He talks!

Max: "Daaad!" (to Michael as he's trying to nap)
Michael: "Yes, Maxwell?"
Max: "It's me!"

Aaaaaand... scene.

Big Boy Bed

Well, the transition has been made! Max has now successfully slept in his big boy bed for three nights. I'm probably jinxing us by even writing about it, but it turned out to be a very smooth transition.

We decided to put Max in a regular single bed (with a railing) right away instead of spending the money on a toddler bed he'd outgrow. Michael went to pick up his childhood single, the headboard and some bedding on Saturday. Max and I stayed in town and made a trip to Target so he could pick out his own sheets. I'd been thinking all along that he'd go for Thomas the Train (trains are his big thing right now), but there was no doubt of the winner when his eyes lit up at the sight of Toy Story 3 sheets!

To say that the transition has been a dream would be an understatement. The first night (Sat) I only had to put him back into bed 10 times in a span of 10 minutes. The following night, it took Michael only 4 times and last night NONE. He just had to encourage Max to lie down as he was leaving the room and that was it- he was out! We're fortunate that he loves his new bed so much! I even found him playing on it earlier this afternoon, just hanging out. So awesome.

The other perk is that he's been getting solid sleep. We figure it's due to the extra warmth of the blankets (being tucked in is kind of like being back in the womb?) and he wakes up fully refreshed and chipper in the mornings.

Including this morning at 5am.

We'll work on that one...

Happy Father's Day to...

My wonderful husband- watching you with our son melts my heart a gazillion times a day. You're an incredible man and an even better father! We are both so lucky!

My own Dad- hope you're having a great vacation! Thank you for your love and support over the years!

My Grandpa, my 'Buddy', who is watching from above. I miss and love you!

Michael's Dad, Don, also above- your son is the best dad in the world and I have no doubt that he learned it from you.

And finally, to my brother-in-law, James. Today is his very 1st Father's Day, as his wife Katie gave birth to their very first child (Ian) yesterday afternoon!

"Any man can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad"

It's Transition Time...

Dear Max,

You are currently 21 months and 10 days old. Last night you gave me the second biggest scare of my life with you thus far- you crawled/fell out of your crib. Oh, mylanta!

You'd had a fun bath and had even let me read you three whole stories before I put you down. You weren't happy when I did, though. And you let me know it. I knew you were tired though, Little Stinker, so I left the room. As I was about to close the door I saw you kick your leg up over the side of the crib railing. Where did you get that flexibility?! (Certainly not from your parental units!) I knew that was Bad News Bears right away, but you sat back down and I closed the door.

You continued to cry and wail. Not even Miles Davis could soothe you! And then I heard it: a scream like none of the others and a thud. I KNEW.

I ran to your room within two seconds and you were lying on your back ON THE FLOOR and doing that scary scream cry thing where your face turns completely red because you're crying so hard and aren't breathing. I picked you up, got you to breathe and we sat there on the floor together- rocking and crying.

You were okay within 5 minutes or so, but I wasn't. (I might be a little 'over dramatic' and 'touchy' when it comes to things regarding your well-being.) We went back out to the living room and cuddled in the recliner while watching Toy Story 2 and waiting for your Dad to get home from work. When he arrived, you greeted him in your usual cheery way. He read you some more stories and you enjoyed your 'Man Time', then went down for bed like a perfect angel.

Tonight I learned why you wouldn't go down for me. I apparently forgot to make your stuffed penguin 'Gee' dance and tickle you before putting you down. My bad.

I'm so glad you're okay, Bubba.

Love,
Mama

P.S. You don't know it yet, but you're totally getting a big boy bed w/railings this weekend. And we're going to appoint Bernie as your guard dog.

Our Sweet Boy

I'm so proud of the sweet boy Max is turning into. Some recent examples that have completely melted my heart:

- We were having a sing-along before bedtime books and as I was singing one of the songs I used to sing to him in the NICU (a childhood Disney favorite from 'Oliver & Company'), he leaned in, put his head on my shoulder and held my hand. Just because.

- Max has become extremely attached to some of the other MFA design students, Grace in particular. Last night at dinner, Grace excused herself to use the restroom and Max's eyes teared up and he started bawling until she returned.

- We went to the gym after dinner tonight and when I was finished working out and went to pick up Max from the daycare room, the response I received was: "How old is is he? (21 mos) He's SO SMART! We've been sitting here laughing in stitches the whole time!" As we were headed to the door, Max waved goodbye and the lady asked if she could have the toy Max was apparently trying to swipe. She asked for the toy again and he thought she meant to say goodbye, so he waved again. Repeat, only this time he thought she wanted a hug, so he walked over to the rocking chair and kissed her arm and nestled his head in the crook of her arm.

- After bathtime I told him that being his mom was the best job in the world. He leaned in and kissed me on the lips.

- Michael just recited Green Eggs & Ham over speakerphone to Max from memory before bedtime. (Incredible!) As he was saying goodnight, Max (who had been holding the phone up to his ear) kissed the mouthpiece.

I can't get enough of this kid.

TGIF!

National Running Day

Today is National Running Day! I went to the gym this morning with the intent of running a 5K (3.1mi) on the treadmill. Once I hit that point, I decided to go for 5mi, which was one mile more than my previous record. There was something in the air though (*sniff sniff* Running Day, perhaps?) and I decided to just go for a 10K (6.2mi). CRAZY!

I'm living proof it's never too late to start running. Enjoy the day, everyone!

Ahhh, technology!

When my siblings and I were younger, one of our favorite pasttimes was going to swim at the 'high school pool'. We lived a mere 5 blocks from it, so we were allowed to ride our bikes or walk to it often during the hot summers. We had a family pass and we definitely made use of the unlimited swimming. Each of us had a silver safety pin that we pinned on our suits.

On the occasion that we went swimming in the evening, we'd call our parents from the pay phone in the lobby to let them know that we were ready for pick-up by calling the operator and placing a collect call. I can't even count the number of calls we made that went like this: "Hello, you have a collect call from Werereadycanyoucomepickusup. Will you accept the charges?"

They never did and we always had a ride home. :)

The point for this story is that I'm in constant amazement of technology. I fought getting a cell phone for the longest time (my ten years younger brother even had one before I did!). I finally gave in while I was on tour in '03 and my long distance relationship with Michael was blossoming. (Mind you, I owe my roommate Michele a ton for the lend of HER cell phone until I finally got my own!) The fact that I can access my email, internet, Facebook and about a gazillion other things on my phone now is just ridiculous. I'm in love with my BlackBerry, but sometimes it scares me. With. It's. Sheer. Power.

And don't get me started on computers! We've had the misfortune of both our desktop and my laptop kicking the bucket in recent months, but we still have Michael's laptop. (Thankfully!) And this afternoon I'm about to charter new waters: I'm auditioning a drummer for one of my fall shows via SKYPE.

Yes, that's right. He's going to set up his drumset somewhere else in PA and I'm going to video call him to watch/hear him play. This is blowing my mind!

And I love it. :)