5 months!

Max just gets more and more fun each month. He's such a little "person" now. He really loves peek-a-boo, which most babies do at this age, but he likes to lead the game...he'll turn his head away...wait a couple seconds then turn his head back to me and giggle. Max has really been exercising his independence this month. He'll choose the toys he likes to play with by turning away from ones he's not interested in and reaching for the one he wants. Also, he'd rather play in his crib by himself in the mornings instead of fussing for me to come get him as soon as he wakes up. And he refuses to nap most days - a not so fun aspect of this "independent baby" phase. I think he's just too excited about the world around him to sleep. Here's what he was up to this past month...

ACCEPTING OLIVER:

Oliver loved Max instantly, but it was unrequited on Max's end. He was pretty disintereted in the dog until this month. Now he loves to watch Oli and reaches down so Oliver can lick his hand. They also enjoy play-time together. They're facinated by one another...
Oliver: So, Max, I'll trade you this ball here under my left paw for one of your toys. Deal?

SOLIDS CONTINUED:

Avocado was a big hit!

CHICAGO TRIP:

Headed to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Amy, Max and me with the rhino

Walked to the lake to watch the sunset.

Billy making Amy uncomfortable :)


Meeting the O'Neal cousins for the first time!

Heading to "Noodles in the Pot"

Hanging out at Erin & John's for the BIG Murray party!

NEW BELGIUM FILM FEST (Theiss Park):

4TH OF JULY WEEKEND:

Max-Man ready for the big "Dip Party"!

Poor Max didn't get to eat any ice cream at Murray's :(

First Father's Day

I recently came across a quote - "The best thing you can give your child is a good father" - I can't remember where I saw it but I made a point to remember it. I'm so proud of the father Billy has become. Max just adores his daddy and if you could see the look in Billy's eyes when he looks at Max it would melt your heart. Nothing makes me feel more at peace than seeing my two guys together. Sometimes I listen to them "talking" when I'm in the other room and I can tell that they already have a special bond. Good fathers make good sons and that makes me feel like one lucky momma :)

We kicked off the weekend at Brown's Irish Street Fair. It was a last minute decision, but we were so glad we decided to go! We had no idea that the Elders were going to be there so it was an unexpected bonus that we got to introduce Max to the band that is so close to his Mommy and Daddy's hearts.


The dude listening to bagpipers...its so funny how he's drawn to them...he kept craning his neck to follow the sound.

Sitting up like a big boy!

On Sunday we started out Dad's day at the City Market. We picked up some fresh veggies so we could make Max's first "solid" baby food. First on the menu was summer squash! (which he loved by the way...surprise, surprise)



After the market we went to Happy Gillis to say hello to our neighborhood friends and to have a little lunch.

Max enjoying his meal...


"Wait a minute...I would have rather had what you're having..."

4 months!

Wow - another month has flown by! Max has been up to quite a bit since the last post. He had his baptism, flew on an airplane, took his first dip in the pool, learned to roll over, discovered how delicious rice cereal is and decided to start working on those chubby legs in his jumper. I, of course, have been frantically trying to document every little milestone. Below are a few moments I captured...

BAPTISM -

GodMomma & God Dad (above) / Us with the bagpiper

GRAND LAKE, CO -

"Yeah, I'm on a plane. So what?"

At Lolli & Poppa's vow renewal ceremony

TRYING RICE CEREAL -

Max doesn't know it yet in this picture but his world is about to change...

"Let go! I've got it, I've got it..."

"Wait...where does it go?"

The aftermath

Dr. Kate said we could also try Baby Mum Mums.

Yummy...but they make Mom nervous!

POOL TIME -

We thought Max would scream as soon as we put him in the cold water, but he loved it!

Lazy Sunday...

BURNIN' CALORIES -

Max gets down in his "Sassy" jumper. He gets going around and around in circles and sometimes can't stop himself when he really picks up speed. It's pretty darn cute. I think those little legs are going to slim down in no time ;) It also has a little mirror attached to it that he finds mesmerizing.

3 months already?!

So I feel like I JUST posted the "2 month" entry and here I am writing about my 3 month old big boy. Where does the time go? Max's personality is really starting to emerge. He coos and talks, smiles, laughs, listens when I read him books and really likes to look at pictures of himself ! He also plays in his little bath tub by kicking and splashing (see video below).

The biggest transition we've made this month is moving him into his nursery at night. I had been putting it off, but I really couldn't justify him sleeping at my bedside anymore. Especially because he seemed to sense my proximity and decided he wanted to go back to "snacking" throughout the night as though he was a newborn. Sorry buddy...I'm not an 24-hour diner! Momma needs to get some rest. So I nervously put him in his crib at 7:30 the first night...and guess what?! Not a peep. I kept checking on him throughout the night but he was sound asleep in his crib. Such a big boy! It has been a great thing for all of us :)

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day! I feel so lucky to be a Momma. It's such an incredible blessing and truly the best "title" I've ever worn. I'm proud to share it with the amazing women in my life - my Mom and Grama...among many others. So thank you, Max, for making me a Mommy.

Billy let me sleep in while he and Max made me breakfast. There's nothing better than eating pancakes in bed with my baby, my husband and my best dog. They all give me so much love.

Max gave me a ring that has his name and birthday engraved on it. Isn't my son so thoughtful?! :) You can kind of see it in the picture below. (Max loves to chew on my fingers as you can also tell from the pic...)

We spent the rest of the morning at our community garden planting seeds - we're growing arugula, green onion, spinach, tomatoes and chives. We'll see how this gardening thing goes...

Billy watering the crops.

Max loves being carried in his Moby wrap.

Later that afternoon the entire family went up to Loose Park for a picnic. The weather was a bit dreary but we had a great time.

March for Babies

Max was the youngest member of the "Loves Lila" team this year. Such a great cause and a wonderful way to honor the memory of our niece Lila. We're so thankful for all the healthy and happy babies that are in our lives.

Max enjoying the walk.

Max and Uncle Adam ready for lunch!