My Little Easter Bunny

This year Easter and Greek Easter fell on the same Sunday. Normally the Easters are seperated by about 3 weeks, but not this year! *It's a special year* Since we're all by ourselves up here - we had a lazy day - waking up late and taking pictures of Max in his 'so called' monkey suit that daddy loves. We later got dressed and let Max open up his Easter basket. The Easter Bunny filled it with his first sippy cup, bathtub toys, and the book "On the day you were born," which makes his mommy cry. We made a yummy dinner of lamb...as tradition. I also succeeded at making my first loaves of Greek Easter bread - which I have to say turned out great! And what fun! Now that Max is here I have to start learning how to do these important things. We also dyed red Easter eggs - mine didn't break - good luck for the year! I'll take it!
**Funny story** Max picked out his Easter basket all by himself. We were in Target and I was holding up all the Easter baskets for him. This was the only one that got a laugh and a reach. Needless to say it went immediatly into the basket!!

A Successful Food!

Today Max and I had our first success with solid foods. We have been working at this for the last 3 weeks with no luck. We started out with rice cereal, moved our way to sweet potatoes, peas and avocados. All with no luck. Max was not interested. TODAY though - he ate carrots - WITH anticipation! Who knew carrots? I HATE carrots - I probably didn't touch one my entire pregnancy. But - Max loves them......that makes me very happy!
I decided when I was pregnant that I was going to make homemade baby food for Max once he was ready. I homemake my dogs food every week - so why not Max's? It's actually a really fun experience for the both of us. I decide on the food that I want Max to try that week, make up a big batch and freeze it in baby food ice cube trays. Max watches me in the kitchen while sitting in his high chair. I tell him what I'm doing, point out colors of the veggies, etc. Then every night I pull out what I want out of the freezer for the next day and defrost it over night. By making his food myself, I know exactly what he is eating. It's not coming out of a jar that has been ready for a baby to eat it since 2009 and is good until 2011. Gross.
Hooray for carrots!

Sunny Days - Chasing The Clouds Away

Steve, Max and I just came home from sun-shiny Miami! What an incredible trip - I am so happy that Steve asked us to tag along! He needed to go for business while Max and I were there for play....and play we did. Max's feet met the oceans sand for the first time this trip. Talk about a great first place to get your feet wet! The beach day weather was fantastic and Max really seemed to thrive in the sun (sort of like a flower does - I guess). We played in the water, saw a wild dolphin, and collected all the THOUSANDS of shells that laid in the sand.
We also took a 2 hour drive through all the surface streets of Miami - totalling 2 hours and winding up in beautiful Coconut Grove. We shopped, wandering in and out of beach and local artists shops. It was incredible. We did have rain there for a few days (can't escape that Portland weather no matter where we go!) We all sat on our balcony - short sleeved - and watched the amazing Florida thunder storms. Too much fun!
Max and I also went to visit the famous Flagler Musuem. What a beautiful mansion and the story behind it was incredible.
We can't wait to go back - 3 weeks and counting!! Hooray for more Cuban food!!

Hoor-ay For To-day

When it rains it pours! Max rolled over for the first time today! Up until the last few days - this little guy has had absolutely NO interest in getting off of his back. Who would though? His life has been catered to...no need to do anything but be cute. But, as it turns out, he wants more. This morning he was on the bed while I was getting ready and I noticed him over on his side...grunting...trying his hardest to get over. I laid a blanket out on the floor for him and within a few minutes he was on his tummy giggling. Even as little as he is - he knows that today something big has happened. Now I can't stop him from rolling over. Every time he's on the floor he's flipping himself around! I called Steve this morning to let him know - he was super thrilled. He was out and about in South Beach with his new friends. Lucky.
Lucky. I guess there is no such thing as luck - but I am sure lucky that I get to stay at home with my baby boy. I can't imagine if I had missed his first time rolling over...or his first giggle...or his first anything! I love the opportunity I have to stay home and raise him. A lot of people might say that being a SAHM is easy, lazy, or a useless thing to be. I disagree and anyone who has stayed at home to raise their babies would agree with me. No one in this world will take as good of care of him as Steve and I and no one will appreciate the things he does like we do. I have just embarked on the hardest job that I will ever have. Raising a child or children who are well adjusted, happy, that smile, that know that they are loved above all else by their parents is not an easy - or unimportant job. I have always known that this would be my purpose in life. I am thankful that I am able to do it and that I have the most supportive husband in the world who also realizes that this is the best thing for our family. Staying at home not only allows me to raise Max, have fun with him, give him opportunties that he otherwise wouldn't have - it allows me to be a good wife. People laugh - but I LOVE to clean the house, I LOVE to cook dinner, I LOVE to be available for Steve and the things that he needs. This is the greatest career I could ever ask for - one to make a beautiful and happy home.

We Miss You Daddy!

This morning Max and I dropped Steve off at the airport at 5:00 in the morning. After a long night of not sleeping - I think that we all got about 3 hours - he had to head out for a business trip in Miami. Max came down with his first cold yesterday which meant a very long night of sniffles, cries, and general uncomfort for him. Steve couldn't sleep and in turn, neither could I. Steve will be gone until Friday - definately the longest he's been away from Me and Max. Normal business trips are 1 - 2 nights. This one is very important though and will last a full week. Poor thing - he called tonight - he caught Max's cold and is running a temperature. Not the best thing to happen when your in such an amazing place. He has to go back next month - that time Max and I get to tag along!
So that means I get the fun of holding down the fort while he is gone. Max seems to be doing well - although not feeling well always tends to hit in the evening, so we'll see how it goes. I was hoping this week to introduce Max to new things while Daddy is away. I am hoping to hit 'Book Babies' at the library, go on a few walks with Mr. Jackson, and try to visit the zoo. Max is obviously too young to understand the zoo - but he can sure have fun checking out the animals.

A Milestone Met - Max Sits Up!

Hooray! What a surprise! Max has sat up on his own for the very first time! We were at JC Penny's getting his baptism pictures taken yesterday and the woman asked if he could sit on his own - I shrugged with a cringe - and said let's try. Low and behold, my little man did it all on his own. Not once, not twice, but at least 5 times! I am so proud of him. It is amazing to see how far he has come in such a short amount of time! Sitting up - check! I wonder what will come next......

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!