Crazy Boy

Max's new haircut

The last week has been rather crazy. Max and I were both sick all weekend last week, and we've been really busy this week. Max continues to amaze us with his learning and curiosity. He has reached that point in his speech development where he is repeating everything we say and consistently saying things that cause Clint and I to give each other the 'Where the heck did he learn that?' look. For instance, last night at dinner, Max was trying to climb into his chair at his little table, but got stuck. He looked up at me and said 'help me.' Um....ok, sure kid! He has also learned how to say his name in the last week, and it is so cute to hear him say it! Other things I've heard him say recently:
-puppy
-stuck
-fall down
-Papa do? (as in, What's Papa doing?)
-chicken
-play

Max's trusty steed, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa. Clint is trying to teach him 'ye-haw!'

Max has also learned how to take off his shoes and socks, a trick that drives his father crazy to no end (I pick my battles, and I prefer food throwing and manners). I can pretty much guarantee that within 2 minutes of putting him in his car seat, Max will have removed his right shoe. He knows how to 'kick' his shoe off, by stepping on the side of it with the other foot. At least he tells me once the shoe has been removed ("Shoe?!"), so we don't, say, accidentally leave it on the floor at the grocery store.

Max sits in his new 'Poang' chair. Thanks, Aunt Fannie!

We are desperately trying to get Max to sit and eat at his little table, but it usually requires me sitting down with him in my lap. He doesn't want to sit; he wants to eat a little, and then play, cruising by the table to grab more food when his mouth is empty. It's a tough battle, but I try to remind myself that he is now saying please, after several weeks of battling over it.

Spaghetti dinner-one of the last in the high chair.

Max really likes to brush his teeth. I think it's probably the strawberry flavored toothpaste, but-hey-whatever it takes! When he sees me brushing mine, he reaches for his little tooth brush and starts saying "Please, please..." over and over. Ok, if you insist, but can I rinse my mouth, first?

Clint teaches Max the joys of lighted head-gear.

Poor, Neglected Blog

(picture by Aunt Fannie!)

Ack! It's been a very long time since I've posted. I know this, but in my defense, it's been a very busy couple of weeks. This last weekend Max's Aunt Fannie and Uncle Boogie (otherwise known as our wonderful friends, Annie and Bob) were in town taking refuge from Hurricane Ike. And the weekend before that was very busy with trips to the park, and the Austin Zoo, and a visit from Grandma that involved lots of shopping! And I have pictures of...the first trip to the park. And the second one (thanks to Aunt Fannie). Yes, I forgot my camera for the zoo, Grandma AND Annie and Bob. I know, I'm terrible at this 'mother' thing.

But before the pictures, updates! Max has been very good with saying 'please,' and he is even using sign language for 'more!' We also got a little table and chairs, and he is starting to use a plate and fork at all his meals, now. Most of the time he just bangs the fork, but sometimes he uses it. His biting is also much better-he hasn't bitten anyone in a week (knock on wood).

Papa has been home in the evenings, and Max is really loving seeing him on a more regular basis. Clint takes Max out to check on the chickens, and last night he showed Max worms. Max wasn't sure what to think about the worms, but he sure was fascinated! We had a good time at the Austin Zoo-Max got to pet goats and see another rooster (just like the one at home! He thought it was very funny when it crowed). We also saw tigers and monkeys and a big bear.

Last week, we took Max to the doctor because he has been stumbling and falling a lot. And the verdict is...Max is big. He's still gaining about a pound a month, and weighs in at 27 1/2 pounds, now. The doctor thinks he's stumbling for the same reason Clint did as a teenager-he's just growing too fast for his sense of balance to keep up. And now on to pictures...

He's become very attached to his cup-which he can say-and wants it whenever we are out places.

He found rocks at the bottom of the slide, and Papa at the top!

He's so big...what happened to my baby boy?

Getting burried by Papa-what fun!

Loving the swing!

Here's another by Aunt Fannie. You can see the big tear on Max's chin...that's because about 3 seconds before this picture was snapped, he was crying and screaming bloody murder because he had dropped his cup on the ground and his mother-some horrible woman who will remain nameless-refused to give it back to him covered with dirt. As soon as Aunt Fannie grabbed the camera, though, he was all smiles. What a ham...

