Does anybody besides me..

realize that max has something in his mouth in about every picture we have taken of him?

Max's first Thanksgiving and Mom's gratitude

Yesterday, Brandon, Max, and I went power shopping for about 4 hours. Brandon and I had intended to buy ourselves something fun--neither one of us can recall when we bought something for ourselves--but of course we ended up just buying stuff for Max. Max got 4 books, 2 sets of blocks, the little hoop thing, a sweatshirt, and the Laughing Puppy.

One of the books Max got was called "On the Day You Were Born." I decided to read it to Max last night (we read a book every day--I really think Max will love to read because he seriously acts like he loves it. He holds the book with me, stares at the pictures, and smiles at me as I read.)

I ended up crying.

I know it's just a kid's book, but it really is such a powerful read. It's about all the love for a baby and how the world was just waiting for the baby to come.

After I read it, I wiped away the tears (of joy), I began feeding Max and rocking him to sleep. As I rocked him, I thought about just how much I love him, and how grateful I am to have him in my life.

I know it sounds so cheesey, but I feel like a better person because of Max. To an extent, I feel like a different person because of him. I never really thought that there was anything different between mothers and non-mothers, but there really is. I don't think someone who is not a mother can understand just how much love I have. And I'm not trying to belittle adoptive mothers or c-section mommies, but it just seems like the act of delivery itself is such a powerful moment, and my body and heart has been forever changed because of it. It's not just the physical and biological changes that have made me different, but I honestly feel like my heart and soul and spirit have changed. It's almost like I don't know if a non-mommy could ever really connect with me or understand me. I am so different now.

I love my Max. And I am grateful for my Max.

I loved holding him that very first time. I was so tired, so thirsty, so emotionally and physically drained. And even though my stomach was empty, my heart became so full of love for him.

I have loved watching him grow from a tiny little squirt to a miniature person.

I love holding him really tight against my chest and watching him sleep, his eyes closed and his little heart pounding very quietly in his chest.

I love reading to him. I hope he loves to read just like I do.

I love playing with him.

I live to see him smile, and there is no greater joy in my heart than hearing him laugh. My day has not been made until I see that little grin and hear that sweet little giggle.

Max has really made me learn to love more. And love better. I sincerely feel I am a better teacher because of him; I see each of my students now as some momma's baby, and I want to give that momma's baby the best because I know I want my own baby to have the best.

Happy first Thanksgiving, little buddy. Your momma loves you.

Yes.....

I know he's spoiled.

I realize I have a problem. I know I am spoiling him.

But I cannot stop.

I might need counseling.

Man, my parents are suckers

Word up, ladies. This is Max. I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need anything, let me know and I'll hook you up. Seriously. If I tell my parents I want something, or even indicate that I would remotely enjoy something, they run out and get it for me.

They bought me a multi-million dollar exersaucer last night. It was the most expensive saucer on the block. Since Mom's the sucker in the family, she was telling my Pops that I really needed it, and that it would flatter my hair and eyes. She wouldn't even let him look at the saucers that didn't at least cost triple digits.

Sucker.

So, let me know what you need, and Mr. Max can make it happen.

Love,
Mr. Max

Max on his parents

man, my mom is soooooooooooooooooooooo cooooooooooooooooooooooooooool.

dad is not.

love, max

Max is actually a pretty good kid

(Yes, mother, I know I have not posted anything substantial in quite a while. Fact is, I've been busy. Grades were due at the end of October, and then we had parent-teacher conferences last week. I actually had a couple of parents ask me how I do it all--being a new mother, a teacher at 2 schools, and still manage to do as much with the Latin Club as I do. I really don't know how. Sometimes I wonder if I am just skating by and doing everything just mediocre. I hope not.)

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Despite his many areas needing improvement (which include SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP--his sleeping habits are terrible--his constant drooling, poor table manners, lack of interest in learning algebra and Latin, his inability to clean up after himself and earn his keep in the house, etc.), Max is actually a pretty good kid.

I would even go so far as to say that I kinda like him.

Heck, I think I love him.

He's actually quite the friendly little booger. He's peaceful and patient (he got that from Brandon)--I took him with me to school yesterday, and he managed to stay there and entertain himself and also put up with all the idiots wanting to see him and gawk at him, and he did not throw a single BF.

He's gonna be smart. With me as his mother and Brandon as his father, he has to be. I know it's really early, but I think I can already see his intelligence starting to poke through. He's constantly observing things; he likes to walk around with me throughout the house--he sits on my hip now so he can face forward--and he just watches very peacefully everything I do. When I get a glass of water, he watches me open the cupboard, get the glass, turn on the faucet, fill the glass, and then he watches as I drink it. It's actually fun to watch him watch me.

He's always happy. I love listening to him laugh. He has so many different laughs--squeals, giggles, and full-blown rolling-on-the-floor laughs.

And he makes me happy. I'm pretty sure I smile more with Max around. In fact, at parent-teacher conferences, another parent was asking how I manage being a new mom and teaching, and I said that I am just really happy with where I am now. He replied, "You look it--I can tell."

I am happy. Never been happier.

The past two days have been really nice because it has just been me and Max. He's so different from the way he was during the summer (when he was just born) when it was just me and him--I don't know if it sounds bad to say this or not, but I enjoy my time with him more now than I did. I think it's because he has so much personality now. He's such a little person, and it's so much more fun--and certainly more rewarding--being with him.

I think he loves me, too.

Max's thoughts on food

I like bananers. B-a-n-a-n-a-s. I like to say bananers.

Sweet pataters are ok.

Carrots are ok.

That is all.

Except I am really looking forward to eating pizza, popcorn, and ice cream.