Lately... April 2011

So we have not done a whole lot lately - basically moving into spring, enjoying the outdoors and so forth. However, we have had some firsts!


First Circus
My Dad had the inside track on some tickets to the Shriners Circus in Wichita a week ago, so we decided it may be a good place to start with Max. I checked out books from the library that discussed circuses so he wouldn't be too surprised at what he saw, but it was still fun to see his surprise at the lions and tigers and what not. He was a great boy, and he sat with Fuzzy and GG for 3 whole hours.

Mmmm - Circus Snacks!

New Easter Train Basket!

Another first: hospital
Mom and Dad took Max to the hospital. Of course, the morning after the circus, my mom said, "Max smells like a fever." He didn't have one then, but when we got back from Wichita, he was up to 102. After Tylenol, he was up to 104. Not right. So I made Paul go with me to take Max to St. Luke's. He went through triage and got admitted. However, after numerous tests, the doc said that it was probably just a virus with a hint of an ear infection starting. Thank goodness.

The docs and nurses loved him, thought he was adorable. (Surprise!) After some more Tylenol and a script for antibiotics, we were on our way. Not my preferred way to spend a Sunday night, but peace of mind is priceless!

Another first: Late Night on the Plaza
On one of the nicer nights earlier in the month, we took Max out to dinner on the Plaza, and we followed up with a nice walk around shops. Currently, there are all sorts of bunnies and creatures on the corners for Easter. This one was Max's favorite.

Next first: Zoo Fundraiser - Pancakes for Penguins
So Max was not so much about the Chris Cakes or fundraising, but he adored the Krispy Kremes near the "polar bear house." Ben - he's taking after you!

Next First: Bucket Truck!
Max still talks about this one. We decided to have the nearly dead pine tree in our front yard taken out. Max got to watch the whole process from first cut to stump grinding. And he still talks about it: bucket truck, chipper truck, dump truck, tree gone. Boy - that kid talks!

First BBQing with Dad
It's just freaking cute!

Not new and not a first. Daily. Sometimes twice daily.
Max and I, or Max and Paul, or Max and I and Paul go over to the pond across the street almost daily. We look at the frogs. We watch the cars go by. We run races on the sidewalks. It's Max's pond. And he tells us so.

Mowing the sidewalk.

We tell him the frogs are hugging.

Ahh the view.

Ahh the geese ruining the view.


Easter Prep
Crafts. Yep, we like crafts.

And now- a video!

Max's first real visit with Emma Lohmeyer (my friend Krissy's little girl) - at his most hospitable.

Soon to come - Easter with the Borchardts, Family Jam time with Mom, Joe and my new piano, Another Trip to Wichita, Jeannette's B-Day, Ben and Jamie's baby coming, River Run Tot Trot, Borchardt 45th Anniversary Celebration, Cottage - just lots and lots.

One of those days... but not in the way you might think.

So, I'll start this off by saying that I believe every parent, at least, every good one, thinks his or her child is the best. Sure, there are tough days, there are whiny days, there are disappointing days - but a person always loves that child and thinks he or she is the best.

I'm no different. Today, though, was one of those days. One of those during which every reason you think your child is the best manifests itself. I've had a few, but I want to write about it now. It's easier to put into the words now that more time has gone by.

1) Max has patience with others - like my little brother Ben and Paul's mom Pam.

We went to Union Station for today's playgroup to see the model train set up. It's free, Max loves the trains, and he likes other kids. One child is a little aggressive. He has been for a while. Just needs attention. Anyhow, at one point, Max had a toy that the boy wanted, and the boy came up to Max and just pushed him down. To the ground. And Max cried. I picked him up, hugged him, told the boy that pushing was not nice - all of those things.
But here is why Max is the best kid ever: about 5 minutes later, said boy came up to the train table to play. I told Max he needed to share his toys, and he took 2 of the 3 he had and handed them to the boy. His heart is so big. Just like Ben's. And that is really cool for me.

2)Max is sweet.
At the play date, he and my friend Jamie's little girl Jane decided they could share a little person chair and watch Thomas together. No fighting, no pushing. In fact, perhaps a little cuddling. Cutest ever.

3) Max obeys.
Usually. Usually without whining. Enough said.

4) Max goes with the flow.
After the playdate, Max and I came home, ate lunch, and tried to nap. Of course, Max didn't nap. So, after a while, I decided to get him up. We needed to pick up a pizza for the game. Max came with me. He didn't whine. He watched the pizza being made at Papa Murphy's. He held my hand walking to the car. He rode peacefully. After we took the pizza home, Max went with me to the Hallmark store. I wanted to get my friend Elizabeth a little card and gift because she's leaving for Spokane soon. And Max held my hand in the store, looked and mostly didn't touch, and didn't whine when we bought something for someone else. And not him. And then we got home and played.

4) Max loves trains - just like my brother Rob.
I forgot. The reason we love Union Station - Max loves trains. Just like my brother Rob. In fact, Rob came up and we went to a real model railroaders show here in KC. Max loved it. And he loves the little book Rob and Sara bought him called That's Not My Train. Funny kid.

