A year ago today...

We were awaiting Max's arrival, impatiently. I was due the 23rd and went on time with Fox, so I figured I'd do the same :) or was just hoping! We had our favorite Cedar Rapids pizza Tomaso's with the Rabes on Friday night. Sat came and seemed like he was going to come, so we went back to their house to take Fox in case we ended up at the hospital...but ended up doing a lot of walking with lots of contracting..but no Max. Went home that evening, had my mom come down and then starting regular contractions about 4:30am. Called L&D and drove to Iowa City, to the U of I Hospital. Was checked and said 5-6cm. We started walking and walked for a long time! Got in the tub for a while, then on the birthing ball. Finally he was ready and I had two long pushes and he was out in less than two min. I was able to help pull him out and up onto my chest myself..was a really special experience! My sweet Max was here and safe and healthy, 7lbs 15oz. We had a great experience at the hospital and were blessed to have my mom come and stay with us and keep Fox. It was special to have time with just Max. Also to have the Rabes visit us and kindly bring us Chipotle :) Great friends!

Tonight we celebrated Max and his first year of life! Mom is here visiting and the Johnson's came over as well. We couldn't have a party for Max without his fan club (Caleb and Cooper). Grilled, homemade strawberry cupcakes, big boys playing in the little pool and enjoying the beautiful weather in the backyard. Loved seeing Max so happy sitting with Daddy, Grammie and Emy! What a blessing he is to us. Can't believe he's a year old already. Thank you Lord for this precious gift! We give him back to you and pray he would know you and follow after you! I love you Maxy...my sweet Max Millard!

Max is 8 months old...how did that happen?

Wow, my little baby Max is already 8mos old! Time has flown by with him, like many probably experience with their second child. He's a really sweet boy. I was just looking at him today as I was feeding him some sweet potatoes and thinking of what kind of person he's going to be. He seems like he'll be a funny guy...and a snuggly one! I think it's a product of number two...I snuggled and held him more than I did with Fox, seems like with Max it was more laid back. With Fox I think I was just trying to keep him alive! ha

Max and Fox both got whatever respiratory bug that was floating around here about a wk after we got here and since then he's been pretty whiny. He has his two front bottom teeth and seems like he's getting a few more...hopefully why he's so cranky! Instead of a cry when he is fussy he kind of growls... :) sounds funny, but that's the best description I can think of! I'll have to get a video of it.

Max is pretty trim compared to Fox...the brut! He nurses four times a day and just started liking solid foods and has a jar at lunch time and dinner time. He takes two naps and sleeps wonderfully at night! He sits up great and rolls around but isn't crawling or moving much more than that. He really likes his brothers toys and things that aren't really toys at all!

My parents (Grammy and Farmer Papa) came to see us during their vacation, which happened to be the second wk we were here. Fox was super excited to spend time with them and have them stay at his "Texas house." It was great to have them come down! The weather was really nice and they drove down to Galveston for a few days. Think they enjoyed their time..and especially getting to see the boys!

Excuses...but no real good ones!

So I haven't updated the blog in...forever! Since October it's been a bit busy. Between learning how to do life with two boys, one of them being in the Very curious, implusive 2 1/2 yr old mode and Mike being very busy at work I didn't have much extra time to sit and think of something to write. Hopefully now after we've moved...yes we moved since my last post, I'll start blogging again! Stay tuned!