Max: A Portrait at 8 Months

New favorite hobbies: Almost-but-not-quite crawling. He's got the moves down--and it's really quite hysterical to see him get his little booty in the air and rock it back and forth--but he's still sorta just skotting himself along. He's also trying desperately to say "hi" and is now learning how to clap his hands.

Other likes: Laughing and smiling. He's got to be the smiliest baby out there.

Major dislikes: Honestly, I can't think of anything he isn't happy to do. For that, we're grateful.

Favorite foods: Peas (still), macaroni, but I would have to say his new favorite food is this organic chicken and wild rice. I try to buy him as much organic stuff as possible, but there's really not that much out there, and this chicken and rice concoction is probably his fav.

Least favorite food: Probably carrots still. But there was something he was eating the other day that he made really gross faces with and I just can't remember what it was.

Things he likes to do to drive Dad and especially Mom crazy: Flipping over while getting his diaper changed. We've resorted to giving him a toy while he's getting his diaper changed (and usually it's just one of his shoes--ha), but he still flips over a lot. Not funny when it's a poopie we're cleaning up. Also, really loves to drop his titties behind the crib. The kid has a hoard of titties--no kidding--underneath his crib, and they're all in one neatly formed pile.

Favorite toy: He loves pretty much anything he can stick in his mouth. This morning he took my paper plate and had tons of fun with that. Hopefully he will always have such simple needs.

Favorite musicians: Obviously, he loves Dolly. But we recently discovered that he loves Jack Johnson, too. He loves to dance to music. Brandon is working to get him to listen to Ozzy. Mom has obviously vetoed that--if I made him change out of his Ozzy shirt the day Max was born, does he think I'm gonna let him brainwash my child with that filth after he's born?

Comfort zone: Momma's bosom. Max has taken a real liking to falling asleep in bed between Mom and Dad (see previous post).

Sleeping habits: OK, but not perfect. He generally is asleep between 6-7 pm, and for some reason he has been waking around 10. We are making him cry it out (which I hate, but I know we have to do if he's ever going to sleep on his own), and it takes him a little bit. He is always up by 5-6:30 am. Man, I wish he would sleep in!

Bad habit: He's a belly sleeper. As hard as Brandon and I tried to make him sleep on his back, and he did for a very long time (hence the reason he has a flat head), Max has discovered that he likes to sleep on his belly. There's no stopping him now, so I am even more paranoid about him sleeping now.

Bath time: He seems to enjoy it more, especially now that he can sit up in the tub and play with his toys. Not as tortuous experience as it used to be.

Btoh Brandon and I are completely amazed at how fast these 8 months have gone by. It seems like just yesterday I was walking 90 minutes a day to get him out (!!!) and then was surprised at my 2 am water breaking, but it also seems like forever ago. And both of us never cease to be amazed by how much we grow to love Max more and more each day.

Houston, I think we have a problem

Max fell asleep in bed with me the other day. It was completely unexpected--he was messing around and laughing and then all of a sudden he falls asleep in my arms and took a 40 minute nap. Brandon and I both thought it was soooooooooooooo cute.

Sooooooooooooooooo wrong.

Kinda reminds me of when we first got Shelley. The very first night we got her, Shelley hopped up in bed with us and we just thought it was the sweetest thing that this formerly abused dog (she used to submit and put her head down any time we tried to pet her) wanted to cuddle with us in bed.

It's been almost 6 years since that first night with Shelley, and she hasn't left the bed yet.

So anyway, Max might be getting ready to pull a Shelley. He's had a couple of naps in bed with us since that first one, and I am afraid it is starting to become a habit. A bad habit.

But he just looks so cute when he cuddles next to me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dear Momma,

Will you be my special Valentine?

Love,

The Mister Max

Max's First Vote!

Today Max was a super big helper. He accompanied me to the voting precinct and helped me cast our vote for...................................

Hillary.

I mean, Max is a ladies man, and he's got a thing for, well, let's just say it rhymes with "kitties." He even beats his friend Brendan if Brendan gets a little too close to his "kitty." So Max decided (and I approved) that since Hillary is a lady and has some kitties that we should vote for her.

The end.

Max and Mom's First Snow Day!

School was cancelled today because we got lots of snow (8.5 inches), and so I got to stay home with The Max.

It was actually quite uneventful. Max napped for 3 hours--lazy butt--and I did some online activities for my students, cleaned a bit, and watched tv. We didn't go anywhere because I have no idea where my car is under all that snow, and I really don't want to have to tote a 7 month old out in -879387592 degree weather and over half a foot of snow.

But still, it was nice. Really wish I could do it more.