Another first...the flu

Max was sick last week with a cold, then Maddie started having the same symptoms. We haven't been to play dates or stroller fit in about 2 weeks it seems. Well, instead of her getting better, she started running fever and her cough worsened. To take a precaution I took her to see the doctor. We weren't able to see Dr. Nguyen, so we saw Dr. McClintock.
I had that feeling like I was a paranoid mom and they would just tell me to give her fluids and Tylenol as needed. When they told me she had the flu I couldn't believe it! I have never had the flu and neither has Max. We both got the vaccine in 2009. I guess we were so busy this year we didn't get it, but we should have. We will for sure next year.
Maddie is doing relatively well, but her cough is terrible! She is running a high fever, so I am giving her Tylenol. Last night she slept with me and was pretty much up all night. Needless to say, I am exhausted. Max wanted to join in on the fun, so as soon as I got Maddie to sleep around 4am, he decided at 4:30 that he wanted some time with Mommy. Shawn and both went to get him, but I took over since I can generally get Max to go back down. When he sees Daddy all he wants to do is play. Looks like we are having a day full of coffee for Mommy and cartoons for Max. Ugh! Oh, did I mention I was sick too....awesome. This too shall pass....hopefully soon.

22 months to the Max!

Our little boy is feisty, funny and imagintive and he LOVES to push boundaries. He is 22 months now and he is really coming out of his shell. He loves to play with other kids, although he doesn't always like to share his toys. He loves to repeat everything and he tries his best to communicate with us. We can decipher it for the most part, but sometimes we are left guessing. He also loves to go to the park and "pay". He often asks for "Jacken" (Jackson/Jaxen), two of his little buddies. He calls himself Mack.

A few of his guilty pleasures:

He still loves his binky, which he affectionately refers to as "cha cha". He is obsessed with Little Einsteins (tein teins) and Diego (Day-go).

Loves climbing on anything, lately its the kitchen chairs and table

He loves to "hide" in this corner. Here he is being silly with my old reading glasses. I promise the prescription is not strong. He just randomly put them on and went about his business of playing and tearing up the living room. He was so cute!

My nerdy baby!

Climbing....again. Max and Maddie have both had colds this past week. Max loved chicken soup.

Little X-mas party

We had fun at the Strollerfit Little X-mas party, here are some pictures

Madeline is 5 months today!

What can I say, my girl gets cuter and spunkier by the day. She's been with us for 5 months and she lights up our life! I think her brother is even starting to really love her too. She loves to roll both ways. She finally found her feet and she likes to play with them. When she isn't happy she isn't shy about it. She likes to hang out in her jumper, bouncer or the bumbo, but mostly she likes mommy to hold her. She can kind of sit up and she uses her hands like a tripod. She laughs at certain things, especially Max.

She nurses about 4-5 times a day and eats rice cereal. She had sweet potatoes for the first time this week and she really like them. She naps about twice a day and cat naps when we are on the go. She was doing such a good job sleeping in her crib until Thanksgiving. So lately she sleeps with me when I can't get her in her crib. I'm not complaining though, I love to snuggle with my angel.

5 month picture

She surprised me and dove forward!! I was impressed how she put her arms down and just laughed!

Breakfast with Bubba. she tries to reach so far it looks like she is jumping out.

Moments like these.....

make it all worth it!

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