Month 10, Day 27: Mighty Max

Max's first Halloween! Mom made him his very own superhero costume - Mighty Max - complete with a cape and special wristbands. Below, Max is getting ready to fight crime at the mall (where superheroes get free balloons).

Before leaving for the mall, Mighty Max (also known as "Thunder Thighs") discovered a new super power - turning the TV on and off.
Super Dad and Mighty Max outside the candy store at the mall, warding off the looters. Max showing off his flying skills. Whoosh!

Even superheroes need their moms.Mighty Max found being a superhero very tiring.
After a power nap and dinner, Mighty Max and his sidekicks patrolled the condo complex in search of goodies (in the Mighty Max Mobile). It was a bust - none of the doors we came across looked very inviting. But Mighty Max was happy that he didn't encounter any bad guys. Mighty Max and Super Dad on their way back to the Bat Cave for a diaper change and a bath.HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Month 10, Day 25: Say Cheese

Max likes his cheese.

Month 10, Day 21: Farmer Max

After being sick all week, we decided to get some fresh air at the Frying Pan Park. It was a nice little excursion - and not to mention, free! So Max donned his overalls and went to check out the farm's pigs, chickens, goats, sheeps, cows, and horses.

Our first stop was to the barn to see the farm's new babies. Below, Max's attention is captured by Snickers, born October 19. Meet Snickers.
Little boy, little boy, what do you see?Next up was a litter of new piglets. Max was equally fascinated. Max's main mode of transportation was Dad's shoulders, where he got a good view and stayed high up off the mud.

Dad points out the sheep and adds his trademark sound effects.

Dad doing the funky chicken.

And here is a close-up of Max's priceless smile...

For some reason, this billy goat was playing king of the mountain all by himself, standing on a pile of rocks. Max wondering if the horse is going to eat him too.
Max giving his "pat" of approval to Pumpkin #1.
And he was even more excited to find Pumpkin #2.Cow chow time. It was the first time Dad had seen a cow run. Max has this cute habit of holding on to Dad's ears when he gets a shoulder ride.

Max's shoe kept coming off. Dad put it on one final time and then we called it a day.

Month 10, Day 14: Family Flu

It's no surprise we're all under the weather, given our coast-hopping earlier this week and the fact that the daycare reported on Friday that it had a "confirmed case of influenza" in the toddler room. Dad (after taking two Nyquils) and Max are sleeping soundly on this late, dreary October afternoon. Mom is laying in bed, nursing a cough, headache, and fever (as well as chest pains yesterday). According to some self-assessment H1N1 website, she is "seriously ill." But for all the hype, it (if this is H1N1) feels like any other flu and certainly nothing like that one Mom came down with four years ago...ugh.

Update at 8.15pm: Bleh. Mom's fever has increased to 102.2; good news is that Dad and Max seemed to have avoided the worst of the symptoms, with only mild if any fever.

Month 10, Day 13: Closing the Deal

Van visited us this evening while she was in DC giving a conference talk. She last saw Max when he was eight weeks old, and dubbed him a "good salesman." Tonight, he continued his sales pitch.

Month 10, Day 12: Max of Firsts

Well, it's been quite a week, with many "first" events for Max:

• October 3: First sip out of a straw.

  October 8: First trim (not technically his first hair cut, since it was only a few strands across his forehead that keep growing faster than the rest. But the results were noticeable - he looked more "big boy")

  October 9: First time stranded at the airport (because we missed the checked bag cut-off time for a non-stop flight to CA - we were re-booked for another flight with a layover in Denver seven hours later)

  October 9: First time puking (We're talking major hurling, just seconds before our plane touched down in Denver. He was all smiles afterwards)

  October 11: First "real" wedding

Max checking to see if our plane is ready to go......and testing out the bite-ability of the arm rests.

The problem with group photos (particularly any with babies) is that someone always looks weird. Out of the more than five pictures we took before leaving for the wedding, the one below was the only decent shot of the bunch.

Most of the pictures looked like the one below... eyes closed, heads turned, some fussing at inopportune moments.

Mom snuggling tight with her little man after the wedding.

Max tricked the bride into giving him the first dance. Congratulations, Deanna and Evan! Some cuddle time with Grandma California before Max headed to the airport (where we missed our flight again).

And now back in Virginia, we have found that fall snuck up on us in full force. It is COLD! Max hates anything on his head, but he "allows" the one below (probably because he can chew on the straps). Thanks, Will, for loaning us all your baby clothes!

Sweater models: With temps in the 40s, we dug out the cold weather clothes. It was chilly enough today for Dad to get over his dislike of sweaters. Rebel without a cause: Over the past few weeks, we noticed a change in Max's personality. He's been throwing tantrums (see below for visual) if he doesn't get his way immediately or if you take something away from him. Ah, the rebellious stage!