We've Got a LOT to be Thankful For

Thanksgiving week brought lots of fun and of course, new turkey attire for every day!

 

 

On the actual day of Thanksgiving we woke up bright and early...thanks to our little turkey. 

 

We had some time to play around...but I wanted to be at Auntie Stacy's in time for the Macy's day parade...so we kept Mr. Max in his turkey onesie and bundled into the car.  I know it's totally cheesy but I love all the big balloons.  And, Florida Georgia Line performed...rather lip synced...but I still love them.  All in all it was a pretty low key day.  We didn't even make the turkey this year (!).  It was purchased from City BBQ and worth every penny not to have to slave in the kitchen for hours. 

 

 

Everyone filled in with side dishes.  I introduced a new brussel sprout salad (that went over quite well with everyone but my own father) and Bob Evans I made the mashed potatoes.

Stacy made a family favorite - seven layer salad, cornbread stuffing, and amazing (and I can't say this enough) Sangria!  I could have had like a gallon of this stuff.  It goes down that easy.

 

 

I have to say though - the crowing jewel of it all was

the turkey butter!!!

 

Is it just butter shaped into a turkey? Yes.  Is is awesome?  Yes (duh).  Did I call around to all the local grocery stores to track it down?  Of course.  And, did my fabulous husband go out at 6:00 on the evening before turkey day to pick it up.  Yes.  Because he is also awesome. 

 

Other than our delicious dinner - what was on my mind was just how much we have to be grateful for.  I'm so thankful for our little family.

 

For the time we spend together.

 

For his smiles and laughter.  And all the ways he is teaching me to slow down, be patient, and savor just how small he is now.

 

For this man of mine.

 

And for our village.  Near and Far.  Thank you for all the times you called, texted, and FaceTimed - we needed it. Oh did we need it. (Still do!) For all the times you said " you're doing great" (because so often we feel like we're way out in left field making these decisions and just hoping we're doing the right thing in the moment). You have lifted us, cheered us, and loved us.    

We are so very thankful. 

xoxo

 

 



Thanksgiving Week

It's Thanksgiving week!! 

 

And nothing says happy turkey day, like a handprint turkey

made by our little budding artist Mr. Max!  I had been looking forward to having a little art

time with Max since... pretty much the day he was born :)  If there is one thing

that Max has taught me though since that day (when I had a very unplanned c-section), it's that I'm not in charge and things don't always go as planned.  So, while I had high hopes of popping out about

15 Thanksgiving handprint turkeys...Max had other ideas.

 

I thought it would be best to strip him down so the paint wouldn't stain any of his Thanksgiving threads.  So - here he is - happy as a clam with his old friend the wipe bag.

 

I squirted out some contraband paint that I took from work (all for the love of turkeys).  At this point I thought we would paint each of Max's fingers a different color.  Then Max said, "get real Mom".  So - we opted for just the brown paint.  It should be noted that I also gave him a paintbrush to distract him while we painted on his left hand. At first the paint brush did distract him and then he was all "there is something on my left hand and it won't get off!!!"  And he started clenching his fingers into a fist (which is clearly not the shape of a turkey!) - and paint would squirt out between his fingers. 

I shoved the pre-cut paper on the tray and Rob kind of (forcefully) placed his hand down and I tried to spread out his fingers.  Then, we would reload for the next turkey.

 

 

He was pretty much done with our Thanksgiving crafting after about six turkeys.  So, these prints are limited edition.  :)  While the craft didn't exactly go as planned - they did turn out pretty cute! 

I added a beak, and the red waddle when they were all finished. Mama and mini crafting..it doesn't get much better than that!

XoXo



Weekend Happenings

The weekends are sacred around here. It's two (and half if you count Friday evenings) days where we

are ALL together.  It's our time to make some family magic and memories, if you will.  When I leave work on Fridays I usually feel three things - an overwhelming sense of "I have five million tasks on my to do list that need to get done" and also - "can I just sleep all weekend", and finally "what kind of fun family thing are we going to do?"

 

Well, obviously with Max around I'm not going to be sleeping all weekend...so usually Rob and I hash out how we are going to have fun and also get crap done. This particular weekend was a great mixture of both. I took some time to capture some of the small and special parts of our weekend (mostly Sunday). So much goodness happens on our weekends.

Starting with our 6:00 wake up call!  But honestly, how can you be mad when he's literally grinning at you, as you pick him up out of the crib.  And actually, he slept till 7:15 on Sunday - it was wild I tell you!

