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!