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Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker

December 31, 2009

11:10 pm—Grandpa took Max to see the ducks at the Wigleys’ pond this morning. When the little fellow got home, his little cheeks were rosy red and as cold as ice. I don’t know if they went to Bojangles for breakfast or not, but I think they skipped their usual walk and stroll and the mall.

Max took a long nap this afternoon and is just now going to bed. It’s almost three hours later than the little fellow’s usual bedtime. He’s been a very cheerful boy all day. Becky went to Walmart and forgot to pick up chili powder for the chili. I stirred the pot and held Max while she went back to Walmart, and the little fellow actually enjoyed my holding him and watching me stir the pot. Whenever I sat him down, he stayed right with me in the kitchen, though he did make one heck of a mess by pulling stuff from the drawers.

Mimi and Grandpa hosted another large gathering in their garage/rec center for New Year’s Eve, and Max was the star of the show—at least until he got too tired to stay up with the other revelers. At the party I got to meet Joyce and Roger, two of Max’s breakfast buddies at Bojangles. Joyce told me how Max had the whole restaurant trained and how he interacted with them every morning.

I appreciate her kind comments, and I know just where she’s coming from. Max is a ham.

My New Year’s resolution is to stop eating sweets and cut back on other carbs. I got started with sweets in late October and began indulging every single day. Max probably will be eating more sweets in 2010. He got his first taste of Edwards Turtle Pie tonight at Mimi and Grandpa’s party, and he was mighty happy to discover it. He’d get a bite from me and run to the tables, saying, “Mmmm…” Then he’d run back to me for another bite.

Happy New Year to all of our readers! May we all enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling 2010.

December 30, 2009

11:00 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Grandpa this morning, and then they went to Bojangles for breakfast. This morning they also took a trip to Ace Hardware before coming home. Grandpa said Max enjoyed roaming the aisles. When Max got home he ate breakfast with Jaddie and me. After that we played a while before he was ready for his nap. Jaddie had to got to work in Atlanta today, so Max and I were on our own. Max slept for four hours this afternoon. I was able to get all the Christmas stuff put away and they laundry room straightened up. When Max got up we played hard. He’s been a happy camper today. We played with most of his new toys and many of his old favorites. We just enjoyed each other’s company!

This evening we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Jaddie met us there. Grandpa wanted the little fellow to stay with him tonight, so that’s where he is. We’ll catch up with him in the morning.

December 29, 2009

9:53 pm—I forgot to mention in yesterday’s entry that Grandpa ironed creases into a pair of Max’s pants and into a pair of Max’s overalls. Overalls do need creases, you know.

Max went walking at the mall with Grandpa again this morning and enjoyed breakfast at Bojangles. I slept late and found Becky had abandoned our new king bed in the middle of the night due to my loud snoring. I hope the CPAP machine that I’m getting for sleep apnea takes care of the snoring. I get mighty lonely in that huge bed.

Max went over to Granny’s for the afternoon while Becky went to her dermatologist and I took care of some errands.

The little fellow has been in a good mood all day and has been a real joy. He went to bed around 8:00 tonight, and Mimi, Grandpa, and Becky are downstairs watching Julie & Julia. When they finish the movie, I’ll see if I can convince Becky that I won’t snore tonight.

December 28, 2009

8:50 pm—Max enjoyed a routine day today. He went to the mall for a walk and stroll with Grandpa, and then they enjoyed breakfast together at Bojangles.

I paid a visit to my doctor this morning to get the ball rolling on finally getting a CPAP machine for sleep apnea and two shots and two scripts for a sinus infection.

I’m noticing Max’s social development. His inventory of behaviors for interacting with us is increasing. There are more eye contact and more smiles. When I picked him up after his nap today, just my smiling at him made him giggle.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa again tonight. They want Max to have some more time with Landry, Christi, Cam, and Hunter before those four head back to south Georgia.

I hope my energy returns and the mental fog lifts by morning.

December 27, 2009

10:16 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Last night as we were about to go to bed Max woke up, so we decided to put him in bed with us. This was our first night in our new king-size bed, and it didn’t go so well. Max slept sideways for most of the night, and I got kicked in the head a few times. I felt pretty rough when I woke up. Max was the only one who rested out of the three of us. He loves his new big bed!

We went to Granny’s for breakfast, and Max was very excited to see her. Max didn’t eat much breakfast. He was more interested in playing. When we left Granny’s Max started yawning, so when we got home we both took a nap. I was so tired!

This afternoon Max and I went with Mimi to the mall. Max enjoyed seeing all the people at the mall. When we got home Grandpa had dinner ready for us. Not long after dinner, aunt Emma Jean, cousin Christi, and her husband and children came in from south Georgia. Cam and Hunter played with Max and he very much enjoyed it. Max is spending the night with them tonight. Jaddie and I are hoping for a good night’s sleep.

December 26, 2009

9:55 pm—Today was much, much better than yesterday. Max has been a happy camper all day.

Today is Mimi’s birthday, and she and Grandpa came over for a birthday breakfast. We enjoyed pancakes again.

Max didn’t get his usual long nap today. Today’s nap was cut short by about two hours. We were surprised to learn that our new mattress was being delivered today, so we had to wake Max when the mattress got here.

After we got our new bed in order, Grandpa and I took our old queen mattress and springs to Granny and changed out her mattress. We hope she finds our old bed as comfortable as we did.

This evening we went over to uncle Larry’s to see him. We’d planned to visit Larry yesterday, but I was too wiped out from not sleeping well and dealing with Max’s backed-up plumbing to venture out.

Max is asleep in his bed as I write this, but the whole reason we bought a larger bed was for him to be able to sleep with us. I don’t know if we’ll move him from his bed to ours while he’s asleep tonight, but we look forward to snuggling up with our favorite little fellow soon.

December 25, 2009

8:29 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Santa was good to our little Max! However, Max wasn’t up to playing much this morning. He was still having great trouble going to the bathroom. Granny, Grandpa, and Mimi came over to check out what Santa brought their little fellow. We had breakfast and afterwards Max and I took a nap. When the little fellow woke up he was in bad shape. He’d thrown up all in his little bed, and was really trying to go to the bathroom again. With a little help he was finally able to go. This was Max’s gift to all of us! We all felt a lot of relief when this finally happened.

Max was like a new little boy after finally going to the bathroom, so Mimi, Grandpa, and Granny came back over and we all opened gifts. Max got a lot of really cool stuff. He got a ball popper, basketball goal, train, horse, and a new Barney movie. Max is a very blessed little boy and we are so very lucky to be his parents.

Tonight we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for a Christmas party. A lot of friends and neighbors were there. Max really enjoyed seeing everyone at the party, but he faded quickly. He was so very tired from being sick. Max is fast asleep in his bed and we aren’t far behind. We’re all hoping for a better day tomorrow.

December 24, 2009

9:42 pm—Max, Becky, and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast this morning, and they carried the Bojangles breakfast crew some treat bags and Christmas cards. Miss Joyce presented Max with a Christmas cross-stitch design and another crew member (whose name I’ll plug in here tomorrow) gave Max a very thoughtful Christmas card. The crew treated Max, Grandpa, and Becky to breakfast this morning. Fellow frequent diner Daniel brought a special toy to show Max this morning. Daniel’s had the toy for twenty-five years and he wanted to show it to Max.

Max and Grandpa have made friends of other frequent Bojangles diners, too, and they’re coming to Mimi and Grandpa’s Christmas dinner tomorrow.

Max is a celebrity.

Granny, Mimi, and Grandpa joined Becky, Max, and me this evening for a Christmas Eve dinner. Things weren’t too smooth due to Max’s pain and discomfort associated with his clogged plumbing. We’ve given him Pedialax and are going to have him snuggle between us tonight so we can help him as soon as he’s able to help himself.

I hope Santa Claus has lots of toys awaiting our super-sweet little boy in the morning! He’s been a wonderful little guy all year and has brought megatons of joy to many people in his short sixteen months of life.

Becky and I are about to clean out the chimney before we go to bed so Santa won’t get too dirty when he comes, and if there’s any pecan pie left from dinner, we’ll leave some out for Ol’ Saint Nick.

As for Becky and me, we’ll be happy with a stinky diaper that brings relief to our little fellow.

We regret to learn of the passing of Tom Ed Robinson. Tom Ed is a poet and friend, I had the pleasure of interviewing him when I was in high school. Tom Ed’s family and mine have been friends for decades, and I wish I’d been in closer contact with him over these past few years.

Our condolences also go to Joanne Shomake’s family, also from Buford. Mrs Shomake passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. I knew Mrs Shomake’s sons, Craig and Ted, in high school. Mrs Shomake and her husband, Don, are members of the same church as Mimi and Grandpa. This is a terrible time of year to let a loved one go, so we wish the Robinsons and Shomakes well as they mourn their losses.

December 23, 2009

9:32 pm—Max and Grandpa did their morning routine by walking at the mall and having breakfast together at Bojangles. Max came home, played a little while, and took a five-hour nap.

We played some more when he awoke, and Becky and Grandpa took the little fellow on a golf cart ride through the neighborhood. Max then stayed with Mimi and Grandpa while Becky and I went out to by a king-size bed for the three of us. Becky and I have been sleeping on a queen bed for the past eighteen years, but Becky says we have to have a king if Mighty Max is going to sleep with us. Mimi and Grandpa took Max to see neighbors Stephen and Dale while we were gone.

It was late when Max made it home tonight, so he had a snack while Becky and I had dinner. Then Becky fed him a bottle, read him a bedtime story, let him watch Barney for a while, and then put him to bed.

We’re eager to get to bed so we can get more rest and have a better day tomorrow.

December 22, 2009

11:02 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept until 8:20 this morning. He slept right through time to meet Grandpa for their walk, but we did join him at Bojangles. When we got home we played a while before getting ready for Max’s afternoon nap.

Max enjoyed another five-hour nap this afternoon. Jaddie and I were able to get some things done while little fellow sawed z’s. When he got up he had a boatload of company. First uncle Bill, aunt Shirley, and Granny came over. Then aunt Jean and cousin Linda joined us. Max entertained us by showing us all his tricks, like showing us his chub (belly), showing us his nose, and cutting a jig. Max enjoyed dancing to the cute little dog cousin Linda brought him. The dog barks “Jingle Bells.” We know Max will really enjoy Jingles. Thank you, Linda!

Max and I joined everyone for dinner at Cracker Barrel. Max was great, especially considering dinner took two hours. When we left Cracker Barrel Max was ready for bed. Grandpa wanted little Maxipoo to spend the night, so that’s where he’s hanging his hat tonight. We’ll catch up with him in the morning.

December 21, 2009

10:25 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Grandpa this morning. Then they took their usual trip to Bojangles. When Max got home he played with some of his new toys from this weekend’s Christmas in south Georgia. It wasn’t long before the little fellow was begging for a nap.

Max enjoyed a five-hour nap this afternoon. He was making up for the naps he missed this weekend. Our little fellow loves his rest. While Max slept Grandpa and I went out Christmas shopping for Mimi. Max was still asleep when we returned home. Grandpa and I had lunch at O’Charley’s, so we brought Max some rolls. Max ate one when he finally got up.

Max went with Mimi and me to run errands tonight. He was very good until he got sleepy. We had to head home around 8:00. We called ahead and had Daddy fix Maxipoo a bottle. When we got home Jaddie changed him, and I fed him and read a bedtime story to him. Max is sound asleep in his own bed tonight.

December 20, 2009

10:10 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Today was my thirty-eighth birthday and I had a great day. I spent the day with a lot of family. Max, Jaddie, and I were in the car for most of the day heading home from south Georgia. Max enjoyed a nap for most of the ride. The little fellow isn’t feeling his best. We think he could have a little virus. He’s had no less than a dozen dirty diapers today. We hope the little fellow feels better before Santa pays him a visit Thursday night.

When we got home we unpacked the car and soon headed to Granny’s for a visit. She was in great need of Maxipoo sugar. It the sweetest around! While there she fed Max bacon, eggs, and toast. These are some of his favorites.

Max is crashing with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Jaddie and I went out for a date for my birthday. We’ll catch up with our little man in the morning. I’m so excited to have the next two weeks off!

December 19, 2009

10:26 pm—Max has been having a big time in south Georgia. He’s enjoyed the attention of lots of our family down here. We caught up with the little fellow late this afternoon at uncle Dale and aunt Marlene’s in the booming metropolis of Douglas, Georgia. The whole family, minus cousin Leslie’s flu-stricken husband, John, was present for a few quick-and-dirty outdoor portraits. Cousin Chase has a new Canon 7D coming his way. He’s a recent college graduate with a degree in film. It’ll be great to have another photographer in the family.

There was a mini-Christmas at Dale and Marlene’s tonight. Max and his cousins Andrew, Zach, Hayley, and Holly got to open a few presents. It was fantastic seeing Max experience that with cousins who weren’t too far away from his own age. Max still wasn’t as focused on toys as we’re sure he’ll be next year. He was excited by the wrapping paper and Dale and Marlene’s steps. We all enjoyed Ann’s red velvet cake and Granny’s thin-layer chocolate cake. Granny made Becky a chocolate cake very similar to Becky’s late aunt Ruby’s and sent it with us so we could all enjoy it tonight.

Becky, Max, and I are crashing at Ann’s in Ray City tonight. The little fellow wanted his bottle and bed earlier, so we gave him both and all is well here. Ann’s home is filled with lots of great-looking, breakable decor, so we plan to keep at least a pair of eyes on Max until we head home tomorrow.

December 18, 2009

9:52 pm—Well, there isn’t much to write about today. Grandpa picked up Max early this morning, and he and Mimi took him to south Georgia with them. We miss our little buddy and are looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. He’s spending the night with Mimi, aunt Mary, and uncle Buddy.

December 17, 2009

9:53 pm—Max made a couple of laps at the mall with me and a couple of laps with Grandpa. He came home with me because Grandpa had an errand to run, but Grandpa came to pick him up a little later so they could have breakfast together at Bojangles.

The little fellow came home around noon, and I fed him puffs and a bottle and put him down for a nap. He slept until about 4:00. We played with him for a while before getting him ready to go back down to the mall to have his picture made with Santa.

Max was a good little boy at the mall. We had him strapped in his stroller for about thirty minutes before he made it to Santa’s lap. While Becky paid for pictures, Max and I went to the children’s play area. We went to the food court for dinner, but we couldn’t get Max to eat much. He seemed content but just wasn’t interested in eating.

Max and Becky went down to Mimi and Grandpa’s for a little while, and when they came home, Max got a bottle and went to bed.

We appreciate your thoughtful cards and gifts for Mr Max. He especially loves his card from aunt Shirley and uncle Bill that sings to him. One of Becky’s students brought Max a Mickey Mouse from her recent trip to Disney World. That was so sweet and we sincerely appreciate it.

December 16, 2009

9:27 pm—Max slept well at Mimi and Grandpa’s last night, and Grandpa begged for him to spend the night again tonight, but Becky said the little fellow had to stay with us. I caught up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning. Grandpa has been strolling Max without strapping him into his stroller. That’s been working fine, but this morning the little fellow wanted to stand up while they were strolling, so Grandpa and I had to buckle him in. After their walk they went to Bojangles for breakfast.

Max came back home at 9:40 and watched Barney while I got a shower. He and I played for a bit before he had lunch and a bottle. Lunch and a bottle somehow consumed eighty minutes, but when I put the little fellow in his bassinet, he smiled and went to sleep.

Grandpa came over to take down a broken fluorescent light fixture and put up one that works. He stayed here with Max while I went out a did a little Christmas shopping for Becky.

When Max awoke I took him to Granny’s so he could go with Becky and Granny the grocery store after Becky got out of school. We had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s tonight, and afterwards Mimi and Becky gave Max a bath.

I got Max to finish his bedtime bottle in our bed. Becky joined us and all three of us watched Barney until shortly after Max finished his bottle. Becky put the little fellow down for the night and Max didn’t complain one bit. I’m tired and looking forward to getting to bed, and I won’t complain one bit, either.

December 15, 2009

8:20 pm—Nine from the past couple of weeks:

Becky put Max in bed with me at 6:47 this morning and we watched Barney while the little fellow drank his juice. Then we hustled down to the mall and met Grandpa for our usual walk and stroll. They went to Bojangles for breakfast and I came home and got a shower.

Grandpa never brought Max home this morning. The little fellow stayed with them until Becky got home from school, so I had time to work on the images posted above. I phoned Grandpa at 11:00 this morning to see where Max was. He said Max was watching Barney and playing with them.

Mimi said Max has been giving all of his sugar away to Miss Dale. He’ll blow us kisses, but he plants his lips right on Miss Dale’s. I reckon she’s his first crush.

Becky vamoosed to another Christmas party tonight. She says this one is for her grade level only. Geez, all of her school’s faculty just had a party yesterday. Mimi and Grandpa came by this evening to swoop Max away again. He’ll be spending the night with them tonight, so I reckon I’ll have to catch up with him in the morning.

He and I did enjoy over an hour of one-on-one time this evening, though. Well, I call it one on one, but I just held my iPhone for him to play SpongeBob and PhonyPhone. We played with a few of his toys, too, including his cute new digital camera that Stephen and Dale gave him for Christmas. We tried to play with George, our cat, but George wouldn’t stay put long enough for us to catch him.

December 14, 2009

9:59 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max has had a good day. He went walking with Daddy and Grandpa, and then he and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast. He played for a while after getting home, and then it was time for his nap. The little fellow got his nap out today—all five hours of it. No one dared to wake him, not after yesterday!

Max got up when I came home. I got him up, changed his diaper, and tried to feed him. Our little Maxipoo sometimes doesn’t have much of an appetite. We hear this is typical for kids his age. I had to attend a school Christmas party, so Jaddie and Max hung out together. They even went over to Granny’s for a short visit. I met them over there when I left the party. Max and I stopped by neighbors Stephen and Dale’s before coming home. Mimi and Grandpa were also visiting. Max had a ball playing with Miss Dale. They gave him early Christmas presents. They gave Max a play camera and a green squeezy thing. He loves the camera and is a little scared of the green thing. We’re sure he will warm up to it soon. What a sweet thing for them to do!

When we got home we played a while before getting Max ready for bed. I read Max Snowmen at Christmas. He seemed to really enjoy the pictures. Mr Max is fast asleep now and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

December 13, 2009

9:47 pm—’Tis been a rough day around here. I didn’t sleep well and then we had to wake Max to attend a family reunion at a restaurant in Gainesville. I had a large coffee and a sixteen-ounce Monster energy drink to pry my eyes open, and we took a crying Max over to Granny’s to pick her up to go with us. Becky read the little fellow a nifty Christmas book given to him by our thoughtful, generous neighbor Candy, though that kept him entertained for just a few short minutes. We listened to crying and loud Christmas music on our way. The more loudly we played the Christmas music, the less Max cried.

When we arrived at our destination things didn’t get any easier. We had a table reserved for 1:30 but didn’t sit down until 1:45. That wasn’t so bad. But what royally sucked was sitting there until 2:42 waiting on the food. As a mentally active adult with an iPhone, I could have sat right there until tomorrow morning, but sitting through fifty-seven minutes with a little boy whose nap was cut short was a nerve-wracking experience.

Just as dinner finally arrived Max laid a stink bomb on us. Becky and I cleaned up the little fellow out in the car and went back in to have dinner. That didn’t last a full five minutes because Max got salt in the wound on his hand. Becky decided we’d eat in shifts. She went to the car with Max while I took first shift. I inhaled my dinner and went to the car to let Becky come back in and have hers. Max cried for a little while and then stopped crying long enough to produce another dirty diaper. We cleaned him up again, paid our check, and pointed the car toward home.

It was good to see folks on my daddy’s side of the family whom I haven’t seen in months, but I should have remembered that Max is completely unavailable from 11:00 am until at least 3:00 pm every day. When we got home Becky bathed the little fellow, fed him a bottle, and put him down for another nap.

He awoke with a completely different personality. He was full of silliness, good cheer, and energy. He ran around the dining room table as I prepared this year’s Christmas cards for mailing. He played with esteemed feline, Sir George, and brought me some Fisher-Price Little People, a coaster, a box of Bisquick, and a cookie cutter. He showed lots of interest in the card, too, which, of course, stars him.

We had a more peaceful dinner at home this evening, and then Mimi and Grandpa swooped up the little fellow to take him home with them to spend the night. I’ll catch up with Mr Max in the morning.

December 12, 2009

10:25 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Grandpa and Daddy this morning. I had to attend a language arts class. Grandpa kept little Max until I got home. I guess he wanted to have a little Max time. When I got home Max was ready for a nap. I fed him a bottle and he slept for five hours. I did errands while he slept.

When Max got up we went to visit aunt Emma Jean, who’s here visiting from south Georgia. We played with the cookie jar that Max loves at Mimi and Grandpa’s. It a talking cookie jar that has shapes that fit into it. Max just loves it.

Max went to visit Granny while aunt Emma Jean and I went to Kohl’s for a quick shopping trip. Max was very excited to see Granny. When we got back Max was running around have a grand ol’ time. We enjoyed seeing all the beautiful Christmas lights on our way home.

Jaddie and I just had a fun time playing with Mr Max before he tired out. Max stayed up a little later tonight since he went down late for his nap. He’s just had his last bottle and is now down for a winter’s nap.

December 11, 2009

9:41 pm—Today was much better than yesterday. Our poor little fellow has some blisters on his left fingers from touching something hot or pinching them in a door yesterday. He’s doing well, though, and has been full of good cheer all day.

Our morning was typical—walk and stroll the mall, Max and Grandpa had breakfast at Bojangles, and then Max came home, played for a while before getting some puffs and a bottle, and then took long nap.

He awoke shortly before Becky came home from school and went with her to run a couple of errands. We enjoyed pizza from Costco this evening at Mimi and Grandpa’s. We brought Max home, gave him a bath, took a few pictures, fed him a bottle, read him a bedtime story, and now he’s down for the night.

Grandpa taught Max where his “chub” (stomach) is. Now we ask Max, “Where’s your chub?” and he pats his torso.

December 10, 2009

9:08 pm—We had a rough start this morning. Max took in a lot of air, and/or he pinched his fingers while in our bedroom. He was crying when I took him down to the mall to meet Grandpa and he didn’t settle down, so we brought him back home. I gave him some anti-gas medicine and Motrin, and he seemed to get a little better shortly after Grandpa walked him around at our house. He went home with Grandpa and spent the day with him and Mimi. They said he watched Barney and seemed to be doing better.

Mimi and Becky had other plans this evening, so it was just Grandpa, Max, and I at dinner. Max was fine through most of dinner, but he grew a ‘tude toward the end, so he and I went to Grandpa’s car to avoid disturbing the others.

Becky fed the little fellow a bottle and put him down for the night. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

December 9, 2009

9:37 pm—Today was much better than yesterday. Max has been a much happier camper. He did his usual morning routine with Grandpa this morning, and then he came home and napped for nearly five hours.

Becky, Max, and I went to Fuddrucker’s for an early dinner. When we returned we played a good while before Mimi and Grandpa came over to help bathe Mr Max, decorate our gingerbread house, and put together a decorative holiday carousel that our neighbor gave us.

Mimi and Becky fed Maxipoo a bottle and put him to bed about an hour ago. I hear the ducks flying over our house right at this moment. I believe Grandpa and Max paid them a visit this morning at Mr and Mrs Wigley’s pond. It’ll probably be too cold and windy in the morning to go down there on the golf cart.

December 8, 2009

9:20 pm—’Tis been a cold, rainy, dreary day. Max had an explosion this morning that necessitated both his and my getting a shower. Then we went for our morning walk and stroll at the mall. Mimi and Grandpa were running late, too, so it worked out just fine. They went to Bojangles for breakfast, and then Grandpa brought him back to me.

I fed him and put him down for a nap, but a dirty diaper woke him after about three hours. He was in a good mood after I changed his dipe and fed him some juice. His pleasant disposition lasted until late in the afternoon when he got tired. We put him down for what we thought would be a short nap, but he napped for more than three hours.

Mimi and Grandpa came over for dinner tonight, and Grandpa begged for Max to spend the night with them. So that’s where the little fellow is as I write this. He was still tired, so I bet he’ll go right back to sleep once his head hits Grandpa’s pillow. I’ll catch up with them in the morning.

December 7, 2009

8:19 pm—I caught up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning. They went to Bojangles for breakfast, and then Grandpa brought Max home right away because Grandpa had a dental appointment this morning.

Max watched Barney while I got a shower. He was in exactly the same position in front of our bedroom television when I got out of the shower as he was when I got in. Our little fellow is mesmerized by Barney.

I fed him some veggie puffs and a bottle, and he went to sleep while drinking his bottle. Today he didn’t take a five-hour nap. Today’s nap lasted less than three hours. I believe he was uncomfortable because of some backed-up plumbing in his lower GI tract. When he awoke I fed him more puffs and some juice and took him over to Granny’s for a little while. Becky picked him up on her way home from school.

We were a little worried about our little fellow because he was obviously distressed. We poked a laxative in at both ends and eventually got some relief. Max was a much happier camper until this evening when his lack of rest caught up with him while at Mimi and Grandpa’s having dinner.

Becky just put the little fellow down for the night.

December 6, 2009

7:05 pm—Three from last Monday and three from last night’s party:


10:46 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got up around 8:00 this morning. We scooped him up and brought him to bed with us. He watched Barney while we got a little more rest. That little boy loves Barney! When we got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max ate only a little but thoroughly enjoyed all of Granny’s attention.

When we got home Max took a nap, Jaddie worked on pictures, and I wrapped Christmas presents. Jaddie and I also worked on our Christmas card. When Max got up he noticed all the work Mommy Elf did. We spent much of the rest of the afternoon telling Max “no-no” when he touched the presents.

Mimi and Grandpa came over to visit on the reindeer mobile. That’s what we now call the golf cart since it’s been decorated with a red nose and antlers for the holidays. Mimi and Grandpa played with Max for a while. Grandpa and I warmed up with hot chocolate. When they left they loaded up the Maxster and took him with them. Jaddie and I have been very busy on chores since they left, and we’re headed to bed soon.

December 5, 2009

9:09 pm—Max, Grandpa, and I played hooky from walking this morning. I believe Grandpa wanted to focus on getting his garage ready for tonight’s neighborhood progressive dinner party. His fancy two-story, two-plus-bay garage serves double duty as our neighborhood’s community recreation center. I don’t have an excuse for not walking this morning. I just didn’t feel like getting my corpulent caboose out of the bed and in gear. Max’s excuse is that he didn’t have a ride.

I don’t believe Max is feeling his best. He awoke about an hour-and-a-half into his nap. He was crying, so I picked him up, changed his dipe, and laid him right back down. And he went right back to sleep. When he awoke the second time, he was in good spirits but only for a short while. He faded quickly and upon getting hit with a barrage of no’s from Becky and me, his frustration tolerance bottomed out. We fed the little fellow a bottle and put him down for yet another nap. He inhaled that bottle and quickly went to sleep.

We woke him when I had to get a shower to go to tonight’s party, and he was in a good mood up until about his bedtime. I never saw him misbehaving or being fretful because I was busy talking to our neighbor Pat about the new iMac, but Becky said the little fellow was fading again. She fed him a bottle and we brought him home to let him finish a few more ounces we added once home. Then I let him brush his own teeth before putting him down for the night. He actually had a huge grin on his face as I was layering him with blankets.

We’ve got ourselves one sweet boy!

Becky headed back to the party and I’m at home writing this. She promised to bring me some desserts from that portion of tonight’s party.

December 4, 2009

9:18 pm—Max’s day began the usual way, with a stroll at the mall and breakfast at Bojangle’s. Grandpa took the little fellow to see the ducks before bringing him home. I took him over to Granny’s so he could get a nap. Our cleaners were here and making a bit of noise. Grandpa blew the leaves from our deck and driveway just before Becky brought Max home on her way in from school.

Mimi and Grandpa wanted the little fellow to spend the night with them again tonight, but we wanted him to sleep in his bed tonight so he could rest better. He seems as though he might be trying to fight off a cold or congestion. I know I am.

Even though I haven’t felt well all day, the day did have a bright spot in it. While Becky was gone to get dinner, Max sat in the recliner with me and watched Barney. He wiggled and squirmed only a little and never tried to get down. That was precious.

Maxipoo went to bed shortly before 8:00 pm, Becky’s gone to a Bunco party this evening, and I’m about to call it a day.

December 3, 2009

8:25 pm—Max finally got to see Grandpa again after not seeing him since Sunday. They walked and strolled at the mall this morning and then enjoyed breakfast at Bojangles.

Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa until the early afternoon. The little fellow didn’t take too long of a nap and woke up cranky, so Grandpa brought him to me. I changed his dipe, fed him a bottle and put him down for another nap. This one lasted about two hours. Then we had our cheerful, sunshiny little boy back. He and Becky ran to Target, and then we three went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Max is crashing there tonight, and Becky’s on her way home from a PTA meeting.

I have a cold and/or sinus congestion and didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m about to head to bed in hopes of having more energy tomorrow.

December 2, 2009

9:48 pm—The little fellow and I made our laps at the Mall of Georgia this morning, and then he watched Barney while I got a shower. Tomorrow morning things will be back to normal and he’ll have breakfast with Grandpa at Bojangles. Mimi and Grandpa have been out of town since Sunday evening to be with the extended family in south Georgia. Mimi’s brother-in-law passed away on Sunday and was laid to rest this afternoon.

Max napped until nearly 4:00 pm, and Becky and he went to the mall for a little while. She let the little fellow enjoy the children’s play area. We fed him and played with him until he became tired and ornery, practically begging for bed.

Mimi and Grandpa wanted to keep Max tonight, but he was just too zonked out by the time they got home. I suppose he’ll get to stay with them tomorrow night.

December 1, 2009

7:52 pm—Max and I went to the mall this morning for a stroll and walk, and one of our fellow mall walkers said she’d love to babysit Max. I told her that I’d hold her place in line, but that she was at the end of a long line of folks wanting to babysit our little fellow.

Max conked out on me before I was done playing with him this morning. It was about 11:10 when I put him down for his nap, and he napped until 3:30. He would’ve slept longer if it hadn’t been for having a number-two.

When Becky got home, we went over to Granny’s so she could keep Max while we went to dinner. It was a welcome surprise to see aunt Shirley and uncle Bill at Granny’s. They wanted to see Max.

Becky just finished giving Max a bath and is about to feed him, read him a bedtime story, and put him to bed. She’s tired and wants to try to have the house shut down by 9:00.

In closing tonight, I’ll leave you this link to life wisdom to be learned from Oprah Winfrey’s life and career. And if you happen to be reading this before midnight tonight (Eastern Time), Miss Oprah is offering two Christmas music tunes for free. Oprah, thank you very much for the music, but your wisdom, experiences, and attitude are your true gifts. Thank you so very much!

November 30, 2009

9:55 pm—Max brushed his own teeth tonight. I couldn’t believe it when Becky called me in to see him. We tried to get a picture, but the closest we got was of him with his toothbrush on his lips. The rate at which our little fellow learns is growing every day.

Max and I went to the mall this morning for a stroll and walk, and we played when we got home. Max watched his Barney video while I shaved and got a shower. Max looked as though he were in a spell as he fixated on Barney.

Max hugged me today all on his own, and it really warmed my heart. Later in the day he did the same thing to Becky. He grabbed our heads and pulled our faces against his and smiled.

Max took a second nap late this afternoon and we put him to bed about an hour ago. We’re about to head to bed so he doesn’t get too far ahead of us. That boy is such a blessing!

November 29, 2009

5:00 pm—Nine from Thanksgiving through yesterday:


9:52 pm—It’s been a pretty ordinary Sunday here at Chez Max. We enjoyed breakfast at Granny’s this morning. She made pancakes from the recipe passed along by blogger Jason Kottke. They were delicious.

When we came home from Granny’s, Max took a nap while Becky put up our Christmas tree and I worked on pictures. He’s been a cheerful but willful little fellow today. He frequently and deliberately tests limits. For example, he’ll put his fingers in the VCR’s tape slot and look at us to see how we react. When we tell him, “No,” he runs to us whimpering. He gets over it quickly, though.

He and I watched one of his Barney DVDs this evening while Becky ran a couple of errands. I have a cold and/or sinus infection and was glad the two of us could rest together.

We’re about to shut down the house and try to get the week started off right.

November 28, 2009

3:29 pm—Nine from last weekend through Wednesday:


11:12 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Mimi and Grandpa this morning. After that they went to Bojangles for breakfast. We played for a while when Max got home, and then he was ready for a nap. The little fellow woke up crying about an hour into his nap. We picked him up, changed his diaper, and gave him a small bottle. Then Maxipoo went beck to sleep for four more hours.

While Max was asleep we got the Christmas stuff out. We got it all decorated but don’t have the tree up yet. We plan to do that tomorrow. Max seems very excited about all the Christmas stuff. He especially likes the lighted deer in the backyard.

We took Max to the studio for a little shoot this evening. He wore his reindeer vest. We got a few that may be picked for our Christmas card. Mimi and Grandpa came over tonight to visit with us. Max played and had a good time. When they left we got Max ready for bed. Jaddie and I are watching the Georgia/Georgia Tech game and will be going to bed soon.

November 27, 2009

9:40 pm—Becky and Mimi spent the day shopping, and Max spent it snoozing. The little fellow went with Grandpa to Bojangles for breakfast this morning, and Mimi and Becky joined them.

Max played for a bit when he came home and then fell asleep while taking his bottle. He slept until close to 4:00 pm. Becky had just made it home, and Max was ready to play. We played and then fed the little fellow some dinner before Becky put his Santa Claus suit on him and took him down to the studio for pictures.

Max, Becky, and Mimi went over to Granny’s this evening to carry her some turkey salad. Granny got to see Max in his Santa Claus suit and was delighted to see her favorite little fellow.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and Becky and I are looking forward to sleeping late in the morning. Then we’ll catch up with Mr Max.

November 26, 2009 Thanksgiving

9:44 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max was just sitting in his crib when I popped in to check on him this morning. When he saw me he sprang up with the biggest smile on his face! We’ve had a big day! Max caught a quick nap this morning while we put the final touches on our Thanksgiving meal. We got him up right before Mimi, Grandpa, Granny, Jaddie, and I sat down to eat. In hindsight that wasn’t a good idea—he was a little Mr Cranky Pants. We fed him a little and then he laid back down. The little fellow sleep another four hours.

While he slept Mimi, Granny, and I headed out for some shopping. When we returned Max was ready for some fun. We played really hard! Aunt Shirley and uncle Bill came over for a visit this afternoon. Max had a ball with all of his company. Tonight he ate ten ounces of baby food for Granny. She’s the only one for whom he’ll eat from a spoon. It was so cute when he brought Granny two jars of food, and she said I’ll feed you but you have to be in the highchair. That’s just where he headed. It was like he knew just what she said. Max just had a bottle, a Christmas story, and is now in bed. We’re headed there, too.

Jaddie and I enjoy many blessings in our lives, but the one we’re most thankful for is the health and well-being of our special little fellow. He’s the light of our lives.

November 25, 2009

10:15 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Little Max got up early today. He went walking with Grandpa and they also made their usual trip to Bojangles. When Max got home we got ready for his first trip to the dentist. Max did great at Dr Lugas’s office. They even showed us how to successfully brush Maxipoo’s few clackers. We can’t say that he likes it much, though!

While Max took his nap Granny and I went out to get some last-minute Thanksgiving items. We’re gearing up for a yummy meal tomorrow. When Max got up we played and watched Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. Max is warming up to his newly pitched tent in our living room. Tonight we also did a Thanksgiving craft. We made a turkey from Max’s little handprint. They are so cute!

Jaddie and I gave the little fellow a bath, fed him a bottle, and brushed his teeth. We’re feeling pretty good and are about to turn in for the night.

November 24, 2009

9:58 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got up with me this morning. Jaddie fixed him a bottle and I changed the little fellow. Max then snuggled with his daddy while watching Barney. After that he went walking with Grandpa and Daddy. He finished the morning with a trip to Bojangles.

Max had his well visit today and Dr Smiley gave him a clean bill of health. He now weighs 22 lbs. and 14 ozs. His height is 31 inches. Dr Smiley also told us that Max is getting his molars. The little fellow got harpooned three times, which left him with three little boo-boos. Needless to say, Max was ready to leave after that!

When we got home we went to see the ducks and had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa. When we got home Max played a while before getting sleepy and wanting to go to bed. That’s where our little turkey is right now, and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

November 23, 2009

8:41 pm—We had another cold, wet day here in Georgia today. Max came home around 10:00 this morning, and then I took him to the mall for a walk and stroll. He missed out on Bojangles this morning, but he’ll catch up with his Bo peeps tomorrow.

When we got home from the mall, he was asleep, but I woke him to feed him a bottle before putting him down for his nap. Today he slept a little longer than five hours.

Becky, Max, and I went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. We enjoyed leftovers from last night and the night before.

Just before 8:00 this evening, Max was fussy and wanted his bottle. Becky fed him and put him back to bed. Becky and I are both tired and are about to join our little fellow.

November 22, 2009

5:25 pm—Nine from the past couple of weeks:


10:07 pm—Max slept between Mimi and Grandpa last night, and they said he hardly wiggled all night. He was a busy little fellow today, at least when he was awake. Becky and I picked up her grandmother and Max at Mimi and Grandpa’s this morning on our way to Granny’s for breakfast. Granny cooked a big breakfast for all of us and baked two different styles of chocolate cakes for tonight’s big dinner.

When we got home from Granny’s, Becky and Max took a two-hour nap together, which afforded me the perfect opportunity to work on a few pictures. It was cold, windy, and wet here in metro Atlanta today, so it was a perfect day to snuggle up and nap. After their two-hour nap, Becky got up to start working on dinner and let Mr Max continue his siesta. He slept for about three more hours, getting up just shortly before Granny arrived to help prepare dinner.

Mimi, Grandpa, aunts Ann and Martha, great grand Louise, and cousins Chase and Andrew joined the rest of us for dinner tonight at our house. Max and Andrew played with the new tent/tunnel that Becky and I found on sale a few months ago. Plus, there were a bunch of other toys for them to play with before and after dinner.

Everyone enjoyed dinner, dessert, and one another’s company. Mimi and Grandpa even took Max home with them for the second night in a row. I actually miss the little fellow. Maybe I’ll get some face time with him tomorrow. His waking hours are in short supply and high demand, which is the way it is, I suppose, for a kid as awesome as Max.

November 21, 2009

9:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max has had a big day! His day started with a walk, a trip to Bojangles, and then a golf cart ride. After all this Max was ready for a nap.

Max has had a playmate today. His cousin Andrew came to play with him. Andrew is eleven months older than Max. They’re both learning to share. It was funny to watch such little kids keeping tabs on what the other had. By the end of the day they’ve become big buddies. Andrew will be in town until Monday.

Max is spending the night with Mimi, Grandpa, cousin Andrew, aunts Ann and Martha, and great grand Louise tonight.

November 20, 2009

9:44 pm—Max is fifteen months old today. Today was just peachy for Mr Max. He got Mimi and Grandpa up bright and early at 6:30 and then went to the mall for a stroll with Mimi, Grandpa, and me. During our walk I noticed the little fellow’s careful studying of fellow mall walkers. He pays close attention to anyone who pays him any attention, and even closer attention to those who don’t. Maybe he figures there’s something wrong with those who don’t see him as the Second Coming. (By the way, I think he’d be right.)

After enjoying breakfast at Bojangles and conversing with most of the other patrons, the little fellow came home. Our housecleaners were here, so I took him over to Granny’s to stay until Becky came home from school. When we got to Granny’s she was sweeping leaves off of her walkway. Max saw her while he was still in his car seat, and he got excited and loud until I opened the door for him.

While I was gone, Grandpa worked on our ice maker, cleaned out from under our refrigerator, sawed up and removed a portion of a tree that fell in our backyard, and fixed our pantry door.

I came home and installed two two-terabyte hard disk drives into our main Mac. The physical installation didn’t take but ten minutes, but copying all of our data to the new setup took more than two hours. Everything is back up and running now, so I hope to get back to our pictures tomorrow.

Max, Grandpa, and Becky got us all a pizza this evening, and we enjoyed dinner together at Mimi and Grandpa’s. Afterwards, Grandpa drove us home on the golf cart, Becky gave Max a bath, and then she read him a story while I fed him a bottle. Now he’s down for the night and we’re trying to get to bed so we’ll have as long as possible to sleep before we hear our little alarm clock.

November 19, 2009

8:32 pm—Becky had a really tough time sleeping last night, so fatigue and a bladder infection conspired to give her a day in which she could barely keep her head above water. Max had a splendid day, though. He slept with us last night. He kicked Becky in the ribs several dozen times, flipped, tossed, and turned like a fish out of water, but I slept right through it all, snoring all the way. Between Max’s martial arts practice and my snoring, poor Becky could catch a decent wink to save her life.

Max got up about 7:00 and I gave him a bottle while we watched his Barney DVD. We went down to the mall and Grandpa pulled in right behind us. They went to Bojangles for breakfast and Grandpa brought him down here around 10:00. Max supervised Grandpa’s working on our ice maker, and I have a pretty good picture of that to share here tomorrow or Saturday.

Along came 11:20 am and Max was beginning to expire, so I put him down for nap. Becky woke him up about 3:45 this afternoon. The little fellow was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after his long siesta. He accompanied Mimi and Becky back down to the mall, where Becky bought him a Santa Claus costume. They went to Mimi and Grandpa’s after leaving the mall, and Grandpa cooked dinner for all of us and neighbors Greg and Renae.

Maxiboy is crashing with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and I’ll catch up with the little fellow in the morning. We’re going to try to shut down the house early tonight so Becky can get a good and long night’s rest.

November 18, 2009

9:17 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up this morning with a dirty diaper that would wake the dead. Jaddie said he was going to look for another house for us!

It’s been a lazy, rainy day. I’ve been home from school due to a bladder infection. Max and I took a two-and-a-half hour nap together this morning. Then we played hard. Mimi came over to play with Maxipoo this afternoon. She brought us muffins and a banana. Max loves bananas, but we’re still trying to teach him not to eat the peel.

When Mimi came over she reminded us that Miss Ann, one of her friends from the gym, was the first person to whom Max ever threw a kiss. Throwing kisses is a very big deal to Max and us right now! It’s so precious.

We three are all about to turn in for the night! We ‘re going to let the little fellow snuggle in with us, at least until he gets too flip-floppy for us to handle.

November 17, 2009

10:25 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke Mimi and Grandpa at 5:30 this morning, went on his regular morning walk, and then went to Bojangles for breakfast with Grandpa. Mimi carried the little fellow to story time at Borders, but Max was too tired. They had to leave early. When Max got home Jaddie gave him juice and put him down for a much-wanted nap.

Max slept until I got home from school. When he got up we played and then he ate. He’s been busy saying “bye-bye” today. The boy certainly loves staying on the move—when he’s not napping, anyway. We went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner, but Max didn’t eat much. We think he getting more teeth. When we got home Jaddie, Max, and I played for a long time. We also gave the little fellow a bath. He loves a bath and didn’t want to get out of the sink, even after he’d been in there long enough to be all shriveled up. I hope this continues.

Maxipoo had a story and a bottle,and now is asleep in his crib for the night. Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

November 16, 2009

10:20 pm—Max got up with Becky this morning. He’d turned his bed into a waterbed. Becky carried him to Mimi and Grandpa’s, and they went for their morning walk and then to Bojangles for breakfast. They kept Max for most of the day because I carried Granny to the eye doctor.

Granny, Max, Becky, and I met up with aunt Shirley and uncle Bill at Golden Corral late this afternoon. They happened to be in our part of the woods and wanted to see Mr Max. They brought Max a bunch of neat toys that he can play with when he’s visiting Granny.

Becky and I had a ball playing with Max when we got home. The little fellow played with a bunch of his toys and with Becky and me. We got what I expect to be some precious pictures of Max playing peek-a-boo with Becky.

Mimi and Grandpa came back to steal the little fellow away again, and this time it’s for the night. I’ll catch up with him in the morning on our walk.

November 15, 2009

10:05 pm—Max slept with us last night—well, until around 5:30 am, anyway. He sleeps better in his own bed, but we just had to have the little fellow with us last night.

Granny cooked breakfast for us this morning, and when we got home Max began a five-hour nap. I worked on a client’s images this afternoon, and Becky rearranged every bit of our living room furniture. I was shocked when I came downstairs and saw everything moved.

Max was a little fussy when I caught up with him this evening. Becky fed him a bottle and put him to bed around 8:00. We’re about to head to bed to get ready for a busy day tomorrow.

November 14, 2009

8:32 pm—Six images from earlier this month:


10:34 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max was just sitting in his crib when I went in to check on him this morning. I can’t believe he wasn’t protesting. We changed him and gave him a bottle. I had to attend a class this morning for school, so Max went walking with Daddy and Grandpa. After they walked Mimi and Grandpa came home and gave Max a bath before going to Bojangles.

Max took a five-hour nap this afternoon, just as he did yesterday. When he woke up we fed him and then played a while before going for a ride on the golf cart. Max and I took the golf cart through the neighborhood and to the Wigleys’ pond. Max can now say “ducks,” though it sounds more like “duh.” He really enjoys going to the pond. We stopped at Mimi and Grandpa’s for a visit. Max ate dinner with them. They had pancakes, and Max loved them. After dinner Mimi, Max, and I went to Rite Aid to get him some formula. When we started to leave Max fell on the payment and skinned up his cheek. I thought Mimi and I were going to cry more than Max. We can’t stand to see our Maxipoo get hurt!

When we got home Max had a bottle and bedtime story before going to Sleepytown. Jaddie and I are about to join him.

November 13, 2009

8:48 pm—First, I apologize to Becky’s aunt Mary for not posting any images today. Mary asked Becky when we’d be posting some fresh pictures of Sir Maxcelot. I have no excuse. Max took a five-hour nap today, giving me plenty of time, but I squandered it on browsing the Web and Twitter. I’ll do my best not to squander it tomorrow.

Max and I watched his Barney DVD before heading out to the mall for our walk. Mimi joined us this morning. They went to Bojangles for breakfast and then to Mr and Mrs Wigley’s for a visit. Max ran up and down the Wigleys’ driveway and even saw a fox. They visited and played for a while before bringing him back to me at 11:00. Boy, was he tired! He was fretful after he drank the last drop from his bottle and didn’t get quiet until I put him in his bassinet. He didn’t get back up until 4:40.

Becky, Max, and Grandpa went to Target and Toys“R”Us late this afternoon, and then Becky went to Costco to get the five of us a pizza. Max and I played in the living room while Becky was gone. We had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s. Afterwards, Mimi, Max, Becky, and Grandpa went on the golf cart to neighbors Stephen and Dale’s for a visit. Becky said the little fellow was cutting jigs and blowing kisses to Miss Dale.

Becky just put the little fellow down for the night a few minutes ago. He sleeps about fifteen hours a day, but when he’s awake, he’s full blast and a heck of a lot of fun.

November 12, 2009

9:06 pm—Max slept until nearly 8:00 this morning. He woke up while I was downstairs getting his bottle. He inhaled his juice and off we went to the mall to walk and stroll with Grandpa. They went to Bojangles for breakfast, and Grandpa brought the little fellow back to me around 10:30.

Max and I played for about an hour before I fed him and put him down for nap. He slept until well after Becky got home. Grandpa spent about an hour-and-a-half blowing off our driveway and yard. I just knew the loud backpack leaf blower was going to wake Max, but it never did. Grandpa also took one of our safety gates home and fixed it, and then he went to Lowe’s and bought us some more track lighting for our kitchen. Yesterday he fixed our floodlight that shines on the steps leading up to our deck.

The man is handy.

When Max awoke, Grandpa came down to give him a ride on the golf cart and Becky went with them. When she came home, she gave Max a bath and headed out for dinner with her friend Jodi and Jodi’s two daughters, Danielle and Lilianna.

