Where has my little baby gone?

My Maxwell,

Here we are....almost a WHOLE YEAR LATER than the last time I wrote to you! What in the world has happened and where has my little baby gone? You are 21 months and HILARIOUS and a CHARMER with those adorable dimples and precious voice. I really can't recap the past year, so I'm going to make a new start and tell you what you're up to now.

You started Kids Day Out this week and your favorite teacher so far is Ms. Karen (I think she reminds you of our family favorite, Ms. Edna)! You also have two other teachers, Ms. Leslie and Ms. Amy. I'm sure they'll grow on you too! You have developed a strong attachment to your family and do tend to cry for a bit when we leave you. BUT, we got pictures today from your time at school to prove you do calm down and even have some fun! The teacher told me today that you are very verbal! Your voice and sentences are adorable and when I show up to get you, you always say, "Mommy come back" with relief in your voice!

You and Noah have a love-hate relationship right now. You two love to chase each other, play hid and seek, and wrestle. But, you both hate to share certain toys (some days are better than others) and you hate when Noah messes with you (makes toot noises on your arm, back, tummy).

Daddy and I think you are going to be quite an athlete. You LOVE to watch, talk, and play sports already! When we drive by the Lafayette High School track you say, "Football, Soccer, run track". You are fast, tough, and a bit of a scrapper.

One thing that I hope you grow out of real soon is hitting. You have started doing this to kids who are smaller than you or younger (and mostly girls!). It's embarrassing and so not like you! You are so sweet and loving....most of the time!

Love you bunches,

Mommy

Happy Birthday Baby Max!

My Baby Boy,

I don't think I can call you a baby anymore. You have turned 1 (loved your cake) and since I haven't written in a few months a lot has changed!

You are walking, trying to jump, climbing on everything, and trying to run (mostly to catch your brother or to run away from him). You still love to snuggle and have the most adorable dimples when you smile.

We finally were able to get rid of the swing about a month ago, so you nap in your bed. AND, we can just put you in there awake and you'll put yourself to sleep...what a good guy you are. Now, don't get me wrong, you have your moments too. You have become quite opinionated and when things don't go your way you'll yell or throw something...temper, temper. BUT, for some reason those gleaming, big, brown eyes and those darn dimples seem to melt me and I find myself giggling at you instead of disciplining you...rascal!

You are precious and we are so lucky to have you!

Love,

Mommy

Summer 2009

Baby Max,

Here are a few things that will always remind me of the summer you were 9 months old:

1. You are SO sweet..we call you Sweet Sweet

2. You love to dance (especially to the Wiggles)

3. You love to clap

4. You are trying SO hard to walk and are takind 4-6 steps at a time on your own

5. You can do the sign for "more" and laugh when I show you the signs for "All done", "cat", and "drink"

6. You love and strongly dislike your brother all at the same time

7. You can ride in a wagon while holding on like a big boy

8. You love to walk and push things

9. You love to splash

10. You LOVE people food (as opposed to baby food)

11. You have 6 teeth and seem to be working on getting a few more right now

12. You love to snuggle, especially when you're tired

13. You love your lovey the lion to snuggle with (and your paci..not to snuggle with, but just love it)

14. You love animals, especially little dogs and cats

15. You hate getting your diaper changed

16. You smile and laugh a lot

17. You love your family and we love you!

Love,

Mommy

Walking already?

Baby Max,

You took your first steps over the weekend (8 1/2 months old)! You took one step on Saturday and two steps in a row on Sunday. You smiled so big when you did it and knew you were onto something neat! I wonder how much longer it will be before you're off and running! I'm not sure I'm ready for this!

Keep on truckin',

Mamma

Newborn or Toddler?

Dear Max,

You sometimes still act like a newborn (not sleeping through the night...STILL) and sometimes act like a toddler (pulling up on EVERYTHING and wanting to walk so bad)! You are 8 months old, weigh 20 lbs, and started crawling on July 21st, the day you turned 8 months. You have 6 teeth and seem to be working on two more. You LOVE cheerios and shovel them in by the handful. I'm working on you saying Mamma and Dadda, but so far the most you want to say is GaGa and some other babbling sounds. I've hears some p's and b's, but nothing that makes any sense yet. You are growing up and it's bittersweet!
You've had a rash on your bum for over a month, we tried a few things, nothing worked, took you to the doc and they think it's a rash from the chlorine in the pool (sensitive skin just like your daddy!). It's clearing up and you seem much happier as a result!

You laugh a lot, especially at your brother and when we have family dance parties. You're a little mischievous..I turned my back to help Noah with something and the next thing I knew, you dumped your food all over your highchair and seemed to be rolling in it!

You and Daddy got to spend a whole 3 days together when Noah and I went to KC. You had fun with him, and he found some old toys we'd forgotten about. I know you both enjoyed spending some one on one time.

Now, SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP please!

Love,

Mom

Mr. Teeth!

Baby Max,

It's been way too long, once again, since I've written to you. You are almost 7 months old already and have 4 teeth in that adorable mouth of yours. You have been a BEAR the past few weeks getting your top 2 teeth. You started sleeping through the night when Mommy and Daddy were on vacation. But since then (3 weeks ago) you've started waking up again at all hours of the night and wanting to start your (our) days at 5 am...aghhhh, when will you give us some rest?!

You are getting so big and heavy..you weighed 18lbs at your 6 month appointment and measured 26 3/4 inches long placing you in the 50-75th percentile. Your head, however, is huge and measured 46 1/4 cm and is in the 95th percentile...smartie!

You love music, jumping in the jumperoo, teletubbies (sad, I know, but it's the only thing that keeps you happy in the car), your Daddy, and pretty much anything your big brother does. You light up when you see him! You love drinking out of sippy cups and even big boy cups. You're trying to crawl and seem to get pretty frustrated when you can't get moving. I'm not sure I want you to master it or not, but I do think you will love to scoot around and try to keep up with Noah.

Overall, you're still so darn cute that it's hard to stay frustrated with you for long! We are happy to have you!

Love you,

Mommy

Many firsts!

Baby Max,

There have been many firsts this past month. It is exciting to see your first two teeth come in, you trying so hard to roll from your back to your stomach, you eating baby food, and you discovering your voice and laughter. BUT, it does force me to take a step back and marvel at how fast these months have flown by. You are 5 months and growing up so quick. As much as I look forward to you being able to play more with your brother, the idea of you not being my baby makes me sad!

You have also started going between 6 and 7 hours now before needing to be fed in the night...believe it or not, that's an improvement. Last night you slept from the dream feed at 10:30 to 4:30 before waking up, Daddy put the paci in and you slept for another hour. So, it's slowly getting better. We are ready for a full night of sleep NOW!

Love,

Mamma