Max's Birthday

I cannot believe that it has been over a year since I gave birth to the sweetest, most huggable boy I could have imagined. The year has been a crazy one and one of the most challenging I have ever faced, but I can't imagined how I ever survived without Maxie and I am looking forward to another year of being a mommy times two.

In honor of my Max-asarous, here are twelve reasons to love him:
1)He is really so huggable. He loves to bury his face in my neck and squeeze and it is the one thing that is sure to turn my frown immediately upside down.
2)He eats anything! Hailey was always super picky, but Max asked for table food at 11 months and hasn't turned down much since.
3)His nose scrunching snort face (see past blog video) is still the funniest thing I have ever seen. He only does it occasionally now, but when he busts it out I am immediately laughing.
4)Max is so sociable and will let anyone hold him. I am his favorite, but he is willing to give anyone a try :)
5)He gave up his bottles with no problem, after I stressed out about the transition for months!
6)He loves Hailey even though she isn't good at sharing and tends to be grabby with toys. He knows she is just trying to toughen him up :)
7)His favorite game is currently run away from Mommy, which is no fun for me but has provided hours of amusement for others.
8)He has a solid little soul. He never seems frantic or in a hurry, which is a nice contrast to his sister who never walks and literally bounces from place to place. Like her mother, Hailey is incapable of sitting still, but Max is our little rock.
9)He said momma before Da Da :) Hehe
10)He loves his riding toys, so I am sure he is going to be a cowboy when he grows up. His face is so cute when he rocks or bounces!
11)Though sweet and solid, he is no pushover. He puts up with Hailey's pushing and grabbing, but he has a limit and he fights back when necessary. Hailey is on borrowed time until Max catches up with her :)
12)And finally, because he is the best surprise I have ever had and my favorite little man in the world. I look into his sweet blue eyes and know how momma's boys are created and can't imagine how I ever let him grow up so fast. My baby is gone and toddler-hood is on the horizon. I miss my baby Max and I am going to have to figure out a way to stop calling him that!

Thank you Max, for putting up with me cranky and impatient and always giving me hugs when I ask.

MIA

Well, I am back after another LONG absence and I can only say that I have been lazy and embarrassed, and that is why I haven't blogged. You know how procrastinators(such as me) will put something off and then we become embarrassed that it has been too long and then avoid even more than we were before, well that is what happened to my blog. I haven't had pictures and Cam's new job has been a difficult adjustment and my life hasn't been sparkly or fun very often and I hate writing yucky blogs. I will try harder, and I do have a new camera (thanks to a VERY generous influx of money from the inlaws :), so here is a little picture montage of the last month. :)

One of the first pics taken with the new camera of my mom and the kids. They love their Nauni!


Here is a picture of the kids cleaning. I am a slave driver! ;)


Our sad Charlie Brown tree. We are not a big Christmas decorating family, and this is our first year with a tree and kids, so I was just happy we got it up. I promise next year we will get a full size tree.


I will make a new post for Max's first birthday party and tell you all about it. Let me just say, it was not all I dreamed it would be and at least he won't remember it :)