Max went to the doctors yesterday and he is 27.8 pounds and 33 3/4 inches. He is growing up so fast. Since Max is not talking yet, I decided t hold off on shot until he is. I am not concerned about Autism but it is something I think about. I know it is more prevalent in boys.

As for his talking, I think his ear infections really halted his babble period and so here we are at 20 months with only 4 shots ever given to him so another few months won’t mean anything. But Max also plays with 4 boys who are not talking either and they are older than him. I know he will talk when he feels like it. Max is like that with stuff-he does it when he feels like it.

And since Max is not going to preschool anytime soon-well then I figure we have time. I have never be fond of how shots are given to kids-so many at one time and when their little immune systems have not grown up yet but for some kids-it is fine and for others-well not so fine. I just think Max is a sensitive guy all around-allergies, ear infections until the procedure and his emotions. It feels good to be an advocate for my kid. Like I said, every kid is different and so this is just what we have decided.

Max is finally back to himself. I think it must be hard adjusting to life back home. In New York we were constantly on the go-even more than at home- no wonder I was tired. But he is back in his routine just in time to leave for the beach-Long Beach Island, New Jersey. It will be nice to end the summer this way.

Well have a good night.

Dear Max:

You are growing up so fast. I feel like everyday you become a new person. You just love life. You love to dance and play and laugh. Most of all you love talking on your phone, like your Daddy. I love that you love your Daddy so much. He is a great Dad to you and a great model. 

I count my blessing daily with you because you are such a sweet little boy. People kept saying that you would eventually hit or push but you have not so far. if you get hit, you look at the other kid and then at me and then hold your head. You do not understand why they hit you. But you don’t hit back. 

I still sleep with you half of the night. I go into your room once you wake up and then we fall asleep till the morning. Before you go to sleep, you rub my head, play with my hair and rub my back. These are all of the things I have done to you since you were born. You are so sweet. You love my new belly. You love to kiss and hug and wave hello to baby Samantha. You also love to push my belly and I keep telling you to watch out because she will be able to push back one day.

This month you are babbling away. You are really learning to use your voice and of course to continue to use signs for everything. You are so good at it that I am convinced this is why you do not get frustrated trying to express yourself.

We have been to two of your friends 2 year old birthday parties this month and still we have more on our calendar. You are so loved by your friends and their mothers. You are so loved by everybody.

We too a trip to the beach last month and you are truly our child-you LOVE the beach and the sun. You napped in your stroller on the beach, you snacked at the beach, played in the water and ate water ice for dessert. You are our child without a doubt in my mind. 

Truly max, you are a sweetie and I am so damn lucky to have you as my son and my first born. You have allowed me to make mistakes and learn and to be a better mother each day. We are taking a trip together tomorrow to New York City to visit your Aunt Julia and I am so excited to travel with you because you enjoy life. You have taught me to let go. You have taught me so much about the small things in life. You are such a gift daily. I love you.

Love, 

Your Momma

Yes, I did it. JINX. I spoke the wrong word-Sleep and it all messed up. I was so pissed last night that I could not even blog because I felt like such a failure. I felt like something was working and then I screwed it up. I don’t have these feelings as often as I did when Max was really little but I was just so pissed. max did not fall asleep until 8:35 pm and tonight 8:30 pm but luckily tonight, I was not a spaz. Yesterday I could not just let it roll off of me that 8 pm is not when his body gets tired. Yes maybe I could wake him up from a nap at 1:30 or 2 pm like I used to but then he does not get a good nap and then the day is nutty. I think the MOM needed him to get to sleep by 8 pm more than the baby did.
So I was pissed and I was resentful that he was not sleeping and then today I realized how stupid that all sounds and how I just need to go back to what worked for us-well kind of worked because at times he could use the extra 30 mins of sleep but regardless it worked.

Today we had our ups and downs as well. It amazes me that one minute we are dancing and hugging in the kitchen and the next minute we are having tantrums. I am trying to stay patient during these tantrums and not take it personally but they just can tire me out. I even tried to take a nap today but I could not even fall asleep. I am so jealous of people who can nap.

Luckily, in comparison to other kids his age, Max is truly a sweetie. He is a hugger, kisser and lover but he is like me, and when he does not get his way-well then here come the drama. Like I said, I am really trying to be positive during these moments and say things like:

1. Max is angry. Can Mommy help max?
2. Max is frustrated. Mommy is here if you need me.
3. Mommy loves you and Mommy hopes Max feels better.

UGH. I need somebody to say those things to me when I am pissed off. LOL.

Anyway, I guess that is why we have the ups because the downs feel so down.

It has been a while since I posted about sleep so I thought it was time. Last week when we went down to the beach and Max got to bed before 8:30 pm, I noticed a change in him the next morning. I noticed that he was much happier and rested. His bed time went from 7 pm, when he was little, to 7:30 pm, then 8 pm and then 8:30 pm. I noticed in the past 2 months that he was so tired and cranky when he got up but I had no idea how to get him to bed earlier. I had tried all of the text book methods and I guess he was not ready. But I was ready.

The night we came home from the beach was glorious because I had an entire night to relax and wind down. I actually went to sleep before 11 pm. So since that day, exactly a week ago, Max has gone to sleep before 8 pm. I am doing the same routine but I increased the routine from 45 mins to 1 hour and it seems to be working. He is not fighting the sleep, instead he welcomes it. Thank goodness.

We also bought him a bog boy bed, well actually we turned his crib into a bed with a full mattress and he loves it. Selfishly, I could not even fit on the small mattress any longer and so I think we did not have a choice anymore. Luckily we already had the crib and so we just needed to buy the conversion kit and the mattress. I will have to post pics because it all worked out so nicely. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and found a quilt and matching pillow shams that exactly match his window treatments. YEAH! I love when shit works out my way. LOL

So back to the sleep. I am not sure if it is the huge bed or the many soft pillows or just Max getting older but going down a little early works for him and his Momma.

Last night I went out to dinner with some girls (most of them I did not know but it was fun to have a girls night out) and they were talking about their kids sleeping stuff. They all did the cry it out method and they all have kids that sleep great and they were making comments about kids sleeping in their parents beds etc. I just laughed to myself and thought well I sleep with my kid half the night in his bed-why should I say anything-it is just not worth it because what I have realized is that it all os good-it is whatever works for your family.