Max Is One!

We had these photos taken on Max's 1st birthday.  He was so good for the photo shoot…except for when we brought out the cupcake.  He wanted to tip it over and pick off the giant sprinkles but he had no interest in actually smashing it.  I stuck his fingers in the cake and he was not happy with me.  This kid does not like to get his fingers dirty!!

We spent the weekend before Max's birthday camping at Bear Lake.  It wasn't the ideal setting to decorate for a birthday party but I gave it my best shot.  

 Cat in the Hat birthday cake (thank you Smith's bakery).

We had Swedish fish and Goldfish crackers (One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish).

Thank you Pinterest for the water bottle idea (packing tape on both sides so the paper doesn't get soggy).

Welcome to the Dr. Seuss birthday party in our RV!

So grateful for family who made the day special for Max!!  Cory smoked ribs for dinner and we ate in style!

Birthday banner - pictures of Max from birth to now.

My attempt at "Horton Hears a Who".

My sister-in-law, Ashlee, designed these amazing birthday party invites for Max.  Thank you, Ash!!!

Swimming in Bear Lake with Gracie.  Max was so enthralled with Gracie - his face lit up every time she came around.  And I was so impressed with how patient she was with him.  I figured she would get bored since he can't interact too much but she was so good to stick around and entertain Max.  Love you, Gracie!

Max loves his 'hip and happenin' aunts!!

We took Max off of his heart medication on his birthday and so far, he has stayed out of SVT.  Since there is no way to visibly see the spot in his heart that caused the trouble (without invasive techniques), we just have to wait and see what happens.  I cannot even begin to tell you how nice it is to let him set his own schedule.

This is our before:

5:00 a.m.: Wake up and give medicine and a bottle.
6:00 a.m.: Back to sleep
9:00 a.m.: Wake up
11:00 a.m.: Must make sure Max is down for a nap so that he can be awake again at 1:00 p.m. for another does of medicine.
1:00 p.m.: Give medicine and lunch
3:15 p.m.: Make sure Max is down for another nap so we're on track to give the last dose of medicine at 9:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.: Wake up and have dinner
8:15 - 9:00 p.m.: Fight a cranky baby who is ready for bed but who must stay awake until 9:00 for his last medicine dose
9:00 p.m.: Last dose of medicine and sleepy time
10:00 p.m.: Cory and I fall into bed.

Now:
WHATEVER WE WANT!!!!!!!  Cory and I have watched two movies since we took Max off of his medicine.  We obviously could have stayed up late and watched a movie before but there was no movie worth staying up that late to watch when I knew that 5:00 a.m. was just around the corner…EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!!!  I've read one book since Max was born.  I intend to pick that up again, too.  I am so thankful for the strength and mental capacity to make it through this last year without going crazy.  And I'm so glad it's over!

Max had his 12 month check-up last week.  He weighs 19 lbs and is 28 inches long (4th percentile in both categories).  Max took his first steps just three days after his birthday.  He gets so mad when he can't get to where he wants to go.  Guess you should have learned to crawl, kiddo.  :-)  He has four teeth now (top and bottom from teeth).  He is starting to mimic (or try to) our words and sounds.  I'm starting to see why people say that having a baby is fun.  I am definitely liking this stage much more than the baby stage!  Maybe ask me again in a couple of weeks when we have a full-fledged toddler who is ripping apart the house...

Parades, Rodeos and Wagon Rides, Oh My!

It's been a busy, fun-filled summer.  Max has been riding the train at the zoo.

The bear exhibit at the zoo was Daddy's favorite.

 So excited that Aunt Ashi got to come to the zoo and ride the carousel with us!

Hanging out in the splash pool in the back yard.

First 4th of July parade.

 Very interested in the sparklers.

10 months old.

 11 months old.

First ride in Grammie and Grampie's boat.  When I was a baby and cranky at the lake, my parents would put me in the boat and after one pass around the lake, I was out like a light.  Even today I get sleepy riding in the boat.  Max fell asleep about 2 minutes after Cory took this picture.  Takes after his momma...

First time at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo parade.

 First time taking a ride in the RZR.

 Taking a wagon ride for Great Grandma Jones' 80th birthday party celebration (we had a chuck wagon dinner).

 And playing with cousin Challis.  They were so cute together.  Challis really wanted Max's shoe and he was quite vocal about it.  Max sat back and stared at the little chatterbox across the way.  He wasn't quite sure what to make of all that racket.

Max still refuses to crawl.  He cruises around the house with his walker on turbo speed, though.  And he wants us to help him walk all over the house as well.  Max gets pretty upset when mom and dad have to take a break because our backs need a rest.  He's going to keep us twice as busy once he is walking but he will be so much happier.  He is so anxious to go places!!

We are getting better at eating whole solid foods.  For a while there, he would gag and choke on everything we tried to put in his mouth.  Now, as long as the pieces are super, super tiny, he will eat cheese, grapes, crackers, etc.  Max knows how to clap, shake his head and say "no", put his arms in the air for a touchdown and wave bye-bye.

We have 12 more days until Max goes off his heart medication.  I cannot even tell you how excited we are.  This has been the longest year of my life!!!!!!!  I don't care if I ever see this side of 5:00 a.m. again.

Summer!

We are so glad that summer is finally here!  We've had a couple of visitors from The Lone Star State.  I didn't get pictures but Jen, Rob and Keaton stopped by at the end of May.  

 This is my old boss, and dear friend, Jennifer with her two children, Lauren and Matthew.  They were so enthralled (and cute) with Mr. Max.

Emilee and Landon got married on June 2nd.  This one is out of order but this is Caleb, Max and Ayla at the wedding.

 Hanging out in the Mary Kay box.

 9 months old.  With two teeth.  Still no interest in crawling.  But Max can stand up and pull himself along the furniture.

 We bought an annual pass to Hogle Zoo.  Max enjoyed looking at the active animals but the slower ones lost his attention.  He had a great time watching all the kids run around, though.

 Emilee and Landon got hitched!  Em was such a beautiful bride!  And it was such a loooong day with a 9-month old.  Caleb helped keep Max entertained by covering him up in  with grass.  :-)

We spent last weekend at Cherry Hill resort.  Max went swimming for the first time and loved it!

We went to the cardiologist two weeks ago.  Everything is still on schedule.  They did not increase Max's medicine dosage to adjust for his weight gain.  The goal is to let him grow out of the medication over the next 2 1/2 months and then we can stop the medication on his first birthday.  I am counting down the days.  We are so close!!!!

Max also has a little divot at the top of his head.  We were supposed to get the helmet off last month but the doctor asked us to leave it on for one more month to see if that little dip would go away.  We go back next week for another evaluation.  And if he says we have to wear it for one more month, I will tell him to go fly a kite.  We're done.  The end.