Ready for Battle

Max looks like he's about to get into trouble. Check out the hair.

Table and Chairs

Our friends and family were very generous with Max's birthday gifts. We were not only able to purchase his Perkins Brailler, but also a table and chairs for him from Ikea. (We got 4 chairs, but have only put 2 together.) He also got a selection of toys, tableware, and bibs while we were there. His Perkins Brailler should arrive soon. This table will be perfect for him while he brailles.

At school he sits at a table to eat his lunch and snacks with all his friends. A table full of 6 kids under 18 months is quite a site! They use a table cloth, plates, silverware and real glasses. I haven't put him at his table for meals yet, but he does eat some snacks there. He also likes to sit there to read.

Thank you to all those contributed, DJ and I are very grateful.

Sippy Cup!

Happy Father's Day

This is cold!

DJ had simple requests for Father's Day. He wanted a Fudgie the Whale cake from Carvel, waffles for breakfast and Chinese for dinner.

Dawg

Really?

Another solution is needed to keep Max from eating his crib slat by slat. He just takes off the crib guards and plays with them before standing up and chewing on the crib. We will be lucky if this crib makes it another 6 months at this rate.

Bread

I found a recipe for no knead bread and thought I'd give it a try. Isn't it pretty? I love bread.

Water Park

Asleep before we got home.

This is NOT the swing!

Tadpole Area

This is what I'm talking about.

Our county has a water park just down the street from us. They have a great toddler area, a lazy river, high dive, family pool and water slides. Max's favorite part was, of course, the swings. We made a mistake by putting him in the swing first. After that nothing was as fun! We were there for 3 hours and Max was wonderful. DJ rode every water slide and tried out the high dive. When Max decides to crawl or walk he'll love it. He did "walk" in the water with assistance today and splashed on all fours.

Finally!

It has taken us 13 months, but Max is finally holding his bottle! We have eliminated all bottles, except one at night. We have switched to this bottle that has a different nipple designed to transition from a bottle to a sippy cup (for 6 month olds). He's doing well and getting more interested in holding it. He drank the whole thing while holding it, then squirted milk all over himself and the couch. We're still working on the day time sippy cup and a straw.

Rockin' Rocket

I bought this rocking rocket for Max's nursery before he was born. He is perfect for his outer space theme. He is now interested in doing more than just sitting.

Max's 1st Italian Ice

Farmer's Tan

I obviously don't do a good job of putting sunscreen on Max. He has developed quite a farmer's tan. I don't realize how much sun he gets when we're running errands. Now he'll have to wear it every day.

Felt Board

We were at the library today for story time and they have a new felt board. Max enjoyed feeling it and rubbed his face all over it. I'm glad he isn't snotty this week, otherwise there would have been some evidence. He wouldn't touch the felt cut-outs.

Talking Back Already

DJ ususally handles bathtime, but he's been working late all week and I've had to do it. Max is constantly trying to pull up or get on all fours during the bath. He even slipped once tonight and went under. I keep saying "we sit on our tooshies during our bath" and put him on his butt. He responds by saying "Dada". After talking to DJ I found out that he lets Max stand up during his bath. So, basically Max is saying "My Daddy lets me do it". He's talking back already.

It's Official!

Well, it is official, Max is a little boy. He laughs out loud when he burps or farts! I didn't think this would happen at the early age of one. I guess potty humor will be a big part of my life from now on.

Beach

We went to the beach on Saturday. Max was in a great mood and had a blast. He splashed in the ocean and didn't mind getting his face wet at all. He played in the surf and ate plenty of sand. We can't wait for him to start walking, the beach will get very interesting.

When Babies Attack

I had to laugh at this article. Max attacks me everyday, grabbing my hair, biting me and pulling on my nose. He doesn't mean to hurt me but it can be frustrating. DJ jokes that he looks like he's going in for the kill.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31256584/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Talking

Max has at least 20 words now! He's so verbal. If he doesn't start walking soon he'll be asking me to pick him up and take him some where. He mimics a lot and even copies the inflection in your voice. On Fridays before we go to him gym class we talk about all the people we will see there. As I name all the kids he tries to say their names. It is so cute, he has friends! He says "go outside" constantly. I don't think he means "outside" as much as he means "it is time to do something else". He says "go outside" constantly during therapy or at the doctor's office. Here are some of his favorites:

Mama
Dada
CiCi
Nana
Dude
Cole
Kris (Aunt Kris)
Car (Miss Carly)
Chris (Miss Christy)
Go, Go, Go
Sally
Outside
Cup
Chase (friend at school)

Pulling Up

Max is really pulling up now. However, he feels most comfortable doing it in his crib or on the couch with us. Here are some examples of how hard he is working.

The Dude

Max's grandfather, my Dad, is The Dude. Today at dinner he just started saying it.

A View from Behind

I think I'm going to have to upgrade the hair product I use for him.

Cutie

Now that Max can stand at the couch it is all he wants to do. He was tired this afternoon, but didn't want to sit down. I was laying on the couch in front of him talking to him while he played with his blanket. He is so cute.

Cane

Max is enjoying "playing" with his cane. He especially likes to chew on the metal wrist strap.

Hybrid Vehicles Dangerous for Blind

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31112317//

Cane

We just got Max's first cane! It is 24 inches long and is probably already too short for him. Once he walks we'll have to get a longer one. We want Max to start using the cane as a tool. For example, using it to rake toys towards him. And to start banging it so he can hear the difference between the play mat, area rug, tile and hard wood. He's such a big boy.

Progress Report

Here is Max's latest progress report from school.  Click on it to make it bigger.

Look What I Found

After Max's morning nap I found him naked from the waist down. He had taken off his pajama bottoms and diaper! Luckily, he hadn't used the restroom in his bed. I have a more graphic picture, but it probably isn't appropriate to post.

I Caught Him!

I Caught Him!

Proof!

Max has been working very hard at pulling up in his crib. I haven't witnessed him upright yet, but now I have proof that he's done it. His crib looks like a puppy has been chewing on it!!! And, this is suppossed to be his bed for life because it converts into a double. I'm off to get a crib guard.

Reading at Library

Another Bad Hair Day

1 year photos

We had Max's 1 year pictures taken last week. Pocahontas came to the house this time, we thought he'd be more comfortable. Max was such a good boy and smiled a lot. However, he refused to move from the spot we put him in. Once again, Max made the Red Daisy Photo blog.

http://www.reddaisyphotography.typepad.com/

I can't wait for him to walk so we can get some pictures taken on the beach.

Big Boy

Max looked like such a big boy waiting for his water table to be filled. I had to take a picture.