Happy Easter

There were lots of Easter festivities here in AZ...

We attended a Spring celebration with lots of games, an egg-hunt, rides, a bouncy house, treats, arts & crafts, clowns, face-painting and a petting zoo.  Grandma and I went with the kiddos while Grandpa and Daddy played in the final round of their golf tournament. It was a fun-filled morning and we even got to see the  Easter Bunny (which Carmen wasn't too fond of).  Max enjoyed being outside and watching the hussle and bustle. 

Grandma really loves Carmen--she stood in line for over an hour so our little darling could get her face painted.  She was torn between the purple butterfly and the pink cupcake.  I kept her occupied as best I could with the other festivities while Grandma waited and waited with Maxy in line.  Finally, it was Carmen's turn!  Well, I guess we should have predicted the outcome--she didn't want to sit in the chair or even on Grandma's lap to have her face painted, she fussed, she cried and we promptly left.  I should have seen that coming; I'll know better next time. Besides the face-painting drama, it was a successful event and Carmen and Maxy were full of smiles. 



Starting the day with a sweet treat.

Posing with the Easter Bunny--only a little protesting.



Egg Hunter's...


Ready...Set...Go



A bunny masterpiece.



A kid, up-close.



Cuddly and fluffy, just the way a bunny should be.

The Easter bunny came today too.  Apparently in Arizona the bunny is very generous and fills eggs with green paper!  Carmen was in heaven hunting eggs and getting prizes while Max slept. It's been a great day filled with fun, sun, family and reflection about the important things in life.  Happy Easter!

A Lesson Learned

Today we learned an important lesson--keep the screen door closed!  Yesterday we watched our lizard friend as he explored the patio and ate a bug.  We admired him from afar and enjoyed watching him explore.  Today, we watched him scurry into the house.  Carmen was eating lunch on the patio and left the screen door open for just a few minutes.  The little guy made a quick dash for it and ended up inside!  I was speechless and hopped onto a chair, Grandma was calm, cool and collected and immediately got a plastic container with a lid to catch the fellow.  Carmen yelled, "Grandma, get it, get it" and she hopped onto the chair too and wanted Lamby.  Grandma to the rescue.  Grandma gracefully scooped up our lizard friend from the window sill (he had hopped onto the couch and landed on the window sill; who knew the little guys could jump) and deposited him outside.  Apparently she had done this once before...not the first time an Arizona creature has made its way inside and probably not the last.  Lesson of the day--the screen door stays closed!

Sunny Days

We have thoroughly been enjoying the last few sunny days.  Every morning Carmen gets up and enthusiastically says, "Its a Sunny Day"!  We've spent the last few sunny days:

Swimming, eating lots of yummy meals and consuming ice cream treats, playing outside, going to the park again, lizard watching, trying more solid foods, exploring the back yard, going for more walks and chasing after the bunny rabbits, coloring, napping, blowing lots and lots of bubbles and loving every minute with Grandma and Papa.

He likes it

Today Max had his first real food--banana!  He gobbled most of it up but was more interested in grabbing the spoon and trying to eat the bowl.  He is a much messier eater than Carmen was at this age, must be a boy thing.  We'll see what other yummy foods he'll go for, I'm guessing he won't be picky!

Arizona--we're here!

We successfully made the 2.5 hour plane trip and arrived uneventfully in Arizona a few days ago.  Both Max and Carmen were good travelers and we were relieved when Maxy slept for most of the flight and seemed unscathed by take off and landing.  Carmen kept busy with the iPad and lots and lots of snacks. 

Carmen is in heaven here and follows Grandma and Papa around like a little shadow.  She wants to show them everything and do everything with them; it's so fun to watch.  The house is caulk full of Carmen friendly toys and activities and she has made herself right at home and has pretty much taken over.  She even has her own picnic table and little house outside, where she's already spent hours and hours playing, doing puzzles and serving tea. 

Max has been enjoying being outside and feeling the warm breeze.

We've spent the last few days enjoying the beautiful weather and the company of Grandma and Grandpa.  Already a round of golf has been played, we've been to the park, gone for a walk, and I had a wonderful day out with my Mom with mani and pedi's, lunch and some shopping.  So much more to do and explore; can't wait!

6 months

Six whole months already.  Only six more to go and then you are one.  Could you please slow down, at least a little?  Every time I blink you are growing, changing and learning something new.  While it's amazing to watch this transformation, reality is hitting that you will not be my little Maxy forever. 

