We take it back

So remember that last post I made?




RETRACTED.




Back to the drawing board!!

Westward-bound

Yes, I have been purposefully vague about the whole moving thing. We've known for a while that we were moving, but the big question was where to? As recently as last night we were throwing ideas around (AZ? CA? WA?) but we are thrilled to finally be able to make it official.

DENVER HERE WE COME!!!

What an awesome city. We took a short trip out there in May and loved what we saw. Now we'll be getting to know the place a little better! We head out in less than a week.

Things will still be a little crazy for a while as we look for a place to live, so we can get some more of Max, the hotel baby.

But on our last trip one of the things I loved most was not having to worry about Max spitting up all over my bed while we played/cuddled/nursed. As long as we are homeless I can get clean sheets every day if I want! Niiiiiice.

5 months :)

Today is Max's 5 month birthday. I'm not sure why I feel compelled to blog about each month of my child's life, but I do. At least I'm not the only one! I guess if nothing else it will be fun to look back when I have more kids and compare what they were up to and when and to remind myself of what to expect. Right?

I actually took these pictures a few days ago but they are adorable - I had to post them. And things are getting crazier around here by the day since we'll be heading out of here soon so if I don't do it now it may never happen!

This is the love of my life (well, one of them):

It has been too hot for walks lately which makes me sad because Max loves his walks! So we still do a short one or just spend a little time outside in the shade. I guess I could do them at 7 am but seeing as I basically feel like I've been hit by a truck at that hour I don't think it would go so well.

So here are a few things I want to remember about 5 month old Max:

- Sitting up! He's definitely not an expert at it yet but can do it for a little bit.

- Loving all his toys, especially the jumperoo (thanks google, for helping me out on the name) he is borrowing from Reese. Seems to like things that make music. Chews/sucks on everything.

- Much too cranky/whiny during the day. Why Max??

- Smiling more, still giggling only a little.

- Still eating twice during the night.

- Usually takes 3 naps a day, and usually 2 of them are over an hour.

- Still is a very strong and active baby, already wiggling away during diaper changes so we practically get into a wrestling match. I can't imagine what this kid will be like when he can crawl!

Happy 5 month birthday to my Maxbug!! Dang it I forgot to sing. :(

This is the perfect baby

..... and he belongs to ME.

Day Trip to Arlington National Cemetery

Now that we are so close to moving we are faced with the sad reality that we never got around to doing all that we wanted to while living out East. But with 2 people in grad school plus full time summer jobs it's a bit hard ... so it's actually impressive that we did get out and about from time to time! We really wanted to do one last DC excursion, plus it was high time that Max visited his nation's capital and learned some patriotism ... so we decided to finally visit Arlington National Cemetery. And with traffic, Max, and lunch thrown in the mix, it pretty much became an all-day adventure. Max wouldn't have liked museums anyway!

I was smart (for once) and decided to put Max in his little umbrella stroller which we'd never used before. It was waaaaay too hot to be carrying him around in the bjorn. We walked all around the grounds and of course saw the Tomb of the Unknowns and the changing of the guard.

You simply can't help but feel immensely patriotic in such a place. And you're reminded that we're still a nation at war with many men and women continuing to sacrifice for our country, even though we don't always think that way.

With about 3 layers of sunscreen and a cute hat Max did well in the heat. And we learned that our baby can fall asleep in a stroller if he really has to (much to my surprise), even if it is right as you're about to leave.

Too cute

These boys. Oh they are cute!! I am so in love with both of them! And I just couldn't let the day go by without saying something about Joe on Father's Day. Joe is an awesome dad. I had a feeling he would be, and it is pretty great to see it actually happening. Nothing makes me happier than seeing how much Joe adores his boy and how Max is starting to reciprocate. I'm glad we could get Max to crack a smile for the camera on Father's Day. I said before that even though he's been smiling for quite a while he isn't super smiley yet, but I notice him smiling more and more each day. (Especially for the mirror ... that one never fails.) He save lots of his smiles for seeing dad at the end of the day as well.

This Father's Day wasn't anything spectacular, but I was excited to get to celebrate Joe as a Dad. Life is good!

Our 4 month old :)

Despite what it looks like, we do more around here than simply watch Max get older. This past month Max and I went on a two week trip involving 3 states and 4 flights (Joe was with us about half the time). Then we came home and started to think about getting ready to move in a few weeks. Given how stressful it is just to think about it, I'm guessing actually doing it is going to be a whole lot of fun.

Still, the one thing that continues to consume our lives is our little Max man. It can be slightly frustrating once in a while, but overall we couldn't be happier about it. How can I put it into words?? The kid is awesome. He loves life and we think he loves us. And we seriously love him to pieces. It's just .... wow.

Anyway, today Max had his 4 month check up (closer to 4.5 months actually). And we learned that Max is now:

15 lbs, 3 oz (50-75% ..... or 43rd from my trusty internet source) Same as before.
25.5 inches (50-75% ..... or 58th) Either the doc was generous or he has really grown!
43 cm head circum. (50-757% ..... or 59th) Right on track from before.

Okay, so what else is Max up to these days?

* Rolling in all directions! He finally figured out the back to stomach roll last week and seems pretty pleased. I can't believe how far he gets just by rolling and rotating around.
* Grabbing everything and shoving it in his mouth. He has made real progress here ... finding his target instead of just banging himself in the face.
* Still loving to blow spit bubbles everywhere, especially in mom's face.
* Still spitting up a lot.
* Drooling.
* Gnawing on and mutilating things to the best of his ability, especially hands and fingers.
* Making lots of adorable sounds ... and lots that aren't.
* Smiling a lot, but he's still not a super smiley guy.
* Giggling, especially when we chomp on his cheeks. ADORABLE.
* Loving his walks and just being outside or anywhere with new things to see.
* Taking better naps sometimes, but not consistently.
* Waking up at least twice a night to eat.

Max is just full of energy ... he kicks his legs furiously and squeals with delight as soon as we go get him in the morning. We think he's a nut. But in a good way. Kind of. Check him out! (Pictures were taken in Utah by my mom 1 day before his 4 month birthday.)

Seriously, who is this kid?? How is he so dang cute?!

We didn't put Max in the flowers, I promise. He rolled there on his own and it was too cute to pass up.

I like this one cuz it's a funny little face that Max makes once in a while.

And the rest are of me and my boy. I just love playing with him and could do it all day long. Oh wait, that's what I do.

Oh it is great to have a baby boy. Maxbug you're maxnificent!

Strawberries :)

Last year we missed strawberry picking since we were living it up in Cancun on our graduation trip. Well, nothing quite so exciting was going on this year so there was no way I was going to pass it up! Hanging out in a strawberry patch all afternoon eating as many strawberries as I possibly can = heaven. (I was also dreaming about putting them on some waffles and crepes with whipped cream ... which I did later and it was also heavenly.) Little Reese was in heaven with the strawberries for a while, too! And then she wasn't. But Nate & Lori probably didn't want to be feeding her strawberries the entire time anyway. :)
Maxbug was a gem like usual thanks to the baby bjorn. Love that thing!

Joe of course acts like he does this all for me but I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself as well. We just love to tease Max ... what mean parents!

After the picking we had a little fun at the petting zoo. We'd never gone to that part of the farm before since it's for "kids." Max is still a baby, not yet a "kid," but I think he had fun. Trying to grab a goat by the horns ....

And making friends with a little lamb.

Maryland is gorgeous. I'm going to miss it.

Fortunately cherry picking is just a couple weeks away. I'm soooooooo stoked.