20 months old

I'll admit from the start, this month was a blur!  Max is such an easy going little guy (at least when he's not sick) that sometimes I think I pay less attention just because he so rarely demands it.  That being said, he can throw a tantrum when he wants to, don't get me wrong.  The nice part about his tantrums, as compared to Jack's at this age, are that Max is totally over it in about 30 seconds.  He will rattle your ear drums for a bit, but then he's just over it and on to the next thing.  Jack was much ore persistent. :)

We moved right in the middle of Max's 20th month which meant lots of packing and closing chaos in the first half and unpacking and furniture buying in the 2nd half.  But Max did really well with the move.  He never really skipped a beat and has taken to the new space and yard as though it has always been ours.

Eating continues to go well.  He's no real fan of milk but does love water.  He gets plenty of calcium from yogurt and such so I don't really worry about it, but he's definitely different from Jack in that way. Jack still guzzles milk!  His faves are probably berries and yogurt, though he really will try most anything.  He also loves peanut butter apply butter sandwiches,  fish sticks and any fruit really.  

He still isn't talking a lot but he did at least start trying to say new words this month.  He says down or off a lot when he wants down from his chair or his shoes off or something like that that he needs.  He tries a lot of words.  A lot of them sound alike to me so I have to try a few before I get it right usually but he'll nod or shake his head in response so we figure it out eventually at least!

The ball fascination continues, though he seems to be taking a little rest from it.  He still loves them but does not need to hold one at all times.  He seems to be starting to take interest in dinosaurs and of course, still loves his animals.  I think books may have taken the lead this month.  He's always loved them and "read" a lot, but this month it seemed that was about all he ever wanted to do.  He'll come find you with a book in his hand and work really hard to get you to sit on the floor so he can get in your lap.  THen he mostly wants you to ask "where is the ....." and he'll point to it, as fast as he can.  It's pretty cute, but he wants you to do it for the same book over and over and over.  I'll admit it gets a little trying at times but he loves it so much it's hard to resist.  

He and Jack continue to be the best of friends.   Sure, there are times when Jack gets mad because Max knocked over his legos or whatever, but for the most part, they just want to be wherever the other is.  I often hear them giggling together when I'm in the kitchen cooking or something and can't see them and I swear, it's the most beautiful sound.  I love them both to pieces and love how they are becoming such good friends.

I love you sweet Max.  And I promise to pay more attention this month! :)!  Thanks for being such a trooper through the move.

New digs

We survived the great move of 2012...and are almost unpacked.  It wasn't easy or pretty or all that much fun, but in reality, it didn't go bad at all.  We could not have done it without a LOT of help from our families - THANK YOU!!!  I'm not sure how one moves small children without grandparents!

We're tired, but loving our new space and great new neighborhood.  Not that the old neighborhood wasn't great, because it really was, but this one is too and we're really excited to have new places to explore and new friends to meet!

19 months old

19 months!?  I'm not at all sure where that last month went, but it probably has something to do with the fact that we're knee-deep in the chaos of moving.  I hope it'll all be over soon and I can get back to just watching these boys learn to live life.  I much prefer that to negotiating inspection reports and mortgage applications.  I really hope we like the new house because I tell you what, I'm not sure I'm EVER moving again.


Anyway, Max Oliver...

See that smile?  He wears it most of the time.  He's a happy kid and so very independent.  He's not the snuggler that Jack is, at all.  I am lucky to get a total of 2 minutes of snuggling a day.  Jack however, would snuggle with me for 2 hours a day if I wanted.  That's good though - it's nice having them want and need different things from us.


He's really trying to talk more.  I'm pretty sure you'd have no idea what he was saying if you heard him, but we can make out most of his words.  Many of them sound alike so you really have to consider the context.  Most of them also sound German with a thick "ich" on the end.  I've definitely got a little German blood coursing through my veins, so maybe he just got a hefty dose of it, I don't know.  He also signs more, please and thank you.  It's pretty cute, I must admit, though I sometimes think he doesn't even try to say them because he knows how cute it is!  


I do think he looks more like me than Jack does.  Jack definitely favors Kenny and Max favors me a bit more.  He got his first freckles this month and I couldn't be more excited.  I LOVE FRECKLES!  He's got just a couple on his nose.  Super cute.

This was the month the boys really started playing with each other.  They'll chase each other around the house squealing and play catch or Jack will help Max with his puzzles.  Of course, there are times when Jack wants Max to leave him alone and Max doesn't understand, but for the most part, they are still really getting along great.  

Max can hold his own, for sure, which is good!

Max is a really good eater, and always has been, but this month he got really adventurous.  He wants pretty much anything on my plate.  And I always let him try it.  This month he had several dishes I thought would be way too spicy for him, but he gobbled them up.  He doesn't love everything he tries but he loves to try it all.  Jack's exactly the opposite, so I'm reveling in this.  Getting Jack to try ANYTHING is a challenge.  He also figured out that Jack often gets a treat after dinner and started asking for his own.  Jack only gets one if he finishes his dinner - that's the part Max didn't get.  So it's often a battle, but he'll understand it soon enough.


