Temper, temper.

My mom told me growing up I always fought falling asleep as a baby and kid. I still do I guess.

Max seems to be acting the same way. It's as if he just doesn't want to miss anything even though he can barely keep his eyes open.

So you try every position possible; on his back, belly (then your belly), standing and holding him frontwards, backwards, in his swing or 'johnny jump-up'. You try on your lap, sitting on the floor, standing him up, looking out the window or in the mirror. Finally you resort to holding and walking from room to room around the house. Ten minutes of this and he's out. (I don't know why we just don't start with it in the first place.)

Usually.

Unless his temper kicks in. (Gee. I wonder where he gets THAT..?)

{New cousin update: Still waiting...}

Another cousin..?

Today we received news Max's Aunt Amber (Corey's 'baby' sis) went to the hospital early this morning with what looks like the onset of labor. It's a little early but damn near full term.

We're SO excited for Amber and Tim and for whoever their little one turns out to be. It could be tomorrow or it could be next week.

As of now we are keeping our fingers crossed and sending our best wishes for a safe and healthy delivery.

Can't wait!

Growth Spurt

In a not quite scheduled visit to the doctor's office today to up Max's dose of Zantac there was the usual pre-exam weigh in.

Drum roll please.........................................

16 lbs 14 oz

That's nearly a pound and a half in just about 3 weeks.

No wonder his Zantac needed to be increased.

St. Patty's at the Lynch's

Last night's St. Patrick's Day gathering at the Lynch homestead marked Max's first full-fledged outing outside his immediate family.

All in all he did great! After a couple minor freak-outs (it's not like he's been socially deprived this winter) he settled down, took a nap, and proceeded to quietly people-watch the rest of the night perched upon lap after various lap.

Max finally met a group of people closer to his age than ours, especially Violet, his fellow partner in crime (the crime being to telepathically communicate from the womb to try and arrange the same birthday). As fortune has it, the closest they could manage was a few days apart even though their parents showed up at the same hospital on the same night.

Emma, Lucas, Jasper and crew flying around the house under tables, between legs, up and down stairs - Max seemed to take it all in with quiet deliberation.

Thank you Amy and Jeremy for the invite, and thanks everyone there for anything you've said or done in Max's behalf. It's nice to start getting him out and showing him off.

It's half way through March now and the cold and flu season hopefully is waning. Can't wait to get him out in the yard. We just have to find leaf rake small enough to fit him.

Primary Source of Nourishment

It is absolutely and irrefutably true what they say about your baby's diet directly reflecting the diet of his mother.

I've got the diaper to prove it.

That is all.

Real Comedian

We think Max might be playing with us.

Example 1:
Earlier today he was contentedly sitting in his swing while I did some work on the computer in the office when I noticed it getting a little chilly in the house. Like any responsible parent I fetched one of Max's blankets, folded it neatly to fit over his lower half without obstructing the motion of the swing. After what I estimated to be a three-second interval of internal debate, Max, with a sudden burst of energy and the most serious expression on his face, kicked like hell until the blanket was a heap on the floor. I caught the very end of this little rebellion out of the corner of my eye, turned to him and asked, " What do you think your doing?" His answer? Another one of those big, gummy, open-mouthed smiles. I think we repeated this game six times before boredom set in and the thumb reentered the mouth. (His thumb, his mouth of course.)

Example 2:
Max and I met Annie in the kitchen as she returned home from work. As mom approached and proceeded to greet him (as I held him on my shoulder), Max would smile his giant smile and then turn and bury his face in my neck. Who taught this kid to play coy? I think they repeated THIS game about six times before mom's arms started giving out, as she still hadn't set down her giant work and shopping bags.

I think we're in for it.

Comedian

Picture this:

a big, giant breath, slight delay, and with a stretched neck, curled lips, and a slight shake of the head "cooo...." And then a huge open gummy-mouthed smile.

then:

a big, giant breath, a slight delay, and with a stretched neck, curled lips, and a slight shake of the head - a short solid 'chuckle.' - And then a look of pure fear as Max's parents scare him almost to death with their own uncontrolled outbursts of joyful laughter.

There is absolutely nothing better than your own brand new kid laughing for the first time.

Nothing.