We are Family!

The Hardins with the Judge

We had to quickly scurry home from Louisville because Monday, March 24th was the day that Darin officially became my nephew! My sister and brother in law have been blessed to adopt TWO wonderful boys...Josh was adopted in 2005 and now Darin in 2008. Both boys were an important part of our family long before the adoption paperwork was completed (it takes so long that it is amazing that it ever gets finished), but signing the papers makes it official...and binding...they can't escape the craziness now! Darin was so excited, yet nervous, during court on Monday. Max also came to court to support his cousin and made sure to voice his approval of the adoption immediately after we entered the courtroom. So we had to walk right back out. We were still able to celebrate at lunch with the rest of our family and friends who love Darin, including his previous foster mom and teacher. Darin chose to change his name to Darin Robert, after my father. He was so excited and couldn't wait to tell the other kids in his class about his new name and big day. The celebration continued on Saturday with an adoption party with Darin's friends. We are thrilled to have added this very special, loving, and incredible child to our growing family. We love you!

 Darin at his adoption party                                   Darin and Aunt Marie

An added note: Speaking of blessings, we are so lucky that Max is such a wonderful baby. His ear infection is clearing up and even with a painful ear and congestion, he is still such a good natured kid. He is rarely fussy and charms everyone with those darling smiles and dimples. Even the doctor was impressed by his sweet disposition. He was lucky to have more visitors this weekend when Chip, Morgan, and Leigh came to play with him!

Adventures in Louisville

Max made his first trip to Louisville for the Easter holiday. He was greeted by many people seeking to admire him...aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and most importantly, Nana and Papa Mike! We arrived on Thursday after a long, but successful car trip. Max was super during the drive and we only had to make brief pit stops for feeding. I've heard several interesting stories about attempts at nursing while the car is in motion, but we decided it was easier and safer to stop. Plus, how else are you going to see scenic Berea, KY?

After a great night of sleep, Max was ready for his big round of introductions on Friday. We missed out on the zoo, but were able to take Max to meet Charlie, Shelly, and their twins Marie and William. Max was absolutely fascinated by these babies who were so much bigger than him (they will be 2 this summer)! Then it was onward to meet Nancy Sherman, the mother of Max's namesake Danny. Like a true honorary Grandma, she could not get enough of cuddling our precious baby! Friday night was family night as Uncle Tom and Aunt Barbara tried to indoctrinate Max about the U of L Cardinals while Aunt Bern and Cousin Allison were set on convincing us to stop calling Max funny nicknames like "Snort" and "Bubbles". 

The second full day of visiting took Max to Scott and Amy's house where they met Jack, another giant baby (15 months old). Jasper and Amanda arrived with Jasper's mother Tina in tow. Tina definitely gets the award for the Most Excited Entrance as she bounced in to meet Max. Jasper managed to avoid her thinly veiled references about providing her with a grandchild :) However, the true award winner of the weekend was Amy. While she was holding Max, he had the Poop of the Year in her lap. Literally, it was in her lap. Despite this very special "time together", she offered to hold Max again after they had both changed outfits. He promptly pooped again, but with no spillage this time! Ahhh...babies. 

The rest of the day was play time with Nana and Papa, who also graciously watched him after he went to bed so that we could go to a party at the Eiflers. Although the guests were disappointed that we didn't bring Max to the party, he was zonked from all the social events and being off his schedule.

Unfortunately, we had to return home on Sunday, so Max's first Easter was in the car on a cold, gray day. He isn't old enough to realize it, but I hated to not attend church (and Easter dinner). However, driving was an all day commitment and we had an important reason to be back on Monday morning. Max did not sleep well on Saturday night which I thought was caused by all the changes in his environment. We discovered yesterday that it was probably also due to him developing a cold and an ear infection. He's extra pitiful at the moment, but I'm glad he was able to hold it off until we got home. At least he got to see his Daddy's homeland and meet (almost) everyone!

When he starts talking, learning to pronounce "Louisville" correctly will be of the highest priority! Now if he can just decide which team to cheer for in the U of Louisville vs. UNC game tomorrow night.....

