Dear Max:

Wow! It has been such a huge month for you. I know I have said that on other months but this month has really been about your self esteem and your personality. You have stepped out from behind the door and you are saying: THIS IS ME WORLD! I feel like you are such a big boy now. 

For 19 months you have been quiet around strangers or not comfortable in situations but now it is different. At music and lIttle Gym, you are one of the first kids to go up to the teacher and participate. You are so proud of yourself and you make this smirk because you are so happy and shy at the same time. You are such a humble little man. 

You are still such a sweet and sensitive guy. No matter how much you get hit or your hair pulled, you do not push or pull back. You just look at the kid like they are crazy and then you look at me. I think Esther the Super Pug has helped you to learn how to treat people and animals.

This month you are also putting your face in the water in the tub and you kick your legs as well. You love the water and we swim at the toddler pool as well as your little friends Tyler’s pool down the street.

You now laugh at everything. You watch TV and movies and laugh at the funny parts. You also laugh at yourself quite often or if Daddy does something funny. I see your personality come through more and more. You are a very special kid.

Still your hat is your favorite clothing. You refuse to go out in the sun  without it and now you own about 4 hats but your favorite hat in the Philadelphia Zoo hat. You also enjoy wearing sun glasses. It must be your sensitive green eyes. You are adorable and I could just eat you up daily..oh but wait I do.

You are the love of my life and you always will be. I am so honored to be your mother and I am so lucky because you are such an angel. I will always think of that first night alone with you and how you slept in my arms in the hospital. It was love at first sight. Thanks Maxie!!

Where has the time gone? This was you at 5 months and 6 months old and now you are a big boy. You are already 18 months old. You are still such a sweet and tender boy. Other kids hit and pull hair but you never do that stuff. You are started to get upset when you have to SHARE or when another kid comes and takes your toy but you still never hit or push.

You were sick a lot this month and it was not fun for anyone. You also have about 4 teeth breaking through and so do a few days you would not eat anything expect sorbet. I felt horrible but you made it through and now you are back to eating again.

You have been going through some phases, such as not wanting to sit down and eat. You want to stand and eat and for a little I let you but now I am really trying to explain to you that it is important to sit down and eat. You cry for a little and then you are fine. 

You still love veggies, brown rice, fruit and eggs and of course french fries. You eat 3 egg yolks every morning. You used to eat 2 but that was not enough for you so now it is 3. You love to snack all day and I am one of those moms that let you. I figure you eat well and you must still be hungry.

Your favorite outings are the zoo, the aquarium, Linvilla Orchards and the playground in Chestnut Hill with the sand box. You love life and you try to swallow it whole. You picked strawberries the other day and loved it but I should have known since you are such a great helper in my garden.

In the last month you are now sleeping in your own room. I was sleeping with you the whole night then half the night and now just a 1/4 of the night. I am so proud of you and I am so happy that we did this in our time as a family. We listened to your needs and that makes me proud.

You adore Curious George. You take your tv show very seriously and you watch like you are studying for a test. You also love Sesame Street but especially Elmo, Zoe and Cookie Monster. You also like Clifford the Big Red dog.

I am so lucky to be your mom. i love watching you enjoy life. It reminds me of myself. You are funny and serious but all in all-you are Max and that is wonderful no matter what. You make me melt. I would walk over hot fire for you because you are what make me heart beat everyday. I love you Max!!

 

Max pointing to the tv after dinner at my parents

And now look at how big you are. Love, Your MOMMA

MY DEAREST MAX!!

