No tears, no traffic, no surgery

With much anticipation Max was plucked from his bed this morning at 5:45am; from that point on he was in a positively excellent, and unexpected, mood all day.  When does waking up a child and depriving him of food go smoothly and tear-free?  Today.  However, despite Max being a star patient, he never really became one today.  When Dr. Redett met us in the pre-op area he explained that Max should have more extensive work done on his upper lip scar.  This requires more time both in surgery and recovery, as well as a follow-up procedure to remove the stitches (the planned procedure was going to use dissolvable sticthes).  Due to this last minute change we all decided it was best to reschedule the surgery.  It will be August 21 at 3:30pm.  Here's hoping that today's test run makes the fasting (for many, many, many more hours) bearable.  

Max was happy to be on the road at 5:45am.  After being reminded that he was seeing the doctor, the first thing he said was, "I want to hear the baby's heartbeat."   He was so excited to see the doctor that he did not ask for food or milk.  Incredible! 

Blowing bubbles and racing in cars with his new surgery buddy

Rescheduled surgery = pancakes at the Broadway Diner in Baltimore.  A Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives find, of course.

We really had a terrific morning!  Max asked to see Dr. Redett the whole ride home, so hopefully when we return to the hospital in a few weeks he will be just as excited.

No-surgery selfie

Surgery present, sans surgery 

Just when Max's day could not get any better, he found his long-lost friend, Harry the Happy Dinosaur, at Harris Teeter.  Max loves this ride (and for a penny a pop, so does his mom) and was devestated that it was missing the last time he was at the store.  The manager said it was stolen, and Max was told it "moved far away".  When we drove by the store today, Max spotted it through the window, and practically burst out of his car seat with jubilation.  "I found the dinosaur!  I'm so happy!", he exclaimed.  Aren't we all!

Fun today, surgery tomorrow

The General had another action-packed, outdoorsy summer day running on the W&OD Trail and splashing in the fountains.  He worked up a big appetite and devoured an adult-size meal at Chipotle.  

Tomorrow Max will have his fourth cleft surgery. Hopefully his huge dinner will keep him full since he cannot eat or drink anything tomorrow morning.  Max's past three surgeries have all been the first of the day, 8:00am, but that slot is reserved for the youngest of patients.  Now that he is a big boy, he will have to wait a little longer.  He will get new ear tubes and have the bump on the left side of his lip removed; Dr. Redett said everything should be done in an hour.  

Unlike his previous surgeries (when he was 3, 8, and 10 months old) this is the first time that David and I spoke to Max about what was going to happen.  While we only said that he was going to the doctor- which he loves- and that he could not have milk tomorrow morning- which he ignored and will freak out about- it signals the fact that Max has grown up so much.

By this time tomorrow Max will be home with a new (but cannot be improved) smile.

Max had more stamina than mommy on the W&OD Trail!

For the second day in a row we went to the muffin store and it was closed.  On the way home Max said, "I want to go to the bagel store, it's right there".  He was right.  Good thing they had muffins!

It was also the second day in a row for splash pad fun!

Kids meals are for babies! Big boys (and soon-to-be big brothers) need an adult meal.

Splash pads are the greatest!

"Swing me!"

Family fan club

Max was sad to say bye-bye to Aunt Arielle this morning, but before he knew it Gamma, Pa, and Uncle were at his doorstep.  

Seeing Pawley when he got back from dropping off Aunt Arielle at the airport made Max feel better.

Bye, bye summer camp

Today was Max's last day at his summer camp.  He had such a wonderful experience there; in four short weeks he had fun and learned so much everyday! 

Max was eager to get to camp as usual this morning. Every afternoon in the car he waves and says, "bye, bye summer camp"; it was sad to tell him that today was his last day.

Max stopped at Great Harvest Bread to pick up some goodies for his summer camp teachers.  He had a fun detour at a railroad car, but was very frustrated that it was not working.  "Mommy go find the man to open the door", and "it's not running," he repeated.  

Max loves Miss Hannah! He said he wants to see her at Tot Shabbat.  He also told her and all of his other teachers that he peed on his doctor.  

Max also loves Gianna and after weeks of  "calling" Jackson and Gianna from his playhouse, they came over for dinner.

