Joys of Boys

Today Max managed to get his first black eye. I'm not sure how it happened; he was at daycare. Apparently it had something to do with trying to sit on a stool and missing. According to Ms. Sarah, the most tramatic part of the whole thing for Max was the application of the ice. I didn't find out about it until the end of the day, which of course makes me a stellar mom. Poor baby Max. He doesn't seem too phased about it tonight. I've given him extra TLC this evening.

Below are a couple photos of the shiner. I am sure it's only going to look worse as the week progresses. These photos don't really show the swelling well.

That radio has good Capability!

Yesterday Max, Ellie and I were hanging out in her room. I turned on the radio for her to enjoy her songs. She was very happy; everyone was playing. She was very excited when the songs played for a second time without any programming or touching. She looks at me and says, "Mommy this radio has good capability to play twice, doesn't it?!"
Question 1: Where'd she learn that word?
Likely answer - me
Question 2: How'd she learn to use the word nearly perfectly first time?
Likely answer - she's brilliant!

Max's first night without his Paci

Max did so well last night! I didn't have to go to him once. I was so amazed. He had a few mild fusses, but settled within a few seconds each time. He woke with a smile around 7 am! I am so proud of him!!!!!

Today he also survived the day at Ms. Sarah's without his pacifiers. Apparently when she put him down for his nap, he took blankey bear and then looked at her longingly for about a couple seconds, but then laid down without any tears when he realized that the two of us communicate!

The worst day ever for Max

This morning I decided Max needs to give up the pacifier, becuase he's truly addicted to it. He thinks it is the worst day of his life!

He protest horrendously before the morning nap and all through it. He was screaming bloody murder.

He was exhuasted at lunch, so I thought I'd get away with him getting to sleep okay. Wrong! More screaming... of the someone is dying kind. It echoed through the house so bad, I wanted to give in. David asked what would I do if I gave in, other then torture him longer another time. So I want to my screaming baby and bounced him nearly to sleep. I laid him into his crib; it was quite. He had nearly exhuasted himself to sleep. (I thought)

A few minutes later, there was a bit more crying, and finally, asleep. I went in to check him, he has his blanky shoved into his mouth where his trusty pacies belong.

He didn't sleep as long as he needed. He woke up with that horrible end of the world cry - usually he wakes in the afternoon talking and babbling. I quickly went to him to try to sooth him; it was no use! Every few minutes he breaks down in tears. He's banging his head on the floor, throwing his blanky away (which he never does) and just acting as if it's the end of his world. He is refusing to drink still. It's been nearly an hour since he got up. He is quite grouchy. He's torn between being very angry with me, and needing my affections to help him through.

I'm worried he's just going to replace his pacies with his fingers and them I'm not sure if anything has been accomplished. I am doubtful I will make it through the night without giving in. I think it's time to wash the pacies again. It's a good thing I didn't really through them out. I'm sorry Max for your worst day ever.
To Be Continued....


This is a picture of Max from lunch today. He enjoyed making a mess of blueberries especially in his tired state.

Socializing

This hasn't been an area that I would rate David and I as excelling parents in. The chances to socialize for our kids in the early years are often focused around their cousins and a few parties now and again. Ellie's been going to daycare at Ms. Sarah's now for about a year, and it has made a big difference in how she views playing with other kids. She's actually getting pretty good at it and I'm so glad. Today when we came home from dance, Ellie saw Curtis up at Jane's house. She was really excited and wanted to go see him. So I encouraged it. In the past, the two have enjoyed smiling at one another and a little play a few times a year. However today I think they really enjoyed each other's company more then ever. Curtis was teaching Ellie about how to get ahead of a ball rolling down our big hill. They were playing catch. They even played T-ball together for a while until Curtis had to go. They laughed and joked with one another. It was great to see and know that our lack of social life isn't ruining her chances of growing in this area too much. Go Ellie Bean!

Max's 15 month checkup

This Wednesday morning Ellie and I took Max to see the Doctor for his 15 month checkup. It went swimmingly well. For the first time, neither Dr. Clarence or I had any concerns about Max's development. She smiled and announced he was a healthy 15 month old doing great. She then asked how my back was doing carrying around a boy that is in the 95th percentile for weight, height and head measurements. I chuckled and said I was working on that! I'm so proud of my boy!

