Max's Big Day

Last weekend Steve and I flew into California to have Max baptised! It worked out perfectly since Steve had a business meeting and Chris and Keri were in town working on the wedding! The baptism was beautiful. We had him baptised at the Lutheran church where Steve's parents attend. Pastor Tom officiated and he did such a wonderful job. We asked Chris and Keri (my brother and soon to be sister-in-law!) to be Max's Godparents. I feel so much better now that Max is baptised! He did so wonderful (as always) with no more than a little peep from him. Afterwards we had a reception at my parents house where it was wonderful to see all of my family. It has been almost 3 years since I have gotten a chance to see everyone and I'm so glad most were able to be there for such a special and blessed day!

Belly Laughs, Music Together, Gymboree and More

So it has happened...our little boy is giving us GIANT belly laughs! What a character he is. So here's the trick. Daddy holds Max...or vise versa....and Mommy spins around as fast as she can - flips her hair - and jumps!! This really gets a rise out of Max and out come the belly laughs. He loves our 'spins' and we love his laugh....it's a win win situation! He's just too cute!
We started a class called Music Together a few weeks ago. We go every Saturday morning. We dance, sing, play instruments, play with scarves and just be silly....! And is he too young you ask?? Well we possibly thought the same thing. How much can a 4 month old get from such a class. Let me tell you - a lot! The first class Max seemed to sit back and observe...but the second class he was smiling and giggling and seemed really into it! I am so glad and can't wait to see how he is by the end of the classes :)
We also tried out Gymboree, which I loved! Max did too! It was nice to be in a small group of Mom's and babies in the same boat I am. I am going to sign us up for classes as soon as Music Together is over. Can't wait!
And life here in the Huber house is great :) We seem to have settled into a routine...for now!...and just enjoying watching our little one grow up. It has been sunny here recently so we have been out and about a lot. Steve and I had our first date since Christmas time thanks to our friends who watched Max. We went to lunch and wandered through stores just talking like 'grown ups'! Who knew!

It's A Wonderful Life

It is a wonderful life! Our Christmas holiday was my most favorite of all - all thanks to our little Maximus! What a joy and a blessing he is. I was so worried about our 11 hour drive to California to spend Christmas with our families. I should have never worried - Max made it down with no problems - no snow, no crying, nothing! We are sooo lucky that he is such a wonderful baby. We had such fun down in California introducing him to the MANY family members that had not gotten the chance to get to know our baby boy. He spent time with my family - meeting his aunts, uncles and cousins for the first time....and boy were they excited! Not to mention the excitement that Gramma and Grandpa had!! My parents are soo excited about him. My mom spent much of her time ooohing and ahhing over him - playing the singing penguins (a personal favorite of mine...) and the oh-so-fun hip swinging Santa! Gramma and Grandpa were also nice enough to babysit so that Steve and I could have a much needed date night :) Max also met for the first time his Nana and Grandpa and Auntie Sara and Becca! He had such a great time giggling at Grandpa Mike! Max couldn't seem to get enough!! He also met his Great Grandma, Grandpa's and Aunties!! We even took a special trip up the Santa Rosa to take generation photos with the whole family!! We had so much fun.
Maximus also met Santa for the first time this year. This is another tradition that has gone on FOREVER! When my brothers and I were little my Grandpa used to dress up as Santa on Christmas Eve and come and pass out presents. By coincidence - Grandpa always missed Santa showing up. He was back at his house...at the grocery store...anywhere but at OUR house where Santa was!! The tradition has been carried on - even when my brothers and I were well aware that it was my Grandpa - we still enjoyed it. My brother and now my dad have been Santa since my Grandpa has passed away - never missing a Christmas Eve. Max did great with his first encounter with Santa! He was so cute - next year he is going to have an idea of who Santa is! I am so looking forward to it!!
The New Year was wonderful as well. We rang it in quietly, just the three of us....well, 5 if you count Bella and Jackson (which we should!!). We are looking forward to a year full of Max and all his new world will have to offer him - we are excited to experience it with him!!

First Christmas Tree Cutting - A Long Time Tradition

Last weekend Steve, Max and I cut down our Christmas tree! Cutting down a live tree has been a family tradition of mine since my parents were together - minus the kids. Steve and I continued this tradition when we got together and continue it up here in Portland. This was Max's first time - obviously :) We went to a new farm this year and Max slept through most of it. As always, I insisted on a tree that was HUGE - and didn't realize it until 3 seperate people commented on the size of it....oops.....but it fits in our house!! We carried it by ourselves with the baby in tow!!
We came home and decorated it - Max LOVED the all the lights and ornaments!
We also took outdoor family pictures the following morning - super foggy and 30 degree weather. I hope that the pictures turn out great!

Halloween Fun!

Max's first Halloween was a blast! We started off the day at the Roloff Farm (Little People Big World) and picked out his first pumpkin! We walked through the patch, took pictures and even caught a glimpse of them filming the show with the Mom. Had a small SNAFU when Max's pacifier dropped into the pumpkin patch - but daddy made a run for the car to grab a spare. All was well!! We came home and carved pumpkins - got ready for the trick or treaters and watched a few scary movies. We had a lot of trick or treaters this year and we actually ran out of candy!! Max was adorable in his dinosaur Halloween costume, I wish he could wear it all the time.....well......maybe he can!!

The Airport Grandma

Last week my mom became the 'official' airport grandma - coming to see us and hang out for the week. We had so much fun! The last time her and my dad were up here they hardly got to see Max since we were in the hospital and NICU for so long! I am glad that she got to come up and see how much Max has changed (he's up to 11 lbs and 8 ounces) and see his sparkling personality. It was so helpful having her up here - we spent some of our days making wonderful frozen dinners to save me time during the day and playing with Max. We also did our typical trip to Macys - my mom is the QUEEN when it comes to the in's and out's of Macys. I have to say that Max, Steve and my dad all came out bandits in the clothing department!!
She also gave Steve and I the opportunity to reconnect without a little one in tow. We bought Steve a new car, had dinner and drinks at the Heathman Hotel and went for massages - which were desperately needed :)
We can't wait to have her up here again!! Thank goodness for Southwest deals!!

A Happy Home

Today Max and I headed to the doctor to get some pointers when it comes to feeding. It has not been the easiest task to tackle - actually - probably the hardest thing we've faced during these first 5 weeks. The doctor had lots of good advice and hopefully we'll be on the fast track to 'just' breastfeeding and no longer supplementing with formula. Also I had a chance to talk to the doctor about Max's WONDERFUL sleeping habits - sleeping anywhere from 6-8 hours during the night. She said it was totally fine and now I will have a very happy husband who isn't waking up to the sound of the alarm clock every hour so I can see if Max wants to eat. Task: Sleeping: Accomplished!! As of today he weighs in at a whopping 10lbs and 14ounces!! He's our big boy :)
Lately we have also zeroed in our our creative sides - Steve is painting ; Max is pooping, cooing and smiling; and I am busy decorating for the holidays! It's a very busy, very fun house! Max seems to have awakened sleeping giants in our home :)