Happy Spring!

I thought the first day of Spring warranted a blog post...just to tell you about

the happenings around the Hauck's Nest. Also, it's my mother in law's birthday - so 

shout out to Grandma Sugar! And Grandpa Tim's birthday on Saturday - can't wait to try a new restaurant called Kona Grill!

Last Sunday it reached into the 60's temperature wise - so you know we spent A LOT

of time outside burning off some energy.  It felt so great to get all the toys out.  And, I do of course mean ALL the toys.  Max tinkered around in the garage like an 80 year old man - pulling out the trucks, then the cozy coupe, then every single ball he owns, then the side walk chalk....you get the idea :)  It made me (and I think him!) so happy to be outside.  

The good weather streak continued through the first part of the week...and we spent almost every

evening when I got home out in the driveway!  Max will sometimes use his feet to power the Cozy Coupe car, but ultimately just likes to be pushed.  He also LOVES to honk the horn and put the key in the ignition! He will also find stuff to put in the cup holders too. 

When Grandmim and Grandpa babysat they found a new park!  Yay!

I about died when they sent us this picture of Max taking on this T-Rex.  :)

Max is definitely getting bolder when it comes to playgrounds. 

He will go down all the slides now by himself.  And desperately wants to climb

these rubber ladders (he told me "big boy" when I told him I didn't think he should be up there).

Honestly, every time Rob hoisted him up there, I think I lost six years off my life. 

 

We also celebrated St. Patrick's day....by making sweets and treats of all kinds!

It started with this rainbow cake (below) - which I undercooked the orange layer of....so

let's just pretend it's there. Then, the red layer split across the top and no amount of icing

was keeping it together (and trust me, I tried). However, my friends at work deemed it

delicious, so I guess three tubs of vanilla icing does make for a yummy cake!

 

 

I also stole the below idea off Pinterest.  While, they didn't photograph

great, they were super cute candy rainbows!  Max took them to school and I took some to work.

Basically it's the candy rolo's for the pot of gold, fruit slices for the rainbow, and marshmallows for the clouds :)  Yum!

 

 

Here we are in our green!  We had green shamrock pasta (from Costco) for dinner.

Feeling really lucky to have these two in my life :)

 

 

Music class also started again this week with Wee Joy Sing!

We were the only family that showed up...so Max got lots of

one on one attention from the teacher.  He did pretty good - lots of free dance, knee bouncing songs, drumming, and rhythm sticks.  And of course, his favorite part - the stamp at the end - called a "la la".

 

 

I don't normally talk a lot about things other than Max on this blog - but we had supper club this week. And, I'm just so thankful this little club of ours has stayed together - going on 4 and half years!  We have seen friends get married, welcome babies, get new jobs, buy houses and on and on. We've even added new members which is nice because gosh it's hard to make friends when you get old. The premise for this "club" started out simple - eat dinner at a new(ish) restaurant once a month with your girlfriends. But, it's turned out to be so much more.  I look forward this evening all month long and I'm so happy these ladies are in my life!

 

 

Now that spring is right around the corner - and we've seen a few sunshiney days, I'm anxious to bust out all the summer clothes!  Hello short sleeves!  Welcome back tank tops! But, I know better than that - no sooner will I turn over a closet than Mother Nature will dump a blizzard on us - so instead I've just been dressing Max up in sunglasses. He didn't like them at first, but once he understood they blocked the sun from his eyes, he was one board.  He has probably six pairs.  The red ones from Grandpa Jim are his favorites...but he can be coaxed into other pairs.

 

 

Speaking of Max again, we started a bad habit of bringing him into our bed to try and get a little more sleep in the morning. 5:30 is just too early.  All was going well and we were happy campers - until he woke up at 11:30 (randomly) and pitched a fit for almost two hours because he wanted "in mommy's bed".  I thought, how long can one child cry for?  Turns out, a long time friends.  He is nothing if not persistent.  He screams from his room "I want out" and "mommy's bed" and "open the door".  Its not exactly music to your hears at one in the morning.  In fact it's terrible.  But, we survived.  And we got an "okay to wake" clock....we shall see if this helps.  I'm hopeful but not too hopeful.  You know?  I took a screen shot of this instagram pic because it was totally me on Thursday at work.  Not to be confused with Zombie - I'm a mombie :)

 

okay friends, have a lovely weekend!  I will be sure to document ours :) 
Word on the street is we might go see the Easter Bunny! 
We will keep you posted.
That's a promise :)
xoxo

March:// Currently

Just some ramblings of what my March looks like so far....