Happy Birthday My love. Wow, this month has been huge but I think I say that every month. Well first off now you wear a true size 5 shoe and yes you actually have to wear shoes. I know I have spoiled you all winter wearing your UGGS but now it is hot and you cannot wear those. I bought you a few pairs of shoes and sandals and you have really enjoyed running in them. You are also so proud of your new shoes because you show them off to everybody. I have my heart set on finding you a pair of checkered VANS from my day and your Dad would love to see you in a pair of ADIDAS. I am sure you will have them both eventually. You have grown up so much this month. You really look like a little boy now. You act like a teenager but you think your an adult. I am sure you will understand this one day when you have kids too. You have become very social in our classes and at the playground. It is fun to watch you communicate with the world. You also share so well. I have watched you several times share your food or share your toys with another kid. You are still such a loving boy even though you are SO BOY. I hope you never loose this about yourself…I would be so proud to have raised a sweet yet man like guy. I am teaching you right now about babies. We watch Baby Diaries together and we talk about the new baby and being a big brother. We also talk about how the baby lives in Mommy’s belly and so everyday you kiss my belly. You are too sweet. You are still so kind to Esther, the Super Pug, and I know she is very grateful that you are learning to be gentle. As always you a great vegetable eater and I am so proud that you love your brown rice too. Even though you enjoy eating the same stuff everyday..I cannot complain because you are such a healthy eater. I started putting you to bed an hour earlier a few days ago and already it is working..you are staying asleep longer and you are less groggy in the morning. Thanks Cecily from Uppercase Woman!! You pretty much understand everything but you have not chosen to really say any words yet. Take your time. You are just growing up and it is so much fun to experience this journey with you. this month you are actually interested in reading books and not just standing on them and dancing. We read 3 to 4 books every night. You love getting and giving Zerberts. It makes me laugh so hard when you do them on me. I just love that you enjoy it so much too. You now know where you ears, belly button, feet, hands, head and nose are located. We are working on the rest and of course, your penis. Yeah you knew this one for a while. I still remember it being 12:24 am and you were born. I remember asking your Dad if you have 10 fingers and 10 toes and if you were ok. I took a breath when I heard you cry. I remember feeling you on my body and I was shaking but I could feel you and you were so perfect. Even though you were born in a hospital, our midwife had the room really dim and so when you came into this world-that room was filled with love and your light. Max, as I told you today in the car-I will always be here for you. I will always love you no matter what. Happy Birthday and thanks for allowing me to be a better mother each day.

a

2 Days late due to sleepless nights and absolute bitchiness.My dearest boy, I am writing you this letter and saying to myself…oh you little devil because that is the message for this month. You are still so sweet and loving. You still give big wide open mouth kisses and you blow kisses too but in this month you found that little devil on your shoulder. I have to admit that I turn my head away sometimes because I want to laugh at the funny things you do but I know if I laugh then I will encourage you. I have watched you evolve and truly stand up for what you want-we tend to call this having a tantrum or fussing or causing hub bub. You seem to enjoy getting your way just like me, your momma.This month you have learned how to open all of the doors. Yes, all of the doors and now Daddy is having all of the hardware changed. Yes, you even enjoy opening the bathroom door while somebody is going the bathroom. OH BOY! You LOVE to put your hand in thew toilet because you know we will have to wash your hands after.You are also a great helper. You now feed Esther every morning and every evening. You get her food out of the closet, open the food, put the food in her bowl and bring the bowl to mama so I can put turkey and tahini in her bowl. YES ESTHER IS SPOILED CAUSE WE LOVE HER!!You have made some friends this month and actually started to play with another kid. We meet your friend Max and his momma on Fridays and play and explore and go to the museum..it is a lot of fun.You have had a rough month full of colds, coughs and ear aches. You are also getting your molars right now top and bottom and so you have not been yourself. You have also had a lot of allergic reactions to foods and I can only assume that the antibiotics messed up your tummy and so you are food sensitive.But all in all you are a sweetie despite your devilish ways.You went to see a homeopath this week and hopefully we will get a remedy to help with your ears, sleep and teething. So only at 15 months you have seen an acupuncturist for babies (they do not use needles), a chiropractor, a cranial massage therapist, an herbalist and now the homeopath. You are definitely my kid.I cherish every moment we are together even when I am upset with you or tired or fussy myself. See, until you have your own child, you will not be able to understand how much I love you. I will always be there for you. I will always love you. You are my Maxie, my poo bear, my love. Thanks for letting me be your momma.