Let the Wild Rumpus Start!

Max's first haircut

2011-03-27T21:11:00.002-04:00

Max got his first haircut this weekend -- Jen found a neat kids-only haircut place called Snip-Its -- we went after lunch, shortly before naptime, and he handled things like a champ, no fussing at all.

Before -- a free-spirited mop for a free-spirited toddler:

In the chair ready to go -- check out those curls!

After -- free lollipop for a suddenly clean-cut young man:

The day after -- looks so much older for some reason:

(And on a separate topic, check out the stickers on his shirt...)

Max and friends at 57 weeks

2010-08-05T23:56:00.000-04:00

sadly, the last week of the regular Max and friends photos...

and this photo pretty much illustrates why:

TOO MOBILE. Guess who's a toddler now?

Max and friends at 56 weeks

2010-08-04T23:53:00.000-04:00

This one KILLS me

Max and friends at 55 weeks

2010-08-04T23:50:00.000-04:00

"he's a lumberjack and he's ok..."

Max and friends at 54 weeks

2010-08-03T23:48:00.001-04:00

That is in fact a Where the Wild Things are t-shirt

Max and friends at 53 weeks

2010-08-02T23:47:00.000-04:00

Tubby time!

Max and friends at 52 weeks

2010-08-01T23:46:00.000-04:00

Yes, he is holding a fake cell phone. He likes to call Daddy on it.

Max and friends at 51 weeks

2010-07-31T23:41:00.000-04:00

God only knows what he'd spilled on his shirt

SO MAD! BABY HULK SMASH!

know what brings Baby Hulk back down to calm? Picking at the monkey's nose.

Max and friends at 50 weeks

2010-07-31T13:39:00.000-04:00

Overalls!

Max and friends at 49 weeks

2010-07-30T23:36:00.000-04:00

NO PANTS!

Max and friends at 48 weeks

2010-07-30T23:34:00.000-04:00

Apparently Charlie Brown is eating Snoopy. Alas.

Max and friends at 47 weeks

2010-07-29T23:31:00.001-04:00

Max meet Star Wars

2010-07-29T23:20:00.000-04:00

C3P0 courtesy Uncle Adam.

Dopplegangers?

2010-07-29T14:59:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I think so.

look at that cute boy

2010-07-28T23:16:00.000-04:00

from back in october

Max is adorable, the rest of us? goofballs

2010-07-27T23:11:00.000-04:00

Remember October? We finally do.

Here's a video of Max eating and the rest of family acting like idiots

Oh dear

2010-07-26T22:25:00.004-04:00

How did we miss halloween? Two cameras. That's how. I downloaded pics from my camera, but we neglected to download pics from Jonathan's camera.

And so now, a solid TEN MONTHS after it happened, I present Halloween pictures. God we are BAD BLOGGING PARENTS.

So let's flash back shall we? Picture it: it's October. It's not a billion degrees out. And it's nearly Halloween....

Pumpkins need to be chosen, but Max is not thrilled by this.

Then Jonathan works his magic pumpkin carving skills:

Later that night, I work my own magic with a sharpie and an old navy t-shirt, and the next day, Charlie Brown shows up!

complete with snoopy and Daddy

And the rare Mommy shot

Though he is still not convinced by the pumpkins

Then there was some trick or treating up at Grampy and Miz Karen's house, and to our longtime family friends, the Dougherty's

Max and Di

Max and Theresa (who I babysat once upon a time, god I'm old)

And finally, Max decided to "help" hand out candy. Or really, just rummage around in the bowl.

Though I have to say, I do not think Charlie Brown was ever THIS charming.

Ladies? Look out. Especially if you are the little redheaded girl.

hey remember fall?

2010-05-24T21:18:00.002-04:00

And the leaves, when they weren't actually on the trees?

Max does! Back in November, there were huge piles of leaves everywhere...

Max is unsure at first...

But then, hey, leaves! yay!

Hm, perhaps they taste good.

I shall see.

CHOMP!

NOM NOM NOM

Want one?

laundry basket rides!

2010-05-23T21:15:00.000-04:00

laundry basket rides are awesome!

