TOOTSIE ROLL

The Only Thing Constant is Change

2009-05-26T21:32:00.002-04:00

Guest Blogger Mommy:

I have been in a state of flux about what to do with this blog. About a year ago people starting asking what I would do when Layla was born. I really didn't know. Eventually it came to be that I continued writing this blog from Mason's perspective and included Layla's events in that. But this is no longer working for me.

The last big post I did felt weird. Why you ask? Because who am I to put words in Mason's mouth? He talks now. He has his own ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Why am I making things up for him to say? Just to be cute? It was no longer cute to me - it felt wrong.

So then I thought, well maybe I can just start writing the blog from Layla's point of view. But that really won't work for me either. It's only time before that will get weird. And you know what? I kind of like things being from my point of view.

So with this, I refer you to my blog - Second Shift Mommy. I will start blogging there again regularly. I will include pictures of the kids, but it won't be only pictures. I will tell stories and gripe and just basically journal our life as it happens. I hope that I can use it to help myself remember what my kids were like....and what I was like....at certain points in our life.

Lemon Face

2009-03-11T22:27:00.003-04:00

Purim

2009-03-09T22:45:00.006-04:00

We went to the Purim Carnival at the temple. I was a hamentashen! Layla didn't dress up this year. I loved the bounce house! I got to eat cotton candy. It was great. I think Layla was a little jealous of my cotton candy. She was totally eyeing it.

Singing in the Shower

2009-03-09T22:45:00.003-04:00

Riding Chyna

2009-03-09T22:31:00.002-04:00

Much to Mommy's dismay:

EPCOT

2009-03-08T22:36:00.001-04:00

We went to EPCOT with Grandma and Pops. It was so much fun! I loved the Nemo ride and the Crush show. The Land ride was great - I loved seeing all the stuff growing. Then we went into Innoventions and I got to do a trash game with Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma. We named our team Oscar the Golds. I did a shape puzzle about hurricane preparedness:

Mommy tried out a Segway:

A group of kids carrying violins and cellos. I waved at them and smiled really big as they passed. This was the "parade".

These fountains spew water. Here I am trying to catch it:

Layla is really short!

Look at Layla's expression. I think she is thinking "Why is Pops wearing that silly hat?"

Wait! That's not Layla...

2009-03-07T22:17:00.000-05:00

The Harrises came over to hang out with us on Saturday evening. Brooke spent some time in the exersaucer while Reilly and I were playing and Layla was standing at her Leap Frog table. Layla and Brooke are in class together now too!

Daddy's Shirt

2009-03-05T22:15:00.000-05:00

While I was in Atlanta....

2009-03-01T22:34:00.000-05:00

Layla was having a great time at home with Daddy! Grandma and Pops were around a lot too!

Trip to Atlanta

2009-03-01T21:54:00.001-05:00

Mommy and I went to visit Aunt Rachel for the weekend by ourselves. I told Daddy several times that he and Layla couldn't come with us, only me and Mommy. We had a great time. We went to a children's museum where I got to paint on a big wall (with Aunt Rachel's help):

Then I got to put on a bee raincoat and go fishing in a pond (again, with Aunt Rachel's help):

Then I showed Aunt Rachel the "housekeeping" section of the museum:

I sat on the big John Deere tractor and learned about where food comes from and how it gets to the grocery store:

Our whole trip was really rainy. We went to Stone Mountain but couldn't even see the mountain because it was really foggy. The last day it started to snow. Our one hour flight home became a 15 1/2 hour adventure for me and Mommy. It wasn't as bad as it seems because I was really good. I cooperated and listened to Mommy really well. Below is a picture of me looking out the window at our plane with snow all over it:

Backyardigans

2009-02-22T21:47:00.000-05:00

We finally got my bounce house blown up in the backyard and Daddy spent some time cleaning up and raking the yard up. We also pulled out my bubble machine that Grandma got me for Valentines Day. Layla loved sitting in the bounce house while I bounced. She was giggling like crazy. I am so excited that she is getting to be big enough to really play with me!

Seeing Manatees

2009-02-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

I went to see the manatees at Blue Springs State Park with Mommy, Grammy, and Papa. Layla and Daddy stayed home because Layla was sick. (Someone in our family is always sick.) Anyway, it was perfect weather for seeing the manatees - cool in the morning and warming up throughout the day. Perfect blue sky. The only problem was, the manatees were there but there really wasn't much to see. I was much more into the old house that was on the property. Mommy thinks maybe I will be an architect who restores old buildings.

