Max is 9 Months!

Photo by Karen Feder Photography

Max Facts - 9 Months

Diaper size: 4

Favorite Book: Goodnight Moon

Weight: 22 lbs (76th percentile) 

Height:  29 1/2 inches (89th percentile) 

Favorite Song: Any song sung with lots of facial expressions

Number of teeth: 6

Clothing size: 9-12 months

Favorite Toy: All books and wooden animal puzzle
Things that make Max unhappy: Going to bed when people are over and car seats
Things that make Max smile: Playing games like....peek-a-boo, "I'm going to get you!", "Where's Max?"
Latest Trick:  Max took his first steps this month and is VERY mobile... eek!

Photo by Karen Feder Photography

Photo by Karen Feder Photography

Photo by Karen Feder Photography

Max is 8 Months!

Max Facts - 8 Months 

Longest hour stretch at night:  12

Diaper size: 3 (soon to be 4)

Favorite Book:  Goodnight Moon

Weight:   22.5 lbs

Favorite Song: Mommy's goodnight worship song montage 

Number of teeth: 2

Clothing size: 6-12

Favorite Toy:  Large pop-beads

Favorite Activity: Making new sounds, reading board books and walking behind a push cart 

Things that make Max smile:  Looking in the mirror, baths, doing the "So Big" trick 

Latest Trick: Crawling like a pro, exploring the world, pulling-up on furniture and pulling out drawers

Easterific!

It was fun Easter weekend spent with Wade's parents, Lu & Richard Schroeder, who drove up from Kansas.  We were able to get out and enjoy some of the local tourist destinations - Como Zoo and, of course, the Mall of America.  

Como Conservatory 

Max posing with his favorite Sophie giraffe and a real one, too!  

Max's first trip to the Mall of America

With Mom & Dad on the merry-go-round

Nothing better than cuddling with Grandma after a bath. 

I couldn't resist the bunny ears

Max wasn't a fan of the Cheerios that were inside of his Easter eggs....
not quite ready for solids.

On Easter Sunday, we had a nice family gathering at my parents place and enjoyed the cool, but pleasant spring weather. It was such a blessing to have that time with family and to celebrate the fact that we follow a good God who has made a way for us to know Him and has provided us with an eternal hope. 

Max & Grandma Joan 

 I love my Grandmas!! 

....so does Max

Playing with sticks in the woods = boy time

Nate & Elisabeth's foreign exchange students.

Happy Easter!! 

I'm Back!

Being a full-time working mom has been a big adjustment for me.  I don't care what anyone says... it is hard, sad, stressful and extremely busy!  These last few months I have learned the hard way to be OK with a house that isn't clean, to disregard the to-do list, to be able to say "no" to things that I can't commit to, to eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner, to turn off the phone, computer and TV... and, instead, to take a deep breath after work and simply sit on the floor with my precious Baby Max.  I could spend hours just watching him discover the texture of the carpet or jump a little higher in his Johnny Jump-Up.  I have always heard parents talk about how their babies were changing and learning something new everyday....but is REALLY is true.  During the week, I only get about two hours with my little guy a day, so I try to soak up a days worth of time (and pictures) in those short two hours.  I never forget that Max is an amazing miracle, an answer to our prayers, and a very unique, special little person....Crazy!

So, if I haven't blogged....I have been talking baby talk, reading books, taking pictures, giving baths, introducing solid foods, singing lullabies and finding new ways to make Baby Max laugh.  I have enjoyed every minute of it!!  I have been working on a number of posts since Christmas and have lots of stuff in draft mode, so you'll find a number of belated posts ahead (or behind)... Oh well... who's counting??

Max is 7 Months!

Max Facts - 7 Months 

Longest hour stretch at night:  12

Diaper size: 3

Favorite Book:  Moo, Baa, La, La, La 

Weight:   21.4 lbs

Favorite Song: If I Were a Cowboy (grandpa's original) 

Number of teeth: 1! 

Clothing size: 6-9 (pants 12 months)

Favorite Toy:  Sophie the Giraffe, cool teething rings, Exersaucer, and mini-stuffed animals

Favorite Foods: Peas and Green Beans

Least Favorite Foods:  Nothing so far... he loves them all

Favorite Activity:  Splashing like crazy in the tub

Average hours of sleep for mom and dad: 8... Finally!! 

Things that make Max smile:  Peek-a-boo, spider tickles, Daisy
Latest Trick:  Army Crawling and making silly faces in the mirror

Spring Break in Hot-Lanta!

This year we spent Spring Break in Atlanta with my sister and her family.   They recently got a new house, so we wanted to check-out their new digs and spend time with my niece and nephews that are growing-up WAY to fast.  High points were.... Max meeting his cousins and Auntie Kristina for the first time, sister time!!, little kids in shin guards, nephews getting baptized, Atlanta Aquarium, Sammy's salsa and southern sunshine.  It all made for a memorable trip!
Here are some of the favorites:

Wade found a snake...eeek!! 

Max loves his Auntie Erin

Cousins!  

Max & Cousin Jeremiah

Reluctant Sailor

Max Sandwich!! 

Americana... so many beautiful old towns in Georgia

Sisters!! 

Savannah is a little athlete

Atlanta Aquarium... fantastic! 

Max with the colorful fishies! 

Meeting Auntie Kristina for the first time. 

I love my Auntie! 

Callaway Gardens was beautiful

 

The BOYS! 

Easter Egg Hunt

Who needs Benihanna, when you have Sammy?? 

Though Guys! 

The whole Cruver Crew in front of their new house.

Cruver Cousins

Max loves his uncle Sammy!

Thank you to our wonderful host & hostess