(yes, there is yo gabba gabba at our house, therefore everything is... AWESOME! a la DJ Lance Rock)

(also, still playing catchup. this is from NOVEMBER.)

oh we are bad blogging parents

2010-05-22T21:08:00.003-04:00

It's been over a month since the last post, which was itself over a month from the post previously.

Meanwhile the photos have been piling up on the memory cards, just waiting for me to get off my duff and download them. And then get off of my duff and upload them. And oh wait, get off of my duff and post them.

So anyway, let's start the catchup!

First we have cute pics of Max and daddy!

Oh and these are from NOVEMBER.

BAD BLOGGING PARENTS y'all.

Oooh GLASSES!

Max and me

2010-04-06T11:35:00.000-04:00

Just a couple of nice shots that Jen took of the boy and me.

Max egg hunting in the park

2010-04-04T21:20:00.004-04:00

On Saturday we took Max to a huge egg hunt at Brookdale Park. A local church has been throwing the event for six or seven years now and it's almost a fair -- there's free stuff, games, face painting, and an enormous (10,000 egg) hunt split into multiple age groups so everyone can play. The weather was beautiful and Max had a great time.

Max loves balloons.

but not the Easter Bunny.

Sno-cones make it all better.

Jen and Max waiting for the gates to open on the egg hunt.

Into the egg thunderdome. Hundreds of kids on stampede.

Hey look, it's Jen!

Mission accomplished!

Into the bag.

Now home, Jeeves. I mean Daddy.

Max's first snowstorm part 5 -- cuteness reigns

2010-02-01T09:58:00.001-05:00

To wrap up this series on Max's first snowstorm, here are a couple of closeups. I'm sorry, all other parents out there, but DANG is my kid cute.

Max's first snowstorm part 4 -- a snowball's chance

2010-01-31T10:55:00.000-05:00

After exploring the front yard thoroughly, we went around back, where I sat Max down and attempted to teach him about snowballs. Never too early to learn how to make a projectile weapon out of frozen water. Max was pretty unimpressed, though. At least I had fun.

The Max sits alone.

What do you mean I'm setting a bad example? I'm teaching him a valuable skill!

Max's first snowstorm part 3 -- Mommy time

2010-01-30T11:52:00.002-05:00

After the initial touchdown, Max was ready for some time back in Mommy's arms. I find this sequence of Jen super adorable. (Oh, and Max is cute in the photos too.)

Max's first snowstorm part 2 -- one small step for a Max, one giant step for all Maxkind

2010-01-29T10:40:00.001-05:00

Once suited up, step two was getting Max out in the white stuff. Here's first contact between Max and snow. At this moment I had flashbacks to my brother up to his hips in the aftermath of a gigantic Pittsburgh blizzard, bawling at the top of his lungs. Max held it together though.

Yes, that is a hat with dragon head fins and mittens that are little dragons with eyes and a red mouth. I kind of wish I had a matching set in my size.

First contact.

The Eagle has landed!

Max's first snowstorm part 1 -- suit up!

2010-01-28T21:34:00.002-05:00

Hey, remember that giant snowstorm last month? We took Max out in it and I finally got around to loading the pictures. Here begins a multi-part series. Part one -- Jen getting Max into his snow gear. She was smart and realized it's easier if you just lay him down flat. Reminiscent of little brother Randy in A Christmas Story, no?

"OK, let's do this thing!"

2009-12-28T21:57:00.002-05:00

In this picture,

Max is a dead ringer for my dad, Mr. Tom at a similar age.

Seriously, it's kind of freaky.

but when he smiles, he looks more like Jonathan I think

and always cute

going up to bed

2009-12-27T21:54:00.001-05:00

On the nights that Jonathan puts Max to bed, the kiddo gets super smirky and pleased with himself.

Cute boys. One of whom is dissolving into giggles

dinner time

2009-12-24T10:00:00.002-05:00

is it pasta? does it have cheese? Or potatoes?

If so, Max'll eat it.

oh, hey, did someone say "cheese"?

that plastic ring stacker? best. toy. ever.

2009-12-23T21:34:00.004-05:00

Baby on a mission...

