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