Week-ending

Did you have a nice Memorial Day weekend?  i hope so!  The Haucks hit the road

and headed to Dayton where the diet Coke abounds and everyone couldn't wait to see Max.

We debated back and forth over when to leave, how long to stay...blah blah blah. Finally we

decided to leave Saturday morning.

 

(Max has gotten a bit bolder with his life choices and decided to

risk it all for his beloved fork and spoon and crawl into the dishwasher Friday morning!

Never a dull moment.)

 

When we got to Dayton, I of course demanded that some food get in my

belly by way of DiBella's subs (you had to know that was coming)....and then we

headed to Mamaw and Papaw's house.  Max was loving all of my vintage toys.  In particular,

my Mamaw hauled out this house with all these little people and furniture pieces and

Max was having a ball rearranging everything. also, see that dog in the background?

Max loved to press the orange button which turns it on and it starts to bark, and the tail

moves in circles. 

 

The rest of our day was filled with naps (for Max), a trip to Home Depot (for Mama), and

relaxing couch time (for Papa Rob).  After waking from his afternoon nap, we headed over to Stride Rite to get Max measured for shoes. He did awesome...and we came away with an adorable little pair of cruising/walking shoes for Max. He's a size four and half standing so we got size five shoes.  They seem a little big but the lady assured us that he would quickly grow into them.

 

 

The next day Auntie Stacy arrived!  We headed out again for....you guessed it - more flowers! 

Wandering the plant nursery proved to be lots of fun for Max.  Many of the flowers were at eye level (and within grabbing reach)!  He loves to feel different textures right now...so as you can see (from above) he seemed to enjoy himself. Even though we have very little room in our flower beds, I did come away with a few more plants!  You know my motto - no flower left behind!  :)

 

 

We had a belated birthday celebration for Auntie Stacy at dinner time!  Max ate his

first piece of Marions pizza and even tried some cake (still not a fan).

 

 

After Max hit the sheets, we busted out the smores pot!  Did you know you could

enjoy the delicousness of smores without actually making a campfire?  It's true (Pinterest said so).

We first tried this method last fourth of July and it was so easy, we did it again!

I'm a golden brown marshmallow type gal...but really no matter how you cook it, when smothered with chocolate and grahm it tastes amazing! I think this is a tradition in the making!

 

 

Papa Rob went home Sunday evening (and worked Monday) - while Mama stayed in Dayton with Auntie Stacy.  Max was up bright and early on Monday morning.  He is starting to figure out how to hitch up his leg and get it over his ride on toys.  Other favorites at mim's house include the dump truck, shape snail (with most annoying song), and playing "jail" behind the railing.

 

 

We had great fun playing at the park...

 

 

but the true highlight was the Spray Ground!  While Max wasn't dressed

to "play" or run through the water - he was super interested in trying to touch it. He cried every time we tried to walk away.  I see many more fun afternoons here in the future!

 

 

After a delicious Memorial Day BBQ - Auntie Stacy and mama headed home.  Max stayed one

more night with his grandparents and slept from 7:45 till 7:00!  Wow!

What a great weekend! Makes me excited for summer :)



1 Year Report

I'm still in awe that I have a one year old...but the proof is in the pictures :)

 

 

Max is officially one year, one week and six days old now...but it took me a little while to catch up on his weekly photos - so we are extending the celebration so to speak. Can I just say that when I plopped Max down next to the chalkboard 52 weeks ago I had no idea what a commitment I was making!  And rest assured Papa Rob hadn't the slightest clue into what a crazy person I was to become when it was picture time.  Even though it was sort of inconvenient at times (read getting good sunlight, the baby to sit still, and plain old just remembering) I'm really glad to have each week in the record books.  By tne end he was surprising me with how cooperative he was - crawling right

over and sitting down next to the chalkboard.

 

Instead of using a pair of words to describe Macho Max at twelve months old - we just recognize that he has filled our year with laugher, smiles, and so much love - bringing us closer (maybe to the brink of crazy town) as a family and completing us in a way that is truly indescribable.

 

We did have a doctor's appointment though (complete with four shots!) to also commerate turning one...so we do have some official stats to offer up:

 

Length: 31.5 inches

 

Weight: 24 pounds 7 ounces

 

Developing:

 

He is super fast at crawling -- like turbo speed.  I feel bad because now that we are in shorts season his little knees are taking a beating (maybe even more reason to start walking?).  He is also cruising a lot more on the furniture - all the way down the couch and to the coffee table.  We have also seen him stand at his music table and reach for another chair (without sitting down to crawl).  He can bend down to a squat (usually to pick up a toy) and come back up again too. I don't think he's in any hurry to walk...so we are just trying to be relaxed about it.

