Merry Christmas!

Well, Max let us sleep until 7 this morning. He wasn't so excited about getting up to open presents, he just gets up early every morning. Eric put together his wagon last night from Grandma and Papa and we put some of his presents inside and set up the video camera before we went to bed. Of course, when we came down, Max was more interested in that video camera than anything else. He slowly got into opening presents and we had to take a break to eat some breakfast. The most challenging part was that he wanted to play with each toy as he opened it, so Mommy and Daddy ended up helping. Note to everyone with a one year old at Christmas...bags and tissue paper really work better than wrapped boxes. I was going to just take some pictures and send them off to my parents really quick, but we got some good ones this morning. Max is now enjoying climbing in his wagon and watching the cats play with the plastic covers from his weeble wobble toys. I don't know what we're going to do with all of this new stuff, but I'm sure we'll figure something out.
We have gotten about 8-9 inches of snow in the past 2 days. We haven't been out to take any pictures, but my friend Emily has some beautiful ones tup on their blog. (Emily, I hope you don't mind me linking to your blog)
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope everyone got what they want. I am so happy to have a warm home and a loving family with me today and every day. I am blessed. Love to you all!
Danielle, Eric and Max

I wonder if he is really dreaming of sugar plums

Max's Christmas Haul...there are a few for Mommy and Daddy in there too!

Checkin' out the wagon

Look at me in my nifty new scarf!

There's a lot of stuff here, but I want breakfast!

Max and all of his toys!

Bad Santa!

Well, we tried! He gave no indication that he was going to lose his cool, but once I sat him down, it was over. I think it was a combination of it getting close to his bed time and the fact that he cut 2 teeth sometime between Monday and tonight. Yep, we are now up to 12 teeth! I told him that it was 2 closer to being all done. Both Max and Mommy can't wait for that day! So enjoy Max's photos with Santa! We'll try again next week when Santa is at daycare. Maybe he won't freak out so much when he is on his own turf...we can hope!

Mommy! Save me!

Ava was having such a good time, but Max didn't care.

One brief second that his face wasn't the same color as Santa's outfit!

Mr. Max's Wild Ride!

Trying on our outfit to go see Santa

Oh what a week it's been! We have had quite the exciting one. Max was fussy for a couple of days, not sleeping through the night. I thought he was cutting some teeth. On Tuesday night, we were eating dinner and he was so congested so I told Eric that I thought I would take him to the Quick Care Clinic. I was concerned that he might be getting an ear infection. He was also coughing so hard and I could tell that he was getting hoarse and I knew he just didn't feel good. I took him upstairs to change him and get him ready to go. While we were up there he was coughing so hard and couldn't catch his breathe and was wheezing. I called for Eric and when he got upstairs Max was starting to turn blue. We called 911...we were both so scared. I got Max to calm down and drink a little bit of water and that helped quite a bit. The police were here in about 5 minutes and Max was doing better-breathing fine but still really wheezy. The firemen got here next and by that time Max was walking around-still wheezing. By the time the paramedics got here, he was okay. They said he was still wheezy and rattly when they listened to his breathing and said that he really needed to be seen by the doctor. They offered us a ride to the ER, but we declined. :) We did take him in to the ER...got him all bundled up and he just went right to sleep in the car. He woke up while we were checking in and wasn't interested in going back to sleep or staying in the bed with Mommy. He wanted to go exploring around the halls, so we went for a walk. We found some wagons and a nice lady got us some warm blankets to put in there and even a cuddly panda bear to ride with him (and take home...the volunteers bring stuffed animals to the hospital for the kids). So, by the time the doctors checked him out, they said that his lungs were 'clear as a bell'. They treated him for croup and said that the cold air from getting him out and into the ER probably opened up his airways. While they were checking him, they did find that he had 2 ear infections, so they put him on antibiotics and gave us some ear drops to help with the pain.

He slept all night that night-he was pretty tuckered out seeing that he didn't go back to sleep until around 10:00. But, the next morning, when we woke up, we could tell that he was not feeling well at all. I took him in the shower with me and he just laid on my shoulder. So, we kept him home that day. He would play for a little bit and then just crawl up in my lap. He took a couple of naps and by the end of the day, he started to perk up a little. That night, he slept through the night. I could tell the antibiotics had already helped with the ears. And by the next morning, he was back to his silly self. He has been fine ever since. We still have 5 more days of medicine, but he is back to 110%! He has been terrorizing the cats and being so silly the past few days. 

