Nanny introduced Max and Steven to squirt guns the last time she watched them. The squirt gun came home with us. It's not Dad's fault he likes squirt guns too...
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Spring!!! (almost)
The weather has been so nice the last couple of days, we couldn't resist a walk around the yard - nevermind the mole tunnels and dog holes. (Max says "Thanks Abbey...")
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 Year in Review
2008 End-of-Year GIANT Video Post
It's hard to believe Max's first year has come and gone. Here's just a few of the many vid clips taking up most of the hard-drive memory we currently own. Getting time for an upgrade...
Happy New Year!!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Small Screen Debut
This past summer Annie's brother Rich, who is a funeral director, asked if she and Max would like to be in a commercial for his company.
The scene is quick, with the two of them sadly sitting on a couch with the rest of "their family," as they remember the relative who has passed away (appropriately a photo of the deceased rests in the lap of "grandma" and in a few other shots throughout the commercial.)
As I have seen, met with, and communicated with Rich a few times since the filming of this commercial, I can therefore bear witness to the fact he is well, good, and alive despite his "senior" picture's role in the following hijinks.
Without further ado...
The scene is quick, with the two of them sadly sitting on a couch with the rest of "their family," as they remember the relative who has passed away (appropriately a photo of the deceased rests in the lap of "grandma" and in a few other shots throughout the commercial.)
As I have seen, met with, and communicated with Rich a few times since the filming of this commercial, I can therefore bear witness to the fact he is well, good, and alive despite his "senior" picture's role in the following hijinks.
Without further ado...
Friday, December 12, 2008
Picture this...
Two or more jars of baby food on the table next to Max's high chair as we feed him.
Max casually points to the "next" jar when he's ready for a change back and forth as the meal progresses.
He'll then throw his hands up, shrug, and grunt to say "all done."
If you try to squeeze one more spoon full in him, you can pretty much bet on the spoon full of "Turkey Dinner with Garden Vegetables" batted out of your hand to stick to, and then slowly slide down, the nearest wall.
Little pieces of "self serve" food are a whole different story...
Max casually points to the "next" jar when he's ready for a change back and forth as the meal progresses.
He'll then throw his hands up, shrug, and grunt to say "all done."
If you try to squeeze one more spoon full in him, you can pretty much bet on the spoon full of "Turkey Dinner with Garden Vegetables" batted out of your hand to stick to, and then slowly slide down, the nearest wall.
Little pieces of "self serve" food are a whole different story...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
No Boundaries
I'm sure it happens with every kid, but about a month ago Max started magically pointing at things with his little pointer finger while grunting questioningly for an answer. Nobody showed him how to point, it just happened.
So today I rearranged the "kid gates" set up in various doorways around the first floor with the specific reasons of giving Max more freedom to roam, and us a lot less of an "ear-full" when we happen to be on opposite sides of said gates.
Max's first unencumbered trip through the gate-free doorway into the kitchen was classic. He proceeded to stop and point to every little thing I still needed to child-proof. It was like he was giving me fair warning of things I needed to move - or he would do it himself at his convenience. The fly swatter hanging under the chalkboard. Spin 60 degrees to the stack of mail scattered about the kitchen table. Spin another 40 degrees to the chest in the hallway supporting various odds and ends, none of which should be eaten by a one year old.
It's nice to have a kid who has your back...
So today I rearranged the "kid gates" set up in various doorways around the first floor with the specific reasons of giving Max more freedom to roam, and us a lot less of an "ear-full" when we happen to be on opposite sides of said gates.
Max's first unencumbered trip through the gate-free doorway into the kitchen was classic. He proceeded to stop and point to every little thing I still needed to child-proof. It was like he was giving me fair warning of things I needed to move - or he would do it himself at his convenience. The fly swatter hanging under the chalkboard. Spin 60 degrees to the stack of mail scattered about the kitchen table. Spin another 40 degrees to the chest in the hallway supporting various odds and ends, none of which should be eaten by a one year old.
It's nice to have a kid who has your back...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Plenty of Purell
On a recent trip to the mall we discovered a new little "play area" for those 42 inches and shorter. (No offense to some of our friends...)
Max had a blast. Absolutely no fear.
Max had a blast. Absolutely no fear.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Learning Stuff
Turning one seems to be much more of a milestone than just a date on the calendar. Some things we've noticed over the last few weeks:
-Though he can't say the words, if you ask Max where certain things are he'll point to them and grunt. Examples: any ball, Vinnie, Abbey, Mommy, Daddy, his toy truck, pillow, toy phone, the pots hanging above his high chair on a pot rack, teddy bear, books, rocking chair and most recently his belly
-If you ask him where his stinky feet are, he'll raise one or the other up to show you (even attempting to while he's standing...)