Check it out. RINGS!

Hey, didja see my RING!?

But how can anyone make a cranky face at the rings?

See? Check out the rings!

And voila. No more cranky face.

aww, tickles.

And smooches!

NOM NOM RINGS

2009-12-23T18:30:00.003-05:00

SMIRKY.

why am I grinning?

because I have RINGS!

NOMNOMNOM

(do those grins not kill with the cute?)

Flinging is fun

2009-12-23T09:24:00.002-05:00

Oh sure, I may look all innocent.

And cute, don't forget cute.

Check it out--I have feet...

but ho, what's this?

FLING!

Ha ha ha, plastic lid. You will never defeat The Max!

music table

2009-12-22T21:07:00.000-05:00

Max really likes standing at the music table in the living room. And now we all know all the words to all the songs. In english and spanish.

this is what happens when I am bored with a camera

2009-12-22T19:18:00.002-05:00

picture time with mommy!

Max is dubious...

cruising

2009-12-22T09:07:00.001-05:00

still playing catch up...

Max is now pretty close to walking, but back when we actually took these videos, he was just cruising around, looking for cats to torment

baby obstacle course

2009-12-21T11:20:00.000-05:00

At the moment, Max is thisclose to actual walking, but a few months ago, he'd just figured out how to hang onto the coffee table and cruise around. Crawling, he'd mastered, but it had gotten to the point where we could just let him go around the living room like a little baby obstacle course.

See, this video:

Max and friends at 45 weeks

2009-12-21T10:20:00.001-05:00

I love these pictures.

He really looks like Jonathan here

Max and friends at 44 weeks

2009-12-20T23:18:00.000-05:00

aww, who's a little preppy?

Max and friends at 43 weeks

2009-12-20T13:16:00.002-05:00

He's starting to lose the baby and look more little boy

and has started to throw the friends as soon as he sits down. it's kind of hilarious

Max and friends at 42 weeks

2009-12-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

OMG BALLOON!

He wouldn't let go, he loves it so.

Also, did you see those little baby piggies? Toes!

Max and friends at 41 weeks

2009-12-19T19:09:00.003-05:00

nomnomnomNOMNOMNOM

but then he caught sight of his most favorite thing ever.

Llama Llama, Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney (what can I say, the kid's company loyal!)

Someone gets read this every night before bed. and goes AAAAAAAAAA! when he sees the little llama. And always always flips it over to see the vignette on the back cover.

Max and friends at 40 weeks

2009-12-19T09:07:00.002-05:00

NOMNOMNOMNOM TEETHING

Max and friends at 39 weeks

2009-12-18T23:05:00.000-05:00

Max and friends at 38 weeks

2009-12-18T14:03:00.000-05:00

Giggles!

oh man, the smirk. the smirk kills me.

Max and friends at 37 weeks

2009-12-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

this picture kills me with the adorable.

Max and friends at 36 weeks

2009-12-17T23:00:00.001-05:00

(back to playing catch up. Let's see if we can do it before the new year!)

Max standing up!

2009-12-17T22:03:00.002-05:00

Waaaaaaaaay back in August, Max finally figured out how to stand up on his own. In the crib. All by himself!

Needless to say, he was pretty psyched

there were giggles.

and, cause we're nerds, VIDEO of the event!

Max's first (robotic) birthday!

2009-12-01T17:00:00.004-05:00

We had a small party for Max's first birthday. There wasn't really a theme, because, well, we're lazy. Though there was a robot cake (made by yours truly)!

And cake pops! Faces kindly provided by my mom and the food coloring markers.

Needless to say, the birthday boy needed to shirtless for the cake.

I did not let him at the fondant, though there was more than enough buttercream under it to make him happy.

And there were presents! But more importantly, PAPER!

A good time was had by all. Except the robot. Poor tasty robot.

It's Max's first birthday!

2009-11-21T21:10:00.002-05:00

Today is Max's first birthday! Go Max!

Max says "holy cow, I just realized that means I'm one year old! That is AMAZING!"