Reading://  Well I have the book Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed.  I read her book "Wild" two summers ago and loved it.  This book was getting rave reviews by other bloggers, so I put it on wait list at the library.  I'm only a couple chapters in but I love it!

Playing:// Hide and Seek all the time in our house with Max...and recently with his Easter Eggs! 

Watching:// You guys, I was introduced to the show The Americans by my friend Lynn (hi Lynn!) - and I signed up for a free trial of Amazon Prime just to watch it. One episode in and I was totally hooked.  So good and so crazy. It's about a Russian couple living in America who are actually KGB agents in the 1980's.  Give it a try.  But, be prepared to use every once of your free time to watch it.

Trying://  To go to bed earlier...but it's so hard!! How am I supposed to watch all my TV? haha! 

Cooking:// I'm not doing a whole lot of cooking these days because Rob is!  We try to menu plan together but ultimately, Max just wants me to play with him when I get home and is unwilling to compromise on this - so Rob makes dinner!

Eating:// Egg salad, Fish Sticks, and Cheese pizza - it's Lent after all :) (no meat on Fridays)  But, also Rob and I are trying to have a salad night once a week so.... we are eating lots of leafy greens and veggies! 

Drinking://  Diet Coke and Coffee!

Calling:// It pretty much rotates between my mom, my sister, and Rob

  

Texting:// my friend Liz about her cookie recipe and how hard it is to take a toddler to church! 

Pinning:// always pinning "projects" that I would someday like to complete.  Also pinning birthday ideas for Max to a "secret" board.  And Easter ideas because I'm obsessed with holidays! 

Crafting:// do to-do lists count? how about roller bottles filled with essential oils?  

Loving://  the extra hour of sunshine thanks to Daylight Savings. 

Discovering:// that disciplining a toddler is no easy business. How do you make a child eat when they won't open their mouth?  Or sit in time out if you walk away?  Or sleep later than 5:15 in the morning?  These are the questions I ponder people. 

Hoping://  That warm weather is here to stay!  Bring on the flip flops!

Celebrating://  every little bite Max eats.  It seems like a battle sometimes to get him to eat (especially proteins).  He loves his snacks, but can one live on applesauce and fruit snacks?  

Considering:// an exercise plan in the evening now that it stays lighter for longer. 

Finishing:// Max's birthday party invitations!  Even though we are just doing a low key donut breakfast with family - of course I had to scour Etsy for the perfect invite :)

Starting:// to think about when I will get fitted for a bridesmaid dress for my friend Candice's wedding (which is in August in Oregon but I want to give myself plenty of time for alterations!)

22 months

Age: 22 months

Stats:  No official measurements because our next doctor’s appointment isn’t until May. I’m guessing he’s about 29 pounds and 34 inches tall (give or take).

Clothing: 24 months for pants – mixed with some 2T and all 2T tops (gotta cover that belly :).  Getting ready to switch over to his spring wardrobe…which is mostly all sized 2T.  Still in a size four diaper.  Size 6.5 shoe.  And we bought rain boots this weekend that were a size 7!

(breakfast in his beloved Thomas Train pajamas)

Favorite Foods:  Cinnamon raisin toast, scrambled eggs, yogurt, strawberries, pineapple, melon, apples, applesauce, pepperoni, any kind of cheese, pasta, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, kraft mac and cheese, carrots, red pepper, pirate bootie, raisins, craisins, crackers, graham crackers, fries, milk, orange juice, smoothies, freeze dried blueberries, fruit snacks, and sometimes pouches (which is sometimes the only way to  get veggies in) – and of course – DONUTS and ICE CREAM!

