License to walk

He's not walking completely on his own yet, but he's wide open with his little push cart!

This was taken last week sometime and he's actally gotten a lot more independent now.  He does it all on his own until he runs into something, then he looks around for some help.  He just needs to learn to steer!  He LOVES walking and is so happy every time he spies his little cart.  

Ten months old

Month ten was a rocky one, but we definitely came out on top!  After struggling with reflux issues, we finally made some headway there which made everything else a lot better!  Now he's so much more calm and content, just like he was before we started down the reflux path!  

Poor fella.  As a reminder to myself, Prevacid is magical, but ONLY when given properly.  Don't let anyone talk you into compounding it and make sure you give it on an empty stomach 30 minutes before eating.  If you don't do those things, it will not work and the reflux will be worse than it was before you started on the medicine.  Max, I'm sorry it took me so long to figure out how to make it work, but I'm really glad that you are feeling SO MUCH better!  

Compounded Prevacid will not only make reflux worse, it will also make your baby not want to eat.  That's when you know something is wrong with Max.  He LOVES to eat!   

This month he tried a lot of new things - mostly combinations of things and foods that we were eating.  He ate a LOT of berries and melon this month.  He is starting to be a bit pickier - leaving behind the green beans or peas when there are fruit or carrots available.  He also started on some formula and is doing great!  We're still nursing too but it's so freeing to know that it's not all on me.  He won't take the hypoallergenic stuff, but he seems to be tolerating Good Start quite well.  I am so VERY thankful!  We're cutting back on milk during the day in favor of more solids, finally.  He's down to 10 ounces or so during the day at school and 3 good meals.  I'm still sending his lunch to school until we're sure where we stand with the milk and soy issues, which we'll test a bit once we are sure the formula isn't causing any issues.  

He hasn't had an official weight check since his 9 month checkup but the scale at home says he's not gained any weight in the last month.  He's gotten a fair bit longer though, so I guess he's just stretching out!

His biggest accomplishment this month was definitely learning how to walk around (while holding on to things of course).   He's also able to get up the steps!  We've never let him get past the first one but I'm pretty sure he could do them all if he was left alone long enough!

This new mobility has allowed him access to so many things he couldn't reach before.  Namely, Jack's toys.  It's caused a few "arguments" and definitely made Jack a bit more protective of his things, but we're learning that toys are meant to be shared, even with little brothers.  He LOVES unloading the cabinets in the kitchen.  This was also Jack's favorite pastime at this age.  The mess makes Kenny a little crazy, but it keeps Max quiet and happy for a pretty good chunk of time, so it's ok by me!

He's really good at saying Da Da, but hasn't yet uttered his first Ma Ma.  Isn't that always the way?  It's ok Max, you keep smiling like this at me, and I won't complain!

He's such a sweet baby.  He just smiles and giggles all the time and you actually very rarely hear more than a little babble or giggle.  Unless his reflux is acting up.  Then all bets are off and screaming will likely ensue.  

Kenny takes both kids to school and carries Max inside in the carrier on his chest.  Max just smiles and throws his arms up at all of his teachers.  He gets so excited.  It's wonderful to know he loves being there so much!  

Formula has really helped with his sleeping too.  He is still often up once a night but is easy to get back down.  Earlier in the month there were nights he was up 3 and 4 times just screaming.  He still loves being rocked and he loves for you to stroke his hair while you rock him to sleep.  I love snuggling babies to sleep and know these days are numbered.  I know you are supposed to put babies to bed awake, but you only get to rock them for such a short period of time, I just can't bring myself to give it up.  Jack goes to sleep without being rocked, so clearly they do figure out how to go to sleep without eventually.

He loves playing with his music table, that Jack never cared much for, and anything else that makes sound or lights up.  He also loves banging on things and if there's music on, he's usually dancing and grinning.  He's a complete joy and he's getting so big.  It's so much fun watching him learn but our baby days are clearly numbered so I'm trying to squeeze all I can out of them!  

A Fantastic 4th!

We had a really busy, but fun-filled 4th of July!  It was a hot one here, but most are I suppose and it didn't seem to bother anyone too much.

We were so excited to have the O'Donnells in town for the holiday weekend!  Friday night after work, they came over, along with Grandma, and we tried a bbq place we'd never tried before since our favorite was closed for a big move down the street.  

After a bit of fun outside and filling our bellies everyone went home except Emory who stayed to spend the night with Jack - Jack's very first sleepover in his room!  Emory was so sweet to do this for Jack and Jack was in heaven having Emory with him.  Emory even got to try his tongue at reading Fox in Socks!  He did great!

The next morning the boys had breakfast before Ellie and Grandma came over.  Look at those red heads!

Then it was off to the Farmer's Market.  We go most every weekend and thought Emory and Ellie might enjoy it too.  

Jack had his usual treat - a blueberry muffin and a juice box...

Emory and Ellie had lemon-limeades.  They even shared!

Then it was off to the River for some fun.  We walked and talked and threw rocks and made bridges.  It was a lot of fun, as usual!

After naps it was time to head to Tammy and Dante's house for a pool party!  Are you tired yet?  I told you it was a FUN-FILLED weekend!   

The next day we headed out to the Pearson's house on the river.  We've heard a lot about this place but had never been so we were so excited to get to go.  My camera died shortly after we got there so I only got a few pictures, but it was a perfect afternoon.  Hot, but so much fun.  Jack LOVED every second of it.  They have a log cabin that has one huge room with lots of bunk beds and foutons.  I took Jack in to find the bathroom and he stopped and said "Momma, this is AMAZING!  Look at all these beds!"  It really is pretty amazing, Jack!


More amazing than the beds though - was the boat ride that Uncle Eddie took him on.  His very first.  I thought he'd panic at the thought...but he was itching to go!  He loved it!  

Max enjoyed waiting with Grandma on the shore...

We had a lot more fun there but my camera died, so that's all I can show you.  You'll have to take my word for it!  Thanks for inviting us Pearsons!

We finally made it to the 4th!  Our neighborhood (well, Grams and Gramps' neighborhood really, but we pretend it is ours too on the 4th)  has the cutest little kids parade in the morning, so Jack got to be in that!  It was right in the middle of Max's naptime, so he didn't get to go this year, but hopefully next year they can both be in it!

On your mark...

Get set...

 

GO!

Then enjoy a snow cone for your efforts...

That afternoon we had some hotdogs with Grams and Gramps and the boys serenaded us.  Max was really playing that piano hard!

The only thing missing was fireworks...and we actually did see some of those.  Sunday night, as we headed home from our afternoon with the Pearsons, we forgot about the big Brown's Island fireworks show and I got off the highway to cut through town and ran smack dab into all the traffic.  It took us about 2 hours to make a 30 minute trip, but we ended up with a fantastic view of the fireworks from the car!  Jack wasn't all too keen on them so I was happy we hadn't gone out of our way (or at least not on purpose?) for them.   Max slept right through them.  

It was a wonderful weekend!