Mason's growing up!

I haven't done a special update on Mason in a while. He is doing so great and growing up so fast. He doesn't look like a baby anymore, he is looking more and more like a little boy all the time. The biggest news about Mason is that he is now walking, no assistance! He loves to walk. He started taking independent steps at the beginning of the year, in January. And since then he'd randomly take s a few steps unassisted. It just built up from there. Then one day a couple months ago, end of June. We had just gotten him some crutches to move on to since he has been using his walker all this time. And it was like something suddenly clicked and he decided he wanted to walk on his own!! He started walking all over the house one night and Malone and I couldn't believe it. Ever since he pretty much just does it on his own. The only problem is he can't stand or stop without holding on to something. And he has to pull to stand. And his balance isn't perfect yet, he often loses his balance and falls down. If he has something to stand up to he will get right up, but he will crawl also. We are currently working on using the crutches for something to hold onto when he stands. He basically just carries the crutches when he walks and they get in the way. We are also working on standing up without holding on to anything. But honestly, him being able to walk has been such a huge blessing. It gives me hope knowing he can be a little more independent. We have a long way to go but I am so thankful for all the milestones he reaches.

Mason talks like crazy. I'd say it's his strongest feature. He talks in full sentences, and sometimes surprises us with things he can say. He is so smart. Next week we are doing some testing with the school district to see where Mason fits in for preschool. We will find what works for him, whatever that is. I wanted to write about some of the things he says that are so funny. One day on the way home from church one Sunday, Mason was describing how he had pooped in his diaper at church that day. He said,  " It's coming, it's coming it's coming, then pop! Into my diaper!" haha He continues to call me Mommy Bug and dad Daddy Monster. He knows his full name and says it. He can't pronounce his F's, he says the D sound instead. It is pretty cute. He is learning to butter me up already by saying, Please?! I appreciate when he is polite, naturally.

Mason's third birthday is coming up next month and it will be the first time we've had family at his birthday! We can't wait.

His disability doesn't slow him down. In fact, I don't see him as "disabled". Only when I get around other people's kids or talk to other moms do I see the difference, but to me he's perfect the way he is. Do I wish he didn't have to struggle with walking? Yes. But would I exchange all that I have learned and experiences I have gained through having a child like Mason for it? I don't think so. I think Heavenly Father knew the lessons we'd learn from Mason and how he would strengthen us in ways we didn't know possible. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and His plan for us.

Bullock Happenings

It's been months since I have written last. We have had so many changes since September! Mason had his second birthday in October. Since then he has grown a lot and is so big! He is 32 months now. He talks like crazy and we have fun conversations. We play a game with him where Malone is a monster and chases me and Mason around the house. Mason now refers to him as "Daddy Monster" pretty much all the time. He also refers to me as "Mommy Ladybug" for some unknown reason. It's so funny. Mason really has an imagination. It's fun to watch him play and talk with his toys. He loves to be outside, as always. We like to go out and pick up rocks and sticks and explore. Mason doesn't like spiders or snakes or flies, but loves birds and we often look for birds nests in the trees.

The biggest news is that Malone got a job in Idaho Falls, and we moved back in February 2016!  It was a big decision for our family. And even though we felt it was the right thing to do at this time, it was hard to leave all our dear friends. Malone's dad is letting us stay in his house on Telford in Idaho Falls for the time being, rent free. So we are catching up on our debt for these few months and saving as much money as possible. Malone works for Bateman-Hall construction as a project manager assistant. He travels around from time to time for projects. It's usually only a day or so and then he is back home.

We have had a good time being near family again as well as Mason's doctors. Mason finally had his MRI and all his testing done in May at Primary's. Everything checked out great! We are so happy to not have to have any surgeries this year. It will be the first time since Mason has been born that he hasn't had to have surgery for something. Just a few days ago Mason got his first set of arm crutches. He isn't super keen on them yet, but he has made a couple attempts with walking with them. They will really help him be more independent so we are excited for him to take this next step in development. We are feeling extremely blessed with him.

In April we got our dog Kayto back from our friends and he has been living here with us these past couple months. It's great to have him back. Having two dogs is a handful sometimes, but we enjoy having them.