**My apologies for not posting pictures of everyone meeting Max...I got so excited that I forgot to take many pictures over the weekend!**

"Ding dong, the Baby's gone!" By Frank

The Mis-Adventures of Frank and Bean, Part 2

At last, my master plan has reached fruition. They have taken the hairless creature from my home! I can once again roam free and have sole ownership of the bed. I cringed inwardly every time they allowed the thing to sit on my bed or take up space upon their laps. Those are my laps! I knew change was coming when the humans began packing their bags. I instructed Bean to watch closely for signs that they would be taking that thing with them. And they did! No more baby, no more crying, no more competition! No one can stop Frank!

Bean, get me a bowl of toilet water...it's time to celebrate!

Kiss me, I'm Four Months Old!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My sweet Max,

I can't believe another month has flown by! A few nights ago (and almost four months to the day) Daddy and I went to dinner at Northampton Wines, the restaurant we had dinner at on the night I went into labor. Mommy even had the same entree! Fortunately, there were no surprises later that evening like we had on the night you decided to come. Daddy still calls it our "Last Supper"! How incredible that four months have already passed.

This month you have accomplished a great deal.  You are moving all the time! You learned to roll over and you continue to kick non-stop. You've also started dancing! You like to rock out to 80s music, especially old school Michael Jackson...you love to groove to Billy Jean and Beat It. You've started sitting up in your Bumbo and can hold your head up well. While on your tummy, you are pushing up on your arms and look ready to crawl off the blanket! You are "talking" and making sounds, smiling and laughing. Your laugh sounds a lot like mine when I get excited, kind of gasping....heehee. 

You only weigh about 11 1/2 pounds, but I love your chubby, dimpled hands and the rolls of fat on your legs. I see so many people I love when I look at your sweet face. You still look a lot like your Daddy, especially from the side. You have your Grandpa Spalding's ears and bald spot. Great Grandma Beau thinks you also have some of your Great Grandma Spalding's red hair (what little is left). Your smile makes you look like me with little pouches under your eyes.

You love your swing, walking around, and things that dangle. You hate Vaseline, having your nails filed, and your hair being combed. When you are tired, you rub your hand on the hair above your ear and start sucking your thumb. You've mastered the thumb sucking, but you get greedy sometimes and want it and the pacifier at the same time! You sleep like I do with your arm up over your head or across your face. You are taking 3 naps a day and sleeping well at night. You've gone eleven hours straight through several times, but not with any consistency yet. You are still my snuggle bunny! So many of my friends say that their babies outgrow cuddling, but I hope you never do. I love when you burrow into me and let me hold you.

You are my best time of every day and  I love you. 

Love, Mommy

"I am King of the Babies!" By Baby Max

You will do my bidding.

When I soil myself, you will clean it at once!

When I cry in the middle of the night, you will come!

When I am ready to eat, you will provide me with nourishment!

Do not make me angry! You do not wish to experience my wrath!

Rogaine, anyone?

They said it was coming.  They warned us it was inevitable.  They told us we had no control over it.  They were right. Despite being born with a full head of hair, Max has begun to lose chunks of hair over the past two weeks.  First it was just a little thinner on the top right side. Then the left started to go.  Now he has a mohawk down the middle. The bald areas are so large that not even the comb-over can conceal them. My son has gone punk rock. Which suits him because we discovered this week that Max is a big fan of 80s music!

Max's New Hairstyle

My cousin Nicole, who is a nurse, came over and weighed Max last week. He was a whopping 11 pounds at 15 weeks. We were really shocked that he doesn't weigh more! He seems so much bigger! Nicole said that he is still gaining weight at a steady rate and pointed out that he has almost doubled his birth weight. The doctor warned us at Max's 2 month checkup that because he was a preemie, it could take the whole first year for him to catch up to what his natural weight would have been. He's my (very) little man! 

Still has some rolls of fat, if not the pounds

Precious Moments

As many of you know, motherhood has a lot of highs and lows....stinky diapers, middle of the night crying, and lack of ability to communicate are some lows that come to mind at the moment. But last night was definitely one of the highest highes for our new family. Max usually conks out right at bedtime, but the time change threw him a little off last night. After nursing, burping, and putting his sleep sack on, he was wide awake. Daddy started reading a story while I rocked him in the chair and Max began to stare at me with a look of absolute contentment. He then reached up his hand to stroke my face. He felt my nose, and my mouth, and gave a huge smile when I kissed his hand. I could literally see him making the connection of "This is my mommy and I am touching her". He gave several "goo"es and I could read in his face that he was trying to tell me he loved me. Max continued to do this for quite a while and I can honestly say that I don't think there has ever been a time when I felt as content or happy as I did with my family gathered around me in this little bubble of peace. I'm not usually such a sap, but it was a perfect, precious moment and reminded me of how blessed I am to have these two wonderful boys in my life!