Here is a mosaic manatee that is on the porch of the "old house" that I loved so much:

If you look really hard in the picture below, you might be able to see some manatees. They are there I swear!

Papa said that he kind of felt like Rachel on the episode of Friends where she can't see her baby on the sonogram. Everyone around us was talking about seeing the manatees, but he couldn't see them.

Layla 7 months!

2009-02-14T22:48:00.000-05:00

Layla Standing

2009-02-05T22:46:00.001-05:00

Layla started standing in her crib way earlier than I did. After this, we had to lower her crib!

Park Day

2009-02-01T22:30:00.000-05:00

Grandma got some great shots of us at the park. I especially love the ones of Layla in the swing and me with Daddy!

Disney with the Fam

2009-01-31T22:33:00.001-05:00

While Mommy was sick my cousins came to visit. We spent a day at Magic Kingdom. I rode Peter Pan for the first time. It was awesome! My new favorite. This is my face through the whole ride:

I rode the tea cups with my cousins, Daddy and Aunt Fara:
Layla was dressed in her bear jacket because it was REALLY cold out. She looked so cute!
But at one point she kind of freaked out and cried. I think she wanted to go home:
We got a good picture of all of us (minus Grandma and Pops who I guess took the picture):

Cousins Visit

2009-01-31T22:20:00.000-05:00

While my cousins visited we had so much fun together. Papa bathed all of us together. We do silly things when we are together - like put washcloths on our heads:

Riley is so nice to Layla and even gave her a kiss goodnight:

Grandma and Pops make us earn our keep around their house - here I am mopping the floor:

Sick Mommy, Sleeping Babies

2009-01-30T22:19:00.003-05:00

While Mommy was sick for a week she missed out on getting to put us to bed and read us our bedtime stories. She also missed out on getting to go peek in on us after we fell asleep, one of Mommy's and Daddy's favorite things to do. To make her feel better, Daddy took pictures of us asleep one night. We are cute kids! Layla is holding on to Minnie for dear life. And I am upside down, with barely enough room for me in my bed!

Sick with Flu Day 4 = 2 Months Worth of Posts

2009-01-29T14:32:00.008-05:00

Things have been very busy for the last few months in the Gold house. Everyone but me has been sick (knock on wood that I don't get sick!). Grammy visited a lot. Uncle Buddy, Aunt Ruth, and Barbara were here for two weeks. And Aunt Rachel was here for a little while too. We celebrated Hanukah and I loved lighting the lights and playing with my new presents. I like playing with Layla's new presents even more than mine.... We celebrated New Years Eve with the Harrises and the Orrs. I still can't get enough of music, which is good because most of my Hanukah presents were music related!

This is Layla on her six month birthday. She is getting big so fast. Look at the little bunny slippers!

As a treat for Layla's six month birthday we got to take a bath together for the first time. I wasn't allowed to splash and be Shamu so it wasn't that fun.

While we were visiting Grammy and Papa Layla and I had band practice. She played piano and I played guitar. I think she wanted my guitar though - at least that's how it looks in this picture.

I went to Magic Kingdom with Reilly and Marek. Before leaving we tried to get a picture in front of the castle. None of us was interested in the picture. Marek was playing with his new Woody doll. Reilly was showing off her panties. I was looking back to see the show at the castle. And where were Layla and Brooke?

Layla's first time in the swing at the park. I think she liked it!

I almost kicked Mommy in the face while she was taking this shot.

Layla always wants to put her hands in her mouth. Isn't she beautiful?

I love when lots of people are over and I can conduct a large band.

Layla loves her vegetables. And she loves playing with them!

Marek and I had a sleepover at Reilly's house for New Years Eve. Reilly was with us at first but we weren't going to sleep so she got taken away.

This is my awesome drum set that Mommy and Daddy got me for Hanukah. I play it every day. The rule is that I have to be in the playroom with the door shut to jam because it is LOUD.

Sitting on a basketball watching the Magic game, just a classic picture.

Layla always gets to sit in her seat on the bench when we are getting ready to leave. One day I climbed up there with her.

Happy baby

I like to wear Daddy's shoes.

Layla got to meet Daniella and Niels when we were at Grammy and Papa's for Thanksgiving.

My Family went to Savannah and All I Got Was This Crappy Blog Post

2008-11-24T22:47:00.004-05:00

Catriona's 30th birthday is coming up this week, so to celebrate Mommy and Daddy and Layla went with the Harris family (minus Reilly) to Savannah for the weekend. I stayed with Grandma and Pops and Reilly stayed with Grandma Trudy.