The birth of a calf at the Fair

Tonight we went to the fair with Mom and Katie and crew. We had food and the kids enjoyed some rides. ELlie was so excited when she saw the bouncy jeeps, which she has been talking about since she road them at the carnival two years ago. She squealed with delight! Here's a couple photos of the girls enjoying the bouncy jeeps!

Such a very happy girl!!!! I think they all actually enjoyed the ride a lot. After the rides, we headed to check out the animals. First stop was the birthing area, and turns out, we didn't make it past. There was a Holsteen cow there in labor with a calf just starting to emerge. The girls got up front and patiently watched for 30 minutes as the scene unfolded. They stood there intensly holding the fence, while Aunt Katie got the pleasure of fielding some fun questions. When Ellie emerged back to Max and I, she looked at me and said, "Mommy, that was GROSS!" The look on her face really displayed she thought it was not a beautiful thing to watch. So funny. There were some questions on the way home, and I expect there will be more in the days to come. It's interesting to watch her eyes opened to the way of the world. I just hope it doesn't happen too fast. Meanwhile, while the girls were in the crowd watching the cow be born, I took Max to see some pigs up close and personal. He thought they were fantastic! As they made their sounds, he returned their sounds rather perfectly. He was so excited his hands were moving! Max sure does love animals.

Max loves dogs!

Max has always been into animals, but the way he responds to dogs is just adorable. When he hears one bark, he barks back. He keeps barking as if in a conversation with them. When we are on a walk, and he sees one, he will turn his head as much as he can to try to find the dogs and keep the conversation going... even if he can't see where the bark is coming from. The other day, he even heard the chains of the dogs, but couldn't find them. He was searching all around. It's adorable!

Choices

I just finished reading the book I just don't know how she does it. The lead character has the struggles of wanting to be a mom and having to keep working. I identify with her so very much. Her daughter Emily reminds me so much of my Ellie Bean, it's a bit crazy. She's smart, and sensitive and in love with princesses and particularly Sleeping Beauty (which is the name Ellie has picked out of her baby sister she will likely never get). When the lead character gets her happy ending - that is, she quit work to stay home with her 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son - I burst into tears. This is my dream. And, for not thinking I can make this happen, I am sorry to my kids forever. I love you Max and Ellie, and I hope that the choices (are they really choices, becuase it feels like a trap) being made turn out to be the right ones for you.

He's a real boy

Last night we had some friends over that have a 3 and 1 year old boy. As brothers do, Ethan and Nicholas are a bit more physical then Ellie and Max. I don't allow any pushing and she knows pushing Max in any way is off limits. At the same time ELlie was really having lots of fun with Ethan; they really got along great. They were chasing each other, having a picnic in the living room, hauling things around and just giggling and laughing at one another. At one point I see Max sitting on the floor in front of the laundry room, Ethan just past him and I hear Ellie say, "Don't do that. He's a real boy." LOL - He didn't hurt Max, becuase there were no tears. But it was really cute to see Ellie sticking up for her little brother and protecting him. This was the first time I saw this and I was very touched!

Thunder Roars

Max is full of sounds. He has been for a long time. He doesn't have a lot of words, but he loves to make sounds - even sounds he may think are words. Tonight we were out in the circl playing when it was thundering before the rain. When the thunder rumbled, Max stopped, stood still and gave his best Lion Roar back at the thunder. Then stood still listening, as if wondering would it return his roar again... Sure enough, more thunder.... and the same from Max. It was quite funny. I wish I could've captured it on video. I told him he didn't know need to be Roaring at God!

Greetings for Mommy

One of the best things in my life right now is the way Max greets me each time I enter a room or return. It's amazing how he runs to me and dives into my arms. It's just for a brief second in many cases, and then he wants down to play, but the need is so intense and so sincere. It's especially big if I've been away, such as at work or gone for a while. He fusses when he hears my voice and reaches for me with a dive! It has even created a race at Ms Sara's to figure out who can give Mommy the first hug! I told Ellie that the second Hug is as good as the first... ha ha I don't know if I've ever felt so needed and loved! My boy is working on wrapping me around his little fingers for those big boy years to come, and he's doing a fabulous job of it!

