More Fun Times with Mama and Papa

Max loves to relax with his Papa.
He is grandma's boy!

Month 6, Day 21: Max's Kiddie Pool

What a day! Max's Mama and Papa (Mom's parents) were visiting from Missouri while Dad headed to California. They got him a inflatable baby pool at Target. For less than $5**, it should provide loads of entertainment all summer long!

** Actually, Mom was mistaken about the price. It's closer to $13 - but still, a good deal!

Max on the couch in the morning, enjoying the attention.

Below, Max is giving the pool a "dry run" (literally). It comes with a partial sunshade and a huge turtle head. If we had a garden hose, we could have a little fountain spewing from the turtle. But alas, no garden hose on our 3rd floor apartment...

Month 6, Day 18: Mommy Fatigue

On the way out the door this morning, Mom looked out at the apartment parking lot where they were about to start re-paving (any remaining cars were going to be towed at 8am) and said,

"It looks like a lot of tars are going to be towed."

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Oh, she's a tired mom.

Month 6, Day 17: Dad's Day

It was a good day. After Dad opened his gifts, we wolfed down pancakes and french toast at the Original Pancake House and took a leisurely trip to Target where Max got a Radio Flyer and tried out some convertible car seats (he's looking for an upgrade pretty soon). In what might become a tradition every Father's Day, Dad put together Max's new toy, and we took it out for a test drive. It was a while before Max got over his suspicion (suspicion of what, we're not sure) and was enjoying the ride by the end. You'll note that Max has an extra "homemade" safety strap (Dad's belt); the wagon is designed for children over a year and a half old, but apparently we're the adventurous sort. By the way, the wagon has a CANOPY and SEATS and CUPHOLDERS (which Max used as a footrest)! Where were such luxuries when we were kids? We were burnt to a crisp and had to deal with metal poking into our backs. Old school! Today's kids have it easy.

Dad's first experience of putting together a toy for Max.

Max NOT liking the wagon as we go out the door...

Max... suspicious, holding on for dear life... not cracking a smile no matter what we tried...

Dad and Max zipping along...

Max starting to enjoy himself, although I wonder if chewing on a towel had anything to do with it!

Month 6, Day 7: Ducky Rodeo

Another one of Dad's bright ideas... instead of putting a clean diaper on Max just before bath time, Dad thought he could "save" a diaper by having Max play in his overalls (sans that extra protection) for a few minutes... Then Mom noticed something dark on the carpet when they were playing with the toy blocks. Bath time came a lot quicker after that!

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Wow, this ducky has some staying power while riding "Max the Widowmaker."

"Now where did I put my ducky?"

"Okay, people, get this thing off my head. I've indulged you quite enough."

"Oh no, I've gone and killed my ducky!"

Memorable Dad Quote

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"It smells like bacon."

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- Dad in between gagging, while changing Max's diaper this evening.

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Six Month Family Photos

To mark Max's sixth month milestone, we had some long overdue family portraits taken. Of course, it would have to coincide with Max's first cold! But even while coughing and spewing snot bubbles, Max was a trooper and gave us some beautiful smiles.

Month Six - Our Little Hercules

At six months, Max is a giant. At his appointment today, he weighed in at 19 pounds, 1 ounce (75th percentile). His height was 27.5 inches (85th percentile; but mom is a little doubtful that the nurse got the measurement right*) and his head... oh lordy, his head. We knew he had a big noggin, like Sputnik! His head circumference was 18 inches, which puts him in the 92nd percentile. That's right - only 8 percent of 6-month old baby boys in this country have bigger heads than him!

I guess the "diet" that Max put himself on at daycare hasn't hurt him much.

* Mom took a quick measurement later and found that Max was closer to 26 inches - not 27.5. But I guess it depends on how much he squirms.

On the Eve of Max's Sixth Month Birthday

FIRST NEWS ALERT!

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At long last... after at least two "phases" of teething over the past two months, chronic night wakenings, unusual fussiness, and tongue-gnawing, Max's first tooth (bottom left) has made a tentative appearance. And just in time to ring in his sixth month birthday tomorrow! While you can't quite "see" the tooth, you can definitely feel the ridge poking through. After months of his beautiful toothless grin, it will be strange to see it interrupted.