Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Max was really into the spirit of things, he especially liked all the Christmas music. He completely wore out the cd that had Santa Town (Santa Claus is coming to Town), Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells - he wouldn't let us play a different one. We also had to carry this particular cd in the car everytime we got in and take it back in the house once we were home. On Christmas Eve I put the cd away - I couldn't take it anymore - and luckily he's only asked for it a few times. I tell him we will listen to it again next Christmas, he is still "singing" his favorite songs though :-) I wanted to share a few of pictures of him and his presents. He has loved them all and thankfully been playing with them. You just never know how they will react to something new, but he has really been enjoying them all. The tractor Santa brought him is still in the house and may be for awhile. He's a little scared of it when it moves, so for now he is content to climb on and off it and loading up the wagon with all his stuffed animals.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Opening presents with the grandparents! Nan made a mistake giving him this one first because we had a hard time getting him to focus on any of the others they brought!


The basketball goal from his grandparents has a been a HUGE hit for Max and daddy!

It's a GIRL!!!!

We had our ultrasound today and we are having a little girl! Scott said he knew it along, but I was skeptical, so it was a little shocking for me. We're really excited though, even Max is saying "Baby Sister!" The ultrasound showed that everything is progressing as it should be and she looks perfect! We've got two names we're tossing around, but we need to sleep on it I think :-)

Just wanted to share our news. I hope everyone is having a great day!

xoxo
Melissa

Enchanted Forest

We went to the Enchanted Forest Exhibit at the Pink
Palace Museum today with our friends Mrs. Hillery, Blake
and Nicholas. The boys had a great time looking at all the
pretty Christmas decorations and even got to see Santa!

Blake & Max sharing a little hug :-)


Max removed one of this poor snowman's arms,
but I got it back on before we were caught!




They had a really elaborate train set up that the
boys were FASCINATED with watching...

I think they could have stared at this train all day!

I'm not sure what this animal is, but Max

thought it was a zebra and here he is giving

the zebra a hug.

Nicholas & his big brother smiling pretty!

Max wasn't as happy as the other boys to

be sitting on Santa's lap...Look at his pitiful

face :-(

Enjoying candy canes after Santa!

Paci Free!!

I have good news! As of last Wed. afternoon little Max is paci free! I decided cold turkey was the best approach for him and so far, so GREAT! He has taken naps and slept the past two nights without it. He does ask for paci a lot during the day, but I just tell him, "There are no more paci's" and divert his attention to something else, then he's fine...until the next time he asks :-)

The picture is unrelated, but I thought it was cute!

Build-A-Bear

We took Max to Build-A-Bear today. He went once around this time last year and I think he enjoyed it more then. Today he was a little scared of the machine that "feeds" the bears or in our case, the monkey. He wasnted no part of stuffing the monkey or giving his new toy a bath - he preferred to stand back by the door and cry. Daddy and I enjoyed ourselves though :-) Once we had the finished product, complete with monkey sound effects, he was good to go. Then Santa Claus walked in and the freak out started all over again! Santa was fine at a distance, but Max had no desire to get close to him at all. At least now we know he doesn't want to sit on Santa's lap this year, we can save ourselves the time and trouble of standing in the long lines!

Halloween

We had a big night trick or treating last night! He loved wearing his costume and kept it on to hand out candy once we got home. During trick or treating he insisted on riding his tricycle, which he does by pushing his feet on the ground as opposed to pedaling. Halfway up our street, he was ready to walk and mommy and daddy ended up carrying the trike. He wasn't scared to go up to the houses, once he figured out that candy was waiting on the other side he would walk right up and say 'trick/treat' (he would leave out the 'or'). At a few houses our neighbors were on their porch, in those cases he would by-pass them and go straight for the basket of candy...Next year we will work on our manners :-) Today, we were at a birthday party that was outside. He walked up to the back door of the house while everyone was out, pressed his face to the glass saying "trick/treat!" I guess he thought someone might come out and give him candy. It was pretty cute!

Backyard Playtime

A few pictures of Max "mowing" and playing in the yard this
weekend. He was supposed to be helping daddy carve the
pumpkin, but it required him to sit still too long :-)

Max turns 2!!

We had Max's 2nd birthday party at the Children's Museum of Memphis Saturday the 4th. We were very lucky to have several friends join us and I think a good time was had by all! Here are a few pictures from the party.








Snacks with friends

Birthday hugs from Lilly!

Checking out the motorcycle with dad

Piloting the plane with Madeline

More Zoo Fun!

We went to the zoo again this morning with friends Bryce and Nick. Today Max got to try lollipops for the first time, which was a big hit! Here are a few pics of the candy experience.

Nick, Bryce and Max

Max is wondering if Bryce's lolli is better than his :-)

Just having a little fun on the canoe at the
Northwest Passage. Sometimes zoo fun has
nothing at all to do with the animals!

**If you ever want to see a closer shot of the pictures, just click on them!**

Zoo

Blake, Madeline & Max at the zoo!

It's hard enough getting three toddlers to sit still
(all are almost 2), getting them all to smile at the
same time is impossible!

Blake's giving a little grin here :-)

Max in motion - the only way he knows how to be!

We had a nice morning at the zoo. We got to see
the new baby giraffe. I'm not sure why it didn't occur
to me to take a picture of the sweet little baby, but
it just didn't. We also saw the polar bears wrestling
with each other and rode the train, but again I have
no pictures to show. I promise one day I will get better
at taking pictures!