21 months

On Thanksgiving Day 2010 Max will be 21 months. I have been looking through his old pictures quite often lately. It's so fun to look back and see that he has always made the same faces and grimaces. He has always had a spunky personality and he loves to laugh. He really enjoys exaggerating his laugh and being silly. He has such a tender heart and I love it when people say he's a Momma's boy. What Mom doesn't want their little boy to adore her the way we adore them? Tantrums are in full effect. The books say to ignore the behavior, but sometimes its hard. If we yell at him for making a bad choice, he gets his feelings hurt. So we say we are sorry for reacting that way and give him a hug. I know the best way to discipline him is to explain why he shouldn't do things instead of just saying "no". But its tough when you are short on time and cranky. No excuse, but I am trying to work on it. Max is such a picky eater. I find that I cannot give him snacks because he will not eat at meals. It's hard, so I try to have healthy small snacks to give him. He seems so skinny to me, but he is healthy. Here are a few more things he is up to.

Max loves playing with his little sister. When she cries he brings her the paci or pats her. It is the sweetest thing to see. He is such a sweet big brother, crossing my fingers that lasts!!

In the past week Max has used the potty (#1)....TWICE! I know it doesn't seem like much, but he has asked to use the potty. Our pediatrician said that realistically we should start at 24 months, but it was possible that we would be training Max and his little sister at the same time since boys take a while. We bought one just in case he showed interest. We are not going to push it, but if he asks we'll help him. Oh, and he likes to take off his clothes sometimes and say "nayki" (LOL). So I'm thinking he'll get really good at ripping his diaper off if he wants.

Most of his friends from our moms groups are all turning two. These parties are so fun! He really enjoys running around, climbing and jumping. Also, I love getting ideas for his 2nd birthday, which is only 3 months away. This is from Grace's birthday party at Gymboree.

Max and his older cousin Isabel goofing around at Cheddar's.

His new favorite cartoon is Little Einsteins. He is a little obsessed!! When it comes on he screams "Tein Teins" an he loves "Ra Ra", aka Rocket. I found some DVD's and a toy rocket on craigslist for just $30. Pretty good deal if you ask me!!

A few firsts...

I look at my sweet "purdy purdy" and I can't believe she's all mine (well okay, I'll share with Daddy)!! She's had a few first lately. She had her first rice cereal and she liked it. Of course she spits it out more than she swallows, but she gets better at it every time. She usually squeals from excitement. She loves food, just like her mama!!

more, more, more

mmmm

She is getting so strong! She does little push ups to see what is going on. She likes to sit up and look around, but she needs support. She giggles sometimes, you really have to act silly to get a laugh from her. She has the most precious smile and gets so excited when Max talks to her. She also loves to play with her hair. It is the cutest thing to watch, she just pulls at it. She is a pretty amazing sleeper for her age. I generally put her in her crib between 8:30-9 and she sleeps until 7 most mornings. Hallelujah!!

Haciendo pucheros...Sometimes she gets all sad and just wants me to hold her.

Happy girl!

Starting to push up

She loves to play with her hair....so cute

We love our jammies

I would say one of the best things about staying home with my babies is our mornings. I love being able to let them sleep until they are ready to get up and then lounging around in our jammies. It doesn't happen everyday, but I absolutely love it, and I love them!! I will cherish these days forever because I know one day we'll be on the go, rushing to get to pre-school. {tears}

Sliding

Trying out all the slides...

Then climbing up...

Winning Streak

I've been dressing the kids in their Aggie gear on game day for the last few weeks, and we've been winning. Believe me they will be wearing their maroon on November 25, 2010 to BTHO t.u.!!!!!!!

Dewberry Farm Take II

I had big plans for pumpkin patch pictures in October, so I was thrilled when Groupon had a half price deal. Of course, things came up and we never visited. This past weekend was the last weekend we could use it. Being a penny pinching mommy I could not let it go to waste, so off we went!

It turned out to be the perfect day. The weather was nice with some sun and clouds. Max had fun running around and playing on the jumping pillows. The corn maze was boring. The food was way too expensive. The toddler spot and farm were hits with Max. Madeline mostly napped in the BOB. All in all it was a fun day. Once we got hungry we left, I didn't feel like paying $5 for french fries!! We enjoyed some barbecue in Waller then we headed home.

Riding the bike tractors

The girls relaxing and watching the boys play

Vaca lechera y el cochinito!! haha

Riding the cow, but longing to play on the jumping pillows

Cleaning up after the farm

A happy and healthy 4 months to Madeline!!

We had a busy morning. I like to get the first appointment of the day for our well-check visits with Dr. Nguyen since it cuts back on our waiting time. Of course, both kids actually slept in this morning so we were in a rush. We got dressed and had a quick 4 month photo shoot with Maddie. Got Max a waffle, banana and some milk and we hit the road. Of course, mommy NEEDED a Starbucks coffee with a stressful day like today! The line put us behind in schedule, but we made it to the doctor only about 7 minutes late. Thank God for valet!!

This was my first time to take both kids to the doctor on my own. Max is still terrified of seeing the doctor, so we brought trains, raisins and a paci to keep him semi-calm and well behaved. Madeline did great! She is growing quickly and meeting all her infancy milestones, except for laughing. I swear she wants to, she gets so excited and screams and opens her mouth so big -- but no laugh. Oh well, that will make it all the more special when she does!! She took her shots like a champ and only cried after the second shot, but just for a few seconds.

Both kids are passing a cold back and forth, but they are eating and sleeping well so there isn't much we can do. We met Shawn for lunch at Pappasitos since he was working near that part of town today. The weather was nice, so we ate outside and watched the cars and truck drive up 290. Max loved his chips and rice and beans and it was a special treat to see Daddy for lunch. I know I say this every time, but I just cannot believe how quickly the time is flying by. I'm trying to savor every minute of it.

Aren't I cute with my purple flower

I like grabbing things these days!

I had to take off the hat to show how much hair she has lost. It gets thinner every time!!

Kids last night with Daddy watching Toy Story 3

....almost forgot her stats, which I forgot at the doctor, so I am using my memory...

Height - 26 inches - 90%

Weight - 15 lb., 7 oz. - 80%

Opening Weekend

Shawn and I have been together over 9 years, and in that time I have learned that my husband has a one-track mind come November. This was opening weekend and Shawn had been planning a big hunt for a while. Max sure missed his Daddy, but he got some deer and is one happy hunter.

playing with Daddy's robe -- looks like Dopey from Snow White!!

With opening weekend I decided to invite Angela, Sebastian and Elizabeth to visit. We had a relaxing weekend of eating and playing. With the kids I try to avoid restaurants, but we couldn't resist Pappadeaux. It ended up being more trouble than it was worth, but we got some good laughs. The girls relaxed, gossiped a little and laughed much. This is one thing I miss about College Station, silly times with my girls! Love and miss you!!

Sebastian is pretty good with Max and Maddie -- they stayed busy for sure. Max started to get a little cold by the end of the weekend. I might as well prepare myself for the season and get out the nebulizer. Max's allergies are so bad that he starts wheezing when he catches a cold. Madeline was a sweet girl all weekend, but she refused to sleep in her crib all weekend. Luckily, all is better and she is back to sleeping through the night in her room!! Here are some memories from the weekend.

She loves her hands

Pretty in blue

With her Tia Nini and Aunt Angela

Max Lately

I try to capture his cuteness in a picture, but he is too fast and lately doesn't want anything to do with taking pictures. Here are some videos that capture some of his cuteness, personality and kindness. Shawn and I are so proud to be parents to such a sweet little boy!