Santa #3

Scarlett was an old pro by the time she met up with Santa #3 at my firm's kids Christmas party, thanks in no small part to the fact that her Daddy was holding her.



Max, however, did not get Scarlett's "screaming at the sight of Santa is for babies (at least if one of your parents is holding you)" memo.



But hey -- he is a baby, after all. I would hope for better luck next year, but chances are good that Max will freak again. My money is on Christmas 2013 being the earliest we can hope for a nice calm shot with both kids and Santa. Truth be told, I'd be a little disappointed if I didn't have the obligatory "scary Santa" shots of the kids. It's a right of passage in my book (quite literally in my baby book, where Santa's reign of terror was documented at Cielo Vista Mall as far back as 1977).

Santa #2

We had two additional Santa encounters this month, and the good news is that Scarlett found Santa #2 and Santa #3 far less horrifying than Santa #1. The apparent key to no screaming: interacting with Santa from the safety of Momma's lap or Daddy's arms.

Scarlett clings to her balloon wand/sword/light saber. Might come in handy as protection against Santa #2.



Scarlett continues to size up Santa #2. What's up with the pom pom grab? I was a bit leery, too.


Santa #2 strikes another strange pose. But is that a smile I see on Scarlett's face??



Story time with Santa #2. Maybe this guy isn't so bad after all. He even let Scarlett turn the pages of the book. (She was so enthusiastic about it that he had to remind her to let the other kids have a turn.)



Max decided to pass on Santa #2 and to hang with Papa Tig instead.




And no visit to Santa is complete without a balloon sword fight.

Rub a dub dub, Baby Max in the tub

Here are some shots from Max's first bath. Although Max made his displeasure clear, no worries -- he has come around and seems to really enjoy bath time now. Please note the strategically placed towel for both warmth and modesty. Max is a gentleman, after all.

Max's Two Week Checkup

Max had his two week check up today with Dr. Curry, and everything looks great. Max is growing like a weed. He's up to 9 pounds 4 oz (95th percentile for baby boys), is 21 inches long (95th percentile), and his head measurement is off the charts at 15 inches (greater than 97th percentile). Ideally a baby will be back to his or her birth weight at two weeks (since they typically lose a bit of weight after birth). Max not only got up to his birth weight (7 lbs 15 oz), he surpassed it by a pound and 5 ounces (which shouldn't be all that surprising given that he wants to eat ALL the time)! Looks like he might give Scarlett a run for her money after all. He still seems so tiny (and he still has his signature skinny chicken legs), but I think you just forget how little newborns are until you hold one.