Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum

I took Max to the Dallas Arboretum to enjoy the gorgeous spring flowers.  This is one of my most very favorite activities in Dallas.  I think everyone should come visit us during the spring so they can experience it too!

Someone offered to take a picture of the two of us - thank you kind stranger!

YIKES!!! I snapped this pic right as Max tripped and fell.  While it was happened I had this awful flashback to the last time we were at the arboretum and thought, "Oh no!  Not again!  We have only been here for a few minutes and now we are going to have to leave because he's gotten hurt.  Luckily, he picked himself right back up and was okay.

Max's chariot for the day.  He wasn't interested in staying in it.

\

Being silly.  He kept walking from the sidewalk to this rock and then putting his hands behind him.

He enjoyed emptying the diaper bag quite a few times.

I tried to put the lady bug on Max but he wanted NOTHING to do with that.  He shook it off him each time.

He was fine looking at it as long as it was on Momma.

Snack time - raisins!

I pointed out this flower and tried to get him to smell it.  Instead, while I was taking the picture, he pulled off a petal.  :(  Sorry flower!  I learned my lesson.

Seems like the perfect form for a running back, right?  He's got that apple safely tucked!

It was a really fun afternoon and I enjoyed the Momma/Max time.

I cooked again!!  The perfect end to a great day - Chicken and asparagus cooked on the grill with diced tomatoes on top of pasta.  I really enjoy this dish and it's perfectly topped with olive oil we brought back from Italy and balsamic vinegar made in Italy.  I think I need to go back to Italy!

Dapper!

I used to think that it was impossible to find cute boy clothes.  I know now that it's not impossible, you may just have to look a little harder.  I really enjoy dressing Max!  I think "dapper" best describes this look.

Rocking the suspenders

Someone so cute shouldn't be so sad!

I filled Easter eggs in preparation for our neighborhood Egg Hunt.  Max had to investigate.

I am in love with those lashes

And those chubby cheeks

We've been on the hunt for some furniture for our living room.  It's been torture.  We have been so many placed and not really found anything we've like.  PLUS shopping for furniture with a 1 1/2 year old who wants to touch everything is not very fun.

One store had these great carts that allowed us to trap Max.  He had fun "driving" around the store.

Actually eating a grilled cheese for the first time (we've tried before).  It is starting to be fun to take Max out to eat.  We are getting better at finding things he will eat (note the pickle on the table) and are getting better at keeping him entertained.  He does a nice job of ensuring everyone around us sees how cute he is.  :)  We aren't complete pros but it is better. 

Video - Max cracking up while being tickled by dad.

Don't laugh - I took a picture because I actually made dinner.  I just don't have a lot of drive to cook.  When I get home from work it's the last thing I want to do.  I just want to spend time with Max.  So most nights either Peter cooks or we figure out something for Max and eat leftovers/pizza/fast food.  So, good for me.  I made dinner!

Joe's mom, dad, sister, and nieces were in town for a week.  Max got to spend a lot of time with them while I was at work.  He called them Grandma and Grandpa and didn't take long to warm up to them.  He was really cute with Joe's Dad and the two played together.

Britt, her family, her in-laws, and Max went to a place similar to chuck-e-cheese.  She sent me this cute picture of Max.  I guess he's not too young to start taking these types of places!

Sweet sleeping baby.  I hate to wake him when he falls asleep in the car.

Details about Maxwell Charles on March 24th, 2013

• When he licks his fingers he likes to get the smacking sound
• He has starting giving me something that I call "Cheek Smooshes" where he smashes one of his cheeks against mine.  I looooooove it.  It's really sweet and affectionate.
• He is trying to jump but it's more like just raising up on his toes without leaving the ground.
• He points out letters and numbers on things.
• He knows his numbers 0 - 10
• When we read "Dr. Suess' ABC's" tonight he knew all of his letters except L, N, and U!!
• He is still a picky eater
• He is starting to get the scoop method down when using a spoon.
• He actually sang tonight.  I sang 3 notes to him and he sang it back to me multiple times and a few times was even on pitch.  It's so fun to see him pick things up!  I asked him to sing and he did.
• When we were brushing teeth tonight, there was a moment where he looked in my eyes, like REALLY looked in my eyes as if seeing into my soul.  I don't know how to explain it but it felt like he was looking into my soul.  It made me instantly tear up to feel that deep connection with him.  The bond that I have with this little person is such an amazing and special thing.  I feel very lucky to be able to experience it and experience a deeper love as well.  It motivates me to do more, give more, and be more for him. 

Max turns 19 months old!

Yikes.  He is getting so old so fast.

I thought it was so sweet how he was standing with his feet crossed, looking out the window.

This is MY wipe

Cleaning off his belly

Pushing the stroller around at the park with Brittany

Having fun filling the basket with bark.

A self-portrait Max took while playing with my phone.

Big kid taking a nap in the pack-n-play.  Notice how he has fallen asleep with his head in the corner?  That's how he likes it.

At Ladies Bunco Night. (JELLO SHOTS - first time ever.  Not as good as normal jello.)

Once a month we have a neighborhood ladies bunco game.  There's pretty good turnout - up to 25 ladies!  It's fun to get to know the ladies in the neighborhood and take a night for me.  They have also been doing a girls night out thing once a month but I haven't done that one.  2 nights a month away on top of time away when traveling for work seems like too much right now.

Have I mentioned that he's a pretty happy kid?

At work we played Bingo with the proceeds going to Children's Miracle Network.  I love playing bingo and using the dauber (dobber?).

Guess who won?!?!  This lucky girl!  I got a bag filled with snacks and goodies.

Enjoying reading books.

Funny!

Video - Such a silly kid.  I love his personality.

Peter made him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Hey momma - give me the camera!

Max still has a cough and runny nose.  He sometimes talks with a raspy voice where it sounds like he needs to cough to clear it up.  I feel like this sort-of cold has lasted all winter.  It never ends!

Things about Max at 19 months...

• He LOOOOOOVES his dad!  For example, if I am reading to Max and Daddy comes in, he will take the book out of my hands and hand it to Peter so he can be the one reading to Max.
• He's doing a great job of recognizing his numbers.  He points to the numbers on the alarm clock in the morning and at night and says the letters he sees.
• He points on the letters he knows on books, license plates, keyboards, etc.
• He is like his dad in many ways
• He doesn't like his hands to be dirty
• He would prefer to just watch and observe people when in groups rather than get involved
• He's shy
• He loves pizza
• He loves all things techie - computers, iphones, ipads, cameras...etc.
• Ways he's like his momma
• He likes to be outside
• He likes "playing" the piano (electronic keyboard)
• He loves bread