As soon as they got home, Becky made Max a bottle and took him upstairs for a bedtime story and to put him to bed. He’s sleeping a lot right now, and I still can’t figure out if he’s just a little under the weather, or if Becky’s just wearing the little fellow out. She runs like a wild woman from the time her eyes open in the morning until she skids into bed at night. I get tired just watching her, so I don’t know if that pace has the similar effect on Max.

I’ve been cogitating over issues relating to parenting Max. I don’t know how much I’ll need to push him, what standards to set, or what to teach him to expect from life. One thing I know now that I didn’t know two years ago is that it’s definitely better if I just don’t allow those thoughts to take too much of my time, because if I do they’ll just wear me down and probably never bear any fruit. I’ve learned that it’s probably better to wait until those issues are answered for me.

The little fellow is doing fine so far. He’s amazing. He gets love just about every second he’s awake, and he’s pretty good about giving some back, too. One of his latest developments is blowing kisses.

We’ll have some new pictures up tomorrow. (I know you’re waiting, Mary.)

November 11, 2009

9:26 pm—Max let Mimi and Grandpa sleep until 6:45 this morning. Mimi was trying to sneak into the loo when she heard Max making his little “ooo, ooo, ooo” sound that’s his way of wanting to be picked up.

The little fellow stayed with Granny for a while this morning, and then he came home and took a four-hour nap. Mimi, Grandpa, Max, Becky, and I went out for dinner tonight at one of our favorite Italian places. Max went to the grocery store with Mimi and Becky after dinner, and Grandpa and I came home.

Max is already asleep for the night. He may be a teeny bit under the weather, so we’ll see how things go tomorrow.

November 10, 2009

7:11 pm—Max woke up as Becky was getting ready for school, so she fixed him a bottle and let me give it to him. After his bottle he propped himself up in bed and watched Barney’s Colorful World on DVD.

We were at the mall a little earlier than Grandpa this morning, so I already had half a lap finished with Max on my shoulders when Grandpa phoned. Later in our walk Max waved to me from his stroller. That was a precious moment I’ll never forget.

Mimi carried Max to music class at Borders today. Two of Mimi’s friends joined them on this trip and Max blew kisses at both of them. Two new things he’s doing are blowing kisses and clapping. He’s been waving “bye-bye” for a couple of months now.

Grandpa cooked dinner for us again tonight, and Max is spending the night with him and Mimi.

November 9, 2009

9:26 pm—Max woke Grandpa this morning at 5:00 and didn’t go back to sleep. Becky and I are pretty sure it has something to do with Mimi and Grandpa’s being in the same room with him. If he awoke and saw no one, we believe he’d go right back to sleep.

Grandpa took Max over to Granny’s this morning, and I picked him up after his nap in the early afternoon. We played for a while, but he was still tired and not looking like his typical high-energy self, so I fed him a few bites and a full bottle, and put him down for another nap. He slept until we woke him at 5:45 to go to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Grandpa cooked breakfast for dinner for us this evening.

The little fellow has a runny nose and isn’t feeling great. Becky fed him a bottle and put him to bed about 8:00 tonight, and we’re about to join him.

November 8, 2009

10:02 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept with us until about 4:30 this morning. He was lying sideways between Jaddie and me and pushing me off the edge of our queen-size bed. The little fellow was making noise from his bed about 8:30 am. We scooped him up, changed his diaper, and them gave him a bottle. We went to Granny’s shortly after that. Max didn’t eat much breakfast this morning, but he enjoyed playing with his food.

Max enjoyed a four-plus-hour nap this afternoon. I also took a nap, but mine was only for an hour. When Max got up he was hungry and thirsty. We took care of that and then we all played. Max played with his Rockin’ Racing Track for the first time. He wasn’t as interested as we’d hoped. We’re hoping he will take to it when he gets it all figured out.

Mimi and Grandpa came over for a little while tonight, and Max just had to go home with them. He’s now saying “bye-bye” clearly while waving his hand, so he was sure to tell Jaddie and me “bye-bye” as he left with Mimi and Granpda. We’ll catch-up with the sweetest little fellow in the whole wide world tomorrow!

November 7, 2009

10:50 pm—Max was up shortly after 7:00 this morning. For the second day in a row, I got there before Grandpa, and for the second day in a row, at least two fellow mall walkers wanted to know Grandpa’s whereabouts.

We met Granny and extended family Bill, Shirley, Shannon, Denise, Cami, Casey, Kerri, Jack, and Larry at Golden Corral this morning to celebrate Bill’s seventy-sixth birthday. I don’t believe Bill is going to have any trouble becoming a centenarian; he’s in good health and is as sharp as a tack.

Bill, Shirley, Denise, and Shannon came back to our house after breakfast to get a few quick pictures made. Denise is Bill’s daughter who’s visiting from Knoxville, and we thought it’d be a good idea to get a picture on the anniversary of Sir William’s birth.

Max got a good, long nap, and then he, Becky, and Grandpa headed out on the golf cart for a tour of the neighborhood.

We all played when they got back home, but it wasn’t long before our Maxipoo developed a case of the cranks. He was both tired and hungry. He woofed down about twelve or more ounces of formula and conked out in his bassinet shortly after 6:00 this evening. As I write this, he just got up and is having a late dinner. He’s very seldom awake at this hour. We’ll play for a bit and head back to bed. In all of his fourteen-and-a-half months, he’s never failed to go right back to sleep when we went to bed.

November 6, 2009

5:43 pm—The rest of our Halloween images:


9:18 pm—Max and I made it to the mall before Grandpa this morning. We were checking out the elaborate Christmas photo set when Grandpa came in with Max’s stroller. They went to Bojangles for breakfast and then to the Wigleys’ pond to see the ducks.

Granny called to ask me to bring her favorite Maxipoo over to see her, so we headed over to her house shortly before 11:00 am. Max stayed with Granny until Becky came home from school, and I came home and worked on pictures.

Max and Becky had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and now Max is asleep for the night. A day gets gone in a hurry around here.

November 5, 2009

9:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max awoke at 6:00 this morning at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and then he started his day as usual with walk with Grandpa and breakfast at Bojangles. When the little fellow got home it was naptime. It’s hard work getting people up so early in the morning!

After Max’s nap, Mimi, Jaddie, Max, and I got ready for Max’s second annual trip to Macy’s Pink Pig at Lenox Square. We had the same idea as a lot of other people in Atlanta. There were so many people there! I was very surprised that the line moved as fast as it did. When we were done we walked around the mall a while, ate supper, and came home. Max fell asleep on the ride home. He has been fussy most of the afternoon. We’re thinking it’s his teeth. We hope he feels better tomorrow!

When we got home I fed Maxipoo a bottle, read him a story, and we all three played a little while before Max went to bed. He’s now asleep and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

November 4, 2009

11:28 pm—There are a bunch more to come from Halloween, but here are two from October 27, one from Granny’s birthday, one from October 30, and two from Halloween:

Max had a present for Mommy this morning. It was in his diaper. She gave the little fellow a cleaning and put him in bed with me to have a bottle of juice. He and I met Grandpa at the mall for our morning walk and stroll, and afterwards they went to Bojangles for breakfast and then to Lowe’s.

Max was tired this morning. He went to sleep as I was giving him his midday bottle, but slept for just two-and-a-half hours before awaking with a present for me, which he was carrying in the same place he had Mommy’s present. I took good care of him and then put him on my shoulders for a nice afternoon walk down to Mr and Mrs Wigley’s pond to see the ducks. It was about a thirty-minute walk and the little fellow seemed to enjoy it.

Becky came home from school a short while later, and Max put on a big show for us. But he got tired and cranky and we put him back down for a nap. He got up in this evening to go to Target and Publix with Mimi and Becky. Then he went back to Mimi and Grandpa’s, where he’s spending the night.

Mimi and Becky are out seeing a movie. They went to see Amelia. With everyone out of the house, I had time to get a few things done on the computer, including the images posted above.

November 3, 2009

10:30 pm—I think Max had a good day today, but I’ve hardly seen him. He spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa, and I got to walk with him some at the mall this morning, but I didn’t see him again until after 4:00 pm. That’s when Becky and the little fellow met me at Granny’s, and Granny kept him while Becky and I went out for an early dinner.

Mimi took Max to Borders today for stories and music. Mimi told Becky that Max had a good time, but I’m sure he didn’t get a long nap today, which would explain his fussiness this evening. Becky put the little fellow down for the night shortly after 7:00 pm, and he didn’t complain.

We have a bunch of pictures to share from Halloween, and I’m hoping to have time tomorrow to get to some of those. We’re planning to take Max for his second annual visit to Macy’s Pink Pig on Thursday, so we won’t be short on pictures to share in the next week or two.

November 2, 2009

7:09 pm—Today was the first time I’ve ever seen Max sleep five hours during the day. His nap began around 11:20 and I got him up at 4:15. Grandpa came over shortly after 2:00 to blow off our deck and driveway, and I thought the sound of the blower would wake Max. The little fellow slept right through all that. This weekend was extremely busy for Max, so maybe he’s just recuperating.

Grandpa cooked breakfast for dinner for all of us tonight, and afterwards Mimi and Becky shampooed the Maxipoo. Our favorite little fellow is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, but I’ll catch up with him in the morning at the mall.

November 1, 2009

9:26 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Today has been a little slower than yesterday. We started the day with a trip to Granny’s for breakfast. While there we did a little photoshoot in the front yard of Max in his Superman costume. We only got a few good ones because I wasn’t good with the reflector. I guess I need more practice—and for Max to stand still.

When we got home Max took a four-hour nap and I put away the Halloween decorations. And Jaddie worked at the computer. When Max got up we got ready for another photoshoot, but this one was not for Max. It was for the Lorenz family. During the shoot Max tried to get in most pictures. However, when we try to take his picture in the studio, he tries to get out of the picture. Go figure!

Our studio was a little cramped during our shoot, especially with Max on the loose. Jaddie tripped over the little fellow’s helicopter and hit him in the head with a wooden chest. Max cried for a minute, but we believe he’s okay.

We had an early dinner and played for a while before Max went to bed. He went to bed at his old bedtime, so we’re not sure when he’ll get up. The little fellow operates on his body’s schedule, and it doesn’t know we fell back an hour today.

October 31, 2009

10:42 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Wow! What a day! Max’s day started with a walk at Mall of Georgia with Grandpa. Then I met them at Bojangles for breakfast. Max and Grandpa took Halloween doughnuts to their friends who work at Bojangles. When we got home Max took nearly a four-hour nap.

When Max got up from his nap the two of us left out for some Halloween fun. We first went to Toys“R”Us, but there was no fun to be had there. Then we headed to the mall, but there was nothing for Max’s age group there, either. After that we picked up Mimi and went to Cracker Barrel for an early dinner. That’s when the fun started. Next we visited Publix for their Halloween fun. Max had a ball at Publix. He made a cookie and played some games. He also gave out a lot of smiles while sporting his adorable Superman costume.

Superman had to stop and wish Granny a happy Halloween before coming home to get ready for Trick or Treating. Granny loved Max’s costume.

Tonight Grandpa, Jaddie, Max, and I trick-or-treated our neighborhood. Yes, Max had a costume change before heading out. He changed into another adorable costume, a monkey! He visited most of our neighbors. Grandpa drove us on his golf cart, which made trick-or-treating a lot easier. Jaddie went along and took pictures at every stop. After finishing up in our neighborhood, we went to uncle Larry’s house. He was very happy to see Max, the tired monkey. We didn’t stay too long because Max was so tired and very much wanting his bed.

When we got home I read Max a Halloween story Mimi gave him, then put my monkey to bed. We’re not far behind. It’s been a fun day!

October 30, 2009

9:41 pm—Max was sound asleep at 7:40 this morning, and I had to wake him so we could go walking with Grandpa at the mall. They went to Bojangles for breakfast, and then Grandpa brought him home on the golf cart. The little fellow and I played for a little while, and then I fed him a bottle and put him down for a nap that lasted four hours.

When Becky came home from school, the three of us went to IHOP for an early dinner. Max charmed the folks around us with his big and frequent smiles. He’s such a ham!

Becky put the little fellow in the tub with her to give him a bath, and then we discovered our computer’s trackball missing. Gee, I wonder who could have lost it? Becky and I looked high and low for our trackball but never found it. I really hope it turns up tomorrow.

Becky and Mimi went to a Bunco party tonight. When they left, Max and I went to Granny’s for a short visit. He played with Granny a while, and she fed him some fruit and crackers. On the way home I dropped him off with Grandpa so he could spend the night there tonight. He was tired, so I’m sure if Grandpa fed him a bottle, the little fellow would be ready for bed.

I’m tired and am about to go to bed even before Becky gets home from her Bunco party.

October 29, 2009

10:26 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Grandpa this morning. Then it was off to Bojangles for breakfast. When he got home he spent some time with Mimi and Grandpa before coming home. By the time he got home he was ready for a nap. The little fellow keeps a busy schedule!

We had Granny over tonight for her birthday. Grandpa and cousin Chase also joined us. We had a nice dinner and for dessert we had a fresh, homemade pecan pie. Yummy! Max had a ball with Granny and all his other company. After everyone left Jaddie and I played with Mr Max before he went to bed. Max is a lot of fun to play with!

The little fellow didn’t complain about going to bed. We think he was still tired from his big day yesterday. Jaddie and I are about to join him.

October 28, 2009

9:42 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Daddy and Grandpa this morning. Then he made his usual trip to Bojangles. After that he beat a trail to Granny’s. Jaddie had to work in Atlanta today, so Max spent the day with Granny. He played hard at Granny’s and got to spend some time with uncle Larry. Larry gave Maxipoo a ride on the lawnmower. I picked the little fellow up this afternoon after school.

Max, Mimi, Renae, and I went to a fall festival this evening at First Baptist Church of Buford. Max had a ball! He wore his monkey costume, and, boy, was he cute! Even teenagers stopped to comment on his cuteness. Max enjoyed walking all over the festival. We rode the swings ride, kiddie train, and hayride. We even rode the train twice! Max had so much fun that as soon as he sat in his car seat he was asleep. Jaddie had to scoop the little fellow up to bring him inside. I have to say it was the highlight of my day to see Max have so much fun!

Max drank a bottle in his sleep when we got home and then it was beddie-bye!

October 27, 2009

8:35 pm—Max spent most of the day with Mimi and Grandpa. After walking and strolling at the mall and breakfast at Bojangles, Mimi took the little fellow to story time at Borders. Mimi said she and Max had a pretty good time. They made ghosts out of lollipops.

Max and I played hard when we brought him home. He never seems to get tired of peek-a-boo, and we played with balls, his beloved helicopter, giraffe chair, school bus, Thomas the Train, Tow Mater, and more balls.

Max napped for only an hour at Mimi and Grandpa’s, so we know he’s absolutely worn out. Becky fed him a bottle and put him to bed about twenty minutes ago.

October 26, 2009

8:59 pm—Max woke Grandpa at 5:45 this morning, which is the time he woke him last time he spent the night. Mimi and Grandpa have Max sleep in his bassinet in their room, and I believe that’s why ol’ Maxiboy is bright-eyed and bushy tailed at o’dark-thirty. He doesn’t sleep well for us when he’s in his bassinet in our room if we’re in our bed. On the other hand, he sleeps like Rip Van Winkle if he’s in his bed in his room, which is just right outside of our room. (We could definitely hear him if he were making any noise).

So when I saw Grandpa strolling Max this morning at the mall, Max was reclined in his stroller and asleep. See, it’s hard work getting folks up so early, so a growing boy has to get back to his beauty rest.

Max came home and slept nearly four hours in his bassinet. He was in our dark bedroom with soothing, instrumental music playing. I don’t make much noise working at our computers, so he’s able to sleep well here.

When the little fellow wasn’t asleep, we played in the living room and walked down to our mailbox and around the house a couple of times. We had breakfast for dinner tonight at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and Max joined us. Before dinner Becky took him on a tour of the neighborhood on Grandpa’s golf cart.

He’s still tired from yesterday’s activities, so we’ve already put him to bed for the night. I can hear his music playing upstairs. As I write this, Becky is gone to Toys“R”Us to get him a Little People Racin’ Ramps Garage. I had something similar to this when I was a little fellow.

October 25, 2009

10:03 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Two from Thursday, three from yesterday, and one from today:

Max let us sleep until 8:45 this morning, and we’re very thankful for that. When we got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max was so happy to see her. She fed Mr Max eggs, toast, and bacon. When Max got home from Granny’s we tried taking a nap together, but Max was a big wiggle worm! I finally put him in his bassinet and abandoned the idea of a nap for me.

Max’s nap was short. When he got up I was gone to the grocery store with Mimi, and he and Daddy played. When I got home we had a late lunch and played some more. My friend Jeanie came over to get some of Max’s baby stuff for her first grandchild, who’s due in May. We’re happy someone can get some use out of Max’s things.

This afternoon Max, Jaddie, and I went to a corn maze. We had a lot of fun, but got a little tired. Max walked about eighty percent of the maze himself. Bless his little heart, for the little fellow fell no less than a hundred times. Believe it or not, he didn’t cry even once from falling. We tried to carry him and that made him cry, but by the time we were at the end of the maze he wanted to be carried. There’s no telling how far we walked, because most of it was in a circle. It was hard watching out for Max, carrying a camera with a heavy lens, monopod, and reflector—all while reading a map.

Max had dinner when we got home and then went to bed. The little fellow was tired. After his nap I gave him a good bath and Mimi and Grandpa came over to steal him away. I bet he’ll be dreaming about corn tonight.

October 24, 2009

8:33 pm—Grandpa was here at 8:00 am sharp to pick up Max to go to the mall. I joined them a short while later. Becky had a class to attend today from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, so she didn’t get to enjoy breakfast at Bojangles with Grandpa and Max.

Mimi and Becky took Max to Borders for a storytelling, but by the time they arrived, the storytelling was over. Max didn’t mind. He was sporting his Superman costume and winning the hearts of all Borders’s patrons as he ran through the aisles in search of Lex Luthor.

We ran out of formula today and Becky went to the store to get more, but while she was gone, I phoned Mimi and Grandpa to see if they could run some down here. No more than three minutes passed before I heard the bottom of Grandpa’s Grand Marquis literally skidding across our curb as he delivered the goods.

Max and I appreciate the stellar service. Max woofed down eight ounces without stopping. We’d just given him four ounces a couple of hours earlier, so he’s either in a growth spurt or his appetite is growing with him.

Becky and I both are having some minor sinus trouble that’s affecting our energy and concentration. Still, Mighty Max has been an absolute joy. When he’s putting on a show, which is almost all the time, we forget what ails us.

But the little fellow is just about worn out from playing so hard and entertaining us. Becky’s feeding him another bottle and reading him a bedtime story before putting him to bed for the night.

With any luck we’ll all be in bed by 9:15. It’s Saturday night, and we ain’t teenyboppers no more.

October 23, 2009

9:29 pm—Three from Max’s fourteen-month birthday:

After waking Grandpa at 5:45 this morning, Max had the audacity to sleep as Grandpa strolled him on their morning walk at the Mall of Georgia. I was going to hoop and holler at my favorite little fellow when I saw him this morning, but he was reclined in his stroller and studying the backs of his eyelids.

Max spent most of the day with Granny, aunt Shirley, and uncle Bill. I heard that Max cut a bunch of jigs for them today. When we first arrived at Granny’s Max had lots of energy. He was playing and having a big time and was all smiles. It must have been hard work waking Grandpa at 5:45, though, because Max had a two-hour nap at Granny’s today. Becky picked up the little fellow after school.

In the images above you see the new frog costume Becky is pinning on Max for Halloween. And below you can see the monkey costume she bought for the same occasion. Well, today she put him in the cutest little Superman costume! If you think he looks cute in his other costumes, wait until you see him dressed up as The Man of Steel! Who else gets stuck with having to wear three costumes for one holiday?

When Max got home he played hard with Becky and me. He was full of exuberant giggles. It’s so gratifying just to be with the little guy. He didn’t last long, though. After he got back from showing Mimi and Grandpa how cute he is in his Superman costume, we hauled a couple of meteors from his nose, fed him a bottle, read him a story, and put him to bed before 8:00. I feel sorry for him if we wants to wake me at 5:45 in the morning, like he did Grandpa this morning. He’d better put his lungs to work if he expects results. Otherwise, he’ll be listening to me sawing logs.

October 22, 2009

9:47 pm—Today was pretty typical—it began with a walk and stroll at the mall, Max and Grandpa had breakfast at Bojangles, Max took a three-hour nap, has been a total joy to be around, we had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and Max enjoyed several golf cart rides through our neighborhood.

Grandpa came over this afternoon and whisked Max away on the golf cart. He couldn’t have come at a better time. I put Max on my shoulders and took down to our mailbox and walked around our yard for a while. When we came back inside, the little fellow played for just a few minutes before wanting to go back outside. That’s when Grandpa called.

Max got a bath at Mimi and Grandpa’s this evening, and he’s spending the night with them tonight.

October 21, 2009

9:38 pm—Max woke Grandpa at 6:00 this morning. Apparently, there was no special reason; Max just wanted to get the day started. However, when I saw Max and Grandpa at the mall, Max’s light was going dim. Grandpa said Max was asleep when they wheeled into Bojangles this morning.

The little fellow took a long nap after his bottle, he and I played for about an hour before Becky came home from school. The three of us then went over to Granny’s, and she kept Max while Becky and I went to Chili’s for an early dinner.

We played hard once we got back home, and Mimi and Grandpa came over to see the little fellow. Grandpa wanted Max to spend the night with them again tonight, but Becky wouldn’t let him go.

Max cried for five to ten minutes when we put him to bed. I couldn’t believe he still had that much energy left because he was so tired from running and playing. Becky and I are both tired and are looking forward to going to bed.

October 20, 2009

5:38 pm—Max is fourteen months old today. He’s been with Mimi and Grandpa all day and has had several little booboos while playing. He’s upstairs taking a nap right now.

Here are two images from last Tuesday, one from Wednesday, one from Thursday, one from Sunday, and one from yesterday:


10:19 pm—(Posted by Becky)—We put Max in bed with us last night, but it didn’t work out well. Jaddie snored and Max flip-flopped incessantly, causing me to hug the edge of our bed until I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had to put Max in his bed so I could get some rest.

Our little fellow has been very busy today. When I got home he was so happy to see me. We played a little while at Mimi and Grandpa’s before coming home. When we got home Max took a thirty-minute nap. Then it was full blast again. Max, Jaddie, and I must have played with every toy in the house. After dinner we did a little photoshoot for his fourteen-month birthday. We also did a foot-and-hand impression. We’re very excited to have these precious treasures. Mimi and Grandpa came over tonight, and when they started to leave Max had to go with them. We’ll miss our little sweetie tonight, but we’ll catch up tomorrow.

October 19, 2009

9:44 pm—I was at the mall this morning before Max and Grandpa. They were delayed because Becky and I forgot about the stroller, which was in the trunk of her car, which was with her at school. For the second time in the past couple of months, Grandpa and Max motored over to Becky’s school to retrieve the stroller.

Grandpa brought Max back home this morning after they had a “meet ‘n’ greet” at Bojangles and went riding on the golf cart. Grandpa said Max interacted with a lot of folks this morning at their favorite breakfast hangout. Max and I played for a while before I fed him and put him down for a nap.

When he awoke we picked right back up where we left off—playing hard. I just counted nineteen toys strewn about our living room floor, and we played with every single one of them. (And not all of what we played with is still on the floor; some of it is on the floors of other rooms.)

Max cut a jig several times this afternoon, and I banged on the floor to provide percussive accompaniment, something he picked up on right away and mimicked me immediately. I modeled writing on our chalkboard with chalk for him, and he made his first marks with chalk right away. He was clumsy with the chalk, of course. Most of the time his little fingers were in contact with the chalkboard more than the chalk itself. Nonetheless, there’s still a faint mark on the board drawn by Max himself.

After a couple of hours into our playtime, Max handed me one of my shoes. I thanked him and put it away. Then he handed me my other shoe. I put it away, too. Then he wanted me to pick him up, and when I did he lunged for the door. I took the hint and rode the little fellow on my shoulders down to our mailbox and back.

Grandpa fixed breakfast for dinner for us tonight. We had grits, eggs, and biscuits. Max had dinner with us, and, boy, did he ever make a mess! The little fellow had grits in his hair by the time dinner was done.

After playing so hard for so long and getting a bath, Max was ready for bed, though he didn’t know it. Becky fed him a bottle, read him a bedtime story, and tucked him in. He whimpered and cried for a couple of minutes, and then he was out like a light.

Which means he may be up early in the morning, so we know to get in bed as soon as we can.

Max continues to be an incomprehensibly phenomenal blessing to us. It’s an awesome, wonderful experience to be with him.

October 18, 2009

9:07 pm—Max didn’t let us sleep late this morning. I believe it was well before 8:00 when he got us up. The little fellow had had a number-two and needed some attention!

We went over to Granny’s for breakfast, and Max had a good time running around her house. Becky took him outside for a ride in his Cozy Coupe. I thought it was too cold, but Max didn’t want to come back inside.

Becky and Max took a nap together when we returned, but Max didn’t let his mommy nap as long as she wanted. He was ready to play!

Becky gave the little fellow a bath and put him in a cute monkey costume. We were going to take his picture, but he wasn’t a very happy camper when we tried. Mimi and Grandpa dropped by after church to see and abduct their favorite grandchild. Becky picked him up a little later, took him to Target, and then brought him back home and put him down for nap.

The little fellow wouldn’t take a much-needed nap, though, and Becky caved in and rescued from his bassinet. He ran around the house and took as much stuff out of drawers and off of tables as he had time for.

He’s spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and the only way Becky and I believe we can get caught up on our sleep is to go to bed early.

October 17, 2009

4:53 pm—Six from October 6–13:


10:00 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got up before 7:00 this morning and went walking with Grandpa. I met them at Bojangles for breakfast. When Max got home we played for a while, and then he took a four-hour nap.

When Max got up we watched the Georgia game together while Jaddie worked on pictures. We were good cheerleaders this week—Georgia won. After the game we played hard. We ran all around the downstairs and Max danced a lot. This evening Mimi, Max, and I ran a few errands. One errand was to stop at Miss Dale and Mr Stephen’s house. Miss Dale made Max a monkey blanket that folds into a pillow. It was so cute! While there Max said his new word for them: up. He also danced for them. They thought that was so cute. Max just loves Stephen and Dale.

Our little fellow is already asleep. He didn’t want to go to sleep tonight. I guess he had too much fun playing today. I assured him we would play again tomorrow!

October 16, 2009

10:44 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Ten from our October 2 trip to Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville, Georgia; one from the following day at Gymboree; and one of Max and Mimi from October 4:

Max woke up around 7:45 this morning. Jaddie said he was standing in his crib and jumping up and down with a big smile on his face. What a morning greeting! Our little fellow always wakes up on the right side of the bed. After getting up cheerfully he went walking with Grandpa and Jaddie. Then it was Bojangles time. After breakfast Grandpa and Max went to Doraville on an errand. Max was so quiet that Grandpa pulled off the road to check on his favorite backseat driver. He found Max sound asleep. Our little fellow has to have his morning nap!

When Max got up from his afternoon nap Grandpa quickly came over to steal him away on the golf cart. They took a ride through the neighborhood and were waiting for me to get home. When I arrived at Mimi and Grandpa’s this afternoon I snuck in to wash my hands and then said, “Where’s Max?” Max turned and ran quickly towards me. It made my heart melt!

We played a lot this afternoon and had a great time. Max has been dancing for us. It’s absolutely adorable! We’ve got to get this on video!

Max is hanging his hat with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Jaddie and I will catch up with our little dancer in the morning.

October 15, 2009

9:14 pm—Max slept until I woke him this morning at 7:45, and he had a four-hour nap this afternoon. He feels fine—he’s playing hard and resting hard.

We went walking and strolling with Grandpa this morning, and I’m pretty sure they had breakfast at Bojangles. Max and I played for about an hour, and then he napped until 3:45 this afternoon.

We had dinner at Grandpa’s shop this evening. He and Mimi hosted our homeowners association’s potluck dinner. Grandpa wanted Max to spend the night with him tonight, but the after-dinner meeting went a little long, at least for our Maxiboy. Becky made an SOS call to me and I picked them up. Becky fed our little fellow a bottle, read him a story, and then put him to bed about fifteen minutes ago.

I’m glad Max is sleeping and napping as well as he is. If he didn’t nap and slept only intermittently, I’d be fit for a rubber room. He’s a real joy to be with, but, wow, does he ever run on wide open!

Becky and I are tired and are looking forward to turning out the lights and tuning into the white noise of our air cleaner, humidifier, and fan.

October 14, 2009

9:30 pm—It’s been another busy day here at Max Central, though I did have to wake Max to get the day started. The little fellow played so hard yesterday and had only one short nap, so he wanted his fourteen hours of rest last night. This morning I turned on his lights and called his name from just above his ears and he didn’t budge. I tried again about fifteen minutes later and he blinked his eyes a couple of times and sprang to life.

We met Grandpa at the mall for our morning walk and stroll, and afterwards they had breakfast at Bojangles. I forgot to carry my phone upstairs with me when I went up for a shower and missed three calls from Grandpa. Grandpa had some flooding in his shop, which is going to be used for our neighborhood’s potluck dinner tomorrow night, and he wanted me to take Max. As I was putting on my shirt I heard a determined knock at the back door, which was Grandpa bringing Max home.

Max had an appointment to get his second flu shot at 11:00 this morning. I began getting ready to go in plenty of time, but Max decided 10:30 was a good time for a number two. I cleaned him up but ran out of wipes, so I took him into our bedroom while I got a warm washcloth to finish the job. As I was getting the washcloth ready, Max tinkled right in the floor. He even looked proud of himself as he turned around toward me.

So I absorbed what I could with paper towels, scrubbed down the carpet with another wet washcloth, soaked the soiled spot with half a can of Lysol, put a fresh dipe on Mr Max, redressed him, loaded him into my car, and headed to his pediatrician’s office.

Things went well there. Max cried for only about thirty seconds when he received his vaccination, and then we stopped by Granny’s for a short visit and some lunch. He was ready for a nap when we got home. Becky woke him around 3:45 to take him to IHOP with us for an early dinner. After IHOP we played for a while, and then he and Becky went out to get more dipes and wipes and to visit with Mimi and Grandpa for a while.

He played for a while longer when they came home, finally getting tired, fussy, and ready for his bottle, a story, and bed. That’s where he is right now and we hope to join him in just a few minutes.

October 13, 2009

10:02 pm—Max enjoyed had a busy, fun-filled day. He did his usual morning stroll and breakfast with Grandpa, and then he stayed with Mimi and Grandpa until Becky came home from school. Mimi took the little fellow to music and storytime at Borders at the mall, and she said he had a blast. The group was very small, and the session leader gave each kid a lot of attention. Mimi said Max cackled a lot.

Later this afternoon Becky and I took Max to Buford United Methodist Church’s big pumpkin sale for a few pictures. He was tired when we came home, so Becky fed him and let him take a nap.

When he awoke, Grandpa came over and took Becky and Max to neighbors Greg and Renae’s so he could visit with Renae’s parents. They gave Max an adorable monkey in the box. We thank Mr and Mrs Buice for thinking of our little fellow.

When Becky and Max got home from Greg and Renae’s, we played in the living room and took more pictures. I’m so behind on our pictures, but I’ll catch up in the next few days. Today I made some prints for Grandpa to give to his friends, and in the process the driver for our graphics tablet went kaflooey. Identifying the problem and developing a solution sucked about an hour out of the day, and that was an hour I’d like to have back.

One of the cutest things Max is doing right now is saying, “Ahhhh,” after drinking or eating something. I may be mistaken, but I believe he learned that sound from me. When I drink water around him, I usually drink it quickly so I can get back to taking care of him. I believe he has often heard me exhale after drinking a tumbler full of water and is mimicking me.

Max is asleep now, and Becky and I are about to join him.

October 12, 2009

10:38 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept until nearly 8:30 this morning. I guess the rain fooled him. When he got up we went to Bojangles for breakfast with Grandpa, and when Max got home he was ready for a nap.

After his nap Max and I played and had a good time. I’ve really enjoyed the last four days with Max. He’s such a joy to be around.

Max took a second nap today. He has been tired. We think it could be teething. He’s got little white things poking up in several spots. He really won’t let you get a close-up view. I guess that might slow him down. He’s all about moving!

We had dinner with neighbors Greg and Renae at Mimi and Grandpa’s tonight. Max was good during dinner and put on a big show for all of us afterwards. He’s spending the night with them tonight. Jaddie will catch up with the little fellow in the morning.

October 11, 2009

9:47 pm—(Posted by Becky)—We’ve had a ball with our little fellow today. Grandpa brought him home around 9:00 this morning and then we soon headed to Granny’s. We all had breakfast, and then I took Max outside to play. We played with his Cozy Coupe. I took the bottom out so Max could peddle, but he’s not ready for that. The only thing we accomplished was getting three holes in his new socks.

When we got home we put Max down for a nap. Then I ran out to do a few errands. Max enjoyed a long afternoon nap. We’re beginning to think he was going to sleep the day away. When he got up he had lunch and played hard. Max and I played upstairs because Jaddie was working with a client on the phone. Max isn’t quiet when he plays now. This evening Mimi came over and Max and I went to Michael’s and Costco with her. We picked up a pizza at Costco for dinner. We all five enjoyed it.

After dinner Mimi, Max, and I went riding through the neighborhood on the golf cart, and we visited with a few neighbors along the way. When we got home we played a while longer while Jaddie took his shower. I gave Max a bath in the sink, then we snapped a few pictures, and now Max is sawing logs. Grandpa called and wanted the little fellow to spend the night, but Max was already asleep. So he called dibs on him for tomorrow night.

October 10, 2009

9:01 pm—Max and Becky baked brownies for some of our neighbors this morning. Then we went to Gymboree, where Max was cranky and resistant to direction. We ended up leaving early to bring Max home, feed him a bottle, and put him down for a nap.

When he awoke it was time to head over to Granny’s to see her and aunt Shirley.

When Becky and Max got back home, Mimi and Grandpa were back home from South Georgia, and that’s where Max is hanging his hat tonight.

We miss our favorite little fellow, but at least we’ll get to sleep late in the morning. Plus, we’ll get the little fellow back in about thirteen hours from now.

October 9, 2009

9:49 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from the end of last month:

Max and I started our day with breakfast at Bojangles. Then we came home and got the house ready for our housekeeper. After all that I tried to put Max down for his nap, but no dice. He was unable to sleep with all the noise they were making, so I scooped him up and we headed for the mall. I thought he could sleep in the stroller if he liked. The little fellow didn’t sleep and stayed in a good mood until he got a nap at home at 2:00 pm. We even enjoyed a nice lunch at Red Lobster together. Max was patient and well-mannered through our lunch. That’s when he is usually getting up from his nap.

Max slept until 5:30 pm. After he got up we went on a golf cart ride through the neighborhood. We stopped at our new neighbor’s, Mrs Wheeler, and she had a bear she wanted to give Max. That was so sweet of her. When she gave it to him he gave his new bear a big hug. He is so very sweet!

After dinner I gave the little fellow a shampoo. He’s all sparkly now! He just had his last bottle and is already gone to Sleepytown. Jaddie and I aren’t far behind because we’re so tired. It’s hard work keeping up with little Max, but very fun!

October 8, 2009

8:51 pm—Max is asleep after playing hard all day, and Becky and I feel as though our most common infections have reared their ugly heads—bladder for her, sinuses for me. We’re tired and are about to join Max in dreamland.

I took Max through the neighborhood on Grandpa’s golf cart this afternoon. We stopped to chat with Mrs Wigley for a bit, and she gushed about how cute and sweet Max is.

Max and I took Granny to the eye doctor today and Becky picked her up and brought her to our house. Granny tried to spoon-feed Max, but that didn’t go too well. Right now Max wants to eat only items he can grasp with his hands, and he’s not ready for a spoon or fork just yet.

After dinner Becky and Max carried Granny home. Max was tired and cranky when he returned home, so Becky fed him a bottle and put him down for a nap. He’s still taking that nap, and we hope his nap continues all through the night.

October 7, 2009

9:02 pm—Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa last night, and Becky and I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to get plenty of rest, so we’re both exhausted right now and can hardly wait to shut down the house.

Grandpa said Max woke up shortly before 7:00 this morning. We all went for our morning walk and stroll, and I assume Grandpa and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast. Grandpa brought the little fellow home around 10:00. We played for a short while before I fed him some veggie and strawberry bites and a bottle. He went down for a nap around 11:15 am and napped all the way until 2:45 pm.

But he hasn’t stopped since then. Not for a nanosecond.

We played for a good while, went for a ride on Grandpa’s golf cart, played for a while longer, and then Becky got home and took over playtime.

There are toys and miscellaneous items all over our living room floor. It’s no longer safe to walk through our house in the dark. I have a blood blister on my left toe and both toes throb just about all the time. I went upstairs while ago and our computer’s trackball was on the floor and the cradle it sits in was five feet away and also on the floor. Our headphones were also on the floor.

We went over to Granny’s this evening so she could keep Max while Becky and I went to Chili’s for dinner. Max never slowed down at Granny’s, either. I don’t know where he gets all that energy. Oh, wait. I do know: he took a three-and-a-half-hour nap earlier today.

Becky just fed Max a bottle, read him a bedtime story, and put him to bed for the night. He didn’t complain one bit. Nor did we. Max is a heck of a lot of fun, but taking care of him, playing, and running a household require all the energy I can muster. How folks do all this plus handle an eight-to-five job is beyond my comprehension.

We wish our cousin Trey a very happy ninth birthday today! Trey’s a super-cool kid and a genuine pleasure to know.


9:24 pm—I just browsed our gargantuan 2009 archive and got just about all of my energy back. Looking at those images of Max and reading some of his stories refueled me.

Max is a sacred creature.


9:55 pm—I’ve been reading our 2009 archive and looking at those pictures for about half an hour. I think Max is off to a pretty good start in his life.

My cheeks are wet and I’m exhausted again. It’s beddie-bye for me.

October 6, 2009

10:11 pm—Max enjoyed a day full of play and one-on-one attention today. He did his usual stroll and breakfast with Grandpa, and he stayed with Mimi and Grandpa until 2:00 this afternoon. I had an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat doctor for sleep apnea and snoring, so Mimi and Grandpa kept Max while I was away.

Max and I played together until Becky got home from school. Then they went out shopping for a little while. When they got home, Max took a notion to stand up on our hearth for the first time. Grandpa built and installed a custom bumper for our hearth, which is great for protecting Max from falling into it, but it’s not an easy thing for Max to stand on. Luckily, Max didn’t have any hard falls, though he lost his footing a few times. He’s definitely impressed with his new achievement.

I noticed while playing with him today that I can’t figure out his dominant hand. He seems to use his right and left hands about equally, but if he uses one hand more than the other, it’s probably his left, which is surprising to me because I don’t know of any southpaws on either sides of our families.

Another new achievement reached today is Max’s knowing which button to press on our camera to take a picture. That sounds simple, but the camera in question is a Canon 5D Mark II with battery/portrait grip. Once I showed the little fellow the shutter release button, he took about forty pictures. He stands to the side of the camera to press the shutter release and then bends and looks at the back of the camera to see the picture he just took. The boy ain’t even fourteen months old yet. Becky had the smarts to whip out an iPhone and take a picture of Max taking his first pictures. We’ll share one of those soon.

Mr Max went with Grandpa for a ride through the neighborhood on the golf cart this evening, and he’s hanging his hat at their house tonight. I’ll catch up with the little fellow in the morning.

October 5, 2009

9:17 pm—Max isn’t feeling great, and we don’t know if it’s a new tooth or something else that’s bothering him. We’ve seen plenty of smiles today, but not the few hundred we normally see each day.

I saw Max and Grandpa this morning on our walk. Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night and got up this morning at 6:45. He went back down for a nap at 11:15 am and slept until nearly 3:00 pm. Even then he wasn’t standing up in his bassinet or making any noise.

Grandpa came over and took Max for a golf cart ride, and they stopped at Mimi and Grandpa’s for a visit before Becky came home from school. It wasn’t too long before Max and Becky wheeled up to the house on Grandpa’s golf cart. I rode back to Mimi and Grandpa’s with them, and Grandpa made breakfast for dinner for all of us.

Max played with his toys, Becky, and me for a little more than an hour before taking his last bottle of the day and going to bed. We gave him some children’s Motrin and hope he sleeps well and feels better tomorrow.

October 4, 2009

9:40 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Presenting the new sheriff in town:

Max was a happy camper when he woke up this morning. He had a bottle, played, and then we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max got a treat at breakfast—uncle Bill and aunt Shirley called and wanted to come see him. He visited with them until he couldn’t hold his sleepy eyes open any longer. He came home and took a nap and was ready to play again!

Max has been doing a new thing lately, running and giving big hugs. Today he did just that, and as he ran, he said, “Mama.” My heart just melted!

Max went on a few golf cart rides today. He checked in on his ducks. Grandpa and Mimi are trying to teach Max to say, “Quack quack.” It hasn’t worked yet, but maybe soon. Mimi and Grandpa came over for dinner this evening. When they started to leave Max ran to Grandpa and wanted him to pick him up. Grandpa took him home with him and they are going to get some “restful sleep,” as Grandpa calls it, tonight. Max is just crazy about Grandpa!

October 3, 2009

9:38 pm—It’s been a joy being back at home with Max today. He went to Bojangles for breakfast with Grandpa and Becky, and then Becky and I took him to Gymboree for play class. The little fellow didn’t begin his morning nap until nearly noon, but he slept for more than three hours.

Grandpa took Max on several golf cart rides through our neighborhood today. When I came back home this morning from walking, I saw Max and Grandpa on the golf cart. When I stopped my car close to them and Max saw me, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. I wish I had a picture of that moment. I expected Max to be in a hurry to continue his golf cart ride because he doesn’t like to stop, so it was a warm welcome to see him so full of joy upon seeing me.

From mid-afternoon through this evening, we were stuck with a football game on television. Becky loves watching college football, so the UGA-LSU game was playing on our living room and kitchen televisions. Near the end of the game when UGA scored, Becky screamed in joy, which made Max cry in fear. I told her not to do that as I got our favorite little fellow calmed down, but she did it again and Max began crying again, so he and I went upstairs for the last few minutes of the game.

After the game Becky and Mimi went out for a little while and Grandpa took Max for another ride on the golf cart. When Max came home, Becky fed him a bottle in our bed. I got to lie with them for the last few minutes of his feeding and give him a goodnight kiss before Becky put him to bed for the night. He didn’t complain about going to bed, so he must’ve been tired.

It’s just 9:25 as I write this on Saturday night, and Becky and I are about to go to bed, too. But surely we’re too young to be going to bed this early on a Saturday night.

Today would have been my father’s seventy-eighth birthday. W.J. Dodd passed away on January 13, 1998, after a short bout with cancer. I wish Daddy were around today to see Max. He’d love our little fellow. And I wish I could let Daddy know how much I thank him for helping me to be a good father. Max enjoys many tangible and intangible comforts that are indirectly given to him from Daddy.

Thank you, Daddy, and happy birthday.

October 2, 2009

10:03 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had a big day. It started with his usual stroll and breakfast with Grandpa. Then it was naptime for the little fellow. After Max woke up he had lunch and got ready to head to Burt’s Pumpkin Farm. Mimi, Grandpa, and Max met Jaddie and me there. Jaddie and I have been on a short getaway to Pigeon Forge. It was our first time away from our little sweetie. And, boy, did we ever miss him!

Max had a ball at the pumpkin patch. He ran all around the pumpkins, most which were bigger than Max. He looked so cute dashing through the rows of pumpkins. We were, of course, snapping lots of photos. Max didn’t like it much when we picked him up when he was running around. It was very difficult to get him to stand still next to a pumpkin, so we put him in a maze of pumpkins and took his photo there. We’re hoping to have some good shots of his first visit to Burt’s.

We all went to Amicalola Falls for dinner. Max worked up quite an appetite at the pumpkin patch. He tried everything we gave him. The only things he didn’t eat are the things he dropped on the floor. Not long after getting in the car Max went to sleep. I’m sure he was dreaming of the pumpkins he saw.

Max woke up when we got home. I gave him a bath, put on his monster pajamas, and read him Max’s Halloween by Rosemary Wells. Max is now fast asleep and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

October 1, 2009

11:48 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Grandpa said Max got up a little before seven this morning. I’m sure he had moving around on his mind because he can’t stand still. Max started his day with a walk at the mall and breakfast at Bojangles with Grandpa. It wasn’t long before the little fellow was ready for a mid-morning nap.

Max spent the day with Mimi and Grandpa, and they visited with neighbors this afternoon. They visited neighbor Sue because today was her birthday and they carried her a gift. Grandpa took the little fellow on many golf cart rides today, and there’s no telling how many other neighbors they stopped and chatted with along the way.

This evening Mimi gave Maxipoo a shampoo. So he’s had a great day, and Mimi and Grandpa have really enjoyed spending time with him today.

September 30, 2009

4:10 pm—Six more from Friday:

September 29, 2009

10:16 pm—(Posted by Becky)—We’ve been having big fun ’round here! One from last Tuesday, one from Wednesday, two from Thursday, and two from Friday:

Max went walking with Grandpa and Daddy this morning. After their walk he had breakfast with Grandpa and our neighbor Greg at his favorite restaurant, Bojangles. Max took his nap at Grandpa and Mimi’s today. I got home early from school, and when I arrived at Mimi and Grandpa’s, Max was very happy to see me. He was dressed so cute! He was sporting khaki pants and Nike tennis shoes. He was having a little bit of trouble walking in his new shoes. We’re working on wearing shoes and socks in preperation of cooler weather.

When I got home we stayed at Mimi and Grandpa’s for a while. Neighbor Sue came over for a visit. We all took a golf cart ride through the neighborhood. It was great weather to be outside today.

Max and I went shopping for some pants for him tonight. He has a lot of pants but they’re all too long. Most of his pants are eighteen months and he’s wearing twelve months. We found only one pair. I guess we’ll have to roll the others up, but given the way he’s growing it won’t be long until they fit just fine.

Max just finished his bottle. He had a total of ten ounces. Jaddie and I laid the little fellow between us and he drank his bottle. It was so sweet. He’s now fast asleep in his crib and we aren’t far behind.

September 28, 2009

9:30 pm—We’ve been busy taking more pictures of Max and riding through the neighborhood on Grandpa’s golf cart. I hope to have time to post some images here tomorrow.

Max and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast this morning after our walk, and then they went to Mr and Mrs Wigley’s pond to see the ducks. When Grandpa brought him home, he left the golf cart with me, so I took Max for another ride through our neighborhood.

The little fellow will hardly stay in his babyseat on the golf cart anymore. He likes to sit or stand in our laps and take hold of the steering wheel.

Mimi and Grandpa gave Max a toy spider that sings “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Mimi sings that song to Max and animates it as she sings. Now when Max makes the toy play, he raises his both of his arms to start the song just like Mimi does. That’s so sweet!

Later this afternoon Grandpa took Max on another ride through our neighborhood, this time stopping to see neighbor Dale and others. They made a pit stop by Mimi and Grandpa’s for a few animal crackers.

We took more pictures of Max tonight in the studio, and afterwards Becky fed him a bottle and put him to bed. He cried for a minute or two but then settled in for what we hope turns out to be a good night’s rest.

September 27, 2009

10:49 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, and that was a good thing, at least for us! He got them up at 1:00 am and didn’t want to go back to sleep. We called to come pick him up this morning they joked and said, “It’s about time.” When we picked the little fellow up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max had toast, eggs, and bacon. When we left, Max and I enjoyed a Sunday afternoon nap.

After our nap went though the neighborhood with Grandpa on the golf cart. He wasn’t able ride yesterday because of the rain. When he returned we did a photoshoot before he was tired again. Our earlier nap was short, according to Max’s standards, so we knew he would be ready for another nap before too long. We cut our shoot short and decided to continue after dinner. We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa, and then we took another golf cart ride before continuing our shoot. We got some great shots and we’ll share them soon.

Max had a hard time falling asleep tonight. I guess we had too much fun today. He’s finally asleep and we aren’t far behind.