It's almost as if Max knows too that we don't have anywhere to be.  There is no rush to feed him (or me), no mad dash to get all our bags in the car...we can just hang out on the mat.  Lately, he's been into the rainbow stacking toy, xylphone, and anything he's not supposed to have (i.e. cell phone, remote control etc.) 

 

 

After playing a bit - we have some breakfast.  Some cereal and a fruit or veggie for him, coffee (can I get it by the gallon?) for mama.  This particular weekend, I got out some applesauce that I had made with my mom.  He took about two bites and then turned up his nose at the rest! I tried not to get my feelings too hurt - but then decided to mix it with peaches.  No complaints after that :) 

 

 

After Max's morning nap is when we do errands that we didn't get to during the week.  Always the grocery.  Sometimes Trader Joes.  If I get my way - Target (aka - where I could spend half of my paycheck).  Papa Rob took Max to the grocery on Saturday while Mama got her hair trimmed (and let's be real - the gray hairs needed some coverage). Papa Rob said Max was an excellent helper and stayed awake the whole time. 

 

 

We make music on the weekends.  We read LOTS of stories on the weekends.  We do five loads of laundry on the weekends.  We play on the floor together. We root for our favorite football team on the weekend.  Magic, I tell you. :)

 

Sometimes, if we are lucky - we get to see friends on the weekends!  Max's girlfriend Brianna (who is turning one soon - he goes for older ladies!) - had us over for crafting and eating.  It was absolutely precious to see these two together.  Max napped most of the time (and holy moly - my friend Liz has a video monitor and I have decided they are amazing!!!). But I think he won Brianna over with lots of charming smiles.  She was also very good at sharing her toys.

 

Mama left feeling rejuvenated - girlfriend time is the best.  Girlfriend time plus our babes - magic I say.  :)  I love that Max is looking at Stella (their dog in this pic) and she is looking at him. 

 

Weekends also mean time for family dinners.  We make pizza on the weekends.  We use the crockpot on the weekends.  We spend just a little bit longer around the table. 

 

 

At the end of the weekend - we read extra stories. I re-pack the diaper bag.  Check the meal list.  Pack lunches.  (and hope for an episode of keeping up with the kardashians #guiltypleasure).

The best part about taking all these pictures? I am reminded at how much our life has changed - but also stayed a little bit the same.  And, about how much we can get accomplished - even with a six month old.  There is so much magic that happens.  And, we have so much to be thankful for.

xoxo

6 Months

Max's six month update happened to fall on a week where we were living it up in the sunshine state.  But, the good news is I have finally had time to get the pictures together!  The bad news is that with each week it's becoming more evident that my tiny man is in fact - not so tiny anymore.  With each passing day his cuteness intensifies.  I challenge you to look at these pictures and not want to squeeze his little cheeks, grab is wiggly fingers, and nuzzle in that neck.  It might be the reason I can barely stand to leave him in the morning....and why I'm perpetually late. 

 

and...finally

 

 

I can't believe he's six months.  But, the doctor confirmed it too :) 

Max had his six month well care appointment the Monday after we got back and his

official stats are:

 

Weight: 20 lbs 5 oz

 

Length: 29 inches

 

Can: sit up on his own, say da da, fight off a cold like a champ, stick out his tongue, and play the xylophone like a boss

 

Won't: stop moving, keep socks on all day, eat peas, stop being awesome.  

 

He also survived four shots and one oral vaccine! What a brave little guy :) 

This month was a busy one with trying to get in all my favorite fall activitie and a vacation to boot but through it all we've seen some trends with Max.

 

Eating://  We started solid foods!  Max was a little uncertain at first (as in he spit most of it right back out) but we have certainly found our groove now.  It helped that we got him a high chair.  We can strap him in easily, it cleans up no problem, and honestly - I think he gets that when we put him in it, that a meal will be served up quick!  Sometime he even pounds his little fists on the tray! Currently, he gets a small meal in the morning (cereal and a fruit or veggie) and then eats dinner with us.  Dinner is a little more substantial - a cereal (rice, oatmel, or mixed grains) and both a fruit and vegetable.  He has tried quite a few vegetables (squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, peas, and zuchinni).  The only one he didn't seem crazy about was the peas (just like daddy).  In the fruits category he has had bananas, avacados, prunes, peaches, pears, and apples.  I even tried my hand at making some baby food and hope to do more again soon!  He still gets four bottles a day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime bottle.  We have noticed a bit of a decrease in the amount he drinks throughout the day since starting food - but the doctor said it was normal.  Perhaps the most frustrating part is that there is no "guideline" as to how much (or little) to feed them, what to feed them, when to feed them etc.  You just kind of wing it.  This is challenging to me in that I like rules and guidelines to follow.  :)

 

 

Sleeping://  His bedtime routine has stayed the same (books, bath, new diaper, pajamas, bottle, prayers, bed) and he continues to go to bed about 8:00.  Sometimes I think it could be earlier...but that means we would get to spend less time with him and I'm just not okay with that. Usually he goes to sleep with a pacifier (a habit we tried to break...but alas have not) - and wakes up once between 8 and midnight.  He usually needs the pacifier again but that's all.  Some nights he will wake up again between midnight and 6 but other nights sleep all the way through.  He has started rolling to his stomach - which makes Rob and I both nervous - but he does sleep well like that.  His wake ups only involve needing a little pat or the pacifier - so we're okay with it.

