Max is Nine Months Old! (August 17, 2012)

Our sweet Max is nine months old!  He's crawling like a champ, which means lots of new adventures for him and new challenges for us (for example, the step up into all of the downstairs rooms from the living room -- which he has tumbled off of several times -- requires constant vigilance).  He pulls up to stand all the time, likes to bend his knees and bounce, and can let go and stay balanced for several seconds.  No cruising on furniture quite yet, though.  Now that he's on the move, he will no longer tolerate any contraptions that constrain him like the Exersaucer or Jumperoo.  Speaking of contraptions that constrain, Max moved up to a "big boy" convertible car seat for toddlers.  For some reason, this milestone struck Scarlett as a big one.  This morning once both kids were strapped in, she announced proudly, "Max, you are such a big boy.  But you still ride backwards."  (Guess she didn't want him to get TOO full of himself; he'll continue to face backwards until he's around two years old.)

He still says Mama, and has added "bababa" and "dadada" to his repertoire, although they don't seem to mean anything to him at this point other than sounds he likes to make.  He still loves to eat, and can get really impatient if you aren't feeding him fast enough.  He has a high-pitched, piercing screech that sounds remarkably like a pterodactyl (well, what I assume a pterodactyl sounds like) that he unleashes when the food isn't coming fast enough.  This is particularly charming at restaurants.  Two new teeth have sprouted (on either side of his top front teeth) for a grand total of six.

Max is really interested in Winnie and is pretty gentle with her, although she generally keeps her distance.  Scarlett is still the coolest in Max's eyes, and all things considered, she continues to be really sweet to him.  It's fun to see them start to play together now that Max can do much more than just sit there like a lump (albeit an adorable lump).

At Max's nine month appointment, he weighed 21 pounds 12 ounces; was 29 inches tall; and has a head measurement of 18 1/2 inches.  Dr. Curry no longer gives you a form with percentiles for some reason, but my internet research indicates that Max is roughly in the 75th percentile for boys for both height and weight and is off the charts for head measurement.  (By comparison, Scarlett's nine month measurements were 22 pounds 5 ounces (92% for girls), 29 inches (92%), and head measurement also off the charts.  The takeaway:  my babies have huge heads.)

And here is nine month-old Mister Max!

Happy guy.

Watching Daddy.

Showing off his standing skills.

Playing with Daddy and Sister.

Whatcha lookin' at, Max?

On the move!

First SMU Game

The weather in Dallas went from a high of 104 degrees yesterday to 84 degrees today.  Yes, that's right -- a TWENTY DEGREE difference.  It was heavenly.  And what better way to celebrate the sneak peek at fall's arrival (because who are we kidding, the unrelenting Texas heat will be back a bit more before we can officially claim that fall is here) than with a football game?

We headed over to SMU -- Chris's alma mater -- for tailgating on the Boulevard and then to the game.  Scarlett has attended a couple of SMU tailgates, but this was her first game, and of course it was Max's first game as well.  

Getting pumped for the football game (aka crazy toddler smile).

Thanks for having us at the tailgate, Scot!  (Not sure why Max looks like he's trying to escape.  Maybe he was making a break for a UT tailgate party?  If so, you're about 200 miles away and out of luck.)

Playing the beanbag toss game.

Watching the Mustang Band and cheerleaders march down the Boulevard.

Checking out the burgers on the grill.  (Max reconsiders his escape attempt now that he knows there is delicious grub to be had.)

Don't worry -- although I color coordinated for the game, I was wearing burnt orange in my heart.

Scarlett's interest in SMU grew 1,000-fold when we told her their mascot is a pony and she saw Peruna -- a black Shetland pony that could not be cuter -- race across the field.  Heck, even my interest in SMU grew 1,000-fold when I saw Peruna.  The only thing better in Scarlett's eyes would have been if the mascot was a princess.   

Prepping Max for the game.

Hugs for Megan.

Scarlett had lots of fun at the game itself cheering, clapping, watching the cheerleaders, and eating popcorn.  Max didn't like the crowd noise when it got particularly loud, but otherwise had a good time as well.  Final score:  SMU 52, Stephen F. Austin 0, and lots of fun had by all (well, except for the SFA players and fans) on a beautiful day.

Max Meets Pockets

Over Labor Day Weekend, we traveled to Fredericksburg where Max got to meet his great-grandfather, Pockets.  Pockets is my grandfather and Papa Tig's father.  He is one of Max's three namesakes (Max's middle name is William, which is Pockets' first name as well as the first name of both of Max's grandfathers.)

"Hi, Pockets.  Pleased to meet ya!"

Big Bill and Little Bill hanging out.

Scarlett decided that rather than call him "Pockets," she'd prefer to call him "Shoes."  Silly girl.

Max (and the rest of us) also got to meet Pockets' fiancé, Anne.  Max loved her rings and Scarlett loved her dog, Shadow.

Great to see you Pockets and Anne -- hope to see you again soon!

Max Meets Nana

Earlier this summer we headed up to Tulsa to visit Nana, Aunt Patsy, and Aunt Melinda (Lydia/Mimi's mother and sisters).  Mimi and Papa Tig came as well.

"Hello, Nana.  How do you do?"

Sweet Nana hugs.

Lookin' good, Max and Nana!

While we were there, we visited the Tulsa Aquarium, and Peggy drove over from Talequah to join us for the afternoon.  Believe it or not, landlocked Oklahoma has a nice aquarium.  Here's Scarlett and her entourage feeding the stingrays.

To bring the weekend full circle, we had a delicious fish dinner that night with Nana at Luby's (aka "The Lube").  Thanks for having us, Nana!

Pretzel Sneak Attack

This photo speaks for itself.

If you look closely, you can see flecks of pretzel salt in his hair.  As Scarlett noted, he had "pretzel head."