September 26, 2009

10:44 pm—Becky had a class to attend today and Max and I went for our morning walk and stroll, so we were all up and running around here by 8:30 this morning.

Max and I played for a while before he went down for his morning nap. He slept two hours and then Becky made it home. The three of us went to Chili’s for a late lunch.

Mimi and Grandpa made it home from South Georgia today, and the first thing they wanted to do was see Max. Max is spending the night with them tonight, which is, unless I’m mistaken, the first Saturday night he’s ever spent with them.

Becky and I are looking forward to sleeping late in the morning, and we’re very thankful for being able to do so.

September 25, 2009

9:46 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Daddy this morning. When they were done with their walk Max went to Granny’s to spend the day with her. Uncle Bill and aunt Shirley came up to visit the little fellow today. We hear he put on a big show for them. They enjoyed playing on Granny’s front porch. Max had so much fun crawling around that aunt Shirley gave him a bath in Granny’s sink! We’re sure Max loved it. He loves water.

Granny said Max took a three-hour nap this afternoon and woke up as hungry as a bear. When I got to Granny’s Max and I enjoyed grilled cheese sandwiches. It was so cute seeing Max try to eat his half sandwich. For dessert we had chocolate cake. Granny used my late great aunt Ruby’s recipe to make my favorite cake. I’ve been really missing her cake and thought I’d never get it again. This was a very nice surprise to my day!

When Max and I got in the car to come home Granny noticed that our back tire was low on air, so Max and I decided to head straight to Costco to have it fixed. There was a screw in the tire. We cruised around the store while the tire was being repaired. It wasn’t long before we were on our way.

When we got home we played and took some pictures before Max started getting tired. The little fellow didn’t even fuss when I put him in his crib. I guess Granny, aunt Shirley, and uncle Bill wore the little fellow out! I bet they all had fun in the process! Jaddie and I aren’t far from bed ourselves.

September 24, 2009

9:55 pm—Max and I went for our morning walk and stroll at the Mall of Georgia, and he and I yacked back and forth for two laps. Grandpa and Mimi are visiting family in South Georgia, so it was a break from the usual for him not to be there. Three fellow mall walkers wanted to know where Grandpa was. I bet Bojangles missed him and Max, too.

After our walk and stroll Max was a good little fellow while I got my shower. I locked him in the bathroom with me and he had fun pushing all of Becky’s bath bottles into her tub.

He took a two-hour nap and was ready to rock and roll when he woke up. We walked around outside and played on our stairs inside. We played on our living room floor, and I took a bunch of pictures of him. The little fellow likes to stay on the move. He brought me my shorts and shoes after we’d played inside for about an hour. I picked him up and he lunged for the door. So back outside we went.

When Becky got home she took Max down to the mall to play in the kids’ play area, but there were too many big kids using the area, so they motored around elsewhere inside the mall. The ended up having dinner at Chik-fil-A in the mall’s food court.

Max was worn out when they got home, so Becky fed him a bottle and put him down for a short nap. We all played together and took a lot more pictures before putting the little fellow down for the night. We took more than a hundred pictures of Max today using two studio lights at opposite corners of our living room. It’s hard work, if not impossible, getting a thirteen-month-old kid to stand still in a certain spot and smile, but we may have one or two images we’ll share here in a day or two.

Max wore us out, so we’re thankful it’s time for us to lie down to rest our minds and bodies.

September 23, 2009

9:41 pm—I caught up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning. They were laying down their laps in a hurry because Grandpa and Mimi were leaving for South Georgia mid-morning. I got Max back shortly after our walk and had still had to get a shower, so I locked him in the bath with me and that went pretty well. He played with toothpaste boxes while I showered. Occasionally I saw his little hand press against the steamy shower door. He’s such a cute little guy.

We went to Lowe’s and Home Depot in search of a dehumidifier for our basement, but we didn’t have any luck. It seems that dehumidifiers are sold out across metro Atlanta right now. We ran another quick errand before coming home to veggie sticks, yogurt melts, veggie crackers, a bottle, and a nap.

When Max awoke I put him up on my shoulders and we went walking outside. Everything around us is such a soggy mess, but it could have been much worse if we didn’t live on a hill. We came back inside and played on our stairs for a while. The little fellow loves seeing a ball thrown up the stairs and watching it bounce back down.

Becky was home before too long and we all went to IHOP for a late lunch/early dinner. Then she took Max for a long ride on Grandpa’s golf cart. She, Max, and neighbor Renae even went into another neighborhood before heading home.

After his golf cart ride we all made a Walmart run. Max did his shopping from my shoulders. He was a tired little fellow when we came home, so Becky gave him a quick bath, fed him a bottle, and put him to bed. He cried loudly when she first put him down. He was so tired, but I guess we’d been having so much fun that he didn’t want to give up the day.

I’ll be strolling Max tomorrow morning, and I wonder if he’s going to look back at me and wonder where his Grandpa is. He did that last time I strolled him. Grandpa is always the one who strolls him around the mall, so the personnel change seems to get the little fellow’s attention. We’ll see.

September 22, 2009

9:54 pm—(Posted by Becky)—One from Friday, two from Saturday, and three from Sunday:

Due to recent flooding in our part of the world, I had the day off again today. Max let us sleep in until 8:00 this morning. Max and I didn’t walk but Daddy and Grandpa did. Instead, Max and I went to Gymboree, and we had loads of fun! Gymboree is in a new place and it’s nice and roomy.

Max enjoyed his morning nap, and when he woke up we played and decorated the house for Halloween. We have spiders hanging from the mantle and ghosts and bats on the windows. We also got out all the fall books and put them in a basket for easy access. Today was the first day of fall, so we found all of this fitting. (Or at least I did.)

After Max’s second nap Mimi and Grandpa came over and we all went riding on the golf cart. We got to visit with a lot of our neighbors. Max loves waving bye-bye now, so he’s always ready to go. I guess he gets this from his Mommy.

Max is hanging his hat with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and we already miss the little fellow. Our house just isn’t the same when he’s not here!

September 21, 2009

10:10 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Daddy and Grandpa this morning. Max got a surprise when I met them at Bojangles for breakfast, School was canceled today due to the flooding in our area. When we got home we played a while before Max took his morning nap. Mimi and I ran some errands while Max slept. When we got home Mr Max still wasn’t awake. He slept for nearly three hours. When he got up he played with Mimi while my cousin Chase and I went to The Olive Garden for lunch. When we got home we all watched it rain and rain and rain and rain some more. It has rained so much that I’ll be out of school again tomorrow.

When Max and I returned from Mimi and Grandpa’s, Jaddie, Max, and I tried to take a late-afternoon nap. Max more or less just played. Then Jaddie and I decided to put him in this bed. It wasn’t long before the little fellow was asleep and slept for nearly three hours again. We’re hoping he’ll sleep tonight. I’m looking forward to spending the day with my fellows tomorrow.

Max is doing a new thing tonight—having us chase him. He takes off and makes a wobbly run for it, just chuckling with us hot on his trail. This is so cute, and we must make a video!

September 20, 2009

9:47 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up around 8:15 this morning just a-smilin’. I guess he woke up on the right side of the crib. We gave him juice and milk. Then we played a while in our bed before heading to Granny’s for breakfast. Max didn’t eat a whole lot for breakfast.

Max and I enjoyed a rainy afternoon nap. We slept for about two hours. When Max woke up Grandpa showed up on his golf cart to slip Max off for a few minutes. It wasn’t long before I went and picked him up. The two of us went to Bojangles for lunch. They seemed very surprised to see us on Sunday. Max loves the crew at Bojangles.

Today our little sweetheart turned thirteen months, so tonight we snapped some photos of him. It gets harder and harder to take a picture of someone who’s constantly moving! Maybe we have a few worth sharing.

Tonight we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Max ate very well. He had sweet potatoes, maple and cinnamon sticks, a blueberry waffle, and apple puffs. He should be very full! He’s staying with them tonight. He was making his rounds around Mimi and Grandpa’s downstairs when we left. Jaddie and I hope to get a good night’s rest tonight.

September 19, 2009

3:53 pm—One from last Saturday, one from Sunday, one from Monday, two from Tuesday, and one from Wednesday:


10:08 pm—’Tis been a lazy, rainy day around here. Max and Grandpa went for their morning walk and stroll while Becky and I slept late. They picked Becky up on their way to Bojangles for breakfast, and then Max and Becky went back to bed once he got home. We played hooky from Gymboree today. Max was tired, Becky was tired, and it was pouring rain.

Max has been whiney and irritable today. He wants to stay in motion and wears himself out completely. We put him back to bed early this afternoon, he cried for about fifteen minutes, and then slept for nearly three hours.

When he awoke, the three of us played for a short while before going to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Max and Grandpa went to Mr Wigley’s pond to see the ducks after dinner. It was raining lightly, but Max really wanted to ride on the golf cart.

When Max got home for the night, he played for only a short while before getting irritable again. He kept trying to grasp Becky’s glasses, and when she didn’t let him, he became frustrated—and quite loud about it, too.

She fed him a bottle, read him a bedtime story, and let him play for a little bit before putting him down for the night.

Becky’s tuned into the UGA football game and is going to watch the second half from bed. I expect to be sawing logs by the first commercial break.

September 18, 2009

9:37 pm—Max enjoyed a typical day today except for a nap that was nearly four hours long. He went out with Mimi and Becky when Becky got home from school, and then he went to spend the night with Mimi and Grandpa. Becky’s with friends on a houseboat for a Bunco party.

I’m tired and am about to go to bed.

September 17, 2009

10:20 pm—Max gave me the biggest smile this morning when he saw me at the mall. He really lit up like a Christmas tree. I had to text Becky right away to share the moment with her. That big smile really warmed my heart.

He and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast and then trekked down to Mr Wigley’s big pond to see the ducks, but they said the ducks weren’t there this morning. Maybe they’ll get to see the ducks tomorrow morning.

I fed Max a few things he likes to feed himself, such as veggie sticks and crackers, and then he drank a bottle before his three-hour nap. We went over to Granny’s where he got lots of good stuff to eat. Becky picked him up after doing a little grocery shopping, but home was only a pit stop, because Becky and Max were going back to Bojangles for dinner.

Later Becky made another pit stop at home to pick up some coupons for Max’s formula. She, Mimi, Grandpa, and Maxipoo went somewhere to get a deal on some milk for Max.

Finally Max and Mom came home to stay, though their homecoming wasn’t peaceful. Max did his cute little baby run to the stairs to play, and he failed to catch himself with his hands on the first step. So his chin, face, or forehead absorbed the impact. There was no blood, but the little fellow cried for five to ten minutes. Becky sang to him and that seemed to quiet him down. Then she fed him a bottle. By this time he was all tuckered out and didn’t protest a bit when she laid him down in his bed in his room.

I spent the evening restructuring our wired and wireless networks at home. This should’ve taken me less than half an hour, but somewhere I made a mistake and had to get things completely out of whack, necessitating a resetting of all three wireless access points and the network settings on both Macs and one of our printers. ‘Twas messy but it’s done. I think.

Our little alarm clock is getting ahead of us, so we’d better close the curtains on this rainy but sweet day.

September 16, 2009

9:56 pm—Max and I went for our morning walk in the mall and it was pouring rain. Grandpa met us with an umbrella so Maxipoo wouldn’t get wet and melt. After walking and going to Bojangles for breakfast Max took his morning nap at Mimi and Grandpa’s.

We went to Gymboree today and had a big time. When we left, I don’t believe there was a dry thread on me. Max was one of only five kids in today’s class, so he got to run around and do everything without bumping into anyone or having to wait.

We had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s this evening with neighbors Greg and Renae. He came home , got a quick bath, played for a while, and then went back to Mimi and Grandpa’s to spend the night.

Becky and I are both exhausted, so we’re trying to get to bed. I look forward to catching up with Mr Max in the morning.

September 15, 2009

10:42—(Posted by Becky)—Six from last week:

We had a chain of events that woke Max this morning. It all started with Sir George, our esteemed feline director, making noise and ended with Max awake at 6:45 and wanting a bottle. When I left for work Jaddie was feeding Max before going for their morning walk. Max got to walk twice this morning. Grandpa and Mimi were late so he walked with Daddy for four laps and then with Grandpa for three or four laps. Max really got his laps in today!

Max had a nice nap this afternoon. Then he and Daddy enjoyed some time outside. Jaddie said the weather wasn’t too hot, and Max loves being outside. When I got home Grandpa had just picked up the little fellow on the golf cart. I chatted with Jaddie for a bit and then headed to see my other fellow. When I got down to Mimi and Grandpa’s Max was rounding the corner. He got the biggest smile on his face when he saw me come in the door. A smile like that will really warm a mother’s heart!

Max and Mimi went with me to get my hair cut. Max even got to meet Allie, the woman who cuts my hair. And, of course, he gave her a million-dollar smile! He’s such a charmer!

When we got home we played a while, got a bath, then played more before going Max went to bed. The little fellow didn’t want to put a cap on the day and put up a little resistance, but it wasn’t long before he couldn’t hold his eyes open. Jaddie and I are about to go to bed, as well.

September 14, 2009

10:13 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got Mimi and Grandpa up at 7:00 this morning. He had juice and milk and then he was ready for his morning walk. After walking he headed to his favorite place for breakfast, Bojangles.

Max enjoyed a nice nap this afternoon. When he got up he and Daddy got their play on. They had a big time. Jaddie said Max clearly has been clearly saying “Mama” today. It is the cutest thing ever! Max had a big lunch and then it wasn’t long before I got home. Max and I played for a while, and then he wanted me to pick him and he waved bye-bye to Daddy. He was ready to hit the road. We went to visit Grandpa. We three went a golf cart ride through our neighborhood. After our ride we all enjoyed dinner with Mimi and Grandpa before heading home.

Maxipoo got a shampoo this evening, and when he was done he was ready to play some more. Before Max went to bed Jaddie, Max, and I played a long time in our bedroom. While Max was laughing this evening we could tell he officially has a new tooth. It’s on the top right. It won’t be long before the little fellow is ready for corn on the cob!

Our little sweetheart is sawing logs and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

September 13, 2009

10:53 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from the past week or so:

Max got us up early this morning. We wish the sweet little fellow liked to sleep late in the mornings as much as we do. After we fed him he played in our bed and watched a few ’toons before heading to Granny’s for breakfast. Granny got the little fellow to eat eggs, toast, and bacon. When he was done eating, Jaddie carried him for a spin in his Cozy Coupe. Then Max waved bye-bye and was ready to come home.

Once home he took another long nap this afternoon. When he woke up nothing would satisfy him. He was just Mr Cranky Pants. So soon we tried putting him back to bed, and that seemed to do the trick. We think he has a cold and his teeth are bothering him.

We enjoyed a big Grandparent’s Day dinner at our house tonight. Mimi, Grandpa, and Granny came over. When they arrived and found out that their favorite grandchild was asleep, well, that wouldn’t do. They woke him up, but luckily he was a very happy camper this time around! We had a great time after dinner watching him play. When they all started home Max piled on the golf cart with Mimi and Grandpa. He’s spending the night with them, and Jaddie and I are about to turn in for the night.

September 12, 2009

10:39 pm—Max woke Mimi and Grandpa at 5:00 this morning and refused to go back to bed. They went walking this morning, and Becky and I played hooky and slept late. Becky went to Bojangles with them and brought me back some breakfast and tea.

We put Max down for a short nap before taking him to Gymboree. He was a little fussy during today’s play class because he was tired and his new teeth are coming in. After he got a bite to eat when we got home, he took a four-and-a-half-hour nap.

Max was a happy camper when he finally awoke and went for a ride on the golf cart with Mimi and Becky. He stayed with Grandpa while Mimi and Becky went to Sam’s, and Grandpa paraded the little fellow through the neighborhood on the golf cart.

Max really didn’t last too long after his record-length nap. He was cranky and hungry and went right to sleep after Becky fed him a bottle earlier this evening. We hope he doesn’t wake up at 5:00 in the morning, like he did last night.

I spent the bulk of the afternoon culling out recent images, backing up older images to DVD, and working on a client’s PowerBook. I’ll have images to share tomorrow.

September 11, 2009

9:44 pm—I’ve seen very little of Max today. I saw him at the mall this morning, Grandpa brought him home after breakfast, and I carried him over to Granny’s. Becky picked him up after school and let him take a nap once he got home. He didn’t sleep too long before waking up ornery. We fed him, gave him a bottle, and put him back to bed. Later Mimi and Grandpa came over to pick him up for the night, and we had to wake him for that, which he didn’t seem to appreciate very much.

Becky and I are both tired and are looking forward to sleeping late in the morning.

September 10, 2009

10:09 pm—Another big day has come and gone for Mr Max. It started with our usual walk, and then he and Grandpa had breakfast at their usual place. The manager of Bojangles instructed her trainee to give Max a free biscuit every time he comes in, but to charge “the other guy” (Grandpa). After breakfast Grandpa took Max on the golf cart to see the duck’s at Mr Wigley’s pond at the end of our neighborhood. The little fellow has the world on a string.

All during my forty-minute walk I kept thinking about making a business or calling card for Max. I want to list him as CEO of Bad Ass, Inc., but I’m afraid Mimi and Grandpa won’t hand those out to their church buddies. I still may make it, though, because there are lots of folks who’d get a kick out of that.

After coming home and playing and getting the rest of his breakfast, the little fellow went down for a two-and-a-half-hour nap. He awoke, got a dipe and a wipe, played for a bit, and then I toted him to Mimi and Grandpa’s on my shoulders. The little fellow isn’t as little as he used to be.

Max and Grandpa brought me home on the golf cart, and then they went gallivanting through the neighborhood. It wasn’t long before Becky got home, scooped him up, and went with Mimi to run a few errands. After running at least two errands with Mimi, Becky and Max made a pit stop at home to get Max dressed for Patriot Night at Becky’s school, Ivy Creek Elementary, where Max got to meet Clifford live and in the fur! Becky got a good picture of Clifford and Max together, and I hope to share it here in the next couple of days.

Max never had his customary late-afternoon siesta, so he was tired tonight. Becky fed him some watermelon, an assortment of other grub, and a big bottle. Now the little fellow is carefully studying the backs of his eyelids in his crib, which means it’s time to close the curtains on September 10, 2009.

September 9, 2009

10:24 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Grandpa called dibs on him earlier today.

When Max awoke this morning, I changed his dipe and fed him a bottle. Then we went to the mall to walk and stroll with Grandpa. Shortly after he made it home and took another bottle, he went down for a nap.

I woke him at 12:48 for our 1:00 play class at Gymboree. He was difficult to wake, but he got going in just a few minutes, though even when we arrived at Gymboree, his teacher, Miss Liz, said he looked as though he just woke up.

We played hard at Gymboree. We sang, danced, clapped, rowed our boats, swished our wipers, slid down slides, took a chariot and parachute rides, and played with balls. This gave me lots of exercise! My shirt was soaking wet by the time class ended. I phoned Mimi and asked her if she was ready for Max. She said she and Grandpa were ready to see him, so I dropped him by their house before coming home to get my second shower of the day.

Becky gave Max a bath this evening, they played upstairs for a good while, and then they went out to run a few errands, so he’s had an active day. I’ll catch up with him in the morning.

September 8, 2009

9:14 pm—Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa most of the day, and Becky picked him up after school. I’ve had hardly any time with him today because he went down for a nap shortly after he got home—and he’s still asleep as I write this!

Mimi, Grandpa, Max, and I made laps at the mall this morning. I don’t know for sure, but I bet they went to Bojangles for breakfast.

After Max’s morning nap at Mimi and Grandpa’s, he and Grandpa went for a ride through our neighborhood on the golf cart. Max is nuts about Grandpa’s golf cart. He doesn’t even like for Grandpa to stop to talk to anyone; he wants to stay in motion.

Oh, I hear the little fellow now. He must be waking up from his four-hour nap. Becky’s running upstairs to fetch him. I hear her talking to him now. I love Becky’s voice. She has the best female voice I’ve ever heard. Her voice has a distinctly feminine sound. The second-best female voice I’ve ever heard is Mimi’s. She, too, has a feminine voice.

I hear Becky running her bath water, so I bet Mr Max is locked in there with her. I’d better go up and see my little boy before we put a lid on today.

September 7, 2009

10:17 pm—Max got us up at 7:00 again this morning. I went for a walk, Grandpa came by to get Max, and Becky went back to bed for another hour. When I was coming home from walking, I saw Grandpa and Max on the golf cart talking to neighbors Eddie and Ernestine. It wasn’t long before Grandpa brought Max home.

Becky fed the little fellow some breakfast and put him down for a nap. Mimi came over to stay with him while we went to The Olive Garden for lunch. Max was playing up a storm when we came home.

Becky and Max went to Mimi and Grandpa’s and I stayed home to make a bunch of test prints. I printed on a lot of Red River’s papers—so many that comparisons will be difficult. I also made a couple of test prints on Ilford’s Galerie Gold Fibre Silk, which may end up being my favorite from the many papers I tried today.

Thanks to Granny’s patient efforts to feed the the little fellow, we’ve been able to feed Max from a spoon three times today. Granny learned that Max will eat from a spoon as long as he has something in his hands to play with.

Tonight Granny joined us for a Labor Day cookout at Mimi and Grandpa’s. She made a delicious pan of mac and cheese, Grandpa grilled burgers, and Mimi made coleslaw and potato salad. It was all so delicious.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and Becky and I are both looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

September 6, 2009

10:03 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Sir Maxcelot got up early this morning, and we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max enjoyed toast and eggs. Granny even gave him a few small bites of her sandwich. Before leaving we snapped a few photos in her front yard. Max was wearing some adorable Elmo overalls.

When we got home Max and I enjoyed an afternoon nap together. Sundays are the best! After our nap Max and I accompanied Mimi to the mall. Max had fun seeing all the people. The mall is a very familiar place for him. He’s just not accustomed to seeing a big crowd there.

When we got home Mimi, Max, Grandpa, and I went on the golf cart to the big pond at the end of our neighborhood to see the ducks. Max loves duck watching. He watches their every move. It’s so cute!

Daddy just fed the little prince his last bottle for the night, and he’s now asleep in his crib. Jaddie and I aren’t far behind. Tomorrow is Labor Day, and I have the day off, so we hope the little fellow lets us sleep later in the morning than he did this morning.

September 5, 2009

9:57 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Nine from the past week:

Max got up early this morning. Jaddie made him a bottle and I changed his diaper. Then he enjoyed a little cartoon action on television. When we got up and going Grandpa picked us up to go to Bojangles.

There wasn’t much rest time for Maxipoo today. He had an hour-and-a-half nap after returning from Gymboree. He had so much fun there today. There was a giant slide for the kids to enjoy. Max wanted to slide continuously.

This afternoon we went to a birthday party for Erin, who’s turning two years old. Max enjoyed the party and the ice cream. I think it’s the first time he’s had ice cream. On our way home from the party we picked up Granny. She came and spent the afternoon and stayed for supper. We all went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner.

Max and I have enjoyed the day together, but we’re all tired. Max is already asleep and we are about to join the little fellow.

September 4, 2009

8:50 pm—Max is beginning to try to run now but isn’t having a whole lot of success. He falls when he tries to stop, round a curve, or the surface changes. He’s wearing himself out, too.

Becky picked up Granny after school and they ran a few errands with Maxipoo, who’d been hanging out with Mimi and Grandpa since 3:00 pm. Max was tired and hungry when they got home, so Granny fed him and then Becky put him down for nap. The little fellow is still asleep as I write this.

Becky and Granny went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner, and now Becky’s taking Granny home.

September 3, 2009

9:47 pm—Six since his big birthday celebration:

We were finally able to get Max to produce for us last night. He was even happy to produce for me first thing this morning, too. And twice more when Grandpa brought him home this morning. I don’t believe Max could be nearly as relieved as the rest of us over this problem.

The little fellow slept until nearly 8:00 this morning, so we were a little late getting down to the mall to walk with Grandpa. They went to Bojangles after walking and then went on a golf cart ride through our neighborhood, stopping by the Hewell’s to finish installing a large lighting fixture. Grandpa may have worked on more than half the homes in our subdivision in the twenty-four years he’s been living here.

After feeding Max some breakfast and a bottle, I put him down for a nap that turned out to be three hours long. Then I took him over to Granny’s for a late lunch because she has a ton of patience for feeding the little fellow. She got him to eat a six-ounce container of chicken and broccoli. We can’t get him to take more than two spoonfuls of anything from us any longer, and that includes Mimi. Maybe that has to do with the fact that we won’t sit there for an hour waiting for him to bite.

Becky brought the little fellow home, we let him take a short nap, and then they headed out to Borders. Becky said Max wanted her to let him down in the bookstore so he could run around. She said he ran up on a big SpongeBob SquarePants display, stopped, stared, and began laughing. That’s interesting because the only time he’s ever seen SpongeBob is on our iPhones. He’s never watched television here at home, and all he watches at Mimi and Grandpa’s are Clifford and Curious George.

Max never made it back home this evening. Mimi and Grandpa wanted to keep him tonight, so Becky dropped him by their house on her way back home. I’ll see the little fellow bright and early in the morning, though.

September 2, 2009

10:40 pm—It’s been a really busy day. I caught up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning, and afterwards they went to Bojangles for breakfast and then on a golf cart ride to the pond at the end of our neighborhood. They sat on the bank and watched the ducks for a while before Max came home.

I fed Max some veggie puffs, yogurt melts, and a bottle and put him down for a nap. He slept for about two hours before we headed out to Gymboree for what was my first time taking him there by myself. Becky’s the one who normally helps the little fellow play on Gymboree’s equipment and helps him participate in the group, and I’ve been taking pictures. I don’t know how Becky’s been able to do what she’s been doing without perspiring. When our play session finished, I was soaking wet.

It wasn’t too long after we returned from Gymboree when Becky got home from school. Grandpa came over to repair our sofa. It seems that some way-too-heavy person has been putting far too much stress on our reclining sofa and broke and de-threaded a few of its critical pieces. It took Grandpa only a few minutes to restore the sofa’s underpinnings to like-new condition, but he said it took him hours to find necessary hardware.

Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa while Becky and I went out for dinner. They went riding on Grandpa’s golf cart again and were shoulder to shoulder at the dinner table when Becky and I returned. I don’t recall what Grandpa was eating, but Maxipoo was enjoying some Goldfish crackers—well, at least the ones he didn’t throw on the floor.

Max is having quite a bit of trouble making a dirty diaper for us. We believe it may have been five days to a week since his last one. We’ve bombarded the little fellow with three glycerin suppositories this evening because he shot the first two right back at us. We’ve let him soak in warm water and massaged his tummy, and he’s tried to produce some results but hasn’t been very successful.

If he doesn’t produce during the night or in the morning, I’ll have to call his pediatrician again. It may be time to try an oral laxative. Max doesn’t seem to be bothered by his condition, but it’s worrying Becky, me, Granny, and Mimi and Grandpa.

September 1, 2009

8:57 pm—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night and most of the day with them. I picked him up around 3:00 pm to take him to Granny’s so he could visit with her, aunt Shirley, and uncle Bill. He had a big time walking in Granny’s yard, trying to master her two front steps, and visiting with us at Granny’s table.

Becky joined us after school and all of us except Granny went to Chili’s for dinner. Cousins Lee, Kerri, and Trey joined us at Chili’s. Trey, who’s in third grade at Buford Elementary, showed me a bunch of things on the SpongeBob SquarePants game on my iPhone that I didn’t know. I’ve spent half an hour playing that game myself, and it’s amazing to see how young Trey instantly discovered many more things about the game in five minutes than I, an experienced IT services provider, learned in thirty. I reckon my days as a computer consultant are numbered.

Max was a good citizen at dinner, but he was getting tired. The only nap he’d had today was his mid-morning siesta. He played hard at Mimi and Grandpa’s and then even harder at Granny’s.

Mimi and Grandpa came over this evening and ended up taking Maxipoo home with them. Grandpa assures me I’ll get the little fellow back in the morning after they have breakfast.

Becky and I took 198 pictures and three videos of Max today at Granny’s. Maybe I’ll get some time tomorrow to share a few here.

August 31, 2009

10:36 pm—Max and I had a fun day together. He learned how to come down our stairs. He still requires help, but he learned to sit down, scoot his bottom toward the edge of the step, plant his feet, stand, and repeat.

Grandpa was still getting over his infection, so he didn’t go walking this morning. Max and I went, though. Max kept looking back at me, confused, as if I were the wrong person strolling him. Grandpa will be strolling him in the morning, though.

When Max and I returned from walking this morning, I locked our bedroom door while I got a shower. I looked around for what Max might get into and secured everything I identified. As experienced parents probably would expect, it wasn’t long before I heard a loud clunk and Max crying. I slipped both in and out of the shower to see what had happened. The little fellow had turned over a tower fan that was sitting on top of a table next to Becky’s nightstand. I checked Max to see if he was hurt and couldn’t find any abrasions, so I believe it just scared him.

After my shower I let him feed himself some veggie puffs and yogurt melts and I fed him a big bottle. He then slept for three hours.

He awoke ready to play and I was ready to play with the little fellow. He went up the stairs half a dozen times or more to practice his new skill descending them. We played ball; walked to the mailbox with him on my shoulders; played with the window blinds; house, mobile, and toy phones; and a few more of his birthday presents. I took a bunch of pictures of him today but never got around to putting them on our computer.

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and afterwards Max took a ride through the neighborhood with Grandpa on the golf cart. Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, so I’ll catch up with the little fellow in the morning.

I’m really not ready to say goodbye to August yet. It’s the anniversary month of Max’s birth. Max is changing every single day, both physically and mentally. The pace of change is too fast for me. Max learns something new every single day, and I can’t remember the last day when I learned something new (other than technical news). Soon we’ll be describing his age as thirteen or more months and then it’ll be multiple years. I remember when days were long.

John Nack, product manager of Adobe Photoshop, quoted his mother the other day on Twitter: “At my age it feels like you’re having breakfast every fifteen minutes.” And so it does.

August 30, 2009

9:25 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Fifteen from Max’s first birthday party:

Max woke up around 8:00 again this morning. We brought him to our bed for a morning bottle and cuddle session. When we got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. After Max ate eggs, bacon, and toast, he took his Cozy Coupe for a spin around Granny’s driveway. Granny has a long and flat driveway. Max had a ball, and, of course, we took pictures.

Max enjoyed a long nap this afternoon while it rained. When he got up we played hard. Then we headed to Mimi and Grandpa’s for a visit. Grandpa seems to be feeling a little better today. While at Mimi and Grandpa’s, Max fell while trying to get to me. I felt so bad because all he wanted was his mommy. When we returned from Mimi and Grandpa’s, Max and I enjoyed a late-afternoon nap, though we slept for only an hour.

Max has been all about walking today! He’s been toting coupons while he walks today. This is what I do all the time, so I guess I’ve modeled it for him. That’s my boy!

Max is already asleep and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind. We want to start the week right with a full night of rest.

August 29, 2009

6:10 pm—The last twelve pictures from Max’s actual birthday:

Tomorrow we hope to post images from the big party.


10:20 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up around 8:00 this morning. He had a bottle, and then we headed out to run some errands. After getting home from errands, Max and I went to a birthday party. The party was for Bella, she turned one the day after Max, and she’s a real cutie pie! Max had a ball at Bella’s party until he was ready for a nap. Nothing gets in the way of his sleeping, so we had to cut out a little early so Max could crash for his afternoon siesta. He slept for three hours.

When Max woke up he was hungry and then he was ready to play. We played for a long time before going to Mimi and Grandpa’s. Mimi thought seeing Max would make Grandpa feel better. Grandpa’s still under the weather, but seeing his little buddy helped him feel better. While at Mimi and Grandpa’s I carried Max on a ride in his Cozy Coupe. We went to the end of our neighborhood and back. He had a blast!

Something to note about Max today is while walking he wants to carry things. He’s not picky about the things he carries. He’ll carry big things, small things, and everything in between.

Another interesting tidbit to note is that Max now eats better if we sort of ignore him at mealtimes. If we give him attention, he wants to play and doesn’t eat much, but if we leave him alone, he entertains himself by eating.

Maxipoo got a shampoo tonight. He really loves a bath—just another thing he has in common with Mommy. I read the little fellow a story and then tucked him in. Jaddie and I are getting ready for beddie-bye ourselves.

August 28, 2009

10:27 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Nine more from Max’s first birthday:

Max was still asleep when I left this morning. He soon got up and went walking with Daddy. Grandpa was a little under the weather and didn’t go. After Max’s walk Daddy carried him to Granny’s, and he stayed with her until I picked him up after school. Max had a fun day playing, walking everywhere, eating, and napping.

When I got home Jaddie, Max, and I played up a storm. We three were in the floor having a good time. Max loves when he has playmates!

Then Jaddie and I went to Chili’s for dinner, and Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa. When we returned we played some more, but Max soon needed a nap. He took a nap upstairs with Grandpa while Mimi and I watched a movie. When the movie was over I scooped up Mr Max and brought him home. I just lay down with him until he fell a sleep. Jaddie and I aren’t far behind.

August 27, 2009

9:20 pm—Max is definitely a walker now. We say this because he now walks more than he crawls. He still wobbles and falls often, but he gets right back up, steadies himself, and continues his trek. This kid is amazing.

Grandpa picked up Max around 8:00 this morning to go for a walk at the mall. I had to work away from home today, so I stayed home and got ready. Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa until Becky got home from work. I wasn’t far behind.

Becky’s not feeling well. She believes she may have a sinus infection or is coming down with a cold. She and Max went to bed about half an hour ago, and I’m about to join them.

August 26, 2009

6:51 pm—Six from the morning of Max’s first birthday:


9:40 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept in this morning. When I left for school he was still snoozing. He soon awoke and went walking with Grandpa and Daddy. Then it was off to Bojangles with Grandpa for breakfast. Then he was tried and ready for a nap and slept for three hours.

After his nap he played with Daddy, Mimi, Grandpa, and me when I got home. We rolled his shopping cart around the downstairs for what had to have been miles. He wanted one of us to be right there with him. It was so darned cute!

Grandpa took his Maxipoo on a ride through the neighborhood on his golf cart and ended up at neighbors Stephen and Dale’s. Max had a ball there. He started to walk, fell back on purpose, and then laughed heartily at his own shenanigans! We all thought he was so cute. We’re sure he has a sore tushie!

Max is asleep now and we hope he wakes soon for his last bottle so we can all hit the hay.

August 25, 2009

9:20 pm—The last six images before Max's first birthday:

I caught up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning. They went to Bojangles for breakfast and I came home for a shower.

The little fellow wouldn’t eat his oatmeal this morning. He likes only stuff he can feed himself, so he ate a few yogurt melts before I fed him a bottle and put him down for his morning nap.

We had a big time playing this afternoon. The little fellow learned how to jump on the bed. He held onto me and jumped hard enough for his feet to leave the bed. He fell back every time, giggled, and climbed right back up to do it all over again.

Grandpa assembled Max’s Cozy Coupe today. He said it was difficult to put together, and this from a man who’s torn apart a ’69 Camaro and put it back together a few times. The Cozy Coupe was one of our birthday presents for Max. Becky rolled the little fellow down to the end of our subdivision and back to Mimi and Grandpa’s.

We had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s again tonight. (Note to prospective parents: live very near your retired parents and experience convenience like no other.) Mimi shampooed her Maxipoo this evening and put him in a cute new pair of denim britches. Then Max accompanied Becky to Sam’s before coming home and making thirty-eight steps without holding onto anything or falling. Now he starts his way to anywhere by walking. He may not make but five to ten steps before falling to his knees and crawling the rest of the way, but at least he tries walking first.

As I write this Max is enjoying his last bottle of the day while Becky reads him a bedtime story. Then we’ll all be heading to bed.

August 24, 2009

9:42 pm—Finally back to posting newer stuff. Three from late July and three from earlier this month:

I hope to post more tomorrow.

Becky gave Maxiboy the boot last night. After flipping around in our bed for about an hour, Max had to be moved to his bed. Our day got started before 7:00 am. Becky made Max a bottle and I fed it to him in our bed. I hoped the little fellow would go back to sleep, but he just flipped around and around until 7:45, which is when we got up and got ready to meet Grandpa at the mall for our morning walk and stroll.

Lo and behold, neither Grandpa nor I had Max’s stroller. It was in Becky’s trunk, and she was at school. Grandpa didn’t hesitate one second to load up Maxiboy in his car while we were standing there at the mall and drive to Becky’s school to fetch the little fellow’s stroller. I walked while they were gone and three fellow mall walkers asked me where “Grandpa and the baby” were. They were back and making laps by the time I finished walking, and then they went to Bojangles for breakfast.

When they returned, I fed Max his oatmeal mixed with Juicy Juice, a few yogurt puffs, and a bottle. Then he napped for three hours. Being one year old must be tough!

Max and I went over to Granny’s for a late lunch. I enjoyed a couple of homegrown-tomato sandwiches while Granny fed Max a mixture of chicken and apples. The little fellow wouldn’t eat much at first and threw in the floor most of what Granny tried to feed him. But then I finished a can of soda and let Max have the can. He focused on the can so much that he forgot his hunger strike. Granny put the spoonfuls of food near his lips as he played with the can, and he sucked them down without a single thought, never taking his eyes or hands away from the can.

Grandpa cooked dinner for us today, so that’s where we went after Becky made it home and played with Max for a bit. Mimi and Grandpa tried to feed Max on their deck, but, just like at Granny’s, the little fellow threw more food down on the deck than down his hatch. Eventually, Mimi gave up and used their leaf blower to clean up Max’s mess.

Becky and I ran a couple of errands while Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa. They gave him a bath, he’s hanging his hat at their house tonight, and I’ll catch up with him in the morning. There’s definitely no shortage of love for our favorite little fellow.

August 23, 2009

9:58 pm—We had breakfast at Granny’s this morning, as usual. Becky’s grandmother, Louise, went with us, and we were glad to have her with us. Louise was worried about getting back before Mary and Bridget left for their return ride to South Georgia. Louise thought Mary and Bridget would head back without her. I told Louise that we’d carry her back around Christmas if she missed her ride. That just made her more anxious.

Max took a long nap once he got home, and when he got up and got going, he took twenty-two steps. Later I saw him take another twenty steps, so we’re probably only a day or two away from full-time walking.

Another thing Max did that was new today is opening and closing drawers. I reckon we’ll have to put safety latches on those, too. He especially likes the drawer in the kitchen that is home to our plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper, and zip-lock bags. That drawer makes the rat-tat-tat sound common to many kitchens, and he loves it.

Max has been asleep since about 7:00, but we’re going to have to wake him in a few minutes so he can have a bottle before snuggling up with us for the night.

For the umpteenth time, I apologize for not having any new pictures to share here today. I took time today to tag all of Max’s birthday pictures with keywords today, mostly writing who’s in each image. I tagged more than 400 images in four hours. Once finished, it was time to head to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner.

After dinner Max and Grandpa went for a golf cart ride through the neighborhood, stopping along the way to visit with Stephen and Dale and Ernestine and Eddie.

I hope Max will be amenable to taking a bottle and going back to bed after he awakes. Becky and I are both still tired and want to get the week started on the right foot.

August 22, 2009

9:39 pm—Yesterday’s partying really wore out our little buddy. He took a three-hour nap at home today and spent the rest of the day at the mall, riding through the neighborhood in Grandpa’s golf cart, and playing at Mimi and Grandpa’s. He’s going to spend the night with them again tonight.

I went over to Mimi and Grandpa’s this evening and found Grandpa giving Maxiboy a dry dipe. I fed the little fellow a bottle and he went to sleep in my arms. Becky put him in his bed in Mimi and Grandpa’s room, but he slept for less than an hour. I believe my loud talking is what woke him. I was talking two Grandpa and Louise, both of whom don’t hear well, and that’s when I heard him start crying. Shame on me.

I thought I slept well last night, but I’ve been in a dense fog all day and have hardly been able to hang onto a single thought. I’m thankful for being able to get Max’s birthday pictures backed up to three different drives, though.

Becky’s on her way home from the mall, and I’m about to go ahead and turn in for the night in hopes of having more energy tomorrow. Next on my list is to try a CPAP machine to combat interrupted sleep.

August 21, 2009

11:27 pm—Wow! What a major party! Becky and I are so pooped! Our feet are throbbing with every heartbeat.

We truly appreciate everyone’s coming out to celebrate Max’s first birthday!

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa, great grandmother Louise, aunt Mary, and cousin Bridgit.

Thank you very much, Trey, for pulling camera duty tonight. I believe you took about 250 pictures, and they’re transferring into our main Mac as I write this. I owe you one, buddy! Thanks, too, for busting that piñata. We would have had to cut that thing open if it hadn’t been for you.

Thank you, Mama, for keeping Max this morning, which enabled me to sleep a little late and go walk and work on Max’s slideshow before picking him up.

Everyone did so much for tonight’s big party, and we thank you all. Thank you, Eddy, for cutting that ginormous cake and for your thoughtful blessing. Thank you, Candy, for scooping ice cream for everyone. Thanks, everyone, for all of your generous gifts for Max. Thanks, Renae, for helping decorate Grandpa’s shop. Thanks, Mary, Bridgit, and Louise, for making the 500-mile roundtrip to be with us. Thanks especially to Grandpa, who was hard to live with this week, but he’s the one who did the most work.

August 20, 2009 — MAX’S FIRST BIRTHDAY

10:00 pm—Today was Max’s very first birthday. The day has been busy and fun. Max, Becky, and I went walking with Grandpa this morning at the mall. Mimi walked, too. Afterwards, the four of them went to Bojangles for breakfast and were very surprised to see that the Bojangles crew threw Mr Max a huge birthday party! They gave him a cake and a very nice card that was signed by the whole bunch. They all got their picture made with Max. Becky saw Grandpa shed some tears, and that caused her to lose a few of her own. We’re extremely thankful for this most wonderful surprise!

When Max and Becky came home, we let Max take a short nap before waking him to go to Gymboree for play class. There were only three other kids in today’s class, but Max and the three other revelers had a blast. Max was tired when we returned home, so we put him down for another nap. Again, we woke him before he’d finished his nap, this time to go see his pediatrician, Dr Susan Smiley. Max weighed 21 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 30.5 inches tall. Dr Smiley said ol’ Maxiboy is doing just fine. The little fellow got three shots, wailed for a couple of minutes, and then smiled a couple of times before whimpering just a little bit more.

Poor Max was exhausted by the time we made it back home, so we put him down for another nap. We couldn’t let him sleep too long because Becky had to go to school this evening for Curriculum Night, and we wanted to photograph Max in the studio with balloons and a birthday cake. Mimi, Grandpa, and Granny came over, and we took Max down to the studio. I’m looking forward to sharing those images here soon.

After our shoot, we came back upstairs so Max could open a few cards and presents. Max really wanted his cake, though, so we took a few more pictures of him in his highchair eating cake. Then we finally got around to presents. Max was most interested in the toys’ tags. He received some cash, too, but he wasn’t as interested in the cash as he was his new toys’ tags. We ended up taking 411 pictures of Max today.

I’m sure I’m missing more details from the day that I’ve written about here, but I’m exhausted and must go to bed soon so we can have another big day of celebration tomorrow in honor of the first anniversary of our little fellow’s birth. We expect more than sixty people at tomorrow’s grand soiree. Max’s great grandmother, aunt, and cousin are coming up from South Georgia to celebrate with us, and we’re so appreciative to have such a supportive family.

Before I close, I should record the fact that the most steps I’ve seen Max make up until this point is about eight. He’s very close to walking. And he had a big development today: he learned how to open a door. Not with the knob, but simply by moving the door in the opposite direction of closing it. He practiced this several times today with me. He’d go in our bathroom, close the door, (I’d open it just a smidge if he happened to close it completely), and whimper. I’d say, “Where’s Max,” and he’d whimper a bit more. Eventually, he figured out how to grasp the door on the same side as the knob and move it toward him to create an opening for himself. I was impressed.

I’m sure we’ll have lots more to write about tomorrow.

August 19, 2009

10:17 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with his daddy and Grandpa this morning. Then it was off to Bojangles. Max had a nap and then helped Grandpa and Daddy put up a ceiling fan. After that it was off to take Granny to the doctor for a check-up.

This evening Max accompanied Granny and me to Chili’s for dinner. After dinner we went to the grocery store to shop for food for Max’s party. After all this we stopped by Mimi and Grandpa’s for a visit. Max surely is a busy little fellow!

At 7:54 tomorrow morning our precious little boy will be one year old. We’re so excited for him! He’s really something special!

August 18, 2009

10:43 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up with me this morning. Jaddie fed the little fellow a bottle. Max took his bottle while watching Mickey Mouse and leaning on his daddy. Jaddie said it was so sweet even though he was so tired. They met Grandpa for their morning walk. Then it was Bojangles for Max and Grandpa.

After Max’s afternoon nap Mimi and Grandpa came to snag their favorite little sidekick to take him to the mall to play. They said he had a blast and made a few new friends.

I saw Max walk today! He walked from the kitchen to the breakfast room at Mimi and Grandpa. It was about nine or ten steps. It was so cool!

This evening we all have been taking care of last-minute party details. Only two more days until the o-n-e! We are very excited to share this special time with all our friends and family.

Grandpa called dibs on Max tonight. He said they were going to get some “restful peace.” Jaddie will catch up with the little fellow in the morning.

August 17, 2009

11:13 pm—Today has been wonderful for Max and me. He napped a good bit and played a lot. He and I enjoyed hours of one-on-one time this afternoon. He’s now more active in his interpersonal communications than he was a month ago. There’s a sentient light in his eyes that shows he understands that communication is a shared effort.

He’s copying what we do, but with less coordination, and it’s so cute. We’ve been flicking our lips rapidly as we speak to make funny sounds, and he’s trying to do the same. We say, “Uh, oh” when something falls or is dropped, and he says, “Uh” and looks back at us. Sometimes I believe he drops things on purpose just so he can say, “Uh.”

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa. Mr. Max ate at the table with us and had sweet potatoes, peaches, and blueberry puffs. Mimi gave the little fellow a bath. When we got home Max played a good while before going to bed. Becky wanted to make sure she got her Maxtime.

I may be able to get back to processing new images tomorrow. I believe I’ve almost finished everything on my list related to Max’s birthday party.

August 16, 2009

10:09 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke us early this morning. We gave him a bottle and then let him play in our room a little while. Believe it or not, the little fellow got tired and got up in the bed with us. He fell asleep in my arms while watching Mickey Mouse. It was so sweet. My arm fell asleep and it didn’t even matter.

We went to Granny’s this morning for breakfast. Over breakfast we finalized birthday details. Granny is making coleslaw, a veggie tray, and getting zebra cakes. Mimi and Grandpa have a long to-do list, as well. Jaddie and I aren’t even sure our list will get done because it’s so long, but we’ll give it the ol’ college try for our Maxipoo!

Max took a long nap this afternoon, and when he woke up he went to the mall for a stroll with Mimi. I went to pick up the little fellow this afternoon and he was tired again. I guess it’s hard work trying to get people up at o’dark-thirty!

Max has been pushing his Tow Mater and shopping cart when he’s been awake. He’s really into that right now. It’s so funny when he runs into something with one of his push toys. He turns around quickly for help and really keeps us on our toes.

Grandpa and Mimi called dibs on the little fellow tonight. Jaddie will catch up with them in the morning.

August 15, 2009

10:13 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got us up a little before seven this morning after bunking with us last night. When he sleeps he turns circles, and that’s was he did for most of the night. Max walked with Grandpa and Daddy this morning. I met Max and Grandpa at Bojangles for breakfast.

We went to Gymboree today. They didn’t have regular class, class just free play. Max had fun, but soon was ready for a nap. When we got home the little fellow went down for a nap, and everyone else snapped into Operation Birthday. Jaddie worked on Max’s one-year album, and Mimi, Grandpa, Granny, neighbor Renae, and I worked on decorations. Grandpa’s shop is looking like a jungle! We were able to get a lot done. I never knew it took an army to throw a birthday bash.

When Max got up from his nap he played and had a big time. His new favorite thing to do is to smile while crinkling his nose. It’s so darned cute! When he does it you can really see his little teeth. Absolutely melt-your-heart cute!

