Trying to Keep Up

(editor's note: I began writing this post while sick at home on Wednesday, until my keyboard batteries died. Just now finishing on Friday)

Life is moving at lightening speed over here, and most of the time I just feel like I am trying to keep up. I am home sick, today, so I thought I'd take a chance to write a bit (since I can't seem to sleep anymore, right now). Max was home sick with Papa on Monday, and me, yesterday. I was 'Grouchy Mama' because I didn't feel good and, despite his fever, he was wired & inspired (as Grandpa would say). Needless to say, he went to school today.

Max is talking up a storm, starting to string words into sentences and continuing to mimic Clint and I and pull new words (seemingly) out of thin air. With the frequency that I hear the cry "hun-ny" (hungry) around here, you'd think the kid was starving to death, though one look at him will quickly ease your fears. He is still obsessed with our cell phones, even telling me over the weekend "I WANT PHONE" when I would not give him mine. It is very cute to watch him take the phone and say "Hel-lo. Hello, Papa." Sometimes I even let him call Papa to hear him say it! He knows Elmo and constantly wants to watch Elmo's Song on Youtube. He even sings along, and the cuteness of it makes the 15th time almost bearable.

Max still loves books and reading. He gets new books all the time from his grandparents. A few favorites, right now, include Go, DoG, Go! (which he 'reads' as Go Max!), Ten Friendly Fish (a counting book Mimzy gave him), and some hide-and-seek animal books that he knows almost all the animals in. It is still just mind-boggling to watch his face as I read to him and see him just get it. Words and ideas click and it is indescribable to watch them take hold.

Being a mom only gets more and more fun, and I am so honored that this kid is mine. Even on the worst of days, or in the most awful of moods, he can put a smile on my face. Whether it's the little things, like the smell of his head, or bigger ones, like when he comes to me for comfort, sometimes my heart swells so much I truly think it might burst mid-beat. In the middle of stressful times, he reminds me what it's all about.

Overdue

Max's newest past-time, coloring.

So, I just downloaded 107 pictures from almost 3 weeks ago, when we went to Mason, Halloween, and Max coloring at the house... We had a great time out in Mason, visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Max loved being outside in the country, and especially sitting on Grandpa's 'tractor' (it's really a riding lawnmower, but we won't tell Grandpa, ok?). One afternoon, Max spent half an hour sitting on the tractor, pushing every button, pulling every lever and desperately doing everything he could to make the tractor 'go, please.' Nothing worked, so when Grandpa walked out, Max took one look at him, stuck his hand out and said 'keys?' Then he and Papa went for a ride on the tractor.

Max loves to be outside. He 'climbed' this tree.
He spent lots of time right here.
Forget beer. This is what coozies are for.

For Halloween, Max was a bee. He was not very into Halloween. He still isn't really sure what it's all about, and I think he was a little disoriented by all his friends in costumes. His costume was also pretty warm, and it was a warm night. After walking to houses for about 30 minutes, he looked up and signed "all done." He'd had enough, and was ready to go home, so we did.

Max, the bee.

Our friends from church, ready to trick-or-treat!