At church I was called to be in Young Women's as the personal progress specialist/beehive advisor. So I get to go to mutual each week and spend time with our Young Women. They are so great! And the other advisors and presidency are really great people to associate with. Malone was called to be elder's quorum activity leader. They just had their first activity last week, and learned to smoke meat and  fly fish. I was in charge of my first activity just this week to pass of a personal progress requirement. I taught the girls to lead music. It went okay,  I was a bit nervous! But I think everyone learned something.

Mason 22 months

Mason is 22 1/2 months old. He will be 2 next month! Since Masons surgery he has made a great recovery. It took him about 6 weeks to get back on his feet and start walking again. He can walk with his walker for about 30 minutes before he gets tired. He cruises around furniture and can even climb on onto our coffee table now. That was a great surprise! We have been watching to see if the tethered cord release would make any difference in his lower extremities. The only things I have noticed so far is his weak right ankle that use to be floppy isn't floppy anymore. It feels stronger, has some resistance now. He walks a little differently now, which is hard to explain. But basically he is starting to walk on his toe on his left side instead of striking on the bottom of his foot. We have been working with the physical therapist and orthotist on seeing if we need to make some adjustments to his AFOs.

He is obsessed with cars. He points them out wherever we go. He has about 6 hot wheels cars that he carries with him everywhere. He also likes anything with wheels, which he also considers a car. Strollers, trains, bikes, even his walker is called a "car". He likes to build with his Lego blocks and we make a track for his cars to slide on.

He loves to eat goldfish crackers, noodles, and fruit snacks. He loves to watch 'Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood' and 'Thomas and Friends'. He also loves to explore outside and pick up rocks and leaves and look at bugs. He loves the park and swinging on the swings.

He thinks its funny to terrorize the dog and has become such a tease! He will throw his drink at the dog or scare him. It doesn't take much to scare Tivo.  Mason likes to tease me and Malone and poke us and "zing us" like Grandpa Snedaker does to all the grandkids. He thinks its funny to throw his food on the floor  and empty all the diapers out. He likes to wrestle with Malone and snuggle with me. He gives us kisses and really good hugs ( he will lay his head on your shoulder and pat your back). He is usually friendly with strangers, always saying 'hi' and fist bumping people.

Mason talks a lot. He has quite the vocabulary. 'Mom' is the newest word! He finally calls me mom! Before he called me and Malone both 'Dad'. So that has been wonderful. He says car, dad, stairs, side ( outside), no ( nose), eye, shoe, boo, flah ( flower), where is he/it, where'd it go, ball, bubble, show, Da'oh ( Daniel ) O ( O the Owl) and many more. He understand quite a bit more than just what he says. We can read a book and I can ask him where something is on the page and he will point to it. He knows the moo sound for a cow, and growling around for lions tigers bears dinosaurs etc. Of course he knows the sounds for cars ( vroom or sometimes whee ooo for his ambulance).
Mason is so much fun to be around. He continues to surprise us with how smart he is all of the time. And he is walking more and more all the time.

This week a friend of mine called me and asked me if I would like to help out at her preschool in the two year old class a couple times a week. In exchange I could bring Mason with me, even though he's not quite two yet. It has been a great experience for Mason. I bring his walker with us and he has plenty of room to roam and play with the other kids. He gets to play with toys, learn colors and shapes, do crafts, play with kids and eat snacks. I get to get out of the house and help teach Mason and other kids so its pretty great.

I have been hanging out with friends and getting out more than usual lately. I have been serving as pianist in Primary at church and once in a while get asked to play at baptisms, choir, or even funerals. I enjoy being able to serve in a way I am most comfortable! Piano is no biggie for me. I love it. I been with friends to some indoor play areas and open gyms lately for kids. So Mason gets to play and exercise and I get a little social interaction with other moms.

Malone was able to borrow a bike from someone and has been riding it to work.  I have had the car and he is getting a great workout. He has been really great at working out consistently lately.  Malone started up with Webelos again since school has started. They had a pool party last week.

We have been doing pretty great lately and are enjoying life!

August fun

Masons Pictures

We had Masons pictures done right before surgery. I hadn't gotten his 12 month pictures done, so these are his 20 month pictures I guess! I posted a ton of pictures, but I couldn't decide which ones to post I love them all!

Visiting the Aquarium

Recently we went to the Grapevine aquarium. Mason wasn't too sure about the visit but he did like the shark tank! We had fun being together as a family.