(hiding in the diapers while mommy and daddy decided which was the better value)

Favorite Words: At this point he talks in small sentences to tell us what he wants – things like “want to go down there” or “here daddy” or “go outside”. I’m honestly sometimes surprised at the words that come out of his mouth – recently he said “computer” and “fence” and “umbrella”.  He picks up a lot of bigger words from watching Super Why. He can pretty much tell you what he wants, for example “want to play games (on the ipad)” or “blocks” or “ new book”.

("oh toodles" on Micky Mouse Clubhouse)

(Often tells us "sit in lap" and then wants to read)

Favorite Activities: Having “picnics” on the family room carpet, dumping his “mushrooms” into and out of the bowls in the his kitchen, sliding down the plastic slide, jumping on the couch (and throwing the pillows off), helping make the bed in the morning, singing (he’s super into singing!!!), dumping out blocks, baskets etc. that are filled with toys, dancing to the “hot dog dance” with Mickey, and walking to the mailbox to check the mail with mommy.

(never tires of the blocks!)

Least Favorite Activity: Diaper changes still rank up there with things that make him cry (sometimes), not being able to watch endless TV, not being able to play on the I-pad when he wants, and getting into the bath.

Favorite Things: His new cardboard (3-D) blocks, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Super Why, Pepe the penguin, wooden trains with magnetic ends, his “phone” (from Grandpa Jim), playing outside (in any kind of weather), playing the piano and singing happy birthday, driving all his plastic cars (of any shape and size), watching videos of himself, and towards the tail end of the month reading lots of books while sitting in your lap.

(jamming out on all the pillows and the piano)

Signature Moves:  demanding “nuggies” from the backseat of the car while in the drive through, loving the parachute activities at music class, asking for Pepe and a blanket every night as we rock and tuck in, asking everyone to dance the hot dog dance, saying “come mommy come” or “come daddy come”, saying “I nakey” and running around like a crazy person before bath, loves playing hide and seek, trying to put his feet back in the onesie that he slept in while you’re trying to get him dressed, saying “I poopy” every time you peek in his diaper, asking for orange juice in the morning, singing little snippets of songs or telling you which songs that he wants you to sing (i.e. “ballgame” or “spider”), saying “ti ti” every time you ask who’s coming over?

(getting pulled in the sled)

(gathering up groceries at Trader Joes)

Mom’s Proudest Moment: 

Surviving the horror that was nail clipping.  We usually cut his nails once a week, no problem.  This particular time, I accidently cut his ring finger nail way too short and it started bleeding – A LOT.  Horrifying. He cried for a minute but then did tolerate the band aid. What a champ!

Dad’s Proudest Moment:  surviving Church! 

(exploring High Banks Nature Center)

Other Milestones:

-Can sing the ABC’s unprompted

- Can sings bits of other songs (Take me out to the ballgame, She’ll be coming around the mountain, itsy bitsy spider, humpty dumpty)

-Counting anything and everything – seems to like the number 6.

-Can identify the letters M, X, and A

- Knows the diamond and circle shape

-Knows the color yellow (all other colors not so much)

-Still working on “sharing”.

-Only uses paci for sleep (no more day time use or even car use)

-Very good at animal identification

-Learned how to jump!

he + she + he // surviving winter, barely

Dear Readers (probably just Grandpa Jim and Auntie Candice at this point), 

My car thermometer read -10 yesterday morning. NEGATVIVE! 

I keep thinking that surely since it's nearing the end of February

winter is almost over? But then, I'm reminded of our unpredictable

Ohio weather in March - so there's that. And the fact that Chris Bradley (our local weatherman who I have befriended on the Facebook) says he is tracking another winter storm for the weekend. 

We three Haucks are doing the best we can with the snow and cold - even if that means staying in our pajamas all day (no shame in our game). But, just in case you were wondering - here's some other things we've been up to/enjoying. 