They had a great time visiting all the little shops and eating good foods. Mommy especially enjoyed those pralines. When I get bigger I will try them - she can't stop talking about how good they are.

Last year Mommy and Daddy went on a cruise this same weekend with Catriona and Mike. They brought home matching t-shirts for me and Reilly. They claim they tried to find us t-shirts again this year but couldn't find ones in our size.

That's okay though, I had a great time with Grandma and Pops. A blog post will be coming soon to show everything I did this weekend.

Exersaucing

2008-11-16T22:40:00.000-05:00

Since Layla has good head control now, Mommy and Daddy pulled out my old exersaucer. I tried to show her the ropes.

I helped her play with the different toys.

She got a hang of it pretty quickly.

And was quickly all smiles!

Nap Time!

2008-11-16T22:35:00.001-05:00

Mommy and I napped together while Daddy and Layla went to Publix.

We napped together a lot as a baby.

Disney World

2008-11-15T22:31:00.001-05:00

Mommy asked me if I wanted to go to Sea World this weekend. I said, no Disney World. So Mommy and Daddy decided it was time to get Disney passes. We went for the afternoon and evening on Saturday. Reilly and I used the double stroller (until I threw up from choking). Layla and Brooke were in the Baby Bjorns. We went on the TTA, Buzz Lightyear, the Barnstormer (I loved it!), the playground, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Then we watched the parade. I can't wait to go back all year.

4 months!

2008-11-14T22:21:00.000-05:00

Layla at 4 months. She is 15 lbs 5 ounces. She is in the 85th percentile in both height and weight. She rolls over all the time, talks to us, spits at us, smiles and giggles all the time, and started eating rice cereal. She knows her name and turns her head when you call her. She loves to play with Eddie, her elephant.

Me at 4 months - I was 17 lbs 7 ounces and in the 97th percentile for both height and weight.

I wanted to get in on the monthly pictures!

Layla

2008-11-13T22:15:00.002-05:00

Layla wore her Converse to school. It was so cute Daddy had to take some pictures.

Rock n' Roll!

2008-11-12T22:09:00.001-05:00

Pretty Layla

2008-11-09T22:43:00.003-05:00

I am Sam, Sam I am

2008-11-09T22:29:00.004-05:00

Daddy has been promising me Green Eggs and "Ham" for breakfast every weekend and he finally delivered! The ham was actually turkey and the eggs have green food coloring. Sam I Am sat with me and I had my Green Eggs and Ham book with me while I ate. It was so great, that the following Saturday morning I asked for it again!

Easel

2008-11-09T22:26:00.003-05:00

Reilly came over with her parents and Brooke to hang out last Saturday. While Mommy cooked dinner (which took forever), we played on my blow up easel. Daddy blew it up with a pump that made a horrible squeaking noise. Reilly really liked drawing with the chalk.

I gave up on the easel pretty quickly and instead played peek-a-boo around it with Daddy.

Toy Book

2008-11-09T22:20:00.004-05:00

All the toy books have been coming to the house for the last few weeks since Christmas and Hanukah are coming soon. I love looking through them to show Mommy and Daddy the stuff I want, and also to point out the stuff I already have.

Layla - 3 Months!

2008-11-09T22:08:00.004-05:00

This picture was taken on October 14, Layla's 3 month birthday. Below is my three month picture. I was much bigger!

Atlanta

2008-11-05T21:02:00.006-05:00

During Sukkot, we went to visit Aunt Rachel in Atlanta. I was really excited to go on the airplane and wear my backpack with my stuff for the trip. Our flight left early in the morning, so Mommy and Daddy got us up and just put us right in the car to go, hoping we would keep sleeping. Layla did, but I was up. I was too excited to sleep - I was going to see Aunt Rachel!

This is us on the plane. I sat by the window so I could look at the clouds and the wings. Layla sat on Mommy's lap. We both did great on the plane and had a lot of fun.

We had a lot of stuff to carry in the airport so Daddy turned my car seat into a backpack - thanks for the idea Catriona!

When we got there, the first thing we did was go to Stone Mountain. We met Uncle Lander and his girlfriend (also Rachel) there. She lives in Atlanta just like my Rachel. We walked up the mountain a little bit and took some pictures. This is a special place to my family. My Grammy went there as a kid with her parents on a camping trip and climbed the mountain. Then my Mommy went there when she was a kid to climb the mountain with her family. When Layla and I are a little bigger we will go back to climb the whole mountain.

One of the highlights of going to Stone Mountain is the Laser Show on the side of the mountain at night. I danced at the show and had a great time. But about half an hour into it I sat down and said "All done, let's go home."

