6 months

I know, I know... Finally a post! There have been many new and interesting things in Max's life lately and hopefully I'll remember them all.

First and foremost, Max has a brand new cousin down in Evanston, Ill. Steven Charles VanLoo came into the world Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 8 lbs 15 oz with all his fingers and toes intact. His mom and dad are doing great and couldn't be happier. From what we hear it's a whole new world down there. We'll be heading down for a visit in a few weeks and are bouncing off the walls to meet him.

Max turned six months old today if you can believe it. We can't believe just how fast the last few months have gone by. To mark the occasion, Max spent his first night in his own room with nary a peep until hunger roused him around 4 AM. Good job Max. Great job Mom...

Along with pools of drool (we think he's begun teething), a bit more fussiness, and crazy kicking and flailing of arms when he's excited, Max has begun laughing more easily. He actually has ticklish spots now (to the delight of Dad), and never fails to smile when he sees one of us every time he wakes up.

He's a happy baby, and we do realize how lucky we have it.

Speaking of realizing how lucky we are, we want Max's grandparents to know how much we appreciate the shifts they take in watching him while we work. With the work they do, Max will have read all of our library, have done thousands of sit-ups, and probably be playing the trombone by the time he's two.

Well rounded - we like that. (and I'm not talking about his current waistline)

UPDATE: Forgot to mention Max had his first 'live' music experience last Saturday. Grandpa Dick played at the Stockbridge Town Hall with the 30+ member Capital City Brass Band.

After the fanfare opening and Max's wide-eyed-slack-jawed-arms flung open-oh crap! reaction, he was completely fine, calm and collected while music was played. He actually seemed entertained by the conductor and his white bouncing baton.

It was only between pieces, while the conductor explained the upcoming number, Max found it appropriate to exercise his vocal cords. (We think he was just letting Grandpa know how much he like being there...)

31" Pacifier

We are by no means the type of parents who plan on using the television as a babysitter/pacifier, yet I continue to be blown away how cartoons can almost instantly pacify a cranky Maxwell.

There really is no other channel which can do what the Cartoon Network can do. It's amazing.

Bright primary colors, sound effects, crazy dogs that can talk. I wonder if Max yet wonders why Vinnie and Abbey don't speak the language of 'Scooby Doo'.

Maybe next year Red Wings playoff hockey will gain and hold his attention...

Early on #4

Joy came the other day to check up on Max. As it happens this was the first time she'd been to the house without Dad there. Having both grandmothers in attendance more than made up for it from what I hear.

I've been told Joy busted out a version of a scale closely resembling a Johnny Jump-Up - the kind of which hangs in the doorway. (For some reason I just keep picturing an old meat hook...)

17 lbs 12 oz.

This thought crossed my mind the other day: Our son might grow up to be bigger than his dad.

I know, I know, it happens all the time. It was just one of those fleeting, out-of-the-blue thoughts of which had never crossed my mind up to this point.

I also know whatever size he is right now makes absolutely no difference as to how he'll end up. We're just glad he's happy and healthy. (VERY healthy.)

Pictures