Maxwell and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Week)

Dear Max,

Usually I write you a monthly letter telling of your latest accomplishments and describing some adorable story about you. However, I am afraid that one day when you (or your wife) reads these letters, you may have an inaccurate portrait of your early life. Not every day is perfect, nor can your cuteness always win me over. This has been one of those weeks.

An excerpt:

Up about an hour earlier than usual. Screaming upon wake-up.

Refusing breakfast and screaming for Mommy. Mommy arrives and you scream for Daddy. 

Racing around our bedroom banging your dump truck into the furniture. Screaming when it is taken away.

Trying to reach the cat on the bed. Screaming when you can't get to him.

Begging for a snack early. Screaming 1/2 hour later for more milk.

Playing happily for 15 minutes. Screaming when you become disinterested in activity.

Short nap. Scream for Mommy.

Want to go outside. Screaming when you can't go in the street/reach your sand bucket/don't have enough bubbles.

Go to the fridge and scream for milk. Really, really scream when offered water and throw it to the floor.

Scream, scream, scream when you do not get your way exactly when you want it.

This is only an example and compiles several days into one. Within each day, there are still many sweet Max moments. I know you have teeth coming in and that you don't feel great. But can we tone down the screaming a bit? I understand that some days are just terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.....and that we all need to move to Australia.

No matter how frustrating you are, I still love you all the time.

Love, Mommy

Whodunit?

May I present a game of Clue:

A mysterious pile of poo was found on the floor of the Richards' home. 

Was it Frank in the kitchen with his penchant for leftover cheese? 

Was it Bean Cat in the living room with his gastrointestinal problems?

Was it Max in the bedroom with his leaky diaper?

Tell me your guesses!

Demolition Man

The house renovations have begun! After endless meetings and planning, the demolition crew moved in last week to get things started. They are estimating about a month for demolition....let's see how closely they stick to their timeline! 

First task: Tear Things Out (this is the technical terminology) 

Almost all the baseboards on the first and second floors will be removed in order to redo the electrical system. 

Foyer - Before and After

The walls creating the hallway between the back staircase and the breakfast room were removed to open up the kitchen. 

Hallway - Before and After 

(Photos are from opposite ends of the hall)

Originally the kitchen was divided into three separate spaces: kitchen, mudroom/laundry, and breakfast room. Although the kitchen had been updated, the layout made the rooms feel small, dark, and cramped. We are knocking down the walls between the spaces to create one large kitchen and moving the laundry space to the second floor. 

View of the rubble in the kitchen during demolition

Breakfast Room - Before and After

(I did hate to tear out the built-ins!) 

Kitchen Area - Before and After

(Check out that wallpaper in the 2nd photo)

Mudroom - Before and After

Stay tuned for the next installment!

The Best View

Daddy, 

Thank you for carrying the weight of our world on your shoulders.

We love you! Happy Father's Day!

Love, Mommy and Max

Nineteen Months and Counting

Dear Max,

Daddy and I were trying to recall what year an event had occurred and we were shocked to realize that it was prior to knowing of your existence! In so many ways it feels as though you have always been a part of our family and it is a struggle to remember life before you.

Songs and games fill your days! You have become a big fan of "Ring Around the Rosie", "If You're Happy and You Know It", and "Five Little Monkeys Swinging in A Tree". You love to do the motions and squeal, although sometimes you get so excited that you fall in the floor laughing and kicking! Although we try to get you to verbalize your requests, you are increasingly using gestures to get your point across. We cannot help but laugh when you stick your fingers in your ears or shrug when you don't know the answer to a question. The most frequently asked question: Where is Frank?

Max, you are constantly exploring all areas! If you are out of sight, I know it is time to investigate when things become strangely silent. Usually, you have found a new place to play..in the closet behind the clothes, in between the wall and your play kitchen, underneath the sunroom furniture and inside of cabinets are your new favorite haunts. I do not think you will have any trouble adjusting to our new house since we go over often and allow you to race through the empty rooms. What a perfect playground!

People are already starting to place bets on your future occupation. Current suggestions include: Janitor, Chimney Sweep, Dance Master, Race Car Driver, and my pick, an Engineer. Max, you are completely fascinated by how things are put together and are willing to test a piece of equipment repeatedly to ensure it's proper operation. Especially doors.

