Max & His Exersaurcer: A Love Hate Relationship

I highly recommend double clicking on these images to get the full effect. I'm not smart enough to figure out how to make them larger.

White Noise Averts Case of PTSD

As I mentioned in a previous blog, we have construction going on at our house. Specifically in our basement. We only have one story above this so as they've gotten into heavier construction I've had to find alternate locations for Max's naps. Lucky me, I have a kind sister and mother who live approximately 1 mile on either side of me. They have both opened up their homes for my use during the day. Still, there is no place like home.

This morning our contractor showed up at 8:30. Max's first nap is at 9:00 so I loaded him up and headed to Shelby's. She was just getting up for the day so Max and I visited with her while she put on her makeup and headed out the door. She works just around the corner (literally) so is able to get away with waking up at 8:30 to make it to work by 9:00. Lucky! Anyhow, Max went down but only slept for 45 minutes of his usual 2 hour nap.

From there it was back home to meet my aunt and her boyfriend who were picking up a shower stall out of our garage. The contractor had gone and there was a fan going in the basement so I figured he might be gone for the day to allow the cement to dry. Yippee!

After family cleared out I fed Max and he sweetly fell to sleep in my arms. ...Oh! What is that noise? Could it be? Yep, it's Mike the contractor puling in the driveway and he'd brought company. Well, I might as well try it. Ilaid Max in his crib and turned his white noise machine on full blast as well as the bathroom fan in the room next to him. Would it work?

He was out for 10 minutes when the pnuematic (?) nail guns started up. He started fussing and I thought the gig was up. I was going to have to load him up and head over to Shelby's only to start the nap routine all over again. However he quieted after 5 minutes of fussing and is now fast asleep. I cringe every time they whack, thump or drop something but the white noise seems to cover enough of the noise to allow Max to sleep. Perhaps this experience will set Max up for sleep in college dorms. Is there a Saint of White Noise? I shall send him a prayer of thanks tonight!

Nearly 5 Months....

I can hardly believe how the time is flying. Max will be 5 months on the 16th. Ever since I've gone back to work, the time has flown at a startling pace. Some evenings I only spend 45 minutes with him before he's ready for bed. Fortunately I'm still only working 3 days a week so those days are the exception to the rule.

What's new with Max....

-He's making crawling motions when he's on his belly. He draws his knees up and then strikes his legs out. He's not going anywhere yet but perhaps soon?

-During meal times he watches Alex and I intently and is fascinated by food. Tonight Alex put the empty spoon in his mouth and he eagerly sucked away. Max definitely gets that this whole meal thing is a process he would like to be a part of. We're going to attempt rice cereal next weekend.

-He's exploring with greater accuracy. Now when I place him in his car seat instead of screaming bloody murder he quietly explores his infant seat. He scratches his fingers on the cover above him, pulls at the handle, etc. I think I definitely prefer quiet exploration over screaming bloody murder. Call me crazy!

-Growing like a weed. Well, I guess that's not new. He's nearly outgrown his infant carrier. He's an inch from the top and weighs...plenty. Many of the tags on his clothes read "12 months". Which don't even get me started on how confusing sizing is amongst clothes makers. I could rant about that for days.

Most of all he's remaining a grogeous, sweet, genius child whom Alex and I are madly in love with!

The Honey Bucket is Back!

I wonder if the Honey Bucket company has a Frequent Renter's Club? If so we're on our way to qualifying. In July there was the infamous event where at 8 months pregnant I came home to discover Alex had torn out the bathroom and we were without facilities. His solution? "I can get you a bucket." And no, he wasn't initially referring to the portable outhouse variety. Anyhow, that story has made the rounds to the point where people I didn't tell it to will bring it up to me.

Alas, the Honey Bucket is back in our driveway. The reason this time? A basement remodel! We're taking our tired, musty basement space and turning it into a finished laundry room, family room, bedroom and bathroom. We will now have a moment of silence for the shag carpet and faux fire scene that were casualties of the remodel........

It's exciting to walk downstairs every day after work and see the progress. Today they cut up the cement floor to lay pipe. There is also a large hole by our back door where a well window will be. Of course all of this progress comes with inconveniences such as systems out of commission. Did I mention that we won't have heat this weekend? The duct work is in shambles. I hear that we'll be without water for a few days at some point. Will I be using the Honey Bucket? Not on your life! Max and I are checking in at Chez Mom's. Call me when the remodel is over!

Merry 1st Christmas, Max!

Max has certainly been enjoying the spoils of the day. Here he is on his brand new pony from Grandpa and Sue. Let's hope there isn't a red ryder bb gun to go with it next year. Ride 'em, cowboy!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Off The Charts

I've long hoped my son would be an overachiever. I didn't necessarily have his growth chart in mind but that will do. At Max's ped appointment today he charted out in the 90th percentile for weight and head circumfrence. He was "off the chart" for height.

She also noted that he's such a strong, active boy that she wouldn't be surprised to find him crawling at 6 months. I'm not sure whether this is good news or bad news. I clearly remember when Sydney learned to crawl. She always wanted down to crawl in the dirtiest of locations and would scream if her demands weren't met. Can't he just go straight to walking? It would be so much more sanitary! ;-)

4 Months: Age of the Live Wire

Max turned 4 months old this past Sunday and with that it seems, he has transitioned into a mexican jumping bean. Where a few weeks ago he would quietly knead the tablecloth in front of him, he now pulls the entire cloth on to his lap. When I lay him in his crib he quickly flips himself over in frustration and then becomes further enraged as he mauls the mattress with his slobbery face. During play time his arms and legs pump wildly like he's in an invisible johnny jump up. As he eats he's fascinated by sights behind him...in front of him...to his right...back behind in....no, in front....oh, no definitely to his left.....all this with a particularly sensitive part of my anatomy clenched between his lips. I didn't know it could stretch that far....and I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to.

We've got a live one!