Bubble Heads

In my previous post there is a picture of Max with bubbles on his head. Noelle and I were looking at some old pictures and came across one of her at the same age in the same bubble situation. I have to post the similar pictures to all you people out there that say Max doesn't look like Noelle. Of course there are some differences, but the similarities are very visible.

She's back...

Thursday, my Mom came down to visit us. We hung out with the kids, playing in the pool and having fun. Friday morning Granma and Noelle packed up and were off, headed to St. Clair. My Mom wanted to spend some time with Noelle while visiting her parents and sisters. I was hesitant for a millisecond when she asked if she could take Noelle with her! I knew I would miss her, but I always knew she would have a great time. As soon as they left, I felt lost! It was so quite and calm. I had no little person to talk to. No one to whine at me and talk back. I was able to take a shower without someone barging in the bathroom and throwing back the shower curtain. Max and I were able to clean up the house and have some really nice Mommy time. Tom and I looked forward to a great night sleep. Well, Maximilian had other plans and decided to scream most of the night, not being comforted by me or anything else. Tom was able to sleep in while I tended to our little teething terror. After we were up and ready we headed out to look at some carpet for the basement. We enjoyed meandering around not having to worry about an inquisitive tot reaching her limit far before we actually were finished. We were also able to clean the carpets and rearrange the furniture, a very productive day for us!

While Noelle was away she enjoyed being the center of everyone's attention. My Aunt Barb and her family were up from Texas, along with my Grandparents and two more Aunts that were around, all fawned over Noelle. She went swimming in my Aunt's pool and in the St. Clair River. She was kept busy every day and was even able to skip nap time. She was very well behaved, we were told, and never even asked about us!

Sunday morning we headed to St. Clair to enjoy our fourth straight year viewing the Off Shore Boat Races, and also to get our little Noelle. I couldn't wait to see her and wrap my arms around her little body. It was a wonderful break we all needed and it was great that my family was able to spend so much time with Noelle.

Over at my Grandparents condo food, family, and friends were plentiful. There was no shortage of arms that loved to embrace the little man and he loved it too! Max ended up being so exhausted he fell asleep on my cousin Lindsay (pictured below). The races started a few hours late, having to wait for the freighters to go through, but that didn't seem to bother anyone much. We all loved talking and eating! There is nothing better than catching up with family and friends we haven't seen in awhile.

On the way home both children were exhausted. We ran into horrific traffic and there was a lot of crying and whining from not only the children! We finally made it home safe and only semi-frazzled! Noelle saw the new arrangement of furniture and twirled around exclaiming "This is so awesome!". She was very happy to be back at her home base.
We are back to normal and just having an enjoyable week taking it easy and playing.

Professional Pictures

These are the proofs without any enhancements...enjoy:

County Fair

The weekend started out wonderful. Friday evening Tom made me an appointment for a manicure and pedicure. Two full hours of pampering and adult conversation, without any children. It was heaven. Of course, Noelle and Max were very well behaved and Tom was even able to get Max to drink some formula from a cup! It was just the quick getaway I needed to recharge.

On Saturday we went for some pictures. Noelle actually allowed me, with minimal argument, to put a few curls in her hair. Because of the early morning rising Max was able to nurse, eat breakfast, go down for a nap and nurse again all before we left. He was in a great mood and was all smiles. Noelle loved the dress she was in and posed well for the photographer. Once the picture was taken it appeared on the near by monitor and that was a big hit for Noelle. "Look, it's me. I so petty!!". The kids posed well together and we had so many great shots to choose from! I will share them once they are emailed to me

Sunday Noelle was up very early and was extremely cranky and irritable during the day. We were able to go out for ice cream in the afternoon. Cotton Candy flavor seemed just the right ticket to cheer her up!

Somewhere between Sunday morning and evening Max suffered a scratch across his cheek. It was a fairly good one and it began to get very red and a bit swollen. Noelle and I "doctored it up". She was such a great helper, gently using a cotton swab to dab on peroxide and then spreading on the antibiotic cream. She sang to him and kept him occupied as she helped. It was a truly precious big sister moment. Yesterday (Tuesday) when Tom arrived home from work we packed up the kids and headed to the Lenawee County Fair (yee-haw). Tom and I instantly felt very old as we walked around and were surrounded by teenagers. They looked so young! A decade ago we were them and in a decade Noelle with be them. How strange is that? Anyways, we hit up the pony ride first. Noelle intently held onto her horse and loved the ride. Onto the animal barns we went, enjoying horses, pigs, sheep, cow, rabbits, and goats. We all had a good time. Max just sat back and watched the action go by. We did not go on any true carnival rides. Being married to an engineer whom scrutinizes and hypothesises about the integrity of the steel takes away from the fun!

