Long Weekend

I have Max all to myself for 3 whole days! Clint will be around but working (both at work and on the house), so I'll have him more-or-less to myself. I'm very excited. This morning, we went to the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market. I fell in love with farmer's markets on a trip to New York one spring, and we are very lucky to have one of the best in the country right here in our own backyard (though, it will never touch Union Square). Max, in perfect form, slept almost the entire time. And I, in typical fashion, brought the camera but forgot to take any pictures. I can't wait until he is old enough to share the excitement and wonder of the farmer's market, and the joys of growing food. Regardless of whether he shares my interest in sustainable, local agriculture, or my excitement in watching life spring from the ground, he will know that food does not come from 'the grocery store.'

The rest of our long weekend will likely be much less exciting. I need to go to the grocery store, do copious amounts of laundry, and start packing. And, of course, enjoy Max. He is now into everything. Well, as much as he can be without yet being mobile, so anything that comes in his direction. He now pushes, pulls and reaches for things he wants or doesn't like, including his Dad and I, and grabs anything he can get his little hands around (the envelope a piece of mail came in the other day that I was holding). He loves glasses, hair, beards, and faces. He has figured out how to pickup large objects with both hands. And, of course, everything goes straight into the mouth. Or gets licked. He has figured out how to lick things now, and gets you when you least expect it. He has also learned how to pull his pacifier out of his mouth (beyond just knocking it out, which he would do before) and is trying to figure out how to put it back in. Max loves 'eskimo kisses.' He gets this huge smile on his face, and then usually tries to eat my nose or steal my glasses.

And then, there are the latest 'steps' on his way to crawling. I don't think that I ever thought about the process of crawling before I had a child. Every new movement is one step closer. Now Max can get his little behind up, and almost get up on his knees, but his upper body is still fairly weak-he usually winds up with his butt in the air in a face-plant. But he never stays in the same spot I put him down, anymore.


I call this shot 'Mmmm....Butterfly.'

New Blog Up!

We closed on the house Friday. Our new blog is here (link is also to the right under 'our other pages'). Go check it out & vote in the poll.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Max is! So, as some of you may already know, I am an Aggie. Except for that minor 'blip' in my record where I spent 4 years at that 'other' school, I was raised an Aggie. My Dad was in the Corps of Cadets. I think my first words were 'Gig 'Em.' Ok, they weren't. But it would have been cool. Anywho...This is a fact that some of our friends can't stand. They have to go and do ugly, ugly things, like buying Max this:

But luckily, Larry is a fair guy, and he also bought Max this:

Much, much better, Unlce Larry. You can see on Max's face how excited he was that we were having a fashion show today. He also seems to have his handsigns mixed up. We're going to have to remedy that problem. Much thanks to Grandma, who bought us the 'Teasips Chap My Hide' diaper cover. See Mom, told you he'd wear it...

My Baby is Sick :(

Not still but again. This time with a stomach bug that is apparently going around in his class. Talk about inoculation...Poor guy. But I did find out that it is true, what they say about sick kids; it's different when they're your own. It's not any less gross, but the ickiness is overshadowed by concern, empathy, and helplessness.

The Most Amazing Thing...

Isn't he? I mean, come on.

Part of this blog is my search for words to describe how much I love this little guy. So far, they just don't exist. But I'll keep trying.

It's been a big week. The top two pictures are from last Tuesday when Max tried cereal for the first time. You might not be able to see the goo all over his face, but it's there. Despite the big grin, the jury is still out. We haven't tried again, since Max has had an ear infection, and is Not in the Mood-to do much of anything, let alone try new things. Though, he's been better today.

And....(drumroll please)...we're buying a house! It needs a good bit of (mostly) cosmetic work, and we are probably crazy, but also very excited. We weren't *really* looking for a house...I emphasize really because Clint is always looking for houses (or, rather, investments)-even if just for fun. This time he happened to find one we could kinda afford at a time when it's almost feasible for us to move. We should close sometime this week (much thanks to Mimi, Judy for help with the down payment!!). You, my dear readers, should probably question our ability to raise a child in light of such Obvious insanity. You'll see what I mean when Clint creates a blog about the house. You can check back on the right side of this blog-I will post the link to the blog for Casa de Jurek as soon as it exists.

But really, the most amazing thing is how blessed we are. We have a beautiful, happy, & healthy child, good jobs, an incredible community of friends and family (who have always been there, despite whether we always count them in our blessings), and now, a house.

What? I can't hear you.

Max has an ear infection AND an eye infection. Therefore, I am unexpectedly home on a Friday afternoon. 2 weeks in daycare and he's already sick. Max is definitely in a cranky I'm-tired-but-I-don't-want-to-sleep mood, but we're hanging in there. Unfortunately, I think this means we will be missing most of Mosaic's (our church) Grand Opening festivities this weekend. :( But, Max did finally make it to the doctor. And we discovered that our little drool monster weighs in at 17 lbs, 4 oz. I knew there was a reason my arms hurt...

Slobbery kisses to all of you out there in Max's Fan Club.

The Big 4-(m)o.

This is kind of how the last week has gone...but it's been good. Max is 4 months old today. We are adjusting to Mom working and daycare. He is all smiles for his teachers who (claim to) argue over who gets to hold and feed him. And I am enjoying my job and being back in the working world. Max is just getting bigger and bigger. Yesterday we broke out the 6-9 mo. onesies! They are still a bit big, but many of his 3-6 mo.s are too small. Movin' on up! Max has also figured out how to roll over inside of his sleep positioner. Yes, that fancy magical mix of foam and cloth is no match for my little boy. I now have to listen when he wakes up in the middle of the night so that I can distinguish between the on-the-back whines and the on-the-belly whines. And more big news today...we have a girl-cousin on the way! Aunt MaRee and Uncle Adam found out today that they are expecting a little girl. We can't wait to meet you, Bella!

Alright, time for bed! More on a night when I have a chance to sit down in front of the computer before 10!