He // Max

-LOVES to be outside, is not intimidated by the cold at all

-tolerates all of the layers/accessories etc. so WELL (if it means he gets to go outside)

-spent his snow day in his pajamas, watching Mickey, racing cars to and from the kitchen, 

playing in his kitchen, sliding

-has been taking epic naps (from 1:30-4)...probably because he plays outside so much

-is in constant search mode for stink bugs in our house

-loves to watch videos of himself on our i-phones (which is a good way to keep him entertained in the grocery cart or car seat if need be)

She // Mama

-still LOVES her oils and made some roller ball "potions" with Titi on Sunday

-struggles to find the time or motivation to exercise (especially in winter)

-recently joined Amazon Prime...mostly to watch the TV show "The Americans"

-still watches the Bachelor, Parks and Recreation, and Mindy Project and can't believe the TV series Parenthood is over :(

-still can't believe she just turned 33

-has a serious coffee addiction in the morning

-was flattered/confused when someone at work mentioned that it seemed like she has time to

"do it all" - what a laugh - I'm barely doing anything. 

(I love this picture of Papa Rob and tiny boss man, Max)

He // Papa

-shoveled the driveway twice on Saturday during the snow storm

-loves his new Browns hat from Christmas!

-seemed skeptical of the oils at first - but likes when they are massaged into his hand

-watches Rides, This Old House, anything DIY, Marvels Agent Carter, and Doctor Who

-drives Max to music every Tuesday and mama meets them there after work

-loves listening to music before he goes to bed and then keeps his "white noise app" on all night

(which Mama also likes)

-is dreaming of a shed demo and then rebuild this summer

Keep on keepin on folks!
xoxo

More SNOW fun!

Friends, I have no idea how this happened, but Maxwell James

loves the snow!  Who is this kid anyway??  When it snows, my preferred method of

dealing with it is curling up with ALL THE LAYERS, flannels sheets, in my bed, netflixing 

and napping. Max's preferred method is "walk in snow" (that's verbatim what he tells me).

The more snow, the better. 

Home slice is more than happy to put on his hat, coat, mittens, 

and even boots - to go outside. 

He DOES NOT like the wind. 

He say's "it windy mommy"

(and that's what he's telling me in the above picture.)

Because we live in Ohio - it's a pretty good assumption that

we will get snow from mid-October through till March.  Sometimes it's light dustings...

and other times it's a full blown snow storm.  So...

he's had the opportunity to get real comfortable in this cold weather!

This past week, the new hat that I purchased for Max arrived!

(thanks to Grandma Sugar and Kristen for the tip on this!)

Friends, this hat could not be more precious. 

And, it's a little big - so I think it will fit him next year! Hooray!

Thankfully, he seems to love this hat too, 

and bonus, he can put on himself.  

This past weekend, he spent some time in Dayton with 

grandmim and grandpa and they got a decent amount of snow. 

So, of course, Max convinced them to head outside

(the things grandparents do, right?!)

They walked in the snow, pulled him in the recycling bin, created a snow mound

for him to slide down, and shoveled it!  This sounds to me like a great recipe

for a long afternoon nap :)

Did you notice he has new accessory?  Oh yes, grandmim gave Max

his own scarf (which we thought he would hate, but turns out, he loves). 

I swear to you, he never tires of being out - even when his cheeks get rosy, and his toes get cold. 

Grandmim even put vaseline on his cheeks to have an extra barrier from the cold! 

This is his homemade snow hill - that his grandparents said he 

went down over and over! 

Last year, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sugar gifted us some Columbia

snow pants and matching jacket. At the time, I had a hard time picturing

us using them (well the pants anyway) - but oh man - 

they are so handy!  They are flannel lined, so they are cozy and I don't 

have to worry about his legs getting cold!  Win Win! 

And the matching coat is his absolute favorite. 

He always wants to wear it!

When he grew tired of playing in their yard, they walked across the street

to the pond and fed the ducks! While this is not normally something I condone (PSA alert: bread is actually really bad for ducks) - when it's your kid and they are shrieking in delight - well then I guess

you make exceptions (or at least I do). 

The pond isn't totally frozen because of the fountains - so the ducks and geese 

continue to gather there (much to the delight of Maxwell James). 

Even as the snow melts, Max still wants to be in it!

These last pictures are from two weekends ago when we went hiking at Highbanks. 

