Three Visitors from Afar

Is it the Magi? Well, these visitors all came from West instead of East, but they were no less eagerly welcomed! Aunties Beckers and Lala and Uncle Zach descended upon Greenville for a visit filled with giggling, eating, and silliness.

Luckily for Max, Auntie Lala enjoys the same toys as him (especially dinosaurs) and Auntie Beckers is always ready to continue his indoctrination about the wonders of Furman.

Some people incorrectly believe that Southerners are backwards and uneducated. I beg to differ. It was Zach from California who was astounded and fascinated by the restaurant bathrooms. Apparently, Greenville is on the cutting edge of architecture and design. The bathroom wash areas are open to a small waiting area. Zach was so amazed that he went back to the women's side for a second look....

Thank you, friends, for traveling and the fun visit! Come by any time, even just for a minute ...spending time with you is never a waste of makeup! Although, next time we need the Sally clan for the full effect. We missed you, Sal!

Christmas Extravaganza

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (or Frank)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there!

And Santa did come!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Holiday Wrap Up

We finished the run-up to Christmas with some fun events.....

 Parties for the grown ups

and parties with the kids (complete with big band entertainment)

Christmas baking

And the ultimate parent experience...putting together our child's Christmas toys! 

Naturally, it took a little longer than anticipated....

We also started combining some new traditions with ones from the past. My family has always been very actively involved with Country Santa, an organization that helps rural families at Christmas. For as long as I can remember, Christmas Eve morning has been spent handing out toys to be delivered. It is truly a family affair with my sisters Deanna and Stephanie directing traffic, myself calling for bags and organizing them, Jason running bags, and my brother in law and nephews delivering the bags to houses. Of course, my dad is wandering around supervising the whole process with a walkie talkie glued to his ear. The picture below is of my grandfather helping to choose and bag toys for a child earlier in the season. 

Since the delivery process starts very early in the morning, we decided to spend the night before the night before Christmas with my parents. This also allowed us to have a special night with my family, but for Max to be at home on Christmas morning. Our other new tradition was for my family to come over to our house for brunch on Christmas morning before we went to lunch with the extended family at my grandparents' house. Jason's parents also came down to join us for several days of celebration, so we were very lucky to have time with both sides of Max's family. It's exciting to start our own rituals, as well as to include Max into the old ones!

Christmas Card Outtakes

The ones that did not make the cut this year...

Merry Christmas!

Adventus - "Coming"

Advent is a time for reflection and prayer in preparation for Christmas. Each year, our church creates a book for Advent with various members writing selections about Christmas. Jason and I have both contributed in the past, and he was asked to write again this year. Below is an excerpt from his meditation about our advent season last year, after Max was born early. 

"All the regular trappings of the season - shopping, gifts, food, and parties - were suddenly irrelevant. Our house had a new focus and a new joy unlike any other that we had ever experienced. Through the early arrival of Max, it was as if God was forcing me to slow down and really focus on what mattered. Our only 'normal' holiday activity last year was to attend the Candlelight Service at church, and with the songs of praise at that service, I was able to include my prayers of thanks for the best holiday season of my life."

This year, Jason and I made a conscious decision to "slow down" again during Advent. We have made an effort to NOT try to do everything. We chose not to attend every party. We did not cram every possible Christmas activity for children into this one season. Even though I wanted to take Max to see Santa, I know my child and I know that he would not like being plopped down on a stranger's lap, especially one with a fake beard and fake laugh. I try to remember that there are some experiences he will enjoy more when he is older. We did not hang every decoration and I promised not to berate myself if every present wasn't perfectly adorned. 

In return, I have taken delight in the fact that Jason is able to be home from work earlier, that we got to see the joy on Max's face daily as he touched the tree limbs, hear his laugh as we sing Jingle Bells and shake rattles, and snuggle up together on the floor as we play together as a family. A hectic schedule is part of the Christmas season, and is not necessarily a negative aspect. But at the Candlelight Service this year, I offered my own prayer of thanks for another season that was full of small pleasures and a little less crazy than in years past. 

Of course, we would not have been able to attend any fun parties, finish shopping, or sit peacefully at the candelight service without the help of Grammy (and Grandpa). Grammy and Max have had a lot of special evenings together recently and we are extremely grateful for the love and help of family!

Peace, Hope, Joy, Love - May the gifts of Advent find your family as well!

13 Months Going on 30

Before I was pregnant, I never understood why people counted pregnancy length in weeks instead of months. When someone told me how far along she was, I would mentally try to convert it to months. The confusion only seemed to continue after the child was born and their age would be calculated in months, even past their first birthday. Why not just say the kid is 1 year old instead of 13, 15, or 17 months? 