Max with his Uncle Adam & Great-Grandparents

2009-11-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

Flashback to early July -- my brother Adam came up to visit and we took Max out to the Bronx to visit his great-grandparents. Who also follow this blog, so they are finally seeing these photos too. Hi, Grandpa & Grandma!

Max with his mom and Great-Grandfather

2009-11-19T12:53:00.000-05:00

Another flashback to our week at Cape Cod this past summer -- here are some cute shots of Max with Jen and her grandfather.

Max & Jen, blurry but still cute

2009-11-18T19:40:00.000-05:00

Here's an old set from late July -- I really like the energy of interaction here between Jen & Max, even though they a little blurry -- maybe it's the blurriness that makes them so dynamic.

Max and the Giant Pez

2009-11-17T13:59:00.000-05:00

My brother Adam gave me this giant musical C-3PO Pez container last holiday season. It sat idly on our mantel for about 9 months, until I showed it to Max. Who knew that it would be, well, watch the video and see.

Max with Grandma Barbara and me

2009-11-16T11:43:00.000-05:00

We were just down in Annapolis for my parents' 40th anniversary. Here are a couple shots of Max with his Grandma at the party, right before he went up to bed. He did great, schmoozed the guests and even went to sleep without a fuss despite 40 loud guests downstairs. Thanks, Max!

Max + Mommy + spoon + high chair = cuteness

2009-11-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

From our week in Cape Cod this summer, here's an adorable set of photos of Max and Jen playing around in the comfy high chair and a SPOON!

Max hanging out with his mommy

2009-11-13T09:43:00.001-05:00

Two of my favorite people hanging out together in the comfy chair. (Max apparently thought it was a pants-optional occasion.)

Max's first balloon

2009-11-12T11:28:00.001-05:00

Max went to a birthday party in September and came home with his first-ever helium balloon. He loved it, esp bouncing it back & forth. He only hit his head, umm, a whole lot (see video for proof).

Max riding Jen Yoda-style at Biltmore

2009-11-11T10:51:00.002-05:00

We recently attended the family reunion of Jen's mother's family in North Carolina. As part of the trip we visited Biltmore, apparently the largest house in America, on which one of the Vanderbilt grandchildren squandered his entire fortune. The place is insanely immense and involved a lot of stairs, so to get Max around we needed a non-stroller primary mechanism. The cool thing about our Beco baby carrier is that it's not just a front-loader but can be swung around to go on the back. Hence these various shots of Max doing the Yoda thing on Jen's back. (We tried it on me first but apparently I'm too big so Max had trouble seeing around me at the crazy giant house and got cranky.)

Oh, wait, that's not Max. let's try that again...

Biltmore is really big:

With lots of stairs...

Max did good though.

Surveying the scene with a dispassionate eye:

...and deciding he is pleased. I swear, at this point he can whip out this insanely cute expression out any time he wants it.

Reaching out for Daddy:

And generally just happy to be part of the team. (This is after we put up the head covering part of the carrier to A) not burn his bald little scalp in the bright sun, and B) help him doze off as he was getting pretty tired by this point):

Max sleeps with a loaded sippy cup at his side

2009-11-10T10:41:00.000-05:00

We started giving Max a sippy cup of water as part of his in-car traveling paraphernalia. As you can see from this picture, he's taken quite a shine to it. As in "mine mine it's all mine!"

Max and friends at 35 weeks

2009-11-09T20:46:00.002-05:00

still at the cape! How cute is his expression here?

Max and friends at 34 weeks

2009-11-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

note the change of chair--this was taken when we were on vacation in Cape Cod this past august.

Max and friends at 33 weeks

2009-11-07T20:39:00.000-05:00

note the avengers tee!

Cape swimming!

2009-11-07T15:01:00.003-05:00

Remember back when we posted about Max's first visit to the beach? Here's more of that! This is at Kingsbury Beach, which is the bay beach that we can walk to from the Gathering Place

There was lots of sand eating. because sand apparently = tasty.

did I not mention it's INTENSE sand eating? Blue steel!

