Perkins Panda

The Perkins School for the Blind has an early literacy program, "The Perkins Panda". The stuffed animal comes with braille books, books on tapes, and tons of accessories. DJ's god mother, Marion (Sue's Cousin), works at Perkins. Marion and her family generously gave Max the Perkins Panda after he was born. We are so lucky to have such a valuable contact! This is Max listening intently. You can just tell that he is thinking. Perkins Panda speaks very slowly so that the children can process everything. The book that Max is listening to talks about body parts.

Blind High School Runner

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke22-2009feb22,0,907227,full.column

Ribs

DJ made ribs tonight. Max was thoroughly entertained. He even got some meat off the bones. Luckily, I thought to strip him before giving them to him. We just took him right up to the bath!

My Gym

DJ and I thought that Max would be in a great mood for My Gym this morning.  The Saturday class is at 9:15, which is usually right at nap time.  But last night, after some crying around 1, Max slept until 7:45!  DJ and I both woke up in a panic looking for him.  Well, he hated class and whined the entire time.  We went to grab some breakfast afterwards and Max passed out.  I guess he was still tired.  Once gain, people stopped to comment on how cute he was.  He slept through some great french toast and waffles. 

Are these really comfortable ways to sleep?

Southern Boy

Max's doctor recommended giving Max chamomile or sleepy time tea to help him calm down at night.  Well, he'll only take it with ice from his bottle.  His first iced tea!  Then, this week DJ and I went to dinner and DJ ordered ribs.  Max thoroughly enjoyed chewing on the bones.  Sweet Tea and BBQ, he's a Southern Boy!

Lazy Boy

Max refused to sit in the cart like a big boy at Costco this week. So, I just laid him flat and took him for a ride. He really enjoyed it and he got tons of laughs from other shoppers. Luckily, the cart was big enough for him and my purchases.

The Leaman Family Circus

We had a great visit with our niece Ryan Elizabeth (10 weeks), nephews Cole (5 yrs) and Jake (2 1/2 yrs), and Kris and Patrick.  We went to the beach, ate seafood multiple times, played in the park and played Wii baseball.  Max did not like it when Ryan cried.  Kris and I had several hairy and comical car rides with those two.  Cole and Jake are getting huge and asking tons of questions constantly.  They love their cousin Max and can't wait for him to start walking and play with them already.  We wish we could see them more often.

The Leaman Family Circus

Food

Max now pretty much eats what DJ and I eat.  This is his first try at spaghetti.  He liked it.  He has no interest in feeding himself right now, but we are working on that.

Nana and Poppy

DJ's parents came for a visit.  We went to the Thomas Edison - Henry Ford Winter Estates in Ft. Myers.  I didn't know that they were best friends...  Max is photographed here with a huge rubber tree planted by Firestone.  We were having a cold front so we had to live with eating on the beach.

Le Bohneur

Max had a hearing test under anesthesia at Le Bohneur Children's Hospital in Memphis.  His hearing is within normal limits and his ears look great.  This is Max in his hospital gown. He is such a trooper.  We won't have to do this again for a year.