Tomorrow Granma is coming to spend the night. She is then taking Noelle to St. Clair with her on Friday for a possible two night stay! We are attending the annual off shore power boat races on Sunday and will pick her up then. If things don't go well, we will head to the trial runs for the race on Saturday. It will be nice to spend some time alone with Max and Tom, although I will miss my little stinker. This morning while eating Lucky Charms I explained that she had to eat both the marshmallows and the cereal. The response was, "My belly needs the marshmallows so badly. It doesn't like the cereal at all." Two days without little things like that will be tough, but I think we both need a little bit of separation!

Sleep Deprived

Sleep? What the heck is that again? I can't seem to remember. It's a sad day when both children are awake and ready to go before Tom leaves for work at 6:30am.

Maximilian is in full teething mode, I think. He has been sleeping worse than a newborn, waking up screaming many times during the night The only thing that seems to comfort him is being in bed with my arms around him. Yes, it's sweet and I'm sure it's a Kodak moment from the outside. Inside I'm swearing and cussing as I'm being hit and kicked every two seconds. Max is a mover in his sleep, he likes to scrape and hit my face while kicking me in the gut. It's plenty fun, can't you tell? Hopefully we will have break through of teeth soon and things will settle down. Maybe if I keep writing that and telling myself then it will be true!

Yesterday I took both kids to the store. Max was in the front and Noelle walked with me and slowly helped push the cart. Everything at her level in the aisle were up for grabs and I kept hearing "I really love this (being something random like rice)Mommy, can we please get some?". I would ask her what it is and she would respond usually with, "I don't know but if we buy it I can try it." Very logically but sorry I'm not going to buy a 50lb. bag of rice or weird condiments. She did con me into a new giant Thomas The Tank Engine coloring book and more crayons. I'm a sucker for the "I be a good girl for this Mommy".
It was Max's first time sitting in the front. I didn't hear a peep from him the whole time. He wrapped his little arm around a ball I bought for him and watched every thing go by. If only I had silence like that from Noelle. Oh, I remember those days of yore, where a her voice had not been found! I better cherish the time where Max cannot talk back, demand, or con me into things.

Saturday we are finally getting some pictures of the kids done. I hope both are in good spirits and we get some more sleep. Today, Max suffered a fall out with a giant crayon coin bank, hopefully the face wound is healed by Saturday. If he only stayed still and some fear of edges and corners things would be fine. I'm not used to this bully boy, or as Noelle calls him "Mr. Ruffian."

Aunt Ceecee Again!

Aunt Ceecee came to visit again. We decided to take the children to the petting farm not too far away. Noelle was so excited and woke up saying "I'm ready to go!". She started the "Are we there yet?" questions on the way. Diversion tactics, like searching for things along our drive, seem to help with all the questions. The animals were super friendly and Noelle was ecstatic. Both Charlotte and I love animals so we were equally enthusiastic about the adventure. We had one little mishap where a little goat jumped on Noelle and knocked her glasses off. She was very upset, but soon after another animal distracted her. Noelle found a big pregnant cow and without fear went right up to her and gave a very loud, "MOOOOOO!". The cow looked at her and mooed right back. It made Noelle jump and run to us with a sort of nervous laughter coming from her, it was a highlight talked about for awhile! Max's eyes started to get very puffy and bloodshot so I decided to get him out of the barn while Noelle and Charlotte went on the wagon ride. I'm not sure if he has some sort of allergies, but he looked like a little raccoon with a red mask!

Friday night Tom and I put the children to bed then went to a 9pm movie. It has been over a year since we stepped foot in a movie theater. That is pretty sad. We enjoyed being among the outside world! We saw Hancock, and it was okay, but the movie didn't matter as much as the fact we were out! Charlotte had her hands full at home! Max decided to start screaming and that made Noelle wake up. Luckily, Charlotte understands the kids well and knew to just let Max scream while periodically checking on him and to let Noelle escape the screaming by falling asleep in our bed. It's wonderful knowing that she can handle any situation with the kids without panicking and stressing over things. Too bad she didn't live even closer and was able to visit once a week!