Max just had a bath, bottle, and story. The little fellow is already asleep. We’re letting him sleep in his bed tonight, and we’re about to turn in, too.

August 14, 2009

10:15 pm—I awoke this morning with Max in the bed with me. Becky was gone to school and I was stunned to awaken to that situation. I was sound asleep. Becky said I had my arm around Max, but, by golly, I didn’t know that because I was asleep. I got up, fixed the little fellow a bottle, and then Grandpa called to see if Max was ready to go to the mall for their morning walk. I took Max down to meet Grandpa and it was Grandpa who noticed that Max didn’t have on anything over his diaper, so I found the little fellow something to wear and off he and Grandpa went. I joined them in fifteen to twenty minutes.

I got Grandpa to carry Max over to Granny’s after they finished breakfast and went to Lowe’s. Our cleaners were coming and the house would be too noisy and busy for Mr Max to get his morning nap. Uncle Bill and aunt Shirley came up from Tucker to see Max at Granny’s. Becky went by Granny’s after school to pick up Max, but Grandpa forgot to leave a car seat, so I went over and visited with Granny, Shirley, and Bill for few minutes before bringing Max home and putting him down for a nap that lasted more than four hours.

Max has been up for less than an hour and now Becky’s feeding him his last bottle of the day (after feeding him some peas) and will read him a bedtime story just before we try to put a lid on the day. I think we’re going to try letting him sleep with us again tonight. It worked well last night; I don’t recall his flipping or thrashing a single time.

Becky and I inserted 180 8x10 prints into four albums tonight. We still have three more pages to print, and I have to reprint two pages that I laid out incorrectly, for a total of twenty more prints. We’ve been busy with this one-year album, and that’s why I haven’t been working on new images. I really hope to get a chance to work on some recent images this weekend, but I don’t know how things are going to work out.

There’s still the aforementioned work to do on the album, Becky wants twelve 5x7s to put on the steps in Grandpa’s shop for Max’s big birthday party next week, she wants candy bar wrappers designed and printed, and we still have to do the little fellow’s one-year slideshow. And that’s just what involves me. There’s a ton of stuff she and Grandpa are working on for the party.

I hope to have more energy tomorrow than I’ve had today, so I’d better get to bed now.

August 13, 2009

10:24 pm—Max has played hard and hardly slept today. He spent most of the day with Mimi. When Becky came home with him, he had a cute balloon tied to his arm wishing me a happy birthday.

’Twas my fortieth and it began with a colonoscopy. The surgical staff noticed from my paperwork that it was my birthday, and they said they wanted to help me celebrate. I asked them where they were going to put the candle.

Mimi and Grandpa took Granny, Max, Becky, and me to one of our favorite Italian restaurants tonight, and we enjoyed a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream cake when we got home.

August 12, 2009

10:40 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up when I woke up this morning. I changed the little fellow, made him a bottle, and gave him to his daddy. Grandpa called shortly thereafter to pick him up for their morning stroll. Jaddie joined them.

Max took only one short nap today. He’s too busy for sleep. He visited with Granny after his short nap. I picked him up after school. I also had my friend Jodi’s daughter Lilianna. I took the two of them to the park, and they had a ball. This evening Max, Lilianna, and I met her mom and sister at the pool for a refreshing swim. Max is a fish in the water. He really enjoys playing and splashing around. We all had a fun time and plan to do this again soon.

Max is hanging his hat a Mimi and Grandpa’s house tonight. We have a big day planned tomorrow because it’s Jaddie’s BIG 4-0!

August 11, 2009

10:36 pm—Max, Mimi, Grandpa, and I walked and strolled this morning at the Mall of Georgia. They went to Bojangles and to Lowe’s after walking, and I came home for a shower. When they brought Max home, there was a huge doe in our front yard who didn’t even move as they drove by. I don’t want Max to get even a single day older, but it’ll be neat when he can appreciate such sightings.

Max got up at 6:00 this morning at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and he was tired when he got home. I tried to feed him some baby food of some kind, but he wouldn’t take it. He’s into feeding himself now, so I put some of his yogurt melts in various flavors down for him and he chomped on those for half an hour or so. Then I fed him a bottle and put him down for a nap. The little fellow slept for three-and-a-half hours.

I fed him again when he awoke, and then we played until Becky got home from school. We went to Applebee’s for an early dinner and Max was good company. He fed himself Cheerios, sweet potato puffs, and freeze-dried banana chips.

Max and Becky visited with Mimi and Grandpa this evening, and Becky left Max with them while she ran a couple of errands. Mimi gave him a bath and had him smelling as good as he looks. Mimi and Grandpa asked if they could keep Max again tonight, but Becky wouldn’t part with the little fellow. She agreed to let him spend the night with them tomorrow night.

When they got home, Becky fed him a bottle, read him a story, and put him to bed. And that’s where we’re headed now.

August 10, 2009

9:17 pm—Max spent most of the day with Mimi and Grandpa and is spending the night with them again tonight. Grandpa went to his dentist this morning to have an abscess lanced, Mimi took Maxipoo down to the mall and fed him breakfast down there, and I went to my doctor to see about putting out the fire in my belly.

Grandpa said that he and Max made more than twenty laps around his main floor this afternoon. Max was pushing a shopping cart and Grandpa walked in front of him to help steer his cart away from obstacles. I told Grandpa that I let Max run into stuff so he can learn from what happens. Grandpa said, “Yeah, but then he gets mad.” I know. I know. Pushing wheeled objects around is Maxiboy’s big thing right now. I reckon he’s about ready to walk.

Today was Becky’s first day back with her students for the 2009-2010 school year. She said this year’s bunch is bright and talkative. After school she rearranged their desks in hopes of taming the chitchat.

This evening Max, Becky, and I went over to uncle Larry’s to wish him a happy birthday. We got to visit with a bunch of family and friends we haven’t seen in a while, and they all got to visit with Mr Max.

Becky was feeding Max his last bottle of the day and about to read him a story and put him down for the night when Grandpa phoned to ask if Max could spend the night. They just left a little while ago on Grandpa’s golf cart. As they wheeled away we wished Max a good night, and the little fellow turned around in his babyseat to see us. He was looking back at us as Grandpa was carrying him away. Max loves us and we love him. He’s sacred to us. From our core.

August 9, 2009

10:41 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up before 8:00 this morning. We played for a while and then headed to Granny’s for breakfast. This afternoon Max enjoyed a two-and-half-hour nap. When the little fellow got up we played some more. He really has a lot of energy!

We went to the grocery store this evening with Mimi. Max was very good at the store. He only tried to eat the buggy once. Believe it or not, this is a big improvement.

Max is hanging his hat with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and Jaddie and I are about to turn in for the night. I’m sure my little students are excited about their first day tomorrow.

August 8, 2009

10:20 pm—(Posted by Becky)—What a day! Our day started with a trip to Max’s pediatrician. He’s had a really stuffy nose for over a week and it wasn’t getting better. It’s a good thing I took him because he had a sinus infection that could’ve moved to his ears or chest. The little fellow has pink bubble gum medicine, and we hope it makes him better soon.

After Max’s nap and as we were heading out with Mimi to run errands, Max and Mimi fell down two of our concrete stairs. Max and Mimi are okay, but both were very rattled. Mimi really banged up her leg and Max seems unharmed. Mimi feels really bad about the whole thing, and swears she will never tote him down our stairs again.

Max is now peacefully resting in his crib, after playing hard this evening. Jaddie and I are about to turn in, as well.

August 7, 2009

9:36 pm—Max played his heart out today. The day began with the usual walk/stroll with Grandpa and breakfast at Bojangles. Then they went for a ride on Grandpa’s golf cart around the Wigleys’ big pond before coming home.

Max and I played for while before I fed him his oatmeal mixed with Juicy Juice and a bottle and put him down for his morning nap. He slept for about two hours, and then we played hard. We made a couple dozen laps around the main floor of our house with Max pushing something that looks sort of like a mower. He’d push that thing from one end of the house to the other, eventually getting stuck at one end. He’d then wait for me to turn his push-toy around so he could make the return trip. After at least twenty minutes of walking behind him and helping him adjust the course of his trek across the floor, I got tired and sat down. But that lasted for less than ten seconds. When he got stuck and I wasn’t right there to turn him around, I heard about it—all about it. So I got up and kept him going until he eventually got distracted.

Max was tired and ready for a nap by the time Becky got home from school. She wanted to go out for a late lunch/early dinner, so we took Maxiboy to Mimi and Grandpa’s for his nap. The only problem with that is that he enjoyed Mimi and Grandpa so much that he didn’t take his nap. They brought him home on the golf cart, and the little fellow picked up right where he left off—playing.

Becky fed him a bottle and put him in his bassinet, but, even though he was pitifully exhausted, he wouldn’t sleep. Becky gave in and brought him back downstairs for more playtime. She left to go get us one of those frozen blue drinks at the jiffy store, and I stuck Sir Maximillian back into his bassinet. He protested for about two seconds and we haven’t heard a peep from him since.

I don’t know if we’ll take him to Gymboree for his regular Saturday playtime because he still has a runny nose, and despite playing hard, he doesn’t seem to feel the best in the world. Of course, if we’d just make him rest, maybe he’d get to feeling better sooner.

The next order of business will be to figure out a way to move him from his bassinet to his crib without waking him. If we let him stay in his bassinet, he’ll wake up during the night, sense us, and want to be held and then to play. Of course, if we wake up our favorite little buddy while trying to move him before bed, we might just be holding him and playing with him until the clock strikes twelve.

More pictures will come soon. I’ve been working on Max’s one-year photo album.

August 6, 2009

9:35 pm—Max and I went walking with Grandpa this morning, and then Grandpa and Mimi took the little fellow to Bojangles for breakfast while I got a shower. When he came home, we played for a while, I fed him some blueberries and apples, a bottle, and some freeze-dried veggie or fruit “melts.” By then, Max’s eyes were droopy, so I put him in his bassinet for a nap, which lasted two-and-a-half hours.

When he got up, we played a while longer and I fed him another bottle. Two of his favorite playtime activities right now are going up the stairs and fiddling with the window blinds. To play with the blinds, someone has to hold the little fellow up to them. He’s focused on the rods and strings.

Grandpa came over and picked him up for a ride through the neighborhood on the golf cart, and Max stayed with them until Becky got home. Then he went to the grocery store with Mimi and Becky. After dinner Becky gave him a bath and Mimi and Grandpa came back to see him again.

I just finished feeding him his last bottle of the day, Becky read him a bedtime story, and he’s asleep in his crib in his room. I hate having him sleep in another room, even though his room is just outside of ours, but when he knows there’s someone nearby, he wants to party. And we ain’t for no partyin’ at o’-dark-thirty.

And so there goes another day.

August 5, 2009

6:34 pm—Max stayed with Granny today because I’ve been fighting some sort of stomach bug and/or cold, and today was Becky’s first day back to school. I took Max to Granny’s after Grandpa brought him back from their morning walk at the Mall of Georgia. Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night.

Max got sick at Mimi and Grandpa’s early this morning but has been fine since then. Poor Mimi and Grandpa had a bunch to clean up, including their carpet.

I’m so thankful Granny could keep the little fellow. Grandpa and Mimi are often busy during the day, and I was feeling pretty rough. It was so nice to be able to take Max to Granny’s, come home, go back to bed, and let my stomach work itself out.

When I went to pick up Max late this afternoon, I got to see my aunt Shirley, uncle Bill, cousin Cami, and Cami’s boyfriend, Casey. They were visiting with Granny and Max. Cami said she wanted to steal Max away. I reckon our little fellow had been working his charm.

I’m hoping to get a good night’s rest tonight and that I feel better tomorrow so I can look after my favorite little fellow. He’s a handful right now as he’s getting into anything and everything.

August 4, 2009

9:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max has had a great day. He went walking with Grandpa, and I met them at Bojangles for breakfast. After Max’s nap Granny came over to visit the little fellow. Jaddie and Granny had him for the afternoon while I went to get my hair cut. Max has been in a really good mood today.

Something new Max did today is laughing out loud when someone else laughs. He did this first for Granny and Daddy. Then he did it for me, Mimi, and Grandpa. It’s so cute! I believe what Max wants is for everyone to keep laughing, because when we laugh in return and eventually stop, he starts up all over again. This is one of the most precious events we’ve ever witnessed.

Max is crawling so fast these days. I keep kidding that I’m going to give him a speeding ticket. I’m sure my little fellow will be walking soon.

Max and Daddy are twins today. They both are sporting Elmo shirts. Max gave Daddy his cute shirt for Father’s Day and he loves it. We’ll take a picture of them wearing their new shirts and share it soon.

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. My dad, at my request, made breakfast for dinner and it was great. Max and Grandpa went on a golf cart ride after dinner. Max is hanging his hat with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Jaddie will catch up with him in the morning. I start back to school in the morning.

August 3, 2009

9:51 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max walked with Grandpa this morning. Then the two of them went to Bojangles. When Max came home we played and had a good time. Then Mr Max was ready for a nap. Max didn’t stay up long between his naps today. I think his runny nose is zapping his energy.

Granny came over to see her Maxipoo today. He took a nap while she was here, but he had a ball with her when he got up. Granny and I ran errands while Max napped. Jaddie was listening out for his little fellow.

Max, Granny, Jaddie, and I went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Max sat in a booster seat at the table, and he was so cute. He ate bananas and strawberry puffs while we ate. Granny had already fed him chicken. Maxipoo is doing much better with his eating since he got over his sore throat.

Jaddie fed Max his last bottle, and then our little sweetie went to his crib for the night. We hope tonight goes as well as Saturday night. Tomorrow is my last day of summer vacation. Boo-hoo!


(Yeah. Boo-hoo! —J)

August 2, 2009

Max’s first night in his crib was a smooth one. We all slept until 9:00 this morning. Becky and Max got up and played and watched Mickey Mouse on television before we went to Granny’s for breakfast.

Max’s energy didn’t last long. When we got home from Granny’s, Becky fed him a bottle and put him down for what turned out to be a three-hour nap. I worked on the little fellow’s photo album while he rested.

His energy didn’t last even after his long nap. We put him back down for another nap, but this nap was cut short because our little fellow got sick in his bassinet. After we picked him up and got his linens and clothes in the wash, Becky gave him a bath.

Bless his little heart! We wish our little buddy felt better. Mimi and Grandpa are keeping him tonight, and we’ll catch up with him tomorrow. Hopefully, another good night of rest will have Mr Max well on the road to recovery.

August 1, 2009

9:58 pm—Max woke up crying twice during the night last night and had to get in bed with us. He was as quiet as a mouse as soon as we picked him up. He’s done this now for four nights in a row. Plus, he has a runny nose and hasn’t given us a dirty diaper in four or five days. Becky believes the little fellow is falling apart because she’s going back to school next week.

Max played at Gymboree today, and though seemed to have a pretty good time, he didn’t smile very often or exude a whole lot of enthusiasm. Maybe he just doesn’t feel good. I can state for certain that Becky and I feel pretty rough. We don’t fare too well when our sleep is interrupted.

Mimi and Grandpa came over for dinner tonight, and after dinner Grandpa and I lowered the mattress in Max’s baby bed so he can sleep in his own room tonight. That was Becky’s idea. I don’t think it’s going to work too well. The little fellow was exhausted when Becky put him to bed more than half an hour ago, and I’ve heard him cry twice already. It’s just heartbreaking!

Stay tuned and we’ll let you know how tonight pans out.

July 31, 2009

11:34 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke Mimi and Grandpa at 3:30 this morning. They fed the little fellow a bottle, put him in bed with them, and he went right back to sleep. Max went walking with Grandpa this morning, and I met them at Bojangles for breakfast.

Max went to school with me this morning. Our housekeeper was cleaning, so I took Max with me. The little fellow met a lot of the people I work with. They all said he looks just like his mommy. Max at first didn’t want to take a nap, but soon he couldn’t hold his eyes open. I carried his bassinet, but he slept in his stroller. This was best because I was able to get all my errands done inside school by pushing his stroller wherever I needed to go.

Max took a long nap this afternoon. It surely is hard work getting someone up at 3:30 in the morning. While Max took his nap I went to The School Box with my friend Jodi. I found some cool ladybug items for my classroom, but I was most excited about the jungle items I found for Max’s party.

Max and I went to visit Mimi and Grandpa tonight. I fed Max while we were there. He got peas from head to toe, so Mimi and I gave the little fellow a bath. When we got home we played, and soon Max was ready for bed. That is where our little man is right now.

July 30, 2009

12:47 pm—We had a rough but sweet night last night. Max awoke a couple of times during the night, stood up in his bassinet, and cried. I picked him up, sat on the edge of our bed, and held him for a couple of minutes each time he awoke. Apparently, all he wanted was to be held. I held him to me with his cheek against mine and he never wiggled or made even the slightest noise. I believe he would have been happy to sleep that way. I put him in bed with us and he enjoyed that, too, until we put him back in his bassinet. Max thrashes around like a flounder when he sleeps. He’ll even bang his head against the headboard hard enough to make him cry. When we put him back in his bassinet, he cried plaintively for a couple of minutes and then returned to sleep, but only for a short while before repeating this routine.

Max eventually stayed in bed with us until he awoke shortly after 7:00 this morning. Becky was exhausted from not getting nearly enough rest, so I changed the little fellow’s dipe and gave him a bottle.

Physically I’m a zombie right now, but I feel great. Those few minutes of holding Max last night were really special. I was able to meet his needs completely by simply being with him. I know that won’t last forever, but it certainly was cool last night. That little guy loves his daddy, mommy, mimi, grandpa, and granny.

Grandpa phoned shortly after 8:00 to see if Max was ready to go to the mall with him. I went down there a short time later, and Becky, Grandpa, and Max were returning from Bojangles when I got home.


9:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—One from Max’s eleven-month birthday and two from Saturday:

Max had another wonderful day. He took two long naps and has been in a great mood. Our old Maxipoo is back in town.

Max had a visitor today. My friend and coworker Jana came to meet Max. He took right to her. He can tell she loves kids. Jana has a grandson who just turned one yesterday, and we enjoyed seeing Cooper’s pictures. Jana was so sweet and brought Max the cutest stuffed lion. Max really loves soft animals, so we’re sure he’s going to love it! Thanks, Jana!

Max went to the mall with Mimi, Grandpa, and me tonight. Grandpa and Mimi took turns strolling their favorite grandson. Max is crashing we them tonight, and Jaddie and I plan to get some much-needed sleep.

July 29, 2009

10:30 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had another great day. He woke last night at 12:30 crying, and we’re really not sure why. Maybe the thunderstorms woke him. We put him in bed with us and he went right back to sleep. I moved him back when he was fast asleep.

Max, Grandpa, and Daddy all went walking this morning. I met Grandpa and Max at Bojangles for breakfast. Max was ready for a nap when we got home.

We went to Gymboree today and Max had a ball, but I think it wore him out. He stayed with Mimi and Grandpa while Jaddie and I went to the Olive Garden for lunch. Mimi said he was ready for a nap when we picked him up. Max took two naps this afternoon. When he woke up we had a steady stream of company. First, my friend Jodi and her five-year-old daughter, Lilianna, came over. Max and Lilianna played and had a big time. Then neighbor Renae and her mom came over. They brought Max a monkey curtain for his jungle-themed birthday party.

Max is down for the night. The little fellow had a big day, and Jaddie and I hope to join him soon.


(Posted by Jaddie)—I’ve been working on Max’s one-year photo album and hoped to share some recent images today, but someone—and I’m not naming names—commandeered our computer this afternoon, which caused me to get a late, late start. And that same person, and, again, I’m not naming names, decided we’d have more collages in Max’s album. Collages don’t take longer than single prints, do they? Max’s album spans forty-eight pages, so this is a big project.

July 28, 2009

9:48 pm—(Posted by Becky)—This morning Max and I got up and went to breakfast at Puckett’s. We felt like a little change of pace this morning. Max has been in a good mood today. He seems to back to regular good-natured self. He’s eating really well and playing hard almost anytime he’s awake.

Mimi and Grandpa came over after Max’s morning nap. Max really enjoyed their company. When they started to leave Max latched on to Grandpa, so Grandpa took him home with him. He really loves Grandpa! He only stayed a little while and soon came riding home in the cart. We had a good time playing upstairs and downstairs today. We even shot a few movies tonight. We’ve had a lot of together time today, and it has been really nice. I gave Max a bath tonight, Jaddie fed him a bottle, and then the little fellow went to bed. He’s now asleep and we aren’t far behind!

July 27, 2009

10:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Grandpa this morning. I met up with them for breakfast at Bojangles. After Bojangles we came home and played before Max took his morning nap. Max has been in a good mood for most of the day. We’re glad our little fellow is starting to feel better!

This afternoon Max and I got out and did some birthday party errands. We are so excited about Max’s jungle party. Max did great on our errands. While we were gone Daddy worked on Max’s one-year photo album.

We went for a ride on the golf cart tonight with Mimi and Grandpa and neighbors Josh, Bryan, and Ethan. We had a cart full and had a fun time! Max really loves being around other kids.

Max has called it a night and Jaddie and I aren’t far behind!

July 26, 2009

11:34 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up around 8:00 this morning. He was standing up and yacking. After Max had his bottle we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max had some eggs and toast. He got a little choked on the toast and gave it back. When we got home Max and I enjoyed a very nice Sunday nap together. That was very sweet.

This afternoon after our nap, Max and I went to the mall with Mimi. We had a few adventures. While eating in the eatery I spilled my drink on Max’s stroller. I was so relieved to learn that none got on Max. That was only short lived. Max was eating some bread from my pizza and got choked again. The little fellow threw up all over his clothes. Mimi and I had to give Max a mini-bath with wet wipes in the eatery and go buy him a new outfit. By that time I had lost my appetite. Max was not at all bothered by the whole ordeal. I, on the other hand, needed some time to calm down from all the commotion!

Max got a bath when we got home and is crashing with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Jaddie and I are about to head to bed and will catch up with Mr Max in the morning.

July 25, 2009

11:16 pm—(Posted by Becky)—One from the Wednesday before last, one from last Saturday, three from Sunday, and one from Monday, Max’s eleven-month birthday:

Max is getting better by the day. He’s been a little fussy today, and we think it could be attributable to his cutting teeth. He started his day with a walk at the mall with Grandpa. Then I met them for breakfast at Bojangles. After that we met Mimi for a little shopping and then headed to Gymboree. Max had a great time in class today! We can’t believe how well he did since he missed his morning nap. When we got home Granny was at our house. That didn’t keep Max from wanting his nap. He slept for a while, so Granny and I headed out to fetch some supplies for Mr Max. We had to restock Max on formula, dipes, and wipes. He’s now good to go!

Max played with Granny when he woke up, and even went home with her. Jaddie and Grandpa had to run an errand, and Mimi and I went to my friend Jodi’s house for a party. Mimi and I picked up the little fellow on our way home. Granny said he was ready for his bed. That’s where Maxipoo is right now, and Jaddie and I are about to join him.

July 24, 2009

11:42 pm—Max is crashing with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. He’s very much on the mend and had a lot of energy today, though terribly fussy. He and Becky went with Grandpa to Bojangles for breakfast this morning.

He took a couple of naps today, played, fussed, got frustrated because we won’t let him do various things, rode on Grandpa’s golf cart, and laughed loudly when I threw him on our bed and played pee-a-boo with him.

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and when we got there Max’s mood improved. He played with his shopping cart, and we must get a video of him pushing that little cart. He’s so cute as he tries to catch up to it. The little fellow doesn’t know how to control its speed, so he just keeps getting faster and faster with it until he crashes into something.

We’re about to go to bed and look forward to catching up with Max in the morning and taking him to Gymboree.

July 23, 2009

10:45 pm—Max has been better today than yesterday, but he’s still not back to his regular self. His fever seems to have passed, and he has spurts of energy that fade to fussiness and lethargy pretty quickly. He let us sleep until 9:00 this morning, and Granny came over and spent the afternoon with us. He’s been more interested in food and liquid intake today, which is positive. Granny helped out a lot with feeding Max and getting the little fellow to drink water. Our little rascal will drink water from a thirty-ounce tumbler but not from a sippy cup. We’re hoping he’s in shape to play at Gymboree on Saturday.

Max, Granny, Becky, and I had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa at their house tonight. Max inhaled ten ounces of formula while we were there, and Becky gave him a bath when we came home. He’s now asleep and we hope to join him in a few minutes.

July 22, 2009

11:16 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Today has been about recovery! Max slept well last night after getting home from the hospital. The little fellow has seemed tired all day. I’m sure the crying he did last night really took its toll on him.

Today we took Maxipoo to see Dr Smiley to get her take on our situation. She said Max has herpangina, and that in two to three days Max should be showing great signs of improvements. We are glad little Max will be better soon. We really miss all of his smiles. We can say we already see improvements today, and we are very hopeful for a good day tomorrow. Mimi, Grandpa, and Granny have all checked in frequently, and they have helped to keep everyone up to date on Max.

Max is finally asleep after having a hard time getting there. I had to lie down with the little fellow to get him to fall asleep. Jaddie and I are about to join the little fellow and hope to get caught up on our sleep, too.

July 21, 2009

1:06 am—(July 22)—Max had a high fever today, and we just returned from the emergency room to have our little buddy checked out. He’s okay, but we’re going to follow up tomorrow with Dr Smiley, Max’s pediatrician.

It seems that our favorite little fellow may have gotten a virus in that little body of his. When we checked in at the ER, his temperature was 104.2°F. Becky, Mimi, and I couldn’t believe it, but the doctor and nurses didn’t get too excited. They said that during flu season, it’s common for them to see kids with temperatures as high as 105°F. They said that what matters is how quickly his temperature rises.

Max is a miserable little camper right now. Bless his little sweet heart!

July 20, 2009

10:57 pm—Max turned eleven months old today, and it tuned out to be a pretty good day for us. The little fellow slept kind of late this morning and didn’t get to walk with Grandpa, though he and Becky did have breakfast with Grandpa at Bojangles after Grandpa finished walking.

After taking a long nap, Max went over to Granny’s while Becky ran a few errands. Granny fed him lunch and played with him. He stopped by Mimi and Grandpa’s on the way home.

The three of us had burgers for dinner with Mimi and Grandpa. We took a few pictures of our favorite little fellow in Mimi and Grandpa’s backyard to commemorate his eleven-month birthday. Neighbors Renae and Mukti dropped by during our little shoot.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and we’ll catch up with him in the morning.

July 19, 2009

10:10 pm—’Twas a pretty typical Sunday for us. Granny cooked breakfast for us, and Max took a nap when we got back home. Mimi and Grandpa cooked dinner, and Granny and neighbors Greg and Renae joined us.

We took a few pictures of Max this afternoon, but I haven’t edited any yet. We have to get in step with him in the studio by giving him diversions that keep him on the set.

Max, Grandpa, and Becky went for a ride on the golf cart this afternoon and got stuck in the mud around the pond at the end of our subdivision. Grandpa, barefooted, pushed the cart out of the mud as Becky steered and held Mr Max.

I got to see Max dance with his turkey this afternoon, and it really melted my heart. He’s the sweetest thing ever! We’ll have to get this on video.

Becky gave Max a bath tonight, we’re about to head to bed, and we hope Max sleeps as late in the morning as he slept this morning.

July 18, 2009

10:06 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max went walking with Grandpa this morning, and I met them at Bojangles for breakfast. Max came home and got a nap just in time to go to Gymboree. He had a big time in class today!

This afternoon we took it easy. We played a little and took a two-and-a-half-hour nap. That was great! When Max and I got up we played a little more before going out with Mimi. We went to a few stores, including the AA&T store. We met Grandpa there to get his phone turned off. He’d lost his phone and when we dialed it someone kept picking up.

When we got home Max helped clean out the dishwasher! Two of his new things are the dishwasher and refrigerator. Max had his last bottle and I read him a book. Jaddie’s playing with the little fellow, and we’re about to hit the hay.

July 17, 2009

11:05 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept all night last night and woke up around 7:45 this morning. Max, Jaddie, and Grandpa all went walking this morning. I joined Grandpa and Max at Bojangles for breakfast. When Max got home we played for a while, and when he got ready for his morning nap we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s. Our housekeeper was cleaning and preventing Max from being able to sleep in peace, so Max took his nap at Mimi and Grandpa’s.

When Max woke up we went with Mimi to Bugaboo Creek for lunch and then Joanne’s craft store. We met neighbor Renae and her mom, Miss Jo, for lunch. Miss Jo had some good ideas for Mr Max. Max wants to take his bib off every time he eats, and Miss Jo suggested using a safety pin to hold it on. That was a great idea! We tried it tonight at dinner and it worked like a charm. She also gave me pointers on getting Maxipoo to drink water. She suggested using a straw like a dropper. Max loves it, and we are so excited to be able to give him better hydration!

Max is staying with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. We plan to meet up with the little fellow in the morning!

July 16, 2009

6:43 pm—Five from Saturday and one from yesterday:


11:10 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Mimi and Grandpa said Max got up at 3:00 am last night and stayed up for two hours. Mimi said she had fun with the little fellow. Surprisingly, Max and Grandpa went walking this morning. I met them for breakfast at Bojangles. (Nothing stops Grandpa. That dude was working on his deck his afternoon. He couldn’t set himself on fire and run any harder. —J)

Sleep has been the theme for the day. Max has had two long naps. These naps took up most of the day. In between naps we played and went shopping for party supplies. Max played a while tonight in his crib. He really loves his jungle mobile. Mimi and Grandpa came over tonight to pick up the little fellow to go on errands with them. (And that’s after they asked if the little fellow could spend the night with them, which would have been the fourth night in a row. —J) When they got back we played a long while before getting ready for bed. I just read Max a bedtime story and now he’s in his bassinet. Jaddie is getting the party invitations ready to print, and then we are going to call it a day.

July 15, 2009

10:02 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max walked with Grandpa this morning, and I met them at Bojangles for breakfast. When we got home Max took an extra-long nap. He slept for two hours and forty minutes. When he got up we headed to Gymboree. Max had a ball. They played a new game, “Car Wash,” and he loved it!

Tonight Max and I met friends Jeanie and Marcella for dinner. When we got there Max was asleep, but during our meal he woke up. He has been really tired today. He awoke in a great mood and gave out lots of smiles. When we left Max noticed a dancing turkey in the gift shop. I sat him down to show Marcella and Jeanie how he stands, and he surprised us all when he danced to the turkey’s music. My friend Jeanie convinced me that Max really needed this silly turkey. I have to admit he is so darned cute dancing to the turkey and it was worth the twenty-six dollars I paid.

When we left dinner we went to see Granny. She fed her Maxipoo some fruit. She also got to see Max cut a rug with his new turkey. She, too, thought this was adorable. Next we went to see Mimi and Grandpa, and believe it or not, Grandpa convinced me to let Max stay with them another night—the third night in a row. I agreed, but Mr Max is staying home tomorrow night. It seems Mimi and Grandpa are having a hard time getting their fill of Max since they got home!

July 14, 2009

11:00 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max, Grandpa, Mimi, neighbor Renae, and I went walking this morning. Jaddie slept in. Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast. Then it was naptime for Mr Max.

This afternoon Jaddie and I took Max to his pediatrician for a weight check. In six weeks Max has gained a pound and an ounce. Dr Smiley was pleased with his gain. Max goes back for his one-year checkup in August.

Granny, Mimi, and Grandpa all came over for dinner tonight. We had a great meal, and we all enjoyed each other’s company. We pulled Max’s highchair up to the table and he enjoyed peas with us. He wasn’t sure about them at first, but was quickly poking them in. After dinner Max played really hard with his company!

Tonight Max is staying with Mimi and Grandpa again. They haven’t gotten their fill of Maxipoo yet. Max certainly is a very lucky boy. He has so many people who really love him!

July 13, 2009

10:07 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept in this morning. The little fellow slept until 9:00 am. When Max got up I put him in the bed with me and fed him a bottle. After his bottle we played creepy crawlers, tickle, and peek-a-boo. It’s a great way to start your day!

Grandpa came and picked us up soon after we got up. We went to Bojangles with him to see our peeps. Grandpa and Mimi have been out of town for seven whole days and had major Maxipoo withdrawals, so we spent much of the day with them. After Bojangles, Max and I took a nap together. I love napping with my sweet little boy!

This afternoon we went with Mimi to the grocery store. Max enjoyed driving one of those car buggies around the store. He has made friends with the Publix employees. Mr Fred at the deli loves to see Max. Today he gave Max a piece of cheese and he really enjoyed eating it. When we got back home from the grocery store Grandpa took Max all around the neighbor on the golf cart. They stopped and talked to the Wigleys and Miss Dale. Max is hanging his hat with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Jaddie and I are hoping to get some restful sleep.

July 12, 2009

10:05 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Two from Wednesday, two from Friday, and two from Saturday:

Max has been fussy, fussy, fussy today! We’re thinking he isn’t feeling well from cutting teeth. This morning we got up before he did, which was a change. After getting up we went to Granny’s for breakfast. Max ate toast, eggs, and Cheerios. Well, the floor caught a good bit of that action. When we got home Max got a bottle and Max and I took a two-hour nap.

When we got up we played a lot. We played with Max’s train, dump truck, and monkeys. We had fun together. This afternoon Jaddie and I worked on Max’s birthday invitation while Max took his second nap. We didn’t finish the invitation, but we’ll work on it tomorrow.

Max had an extremely difficult time going to sleep tonight. I had to lie down with him twice. He usually goes in his bassinet and goes to sleep quietly. I’m not sure if it’s the teething thing. I guess time will tell.

July 11, 2009

10:55 pm—Maxiboy had himself a big day today. He, Becky, and I went walking this morning, and they went through the drive-thru at Bojangles for breakfast. Then we went to Gymboree for a great time with lots of other Gymboree revelers. We have a bunch of pictures to share, and I hope to have the energy to process a few tomorrow. Seventy-six ounces of caffeinated diet soda, over thirty ounces of tea, and over 2000 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin B12 hardly could keep my eyes open today. If it’s not Max one night, it’s sleep apnea the next.

As I was feeding Max a bottle, Granny phoned to see if she could drop by to see her favorite grandson. She came over and stayed a good while with us. She and Becky went out for a little shopping before dinner while Max took late-afternoon siesta, and later they went to aunt Jean and uncle Jack’s for a visit. They also got to visit with uncle Ralph and cousins Linda and Scott.

One interesting new development is Max’s playing peek-a-boo with us but with himself as the peeker. He loves hiding his head under things and then peeking out at us, cackling loudly. I hope to get this on video before it’s gone.

The little fellow is all tuckered out after his big day, and I’m hoping he’ll let us sleep late in the morning. As I write this, there’s a family of six raccoons out at our feeders, one mama or papa and five babies. We saw four of them last night.

July 10, 2009

10:41 pm—Max got us up in the 2:00 hour this morning and then again around 8:00. We’ve been tired all day, and we’re hopeful our little buddy will sleep all night tonight.

I went walking late this morning, and Becky and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast. ‘Twas a mess walking at the mall after the stores opened. There were so many slow-moving people, and I nearly trampled the cutest little foot-and-a-half-tall Asian girl. She was darting from a store to her daddy and we didn’t see each other.

We’ve enjoyed a lot of time with Max today. None of us went anywhere today other than through the neighborhood on Grandpa’s golf cart. Becky took the little fellow on one ride, I took him on another, and then we all rode together this evening.

July 9, 2009

10:03 pm—The quick passing of these days startles me. It seems like it was just a few minutes ago when Becky, Max, and I got up. They went to Chik-fil-A for breakfast this morning while I walked.

Then they went out to run a few errands while I worked on the computer. They bought some party favors for Max’s first birthday next month. Granny called to tell us that aunt Shirley and uncle Bill were coming up today, so Becky took the little fellow over to Granny’s this afternoon to visit with them. Granny, Shirley, Bill, Max, Becky, and I enjoyed an early dinner together at Golden Corral this afternoon. Max was so tired, so I put him down for nap when we got home.

And that’s about it for today’s events. Max is doing very well, and that’s what’s most important.

July 8, 2009

11:11 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max, Jaddie, and I walked at the mall this morning. Then Max and I headed to Bojangles. After breakfast we came home and played, and before long Mr Max was ready for his morning nap. While Max slept we had a bad thunderstorm. I can’t believe it but Max slept right through the storm.

This afternoon we went to Gymboree for play class. Because of Max’s age and mobility he was moved up to a different class. Today was our first day of our new class. Max really enjoyed his new classmates. After Gymboree we went to the Olive Garden for lunch. Before our meal arrived we fed Maxipoo pears and Cheerios. While we ate we picked up straws, coasters, and keys that Max kept dropping. We call it a “working lunch.” After lunch Max and I enjoyed an afternoon nap that was nice and refreshing.

Late this afternoon Max and I went to the grocery store—and what a trip it was! Everything started off great, but soon Max was in meltdown mode! In the checkout line we had the most fun. Max was crying while the bag boy and I were unloading the groceries, and before I knew it the bag boy was having to tell Max not to eat the buggy. Max had his mouth on the metal part of the buggy. I don’t even want to think about the germs he encountered! Next, he was playing with the pen and next the credit card machine! I was so happy to leave the grocery store and get home. What an adventure!

Tonight I fed Max some baby food, and Jaddie fed him a bottle. After our little fellow got full he was ready for bed. That’s where he is right now, and we’re about to join him.

July 7, 2009

10:31 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max and I went to Bojangles this morning and didn’t go walking. After playing and eating cereal Max was ready for a nap. While he was asleep Jaddie and I worked on things for his party.

Today we haven’t had a whole lot of things going on. Today has been mostly about taking it easy. We have played, napped, and repeated. I guess you could say these are great things to do on a rainy summer afternoon.

Tonight I went to a Bunco party at my friend Beth’s house, and Max hung out with Granny. Jaddie worked on Max’s first year’s album. When I got home Jaddie had picked Max up and was feeding little fellow his last bottle. Then I carried him up to bed. He was so tired. It’s hard work being so cute! Jaddie and I are about to join him and we hope to get a good night’s rest.

July 6, 2009

10:27 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from the Fourth and three from last night:

Max and I didn’t walk this morning, but we did go to Bojangles for breakfast. When we got home we played for a while, and then it was time for Max to take his morning nap.

This afternoon Max and I got out and did a little shopping while Jaddie worked on pictures. One place we went was Jo-Ann’s craft store. We were looking for decorations for Max’s birthday. We’re having a safari party and found very cute zebra fabric for a tablecloth. I can’t believe our lil’ monkey is going to be a whole year old soon.

Max has been very clingy to me today. I can’t even sit him down without causing him to cry. This is very sweet but makes it difficult to do the simplest tasks. I keep reminding myself that I’m so lucky to have such a sweet boy who loves his mommy! My little shadow is in his bassinet asleep and we better get to bed soon to keep up with him tomorrow!

July 5, 2009

10:46 pm—Six from Tuesday:

Max woke up crying at 4:19 this morning. I never heard him, but Becky scooped him up and put him in bed with us. He flipped around and bumped his head on our headboard repeatedly, so we put him back in his bassinet beside our bed, and he went back to sleep without any trouble.

Max, Becky’s grandmother, Becky, and I went over to Granny’s for breakfast this morning. It was nice having Louise join us. After breakfast we came home so Becky, Max, and Louise could take a nap and I could work on pictures.

We took Max down to the studio this evening to get a few quick pictures with his new teddy bear, and we hope to share some of those images here in the next few days.

Max is asleep right now, Louise and cousin Chase have made it back to Nashville, Georgia, Becky and I are both very tired, and we’re about to head upstairs to join Max for what we hope will be a peaceful night of uninterrupted rest.

July 4, 2009

11:32 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max started his day with a walk at the mall, and then he took a trip to Bojangles with Grandpa. By the time Maxipoo got home he was tired and hungry, so I fed him cereal and bottle and let him take a nap.

This afternoon we prepared for the Fourth of July cookout at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and Max has been busy resting up. When he wasn’t napping today he was playing with his toys. Mimi has bought the little fellow so many toys lately that he doesn’t know which one to play with first. Just today she bought him a bumblebee beanbag chair. It’s so cute! We’re sure Max will enjoy playing with that.

Max really enjoyed our Fourth of July cookout at Grandpa’s shop. We had lots of neighbors and friends over. Max enjoyed being passed around like a breadbasket! After dinner we went to the fireworks show at the Mall of Georgia. We walked so we wouldn’t get caught in traffic when the show was over. Grandpa also carried a few people to the show on his handy-dandy golf cart. We had a great time watching Max see his first fireworks show! He wasn’t scared and really seemed to enjoy it. On the walk home the little fellow had a meltdown, so Jaddie carried Maxipoo on his shoulders. That seemed to do the trick. Max got a bottle when we got home, and now he is fast asleep. We are about to join our little firecracker!

July 3, 2009

10:04 pm—After waking us twice yesterday morning, George woke us again this morning. Thankfully, he waited until after 7:00 am. He got up on our bed and meowed loudly a few times. Max took immediate notice of George, and our slumber party was over.

Max and I met Grandpa at the mall this morning for our regular walk and stroll, and I don’t know if they went to Bojangles afterward or not. Grandpa’s mother, Louise, is here, so they may have gone back home and skipped Bojangles.

Max, Becky, and Louise went over to Granny’s early this afternoon so Granny could do Louise’s hair. Granny’s been a licensed beautician since the ’50s and has a beauty shop in her basement.

While they were gone to Granny’s, Grandpa came over and mowed our yard, blew off the driveway, and came back to use his trimmer, and that’s after he’d torn out his shop’s bath this morning and circled most of North Georgia in search of some kind of plumbing pump. He said he’d been working in his shop since before 7:00 this morning. Why he went walking this morning is beyond my understanding. That man goes like the Energizer Bunny, seven days a week, always at the same frenetic pace, mornings, noon, nights, weekends, and holidays. I’ve never seen or heard of anyone else who keeps such a pace ad infinitum. Bipolar folks go like that for a while, but they usually run their boats upon dry ground and stay shipwrecked for a while. Grandpa’s ship is more like a supercharged speedboat that’s always putting out a mile-long wake.

Max is hanging his hat with Mimi, Grandpa, and Great Grand tonight. We’ll catch up with him in the morning.

July 2, 2009

9:51 pm—After waking Becky and me in the wee hours, George, our merciless cat, woke us all around 7:00 this morning. He jumped up in bed with us, tried to pull back my covers, meowed several times, and when that wasn’t enough, he got up on the nightstand and knocked off anything that wasn’t fastened down. When I got up to throw George out the second time, the door hinge squeaked and our night’s rest was over.

I reckon it was my fault, though. I forgot to fill George’s bowl before we went to bed last night, and he’s let us know on numerous occasions that he doesn’t want to see any white at the bottom of his bowl. I wish I hadn’t forgotten that little detail, because it cost me a whole day’s energy.

We went walking at the mall this morning with Grandpa, and he, Becky, and Max went to their favorite haunt for breakfast. This afternoon while Max was asleep, Becky and I developed a draft of the first page of his one-year photo album. Only forty-seven more pages to go!

Becky’s grandmother Louise and cousin Chase are in town for a visit. Becky and Max had dinner with them this evening, and afterwards Grandpa, Becky, Max, and Louise went for a ride on the golf cart around the huge pond at the end of our subdivision.

Becky’s reading Max a bedtime story as I write this, and I’m definitely going to fill ol’ Georgie’s food bowl to the brim as I head up to bed in just a minute.

Ooops! I spoke too soon. Becky brought the little fellow down to me because he wouldn’t finish his bottle upstairs. I pulled a Major Payne on Maxipoo and didn’t let up on him until I heard him sucking wind from his bottle.

July 1, 2009

11:13 pm—(Posted by Becky)—I had to wake Max up this morning. He was sleeping very soundly. When we got up we headed to the mall to meet Grandpa for our morning walk. Then it was off to Bojangles. After all of this Max was ready for a nap.

Max and I met our friends Jodi and Lilianna for lunch. Max had Cheerios while we ate. When we left we had to sweep them up because Max had more land on the floor than in his mouth. Then we went to Granny’s for a little while so I could do some errands. Aunt Shirley and uncle Bill came to visit. Max entertained them all. His new loud trick is to squeal as loudly as he can. It can really hurt your ears! Aunt Shirley and uncle Bill brought Max a few toys when they came to pay him a visit. One was a little van with really cute eyes, and the other was a saber-toothed tiger. He enjoyed playing with them on Granny’s floor. When Max left Granny’s he was ready for another nap.

Tonight Jaddie and Max had it by themselves. Mimi and I went to the movies with a couple of friends. Jaddie said they had a good time. Max was asleep when I got home. I can’t wait to play with my little fellow tomorrow!

June 30, 2009

10:31 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Two from Saturday and one from Sunday:

Max turned his bed into a swimming pool last night. He tinkled on all his bed linens, and they had to be washed before we went walking this morning. Mimi and Grandpa met us for our morning walk at the mall. Then Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles to see our peeps and get some breakfast.

Max has been a little tired today. He got some restful sleep, as Grandpa calls it, with two good naps. We went to Gymboree this afternoon and Max had a ball. He went through a tunnel we have been trying to get him through, so we gave him big applause. After Gymboree we went to visit Mimi and ran a few errands with her.

After another nap Max was ready to play. Jaddie and I played with the little fellow for a long time. He really loves climbing on his daddy. I call him Mount Daddy. And, of course, Max played with Tow Mater!

We went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. I gave Max some Cheerios and he was eating those as if they were going to be his last meal, so we also tried some mashed potatoes. This would prove to be a big mistake! Max didn’t care for the texture and began to throw up. He threw up a lot. It went all over him and his highchair. We had to give him a bath. After a bath Mimi and Grandpa brought us home on the golf cart so Max could get ready for bed. I just read Maxipoo two Clifford stories, and now he is in his bassinet for the night. We hope to join him in a few minutes.

June 29, 2009

9:35 pm—One from Father’s Day, two from the day after, one from last Tuesday, one from Thursday, and one from Saturday:


10:26 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had another big day! The day started with a walk at the mall. Then Max and I headed to Gainesville with Mimi and Grandpa. On our way home we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Max was so good in the restaurant. Mimi and I fed Max cereal while we waited for our food. Max played with a spoon and book while we ate. He’s now sitting in a highchair. He looks so cute pulled up to the table.

This afternoon Max had a little bit of a hard time taking a nap. I’m sure it had something to do with getting off schedule, but when he went down he slept a long time. We actually had to wake him to go out to dinner at 6:00. We met uncle Bill and aunt Shirley at Sweet Tomatoes. Max was so excited to see them. Max kept us busy during dinner by throwing things on the floor and wanting us to pick them up, screeching in excitement, and just wanting to play. We really enjoyed the food and company.

Max is all tuckered out from our big day and is now down for the night. Before going to sleep we read two stories, sang some songs, and played with Max’s feet. Jaddie and I are getting ready to join Max and call it a night.

June 29, 2009

9:17 pm—Max finally awoke last night around 11:00. Becky gave him a bottle, he inhaled it, and we all went to sleep. Becky woke me because I was snoring, then I woke up with indigestion, and at 7:15 this morning, the little fellow was ready to rock and roll. I’ve felt tired all day, and I hope to go to bed early tonight so I’ll have more energy tomorrow.

We went over to Granny’s for breakfast this morning, and she fed Max some cereal while Becky and I ate. Max lights up when he sees Granny. He was so excited while we were at her house, but after a while we could tell he needed a nap.

When we got home Max enjoyed a short nap before Mimi and Grandpa picked him up shortly after noon. Becky, Max, Mimi, and Grandpa went to our neighbor’s graduation party this afternoon. Becky said Max had a meltdown at the party, so Grandpa carried him home and took care of him.

Even when the little fellow finally made it back home late this afternoon, he was tired and cranky. We played in the floor with him and managed to get a few smiles from him before Grandpa came back to get him to spend the night with them. So that’s where our little buddy is now. I’m sure he’s asleep, and I’m almost as sure Grandpa is, too.

One of Max’s recent developments is standing for longer periods of time, sometimes for ten seconds or more. I was lucky enough to get a picture of him standing this evening, and I hope to share it here in the next day or two.

