Damn the Man. DAMN THE MAN!!

The outburst not so conspicuously used as the title of this post is pretty much what I read in Max's eyes just after four more giant needles penetrated his oh-so-chunky--and now oh-so-tender upper thighs.

You got it. Four month vaccinations.

All is well and perfect as far as the doctor is concerned with his weight and height (24.5"). We do have a slight issue with the way his circumcision has healed, but after a quick trip to the urologist, it sounds like all could be well by the time he's a year old.

So, ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't peeked below so far, let me present you with Max's four-month weigh-in:

If our doctor hadn't seen Max after getting out of the hospital, she'd think we'd lied about how early he was.

Nose Plugs

I don't care what any father or mother might tell their wives, daughters, mothers, or even their sons about this next subject. In my humble opinion, the smell of baby poop will never - EVER - agree with the nostrils of the adult male human.

"Awww... You'll get used to it." Nope.

"Don't worry, it get's better." Nope.

"It's different when it's your own kid..." Give me a FREAKIN" break.

Max's mother laughed and looked at me like I was ridiculous when I mentioned one time I had started stuffing my nose with tissue in such situations.

I love my son more than I could ever explain, but that doesn't mean I'll ever get used to his crappy diapers.

Early On #3

All in all the appointment went well today. He's right on track developmentally for his age and is even starting to meet some of the 4 - 7 month old goals.

But as well as he's doing, Max received his first homework assignment today.

Basically he has the next two months to work on sitting up by himself, reaching out for and grasping "things" of interest (toys, etc.), rolling over, and even saying things like "mamamamamamama..." or "dadadadadadadadada..." It doesn't mean he has to know what the heck he's talking about, but it's the vocalizations that count.

It's amazing how a big smile from Max can just brighten a room up, especially with someone like our traveling nurse Joy, who has one of the biggest, most contagious laughs I've ever heard. I think we all laughed for five minutes at one point.

CNN

I think every family comes to realize at some point each person involved tends to end up having their own "spot" when it's time to kick back in living room at night to take in everyone's favorite T.V. shows.

I have my spot on the couch, Annie has hers (she'll beg to differ though), and lately when the T.V. catches Max's eye, he usually ends up in his: sitting on a nice soft pillow in the crook of my arm against the arm of the couch.

It's funny what holds his attention and what doesn't.

For example: Tonight he decided to stay awake after his bottle and watch the CNN debate between Hillary and Obama with me. For the most part he's been talking to himself and playing with his hands as Obama speaks, and then completely silent, motionless, and staring at the T.V. when Hillary is talking.

Oh wait... He's fallen asleep now while sucking his thumb.

Anyone up for a debate? Comments...?

Lungs. I said LUNGS!

There was a time during the last week, and especially the last few minutes, of Max's prenatal existance when we were quite concerned about the development of his lungs.

Fast-forward now almost four months later to the middle of a bottle of milk.

I say the middle of a bottle of milk because Max is a very hard little guy to burp, and we seem to have the most luck stopping half way through to get a belch or two before continuing on. If we work for forty-five minutes after he's finished without getting another burp, at least we pounded out a couple in the middle. Less of a chance of spit-up later. (I know, I know... All you parents out there know what this is all about...)

Back to the lungs.

Max has deemed it necessary lately to let his parents know how well his lungs have become when taking the previously described burp-break.

It all starts with the cutest, little, classic, break-your-heart frown; then a giant inhalation into those well developed lungs to be used in the loudest, saddest, ARE-YOU-KIDDING-ME-I'M NOT FRIGGEN'-DONE-WITH-THAT-YOU-MORON yell we've ever heard, lasting until you get a burp or two and manage to get the nipple back into that greedy little mouth. Only then his eyes go back to saying "your the best parent ever."

Compare that experience with taking the now empy bottle out of his mouth, barely able to keep his eyes open, and then fading into a blissful doze with just a hint of a sly little grin before he's out for the next three hours.

He must get it from his mom.

Pacifier..? What pacifier?

Finally got that damn thumb...


(Working on a video follow up. Hopefully soon.)
Update: New video--------------->

Three Month Doctor Visit

stocky: (stŏk'ē)
-adj. stock·i·er, stock·i·est
1. Solidly built; sturdy.
2. Chubby; plump.

chubby: (chuhb-ee)
–adjective, -bi·er, -bi·est.
round and plump: a chubby child; a chubby face.

pudgy: (puhj-ee)
–adjective, pudg·i·er, pudg·i·est.
short and fat or thick: an infant's pudgy fingers.

svelte: (svělt)
adj. svelt·er, svelt·est
-Slender or graceful in figure or outline; slim.

"Wow! Are you fat..." said the nurse to the Max after marking his latest weight on his chart.

"Wow! Are you fat..." said Max's docter as she read from Max's chart.

One month ago: 10 lb 14 oz.
Today: 14 lb 10 oz.

That's almost four pounds in one month. The kid is a monster. Charting his progress against the rest of the world Max is in the 75th percentile in weight for this age. His three-month-not-adjusted-because-I'm-a-premee weight.

Thankfully there's proof via this website Max truefully was 7 1/2 weeks early.

About time...

New pics and vids... ---->