Family Photo

The next day we had a brunch at Aunt Rachel's house so I could meet her friends. Then we went to a park and met up with Uncle Lander and Rachel again.

Isn't my sister beautiful?

I loved doing this spinny thing!

The boys waited on a bench while the girls went shopping

On our last day we went to the Georgia Aquarium. Aunt Rachel held me up to see the fish! I loved it there. I was running around trying to see everything at once.

Me, Mommy and Aunt Rachel

This fish is the mascot of the aquarium. I thought he was Nemo.

On our last afternoon, we went to another park. I climbed this wall with Daddy's help. They have great parks in Altanta.

I wish that my Aunt Rachel still lived near me because I miss seeing her all the time. But I had a great time visiting her.

Yom Kippur

2008-11-05T20:44:00.005-05:00

These pictures are from October 8 and 9 - from the lost pictures that Mommy finally figured out how to recover!

This year all my uncles and their families were here for Yom Kippur. These reunions are getting more and more rare since Uncle Lander moved to DC too. The last time we were all together was a year and a half ago - when Uncle Lander graduated from college. I had a GREAT time playing with Marin and Riley.

At Break Fast I got to play the piano at the clubhouse again (like I did at Passover). This time Riley played with me!

It's a tradition that every time our family gets together we take a picture all the kids (and now grandkids). Mommy and Daddy used to take these pictures with only six people (just them, Uncle Hunter, Aunt Fara, Uncle Parker, and Uncle Lander). Now there are so many of us it's hard to get a good one - even with Paparazzi Grandma around!

We took this one with silly faces on purpose. Me, Riley, and Layla don't quite get the concept of a silly face yet. Notice that almost everyone's silly face involved tongues stuck out.

On Kol Nidre we took our first ever family picture with all four of us. Crazy that it took four months to do this!

Halloween!

2008-10-31T22:52:00.004-04:00

Layla and I wore Halloween shirts to go to school and then I was Cat in the Hat and Layla was a duck for trick or treating. I was scared of Halloween decorations all week and then I didn't really want to trick or treat, even though I had been talking about doing it. Maybe next year I will like it better.

Lost Pictures

2008-10-31T21:50:00.002-04:00

Editor's (Mommy's) Note: We had SO many pictures that got lost when our computer crashed. We bought some recovery software, but it seems the pictures are still missing. We had Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur with all the Golds, Atlanta, and Layla's three month shots - gone forever. So sad. I'm going to stop by the apple store to make sure that they aren't on the cd we recovered. If by some luck they are I will post these later.

Layla in my Seat

2008-10-29T22:45:00.000-04:00

Daddy put Layla in my booster seat! She seemed a little confused. He thought it would be funny to test it out. I think she needs the high chair still - boosters are for big boys.

Welcome to the World, Brooke Daylan!

2008-10-26T23:01:00.000-04:00

(Layla speaking)

My best friend has finally been born. Brooke and I are exactly three months apart. I got to meet her in the hospital and I have seen her a few times since. Reilly is a great big sister to Brooke. I can't wait till we are both big enough to play together and have fun like Reilly and Mason!

Disney Breakfast

2008-10-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

When my cousins Marin and Riley were here we got to go to breakfast with them at Chef Mickey's in something that has become an annual event. Mommy missed the breakfast this year because she had Wendy's baby shower so Daddy took me and Layla alone. I swear Layla was there even though there are NO pictures of her. Um, that kind of sounds like a story of Daddy's where his parents swear he was with them on a trip to Disney in 1981 but there is not a single picture of him from the week long trip. Anyway, back to me! Marin and I danced around with Donald and waved our napkins like they have you do at Chef Mickey's. I ate lots of waffles (my favorite). Minnie drew me a picture. Mickey played tag with me. I hung out with both of my cousins. AND - I got to see the monorail - one of my new favorites.

Campfire at School

2008-10-16T22:16:00.000-04:00

After school one day, Mommy picked me up and said we were going to a campfire where we would sing songs. I was so excited! I wanted to wear my sweatshirt that I had to wear all the time in Atlanta. But Mommy explained that it wasn't cold out here so I didn't have to. I had a great time dancing and singing songs and I ran to the other end of the grassy area to say hi to one of my friends from school. I am so comfortable at the J, it's great! Ms. Macardle even let me sing into the microphone!

Lake Lily Park Art Festival

2008-10-04T15:21:00.003-04:00

Smily Baby

2008-09-30T20:33:00.003-04:00

We Love Each Other

2008-09-30T20:32:00.008-04:00

Pink Bunny!