June 27, 2009

11:28 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max and Grandpa met Jaddie and me at the mall for our morning walk. Then Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast. After that, Max was all tired out and ready for a nap.

We went to Gymboree today. Max had a ball! He really enjoys playing with the other kids. When we got home Max was ready for another nap. The theme for today was nap all you can. Little Max has had a busy schedule for the past few days, and we’re thinking he’s playing catch-up with his naps.

Grandpa came over and put safety latches on our cabinets this afternoon. Jaddie was his handy-dandy assistant. Grandpa installed safety latches in their house this morning, so our little bay-bay is locked out of all the cabinets!

Max is still asleep from his nap that began at 6:00 pm, and we’re trying to get him to wake up. We’d like for him to have another bottle before going down for the night, but that doesn’t look as though it’s going to happen.

June 26, 2009

10:11 pm—It’s difficult to find fodder for a daily blog when the subject has been gone for the day. After sleeping until almost 8:00 this morning, strolling with Grandpa and me, going to Bojangles for breakfast, and taking a short nap, I took the little fellow over to Granny’s. She kept Mr Max while I worked and Becky, Mimi, Renae, and Candy went shopping in Atlanta. Grandpa picked Max up from Granny’s late this afternoon and took him to his and Mimi’s house, where Max is spending the night.

I just spoke with Granny, and she said Max played hard at her house today. I know he was excited to see her when we first arrived. He screeched more loudly than I’ve ever heard him. Because the little fellow didn’t come back home, we nearly missed a day without taking his picture. Thanks to Becky’s iPhone, we do have a picture of our favorite little fellow from today, though he was sound asleep when Becky took it.

June 25, 2009

10:02 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Jaddie, Max, and I met Grandpa at the mall for a walk this morning. Then Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles. Max went home with Grandpa to visit with Mimi a few minutes. It wasn’t long before Grandpa and Max showed up on the golf cart with a horse, but not a real one, of course. It was a horse on a stick for us to use in pictures. Mimi bought it for her favorite grandson to go with his adorable cowboy hat.

Max fed himself for the first time today and I got pictures. He fed himself Cheerios and sweet potato puffs. He was so cute feeding himself. We later found a few Cheerios in the pocket of his outfit. I guess the pocket made a great hiding place.

We visited with uncle Larry today. Max thoroughly enjoyed playing with him and his phone. Max climbed all over him just like he does his daddy.

Jaddie, Max, and I went swimming tonight, and Max really enjoyed every minute of it! He laughed and splashed for about an hour. Jaddie and I took turns swimming with the little fellow around the pool. We can’t wait to go back!

I just fed our little fish his last bottle for the night and read him two stories. He’s already fast asleep and we’re about to join him!

June 24, 2009

10:11 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Nine from the past week:

Max went walking with Jaddie and Grandpa this morning. I slept in. Max also went to Bojangles with Grandpa. When he got home we played for a while, had some cereal, and then he took a nap. This would be Max’s only nap today.

When Max got up we played for a while before going to pick up Jaddie’s new iPhone. We’re sure Max thinks it was he who got a new toy today. He just loves a phone!

This afternoon Max and I went with Granny to the grocery store. Max enjoyed seeing all the people in Publix. He got to meet two of my former students. They were very excited to meet him. Then we came back to Granny’s, and she fed Mr Max some peas and carrots.

When we got home Maxipoo was tired, so we laid him down for a little while before giving him his last bottle of the day. We’re hoping he’ll sleep a little later in the morning.

June 23, 2009

10:31 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up crying this morning. This is very rare. We fed him a bottle and headed to the mall to walk with Grandpa. After our walk, Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast. We visited with Mimi before coming home.

Max had three good-size naps today. In between naps we did a little shopping at Walmart, visited with Granny, and played. At Walmart Max saw a friend from Gymboree, Kayla, and tried to talk to her. She was also excited to see Max and tried to talk to him, as well. Kayla’s mom and dad took a parenting class with Jaddie and me, and we happened to meet again in Gymboree class. It’s a small world.

Mimi called dibs on Max tonight. She said that she would stay up and play with him if he didn’t want to go to bed early after sleeping so long today. She loves her Maxipoo!

June 22, 2009

10:35 pm—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night. They said he slept until 7:00 this morning. Becky and I caught up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning, and then they went to Bojangles for breakfast.

Max enjoyed a good bit of one-on-one time with Becky and me today, as well as with Mimi, Grandpa, Granny, and our friend Renae. Max accompanied Mimi and Becky to the grocery store today and a couple of other errands. Tonight Becky made a belated Father’s Day dinner for us since Grandpa and Mimi were at a wedding yesterday. Granny and Renae joined us and after dinner we watched a photo slideshow of Renae’s daughter Megan’s wedding. I created the slideshow from images I shot on Saturday. I thought I’d have time to get some of Max’s recent images today, but I found myself out of time after creating, tweaking, and re-tweaking Megan’s slideshow.

Max was tired tonight. He played with all of us for a good while after dinner, but by the time we got him in bed, he was exhausted. Becky fed him a bottle, read him a bedtime story, and sang to him and he conked out. Given how late he went to sleep, he might let us sleep until 7:15 to 7:45 in the morning.

June 21, 2009

10:42 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept in this morning until 8:00. When we got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. She fed Max a little cereal. He wasn’t too hungry. We’re wondering if the heat is causing him to not be so hungry. He’s even having a hard time finishing a container of sweet potatoes, his favorite.

Max and I enjoyed a cool nap together this afternoon. When we got up we played and had lunch. After playing for a while it was naptime again. Early this evening we had a Father’s Day shoot with Jaddie and Max. I was behind the camera. Max wasn’t up for a long shoot, so we’re hoping to try again tomorrow.

Max has been a little fussy today and we’re thinking it’s his teeth. He keeps chewing on his fingers. Maybe they’ll come through soon and our old, happy Maxipoo will be back again.

Today was Jaddie’s first Father’s Day. He has really been a great father to Max. Max loves really loves him and it shows. It’s so sweet to see them interact with each other, because they both really light each other up. It’s so cool!

June 20, 2009

11:58 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max, Grandpa, Jaddie, and I walked at the mall this morning. Afterwards, Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast and to see our peeps. Then it was naptime for Mr Max.

We went to Gymboree for our play class today. Max had a big time exploring all the tunnels and playing with the other kids. When we got home we played a little while before it was naptime again. Max loves his naps!

We did a little photoshoot this afternoon to commemorate Max’s ten month birthday. We got some good shots. Max was modeling some new overalls and a cowboy hat. We also did some shots with his favorite toy, Tow Mater. I’m sure we’ll share our new pictures soon.

Max stayed with Granny tonight until nearly 11:00 while Jaddie and I attended our friends Megan and Ed’s wedding. They had a beautiful ceremony and we wish them many years of happiness! Megan was such a beautiful bride, and we could feel the energy from her smile. Ed was flushed and excited as the pastor closed the ceremony by presenting him and his lovely bride as husband and wife.

Max is in his crib fighting sleep because we woke him when coming home from Granny’s. We’re hoping he’ll be able to go back to sleep smoothly and sleep late in the morning.

June 19, 2009

8:46 pm—One from Wednesday and two from yesterday:


9:30 pm—Today we have another first experience to share. Max climbed our stairs for the first time today. He was crawling from the living room to Becky, who was standing at the foot of the stairs talking to me, and I was standing at the top of the stairs. I saw the little fellow crawl around to the dining room looking for me, and I called after him from the top of the stairs. He stopped instantly, looked around, and finally looked up the stairs and saw me. And up he came. Becky was right behind him, and the little fellow stopped for two or three breaks along the way, but he finally made it all the way up to me.

I went walking by myself this morning. Becky and Max stayed home and Mimi and Grandpa were in South Georgia. Becky and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast and took a biscuit to Granny. Max stayed with Granny for a few hours.

Later this afternoon Max and Becky joined me upstairs while I worked on pictures. Mimi and Grandpa made it back from South Georgia and came over to see Max, and to pick him up to spend the night with them. They visited with our neighbors Stephen and Dale and Mr and Mrs Wigley.

Tomorrow is Max’s ten-month birthday and Mimi and Grandpa’s thirty-ninth anniversary, and tomorrow our friends Megan and Ed are getting married.

June 18, 2009

9:47 pm—Max let us sleep a little later this morning, so we were a little late in finishing our morning walk at the mall. Becky and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast, and I came home for a shower.

We took Max swimming for his very first time today. He was afraid at first, but he soon warmed up to it. His swim was cut short by another kid’s puking in the pool. One little girl got sick and over a hundred people had to skedaddle. They expected a lengthy clean-up time, so we opted to quit while we were ahead. Though I don’t miss the maintenance, I miss the pool I grew up with. Max would’ve enjoyed that pool.

Though the little fellow didn’t swim but about fifteen minutes, he was all tuckered out when we got home. He took a three-hour nap and was as hungry as a bear when he awoke. While Becky went to pick up dinner at Chili’s, I fed the little fellow three-and-a-half ounces of sweet potatoes and three-and-a-half ounces of peas. After dinner Max played hard for nearly an hour before going to bed.

One funny thing he did tonight was to pull himself up on the big HEPA air cleaner beside our bed. A lover of buttons, the little fellow found the power-adjustment control and turned it on high. He was surprised by the blast wind that engulfed his head.

Max is asleep now, so our sleep timer is now counting down. We’re going to start that uphill climb that is our bedtime routine and try to get in bed before 10:15.

June 17, 2009

9:24 pm—Six from the past week:


10:50 pm—We walked and strolled at the mall with Grandpa again today, and then he, Max, and Becky went to Bojangles for breakfast. Max pear and blueberry granola and a bottle, and then the little fellow had to sign off for a nap. That was his last nap until this evening.

Becky carried Max over to Granny’s this afternoon so we could go to The Olive Garden for lunch. Granny was happy to oblige, and Max was happy to see Granny. Becky said the little fellow lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw Granny. She fed him and played with him until Becky picked him up. They must have played hard, because when Max got home, he took a three-and-a-half-hour nap. When we spoke with Granny on the phone tonight, she asked if we’d bring Max back over to her tomorrow so she could feed him again. We’re pretty darned lucky!

It’s nearly 11:00 and the little fellow is playing hard on the living room floor. I bet he’ll let us sleep late in the morning because he’s going to bed much later than usual. On the other hand, maybe he’s had his rest and will be ready to rock and roll at o’dark-thirty. We’re hoping for the former.

June 16, 2009

8:56 pm—Becky’s grandmother’s twin sister passed away during her sleep last night. We found out as Grandpa finished walking this morning. Ruby was just putting up pickles yesterday, so her death came as a shock.

Becky and Max went with Mimi to the doctor again today for more blood work, and I took Granny to the radiologist for a more detailed, three-hour mammogram and ultrasound. Mimi won’t know her test results for nearly two weeks, but, fortunately, we learned that Granny is just fine.

Grandpa asked to keep Max tonight, and he and Mimi just took the little fellow home with them on Grandpa’s golf cart. They’re going to give him a bath and a bottle, and then he and Grandpa are going to call it a day. Max didn’t nap much today and he was fading out rapidly as Mimi and Grandpa came to pick him up. Hopefully, he’ll catch up on his beauty rest tonight and will let Mimi and Grandpa get a good night’s rest, too.

Max now has four teeth that have come through, two on top and two on the bottom. He certainly is a cute little booger!

June 15, 2009

9:10 pm—Today was pretty typical for us with Becky on summer break. We walked and strolled with Grandpa at the mall this morning, and Becky, Max, and Donald went to Bojangles for breakfast afterward.

Grandpa built a picket fence that we’re going to use as a studio prop. We went to Lowe’s to look for materials, but Grandpa said he had plenty of scrap pieces in the top of his shop that we could use.

Mimi, Becky, and Max went to the grocery store and Kohl’s this afternoon, and they dropped Max by Granny’s so she could feed and play with him for a while. He got tired and fought sleep at Granny’s, so he needed a nap when he got home. He finds his crib at Granny’s so entertaining that he just wants to play in it, not sleep.

Max and Becky joined neighbors Renae and Megan for dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s this evening. Max was Mr Cranky Pants and we can’t figure out why. Maybe he’s cutting another tooth, maybe we’re spoiling him, or maybe it’s a combination of those two or something else.

He’s tired and a bit cranky as I write this, but we’re trying to keep him up just a little later than his usual falling-down time of 8:30 in hopes he’ll let us sleep until 7:15 or 7:30 in the morning. Grandpa said the little fellow was peeking at them with a big smile on his face this morning at 6:45.

Now we’re going to give our little cranky buddy a bottle, hang up some clothes, and go to bed.

June 14, 2009

9:55 pm—The little fellow let us sleep until about 8:00 this morning. We changed his diaper, fed him a bottle, and let him hang with us in our bed for a while. Then we put him back in his bassinet so he could play with his toys, and so Becky could get another half-hour’s shuteye. (I was too awake to go back to sleep.)

We went over to Granny’s for breakfast, and she fed the little fellow some sort of concoction of strawberries, peaches, and veggies.

When we got home, Max and Becky took a short nap together. The nap was cut short by Max. They got up but our little fellow was a bit cranky, so he played just a little while before going back to bed for a longer nap. While Max napped Becky and I got the studio ready for a short shoot. However, little did we know that Max would never be ready for a shoot today. We were lucky enough to get one or two images that we can share here tomorrow.

Grandpa came over to pick up Becky and Max and go for a ride through the neighborhood. Max is staying with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and that gave Becky and me a chance to dine out in peace. When we left our house, we saw Grandpa’s golf cart with Max’s babyseat on the back at our neighbors’ Stephen and Dale’s house. When they left there, they fed the little fellow, gave him a bath, and went out visiting again. We called to check in later tonight and found them at neighbors’ Greg and Renae’s. To be such a little fellow, he certainly does get around!

A new development for Max is waving bye-bye. He doesn’t really know what it means yet, but when we say, “Bye-bye,” to him, he waves back to us. Mimi first taught him this little trick a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve been practicing it at Gymboree. Now Mr Smarty Pants seems to be catching on.

June 13, 2009

9:23 pm—Max let us sleep late this morning, and Becky and I have felt better all day because of it. Thank you, son!

We walked at the mall with Grandpa and his friend Mike. Then they went to Bojangles for breakfast. We took Max to play class at Gymboree this morning and had a great time. He was able to get a short nap before going, and he wanted another nap when we got home. The little fellow took a three-hour nap while Becky and Mimi did a little weekend shopping. When he awoke they came home to whisk him away for more shopping.

He returned in a good mood and was ready to play with me. He’s such a sweet little fellow. He sees me drinking water from a thirty-ounce tumbler and wants me to let him have a few sips. The only problem is that we end up soaking his clothes and the floor. I don’t believe I could ever deny him, either, because he looks at the cup and opens his mouth like a little bird.

Grandpa came to pick him up this evening to take him for a ride through the neighborhood on his golf cart. Becky went to pick up dinner while Max was riding with Grandpa and visiting with Mimi.

Becky and Max just returned a few minutes ago, and now she’s feeding him a bottle, reading him a bedtime story, and putting him to bed. We’re hoping we get to sleep late in the morning, too.

June 12, 2009

10:14 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six images, some of which are from last week:

Max began yakking at us at 5:00 this morning and finally got us out of bed shortly before 7:00. We fed him a bottle and got just a few more minutes to rest. The three of us met Grandpa for our morning walk. Then Grandpa, Max, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast and to see our peeps. Grandpa and Mimi took Max on a golf cart ride through the neighborhood when we got home. Then it was naptime for Max.

Max enjoyed a long nap this afternoon. Then it was play, play, and more play. We played at home and at Mimi and Grandpa’s. This afternoon Max and I joined Mimi on a few errands. On our errands Max started rubbing his eyes, which is one way Max tells us he’s sleepy. When we got back to Mimi and Grandpa’s we put Max down for a nap, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Mimi and I watched a movie while Grandpa tried to get Max to go to sleep upstairs. After the movie we checked in on them to find out that Max never went to sleep. I couldn’t believe it. When we got home it was playtime again. Max and Daddy enjoyed some fun time together. Tonight we bought some new tunes that we enjoy when we go to Gymboree. We played our new tunes and danced around the living room. We’re sure Max has to be exhausted and we hope he sleeps later in the morning.

June 11, 2009

8:47 pm—Max and I went walking with Grandpa this morning. They went to Bojangles for breakfast and I came home for a shower. Mimi’s having a lot of pain from an unidentified source and made an appointment to see her doctor. Granny also had to go to the doctor to discuss her test results from a recent routine procedure. And even Grandpa had to revisit the eye doctor to have the pressure in his eye checked.

Becky and Max carried Granny to her appointment. When they got back to Granny’s, Maxiboy stayed behind so aunt Shirley and uncle Bill could visit with him, and that freed Becky to take her mother to her appointment later in the afternoon. I went with Grandpa to his eye doctor’s appointment so I could drive home after his eyes were dilated. Everyone received good news today except for Mimi, and she didn’t receive any news either way. We have our fingers crossed in hopes she’ll feel better soon.

Becky brought Max back from Granny’s this evening, fed and bathed him, read him a bedtime story, and put him to bed. She says our little buddy can’t sleep with us tonight because he wakes us during the night. That’s probably a good idea. With sinus congestion, sleep apnea, indigestion, and Max flipping around like a flounder, we’re not sleeping very well. My energy level is in the toilet, Becky’s tired, and we’re hoping to get in bed early tonight so tomorrow can be brighter.

Max is doing well and seems to be quite happy and healthy, and we’re very, very thankful for that.

June 10, 2009

9:58 pm—After walking this morning, Max, Becky, and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast. Max got a very short nap before we took him to play class at Gymboree, but he still had a great time. He took a couple of naps today, one of which lasted about three hours. We took him to Granny’s late this afternoon so we could go see the new Disney/Pixar movie Up, which was excellent. We look forward to watching this movie again with Max one day.

Max and Granny had a big time together. They played and watched Braves baseball after Granny fed him two containers of prunes and nearly a whole container of stage-two veggies. Before coming home we stopped by Mimi and Grandpa’s for a short visit. Mimi had to get her Max fix for the day.

Becky fed the little fellow a bottle when we got home and let him go to sleep. We’re keeping our fingers crossed in hopes he’ll let us sleep until after 7:00 in the morning.

June 9, 2009

10:15 pm—Becky woke me at 2:00 this morning because Max had managed to turn himself so that his feet were near me and his head was between Becky’s pillow and our headboard. We put him back in his bassinet and went back to sleep—but not for too long. At 6:50 this morning there was some yaa-yaaing going on from our bedside, so I fixed the little fellow a bottle while Becky changed his dipe.

We met Grandpa at the mall for our morning walk, and he took over strolling duties, as he always does. Becky, Grandpa, and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast after our walk, and I came home and got a shower.

Grandpa worked here at our house a good while today. He finished installing the circuit, outlet, and vents for our new portable air conditioner, and then he made yet another circuit for another bank of lights. As if that weren’t enough, he was back this afternoon on his mower to take care of our yard. Not only did he mow, but he also used his trimmer and backpack blower.

Becky hosted the neighborhood Bunco party tonight, so Max and I pulled a skedaddle and went to Granny’s for the evening. When Max and I came downstairs to leave for Granny’s, Grandpa was here dressed up to go to a funeral home in Snellville. In July he’ll turn sixty-two years old. Never in my thirty-nine years have I ever had Grandpa’s energy and drive.

Max entertained Granny and me this evening with his usual cheerful shenanigans. That little fellow has a surefire way to fill people’s hearts with joy and paint smiles on our faces. He eventually conked out in Granny’s arms before I got the call from Becky letting me know it was okay for us to come home.

When we got home, everyone had gone except Mimi. She stayed behind to see her Maxipoo. She even took the little fellow home with her. I reckon we’ll get him back in the morning after our walk and breakfast. He’ll have to take a nap before going to play at Gymboree.

I hope to share some more pictures here tomorrow or soon.

June 8, 2009

9:00 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max and I have been joined at the hip all day today! The little fellow won’t let me out of his sight. When I went to the bathroom he followed me. We’ve had a lot of fun together today. We played a lot! We played with balls, blocks, and George, our cat. Daddy and Grandpa have been busy working on cleaning and organizing our photography studio, which is located in our basement. Grandpa made us a background hanger that lets us hang four backgrounds from our studio’s ceiling. And he’s installing a new electrical circuit and ventilation for the new portable air conditioner we just bought for the studio.

We went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. After dinner Grandpa and Daddy went out on the back porch. Max enjoyed swinging with Grandpa until he saw me. He nearly jumped out of the swing to get to me. This was very sweet. Max is headed toward being a mama’s boy, but also has a list of others he really loves!

I just gave Max his last bottle and read him two dinosaur bedtime stories. We’re going to join him soon. He rules our sleep schedule with an iron fist!

June 7, 2009

7:57 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got up at 7:15 this morning. We fed him and tried talking him into going back to sleep, but that didn’t happen. We let him play in his bassinet by our bed for a little while. He got tired of that soon, and Jaddie finally got up and played with the little fellow as I slept in. When I got up Max was yawning and Jaddie looked exhausted. We went to Granny’s for breakfast. She had a special treat for her Maxipoo. She had bought him three bags of his favorite baby food. She said she didn’t want her baby to go hungry. I’m sure if Max could talk where we could understand him he would say, “Thanks, Granny!”

When we got home Max took a nap, and what a nap it was! He slept for three-and-a-half hours! While he was napping I got in bed for a nice, Sunday-afternoon nap, as well. When we got up we headed to Mimi and Grandpa’s for a visit. Max, Mimi, and I played for a long time in the floor. Max has a lot really neat play-pretties that Mimi has bought for him.

After playing we fed Max some carrots and green beans. Then we gave the little fellow a bath. After our bath Mimi, Grandpa, Max, and I all piled on the golf cart for a ride through the neighborhood. We stopped at a few neighbors’ homes and delivered them some squash Grandpa brought back from South Georgia. Max loves riding on the golf cart.

Mimi and Grandpa called dibs on Max tonight, and Jaddie and I are going to watch a movie and get some sleep!

June 6, 2009

9:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got up shortly before 8:00 this morning, drank his bottle, and then we went walking. After walking we went to Bojangles for breakfast with Grandpa. Then it was naptime for the little fellow.

Max, Jaddie, and I went to Gymboree for play class today. Max had a ball. He really loves all the activities and playing with the other kids, and especially loves the bubbles they do at the end of the class. After class we three went to Applebee’s for lunch. It was more of a workout for Jaddie and me. Max grabbed things and dropped them on the ground just so that we’d pick them up. This is his new favorite game, Mommy and Daddy’s scramble. This afternoon we went to Sam’s with Mimi to get things for our neighborhood picnic.

Max enjoyed visiting with all the neighbors at the picnic down by the neighborhood lake. While we all enjoyed fried chicken, Max enjoyed his sweet potatoes. He really loves sweet potatoes. Mimi use to call me “tater” when I was a baby and now she calls Max “sweet tater.”

After we got back from the picnic Jaddie fed the little fellow a bottle. Max crawled around on the rug, sat in his highchair while Jaddie had dinner, and I fed him some peas. It wasn’t long before I read him some stories, fed him another bottle, and put him to bed. Jaddie and I will scoop up the little fellow and put him in bed with us when we make it there shortly.

June 5, 2009

10:22 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from the past week:

Max, Jaddie, and Grandpa went walking this morning, and I slept in. I met Grandpa and Mr Max at Bojangles for breakfast. After breakfast Grandpa and Max went riding through the neighborhood on the golf cart to see their peeps. They stopped and visited with neighbor Dale, and I hear that Max was very happy to see her.

Max went to Granny’s this morning for his nap. Our house cleaners were here, and Max is unable to sleep with a lot of excitement going on. I picked Max up shortly after noon so he could accompany me to a doctor’s appointment. When we got home he was ready to eat! I fed Maxipoo stage-two sweet potatoes, and since that didn’t even put a dent in his hunger, I fed him stage-two peas, which he almost finished. Then Jaddie fed the little fellow a bottle. After Max filled is belly, he was ready to play. We played hard for about an hour-and-a-half.

Then Max and I went with Mimi and Grandpa to the mall. Jaddie stayed behind to work on pictures. Grandpa and I got something to eat while Mimi and Max strolled the mall. When we got home from the mall Max had meltdown for something to eat. I fed the little fellow a bottle and read him two stories, and then he was fast asleep.

And now Jaddie and I are in a mad dash to join him in order to get enough sleep.

June 4, 2009

10:39 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Our little alarm clock went off early again this morning, but we were able to hit the snooze button. We fed little Max and he went back to sleep for about forty-five minutes. When we all got up we headed to the mall for a walk. Then Max and I went to Bojangles for breakfast.

Max got caught up on his beauty rest today. He took a few naps. He also played with Mommy and Daddy a lot today. This afternoon we went out for a few errands. One place we stopped was Party City. We’ve already started planning for our little monkey’s birthday. We want to do a jungle theme. Max got very excited when I showed him the jungle plates! I can’t believe that in ten weeks my baby will be one year old!

We went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner tonight. Neighbors Greg and Renae joined us. Max was a little grumpy at dinner from being so tired. We also think he’s cutting more teeth. When we left he was taking his last bottle and then was going to call it a night. Jaddie and I are hoping to get a little extra shuteye tonight!

June 3, 2009

10:35 pm—As I write this Becky is gone to get Max at Granny’s. The little fellow spent the evening with Granny while Becky and her mother attended our neighbor Megan’s bridal tea.

Becky, Max, and I hit the mall early for our morning walk. She and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast afterward while I showered. We took Max to the eye doctor this afternoon for a follow-up visit from months ago. We were worried that Max might be just a touch cross-eyed, but Dr Salit said months ago that it was an optical illusion and that his eyes were fine. Today she confirmed her original diagnosis. It seems that Maxiboy is doing well, though we have to take him for a second follow-up appointment in January.

Max continues to be a true joy, but he’s also quite a handful! I let him crawl over our Mac notebook today and all seemed well, but when I opened the screen later, one of the two hinges broke. Apple doesn’t repair this problem any other way than replacing the screen, which costs much more than this seven-and-a-half-year-old machine is worth.

He’s napping less and moving much, much more. He wants the telephone, Becky’s iPhone, the PowerBook, the keyboard for our upstairs Mac, and now he’s learning how to open cabinets and drawers. Yesterday the little fellow even stood up unassisted for about ten seconds. He uses any stationary object to help himself stand up, and it’s usually not long before his little bottom smacks the floor. He’s repeated this routine so many times that I’m surprised he doesn’t have callouses on his fanny.

He grabs George’s tail and holds on tightly as we rush to prevent injury to either him or to George. He grabs our faces, digging in hard with his fingernails, and then twists his wrists, making us shriek in pain as the sting builds and the blood begins to drip. This makes the little fellow giggle and he tries to do it again.

So we’re having fun, but we definitely have our hands full. I’ll be darned if I know of how any set of parents can look after more than one kid in diapers at a time.

We’ll soon go to bed and try to get a good night’s rest in hopes of having enough energy to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Actually, we’re hopeful that tomorrow’s challenges will be minimal. We don’t have anywhere we have to be, and we’re hoping to have a nice, gentle, relaxing day.

You veteran parents may stop laughing now.

Really. Stop it. You’re scaring us!

June 2, 2009

9:50 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got us up early again. Someone needs to tell him it’s summer and we sleep late during the summer. When we got up we headed to the mall to walk with Grandpa. After walking Max, Grandpa, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast. Max finished the morning with a nap. You know, it’s hard work getting your parents up so early in the morning.

This afternoon we went to Gymboree for play class. Max really enjoyed himself at class today. We think he’s finally getting the hang of the class. He really loves all the activities and the other kids, especially the girls. Today he tried to crawl in another mother’s lap to sit by a fellow classmate. Luckily, she thought it was cute. After play class Jaddie, Max, and I joined Mimi and neighbor Sue for lunch at The Olive Garden. Max gave us his going-to-the-bathroom face at lunch. He does this without fail every time we go there! Fortunately for us, it was a false alarm.

We played big time this afternoon! We played upstairs and downstairs. For dinner we went to visit Granny. She fed Mr Max sweet potatoes with corn and beef. Max played hard with Granny. So, as one might expect, Max was extremely tired when we got home. I read the little fellow a story and gave him a bottle. Now he’s fast asleep and Jaddie and I are about to join him.

June 1, 2009

10:37 pm—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, and I met up with Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning for a walk. Mimi said Max threw up twice this morning, necessitating a new mattress cover for their bed. Then the little fellow refused to eat or drink his bottle. He seemed in good spirits to me. I believe he must have had an upset stomach.

After walking Max and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast, and then the little fellow stayed with Mimi and Grandpa until shortly after noon. He came home, played a little while, drank a bottle, and took a long nap with Becky.

We went to Granny’s for dinner this evening, and she fed the little fellow a big container of peas and a small container of prunes. Max will eat for Granny better than he will for any of the rest of us. We kidded her by telling her that we were going to bring him to her three times every day for his solid foods, and she said she’d like nothing better.

The little fellow is already asleep in his bassinet, and we’re about to scoop him up and put him in bed with us. Max might be just nine months old, but he’s totally in charge of when we get up in the mornings, which leaves him pretty much in charge of when we go to bed at night. We feel as though our sleep clock is ticking when the little fellow closes his eyes for the last time each day. He’s our alarm clock and he doesn’t have a snooze button.

May 31, 2009

11:33 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Little Max woke up early this morning. We let him play by our bed in his pack ’n’ play while we rested a little while longer. Max loved playing with his toys and seemed to entertain himself. Once we got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. We had special guests for breakfast, uncle Jack and aunt Jean. Max really enjoyed playing with them.

This afternoon Max and I enjoyed nap together. We slept for two hours. It was very sweet and peaceful! Once we got up Max and I headed to the mall for some shopping. Max was great on our shopping trip. He never got fussy. When we got home Max played with Daddy and then it was naptime again. Jaddie and I worked together to feed Max peas when he got up from his nap. At first he was gobbling them up, but soon it was hard to get him to take bites.

Max was happy to see Mimi and Grandpa when they came over to pick him up to spend the night. Jaddie and I will miss our little fellow tonight, but we have to share our little Maxipoo!

May 30, 2009

10:07 pm—(Posted by Becky)—The day started with a little tug at my hair. Mr Max was pulling my hair and smiling this morning. I guess that was his way of saying, “Let’s go and get our day started!” And that’s what we did. Our first event was walking at the mall with Grandpa. Then Grandpa made us breakfast. After that, Max went down for a short nap with Mimi before heading to Gymboree for play class. Max, Jaddie, and I had a ball at play class, but by the end Max was a little fussy from all the stimulation.

Max spent the afternoon with Granny while Mimi and I went to a tea party. One of our friends is getting married and we attended her bridal tea. We had a lot of fun, and Max and Granny had fun together, too. Granny fed Mr Max turkey for the first time. She said at first he didn’t like it but soon gobbled it up. He also enjoyed sweet potatoes with his turkey. I guess they thought they would have a mini Thanksgiving.

When we got back from Granny’s Mimi and Grandpa took Max for a quick jaunt on the golf cart. Max was so tired when we finally made it to our house; he was ready for a nap. We’re not sure if this is just a nap or if he’s down for the night. Time will tell. While I’m writing this Jaddie is assembling Mr Max’s highchair. I can’t wait for him to give it a whirl tomorrow.

May 29, 2009

9:40 pm—Three from Max’s first time playing at Gymboree:

Thank goodness today wasn’t as busy as the past couple of days! Becky, Max, and I met Grandpa at the mall for our morning walk and stroll, Grandpa took Max to Bojangles for breakfast, and Becky caught up with them when she finished walking.

Max spent the afternoon with Mimi and Grandpa, and we had dinner with them this evening. After dinner Max and Grandpa enjoyed the swing on Mimi and Grandpa’s deck. Max eventually went to sleep while swinging, and we left him there until Grandpa called to say the little fellow had awaken.

We go to Gymboree for our second time tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to seeing Maxipoo have a good time. Maybe we can get a good night’s rest tonight so we’ll have plenty of energy to chase after Max tomorrow.

May 28, 2009

9:57 pm—Max must have gotten his exercise yesterday, because he slept until nearly 8:00 this morning. The little fellow is extremely mobile and active and is requiring less and less downtime.

Grandpa brought us a custom-built pad for our hearth today, and Max has already tried it out. Unfortunately, there’s no padding on our hardwood floors or on the metal tubing that supports the jumperoo, and Max banged his noggin on both of those today. Undeterred, the little fellow did three or four faceplants into our living room rug and bumped his head on a wall corner this evening. He has a small bruise on his forehead to show for today’s thrashing.

Granny came over this afternoon and she, Becky, Max, Mimi, Grandpa, and I went out for dinner. Max was quite active during dinner, playing with everything he could get his hands on. After dinner we went to Walmart to pick up Max’s new highchair.

Once home Becky and I played with our little fellow in the living room floor. That guy climbed all over everything—and us! He quickly got tired and cranky, so Becky took him upstairs, fed him a bottle, read him two stories, and put him to bed.

May 27, 2009

10:01 pm—Becky slept in this morning while I went walking with Max and Grandpa. She said I snored so loudly last night that she couldn’t drown me out with her iPod. She was tired, so she needed some extra rest. Grandpa brought us breakfast when he brought Max home.

Max had his first play class at Gymboree today. He seemed to enjoy it, though he was a bit overwhelmed. He was the only boy in the class. His instructor had a bunch of things for the class to do. We traversed obstacle courses, sang songs, played with puppets and instruments, climbed through tunnels, and played on a parachute. We even played baby soccer. Becky and I were impressed by the program and signed Mr Max up for two play sessions a week for the next six months.

Max met with Dr Smiley today for his nine-month checkup. He’s doing well. He weighed 19 pounds, 4 ounces, which puts him in the 27th percentile for weight. He’s 28.75 inches tall, which puts him in the 64th percentile for height. Our little buddy has a big head, though. His noggin has a circumference of 18.5 inches, which puts him in the 89th percentile for head size.

Dr Smiley gave us the green light on moving up to stage-two foods. She said that if Max handles stage-two foods well, he’ll quickly graduate to table food. She also wants the little fellow to drink at least four ounces of water per day. She wants us to add a third feeding of solid food every day and continue with feeding Max four bottles each day. Dr Smiley advised us to brush Max’s tiny teeth every day now. I don’t know how we’re going to accomplish such a feat, but we’ll certainly try.

When we left Dr Smiley, we stopped at The Olive Garden for a late lunch. Max slept in his car seat at the table until near the end of our meal. When he awoke he gave smiles and his potty face.

We weren’t home long before Max, Mimi, and Becky headed over to Granny’s to pick her up for a big Walmart run. Mimi and Granny made sure Max has plenty of stage-two foods. Becky said they bought a lot of new things for Max to try.

When Becky and Max returned, our little fellow was exhausted. I fed him a bottle and Becky put him to bed. He was asleep before Becky left the room. We’re about to join him, and hopefully I won’t snore them out of the room tonight.

May 26, 2009

8:34 pm—One from Sunday and five from yesterday:


9:35 pm—Max and I met Grandpa for our morning walk, and Max and Grandpa went to Bojangles afterward. Mimi and Grandpa kept Max while I took Granny for a routine mammogram.

Today was Becky’s very last day of school for the 2008-09 school year, and Max and I are excited to have her home for ten whole weeks. I bet that Mr Max will be walking and talking by the time Becky returns to school in August.

Grandpa and I moved our marble coffee table out of the living room so Max would have a safe area in which to play. Grandpa is building a big bumper to go around our hearth. Given how mobile Max is now, though, I believe we need to fit the little fellow for a crash helmet and let him wear that anytime he’s awake.

Grandpa asked to keep him tonight, so he came back on his golf cart this evening to pick up his little sidekick. Becky and I are going to meet them at the mall in the morning.

May 25, 2009

10:35 pm—Max and Grandpa went for their morning stroll this morning, and Becky met them at Bojangles for breakfast. She and Max stopped by Hobby Lobby and Kroger before coming home. When the got home, Becky fed the little fellow some peas, I fed him a bottle, and then we put him down for nap.

Mimi and Grandpa had a neighborhood cookout for Memorial Day. Granny came over to visit with Max before the cookout, and we took him down to the studio for a brief shoot. Granny got the little fellow to laugh and smile a few times, and with any luck we’ll have some of those images to share tomorrow.

Max enjoyed the party and was passed around like a breadbasket. After a couple of hours laughs and giggles, Max got tired, hungry, and ornery. We fixed that by letting the little fellow inhale a full bottle and putting him down for a nap. Well, I say “nap,” but since we put him down, we’ve yet to hear a peep from him, and we’re about to turn in for the night. We plan to scoop him up and let him sleep between us.

May 24, 2009

11:02 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Three from earlier today:

Max got us up at 5:00 this morning. We changed and fed him, and we were able to get a little more rest. When we got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max stayed with her for a couple of hours while we paid our respects to our friend Jodi and her family. While at Granny’s Max played and took a little nap. Granny and the little fellow were rocking on the front porch when we got there to pick him up.

When we got home I fed Max a bottle, and then he was ready for another nap. This nap lasted two hours. The little fellow was tired from getting us up so early! After Max’s nap we played on the floor in our bedroom. We played ball and played with a clothesbasket. Max thought it was cool to stand up while holding onto the basket. After playing we went down to the studio for a little photoshoot. At first Max didn’t want any part of the shoot, but he soon warmed up to the camera and gave us a few good shots.

Max is hanging his hat with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. We’re hoping to get a good night’s rest. We already miss the little fellow, though.

May 23, 2009

9:45 pm—Becky and I tried to sleep in this morning, but Max wouldn’t let us. I got up, changed his diaper, fed him a bottle, and hoped he’d go back to sleep, but he wouldn’t. He flip-flopped like a flounder between us in bed. Becky finally gave in and got up with the little fellow.

Poor ol’ Grandpa had to walk by himself this morning. The rest of us were too sorry to join him—well, except for Max, who was up and ready to go. Grandpa picked us up after finishing his walk and took us to Bojangles for breakfast.

Our little fellow is very mobile now. He can crawl, raise himself to a standing position from just about anything stationary, and actually chase us in his walker. Tomorrow Grandpa and I are going to move our marble coffee table to another room so Max will have most of the living room floor for a play area. We have to cover our hearth with some sort of padding so the little fellow doesn’t hurt himself when he falls. We have to put up some gates at the top and bottom of our stairs, too, and put safety hooks on the cabinets. He’s beginning to buck like a wild man in his Bumbo babyseat, even though he’s locked in by the seat’s attached table, so Becky ordered the little fellow a highchair that’s more secure.

Max visited with Mimi and Grandpa late this afternoon. Becky dropped him by on her way to carry dinner to our friends Eddy, Jodi, and Danielle. Jodi’s grandmother just passed away, and we’re sorry for Jodi’s loss. When Becky started to leave Mimi and Grandpa’s, Maxiboy cried. Becky backtracked and picked him up and he stopped crying, so she carried him with her. Max loves his mama!

Becky bathed the little fellow this evening, and we let him sit in his babyseat while she and I had dinner. He spent some time in his jumperoo after dinner, and I watched him while Becky got a bath. He’s so tired now. Becky’s feeding him his last bottle, and he’s just about asleep. Becky’s going to change his diaper and put him in his bassinet, and we’ll put him in bed with us in a little while.

May 22, 2009

10:00 pm—Max got up with me this morning. I took him to walk with Grandpa. Jaddie had an appointment today and Grandpa had a bunch of stuff to do, so after their walk Grandpa took Max to stay with Granny. Granny said she had a lot of fun with her favorite little fellow. They played until Max had to have a nap. She said he took an hour-and-a-half nap this afternoon. I picked up Maxipoo at Granny’s on my way home from school.

On our way home Max and I stopped by our friends Eddy, Jodi, and Danielle’s house. Danielle just loves Max. When leaving there we went to Babies“R”Us to look for a highchair for the little fellow. We didn’t find one we could both agree on. When we finally made it home, Jaddie was so happy to see Maxiboy. And vice versa.

The three of us went to IHOP for dinner. Max was very good at dinner other than the Santa face he gave me before our order arrived. This is the face Max makes when he goes to the bathroom. I took the little fellow to the car and changed him, and then all was well for the rest of our dinner. Max is in this crib taking a little nap. He gets really tired from all of his constant moving. When he wakes up we’ll feed him a bottle and then go to bed soon.

May 21, 2009

5:41 pm—One from Monday and five from yesterday:


10:08 pm—As usual, Max began his day with a stroll at the mall and breakfast at Bojangles with Grandpa. I phoned Max’s pediatrician’s advice nurse to ask about what I could do to help unclog our boy. She suggested a teaspoon of dark Karo syrup per four ounces of milk, so I phoned Grandpa and asked him to run to the store to get some. We’ll put the syrup in all of Max’s bottles until things ease up for him.

I carried Max over to Granny’s again today so I could work on pictures and get some other work done. Granny said she and Max had a big time. Max went to sleep in Granny’s arms while she was rocking him on her front porch.

While I was working on the computer at home, Grandpa came over on his mower and took care of our yard. He came back on his golf cart later this evening to take Becky and Max back to his and Mimi’s house for a visit.

Max is crawling fairly well now. Sometimes he forgets he knows how to crawl and plops down on his belly and cries in frustration, though just a few moments prior he was crawling like a champ. We’re sure things will click for him in a day or two.

Becky just finished feeding the little fellow his last bottle of the day, and we’re going to let him sleep with us again tonight.

May 20, 2009

9:25 pm—Today is Max’s nine-month birthday. Our little fellow has changed so much in these past nine months, and it’s been a life upgrade for Becky and me to have him. Our little fellow has it pretty good.

His day got started with a stroll at the Mall of Georgia and then breakfast at Bojangles with Grandpa. After breakfast they went for a ride through our neighborhood on Grandpa’s golf cart, stopping at our cutie-pie neighbor Teresa’s for a short visit.

Grandpa brought the little fellow back to me soaking wet. It seems that the Maxster’s diaper came unfastened, and the little fellow juiced his new outfit. I gave him a sponge bath while Grandpa found him another outfit to wear. Then I fixed the little fellow a full bottle of milk, and he drank almost all of it before falling asleep in my arms on the sofa. I put him in his bassinet for a two-hour nap.

When he awoke I fed him some squash and a six-ounce bottle. Then I took him to Granny’s so he could stay with her until Becky got out of school. Today was Becky’s last day with the kids for this school year. (It’s astonishing when I wrap my head around the fact that Becky has taught school for fourteen years now! Wow! I wasn’t much older than fourteen when I met Becky.)

Later in the afternoon Granny joined Becky, Max, our friend Danielle, and me for dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s. We took over a hundred pictures of Maxipoo at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and Becky and I just finished looking at those. Hopefully, I’ll have time to process a few of those to share here tomorrow or Friday.

We fed Max another bottle and he just couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer, so we put him in his bassinet so we could finish our nightly routines, but we’re going to snatch him up and put him in bed with us when we hit the hay in a little while.

Max, my little buddy, I want you to know in a few years when you read this that Mommy, Mimi, Grandpa, Granny, and I have thoroughly enjoyed you for these past nine months. You’ve brought so much joy to all of our lives. We love you, sweet boy!

May 19, 2009

9:44 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max slept really well last night. He woke up with me this morning, sat up in the bed, and smiled. He’s such a morning person. Before school I carried him down to Mimi and Grandpa’s so he could see Great Grand and aunt Ann before they left. Jaddie picked up the little fellow after his morning walk.

Jaddie and Max enjoyed each other’s company a lot today. Jaddie said they played solid for three hours. Max was getting tired when I got home today, but Jaddie kept him awake to see me. Max and Jaddie were waiting at the top of the stairs when I arrived home from school. I heard Max make a happy gasp before I saw him. Jaddie said he thinks Max knew that they were standing at the top of the stairs because I was home. Hearing Max sound happy to see me just warmed my heart! He’s such a sweet little boy! Max and I enjoyed a nap together this afternoon. We were both in need of a little R and R.

Jaddie and I went to dinner at Dos Copas this evening. Max stayed with Granny while we had dinner. She was all too happy to get to spend time with Maxipoo. As we left Granny said, “Don’t hurry back.”. She fed the little fellow some prunes while we were gone. She said he ate a whole jar. Bay-bay really likes to eat! When we left Granny’s she sent him home with two big containers of formula that she bought him. Mr Max has a staff of people looking out for him.

Max has been kidnapped this evening. Not really. He is just spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa. They call it “helping out,” but I think they’re afraid I won’t give him up over the summer, so they’re banking up time with him. They also know I’m counting down the minutes until I get to spend my first summer with Max! We just dropped Max off and we miss him already!

May 18, 2009

12:55 pm—Three more from yesterday:

May 17, 2009

9:49 pm—One from yesterday and two from today:

Max crawled for the first time today, though we still wouldn’t say he knows how. We were at Granny’s when the little fellow took a couple of strides on his hands and knees. We were excited to witness such a momentous event together. He didn’t repeat his success a second time today, but we believe it’ll click for him in the next day or two.

Max played with Mimi and Grandpa for the first half of the afternoon. Becky and I took him down to the studio early this evening for a few pictures in his adorable sailor outfit that our friend Beverly gave him. Two of those are posted above.

Mimi called dibs on the little fellow yesterday for tonight, so Max is crashing with them tonight. Becky and look forward to getting our little bedfellow back tomorrow night.

May 16, 2009

7:47 pm—Three from Monday, Thursday, and yesterday:


9:29 pm—We have a new tooth now, for a total of three that have come through. Max doesn’t seem to care. He’s much more interested in telephones, fingers, our cat, and funny noises.

He slept with us again last night, but at 6:03 am, I felt him flipping and flopping like a flounder. Becky got up with him around 7:00 to feed him, and they woke me at 7:45 so I’d have time to get ready for our morning walk. We joined Grandpa, who strolled Max all four laps inside the Mall of Georgia (approximately two miles), and then the four of us went to Bojangles for breakfast. Grandpa usually cooks for us on Saturday mornings, but he wanted to go to a local car show this morning.

Max, Mimi, and Becky headed out this afternoon to take advantage of a few sales, I worked on a few pictures while they were out, and then Mimi and Grandpa kept the little fellow while Becky and I went out for dinner. When we dropped by to pick him up, Mimi was getting ready to feed him, so she and Becky fed him some sweet potatoes while Grandpa and I watched some sort of horse race on television.

Max took a short nap when we got home and then got up hungry for his last bottle of the day. As I write this, he and Becky are sitting in our recliner together. Becky’s enjoying a frozen strawberry bar, and the little fellow is enjoying an unopened popsicle. Well, he was enjoying his popsicle, but now he’s having a meltdown. He’s tired and Becky’s taking him upstairs to read him a story as we close the day.

May 15, 2009

9:32 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up with Grandpa and met Daddy at the mall for a stroll. Then he and Grandpa went to Bojangles to see their peeps. Mimi kept Max for a good portion of the day while Jaddie help Grandpa with some chores. Mimi said Max was a sweetheart! She said he played hard and they had a lot of fun. When I got home Max was asleep in the swing with Grandpa. It was so cute to see my little fellow swinging and sleeping next to his Grandpa.

Max and I played together after dinner. He really enjoyed a new toy I bought him at Target, Busy Poppin’ Pals. He also had a big time in his walker this evening. He really can lay some tracks with it now. While bebopping around our kitchen in his walker, he was amazed by his reflection in the dishwasher.

Max is taking his last bottle and then it’s beddy-bye. In fact we all three are headed there. We’re going to let him sleep between us again tonight.

May 14, 2009

Max slept with us again last night, but the night wasn’t as smooth as the night before. The little fellow woke up several times during the night, I awoke once with indigestion, and our beloved cat, George, woke me once. I was tired when I got up, but still had enough energy to go to the mall to walk. Unfortunately, after my second lap, my stomach called me home. Fortunately Grandpa was strolling Max and taking him to Bojangles for breakfast.

Today I had to take away the top portion of Max’s bassinet, actually a Graco Pack ’n Play Playard so the little fellow wouldn’t fall out. He now moves from his belly to his bottom very quickly and uses anything he can find to help him stand up. So now when he’s in his bassinet, he’ll be on the floor of it, which is now covered by the same mattress he’s used to.

