Hi everyone. Sorry I am two days past Max's 9 month mark in writing this. I had class on Thursday evening so it took priority, and yesterday I watched Max and a friend's baby for the morning. Busy, but great.
So, what is Max up to these days you ask? Well, what isn't he up to... literally. This kid is in full crawling (still on one foot and one knee, so cute) and pulls up on anything that will stand still although that doesn't prevent him from trying to pull up on things that won't stand still! He keeps Curtis and I on the move, as well as our three cats. They have learned quickly to get up and move when Max is coming at them, otherwise they get fur and tails (except Mackie) pulled. They are actually really good with him and he has not suffered a scratch yet! Our dog is another story. She has never been good with kids and that didn't change with Max. She stays locked up in the kitchen while we are searching for a new home. The problem is that she is pretty old and I'm not sure anyone will want her. Hopefully we can find some new arrangement soon that will be win-win for everyone.
We suffered a set back in the solid-eating progress with our stomach virus. Max refused to eat solids for a number of days and we weren't going to push him at the time. Now I realize that he should be eating table food and finger foods pretty regularly. We tried the other night and I fixed sweet potato and peas, two of Max's favorite foods (at least in puree form). We used a food grinder on the peas and mashed the potato really well, but he gagged quite a bit and didn't get too much down. I also bought some textured baby food from the store for nights I have class, and he doesn't seem real thrilled with that either. He had two or three tiny bites of turkey sausage this morning along with his cereal with no problems, so maybe it is just finding food that he likes. If you have suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Sleeping is less of a problem now, at least from Max's perspective! He sleeps in bed with us all night, every night. It really has become a minor issue for us, Curtis and I seem to get plenty of rest even with him in the bed. In fact, I tend to get more sleep now because I get in bed much earlier than before he slept all night in our bed. We do have our longer nights, especially now that the ragweed is in full bloom and Max seems to have inherited my allergy to it. A stuffy noses is not conducive to sleep for anyone, Max included. Other than that our arrangement is working for now. We might try to move him back into his crib at some point, but I don't see us trying that in the near future.
The parent's-day-out program on Tuesday and Thursday has been working out really well for us. I had my first two field trips at the wetlands this week and the proximity of the church and the timing is perfect for what I need. He has really settled in and had a great day Thursday. His "teacher" told me that he played happily all day and took a really good nap. PROGRESS! He still has problems at the church nursery both in the morning and on Sunday evening when we drop him off on out way to life group. I know part of the problem is that morning service is held during the time he usually takes his first nap of the day, and he is not going to sleep easily with so much commotion in the room. Also, the nursery is manned by a rotating group of volunteers so he never gets to know anyone who is caring for him. I think this can be a problem for any small child, not just Maxwell.
I am anxious to see how big Max has grown in the last three months. His appointment is Monday so I will let you know. I am now buying 18 month clothes for him! Many of his 12 month outfits are now too short for his long body. I just bought him some "new" things at the JBF consignment sale yesterday. Unfortunately most of the boys clothes were thick and fleecy, and I know Max will burn up even if it is freezing outside. I think he gets that from his daddy.
Well I need to go. We are headed out for Ashlyn King's first birthday party in a few minutes. Check back and I will post new stats after his check-up on Monday.
"Check it out... 5 teeth!"
Out at the lake with our church. He seemed worried that his hat would blow away!
Happy Birthday Ashlyn!
Cute boy, cute mohawk!
"Ahhhhhhh... Sic 'em Bears!"