training

Nate and Max played some ball this morning using an old hoop from Nate's childhood. They both happened to be appropriately dressed for the activity, too. I think Nate's taking seriously the idea of raising a star. You know, Max peed all over Nate's hand in the wee hours of the morning while Nate changed his diaper. I think the need for potty training may be a little more urgent, but apparently that's just me.

if you're nappy and you know it

Max and I lay down for a nap in the late morning. His eyes closed as soon as his head hit the white sheets. I touched his arm, the skin cool from the fall air. I kissed his forehead. He smelled like graham crackers. His binky squeaked intermittently, and his breathing was calm. My face was so close to his that he appeared out of focus, but I could see every perfectly curved eyelash. I watched him for a few minutes before I closed my eyes and let his soft noises lull me to sleep. I love this kid.

Fall

The foliage is changing.

We have busted out the cardigans and hoodies.

I even wear my hair down again, and Max loves it.

his shirt says it

Kayleen, Ashley, and I met for lunch today. I trained Ashley in the mission, and now here we are with babies! Ashley's boy, Jackson, is a month older than Max. While we ate, the two of them slapped the table and shouted at each other like little cavemen babies. It was great to catch up with these ladies, and we plan on getting Max and Jackson together again soon.

the last day

Nate captured this moment on Saturday. I was obviously enjoying my yogurt while taking for granted the ease with which Max drank his milk. This was the last time we didn't have to force him to drink. He's all about solid foods now. I'm not yet sure if this is a problem, but I'll so some research to make sure he isn't going to shrivel up like a raisin. Mmm... raisins would be good in yogurt, huh?

sick day

We woke up on Saturday a bit under the weather, but we ventured out for lunch at Smashburger and then a stroll at Riverwoods for Chalk the Block.

Max wasn't too impressed.

He was a cranky boy when we got back home and crashed on the couch. 

(Behind him is the mini-basketball we bought him the day before...)

Nate and I were exhausted as well and spent the rest of the day watching Parenthood. Maybe it was his cold, but Nate got emotional several times. Nate's a softie sometimes, and I love him for it.

The Day I Turned 30.

I turned 30 on Friday. I woke up to Max still sleeping beside me (Nate had brought him in) and Nate clanging silverware and pans in the kitchen as he made breakfast. Nate went to work (after cleaning the kitchen), and I spent the day with Max doing the usual. Both the Dunfords and my parents sent packages. My grandma sent a card. I received several texts and voicemails. My good friend, Deborah, brought me lunch and a variety of cupcakes. She also gave me an oil diffuser with an assortment of natural oils from Young Living where she works. It was all unexpected and totally kind of her. She stayed several hours until Nate got home. He took me to dinner at my favorite restaurant and for a walk on campus. We went to the bookstore and bought a book on world religions, a mini-basketball for Max, and some dark chocolate sea salt caramels. We talked about getting older and how much we loved our boy. 

Max at La Villa

Turning 30 didn't worry me. As Maddie pointed out in her card, this was my first birthday as a mom. Indeed. Happy birthday to me.

the day before i turned 30

Thursday night, a few girls from our mission to Chile 7 years ago met up in South Jordan for some completos and ice cream courtesy of Kayleen. The whole thing, really, is courtesy of Kayleen. She always hosts the get-togethers and plans the food. Without her, we wouldn't and don't get together like this. Lori and I were the last to leave, so we snagged a picture with Kayleen. I don't think my eyes are fully closed, but I could be wrong. Thanks again for the fun night, Kayleen!

I love Max more than I love bleach-white socks and meltdowns.

See those dark spots on the cement? That's Max's drool. He's been teething lately, and I have to pick my battles to keep him from getting upset too often. It wears him out. This particular day we played outside on the cold, damp ground for an hour. I surrendered on that one. 

bipolar much?

homies

We took Max on a walk Monday evening as the sun was going down. Max blew raspberries and blabbered into the wind while Nate and I chatted about the homes we passed, pointing out styles and details we liked. We are hoping to buy a home in the next year, and we need to start paying attention. 

 I always chose the cottage as my house of choice in "The Game of Life," so I loved this little cottage-like house a few blocks from us.

And this house? This is the little house we are renting while we save money for the real deal. Think that roof will last through the winter? I kid. It's charming. I love it, really. We at least have a place we can call home.

sleeping sausage fingers

chocolate and a new friend

Nate, Max, and I went to a BBQ with a few of Nate's good friends from college, their wives, and their kids - Mike and Cecilia Zarbock, Nate and Megan Bangerter, Luke and Marlee Bangerter, and Weston Barney. There was a Brazilian theme, so Nate asked me to make brigaderos. I added a touch of cinnamon for kicks, and next time I'll try a sea salt version. Nate fed some of the goopy batter to Max who got it all over his face, his socks, and the floor. It's not that often that we let him make dirty messes, but this was a special occasion. 

Max (9 months) meets Wes (9 1/2 months)

The food was good and the company was better. We are excited for Max and Wes to spend more time together. Max needs a buddy who isn't almost 30.

adultsitting

My friend Deborah came over last night to watch Max so that Nate and I could go out. We've had people watch Max before, but this was the first time someone came to our home. It reminded me of when I, as a teen, used to babysit others' kids, and I suddenly felt very adult as I told Deborah that we wouldn't be home too late. But see, Deborah is over 30, very much an adult unconcerned with getting home at 10pm, so my comment seemed very juvenile... like a kid playing at a pretend mommy and babysitter scenario. And actually, I still feel like I'm playing house. I wonder if it ever goes away...

fact: whole milk is superior to 1%

In response to Naomi's comment on my last post... It can be difficult to entertain Max. Don't let my posts fool you. He roams the house getting into everything but gets bored after awhile. It's all the same junk. He's entertained by new things or my creative presentations of old things. I gave him the measuring cups today. Big hit. And then I tried to color with him, but he just wanted to eat the crayons and then got mad when I took them away. 

In addition to entertaining him I feel a responsibility to teach him language, and I get impatient with myself for not talking enough to him when we are alone all day. I think I'm used to being alone, and I was never in the habit of talking to myself. Moreover, saying things like, "Let's change your diaper!" and "Is that banana yummy?" day after day just doesn't seem adequate, but that's the current stage we are in. Milk before meat, I know. 

baby steps

I tried teaching Max how to say "sticks" today while playing outside. He kinda picked up on it and called them "sta." He also tried sharpening his two teeth on a rock. One step forward, one step back. 

Max Rises, Max Shouts

We took Max to his first football game - BYU vs. Weber State. Football games are enjoyable, but they are decidedly more fun with a munchkin in tow. The game started at 1pm, so the sun was in full force. Consequently, Max got his first sunburn. He also lost a shoe. It was a good day.

Max Part 2

We stayed at Nate's Aunt Annie's house for a week before we could move into our new house, during which time Max mastered the stairs and pulling himself up on things. He particularly liked the toy room.

Since moving into our new house, Max has been "helping me" every time I open the dishwasher. And every time I close the door, Max cries. Cute and annoying converge.

 Max is sleeping in his crib for the first time. He doesn't seem to know the difference between it and a port-a-crib, thank goodness. 

Max is still into blowing air out his lips lately. He now tightens his lips more and gets red-faced.

Max is all about making messes. He roams the house looking for things he can remove from their current location.

 Max enjoys The Backyardigans. It's really is the only show I put on for him. He loves the music.

on my mind

“An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses, every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God Himself.

But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.

The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

In the presence of such persons one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuse and thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit…”

(Parley P. Pratt, p. 101-102 “Key to the Science of Theology”)