If you're happy and you know it clap your hands

In the last week and a half Max has accomplished a lot!  Here are the highlights:

1. Max's mouth is officially all better

2. Max can WALK! (and now wants to run...)

3. Max drank milk

4. Max learned to clap

Last Monday, November 26, Max had his final post-surgical appointment of the year. Dr. Redett said, "he looks perfect".  This is not news to me, but I was relieved and appreciative to hear the medical confirmation that our nugget didn't dent his new palate.  He also did much better on his hearing test, so the ear tubes are working.  Max will go back to the Cleft Clinic in the Spring and twice a year from now on, until his next surgery when he is around five years old.  Throughout the next several years he will be monitored by Dr. Redett (his surgeon), hearing and speech specialists, and an orthodontist. 

Max is growing up so fast, and now he is moving faster, too.  After weeks of taking tentative steps between the couch and ottoman, Max took off on his own.  When he walked across the house on Saturday, turning corners better than he ever did with the push-toy, David and I agreed that Max can officially "walk".   As if his appetite was not already insatiable, a General on foot requires even more fuel.  To that end, the doctor suggested introducing some milk into Max's diet to keep him more full.  He seems to like milk, but we are still working on refining the use of a sippy cup.  Or straw cup.  Or any cup.  To be honest, I would let Max chug straight from the milk cartoon if it went directly into his mouth.

To cap off all of his illustrious milestones, Max learned to clap, and gave himself several, well-deserved, rounds of applause.

More exciting than the OJ chase! (12.5.12)



Road soda (12.5.12)



Bathtime/bedtime snack (12.4.12)



(12.4.12)

  



Stroller snack (12.4.12)

  

Is it Spring already? (12.3.12)

  



Catch me if you can! (12.2.12)

 

Walking! (12.1.12)




(12.1.12)




(12.1.12)




One basket, two babies, eleven months (11.30.12)

Hanging out at halftime with Timmy (11.30.12)



He likes what he sees.  Pictures of himself on the refrigerator. (11.30.12)



Even when he's not happy he is so freaking cute! (11.29.12)





Silent reading (11.28.12)



 

(11.28.12)



Thirsty (11.27.12)



Happy Birthday, Sadie Jean! (11.27.12)





Just a small snack (11.26.12)

 


Milk chin (11.25.12)

 

11 months old



Have walker, will travel

Max worked off his inaugural Thanksgiving feast by doing laps around the Oakton gym during David's basketball practice.  After circling the gym three times with his handy hippo walker, he took a bottle break. He also practiced some new tricks- climbing down the stairs (and ottoman) on his belly, covering and uncovering his face to play peek-a-boo, and drinking from his straw cup.  The latter is proving to be the most difficult, yet is the most important.  He is a little late to the 'drinking from a cup game' and is just now able to use suction.  He instinctively gnaws on his straw and sippy cups because that is how he drinks from his bottle, so I am trying to show him how it is done.   He finds the sight of me drinking from his cup very funny; I suppose it is.

Thanks-for-everything Day

It goes without saying that our family has much to be thankful for. Max enjoyed his first Thanksgiving sitting between David and I, while messily eating off the table and loving every bite. I equally loved watching him stuff his beautifully repaired and healed mouth with turkey.



Happy Thanksgiving! (11.22.12)



First Thanksgiving as a family of three (11.22.12)

Snacking on Turkey Day (11.22.12)

Give me that turkey! (11.22.12)

 



 

Jackson, Max, and Sadie's first Thanksgiving.  Gianna is in charge! (11.22.12)

Max and Sadie cooking last Thanksgiving and eating this Thanksgiving



(11.21.12)



Just the guys grabbing a couple of slices at Pomodoro (11.21.12)



(11.20.12)

Pajama party at the park (11.20.12)



Pigging out on pumpkin pie samples at Trader Joe's (11.19.12)

Downward Max (11.19.12)



A little addicted to doing touchdown (11.18.12)





Max admiring baby Hannah (11.17.12)



When one door closes, Max opens it

Max has been getting a lot of exercise the past couple of weeks.  The boy does not sit still- unless he is sleeping- which he did last Saturday for 15 hours!  After resisting all attempts at a nap, Max passed out at 4:30pm and only awoke once for a brief bottle snack before morning.

His new favorite pastimes include opening and closing doors, climbing the stairs, playing in the ball pit, and trying to walk.  He can take a few steps all by himself, but still prefers pushing around anything that is not nailed down (i.e.- kitchen chairs).  Max also stopped by one of his dad's basketball practices, which must have paid off, because he learned how to make shots in his baby basketball hoop.  The fact that he takes a break from putting the ball in his mouth is a milestone in itself! 

Max loves breakfast (11.17.12)

Love this new shopping cart (11.17.12)

Happy kiddos! (11.16.12)

So happy to see Daddy! (11.15.12)

Duck tub (11.14.12)

Welcome to my bedroom (11.13.12)

Obsessed with climbing stairs (11.13.12)

(11.12.12)

Ready for a picture and bedtime story (11.11.12)

This is what 15 hours of sleep gets you! (11.11.12)

Put me in, coach/dad! (11.10.12)

(11.10.12)

All done! (11.9.12)

almost walking! (11.8.12)

well rested and ready to play (11.8.12)

(11.7.12)

Max for President!

Today Max ventured to two polling places, received one "I voted" sticker, but did not quite meet the age requirement to cast a ballot. He is a responsible American citizen in training. 

Max's first time at the polls (11.6.12)



Where is my voting sticker? (11.6.12)





(11.6.12)



Field trip to Sadie's polling place (11.6.12)