Election night

Crazy for cookies

(don't tell Max they are made with pumpkin and quinoa)

Nutty at Trader Joes

Max is like traveling [with his mouth full] comedy show.  He is running, hungry, and funny most of the day.  This afternoon he cracked himself up while he filled his belly at Trader Joes.  And tonight he was very, very, sweet, as he hummed along while I sung him Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.  He was probably trying to drown out my terrible voice, which is great, because I would much prefer to hear his.

Potty?

We are not trying to potty train Max right now, but he will occasionally sit on on a potty seat [when he brushes his teeth]. Tonight, after dinner, I randomly said, "Max- go to the bathroom to potty".  He walked straight to the bathroom, put the potty seat on the toilet, and literally tried to climb on.  After some assistance getting 'potty-ready', he actually peed.  All over me.  But he certainly had the right idea, and he is a boy, so we definitely celebrated!  

Playground pit-stop 

Playing hide-and-go-seek with his peanut butter sandwich

Teeter tottering with Sadie 

Shower!

During the summer, when Max fell in love with the pool, we introduced him to the shower.  He hated it.  This morning, however, when he saw the shower on, he walked right in- wearing his pajamas.  Once he was finally au naturel he loved it!

My mom really does take a picture of everything!

Used [toy] car lot

Tonight we took advantage of the warm temperature and extra sunlight at the Meadow Lane Park in Vienna.  The place looks like a toy store exploded at a playground.  It is also small and completely fenced in- making it the perfect park for kids and parents!  Max had a blast driving, sliding, and pretending to wash his grimy hands.

Car shopping 

Scrub, scrub, scrub

I will just empty my toys all over so that I can find somewhere to sit

Happy Halloween!

Seeing Max go trick-or-treating was just terrific.  It may seem silly to think of Halloween as significant, but it illustrates how much Max has grown in a whimsical, cartoon-clad, sugarcoated way.  Last year, at 10 months old, Max could not walk, let alone understand what Halloween was. More importantly, his palate surgery was days before; the only treat he wanted was liquid oxycodone.  But this Halloween, as he walked from house to house, held out his pumpkin(s), and happily accepted treats, I realized the biggest treat for me was one entire surgery-free, healthy year!

Why only have one pumpkin when you have two hands?

Halloween picture from school:)

Max did not tell his mommy what he wanted to be for Halloween.  Since his favorite show is the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, she got him a Mickey costume.  It was tough for him to contain his enthusiasm, but he managed to.

Halloween hugs (mouse-cow head butt?)

Ben was a very skilled trick-or-treating role model 

Get me out of this costume!

Farmers Market Wednesday

Two pears, two bags of gold fish, and an unquantifiable number of graham crackers- typical Max snack.

Would you like some macaroni with that cheese?

Back to my Max

Fall fashionista

Here comes winter!

Good morning, Grandma and Pa

Max woke up this morning and his dream came true- Grandma and Pa were still there! But mommy and daddy were still very far away- celebrating the wedding of some of his first visitors ever- Jeff and Jackie- the newest Mr. & Mrs. Waters.

Jeff and Jackie in December 2011 and today, October 26, 2013, their wedding day!

Missing Max

Max is on a stay-cation with grandma and grandpa (a.k.a.- "Pa"), who were nice enough to come to Virginia while David and I crossed the country for our friends wedding.  I have never been on the west coast, but leaving Max for so long is a much greater shock to the system.  Knowing he is in great hands makes it easier, but videos and photos make it even better! 

22 months old!

Just another day at the office

Helping mommy at work- returning calls with the computer mouse.

In the drivers seat

First aid

Max is a wild child by nature, but add a laundry basket over his head and ever-present straw cup hanging from his mouth, and a bloody chin is bound to happen. And it did. But not only did Max recover swiftly, he eagerly assisted it cleaning his wounds.  And licking them.  He must have picked that up from Pawley.

Hydrogen peroxide doesn't sting the general

Typical

Goof balls goofing around

Topless

Max learned how to take his shirt off today. During his nap.  Consequently, the nap did not include sleep; just sheer excitement over the new found skill.

Now I can show off the belly whenever I want!

Target date!

This ride is so much fun!
(and free!)

Fall-ing in love Festival

Today Max went to the festival at Frying Pan Park, where he shucked corn, cored an apple, and took a romantic wagon ride with Sadie.

This straw is broken.

What a comfy seat.  Empty box of wipes in the middle of the hall.