A letter to Max - at 2 1/2 years

Dear Max,

These past two weeks have found me looking at photos of you from many months ago.  Partly because I’m working on a special Christmas present for you, and partly because long after you’ve been in bed, I miss you and console myself by looking through the picture reel on my phone.  I constantly think, “how did we get here?” How did you become semi self-sufficient?  How are you even potty trained…wasn’t I just changing your diaper?

I guess it’s as they say….time flies. 

 

Here’s the good part about time going so fast.  You are growing into a smart, hilarious, capable (if not stubborn), handsome little boy.  Right now you love to build forts. You say to me “I fix this side and you fix that side, okay mommy?” and then you like to fling your body onto  the roof of the fort and land on the pillows below.  Repeat about 25 more times.  You think the remote control to our Christmas tree lights is pretty darn cool. Octonauts, Paw Patrol, and Team UmiZoomi are your favorite television programs. Last week you jumped in all the leaf piles I made in the front yard.  Day care drop off is so much better – you smother me in kisses and say “go to work mommy”.  And, just today Miss Jessi sent me a video of you singing Itsy Bitsy spider to baby Piper.  When asked what you were thankful for at dinner, you replied “Addie” (your bestie at school).  You still love your pacifier and are pretty good at keeping it to the car and crib. You continue to ask me about every noise you hear.  You think me trying to kiss your neck when you’re fresh out of the bath is hysterical. You’ve finally branched out in underwear choices (it was almost always Thomas until recently). You take your vitamin with gusto.  And your favorite food is most definitely applesauce.

 

 Two is by far, the best year yet. I love that you still sleep in your crib. 

I love the hilarious way you spit out the tooth paste (t’s a work in progress). You have a fiercely independent streak (always wanting to snap the first closure of your car seat). I love your requests of “juice and water” each morning for breakfast. I love that we can carry on real conversations. I love that you learned how to say "I love you." I love that you have opinions about what you want to wear and where you want to go. This age, it seems, keeps getting better and better and I'm trying my best to remember it for what it is.

 

When you started day care – you were almost three months old …with mostly three year and four year olds.   Now you're one of the big kids and are so ready for the next step. We pass a nearby preschool and you tell me, “that’s Macy’s school and when I get bigger, it will be my school!”.  I can only imagine what you'll pick up next and can't wait to hear about your days at school. My heart expands and cracks just thinking about it.

When people ask me if we’re having another child – I usually respond with a hearty “no, I think we’re done”…because honestly, it’s hard to imagine being a mom to anyone but you.  It’s hard to imagine splitting my time with anyone but you.  But there’s a small part of me that feels like maybe someday you’ll resent us for not even trying to give you a sibling. So, I guess we’ll wait and see what the future holds. (Hopefully, enormous raise?)

I know you'll probably never remember these toddler years. 

All the time your dad and I spent focused solely on you...

keeping you happy, keeping you healthy...and keeping your schedule. 

But, I'm writing this down because I want to remember it. 

I want to remember the snuggles.  The cuts and scrapes you ask me to kiss.

Your curiosity...your never ending "why" questions. 

The way your hair so tightly curls in the bath...the way 

you direct me to find your paci's in the morning.  

I hope I remember these magic years that made me a Mama. 

I hope that somehow, Max, you know how grateful I am for you. 

How much I appreciate your patience with me these last 2.5 years. 

I still have so much to learn as a parent, but you've

helped me get started. 

You are so very special, sweet Max.
Love,
Mama

p.s. these are some of my favorite photos from our photoshoot this past October.
Of course, I saved the best for our Christmas card :)

Around Here

Halloween, daylight savings time, and a hacking cough have all caught up 

with us at the Haucks.  But....I don't like to whine - so instead I'm 

going to tell you about some of the fun stuff we've been up to lately. 

Last weekend Max and Mama went to the Franklin Park Conservatory. 

We had let our membership lapse and that place is totally

worth my $60 membership.  They offer a duo membership fee - 

which is perfect for us because Max is free until he turns three. 

 

(I uploaded a video above - hopefully you can see it...)

The conservatory is awesome too because it doesn't take forever

to get through - you can literally be in and out in a matter of an hour and half. 

They have lots of stairs to climb - a train in one of the rooms, a fish pond in 

the other, and lots of family friendly programming. 

It always tires Max out and I don't hate that. 

Chances are if you come to visit us - we will bring you here. 

You've been warned :)

Sunday the weather was still absolutely gorgeous (being that it

was November 1) - so after Max's nap, we picked up Titi and Penny

for a walk at the Hoover Reservoir. 

I brought the Ergo along still (as Max would still prefer

to be held or strolled).  He rode a bit on my back

and "helped" Titi with Penny's leash.  If you asked him - I'm sure

he would tell you that he loved throwing sticks and rocks in to the water. 

He could literally do this for hours.  And, he was even 

nice enough to pick up a few sticks for Penny (or, Penns as he calls her) too!

I have been participating in phone banks, 

yard sign drop offs, and door to door campaigning for two weeks to 

encourage Franklin County residents to vote for Issue 15!

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Max and I went to our 

local polling place and (obviously) voted YES to support our Zoo!

And, all my hard work paid off - as the levy passed with resounding

support from Franklin County. As Papa Rob and I both

work at the Zoo, this was an enormous relief. 

And, similar to this Oprah meme. (see below)

(whew!)

Okay - this isn't new news as baby Pax was born almost

a month ago now - but every time I look at this picture

it cracks me up. Max is clearly thrilled to have a cousin. 

(Actually we had run out of snack and fun things for him

to do at the hospital so he was OVER IT). 

I'm sure in a couple of months - they will be besties :)

The tree (it's a Sweet Gum) in our backyard

is literally the most beautiful tree in all the land. 

It took forever to turn color - but when it did - 

it did not disappoint.  LOVE it!

We also have a Sweet Gum tree in our front yard

that is still dropping leaves.  Papa Rob refuses to

rake them (rather, he would prefer to mow over them??) - 

but Max loves to jump in the piles I rake! 

We raked up two big piles and some neighborhood kids

came down and they were all rolling in the leaves. 

I felt like a super mom for thinking of this 

awesome, free activity. And, it's certainly better

than sitting in front of the i-pad or TV - which 

I fear might happen more frequently as the weather

gets cooler :(

Sometimes, I come across funny things on Instagram

or Facebook.  The below saved image was spot on this week. 

Max started to pee the bed at night time - for like four nights in a row. 

And while, I'm not mad, I'm not sure what to do?

He seemed mortified when I suggested a pull up. 

So, for now, I've started waking him when I go to bed, around 11. 

This seems to be working - no accidents the past couple nights! 

And, a much more rested mama :)

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

xoxo