Life Lately

I can't pinpoint a reason that I haven't been blogging much...(other than a toddler that likes a lot of attention from mama) but it feels good to get these pictures and words up here. Here's some snippets of life lately for the Hauck's.  

 

We got new chairs for the patio table that sits on the deck.  The sun was out this particular Friday evening so we devoured our dinner out there.  So nice to have minimal prep and clean up. Max ate a whole slice of pizza, a fruit rope, and a pouch. He also likes the garlic dipping sauce (just like mama!)

 

The weather was so great on this particular Friday that Rob put him in shorts when he got home from school. I love seeing his little legs peeking out. Of course, he chose to wear his raccoon socks and Mickey shirt.  Max loves Mickey!

Max also got new shoes!  Auntie Stacy was able to find the pair we liked at Kohls. 

Is there anything cuter than toddler Nikes?  I think no....

Max currently rotates between his Nikes, Thomas Train boots, and another new pair of shoes called "Natives" - think crocs only cuter.

 



 

We have also been spending lots of time at the park! 

The park closest to our house is called Library Park and is just over the train tracks.

It's perfect because it takes like three minutes to get to - has two big playground structures -

and is also pretty close to the ice cream shop!  Max seems to love the swing this year! He likes to go high!  He also loves to say "i do it myself" when climbing up the stairs to get to the slides.

 

Loving baths lately.... Papa got a new basket with holes all around and in the bottom to keep Max's toys in. Max loves to pour water from the elephant's truck into the holes in the basket. If you look a the picture closely, you will see the other contraption that Papa Rob built for Max. It's a small PVC pipe with a cap on the end.  The cap has little holes drilled in it.  So, you pour the water in the top and watch it sprinkle out the bottom.  Endless entertainment I tell you.

 



 

Mims and Grandpa took Max to Cabella's last week when they babysat.  They reported he "loved running into and out of the tents," petting the (stuffed) animals, looking at the fish, and even had his diaper changed not once, but twice in the tent. He also lounged in a couple of camo recliners - that thankfully we have no room for in our house.

Unfortunately, Max came home from school last week with a low grade fever on Tuesday.  We attributed this (at first) to teething.  Those darn two year molars!  Mama stayed home with him on Wednesday and his fever got as high as 103.4. Yikes!  Tried to keep calm but called the nurses line.  They said to keep doing the Asprin/Motrin regime and bring him in the next morning.  We dosed him up over night - and it helped a bit. But, we took him in anyway.  Doctor said his tonsils were inflamed and had white spots on them.  However, the rapid strep test came back negative. So, whatever he had was viral.  When it's viral - no medicine is given - you just wait it out.

Papa took off Friday and stayed home - by evening, the fever had broken and Max seemed to be in better spirits. 

In celebration of feeling better - we of course went back to the park.

You can only stay inside with a sick kiddo for so long!  I was starting to go stir crazy.

(Max had been saying "I want mommy to hold me" on repeat for 48 hours).

and I was beginning to wonder if it would be appropriate to drink in the morning? (He seemed to be crabbiest when first waking up). Anyway - thank goodness we seem to be over it!

The weather is warming up (slowly but surely).

 

Happy (is it only?) Monday(?!)

xxOO

Fun in the Sunshine!

Hooray, hooray, we've finally had some sunshiney days!

I'm happy to report that Max loves being in the sun as much as 

he loved being in the snow!  Here are some things Max recommends you try 

the next time you find yourself outside.

Sunglasses and pajama pants are always highly encouraged. 

1.)  Pull a wagon with all your favorite playground balls. 

2.)  Ride around on your airplane - steering optional.  If you're Max you crash into as many surfaces, corners, and walls as possible. 

3.)  Swing!!  Ours was recently put back up and he seems to be loving it way more this year!

  

4.)  Walk among the flowers!

5.)  Pose in front of the tulips...and then every flower pot you see afterwards. 

6.)  Look for your shadow!  And point out everyone else's too! :)

7.)  Catch bugs in your new bug catcher (from the Easter Bunny!)

Lose your mind when they fly away (only if you're a toddler :)

8.)  Dig in the dirt! Fling it all over the yard!  Demand that Daddy cut the grass!

9.)  Take your car out for a spin!

10.)  Throw some rocks in the pond!

Bonus points for stomping in your new Thomas Train boots

and spying some turtles and frogs!

Love our little nature boy!

xoxo

23 Months

(so many expressions!)

Age: 23 months

Stats:  He is certainly looking bigger and bigger these days… Our scale at home reads 30 pounds when he’s in just a diaper, which feels right. Somewhere between 34 and 35 inches I would think.  

Clothing: 24 months or 2T for pants, all 2T shirts.  Size five diapers (they just seem more comfortable for him…especially the overnights). Size 6.5 or 7 shoes.

