Say Cheese!

Since I am always taking the pictures, there aren't many with me in them! This was a rare one of Max and me and I thought it was pretty cute! Don't you love his little smile?? And those cheeks??

Exercising in the Exersaucer!

One of Max's Christmas presents was his Baby Einstein Exersaucer. He loves playing in it!! If you don't know what and exersaucer is, it is a stationary play area that allows Max to stand up and play. The seat swivels around so he can get to all of the toys. Each toy does something different and fun, and it was amazing how quickly he learned how to play with them. He knows which ones make noise, which ones he can pull into his mouth and which ones swivel around. I love the exersaucer because when he's playing in it, I know he is in a safe place and it gives me a few free minutes to run around and get something else done!! : )

Captain Adorable......

Need I say more? I think these pics speak for themselves!!

Bath Time!

These are some cute pictures from Max's bath the other night. He really enjoys getting a bath now. He has toys he likes to hold on to and has really started to notice the water coming out of the faucet. He was so intent on the water the other night, Jeff held him up so he could reach out and touch it. As you can see in the picture to the left, Max was very impressed! He also tries to grab the soap bottle, the washcloth, and, of course, his feet throughout the whole process making it take longer than before for Jeff to get him bathed! They have fun, though, and that's what counts! I love how cute he is at the end, in his little hooded towel - so sweet!!

Restaurant Meltdown!

Last weekend we met our good friends, Eric and Heather, for dinner. We met at a Chinese restaurant that, luckily, was not very crowded. I say "luckily" because Max had his first restaurant temper tantrum while we were there!! Yes, we were "those" people - the ones with the screaming baby! It didn't last long, but it was VERY loud!! He settled down and was able to look adorable in this picture with them (don't worry, Eric and Heather, you guys look pretty cute, too)!! ; )

"Mom, aren't my feet the coolest?!"

Max has discovered his feet and he grabs them any time he can! He grabs them when we're holding him, when he's playing, when we're trying to dress him and, of course, when we're trying to change his diaper! This has made diaper changing a little more challenging. : ) We think it is so funny how much he loves his feet. I was able to catch a few examples of his feet-grabbing in these pictures - so cute!!

Sweet Face

My Uncle Jerry took this great picture and I LOVE it! Such a sweet face!!

Max's First Christmas!

First, let me say that I am sorry I have done such a poor job at blogging the past 3 weeks! The holidays were so much fun and so busy that I just did not have time to do it. Hopefully, I will be able to get all of you caught up on what has been going on. (BTW, the adorable pics above were taken by Kimberly Evans. She goes to church with me and her website is http://www.kimberlyevansphotography.com/. I think she did an amazing job and we got many other great pics, as well.)

Now back to blogging......

Jeff, Max, and I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! It was so much fun having Max with us. Max really enjoyed spending time with all of his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and meeting many family members for the first time. He met his Great Uncle Jerry from California and his Great Uncle Joel and Great Aunt Deanna from Illinois. He also met his cousins Carissa (who is in college in Illinois), Micah (in high school in Illinois), and Caleb (stationed in CA w/the Marines). He met one of my close friends, Emily, who is from Bham but now lives New York City. Our family friends, Lance and Ragan ,were here from Hawaii and we were so glad we got to see them for a little while. It was Lance's first time to meet Max! It was so wonderful to introduce our little guy to all of these people that we love so much.

Max really enjoyed "opening" all of his Christmas gifts! I know we all had a great time showing his new loot to him. He got some great stuff, like his first set of Snoopy golf clubs from Pops, a fun truck from his Grandmama Brenda, a great lights and sound toy from Aunt Lisa, and ADORABLE clothes from Grams, Aunt Ash and Aunt Sunena. He also received many other great toys and books - too many to list, but Jeff and I are so thankful for ALL of them. As you can see from the pictures below, we had a busy Christmas season and we loved every minute of it! I think the last 2 pictures, one of Belle and one of Max on Christmas Day, sum up how we all felt by the end - worn out and happy!! We can't wait until next Christmas! = )