 

Major Milestones://  The day before Halloween he started saying "da da" (indiscriminately of course)but it's still adorable!  He babbles quite a bit (and loudly too).  I've also heard him say "ba ba" but no Mama yet :)  And....he can sit up unassisted.  We are still very careful about it but its fun because it makes him even more interactive. His favorite toy to play with when sitting up is the alligator xylophone!  He really jams on that thing :)  I joked at first that we would start a family band (me on flute, rob on trumpet, and max on xylphone.  Of course, I could also switch to vocals if necessary because I have the voice of an angel!).  He is also an amazing jumper!  When Max is in the rainforest jumperoo - he is a bouncing fool!  I love to watch his chubby feet hit the ground and boing back up!

 

Overall - Max reaching six months feels like some kind of milestone all on its own.  He is changing fast and I feel an inward pressure to document everything so I don't forget his big old gummy smile.  Or the way everyone still says "he looks exactly like his daddy". He is anxious to get moving - slowing trying to inch forward and get his belly off the ground. His chubby hands grip the pages of the books we read and he reaches out to "feel" the pages with texture on them.  Mostly though - when he looks at us now - I think he gets it.  We are his people and he is ours.  It's pretty great.

 

xoxo

Max Goes On Vacation

We just got back from our yearly vacation to Sanibel Island, Florida!

(hello amazing house!)

(Bring on the sunshine!)

 
To say I had been counting the days till we left would be an understatement...mama (and papa Rob) needed a vacation! (though...is it still a vacation if you bring a 6 month old?  jury is still out on that one...) It was my goal to be super prepared for this trip - so I had read 3.2 million blog posts on how to travel with an infant, made 3 different lists on what to pack, and in the end I would say we were pretty successful.  While it would be awesome to give you a play by play of every single day we were gone - I simply don't have the time for it.  But, Sanibel is an island.  And, it's an island we've been going to for awhile - so our activities can pretty much be divided up into - pool time, beach time, eating, and shopping.  Plus, I've decided to include a bonus category - airplane time! 

 

Let's start with the airplane time. 

(Max looks a little terrified...but he was an angel baby)

 

As I previously mentioned - I was nervous about traveling with a 6 month old.  Of course, he's not exactly mobile yet - but he can scream with the best of them to let you know when he's not happy.  I was of course - trying to avoid the screaming - so we dedicated an entire carry on bag to Max's toys.  I purchased a few new ones and stuck in some old favorites.  I also stressed abouut his little ears and the change of pressure in the airplane...so we planned on feeding him during take off (and at the very least having a pacifier ready for him to chew on). 

It turns out though - that all that stressing was for nothing.  Max pretty much sat on our laps for the pre-flight business, took his bottle like a champ, and fell asleep.  And, when he wasn't sleeping - he was content to play with the barf bag. That's right friends - all the new toys in the world didn't hold a candle to the barf bag.  It must be something about the texture of it (it crinkles)...but he entertained himself for a good ten minutes with that (far longer than any other toy). 

 

It should also also be noted that we will be needing Auntie Stacy to travel with us for all future trips.  She sat right next to us on the flight down...and it was so great having her around to calm us down, be the voice of reason, provide an extra lap for Max to sit in, pick up the barf bag when it fell to the ground, and in general be Max's favorite thing to smile at.  We are hoping she is available for a trip to Arizona at the end of December (fingers crossed!) haha!

 

Once out of the airport - and onto the island, our first order of business was hitting the beach!

 

 We had rented a "beach cruiser" stroller (with big rubber tires for manuevering in the sand) - so we strapped him right in and walked the 100 feet to the beach immediately.  He was pretty excited about the water and the waves!  It became our morning routine to get up and play a bit, have a bottle, and then take a morning stroll up the beach with mim and mama.  I just strapped him into the Ergo baby carrier and he was super content.  It was kind of surreal walking the beach with my baby!  Last year I was 16 weeks pregnant when we went to Sanibel and now here I was with a 6 month old.  Crazy!

