On the 2nd day...

My true love gave to me: a sweet NICU baby...

3-28-10

12 Days of Maxwell

2-12-10

2-20-10

To celebrate my son's first 12 months of life, I will be posting a picture (or 2!) each day for the next 12 days. And hopefully, a big birthday post on that wonderful 12th day of February. Don't look for a partridge in a pear tree, but do look for a baby Max retrospective. Enjoy!

Exciting Eleven!

The BIG news in Max’s last month is the development of not one, but TWO teeth. We noticed the first little nub mid-December. The second poked through right before New Year’s Eve. They are the front, bottom teeth. Max has handled it pretty well. His teething behavior includes a lot of tongue sticking out and a recurrent runny nose.

Max is less than thrilled about getting a picture taken of his teeth

When playing, Max LOVES to bang two objects together. He has also started flinging things behind him. Then he looks up like, “where’d it go?” If a toy is out of reach in front of him, Max will start to push up from sitting to land on all fours. He’s not sure if he likes this, but if truly motivated, will go for it.

Helping Daddy with some household handiwork

As far as mobility, my baby can crawl like a madman…backwards. Poor kid will get so excited about a toy, he’ll push off his arms and propel himself backwards. He can also pivot all the way around (as needed ;). I’ve been waiting and waiting for so much as an army crawl forward, but no luck. The good news is Max wants to do the crawling thing just right. He has learned to get up on all fours instead of bothering with the whole slithering on his belly thing. He will climb up, rock, and usually lunge (belly flop!) forward. I try to remind myself it’s fine for him to take his time since that gives us a chance to finish some babyproofing!

Crawling! (sort of)

Maxwell ate his first solid-solids this month. He ate some puffs, some cereal-like pieces that dissolve easily in your mouth. He’s been doing really well with them, but has choked a little on occasion. Max has also been eating some “mum-mum” rice rusks that are much bigger than the little puffs. The first time I saw him holding onto the rice rusk, taking a bite, chewing, and swallowing, I admit I teared up! What a far cry from a feeding tube! In addition to puffs, rice rusks, and purees, Max had his first yogurt- Yo Baby! I love giving Max the yogurt because, of all his foods, it has the MOST calories! He’s still so little and I still find myself cheering, “grow, baby, grow!”

In order to get some things done and keep my sanity we have gone “shopping” a few times. This typically consists of me going in a store while Max’s daddy or Gigi play with him in the car. Then I play while the other adult gets a little break. Believe it or not, Max usually likes this setup. He LOVES watching cars drive by. He’ll bounce and coo like they are the greatest toys ever. Not many cars pass our house and the few that do are hard to see from our windows. So Max actually likes a random “shopping” day. It occurred to me recently that when I do get to take him in stores again, he’ll be riding in the cart like a big boy! He couldn’t sit on his own early last fall so this spring shopping will be a whole new world. Ditto with restaurants as he’ll be ready to sit in their high chairs!

Fun toes!

Mr. Max has become proficient at waving to people. He started playing with this skill last month, but is really utilizing it a lot this month. Sometimes he forgets to open his hand and will greet you with a fist. But, he really likes to see someone and thrust that open palm out to say hello. If you’re really lucky, the wave is accompanied by a guttural “hoo-ooo.” Won’t be long until that is replaced with the more socially-accepted, “hi!”

I think we’ve been very blessed by a baby with an adaptable, sweet temperament. Don’t get me wrong, he can scream with the loudest of them and he definitely has his mood swings. But through all the fuss and fervor of holiday activities, Max rolled with the punches. He was around both sides of the family and some friends at various locations this month and was sweet as can be. We tried to stick pretty close to his feeding/ sleeping schedule. He still struggled sometimes with his naps, but that wasn’t unusual. He was patient, funny, and excited. I thought for sure he’d tear into those presents. Instead, he preferred to play with small pieces of wrapping paper, tending to them gently, as if they were his gifts. Each gift was a delight to him as we modeled how to play with them, but he did keep revisiting small pieces of paper or neglected bows.

One of Max’s “big” gifts was a push walker. We knew he wouldn’t be able to use it solo yet, but wanted to provide him with the scaffolded support possible by having it early. Max pulled up on my hands, transferred his hands to the handle, and gave a sparkling grin. He was so proud of himself. Until he shifted his weight forward…he wasn’t quite sure how to keep his hands on the walker while it moved further away. Through practice, Max is now eager to use his walker while his momma holds him under the armpits for a little extra aide in balancing.

