Smile!

Funny Guy

Tonight I was standing at the kitchen sink rinsing some dishes. Maximus was shooting hoops in his playroom. I heard a quiet giggle behind me and turned around to see...
This one is Maximus in timeout. He head butted me one morning and then hit me when I told him, "we don't hit!" He actually sat in his timeout spot for over a minute. When I felt he had enough, I sat down next to him and reminded him why he was in timeout and asked for a hug. He gave me a GIANT hug and a slobbery, snotty kiss. It was very sweet. And he hasn't headbutted or hit me since!

Thankful

I've recently thought of the many things I'm thankful for and here are a few: my health, my family, my extended family on both sides, Jesse's job, Jacqueline's health, my friends, the toys we're fortunate to buy, Jesse's handsome smile that melts me, organic frozen food for Maximus during times I need to make him food fast, Lysol wipes, hot showers, wine, expensive bed sheets, a toy room for Maximus, Fletcher making me laugh at anything, my Ugg slippers and GUYTIN (grandma) WATCHING MAXIMUS.

Grandma came over today to watch Maximus during my hair appointment. She arrived early, so I had time to go to the grocery store alone- usually I run down the isles with Maximus because my shopping is limited to the amount of time it takes him to finish a granola bar. I went to the salon and enjoyed myself. Jesse was home during the afternoon because he had a doctor appointment, so after my salon indulgence, he and I had time to go to dinner ALONE. We had sushi together and it was LOVELY. We don't go out to eat much because Maximus lasts about 3 minutes before he wants to get out of his highchair and run around the restaurant. Oh, how I love dinners alone with Jesse. We can talk, take our time and not worry about Maximus chucking a cracker across the restaurant with his incredible athleticism.

As I get older, I am grateful for different things. It's the simple things that make me happy these days. Listen to me, I sound so sentimental...but thank you Guytin. So much!

Hold On, Dude!

Halloween

Our Halloween was fun! We just went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood and Jesse's parents came over. We actually ordered a pizza, had sushi and hummus. Maximus was a monkey because it was the last year where we could dress him as a cute, cuddly animal, the costume was super warm and we couldn't find a decent shark getup. He looked cute and we ran into an identical monkey halfway through the night. Anyway, we were worried that our neighborhood wasn't going to have trick-or-treaters, but I was so pleased to see that the tradition didn't die here. Our neighborhood is so uptight and ridiculous that I thought the parents would make their kids trick-or-treat in the mall or do the parking lot trunk thing. (And the trunk-or-treating worked for a young Maximus last year, but not this year.) But no! There were TONS! And we even saw some parents walking around with a beer in their hand as they walked through the neighborhood with their kids. We probably had over 50 stop by our house alone-and they were psyched we handed out Play Doh and little parachute guys. The little boys would run away saying, "mom! I got a parachute man!"

We started out with Maximus in a wagon, but we weren't thinking. All our boy wanted to do was RUN. Jesse's mom always tells us it's a shame we never taught him to walk because he only runs. Maximus really didn't like walking up to peoples porches because he'd rather be sprinting on the sidewalks through the neighborhood. He could care less about collecting candy. But we did go to several homes. He had fun; we all had fun. He really enjoyed the time spent at home after trick-or-treating helping us hand goodies out to the kids who stopped by.

Maximus before we headed out. He had tired eyes.
Jesse, Guytin (That's how Maximus says "grandma") and The Maximus. The wagon didn't last long. Ooooh! I just noticed he's holding her hand. So cute!
Family picture.
Notice Maximus held his little Pooh blankie the entire time.
This is me dragging him to a porch.
Guytin and Handsomer after picking up some treats.
Team Handsomer.
Yes, I'm wearing flashing pumpkin earrings because I'm a dork.
Maximus pedal-kicking Jacqueline. My mom sent all 10 of her grand kids matching socks to wear trick-or-treating. Cute to know that Emma, Eliza, Addie, Mary, Bryn, Nathan, Eli, Jared, Maximus and Simon were similarly decked out.

More Maximus

Tuesday's "Shark School" was a little too much fun for him. We came home and he passed out on the floor.

This kid is eating pasta made from quinoa flour and spinach. It's a pasta that definitely needs sauce, but he ate close to 2 cups worth! I get so happy when I see my child stuffing his face with things that only benefit him. So pure!

Finally, asleep WITHOUT dodo in his mouth.
The other day he woke up from his nap saying, "mmmm!" and when I walked in, he was informing me that chewing on his sock was tasty.
Oh wait! I realized I still have Halloween pictures to post. They will appear soon.