2008-09-30T20:29:00.003-04:00

Rosh Hashana

2008-09-30T20:07:00.008-04:00

Birthday Presents (Finally!)

2008-09-28T21:34:00.004-04:00

For my birthday Grammy and Papa got me a house and Uncle Buddy and Aunt Ruth got me a slide and rock wall with a basketball hoop. They have been sitting in the garage for almost two months now, not put together. Mommy and Daddy said it was too hot to build them. I have been begging to play with them though. I keep saying "House broken, fix it!" and I stand in front of the box for the slide and just stare at it wishing it to open and build itself. What a surprise when I woke up from nap today and both apparatuses were built!!!!

I may need a little coaching though - since soccer balls don't go in basketball hoops.

Handy Mason (aka Mason the Builder)

2008-09-21T21:30:00.000-04:00

The gate at the bottom of the stairs has been broken. I keep telling daddy to fix it but he hasn't. I decided to take matters into my own hands.

Day of Cooking

2008-09-20T21:25:00.000-04:00

I made pancakes in the morning with Daddy. I made Mac and Cheese with Reilly and Catriona in the evening. I love to cook, and even more to eat what i cook!

Two Months!

2008-09-14T21:18:00.000-04:00

My two month birthday!

Me at two months.

Layla's cheeks are much smaller than mine were.

First Day of School

2008-09-08T21:13:00.000-04:00

Guest blogger Layla: Today was my first day of school because Mommy went back to work. I wore a really cute outfit. I had a lot of fun. My teachers are Miss Bonnie and Miss Maite. There are six babies in my class, including me. We range in age from two months to six months. Miss Maite really loves me. Mason came to visit me and we saw each other through the window when he was on the playground. I hope he comes back every day! Grandma came to visit during one of her breaks too. I love to sit in the black and white gymini in my classroom. Miss Maite tries to keep me up and play with me a lot. I had a great first day - you can see by how happy I was in these pictures at the end of the day!

Sick

2008-09-01T20:57:00.000-04:00

I was not feeling good and I threw up two times. I had a very runny nose. Daddy said that Goofy and Mickey and Rocket were sick too. He gave all of us our own tissues so we could blow our noses!

Orlando Science Centered

2008-08-30T20:39:00.000-04:00

We went to the Orlando Science Center with Reilly and her family on Saturday morning. We had a great time! It will be even better when we get a little older.

Daddy dressed us this morning - we are dressed alike. Layla has on a yellow Polo outfit and I have on a yellow Polo shirt. So cute!

Daddy and I used these plastic things to make the water flow a certain way to make the boats go slower and faster. It was cool.

Reilly played with the boats in the water.

Mike helped me and Reilly fix the tire on this car.

The reptile area was cool, but also a little scary.

After we were done we went in the gift shop where we both got some new placemats. A few weeks later Mommy saw the same placemats for half the price somewhere else. Then we went back to the Harris' house and had a barbeque and the mommies went to get their nails done. It was a fun day!

Playing in Bed

2008-08-16T11:58:00.000-04:00

One night at about 9:45 Mommy and Daddy heard my monkey in my bed making noise. They thought I had been asleep for two hours already. When Daddy came upstairs to check, he found me like this. Wide awake, with all my stuffed animals on my pillow stacked up. I did it so quietly except for the monkey, I almost totally got away with it!

Aunt Rachel and Layla

2008-08-16T11:52:00.002-04:00

How cute is Layla?

Family Birthday Party

2008-08-16T11:47:00.000-04:00

We had a combined birthday party for me, Daddy, and Grandma since all our birthday are so close together. We had three different cakes! It was fun. Aunt Rachel even flew in for it!

Microphone

2008-08-13T11:44:00.000-04:00

Layla got me a microphone for my birthday. I was playing in the playroom with Grammy and we were singing and playing the guitar. I decided that I needed glasses - they call me Joe Cool.

First Day of School

2008-08-13T11:41:00.000-04:00

Bouncy Seat

2008-08-12T11:38:00.000-04:00

Breakfast with Xander

2008-08-10T11:21:00.000-04:00

We met Xander, Jeff, and Michelle at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. After we ate we sat outside in the rocking chairs and Xander and I played a game of checkers. Xander goes to my school now too, so I will be seeing a lot more of him soon!

Sleepover with Reilly

2008-08-08T11:18:00.000-04:00

Reilly came over with her parents to eat Chinese food and watch the Olympics. We tried to have a sleepover in my room! But Reilly decided she didn't want to sleep in the room with me. She tried Layla's room, and then ended up sleeping in the playroom. She is fickle!