On Saturday, Noelle and Charlotte went shopping together. It was the first time since being in the hospital that Tom and I have spent quality alone time with Max! He is such a bull, going right through things and not around them. He isn't officially crawling but can do about three to four feet of real crawling then fall on his face! It won't be long now. He is also pulling himself up on everything, even in the slippery bathtub his determination to stand was shocking us. His aggression towards things is hilarious. Noelle would delicately pick something up. Max smacks at it, puts a death grip on the object then whips it! He is not content in one spot and is constantly acquiring another scrape or bruise because of his lack of fear and need to move along to something else.
This week we have nothing much going on, enjoying the warm weather and taking it easy.

Five Years Ago Today...

July 10, 2003 was our first date. Five months later, on December 10th, Tom proposed to me. December 18, 2004 we were married. Noelle was born on December 21, 2005 and Maximilian on December 31, 2007. What a whirlwind since that first date a mere five years ago. Even though December has been an important month in our lives I will never forget July 10th either.

The first time I met Tom at John E. Green was nothing special. Because of his lack of hair I just assumed he was 40 or something after our very brief introduction during my first day of work. I learned soon that he was close to my age and we started to hang out at lunch together. The thought of dating him never entered my mind during that time. Then one day we both were asked to drop something off at another company's office. Upon leaving Tom had the gull to comment on how attractive the receptionist was. I was appalled. Being much more slim and used to getting positive attention from guys, I couldn't believe he would comment about another girl and show me not the slightest bit of interest. I was annoyed and vowed to make him notice me.


That was right before the Fourth of July and I didn't see him for a few days after that incident. When we were all back together at work, I flirted with him unmercifully during lunch and tried to "strut my stuff" while walking past his office. He showed no interest, and was sometimes down right rude to me! The nerve of him!

I had had enough of my failed attempts at flirting and worked up the courage to ask him out to a movie. Yes, that's right, I asked him out. I causally asked and I will never ever forget his answer. With a slight shrug of his shoulders, as if my questions didn't merit his full attention, he says, "Sure I'll go to the movies with you." That was it, a nonchalant "Sure", one that sounded like he was doing me the favor. I felt like I was just some random girl not worth that of a confident and enthusiastic "Yes!".

He picked me up and we instantly connected on the drive to the theater. While sitting in our seats (waiting for The Italian Job to start) I expected an offer for a drink and some popcorn but none came. That was a big strike against Tom for I am a lover of movie theater popcorn drenched in greasy, fattening butter. I sat there knowing he was a gentlemen because he had opened the car doors and paid for my ticket, but baffled by the lack of an offer. I gave him the benefit of the doubt hoping that maybe he was banking on taking me out to dinner afterward. That was what happened. We went to a nice dinner at Bennigan's and talked about everything. There were no awkward silences just a true connection that both of us felt instantly.

It wasn't love at first site, but love on first date! We are celebrating by going out to a movie tomorrow night. Because of Max's nursing habits we cannot do dinner and a movie for the length of time would be too long (oh, how life has changed in five years!!), but a movie will be wonderful.

Average Joe

Today was Maximilian's six month doctor appointment. He weighs in at a whopping 17 lbs. 8 oz., and 27 1/4"!! His weight is at the 50th percentile and length is at the 75th percentile!! His pee sized head is just under the 25th percentile...no lollipop baby boy for us!

While talking to the doctor Max did his usual spit up thing. She asked if this was then norm for him and I said yes. She continued to say around this age the amount that he spits up is not normal. I never questioned it because most babies do spit up. I didn't want to be one of those mother's that thinks their baby spits up so much and it really isn't much. Apparently, Max does spit up a lot! Because he is gaining weight very well and doesn't fuss about it, it's not a big problem. She wrote me a prescription and hopefully it helps. Everything else checked out great.

Upon leaving the doctor's off this is the conversation Noelle and I have:

Noelle spots a convertible and asks: "Why that car have no top, Mommy?"
Mom: "It's called a convertible."
Noelle: "I want one. Can Daddy buy us one, please?"
Mom: "We don't need another car, we have two already."
About a 30 second pause then Noelle says: "I no need one. It doesn't have a top and we will get wet when we go to the car wash."

I have a feeling this logic will not hold up when she is 16.

