"Where is Mary?"

On Christmas Eve, we decided to go to the early family service at a new church down town that I've been trying. The service was basically an interactive replay of Jesus' birth. Ellie was very interested, so her and I went to sit in the front so she could have a good seat.

About half way through the service, she started asking me where Mary was. I pointed to the girl playing her in the skit repeatedly. After about the 3 or 4th time, she was really annoyed and said "mommy, I mean the REAL Mary. Where is she?!"

My response, in the middle of church service, "Honey, Mary's in Heaven."

She just looked at me very shockingly. So I repeated, "Mary's in Heaven with God and Vonita."

Ellie asks, "Why?"

Me, "well, Mary lived a long time ago and then she died."

Ellie started crying. She was very upset and told me she wanted to go home right now.

I did my best to console her and we made it through the service. But she continued to ask about Mary (and still does on a regular basis.) Through follow up conversations and questions I realized that she was very distraut at the thought of Jesus living without his Mommy. Since I have told her Jesus is alive and with her, it's really sad his Mommy isn't with him to a 3 year old - especially my 3 year old!

Ellie's just too cute and sensitive. I love her mind and the questions she asks. Three is a wonderful age. Well, honestly, I have enjoyed them all.

I am starting a blog to attempt to write down stories of the kids childhood that can later be captured somehow. Typing is my speed and strength, and since I don't have the time I would like to donate to these most important things, I do hope that if I can at least type them out, one day, they will be there for us all to enjoy!

Cuddles from Max

Max sleeps with us right now - cuddled right up next to me and my pillows. It is one of the sweatest pleasures I have known. Although I hate when he wakes me - becuase I hate beins so tired in the morning - when I look him in those little eyes and we moth smile good morning, nothing beats it! He likes to fall asleep moving my fingers around or touching my face. These little hands are just so cute - all 10 fingers are small and busy and soft and smooth as he explores while falling asleep. He is wonderful! Max is my wonderful wonderful gift from God! I don't ever want to let him return to his crib becuase I will miss him too much!

Max's milestones

Since I'm at the computer all the time and not the baby book, I'm going to try to just track key milestones for Max, so I at least have a few reference dates.

first smile was around 1.5 months - don't have that exact date, but he does have a smile that warms my heart!

at 2.5 months, Max started sleeping through the night - while laying beside me and having his pacifier replaced regularly, but no feedings until 6am!

March 5th 2011 - just under 8 months - I found his first teeth- bottom fronts

Around this same time - about 8 months on the dot - Max started crawling too. He lost about 2 weeks where Mommy didn't really let him crawl when we were traveling around, but when we returned, he surely made up for lost time quickly.

April 2 2011 - just after we returned from our trip to the UK - just under 9 months - Max pulled himself up for the first time. He did it on a rocking chair, so I knew he was going to be getting around fast

May 1st - Max got his second set of teeth - the two front top ones

May 6th has several firsts - first official haircut, first pair of real shoes and first ride on the carousel with his big sister (not really impressed with any of them I might add).

May 14, 2011 - This evening I watched Max stand on his own little two feet for quite a few seconds without holding on to this. I swear I think my heart skipped a beat watching it. He was so proud of himself and I was even prouder! He's so adorable!

May 16th - I swear Max said Hi Lady Grey tonight! it came out a bit like Hi Gay... but he said it a few times! He loves the cats and dogs!

May 22nd - Tonight it became clear Max can make his first animal sound. The winner is - a dog! "Woof Woof" He loves dogs and anytime he sees them, he makes the sound!

Jun 11th - While I was putting Ellie down for a sleep, David saw Max take his first step. Apparently there was only one. I tried to have him repeat it for me, he just kept blindly falling into my arms with faith I would catch him. Why would he need to walk if Mommy's there? :-) I love my little Maxers!

July 10th - Max's 8th tooth has popped through - it's on the bottom left.

July 16th - Over the past couple weeks Max has been perfecting his walk. Over the past week, he's finally started to prefer walking to crawling, at least as a start. He still keeps trying to go straight to running, so he ends up on his knees alot too. The transformation is really visible over the past couple days. He's really turning into a little todler. Today he climbed the jungle gym in the neighborhood for the first time with minimal help.

August 24th 2011 - Today Max put together two words for the first time. It was repeating them as I said them, but still, he did it! THe words were "Bye, Pop." Referring to the act of putting the lollipop away after Ellie had eaten enough of it for the night.
Sept 25th 2011 - Today was Max's first day without a Pacifier. It was a very hard day for him. He is now asleep for the night - or so I hope. I can only imagine how many times I'll be up tonight. It's been a hard day. I feel bad for him, but I know it's the right thing. Good luck little man - you can do it!