Other big hits in the toy department: stacking cups, shape sorters, books, a drum, and a basketball goal. He really enjoys all of his gifts and thanks all the wonderful people who thought of him this Christmas. Thankfully, Max also received a toy box to store all of his belongings :)

Max has also been a little clingy this month. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s teething or if he’s developing some “stranger” anxiety. On the one hand, I love that he loves me, but I also want him to enjoy all the other people who care about him. I try to soak up every minute with my baby. After all, one day he will have a life of his own. Hard to imagine, but it’s true.

Can’t be a monthly update without some stats:

Weight: 16 lb, 3 oz.

Diapers: 2-3 in Pampers, 3 in Huggies (overnights) and Luvs

Clothing: 6-12

Smiles: millions :)

Note the outfit: jacket says "Mommy's heartbreaker" and the shirt says "#1 with the ladies"

My daredevil demonstrating a one handed approach

Merry Christmas!

Hope you enjoyed your Christmas as much as Max enjoyed his!

Tree-mendous TEN

Whew! 2010 has been a crazy year. But that is definitely a post for another time. For now, here are some Max stats at 10 months (Dec. 12) :
-Max is weighing in at about 15 and a half pounds. His growth has slowed. Could be the increase in solids (fewer calories than milk), the increase in exercise, or just getting older.
-I have a feeling we're going to be stuck in 6-12 month clothes for awhile. I'm puzzled why Carter's has a 6-9 AND 9-12 month size when seemingly the rest of the world groups the clothing sizes into a whopping 6-12 month size. One of the many mysteries of parenthood...
-Still in size 2 diapers, but have tried on the 3s. That lil' tush will be graduating from "swaddlers" to "cruisers" very, very soon.

So proud of himself after knocking over his "10 Months" blocks

-Max is SO much fun to play with and talk to. Granted, he has to be in the mood if you're going to have a conversation or garner some giggles. But he has really stretched his vocal skills this month, learning to growl and continuing to practice some shrieks.
-Things that have made him belly laugh this month: flying with daddy, dancing with mom and dad, "Jingle Bells," silly noises, Josie doing tricks to earn treats...
-Max wants to get his hands on EVERYTHING! You really have to hold him tight and anticipate his wants when you are holding him. He has definite opinions about what he should be experiencing.

Another favorite activity: standing! (with help)

-Max loves to dance. His favorite form of "dancing" is shaking his head and smiling when listening to a toy's music.
-Max had his first Thanksgiving with my family in Peru, Indiana. We also stayed with my parents in Cicero for a few nights. Max did really well with his new surroundings and new people. It was also exciting to get the baby cousins together (see below!).

Max will play with his feet, but has yet to put them in his mouth! Perhaps he's concerned with how the shoes may taste?

Max and cousin Charlotte attempt to ring in the holiday season (much to Charlotte's chagrin)

A family portrait 11/25/10

He did NOT do so well on the 5+ hour drive home. We stopped at West Baden to check out the tree and to break up the long trip.

-Max saw his first big snow on December 5. He was enamored. We looked out the window at the beautiful flakes and then got bundled up to check it out firsthand. Outside, Max wasn't really sure what to think. We snapped a few pictures and then went back in the warm house.
-We've had some more sleeping struggles. Max started to sleep a lot better at night, but began getting super cranky during nap times. There could be so many reasons for this, from teething to separation anxiety.
-Now that Max can not only sit, but sit steadily for long periods of time, he started taking his baths sitting up in the tub. He HATED it the first time, but really loves it now. He's really interested in bath toys and splashing. We've got some really great pictures, but not so sure we'll sure those ;)
-Max continues to enjoy his solid foods, trying even more flavors (corn, mango, peaches). He also continues to nurse. Consequently, he is having trouble taking a sippy cup from me. He refuses to take a bottle from me also, often looking betrayed if I try. Looks like his daddy may have to teach him all about the sippy cup!
-Max will be 11 months very soon, since I am late with this post. I hope to put up Christmas pictures then! Thanks for your patience and continuing to have an interest in our little miracle man!

Naughty and Nice at Nine Months

Oops! Sorry I never posted Max's 9 month post. I felt like it was unfinished...here's the Nov. 12 post, very, very late!

Well Mr. Max has 2 sides now. Generally during the day he is the Nice Max, playing, babbling, and trying new foods. At night, though, watch out! He is no longer the sweet baby that slept 8-9 hours a night. We feel like we've tried everything! The nights he has slept well, he had rolled over to his belly. Hopefully Naughty Max will figure out his days are much more fun with well rested parents and he'll get himself back on track soon. That helps to explain why I'm so late with posting, doesn't it? Tired mommy + housework+ playing with baby= 2 week tardy blog update.

