Max, Age 2

 

My Max.......

 

He is two and my best partner in crime.  How he can get cuter and cuter everyday, I am still trying to figure that out.  I put him to bed each night and it seems as though he has grown another inch by morning.  I cherish every moment with him, but I am not wishing the tantrums and attitude to linger any longer.

Max, at 29 months (I honestly NEVER say his months anymore so he is now TWO and in a little bit he will be TWO AND A HALF....who says months anymore??!!!), 37 1/2 inches tall, has a stocky frame with a belly full of laughter and yogurt.  This summer, we are constantly running away from the heat so we are swimming as much as possible (which BTW helps get my lil' guy realllly tired).  With much practice and Daddy's never ending patience, Max is a terrific swimmer and can go under water like Nemo.  In no time, he will be our next lil' Olympic swimmer. 

Max's go-to food and snacks consist of anything and everything, but he BEYOND favorites are fro yo, grapes, chicken tenders, cheese (from Taste cheese, perferably), green juice, any fruit, zucchini and anything yummy that Aunt Cupcake makes.  His favorite shows are Dinosaur Train and......well that is about it.  BUT he does love, love, love Toy Story 3, Finding Nemo and Lion King. 

For playtime, Max keeps his Woody and Buzz close by, as well as any figurine that is related to Dinosaur Train.  His Gigi, Papa and Grandma gave him a castle and some knights, and plays catapults and dragons.  Tyson and I are always eavesdropping in on his conversations that he has with his toys.  Max is so caring and nuturing when he "accidently" rolls over his toys with his bike.  He can hit a T-ball very far, can kick a soccer ball very far and can throw a ball very hard. Max is all boy.

Max's besties are still the usual crew-Maia, David, Carter, Ryan, Cadence, Jackson and Coraline, but he has a special little relationship with Vann Mann.  Even though they hang out on rare occasions, he loves the way she talks to him, plays so gently with him and constantly teaching him things. She is a great friend.

It is without a doubt that this is my favorite time with Max.  He is becoming more independent and can speak his wants (or demands) without crying.  He is silly, participates in a class setting and has the funniest point of view on life.  With the holidays coming up, I am becoming more and more excited for him to really take in the traditions and to make more memories.

First Week of 2012

We definitely didn't go into 2012 with an empty tummy.  Celebrating the Eve of the New Year, we went to our annual oyster/sushi/shrimp feast at King's Fish House.  We ate till we couldn't fit another piece of fish in and ventured home where we cuddled as a family as New York rang in 2012.  After Max went down at 9, Tyson and I managed to stay up a little  past midnight for the West Coast New Year celebration.

New Years Day was celebrated eating (no surprise there, huh?) We went to a friends house where we devoured more oysters and sipped champagne.  Max's favorites of the day were helping "Uncle Nate" eat Christmas cookies, splashing in the spa, assisting Daddy with shucking the oysters and coloring with paints and crayons.

After a much needed nap, Max assisted Daddy with oysters 

Monday and Tuesday were sick days for Mommy.  Belly wasn't liking the overabundance of rich food so a detox/diet is in order....but nothing too CRAZY!

Wednesday, the Blake Fam went to the Aquarium to check out whales, fish and octopus.  Should have brought more clothes for Max because with the amazing warm weather and the amount of splashing he did in the tide pools, he was drenched!  Max touched starfish, admired the BIG fish in the tanks, learned about water conservation and was a participant in a mock TV news show.  He had a blast!

La Jolla Birch Aqaurium

On Thursday, Max and I went to "class" (a Parent/Child class given by the Continuing Education Program), which we hadn't gone to in quite some time.  His friends David and Maia were there, as well.  We played at Lindbergh Park, sang songs, jumped around under the parachute and popped bubbles.  After, we met some friends at Jasmine where Max stuffed himself on Dim Sum.  His favorites? Steamed and Sticky Buns, Sticky rice wrapped in tea leaves and shumai.  Everyone was impressed on how much Max could eat.

