Playtime!

Max really loves his playtime! He loves to grab and hold on to everything. He really loves toys that hang above him, like the playmat in the picture to the left. He has gotten good at making the striped cat make it's noise! It is a lot of fun to watch him. His motor skills have gotten so good! He grabbed my hair the other day and pulled it! He giggled after he did it,so I am probably in for it now. It's hard to remember back to when he really couldn't do anything. If you play the video below, you can see a little snippet of him playing on his mat. He has such a look of concentration, doesn't he?? Pretty cute!

Just Like Dad

If you don't know this, Jeff loves to run! It's his favorite hobby and his preferred way of exercising. (I know, I know, I don't get it either!!) He especially loves the challenge of a marathon (26.2 miles). That's why I thought this outfit was perfect for Max! He wants to be just like his dad!!

Ho, Ho, Ho!!

We took Max to see Santa today! As you can see, he really seemed to like the Big Guy! Santa said Max was a good boy. Well, of course!! No surprise there! : )



***A note to the Grandparents and to Ashley and Sunena : Don't worry, you guys are getting a hard copy of this picure!

16 Weeks Old!!!

Max was 16 weeks old yesterday! Time is truly flying by! He had his 4 month checkup and passed with flying colors. Dr. McCown was impressed with how well he is growing and developing. He said we have already gotten our Christmas present - the fact that Max usually sleeps between 8-9 hours every night. Such a good baby!! Max was a happy little guy throughout the exam, even giving the doctor a few cute smiles! We thought these pictures were so sweet, especially the picture above of Max holding the doctor's finger while he was listening to his heartbeat.

Max now weighs 15lbs 11.5 oz and is 24.75 inches long! He is getting so big! He is in the 70th percentile for his weight and the 60th for his height. The picture below and on the left is from his 1 week exam. Compare that with yesterday's 16 week pic on the right - can you believe it's the same baby??!!!

Max had to get 4 more immunizations, which was so sad! He definitely did not like that part! I think it was harder on Jeff and me, though. We felt so bad for him all day, long after Max had completely forgotten it had even happened!! :) He fell sound asleep before we had even left the doctor's office. He wasn't traumatized for long!!

Jeff and I feel so blessed by God to have such a healthy baby boy. He is such a joy to have as part of our family!

Dinner with The Trull's!

Saturday, we went to Ashley and Ricky's for dinner. We had a great time and Ash cooked a delicious dinner! Yum!!

Max had a good time hanging out with everyone and checking out his new surroundings. His Aunt Ashley showed him some of her fun Christmas decorations. His faves are the ones that make noise!!

His Grams gave him his first Christmas present! He got 2 new burp cloths. One says "Don't make me call Grams!" and the other says "Max loves Grams". He also received 2 bibs. One says "I love Grams" and the other says " Max and Grams FUN!!!" His Grams was too excited to wait for Christmas to give them to him!

His GiGi (Laurie) also sent him a gift - a beautiful burp cloth she made that says "Max's First Christmas". He is such a lucky little guy to have so many people who love him!














After dinner, Max showed everyone his new trick of being able to pull the toys on his little rocking chair and making the music play. He loves to do this and gets so excited when we clap for him! It is so cute!! You can really see his look of concentration in the picture below. :)

I caught this great candid of all the boys hanging out, discussing football and watching TV. So sweet!

Road Trip!

This weekend, we took Max on his first trip to the ATL. I think we only packed about half the house for this 2-night getaway! : )

Max was truly a joy to travel with. He slept most of the way there and all of the way back, which made the ride very enjoyable for Jeff and me! We stayed on-the-go for most of the weekend and, for the most part, Max stayed in a fun and happy mood. We went out to eat, went shopping, and even took him on his first visit to the Georgia Aquarium. He was able to spend some time with his Grams, Pops, Aunt Ash, Uncle Ricky, and his GiGi. We also got to try out his new "big boy" stroller for the trip, which he really seemed to like. It allows him to face forward and see everything that is going on around him. We are excited about going on future trips with him! I have some Atlanta highlights below - enjoy!

These were on the way over after Max had woken up. He had fun playing with his car seat toys!

Taking in the view from our room with Daddy

Eating (and sleeping!) at the Hard Rock Cafe'

Strolling through ATL on our way to Centennial Park

Viewing the beautiful Christmas lights in Centennial park

Such a snuggle bug! He really likes his stroller!

