Happy Haunting!

You cant tell but we met up with Maxwell's friend Nicholas before got going. And yes, that is Jeff behind the boys. Max didn't want to stay put. He did a pretty fantastic job hiding.

Halloween and October in general is the kickoff to the best time of the year. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, New Years and end it off with Jeff and I's anniversary. Whew! That's a ton of fun right there. So needless to say Halloween was great and what made it even better was that Jeff took off from work so he could go trick or treating with us. The finale for us was trick or treating in Downtown Edmond like we have done each year. This was the best year yet! Max made it walking for about half the time and in the stroller to end it. For the first time we made each stop and Maxwell did really good signing "candy please" and "thank you." After going Downtown we met up with Max's friend Nicholas for a picture and went around to a few houses. Also this year was the first year for Max to have major input on his costume and I was so excited to find a great deal. I'm sad to see this holiday go but I have already switched the decorations in the house for Thanksgiving and have started circling yummy recipes.

Storybook Forest

Sunday was a busy day! I worked and while I was gone Jeff took Max to the nursing home in his costume so he could see Granny Lawana. After that was Max's last baseball game which was bittersweet. Jeff wants Max to do Spring ball too. I was apprehensive because Max hasn't been doing exactly great. He looses interest quickly and doesn't completely understand what is going. Jeff makes a good point though. He wants Max to know that he cant just give up and the other parents have been really supportive. After that  Jeff and I took Max to Lake Arcadia for an annual event that they put on called Storybook Forest. It's a great alternative to scary things and it is just another reason for Max to dress up in his costume. I was so proud of what I found. Max was Buzz Lightyear! And I was able to find a high quality costume for just over $20 on Ebay, go me! Max did fantastic and Jeff and I really need a good drama/scream free outing. Just to get in the gate traffic was backed up an hour. Which turned out okay because since Max had baseball he was so tired. He was able to get about 45 minutes of sleep in which really helped. Then we stood in line for about 45 minutes and walked the trail and played games. He made it great the entire time and I couldn't be happier. He has been a handful lately and this was a refreshing trip. It is a definite must next year!!!

Just before we left for infinity and beyond!

 That awesome nap I was talking about. Daddy had his music, I had a book and Max had a nap. Not to shabby!

 Waiting in line.

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater story and my personal favorite stop.

Slight Change in Plans.

I had such grand plans for Saturday. I had some different Halloween activities planned and wanted to end the night with carving pumpkins. All that we accomplished was one little thing. After I thought more about carving pumpkins I decided that although it may be fun to let Max dig seeds out of the pumpkin Jeff and I didn't want to deal with the mess and Max doesn't exactly stay on task well. So we decided to let Max paint his pumpkin. He liked it just the same so I consider it a win!

Llamas and Hay Rides and Pumpkins, Oh My!

We took Max to Chester's Pumpkin Patch last Thursday. He loved the animals and the actual hay ride but being a 3 year old he definitely switches moods on a whim. We made it an hour and a half and then we went out for lunch. I was a nice day out too which made for a nicer day.

We started at the petting zoo. Unfortunately they ran out of food right on our turn so we just went inside any way.

 Max was sick of waiting in line for the Hayride and I was sure the ride was going to be terrible, but thankfully it was one of his favorite parts.

 We went back to the petting zoo when they got more feed and I'm glad we did because Max really enjoyed that part.

 Clearly someone got a little hungry.

Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!!!

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!

Psst, Is this thing on?

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!

The Round Up Gang!

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.

Batter Up!

"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.

A Day Out With Thomas

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.

Maxwell's 3rd Video

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...