Max and I played together for two-and-a-half hours straight today. I put his jungle gym in my office and got on the floor with him. We had a blast! We played ball, worked on Max’s crawling skills (not there yet, but so close), and some other exercises related to mobility. After our long play session, the little fellow took a long nap.

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa and neighbors Greg and Renae tonight. Mimi’s been working with Max on saying “bye-bye” while waving his hand. By golly, he was doing just that this evening! ’Twas amazing to see our little boy demonstrate a brand new skill.

Max is crashing with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and I’ll catch up with him in the morning. Being with the little fellow today was pure pleasure. My goodness, he’s so sweet and undeniably handsome!

May 13, 2009

3:49 pm—Two from Saturday evening and four from Mother’s Day:


10:10 pm—Last night our first night with Max in our bed for the whole night. Last week we let him go to bed with us, but Becky put him back in his bassinet during the middle of the night. We all slept well last night. Max didn’t wake us at all. He did wake up with his mama, though, so she made him a bottle and let me feed him.

Max and I met Grandpa for our morning walk, and Grandpa strolled him the whole way. The little fellow sat up on the end of his stroller so he could see all around him. After our walk Max came home with me. We played for a bit and then I put him down for a nap while I got a shower. He didn’t sleep long past my shower, though, so I fed him a bottle, played with him a while longer, and then took him to stay with Granny because I had some work I needed to finish.

Becky picked him up at Granny’s after school. Granny said they had a good time together. When Max and Becky made it home, I fed him the rest of the bottle he began at Granny’s, the three of us played for a while, and then we all took a nap together. Again, Max didn’t sleep long. We tried to entertain him here, but he was still fussy. We called Grandpa to see if he wanted to come get Becky and Max and take them for a ride on his golf cart. He came over right away and Becky and Max were gone for about two hours.

When Becky returned with the little fellow, he was tired and hungry. I fed him his last bottle of the day, Becky put him to bed, and that’s where he is right now. I don’t know if he’s going to sleep with us tonight or stay in his bassinet beside our bed, but after the active day he’s had, I bet he’ll sleep like a log all night long.

May 12, 2009

9:46 pm—(Posted by Becky)—One from last Wednesday, one from Thursday, and four from Saturday:

There are more to come from last weekend.

Max slept in this morning. I left the two fellows sawing logs as I left for school. Jaddie said Max slept until right before 8:00 am. Then they got up and went for a walk with Grandpa. Grandpa and Mimi kept Max for most of the day while Jaddie and Granny ran errands. Mimi said Max was very busy today and didn’t want to stop to recharge his battery.

Max was at home when I got home from work. Max and Jaddie were at the top of the stairs to greet me when I arrived. The little fellow and I played for a while before going over to see Granny. Granny and I took Max out shopping and to dinner. Max made friends with a little girl sitting behind us at Chili’s. It was so cute to see them communicating.

When we got home Max was tired, hungry, and thirsty. I fed the little fellow some sweet potatoes, and Jaddie let him drink water from a glass. Max was quite eager to drink water from a glass, but I have to say that about three-quarters of the water that went in his mouth came back out. I’m sure he’ll get better with it over time. We’re just excited that he wants to try!

Max is now taking a nap and we hope he wakes soon for his last bottle. Then we hope to turn in for the night.

May 11, 2009

10:02 pm—I met Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning. Grandpa strolled the little fellow, took him to Bojangles, and he and Mimi kept Max until late this afternoon. That was pretty nice of them considering that Max wet their bed and woke them during the night.

Granny, Mimi, and Grandpa came over for a belated Mother’s Day dinner, and we enjoyed dinner on our deck. Becky prepared two quiches and picked up a salad from The Olive Garden. Granny brought a homemade pound cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert. Maxipoo was at the table in his jumperoo. He wanted ice water from my cup, and I was amazed to see the skill he’s acquired in learning to drink from a regular cup.

Granny fed the little fellow some green beans before we had dinner, and Becky fed him a bottle afterward. Max fell asleep taking that last bottle, and he’s upstairs asleep in his bassinet now.

May 10, 2009—Mother’s Day

This weekend marks Max’s first official road trip. We went to South Georgia to celebrate Becky’s grandmother Louise’s eighty-third birthday, cousin Chase’s graduation from Valdosta State University, and to be with Louise on Mother’s Day.

Becky’s aunt Ann was our gracious host this weekend. We enjoyed cool, posh accommodations at Ann’s. Max slept beside Ann in her room last night. She said he awoke around 6:00 am, and she put him in bed with her. She said she received about “a million” smiles from 6:00 to 7:00 am. Our little buddy is such a ham!

On Saturday night we all met at Becky’s aunt Martha’s to celebrate Louise’s birthday and Chase’s graduation from college. The entire family except for Curry, Brianna, and their son, Andrew, was there. Curry was gone to Florida to see Nine Inch Nails, and since he’d had tickets for six months, we can’t beat up on him too badly.

This morning Ann, Martha, Grandpa, Mimi, Becky, Max, and I accompanied Louise to her church out in the country. Max, who sat between Mimi and Grandpa, behaved very well for the nearly-two-hour service. The preacher was of the fire and brimstone variety, and we’re surprised he didn’t scare the bejeezus out of Max. The little fellow was calm enough to take a bottle from Grandpa during the sermon. Louise was recognized as the oldest mother present for this morning’s service.

At 12:45 pm we were ready to spin tires out of the church’s parking lot and go get something to eat. A 12:40 pm, as we were getting antsy, listening to each other’s stomachs growl, and checking our watches, an elderly female member of the congregation said she wanted to give “her testimony.” Bless her heart! I hope she felt better after giving her testimony, because I feel guilty for what I was thinking when she said she wanted to give it.

We all went to have Mother’s Day dinner at Ole Time Country Buffet in Tifton. The line was out the door and approaching the far end of the restaurant. The temperature was already right at ninety degrees, but very, very thankfully, the line moved quickly. We enjoyed an excellent lunch. Becky’s aunt Mary and uncle Buddy were already there, and Mary spent time with Max while we stood in line and ate most of our lunch. She gave Max a United States map with quarters from all fifty states. She even slipped him some loot, but he just wanted to eat it. We took it away from him, and he had lots to say about that. The little fellow goes into meltdown mode when we take anything away from him.

Upon leaving Tifton we had a three-and-a-half-hour ride home, so within twenty-four hours, Max rode more than five hundred miles with hardly any fuss. He slept for most of the trip and was cheerful when he was awake.

Mimi and Grandpa promptly confiscated Max when we all got home, and that’s where the little fellow is right now. Becky said she had a great first Mother’s Day and enjoyed riding in the backseat on the ride home today.

May 9, 2009

9:54 pm—Max got to meet a whole bunch of extended family today, and the three of us spent the whole day together. Aunt Marlene got Max to drink water from a plastic cup today for a long time. It was aunt Shirley who introduced Max to drinking from a regular cup, but I’ve never seen Max seek it out and stay with it for so long as he did today. Maybe he was thirsty from the heat and humidity here in Georgia.

Max is currently fighting sleep. He had an exciting day, and days such as today rev him up. Aunt Ann is looking after the little fellow as we write this, and hopefully in a short while all will be quiet.

More tomorrow. We’re tired and want to hit the hay soon.

May 8, 2009

9:07 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night. He went walking and to Bojangles to see his peeps. When he got home he was tired. It’s hard work being so cute! When he got up from his beauty rest, he played with Daddy a long time! Daddy said they had loads of fun!

I was happy to see my little fellow when I got home from work. Max and Jaddie were waiting at the top of the stairs with a smile. I was a fresh play buddy for the Maxster, and Daddy needed a break! Max and I played ball. This is his new favorite thing to do. Then I gave Max some time to practice his pre-crawling. He’s not crawling, only trying to, and he’s getting better every day. It won’t be long now.

We keep kidding Max about his one tooth on the top. We say he looks like Towmater from the Disney movie Cars. Max has a Towmater toy and we plan to get a picture of the two together. We think it will make a cute picture.

Max is taking a nap after getting a good bath. We’re sure he’ll be up soon ringing the dinner bell, and after tending to him, then we’ll turn in for the night.

May 7, 2009

9:30 pm—Max woke me up a couple of times last night. He wasn’t crying; he was just out of his cover and crawling around in his bassinet. I tucked him back in, shoved a paci in his kisser, and went back to sleep. Then indigestion woke me up. I was one tired and ornery fellow when I got up.

I called Grandpa and asked him to swing by and pick up Max for his morning stroll. I also asked Grandpa to keep Max for a couple of hours while I worked on the slideshows he asked me to make for his brother, Dale. Grandpa and Mimi wound up keeping Maxipoo all day, and they’re even keeping him tonight.

As I began working on Dale’s slideshows, I had trouble concentrating, so I figured I’d run to McDonald’s and get a big cup of coffee to help clear the fog in my head. On my way, I got the blue lights in my rearview mirror. It seems that Barney Fife spotted me driving without my seatbelt on. I was surprised to learn that I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt because it’s my habit to use it. Well, anyway, there went fifteen dollars and ten minutes of my day.

I had a photoshoot this afternoon and Max dropped by to join in for a few pictures with my model. Once Cami got a look at Max, she insisted that he join her on the set. Sean Connery’s got nothing on my Maxiboy!

We’re about to go to bed and hope tomorrow is better than today. I’m thankful for Max’s health and the many trees, branches, twigs, and leaves of support he enjoys.

May 6, 2009

9:52 pm—One from last Wednesday, one from Thursday, two from Sunday, one from Monday, and four from yesterday:

Max snoozed right through Becky’s getting ready for school this morning, and my first realization of the day was that the third suppository I gave the little fellow last night must have worked well.

After getting the little fellow cleaned up, I fed him and hauled him down to the mall for a walk. Grandpa had already put down a lap and was waiting for us. He wheeled Max the rest of the way and took him to Bojangles afterward. He brought Max home a little while later, and the little fellow had another dirty diaper.

I cleaned him up and put him down for a nap. He slept well and long—until past noon. Then he devoured a whole container of carrots and an eight-ounce bottle. I wanted to get some stuff done around the house, so I carried him over to Granny’s to stay until Becky could swing by after school and get him. Granny said the little fellow gave her the biggest dirty diaper she’d ever seen from him. I reckon that third suppository really let the Maxster get cleaned out.

I got around to processing a few images today, and they’re posted above. I worked on images while Becky and Max took a nap and went with Mimi to Costco.

Max is so close to crawling. He can get up on his hands and knees, but he hasn’t figured out that he needs to push with his knees and steer with his hands. He just plops down belly first and kicks his feet as if he were swimming.

He’s been in a better mood today. Maybe it’s because he’s no longer “backed up.” Becky just fed him, read him a story, and put him to bed for the night. We’ll be joining him in a few minutes.

May 5, 2009

10:38 pm—The little fellow got up with Becky this morning got a fresh dipe, and I fed him a bottle. I hoped he’d go back to sleep but that was a no-go. We got up and went to for a walk at the mall. Grandpa strolled Max and he and Mimi took Max to Bojangles afterward. They kept Max until mid-afternoon. Granny and I picked up the little fellow shortly after 3:00 pm, and it wasn’t long before Becky was home. Then we were all glad to see aunt Shirley and uncle Bill, who are about as enthralled with the Maxster as his parents. We all went out for dinner and had a good time.

I meant to finish a few images when I came home from dinner, but the closing of one of my favorite online photography forums sidetracked me. Becky and I did take the little fellow down to the studio for a few pictures in his adorable new overalls that Mimi gave him.

Max is bit “backed up” and we believe we’ll have to seek new remedies tomorrow if his situation doesn’t improve. I poked three suppositories in him this evening (at different times, of course), and he gave the first two back right away, as if to say, “No, thank you, Daddy.” Given that we haven’t seen the “fruit” of the third, we can assume only that his condition is relieved. Thus, we’ll have to try a different remedy tomorrow morning if things don’t ease up overnight.

Max has been tired for the past few days. I guess he’s growing and just going through a change. His energy levels often surprise us. Sometimes he sleeps a lot, and sometimes he hardly sleeps at all—well, except at night, when he almost always sleeps the whole night through.

Speaking of sleep, that’s what the little fellow is doing now. And we’re about to join him. With any luck we’ll have some pictures to share tomorrow.

May 4, 2009

10:05 pm—I beat Max and Grandpa down to the mall this morning to walk. That’s a bit unusual. Grandpa didn’t have his usual spring in his step. He said Max woke him and Mimi at 3:30 this morning for a bottle and dipe. Max came home with me, and we played together for a short while before I put him in his bassinet while I took a shower. The little fellow slept a little more than two hours before waking up and devouring a whole container of peas and an eight-ounce bottle.

Max and I played in his new walker, jumperoo, jungle gym, and rolled a ball back and forth to one another until 1:30, when he went to Mimi and Grandpa’s so Granny and I could run a couple of errands. Becky picked up the little fellow when she return from school and running an errand for her aunt Ann. Mimi and Grandpa said Maxipoo slept for a long time while they had him.

Max, Becky, and I played together until they left for a neighborhood Dancing with the Stars party at Mimi and Grandpa’s, but they weren’t gone long. Max had a little meltdown and Becky brought him home. He was tired, so Becky put him down for a nap. He awoke a little while ago, drank an eight-ounce bottle from Becky, and went back to bed soon afterward. We don’t know why he’s so tired, but we do know why we’re tired! So off to bed we go to recharge our batteries for another day of adventures in parenting.

May 3, 2009

10:40 pm—After Becky fed the little fellow a bottle in our bed this morning, he went back to sleep and we all slept past 9:00. We went over to Granny’s, and she had breakfast waiting for us. She kept the little fellow while we went to Walmart to get him a walker. When we returned, Granny and Max were on her front porch in a rocking chair.

The two highlights of Max’s afternoon were exploring his new walker and taking a three-hour nap. He went backward in his walker more than forward, but we’re hopeful he’ll get the hang of it in the next day or two.

His newest thing, at least here at home, is wanting to stand up all the time while holding our hands to help balance himself. It’s cute but tiring. He wants to do this anytime he’s awake and not eating. If we sit him down or hold him by his torso, he starts whimpering.

Becky got tired of holding him up early this evening and decided to take him on a stroller ride. She and Max probably didn’t get out of our cul-de-sac before it began raining. They didn’t weather more than a few drops before Mimi and Grandpa picked them up. They just happened to be coming home from church at just the right time.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight.Becky said it was their turn to hold him up and they gladly agreed.

May 2, 2009

11:18 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Three from this week:

Max woke early again this morning, but he immediately went back to sleep after being fed a bottle in our bed. Max and I got up around 9:30. That so nice! Once we got up we headed to Mimi and Grandpa’s for breakfast. Max stayed after breakfast to play with Mimi for a while. Max came home around noon. We played and then it was soon nap time. I have to say, Max has not been in the best of moods today.

We have another tooth, this time his top-right. We’ve been calling Max “Snag times two.” His new tooth could explain his grumpiness. He still won’t let us see his new teeth. We’re not sure what’s up with all the secrecy.

Today Max really wanted to crawl. He was so frustrated when he couldn’t figure out how. We really believe he’ll be crawling soon—if we’ll leave him on the floor long enough.

Max gave me an early Mother’s Day present today! Today for the first time he’s saying “Mama.” He keeps saying it over and over. We’re not thinking he associates it with me but just likes saying it. I’ll take it either way! It’s the sweetest thing ever!

Max is fast asleep in his bassinet after hearing a couple of stories, and as soon as Jaddie finishes a few pictures we are going to join the little fellow.

May 1, 2009

10:33 pm—The first time I saw Max today was at the mall with Grandpa pushing him in his stroller. The little fellow was perched up on the edge of his seat with his shoulders pressing firmly against his stroller harness. He was the eager observer for about three laps, but when I saw him on his last lap, he was conked back asleep. He left the mall with Grandpa and came home shortly afterward.

Max went to Becky’s school today to meet her class. When Max and I arrived, we found Becky’s students assembled in the hallway. Becky was in the classroom spraying disinfectant all over. Finally, Becky admitted her students, Max, and me into her classroom, and Max got to meet each of her students and suffer through a group shot. I couldn’t get the little fellow to look at the camera no matter what I tried. He was interested in the other kids and ended up being a bit overwhelmed by the excitement.

I took Max to visit with Granny when we left Becky’s school, and he stayed with her until after 4:00 pm. Becky brought him home and Grandpa came over on his golf cart to pick them up. Mimi and Becky gave the little fellow a bath and then they went out for dinner and did a little shopping. Grandpa bought Max a University of Georgia ball that’s soft enough for the little fellow to grip.

Max hit the sack about an hour later than usual, so I hope we can sleep until at least 7:15 in the morning. Becky, Max, and I will probably go walking with Mimi and Grandpa before breakfast.

April 30, 2009

9:57 pm—Max woke us at 2:15 this morning. He was ya-yaaing from his bassinet beside our bed. He wasn’t distressed; he was just enjoying his vocal cords and tumbling around. We put him in bed with us, but that didn’t last long. He wiggled around and tossed and tumbled, and we moved to the outside edges of our modest queen-size bed. After twenty to thirty minutes, Becky put the kibosh on the little fellow’s being in bed with us. She put him back in his bassinet, gave him his paci, and we tried to go back to sleep.

I awoke tired and weaseled out of going walking. After driving to Becky’s school to pick up the car seat and stroller that was in Becky’s car, Grandpa stopped by our house to pick up Maxiboy and take him for a stroll. He and Mimi kept Max until the early afternoon, when I picked him up to carry him over to Granny’s. Aunt Shirley and uncle Bill drove up to see Max and Granny, so Max spent the remainder of the afternoon with them. Unfortunately for them, the little fellow was tired and slept for three hours.

Shirley, Bill, Granny, Becky, Max, and I met cousins Lee, Kerri, and Trey for dinner this evening. Everyone took turns entertaining Max. Becky had some time with Max this evening before handing him off to Mimi and Grandpa for the night. Yesterday they got dibs on the little fellow for tonight.

I’ve been tired and foggy-headed all day and hope to get a good night’s rest tonight. I’m carrying Max to Becky’s school tomorrow to meet her students and would like to remember to carry the important things with me—such as Max.

April 29, 2009

10:18 pm—Max awoke with Becky this morning, got his diaper changed, and I fed him a bottle in bed. He quickly finished his bottle and went back to sleep. When he awoke, we went for a walk at the mall and Grandpa had already finished walking. Max stayed upright in his stroller the whole time, and we received two compliments on Max’s extraordinary handsomeness from people in the mall.

Max and I enjoyed at least five hours of one-on-one time today. The little fellow just about wore me out. He still hasn’t crawled, but he can raise himself up from lying on his stomach to standing straight up just by grabbing onto Becky or me and pulling himself up. He enjoys holding onto the coffee table while standing. He can pivot in a complete circle while sitting on his cute little bottom or by spinning on his stomach.

Becky took Max on a brief shopping excursion late this afternoon and then fed him squash when they returned. We all played in the floor, Becky and I took a few pictures of the little fellow, I fed him his last bottle, Becky read him a story and put him to bed, and that’s where he is right now. He should be exhausted from today’s vigorous play. Becky and I are about to join him.

April 28, 2009

10:12 pm—Mimi and Grandpa brought Max to me this morning about 8:30, and then Max and I left to go for a walk at the mall. The little fellow cried a little during the first couple of minutes of our walk, but he settled down and quickly went to sleep—and stayed asleep for the rest of the forty-five-minute walk.

When we returned home, I needed a shower but wasn’t sure about what to do with Max. I put him in his jumperoo and he whimpered a little, so I decided to put him in his bassinet with his paci. He handled that just fine. He was awake when I got out of the shower, but he seemed content. Mimi and Grandpa came by to pick up the little fellow while I ran a few errands, and Max stayed with them until Becky came home from school.

Becky brought Max home and put him down for a nap, and then she went to the grocery store for us. It amazes me how Becky doesn’t mind going to the grocery store after a full day of work. When Becky returned, the three of us sat down together for dinner. The Maxster suffered through oatmeal while we enjoyed tasty subs. Poor little fellow.

After dinner Becky and Max took a ride with Mimi and Grandpa on their golf cart. Max rode in his babyseat between Mimi and Grandpa. I should have taken a picture. They visited several of our neighbors, some of whom hitched a ride with them. Max stays in touch with his “peeps.”

When they returned, Max was all tuckered out, so Becky fed him some sweet potatoes, which he inhaled, and I fed him a bottle, Becky snapped a few pictures, and then put the little fellow to bed. He’s getting a head start on us, so we’d better get to bed soon.

April 27, 2009

10:39 pm—Max fell asleep right after his first bottle early this morning. I woke him up at 8:30 so we could go for a walk. Then we went over to Granny’s for a few minutes. She fed the little fellow some carrots and caused him to squeal in delight many times. Upon returning home, he drank a bottle, saw his Mimi and Grandpa briefly, and then took a two-and-a-half-hour nap.

Max has a new fascination with his hands. He moves both hands with his arms out in front of him as if he’s getting ready to do some sort of martial arts move. Another new development is his licking his gums with his tongue. We thought he must have a top tooth coming in given how much he licked his lips and gums, but after being unable to feel any teeth from his top gums, I now believe he’s just discovered how to manipulate his tongue’s movement.

The little fellow went with Becky to the store this evening. When they returned, Becky fed tried to feed him oatmeal and peaches. He wasn’t in the mood for either one, but I did get him to finish a bottle. Now he’s spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa, and Becky and I are about to go to bed.

April 26, 2009

10:12 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got me up early this morning. I let Jaddie sleep in because he took care of Max yesterday morning. When Jaddie got up we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. After breakfast Jaddie and I came home and put the finishing touches on our house for the bridal shower. And, yes, of course, Mimi and Grandpa helped! Max stayed with Granny and Jaddie went back over to stay with Max and Granny once the shower began.

Max had lots of company while with Granny today. Aunt Shirley, uncle Bill, and aunt Jean all came over to see Mr Max. They had a big time. They said Max was in a great mood and really enjoyed himself. Aunt Shirley and uncle Bill brought Max an interactive, talking book and I heard it’s really cool. I can’t wait to read it with Maxiboy! Thanks so much!

After the shower Jaddie and Max came home, and Granny wasn’t far behind. We all enjoyed visiting with the Pucketts and enjoying the leftover shower treats. After his big day, Max was ready for bed, so that’s where he is now. Jaddie and I are about to join our little Maxipoo really soon!

April 25, 2009

6:42 pm—Two from Monday, two from Tuesday, one from Wednesday, and one from today:

Max let us sleep late this morning, which was nice. We didn’t have breakfast with Mimi and Grandpa because Grandpa wanted to get an early start on landscaping chores around our house. Becky took Max to Bojangles for breakfast while I went for a two-mile walk.

Grandpa’s been working here almost all day. He put down a bunch pinestraw, fixed a floor-mounted air conditioning vent, made some touch-ups to his painting from yesterday, and there’s no telling what else. After leaving here, he went home and mowed his own grass. I reckon the man just loves to perspire.

Becky and I took the Maxster to Spring Fling at Becky’s school. There were a ton of folks happy to see the little fellow. It was hot out in the sun, and our little boy was soaking wet when we pulled him from his stroller after just forty-five minutes. In the last picture above, you’ll see his beleaguered-yet-adorable expression.

Becky’s gone to get her daddy some pizza for dinner, and Mimi’s here playing ball in the floor with Max. They’re about to head over to Sugar Hill to pick up the cake for tomorrow’s shower, a delicious yellow pineapple cake with ultra-rich buttercream icing. I don’t know if that cake will be safe here at the house with me overnight.

April 24, 2009

8:32 pm—Grandpa showed up here at the house ready to work again today, but he didn’t have Max with him. Maxiboy was playing with Mimi back at their house, and he stayed with her until 3:30 this afternoon. He’s been tired and whiney most of the afternoon except when Mimi and Grandpa were here. Max went with Mimi to the post office, library, and to a couple of stores. The little fellow gets around. Mimi said Max needed a nap. As with the rest of us, what he needs to do and what he’s willing to do are two separate things.

He finally caved and went to bed after taking his last bottle of the evening. He sucked on my finger for a few seconds, and I felt that first tooth very clearly. His upper gums are still very swollen, so we expect to see one of his top choppers to make its debut soon.

Grandpa pressure washed the back of our house, painted the concrete areas on our front stairway, cleaned and hung a door knocker, and painted the siding he hung yesterday. Knowing him, he probably did a bunch more that I haven’t noticed. A paw-in-law like Grandpa is a very, very handy thing to have five doors down!

We’re all tired around here and are glad to be getting to bed early.

April 23, 2009

9:45 pm—Max had a big, big day today. He stayed with Granny because I had to help Grandpa work on the house. Aunt Shirley and uncle Bill drove up to see the little fellow and spend the afternoon with him at Granny’s, and they played for hours. Uncle Larry was at Granny’s and rode Max on the riding mower. Oh, I wish I had a picture of that!

Grandpa just about killed me today. He worked here at the house for about ten hours, and must have gotten on his knees more than two hundred times. He installed a floodlight and electrical switch outside, replaced rotten siding around our chimney, ran a waterline to our deck, cleaned out some of our gutters, swept off the roof, and cleaned off the deck so he could pressure wash it in the morning. He worked harder than I did, but my feet are throbbing and I’m so tired.

We had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s tonight, and they wanted Maxipoo to crash with them tonight. Max is tired, too, after having such a big day playing with everyone.

April 22, 2009

Max had a better day today. He was still a bit fussy at times, but overall he was much more content. I met Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning for a walk, and Max came home with me. We played a while before I put Max in his bassinet for a nap and I got a shower.

Grandpa was here most of the day working on the house. He hammered and banged for hours, but it didn’t seem to bother Max during his afternoon nap. I kept going upstairs to check on the little fellow, and despite all the loud, irregular blows upon the house, he slept like Rip Van Winkle.

Tonight Max, Becky, and I had dinner together at home. While Becky and I enjoyed zipper peas, Becky fed Max his pureed peas. Becky wanted the little fellow to be included in our meals.

Max is learning how to move his body from one place to another. He still hasn’t crawled, but he’s so close. His range of movement was much greater today than yesterday. He just might crawl tomorrow if we’ll leave him on the floor long enough.

Grandpa says there’ll be a lot more banging and clanging around here tomorrow, so we’re going to go to bed early to get a jumpstart on the day. Max is already sound asleep.

April 21, 2009

9:53 pm—We have teeth! Well, actually, just one tooth. Maxiboy’s bottom-right tooth broke his gumline sometime yesterday. Granny said she thought she saw a tooth, and Becky said last night that she thought she could feel one. Well, today we can confirm that his first tooth is now showing. It really isn’t even above his gumline. You can see the top of his tooth if you look down on his gums—if you can get Mr Wigglesworth to be still long enough. It looks more clear than white but it’s definitely a tooth. When Max was sucking on my thumb and his little tooth hit my thumbnail, I could tell it wasn’t just his gums clamping down on me.

Max has been pretty fretful today. We guess he’s in pain, so we’ve been on top of his regimen of Tylenol and Orajel. He whimpered, cried, and slept a lot. He smiled a lot, too, but he wasn’t his usual sunny self. His upper gums are swollen so large in the front that they look more like teeth than the real tooth that just broke through.

I met Max and Grandpa at the mall this morning for a brisk walk. Max was awake the whole time, but he was ready for a nap as soon as we got home. Grandpa worked on the house for much of the day. He pressure washed and painted our front entryway and re-hung our storm door. I helped him hold up the door, but we got it stuck and had to bang it loose, causing Max, who was idling in his jumperoo, to cry vigorously. The little fellow even choked a little from his frantic cries. Grandpa is hard of hearing in one ear—and I don’t think he can hear too well out of the other—so I don’t believe the crying bothered him as much as it did me.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa again tonight. They didn’t get much time with the little fellow today, so I reckon they want to saw logs with him tonight.

I’m looking forward to a good night’s rest tonight, too, because for the past three nights I’ve been connected to a sleep monitor that’s checking to see if I’m experiencing sleep apnea. The monitor wasn’t too uncomfortable, but it did have three sensors connected to me—one under my nose that rested across my lips, one that looped around my upper torso, and one that attached to my finger. So I couldn’t move from side to side as well as I normally can. Becky and I are about to turn in. Maybe we’ll get up early enough to have breakfast together again just like we did this morning.

April 20, 2009

9:43 pm—Mimi and Grandpa are back in town, so you know where Max is staying tonight. They made it home this evening and have already taken Max through the neighborhood to see his “peeps.” They went to see Stephen and Dale, which was a good and necessary thing because Dale phoned yesterday to let us know she was having “Max withdrawals.”

Today Maxiboy is eight months old. We did a brief shoot in the studio and shot a few candids while ago at Mimi and Grandpa’s.

Max and I went to visit with Granny early this afternoon. Max had a big time playing with Granny. Before heading home, we sat on Granny’s front porch for a few minutes and watched the cars pass.

I put Max down for a nap when we returned, but he slept for only a half-hour. Shortly thereafter Becky came home from school and fed him a whole (four-ounce) container of peas, and I fed him a bottle.

Max really kept me on my toes today, and it was a pleasure being with him and watching him develop. However, now I’m so tired and can’t wait to go to bed.

April 19, 2009

9:34 pm—One from last night and two from today:

Becky got up with Max this morning shortly after 8:00 and let me sleep in. Shortly after I got up, we headed over to Granny’s for breakfast. As always, Granny was delighted to see her Maxiboy. She fed Max a whole container of green beans and a bottle.

Max took a nap when we got home, and when he woke up, he and Becky went grocery shopping and to run a few other errands. Becky said Max held the tissue paper while sitting in the shopping cart and didn’t want to part with it when it was time to checkout. Whimpering after having something taken away is a fairly new development, one that a friend of mine says will get “nothing but worse, nothing but worse.”

Our neighbor Dale phoned this afternoon to check on Max. She said she was having “Max withdrawals.” Normally, Grandpa parades Maxiboy through the neighborhood several times a week, and he and Mimi have been out of town since Thursday morning, so Miss Dale hasn’t had the opportunity to see Max in a good while. We sent her some pictures from today to help to quell those withdrawals.

Aunt Mary and cousin Bridgit were shopping today in South Georgia and bought Max three new outfits. Mary and Bridget are two hundred and fifty miles away from us, and still Max is on their minds. How sweet! We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity, Mary and Bridget!

I should have mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, but Max is now sitting up on his own. He still needs us around to make sure he doesn’t fall over and bang his noggin, but he’s quite stable on his own.

Becky bathed Max tonight and trimmed his fingernails and toenails. I’m so glad she trimmed those fingernails because he was scratching himself and us. I seldom notice his toenails because he’s always wearing socks or a onesie.

The little fellow almost crawled today. He got up on his knees but couldn’t seem to balance well enough to move forward. I’m sure that if we left him on the carpet for an hour without interrupting him, he’d be crawling. We haven’t baby-proofed the house yet, so we’re not ready for the little fellow to be moving all the time.

As I write this, his night’s sleep is already well underway. We can no longer leave him in our bed unattended because he wiggles around and could fall off. Becky’s taking a bath and we’re getting ready to join Max.

April 18, 2009

9:38 pm—Three from Easter, one from Tuesday, one from Wednesday, and one from Thursday:

Max woke us up just after 6:00 this morning. He wasn’t complaining; he was just ya-yaaing from his bassinet. I gave him his paci and he went back to sleep for a little while. Shortly after 7:00 am we heard him again, and this time I got up and fixed him a bottle. We fed him in our bed and hoped he’d go back to sleep, but we had no such luck.

We got up and went walking at the Mall of Georgia. About three-quarters into our walk, the little fellow had the audacity to go to sleep on us! He has no shame. Afterwards, we went to Bojangles for breakfast and he was awake for that. When we got home, Becky fed the little fellow pears for the first time and then let he took a long nap.

While Max napped I worked on pictures and then Becky and I watched most of Slumdog Millionaire before he woke up. Watching the end of the movie proved difficult with a wide-awake Maxiboy in the house. The little fellow expects constant one-on-one attention now and frets when the action gets slow. He wants to climb all over us and squeeze and poke us all over. When we screech in pain, the little fellow just giggles.

He’s asleep right now, but we expect him to awake again before we go to bed so he can have one last bottle. I hope he’ll let us sleep late in the morning.

April 17, 2009

10:16 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Today Max has been all about catching up on his beauty rest. After his bottle this morning he quickly fell back asleep. Then he got up and went walking with his daddy. After their walk Max was worn out and needed more rest. He came home and took a three-hour-and-ten-minute nap. When the little fellow got up he was as hungry as a bear. I fed him a whole container of peas and he didn’t waste even half a pea.

While Max was resting today, he received calls from all three of his grandparents. Mimi and Grandpa each spoke with their Baybay on speakerphone. They are out of town until Monday and sorely miss Maxiboy. Granny also called to see if Jaddie would bring Maxiboy over for a visit, but Max was asleep at the time.

Max had a big development today. Now he skillfully climbs up my torso until he’s standing up. He does this all on his own, and I didn’t teach him any part of the process. He still can’t crawl—at least not forward and backward—but he can grab a hold of me and pull himself up to a standing position without any active help from me. Yesterday he wasn’t doing this and today he’s doing it repeatedly without fail. This is simply amazing!

We had a little mini-photoshoot in our kitchen tonight while baking muffins. I had Max laughing—and still laughing—by saying “beeeeg [big] muffin.” He is so cute and funny. We can’t imagine life without our precious Max!

I’m about to read Max a bedtime story so we can go to bed and have a good day tomorrow. I’ll take care of Max so Jaddie can process a few more pictures. We still have pictures from Easter to share.

April 16, 2009

10:28 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Three from Easter Sunday:

Max spent the night with Mimi, Grandpa, and Great Grand last night, and I stopped by their house before school to visit with the little fellow and Grandpa this morning. Grandpa was sweet and cooked breakfast for me. I enjoyed talking to Max while I ate.

Max and Jaddie went walking this morning. Jaddie said pushing the stroller would take some getting used to while walking so fast. Max had no complaints. He just enjoyed the ride.

Max stayed with Granny this afternoon. Uncle Bill and aunt Shirley came to visit. They said Max played, ate prunes, and took a short nap. They brought Max the cutest little rocker for Granny’s front porch. When Max gets a little bigger he’ll enjoy rocking with Granny. Tonight we joined Granny, uncle Bill, aunt Shirley, uncle Jack, aunt Jean, and cousins Trey, Kerri, and Mark for dinner at Cracker Barrel. Trey was so sweet to Max, and they seemed to enjoy each other’s company. That Trey is one sweet kid!

Max was so incredibly tired when we made it home tonight. However, he wouldn’t go to sleep. I tried everything I knew to get him to sleep, including playing with him, giving him another bottle, reading to him, and snuggling with him. After fighting sleep for so long and hard, he couldn’t hold his eyes open any longer and finally fell asleep. That’s where he is now. We’re hoping we get to sleep the whole night through. When Max wears himself out so completely, he often has trouble sleeping all the way through the night.

April 15, 2009

10:01 pm—Mr Max is camping with Mimi, Grandpa, and Becky’s grandmother again tonight. He had a much, much better day today than yesterday and the day before. I don’t know what caused the change. I made sure to stay on top of his Orajel and Tylenol schedule, but I don’t for sure that teething pains were the source of his low frustration tolerance.

Max had bunches of fun crawling all over me today. Occasionally he’d get tired and rest his head on my belly, or he’d sit upright in my lap and play with my fingers. Almost any sound or movement I made caused him to smile.

Mimi and Becky’s grandmother came over this afternoon to whisk Max away and carry him over to Granny’s for a short visit. Becky met them after school and joined them in watching Max take a nap. Granny’s ringing phone woke him, but he continued his nap soon after he got home.

One of Max’s recent developments is dropping toys from his jumperoo or high chair. When he hoists the toy over the side of whatever it is he’s sitting in, he squints his eyes in anticipation of the noise the toy’s about to make.

I had a lot more stuff to write about today, but I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open, so I’ll go ahead and close.

April 14, 2009

10:07 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up with me again this morning. Jaddie fed the little fellow a bottle, and then Max went back to sleep until 9:30. Max has been on the fussy side again today. Any day we should see teeth. Jaddie had to try a lot of different things to keep Max happy this morning. Things would work only for a few minutes, and then Jaddie would have to try something else.

Jaddie had to work this afternoon, so Granny kept her little sweetie until I got out of school. Granny said Max was great and not at all fussy. I guess the little fellow needed a change of scenery. Granny said Max enjoyed looking at all the books his aunt Shirley left for him at her house. When I arrived to pick up Maxie he was smiling and having a good time. Granny and I fed the little fellow before we came home.

Jaddie and I took Max on a stroller ride through the neighborhood this afternoon. On our way back home, we stopped at Mimi and Grandpa’s for a visit. We also visited with Great Grand, and neighbors Renae and Candy. Candy brought little Max a very cute Easter basket. Max enjoyed the toy and books in his basket. His Great Grand even read him a few tonight. I snapped a few pictures while they read.

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa, and Grandpa asked if Max could spend the night. And that’s where the little fellow is hanging his hat tonight. He went to sleep before I left to come home. Little Max was so tired. You know, it’s hard work being so darned cute!

April 13, 2009

10:01 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max got up with me this morning. He’s becoming an early riser. Jaddie fed the little fellow a bottle, and after a bit of squirming Max went back to sleep. Max has been a bit on the fussy side today. We think we’ll see teeth very soon.

Jaddie and Max spent a lot of one-on-one time today. Max played in the jungle gym; bounced, twisted, tossed, and turned in Jaddie’s lap; and even logged a little time in his jumperoo. When I got home we played in the floor with some toys. We even practiced sitting up. Then we went to Target to get a few items. Max had fun riding in his stroller. We even made a stop at Mimi and Grandpa’s for a little visit. Great Grand also got to spend time with little Max. She’s still visiting from South Georgia.

Jaddie put it well when he said Max acted like he had fire ants in his diaper today. We’re hoping he’ll feel better tomorrow. As I write this, the little fellow is rubbing his eyes and looking as though he’s ready for bed. We’re all about to put a cap on the day and hope for a better day tomorrow.

April 12, 2009

10:10 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had a great first Easter. Our day started with coloring Easter eggs. Max watched, of course. Then we got ready for church. After church we had a big Easter meal at our house. Aunt Ann, cousin Chase, Great Grand, Granny, Mimi, and Grandpa came over. We had a fantastic lunch. We also made some pictures that we will share soon.

After lunch Jaddie, Max, and I took a much-needed nap. It was great. We all needed to recharge our batteries. Then Grandpa took us on a golf cart ride through the neighborhood. Max just loves the cart. We also visited with Great Grand and Mimi.

Max has been tired this afternoon. He has also wanted to be held a lot. I guess he knows I have to go back to school tomorrow. Jaddie is feeding Max his last bottle and then we’re all heading to bed.

April 11, 2009

5:25 pm—Nine from the past week, four of which are from this morning:

After going on his very first Easter egg hunt this morning and strolling the mall with Grandpa, Max has spent the day with Mimi, Grandpa, and Becky’s grandmother. He’s been out gallivanting through the neighborhood with Grandpa on the golf cart, Becky and her aunt Ann have been to the spa and shopping, and I’ve been working on pictures.

April 10, 2009

8:58 pm—Becky and I wimped out of walking this morning, but Grandpa, Max, and Mimi still got up and exercised. Max came home around 9:30 this morning. He and Grandpa brought Becky a biscuit from Bojangles and a big cup of tea. Max was ready for a nap shortly after getting home, and when he awoke, Becky got him ready to have his picture made with the Easter Bunny. We took him down to the mall, waited in a short line, and took our own pictures, too.

After pictures with the Easter Bunny, we went to The Olive Garden for lunch. Max fought sleep and was a bit fretful. When we got home and put him to bed, he still fought sleep. Once he finally gave up and let himself rest, he slept for a couple of hours.

Becky’s grandmother, aunt, and cousin are in town from South Georgia, so Max and Becky went over to see them this evening. They brought presents for the Maxster, too, which was so generous of them. Max also received a plush bunny from our neighbor Renae. He’s been hugging his new bunny and trying to gnaw its ears.

We’re going to turn in as early as we can get to bed this evening because we’re going on an Easter egg hunt tomorrow, and I hope to have enough energy to get some decent pictures.

April 9, 2009

10:25 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. They came over this evening ostensibly to bring Becky some clothes, but we know the real reason they were here: to kidnap baybay.

We went to the mall this morning to walk with Mimi and Grandpa. Afterwards, Becky, Max, and Grandpa went to Bojangles for breakfast. This afternoon Becky and I took Max over to uncle Larry’s for a visit. Larry’s friend Marie came over to get her first glimpse of Max.

On our way home we had dinner at IHOP. Max charmed our waitress so much that I thought we were going to eat for free. He’s been especially jubilant today. If he doesn’t stop smiling so much, he’s going to have laugh lines before his first birthday.

We still haven’t seen any teeth, but we’re definitely on the verge of seeing some. Max’s latest development is his speech. He vocalizes a lot now. It’s all nonsense and doesn’t seem to fit what he’s doing, but he’s having a blast exploring his vocal cords.

Tomorrow we hope to get a picture of our favorite little fellow with the Easter Bunny. We’re about to go to bed so we can have enough energy to keep up with our little boy another day.

April 8, 2009

10:06 pm—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, and he got to sleep with Grandpa. Normally, he sleeps in bassinet on Mimi’s side of their bed, but last night just after Mimi changed Maxiboy’s diaper, he somehow sprang a leak and turned his bassinet into a mini-waterbed. So the Maxster scored a whole night tucked in a comfy, king-size bed with Grandpa while Mimi roughed it on their bedroom sofa. Max mustn’t have imposed too much of a hardship on Mimi and Grandpa, though, because they just called to see if he could spend the night with them again tonight. He’s already asleep, so we all agreed it’s better that he hang his little hat here tonight.

Becky and I met Max, Mimi, and Grandpa at the mall this morning to walk. After walking, Grandpa, Max, Becky, and I went to Bojangles for breakfast. Max was tired when he got home, so he went down for a nap. Becky and Granny went back to the mall for a little shopping while Max took his mid-morning siesta. Max scored a couple of new outfits during his slumber. Oh, he has such a tough life!

Max, Granny, and Becky ventured to aunt Shirley’s in Tucker for a lunch date. They went to a Mexican restaurant, and I’m not sure they’ll be welcomed back. Max caused the clean-up crew to get into full swing when he knocked over Mommy’s tall glass of tea. Given how Max likes to put everything in his mouth, it’s a good thing they kept him away from the salsa!

Since they got home, Max has taken a series of naps, and that’s where he is right now. We hope to snap a picture of him and join him in just a little bit. I believe Becky’s Spring Break is wearing poor Maxi out. There’s something for the little fellow to do every single minute. He’s in high demand by both of his parents, three of his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, and half our neighbors.

April 7, 2009

10:42 pm—Max was yaa-yaaing around 7:00 this morning, Becky was asleep in our guest bedroom because I snored her away during the night, and I woke up at 5:00 am with indigestion. I very slowly got out of bed, changed Maxiboy’s diaper, and fed him a bottle. I felt like death warmed over, but Max was ready to take on the day. We met Grandpa and Mimi down at the mall shortly after 8:00 am to walk. I stayed up with Grandpa as he pushed Max’s stroller around the interior of the mall for four laps (approximately two miles). I watched Max check out the other walkers, lights, displays, and his mother as we made tracks. He saw Becky as she was walking on the opposite side from us, and he focused on her until he was looking backward. That was just precious! After walking, Grandpa, Max, and Becky went to Bojangles for breakfast, and Mimi and I came home.

Max spent some time in his jumperoo today, took a couple of naps with Becky, almost crawled, ate squash for the first time, worn an adorable Easter bunny outfit for a brief shoot in the studio, and went home with Mimi and Grandpa to watch Dancing with the Stars and spend the night. When Becky spoke with Mimi at 9:15 tonight, Maxiboy and Grandpa were already in bed.

Grandpa was over here a good bit today. He took out an old circuit breaker and installed a new one, hung two new lamps on the front of our house, replaced the bulb in one of our floodlights, and painted some exterior trim. Tonight he came with Mimi to see Maxiboy get his picture made for Easter. The man is never still. No wonder he can go to bed so early.

I reckon Becky and I had better get to bed so we can get up and join Grandpa and his favorite sidekick in the morning.

April 6, 2009

11:01 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Our first day of Spring Break was very peaceful. Our day started with walking at the mall and then breakfast at Bojangles with Grandpa. Then we came home and took our first nap. After Max and I got up Grandpa came over and worked on our porch. Max watched from behind the storm door. He absolutely loves his Grandpa!

We three went to The Olive Garden for lunch and Max was an angel! He seemed to enjoy watching all the people. When we got home, it was time for another nap! Between naps Max logged a lot of minutes in his jumperoo. He even jumped in it while I cooked dinner.

Max has been a hungry boy today. He has had carrots, applesauce, green beans, sweet potatoes, and plenty of milk! The little fellow is fast asleep in our bed after hearing his goodnight story, Max’s Chocolate Chicken. We hope to join him soon.

April 5, 2009

12:40 pm—Today is Becky’s late grandfather’s ninety-second birthday. Julian Baldree passed away in July of 2000 after a bout with cancer. Julian was going to be Max’s middle name, but Becky wanted to stick the little fellow with my name. I gave in because I got to pick the name Max. Well, anyway, Julian would have loved our Maxiboy, and we wish he were here to be with Max. Julian is the sweetest man I’ve ever known. He loved his family dearly. There was never any question in any of his family’s minds about where Julian’s heart was. Julian’s elder grandson, Curry, wrote a wonderful poem in loving memory of his Papa. Even if you never had the pleasure of knowing Julian, you’ll enjoy Curry’s poem.


10:27 pm—Six from the past few days:


11:15 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had another big day! We had breakfast with Granny this morning. She surprised Max with another Easter gift—more milk! Max loves milk, so I’m sure he thinks his Granny rocks! When we got home from Granny’s Max was ready for a nap. The little fellow took a three-hour nap. When he got up he had lunch and then he went visiting our neighbors. Grandpa took the little fellow riding through the neighborhood on his golf cart. They visited with Stephen, Dale, and Renae. Max really loves people!

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. We’re convinced they had us over to get their favorite bay-bay to spend the night. And their plot worked. The little fellow is hanging his hat there tonight. Max went to bed with Grandpa while Mama and I watched a movie. I just checked on my sweetie and he’s gone to Sleepytown.

April 4, 2009

11:00 pm—Big Max had himself a big ol’ day today. He woke us up kind of early for a Saturday (perhaps Saturday doesn’t mean anything to him yet). Becky got up with him, changed his dipe, fed him part of a bottle, and put him back in bed with us. Then Grandpa called and let us know that breakfast would be ready in twenty minutes. So off to Mimi and Grandpa’s we went. Max didn’t come back home until after 6:00 pm. He, Becky, and Mimi traipsed every store in a fifteen-mile radius today, and Max stayed happy until the end.

Becky said Max garnered his usual two to three compliments per public hour today, and it’s nice to see that he isn’t losing his touch. Max is extraordinarily handsome: we’re well aware of that fact and appreciate others’ unsolicited concurrence. We try hard not to be snobbish about our boy’s extremely good looks. It’s difficult, but we still try…

Becky brought Max home and advised me that he needed to go to bed. So I took him to bed. And I stayed there with him for over an hour. I thought the little fellow never would go to sleep. He wiggled and squirmed enough to satisfy any aerobics instructor.

But he woke up a little while ago when Becky and I began to get our bath and shower, so we sat him in his babyseat in the floor of our bathroom while we bathed. Becky fed him a whole container (four ounces) of peas for dinner and a four-ounce bottle of milk. Then she read him Max’s Easter Surprise, and I took a picture of them together that I hope to share here very soon. Max was holding the book, too, and we didn’t put him up to it.

We’re about to call it a day and join our Maxipoo upstairs. Becky swears she isn’t going to run the roads tomorrow, so we’ll see if she holds fast to that promise. Maybe we’ll have some pictures to share here tomorrow evening.