Most of the snow was gone from the roads (making it easy to drive), but 

still piled along the sides of the trail.

So, naturally, we had to play in that! 

We also played in the newly renovated nature center. 

They have a glass bottomed bridge, huge (and hollow!) tree in the middle of the room, 

puppet area, and birding window...which all made for endless amounts of fun for Max.

So, in lieu of passing out strong and tropical beverages, and giving you a dose my 

dangerously high spring fever, I will continue to try and celebrate the snow. 

When it brings your child so much joy, what else can you do really?

Love, Winter's biggest cheerleader (mama Hauck)

xoxo

#thewaymaxsays

I started a new hashtag on Instagram called "the way Max says". 

At this point he is saying so many new words all the time - 

he's quite the chatterbox.  Rather than try to keep a

running record of all of his words, I decided it might be more

fun to record tiny snippets of how he says things (when he feels like cooperating of course).

(pretty sure he's saying "more blueberries please" here)

Language is such a funny thing - 

the sounds, the repitition, the syllables - a lot has to come together

for a child to say (or repeat) what you're saying. 

(look! look! fish!)

He's got no problems repeating what we're saying

but what I've noticed now is that I can also ask him things 

and he will consider my question, and then give me an answer. 

Sometimes it's a real answer, sometimes it's some garble-di-gook (that's probably a real word) that

I can't understand. For so long, I feel like we just stared at him.  Willing him to say something. Anything. So now, it feels really exciting to be able to converse (sort of) with him. 

(penguins up there daddy, look daddy, look!)

Case in point:

me: what are you eating Max?

Max: a chip! (a random chip that he found on one of the shelves of the island). 

me: where does a cow live Max? (as he was holding his beloved cow from Chick-fil-A)

Max: barn. 

me: Who else lives in the barn?

Max: chickens!

me: (open the front door)

Max: it's snowing!

me: well kind of - there is snow on the ground

Max: it's icey. go outside

me: who's house are we going to?
Max:  Jessi's house!
me:  Who will be there?
Max. Collin. Ronin. Addie.  Addison
me: Is there a dog?
Max: Jake dog.

me:  do you want to go outside?
Max: walk in the snow. snow mountains.

me:  Who's going to come over?
Max. Titi.

me: Do you want to read a book?
Max. No. no books
me: okay then.
Max:  llama llama. (garbled garbled) BUGS! (I think he means ten little ladybugs).

The "conversations" are not going to be award winning by any means, but it's so neat
to see him process what we are saying and then be able to use the words at the correct time and place. His expanding vocabulary makes it even easier to understand his wants and needs.
It also means he understands us too - which sometimes goes over really well.
And, other times, when he understand we are saying "no" or "stop" - it frustrates him.

(definitely understand the word "cheese" and "smile")

Either way - we are happy to hear his little voice!
Also - check out the hashtag to actually hear his voice!

Xoxo

Max 21 months

(wearing construction pajamas!)

Age: 21 months

Stats:  He's somewhere in the 28-29 pound range. We went to the doctor mid month for suspected (and then diagnosed) croup and their scaled said 29.1 but he had clothes on - so who knows! He was 34 inches tall too. 

(mommy's glasses are lots of fun!)

Clothing: He's wearing 24 months to 2T shirts and pants...but the 24 months fit better (for pants). Lots of his pajamas are 2T too.  Size 4 diapers.  Size 6 shoes. 

Favorite Foods: any kind of toast, mini bagels, smoothies, eggs, yogurt, melon, strawberries, pineapple (he loves this), apples, applesauce, red/orange pepper, asparagus, peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, fish sticks, chips, pears, oranges, cookies, donuts, ice cream, raisins, cashews, lunch meat, chicken (fried, nuggets, pulled etc.), pepperoni, and PIZZA!

*should also be noted that he LOVES all kinds of dipping sauce – Ranch, ketchup, hummus, BBQ, guacamole etc.

(eating breakfast and loving all the melons!)

