Monday, October 27, 2008

Definitely. Not. Funny.

Do not laugh at me.  

I completely threw my back out today. Pinched some nerve or pulled some muscle that has been giving me shooting pain all afternoon and evening. 

Of course I did it at the gym: Working out. Pumping iron. Toning the core. 

Did I mention it was at Max's Little Gym?  Yeah, I might have pulled it while I was lifting and spotting him during his little acrobatic moves. 

I know. 

So. Completely. Embarrassing

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Airplane "Incident"

I am a few days late sharing this story, but it MUST be told. 

Max has officially logged sky miles. He experienced his first plane ride this past weekend. 

Trip to destination: Smooth and seamless.

Trip home: Experienced turbulence. [but not the kind you are thinking of!]

As Sam and I were checking in our bags [which we avoid at ALL costs, but thanks to all the baby luggage we didn't have a choice] we smelled something a bit foul. I mean gross foul.  Did I mention Max smelled a bit gross? And foul?

Ok, so it was obvious to us [and probably everyone else in line] that Max had a dirty diaper. Problem easily solved with a quick diaper change. Uh, problem NOT easily solved after I got him on the Koala Kare changing station in the bathroom.

Diaper. Explosion.

Somehow. Somehow. Somehow. The diaper was only half on his little bottom, which means poop was everywhere.

Every. Where.

Down his leg. On his onesie. Inside his pants. All over his sock.  

I am literally wiping the baby boy down. Running out of wipes. Using paper towels. Frantic, frantic and more frantic.

I threw away his socks.  I threw away his onesie.  I couldn't part with his new Ralph Lauren jeans, but they definitely couldn't go back on the boy.

Of course, I did not pack a change of clothes.  I mean it was a short one-hour flight and he has never [I mean never] had an up-the-back or down-the-leg explosion.

So shirt and diaper is all we had to work with. 

Once we were through security and walking towards our gate, Sam simply looks at me and says, "we are those parents right now!" [the ones we used to look at and raise our eyebrows as if to say, "put some clothes on your kid."]

So to try to save face we decided it would be a good idea to wash Max's jeans and put them back on him.  So back to the bathroom I went. Turned those pants inside out and started scrubbing poop off of them. Of course there was no dryer in the bathroom. But, as luck would have it, an industrial size HydroDryer sat outside the bathroom. I slapped the pants right on the dryer [which literally got suctioned instantly] and crossed my fingers they would dry fast. Well, they might have started drying if the smell of poop hadn't started circulating in the air. People were staring [and smelling]. I had to stop.

So the little man flew all the way home with only the shirt on his back and diaper on his bottom.


And to top things off. Who do we randomly run into in the baggage claim area after the flight? Our post-placement social worker. Yep, this is no joke. The woman that has been visiting us once a month to make sure we are fit parents just happened to be on another flight, collecting her bags at the same time. Thankfully she found great humor in our story!

What an experience we will never forget.

I feel like we just got initiated into the world of parenthood.

Thanks Max!



Thursday, October 23, 2008

Kid Quotes

I just wanted to jot down a few of my favorite moments from the last few days.  We have had a blast watching our 3 nieces and 1 nephew this week.  Conversations with kids are the best! [Can't wait until you can talk Max!]

Gabriel [age: 18 months]  
"Aun Nen, Aun Nen, Aun Nen, Aun Nen..." x100! 
No joke, I now have a glimpse into the world of "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..."  :)

Lauren [age: 3]
Playing with Max this week:
Peek a boooooooooooooooooo
Peek a boooooooooooooooooo
Peek a boooooooooooooooooo
Peek a boooooooooooooooooo

Abigail [age:5]
"This is the MOST DELICIOUS dinner EVER, Aunt Jen!"
[of course it is, I am serving you chocolate chip pancakes for dinner!  And btw, the pancakes were packed with fiber and protein, Kristen!]

Madeline [age:7]
"Aunt of the Year is not up for grabs Aunt Jen!"
Where did she hear this?  
And yes, I will accept the award.  Do I need to prepare a speech?

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Out of Office

So it seems like it has been forever since I have made a post on the blog.  First, we were out of town. I have several blog-worthy stories to tell [including Max's first plane ride!], however that is going to have to wait until another day.   

The main reason I have been MIA from the blog world is due to my beautiful nieces and full-of-action nephew.  My sis-in-law is off on a 3-night getaway with her hubby so I volunteered [am I crazy?] to watch her gaggle. Maybe I am hoping she will return the favor someday??!