Our Meetup group visited the Zoo on Friday where we got to see the Polar Bears eat, play in a helicopter, take a bus to see the tigers, monkeys and flamingos, and read a story about a Mommy and Baby polar bear.

We headed to Suzie's Farm on Saturday for a self-guided farm tour.  While Max wasn't feeling too great, he still managed to put on a smiling face for his friends and keep his legs moving up and down the rows.  We tasted mustard greens, arugula and spinach, played in the dirt and waved at passing by horses trotting on the road.

While Mommy went to work on Sunday, Daddy and Max enjoyed a boys day of running around Lake Murray, skipping rocks in the water, feeding ducks and watching football.

Relaxing with Daddy

GREAT first week on the year!

Thanksgiving and December Fun

Today was a BAD day.....

Not because it was raining, or that my cell phone decided to kaput on me......

It was because in the 19 months that Max has been my son, this was the first (yes, I know, I am spoiled) night that Max woke up every 20-30 minutes.  After bringing him into bed with us, he found it necessary to lay with me cheek to cheek and would only fall asleep this way.  So despite the drool, sweaty body, snoring and snot, I allowed it and I even fell asleep for a few minutes.  As I was hoping for a nice long nap (which Max will usually take for 3 hours), I only managed another 20 minute nap.  And was Max a miserable mess all day?  No.  He was playful and funny.  He ate REALLY well and even cheered at his Wheel of Fortune.

So all is forgiven.  I am just hoping ONE night of sleep.  YAWN.....

Sharing some Rice Krispy Treats with Papa

Best looking Blake boys!

Blake Fam

My naked HUNGRY baby

First time on timeout and he was just SO crushed!

My boys on the Choo-choo Xmas Train

With Coraline at Seaworld

Daddy Love

Behind the scenes with the Elephants

Learning about Dung Beetles

Dressing up for Halloween

My lil' Caveman

All ABOARD!

December Nights at Balboa Park

So BEAUTIFUL!

Dancing with the Christmas music

Spreading the Christmas Cheer

Crazy Lil' Elf

October/November

And just when we think Max is at his best, he gets even better.  With Tyson working more and more, Max and I are ALWAYS having fun.  When Daddy does have a day off, we soak up every minute by having FUN, laughing, eating, running, and exploring.  

I just love these adorable Dinosaur foot pajamas

Picking out his pumpkin at Oma's pumpkin patch

Throwing a tantrum because we are leaving

Eating with his ladies, Coraline and Cadence at his Halloween party

Blowing bubbles with Daddy at the Children's Museum 

See that blur?  That's Max running really fast

Jumping and running all at once

Learning about magnets

Coloring and creating

Max pledged to "Lend a Hand" on the "How to help the Earth" wall

Playing on the fire truck at the Space Museum 

Exploring.....

And building......

Happy 3rd Anniversary to Mommy and Daddy!!

Eating a Taro chip and pretending to take a picture with his Goldfish cracker

Eating Mexican Food in Old Town

Cute.

September/October

 Here are some of my favorite Max moments.  I know Halloween will bring so many more, but I just HAD to share!

Max and Maia chowing down on some birthday cake 

Bright and early while camping on the beach

Mommy and Max hiking along the beach while camping

Giving Daddy some love

Being goofy while having a cheese platter in Temecula

Outside our villa while wine tasting (Max was 'juice tasting')

Happy Birthday MOMMY!

Having cookies with Grandma (Max calls her "ma")

Picking up the HEAVIEST pumpkin

Muscle man!

Such a big boy!

Full of smiles

Papa and Max checking out the Koi fish

Helping Papa paint birdhouses

Max's new bike from Papa

Max and friend Jack, playing and having fun at the Zoo

Peek-a-BOO!

Admiring the camels

Helping Mommy make cookies for our movie night

He heard Lion King start!

Max LOVES the squishy chocolate chip batter

Max LOVES his reflection!