April 3, 2009

10:49 pm—Maxiboy is so tired now after a big day of being loved. He spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, and they kept him today while I ran an errand. They went to Bojangles for breakfast this morning. Max woke Mimi and Grandpa last night twice. Grandpa told me about the time Max woke them up at 3:30 this morning. Mimi got in the floor with Max and played ball with him. She said Max cackled loudly as they played. While Mimi and Maxiboy were playing, Grandpa fixed Max a bottle. After such an interrupted night, it’s a wonder Mimi and Grandpa could function today.

But function they did—with bells on. Mimi gave her Maxipoo a shampoo this morning. Then she put a very cute overalls outfit on the little fellow, and I have a picture or two to share soon. When I returned from my errand, I found that Grandpa had moved our trash cans from the curb back up to our house, blew off the driveway, and blew out our garage.

Mimi and Becky went to Target and Michael’s when she got home from school.

(Becky’s writing the rest of today’s entry while I get Max to finish his bottle so we can all go to bed.)

Tonight Jaddie, Max, and I went to the Outback for dinner. Max was great, but he was fighting sleep by the end of dinner. When we got home the little fellow went down for a nap and just got up. And now it’s time to go back to bed.

April 2, 2009

10:20 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max woke up with me this morning and went walking with Mimi and Grandpa. Then Grandpa and Max went to Bojangles for breakfast. The little fellow has had a busy schedule all day. He played in his jumperoo and jungle gym a lot this morning, and Jaddie managed to snap a few photos while he was playing.

Max had visitors this afternoon. Granny, aunt Shirley, and uncle Bill all came to see the Maxster. Max put on a big show for them. He jumped, smiled, laughed, and even squealed in delight for them. When I got home from school we all went to dinner at Golden Corral. Max made a lot of happy noise in the restaurant. He’s such a joy to be around. I’m so looking forward to spending a lot of time with him during Spring Break next week.

The little fellow is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Grandpa really wanted Max to go walking with him in the morning. I finally gave in and let the little fellow go knowing I get the next nine days with him.

April 1, 2009

9:34 pm—Max and I got up shortly before 8:00 this morning, Grandpa called to see if Max could go walking with him, and as I was feeding Maxiboy his first bottle, he gave it all back to me—in my lap, on my shirt, and all over the sofa. Thank goodness for our sofa cover. I called Grandpa back to tell him I needed ten more minutes to clean up the situation, and since it was beginning to rain, Grandpa said he’d let his favorite grandson have some slack this morning. Just a few minutes ago, he asked if Max could spend the night with them tonight, but Becky wouldn’t let him go.

(Becky’s writing the rest of today’s entry so I can feed Max his last bottle.)

Max almost crawled today. He’s pulling himself around with his arms because he hasn’t yet figued out that he needs to get his knees under him. Also, Jaddie wanted me to see Max crawl for the first time, so he picked Max up before Max could reach this milestone. Maybe we’ll witness this event during Spring Break next week.

We’re all about to turn in for the night. I’m going to read little Max a bedtime story, and then Sleepytown, here we come!

March 31, 2009

11:12 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Three from the past few days:

Max woke up with me this morning, so he went walking with Grandpa. After walking they went to Bojangles for breakfast and then to Lowes. According to Grandpa, Max got quite upset while in Lowes. An employee was demoing a saw, and the noise of the saw really uspet Max. Loud noises really scare the little fellow.

Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa this afternoon while Jaddie ran errands. I picked the Maxster up on my way home. When I picked him up he was getting tired, but got a sudden burst of energy when he saw his Daddy! He jumped in his jumperoo for a while and then caught a relatively short nap. He just needed to recharge his battery!

After his nap, we played with some of his toys while Jaddie got Max’s new remote control car ready. At first he was quite interested in the car, but when Jaddie made the car do tricks Max got scared. Our cat, George, was very interested in the car. When the car raced towards George he jumped two-feet off the ground. We think Max enjoyed watching George more than his new car! I guess that goes to show you it’s not always about expensive toys; it can be the simple things that spark their interest.

Maxipoo got a shampoo tonight. We put the little fellow in the kitchen sink. We also gave him some bath toys to play with while we snapped a few pictures. We will share some soon. While I write this, Max is asleep and Jaddie is working on pictures.

March 30, 2009

10:40 pm—For such a little fellow, Maxiboy had a big day today. He went walking with Mimi and Grandpa at the Mall of Georgia this morning. Then Grandpa took him to Bojangles and Home Depot and stopped by a neighbor’s house before bringing him home around 10:30.

After drinking a bottle and playing in his jungle gym and jumperoo for a while, the little fellow got tired and settled down for a long nap. I woke him shortly before 4:00 pm so he could ride with Grandpa and me to run an errand.

When Becky got home from school, we took Max for a stroll through our neighborhood and around the big pond at the end. We stopped by Mimi and Grandpa’s on the way back home. Grandpa hosed off the stroller’s wheels after we marred up in mud. Max stayed with Mimi while Becky ran to Toys“R”Us to get him a remote-controlled car.

He hasn’t had a chance to check out his new car yet because he’s been asleep all evening. I’m glad he’s been resting because I haven’t felt well today and didn’t sleep well last night. I’m hopeful for having more energy tomorrow.

Max is now reaching for us when we reach down to pick him up.

Grandpa called tonight to see if Max could spend the night with him and Mimi, but Becky said the little fellow had to stay home. If he’s awake early in the morning, Becky’s going to carry him to Mimi and Grandpa so he can go walking with them.

March 29, 2009

10:27 pm—(Posted by Becky)—The day started early around here. Jaddie said Max was up in the six-o’clock hour. I never heard the little fellow. I guess I was getting some restful sleep. Jaddie woke me up around nine for my turn to take care of Max, and he went back to sleep. After sleeping in shifts this morning we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. She was very happy to see her Maxiboy! She fed him some yummy carrots and a bottle.

We all three took a nap this afternoon. It was very sweet and peaceful. After our nap, Max and I ventured to the grocery store. Max was a sweetheart on our trip. He just enjoyed looking at all the people and lights.

Tonight we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. Max was so excited while we ate. He acted like he wanted a bite of our food. After eating I fed the little fellow some peaches and cereal. He was less excited about his peaches and cereal than our food. But without teeth his options are very limited! Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight but will be coming home in the morning.

March 28, 2009

8:11 pm—What a day! I’m so tired that I figured I’d better write now before I crash.

Max attended his very first birthday party today. We’re grateful to have been invited to our friend Lilianna’s fifth birthday party. We made sure Maxipoo had a nap before going so he’d be his normal, ebullient self. Well, he wasn’t. He was okay but he wasn’t as full of chuckles as he normally is. When we all sang “Happy Birthday” to Miss Lilianna, little Maxipoo cried, so Becky had to haul him out of earshot. Maybe it was my singing that made him cry.

We still had a good time, though, and took lots of pictures. When we got home, Max took a short nap and then played in the floor with his mama before getting back in the saddle of his jumperoo.

Becky suggested we go to one of our favorite Mexican haunts for dinner. I thought it was a grand suggestion when Becky made it, so off the three of us went. The ambiant noise level in the restaurant was quite loud, though steady.

Until the mariachi band got started.

At our table.

And at surrounding tables.

There were guitars.

And fiddles.

And trumpets.

And tambourines.

When those amigos set in on their instruments, I thought Max was going to fill his diaper right there on the table. But, no, after a few initial spasms, he handled the noise with aplomb. Actually, after the first thirty seconds, the noise didn’t seem to bother him.

How is it that he couldn’t make it through “Happy Birthday,” but he made it through a live mariachi band playing two feet from his two feet?

If this were a computer problem, I assure you, gentle reader, that I could find the answer.

When that band got going, Becky laughed her hindparts off. I thought dinner was over, even though it’d just begun. I blotted the beads of perspiration from my forehead and hoped I could grab Max and make a run for the outdoors without having to take a detour to county.

And if my cheeks weren’t clenched tightly enough, we didn’t have one red cent to tip the band. We didn’t want them playing at our table, in the restaurant, or even in the same city while we were about to have dinner, but of course they were trying earnestly to put food on their own tables, and we weren’t able to reciprocate in any way other than giving them a thank-you and a fake smile. When I took care of the check with our credit card, I asked the clerk if I could have a few bucks back to tip the band. No, no can do.

Maybe next time we go to the same restaurant, Mr Mariachi will have a credit card machine duct taped to his guitar. He’ll have to if he wants a tip from me. I haven’t had a single piece of US currency in my wallet in at least two years.

Becky just took the camera upstairs to get a picture of Max asleep on his stomach on our bed, I’m about to head upstairs for a hot shower, and then I hope I can somehow find a way to decompress and fall asleep.

Max certainly isn’t worried about anything, so I shouldn’t, either.

March 27, 2009

11:35 pm—(Posted by Becky & Jaddie)—Max went walking with Mimi and Grandpa this morning. Then they went to Bojangles for breakfast. After breakfast Grandpa brought the little fellow home. Max napped from about 10:20 am until 1:05 pm. Granny called Jaddie around 10:30 am to ask if Max could go over for a visit, but Jaddie had just put Maxiboy down for a nap. When Max finally woke up, Jaddie fed him a bottle, played with him in his jungle gym, and then put him in his jumperoo. It wasn’t long before the little fellow fell asleep in his jumperoo—just like he did a few days ago. When Jaddie pulled him from his jumperoo to put him down for a nap, Max was up and ready to go, so the little fellow went without a nap this afternoon.

When I got home Max and I played for a while. Then Mimi and Grandpa came by for a visit. They can’t get enough of Maxipoo. Mimi and I fed Max some carrots, which he loves.

Max slept all evening, waking up after 11:00 pm. Jaddie just fed him a bottle, and now Max is in my lap studying George, our cat.

Max will attend his very first birthday party tomorrow. My friend Jodi was kind to invite Max, Jaddie, and me to her daughter Lilianna’s fifth birthday party. We’re looking forward to it!

March 26, 2009

10:04 pm—’Twas another quick day. I fed Max a bottle shortly before 8:00 am, Grandpa came to get him to go walking shortly afterwards, and I didn’t see the little fellow again until late this afternoon.

Max came home for a quick nap before Becky and I took him to see a puppet show at our local public library. He pulled on a little girl’s hair, wanted to grab a little boy’s ear, and played with Becky’s purse during the show. I’m not sure he even knew there was a show going on. It was neat to see him watching others so intently.

He’s spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. They’re going to bring him home when they return from walking in the morning. I miss the little fellow and am looking forward to spending time with him tomorrow.

March 25, 2009

11:15 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from the past week:

Max woke up with me this morning. I changed his diaper and put him back in his bassinet, but he never went back to sleep. Jaddie gave him a bottle and played with him. It wasn’t long before it was nap time. Max took a really long nap.

Tonight we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. After dinner Mimi, Max, and I played on the floor. Max has so many toys at Mimi and Grandpa’s house. Max and Grandpa were sad about not getting to ride on the golf cart today. Max is thinking, Rain, rain, go away, come back another day. And rain is exactly what it’s supposed to do tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. I guess next week they will have to make up for lost time!

Jaddie is working on pictures and I just tucked the little fellow in after cereal, bottle, and a book. We read It Is Spring! Max liked looking at all the animal pictures in this book. I’m sure we will reread it soon. He’s now fast asleep and we’ll be joining him soon!

March 24, 2009

8:54 pm—Max came home this morning shortly after 10:00. He’d been walking with Mimi and Grandpa and went to see the ducks at the pond at the end of our subdivsion.

He was cranky, so after feeding him a bottle, I put him in our bed for a nap. Fortunately, he awoke in a much better mood. He went with Grandpa and Becky to see the ducks again late this afternoon.

Now the little fellow is asleep after eating over half a container of peas and drinking a bottle. I’m about to join him as soon as this is posted because I’m exhausted. I’m snoring a lot during the night, Becky wakes me to stop it, but then I end up with a restless night of sleep. I hope tonight will be better.

March 23, 2009—Our Eighteenth Wedding Anniversary

10:34 pm—Just one image to share tonight:

We went down to the studio for a very short family shoot. We wanted an image to commemorate our eighteenth wedding anniverary. Grandpa manned the camera while Mimi made Max smile.

Max has been a little Mr Cranky Pants today, at least for us. Those teeth are bothering him. When, oh, when are we going to see his pearly whites? Mimi and Grandpa kept Max while we went out for dinner tonight. They said he’d been having a good time with them. They asked to keep him again tonight. Becky and I relented and let the little fellow stay away for the second night in a row, but Grandpa is going to bring the little fellow back home before 10:00 in the morning.

We have more images to share, and I’m hoping I’ll have time to get to those during one of Max’s naps tomorrow.

March 22, 2009

2:24 pm—Becky just carried Max upstairs to put him in our bed for a nap. The little fellow went to sleep standing up in his jumperoo! We took pictures and will share one or two of those soon.

After such a hectic day yesterday, Maxiboy slept all night but woke us up just before 9:00 am. We fed him a bottle and went over to Granny’s for breakfast. He had a big time at Granny’s. Everything fascinates him right now.


9:22 pm—After his nap Max accompanied Mimi and Mommy to the grocery store. Then Grandpa took the little fellow for a ride through the neighborhood. Max donned his new shades for the ride, and we have a picture to share soon. On their ride they stopped to visit with neighbors Stephen, Dale, and Barry. They even stopped by our house for a photo op.

We all had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s. We fed Max a bottle after dinner, and then he was ready for bed. He looked exhausted. He’s crashing at Mimi and Grandpa’s tonight and is going to go walking with them in the morning.

Tomorrow is Becky’s and my eighteenth wedding anniversary. We hope we can get Mimi or Grandpa to take a picture of the three of us—eighteen years strong and brand new.

March 21, 2009

10:38 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had an especially good day today! Our day started with breakfast at Mimi and Grandpa’s. Then it was off to a fun-filled day with Mommy. We first went to the mall with Mimi. We did a little shopping for spring. While we were in one shop, Max was cackling so hard that the whole store couldn’t believe it. Mimi and I thought it was so cute. Max has a ball wherever he goes!

This afternoon Max and I caught up with Granny. We cruised over for a visit. Uncle Bill and aunt Shirley joined us, too. Max seemed to enjoy all the attention. For dinner we all met cousins Kerri and Cami and some of Kerri’s family at Cracker Barrel. Max slept during dinner. I guess he had to recharge his battery!

Max was very excited to see his daddy when we got home. I could tell he really missed Daddy today. They played in the jungle gym while I ran yet another errand. When I got back home Max was rubbing both eyes and was saying the best way he knows how that he was ready for bed. So I tucked the little fellow in and read him Starry Safari. Little Max is sawing Z’s as I write this. What a fun day!

March 20, 2009

11:23 pm—Whoosh!

That’s the sound today made as it rushed by. Max has had another fun-filled and busy day and is asleep as I write this. Today is our little fellow’s seven-month birthday. He spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, went walking with them this morning, and then went to Bojangles with Grandpa for breakfast.

Max was chauffeured home on Grandpa’s golf cart this morning around 10:30. He gave me a dirty diaper, played in his jumperoo for a few minutes, and then took a nap.

A severe sinus headache made me dread hearing the little fellow’s musical jumperoo when he awoke. I phoned Granny to ask her to bring me some Advil, and it wasn’t long before she was here with the antidote for my aching head. She got to play with Max for a good while, and then she and Becky went to Walmart later in the afternoon. While they were gone, Grandpa came over on his golf cart to kidnap Max again.

Max, Becky, and I went over to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner tonight. Becky’s cousin Chase and his friend Maddie were in town, and we had dinner together in Mimi and Grandpa’s garage.

We took the Maxster outside for a few pictures before dinner and hope to share some of those here tomorrow, but for now, Becky and I are both tired and are about to go upstairs and join the little fellow for what we hope will be a peaceful night of rest.

March 19, 2009

3:07 pm—Two from Tuesday evening and one taken by Becky early this morning:

Max went to Mimi and Grandpa’s early this morning, so I haven’t seen him all day. I spoke with Grandpa a little while ago, and he said Max was getting a bath and was then going to get a bottle and take a nap. I used the free time to edit the images above.


8:26 pm—Three from late this afternoon at Bogan Park:

Max was with Mimi and Grandpa most of the day. After another golf cart ride through the neighborhood, Grandpa brought him home. Becky fed the little fellow a bottle and we then headed out to Bogan Park.

Max was tired shortly after our return and after getting to jump in his jumperoo for a short while, so we put him in our bed for a nap, which is where he is right now. Grandpa will be on his way back down here in a few minutes because he and Mimi want Max to spend the night with them tonight.

March 18, 2009

10:20 pm—Max has had a busy and sunshiny day. I got up before 7:00 this morning when Becky was changing Max’s diaper. I fed him a bottle and put him back in bed. He tossed and turned and wiggled in every direction.

Grandpa phoned at 7:18 to see if Max was available to go walking with him and Mimi. Unfortunately, both of our phones were downstairs, so we didn’t hear his call.

Grandpa did get some time with his favorite grandkid, though. He came over in the early afternoon to take the Maxster for a spin on his golf cart through the neighborhood. Of course they had to stop by and see Mimi, and she fed him some pureed vegetables, and Grandpa fed him a bottle. He took a short nap and was back at home before too long.

He jumped in his jumperoo, played on the floor with some of his toys, had another bottle, and went back to bed, which is where he is right now. We can’t figure out if he’s going to sleep through the night or not. He’s had four bottles and some vegetables, but I don’t know if that’s going to satisfy him through the night. I reckon he’ll let us know.

Just before going to bed last night, the little fellow inhaled eleven ounces of milk! Maybe he’s going through a growth spurt. We still don’t see any teeth, but those gums are swelling by the day.

Mimi and Grandpa just asked Becky to take Max to them in the morning on her way to work so he can go walking with them. I need to get my fanny in gear and go walking, too. Ah, maybe the next day…


Have you ever seen a photo frame that wraps around a wall? Check it out (via John Nack).

March 17, 2009

10:05 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had a great first St Patrick’s Day. He didn’t get pinched even once. I dressed him in green from head to toe! The little fellow received a visit from a leprechaun this morning. The leprechaun left green all over the place. He even left Daddy green muffins. Maybe Max can eat green muffins next year!

Max had a long nap today. I guess all the leprechaunish excitement this morning made him tired. After his nap Mimi took him to Granny’s for a little visit. Mimi had bought Granny a cake at Sam’s and took Max with her to make the special delivery. We’re sure she enjoyed seeing her little Maxipoo in green polka dots!

Tonight Max enjoyed splashing in our sink while getting a shampoo. He really loved playing with his fireman rubber duckie his uncle Jack gave him. And, of course, we took pictures and will share them soon.

Max is logging more time in his jumperoo as I write this. He’ll soon get his last bottle. Then it’ll be time for a story and bed.

March 16, 2009

10:21 pm—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, went walking with them at the Mall of Georgia this morning, to Bojangles for breakfast, and stayed with them for most of the day. Grandpa kept Max this morning while Mimi went to her gym for more exercise. While Mimi was gone, Max hit Grandpa with a boomboom diaper.

Max went with Becky and me to IHOP this evening for dinner. He enjoyed some quality time in his jumperoo when we came home. We weren’t home too long before we went back to Mimi and Grandpa’s. I went over to work on Grandpa’s computer while Becky, Mimi, and Max made a Walmart run.

When we made it home for the last time today, Becky fed Max some carrots and a bottle, put a St Patty’s Day outfit on him, and read him the book Kiss Kiss.

The little fellow is tuckered out in our bed right now, and we’re about to join him soon.

March 15, 2009

10:28 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from this weekend:

Today was a nice and easy day. It started with breakfast at Granny’s. Max played with Granny while Jaddie and I ate. Then Granny and I fed Mr Max bananas and carrots. Max doesn’t care for bananas, but he loves carrots! I guess I need to give him another nickname besides “Little Monkey” since he doesn’t care for bananas.

This afternoon was filled with play sessions and naps. Max was in a great mood when he was awake. We had fun spending the day together. As I type this I can’t get the Barney tunes out of my head that we enjoyed today. When Max is around things just seem way happy! Yay, world!

We had diner with my parents tonight, and, yes, they called dibs on Max. My dad has been in south Georgia for a few days and has really missed his Maxipoo. So Grandpa got his wish and Max is hanging his hat there tonight. We already miss the little fellow and can’t wait to see him tomorrow!

March 14, 2009

11:20 am—Becky says Maxiboy woke us up twice last night, but I remember only once. He was on his stomach and couldn’t get turned back over. I got up with him this morning, fed him a bottle, let him play in his jungle gym, and then put him back in bed with Becky. They snuggled together for over an hour before Max wanted to get up and move. I brought him back downstairs and let him play in his jumperoo, which is where he is as I write this. We’re jamming to Barney and Max is as happy as ever. We’re about to take Max to Mimi’s while we go to IHOP for breakfast.

We wish our cousin Scott a happy fortieth birthday today! Man, I can’t believe we’re forty. It didn’t seem like that long ago when Scott saved my life by pulling me out from under an underwater log in a river in Dahlonega. We weren’t over twelve or thirteen then.


4:20 pm—IHOP in Buford was overflowing with patrons, so we decided to head down to the IHOP in Suwanee. Our luck was no better there, as patrons flanked both sides of the entrance, so we went on down to Fuddrucker’s in Duluth, where we were going to pick up our camera from the nearby repair shop.

When we returned, Max was asleep in his bouncy seat in Mimi’s living room. She had fed him green beans and carrots, and he gave her a boom-boom diaper. She said that since he was dirty at both ends, she went ahead and gave him a bath. We scooped up our little boy, brought him home, and he and Becky went upstairs to continue the nap Max started at Mimi’s. Becky’s up and running, but little Maxipoo is still enjoying his siesta.

I just put fresh batteries in Max’s Rainforest Jumperoo, and with great sadness raised it up to accommodate his growing stature. I wish he’d quit growing. If he doesn’t stop, he’s going to have a life of his own one day, and when I call to see how he’s doing, answering me will be an inconvenience for him.

Of course, if I never let him move away from home, I won’t have to do a whole lot of calling.

As I write this Max is very calmly waking up. Becky’s using this opportunity to clip his dangerously sharp fingernails.


9:55 pm—We’ve enjoyed a restful evening. Max napped and played in his jumperoo, Becky went out to buy some diapers and get our dinner, and she just now took him upstairs to put him to bed. I hear her reading a story to him.

March 13, 2009

6:00 pm—Three more from this week:

Today is my late grandmother’s birthday. All of us grandkids called her Big Mama. I wish she were still here so she could see Max. She’d be nuts about our little fellow!

I had a dental appointment this morning, so Max stayed with Granny today. They had a ball. Aunt Jean and uncle Jack went over to Granny’s to visit with him. Granny said Max thoroughly enjoyed playing with everyone, and that he slept only about twenty minutes the whole time she had him today.

Five minutes ago Max was playing in his jumperoo and began to whimper just a little, so Becky took him upstairs for a nap in our bed. Now she’s back down here telling me about an idea she has for an Easter photoshoot in Mimi’s flower bed.


10:42 pm—Max slept a lot this evening and just inhaled a seven-ounce bottle. He’s back in bed and we’re about to join him.

March 12, 2009

11:08 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from this week:

The day started with a bang this morning, Max used his hose to wet his clothes and me. I quickly changed him and snuggled him beside Jaddie. After getting up Max was in a good mood up until he went down for his long nap. He took a nap lasting nearly five hours beginning around 11:00 am.

Max and I took a stroller ride to Mimi’s today. We played at her house for a little while before Max was tired and hungry. We came home and Jaddie fed the little fellow a bottle while I went to the grocery store. When I returned home Max was asleep again. The little fellow must be tired from cutting teeth. His upper gums are very swollen, and we are thinking we could see teeth any day.

We were just waiting for Max to wake-up and take his last bottle. We hope he does so we’re not awakened at 3:00 am. By golly, he woke up and juiced me, the wall, and his changing station right away. I changed his outfit and we thought we had the situation under control. That’s when he spat up on his new outfit and our bed. More laundry! Maxiboy is costing us as much in Dreft and Tide as he is dipes and wipes.

With any luck, Max will go right back to sleep in a few minutes.

March 11, 2009

9:42 pm—Today was such a blur. A nasty sinus headache stayed with me all day, so I haven’t felt like doing anything on the computer or otherwise.

Max came home around 10:30 this morning. Grandpa said Maxiboy needed a nap, so after a few minutes in my lap and in his jumperoo, I put the little fellow in our bed for a nap. He didn’t nap long. He woke up crying, but by the time I got him downstairs, his cries had turned into smiles. He drank a bottle and played in his jungle gym and jumperoo.

After getting cranky again, he took another nap, but this one lasted over three hours. He woke up in a much better mood and has been just peachy all evening. Mimi and Becky took him to dinner with them at the Mall of Georgia, and they said he was chipper and seemed to enjoy seeing all the lights and people. Max received high praise from fellow shoppers in Belk this evening. One lady who was moved to convey her compliment to Becky said she believed Maxiboy should be in a contest. That was mighty nice of her to say. (But, on the other hand, with Max on the roster, there wouldn’t be much of a contest.)

I hope we’re able to shut down the house and quickly get to bed. Maybe after a full night’s rest, I may awake without this headache and have a more productive day.

March 10, 2009

10:50 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night. They went walking and to Bojangles this morning. Grandpa brought Max home after breakfast at Bojangles. I was home today, so I spent most of the day with Max. We took several naps and had many play sessions. Max, Jaddie, and I enjoyed lunch together at Fuddruckers in Duluth. We had to carry our new camera to a repair facility in Duluth, so we decided to get some lunch while we were out.

Max, Grandpa, Mimi, and I took a golf cart ride this evening through the neighborhood. Max seems to love riding on Grandpa’s cart. While on the cart Grandpa noticed the sun in his “bay-bay’s” eyes, so tonight Grandpa surprised Max with his very own sunglasses. They are so cute and will come in handy on Grandpa’s cart.

Believe it or not Grandpa and Mimi talked us into letting Max spend the night again tonight. That’s where the little fellow is right now, but he will be home after walking in the morning. Mimi and Grandpa are going to be very busy for the next few days, so they wanted another night with Max before things get too busy.

March 9, 2009

10:09 pm—Becky put Max in the bed with me this morning before heading to school, and it was great to be able to snooze and snuggle with Maxiboy.

Max must have been tired and not aware of the time switch, because he slept about an hour later than I, and then he didn’t stay up long before going back to bed for a nap.

I fed him solid food for the first time today. Becky’s been handling that up until now. The bib didn’t do us much good, though, as the little fellow was wearing green beans and prunes by the time I finished feeding him.

Shortly after Becky got home from school, we went over to Mimi and Grandpa’s for a brief and adventurous photoshoot. We put Max in Mimi and Grandpa’s flower bed in his Bumbo babyseat. Becky, Mimi, Grandpa, and I all worked fruitlessly to get the little fellow to smile. We still got a few good images, though, and we look forward to sharing those here soon.

Grandpa and Becky took Max on a golf cart ride through the neighborhood. They went to our neighbor’s pond to see the ducks. Shortly after they returned, Becky and Mimi whipped out the three-wheel stroller and took Mr Max on another ride through the neighborhood. They said Max enjoyed his afternoon’s adventures.

Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa. It got up to eighty degrees this afternoon, so I bet Grandpa and Max won’t be cranking up their electric blanket tonight.

March 8, 2009

10:58 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Two from Friday and one from yesterday:

Today Max and I let Jaddie sleep in. I got up, fed Max a bottle, and played a while before waking Jaddie and heading to Granny’s for breakfast. Granny was very happy to see her Maxiboy this morning. She played with him while Jaddie and I had breakfast. Then Granny surprised Max with an early Easter gift—milk! And plenty of it, too! She gave Max four big can of his formula. Max shouts out a big “thank you” to his generous Granny!

This afternoon Mimi, Max, and I went shopping. Max was a joy everywhere we went. Customers and store workers bragged on his behavior and good looks. He really does have the full package. After shopping we came home and took a ride on Grandpa’s golf cart. Mimi, Grandpa, Max, Jaddie, and I cruised the neighborhood and visited with neighbor Mukti who was out gardening.

Tonight we enjoyed another cookout at Grandpa’s shop. Also at the cookout were neighbors Greg and Renae and friends Megan, Ed, and Leland and Josephine. We enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill. Mr Max got his carrots and cereal when we returned home. He loves carrots! I called him a little rabbit for loving his carrots so much.

Max is all tucked in for the night after listening to me read him a story and letting him play with my hands. We’re about to join him for the night. I’m really not liking this new time change. I hope Max adjusts to it quickly.

March 7, 2009

10:37 pm—Max is sound asleep, exhausted after a day filled with movement and people.

Max went walking with Mimi, Grandpa, and our neighbor Renae this morning and then sat with us at Mimi and Grandpa’s while we enjoyed the breakfast Grandpa prepared. Afterwards, Becky and Max crawled in our bed for a two-and-a-half-hour nap. Becky says their nap was the highlight of her day.

Later in the afternoon I watched Max while Becky ran a few errands. When she returned she took the little fellow over to Mimi and Grandpa’s so Max could help them prepare for tonight’s birthday party for our friend and neighbor Stephen. Grandpa took Maxiboy for a ride on his golf cart, letting him ride in his Bumbo babyseat. I wish I had taken a picture of Max riding with Grandpa because it was such a sweet thing to see. During their little jaunt, our seven-year-old neighbor, Josh, hitched a ride with them. Josh told Grandpa that Max was his friend, that Max liked him, and that he liked Max. Well, Josh, Becky and I really like you, too!

This evening Mimi and Grandpa hosted a birthday party for our friend Stephen, who just turned fifty-three. There was a great turnout for the party, and Grandpa’s shop was an excellent venue for this evening’s festivities.

In town and at the party, Max’s great great great uncle Bruce (Becky’s daddy’s uncle) finally met the Maxster. Our friend and neighbor Julie also met Max for the first time tonight. Max was tired and a little fussy, so we let him take a nap on the sofa in Grandpa’s shop. At first he fought sleep, but he finally gave in after a few minutes of whimpering.

The little fellow can’t keep up with the demand for him. Now we’re about to go upstairs and join our little celebrity as he recharges his batteries for another day.

March 6, 2009

10:34 pm—Three from Wednesday:

Max enjoyed a day full of activities today. Becky changed his diaper before 7:00 this morning and put him in bed with me. We snuggled until shortly after 8:00. We got up and Max drank a full bottle for breakfast. Then we played in his jungle gym for half an hour or so before I put him in his jumperoo. Then we had to venture away from home to run a couple of errands. In both places we went, the staff went on and on about how cute Max is. Just being in Max’s shadow made me feel like a celebrity. You wouldn’t believe how much attention Max attracts. Once we returned home, I put him in our bed for a two-hour nap.

After lunch we played in his jungle gym and jumperoo again, and then I took him down to our mailbox so he could get some fresh air and enjoy the fantastic weather we had today. As we approached our mailbox, Grandpa was cruising down our street in his golf cart. He picked us up and carried us over to our neighbors Stephen and Dale. They were laying straw and Max got to meet Dale’s daddy, Kelly. After a short visit, Grandpa brought us back home, and I spread out a blanket and let Max play with some of his toys. He played with his toys while on his back, sitting up, and on his tummy. After half an hour of this, he was whimpering. I reckon he was tired, so I put him back in our bed for another nap. He napped less than an hour before Becky got home, but when he saw his mommy, he lit up like a Christmas tree. He was full of giggles and smiles.

Grandpa came back over to fetch Max for Mimi, and while en route to their house, they stopped to see our neighbors Bill, Miriam, and Josh, each of whom gave Max a kiss. Parents Bill and Miriam went on and on about how cute Max is. We appreciate the compliments and agree wholeheartedly!

Well, Grandpa and Mimi can’t get enough of their favorite grandchild, so they asked if he could stay with them tonight. Since we’ll be over there first thing in the morning for breakfast, Becky agreed to surrender our boy for another night. Becky took the little fellow over to Mimi and Grandpa’s shortly after 7:00 pm, and when she returned an hour later, she said Max and Grandpa had already gone to bed.

March 5, 2009

10:30 pm—Max has had a full day with the whole family. He spent most of the day with Mimi and Grandpa, and when Becky went over to pick him up after school, he was asleep. Becky waited for the little fellow to wake up before she brought him home.

He smelled so good when he got home. Mimi had shampooed her Maxipoo this afternoon and put a cute new outfit on him. Oh, he was a dapper dude!

Max, Becky, and I went out for dinner near Granny’s this evening, so when we finished having dinner and buying groceries, stopped by Granny’s for a few minutes. Max enjoyed bouncing on Granny’s lap and visiting with her. His eyes fell heavy, so we scooped him up and came home. Becky fed the little fellow a bottle and put him to bed.

I’m sorry for not having any pictures to share today. I spent a couple of hours making some 8x10 prints of Max and ran out of time. I hope to have a few to share tomorrow.

March 4, 2009

10:08 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa again tonight. We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, and when we arrived Grandpa said he already had their electric blanket warming up.

Max and I played together a lot today. We played in his jungle gym, his jumperoo, and on the sofa until perspiration was running down my forehead. That little fellow loves to jump and bounce. He does it so much that I’m beginning to think it’s a nervous tic.

He woke up from a nap at 2:30 this afternoon and played until we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s this evening. Then our neighbors Stephen and Dale came over to see the little fellow, and he still hadn’t run out of smiles. We got a great image of him on the sofa this afternoon just before we left, and I hope to share it here tomorrow—I’m just too tired to do anything else on the computer tonight.

March 3, 2009

9:10 pm—From Sunday, a trio of Max in his Bumbo babyseat:

Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, and he woke them at 2:00 this morning wanting a bottle. They still got up early and went walking at the Mall of Georgia. Grandpa said Max was awake for three of their four laps, but sacked out on the last round. They went to Bojangles for breakfast, and then Max spent most of the day with Mimi and Grandpa. They wanted him to stay tonight, too, but Becky said the little fellow had to come home. Grandpa said he’d have their electric blanket cranked up for Max tomorrow night, but I don’t know if Becky will part with the fellow or not.

She just took Maxiboy upstairs to give him some Tylenol and Orajel and to read a book to him. Even though he had dinner at Mimi and Grandpa’s, we just fed him half a bottle in hopes of sleeping the whole night through.

March 2, 2009

2:14 pm—Max and Becky just began a nap upstairs, and I’m about to get to work on a client’s Web site. Max, Mimi, Becky, and I had lunch together at The Olive Garden, and then Max went to the dollar store and Costco with Mimi and Becky.


Happy forty-seventh birthday, Jon Bon Jovi! (But tell your lead security dog that I said his mama wears combat boots.)


10:30 pm—Max and Becky headed out to run a couple of errands late this afternoon, and then Becky took the Maxster to Mimi and Grandpa’s. He’ll be crashing with them tonight.

Becky was at home today because of the snow. We enjoyed our day with Max and are looking forward to spring break and this summer.

March 1, 2009

9:43 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Today was Max’s first snow day! Our day started with breakfast with Granny’s. By the time we returned home it had begun to snow. We all took it quite easy today and enjoyed some much-needed relaxation. Today Max napped, played in his jumperoo, posed for pictures, played with Mimi, and watched George. These activities kept him busy most of the day. Mimi came over after lunch for a visit and to color my hair. Max watched Mimi work with my hair and he could barely recognize me when she was done. I had foils all over my head and this is why Max didn’t know me.

We took a few pictures of Max on his first snow day, none of which are of him in the snow. It was too cold for our little fellow out there. We didn’t want him to be a Maxsicle. We did get some good ones of him indoors and will share those soon. Right now Max is down for the night. Grandpa called to ask if Max could spend the night, but the little fellow was already asleep. Maybe Max can spend the night with Grandpa tomorrow night.

February 28, 2009

11:26 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from this week:

We’ve had a good day today. Max woke up early this morning “la-la”-ing. Jaddie and I have a hard time believing a child of ours wakes up so happy. Life is good for little Max!

We went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for breakfast. Grandpa cooked for all of us. After breakfast we came home and Max and I took a little nap. I love taking naps with Max. It’s the sweetest thing ever! After our nap it was lunchtime. Max had green beans and prunes. He’s nuts about prunes! He seems to like green beans too.

My mother and I had a party to attend this afternoon, so Max stayed with Granny. Jaddie was on picture duty, and Granny was very eager to babysit her little Max. Granny said Max was an angel. He played, napped, and drank a few bottles. Fun stuff!

Max had juice for the first time tonight. He enjoyed his apple juice in his sippy cup. I can’t say it went smoothly because he spilled most of it on his clothes. With juice and cereal on his clothes he had to have an outfit change before going to bed.

I just tucked our sweet little Max in and he off to Sleepytown. He’s so sweet and I really enjoyed spending the day with him and can’t wait to take another nap with him tomorrow!

February 27, 2009

11:10 pm—posted by Becky—Max had a good day today. He woke early wanting to play. He has played in his junglegym and jumperoo for a large portion of the day. This afternoon Max took a long nap. The little fellow needs rest after playing so hard.

When I got home Max and I played together. He seemed to be happy to see me. I’m glad that it is Friday and I can spend the next two days with my fellows.

Jaddie and I went to Chili’s for an early dinner tonight, and Mimi and Grandpa were all to eager to keep the Maxster. While at their house Max took yet another nap and had a bottle. When Jaddie and I returned from Chili’s, we stayed and visited for a while. Max was in a good mood. We actually had Max laughing out aloud. He has the sweetest laugh!

Max tried two new foods tonight. He tried prunes and green beans. Double yum! He loved the prunes. He grabbed the bowl and tried to pull them towards him. It was cute to watch. And, of course, we got pictures. Jaddie said he will be on picture duty tomorrow, so stay tuned for more new Max pictures. The little fellow is asleep in our bed as I write this. He fell asleep quickly after I read him the story Guess How Much I Love You. We plan to join him soon.

February 26, 2009

10:46 pm—Maxiboy spent last night and most of today with his Mimi and Grandpa. They went walking at the Mall of Georgia this morning and then to Bojangles’ for breakfast. Grandpa said Max got a little nap while putting down four laps inside the mall. Mimi and Grandpa said Max has been full of smiles all day.

Becky tried to retrieve our little boy after school, but he was sacked out at Mimi and Grandpa’s. He woke a short while later and we went over and picked him up.

Max, Becky, Mimi, Grandpa, and I went out for dinner, and little Maxiboy had a minor meltdown. He was tired and his gums were bothering him. When it appeared as though he was going to make a lot of noise, I took him to the car and sat with him. He wailed for a couple of minutes, settled down, and fell asleep.

He didn’t sleep long, though, and when he woke up, Becky fed him carrots and I fed him a bottle. We figured he was tired, so we gave him Tylenol and Orajel and laid him down in our bed.

No dice.

The boy cried with just about all of his might. We were afraid something else was troubling him, but when we picked him up, he very quickly returned to his normal sunny self. So he’s been watching Becky flub a Rice Krispies bunt cake and me write today’s entry. We’re listening to Barney, he’s jumping in his jumperoo, and is beginning to whimper just a little bit. Maybe now the Tylenol and Orajel have kicked in and he’s tired. I reckon we’ll find out.

February 25, 2009

11:00 pm—Today was definitely better than yesterday. I believe the improvement may be attributed to regular dosings of Tylenol and Orajel. Mr Max has been in a great mood all day. He jumped in his jumperoo earlier today for the entire Barney’s Colorful World CD and had a blast. He also played in his jungle gym for a good while and seemed to really enjoy himself. Since he’s grown he’s better able to grasp the toys attached to his jungle gym.

Becky phoned to check on her Maxiboy a couple of times today, and both times I put her on speakerphone. It’s so sweet to see Max light up when he hears his mother’s voice. He also gave her another big smile when she got home from school.

We all went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner this evening. Max sat in his highchair while we had dinner. The he accompanied Mimi and Becky to pick up a few things at Target. When they returned Becky fed Max some carrots and cereal, which he devoured. What a difference a day can make! Yesterday’s feedings didn’t go so well. Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight, but before we left, Becky put Max to bed in his bassinet at the foot of Mimi and Grandpa’s bed and read My Nose, My Toes, & Me and sang “You Are My Sunshine” to him.

I had planned to work on a few of Max’s pictures tonight, but I got hung up trying to get my father-in-law’s new printer to work wirelessly with his wireless router. I couldn’t get it to work, but tomorrow I’ll try another strategy. We did a brief photoshoot with Max this afternoon. Becky put a fuzzy rug on our kitchen table, taped seamless white paper to our curtain rods, and we shot for about ten minutes. I believe there may be one or two images from today that’ll be pretty sweet.

February 24, 2009

8:45 pm—Max’s gums have given us all fits since the wee morning hours, so the three of us are a wee bit grumpy.

Just before we got out of bed, Max rolled over onto his stomach in his bassinet and couldn’t get turned back to his side or back. So he was whimpering and I got up, gave him a bottle, held him in my lap for a little while, and then let him go to town in his jumperoo. It wasn’t long before Grandpa phoned to ask if Mr Max could go with him and Mimi to Bojangles for breakfast. They were going to keep the little fellow this afternoon so I could go to the dentist, and they ended up keeping him most of the day today. They even asked if he could spend the night tonight, but Becky wanted to keep our little fellow at home.

I went over to Mimi and Grandpa’s after my dental appointment, and Max was asleep. I stayed for an hour or two, Becky came over, and Max took another short nap. After I came home, Mimi, Grandpa, Becky, and Max went to O’Charley’s for dinner.

Max cried when he got home but eventually settled down after we gave him some Tylenol and a bottle. Becky just took the little fellow upstairs to read him a book, give him some Orajel, and put him to bed. We’re all going to bed early tonight.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better for all of us.


Happy fifty-fourth birthday, Steve Jobs! May you get well soon and hit the ground running this summer.

February 23, 2009

10:55 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six from Max’s six-month birthday:

This morning before going to school, I went to my parents’ house to visit with little Max. When I arrived he had smiles, but they quickly went away. Mimi wasn’t making his bottle fast enough to suit him and he was mad about it! After getting his bottle Max was back to smiling again.

Max went walking with Mimi and Grandpa this morning and then to went Bojangles for “Bo biscuits.” After all this Mimi gave Maxipoo a shampoo. A long nap filled Max’s afternoon.

I picked up Max after school today and we came home. Max was very excited to get to spend some quality time in his jumperoo. After jumping Jaddie, Max, and I went to visit with Granny and then to IHOP for dinner. Max was so good. He sat on the table in his car seat while we ate. By the end of dinner he was ready to go. When we got back home I fed Max his cereal and carrots. Max certainly loves carrots. Then Jaddie fed Max his last bottle of the day.

Max and I enjoyed some quality snuggle time this evening. I read In the Pond to him while he played with my fingers. This was the best part of my day. I really treasure these moments and look way forward to many more moments like these!

February 22, 2009

9:34 pm—Max woke us up this morning around 6:00. He was just awake in his bassinet and yaa-yaaing to himself. I tried poking his paci into his kisser a few times, but that didn’t help. Becky got up with him, thank heavens, and let me sleep while she fed him and played with him for a while before bringing him back to bed. The three of us slept for another hour or so.

Then we went to Granny’s for breakfast. I showed Granny some of Max’s most recent pictures on her computer and put one of Barney’s CDs on there, too, so she and Max can enjoy those tunes together.

When we returned home, Max was ready for another nap. This time it was a short one. When he got up, Becky had to run a few errands and took our little fellow over to her parents’ house for a little while. She and Max came back home but weren’t home long before we went back over to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner. This time Mr Max stayed with them. Grandpa wanted him to stay so they could walk together at the Mall of Georgia in the morning. Grandpa’s been asking Becky for the past few nights if Max could stay, and she gave in tonight. There just isn’t enough of Max to around.

I should’ve written yesterday that we saw Max roll over from his stomach to his back for the first time. He’s been rolling over from his back to his stomach for a while, but it was yesterday afternoon when we saw him roll over the other way for the first time. Rolling over gives him more mobility and independence, and Becky and I are biting our nails over this latest development. Can’t he stay six months old forever?

February 21, 2009

11:10 pm—Apparently, Max likes carrots. Becky said he was eager for each successive bite. He showed little interest in his cereal, so Becky mixed his cereal with his carrots and was successful in pulling a fast one on him.

Max, Becky, and Granny spent most of the afternoon bebopping around Duluth. They went to a wholesale beauty supply store, Joann’s, Bugaboo Creek for a late lunch, and to Super Target. They said Maxiboy was a happy camper until they hit the checkout line at Target. He was hungry and let his lungs do the talking, so they made a pit stop in the snack bar to feed him a bottle. Things were right back to easy-breezy after the little fellow topped off his tank with milk.

Perhaps the most memorable thing about their adventures today is the fact that Becky forgot to pack any diapers. Granny was so anxious when she learned they were diaperless with a six-month-old! Becky had to buy the boy some new diapers while they were out, and I bet it’ll be a good while before she forgets again.

Granny bought her favorite Maxiboy some baby food and disposable bibs today at Target. Max got some bananas, squash, green beans, peas, apples, sweet potatoes, peaches, pears, and prunes. We have to clean out and reorganize our modest pantry to accommodate Sir Maxcelot’s new grub.

We all enjoyed breakfast at Mimi and Grandpa’s this morning. Grandpa spilled something on the stove and was fiery mad about it, but it didn’t take but a second or two of time with Maxiboy before Grandpa was all smiles.

Becky trimmed Max’s toenails today for the first time, and his fingernails for the third or fourth time. The little fellow’s finger nails were too sharp and long, so I’m glad one of us finally remembered to take care of this much-needed chore at the most opportune time—when the little fellow is asleep.


Epson is running a buy-one-get-one-free sale on their photo papers through Monday, February 23. Use code “9YFASE” during checkout to save.

February 20, 2009

10:44 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six images from the past week:

Happy half-birthday to Max! Our little sweetie turned the big point-five today. That’s six whole months. He has had a good day. He woke up as I got up, at 6:30 am, for a diaper change, but quickly went back to bed. Not long after his bottle this morning Grandpa phoned to ask if he could come and get Max. Mimi and Grandpa wanted little Maxie down for a play date. While he was with Mimi, Mr Max got a shampoo.

Mimi, Grandpa, and Granny all came over for dinner tonight to celebrate Max’s half-birthday. We had a lot of fun talking and being together. We all watched Mr Max enjoy his jumperoo. He jumped for about an hour and fifteen minutes. After dinner we got ready to feed Max some yummy carrots! Mimi, Granny, and I all fed Max while Jaddie manned the camera. Max seemed to enjoy his new food. We’ll share our pictures soon. Can you believe it takes three to feed Mr Max?

After dinner he was ready for bed. Everyone gave him sugar and then Mimi and I put him down. I read him the book The Night You Were Born and then he quickly drifted off to Sleepytown. We will join him soon!

February 19, 2009

10:48 pm—Max is at home tonight asleep in our bed as we write this. He’s had a busy day. Mimi and Grandpa got him up early to go walking at the Mall of Georgia, and then Grandpa took him to Bojangles to show him off—and to get a “Bo biscuit” and a senior drink with two straws.

Grandpa called me to help him get a new printer going, so I went over and ended up spending more time picking up Maxiboy’s teethers than I did working with Grandpa’s new printer. Max loves to drop his toys from his highchair to the floor.

Granny came over to see Mr Max, but we were at Mimi and Grandpa’s. Thankfully, Granny had her handy-dandy cell phone with her, so she phoned Mimi and Grandpa to see where we were. And even more thankfully, Mimi and Grandpa live just five driveways away. Granny had Max in her lap in just a few minutes after calling.

We brought Max back home after a short while, and he jumped in his jumperoo for a few minutes before taking a much-needed nap. While Max napped and I watch him, Becky and Granny went to the grocery store together. Max was ready to get up and rock and roll when they returned.

But he didn’t rock and roll long before getting fussy and falling asleep again. And that’s where today’s post begins.

February 18, 2009

10:34 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had another good day. He got up early this morning. Jaddie said he got up just as I left, which was around 7:00.

