Our New Puppy!

As per usual, playing with his ears

About to launch that little pumpkin

Hanging out with the gang

My brown-eyed little doggy

Playing with his reflection in the mirror

An uncanny fixation with the fire hydrant.

Top Ten Reasons Max is Puppy Dog for Halloween
1. He chose the costume himself. He pulled in off the shelf and "gave it loves."
2. The first thing Max says in the morning is "woof."
3. He loves to play with his reflection in the mirror.
4. First run of the costume at the Crimson Kids Halloween party he sat in a puddle.
5. Last night at the church Halloween party he rolled around on the gym floor.
6. Today before we went classroom trick-or-treating he kept hanging around the fire hydrant.
7. He enjoys chasing birds, squirrels, bunny rabbits and the resident turkey.
8. He becomes fixated on treats.
9. He escapes out the front door every chance he gets!
10. Without the dog costume Max is Dieter from Sprockets with his skinny legs and all black emsemble.

With Kitty

Max: Age 15 months

Now for Max age 15 months:
1. Max calls every circular object a ball. Ironically he throws not only balls but remote controls, puzzles, books, food (especially food) and almost anything else. He winds up his little arm behind his back, pauses, then releases the object while yelling, "ball."
2. Not unrelated, but when Max wakes up in the morning the first thing he does is throw everything out of his crib.
3. Max is finally walking with confidence. He is also getting his first molar. He is getting so big!
4. Max is still unsure of the blender, which is a bit of a problem because he loves milk shakes.
5. A favorite past time is to go out on the balcony, point at people and yell in jiberish to innocent passers by. Followed by "byeeee."
6. When daddy comes home from school if he doesn't play with Max and instead gets on the phone or computer (not infrequent) Max bawls. Corey promptly picks up Max and gets a big hug and Max is once again a happy boy.
7. Max points at everything and nothing, raises his eye brows, and says "oooooooh."
8. There is a lot of oohing and awing over the resident squirrels, bunnies, birds and turkey. Yes, the HBS turkey.
9. Whenever we come home and Max is walking (not is stroller) he does an about face and trots off down the hall. I then chase him down and carry him back kicking and whining.
10. Last but not least, Max has clued in to the fact that his dad is a softy. When I'm gone and Corey is supposed to put him down I return to Corey and Max watching TV. Sucka.

Marathon training...

Max's GG-ma and GG-pa Woodland recently invited him to join them at the 2008 St. George marathon. Max, of course, would love to make the trip and has already started a rigorous training program.

Physical training:
1) Pushing the mower around the "kitchen loop": 20 laps a day 2) Running out the door when left open and refusing to come back inside the apartment: at least 3 times a day 3) Chasing the resident puppies, birds, squirrels, and Turkey all around campus: once in the morning and once in the afternoon 4) Dancing back and forth and bobbing his head everytime mom's phone rings and plays music: once an hour 5) Acting like a monkey, making growling sounds and wrestling with dad: whenever mom is out of eye and earshot

Mental endurance training:
1) Having to endure mindless boredom watching Baby Einstein: everytime dad is trying to study and babysit at the same time (which Max usually interrupts by taking away dad's cases and hijacking his computer) 2) Learning how to use mom's phone to call friends and family, ordering her new ringers for her phone, and using her phone to take pictures of the rug, his nose, and action shots of his feet.

High performance diet:
1) Lots and lots of noodles 2) Leftovers! (not from the fridge but from goodies he finds stuck to his highchair...) 3) Anything mom and dad eat that he's not supposed to have (namely ice cream and milk shakes).

So, GG-ma and GG-pa Woodland, you can see that Max is very serious about making the 2008 St. George marathon and is soooo excited you invited him. But one word of advice from his parents - maybe you, yourselves, should start training now too so you can keep up with him when he visits - take it from us, he's a marathon himself ;-)

Standing on his own two legs

A couple of weeks ago at the beach, Max decided all of a sudden, to stand on his own. This is him pulling himself, getting his balance, and letting go. Once he had held his balance for a few seconds he claps his hand, cheers for himself and points both fingers to the sky.

This is my favorite of Max, standing alone, checking out the sea, cheering himself on.

Dinner Guest

Max likes to eat and play with his food. His two hands were not enough to get the job done so he invited a new member to table. Can you see who is peeking through here?

Here is a better view.

Toes! Welcome to the table toes. We were baffled that he was able to get them on his tray and using them to play with his food. Max likes his toes. He loves it when I kiss them and tickle them and when I take off his shoes he sticks them out and spreads his toes to give them some fresh air. Hopefully his toes will love him back and help him start walking soon.

Max: Age 14 months

1. Max says "hi" or "hiyeeee" to just about everyone and everything (like the wall).
2. For the past week and a half Max wants to be held mostly by his Dad. Mom's back is thankful for this development.
3. Going up and down and up and down the stairs is a fun past time.
4. Max Walker is not walker. He can crawl like the wind and loves to walk around holding your hands. If you even try to let go of one hand though he will sit down on the job. Two hands or nothing. Its a wonder he isn't walking.
5. Throwing balls around in the house or pool consumes about a third to half of our day. This is the only picture at the pool where his head isn't covered by a beach ball he is holding over his head.
6. Doggies are a big hit and when he sees them he says "woo" as in "woof." He loved being around Miss Famous although I can't say MF reciprocates the sentiment.
7. Max often says "oooohh" and points at something that interests him (usually a doggy).
8. When out at a restaurant with us Max isn't interested in being part of our table. He is craned around in his high chair interrupting complete stranger's meals. He has barged in on blind dates, romantic breakfasts, lunch meetings, family dinners, and many more. He is also a shameless flirt. Someone tells me "my baby is a flirt" about once a day. The thought of these behaviors increasing exponentially until he's a teen is TERRIFYING!
9. Too much attention is non-existent for Max. He loved being in Utah and playing with his aunts and uncles. His feet barely touched the ground the whole week!
10. Max is very friendly and sociable. He takes after his Daddy. He is always excited if there are other children near by. I think he is going to love nursery. I think I am going to love nursery (just 4 more months).

Evidence of the "ball-mania."

Toilet Trouble

Max has discovered a new fascination- the toilet bowl. In his mind nothing could be funner than a bowl full of water. His dream come true is my worst nightmare!