Memory Card Full

Those of you who know me really well know that I'm scared to death of deleting ANYTHING off of my memory card. Even when I have an image saved to my computer and on an online storage site and on a disc...it still breaks my heart to discard that special moment. It's weird and irrational, but it's a real phobia I have. I still have pictures from our trip to Italy in May of 2009 saved on a card that holds over 800 images. What is wrong with me? I'll be taking pictures of Max when all of a sudden I hear that familiar "beep beep" of the memory card full warning and I have to hurry and determine which photos to delete in order to avoid missing the next "cutest moment ever" in Max's life.

It’s amazing the amount of life altering experiences that fits on that little card no bigger than a postage stamp. This week I decided it was time to get over my fear. So, in an attempt at closure, Billy and I plugged the camera into the TV and watched our lives evolve with the many moments that were held on the card. We laughed at how innocent we look in the pictures from Italy before finding out we were going to have a baby and how swollen I was right before having Max and we teared up at how embarrassingly proud we look the day he was born.
Here are a few images that I bravely deleted from that little card that is now waiting to be filled up again. Enjoy...

BELLAGIO, ITALIA - MAY 2009


Drinking

Eating

Sailing


Wine tasting

BAMBINO ON THE WAY:

Halloween and getting huge

Thanksgiving-ish - 3 more months to go!


Big Momma - so swollen. I had a long night ahead of me...

...but the end result was this pink, wrinkly, bundle of love.

Our first night in the hospital Max slept on Daddy's chest.

At home: Bill on burp-duty

So tiny!

First bath

Just a few days old.

One of my favorites!

A Letter to Max

My sweet little man,

Where have the months gone? How has half a year passed already since we first laid eyes on one another? Your world is changing so fast - so much progress in such a short amount of time. I'm in awe of all the things you can do now. I can tell that you're just as impressed with yourself as we are. :) Dad and I have done quite a bit of growing in this short amount of time too. We are the same people we were before, but better since having you. We've agreed that we appreciate everything in the world more because of how different and wonderful it all feels with you in it. Thank you for bearing with us as we have tried to figure things out. We try every day to make the very best decisions for you so that you will one day grow up to be confident and happy and kind. Thank you for being so good - for eating well, and sleeping well and brightening our days with your heart-bursting smile. Happy 6 months, Max McAlister. You are the light of our lives - over and over again.

My whole heart,
Momma

I can't wait until Max is old enough to look back on this blog and read about all of his first adventures in life. This is his "baby book" in a way. There are just not enough pages in the regular ones to capture everything! Below are pics from his 1/2 birthday...

Brave Baby!

Max got three shots at his 6 month check-up and has the bandages to prove it. I think the experience was worse for Mom & Dad to witness than it was for him. Max is as tough as woodpecker lips!! :)

Max says: "No biggie, guys. But I WILL take this paper home with me if you don't mind."

Animal Max:

We treated Max with a trip to "Max's Autodiner" for his half-birthday. It was more of a treat for us this time but we really want it to be a tradition we have with Maxer every year. Billy and I shared a burger (called the "Animal Max":) while Max helped himself to his chubby fingers...

Max says: "Ready to get the party started, Dad!"

Waiting for our food.

So he didn't feel left out at his own celebration we brought along a special treat - Blueberry YoBaby! I was so excited when Dr. Kate told us he could start eating yogurt. The first bite was questionable, but after that he couldn't get enough and made a growling noise when I put the spoon away. Animal Max!?

"What the heck was that?!"

"On second thought...I'll have another bite!"
Happy guy back at home :)

A good day should end with a good book. "I love You, Stinky Face" is our fav. Luckily he had just gotten out of the bath so he wasn't so stinky anymore.

One great little life...

Because we made you

My darlin'

With the love in each of our hearts

We were a family, my darlin'

Right from the start

-Wilco

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 :(