16 months...almost

Mason is growing like a weed and becoming a little boy before our eyes. He is about a week and a half shy of 16 months and everyday our mouth drops at something new he is doing.

He is running all around the house and talking like a nut! In case you are interested, here is our typical day. Mason wakes up now about 7:30 and plays in his bed with Bob (his teddy bear) and Frank (his monkey). He rarely cries and just plays with his friends until I come get him. Once downstairs, he walks over to the microwave, reaches up and says na-na-ba. This is where I keep the bananas. For breakfast he eats a banana, oatmeal and sometimes another fruit. Still is not a fan of eggs. After breakfast, he goes to his playroom or goes to find daddy and they play while I get dressed for the gym. We are out of the house by 9:00 and if it's not a "school" day we head for the gym. Mason loves all his friends there and walks in the gym nursery with a smile most days. Once home from the gym, Mason is ready for his nap around 11:00. He sleeps between an hour and a half to two hours and then wakes up for lunch. A typical lunch for Mason is steamed okra, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, cheese, and crackers. After lunch, we run errands, meet friends for play dates, or if the weather is yucky, we stay inside and play. Mason eats dinner about 5:30 (dinner is about the same as lunch) and daddy gets home about 6:00. Once daddy gets home, he and Mason have time together and I start dinner (if i choose to cook that night). About 7:00 is bath time and 7:30 is story and milk time. He LOVES to read and has the attention span to read 6 or 7 books in a row. He is in bed by 8 and loves going "nigh-nigh" because he gets his paci, Bob, and Frank. He goes right to sleep for 11-12 hours.

Mason is also growing quite a large tummy.

He still loves balls, and has a hard time sharing them. One in each hand is normal.

He loves to hug, kiss, and be sweet to anything soft and cuddly.

Daddy says he has the throwing ability of a three year old and can't wait to sign him up for baseball. Check out that belly. :)

And now Mason would like to show you his new song. ...

Head..

Shoulders...

(knees) and Toes...

Eyes and....

Ears and...

Mouth and..Nose...

And the tummy for extra credit!

Ciao Everyone! More later!

P.M.S Purchases

I came across a very eye-opening article in my Parenting magazine this month about women who blame their shopping sprees on P.M.S. That's right..you heard it here. I now have an excuse that is OUT OF MY CONTROL!! According to a recent British study of 700 women, females are more prone to impulse buy 10 days before their cycle. In fact, eight out of ten women surveyed said they shopped to "cheer themselves up." Researchers believe that an intense emotion - high or low - can influence spending behavior.

So here's this month's P.M.S purchase.

And here's next month's...

And while we are on the subject...this wonderful little article also revealed a website, recently launched by men (who else?) where "people" (MEN) can sign up to receive email alerts when the women in their life are approaching..ahem.."that time of the month." Really guys? Do you really need this? You can't just walk on eggshells and clean up after yourselves every day? Come on!

1st Annual Lackey Cabin Hayride

Since the whole family (minus Ryan) was at the cabin this weekend we did a family hayride around the neighborhood today. We had hot apple cider and kettle corn and lots of blankets and haybales. It was so much fun but soooo coooollllldddd!! Brooke and I made a quick trip to the Smithville Walmart and bought the kids matching hats. Mason loves his new hat and wore it before and after the hayride!

Nighty- Night

Okay, so Mason has never been the best napper. Starting at 2 months old, he would nap for 45 minutes tops. I blogged about my frustrations during that time. As he started becoming more mobile, crawling and walking, his naps progressively got longer extending to as much as an hour and a half and on a really good day 2 hours. As of today, this is the second time he has taken a 3 hour nap (and he is still sleeping as I type this blog)!! I used to get so mad at my friends telling me their kids took over a 3 hour naps but now I am one of those lucky moms. I just had to share my proud moment!

Fall Cleaning...

I am selling our DVD collection since we never have time to sit down and watch a movie. If you want one or a lot- make me an offer and they are yours! Feel free to email me rachellackey@gmail.com


Me, Myself, and Irene
A Time to Kill
The X-Files- fight the future
X-men
The Pelican Brief
Wall Street
Meet Joe Black
Just Cause
Best of Friends Volume 1 and 2
Matrix Revolution
Matrix Reloaded
Napolean Dynamite
Rush Hour 2
Terminator 2
In her shoes
You've got Mail
Twister
Austin Powers- Goldmember
The Truman Show
Scarface
Will and Grace- Season 1
City of Angels
Matrix
Rush Hour
The Hurricane
Road Trip
Demolition Man
A Beautiful Mind
Lethal Weapon 4
U.S Marshalls
Seinfeld Season 4
40 yr old Virgin
Die Hard
Die Hard 2
Die Hard with a vengeance
Terminator 3
PS 2- Madden 2001, 2004, 2003
The Mist
Moulin Rouge
John Q.
Entrapment
Sweet Home Alabama
3rd Season Sex and the City
Pleasantville
Legally Blonde 2
Lost in Space
Stigmata
There's something about Mary
Stargate
Message in a bottle
Stepmom
Seinfeld Season 4
Armageddon
Malcom X
Men of Honor
Analyze this
L.A Confidential
Quiz Show
Mummy
Pearl Harbor
Blade
Unforgiven
Silence of the Lambs
Menace II Society
The Sixth Sense
Remember the Titans
Minority Report
Meet the Parents
Little Nicky
Lethal Weapon 4
Green Mile
Coyote Ugly
Unbreakable
The Rock
Legally Blonde
Joe Dirt
A Few Good Men
The Simpsons- 1st and 2nd Season
Star Wars- Phantom Menace, Attack of Clones, and Revenge of the Sith
Bourne Ultimatum
Pearl Harbor
Hannibal
Seinfeld Seasons 1,2, and 3
Charlie's Angels
Face Off
Outbreak
Grey's Anatomy- Season 1
Memento