Special Shabbat

2008-08-08T11:08:00.000-04:00

The day after my birthday was Shabbat at school. My family got to come with me and we got to light the Shabbat candles and do the prayers over the wine and the challah. I got a special crown to wear too. Layla dressed up!

2 Years Old!

2008-08-07T10:45:00.000-04:00

My Birthday

2008-08-07T10:37:00.001-04:00

On my birthday, Mommy and Grammy brought cupcakes to my class. It was a big surprise because I didn't know they were coming. Everyone else enjoyed the cupcakes, but I refused to eat mine.

That night I went out to dinner with Mommy, Daddy, Layla, Grammy, Grandma and Pops. Then everyone came back to our house to open presents and have cupcakes. I got lots of good stuff! I got a playhouse from Grammy and Papa, a kitchen from Grandma and Pops, food for the kitchen from Sharon and Peter, an easel from Uncle Lander, and an outdoor playset from Uncle Buddy and Aunt Ruth and Barbara. Mommy and Daddy got me a bike, but I won't ride it. I just want to push it around. I still haven't sat on it almost a month later.

Cooking

2008-08-04T10:32:00.000-04:00

Mommy and I made pizza together. I got to put the cheese on the crust and then I got to place the tomatoes wherever I wanted. Then we cooked it and ate it. It was so much fun! I was upset that I only got two slices because it was so yummy!

Mommy and Daddy's Bed

2008-08-01T10:30:00.001-04:00

Layla likes to hang out in Mommy and Daddy's bed. It is one of my favorite spots too!

End of Year Party

2008-07-31T10:23:00.000-04:00

We had a party in my class because it was the end of the year. Now we are moving to the 2's class! Miss Ayla is moving with us, and a bunch of kids in my class too. Most importantly - Reilly will still be in my class!

New Stroller

2008-07-29T10:14:00.000-04:00

We try to go for family walks in the evenings as much as we can. Sometimes I ride in the wagon. But this time we tried out the new double stroller. I loved being next to Layla the whole time!

Brother/Sister Shirts

2008-07-27T10:10:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Daddy tried to have a photo shoot with me and Layla and our matching brother and sister t-shirts. Whenever we posed together, you couldn't see the shirts and Layla wasn't facing the camera. These are the best shots they got!

More Feet

2008-07-25T10:07:00.000-04:00

My mommy is obsessed with Layla's feet.

Little Feet

2008-07-24T21:16:00.002-04:00

Swimming

2008-07-24T21:01:00.005-04:00

Mommy said she was getting cabin fever, so on Sunday morning we met all of my grandparents, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Buddy, Aunt Ruth, Barbara, and Gayle at the pool for bagels and fruit. Then I went swimming with Grammy and Uncle Buddy. I did a great job kicking. Mommy even got a video of it (but she can't get it to upload - working on it). Layla wore her bathing suit that said Beach Babe on it.

Second Bath

2008-07-24T15:18:00.003-04:00

When I was born, Mommy took pictures of me every day. Every milestone was photographed. With Layla, not so much. Poor second child. Here is a picture of her second bath, since Mommy missed the first one.

Uncle Parker

2008-07-24T15:17:00.002-04:00

Uncle Parker came on Saturday to meet Layla.

Reilly Comes to Meet Layla

2008-07-24T15:13:00.004-04:00

The Harris family came over to visit so Reilly could meet Layla. Reilly is convinced she is getting a baby sister too! She did a great job holding Layla. I wanted Reilly to play with me in the playroom when she was in the living room with Layla. I came out and said "Reilly Harris! Playroom! Come on!"

Best Big Brother

2008-07-24T14:43:00.006-04:00

I loves to feed Layla, hold her, and sing a special song to her with my guitar and my backup band!

Layla Wynn Gold is Here!

2008-07-17T14:11:00.009-04:00

I am a proud big brother to Layla Wynn, born at 12:29 pm on Monday July 14 at Winnie Palmer Hospital. She was 7 lbs 9 ounces and 20 inches long. She has a mohawk!!!

I got to meet her on Monday after school at the hospital. I had told Mommy and Daddy that I wanted to kiss her toes when we met. So that was one of the first things I did. I brought Layla a Minnie Mouse doll that I picked out for her. She brought me a Zoe doll and two Mickey Mouse Clubhouse figurines.

Layla stayed in a special clear plastic bassinet in the hospital. Mommy and Daddy taped a picture of me inside the crib. They told me that she loved staring at my picture whenever she was awake.