Shopping on Saturday - his first trip to Crate and Barrel (one of his Mom's favorite stores). Isn't his hat the cutest??

Snoozing at the mall. This was short-lived - he was quickly wide awake again!

Family shot at the Georgia Aquarium

Taking in the otter exhibit - he liked watching them swim around!

Looking at fish with Mommy in the Ocean Voyager exhibit

Checking out the jellyfish with Dad

Posing with Deepo, the Aquarium's mascot

Max was glad to get back to the room to stretch and play! I thought this picture was so cute. Do you think they love each other, or what??

O, Christmas Tree

We decorated our tree this weekend and got to hang Max's First Christmas ornament! It is the cutest Winnie-the-Pooh ornament that says; "Isn't it delightful", said Pooh, "to be so brand-new??". So sweet! As you can see in the picture to the left, we let Max "help" us hang it up. : ) He really loves looking at all the bright lights and colorful ornaments on the tree. I caught a couple of shots of him taking it all in. He found it pretty entertaining!!

Go, You Auburn Tigers, Go!

Max helped us cheer Auburn to a 17-10 victory over Alabama! He fell asleep before the end, but we know he'll be happy with the outcome. We think he looks like such a big boy in his little Auburn T-shirt and jeans. War Eagle!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday was Max's First Thanksgiving, and we had a terrific day! First, we woke up and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After that, we headed to Pea Ridge, AL for lunch with Jeff's family. Max got to spend some time with his Grandpa Trussel, Uncle Greg, and Aunt Lisa. As you can see in the picture below, he had fun talking to his Great-Grandma Harper. He loves her voice! Max got to meet a lot of family for the first time. He was in a great mood and really seemed to enjoy observing everyone.

We came back home so he could catch a quick nap before heading to my parents' for dinner. It was so delicious! YUM! As you can see from the pic below, Max was again the center of attention and seemed to love it like that!

He was held and cuddled by everyone, and put on a great show of talking, laughing and giggling! He got to spend time with his Aunts Ashley and Sunena, Uncle Ricky, Grams, Pops, Great-Mamaw Jo, Great-Aunts Sandy and Barbara, Great Uncles Brian and Jimmy, and a great family friend, Dawn. Max really missed getting to see his Grandma Brenda and hopes she is feeling better. The pictures below are just some of the many, many we took. We can't help it - Max is too cute!! (It really is Thanksgiving, even though Christmas decorations are in the background. Mom and Dad decorated their house already!) :)

Overall, it was a wonderful day! Not surprisingly, Max fell asleep very quickly after we made it home. He wore himself out! Jeff and I are looking forward to our first Christmas with the little guy. It is going to be so much fun!

B.F.F.'s

Belle and Max. We think this picture is too cute for words, but one does come to mind : Awwwwww............

A Good Nap Makes a Happy Baby!

Today, Max and I went to a playdate at our friend Amber's house. Max had a good time watching Amber's son, Nathan, and 2 other toddlers run around and play. When we got home, he was so sleepy, he took a 2.5 hour nap! He was worn out! The picture to the left is of him sound asleep and all snuggled up in his rocking seat. So sweet!! When he woke up he was so happy! It's amazing what a good nap will do for his mood. As you can see below, he was all smiles on the changing table! Jeff and I never get tired of seeing that adorable smile!

Our First Playdate

Max had a busy day today! We went to my good friend Ashley's house for a playdate with her adorable 11-month old son, Colvin. Max thought is was fun to watch Colvin, who is getting in to everything. It won't be long before it's Max who is running around the house with endless energy! Colvin was nice enough to let Max borrow his Bumpo seat. It is a really cool seat designed to help babies sit up on their own. Max's abs aren't quite strong enough to hold himself up yet, so the seat does it for him. It's another way to give him time off the back off his head. He seemed to really enjoy it. They are going to let us borrow it for a while, and I think Max will really come to love it!!

Baby, It's Cold Oustide!

Last night we took Max to a dinner with some of our Sunday School friends. He was such a sweet little guy the whole time, and we had a great time. It was actually cold, so we got to break out his winter-wear. Doesn't he look so adorable in his cardigan and hat??!!