In the meantime, here's a cute video of him eating. As a mother, I think stuff like this is priceless...

No Wonder he has Bruises

Wow!

Maximus-LJ (Little Jesse) and picture of baby Jesse.

Omaha Zoo

Stacey, Jesse, Danny, Vicki, UnkFa (Fletcher), Ransom, Ashlie, Paul, UnkDa (DJ) and The Maximus.

We went to the Omaha zoo this past Sunday and had too much fun. Maximus enjoyed all parts of it, minus the caves. He squeaked and jumped when he got to visit the petting zoo area because everything was his size. We went with Jesse's family and each one of us had a blast! Thank you Guytin and Pawpaw for the gifts!
He's a good pointer.
Maximus and UnkDa during lunch.
Maximus and UnkFa checking out a Black Swan...which was totally beautiful!

UnkFa tickling Maximus.

The relaxing train ride toward the end of the day.
One of the sweetest things I've ever seen! Look closely, just like a human baby! Guess it goes to show we are descendants.
Maximus in the petting zoo.
Maximus giving a goat lovers.
Peeking through some kind of bird cage.

He loved running around on the grass next to the polar bear area.
Maximus was Pawpaw's little Velcro. I have about 12 pictures of him attached to his Grandpa during this trip. In fact, as I'm typing this, Maximus is pointing at the computer saying, "paaaw paaaw..."

Excellent profile picture.
DJ trying to give the lion lovers.
Maximus being carried out of the zoo by Pawpaw. At this point during the day, he didn't want his stroller or anyone else. Just Danny and his blankie. He actually started to fall asleep. It was a total tear jerker.
It was SO much fun! We came home and Maximus and I crashed on the bed watching cartoons. We even ordered dinner out. The animals in the zoo always make me sad and I get the urge to unlock all their cages and set them free, but I practiced self control. Maximus is at the age where he enjoys doing so many different things and he LOVES learning. Jesse and I were talking about different things we can do with him to stimulate him and help him learn and grow. I just enrolled him in another 6 week block of Shark School (swimming lessons) and I'm thinking of joining the Parents as Teachers group. Maybe, it's ultra conservative, which I am not. Anyway, we loved the day. Everyone did. Totally worth it. Thank you Guytin for the brilliant idea and I'm sorry you're not in any of these pictures- Danny hogged them all.

My Other Blog

I was emailed by the "Skinny Chef" herself (Jennifer Iserloh) and she wanted me to change the name of my food blog. I guess she has trademarked "Skinny Chef" and asked me to change my blog URL "NOW". I don't want to. It's not like I'm making money from my blog, I doubt anyone reads it anyway and it's mainly a tool for me to remember my recipes and vent about unhealthy food. I'm not going to change it and I'm not going to reply to her email. What's she going to do? Delete it? She even bribed me with a free copy of her cookbook. No thanks.

You can see I'm not trying to compete with her. I have a blog. Just a lame, little blog. Not a full service, professionally designed website with category tabs.

Mine: www.secretsofaskinnychef.blogspot.com

Hers: www.skinnychef.com and www.secretsofaskinnychef.com

The Frozen Park

Sunday afternoon, we went to a park so Jesse could ride his bike on the cyclocross trail. Jackie, Maximus and I bundled up because it was only 34º, but felt like it was 27º. Brrr...

Handsomer spotted an airplane.
He climbs up the ladder on his own now!
Jesse was BEAT!

Beefy watching dad.Frozen mama.

What's in His Cup Today?

Cannellini beans, of course! He loves them and ate an entire cup!

And here is is on the back of the hutch balancing. Totally safe.

Snots and Snorts

This morning Maximus didn't have a cold. But this afternoon when he woke up from his nap, he did. He had the clear, drippy, runny snot that I can't keep wiping fast enough before it reaches his top lip and he has a little cough. I feel bad for him, but he sounds funny when he eats.

Tonight I slathered him in Vicks (after bathing him in Vicks bubble bath) and I put him in bed with Jesse to watch the Sprout channel. He loves to watch a few minutes of the "Goodnight Show" while I warm his milk and I think he just loves being in bed with dad and zoning out. After I warmed his milk, I walk in and see this:



Handsomer NEVER falls asleep before milk! It was so cute because he was snuggled and not only was Jesse snoring, but Maximus was snorting. Poor little Beefy.

Here are a couple pictures of him being cute earlier today. One is taken in one of his toy boxes and the other he was making some Goldfish thing. (Yes, I stooped and bought Goldfish to quiet him down while grocery shopping, ew...)