Wordless Wednesday

Max went pee in his potty last night!!!

He turns 1 tomorrow

...and I have no idea how. I was thinking about how my little Maximilian came to be in this world, and I have no idea how we got so lucky. I had a relatively easy pregnancy; I probably only got physically sick 10 times or so. I remember driving to the Dollar Tree to buy a pregnancy test at 10pm because I was starting to feel yucky, going home and watching a couple episodes of Nip/Tuck with AJ.. then at like 2am taking a pregnancy test and being in complete shock. I mean, SHOCK. We had been trying for 4-5 months, but I was starting to think it wouldn't happen. I remember when I first felt him move in my tummy on Valentine's day. I remember seeing him via ultrasound go from a shrimp-looking alien, to a little gummy bear, to a black and white 2 dimensional picture of my baby that I was so anxious to actually SEE him. When the ultrasound tech told us that he had hair at his like 36 week ultrasound, I was in awe. I guess I knew that some babies had hair, but I hadn't thought about what my baby's hair growth would be. Black? Brown? Blonde? It was dark brown when he was born, but now it is more strawberry blonde. His eyes went from ruddy and cross eyed (but damned cute!) dark blue to a lively, lighter blue. He is now walking most of the time. I don't know how or why my mind can't save all the little things that he's done, but he keeps on going to bigger, better things. I remember the first time I breastfed him in the hospital, when all he needed was me. I took for granted when he just needed and wanted me 24/7. Now I wish he needed me more, wish I could sit all day just holding him like I did then. I want to be the only ones awake at 5:30 in the morning, both of us half asleep in the recliner in the living room watching Country Girl and Homeboy videos on the CMT Top 20 Video Countdown. I was so frazzled then, catching an hour of sleep at a time. Now my big ol' one year old usually sleeps at least from 8:30-5 or 6 straight. He has changed so much, both in appearance and personality. He can say ball, book, mama, and dada. His words just erupted the past couple weeks. He still loves reading books. I hope he will always love books. He can also point to eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and stick his tongue out when you ask him to. I am just so sad, because if the past year has gone this fast, this next year will go just as fast. And before I know he'll start kindergarten, then he'll be learning to drive, then graduating from college, then getting married and having a little one of his own. My heart hurts thinking about it. I am so excited for these things, but I just want to live all these experiences with him a little more slowly. I'm sure I've already forgotten a lot of little things that he's done. I just want to fully enjoy every minute. I want to be able to hit pause when he lays his little head on my shoulder, or gives me a kiss when I ask him to. I will love my son as long as I'm alive; he will always be my baby.

3rd Tooth!

On 5/8/12, Max got his front bottom left tooth!

He got his second tooth on 4/22/12, his top front right.

His first tooth was on 3/28/12, his bottom front right.

And I'm pretty sure that his top front left is soooo close to popping through, if it is not popped through already. He won't let me look in his mouth.

10 months!

Aaaah! Maximilian, you are 10 months old, somehow!
You got your second tooth on 4/22! So now you have your front bottom right and your front top right. Your front left top and bottom look like they'll be popping through soon, as well.

We went on vacation with Grammy and Aunt Mary Ann to visit Aunt Catherine in Texas. I need to write a post about that. We went through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Your naps have been really wonky since returning from said vacation. You dropped the morning nap. We are lucky if you take 2-20 minute naps. You are definitely cranky by bedtime but we don't want you getting up any earlier in the morning. We are not sure what to do. You're also still waking up twice a night. We are hoping at your next appointment you will have gained a lot more so we can take steps to cut down on night time feedings.

Another new thing you've been doing is bringing us things and putting them in our hands if we ask you to. Also, you can now wave! You started doing that on vacation, along with intentionally playing peek-a-boo. And you have started clapping! It's so cute!

9 months

Maximilian, you are 9 months old!
This is one day late, but I had to mention that you got your first tooth today! It is the bottom right middle. You seemed very proud of yourself, and really you hadn't acted like your teeth are bothering you too badly.
We are still breastfeeding, but you are very adventurous in trying new solid foods.
Still taking 3 short naps a day usually. The first is about 1.5-2 hours after you wake up, then at 1, then at 4. You still wake up at least twice a night to eat, but you are so skinny that we are not going to take any steps to change that at this point.
You have been cruising around furniture for a few weeks now.
You definitely say "mama" and mean me, and seem to mimic us if we try to get you to say other things.

You love to roll a ball in front of you and then go chase it. It's adorable. You seem to be getting more used to the grass and are more okay with it touching you. You like to swing at the park.
You love cats and dogs and smile at them. You also smile at a lot more strangers.

You moved for the first time! We moved from big city to small town; a big difference. We now live in a much safer, quieter area. You stayed with Grammy and Aunt Mary Ann for a whole weekend while Daddy and I moved all of our things.
You are my little studly muffin and I love you!

Pulling up

Maximilian started pulling himself up on his first Valentine's Day. It pretty much went from him army crawling on his 6 month birthday, becoming super efficient at it around 6.5 months, around 7 months he started using his crib rail to pull on to try to look to see us when we come in the door, then on 2/13/12 he did this number:

Not quite standing, but going in the right direction.

Then, last night, AJ and I were sitting around watching TV when he excitedly army crawled over to his daddy and pretty much pulled himself right up. We then spent the next at least half an hour to try to get him to do it again. And he wouldn't. So we gave up. Then a little later...

And my heart melted, yet again. I love this boy.