2 months of Max!

We have loved seeing Max change in the last month. He's no longer the "baby blob" and his personality has started to come out! We have real smiles, real cries and a really sweet baby boy!

Max had a BIG growth spurt about two weeks ago! He seemed to go from newborn to chubby baby in a matter of days. The rolls and cheeks are growing everyday...and I love it! Morgan had legs that looked like an opened can of biscuits...loved them! I can't wait for Max to have that cuteness, too. At the doctor on Monday, he weighed 14 pounds, 8 ounces!! Hilarious. The girls weren't even close to that at this age!

He got his first round of vaccines. Max totally spit up the Rotavirus vaccine (the nurse caught it with her hand!) and then cried pretty hard with the shots. He's the first to get fussy after shots. Guess that is a boy for you:)

Probably the thing that most people comment on is Max's hair. It really looks like we buzz it! He's been a fuzz head since birth. I thought for sure it'd fall out like the girls' hair, but it's holding strong...a little thinner in front, but still there!!

The smiles are coming more and more each day. They were pretty tough to get out of him at first, but now he'll give you one without much effort. They started out a little like Elvis, a lip curl on one side. Hilarious. My mom found a trick that makes Max smile every time...clapping his hands. The girls love to do that to him...a lot.

He's pretty serious, too. This isn't surprising. It seems he has a lot of his biggest sister in him (personality included!). He enjoys looking around and taking everything in. So far the one thing he does not like is when the car stops. My dad took all three kids to Sonic while Mom and I got our nails done. He came back and said Max had earned his new nickname (Brad had just started calling him "Mad Max")!! Apparently it was quite a sight. Grandpa had to back the car up, get Max out of his carseat and try to soothe him while paying for the girls' slushies. The carhop said, "Wow, you've got your hands full!"

We were at my parents for 11 days while Brad was working out of town. I had very low expectations of a routine during this trip (i.e. not having a routine!), but Max picked up some good habits that I hoped would stick around! He started sleeping 5-6 hour stretches at night. I was only having to get up once to feed him. So far, since we've been home, it hasn't been quite as long. I'm ready for the big 12 hours, but will take the 5-6 whenever it comes for now. He's also pretty good at taking two long naps, with some catnaps thrown in between. He loves to be swaddled and gets "sleepy eyes" almost instantly!

Max is one lucky boy. He has two sisters that absolutely adore him. Morgan is hit or miss somedays. But, Mallory, oh boy! She would hold him all day long if I'd let her. She is in his face giving him kisses and hugs anytime he's awake. He gives her big smiles and "talks" to her a lot. They both ask about him as soon as they walk through the door. Mallory especially loved riding next to him in the car (she and Morgan are usually in the "back back") on the way to Ft. Worth. I loved it as well. Now that she's in a booster, she can reach over and put his paci back in:)

We love our baby Max! There isn't a day that goes by we don't thank God for three healthy kiddos! Our life is full (sometimes of chaos!) and fun.

Happy birthday to Mallory!

So, it is officially official. I am the mom of a five year old. A soon-to-be kindergartener. A girl, not a little girl, she tells me all the time. A girl that can get dressed by herself, comb her own hair, have her own opinion about what she wants to wear, buckle herself with a seatbelt, have actual conversations, add numbers, spell a handful of words and is so excited to finally be five!

It's hard to believe it was five years ago when we saw this sweet face (which looks a lot like her little brother's face):

And now, we get to see this sweet face everyday:

Her choice for her birthday dinner? Subway. Yes, Subway. Of all the restaurants she could pick from, she chose Subway. Hilarious.

After dinner, we walked over to BJ's for a birthday pazookie (which is free on your birthday, fyi):

The day of her party, decorating some princess cupcakes:

Her first time to ride in her booster with a seat belt (a big deal for her and me!):

And, on to the big party! Last year, several friends and I were talking about parties. We tossed around the idea of doing a joint party together, and then a brilliant idea came to us...rent out Lions Junction! It was hands down, the easiest party ever! Mallory had a pretty fun party last year (Oreo the horse), but this one might have taken the title (don't you agree, Karen?). There were five of us that rented it out. We barely made a dent in the amount of people you can invite. We had the entire park to ourselves, complete with lifeguards. The only prep was making cupcakes and buying drinks. It was so, so easy. If any Temple friends want to join in next year, I think we'll do it again! Probably until they don't think it's cool anymore:)

