WEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Max got to swing for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Hard to believe that we hadn't tried it before then but those swings seem so big in comparison to his little body. He loves it! Watching him smile on the way up and down is so wonderful. I remember loving the swing as a kid - especially when you'd get the underdog. That is still a bit far in Max's horizon but something for all of us to look forward to. Of course, my eyes will probably be closed the first time it happens...



How nasty is this seat with all the cracks in it. I lined it with a burp cloth but it still seems kind of sketchy. Not nearly as hazardous as the 1960s teeter-totter. No kidding the park up the street has an honest to goodness teeter-totter that is as rickety as these swings and nothing but beauty bark to cushion your fall in an equipment failure scenario. Good stuff.



Though you can't see it in these early shots, our little fella is quite the daredevil. He doesn't even hold on any more with his hands. My heart leaps a bit but it's not like he's going to slip out. Still, I wish he'd use that kung fu death grip for something other than grabbing my lip and hair. =)

I Like to Move It, Move It!

It's official. The boy's on the move. He thought about it for a long time but he was so excited about the sitting that he just wanted to savour that triumph before moving on. Now he's moved on and he is off like a shot!

He had a hard time figuring out what to do with that extra leg. On Thursday he developed a work around where he sort of dragged the remaining leg at a slight angle - see below.


How do I get to the train?


That'll work.


Now back the other way.

So far the train that both spits and poops balls and the cat's tail are the strongest motivators for movement. (In case you are wondering what sort of new fangled toy the cat's tail is...it really is Lyle's tail and he is none to keen on having it grabbed.)

On Friday Max figured out the leg thing. He was at work with me and he just scootched then crawled across the room and started pounding on the door. I guess he was ready to go. He's been moving since then and it's a whole new ball game.

This morning I left him in the living room while I went to get his food and fully expected him to try to follow me as per usual. NO. He decided to go for the dog's water dish and got there in less than one minute. I heard a huge bang and some squeals of delight. When I got in the living room, I found our little Max with the water dish that he'd dumped on himself. He was so happy!


Checking out the tree at work.

That joy continued all day. He was just smiling, giggling and laughing all day long. Moving from place to place and exploring all these cool new things. He had a ball and can't seem to get enough of that crawling.



Concentrating so hard but loving every minute!

Looks like we'll spend our weekend babyproofing. GO MAX!


What a sweet face.

"You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry"

So, the other day I dressed Max in those handy snap t-shirts you get for newborns being as I could easily dress him in said t-shirts without having to lay him down. Well, faster than you can say Lou Ferrigno, that t-shirt was torn off and hanging. See below.



Seriously, look at those pecs...

On a side note, remember that rumor in Junior High about how Lou Ferrigno died of a heart attack while pumping iron. NOT TRUE. I just found that out. Where have I been? Not only is that rumor not true, but Lou has been the voice of the Incredible Hulk in both the Ang Lee bomb and the more recent Edward Norton version of said Hulk.

This is the first in a series of back logged posts. I hope to catch up in the next two weeks. They will be sprinkled between current posts like so much funfetti on a day old celebratory cupcake.

CRAZY HAIR, crazy hair

Our little Max is starting to have the craziest hair! His growth pattern has a natural mohawk, which is pretty funny and then it's so fine and straight that it sticks up all crazy almost the whole day through.



I try to tame it from time to time with a little Burt's Bees apricot oil and that works for about 3 hours. Then *poof* back to crazy.

Looking at the man in the mirror...


Max has just about always loved the mirror. He thinks the "hallway baby" is quite funny and loves to say hello to him. Lately, it seems that he's grasping more and more about the mirror. He definitely knows it's Dan and I in the mirror but it's hard to tell if he's starting to understand that the baby in the mirror is himself. It might just be that he's more coordinated and can get into more animated conversations with the baby in the mirror. Either way, it's pretty fun to watch.

Sweet Dreams

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Two men in a tub...Bathtime is pretty goofy 'round our house. Dan gives Max most of his baths and Max just loves it! Dan makes up a new bath song for Max every night and it always cracks me up.



Lately, I've been so relieved that Dan takes on most of the bath duty because there have been several happenings. A few nights ago there was a "What's Grosser than Gross?" moment. As a side, for those of you who don't know me particularly well, I've never been that great about body fluids and having a baby has DEFINITELY resulted in some personal growth in that area. I think you know where this is leading, but let me be abundantly clear. I'm in the kitchen and hear an abrupt pause in the bath song which is quicly followed by a what's that in the tub? You guessed - bath time was over. Our little one left a little turtle in the tub.



A comparison shot from December.

Secondly, I SWEAR, the little guy is trying to drown himself. Either that or he's starting in early on his training to swim the English Channel. Suddenly, he'll go all limp and then woosh he swings himself outward and down in the tub. I hope he passes through this phase soon because he is one slippery fish and not so little either.



Post-bath Dance Party. You can see how red his sniffles have made his nose.

Max and I had a quick visit with the doctor today - checkin' on his ears and lovely runny nose. Picture of health but might be getting a virus was the verdict. Of course, that is not the noteworthy news...Max is 19 and a 1/2 pounds! He's getting so big. I know there are a lot of babies that are bigger at 9 months BUT they didn't start out at 5 pounds 11 oz. He's almost quadrupled his weight. It's so amazing. It'll be interesting to see what happens with his weight once he really starts to move. Will he lose his Buddha belly?



(Pictured here with Auntie Sarah)