The cliffnotes:
-Max has been trying all kinds of new solids. He is very happy trying new foods and playing with his spoons. The only foods he has really disliked are green beans and carrots.
-After being denied Synagis (the RSV "vaccine") by the insurance company, a wonderful nurse and doctor appealed the decision. Not only will Max get this potentially life saving shot, he will get it at home! A home health nurse administered the shot a few weeks ago, saving us a germy visit to the doctor's office. We are keeping Max out of the public for the winter to help protect him, but he still could be exposed to illnesses through family and friends. We have faith that between Synagis, "quarantine," breastmilk, and good hand washing our baby will stay healthy this winter.
-Max is a real pro at sitting alone now. He does topple occasionally, but isn't really fazed by it. He is also LOVING pulling up on our hands. The look of triumph on his face is priceless! He can balance standing on his musical table or the couch. We credit the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders jumperoo with really building some strong leg muscles ; )
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Extraordinary Eight

I can't believe it's that time again! Max is eight months old! He is such a wonderful baby and more full of personality everyday! Here are some things we are doing/ seeing/ learning now:

-Max reaches for everything! He is intensely interested in what things feel and taste like. As a teacher I am very keen on sensory experiences to learn so I let him touch a lot! We just have to be careful to make sure things are clean and safe. He is particularly interested in touching drinking glasses (while we're drinking!), any kind of remote, and couches (especially when being burped). A few weeks ago I didn't know how controlled and motivated Max was to touch things so we had a little shopping moment: I showed him (in what I thought was out of his reach) a crinkly Winnie the Pooh book. He grabbed it and promptly stuck it in his mouth! No!!! That's not ours and I didn't sanitize it! Eeeek! I was equally parts charmed by his zeal and appalled that I enabled his exposure to germs. I have learned my lesson! (And yes, I bought the book.)Max right before he reached for and knocked over the blocks!

-Max continues to smile and giggle constantly. He finds the simplest things hilarious. From Aunt Ashley clapping her hands like an alligator to Daddy making "num num" noises while eating a snack. I think the key is repetition. I read that babies love repetition because it makes them feel smart and secure. Repetition is easy when the reward is constant baby belly laughs! I swear I made dog woofing noises for an hour the other day because I could not get enough of Max's elation!
-Max can now roll over both ways. He doesn't roll from belly to back often, but is now eager to roll from back to belly. He learned by grabbing my hand and pulling his own weight up. He enjoys tummy time when he can play his light-up piano. Tummy time is still not quite his favorite activity.

-My tiny baby is now sitting up on his own! He is also learning to sit without putting the weight on his arms (in what John dubs the gorilla position). He is starting to reach for things or play with toys while sitting up. He still loses his balance so the Boppy or I are always right there.Max refusing to be propped against the chair- sitting on his own!

-I am sad to say our house is still not baby-proofed. When your baby is 3 months early, priorities are elsewhere. I know we need to get moving since it is just a matter of time before our go-getter figures out he can roll or army crawl to get around. Any suggestions on how to start this enormous task?
-We have had some stumbles in trying to get Synagis for Max (the RSV "vaccine"). However, a wonderful nurse has helped us in a tremendous way and we should be all set for protecting Max this RSV season.
-We have also had some stumbles in gaining weight this month. Nothing has changed much with Max's diet but he got "stuck" at 13.6 pounds for awhile. We are proud to report he is now 14.2 pounds (14 pounds, 3.6 ounces)! He has also started tasting solids. I say tasting because he doesn't actually eat much. A lot of rice cereal down the chin!
-Max has gone through a few "phases." One week he spent nearly every minute with his tongue hanging out of his mouth (Jordan style!) and the next week he enjoyed screeching loudly (ask Grandma Mary and Grandpa Alan about hearing that one from 5 hours away!). The current fad is "biting" his lower lip. Max sort of tucks his bottom lip under his adorable gums. Can't wait to see what's next!
-Our last outings before RSV-season-induced-quarantine included visiting the Chihuliy glass exhibit at Cheekwood (Nashville) and going to Stanley's pumpkin patch (Hanson). My normally very photogenic baby chose pumpkin patch down to make a lot of "stink faces." He'd wrinkle his noise and contort his mouth. The best pictures we got were sort of straight faced with a rare half smile or two. Maybe it had to do with his "costume"...