Monster March '08

We enjoyed beautiful fall weather for this year's Monster March. Naomi and family, my mom, sister and niece all joined us for pumpkin bread, cider and cocoa to energize ourselves for the big march. Here are a few shots of our trek.

Naomi proves that she is one hot chick as she prepares for her 2nd Monster March. Last year she was a ladybug.

We arrive at the tail end of the parade start. Max and Syd are ready to march!

Aunt Shelby is kind enough to carry Max part of the parade route when he decides strollers are for sissies. That's his bandleader pose. He was getting a bid carried away with the marching theme.

A certain 6-year-old witch decides this would be a fine time for a stroller ride.

A group shot of Max and Naomi and their caretakers.

The Perfect Pumpkin

Full disclosure....no, we didn't actually buy this pumpkin. I mean look at it, it's really heavy. We went back to the barn and bought one the size of Max's head. Much easier to carry! Although Max did choose the big pumpkin above by himself. I think he did very well!

That's Alex's mom next to him. She came up and we spent a busy weekend at the pumpkin patch, Zoo, all over!

Things in Things

I realized that I haven’t done a very good job at updating on what Max is up to. That was supposed to be my purpose after all. Max turns 14 months today and is a confident, mischevious, sweetheart boy. He struts around the house investigating everything with curiosity. Books are a new favorite and I love when he comes barreling over to me with a book, hands it over and crashes into my lap. When music comes on he begins a rather spastic baby bop dance.

His language is developing as well. Although mostly babble, he can say meow, oo oo (owl/monkey noise), mama, dada, and ball. Ball is his personal favorite and he calls everything “ball”. Although he can point to the ball in his book so we’re assured that he does actually know what one is.

Recently Max has developed an obsession with things in things. The most obvious example of this is Max taking his bath. He insists that everything (toys, bottles, washcloths, etc.) be in the tub and not on the ledge. If anyone dares to set a shampoo bottle down, Max will immediately swipe at it to knock it in the tub. His love extends to playtime as well which is quite convenient when it comes time to pick up his blocks. Then again, it’s not so convenient when he secretly tosses items in the trash. Surveying the trash for items that don’t belong has become routine in our house.

Speaking of things in things, for those of you that haven’t found out otherwise, I have a “thing” in me (a.k.a. Baby #2)! We’re excited to welcome this newest member to our family this Spring. I’m certain Max will pass on all of his critical learnings.

Family Man

Alex is really embracing this fatherhood gig. He bought us a family plus Zoo pass a few weeks ago (our 2nd trip pictured above), has already looked into family passes for the Children's Museum and OMSI, and is now trying to talk me into a minivan for our next car purchase.

It's the cutest thing but has left me slightly speechless. Are you okay, honey? I mean, I knew he'd make a great father so none of that is a surprise to me it's just funny to compare this man to the one I met nearly 7 years ago. I clearly remember he and I walking to lunch in San Francisco. We'd known each other a week or 2 and somehow got on the subject of marriage and kids. Alex, the former sailor, quickly announced, "I don't plan on ever getting married or having kids." He had his own apartment decorated in the latest in bachelor chic....pool table in the living room, a mattress tossed on the floor, toilet paper rolls littering his bathroom....not a single one on the actual holder. Livin' the bachelor dream! ;-)

Compare that with Mr. Minivan telling me, "No, no, a Pilot doesn't have enough room for the kids and the gear. I know you don't want to admit it, but we're going to have to get a minivan." Apparently I'm still the one living in the past? Clearly Alex is light years beyond me!

Back to Mischief

Max is all better now. I know this because he's back to his old tricks....and some new ones as well! Today he managed to lock himself in the bathroom at his nana's house. He very calmly walked into the bathroom, shut the door and clicked the lock. Mom went into a panic trying to remember if she had latched the cupboards with the cleaning supplies. Not to mention the bowl of toilet water and the fact that there is no access to the lock outside of the bathroom itself. She called Tom and asked him to rush over and help her break the door down. Fortunately shortly after she made that call, Max decided he'd had enough of the bathroom, unlocked the door and came out. What are the chances? Fortunately he's a bright boy who is obsessed with switches of any sort, including locks that click back and forth. Ahhhh, just think what fun the coming years will bring us in the Linke household!

Snuggling: Clinically Proven to Reduce Fevers

Poor Max is sick. I don't really know with what but he has a super snotty nose and fevers of up to 103. Random virus? Molars coming through? Although I don't think a fever goes with that.

Wednesday I stayed home with him, dosing him with droppers, wiping his nose and taking him on long walks. Thursday it was Alex's turn although he seemed a lot better then. Last night...or I guess I should say this morning since it was 2 a.m.... the fever came back. He wasn't sure what he wanted. Well, okay I think what he wanted was for me to stand and rock him while he slept but the kid is 27+ pounds so that wasn't going to happen.

Eventually Max ended up in bed with me. He would toss fitfully trying to find a spot on the mattress that he was comfortable. After many irritated position changes he sat up, threw his body across my chest, snuzzled in and decided that would do quite nicely. He settled right down and proceeded to fall asleep. Um, great, now what to I do? He's asleep but I can't possibly sleep with him tucked under my chin. Then I realized...You know someday he'll be 13 and think I'm the devil and he will run screaming if I try to so much as hug him. I should enjoy this while it lasts. So did I let him stay there all night? Heck no! But I did let him stay a little longer and savored the moment. He's a sweet, cuddly boy. Hopefully on the mend soon!

Happy Holidays!

Which one has your vote for Christmas card photo? Hey, at least we have a sense of humor about it. Alex's mom was very sweet and offered to get a photo of us as a family. You can see how well that went.