So Sam and I have grown from a family-of-three to a family-of-seven this week. And since this could be what my future holds [yes, we would LOVE a big family!], I would like to put in an early request for a nanny! 

OK, back to work!


Dinner the first night!
Madeline - 7, Abigail - 5, Lauren - 3
Gabriel - 18 months, Maximus - 5 1/2 months
WHEW!

Late night s'mores with the girls

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Day at the Farm

Every autumn we spend a day in Millwood, Ohio.  Sam's aunt and uncle have a beautiful farm complete with a renovated farmhouse, wraparound front porch, pond, acres and acres of colorful trees, and of course, hayrides for the kids! It is something Sam and I look forward to every year.  

How exciting that this year we spent the day with Max: introducing him to family, showing him around the farm and taking him on his first hayride!






Thursday, October 9, 2008

Meet Max's Cousin

Max with his cousin Shayden. 
These pictures are too cute...I had to post 'em!







Meet My Nephew

Shayden Joseph
October 8.2008
10:15pm
7lbs. 7oz.

Congratulations Chris & Rebecca!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I don't know how to put this but...

Remember this picture of Max? 
It was taken in the hospital at 1 day old:


Here is the updated edition.
Five months old:


That's right buddy.  You are still a big deal!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Church Dedication

On Sunday, October 5, 2008 we dedicated Maximus Samuel to the Lord in front of our family, friends and church congregation. We wholeheartedly expressed our commitment to raise this young man to know God in a deep and intimate way. 

We invited our family up to the front of the sanctuary to take part in the dedication. What a sight I am sure! Max was surrounded by his great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Twenty+ people!

This was truly a day we won't forget. 

Our pastor gave our family members the opportunity to share a word or Scripture during the dedication.  I wanted to make sure these words were recorded.

Aunt Kristen [shared this verse because she knew it was one of the passages of Scripture I went to endless times to gain strength and encouragement during our journey to Maximus]
"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!
May He send you help from the sanctuary
And support you from Zion!
May He remember all your meal offerings
And find your burnt offering acceptable!

May He grant you your heart's desire.
And fulfill all your counsel!
We will sing for joy over your victory,
And in the name of our God
we will set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.
They have bowed down and fallen,
But we have risen and stood upright.
Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call."

Grandpa [Sam's dad]
"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52

Grandma [my mom]
She gave Max the gift shown in the picture.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Maximus ~ 
You are one loved little boy.
You are the answer to so many prayers.
You have a destiny.
You have a plan that will prosper and not harm you.
You have a hope and a future.
You have the the favor and grace of God on your life.

We love you precious one,
Mommy and Daddy


Thursday, October 2, 2008

Apple Orchard

Max and I spent the afternoon hanging with Kristen & kids [and don't let me forget Brit - our cool college-age cousin that loves to hang with the little ones!].  

Kristen and I decided to be quite adventurous and go to a pick-your-own fruit farm. What a perfect autumn day to be outdoors picking delicious apples.

Now one would think that the apple-picking part of the day would be my favorite.  Well, it was fun, but it is definitely my SECOND favorite part of the day.

My FAVORITE part of the day was when my seven-year-old niece, Madeline, asked if she could wear the Baby Bjorn and carry Max around the orchard! Then she proceeded to tell me she "practiced" earlier in the day by putting Gabriel [her 20+ pound brother] in their Bjorn.  WHAT??  

So what did I say? "Absolutely girlfriend, you go for it!"  [Do not judge me; if someone [who happens to be only seven?] is willing to help carry my 16 pound son around, I won't hesitate to take them up on the offer!]
Doesn't she look like such a proud older cousin?

And a picture of all the kids. 
On a sidenote: I would love to know what Gabe is thinking.  
Probably something like, "seriously, when can I get out of this backpack?"
Ummmm...sorry buddy you aren't!

Well my pain-free, Bjorn-less afternoon did not last long. Madeline decided after about 10 minutes of toting Max around that she needed to get serious about her apple-picking [and it was hard to do with Max strapped on...REALLY? Are you sure?]! So I took the little guy and the Bjorn and we spent the afternoon picking apples together.

 What a fun memory!

Look how proud Max is of his very first apple-picking adventure! The owner of the orchard told me to peel and slice the apples and stick them in the freezer to use as a teether! What a great idea!