 

Still loves playing with his race track.  He also likes to roll his car along the carpet (while attempting a vroom vroom sound).  When we went to his grandparents (in Dayton's) house not long ago - he seemed to be interested in some puzzles that had very large pegs attached (just three pieces).  He likes to take out the pieces and move them around on the carpet....sometimes he gets them right but more than likely the pieces are just all over the floor.  He still enjoys the stacking cups (especially if you hide things under them). 

 

Another thing we've noticed is that he loves to dump things out - for example all the balls in the toy bin or all the construction pieces in his truck.  He will help put them away but then just loves to dump them out all over again! This also goes for books....no day is complete without taking all the books off the shelf.  :)

 

He understands (we believe) a lot of what you say to him.  For example -- would you like more milk?  Do you want more banana? He can shake his head yes and no but is more likely to shake it no.  For awhile if you asked him a question that he didn't understand or have an answer to, he would just hold out his hands like "I don't know". Too funny.

 

He is also definitely able to identify us -when you ask, where is daddy, he points right to Rob.  Where is the cat?  Stares right at Pecan or even looks for her.  It took awhile to come around to Mama but I'm definitely his favorite right now (insert big grin!) 

 

Max still jabbers quite a bit.  Often it's the first thing we hear in the morning on our monitor.  He can say "da da", "ma ma" and "no".  Those are pretty distinct.  I definitely heard him say "bubble" the weekend after Easter.  At school they have heard him say things like "Jessi" "dog" and "door". It's hysterical in the morning when I drive him to school and I ask him questions and he jabbers back at me (and I can see his expressions in the mirror). 

 

Eating

 

We are feeding three meals a day and at least one snack now.  We stuck with formula until right at twelve months...we have now switched to whole milk and eliminating the bottles.

 

Breakfast is at home in the morning - he usually eats things like waffles, pancakes, bagels, cinnamon toast, bananas, apples, pears, mandarin oranges, and eggs. 

 

Lunch is at school.  I think he eats more because of the sense of community with the other kids.  He is a pretty good eater at school - things like applesauce, yogurt, chicken, spinach nuggets, pasta, pizza, yogurt, grahm crackers, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots (not a fan), and humus.

 

Dinner is at home with us.  We still try to eat as a family (which usually involves a lot of up and down as we heat things up, pour more milk and pick up tossed sippy cups). He gets whatever we are eating - things like chicken/broccoli/ric, lasagna, spaghatti/meatballs/garlic bread, falafel/hummus, sweet potatoes, squash, brocccoli, asparagus, carrots, peaches, pears, strawberries etc. 

 

Things he will not eat:  blueberries, grapes, kiwi

 

We try not to do pouches of food at home anymore - usually we save those for on the go moments (it's just easier). We discovered these disposable place mats - so great!  We stick them right on the table and plunk down his food and throw away when done. 

 

Also - Max is obsessed with trying to use our silverware!!  We caved and bought him some of his own practice silverware...but man, it makes things three million times more messy!

 

One more exciting thing - he can drink from a straw now!

 

Sleeping

 

That sickness I blogged about last month...yeah...it lasted the whole month after that.  There was a point when we were at the doctor every week.  We went through three rounds of antibiotics AND he got put on a nebulizer (shaped like seal!) for breathing treatments.  As you can imagine this made sleep TERRIBLE.  It was like we had a newborn again.  He would wake up every two hours uncomfortable and tugging at his ears.  We would rock him, lay him down, and try to tip toe out only to be woken up like an hour later.  So sleep from month 11 to month 12 was not so good.  But, we have a plan and are sticking to it! So stay tuned!

 

Still napping twice - morning and afternoon.  Sometimes it's hit or miss at school, but usually always an hour and half at home.

 

Just plain fun

 

This month brought Easter...complete with a basket and egg hunt!  We also spent much more time outside...in our new front yard tree swing, walking the neighborhood, visiting the plant nursery...and hikes at local parks. Max just finished up music class and has gotten really good at clapping, waving, and crawling up to listen to stories with the rest of the kids.  He discovered slides at the park and school, and even a sand table!  The art projects are still rolling in...he made an Earth Day globe (painted with a pine cone...naturally)...and even made a mother's day bouquet! He still loves pointed to everything (especially outside) and isn't afraid to reach out and touch different textures! 

 

Honestly - each month I thought - this is it, it's my favorite age...only to be trumped by the next month.  He is just our best little buddy...our favorite companion...and we love him so fiercely!

I can't believe he is one!!

Love him so!

Xoxo

Mother' Day

I know, I know - it's halfway through May and I haven't blogged at all!  And there is so much to blog about!  Max turned one (I can't even handle it)...all my flowers are starting to bloom, we've had lots of fun house guests etc. -- but I couldn't let May go by without recognizing a pretty important holiday...Mother's Day!  This time last year, I was sitting in a hospital bed with my newborn baby...food was being brought to my bedside, Rob was changing all the diapers...and I was crying literally anytime my family left the hospital.  :)  AND - I was just starting to understand the amount of sacrifice that goes into being a parent (and turns out, it's way more than just sleep).  I've learned a lot this past year - but the biggest thing I've learned is... I STILL NEED MY MAMA! So here's the thing.. I'm about to wax on emotional about this because yeah...turns out she knows a lot.                (See below - as I clearly got all my camera cheesin' skills from her!)

