Apple PIcking

Max had a big day today! We went apple picking at Eckert's farm. Nonna joined us for the trek to Illinois. It was a fun time. We started off at the petting zoo area. Max treated the animals as if they were big cats. He wasn't scared at all and we even heard a real cow moo. The cow makes a better moo sound than I do.

Once he had his fill of the animals we headed to the tractor for our ride out to the orchard. Max thought that the ride was a lot of fun. He couldn't take his eyes off the driver the entire time.

I have never been apple picking before, and I was surprised at how cute the little apple trees were. Max didn't quite get the idea of picking the apples off the tree, but he loved putting them into the bags.

After we filled our apple bags, we rode the tractor back to the farm. Max sat with his Nonna and enjoyed the view.

Max was determined to take one look at the animals. This time he wanted to get even closer - he actually stuck his head through the fence. It was too cute!

Our Little Reader

Our little man loves to read. When I brought him home from the sitters he must have brought me five different books to read. We sit in the rocker and read story after story. Max doesn’t say much about his books he just sits and listens. I think his favorites are the How Does a Dinosaur books. I don’t think they are too bad either. Max has even learned which way the book goes. If I hand it to him upside down he turns it right side up.

We also had our intake with a representative from Missouri’s First Steps program. She asked us lots of questions about what Max can do and what he cannot. She felt that his language skills were delayed enough that it warrants a screening from a speech and language specialist. They should be contacting me within the next few days to complete a formal evaluation of Max’s skills. Based on what the specialist finds, Max may or may not receive services. We will just have to wait and see. We just want to make sure that if Max needs help we get it for him!

Hair Cut/Cards Game

What a busy day we have had. Max has been looking pretty shaggy lately. His hair is still pretty thin, but it was getting long! This morning Max had his first appointment with Great-Aunt Carmelina. Nonno even came up to watch. Max was excited to climb up in the big chair.

He was not as excited when Aunt Carm tried to put on the cape. He wanted nothing to do with it. So we compromised, he sat there showing his belly to the world while Aunt Carm cut his hair. We had to bribe him with a Tootsie pop to get him to sit still. He didn't eat it afterward, though. I don't think he even realized it was candy. But it did the trick and kept him occupied while Aunt Carm did her job. He did a pretty good job, all in all. The finished product was worth it. He really does look like my little 'man' now! No more mullet - yea!

This afternoon Max had another fun first. I had the opportunity to get free baseball tickets through work, so we took Max to the game. We got there just as things were beginning. Max had lots of fun people watching for the first 20 minutes or so, then it began to go down hill. We were able to keep him entertained until the beginning of the fourth inning. We then said good bye to my coworkers and headed over the family area. Max had more fun running around there than he did watching the game. No big surprise there. All in all it was great day for everyone!

Labor Day

We had a very fun weekend with our little guy. It was finally nice enough today that we headed to the playground - one of Max's favorite places! Tonight we went to my parents for dinner. Max had a grand old time, playing ball with the dogs, throwing mulch, and digging through ice in the cooler - all things that would entertain any 17 month old.

When we got home we brought out the tricycle that we bought for Max on craigslist. It has a handle for the parent to push. We hadn't tried it out yet, but Max loved it! He couldn't reach the peddles, but that didn't seems to bother him. We rode up and down the alley for a while before heading inside for bath time. I still can't get over how quickly he is growing!