No matter how tired or frustrated or anxious I feel, your smile can always lighten my mood. It brightens every minute of the day and reminds me to say a quick prayer of gratitude. A grin, a nuzzle, a pat and I know that all is right in the world. You are the sunshine of my life.

Love, 

Mommy

Impostor

Where is my child? Who is this baby impostor? 

Tonight for dinner Max ate:

One large serving of grilled chicken

One ENTIRE sweet potato

Two servings of strawberries

Two servings of watermelon

One whole graham cracker

A few goldfish

And a giant cup of milk

Where does this food go? And why doesn't any of it end up in his scrawny arms?

"Cat-napped!" by Baby Max

Today was the most horrid of all my days. Never have I been so frightened or angered. Never have I felt so lost.

The day began in an ordinary manner. I accompanied my loyal servant Mommy on some outings throughout the city before stopping for a brief frolic in a green field. While there, we encountered some peasants who sought to gain my favor. They flattered me with the information that they had named their youngest offspring after myself, the greatest king...blah, blah, blah. I detest such obvious bids for my approval.  While Mommy listened to their drivel, I did my best to ignore them and concentrate on my calisthenics. That is until the leader of this revolting group turned around and took a most astonishing object from her pocket. This vile woman pulled Pelt out of her garment! As I stared in disbelief, she then handed my precious and talented Pelt to her dribbling, ridiculous child! "Pelt!" I screamed in horror and rushed to rescue him. But the child would not give it to me! 

What was I to do? How had this travesty occurred? My mind raced, examining the possibilities. The only conclusion to be drawn was that Frank had somehow kidnapped Pelt and sold him to this group of outcasts...these were no ordinary subjects, they were traitors! Should I use brute force to wrest Pelt away? Or did they want a ransom to return my most trusted advisor? Before I could formulate a plan, Mommy was pulling me away from the scene. I cried inconsolably trying to convince her to stand and fight! The Max does not run away from a challenge, nor does he leave a man behind! 

However, Mommy knew what she was doing. She and Pelt must have somehow communicated without me knowing it because when we arrived back at the car, Pelt was there! He had managed to escape! I clutched his limp frame to me and assured him that I would never, ever let Frank get his claws on him again. Once home, I paraded Pelt in front of the cats to let them know that their latest bid for power had not worked. Finally, I issued a proclamation telling of the deviousness of the cats. No one will be safe while they remain in the kingdom! They must be exiled! 

Off to the Races

The Intimidating Pre-Race Pose

Ready.....Set....

Ride!

The Winner and Still Champion.....

Max and Secretariat!

Summer Love

Summer lovin' had me a blast

Summer lovin' happened so fast

I met a girl crazy for me

I met a boy, cute as can be

Tell me more, tell me more,

Did you get very far?

Tell me more, tell me more,

Like, does he have a car?

She swam by me, she got a cramp

He went by me, got my suit damp

I saved her life, she nearly drowned

He showed off, splashing around

Tell me more more, tell me more,

Was it love at first sight?

Tell me more, tell me more,

Did she put up a fight?

We made out under the dock

We stayed up until ten o'clock

Summer fling don't mean a thing

But uh-oh those summer nights!

Call of the Wild

The wild outdoors full of wolves and bears beckoned us, but we managed to find all the delights of the outside world inside this time! Our extended family took a short jaunt to Great Wolf Lodge where we found enough woods and animal themed activities to warm any little boy's heart! The trip was planned with my nephews Josh and Darin in mind, but everyone managed to find something to enjoy. The kids loved the giant indoor water park, animatronic show, nature walk, arcade, and treasure hunt complete with magic wands. Aunt Stephanie loved the spa. The rest of us loved watching the kids. And the IKEA located nearby.

Josh and Darin slept in the Wolf Den, but allowed Mama and Papa Wolf to share their lair.

At the water park, the older boys quickly found that Grammy and Uncle Jason were excellent partners for the big slides. Meanwhile, Max was enthralled by the giant bucket of water that continually dumped on the poor people below.

Initially, the water features were a little overwhelming for Max even though he greatly enjoyed splashing in both the indoor and outdoor pools. By the second day, he was willing to brave the toddler area and being sprayed in the face. However, he had the most fun just walking around the giant park with his Grandpa.

Of course, Max needs little entertaining when his cousins are around. They could be sitting in a field staring at the grass and Max would find it endlessly fascinating because Josh and Darin were doing it. Such power they possess.

An exciting adventure and I think the call of the wild will definitely lure us back to the indoor woods in the future.....