Today, Max turned 9 months old. And to celebrate, he decided to run a 103.2 degree fever, which prompted a trip to the Dell Children's Medical Center. A $100 dose of motrin later, we were sent home with a rambunctious and giggling child and instructions to 'watch him.' We were told it's probably viral, in which case they could do some uncomfortable testing, only to tell us that there was not much they can do...and so we opted out of scream-inducing testing. But the doctor was really nice, the hospital prompt (and close, and new), and our fears allayed, and so I think it helped squelch the sting of feeling ripped-off.
Max has been getting harder and harder to keep up with these days. Not just his locomotive abilities, but also the rate at which he is learning new things. He is 20 lbs and 12 oz (perfect timing on that new car seat!!), crawling like he was born with the ability, pulling up, walking behind push-toys, and even testing his balance standing-but only on the bed. I think he knows it doesn't hurt if he falls on the bed. And this very evening he waved at someone in the hospital for the first time! Max 'talks' all the time, still, with an ever-expanding repertoire of babble. Some of it is even starting to sound like actual words. And the laughter...It's true that babies' laughter is the best sound on Earth, but when that laughter is your child's...Words cannot describe the overwhelming joy that envelopes me every time he laughs. And he laughs so often. Even with a fever.
As you might have read in previous entries, Max got his two bottom front teeth right before Christmas. In the last month, his two top front teeth have been working their way in. They have almost broken through. These seem to have taken much longer than the bottom pair, but I think that's just because they have been so much more obvious. His poor gums have been swollen with two teeth-shaped lumps for weeks! Either that, or he has the largest, rabbit-esq front teeth ever to be seen on an infant coming in!
And Friday night, Max got his second haircut. This time, Clint wisely chose to use the hair clippers on our little animated shag carpet. The results turned out much better, and my baby looks so much like a little boy I almost expect him get up, walk across the room, tap me on the shoulder, and ask me if he can borrow the car tonight. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but can someone figure out how to freeze time already? I meant to take pictures today, but I got side-tracked with panic. Sorry.
Last, but only because we are saving the best news...Max has a cousin! Clint's sister, MaRee, gave birth to the first grandaughter of the family, Bella. And let me tell you, I can not be more excited! Little Bella was born 1/11/08, weighing 6 lbs, 14 oz. I'm not sure how long she was or the exact time of birth because I was talking to the proud Pappy, and well, insert male stereotype here. Look, look at how beautiful she is:
Welcome, Bella! Max can't wait to play!