 

 

Not long ago, I came across a little you-tube video that was entitled,

life doesn't come with a manual, it's comes with a mother. More true words were

never spoken.  It's no joke when I say I call my mom at least once a day (but probaby more like two). She knows all the big and little details of my life. We have discussed mundane things (i.e. what she's cooking for dinner or a bird she saw in her yard) and really important things ("should I go out on a date with this guy from work...turns out she was right on that one too, because I married him!).

 

 

She always makes sure we celebrate all the details of the holidays...from coloring eggs, to carving pumpkins...and even making Maxwell James a new stocking this Christmas to match the rest of our families as they hung from the mantel.  All this and she even manages to document every moment of every holiday and all.the.moments.in.between.

 

 

Every party I've thrown in my adult life - from bridal showers, to baby showers, to birthdays she has helped with.  Always willing to bring a cheese tray, veggie tray, or rent out the clubhouse!  She is literally the life of most parties - she never lets the conversation run down....and has a constant barrage of stories to tell and questions to ask.

 

 

She loves my sister and I something fierce.  In college she sent me mail weekly and packages too (and I only lived an hour and fifteen minutes from home). On my summer vacations during high school she flooded the local post offices where we had mail stops with literally mounds of mail.  She was a typical high school band parent (sporting the brown and gold and gigantic button with my mug on it) and she never missed a game.  She still carries on supporting me - attending Zoo functions, helping me plant my flowers, asking about my friends, and knowing most details of my days.

 

 

She has inspired a love of travel. The above picture was taken in "the Bean" in Chicago on a girls trip with my sister and I. But, we've been all over...Alaska, San Fransico, New York, Florida, lots of cruises, and even Africa together! The best part is - she is so organized.  She takes the time to plan every detail of the trip - purchasing tickets beforehand, booking fun excursions, looking at the map, checking the weather etc. Rest assured, when you vacation with Amy - you are going to see all.the.things!

 

 

As you can tell, from previous blog posts - when we do go home for the weekend, she drops everything to complete my to-do list.  She won't stop till we get it all done (even if that means staying up till after midnight!)

 

 

When we added Rob to the family - it was like a match made in heaven - because my mom could continue asking the barrage of questions and telling all the stories and there were fresh ears (and patient ones that didn't sass back) to listen. She adores Rob.  Honestly, sometimes its's annoying -all Rob has to say is he wants to do something, try somehwere for dinner etc. and my mom is making it happen!  (Above - Rob wanted Chinese for his birthday...so off to North China buffet we go!)

 

 

All this to say - she has been my rock this past year.  Her car has run a constant track from Dayton to Columbus and back this year.  She has helped me in so many ways - getting us out the door to Menchi's days after bringing Max home (otherwise I probably would have never left), suggesting the overnight diapers, bringing dinner (and sometimes dessert), helping with childcare, conducting "Mim's monthly lessons with Max", making me feel better when breastfeeding didn't work out, (not before attending my lactation consultation and seeing things she probaby wished she hadn't), and reassuring me that being a working mom was going to be okay.

 

(Mas and his mimsy)

 

But you know what?  She's not the only Mama in my life!  I'v also been blessed with two amazing mother-in laws.  Below - is Sugar (I guess technically Rob's step mom...but she's always just felt like an old friend).  I will never forget on my first trip to Oregon - she made a handmade sign for the front door that said "Welcome Carrie"!  She made me feel right at home and has ever since.  She shares my love of travel and is one of the most easy going and easy to talk to people ever!  She never misses a holiday (or blog post) and even sends me great articles on email about books, zoo stuff, and even stuff for Max. She's got an eye for detail (always remembers what we like), a love for family, and a good perspective on everything.  And I would be remiss if I didn't mention her impeccable handwriting!

 

Rob's mom Suzi (in the below picture) has also been such a great friend and supporter from the beginning too! I think she knew Rob and I would end up together because she let me be in the formal family portrait right from the beginning (much to Cassie's chagrin! haha!) She has taught me so much about how to be a great hostess, how to make good coffee, steam vegetables, and not stress or sweat the small stuff.  When she was here for Max's party - she did everything from cleaning a bathroom, to quietly making a delicious salad for all, getting to know all our friends, and then insisting we conclude the party with wine (always a good idea). She literally leaves our house cleaner than she found it everytime she visits and couldn't be happier than to just hang out with us when she's here.



 

 

All in all - I have to say all the women in my life are pretty great!  I hope they all had a fabulous Mother's Day and truly know how important they are to me (and my sanity)!

XoXO