Wednesday, August 12, 2009

lightning

It was like lightning... all the hours I spent editing different banners and just thinking it was a glitch in the system. Nope, the dang picture had to be saved as a jpeg file. Duh. Oh well, now you will be able to enjoy all my wonderful creativity!!! Pretty cute I think!!

So, first of all... yes, I do have some VERY exciting updates to give you. However, all I can think about today is some VERY sad things. I know this economy flat out sucks, but to be totally honest no one in my immediate group of family/friends has been too affected. Both of our parents, our siblings and our friends all seem to have recession proof jobs. By the grace of God Clark and I have about the safest (yet most dangerous:)) jobs possible. Thankfully, and I guess not so thankfully, people will always need safe streets and emergency health care. We have been fortunate enough to be only minimally affected by this recession. So, just today we found out someone close to us (will remain anonymous) is struggling a LOT. He is a single father trying desperately to save his house. Tonight we talked with a guy working on our house (more on that later) that a couple years ago ran an extremely succesful, million dollar business, making over 200k a year. Now, he works 80+ work weeks on odd jobs, again, to just save his house. To top it off, his wife left him 3 weeks ago. Did I mention he has 3 young daughters? What a struggle. There isn't really any quick fix for these people but it does make me pray even harder for an economy turn around. Or maybe lighting could strike and all there problems could go away (it worked for my banner trouble:)).

More sad, yet not economy related, news. A very good friend of mine from nursing school, Tiffany, lost her grandmother this morning. It was a peaceful passing and they all know she is in a better place, but I know her family could use some thoughts and prayers. A girl named Katie, whom I've NEVER met... only read about... had her baby a couple days ago. While pregnant she had a very life threatening battle with a brain infection and was in the ICU for days. Luckily she fully recovered and with no suspected complications to the baby. Well, her baby was born not breathing and possibly with no brain activity. I cannot even imaging what they are going through.

Ok, let's lighten it up...

MAX IS WALKING!!!!!! Well, it's not really as exciting as it seems all typed out in caps lock and bold and stuff. It's exciting, yes, but it's only a start. He will take consistent steps, maybe 5-6 from person to person or table to chair, etc. He does not make any attempt if the destination is more than he is in the mood for. Trust me, his mood does matter. For the most part he is an extremely happy kid, but he wants his way when he wants it. And oh, does he tell you about it. Tonight we went to Grandad-E and Grandma Dee's house for dinner. Max was in his high chair eating when Dee got home. He fussed until she talked to him and then he finished dinner. Immediately after he was through eating I took him to the bath tub. He was fine at first but as soon as Dee walked in he started flat out crying. I thought it was because I wouldn't let him stand up (he tends to fall and get black eyes when he stands in the bath tub, so I try and stop him) but I soon realized he was just throwing a fit. A fit. Because he hadn't yet been held by his Dee. Quickly I washed him off and gave him to Dee. He snuggled right in and was done with his fit. You know, right after he got his way. Spoiled? Make up your own mind.

So... at 14 months Max is...

Walking 5-6 steps at a time.

Saying "mama" "dada" "uh-oh" and "mmmmmaaa" (I think his attempt at his name) he also babbles a ton and sometimes sounds like "nana" or "baba" but I can't tell.

He is a waving fool. We took him shopping today and he smiled and waved at anything resembling a person. He does the whole arm flap version of the wave, I love it. I especially love any attempt at an impression of his wave from adults. Let me tell you- when a grown person flaps there arm up and down- it's weird. Keep this in mind when you are waving back at a one year old. On second thought, don't, it's keeping me entertained :)

He is still eating 3 meals a day with 3 sippy cups of whole milk. He is getting better at holding his own cup (ahem... his aunts will be glad to hear this:)) and does it about 95% of the time. He is still quite the eater and expands his menu daily. Blueberries, peas, peaches, muffins, pb&j, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, yogurt, green beans, cheerios, french fries, ice cream, teddy grahams. Not a fan of mexican, italian, or french toast. He'll be reformed soon enough, after all, he won't have a choice.

On haircut #2, which went far better than #1. He got the back and sides cut with clippers and it is shorter, which means less fuzzy, and so so so adorable. He got to watch a Baby Einstein and eat a sucker while he got his grooming. A really good plan because he sat perfectly still. He looks so grown up though:(

Napping and sleeping is unchanged, and for the record, amazing! He stays up until 7:30 or 8 and sleeps till 6:30 or 7. Sometimes 7-7 and sometimes 8-6. Morning naps and afternoon naps usually average 3 hours combined. I'm not going into any more detail to say what typically happens or how they normally work because I am superstitious. At least about sleeping schedules.

He still loves to play with cars, but has started expanding to other toys. He likes putting toys together and inside each other.

He can drink from a straw. Kind of a fluke, but he was playing with one of Clark's cups and was biting at the straw. Then all the sudden he got a taste of the yummy coke zero that was available. Now he is a straw drinking maniac, even has a straw sippy. What a big boy!!






And a few more of my fun "color splash" photos.





Hope the lightning bolt strikes you in a good way!! Good night!

4 comments:

Becki Kuhl said...

Nice post Bethy! I love the picture of you and Max - you're so pretty! I was slightly worried that the good news was something else, and you hadn't shared with me first. But, I am glad to know that I found out the good news about Max walking before reading it on the blog. Promise me if you ever have news to share, that you'll tell me first. :)

Miss you!

Grandma Dee said...

No me first, Ms. Becki! Afterall I am your Mother! Nice post Beth. You are so sweet to remember all our friends, neighbors and just acquaintances that are having such trouble right now. We really do need to to everything we can to help them all out. Also, Max is really adorable walking & yes, he did throw a fit until Dee picked him up. I LOVED IT!

Anonymous said...

Great post - and I'm with Grandma Dee, us mothers should be the first to know any special news.

Grandma Cathy

Aunt Crystal said...

Love the banner. It just might work.
Max is learning so many new things. I'm sure cousin Josiah won't be too far behind. I mean after all, he is younger and has a little bit more time to catch up.
Oh, and if you have any exciting news, I'm okay if you don't tell me first. I pick up on body language pretty well. :o)