She was SO excited (and I barely saw her all night!):

The birthday kids: Joshua (6), Mallory (5), Kate (5), Bella (5) and Maddie (3)

We had one big "Happy Birthday song" and then everyone dug into the cupcakes:

We had the park until 10 pm. I didn't think we'd last that long, especially with Max. But, we ended up closing down the park! About 5 till 10 I looked over and Mallory is by herself in the kid area, sliding over and over and over...with three lifeguards watching her (and so ready to go home)! She was a prune when she got out. To say that she had a blast is an understatement! In fact...the other night we were reading the girls' devotional book. It was talking about exciting days and what your most exciting day has been. Mallory said, "Mommy, my birthday party at the water park was my most exciting day EVER!" I loved hearing that, and knowing that it was true!

So now I will try to soak in the next two months. I'm afraid I'll be a mess when August comes. It's such a weird emotion. I'm so glad she's a big kid, but so sad to lose the littleness. Sigh.

One (give or take a few weeks) month old!

Wowzers. Max is going to be seven weeks old this week! So much for trying to be on top of these montly posts. I really thought I would...you know, third time is a charm, right? :) So, I'm going to pretend like it's still May and I'm on time with this post...okay?

Time has really, really gone by fast! Max is one month old already. He has changed so much since we brought him home from the hospital! He has lost some hair, lost his cord, (finally) lost the ring from his circumcision, rolled over twice already, holds his head up and looks around like a turtle and is loved by his big sisters immensely.

His personality seems to be a bit like his biggest sister (i.e. his cry is not a cry, it's a scream), but also very sweet and calm (when he's fed and not tired!) like his big sister. He has been a lot more alert, starting around 3-4 weeks. I'm trying really hard to do the eat, awake and sleep routine. It's a little more difficult with two other kiddos in the mix, especially since the oldest is pretty much obsessed with him:)

We had some feeding issues the first week home. I wasn't able to nurse Max at all for about 5 days. In fact, I was afraid of how much the girls were going to be talking about/showing people how to nurse their babies. Instead, I found Morgan with a bottle under her shirt. I asked what she was doing and she replied, "Pumping milk." So, that sums up what has been going on around here!! I'm finally able to feed Max without any extra help:) And, he's a growing boy. At 2 weeks, he was over his birth weight, at 9.3 pounds. He is well over 10 pounds now and starting to get a double chin...I love the baby chub.

Sleeping is hit or miss. He sleeps great when he's held...who wouldn't, right? He's a much better sleeper at night. He wakes pretty much every 3 hours to eat, but goes straight back to sleep. There is a random 4am feeding that he prefers to sleep in Brad's arms after, though.

My parents have a similar picture of me, around 2-3 weeks old, holding my head up and looking around. I love his fuzzy head:) This might have been the day for the first rollover. I wasn't going to count it, but Brad said it counts. He's rolled twice again from his tummy to his back.

This was one week later. His "official" one month birthday. He's lost some hair, started smiling and sticking his tongue out...just like his biggest sister did.

When Max is awake, he is usually surrounded by these girls. They still can't get enough of him (even, ahem, at seven weeks old).

Max got to meet his cousins! Wade, Kelly, Tate and Will stopped by for a visit. Max is going to have some fun with these two. I have a feeling Christmas is going to be ca-razy this year!

The J4 bunch stopped by for a visit as well. Lucky for us, there are always lots of eager hands waiting to hold Mr. Max!

I realized I never documented Max's birthmark on the back of his leg. We noticed it at birth, but it was flesh colored. A couple days after we brough him home, it started turning this reddish pink color. It's not the clearest picture, but you get the idea. It has already changed a little since this was taken. Our pedi thinks it might be a hemangioma. We're keeping an eye on it and she's going to check it out at his next appt.

And, finally, the official onesie picture. I really lucked out with this. Kelly had baby Will last April. For her shower gift, I made onesies/shirts for each month during his first year (so she could take montly pictures, like she did with Tate). Little did I know, I'd be due the next April, with a boy, and be able to put them to use again! I really did not plan it that way, although I know it looks suspicious:)

We love, love, love our baby Max. He fits right into our little family and just goes with the flow. We've been out of town already, dragged him to gymnastics, dedicated him at church, been to birthday parties/playdates, grocery shopped with all three and to the park. That is probably the biggest difference with the third. Life does not stop. It can't! I so wish I was this way when Mallory was born. I feel like I am much more relaxed and chilled out with this guy.