Later on in the vacation, we went down to First Encounter beach, and down to the inlet where the water was a bit warmer (though the air was still pretty damn windy), for still more sand eating.

this time, he's accessorizing with a jaunty sun hat!

then Jonathan took the munchkin into the water

We also went swimming in Great Pond a lot, but I didn't take any pictures of that because oh wait, I was swimming. Max still decided that he liked swimming in the bay best, because he could dip his hand in the water and lick it off. Oy.

Max and friends at 32 weeks

2009-11-06T20:38:00.001-05:00

Max and his great grampy

2009-11-06T16:55:00.003-05:00

Up at the Cape house, Max and his great grampy had some bonding time. They both had an affinity for head bonking, Max's favorite way of showing affection (headbutting you and giggling).

and that's my dad getting in on the Max action

Max is doubtful of whatever it is Dad said (rightfully so kiddo)

Here, Max and his supercute madras overalls and Grampy decide that the sun is overrated

Max and friends at 31 weeks

2009-11-05T20:36:00.001-05:00

Cape Cod

2009-11-05T17:48:00.001-05:00

Back in August, we all went on a vacation to Cape Cod, where my grandfather and father's family have spent summers for years. Max had a pretty good time on his trip, hanging out in the Gathering Place's kitchen, flinging around his new favorite toy (courtesy Paige and Luke: soda bottle filled partway with rice). GENIUS.

also, he kind of liked just hanging out in the chair

and looking a little dazed

His greatgrampy also taught him how do blow raspberries, or, as great grampy calls 'em, Bronx Cheers.

And of course, there was some dancing with Miz Karen

Max and friends at 30 weeks

2009-11-04T18:33:00.001-05:00

swim class!

2009-11-04T16:24:00.000-05:00

this summer, we enrolled Max in swim lessons. Which really were more like "bop around the pool and try to eat the ball" lessons since oh wait, BABY.

At first, he was a little wary, but after a while, he was all into it.

especially once the toys came out. there were buckets...

And balls...

and Max was very very good about always listening to the swim teacher

also, check out his cutie lil swimsuit!

we see this expression a lot

2009-11-03T20:21:00.001-05:00

I have no idea why, but this tends to be his default expression.

HOLY CRAP!

Paparazzi

2009-11-02T10:49:00.001-05:00

C'mon, TMZ, stop following me around! Can't I go out for a crawl in privacy? Leave me alone, you vultures!

Dude! Man, hey...uh...what were we talking about?

2009-10-30T09:42:00.000-04:00

smiley

2009-10-29T12:22:00.000-04:00

look at that grin!

ooh! a kitty!

I will go get it!

but wait, what's this? TOY!

oh man, toys are hilarious!

cheeeeeeeeeks! part II

2009-10-29T11:20:00.002-04:00

there's a lot of concentrating involved in being adorable.

lots.

but you can't forget the cheeks.

and the plaintive baby looks help too

cutie face

2009-10-29T07:17:00.001-04:00

I swear, sometimes this boy looks like a doll

OOOOOooooo!

sleepy baby

2009-10-29T00:14:00.000-04:00

but milk is your best food!

nearly there

2009-10-28T08:03:00.000-04:00

hey, check it! I'm about to crawl!

OMG!

Come on! It's cool! I'm still flopping around doing the worm or the butterfly stroke on dry land, but still!

No seriously! O. M. G.!

oops. I fell.

Harumph.

(and once again... Rocket! I'm taking a rocket!...)

almost crawling

2009-10-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

but always nomming

Max and friends at 29 weeks

2009-10-27T23:52:00.000-04:00

this is one of my most favorite pics ever:

his shark hat/hood is so jaunty!

the return of the eyebrow

2009-10-27T15:51:00.000-04:00

man, this kid kills with the expressions.

more sharky baby

2009-10-26T23:40:00.003-04:00

and me being a total dork.

but hey, Max broke out his own blue steel!

me = smirky, Max = Le Tigre?

regardless, the kiddo and proved that he is indeed, the cutest lil baby blue shark ever

did I mention I am a dork?

oh wait, it gets worse.

oh no! a baby shark killing me with the cute! But then I am saved by the fascination of the camera strap.

arty sharky baby

2009-10-26T13:36:00.001-04:00

post-bathtime when Max is an especially cute sharky baby

and this is what happens when max decides he wants to EAT CAMERA NOW!

playground date

2009-10-25T23:28:00.000-04:00

back in June (yes, I know, we're backlogged), Luke the baby and his parents Paige and Paul came out to Montclair to play on the superfabulous playground with the squishy ground.