Already you have two bottom teeth.  More are on the way, you can tell by the way you chomp your fingers.  You still refuse a pacifier and do not like to suck your thumb.  Solid food is just around the corner and you can hardly wait.  You eye food with interest and try grasping for it as if we aren't paying attention.  You are grabbing EVERYTHING and are able to maneuver yourself to the object of choice.  You have a strange but productive shimmy that gets you where you want to go--kind of like an inchworm.  You are starting to cry when we take something away and we are having to be ever so careful with what Carmen leaves in her wake as you are putting everything in your mouth.  You continue to' talk' and blow bubbles and love to stick your tongue out.  You can sit on your own for at least a little while.  You are fascinated with your hands and feet and stare at them with wonder.  You love rolling on your back and grabbing your toes and you love having your feet tickled.  You have one extra long hair on top of your head that sticks straight up.  You are so observant and watch everything that Carmen does and how it makes you smile to see your big sister who loves you so much. You can smile on cue and everyone says what a happy baby you are.  This is true, most of the time.  You have found your witching hour which is in the evening usually at dinner time or right when Carmen is going to bed.  You have been sleeping a lot during the day but not so much at night.  We get to see each other a lot during the night, usually every few hours.  I know this will not last forever, I have to keep reminding myself how fast this time will go.  You are becoming quite the mommy's boy and I love when you reach for me with both of your arms.  You can brighten the room with your laugh and big gaping smile.  You continue to surprise us, test us, help us put things in perspective and remind us how much love and joy you have brought us.  All of this in only six short months.  Can't wait to see what the next six have in store.  We love you Maxwell Jackson!

Tea Party, Carmen Style

Entourage

Carmen does not travel lightly these days...she has a full entourage with her at all times.  And I mean, at all times!  This very special inner circle includes: Lamby, Lamby's blanket (hand crocheted by Grandma Skurski), her own blanket, a pink stuffed dog who answers to 'doggy,' her new Valentine giraffe (who she loves so much she won't let us take the tag off), and a book of her choice.  Sometimes it's Curious George, sometimes it's Dr. Seuss or a book of another variety, but always a book, usually one, but on occasion it's two and yes, I almost forgot, last week there was the toy car she wanted too.  Oh, and the birth announcement of a friend's baby she found claiming it was 'her Maxy' and she's been sleeping with it for the last few nights.  And, then there was the 'treasure mat'--the place mat we have on the dining room table that she thinks looks like a treasure map.  She rolls it up and unrolls it carefully pointing and saying 'x marks the spot.'  I have no idea where she learned about a 'treasure mat'...

All of these items accompany my dear daughter everywhere.  I can not tell you how many times a day I cart these things around--upstairs, then downstairs, then upstairs again, then to the car, in our bedroom, in her bedroom and the list goes on.  For some reason, she just likes to know that these special things are around her and close at all times.  She will be playing and out of the blue will say "I miss my Lamby" and she must interrupt what she is doing to get her beloved Lamby.  She doesn't need to play with Lamby, just makes sure that Lamby is watching and is within arms reach. 

We also travel with the entourage daily in the car too.  She's not allowed to take them out of the car, but we ride with them EVERYWHERE.  Work mornings are simply the best when I have to get Carmen and Max into the car along with her backpack and toy bag, Max's diaper bag and milk bag, my pump bag, my lunch, my work bag and of course...the traveling zoo.

This is our daily exchange.

"Carmen, it's time to go now.  Ok, Mama--Lamby, Lamby's blankie and doggy and giraffe too.  Hold it Mama, its heavy.  My book too." 

My favorite is when I'm holding Max in my arms and Carmen starts handing me her precious gems.  Although, she prefers to carry Lamby and occasionally Lamby's blanket but leaves the rest for me.  How very thoughtful of her to help. It's amazing that I've never dropped Max as I'm buried beneath her lovies.  She must think that I have extra arms, but I somehow manage to schlep it all.  We'll see how long this phase will last or how long I will last with this phase!  Ah, my Carmen James...

Carmen and her crew

Funny Guy

Apparently Maxwell thinks Daddy is a funny guy, evidenced by his histarical laughing.  You would be laughing too if you could see the silly faces and 'moves' Jimmy was displaying.  Oh how we love to hear Maxy laugh!

 

 

A Sunny Sunday Spent...



Swinging...

Smiling...

Sandcastle-ing...

Sliding...

Sitting...

Sleeping...

Seeing Double

There is no denying that Carmen and Maxwell are related.  If you remove the pink and the blue they are at time interchangeable when you look at pictures from the early days. 

Two Weeks:

3 months:

5 months:

Max is at a little bit of a disadvantage as he has a bit of a larger and rounder tummy than Carmen did so it took him a little longer to reach his toes!

Here is another favorite spot of both the kiddos.  Max has recently discovered rolling under the table at almost exactly 5 months and that is when this photo was taken of Carmen, almost 5 months on the dot.  

 

 We'll see how these similarities continue as they get a little older...