-He knows what "no" and "get down" means. Accepting those answers is another matter entirely.
-He gets excited when you ask him if he's hungry, and then complete irate if you don't follow up on it.
Yesterday we took him outside into the snow for the first time. With all the extra weight and padding of snow pants, winter jacket, hat, mittens and boots, he really was at a loss at what we expected him to do. Once he figured out his parents really wanted to see him walk he was fine for a few solo steps before face-planting into the 1/2" we'd accumulated during the day.
Excursion over...
-Though he can't say the words, if you ask Max where certain things are he'll point to them and grunt. Examples: any ball, Vinnie, Abbey, Mommy, Daddy, his toy truck, pillow, toy phone, the pots hanging above his high chair on a pot rack, teddy bear, books, rocking chair and most recently his belly
-If you ask him where his stinky feet are, he'll raise one or the other up to show you (even attempting to while he's standing...)
-He knows what "no" and "get down" means. Accepting those answers is another matter entirely.
-He gets excited when you ask him if he's hungry, and then complete irate if you don't follow up on it.
Yesterday we took him outside into the snow for the first time. With all the extra weight and padding of snow pants, winter jacket, hat, mittens and boots, he really was at a loss at what we expected him to do. Once he figured out his parents really wanted to see him walk he was fine for a few solo steps before face-planting into the 1/2" we'd accumulated during the day.
Excursion over...
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
365 Days Old
Holy cannoli. What a day. For that matter what a year...
We've managed not to mess Max up too much, as far as we can tell, over the last 365 days. At least not in any way that has surfaced yet. We'll keep our fingers crossed as we go on from this day (366) forward.
Sunday started earlier than any Sunday conceivably should. First on the agenda was a trip up to Durand. Annie's stepfather Jon delivered a fantastically mesmerizing sermon and did us a great personal service in performing Max's baptism. Dick, Annie's father, performed a beautiful trombone solo during the service to make Max's day uniquely his own. We hope these wonderful guys really understand how much we appreciate what they contributed and how much it means to us.
Nanny proclaimed a few weeks ago Max would be walking by his birthday. The last week has seen strolls of about 7 to 10 steps at a time, and wouldn't you know it, with a jam-packed house full of people and presents, Max managed to make his rounds looking like pro. Stopping, starting, wobbly turning around with toys in both hands, Max made Nanny into the latest, local Nostradamus. He's a clutch player that Maxwell...
As you can see from the pictures below, Max completely went to town on his first birthday cake. It was his first taste of chocolate and he passed the final test proving he definitely has Bloxom genes. The only thing to stop him from finishing his own little cake was the unobtainable energy needed to keep his eyes open and to keep from nodding off face-first into his pile of cake. We finally threw in towel when he started wiping frosting into his little eyeballs. A quick, reguvinating bath and some new clothes later he was back at it, checking the heap of new toys in the middle of the living room.
We have great families. Thank you sooo much for all you do. And for all the ones out of town and state, we miss you too. (And help me remind Max in a few years just how hard his mother worked to pull off a great party...)
We've managed not to mess Max up too much, as far as we can tell, over the last 365 days. At least not in any way that has surfaced yet. We'll keep our fingers crossed as we go on from this day (366) forward.
Sunday started earlier than any Sunday conceivably should. First on the agenda was a trip up to Durand. Annie's stepfather Jon delivered a fantastically mesmerizing sermon and did us a great personal service in performing Max's baptism. Dick, Annie's father, performed a beautiful trombone solo during the service to make Max's day uniquely his own. We hope these wonderful guys really understand how much we appreciate what they contributed and how much it means to us.
Nanny proclaimed a few weeks ago Max would be walking by his birthday. The last week has seen strolls of about 7 to 10 steps at a time, and wouldn't you know it, with a jam-packed house full of people and presents, Max managed to make his rounds looking like pro. Stopping, starting, wobbly turning around with toys in both hands, Max made Nanny into the latest, local Nostradamus. He's a clutch player that Maxwell...
As you can see from the pictures below, Max completely went to town on his first birthday cake. It was his first taste of chocolate and he passed the final test proving he definitely has Bloxom genes. The only thing to stop him from finishing his own little cake was the unobtainable energy needed to keep his eyes open and to keep from nodding off face-first into his pile of cake. We finally threw in towel when he started wiping frosting into his little eyeballs. A quick, reguvinating bath and some new clothes later he was back at it, checking the heap of new toys in the middle of the living room.