How does Ellie respond to the mess she has made at the dinner table?

by moving over to the seat next to her after her meal is done and saying, "It's messy there Mommy. I'll eat my desert in this seat which is clean!"

Mommy and Ellie day

Saturday was Ellie's first dance class of the fall. We left the boys at home and headed for her class. I wasn't allowed to watch this time - in the level II class, they try to really keep the doors shut. I'm not sure how she did; I just know that she didn't come out looking for me or crying. She only popped out at half time to get her "tap" shoes. She seemed to enjoy it, but did mention it was hard with all the kids running around. After class, Ellie and I had plans to head to Tyson's to meet a friend I haven't seen since Ellie was born. I spent nearly 3 hours speaking with a friend and Ellie really was good as gold. She was patient; she played with trains, looked at books, colored at lunch, and was just very pleasant. I could not have been prouder of her! It wasn't until about 2:30 when I was shopping and wouldn't let her buy a baby lady bug custome that she lost it. She was exhausted and couldn't handle it. We left the mall and I got her snuggled into her carseat for a nap. She handled it so well. We even stopped to shop for strollers about 20 minutes later. With only a little 10 minute catnap, she managed to muster up that smile and pleasantness I love to help me check out about 50 different strollers for nearly 2 hours! Talk about patients! I know where she got them, and it wasn't from me! After the shopping, I took her for a smoothy and then we headed home to see the boys. I did miss the boys and felt especially guilty having a day away from Max. But I know it's good for my girl and I to have some special time. I don't know the last time we spent a whole day together - it was probably the day before Max was born. I love my Ellie Bean! I told Ellie about 15 times yesterday how proud I was.

Dancing with Snow White and the Seven Drarfs

Tonight we watched part of Snow White with Ellie. I think it's the first time we've watched it with her at home. She was very cute and it great spirits. We even shared a bowl of popcorn and dubbed in movie night. My favorite part was when the dwards and snow white were dancing and enjoying the fun evening at the cottage, Ellie hands me blankey bear and says, "This is my favorite part. I will dance with them while you hold blankey bear." She gets down and dances around for the entire scene! She was all over that basement and all smiles. I love my little Snow White!

Erika spent the night

This is the third or fourth time we've had Erika spend the night. Both Ellie and Erika really look forward to these nights. They generally do very well playing together - usually more like equals these days. Still sometimes Erika tries to be the boss, but as those times become less and less, the girls seem to really enjoy each other's company.I think one on one time with her cousins is the right pace for Ellie these days.

The evening went very smoothly with both girls eating a great dinner, all the girls having a walk to the park, a couple of ice cream sundaes and watching Nemo late into the evening. The girls went to bed very well and didn't spend too much time talking, which was funny, becuase I think it's what Ellie was looking forward to the most - or at least anticipating the most.

The morning was a little more hectic, but not too bad. Overall, it was anice Labor Day treat for the girls and for us. I enjoy having Erika here. She's a big girl with a lot of grown up thoughts and she makes me laugh and smile most of the time.

Labor Day Picnic at Mom's

This weekend Mom had a picnic for us all to come hang out on Saturday evening. The kids are getting to be at a good age to enjoy this. Since Max loves to be outside and I am relaxing a little bit about him getting all dirty, it was pretty relaxing.

David and I spent a lot of time down with the kids at the play area. The kids were having good fun swinging and playing with one another. Ellie's learning to play with her cousins a bit more each time. I love when they get a chance to play together.

Mom made some great food and I think it was just a very relaxing evening.

This was a shot from the end of the night, after the hide and seek in the dark was over. I call this A Cookout in The Year 2011:

What kind of sound was it?

This morning I was complaining that Max had me up 3 times to replace/find his pacifier for him and that he's really pushing his luck. David, who (at least pretended) to sleep through every call replies innocently, "Really, what kind of sound was he making?" As if.... My reply, "Well, funny you should ask. He stated in clear concise English - Mother, would you so kindly come into my bedroom, locate my pacifier and place it back in my mouth please." What kind of sound did he think Max was making at one year old, apparently, he was looking for a quiet wine which would explain why he had slept through it all. LOL

Our little Snow White

Tonight Max and I went for a walk. As we left apparently Ellie had quite an urge to join us, so Daddy and her met us at the bottom of the hill... Snow White dress and all!

Watching them come down the hill looked a bit like a fairy tale to me: