Road Trip

Doesn't Max look super cute in his little Mizzou shirt? Today Max, my mom and I took a short little road trip to Columbia. We visited my cousin Anna at Mizzou. Max was a trooper in the car, in fact he slept nearly the whole way there. However when we got there he wasn't being much of a trooper - he was cranky!! We walked around campus and Anna told us all about her home away from home. Towards the end of our visit Max finally perked up a bit and he was an angle on the drive home.

Party Day

We were lucky enough to celebrate Max's birthday this afternoon. The festivities began with the presentation of a pretzel in the shape of giant two. Since we love Gus' it seemed very fitting. The pretzel was hit with everyone, especially with a melted cheese dip to go with it.

Max had a great time playing with his cousins. One of his favorite games is hide and seek. I am always 'it' while Max hides around the house. I make a huge production of searching for him, although he always hides in the same places. Today I got a break from being 'it' while Max's cousins took over searching for him. His favorite hiding place today was in between the storm door and the real door.

Since the cupcake-cake went so well last year we decided to go for another one this year. Max wasn't too sure about the singing, but he sure loved digging into his cupcake.

After cake Max opened his presents, or more accurately we opened his presents while he played with other things - like Nonna's camera. He did wear his cool new Mizzou shirt and Cardinals hat for a few minutes - he looked like such a big boy!

Every time I look at our little man I am reminded of how much he is growing up. Before we know it he will be in pre-school and then kindergarten. I just want to enjoy every moment that we have together - he is such a little miracle!

Happy Birthday To Max!

I can't believe that our baby is two. Where has the last two years gone? As I rocked him tonight, I couldn't help but think of where we were two years ago. Time has flown by and I can't believe how much joy and laughter Max has brought to our lives. Every moment with him is a blessing and we feel so fortunate that we get to watch him grow and learn. Each day I learn much more from him than I ever thought possible. Here are just a few random thoughts I have had this year. . .

• Ear tubes are a good thing - no more ear infections!

• Learning to walk is a process. . . so is learning to talk.

• I can make some really great choo-choo sounds.

• Raffi and fridge dj make the car a fun place to be, at least for Max.

• You can find great deals on Craig's List - we love our train table!

• Lego's are really, really loud!Adjustable waist pants are one of the best inventions of all time - too bad they don't come in adult sizes.

• Gymboree Play and Music is worth the money, even if Brian thinks it is fluff.

Being a working mom is really, really hard - but then again, so is staying at home.

• Every toddler (or at least every parent) needs a steerable tricycle.

Footy PJ's are a bad thing - at least for a boy with sweaty feet.

• Seasame Street is like toddler crack.

• Sticking to a sleep schedule is easier on everyone.

• As Max gets older it is tougher, and tougher to get a good picture.

• Emptying silverware from the dishwasher is fun, if you are two.

• Every family should have a minivan - power sliding doors are up there with adjustable waist pants.

Little kid playgrounds are not nearly as appealing as the big kid part.

• Kids feet can grow crazy fast - Max's poor toes were smushed for a long time before I realized it.

Overnight diapers save on a lot of laundry - and a lot of cranky mornings.

• Sam's has the words best wipes - and they are cheap!

• Brian can make a great horse.




• We have the world's most laid back pets.

• Being a mom has made me a better teacher.



• I am still the luckiest girl alive!

Sick Day

It has been a while since I have posted. We have been a busy little family. Nature slowed us down a bit last week because Max had a cold. He and I stayed home on Thursday for a nice quite day of snuggling on the couch, playing with lots of puzzles, and coloring some pictures. He wasn't nearly as sick as he was over Thanksgiving, thank goodness, but he just wasn't himself. After a quiet day home with mom he was all set to go back to day care on Friday. He is just about all better now. . . just in time to go out for dinner with his cousins last night and celebrate daddy's birthday with my family tonight.

Hard to believe that in just under a month we will be celebrating Max's second birthday. Where have the last two years gone!?

Like Father, Like Son

Okay, I am going to begin by saying that this picture was totally unprovoked. Brian got his Money Magazine in the mail the other day and after he read it he left it on the table. Max found it and was enthralled. He sat in his little chair and 'read' it from cover to cover. Brian tried to explain the graphs to him, but he wasn't too interested :) I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Happy New Year!

Our 2010 is off to a great start. Brian and I have both greatly enjoyed our holidays and the time off work. We are both back to work tomorrow, so Max will be back to day care. The past few days of our break have been pretty uneventful. Max spent quality time with daddy playing Wii. Max would swing and get all excited when the character on tv swung too. He didn't realize that only daddy was actually affecting the game.

He also spent some quality time with Chewy, the cat. Every day after nap Max would have a bit of milk along with a snack. One day he decided to sit on the cat to enjoy his snack. The funny thing is that the cat didn't seem too fazed by this.

Last, but not least, Max spent time in his new playroom (AKA our dining room). We have officially given in and turned the dining room into a playroom. We moved all the furniture downstairs and now the room is home to all of Max's toys including his new train table! We were able to find one on Criagslist a week or so ago and Max has loved playing with it. He does get a bit frustrated with it sometimes, but he is getting the hang of it. He really seems to be enjoying it.

ZOOmagination Station

We are making the most of our time off with Max. Today we headed out to the zoo to meet Ms. Gina for a 'community' speech therapy session. We met at the ZOOmagination Station in the Living World. We had a great time! It is a very child friendly, hands on, exhibit that is perfect for toddlers to explore. Max played with the Arctic animals at the water table. He also hung out with daddy in the bear's cave. I think the hit of the whole thing was the house. Max ran in and closed all the doors and shutters so no one else could come in . . . good thing it was a little snowy this morning and there was only one other child there. Max also put his creative side to work at the craft table. He colored, glued, and dotted a beautiful masterpiece that is proudly on display in our kitchen. Max loved squeezing the glue bottle, but I drew the line at the glitter. I'm sure we will be back again for more exploration soon.