I have been scared to post this but I think that I can officially say now Max is no longer in the crib. Max has been in a toddler bed for 2 weeks and even successfully stayed in his bed while I was away which I knew was the true test. Apparently he really just was not ready for the switch last July and I was probably to blame a lot for that. I see other kids his age that are doing so much and unfortunately I pushed and it ended in tears for us all involved. But this time has been seamless and it goes to show that now really was the right time.
We have made a good bedtime routine and this time I didn't add the rails back on. They are awkward and didn't serve any purpose.
This is how I found him at the end of the night. Pretty often he ends up on the floor with his face right in the humidifier. What a stinkin' cute kid!
I have been gone for a while because I have had a lot of overtime two weeks ago and I just got home yesterday from a conference in Tulsa. Needless to say the blog has been pushed aside. Plus I'm not going to lie I often wonder if my sister and and girlfriend Christie are the only people who read this thing. So here is for anybody who happens by. Max finally got his school pictures back last week. They aren't my favorite cause he isn't his usual smiley self but here it is. And it will be forever marked as Maxwell's first year of school!
I can not believe that these kids are 3! I love how they are getting older and playing together more.This is from a play date that they had about a week ago. Kacee and Nicholas are even learning to sign with Max which makes me very happy. I feel like the Toy Story song "You've got a Friend in Me" should be playing as the sound track for this post. Cheesy but I love it! Things are pretty much the same for us though. I'm taking sign language classes, Jeff and I are working, Max loves school and therapy oh and we got a new car. I love it, it's a Jeep Compass. We wanted to wait to get another car for a little longer but the Altima died and went and went to a better place. But we are coming up on my two FAVORITE seasons. Fall and Winter are fantastic with so many fun things to do, so I'll kepp you posted.
"Up to bat we have number 20, Maxwell Brown!" (screaming, cheering, high fives all around)
Maxwell started baseball yesterday as the newest member of the Dodgers with the Miracle League. He was in rare form and being a bit (a lot) obstinate. Several parents made me feel better to know that this is normal for him to act like this and loose interest after a while. Well loose interest he did! At one point he wouldn't stop crying until he got to have his juice, while at 3rd base might I add. He was overwhelmed which is understandable but I think it will be a really be good for him to learn something with structure and meet new friends.
My mom and dad went and so did Nanny! My mom isn't what you may call techno savvy but she did her best and thankfully got Maxwell's first at bat. Thanks mom!!!
You will notice the hat only made it for about half of the game. The two girls were his helpers/volunteers. Daddy was out there since it was his first time trying to show him what to do.
This is that point where we hit a brick wall that I was telling you about. We were playing 3rd base and got tired so we took a juice break while we played.
After the game Papa gave Maxwell a piggy back ride to the car. He was so exhausted from all of the hard playing that didn't even want to walk anymore.
Yesterday Jeff and I took Max to the Oklahoma Railway Museum for A Day Out With Thomas. We got to meet Sir Tophum Hatt, take a ride on Thomas, see a ventriloquist and play with trains. Max had not had a nap so at times he was a little grumpy but overall he enjoyed it. Once we got off the train Max was pooped so we went home where he caught some zzz's in the car. Jeff also forced him to walk everywhere to work on building his stamina so he had a work out!
Hello Thomas!
Maxwell was awestruck by all of the little things especially the rocks.
Daddy Made Max walk almost everywhere we went. It made me feel bad for him when he fell a few times but Jeff is right because he does need to build his stamina.
I tried to cheat the system and take a picture too instead of paying for one. Karma on me cause the photo turned out fuzzy, oops.
Max was getting restless while we waited for the train to go so I let him take a picture. I'm pretty sure I have the next Annie Leibovitz
I have come to realize that just because I want to take a cute family picture doesn't mean that I get what I want. Apparently taking pictures of Max (or Jeff) are based on how they feel that moment. Clearly this was not a moment where he wanted a picture taken.
I know that I am behind on my blogging. Lately has been a lot of the same. Max is loving school and I can see improvements all the time. He is still going to equestrian therapy every other week and Dusty has become one of his new best friends. Also Max starts baseball with the Miracle League next week. To tell you the truth I think Jeff might be excited about that one too. Seeing as how baseball season is about to come to an end. Some of you may remember that either I or my girlfriend Christie has made a video to remember the past year with my favorite person. These are really more for me than anything. I love remember the great times and the hard times. This has been a year full of firsts. firsts steps, first haircut, first time using a spoon and so much more. A year of ups and downs that I wouldn't change for anything. Sorry for my hiatus but it has been for a good cause because I have been working on this...