And then we took him to Crown Center and made him sit with a mermaid. Totally random. And he went with it! So - goes with the flow - again.

Eyes up, Max!

5) Max loves the Jayhawks - just like us.

Duh, WINNING!

6) Max loves his family.

7) I asked Max "How are you doing?" and he said, "Well." Grammar - AWESOME!

8) I got Max a cookie surprise because he was such a good boy all day, and he loved it and ate slowly and savored it. Just like I would if I were eating cookies now. Darn Lent!

9) Max loves Daddy. Me, too.

10) Max is handsome. Just like Daddy.

Though at Papa Murphy's today, one of the ladies getting a pizza at the same time told me that Max had a great smile. Then she looked at me and said, "Just like his mom." So Max helps Mom get compliments, too. Good kid!

There are millions of reasons every day that Max is our best. But today was one of those days. And it was good. And I'm proud he's mine.

Have a great weekend. Rock Chalk. F.O.E. (which means Family Over Everything for those of you who do not follow the Morris Twins of KU closely enough).

PS. Forgot about another moment: During the running of the errands to get pizza, Max and I rocked out to Cee Lo's "f*ck it" on the radio. It was AWESOME. Censored, and yet, he appreciates the beat. What a kid!

Birthday(s) - Max turns two!

So, I'm not usually one to wax on ... BUT... my little baby turned 2 on February 9, 2011. And frankly, it was like the blink of an eye from 0-2. In the beginning, I had no idea it would go so fast, but now, I know all too well to enjoy every morsel of time with our Max.

One was pretty exciting. Max could say he was one. He was a funny kid, but he couldn't walk yet and he was still a little baby. Now, he is 1/3 of the family. I can say we are a unit. The three of us take care of each other. We now have a little boy who tells us he loves us, who gives us hugs and cuddles, who tells us what is fun and what is scary, who listens, who learns, who returns 1000% of anything we've ever given him. And it is amazing. Sure - he tests us. I'd worry if he didn't. But he is generous with his love, his smiles, his happiness, his silliness. And that is so wonderful.

He is now 35 1/2 inches tall, 29 1/2 pounds, and has hundreds of words, expressions, talents. He sings, he dances, he runs, he whines, he talks, he cries, he laughs, he screams, he squeals, he hugs, he kisses. There are moments each day when I realize that I didn't know how full my heart could feel. And I know by Paul's smile that he feels the same way.

So our boy turned two. And in the spirit of our family, we've had 3 celebrations so far and a couple more to come. Max pretty much assumes now that Christmas through March is just one big holiday about him. And heck - why not?! Here are some pics of the fun thus far.

Birthday, Actual (2-9-2011)
I picked up some delish cupcakes at Cupcakes a la Mode, Max and I did messy Valentine's crafts all day, and Daddy came home for cupcakes and skyping with all of the grandparents.




Pretty sure that the following is the same look I get when in the vicinity of cake:



On Feb. 13, my mom and Joe came to visit, and that coincided with Grandpa B coming back from Europe, so Ron and Pam came over as well. Where 4 or more are gathered, well, Mommy orders a cake.(You are all welcome to gather; I will order cake.)


We had a mini-celebration and presents for Max. And I must tell my favorite story. Max took his nap that afternoon, and I got plates, napkins, and a table cloth at Target, then decorated quickly. When he woke up, he played for a while in our living room, then took a side glance to the dining room. And he got this little look of excitement paired with realization. He said, "Special. Surprise." It was AWESOME.

Pretty happy with the Thomas theme!

He really likes eating icing. Not cake. Just icing.




Presents: Max got some Hot Wheels, a flying monkey from Wicked, a tricycle, some Cars trucks and cars, some Thomas stuff, a sandwich kit to go with his BBQ, a McQueen pillow, and lots of other stuff. The kid really cleans up!





This past weekend, Uncle Rob and Aunt Sara came by and spent the day with Max. He was napping when they came, so Sara and I snuck off for some delicious treats from Cafe Europa - little cakes for us and a cookie for Max. Yum. Then R/S presented Max with this awesome Thomas pillow. Needless to say, Max sleeps with this guy now.


After our home celebration, we headed to Ward Parkway Mall to enjoy the new weekend-only Train Town, a whole space committed to just model trains. Rob + Max + Train Town = Love. Sara and I had so much fun watching our dudes enjoy the trains. It may become a regular date thing when Rob and Sara come to town.





So, we're still looking forward to celebrating with everyone else. Max is taking advantage of the fact that Dad and Linda brought his trike up early. He's been out having us push it every day this past week. Pictures to follow!

And good news. Nah - FANTASTIC news: my brother Ben and sister(in law) Jamie have received news that they will probably be having a little baby boy placed with them via adoption this June. It's not finished yet, but it is the best news. We are all so happy, and we cannot wait to welcome another cousin to the family. And have more celebrations. And you can count on me to bring the cake. :-)

Happy Second Birthday, Max!!
You are the best. Your daddy and I love you to the moon and back!