A lot of our family came to the hospital to meet Layla while she was staying there. Grammy, Papa, Grandma, Pops, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Buddy, Aunt Ruth, and Grandma Barbara all got their pictures taken with Layla. Mommy and Daddy told me that Mike and Catriona came too but they didn't get any pictures of them!

On Wednesday, Layla got to come home. Mommy and Daddy got her dressed up to come home in a pretty dress and Mary Jane socks. I came to the hospital to take her home. After a small catastrophe (see Mommy's blog for details) we were on our way home. I was in charge of pushing a cart with all of Mommy and Layla's things on it. I had to wear special gloves that the nurse gave me for pushing. The whole way home I gave Mommy and Daddy updates on Layla. I said "Layla nap" and "Layla crying".

When we got home from the hospital I got to hold Layla. I love her so much I didn't want to give her up to read books and go to bed!

After I went to sleep Mommy and Daddy took some pictures of Layla at home for her first night. She laid in her pack n' play posing for pictures. She even held her own bottle while Mommy fed her in the middle of the night!

I love having my sister home with me!

23 Months and Almost a Big Brother!

2008-07-11T22:35:00.004-04:00

4th of July

2008-07-06T21:19:00.002-04:00

For July 4th I went with Mommy and Daddy to Winter Park in the morning where we met Reilly and her parents for a festival. They had cloggers and other music, a bike parade, and food and drinks. Reilly tried to get me to dance with her, but I kind of just stood there. After that we came home to take naps and then all my grandparents, Uncle Buddy, Aunt Ruth and Grandma Barbara came over to celebrate with a barbeque. I got to eat Jello Jigglers!

Sleeping with a Towel

2008-07-06T21:11:00.002-04:00

I have become a real two year old and sometimes I get upset if I don't get my way. The other night I told Mommy and Daddy that I wanted to sleep with a towel. So, I slept with a towel (and a washcloth) (they were both clean).

Mason and Aunt Rachel

2008-07-06T21:09:00.002-04:00

Aunt Rachel moved to Atlanta two weeks ago. This is the longest I have ever gone without seeing her and I miss her a lot. She got a web cam so we can talk online almost every day. Whenever I see her on the screen I ask to see Calvin and Chloe. I miss them too!

Splash Party at the JCC

2008-06-17T21:54:00.005-04:00

After school today Mommy and Daddy came to pick me up and we went back to the pool for a Swim Party! It was great. There was music to dance to, the kiddie pool to swim in with lots of watering buckets (apparently my new favorite pool toy), and Reilly, Sebastian, and Dena were all there too! And there was pizza! I couldn't have asked for a better after school treat.

Guitar

2008-06-17T21:43:00.002-04:00

Martin and Yvonne sent me a guitar - a real one with strings! I was so excited when I got it. I carried it around everywhere I went all weekend! It even came with its own case that I can wear like a backpack. I love to sit on my stool and strum the strings and sing.

Brunch at Grammy and Papa's House

2008-06-08T21:01:00.000-04:00

Guiliana came over with her parents to hang out with me when I visited Grammy and Papa. We sat on my Elmo couch and posed for pictures.

Then when it was time for breakfast I wanted to sit in a big kid chair like Guiliana.

I love playing on the back porch at Grammy and Papa's house.

Guiliana hugged me before she had to leave!

Elmo Concert

2008-06-07T21:59:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Daddy and I went to Miami with Grammy and Papa to see the Elmo Makes Music concert. I sat and watched the entire show so intently! I loved it!

22 months!

2008-06-07T20:59:00.000-04:00

That's our happy Mason back this month!

Hanging in Mommy and Daddy's Bed with Blanky

2008-05-30T14:12:00.001-04:00

(Very Belated) 21 Months!

2008-05-30T14:00:00.002-04:00

I did not want my picture taken on my 21 month birthday. Usually I am happy to smile and say cheese for the camera - but not today!

I Look Like Mommy

2008-05-27T22:45:00.002-04:00

Tonight I figured out how to sleep with my covers for the first time. I call them "cowers". When Mommy and Daddy went upstairs to check on me around 10 pm, this is what they found. I look just like my Mommy with the blanky over my face. Notice Mickey's position - I make sure he is in his "spot" before I go to sleep every night.

Tunnel

2008-05-27T22:37:00.003-04:00

I stole the remote from the living room. When Daddy tried to get it back, I crawled into my tunnel. No one can get me in there!

Kite Flying

2008-05-25T22:08:00.003-04:00

Reilly's Birthday Party

2008-05-25T21:20:00.005-04:00

Reilly is excited for her birthday party!