The "Breast" of Times

For weeks I have been looking forward to a party celebrating my friend Joyce, who has recently finished chemotherapy for breast cancer. Max and I were hanging out inside on Friday due to the dreary, cold weather when the hostess of the party called to see if I could pick up a last minute item. Sure, I told her, I'd be glad to grab it on Saturday before the party. I was just a wee bit shocked when she then informed me that the party was on Friday night, not Saturday. Oops. And I was supposed to bring an appetizer and a special dessert. Double oops. So I tossed Max in his crib (lovingly of course) and begged him to take a nap so I could make cookies. These weren't just any cookies, these were lovely "breast" cookies! I had planned to use strawberries to create the..umm...center part, but didn't have any on hand. Fortunately, we had the other materials and I improvised with some craisins piled up in the middle. Jason got a big hug for running to pick up the other goodies after work and then doing Daddy duty on a different night than planned. The party was wonderful! Joyce is an amazing person and has handled a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, physical therapy, implants, and an upcoming hysterectomy with grace and an incredible attitude. All this in addition to caring for two beautiful toddlers! I hope the kids and her husband enjoyed the last few boobie cookies!

Since Jason unexpectedly had Saturday night free, he reminded me that it was only fair for him to get to go play with his friends. He's out enjoying a nice dinner (and hopefully not getting into trouble) with his gang. Jason is great about helping with Max and loves having "baby-time" with him so I cannot begrudge him some time out. But it feels like Jason and I have barely seen each other this weekend! I'm looking forward to our date night later this week when Grammy is back from the beach and ready for babysitting time.

Good luck to Josh and Darin (my nephews) who were hunting leprechauns today!

"Kitty Coup" by Baby Max

The Mis-Adventures of Frank and Bean, Part 1

Last night, the sneaky General Frank once again tried to usurp my power as Ruler of the House.  I first caught him lurking in my territory as I supped with my mother. He attempted to hide beneath my bed, but I informed Daddy of his presence and promptly had him expelled. He was back again soon, nosing his way into the room. Frank's identifying brown spot gave him away as I caught a glimpse of it and a striped tail disappearing into the closet. This time I told Mommy. She initially mistook my alarm as a burp, but I was able to point to the intruder. Once in bed, I was on high alert, waiting for Frank to make his move. It came around 11 pm as I heard him and his follower Bean leading a stampede in the hallway. They attacked at one end of the hall and then the other! The noise was astounding! They began to bombard my door in an effort to physically overtake me. I issued orders to my own army (Mommy and Daddy) with a few cries of displeasure. They were immediately on the defense, attempting to drive Frank and Bean into the lower level of the battlefield (downstairs). At first, they were unsuccessful. They captured Frank and isolated him from Bean. Bean was not to be deterred and offered a magnificent battle cry for his leader.  The battle continued for upward of 2 hours. Confident in my soldiers, I rested. By the time I broke my fast in the early morning, I was delighted to learn that my rule was secure. Mommy and Daddy praised my delightful baby-ness while cursing the infidels, Frank and Bean. Soon, I will seek to have them ejected from the house permanently and I will reign unchallenged!

Max's Dedication (Christening)

Max was dedicated at our church on Sunday. Jason and I were both raised as Catholics, but have joined a Baptist church in Greenville. This was a slightly different experience from the baptisms we are used to. But we brought a little bit of Catholicism with us by dressing Max in my family christening gown. It is around 120 years old and was made by nuns. Jason predicted that it would burst into flames when we entered a Protestant church, but fortunately he was wrong :) Max will probably be spiritually confused (as well as gender confused after wearing a gown), but it was a tradition that I wanted to honor. It allowed Max to once again prove his supremacy as King of the Babies by being the most elaborately dressed baby. He was an angel and slept through the ceremony and most of his celebratory brunch as well.

     

Max's Top Five

Max's Five Favorite Things of the Moment

Talking

Dance parties with Mommy

Sucking his thumb

Kicking

"Baby-time" with Daddy