Hot dog!

Max loves doctors, so seeing two today made him very happy.  This morning he came to mommy's doctor appointment and listened to his future sibling.  He went on to tell everyone at his summer camp that his mommy has a baby in the belly, that he heard the baby's heartbeat, and he wants to play with it.  

Instead of napping this afternoon, Max attempted to change his diaper.  Thank goodness the video monitor picked up the activity because the first diaper he almost removed had quite a stinky surprise.  An hour later he successfully took off another diaper, found a pull-up in his closet, and changed himself.  

Later this afternoon Max had his 2.5 year old check-up/pre-operation check-up (he is having a minor lip repair and ear tubes put in next week).  He has grown three inches since his second birthday!  As usual he enjoyed seeing Doctor Kelley.  Doctor Kelley, however, got a nice treat when he removed Max's diaper- a shower.  The last, and only other time Max showered someone with pee was when he was a newborn.  Even the doctor said that has not happened to him in many years.  While the room was in hysterics, Max just kept saying, "I peed on the doctor".   Correct. 

Two hours, and two more full diapers later, it was clear that while Max may be ready for the potty, the potty [and the mommy] is not ready for Max.

Max loves going to the doctor!  He told Doctor Kelley, "I have my stethoscope at my home."

Diaper changes in lieu of nap time

Special weekday trip to the bagel store before summer camp 

I spy...

Max- on a summer camp safari! 

Max made binoculars at his summer camp today.

Max enjoyed his ice pop- and then polished off Aunt Arielle's and mommy's, too.  After all, it was 94 degrees at the farmers market today.

Max went off the diving board at least a dozen times.  Thank goodness Aunt Arielle was there to tread water for that long! 

Morning car ride- Max said he is going to Chipotle.  He must have had it on his mind all day- tonight he said, "I want to go out to dinner."

Little house in the basement

Morning fun in Max's playhouse 

Yep- mommy still fits in the playhouse- for now. 

Can't get enough octopus stickers 

Octopus, octopus swimming in the water

Max enjoyed an art project inspired by his new favorite song at summer camp.  Both the octopus and Max looked quite nice covered in stickers. 

"We're number one!" 

As soon as Max opened this jersey from Aunt Arielle he put in on and recited lines from his Gator book 

Welcome, Aunt Arielle!

"I want Arielle to read my books."

Boys only weekend

Max's world

Morning art project 

Picture of Max from his summer camp newsletter

Pawley watching

Lots of screaming this afternoon! 

Max and Sadie were excited to see each other and Pawley.

Farmers Market Wednesday

Peach pop + 2 peaches = yum!

Singing in the Rain

Pizza pie at Harris Teeter- consolation prize for the dinasour ride no longer being there.  

New skill: punting green ball [over the fence].

Sticker silly

Max was quite excited about the stickers he got in the mail from Grandma today.

Blast off!

Max had a blast (literally) at the Air and Space Museum.  It was not easy for him to accept the fact that he could not go on the airplanes and spaceship, but luckily he was able to visit outer space  in a flight simulator.  Mommy, Ganma, and Pa could not believe that Max was not the least bit scared of the realistic ride; rather he wanted to go on again! 

Looking for airplanes 

Blast off! 

"I wanna go on there"

Water fight!

A little R & R

The Muffin Man

Max's Friday had a rocky beginning when the car would not start; after demanding "mommy drive", he suggested that he drive his own red car to his summer camp.   Eventually Max made it to camp, but his beloved sippy cup did not (it wound up in the street during a chaotic car transfer), yet he survived on his new big-boy cup drinking skills.  The morning's excitement led to Max's first no-tantrum nap in weeks, which was much appreciated.   Before his nap, however, he requested that mommy cut the nails on his feet.  Procrastination tactic, perhaps, but certainly hilarious.  The comedy show continued during bathtime when Max decided that the new rubber mat in the tub was a diving board.  The real diving board may prove safer than bathtub diving.  

Max's "cupcake" supply was running low, so after camp he whipped up some more; just don't tell him that he made zucchini muffins.  He loves helping in the kitchen and drags a chair over to the counter anytime he sees cooking action.