Maxwell J and Little Pepe

I've mentioned Max's dear stuffed animal friend, Pepe, several times now on the blog...

but, I thought I would give you some behind the scenes on how much he truly loves him. 

Let me back up though and say that Max first encountered a stuffed animal penguin at a birthday party for a friend.  He was pretty smitten...carrying the penguin all over...and hugging it etc. 

So - when his godfather, Vincent mentioned that he would be heading to the Newport Aquarium in December and was there anything Max might like, I immediately remembered the penguin! 

Once at the aquarium, Vincent sent multiple pictures of possible penguin friends, but in the end, I told him to pick whichever one he liked best....

Max was actually gifted the penguin the Tuesday after Christmas when we met 

Vincent for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. From there on out - Max has been 

pretty tight with Pepe.  He rides in the car with us, sleeps in the crib with Max, and generally goes

most places in our house with Max.  Need proof?  See below! 

(Sidenote:  We brought Pepe (nameless at the time) to Grandmim and Grandpa Tim's house the first weekend in January.  Mim suggested a few names but I guess Pepe is the one that stuck!  The details are kind of fuzzy :)

 

Most mornings, Max brings Pepe downstairs and sits him on 

our island while he (Max) eats breakfast. Pepe being ever so 

considerate never asks for any meals himself...and is happy 

to just observe :)

Max however, can't stand the thought of his dear friend 

going hungry, so on occasion he has been known to force

feed Pepe a little breakfast.  What penguin doesn't like 

orange juice and yogurt pouch shoved in his beak?  

Sometimes Pepe gets the invite to play inside Max's luxury tent palace. 

Other times, Max tucks him in and says night night.  

Sometimes Max and Pepe watch the neighborhood for signs 

of trucks, cars, trains, airplanes, or signs of mommy and daddy

coming or going.  Pepe is a pretty good observer!

Max has even taken to preparing Pepe some of his favorite

meals...why, fish of course!  Pepe gets his fish served up in a bowl 

with a smattering of pizzas toppings...Pepe is living the high life for sure!

Sometimes Pepe climbs on top of Pecan's scratching post (with the help of daddy)

and judges taunts Max, who stands below

pushing as hard as he can on the stand until Pepe falls over. 

Pepe is always happy to be brought on any and all adventures.  

Relaxing in the family room?  Pepe's in.  Reading a story

in mommy's lap?  Pepe loves literature. Ready to catch some 

zzzz's?  Pepe is down for snuggles. 

Most times though, Pepe is just happy to chill with Max wherever 

that might be!  He happens to love Daniel Tiger and Mickey Mouse Club House, 

doesn't demand any toy sharing from Max, and is always up for some puzzles and books! 

It's honestly so sweet to watch the way Max cares for Pepe. 

He always remembers where he left Pepe (in the tunnel, in the car, 

downstairs, upstairs, in the crib etc. It's kind of amazing. 

It's also the first stuffed animal that Max has ever shown any

preference for...I love that it's a penguin. :)