Lots of Pictures, Lots of Fun

Wednesday I loaded up the kiddos and headed to visit my sister who was house sitting for one of my aunts. Upon arrival we were greeted by a visiting guest, a little kitten named Cloud. Noelle was so excited and dove to the ground to play with him. They chased each other around the house, Noelle squealing with delight. She told me "I want a yittle kitty like this!". She was able to easily pick him up. Although she tried to be gentle, poor Cloud was squeezed around his torso and wriggled and whined to get out of Noelle's death like grip.
It was a little cooler than I had anticipated, but we decided to jump into the pool anyways. After only a few minutes Noelle was shaking like a leaf and had to get out muttering, "I'm so c-c-cold.". Her second attempt she wanted in Max's little float device. She kicked her way around the pool without getting too cold. Within minutes of leaving both children were soundly sleeping, wiped out from the fun and sun.
Independence Day was spent doing nothing particularly special. Tom hurt his back (apparently, 29 is the new geriatric age!) and has needed to take it very easy over the past week. Noelle had no idea what the day meant but happily went around shouting, "Happy Fourth of July". In the evening we attempted the use of sparklers with Noelle. She did surprisingly well, obeying all of our directions. It was still light due to the fact we were not going to let her stay up past her bedtime of 8pm!

Saturday we decided to try out a park in Tecumseh. The night before we had mentioned going to a park and in the morning I asked Tom, "Do you still want to go to the p-a-r-k?". Noelle instantly responded, "Let's go to the park, please!". Spelling words to avoid her knowing what is going on is starting not to work. She can pick up context clues and figure them out, darn. Anyways, we did go and it was a very nice park. The children enjoyed the swings and play area.
After the park we headed for some ice cream. I gave Max a very very little bit and he screamed for more. He lunged at my spoon and before I could stop him, grabbed hold and fed himself! The cycle of screaming for ice cream continued. We were all laughing at his out spoken reaction. "Him love ice cream Mommy." Noelle remarked.

Today, Sunday was a lazy day. We stayed in and played with the children all day long. Noelle has taken to a new book/song, The Five Little Monkeys. She absolutely enjoys singing and reading the book over and over and shakes her finger during the part where the doctor says, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed."

Well that it is for now. I hope you enjoyed all the pictures and had a good Holiday weekend as well.

Half A Year....

Maximilian Charles is more enchanting and fun than ever at six months of age. I've read that we are entering the "Kodak months" where babies are at their most delicious! He smiles on cue and I can't seem to take enough pictures of the adorable moments I see.
He spends all of his waking moments, when he's not glued to my hip, on the floor trying to lunge forward at any and everything. Nothing is immune to his "grabby hands", as we refer to them. He's grabbing noses, beards (Tom's of course), and eyeglasses of anyone who gets near. Poor Noelle will go in for a loving hug and scream out in pain as he clenches his fist around a lock of her hair or rips her glasses of her face. After a death grip is had he brings it quickly to his teething mouth. I mentioned when he turned five months that Max had two teeth that I thought were coming through. I was wrong. He has one that I believe is now working it's way to the surface but hasn't popped up. His gums are swollen, tender and red so it will be only a short while before his first pearly white chomper makes it's appearance.
Max "talks" to me almost constantly, responding to my kisses and tickling with squeals and "ahhs!" like a delighted little king. He is insanely ticklish giving a deep giggle when I just brush any part of his body. Noelle would usually smile and sometimes laugh when tickled. Max laughs uncontrollably when you make a mention of tickling him.

Crawling is just around the corner, I can feel it. Max moves around on his stomach in circles and can thrust himself forward if mad enough. The longer I let him cry and stew on the ground the farther he gets on his own. Noelle was content to be in her sitting position and play with her given toys. Max seems to throw the toys and then try and chase after them. When he can't get them it seems he has a fit about it.
He eats like a sumo wrestler. Everything new we try is loved. He reaches out for the spoon and tries to feed himself, sucking every last drop off the spoon. I have not braved meats yet, but every vegetable and fruit has been a pure success.
Formula, on the other hand is an utter disaster. Yes, I still nurse but I wanted to add some formula here and there to open up some free time, much needed Mommy Time. I hate to pump so it's the next best thing. He will not take a bottle at all and gives me a look as if saying, "No way Mom, that is not even close to what I want. Don't even try, I'll just scream and refuse to drink it!". Tom also has had no such luck. Formula in a cup is rejected the same way.

We are looking forward to the coming months with Max and Noelle, as they are sure to become a tag team of trouble. If Noelle is anything like her mother, she will convice Max to get into all kinds of mischief, while denying all responsibility!