Thirteen months old

Oh what fun this month was!  Max learned how to sleep all night, twirl around in circles, walk backwards and got to start eating dairy (yes, that meant Momma got to eat dairy again too - yipppeeee!)!  He's been all smiles for the most part, with the exception of a few bumps in the road with dropping the sippy cup and learning to like milk.He's such a little boy now, and not so much a baby.  As usual, that's very bittersweet.  While so excited to see who they will become and what they will learn next, I hate seeing them get so big so fast!  


This picture is so Max!  I'm not even sure I can describe why, but it's his personality to a "T."
 He's so playful and smiley, but he definitely is not afraid of a little mischievous activity either.  He is afraid of nothing, and so very very curious.  It could be a challenging combination!  but he keeps us all smiling and giggling, for sure!

We finally weaned from all nursing at about 12.5 months.  It was hard for us both actually, but we were ready I think and I'm so very glad that we waited until we were both ready.  I have so much I could say about nursing.  It's so hard and so amazing all at the same time.  I struggled at several points and almost gave up, but Max never really let me.  I'm glad he got to nurse as long as he wanted.  I do think next time, if there is a next time, I'll probably start formula a little earlier but continue to nurse as well.  But we'll see..what works for one doesn't work for another.  Jack never wanted to nurse at all and was on formula completely by 2 months old.  I don't regret that, as I think that's what he needed and clearly, he's turned out great.  But I'm very thankful for the time I had nursing Max.  We went straight to sippy cups and whole milk at 12 months, and it didn't go well at all.  Jack had no trouble giving up the bottle, so I hadn't really expected Max would either, but he did.  He wouldn't drink anything for a few days.  We tried every cup and the only thing that worked was Jack's straw cup, but even then, he'd only take a few sips.  Eventually, and with a lot of help from his teachers at school, he seemed to figure it all out.  About that time, we realized going all in with the whole milk was causing some tummy issues, so we backed off and mixed formula with whole milk or soy for a few weeks, just to get him acclimated.  We introduced yogurt, which went great and now, at 13 months, he's doing pretty well with milk.  He's still not loving it, like Jack does, and would definitely prefer juice, but he's taking it.  He has not yet given up his nighttime bottle.  It is just too easy.  He sucks it down and goes right to bed.  We're mixing whole milk and formula in there and we'll wait for his cues to cut that one out I think.  One step at a time!


He's sleeping all night almost every night.  Once in a while we have to go in and put his paci back in, but it's rare.  It's so nice!  He's also down to one nap which works well with our schedule on the weekends.  Some days, both boys are asleep for the same 3 hours and it's nice and quiet in the house!  Other days Max crashes early and is up about the time Jack is going down, but we'll get there!

He's still mostly into eating fruit, but is getting a bit more adventurous. We'll thank Mr. Glenn's cooking at school for that!  He gets to try so many new things there and seems to take to most of them very well.  His faves at home are grapes, peanut butter apple butter sandwiches, bananas, yogurt, corn and applesauce.  He's also in love with raisins and eats those for snack all the time.  He is also very interested in whatever Jack is eating.  That's not that many things, mind you, as Jack is a very picky eater, but whatever Jack has, Max is insistent he needs!  Jack is usually amenable to giving his food away as it means less that he has to eat...

 They are so cute together.  Max was here without Jack for a little while last week while Jack went to the fair with Grams and Gramps and Max was so lost.  Jack is so very sweet to him, it's no wonder Max loves him.  Jack is always looking out for him and teaching him to do play with his toys.  Jack shares everything with him, and the few things that we worry about Max choking on, Jack is happy to play with in his room.  It's VERY rare that I hear Jack complain abut Max taking something of him, but it does happen on occassion.  Jack's very good about offering Max something else though, and then taking his toy back.  I really really hope this isn't just a phase, though I know it can't always be so perfect...


Max LOVES balls - he is constantly chasing one around or giving it to you to throw to him.  It doesn't really matter which one, any will do.  He loves going up the steps and as soon as the gate is open, he's running towards it trying to sneak in.  He still loves the toys that light up or make sounds.  If it plays music, even better, he'll stop what he's doing and dance!  He's not interested in tv really, unless there's a song on.  


He doesn't have any new words, but he surely knows how to communicate what he wants.  He will come in the kitchen and stand near the counter where the drying rack is and just squeal, until I get him a pacifier.  He knows that's where they live!  He'll stand near the cabinet where the raisins are too and try to get it open.   In the evenings when we go upstairs for baths, he'll go right in the bathroom and head for the drawer with the bath toys in it and wait for someone to open it so he can throw the toys into the bath.  You have to watch out, or he'll throw his shoes and anything else he can find in there too! 


Max is full of life and spunk and smiles...it doesn't get any better than watching him take control of his world.  He's gonna live right up to his name it seems...watch out world, here comes MAX!  We love you sweet pea!