We are waiting to go on the fun bus

The first thing we did on the fun bus was an obstacle course

Reilly's birthday party was yesterday. The fun bus came to her house and we got to go on it for a gym party. It was great! Daddy stayed on with me the whole time. Mommy came on for a little bit too. I was a little scared, but it was still fun. And Reilly had a great time!

(Mommy can't figure out how to get rid of the underlines on the mac - help! Of course, they went away for this part!)

Aunt Rachel's Cell Phone

2008-05-24T12:59:00.004-04:00

Aunt Rachel let me play with her cell phone. I called some people and then had a really hard time giving it back to her. I think this might be the last time I get to play with it.

Big Boy Bed

2008-05-23T22:06:00.003-04:00

Tonight was the big move to my new bed! When I went upstairs, the crib was already in the baby's room and the bed was in my room. Mommy and Daddy put the sheets on and put up the bed rails to keep me from falling out. I came in the room, got up on the bed and screamed "Mason's Bed!" I was so excited! Then I went in the baby's room and pointed at the crib and said "Baby!" After my bath I hopped into bed to read with Mommy. Daddy joined us too - there is room for all of us there. We read a bunch of books, then I went to brush my teeth, and then came back to go to sleep. I stayed up for about 45 minutes playing and reading. Then finally I fell asleep. It was great having all my normal crib toys and books with me. I even had my Ocean Wonders with me! Mommy and Daddy are hoping I sleep all night long.

Disney Trip

2008-05-20T06:58:00.001-04:00

Day Off

2008-04-25T16:25:00.005-04:00

Monday was no school because of Passover. Lucky for me, Grandma and Pops had the day off too! And Uncle Lander was still in town and wanted to take me to the splash park!

We did bubble in the afternoon

I love bubbles

Then we went to the mall where I rode a cow

And Stage Jumped

It was a GREAT day!

Passover

2008-04-25T16:18:00.004-04:00

Passover might be my favorite holiday! I was so good both nights, sitting at the table with all the adults and listening to the stories and prayers. After every prayer I said "Amen". I must have learned that at school!

First night at our house - Mommy cooked and Daddy led the service.

Giving Pops a big kiss!

Second night at Grandma and Pops clubhouse - with 30 people!

Looking for the Afikomen

When I found it I said "Cracker". I couldn't believe everyone was making such a deal about finding a cracker!

But then Grandma gave me a cool toy for finding it!

"Drinking my wine"

Grandma and Pops clubhouse has a piano (panano)

Magic in the Playoffs

2008-04-25T16:13:00.001-04:00

The Magic are in the Playoffs! Daddy has been watching every game. Here I am with Daddy and Adam watching the first game.

At School

2008-04-25T15:41:00.002-04:00

One afternoon someone pulled the fire alarm at school and we all had to go outside and sit on the curb for a little while. Grandma came over to make sure I was okay. My class was so good - we sat on the curb like our teachers said.

Another day, Grandma spotted us on the playground. Then Ms. Leslie said "Lunchtime!" and we all ran to the fence and waited to go eat our lunch.

Around the House

2008-04-25T15:36:00.003-04:00

I have a new obsession with sunglasses. I wear them ALL the time. When I lost a pair at Grandma and Pops (they think I threw them away) it was a big tragedy because I had to go a day without my glasses. I was not happy!

One afternoon I woke up from nap and had planned to play outside. But to my surprise it was raining! So I stood at the backdoor, with my blankie and stool, and just wished I could be out there.

I got over the rain pretty quickly and put on my happy face.

I love it when Daddy puts my tent up in my playroom!!!!!

Family Festival

2008-04-13T16:05:00.000-04:00

My school had a big family festival on a Sunday at Lake Eola. Luckily, it was when Marin and Riley were in town. The weather was bad, but I had fun in the Toddler Town that they set up. Bubbles were my favorite!

Me and Mommy walking to the festival

Playing bubbles with my cousins

Bubbles with Grandma

More bubbles

Sand (but not real sand - we aren't sure what it really is)

Riley and I hanging out in one of the houses

Riley and I raced down the rollercoasters!

Playing with Marin and Riley

2008-04-12T15:52:00.000-04:00

Once I woke up from my nap, we all went to the backyard to play and eat. We had some fun inside in the playroom too, whenever we got too hot outside.

Marin taught us the Gator Chomp

We all played in the sand together

I videotaped the girls from behind

Riley loved my little red car

I showed her how to gas it up

Making sure I get the nozzle in the right spot

Rolling around on the playroom floor with Marin

Coloring at my table

Dancing in the playroom

Riley and I sat on our Mommy's laps after a long day

Eating our dinner

Marin Dancing!