Max's Antics

Max has been running wild through the house, and really pushing his limits, lately. He has learned the word 'no,' and its context from hearing it so often. One of his favorite activities (aside from pulling all his diapers off the shelf and hauling them to the opposite end of the room) has been climbing in & out and up & down. Here are some pictures of him climbing into a big blue bin we keep around for hauling laundry to the laundromat:

He only looks innocent. Behind that angelic facade is TROUBLE!

Eying the prize.

In he goes! (Don't worry, there's padding down there.)

What are you laughing at? I totally meant to do that.

This is when I put the camera down...

And here's one of Clint reading 'Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?' to Max before bed. We've started reading a book before bed every night. Max loves books, and will bring them from his play room over to us to read to him constantly (and then take them back!).

Completely Gratuitous

Just because he's a cutie, and we finally got he battery for the camera charged!

Dog Bit

We had an overly exciting day on Sunday. We went over to see some friends for a BBQ on Sunday evening, and Max wound up getting bit by their dog! He's OK, though, and seems to have no fear of dogs afterward.

When we got to their house, Max met Barlow, and pet him, but didn't seem overly enamored with him. Barlow licked Max, and seemed fine with him, but wasn't seeking him out as a playmate. Max chased the cat, explored the house, and played with the seemingly endless supply of toys that single guys tend to accumulate. Barlow laid down on the rug and chilled, sometimes getting up to go outside, but otherwise, out of the way and calm. I guess Clint and I relaxed, as neither of them seemed to have much interest or concern about each other.

At some point, Max was wondering in Barlow's vicinity, making his way towards the backdoor. I turned my head for just an instant to speak to someone and I heard growling and a shriek. When I turned around, Max was face-down on the floor with Barlow standing over him. We are lucky that Max was not seriously hurt. He was bit, but since he was face-down, there wasn't much to bite. It looks like Barlow got his top jaw on Max's ear, which looked a bit bruised, and his bottom jaw put a small puncture wound in the back of Max's head. It bled a bit, but doesn't amount to much today. We think that Max accidentally tripped over Barlow's paw. Apparently, Clint knew there was a 'thing' with his paws.

After a little time, Max and Barlow both seemed fine. Max even wandered over to Barlow again, though with me right there this time. He didn't seem disturbed in the least by the incident. I'm not sure how I feel about that.... While I don't want him to be traumatized by it, I do want him to have an understanding of dogs and to know that not all dogs are friendly. We'll have to work with him on that.

The Battle Continues

We are still battling over the word 'please' and general 'table' manners.... For some reason, this seems to be one of the few issues that just pushes my buttons. I like to think of myself as a pretty laid-back mom, for the most part, but sohelpmeGod, if I almost break my neck on another blasted green bean or grape, I am going to completely lose it.

I'm not sure why Max's table manners seem to be such a sticking point; my parents were not necessarily sticklers for table manners, and I'm not typically concerned with adult table manners. But the high-pitched screech and the constant 'thud' of food or cups hitting the floor (not to mention the stooping to pick it all up) has turned me in the the meal nazi.

And it is such inconsistent and slow going. Most times, when Max picks up a new word or behavior, you almost can't get him to stop saying or doing it. Not so with 'please.' I know he can say it-just this weekend he said 'Pease dat!' when I got out some blueberries, without even being asked (Clint was there for this one to verify that I am not always nuts when I swear our child can say things)! Yet, the last two mornings have been absolute battles over breakfast; and tonight he looked straight at me when I told him not to throw green beans and he threw them, anyway. I think it's probably safe to say that it's the fact that I know he is trying to push my buttons that sets me off.

leSigh. Otherwise, he is darling as could be. We have some great pictures from the weekend (Clint is standing by his assertion that no one actuall reads the blog, you just come for the pictures, and is on a mission to increase the number included). However, our camera battery died, and it has to be charged to that we can get said pictures off the camera. Check back soon!

Smiley Boy is Back

Max is feeling much better and went back to school today. He is back to his normal self, being all smiley and chatty and mischievous. This morning, when I dropped him off, he was the first one in his class to arrive. Ms. Bertha had him sitting up on the changing table, talking to him and filling in his arrival time on his daily report. She was writing and talking to him, telling him that his was his report, it belonged to Max. And then Max pointed at himself. She said yes, this was Max's. So, he pointed at the paper and then back at himself. This was the first time I've seen him do this, to identify himself in some way other than respond to his name being called.