, don't we?


Thank you. 

Lams. 

Out.

One Year

On this day, at 4:37 a.m., Mason Tian Lam was born. 

He weighed (officially) 8 lbs. 4 ounces.  He was 20 inches long. 

He was determined to come on his own terms.  And he did just that.  After only 3 and a half hours of labor, he was born and our lives changed forever.  We became parents. 

Parents. 

When you become a parent, it's as if your whole being is transformed.  And you don't really get it or understand it until it happens.  You love in a way that you didn't think was possible.  A love for another person that goes all the way to your core and beyond.  You can prepare all you want mentally, physically, emotionally for that special day, but until that little person is born, I never knew what it would be like.
This day is as much about Mason turning One as it is about Woei and I surviving this first monumental year.  We're so proud of our little guy. He means the world to us and we could not imagine our lives without him.  Not only do we have such a profound love for him, but we love each other more than we ever thought we could.  We became a family on this day.

Last night, we decided to celebrate this time last year.  The night before I was scheduled for my induction (which was on 9/23 at 6:30 a.m.), Woei and I decided to go eat at Sweet Tomato (we figured some light fare would be a good idea because who knew what labor would bring).  I remember sitting there and saying to Woei that it would be the last time we would eat as just us - just a couple.  Because in about 12 hours, we were going to have our baby and we would forever, then, be parents.  It was bittersweet in a way.  Undoubtedly, I was ready to have Mason.  Not only to see him and hold him, but because I was GINORMIS! But, it would never be just Woei and I ever again.  It was the close of a very special chapter in our relationship.  And that night at Sweet Tomato, as we prepared ourselves for what we were about to embark upon, I reflected and cherished that moment. 

So, in honor of this first year, we went out to dinner last night.  The night before Mason's birthday.  To Sweet Tomato.  Except, this time, Mason sat next to us at the table feasting on his peas and mac n' cheese, as opposed to be all squished and cozy in my tummy.  We came full circle.

As I said, this is as much about honoring our little one's birthday as it is celebrating us becoming a family.  I'll never forget this time of year and all that it entailed.  It will always hold a special place in my heart.

Happy Birthday honeybear! We love you to the moon...and back.

Don't forget Tucker!

I just wanted to, once again, direct your attention to the far right side of the page and to Tucker's adorable little face.  That's the link to Tucker's blog.  I've been terrible with keeping it as updated as our own blog, but what can I say? You see how I am with our own blog!

Anyway, I've updated it and just wanted to tell everyone to not forget Tucker.  He'll get his little feelin's hurt. 

He's the sensitive type.

Later!

Yes, we're still here...

Hey everyone! I'm so sorry we haven't been around much these days.  Once again, I've slacked on my job as a blogger.  It's Mason's fault...kidding!!! Really, though, time has just FLOWN by and now, I'm sitting here realizing that there has been a lot going on that I've wanted to post about, but just have not had time or energy to sit down and do it.

I have a BIG post that I want to do about things that happened in August.  More on that to come soon...  How do you like that for a teaser?!?

Otherwise, I've been very busy at work lately.  We're all gearing up for our big move! Our office is moving across the street to the old court house in Union, Mo that was completely gutted out and renovated.  It's looking really nice and we're all excited, about ready to pull our hair out, frazzled, relieved, anxious, frantic - whatever you can think of, that's what the atmosphere is like these days.  Woei is preparing for a seminar this weekend where he is preparing a poster to submit and have all his fellow lab rats review to see what he's been doing with his research.  It's a big honor and just something else he can add under his belt.  I'm proud of him - he works hard.

Mason is quite a riot these days.  He's talking more (or jibber-jabbing) and...are you ready? He can WALK! He's a walker! Yep - he's been walking on his own for a good 2 weeks now.  I don't think he's crawled a bit since then and I think he's loving it.  Of course, walking leads to a whole new set of concerns, but it's exciting to see him growing and developing.  He and Tucker are quite the pair as well.  They do love each other and I think enjoy getting each other in trouble with mom and dad.  Sometimes we just give up and let them go at it - I swear, it's as if we already have two children!

I'm in the throws of planning Mason's First Birthday party and it's so fun! I canNOT believe it's already been a year.  Like I said, the time has flown by.

Well, I just wanted to check-in, touch base.  Let everyone know that we're still around.  I've just been a bad blogger lately.  Enjoy my new "fall" theme for our blog.  I'm ready for the season to change.  I love spring and fall the most, so when those two come around, I just love to settle in and really enjoy those times of year.  I'm ready for the chunky sweaters, jeans, hot cocoa, boots, light jackets, long sleeved shirts, all that good stuff.  So I was excited to be able to get into the mood by changing my background.  Hopefully it gets you into the fall spirit as well.

I'll be back I promise to discuss what else has been happening.

Talk soon!