A good time was had by all, despite the heat. Plus, Luke was so adorable in his toddler obsession with a) puppy and b) ball. Sadly, I have no pictures of Luke calling "puppy puppy puppy" softly in the stroller. But I do have pics of Luke and Paul finding a ball, or rather...

BALL! BALL! BALL!

Ah, ball. Also, Jonathan and Max in the background

Max went on the swings

look at those arm rolls! I want to eat him up.

and was a tall baby

who nommed on Jonathan's hat

Hey!

2009-10-25T10:21:00.000-04:00

HEY!

Let's go do fun stuff!

Also! Did you see I'm standing, kinda, with some help?

Oh hey, did you see my foot? I totally have a foot.

blocks!

2009-10-24T23:20:00.000-04:00

"wha? Hey, mommy. I so didn't see you there. I'm not doing anything. Not touching the video games at all, why do you ask?"

Why do I get the feeling I'll be seeing this look a lot?

Max and friends at 28 weeks

2009-10-24T11:08:00.000-04:00

that's 7 months!

Also, this rocket tee totally makes me sing the theme song to Astronaut Jones. "rocket! I'm taking a rocket... I'm packing my suitcase! Look out moon!"

via videosift.com

max and his auntie

2009-10-23T23:34:00.000-04:00

yeah yeah caterpillars are cool

but auntie sharren...

is awesome!

and she's soooo funny!

and when auntie sharren talks...

Father's day

2009-10-23T22:55:00.002-04:00

there was cake! (as shown in front of my dad)

there were tickles!

there was caterpillar-nomming!

the last hurrah of the bouncy seat

2009-10-22T22:46:00.003-04:00

oh man, we are so playing catch up...

Max has been napping in his crib for months now, but back in May, the bouncy seat was really key to getting him to sleep during the day. Until his butt started hitting the floor.

And so, may I present, the last hurrah of the bouncy seat...
it starts out well...

the kid is still cute...

but the end is never pretty

moving around!

2009-09-30T22:49:00.002-04:00

back in may (shut up, we're behind), Max started to figure out mobility. Crawling? not so much. Flopping? Oh hell yes. The best way to describe it is like the butterfly stroke, but on dry land: pushing up, flopping forward, repeat. He even got the dolphin kick down pretty well.

hanging out in pjs

2009-09-29T22:46:00.002-04:00

(because it was summer, and pjs were onesies and onesies were pjs)

naptime

2009-09-28T22:43:00.000-04:00

one of them just woke up, and was wearing spidey!

Max and friends at 27 weeks

2009-09-27T22:41:00.001-04:00

cute boys

2009-09-26T22:39:00.001-04:00

sitting on the stairs (note the pretty pretty new color!)

tummy!

tall baby!

picking at lint, or something

my kid is pretty funny

2009-09-25T22:36:00.003-04:00

...looking that is. these pics crack me up

oh flash. so bad.

and this? well, it's both cute and maniacal

it's like he's practicing to be a comic book villian. which really, considering his parents, would be an admirable career! muhahahahaha!

ok, this one is pretty cute though

I really don't have many photos of me and the kid

2009-09-24T22:35:00.001-04:00

but this one is one of my favorites

max finally realized what that silver thing mom's alway shoving in his face is

2009-09-23T22:29:00.004-04:00

ooooh camera!

poke poke poke

Someone found the camera strap, which considering how much he loves sucking on webbing/straps, is really not surprising. seriously, the kid always manages to find the strap on his car seat and then it's all sucksucksuck smacksmacksmack sucksucksuck.

things are looking up!

and this is his latest smile, which I think is more horizonal because of the teeth. And also because he was saying "MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!" at the time

Max and friends at 26 weeks

2009-09-22T22:28:00.001-04:00

the flash is odd

2009-09-21T22:26:00.000-04:00

this is such an odd shot, it hardly looks like Max

I blame flash