(loving the frozen yogurt at Menchi's)

Favorite Foods:  eggs with cheese, strawberries, melon, toast, cereal bars, cheese, yogurt, chips, turkey, ham, pb&j sandwiches, pirate booty, Cheetos, cheese crackers, bananas, red pepper, tortillas, guacamole, apples, applesauce, orange juice milk, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, carrots, donuts, ice cream, fruit snack, and now M&M’s!

(picnic time for all the friends!)

Favorite Words: “I do it myself” “Thomas Train”, “What’s that” “I need…. (fill in the blank), “ipad”, “mickey mouse clubhouse”, “I sleeping”, “I hungry”, “let’s eat”, “happy birthday”, “nuggets!”, “no mommy”, “no daddy”, “yeah”, “I want to go to the park”,

“I poopy”, “plug it in”, “brush teeth” “clean it up mommy”, “I messy” “let’s see it”

*he’s very talkative (when he wants to be of course J )

(reading in his new favorite spot)

Favorite Activities: loves to sing (especially ABC’s, ring around the rosie, and wheels on the bus), going to music class, holding hands, stickers, playing in the Thomas Train coloring book, using markers (loves, loves, loves them!), covering himself and whoever is playing with him up and demanding pillows, watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse, sliding at the park, using the teeter totter at the park, hiding things (always in the same place in the corner of our kitchen), puzzles, pretend picnics, recycling items with daddy, hide and seek, and all things outside.

Least Favorite Activity: Giving up the iPad or stopping watching a TV show, getting in the bath (although this changes every time), and getting out of his pajamas.  

 (convinced grandpa to take him on a ride at the mall!)

Favorite Things: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, iPad, Thomas Train coloring book, slides at the park, markers, stickers, Legos, wooden trains (that spell Max), books (especially Panda Bear, Panda Bear, Duck and Goose, Mouse’s Easter, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom), his lunch box, pajamas, play dough, kitchen and utensils, chalk, recycle truck  and all his blankets.

Signature Moves:  singing “ring around the rosie pocket full of posie” super duper fast, performing the hot dog dance, wanting his messes on his high chair to be cleaned up immediately, wanting his milk all the time, asking you to “kiss it” when he hurts something, telling you where to stand or what to do at the playground, saying “I’m a big boy” when asking him if he’s a baby, holding hands in parking lots, wanting a pillow in his crib at night time, saying “it tickles” when you lotion him up at night, wanting to stay in pajamas all day, loving nuggets from Wendy’s, saying “make a lap” when it’s time to read books, being very specific about who he wants to do what (i.e. mommy do it, daddy do it etc.), trying to push his own stroller, taking all the food out of his bag when we go to dinner, fighting the high chair when he’s finished (though you might not be), and just being super silly!

(got to visit Uncle Vincent's fish tank!)

Mom’s Proudest Moment:  Having a great couple weeks at daycare with reports of “doing great sharing and taking turns”, always being willing to put on his hat and coat, his love of the outdoors, and surviving his run in with the curling iron (grabbed it while it was still hot on Easter Sunday).

Dad’s Proudest Moment: Doing so well at church on Easter!

(loves his over the ear microphone from the kid's meal at Wendy's!)

Other Milestones:

-Loves to jump, climb, run, and crawl!

-Second Easter – loving the egg hunt!

-Sitting for long periods of time at Church on Sundays

-Loves to shout Target, Donuts (when passing Krispie Kreme), Nuggets (when passing Wendy’s), Ice Cream (when passing Graeters), Park, and Zoo (can you tell where we go a lot??)

-Loved the Indoor Play Pool at the Worthington Community Center

-Can hold his own at the playground

-Loves counting (goes from one to fifteen sometimes skipping around..but it’s kind of cute)!

-Singing all the songs!

-Facetime pro!

-Survived multiple visits with the Easter Bunny

-Working on colors

 

xxoo

Spring Break 2015

We've known for some time that Max's normal teacher would be going on Spring Break

with her family.  And, we were pretty set on flying to Arizona during her absence, but the price of tickets (since it was Spring Break for most of Ohio) and flying home on Easter were just too much. 

So, we devised a new plan and it worked out pretty great. 

Max's first day of "spring break" was spent with Auntie Stacy!  

He invited her to a picnic in the family room (where I'm sure they dined on only the finest food)

and then he asked that she take his picture while he posed on a pile of blankets!

Auntie Stacy asked if we minded that she take Max on a little adventure with 

our mutual friend Liz and her daughter Brianna (who we call "B"). 

They ventured out to the Franklin Park Conservatory to enjoy some 

butterflies and blooms!

This is Max and B's third "official" date and I think 

they make a pretty cute couple. They strolled among the flowers

and eventually ate lunch. I heard she even shared some of her sun chips with Max. 