Bring on month 2!

Party of five

Baby Max is a just a couple of days away from being two weeks old already! I told Brad the other night that it already feels like he's been a part of our family. The transition from 2-3 kids has been so much smoother and easier than 0-1:)

I meant to post these pictures before Max was born, but ran out of time (probably because I didn't pack any bags until almost 11 pm the night before I was induced...I feel a New Year's resolution in the works...no. more. procrastination.).

The night before I was induced, BMom and Pop came into town. They were the grandparents on duty for M&M. We snapped this picture right after dinner. I tried really hard to take in the last few weeks of this pregnancy. I loved every minute, but also had the aches/pains that come with being 30 and a third pregnancy in six years!

I invisioned this really sentimental time with the girls as we were tucking them in. Wrong! These two big sisters were so, so excited to meet their baby brother! There were no tears shed by me or them...just lots and lots of giggles:)

Last belly hugs for baby brother!

The girls left with BMom and Pop the day after Max was born. They all went to San Antonio to see Aunt LaShay and Uncle Steve for 4 days. That was a HUGE help this time around! It was really quiet and sometimes boring without the extra noise, but I'm confident it helped in all aspects of having a newborn and recovering from labor.

They were super excited to see baby Max! They immediately sat down and helped Brad feed him a bottle. Such little mommies:)

BMom and Pop with their grandkids. Pop is holding his namesake, Max's middle name is after Larry and his dad.

BMom and Pop were very generous at Christmas and gave us a swingset for the girls. They were very also generous to give it to us in a box with the pieces not labeled:) I tease. We've had the boxes in our garage since December! Although it wasn't the way Brad had intended to spend the first days home with Max, it has been well worth it. He (and some very nice friends) spent 12+ hours outside putting it together. It was fun to surprise the girls and grandparents with the finished product when they came home! Can you tell they love it?! It has been a lifesaver during the day. The girls have already learned how to swing themselves!

About the time BMom and Pop were leaving, Aunt Kelly and Tate got in town for a visit! They spent the day with us, holding Max and playing with cousins.

Then, on Sunday, it was Easter and my birthday! We ventured out for dessert. Thought we'd tackle that before we tried a real meal:) It was a success! Max slept the whole time and everyone got their own Pizookie...yummy!

Brad went back to work on Monday. Morgan went to her friend Maddie's house for the day (thanks again, Laura!). Our first day on our own was pretty smooth. Mallory was a HUGE helper. I think she enjoyed being home with just me and Max. We gave him a bath, painted our toenails to match, played games and enjoyed being together.

I think I lost count how many times this girl held Max in one day. Every time he was up, she was asking to hold him. He gets a hundred kisses from his big sisters every day. They have been so sweet with him, each other and us (most of the time!).

It's still a little surreal to say I have three kids. But, here is some cute proof! So far, Max is looking mostly like Mallory as a baby. But, after looking back at my blog when Morgan was born, he looks a lot like her, too. Both girls had the dark hair...can't wait to see what Max's hair does!

I love the face Mallory is making in this one. We're all trying really hard to get that first smile! We're all enjoying it when Max is awake as well. It's beginning to be longer and longer stretches. We've heard a couple of little coos. So far, he cries when he's hungry and tired. He pretty much eats every 3 hours and goes right back down at night. I'll take it!

So weird that this is how he was in my belly! And, he makes some of the same movements I felt over and over. Amazing!

And, of course, baby Madeline (aka "Big Baby") and her friend can't be left out. This girl has been in all of Max's baby things too many times to count.

We are enjoying getting to know our baby Max! I'm grateful for a third, healthy and sweet baby in our family.

Baby Max, Mr. Max, Maxi, Maximus, the Maxster...

...for only being two days old, this little guy sure has a lot of nicknames! Introducing:

Max Edward

April 19th

4:35pm

8# 12oz

20 3/4 inches

Big sisters are in love and so are his mom and dad!

Soccer!