 

 

 Max usually took a quick cat nap in the Ergo while I squished the sand in my toes, watched the dolphins play, and picked out pretty shells. 

 

We tried two times to put him down in the sand and each time he would immediately try to eat the sand.  If he wasn't eating sand - he was trying to put shells of every shape and size in his mouth - which just made me too nervous!  So - we pretty much just carried him or put him in the stroller each time we went to the beach.   

I had ordered a beach tent with the hopes that we could put him in it (safe from the sun and sand) while we soaked up the sun...or splashed in the water.  hahaha! 

The one and only time we brought it to the beach though - he sat in it..but really preferred it if someone was actively playing with him nearby (spoiled much?!).  However, this did by us enough time to build a sand castle.  Rob and I have been building a sand castle every year together and I couldn't wait to make one for Max.  It's decidely more simple than years past - but....I think Max really liked it :)  And bonus points for us spelling out his name in shells!

 

 

After bringing him in from the beach every morning - we would usually spend an hour by the pool before his first nap.  I was super excited to debut some of Max's swimwear that I had been hoarding since this summer.  It's safe to say he had a new swim suit everyday...and looked adorable in all of them :)  Turns out you can also accessorize swimsuits with swim shirts too!  Which, is important of course for protecting delicate baby skin from the sun....but also just for total cuteness.

 

 

The first time we took him in - we just sat him on our laps and dipped his toes in.  (At this point we hadn't figured out how to operate the pool heater...so the water was a bit chilly still).  But, Papa Rob eventually picked him up and gradually worked Max into the water going a little deeper every few minutes. 

This worked quite well and then we put him in a baby floatie thing (I'm sure there's a better name).  He loved to cruise around the pool in the floatie (as long as the water was warm).

 

  I had also purchased some pool toys - a squeezie pelican, crab, octopus, crab, and turtle...but being the awesome 30 somethings we are....I think we enjoyed them more than Max. We had quite a few water wars with those toys...ahem :)  bonus pics of Rob and I doing some awesome jumps too!  Just cause we're parents doesn't mean we don't know how to live it up (by showing off some sweet jumping poses of course!)

Sanibel Island offers more than just beautiful beaches and shells though - for the seafood lover (aka Papa Rob)...there are lots of tasty restaurants to choose from!  We have tried everything over the years...but there are still a few favorites we keep coming back to.  The desserts (read - cake) at the Bubble room is outstanding.  And Rob says the Cantina Captiva makes the best surf and turf burrito he's EVER HAD! Woah! 

Last year we discovered George and Wendy's Seafood Grille and ate there again this year for Poppy's 91st birthday.  We also visited the Mucky Duck for the first time in several years and were pleasantly surprised.  The sunset was beyond gorgeous..but the service and food quality had improved quite a bit!  We were so lucky everyone in the family was flexible because dining with an infant is no joke.  Due to some complications with the car seat (we did not get an infant carrier)...Max had to sit in a high chair for the first time.  He did okay with it...we had to improvise a bit by placing a rolled up towel behind him for support and he needed a lot of entertainment (read - the whole bag of toys...which he would then throw on the floor).  The one thing that held his attention....was the menu!  He loved grabbing, folding, crunching, and batting the menu at nearly every restaurant.  Crazy!

And finally - when we tired of stuffing our faces, trolling the beach, and lazing around the pool ...off to the shops at Periwinkle Place we went.  This is an outdoor shopping mall with a variety of stores.  Rob wore Max in the Ergo and we strolled the mall with ease...even purchasing Max his first pair of Toms! Papa Rob was doubtful ...but I eventually wore him down won him over and we walked away with some sweet shoes for mr. max.  Our only other shopping excursions were to the local grocery stores and yogurt shop.  Here again - we didn't have an infant carrier to put in the cart...so Mr. Max rode up front like a big boy!  He didn't seem to mind this at all - probably harder on mama (read...he's growing up!!)! 

 

(I love that Max's hand is reaching for the ice cream cup in the above picture)

The Cloud family has been traveling to Sanibel Island on and off for many years..and I can honestly say it was such a treat to bring our baby to a place that is so full of memories for me.  From the moment our van goes over the bridge...I can almost feel my body relaxing.  Then, we drive down the familiar one way street - passing the antique stores, restaurants, shopping centers, and even grocery store that we have been visiting for what seems like ever.  Three years ago I brought Papa Rob to this special place for the first time.  The next year I thought, wouldn't it be weird if we came back next year and I was pregnant?  And then last year - I was!  And now, we introduced Max to a spot I hope we can continue to visit for many more years. 

It was a great trip indeed.