There are only 20 days a year that I can ever say I'm married to an older man. As of yesterday Jeff turned 28 and I am the younger woman in his life. As Jeff and I both are getting older it seems that birthdays have lost some of the excitement that they used to carry. Maybe because we work hard and have a 3 year old, or maybe this is how it is. I like to think it is because we are busy people though. The day started off unfortunately for Jeff early since Max had an eye appointment and everything looks good from what the doctor could tell. After dropping Max off at school Jeff and I headed home for a nap, interrupted but nice. After we picked up Maxwell we went and had a tasty Mexican lunch at Ted's. Then Jeff got his gifts. I got him tickets to see Weezer coming up in October, a mini fridge for his office and a toaster. The man wont have to leave his office to do anything but go to the bathroom, oh yeah and work. Max and I went up to his work with his favorite meal of chili and Maxwell's present for daddy. Then we headed home and I made a pit stop. Jeff said he didn't want a cake or anything but I know him pretty well to know he is lying especially since we were standing in Jeff's most hated place, Walmart. I knew all he wanted to do was get out of there. Since he wouldn't decide he got 2. Yes I made him 2 desserts since he wouldn't pick!!! All in all it wasn't bad. No crazy surprise trip to Hawaii but who knows maybe next year.
Max and I had to put together the last touch of his gift to daddy.
I asked Max what he wanted to name it. I said "want to name him Sherman?" he shook his head no and just kept saying, "Dada."
The finished product!
Chili picnic with daddy!
Helping daddy open his present. I let Max pick the stuff that went in. I was surprised he picked a baseball book, he bought daddy some candy and of course the gnome for daddy's office. Daddy has now named him Winkle Bottom.
And in true Jeff and Max fashion Winkle Bottom ended up with his hat stuck in Maxwell's nose!
Maxwell is officially a horse lover! A girlfriend of mine called me last month and was telling me about a place she was volunteering. Coffee Creek Riding Center is a non profit therapeutic riding center for people who are handicap and special needs. Max went in today for his evaluation to make sure that he would get along with the horses and wont be afraid. Unfortunately I have been sick with a virus and had to sit out and get the report back. Apparently when the workers took Max to brush the horse Jeff was able to follow behind. While brushing he kept saying "on, on" and according to the workers that was a pretty big surprise as most kids are a little nervous at first. Of course Max loves animals and thanks to Yaya for having big dogs that Max has always been around. Needless to say Max did great at his evaluation and will be receiving horse therapy every other week. Thank goodness the workers reminded Jeff to grab the camera and take a picture.
My fabulous and talented friend Christie took Maxwell's 3 year pictures yesterday. We went out to my dads house and took some pictures with his classic Ford and other goodies I found around his shop. She got some great shots , but of course I'm bias.
School started yesterday on Friday and it was a bittersweet moment. Max and I have been preparing for this switch for a long time and I cant believe we made it here. Maxwell is starting school early so it seems like time is flying by even faster than it should. We met his teacher Mrs Hopkins on Wednesday during enrollment and he played while we talked to her. Then Friday we got up a little to early not knowing how long we would need. Fed Max breakfast and got him dressed to go in his new 1st day of school clothes, then we waited watching TV until it was time to go. We thought we gave ourselves plenty of time but clearly made a rookie mistake and didn't realize how crazy drop off would be or that every other parent was walking there child to class. We made it just in the nick of time. Who knew that parent drop off would be so crazy. Cars parked on the main street, parking behind other cars in spaces, in fire lanes and straight up turn on their hazard lights and stopping at the entrance. I thought Jeff was about to go postal on someone! Then came the moment I had been anticipating... leaving Max at school. We walked in he went straight to the toys and to explore. We took him to his own little cubby with his name and put away his little backpack. I told the teacher I was going to sneak away so he wouldn't get upset thinking he would cry for me and miss me.... uh no. Not even a little. Not that I wanted him to freak but a tear or two would have made me feel a little better. Once we were at the car and on the way I tried to get Jeff to turn around so I could check on him. He was clearly having an easier time with this change and just laughed at me. After drop off Jeff and I went and ate breakfast. It was nice spending time together and not worrying about cutting up someones food and even getting to eat my food hot. Who knew it tasted better that way! Jeff and I picked up the movie Rio for Max to celebrate his first day too. Two and a half hours later it was time to pick up my sweet boy. We waited in the line my camera ready. Then I saw my big boy holding the aides hand toddling with his backpack on and I almost lost it! I got out of the car walking to him forgetting I wanted to take a picture of him. He was smiling ear to ear and saw Jeff and I and began to giggle. I think it is safe to say the first day went great. I will say that I;m not used to not getting feed back about each day. This is going to be a major adjustment since I have been at every therapy session and mother's day out would tell us all about his day at pick up. I guess I have to trust that he is doing ok and working hard. Just wish I knew for sure. Next week will be big because he has school everyday which is new and a new schedule. Wish us luck!
Killing time before we leave for school.
I snuck a picture of him through the door. It's hard to see but he is in the back near his teacher Mrs Hopkins.
This is when I almost lost it. This is after I hurried back to the car for the camera as I shook myself out of my teary eyed fog. He didn't wear his backpack in because it was so full of supplies when we went to school so this was the first I saw the whole picture of him looking so studious. He looked so grown up walking out holding the aides hand with that big backpack. I'm getting teary remembering it again...
Here is to a fantastic beginning to the school year!