 

Max worked his charm some more and convinced Titi to buy him 

a pin wheel and two pencils with toppers from the gift shop too!  All that excitement at the Conservatory led to one very tired Max :)  While we typically try to keep him awake so he will nap in his crib, sometimes he just crashes and you hope for the best!  Titi must have the magic touch though as she was able to transfer him from the car to the crib, no problem!

After his nap, Titi taught Max the fine art of relaxation 

with some blankets, fruit snacks, and tv :)

Look how he's just loungin like pro - back propped against that pillow!

After a day with Titi, he spent the next couple days 

with Mims and Grandpa!  I joked that he probably likes it at their house

more than his own because - holy cow - they packed a lot of fun into their days!

First off, only the best for Max - donuts (of course with orange juice), and then on a different morning - eggs, bacon, and watermelon all served on a Mickey Mouse plate - 

on top of getting to wear your pajamas for extended periods of time (read all morning!)

If you don't want to wear your pajamas, running around naked his 

totally okay at grandma and grandpa's! 

And of course, ice cream for dessert!

During the day, park time galore!

I swear they went to a new park every day. 

He tried out all the slides and even the teeter totter...stopped to smell the 

hyacinths at Cox Arboretum, and even watched Zip the dog chase off all the geese!

Of course, there were meals out too! 

And even the Easter Bunny stopped by (though Max appears to still be mean mugging him).

When they finished visiting all the parks in Dayton (I kid, but they did go to a lot of parks)

they also managed to find some nature in their own backyard!  They found an old animal

skull on one of their neighborhood jaunts, a goose sitting on eggs, and albino cat fish!

 

Max loves to feed the ducks and geese around their pond (again, I normally highly 

discourage this...but....he really loves it). The albino cat fish live at the bottom of the pond and are totally disgusting!  Max's job was to sit on the step and break up the bread.  

He would throw the bread and then say "I missed, Mim"!  Kind of adorable. 

And, he takes the bread job super serious - runs right over to the refrigerator when 

you ask him if he wants to feed the ducks!

What a hard life this kid has :)! 

Mims and Grandpa took great care of him but...we missed him a lot

and were so happy to see him upon his return to Columbus!  And, we had a lot of fun activities planned too! First - donuts and park time with my good friend Becky!
Unfortunately, it started to thunder storm when we were at the park and our visit got cut short.
But, not before we had to change a disgusting diaper (in my car!), and got to ride some slides!

Then, we drove over to the Worthington Community Center which has an indoor
water park/splash pad that is perfect for toddlers.  Of course, we met up with Liz and Brianna again. Toddlers in bathing suits are just too cute! I was expecting Max to be aprehensive about
the little water slide, but he went up and down like a pro! He was also very interested in all of the fountains and sprinklers.  They even have a lazy river with inner tubes.  We walked with the tube, while B and Max were perched on top. The only downfall was the "rest period" which Max did not understand and subsequently lost his mind over. Thankfully, it only lasted ten minutes and we were allowed back in! Yay! 

On Max's last day of Spring Break, daddy took him to COSI (Center of Science and Industry) downtown.  They have an awesome kids space on the second floor and Max loved it!

 

Papa Rob said the only downfall was how crowded the space was...because of course everyone in Columbus was on spring break too!  But, they got in some train time, slide time, and water play time - so all was good!  

We survived our week without Miss Jessi and Max had a blast!  

xxoo

Best Evening EVER!

By reading through that title, you might think that the best evening ever might include going to a baseball game....or taking a train ride....or a Netflix marathon while your laundry puts away itself and someone else cleans the bathroom (is that just me?)  But, around here - that means that a REAL, LIVE digger comes to your neighbors backyard and you get to stand on the deck and watch. 

That's pretty much what constitutes fun around here these days (if you're Max)...

Here's what went down... Our neighbor boys have a landscape/mowing company. 

They had to rent a digger for one of their clients and then decided to use

it in their own backyard to finish the paver patio they decided to put in last fall.

(Sidenote: they are really nice people, but man does their backyard need some help!)

I spotted the digger from our kitchen window as they drove it through the side yard. 

This perked Max's interest right away....

So, we decided to put on our "official" digger watching outfit

which included a fuzzy jacket, zoo pajama pants, and Thomas rain boots. 

I mean could this outfit be any more fabulous??

First, we watched from the deck - while I pretended to be tending to some 

plants that actually died last fall and Max rearranged some sticks

(you know, just so they wouldn't think we were too creepy).

Max didn't get the message to not blatantly stare at our neighbors...

But, then we decided, who cares, and ventured into the yard and over to the fence!

The neighbors were more than happy to oblige Max's fascination...and beeped a couple

times for him and dumped loads of dirt into wheel barrows...

Max would tell me "it's honking Mommy!"

When the digger finally went bye bye, we decided it was

pretty much the best evening ever and celebrated with dinner made by Papa Rob!

Hooray for free entertainment!

xoxo