Heading Home and Final thoughts

This trip has been absolutely amazing. It has been fun reliving it through my blog but pictures and stories cannot convey the things we did and saw. We got a good taste of each country and when I decide to make a trip back to Europe, I will definitely spend my time in Italy and I would also like to experience more of Greece. I think this was the absolute best way to experience Europe for people that have never been. It's good to be home and back in the swing of reality. I missed Mason so much and am so glad to have him back.

The following pictures aren't all that interesting but they are from the last two days we spent at sea, sailing back to Barcelona. Enjoy!

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The last couple days at sea were spent relaxing and enjoying the amenities of the ship.

Eric doing the intermediate level on the rock climbing wall.

Eric played blackjack quite a bit but I was the big winner with 6 cents on the slot machine. Actually I took it to the cashiers counter and they gave me a keychain. How lovely.

Brooke playing with her food.

We had one last formal night and ate at Chops that night.

Hanging out in the cigar lounge. Well I stayed for 2 1/2 minutes but the boys enjoyed it for a while.

Our final towel animal

Corfu, Greece

Monday, September 28, 2009

We docked in Corfu, Greece about 8:00 and our plan was to take a taxi to the nearest beach and relax. When we got off the ship there were plenty of taxis but they were price gouging.... because they could. 120 Euros to take us to a beach 15-20 minutes away was ridiculous. We walked about 5 feet to the left and rented a couple of cars for the day for the same price. The cars were like micro machines. In fact, they were Nissan Micras. Eric and Jim had a blast driving them though.

The first thing you need to know about Greece is "no trumpets" are allowed. This was just a really random sign but we were all disappointed we couldn't play our trumpets that we brought with us.

The second thing to know about Greece is the people are very nice but this particular gentleman did not have a sense of "personal space" while giving directions.

The third thing you need to know about Greece is that it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Ever been laying on the beach when a heard of sheep walk by? I have!!!

Alright, here it goes... the last section devoted to the food. Now Eric and I love to eat Greek at home. We like the 2 can dine for $12.99 at the greek cafe in Cool Springs. :) We were all dying to taste a real Greek Gyro, Hummus, and Greek Salad. After searching for a restaurant that had all of that we ended up at Spiros Tavern. It was a family owned restaurant by the Spiros Family.

First Eric tasted the local beer.

Here is the Greek Salad. I will have to say, I like a lot of vinegar in the my greek dressing and the dressing on this salad was not as pungent as I would have liked. However, the huge block of feta on top was delicious.

I don't even like Hummus but I couldn't stop eat this.

Gyro Platter- Exactly what we had all been craving.

Food Coma

Olive tree right outside Spiros Tavern

Heading back to the ship after an amazing day in Greece. Wish we had more time here.

Split, Croatia

Sunday September 27, 2009

We didn't have a tour scheduled for Croatia so I really didn't know what to expect. It sounds so "Russian" and used to be part of Yugoslavia so I just imagined a rough looking town with old historic building (which quite frankly, I'd had my fill of that). We docked about 8:00 and since we had to take a tender to the port we waited until it wasn't so busy. Once we got there I was pleasantly surprised at Croatia.

Ir was not at all what I imagined it to be. Instead of old dirty buildings, Croatia had palm trees, white buildings, marble tile streets, beautiful cafes, outdoor seating, and was extremely clean. Since Croatia is not part of Italy, many businesses don't accept Euros so we didn't feel like transferring a lot of money to kronos for just a few hours, We did stop in a cafe for a latte and to use the restroom. We've learned very quickly that if the gringo's need to pee they gotta pay. We also had to try some snicker's gelato (promise this is my last one!!!!) and it was the best on yet! Who knew I could find my favorite gelato in Split, Croatia????...of all places!

After wandering the streets the guys stopped and tried a local beer at an outdoor cafe.

After a few hours in Croatia we were ready to get back on the boat and relax. However, the short amount of time we were there was enjoyable.

That afternoon we hit the gym and the top deck for some sun. Before dinner we made it back up to our favorite spot on the ship... the game room.

Tomorrow: Corfu, Greece!!!!