Maxwell is ONE

We blinked and he turned one.  He is our sweet, calm, happy and stubborn little boy and our lives are for the better because of him.

I am convinced Max was meant to be enjoyed. He invites you to be present, to savor his chubby cheeks and baby smiles.

Our hearts are full as we reflect on what a gift he has been this past year.

Happy first birthday Max!  

Awkward family photos

 Everyone normal except, as usual, Noah...

Blink of an eye

Seemingly overnight, Max appears to have flipped the switch from a baby to a young toddler. The innocent baby expressions have been replaced with a new determined attitude.



This child is dying to walk. He will guide his hands into your hands, arch his body to be let down, and insist you walk him where he chooses.

The moment he grabbed his pacifier out of his mouth last week when he was mad and threw it with fervor across the room, I knew it was game over for us!

Brothers

One of the most surprising things for me in having Max is how soon Noah and Max have taken on their roles as brothers. I did not think it would happen until much later, but they have already discovered how to play, fight, tackle, and mess with each other. 

In many respects, these two are night and day. People often comment that Max is a chill baby (our response? you should meet him at night). I am fairly certain I have never heard anything remotely similar in describing Noah. 

But no one can make Max laugh like Noah.  Even at this age, we can hear giggling coming from the back seat of our car. 

I often have to reprimand Noah for his unprovoked tackling of his little brother. 

But then I turn around and Max is laughing. Is this what brothers do? I have no idea.

At the rate Max is eating, one day he will be bigger than Noah. Then it will be a whole new ball game between these two! 

Christmas 2013

Happy new year! Christmas break this year was just what we needed.

Naps for all, snuggles with the kiddos to my heart's content, cooking, cleaning, morning excursions in beautiful California weather, dinner with friends, family time, and relaxing. We only took a few days off, but it was restful and bright.