I came home from school at 11:30 this morning because Max had a date with Dr Smiley and I didn’t want to miss it. It was for his six-month check-up. Before going to see Dr Smiley, Mimi and I gave Mr Max a shampoo, Grandpa ironed his hat and bib, and Jaddie put his car seat back together. His car seat had to be taken apart and washed due to Mr Max spraying it with his firehose. Everyone pulled together to get the Maxster ready for his big appointment.

Max got a good report from Dr Smiley. She said he was “wonderfully” healthy and strong. He weighed 16 lbs., 12.5 oz. (38th percentile for his age), his length was 26.5 in. (45th percentile), and his head circumference was 17.75 in. (84th percentile). Dr Smiley was very pleased with these numbers.

While there Max got two shots and some oral medicine. He showed Dr Smiley how strong he is by grabbing onto her thumbs and pulling himself from a laying-down position to standing up on his feet. This is something Mimi and Grandpa taught him. She also gave the green light on veggies and fruits. Yummy! We plan to start those on Friday, his six-month birthday.

Grandpa got his wish tonight, as Max is spending the night with him and Mimi. I was okay with it since I enjoyed an afternoon nap with him. Sometimes I think there is just not enough of the little fellow to go around.

February 17, 2009

10:56 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max spent the night with my parents last night. I went by their house to get some sugar from Max before heading to work this morning. When I arrived they said he moaned a lot in his sleep last night. We think it was from the pain he feels from his darned ol’ gums. Where, o’ where, are his toofies? We can’t wait to see the pearly-whites that are causing so much ruckus for our little fellow!

Max came back home from walking and going to Bojangles early this morning. He was tired after Jaddie fed and played with him for a while. Jaddie also gave him Tylenol and Orajel. He took a nap nearly four hours long this afternoon. He seemed to feel much better after getting some pain-free sleep. When I got home the little fellow was finishing a bottle. We played together and then Max and I took a nap.

Grandpa and Mimi stopped by tonight to see little Max. The actually tried to convince us to let him stay with them tonight, but I stood my ground tonight. I really have missed my little sweetheart sleeping in his little bassinet by our bed. Tonight Max and I had a great time. We snuggled up together and read a book. Max really paid close attention as I read the book to him. He played with my fingers as he fell asleep. It was the sweetest thing ever. I love that little boy more than words can describe!


(Posted by Jaddie)—I, too, love that little boy more than words can describe. He’s just such an adorable and neat little guy!

My snoring ran Becky into the guest bedroom last night, but I felt more rested this morning than I have for the past few mornings. We had two humidifiers running in our bedroom last night, and I took two antihistamines and an anti-inflammatory steroid at bedtime. I don’t know what else I can do to make the nights more peaceful around here.

I spent the evening making prints of Mr Max. I intended to work on some new images and share those here, but I ran out of time. Maybe tomorrow…

February 16, 2009

9:10 pm—Well, Maxiboy is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa again tonight. Becky was dead against it, but Grandpa kept working on her until she conceded. Mimi and Grandpa bought Max a tiny little bed pillow, and I hope to share a picture of it here soon.

I’ve had Max since shortly after 10:00 am when Grandpa brought him back to me. His gums are giving him fits, but overall I guess the little fellow is doing well. He took a three-hour nap in our bed this afternoon, and when Becky got home he lit up with joy. Becky sat in the floor next to Max in his jumperoo, I sat on the sofa, and Max put on a big show for us for a few minutes. It wasn’t long, though, before his attention turned to his gums. I froze one corner of a thick washcloth and gave that to him, and he seemed to really like that. I even took pictures of Mr Max gnawing on it, and I hope to share those pictures here soon. The washcloth was Mimi’s suggestion.

Becky, Max, and I had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Mimi made corn casserole, macaroni and cheese, pork chops, and green beans. Max sat in his highchair at the table while we had dinner. After dinner Becky fed Max his cereal, and it didn’t take long before he needed a bath. So Mimi and Becky shampooed Maxipoo, and Grandpa combed the little fellow’s hair into a mohawk. Once Becky gave in to Grandpa’s pleas to keep Max, she took Max upstairs and put him in Mimi and Grandpa’s king-size bed. She lay beside him and sang him lullabies until Grandpa and I came in. We gave Max a good-night kiss and came home. And that’s where we are now. We’re already missing the little fellow. I think Becky’s going to cry.

I didn’t sleep much better last night, but I’m hopeful that I can get things turned around tonight. I haven’t felt so fatigued since we first brought Max home from the hospital. I’m guessing my not sleeping well is related to allergies. I was unaware that the pollen count was high until I read weather.com this morning. Now I’m armed with Claritin, Astelin, and Nasonex as I prepare to wage war on sleep tonight.

February 15, 2009

9:14 pm—Mr Max just left with Grandpa to spend the night with him and Mimi and to walk with them in the morning. After two nights of interrupted sleep, I’m glad someone else is keeping my little boy tonight. I’ve been snoring a lot and Becky’s been waking me up. A lot. I can’t concentrate, my body aches, and my eyes burn. I feel as though I’ve been run over by a truck.

I got up with little Maxiboy this morning about 8:15, fed him a bottle, and gave him a suppository. The suppository was effective, but Max is still not himself. He did have a better appetite this evening, though. We didn’t even go over to Granny’s for breakfast this morning. Becky slept late and took Max back to bed with her.

Max went with Mimi and Becky to JCPenney and Publix this afternoon. When they got home, Max took a long nap and woke up in a good mood and hungry.

I hope we all have a better day tomorrow!

February 14, 2009 Valentine’s Day

6:56 pm—Three from Tuesday and three from yesterday:

Max woke us early this morning singing and talking again. I believe he started around 5:00 am. I got up, changed his diaper, and put him in the bed with us. The boy’s a wiggler! A fish out of water has nothing on our Maxipoo.

We all went to Mimi and Grandpa’s at 9:30 for breakfast. Max stayed there until a couple of hours ago, and Becky stayed with him. He slept for about an hour in Becky’s arms. He isn’t feeling well. He even threw up on Grandpa.

We’re trying to feed Max right now and it’s slow go. Let’s just hope it stays down.

We phoned the advice nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (tel. 404.250.KIDS), and she gave us three suggestions:

  1. use half of a glycerin suppository (ouch!)
  2. a Fleet enema for kids (ouch again!)
  3. two teaspoons of dark Karo syrup in his bottle (Houston, we have a winner!)

So Max’s first Valentine’s Day hasn’t been great. We’re hoping for a better day tomorrow. We’re about to get some dinner and figure out the path we’re going to take with Max.

February 13, 2009

It’s been a whirlwind day around here. Becky took Max to her parents’ this morning so Max could go walking with them at the Mall of Georgia. After walking, they went to Bojangles for breakfast.

Max went with me this afternoon to get Becky’s Valentine’s gift. Sadly, the store was out of stock and I had to order it from another store and have it shipped here. Fortunately for Max and me, we already have a little gift for Becky, so she’ll have something to open tomorrow.

Becky won a Valentine’s bear at work today in a drawing. She was excited to win the drawing and brought the bear home for Max. We hope to get a picture of Mr Max with his new bear tomorrow.

Granny, Mimi, and Grandpa all came over this evening for a Valentine’s dinner. Maxipoo jumped in his jumperoo right beside the table, so he was part of dinner, too.

He’s been a little fussy today and spat up just a little bit twice. We’re going to call his pediatrician’s advice nurse tomorrow to see if we can get the little fellow some relief.

Max is asleep now and Becky and I are both exhausted, so this house will be shutting down in just a little while.

I hope to have time to get to a few more of Max’s pictures tomorrow.

February 12, 2009

9:29 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had better today. He spent a good part of the day with his Granny. She said he was in a great mood today.

When we got home Max was hungry and sleepy. So we fed him and put him down for a nap. The little fellow didn’t sleep long before we heard him making sweet little noises in his crib. We brought him downstairs and he played in his jumperoo for a while. When he got tired of that we tried his Bumbo babyseat. I played Tickle with him while he was in his Bumbo. He was laughing out loud. It was so cute!

Max watched me get my Valentines ready for my students and really seemed to enjoy it. He watched as if he were taking notes. I told him soon he would get to help me do this fun stuff, and he just smiled. Max was tired after we finished the Valentines, so I fed him his cereal and bottle. He was asleep by the end and is now fast asleep in our bed. Grandpa just called to check on Max and to see if he was still awake, but no such luck. Grandpa will have to see his little baybay tomorrow.

February 11, 2009

10:45 pm—Max isn’t feeling well. I don’t know if it’s his gums that are the problem or if it’s something GI related. He spat up his milk during his first feeding this morning, and he hasn’t been himself all day. We haven’t seen him cry so much in one day since his first few days home when he was suffering from acid reflux.

He stayed with Mimi and Grandpa for a few hours this afternoon while I worked with a client at home. Becky brought Maxiboy back on her way home from school. After finishing the bottle he started at Mimi and Grandpa’s, he went right to sleep.

Becky took him back to Mimi and Grandpa’s for dinner tonight, and then the three of us ventured out to run a couple of errands. Max seemed to really enjoy browsing the pen aisle at Staples. I reckon he’s a chip off the ol’ block.

Max is in our bed asleep now, and Becky and I are both tired and looking forward to putting a lid on the day. Hopefully, whatever is ailing Mr Max will have abated by morning, and he’ll be back to his regular, chipper self.

February 10, 2009

9:45 pm—Three from Sunday’s trip to Bogan Park:

Max has been a tired little boy today. I fed him a bottle shortly before 9:00 am, and he didn’t last half an hour after finishing it. Then he slept almost two hours before taking his second bottle. After his second feeding, I took him outside on our deck so he could watch me feed the birds and squirrels. I threw out more than a loaf of bread and half a bag of old hotdog buns and filled our feeders with sunflower seeds. Then I brought George, our debonair feline, out on the deck so I could comb him while Max watched. Max seemed to enjoy watching these mundane activities.

When I got Maxiboy back inside, he jumped in his jumperoo for just a few minutes before giving me the pouty face. Back to bed the little fellow eagerly went. Shortly thereafter, Grandpa phoned to finagle a playdate with his favorite grandson, but, alas, Max wasn’t up for it.

The little fellow got up when Mommy got home, though. He was in a pretty good mood and let us shoot a couple dozen frames of him in our basement studio. We’ll share a few of those images tomorrow.

After our brief shoot, Grandpa got his wish and came over on his golf cart with Mimi to pick up both Max and Becky. But the Maxster didn’t last long, and shortly he and his mommy came back home and Max went back to bed. That’s where he is right now. However, he’s due another bottle, so he’ll be yaa-yaaing in a few minutes.

February 9, 2009

11:18 pm—Six from the past week:

The Maxster had a big day today. He strolled four laps inside of the Mall of Georgia with Grandpa this morning. After walking Max and Grandpa went to Bojangles for a “Bo biscuit” and senior drink with two straws. They took a biscuit home to Mimi. Grandpa took a picture of Max with the biscuit for Mimi. (I’ll have to get that from him and share it here.)

Grandpa and Mimi had errands to run today, so Max came home early. The little fellow didn’t last long, though, because he was so tired. He took a super-sized nap in the early afternoon. When he awoke, I diapered him and fed him a bottle. Becky had to stay late at school due to conferences, and I had to run to the dentist, so Grandpa came on his golf cart to whisk Max away for me.

After visiting my dentist, I went back to Mimi and Grandpa’s to get my little boy. I found him in his car seat in front of a little heater next to Mimi in her office. He was getting ready to nod off again. Grandpa and Mimi had just gotten in from parading Max through the neighborhood. I reckon when you have relatives that extraordinary, you just have to show ’em off.

Becky and Mimi took Max to Marchello’s for dinner. I couldn’t join them because of my dental work. They were going to take Max to the grocery store with them after having dinner, but the little fellow fell asleep again, so they decided to bring him home to me.

Just as I was beginning to try to eat dinner, Max gave us the face. Oh, what a time to do that, boy! I was starving, too, after letting my dental work cure well enough for eating. So Becky and I were changing the little fellow’s diaper and realized we didn’t have any more diapers downstairs. I went upstairs to retrieve more diapers, and while I was gone, Maxiboy sprang a leak and juiced himself right in his own eyes! Becky was hysterical! Mimi was in Becky’s car while all this was going on, so Becky called her in for additional help. It didn’t take long before we had the little fellow squeaky clean and as happy as a clam.

He sat in his Bumbo babyseat and watched me finish dinner. Then we came into the living room, finished his bottle that he began at dinner, and let him play in his jumperoo for a while. He didn’t last fifteen minutes before he was whimpering for more rest. So I took him upstairs and put him in our bed, and that’s where our sweet little boy is resting now.

February 8, 2009

10:52 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Today Max woke quite early. We kept giving him his paci, but that didn’t work. He was ready for a bottle. After his bottle, the three of us went back to bed.

This morning we met family at Golden Corral for a birthday breakfast for aunt Shirley. Max seemed to have a lot of fun being passed from family member to family member. He reached out for his Granny. This made her smile big! Reaching for people is Max’s new little trick.

Max took a couple of afternoon naps today. Between naps Grandpa came to visit his Baybay. Grandpa has been out of town for the past few days and was very much missing his Maxiboy!

We took our first trip to our local park today. Jaddie, Max, and I went to Bogan Park for a little stroll this afternoon. Of course we took pictures and will share those soon. Max seemed to really enjoy our little adventure.

After the park we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s. Grandpa had already asked to keep Max tonight, so that’s where the little fellow is right now. We miss him already and can’t wait to see him tomorrow.

February 7, 2009

11:38 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had a good day today. He started the day off with a little snuggle time with Daddy. Then it was breakfast at Granny’s. After arriving home he played a short while before taking a nap with me. Our nap was long and sweet. We slept about an hour-and-a-half before getting up.

With spring-like weather we took walk with the stroller to our favorite neighbors’ house, my parents. Grandpa wasn’t home, but we visited with Mimi. Max watched Mimi iron clothes while he swung in his swing. While at Mimi’s Max took yet another nap, after putting on a show by showing us how he skillfully rolls over.

Our little monkey is asleep in our bed and has been there since 6:45. We’re not sure if he is down for the night. We plan to join him in a little while.

I’ve enjoyed spending the day with little fellow. We’ve had a lot of fun! Can’t wait until tomorrow!

February 6, 2009

11:11 pm—Max and Becky are upstairs asleep after a busy day. It’s been a busy day for all of us. Max spent the day with Granny because I had an appointment this afternoon. Becky picked up Max after school and met her friend Jodi and Jodi’s daughter Danielle at Chili’s. Becky and Max weren’t home an hour before leaving to visit with Mimi, who isn’t feeling well at the moment. Max accompanied Mimi and Becky to the Mall of Georgia and Costco this evening before finally coming home to stay. Once home, Max watched me have dinner, ate some cereal of his own, and drank a bottle. I played with him for a little bit and saw him winding down. That’s when Becky took him upstairs and snuggled up with him.

I’m just about to join them.

February 5, 2009

10:46 pm—Max’s gums are still a big factor in our day. Tylenol and Orajel help but they don’t work around the clock. Our little buddy slept a lot today and wasn’t so hungry. Surprisingly, he eagerly devoured every bite of his bland rice cereal.

We put him in his jumperoo this evening, but he didn’t put much jump in the roo. He was just calmly hanging out with his homies—us.

After watching me eat half of my dinner, he whimpered a little bit, so I took him upstairs, put him in our bed, gave him some Tylenol and Orajel, and let him go to sleep. That’s where the little fellow is right now. We’re about to swaddle him and go to bed ourselves.

I apologize for not posting more images of the Maxster lately. I began processing three images tonight but got sidetracked and hope to have some images to share tomorrow.

I’m sure Max would have wanted to wish his aunt Shirley a very happy birthday today. Becky and I certainly do!

February 4, 2009

9:49 pm—Max’s gums are giving him grief, but he’s still generally happy. I’m looking forward to having more time with him tomorrow. I made him laugh several times late this afternoon. Nearly any sound I made caused him to chuckle. It was so cool to see him laugh, and Becky got to see it, too.

Max is in our bed asleep and Becky and I will soon join him.

February 3, 2009

10:15 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa again tonight. I have an appointment in the morning and needed a babysitter. We had two eager babysitters to swoop down upon Maxipoo this evening. I thought it’d be nice if they babysat while I ran my errands in the morning. They thought it’d be a good idea if they just pocketed the little fellow for the night. Well, gee, what are we going to do? There just isn’t enough of our little buddy to go around.

Max visited Granny today and while there, his aunt Shirley and uncle Bill drove all the way up from Tucker to see him. We all went to Golden Corral this afternoon for an early dinner. Bill said Max entertained them all afternoon.

We still can’t figure out where the little fellow got such an awesome disposition. Max makes friends with everyone he sees. He truly is an awesome kid. I can’t wait to get back tomorrow and spend some time with him.

February 2, 2009

9:18 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Mr Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night after the Super Bowl party. He got up bright ’n’ early to go walking at the Mall of Georgia. Before school I paid Maxiboy a visit to get some morning sugar. I have to have it before going to work.

Max had an easy day with Mimi and Grandpa today. They all rested and took it easy after being party animals last night.

I picked up Max after school today, and Jaddie, Max, and I went to IHOP for dinner. We had to wait an incredibly long time for our food, but Max was an absolute angel while we waited. When we left, the couple behind us commented on how pleasant and happy Max was. They asked if he was always so happy and good-natured. We were proud to respond with a resounding “Yes!” We are so lucky!

Max is already sacked out for the night. I guess he had too much fun with Mimi and Grandpa today.

February 1, 2009

10:05 pm—Mr Max woke up about 6:30 this morning. We gave him his paci and hoped he’d go back to sleep, but he gave it back to us a time or two before going to back to sleep until 9:00.

We went over to Granny’s for breakfast. Max quickly showed Granny how he can roll over. We put him on her carpet and he didn’t waste time flipping like a pancake. Granny couldn’t believe her eyes.

Granny had a gift to give Mr Max from aunt Jean. It was a cute little stuffed elephant. Max smiled when we gave to him. Thanks, Aunt Jean!

The afternoon was typical for Max. He jumped in his jumperoo for a long time, took a nap, had a couple of bottles, and kept a smile on his face the whole time. We put his jumperoo in our dining room while Becky worked on our taxes. Max was making sure it was noted that he’s a new tax deduction for us.

Tonight we all went to a neighborhood Super Bowl party at Mimi and Grandpa’s, and that’s where Max is right now. He’s going to spend the night with Mimi and Grandpa, go walking with them in the morning at the Mall of Georgia, and then go with Grandpa to Bojangles for a “Bo biscuit” and a senior-priced drink.

Becky will see the little fellow in the morning before she goes to school, and I’ll get to see him tomorrow afternoon. We miss the little fellow and wish he were hanging his hat here at home tonight.

January 31, 2009

11:16 pm—One from Tuesday and two from Wednesday:

Max sang from his bassinet this morning. “La-la-la-la,” “ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh,” he sang as if he were really enjoying himself. Becky got up and fed the little fellow and I got up just a little later. Then we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s for breakfast. Mimi and Becky wanted to make a Walmart run, and Max stayed with Grandpa while they were gone.

When Becky and Max came back home, Becky fed the little fellow again, and then they took a nap together while I worked on the computer. Max spent a lot of time jumping in his jumperoo today. I don’t see how his legs held up so long, but he was having a big time! The only problem with the jumping is that he likes to do it too much. When he’s in someone’s lap, he wants to jump and tries to use the person’s lap as a trampoline. Mimi says this is especially a problem at bath time, when Max kicks water all over everything.

Mimi and Grandpa stopped by on their way home this evening to see their favorite little fellow yet again. Mimi phoned this afternoon to tell me to give Maxiboy a kiss from her. I gave him one and he smiled, as usual. He’s upstairs already asleep in his bassinet, and we’re about to join him.

January 30, 2009

10:15 pm—Six from Monday:

Max stayed with Mimi and Grandpa until late this afternoon. Becky wanted to go get the little fellow after school, but Mimi was giving him a shampoo. They actually asked if Max could spend the night with them again tonight, but he’s sorely missed around here.

This evening he jumped in his jumperoo, played in his jungle gym, ate cereal, and listened to Mommy read him a book, You’re All My Favorites, before going to Sleepytown. Becky said Max really enjoyed the book. When Becky finished reading a page, Max looked at her as if he knew she was supposed to turn the page.

January 29, 2009

10:00 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. They want to take him walking with them at the Mall of Georgia in the morning.

After going to bed late last night, Max slept late this morning. I had time to get up and get caffeinated before I heard him yacking. He’s been a hungry little booger today. Maybe he’s going through a growth spurt.

When Becky got home, she played with Max on a palette in our living room. She made him giggle several times.

Max’s days of napping in our bed are almost over. I saw him almost turn over in our bed this afternoon, so soon he’ll be napping in his crib—at least until he learns not to fall off the bed.

I’m looking forward to working on a few of Max’s pictures tomorrow. Becky photographed him as he was rolling over, and we have some other cute pictures to share, too.

After we dropped Max off at Mimi and Grandpa’s, we went out for dinner. But we already miss the little fellow. Becky will drop by Mimi and Grandpa’s in the morning to give her Maxiboy some sugar before going to school, and we’re looking forward to having him back with us tomorrow afternoon.

January 28, 2009

9:25 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had yet another good day. He played, slept, and smiled all day. He enjoyed playing in his jungle gym for a while this afternoon. Max even seemed to enjoy his cereal this evening—even though he wore half of it on his bib. Grandpa came to pay the little fellow two visits today. It was like he missed him, but not sure why he spent the whole day with the Maxster yesterday. I guess he just has that effect on people. I know I can’t wait to get home EVERY day to see my little sweetie!

Something new Max did today was to hold his own bottle. He is also rolling over like crazy. Just this morning I found Max on his side in his bassinet. I guess he was moving through the night. All this is a little sad to Jaddie and me. We see our little boy growing his independence. We’re not ready for this yet! We feel we can’t afford to blink.

Max is asleep in our bed right now and we’re about to join him soon. Boy, we love our little fellow!


10:22 pm—Max is awake and just had a visit from Mimi and Grandpa. They had to see their Maxiboy before heading home from a meeting. They once again asked if Max could spend the night with them, but I had to have my little boy tonight. We three are about to head off to bed. Max will be staying with Mimi and Grandpa tomorrow night.

January 27, 2009

10:08 pm—Maxiboy spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night. They walked four laps at the Mall of Georgia this morning and then went to Bojangle’s for breakfast. Mimi shampooed her Maxipoo, and Grandpa gave him a little mohawk hairdo. Mimi and Grandpa said Max took only one fifteen- to twenty-minute nap today. That might explain why he was a little cranky earlier this evening.

He’s sawing logs in our bed right now, and we’re about to join him. I missed him today and am looking forward to having the day with him tomorrow. He was making a lot of vocalizations today that I’d like to figure out. There’s just not enough of Max to go around. Mimi and Grandpa wanted him to stay with them again tonight, but we miss him too much.

January 26, 2009

10:39 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Sleepy describes Mr Max today! He has taken many small naps and a few long ones. He was also was able to squeeze in a few play sessions. He had one long play session with Daddy and one with Mommy. When Max and I were playing I had him really laughing. We played Creepy Crawlers. He loves this game! Max has the sweetest little laugh.

Mimi and Grandpa came over tonight and swooped up the little fellow. They couldn’t wait to get their hands on him. Max is in high demand. To be that darned cute and sweet in the same package that is hard to resist!

January 25, 2009

7:15 pm—Nine from the past week:

We had breakfast at Granny’s this morning, and then Mimi and Grandpa called for Max as soon as we got home. Max went with Mimi and Becky to run a bunch of errands and do some shopping. He rode in the seat of a shopping cart for the first time today. While gracing Costco with his magnificence, he got to meet Rahsheda, a gorgeous young lady Becky and I photographed a couple of years ago.


10:30 pm—When Becky brought Max back home, he was tired and needed a nap, so I put him in our bed. The little fellow is still in the same spot, sound asleep. Now we’re about to go to bed, too, and we’ll have to move him to his bassinet. We hope we don’t wake him.

January 24, 2009

11:07 pm—Max continues to be an absolute joy. We had breakfast with Mimi, Grandpa, and aunt Emma Jean this morning. Then I went into Atlanta to work this afternoon while Becky got to stay home with Max, and the three of us met at Fuddrucker’s for dinner. The family sitting behind us at dinner told us how cute they thought Max was. I took Max home with me, and Becky stopped by the store to pick up some formula and batteries. Becky got to see Max roll over today. I’m tired and am looking forward to being with Mr Max tomorrow.


Happy twenty-fifth birthday, Mac!

January 23, 2009

10:48 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Max had a busy day! He started his day off with a walk at the Mall of Georgia with Grandpa. Then it was playtime and bathtime with Mimi. In the early afternoon he made it back home to see his company. His Granny and aunt Shirley and uncle Bill came to see him. Mr Max showed them how much he loves his jumperoo. He jumped for nearly an hour. Then before they hit the road, Granny fed the little fellow a bottle. After they left Mr Max was all tuckered out and needed a nap. He slept until his next round of company arrived.

Mimi, Grandpa, and aunt Emma Jean came over for dinner. Max joined us at the table by sitting in his Bumbo babyseat. He sat between his Daddy and Grandpa, two fellows he’s very fond of. After dinner I fed Mr Max his cereal and gave him a bottle. I serenaded the Maxster while he ate. I hope I didn’t turn him off to music! After Max ate we got him ready for bed. I laid down with him and talked to him until he drifted off to Sleepytown.

I can’t wait until tomorrow so that I may spend another day with my little monkey.

January 22, 2009

11:09 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Grandpa wants Max to go walking with him in the morning. Becky and Max had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa and neighbors Greg and Renae tonight. Before dinner Max accompanied Becky to Target, Party City, and TJ Maxx. Becky said Max never uttered the slightest note of discontent on their trip. She said she had to look in the stroller several times to make sure Max was still there.

I saw Max roll over twice today. The first time was at 1:28 pm, the second at 2:00 pm. He was in his jungle gym upstairs in my office when he rolled over. His left arm stopped him again, but only for a few seconds. Once he finished his rollover, he tried to get his knees under him so he could crawl. He was too tired to keep trying, but we’ve seen him get his knees under himself a few times when he was on his tummy-time mat.

I put Max in his Johnny Jump Up for a little while, and he ended up hitting his little head on the door frame. It wasn’t a big hit, but it was enough to hurt and/or scare him. He cried for a couple of minutes. His face was red and he had real tears. I did everything I know to do to console him, and I hope he found my comfort in my arms.

Becky and I already miss the little fellow and look forward to spending more time with him tomorrow.

January 21, 2009

7:54 pm—Max had a weird day today. I guess it was pretty good overall, but he began crying at the end of one of his feedings. I can’t figure out a reason for it to save my life. And it was full-on crying, too. He responded immediately to my holding him securely and talking gently but firmly in his ear. And he had another meltdown tonight while Becky was reading to him. He eagerly sucked his bottle down and was happy to be put in our bed, which is where he is now asleep. I don’t know if it’s his teeth or something else. I changed three dirty diapers today, which is the most I’ve ever had to change in a single day since he was born. I don’t believe he has an upset stomach, though.

I wish the little fellow could talk.

Aside from these two bouts of crying, Max was an absolute angel today—smiling big and squeaking loudly whenever Becky or I looked in his direction.

Max Dodd is an unreasonably wonderful child. I haven’t done anything to deserve such a treasure.

I had a weird day, too, after sleeping for only three hours last night, so I’m going to cut this short and let my brain space out in hopes of sleeping better tonight.

January 20, 2009

11:24 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Three from the past few days:

January 19, 2009

10:30 pm—Max had a good day again today. We all slept in. Becky was home because there was no school today. Today was filled with play sessions and naps, and this evening Max accompanied Becky and Mimi to the Mall of Georgia. Mr Max scored a few new outfits. He now has outfits for a Super Bowl party, Valentine’s Day, and St Patrick’s Day. He even got a cute monkey outfit that includes a hat.

Mimi and Grandpa asked to keep Max tonight. They want to take the little fellow walking in the morning. Grandpa was glad to get his walking buddy tonight. Becky just called to check on Max, and Max and Grandpa had already gone to bed.

Max is getting better about trying to roll over. We saw him making progress when he was lying on his jungle gym this afternoon. He turns on his side really well, but he hasn’t figured out that he needs to pick up or move his elbow in order to finish the rollover. He’s getting good about moving his head, too. Tonight I was having dinner behind Max while he was in his babyseat having cereal. He turned around—and stayed turned around for a couple of minutes—to look at me.

The little fellow spreads joy wherever he goes.

We’re adding a few new things to Max’s room. Tonight Becky bought a picture frame with a giraffe on its side. Also, Becky’s aunt Ann brought Max a leather camel back from Giza, Egypt, one of the places she visited on a recent cruise vacation. Thanks a bunch, Ann! It was very thoughtful of you to think of Max on your trip, and I’m sure Max will enjoy his camel for many years to come.

January 18, 2009

10:45 pm—Our day began shortly before 9:00 am. We fed Max a bottle and headed over to Granny’s for breakfast. It was cold this morning, so Becky bundled Max up in a stocking hat and mittens. The mittens frustrated Max because they prevented him from putting his fingers in his mouth. He was still a happy camper, though. Breakfast went well, we appreciate Granny’s cooking for us, and Mr Max fell sound asleep before we left. He stayed asleep during the ride home, and when we got home Becky scooped him up and took a nap with him in our bed. That nap came to a sudden halt when Becky realized Max whizzed in the bed. His diaper came unhinged under his outfit, opening the floodgates and creating a pile of laundry for us.

The little fellow has been in a good mood all day, but he got tired this evening and we put him to bed. That’s where he’s been for the past four hours. I guess we’re going to have to wake him in a few minutes for his final feeding.

January 17, 2009

11:11 pm—After spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night, Max had a good day today. He went walking with Mimi and Grandpa this morning, and then we all had breakfast together. After breakfast Mimi and Becky gave Max a bath. That must have worn them out, because when Becky and Max came home, they took a nap together.

Mimi phoned on her way home this evening to ask if it was okay if she stopped by to get a kiss from Max. Becky and Max were taking another nap when Mimi arrived. She awoke Mr Max and he greeted her with sugar and a smile.

I would have some pictures to share, but I spent the day organizing our backup CDs and DVDs, which date all the way back to 2001. I filled a 540-disc case and have about a hundred discs that need another case. I’ll get some pictures posted here tomorrow night.

January 16, 2009

10:54 pm—Max has had a restful, easy, and happy day today. After his first bottle, he played for just under an hour before taking a nap. After his second feeding, I put him in his jungle gym in my office. He played for less than half an hour before I saw his eyes getting heavy. He then napped until Becky came home.

Mimi and Grandpa came over late this afternoon to lay claim to their Maxiboy. They kept him while Becky and I went to see the new Kevin James movie Paul Blart: Mall Cop. We both enjoyed the movie and went out for dinner afterwards.

Mimi and Grandpa wanted to take Max walking at the mall in the morning, and since he was already half asleep on their sofa, we agreed that it’d be best to let him spend the night with them. After all, we’ll get him back just as soon as they return from walking. Becky and I are looking forward to spending the three-day weekend with our favorite little fellow.

So it’s been a fairly uneventful day around here at Chez Dodd, and we’re about to head to bed.

January 15, 2009

10:40 pm—Three from last week:

Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night and stayed with them for most of the day, so I’ve hardly seen the little fellow. Mimi and Grandpa wanted to keep Max tonight, too, but Becky said she wanted him to spend the night with us.

Max got the day started with a walk at the Mall of Georgia. Our soon-to-be five-month-old boy made four laps around the mall, but we won’t mention that he slept for three of those laps. When they made it back to Mimi and Grandpa’s, Max had some cereal and a bottle, played in his jumper, laid in the floor on a palette with Grandpa and yaa-yaa’ed a little bit.

Becky picked up Max on her way home from school, but he didn’t stay here very long. I was working and couldn’t give him my full attention, Becky had to go to PTA tonight, so back to Mimi and Grandpa’s Max went. He was back home shortly before 8:00 pm, jumped in his jumperoo, took a bottle, and went to sleep in our bed, which is where he is right now.

And we’re about to join him.

January 14, 2009

9:17 pm—Max has had a pretty good day today. He slept late, long, and often. Apparently, he was tired from yesterday’s activities. Granny came over early this afternoon to see him and to bring him some formula and nipples. I had to wake him up so he wouldn’t miss her, but he quickly came alive and inhaled seven ounces of formula for her. He was proud to show Granny his newly acquired jumping skills in his jumperoo. He went to sleep in his swing soon after Granny headed home, but woke up when he heard Mommy coming in. After playing with Max for a while, Becky and I took Max upstairs for a nap in our bed. We really enjoy napping with Max. He’s such a great snuggle buddy.

Mimi and Grandpa summoned us for dinner, so we went over to their house around 7:00 pm. We sat Max in a babyseat on the dinner table, but he didn’t like that very much. He was still tired and wasn’t the chipper skipper he normally is. Becky took him into Mimi and Grandpa’s living room, laid him down on their sofa, and he went right to sleep. And that’s where he is right now. I heard Grandpa ask Becky if Max could spend the night. He and Mimi enjoy taking ol’ Maxiboy to the mall with them to walk in the mornings, and they say Max enjoys the ride.

It’d be impossible to overstate how great it is to have three grandparents who live close by who are ready, eager, and able to give Max the love and care he deserves.

January 13, 2009

9:54 pm—Today Max’s paternal grandfather, William Jackson Dodd, has been gone for eleven years. We know he would have thought the world of Maxiboy. Max’s life has been, is, and will continue to be positively impacted by my father.

The rooster crowed early around here this morning. Mr Max got me up just before 8:00. I changed his diaper, gave him a bottle, let him play in his jungle gym and jump in his jumperoo while I got ready to take him to Granny’s. I had to visit my dentist today to get my tooth cleaned, so I let him stay with Granny.

Granny put the word out that the Maxster would be staying with her today, and aunt Shirley, uncle Bill, and aunt Jean all drove over to Granny’s for a little face time with him. Granny said Jean sang the “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” song to him.

When my tooth was cleaned and I got back to my car, I had three missed calls and one voicemail from Granny. She phoned to say that Maxiboy didn’t like the nipple on the new bottles I left for him and had staged his first hunger strike, so I carried his favorite bottle-nipple combo to him, and harmony was restored at Granny’s.

Becky went by Granny’s to pick up Max after school. Together they ran a couple of errands and then came home. They weren’t home ten minutes before Mimi phoned to ask if she and Grandpa could stop by for a visit. Mimi fed Max a bottle and then put him in his crib for a nap. Becky said Max went to sleep as soon as they laid him down.

He didn’t sleep long. He woke up crying, so I shoved his paci back in his kisser and went back downstairs. My foot didn’t hit the last stair before he was crying again, this time more loudly than before. So I picked him up, changed his diaper, and fed him another bottle. Becky put him in his jumperoo and that super-powered boy bounced in that thing for about an hour—enthusiastic, vigorous bouncing, I tell you!

Now Becky’s giving him another bottle and his eyes are closed. Whenever we speak he opens them again, but it’s obvious that our little boy just overexerted himself today. It must be difficult being a four-month-and-three-week-old celebrity.

January 12, 2009

10:29 pm—Here are two from last Thursday and one from Saturday:

Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night. This morning they walked four laps inside the Mall of Georgia, Mimi shampooed her Maxipoo this afternoon (or, as she calls it, she washed off his kisses so he could get more), and he jumped liked a wild man in his jumperoo when he came home this afternoon. After jumping he had cereal and a bottle and then became a little fussy. That’s when he and Becky went upstairs and enjoyed some snuggle time in our bed. That’s where the little fellow is right now. We’re about to scoop him up, put him in his bassinet, and go to bed.

January 11, 2009

10:19 pm—We all slept late this morning. Max was ya-ya’ing in his bassinet around 7:00 am, but I gave him his paci and he went back to sleep. Then we went to Granny’s for breakfast. Max was full of smiles at first, but then he got a little grumpy. Granny suggested we lay him down, and though Becky and I were initially skeptical, we didn’t know what else to do, so we laid him down. In just a few minutes and after a few whimpers, Max was asleep. Granny said, “Grannies know best.” I reckon so.

This set the tone for the day. He was all smiles in one moment and whimpering the next. He quickly fell asleep but then quickly awoke, full of smiles again. And then twenty minutes later he’d be fussy. Maybe it’s his gums that are bothering him. We gave him Tylenol and Orajel, but those meds didn’t seem to change the pattern of happy-quickly fussy-quick nap-happy again.

I wish I’d processed some more images to share here, but I wasted too much time investigating our computer speakers’ loud humming. I’m prone to do that when it comes to the Internet. There are seemingly infinite seas of information, with one piece leading to another and another. Unfortunately, it looks as though our subwoofer will have to come apart and one or two resistors will have to be replaced on the printed circuit board. That sounds like a job for Grandpa. I haven’t soldered anything since I was a teen, and then it was only a few times under my father’s instruction.

We had dinner with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Maxipoo sat in his Bumbo babyseat on the table and watched us have dinner. After dinner Max got cereal and six ounces of milk. He got fussy shortly after eating, and when Becky and Mimi laid him down, he went right to sleep. He’s spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. They’re glad to have him after being gone on vacation last week.

January 10, 2009

11:34 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Above are nine images, three from New Year’s Day and six from Mimi’s birthday party. You can tell from the pictures Mr Max really enjoyed meeting his aunts and cousins. I want everyone who came to Mimi’s party to know we very much appreciate your traveling so far to be with us on this special occasion.

We’ve had a great day today! The three of us spent the whole day together. We played, rested, and enjoyed each other’s company. Mr Max was a touch fussy at times from those mean ol’ gums, but otherwise he was quite happy. He played with all of his toys, took two naps with Mommy, watched Daddy work on his pictures, and ate his cereal really well.

Tonight Mr Max got a big treat! He got to see his Mimi and Grandpa. They just got home from snowmobiling in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Max was so excited to see them, but we’re not sure who was the most excited—Mimi and Grandpa or Max! They really missed their Maxipoo!

Max is enjoying a late-night jump in his jumperoo and then it’s off to bed. We’re looking forward to another day together tomorrow.

January 9, 2009

11:43 pm—(Posted by Becky)—Six images from the past week:

We’re getting ahead of where we should be with pictures in terms of posting chronologically. We still have images from Mimi’s birthday party that we want to share. We should be able to get to those tomorrow.

Max was a busy little boy today. He spent a lot of time playing in his jungle gym, jumperoo, and on his tummy-time mat. He also spent time observing his environs from his Bumbo babyseat. He was also able to squeeze in a few naps between play sessions.

Jaddie, Max, and I went to one of our favorite Italian restaurants for dinner tonight. Max was a doll at dinner. He smiled, kicked his feet, and played with his toy frog. After getting home, I fed Mr Max his cereal, which he isn’t thrilled about eating. Then we had a little photoshoot while Jaddie worked on the pictures above. Soon Mr Max was worn out from the day’s events and called it a night. We’re about to do the same.

January 8, 2009

10:53 am—I declare that I have never witnessed such a perfect child as my little Max. This boy couldn’t possibly be any better. He’s such a delight!

Right now he’s in his swing and is waking up from a nap.


10:25 pm—Max had a day of rest today. He slept most of the day and he’s asleep now. Becky took him to Babies“R”Us and the grocery store late this afternoon, but he was asleep in his car seat before they returned home. Becky said Max was a good little boy while shopping. He woke up later tonight, we gave him a bath and fed him a bottle, and he went back to sleep.

I managed time fairly well today, but I had to work when I thought I’d have time to work on pictures. I hope to have some ready to share tomorrow.

January 7, 2009

8:49 pm—Max stayed with Granny most of the day today, and aunt Shirley and uncle Bill came up to spend the afternoon with him, too. Mr Max enjoyed being the center of attention all day. Shirley and Bill brought Max a highchair so Max could sit around Granny’s kitchen table with everyone else. She also brought a crib so Max would have a place to rest while he stays with Granny. Shirley and Bill also brought Max a bunch of books, and Shirley read to him. Becky was there while Shirley read to Max, and she says Max seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Thank you very, very much, Shirley and Bill, for being so good to Max!

If I hadn’t mismanaged my time today, I’d have some pictures to share. But, alas, time completely slips my mind when I’m reading online. I was following news from Macworld Expo as well as news coming from the annual International Consumer and Electronics Show, which is getting started tonight in Las Vegas.

I’ll do my best to keep the lid closed on this PowerBook and get some pictures done tomorrow.

As I write this, Max and Becky are resting in our bed. Max is now asleep but has been fighting it for nearly an hour. According to Granny, Max didn’t sleep for more than an hour all day because he had constant entertainment in the company of Shirley, Bill, and herself.

January 6, 2009

10:30 pm—Max spent the night with Mimi and Grandpa last night. I had some errands to run this morning, and Max had an appointment with a pediatric eye doctor this afternoon. So Becky worked a half-day and the three of us went to the eye doctor this afternoon. The good news is that the eye doctor doesn’t believe Max has a crossed eye. She said believes it’s an optical illusion created by an infant’s extra fold of skin that will eventually become the bridge of his nose.

Mr Max behaved himself admirably while at the eye doctor. He never made even the slightest whimper, and we were there for two hours. We watched an animated movie involving bees (and we could recognize Jerry Seinfeld’s voice in the movie). Max paid attention to the movie for a good fifteen minutes, which amazed me considering that the little fellow is just four-and-a-half months old. Becky held him for a while as I scoped all the news coming from today’s Macworld keynote using her iPhone.

One cool new thing Max is doing is laughing out loud. It doesn’t last but a second, but it’s definitely a laugh. Becky gets him to laugh when she plays Creepy Crawlers on him and gooses his neck. We’ve been able to duplicate it many times. We first saw this last Saturday after his bath.

Max is demonstrating finer motor control with his hands, too. He’ll take his paci from his mouth, look at it, and then cram it back in his kisser. He’s also grasping and making finer movements with his toys. Further, he’s getting the hang of jumping in his Rainforest Jumperoo. He had a wild time in it before we left for the eye doctor, and then he put on a show for Mimi and Grandpa when they came over to visit this evening. Today’s excitement has really tuckered out our little guy, and he’s in our bed asleep as we write this. We’re tired and ready to go to bed, so we’re about to put Max in his bassinet and put a lid on the day.

January 5, 2009

11:00 pm—Today has been all about Max’s gums. Those gums are really bothering the little fellow. Even with Orajel and Tylenol, his gums still annoy him. We have teethers, but we can’t get him to use those. He likes to gnaw his fingers, blankets, his paci, and I even saw him gnawing on my pillowcase this afternoon. If anyone has a suggestion for something we might try to ease Max’s discomfort, please let us know.

Mr Max played hard with us after taking a long nap this afternoon and filling his belly with seven ounces of milk. He jumped in his jumperoo, stood on Mommy’s and Daddy’s laps, and enjoyed some time on his tummy.

The little fellow is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. Becky took him over there around 9:00 pm. Becky and Mimi fed him rice cereal, and they say he ate all of it. With learning how to eat from a spoon, one day can be easy and the next difficult. We just keep on keeping on and hope our efforts bear fruit.


Tomorrow the final Macworld Expo keynote will begin at 9:00 am Pacific Time. Apple’s VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller will deliver the address from San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Expect big news from the leader in personal computing.

January 4, 2009

10:30 pm—After partying hard last night, the three of us slept in. Mimi’s birthday party really wore us all out. After getting up around 11:00 am, we headed to Granny’s for breakfast. Max took a nap when we returned home, the first of a series of naps culminating in our putting him to bed for (hopefully) the last time tonight just a little while ago.

Becky was glad to spend a lot of time with Max today—well, what little there was remaining after we slept so late. Becky’s aunt and two cousins from Alabama decided to stay an extra day, so Max got to visit with them again tonight. I don’t feel as though I got to spend much time with Max today, but I’ll have plenty of one-on-one time with him tomorrow.

Max’s gums bothered him again today, so we gave him Orajel and Tylenol. Becky and I both believe his bottom front teeth will come in soon because we feel something kind of sharp on his gums, though we can’t see anything yet. Max is pulling into his mouth nearly anything he can get into his hands. He wants to gum pillows, blankets, his hands, clothes, bibs, and anything else he can get in his mouth.

And throughout all this Maxiboy still maintains a cheerful disposition. He’s an amazing little boy, definitely a keeper.

January 3, 2009

11:30 pm—Today I got to hold Max for less than fifteen minutes in total. I saw him in the arms of a lot of folks who came up to celebrate Mimi’s sixtieth birthday. He probably was in cousin Bridget’s arms the most. Most everyone was anxious to hold the little fellow. I believe they may have been checking out Mr Max’s images here and wanted to see for themselves if a four-month-old baby actually could be that darned cute. Max didn’t disappoint.

I’m at home and Becky and Max are still at Mimi and Grandpa’s. Becky and Bridget just finished feeding Max, and Becky’s going to help Grandpa put away the leftover food from tonight’s party. Then when everyone has finishing loving on Max, she’s going to call me to go pick them up. I’m glad Max is going to stay with us tonight. I miss the little fellow.

We took a lot of pictures at Mimi’s party and hope to share those over the next few days, beginning tomorrow.

There were over fifty people at tonight’s party. Grandpa and Becky really went all out for this party. Grandpa’s shop was decorated to the hilt. I bet he put in over fifty hours to prepare for the party—with Mimi and Becky helping him most every step of the way. Where was I? Ah, the usual place, in front of the computer finishing the video slideshow Becky created. (Here’s the 104-megabyte slideshow in QuickTime format.)

There was a lot more food than we could hold. What was left over could feed an army. Mimi’s birthday cake was coconut, and it was as rich as the traditional buttercream-frosted cakes. For me, the richer and sweeter, the better—well, for my tastebuds but not my waistline.

More tomorrow.

January 2, 2009

11:59 pm—Max is spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight. His gums have been bothering him, even after using Orajel, so I phoned his pediatrician’s advice nurse to ask if there was something else we could do to help his gums. She recommended Tylenol, so we gave Max some of that this afternoon. Since the Tylenol, he’s been either sleepy or asleep. That’s good, though. We believe he hasn’t been able to rest much during the last couple of days due to his gums’ aching.

Becky’s been busy preparing for her mother’s sixtieth birthday party, and we’ve both been busy shopping and making something for Mimi. There are a lot of folks making a lot of miles to celebrate with us tomorrow, and they’re all hungry to see the Maxster. Hopefully, Max will have caught up on his beauty rest by tomorrow evening and will razzle and dazzle everyone as he’s done before.

There’s going to be a lot of good stuff to eat tomorrow night, so if you’d like to join us and have a little face time with the Maxster, please do. The party is in Mimi and Grandpa’s shop/rec room.

January 1, 2009

11:19 pm—Max has had just a decent day. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t one of his better ones. His gums are bothering him, and he hasn’t napped for more than half an hour at a time since he got up this morning around 8:30. We photographed him this evening and made prints from some of our December images. We’ve been straightening up and trying to get things back to normal.

Becky has to return to school tomorrow for a teacher workday. Mimi’s side of the family is coming in from southern Georgia and Alabama to celebrate her sixtieth birthday on Saturday (though her actual birthday was December 26).

Yesterday Max made great strides with eating cereal from a spoon, but today we may have taken a small step backwards. He was a fussy little fellow when we tried to feed him cereal this evening. After a while we gave up and let him finish his bottle.

Mimi and Grandpa came over this evening to see Mr Max and bring us some ingredients for Becky’s chili. The little fellow didn’t disappoint anyone. Though he’d just been through a minor meltdown with his cereal, he hammed it up big time for his Mimi and Grandpa. He’s such a sport!

Mimi and Grandpa want to take Max walking with them in the morning, and they asked if he could spend the night with them tonight, but Becky wanted him to stay home tonight. They wanted him to spend the night with them last night, but Becky wanted him to bring in the new year with us.

Max is sound asleep in his bassinet beside our bed. When Becky swaddled him and put him to bed, she rubbed his gums with Orajel to relieve his teething pain. I’m looking forward to spending the day with Max tomorrow—well, after he gets back from walking with Mimi and Grandpa.