It has been getting colder here. We had rain on Saturday and a little bit of snow and then the wind started blowing something fierce! I think the highest temp I saw on the weather gauge today was 14 degrees. I am not a fan of this weather, but I guess I have to get used to it. So, that was our week. Max is just fine. He just scared the bejeezus out of us. I would be happy if we never had to deal with that again! Christmas is getting closer and we are planning on taking Max to see Santa this week. I still don't think he is going to really get it this year, but it is fun to buy for him. We'll see what happens on Christmas morning...I can't wait! Here are some pics of our little cutie...who has been nicknamed the Poop Monster!

Sleeping all snuggled up on his couch.

This has become his favorite playing place.

One piece at a time he pushes everything off this shelf.

My little cutie!

Bucket Head! He entertained himself for quite a bit of time with this!

He had lots of fun playing in Daddy's suitcase that hasn't been unpacked yet!

Rough Morning!

This boy cracks me up! I know his hair is getting long, but we can't really bring ourselves to cut it. I think a trim around the ears will do it for now. I snapped this picture at breakfast one morning. He is so cute! He has been really busy just running around everywhere and climbing onto anything that his little leg can reach. We moved out coffee table back in front of the couch and now we really have to watch him. All he needs is about a 2 inch boost and he is on top of that table! He likes to walk from end to end up there. Makes me nervous and he just laughs! He is starting to eat a lot better in terms of keeping his food on the plate in front of him and not just dumping it on the floor...he has his moments, but they are fewer. He wants so bad to use a fork and spoon, but he just hasn't quite figured it out yet. He will either scoop a piece of food up in the spoon then grab it with his fingers and eat it or he will pick up the food with his fingers, put it on his spoon and then try to get it to his mouth. The motor skills are improving though.

He went to the doctor's office to get the last of his 1 year vaccinations and he didn't even cry. I was so proud of him! He is so much fun. He continues to drag out all of the paper recycling...sometimes he puts it back up, but mostly it is spread out throughout the kitchen. He also really likes to unload the canned goods from the lazy susan and put them in the drawer next to it. It's funny to see what he comes up with.

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks...

The expression on his face is priceless!

A cute little smile!

Trying to get some decent pictures for the Christmas card...he wasn't feeling it.

Trying to take a picture with Simon

Our new Christmas tree...and our messy living room!

He may be on it backwards, but he climbs on it now

This is how he fell asleep for his nap today...so funny!

His pet rolling pin...he loves dragging things behind him

My big boy!

Happy Turkey Day!

It's been a few weeks, but I warned you all...after a year I would probably not do regular updates! :) The fact of the matter, we are just so busy. It's not that we really do anything, but there are always things that have to get done and I just don't get the chance to sit down in front of the computer for any length of time.

Max has been doing great! He continues to surprise us with how much he is developing and learning. Eric says that he has really seen his personality emerge this past week...I think it's more of an attitude! No, he just knows what he wants and he is determined to get it! We have so much fun with him. He is really into climbing right now. Anything he can get his arms over, he does and lifts that little leg up. Doesn't always work for him. So far, he has been spotted on top of his table that he got for his birthday. Today, he climbed up there and discovered the light switch. He also attempts to climb up on his leap frog table...kind of hard with all of those buttons. He used his little couch as a 'boost' and got up onto the coffee table. He is fearless. He has been climbing up on the ottoman to the glider in his room and now he climbs up into the glider. He is always so pleased with himself. He sits there, with a huge grin on his face and tries to rock himself.

I started to get a little worried as he was looking from his crib over to that chair, so last weekend we lowered the mattress down to the lowest level. The front of the crib is still on and will remain that way for awhile. I don't think I'm ready for him to just get up out of his bed. At school, they moved him out of the crib and started having him take a nap on a cot. They said that he does really well, but it's probably a lot easier when all those other kids are lying on their cot. At home, it would be a different story.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving today! All of Eric's family (except for Dwight) came over for lunch at our house. I attempted my Grandmamma's stuffing and well, I need some more practice. But, we had a great dinner and wonderful visit. Max even got his first set of silverware...Hawkeyes, of course! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Wilbanks!

After everyone left, we all took about a 2 hour nap, now it is almost 9:00 and he is still going strong.

We hope that all of our friends and family had a wonderful day today. We have been so blessed with this little guy and I honestly can't remember life without him. But, that's okay, I love having him! So, let the crazy holiday season begin! If you're going out shopping tomorrow morning, be safe and good luck! We'll be in bed snoozing!

Tried to get a shot of him inside the hamper, but he's too quick!

Having a little snacky-snack at his table

It was a rough week!

