Wildwood Park

On Saturday, thanks to a tip from a friend (thanks Bethany!), we went over to Wildwood Park and Nature Center to their wetlands festival. Luckily the weather held out and it was a pretty nice morning/mid day. We grabbed some lunch first (Max ate his first hot dog actually in the bun and liked it). Then Max got to play a homemade instrument with the "band" that was there. There was a 12:30 show of animals from Zoo America I thought he'd enjoy but after the first 5 minutes (of 15) that the girl held and talked about a box turtle, daddy took him out because obviously it wasn't terribly attention holding for an 18 month old. We went for a nice walk instead. Once he gets older it will be more fun. There were even kids with wading boots and nets in the little creek searching for a list of things they were directed to find.

On another note, Nate's job is going great. He really enjoys his new position. It was a busy week for him last week learning all the new information and it was their busy week of the month but we're all getting adjusted to the new hours and were happy to have a nice weekend together.

18 months

Just a quick 18 month Max update.... these of course are more for me to remember!

Our Dr. visits are still always such fun. The tears start as soon as the nurse or Dr walk into the room. The shots are the quick and easy part really, the apparently painful parts are the head and body measurements, heart beat check, etc....all the stuff that doesn't hurt but the boy does not like to be messed with. Its only been in the last few months that I can actually cut his nails without a huge screaming crying fit!

So anyway, 18 months and all is well. He is right on with all the questioning and the Dr is not concerned about his lack of teeth. He did just have his bottom left molar pop through last week and the right side is on its way. Otherwise we still just have the 4 on top and 2 on bottom. He is 33inches long (69%) and weighs 23.2lbs (14%). I won't go in to my childhood obesity rant again but the stats just never seem to fit what he looks like! Because he has inherited my long torso and short legs he's still in 18 month pants but some 24 and even 2T in tops, PJ's and jackets.

His vocab grows every day, he's really into singing now, repeating real songs too. He loves his books and is eating well. I can sometimes get him to eat some veggies now and then but he likes his yogurt with fruit and veggies and his V8 Fusion. At least half his diet is fruit so that's good. He still loves playing outside, this weather is a tease but we take advantage of the nice days when we can. He still is taking 2 naps more than not so it still gives us a nice break (but also still causes some scheduling issues). We like that he sleeps so well so we don't complain!

Mom is doing ok. I have no real complaints and am lucky to have another healthy pregnancy so far but I have to say I'm more than ready. I'm just tired and uncomfortable most of the time but I'll survive another 7 weeks...

Big news for Dad this week! Nate got a promotion to a new department at Comcast. Its in the business department so he won't be taking customer service calls anymore which was really wearing down on him as anyone can imagine. He's very excited and I'm so proud, he was picked for one of the 3 open spots even before they finished interviewing:) He starts on Monday. Unfortunately he'll have to head back in to the office so we'll miss having him around. The other downside is he'll be working Tuesdays (which is normally daddy and Maxwell day). Until my maternity leave we have grandmas and some back up plans in place but starting September when I go back to work we'll be looking hopefully for a full day (at the very least for the afternoon) person to watch both the kids. Its not a task I look forward to but God always provides what we need so I'm sure something will come up and it will all work out. (side note- if anyone in the Hbg area knows of someone, please let me know!!) We're just very excited for Nate getting this position and moving up in the company.

Easter & DC/VA

First we had a great Easter weekend. We ventured back "east" for the first time in a while (again, apologies to all those loved ones we would have liked to visit but there is only so much time and so much running around I'm willing to do with Max! Next time!!)

Our friends Matt and Kristy had a baby months ago we still hadn't seen and we arranged a little HS friend gathering at her house complete with all the kiddos, a picnic and an Easter Egg Hunt! Max had been playing with eggs for a few weeks since I got out the Easter decorations so he was pretty good at it and didn't care much what was inside. It was a nice visit with friends and since we forgot the group shot we have to schedule another one before the end of the summer/fall.

This was funny because her mom told her to sit at the table with Max, meaning across from him cause he was in the middle on that side but she decided to squeeze on the bench with Max and share a snack!

Next we headed over to Grandpa's for some more fun outdoor play time. Luckily for mom and her need of lots of bed space, Max even slept all night in the pac & play, which he hasn't done for a long time, so we all got some decent sleep! The Easter Bunny even found him all the way over there!

Classic men and the tractor!



Learning about wind chimes from Grandpa...

No, we didn't have that in there all night or anything!

Sunday morning we headed over to my grandmother's church. Max did great, took a nap in the car on the way over and even stayed in the nursery there. Afterwards he had a fun visit with the family and enjoyed another egg hunt.

Nothing says Easter like your Sunday best, spring flowers and a neon green plastic screwdriver...

This past Saturday we planned a trip to head first into DC for the Cherry Blossoms and then for a visit to Nate's sister's and her family. As we kept getting closer in the city I realized the blossoms were DONE! (The peeked Easter weekend and I've never seen them be done that fast) but luckily it was a nice day and we had a good time just walking around outside. The tulip garden was in bloom and Max LOVED the carousel (until the very end when he needed to get "down")

A picnic by the tidal basin (all that green should have been pink!)

This was a classic... on the way out to Ellie's we heard paper noise and turned around to find this... he was just reading the DC metro paper I picked up on our way out, just catching up on the news I guess?!?!

Then we drove out to see the Browns and had a nice visit there with a picnic dinner and more play time. Luckily we had planned to head back that evening though cause poor cousin Luke got sick again (poor kid had to cancel his tonsil surgery, needs those things out badly!). Of course Aunt Ellie got some great shots at the nursery we went to.