Today as I was driving home from work, I was thinking about how there's only a good handful of years that will be like this. Meaning...the magic. The newness. Christmas with a small child is pretty amazing - visiting Santa, dreaming up presents and the perfect Christmas morning, starting new traditions... before long though - the world starts to creep in. So right now...this whole wide-eyed experience of Christmas - even with Max being just 7 months old - I plan on soaking it all up...thus the lack of posting. But, as you'll see from the photos below - we have been busy busy busy!
The first weekend in December, Auntie Stacy and I hit the mall with Max. He did great..until I took him out of the car seat for a bit. Then, he decided that he never wanted to return to the car seat again. That, in fact, if we could just hold him that would be more to his liking. We tried to oblige for as long as possible...but the return to the car seat was inevitable and nap time was approaching. It was a restless few minutes until he fell asleep. But, we got Papa Rob some Christmas goodies...so it was all good!
Of course - I also busted out Max's Christmas wardrobe December 1 too :) We are Team Santa over here and loving it! (Side note: Most days Rob sends me a photo of him and Max doing whatever and it's pretty much the highlight of my afternoon. I hope he never stops).
Did I mention we got a new tub for Max? It seemed foolish to fill the whole tub every night for a bath. (And yes, we bathe him almost every night. It's probably not necessary but I kind of love it and now he expects it...so we continue). The "duck tub" is enormous and takes up SO much real estate in the bathroom (not to mention I practically blacked out inflating it) but...it's so darn cute! Neither Papa Rob or I mind moving it every time we take a shower. We also have a bag of bath toys hanging in the shower. Somehow this also makes me feel like a "real" parent.
The second weekend of December, Max and I went to Dayton on Saturday after DecemBRRRfest. It was a BUSY weekend!! First stop - Knollwood Gardens for a second attempt at a Santa picture. Max mean mugged on him for like five minutes - no smiles in site. The minute I pull him off Santa's lap...all smiles! We plopped him down in front of every decoration at the garden center...but man - it was like sensory overload! It didn't want to look at us for second.
Second stop - the train ride at the Dayton Mall - I'm not sure who was more excited - Grandpa Tim or Max? They rode in the caboose of the train and did one lap around the top of the mall between Penny's and Macy's...but I see many more rides in Max's future. We also managed to stop at BabyGap (aka - money pit) and the pet store (Grandpa Tim loves to look at the puppies). Not pictured is the visit to great grandparents, the live nativity, Max in his adorable snow suit, and facetimeing with Daddy.
The snow. Blah. I'm already over it.
ZooKid Christmas Dinner/Mug Swap! Hooray! Any excuse to see these gals is a good one! I could have sat and talked all night. Some highlights include: when Elizabeth ordered Seagrams and I thought it was an alcholic drink..turns out it was just ginger ale. When Becky showed up in an "ugly Christmas sweater" (she swears it was for a work party...but....). when someone asked my mom's name and I said I don't know (because I thought she was talking about her instagram name). Gosh, I wish I could seem them at least once a month. Also - mac and cheese bites are amazing!
Third weekend in December - Grandpa Jim arrives from Oregon! Hooray! Max and Grandpa Jim got along like two peas in a pod. Max of course showed off all his tricks - which include clapping, eating food, babbling like a boss, rolling everywhere, trying to crawl, yanking of his socks, and Grandpa Jim's favorite - when Max balances every toy on his thumb.
We didn't let the snow hold us back either - a trip the Franklin Park Conservatory, Cherbourgh Bakery, and lots of tasty (and gluten free!) meals. It was at one of these meals that I discovered (when I went to retrieve a napkin from Max's mouth) that his bottom two teeth are starting to come through. What?!! Please note in these pictures - not only did he get the start of his tiny teeth, but he is wearing his big boy coat, baby denim, and hanging out in a new umbrella style stroller.
The fine Hauck men enjoying the Rainforest room at the Conservatory!
Hanging out at the Conservatory was the perfect way to ignore the crazy winter weather happening outside. And, they had plenty of plants at Max's height - so he was entertained as well.
Christmas round one! As everyone predicted - Max was way more interested in the tissue paper and wrapping paper then the actual present itself. :) He likes to fling the paper around, crinkle it, and even play peek a boo with it. Also - technology is amazing - we were able to Facetime with Grandma Sugar (in Oregon) so she could see all the Christmas fun in too!
We capped off a great visit with dinner at Molly Woo's on Monday night! It's safe to say we had a blast and are already counting the days until we see Grandpa Jim again!
Whew! I can't believe we are a week out from Christmas. Thanks to a little elf named Papa Rob, our Christmas cards are also in the mail, shopping is almost complete, first batch of cookies made, and I'm ready to stand under the mistletoe with that handsome man of mine!
xoxo
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