Checkin' the weather before deciding what to wear

Picture day at school-trying to get his hair to stand up like Eric's, but it's a little too long

Gotta have a spoon with you at all times...you just never know

In his lower bed...he didn't think it was so bad

Playing with his favorite toy...nice hair!

Sophie and Herky

Max, Eric and Ellie hanging out on the chair

Can't tell if he's checking his email or trying to feed the phone to Ellie

Big Boy...Big Changes!

Max turned a year old and the changes just keep coming. We had his one year check up last week and he handled it like a champ. I don't think he stopped moving the entire time we were in the office...kept the doc on his toes! I'm not sure what it is, but Max has been sleeping really well lately. It could be the humidifier going...could be the fact that we aren't giving him a bottle right before he goes to sleep...could be him going to bed on his own and not being rocked. Who knows...I'm not going to complain or question it...I enjoy sleeping through the night! Now, when I say that he is going to bed on his own, don't be fooled. We can put him in his crib and he'll be fine, as long as someone is in the room.  Last night, he had been in his crib and hadn't looked at me for about 5 minutes. I tried to sneak out of the room, but he saw the door open and it was big ole crocodile tears. So, I went over and kissed him, laid him down and after a few strokes of his hair, he was off to dream land. We have made the decision that once he goes into the crib, he will not be taken out until the morning. Unless, of course, he cries himself into such a tizzy that he spits up...which has done a few times. This usually just means fresh jammies and a new blanket. But, I think he is learning the routine and getting better with it.

We also turned his car seat around the past weekend. He doesn't seem to be to interested. I think he prefers to face the other way (I know I prefer it...much easier to get him in and out) because he was reclining when he was rear facing...now, facing front, he is more upright. 

In other news, we are up to 9 teeth. Since his original 6 (4 on top, 2 on bottom) he has cut 2 molars on top and now one on the bottom, and there seems to be another one on the other side just about to come through. Before we know it, he is going to have a mouth full of teeth!

I just wanted to update everyone...here are some pictures of him from the last couple of days!

Max was working on his thank you cards and got a little carried away with the markers.

Max sitting at his new table and chairs he got for his birthday

He has so much fun sitting in the chair and swinging his feet

After dragging and banging all of the pots and pans, he decided to crawl in the cabinet.

He looked like his Daddy with his hair sticking up in front like that

1 Year Old...Happy Birthday, Mighty Max!!!

Well, we had a wonderful birthday celebration yesterday. More on that in a second. First, a few things we did this week with Grandma and Papa visiting from Texas. We started their visit off right by taking them down to Kinnick Stadium and letting them experience Hawkeye tailgating. It was Max's first experience too. He loved the ribs and Brandon's tailgate (Mommy will have to get the recipe)! Once the game started and the crowd went into the stadium, we made our way home. Max was pooped and went down for a nap. We watched the game...our boys lost, but just barely. It was a good game. I can't remember right now what we did on Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday, Eric and I worked, Max went to daycare and Grandma and Papa did some driving around, seeing movies and visiting Amana. On Wednesday, we took Max to get his one year pictures taken. I didn't take a cake, but I did make some big, blue number one cookies and he really liked munching on those! Can't wait to see the pictures. Thursday, we didn't do too much. It was really windy and cold, so we just stayed in and lounged around the house all day. Friday, Max's school had a costume parade. All of the kids in the daycare come dressed in their costumes and the teachers take them around to the surrounding businesses so they can trick or treat. We took Max up there so he could experience this with his friends. It was so funny watching all of those kids dressed up just walking around. Max is going to be a little Chewbacca and it was so cute. When we got to his classroom, one of his friends was dressed up as Yoda. They were so cute. That morning wore all of us out. But, it didn't slow us down. We had a lot to do to get ready for Max's big day.  The evening was filled with cake baking, cookie making and lots of cleaning!

Then, Saturday was finally here! It was so exciting to wake up and see that big boy and hard to believe that a year had already gone by. We had Eric's family here and some friends to help us celebrate. It was a really good afternoon. Aunt Mary, Uncle Doug, Wyatt and Cora even joined us via video chat for the cake and present portion of the party. Max had a good time eating his cake...even got a little mini-ice cream cone to enjoy with it! Made quite the mess, but cleaned up pretty quickly! Then, he got to open his presents and after playing with them for awhile took a late nap. And it turned out to be quite a late night for us...between the sugar rush and the over-stimulation, he had a hard time settling down and getting to sleep. But, he did and after we took Grandma and Papa to the airport this morning, he has been having a great time playing with his toys. Here are some pictures from this week and from his special day!