We have great families. Thank you sooo much for all you do. And for all the ones out of town and state, we miss you too. (And help me remind Max in a few years just how hard his mother worked to pull off a great party...)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Birthday #1
Holy cow. We can't believe it's been one year already!
Pics and commentary to follow after Max's birthday party and baptism tomorrow...
Pics and commentary to follow after Max's birthday party and baptism tomorrow...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Time for Shoe Shopping
No matter how much we anticipate and expect every new evolution in Max's development, each progression seems to leave us parents at first perplexed, awed, and finally just a little bit scared.
Max took 4 unassisted steps Saturday. Then 6... Then he realized what he was doing, promptly sat down hard on his well padded rump and declared "game over."
Though we've seen a few courageous steps here and there since then, nothing close to what happened Saturday.
But we know it's coming. Every time he stands up and let's go of the couch, or the chairs, or climbs up in his little rocking chair we find ourselves reflexively glancing around the room for even more things to batten down, move up a shelf, or just plain lock in the basement.
Max took 4 unassisted steps Saturday. Then 6... Then he realized what he was doing, promptly sat down hard on his well padded rump and declared "game over."
Though we've seen a few courageous steps here and there since then, nothing close to what happened Saturday.
But we know it's coming. Every time he stands up and let's go of the couch, or the chairs, or climbs up in his little rocking chair we find ourselves reflexively glancing around the room for even more things to batten down, move up a shelf, or just plain lock in the basement.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
October Bike Ride
We had to take advantage of the great 78 degree weather today with a short bike ride after Annie got home from work. Max had a great time and kept staring at Mom on the other bike, not quite understanding the whole "bicycle" ride concept. But he'd smile and giggle anyway.
This video was the scene upon reaching the car at the end of the trip.
This video was the scene upon reaching the car at the end of the trip.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Rush Lake
It took 11 months and 12 days, but Max finally convinced Mom to take him out to Dad's golf course.
It must be ingrained in little boys' heads because he didn't want to get off my lap (which meant he didn't want to let go of the steering wheel).
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
October
We're officially in countdown mode to Max's 1st birthday. This year has completely flown by and it's hard to believe how far he's come in such a short time.
4 lbs 4 oz to almost 24 pounds. He's a moose. He's a moose with legs and a body that won't quit even when his eyes won't stay open anymore.
But he always wakes up with a giant grin...
We're at that point where we're starting to see ourselves in his actions and expressions rather than just his looks.
And then, now and again, we get a glimpse of what he'll probably look like in five years.
Crazy.
4 lbs 4 oz to almost 24 pounds. He's a moose. He's a moose with legs and a body that won't quit even when his eyes won't stay open anymore.
But he always wakes up with a giant grin...
We're at that point where we're starting to see ourselves in his actions and expressions rather than just his looks.
And then, now and again, we get a glimpse of what he'll probably look like in five years.
Crazy.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Progress Report
It's been a while since we've actually had a post here with some actual information on how Max is doing. So we'll summarize a bit...
Max has quickly moved from the military belly-creep, to the standard hands and knees catch-me-if-you-can crawl, to running side-step up and down the couch, hand over hand to the next available piece of furniture. Most of the time he has either some sort of toy or one of his dirty socks in his hand. And when he doesn't think about it, he'll let go of whatever's holding him up and stand on his own for a few seconds (my count was about 9-10 seconds one time).
Why is it when you told people about your kid just learning to crawl they're like, "Ohhh. That's fantastic! You're going to have so much fun..!" Then you later you tell those same people how close he is to walking and then they're like, "Oh lord... You're in trouble now... Hope you've locked the whole place down..." Somehow the latter quote is said with what seems a much more ominous tone.
Anyway, we have the living room gated off with a few other gates stashed in various locations around the house in case they're needed. Annie cracked up while shopping at Babys "R" Us when I mentioned what they needed to sell was a five-pack of baby gates. Lo and behold, as we rounded the corner to see 2-packs of the old style, dependable wooden "extendo" gates. Whatever works, eh?
A couple of ear infections, a cold here and there, a few bumps and bruises later, we're all doing fine and Max is doing great.
Did I mention he has four teeth on the top and two on the bottom? It's sort of funny when he gets the afghan caught on the lower ones and needs help getting it unhooked...
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