Max and Kira

October 22, 2012

'Twas the night before surgery: Part III

Tomorrow will be Max's third and final surgery of the year. Turns out if you buy three surgeries you get one free- a palate repair with a bonus set of ear tubes. This is the largest and most significant of all the surgeries, but different because Max will come out of the operating room looking the same way he did going in. There will be no wondering. Or surprises. Or a new face waiting in recovery. Just our little woozy Max, in his bitty baby shackles- a familiar, sad, but thankfully, temporary sight.

Halloween practice run (10.22.12)

Topless art (10.22.12)

I will be sipping out of this straw in no time (10.22.12)

Standing and smiling

This has been a busy week for Max; we have been trying to jam as many activities in as we can before his big surgery on Tuesday. Similarly, Max has been trying to jam as much food in [the roof of] his mouth as possible. He had several "pre-surgery" photo shoots and hammed them all up with his gorgeous dimples. Unlike his previous two surgeries, the procedure on Tuesday will not change his smile (thank goodness!!), but it is still a milestone worthy of photographic documentation.

In other milestone news, Max did two exciting, yet drastically different things for the first time this weekend. He stood up by himself and went to a bar. David and I took him to watch the Florida-South Carolina game at the Gator Alumni bar. It was an afternoon game- the perfect time to test the 'baby in a bar' waters. Like the Gators, Max behaved like a champ for three hours! Clad in his lucky Florida shirt, he loved watching the game as much as he loved watching the die hard fans go wild for every touchdown. In regards to the more appropriate developmental milestone, Max shocked me by standing on his own (for about 15-30 seconds at a time). I think he shocked himself, too, and now all he wants to do is practice. Good thing his tushy is conveniently padded with a diaper!

(10.21.12)

Laundry time (10.21.12)

Standing! I had to show this photo even with the red eye! (10.20.12)

Jamming with Jackson and Gianna (10.20.12)

Focused on the Gator game and trying to stand (10.20.12)

Won't be able to jam this much food in there for long (10.19.12)

after school cuddles and giggles (10.18.12)

(10.18.12)

(10.17.12)

(10.16.12)

little snack with a side of Fall ball (10.16.12)

(10.15.12)

October 14, 2012

Bagel boss

We have been taking every opportunity to enjoy the sensational fall weather while it lasts. Max loves to be outside; it is a virtual antidote for anything that ails him. On Saturday, the fire department hosted a family open house. Max may have been too small to climb on the trucks and explore the station, but he loved the toy fire hat- and that he got to take home with him! This afternoon we capped off our alfresco-themed weekend with a charity walk and lunch with friends.

Cure Search Walk for Children's Cancer with Gianna and Jackson (10.14.12)

Fresh out of toilet paper (10.14.12)

The Yankees are giving Max a belly ache (10.13.12)

Just a little something to hold over the nugget (10.13.12)

Family Day at the firehouse (10.13.12)

(10.12.12)

Mouth watering [fake] muffins (10.12.12)

October 11, 2012

Best [birth] day ever

Max gave me an early birthday present when he said "mama", but today he and Sadie took a field trip to my school for a lunch celebration. I also got not one, but two birthday cakes that said "Happy Birthday Mom", although I am not sure how much Max had to do with those.

My boys. The best gift ever! (10.11.12)

(10.11.12)

Before and after birthday lunch (10.11.12)

They didn't get to the 'personal space' lesson in school yet (10.10.12)

The general is giving orders (10.9.12)

Winter coat time! (10.9.12)

October 8, 2012

Mama

Max said "mama" yesterday! I was skeptical at first and figured it was just a new baby noise, but after he clearly parroted me several times I officially marked it down as his first word. Max probably has no idea what he is saying, what it means, or how much joy it brings my ears and heart, but I am one very proud mama! Now we are working on teaching him "dada" and "thank you". He needs to learn the latter, and fast, so he can respond to all of the compliments he gets.

Today Max visited the "Cleft Clinic" at Johns Hopkins where he had a hearing test and follow-up appointment with Dr. Redett, his surgeon. Max did not exactly ace the hearing test, but the results were expected considering the amount of fluid floating around his pretty little head. He will have ear tubes put in during his palate surgery on October 23. This will get rid of the ear fluid and improve his hearing. Over 96% of babies with cleft palate require tubes and it is quite convenient that Max can have this procedure while he is already under anesthesia for his palate repair.