Month 20, Day 25: Farmer Max Returns

Almost a year ago - 10 months to be exact - we took a family trip to the Frying Pan Park. You might remember pictures of the calves, piglets, goats, and a young Max with hardly any hair. We decided to make a return visit over the weekend, and quickly discovered that admiring farm animals in 90+ degree weather in August makes for a sticky and stinky experience.

When we were there last, in October 2009, Max was just 10 months old and not walking. Dad's shoulders were his main mode of transport. This time around, Max was the one doing the leading.

Max puts his "smelling" skills to the test.

Max tried hard to get a closer look at some half-grown calves trying to stay cool in the shade. But when they made their way over, Farmer Max quickly retreated.

Month 20, Day 23: Don Juan (aka El Maxo)

Max topped off a lunch of mac-n-cheese with some chocolate pudding - which didn't quite make it all the way in his mouth. Mom was struck by how much older her little boy looked (not to mention that his bangs were in need of a haircut). Is this what she'll wake up to in 15 years? A boy-man with shaggy, unkempt hair and facial hair that doesn't fit the cherub baby face? She much prefers the chocolate 'stache. She can at least wash it off and get her little boy back.

Month 20, Day 10: A love of trains and tot-sized pull luggage

We are still recovering a bit from a busy visit to California for Aunt Stephanie's wedding reception last weekend. Max weathered his 8th round-trip flight probably a little better than Mom and Dad. Too bad he wasn't able to rack up the frequent flier miles, but once we start paying for his seat after his second birthday in a few short months, he'll be flying for free in no time at that rate.

We made two great discoveries during the trip: Max loves toy trains. And Max loves pulling his own luggage. The train discovery was made at the wedding reception, where the hostess had a laundry basket full of wooden tracks and engines/cabs that clicked together with magnets. It was the longest that Max self-entertained himself - Mom was super thrilled (although we did have to strategically distract him when we left so he wouldn't steal them). Below you can see Captain America standing guard over Max's railroad.

After Max grew increasingly frustrated with not being able to pull our heavy luggage, we picked up a kid-size Diego backpack with wheels. As with the trains, you couldn't wrestle this thing away from him. This actually might break the habit of him wanting to be carried (by Mom generally) all the time.

A family friend took the picture below of Max looking adorable on the checkered dance floor. He really tore the place up (not to mention that he was one of the first "single guys" on the floor when they announced the garter toss and came "this close" to catching it).

Month 19, Day 30: 20 months and 20 weeks

Max is 20 months old tomorrow, and Mom is at 20 weeks with Little Bean. Max joined Mom on her doctor's appointment today and listened to his little brother's heartbeat. As the doctor noted, Max wasn't too impressed. But Max finished off the appointment with a reassuring pat to Mom's belly and a kiss for Little Bean.

You can view videos of Max "kissing" the baby from a few days ago (click here) and today's doctor's appointment (click here).