Well, we had a big milestone in our family at the beginning of March....Mallory started soccer! I have spent the last eight years being a soccer wife, and I am now an official "soccer mom"! I can honestly say that she loves it! I'm sure Brad is relieved that at least one of his kids enjoys soccer (so far). And, enjoy it, she does! March had a lot of soccer packed into it. Mallory participated in Brad's one day soccer clinic (having to endure actually talking to the "soccer boys"...probably the most dreaded thing she ever has to do!), his Spring Break camp and then the spring season of rec soccer. I am a loser mom and missed her very first game (and only goal so far)! Max's baby shower was the night of her first game, and her game had been rescheduled...two days before we knew about it. Brad got great pictures and was a trooper having little sister running around everywhere. To say he was proud, is an understatement:)

Here's her U5 coed team, the "Knights", before their second game (Mallory's #13, on the far right):

With her friend Madison, at Brad's camp (she's in the green...and it was windy!):

A little family shot after her second game (windy again...sense a theme this spring?):

Probably Mallory's #1 fan...although not much spectating happens:

Mallory has had lots of other fans at her games, too! BMom and Pop came down for a game:

Mimi and Grandpa:

Aunt LaShay, Uncle Steve, Ted and Sherry came, too. Just didn't get a chance to snap a picture with them.

It has been really fun watching Mallory this past month. She has really enjoyed going to the practices and playing in the games. There hasn't been much flower picking or hair twirling:) Brad has enjoyed being on the sidelines and not coaching! He's secretly hoping that she doesn't get real interested in soccer as she gets older. After spending the spring recruiting guys in freezing weather, he's crossing his fingers for an indoor sport!!

February

January and February always seem to fly by really fast. Brad is in full recruit mode and gone lots of weekends. I'm not exactly sure what we girls did to keep ourselves busy, but somehow we managed.

Lately, there has been a lot of playing with babies. I wonder why? One afternoon while doing dishes I looked up and saw these two cuties feeding their babies on the couch. How cute are they? I have a feeling Max is going to think he has three mommies instead of one:)

We celebrated Valentine's Day as a family this year. We decorated with hearts, gave the girls some goodies and had breakfast for dinner. Brad left us flowers on the front porch. The girls loved it!

We also had our one and only snow day! It was the perfect snow day (especially compared to the nasty weather the metroplex had!). We woke up to about 3 inches of snow on the ground. By noon, it was already melting away. The girls had a blast with our neighbors playing outside.

Connor really enjoyed the snow, too. I love this picture of him!

My parents surprised us with a trip to Oregon! Who knew that a couple of weeks after our snow day, we'd see REAL snow! On our way through a mountain pass, we passed a snowplow. Can you see all of that snow piled up on the side of the highway? It was quite the drive with three SUVs trying to follow each other.

I am so grateful for this trip. There is no way we could have done it without my parents helping us out. The girls got to meet my grandparents for the first time! My grandfather has recently been moved to an Alheimer's Care Unit. My grandmother fell Christmas Eve and broke her pelvis. She now lives in an assisted living type apartment, near my grandpa. The kids loved meeting "Grandpa Pickle" and Grandma Nat.

Me, Grandma Nat and Kelly. How cute is my grandmother?

The last day in Oregon, in front of the house we rented.

In the neighborhood where our house was, someone (obviously from the area and not Texas!) had built up a sledding mound. We dragged the sled over and the kids had a blast sledding for the first time! They played and played in over a foot of snow!

Another highlight of the trip was skiing! Not for me, but for the kids and the guys. Grandpa became the "ski whisperer" on this trip with Mallory (he's also a "dog whisperer" and "swim whisperer" just FYI). After a second morning of ski school, he took her up on the bunny slope ski lift. She skied with him and by herself for some of the way...and LOVED it!

Morgan preferred just to look the part:) She enjoyed watching Tate and Mallory ski from the lodge...and play with Brad in the snow.

The guys with the kids on the first day of skiing:

On our way home after the first day. Morgan's ski instructor put, "OMgosh! Adorable!" on her report card:) Not much to write home about her skiing, but she sure is cute! Morgan must have liked her teacher though. When it was time to leave, she said thank you and gave her a kiss:) The rest of the time in Oregon, when you would ask if she wanted to ski, she'd yell, "NO!" Hilarious.

It was a fun, fun trip! Next time I'd like to not be pregnant! Two four hour plane rides and long car rides is not so much fun with a big belly:) But, I wouldn't trade the memories our family made together! I love that Mallory will be able to remember meeting her great grandparents. A big thank you to my parents again for the trip! What a blessing to have gone up there!