Now, having been pregnant and an older and wiser parent, I understand that there are just too many changes that occur each week of gestation or each month after the child is born to encompass your child's stage by the generic "one year".  Apparently, that only lasts until they are 2 and then their ages begin to be calculated by years. Development and fun must slow way down then!

Dear Max,

The age of reason has dawned! Max, I watch in amazement as you learn to figure things out and complete multiple steps for a task. You are learning so much and so quickly! You love to imitate the grown ups and take each activity very seriously. You load the dishwasher (using clean tupperware, your shoes, or any other item that looks as though it may fit inside), water the plants, hold the phone up to your ear and babble, brush your hair, and try to hang ornaments on the tree! You also love to wash your toys under the faucet in the bathtub and scrub them with a washcloth. We are really going to have to be more careful about what we do in front of you!I am very pleased that you have inherited at least part of my cleanliness gene. You will take your bath toys out and then put them back into their pouch. Occasionally, you even put the books back on the shelf. That is definitely behavior that deserves reinforcement! 

Recently, you've shown interest in feeding yourself and finished the applesauce using the spoon on your own. Words are still few and far between, but it is easy to make you giggle! All it requires is a little chasing and roaring like a lion. Your Daddy loves to be silly with you, although he's beginning to wonder if you will ever respect him. For most of the month, you would only take a few cautious steps at a time, but you are starting to get more confident and I think you are ready to take off! Especially when the kitties tempt you to come closer. You love to get forehead to forehead with them and have a staring contest and to lay your head on their bellies.

We are so excited about the Christmas season with you! We can't wait to watch you enjoy each minute and see what you do next!

Much love,

Mommy

Monkey See, Monkey Do

While I in the kitchen today packing Max's lunch, he was playing with the tupperware. And the pots. And the cookbooks. He opened a cabinet and pulled out the watering can with excitement. No doubt, it was a subtle reminder that our Christmas tree and flowers were thirsty. So we filled the can, took it to the sunroom, and watered the various green things. Afterwards, we put the can back in the cabinet.

But Max was not done. Max was worried that Mommy was not taking good enough care of the green things (perceptive child). It was time for Max to take charge. He crawled back to the kitchen, got the water can, dragged it to the sunroom on the other side of the house, stood up with it, and pretended to water the flowers on the plant stand. Then he walked to the large, potted plant and watered it. Then he tried to water the Christmas tree branches. Then he smiled. His work was done. I think if I hadn't been there laughing at him that he would have even put the watering can away. Maybe next time...

Luxury Items

Need an idea for that gift exchange at the annual Christmas party?

How about a live lobster?

Wrapped and ready to deliver.

"Love at First Sound" by Baby Max

I am completely and totally in love. I have been seduced by the siren song of a young woman. I hear her voice constantly, singing melodic words to a catchy beat. It is everywhere around me throughout the day. Although I have yet to see her face, I know without a doubt that she is the one for me. Through careful investigation, I have learned that her name is "Fisher Price". Have you ever heard anything so lovely? There are some objects that have captured her essence and I am constantly drawn to them just to hear her speak. I have also discovered rituals to entice her to sing for me. But it is never enough! Her voice soothes and comforts me, fills me with elation, and provokes laughter from my mouth at every turn. I must develop a plan to meet my lady love and convince her to come be my queen....

'Tis the Season!

Bring on the jolly, the holly, and the fa la la la-ing! After being out of town at Thanksgiving, we spent the following week doing baby (I mean "toddler") things like first hair cuts and one year old pictures. Thus, it took us a little longer to gear up for the Christmas season, but we have caught up quickly!

First, we went to pick out our Christmas tree. Max was completely fascinated by the new textures, smells, and things to touch. Unfortunately, it was not the trees that caught his attention, but the tractor. Who is going to love Farm Days next year?

The next day was spent in our pajamas decking the halls! It was a challenge to determine which decorations would be safe with Max on the loose and which ones needed to remain in storage for a few more years. We also took lots of Christmas card pictures. It's hard to choose just one picture when your child is so adorable, so I'll post the rejects later. The kitties were very excited about the return of the tree and tree skirt!

On Sunday, we went to a holiday luncheon, where their gigantic Christmas tree did engage Max's interest! As did the sweet potatoes and cheese grits. Note Max and Daddy's matching plaid pants and bow ties. I was informed that I could not buy Max any more Christmas attire because, as Daddy said, "how many days do you think there are in December?" However, when we found a bow tie for Max there was no question about having too many outfits.

We're looking forward to more holiday fun over the next few weeks!

"Hair" Today, Gone Tomorrow

The Ever Changing Hair of Max Richards

A full head of hair in the beginning

Going...going...

Gone

The comb-over (the shame, the shame)

Hair back in front, but none in back

Spikes

and then.....

it was time for the First Hair Cut!

Before

During:

and After: 

Max was definitely not happy about the haircut, but the mullet had to go!