Max's First Big Boy Party

Max went to his first 'big boy' party today. I guess it is funny that a one year old can be a 'big boy'. Our friends son, Nathan, will be four tomorrow so they had a party at this super cute little train place in Valley Park.

Max sat down in the circle with all the other kids, although he wasn't quite up to hitting the pinata with a baseball bat.

He also enjoyed some cupcake and then he got to play with the trains. I thought it might be over his head, but he really liked cruising around the track with his trains. His favorite train car was the Fed Ex one. I love the way his little tongue hangs out when he concentrates. He was happy as long as mom and dad were in eyesight.

Molars, toes, and grass, oh my!

What a busy couple weeks Max has had . . . I sure seem to say that a lot but it really is true. Yesterday we played peek a boo outside. He just gets more fun every day!

Max has finally cut two molars, I think he was working on them for three months. Now that they are through the drooling has slowed down lots - I think we only go through about two bibs a day now rather than six. The two that are through are both on the bottom, but I can also see one on the top that is just about to poke through soon. It seems like Max's teeth come in spurts, I guess his molars will be the same way.

The weather has be beautiful here the past few days. So nice, in fact, that Max was able to be a barefoot baby for the first time in quite a while just the other day. My mom came over to watch him for a bit so that I could go to the gym. When I got home she pointed out his toes . . . they looked awful! They were all red and raw and they were practically bleeding. I was shocked that I hadn't noticed this earlier! Although in my defense, the sore part is under his toes and Max is a master toe curler. It was so bad that I took him to the doctor on Thursday afternoon (we needed to get his ears checked to make sure he has recovered from his latest infection anyway). The doctor asked if he wears footy pajamas to bed, which he usually does. The doctor said that Max has a case of what he calls 'jammie toes'. I guess Max has some sweaty feet and since he likes to keep his toes curled the sweat was getting trapped and eating away at his skin at night - gross, I know. We have been putting Aquaphor on his toes twice a day and they are much better. As I type he is downstairs sleeping in a pair of foot free pajamas.

We have also done a bunch of yard work the last few days. Last night we tried to have Max play on the grass while we worked, but it turns out he doesn't like grass too much. I also think he was just sleepy, so he wasn't in the best of moods to begin with. Minutes after this pitiful picture, Max was taken in for bath time and bed. I think it was needed.

Ouch!

Max has had his first noticeable boo-boo. He was trying to climb on the little plastic rocking horse at daycare and he conked his eye on the handle. I know it isn't the best picture, but you can see his battle wound above his right eye. I am sure this is just the first of many that we will see over the next few months - or whenever her really decided to start walking!

Right now he has all the strength he needs to stand on his own and walk, but as soon as he realizes he isn't touching anything he falls flat on his tush. I am beginning to wonder if my little man will ever get there! He did great with cousin Bridget's push toys in CA, but he has no interest in pushing the similar toy we have here.

Max's new favorite thing is when mommy does the laundry. He gets so excited! He loves to play in the basket when it is empty and he finds it even more fun to pull everything out of it when I am trying to fold things. I turned around to get hangers and before I knew it Max had just about every single item strewn all over the floor! If only he could learn to put things back. . . now he is just obsessed with pulling things out. I am ashamed to admit it, but today he did the same thing with the trash can in his room. I guess I will be finding a new place for that!

We also had his one year check up before we left on our trip and I just realized I didn't update his stats on the blog. He was almost 32 inches (90th) and 22lb 14oz (50th). Our little man is long and lean! We have made the big switch to whole milk. Max has taken to it like a champ. I am still nursing once or twice a day, but I don't see that lasting too much longer. I think he is losing interest, so I have a feeling he will be finished within the next month or so. I still can't believe how much our little guy has changed. He never ceases to amaze me!

California Trip - Part II

Our vacation didn't end in San Francisco! We headed over to San Jose to spend some time with Brian's brothers family and celebrate our newest nephew's baptism. It was great to see the kids. Bridget is getting so big and Sean is so cute! Unfortunatly, we spent more time socializing than taking pictures, so we don't have much to post from this part of our trip. It was funny to watch Max try to play with her. Much of the time he wanted to do what she was doing. We have Bridet to thank for Max's new found ability to climb stairs. Unfortunatly, we weren't there long enough for her to teach him to get back down. . .

Max loved pushing her wagon and the two even took turns giving eachother rides! Too cute!

California Trip

We had a great time on our trip and our little man was a trooper! I had a bag filled with anything I could think of that might entertain him - tissue paper, bows, teethers, blocks, puzzles, books. . . and on and on. Max put just about everything to use on the plane. Between my mom and myself we were able to keep him fairly entertianed He did nap a bit and he was actually very good, but it was still just exhausting! He really wasn't too bad on his 1st plane right.

We flew into San Francisco and spent three days checking out the town. Cousin Butch moved there about a year ago and he played tour guide. We had a great time seeing the sights. Max had lots of firsts while we were gone. He had his first boat ride. We went over to Alcatraz on the ferry. Max and I stayed inside, but he seemed to lke the boat ride all the same. Max loves his 1st time at a prison. He even posed for a picture. Doesn't he look tough?

We also took some other pictures on the island.

Pictured below: Sarah and Max on Alcatrez Island with San Francisco in the background.

.
After checking out Alcatrez, we went off to see other stuff in San Francisco including Chinatown. We of course had to take the cable car to get there.

Lots of stuff to see there, and Carlotta is pictured with Butch infront of one of the many import shops located on Grant St.

Lots of stupid stuff to buy including wisdom hats, and no I didn't buy this hat, just wore it for the picture.

We also had to learn about the Cable Car operation at the Cable Car Museam. We learned how they work and the history of them. I found it quite interesting, but after 15 minutes Sarah wanted to go. However, Max and Sarah stopped for a quick photo on their way out.

We also hopped into the car and drove across the Golden Gate bridge to Muir Woods. Muir Woods is the largest redwood forest left in North America. It was so peaceful there.

On our last day in San Francisco we stopped by a city park called Twin Peaks. It apparently is the highest point in the city with fabulous views. We all enjoyed it except Max who stayed in the car catching up on some zzzz's.