He still uses the paci but he's much less dependent on it.  In fact, I probably offer it to him more than he asks for it.  I still need it sometimes I guess...and I think that will end when he's talking more and grunting less.  Or less frustrated that he can't communicate clearly.  I get tired of the "eh eh eh" and whining sometimes  and will offer it to him for my own sanity.  I should probably stop, though the pediatrician said she loved pacis for everyone's mental health, so I don't feel too bad about it!  If you ask him for it, he'll take it out of his mouth and give it to you and most of the time, he doesn't even ask for it during the day.  I still let him have it at nap and bedtime and he seems to still want it then, but it's definitely fading.  

He continues to love school.  We have conferences next week and I can't wait to hear how they think he's doing.  He definitely acts like he owns the place, just like Jack does, but I love that they have that confidence there and feel so comfortable.  I know I've said it a million times, but I'm just so thankful for our daycare situation.   I really think it is a perfect fit for us.


The fascination with balls has not let up.  Not one bit.  He can't really go anywhere without one.  He often even sleeps with one.  I think we have about 25, not at all exaggerating, in our toy basket and he gets them all out most every day.  He throws them and kicks them but also just carries them around.

I think this month was really about independence.  He's not wanting help with things and he's realizing how much he can do on his own.  He used to always want to sit in my lap and read books and now he wants to just sit in the floor with the books and me nearby but not in my lap. He wants to do anything Jack is doing but without help.  It's challenging at times because he's not quite the big boy he thinks he is or wants to be, but he's getting there...faster than I'd like!  Love you Max!  

Easter

We had a lovely Easter, filled with eggs and candy and sunshine and family!  Just the way it should be.  

Saturday, after a little meltdown about how Jack wanted TODAY to BE EASTER we went to Maymont for their Family Easter event...however, as with most family fun events in this city, we found it packed and a little overwhelming.  So, we ditched the crowd and just enjoyed the park and the sunshine.  I forgot the camera, so there aren't any pictures, but I'm doubtful there would have been time for any.  Max was wide open and we were down in the Japanese Garden which is full of opportunities for Max to jump in ponds and such, so it was a little bit tense, but they loved it.  It was a perfect day and the Italian Garden was in full bloom.  It really was gorgeous.  


Sunday, it was FINALLY Easter and Jack was beside himself with excitement!  The Easter Bunny had enjoyed his little snack of carrots Jack left him and hid a few eggs for the boys to hunt.  

To my surprise, Max figured out exactly what it was all about and was in on the hunting in no time!

Then it was off to Grams and Gramps' for dyeing eggs and breakfast and a hunt!  ANd baskets full of goodies of course!

After Jack mixed us up some Bloody Marys, it was time for the dyeing to begin!

Jack was very confused about the word dyeing.  He thought it was like dying and was a little apprehensive.  But that didn't last long!

Then, it was time for the great hunt!  Jack wanted to hide them AND find them!  

We only lost a *few* eggs.  Jack threw one in the "ivies" and despite raking and hunting for quite some time, it didn't turn back up.  Grams found another in the hose bin a week or so later.  Oh well, that's part of the fun!  It couldn't have been a prettier day to be outside enjoying Springtime!


After a good nap, it was off to Grandma's for more fun and of course, more Easter goodies!

Then it was back outside at her house for soaking up a little more of that lovely weather.   I'm pretty sure Kenny spent most of his childhood outdoors, and I love sunshine like nothing else, so these kids get it honest, but I tell you what, they are so very happy outside, no matter what you are doing. 

This picture just makes me laugh...it was REALLY sunny and Jack hates sun in his eyes but his sunglasses seem to get on his nerves too, so he does this a lot.  

Spiderman bubbles!  What could be better?

And Grandma has EVERY ball and hoop and net and racket and contraption you might want to play ball under the sun...just look...
This one is too tall...

 This one is too short!

This one is probably just right!  

 So, his nose. :(  He fell at Grams and Gramps and scraped up his nose really good. I was running with him and just didn't catch him fast enough and cannot wait for it to heal so the knot in my stomach that comes up every time I look at it will subside.  A week later, it's much better and it was not at all deep so I'm hoping it won't scar.  Ugh.  I wished wished wished I had just been 2 seconds faster.  He fussed for a minute and then was over it and has been a great patient dealing with me coating it in various salves all week.  I'm sorry Max.  I really am.

I love this picture of Grandma...she loves nothing more than playing with her boys...well, and Ellie, when she's in town too of course!

And then we moved on to baseball..I told you she had everything.  

What a PERFECT day (well, except for Max's little fall)!  Hope it was just as lovely where you are and the Easter Bunny brought you lots of treats!