Favorite Words:  sleeping, singing, dancing, ZOO, mommy, daddy, ti-ti, grandpa, mims, kangaroo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe, zebra (can you tell we talk about Zoo animals a lot?, go bucks, cray cray (crazy), walking, snowing, raining, windy, down there, up there, basement, peeky (for our cat), pepe (for his penguin), bed, no, mine, digger, trucks, books, wake up

** lots of small sentences and phrases

***still lots of mimicking what we say and the intonation of our words/phrases

(LOVES to identify his letter "M")

Favorite Activities: going down the slide (that resides in our living room), playing hide and seek (with us or with an object), playing with his animals, carting pepe around, watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse and Daniel Tiger, cooking in his kitchen (especially with the pizza and toppings, and pretend pouring into cups), loves helping with anything (bed making, dishes in the dishwasher, setting the table, cleaning with paper towels, and switching over the laundry, he also loves to take all his stuffed animals out and cover them with every single one of his blankets, playing in his tent, building with blocks, and playing with his farm/animals.

(conquering snow mountain!)

Least Favorite Activity: anytime you tell him no or to stop something he’s doing (i.e. we don’t throw toys that hurts causes immediate tears), sharing (sometimes), diaper changes (sometimes), and coming inside when he’s playing in the snow.

Favorite Things: Daniel Tiger, Mickey Mouse (and the hot dog dance), any cell phone and watching videos of himself, Pepe the penguin, his play kitchen, his slide/plastic fort (that typically goes outside but we decide to move it in for the winter, Megablocks, trains, stickers, and all his plastic (but very realistic looking) animals.

(working on a special canvas)

(started music class again with Wee Joy Sing)

Signature Moves:  running into his tent and saying “I sleeping” and then popping his eyes open and saying “wake up”, can be coerced into putting his coat on with the promise of going outside, dipping all food into a sauce, still loves to say “I dump it out” and then doing so, naming all the Mickey Mouse club house characters when they introduce them on the show, buckling himself into the highchair, climbing onto anything and everything, putting a sticker down and then demanding you take it back up, sitting but only for a short time for a story, indicating who should do something (usually sounds like “mommy do it” or “grandpa do it”), busting in when you are trying to go to the bathroom (do mommies ever get any privacy??), holding hands in the car, and demanding what songs you sing and who sings them in the car (i.e. mommy sing!).

(cooking in the kitchen!)

Mom’s Proudest Moment:  Surviving a couple nights just the two of us (while Daddy was at a memorial service in California). It was hard, but not terrible.

Dad’s Proudest Moment:  All his new words and how good he's getting at talking!

(thinks that trying on mommy's boots is SO FUN!)

(brought our slide/fort indoors for some more fun!)

(stickers and more stickers!)

Other Milestones:

Another haircut in the books – this time lots of hair was on the floor before we were done, but it’s still curly (so Mama is happy!)

Two biting incidents at school (unfortunately he is the biter) and then consequently the he official introduction of “time out”

Using so many words to convey what he wants

Stressing SHARING constantly

Only uses paci for sleep (no more day time use or even car use)

Can sing the ABC’s

Can count (this blows my mind) from 1-10

Knows phrases of songs (i.e. Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall)

Started music class at Wee Joy Sing (again)

Survived two big snow falls – and loved playing in it!

Getting very good at following directions

Can identify lots of animals and make their sounds!

(post hair cut)

Dear Max, 

This month was full of ups and downs as we near the terrible twos.  You get frustrated quickly as you navigate sharing (sharing of your toys, space, and attention from adults).  However, as your vocabulary increases, we are able to figure out more and more of what you want. Your tantrums and fits were tempered with sweet moments as well - you are quick to demand us to "look!".  We look at your towers, your art wall, your cooking, what you have climbed on, at all of your animals...and your enthusiasm for all things is contagious and so sweet. You love to hold hands and sings songs. You developed a real affection for mommy this month - making it a little difficult to leave school in the morning and get anything accomplished in the evening.  For this reason, Daddy has taken over lots of the cooking and cleaning up - and is being a good sport.  Even though you are looking more and more like a little boy - I know that you will always be our little baby. 

We love you so!!

xoxo, 

Mommy and Daddy