Mason Shoma

Okay, I know I was just bragging about my core workouts, but I can be lazy too. Sometimes I just can’t find the strength to get off my diapered butt to work out.

I have a good appetite and enjoy both breast milk and supplementary formula, but there is an unfortunate consequence of a lactose based diet: gas. I know it is not the most sophisticated of topics, but I’m just trying to be honest with you. I am often gassy. Sometimes when I’m fussy, I a good fart…I mean passage of gas can relieve me and make me feel better. I often pass gas when I am relaxed.

Warning: the following video contains the passing of gas. Viewer discretion is advised.

It was kind of hard to hear, but that was me passing gas, in a very cute way, in response to my name. I think passing gas is a natural thing, but Mommy and Daddy thought it was really funny. I don’t get that kind of humor.

Just because I’m a baby, it doesn’t mean I get to be lazy and lie around doing nothing. I have to workout to stay in shape. Tummy time helps me strengthen my neck, but it also helps me with my core as well. Often, when people think of core muscles, they only think of abs, but back muscles are important too.

I think it holds true that all babies prefer to be held to being put down. We just like being in the arms of loved ones. It feels so safe, secure, and warm. When we are put down we feel lonely. It is very obvious with me too. Sometimes I am okay with being in my crib, chair, or on the floor, but often I am not okay with it. I much prefer being held. The difference is quite obvious.

Just looking at this picture makes me feel drowsy. It is so comfy to be held. It must be to be doing the holding too. I’m pretty sure that Daddy fell asleep.

Daddy is doing it again. He is using his beard to make me have a combover hair style. It still makes Mommy laugh. I still think it looks dapper!

When I fall asleep in Mommy’s or Daddy’s arms, but head often falls back because of the weight of my head. Mommy and Daddy don’t know if they should be happy because I look so relaxed when I sleep or worried that my head my fall off. Sometimes it just hangs over their arms.

Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!! Something fell off of me! I’m falling apart, and at such a young age! Aaaahh…wait a minute. What is that? A raisin?

Oh, no it’s not a raisin. It’s my umbilical cord stump. It dried and fell off. Yay? I guess this is something to celebrate. The hospital even gave me a commemorative case for this occasion. It looks a little weird if you ask me, but I guess I’ll keep it.

I was born a big baby and I feel like I’m growing a lot every day, but I’m still a little baby boy. I look and feel very small sometimes when I rest on Daddy’s chest. It’s hard to believe that one day I may grow to be taller than him.

There once was a time where I slept nearly the entire day. I would usually take a nap after every feeding. But recently I have been awake and alert more often, even after feeding. If I’m not crying and fussy, Mommy and Daddy are happy to have me awake so they can talk and interact with me. As you can see, I am a very attentive listener.

You already saw how close I am getting to rolling over. I’m getting to the point where I can almost do it in my sleep.

As you know, I am full of surprises, even in my sleep. I have been surprising Mommy and Daddy a lot with my Moro reflexes. It is an infantile startle reflex where a baby shoots his hands out in the air. It usually happens when the baby is startled by something, usually a noise. I tend to do it for no apparent reason. It an be absolutely quiet and then my hands shoot up. It is surprising, but can also be entertaining (see My first music video).

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Now that I am two weeks old, I’ve been wondering what I’ve been doing with my life. So I decided to make a career change. I am going to dabble in music. Daddy helped me make my first music video. It’s a cover of an oldie but goodie. It’s short, but I hope you like it.

When FaceTiming with Grandma and Grandpa today, we decided that it was time for me to start having more tummy time. I’ve had tummy time on Daddy’s tummy before, but haven’t really started tummy time on my own on the floor. So we gave it a shot.

Utter and complete paralysis. I surprised us all. We all know how strong I am and how I’m working toward holding my neck up, but for tummy time I just froze. I didn’t know what to make of the the situation. I think I had an out of body experience and just went to my happy place.

Everyone thought it was so funny how still I went. Especially considering that I am never still, even when sleeping.

In the end, I found it quite relaxing and soothing. I even drifted off to sleep for a little bit.

I think I have a lot more tummy time in my future. Sure, I have to work out those neck muscles, but also it is just good relaxing time for me.

Daddy: Hey, Mason, do your impression of Napoleon.

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Mason: Nailed it!

Daddy: Nice!

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Daddy: Hey, Mason, do an impression of a velociraptor.

Mason: Nailed it!

Daddy: Nice!

I have always been very expressive. You should see the variety of faces I make. Most of them are a mix of comfortable, sad, and angry. I don’t really smile yet. At least I didn’t until today. I had this big smile on my face while I slept. I just have to figure out how to smile when I’m awake.

As you know, I was born with a full head of hair. It is very thick and smooth, but it can be unruly sometimes. Today, I suddenly developed an antenna. I don’t know how or why, but it just popped up on my head. No, Mommy and Daddy did NOT put any product in my hair to do that. It just happened naturally.

Mommy and Daddy thought it was hilarious!

I was less amused.