Grease Monkeys

Max and Daddy spent Monday working on the Subaru. Max did a great job of listening and helping with the tools and parts.  Truth be told daddy did most of the work and Max took all of daddies tie downs and wrapped them around the car and stair rail. It was an awesome web of ties, 4 different ones, looped around everything! Sadly I did not get a picture of it but here are some great pictures of my 2 grease monkeys.

Wiping off a little grease to find the leak.

Wanting to do everything daddy does.

Daddy says he was very helpful, when he was helping.

2 of the best looking grease monkeys around!

Anyone need any engine work done??

Bathtime with Max and Daddy

One of the rituals that we started when Max was born was bathtime with daddy. Max and I had breastfeeding as a bonding time and I wanted to give daddy some bonding time too. So bath night was begun. It still continues today and sometimes involves a shower instead, but the idea remains the same.

Now with Isabel needing some daddy time, I was hesistant to crash Max and daddies party but the occasional bath with Isabel does not seem to bother him.

Here is Max rinsing Isabel. 

Washing her "stinky toes!"

She really loves the bath. So far there have been no tears and lots of smiles. I am not sure if we will continue bathing them together. I don't want to encroach on the Max and daddy time but I am not sure what to do about making sure Isabel gets a bath too. We shall see what happens.

Isabel at 1 month

Time sure does fly! I can't believe that Isabel is already 1 month old. Every morning I wake up and see her face, at o' dark thirty, she appears to me to be a different person. She is continually evolving. I can't pinpoint her features. Who does she look like? One day it is daddy, the next mommy, then the next she is a carbon copy of Maxwell.

She is eating like a champ and gaining weight really well. On her 1 month birthday she was 8 pounds 13 ounces. She is already out doing Max and is in the 50 percentile for her weight gain. Her hamhocks are gorgeous! 

Not the most cooperative model. She won't look at the camera or open her eyes!

Max still adores her and kisses her all the time. She is the target of his procrastination techniques when it is time for bed. He NEEDS to kiss on her and hold her before going to bed.

Her 2 month check up and vaccinations are looming and I can't wait to see her progress.

I Did It!!!

Well, I did it! Exactly 4 weeks to the day that Isabel was born, I ventured out with both kids, by myself! I had originally given myself 6 weeks to accomplish this monumental task. It certainly helped that Isabel woke up that morning at 6 AM for a feeding and Maxwell woke at 7AM. Soooo, I just went with it. I threw my type A personality to the wind and just said, do it! My only goal was to get to Target, as we were dangerously close to running out of diapers for Isabel. Amazingly we made it there by 11 and were home by 12:30. We even stopped at Jamba Juice to get Max a treat for being such a good listener and big helper. I can't stop patting myself on the back for the accomplishment. Not everyday has gone that smoothly, but I am thankful that my first outing went off without a hitch. Hooray for me!

Below are some pictures from the last week. Before Gramma left we went over the mountain to get some produce for canning. It was a wonderful trip and we even scoped out Cle Elum as a place for her to maybe move to.

After those pictures are some of Max finishing up opening his birthday presents. It took him a couple of days. I think it was all a little overwhelming. Note to self...not so many presents next time!

 Riding the ponies at the farmstand.

 Cowboy Maxwell!

 The cutest cowboy this side of the cascades! 

 One of Max's presents was a paint set. Here he is with daddy making his first masterpiece.

 Gramma informed us that even Picasso painted in the buff...

And last but not least, his very own lawn mower. What a handsome pair!

 He even stops to refill the tank with gas, just like daddy.

And he knows when to replace the lid to the gas tank. That's a daddies boy.

Happy 3rd Birthday Maxwell

Three years ago on this day, at 2:20 PM, my life changed forever. It changed for the better! I can't believe how fast time has gone.  He teaches me everyday about the kind of person I want to be. The person I hope I am. He has changed so much in the last year. His personality is really beginning to show through. Maxwell is the sweetest, brightest, most empathetic little man. Some days are a challenge, but most are pure pleasure. I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Below are some pictures from his birthday party. We had a couple of his friends join us at the local bowling alley for pizza and bowling. All the kids had a great time! It was kind of like herding cats, but so much fun to watch.

 Max sees Jake and heads over for a big hug.

 Max loves to put his hands on his hips. It is super cute.

 It took Jake a little bit to warm up and bowl, so he just watched for a while.

 Max waiting for his ball to come back.

 Jake would get close but not actually throw the ball.

 Max's friends Brayden and Ellie in the background as Jake contemplates picking up a ball.

The handsome birthday boy!

 Hanging with Bridge waiting for his next turn, watching Brayden and Jake.

Jake finally getting in on the action after everyone was done playing.

 Max opening presents while Jake watches. Thanks Jake for the rocking harmonica!! Max is getting better at it.

 Such concentration! In case nobody knew, Max loves books! We have read the 2 books Jake and Bridge got him about 5 times each already.

 Jake helping Max blow out his birthday candles. That was after Max licked his birthday cake and Jake stuck his hands into it.

After everything, bowling, pizza, presents and cake, he is a happy boy to find a pencil. Go figure?!?!

I love this boy so much, I could never have imagined it. I love being your mommy, my bestest boy. Here is to another great year!

Introducing Baby Isabel

Now, without further ado, here is baby Isabel.

A huge thank you to Aunt Joyce for taking these awesome pictures!

She is almost 3 weeks old now and I can't tell you how fast time has gone by. I am still trying to get my feet under me. My mom has been here since the day after she was born and she has been an incredible help. I don't know what I am going to do when she leaves. Sadly, that will be this Friday. How am I going to get everyone feed? How do I get ourselves out of the house and run errands? I know that women everywhere do this, have 2 or more children, but OMG this is hard.

As Isabel settles into a schedule, hasn't happened yet, I am hoping it gets a little easier. I absolutely love being a mother, even during the difficult times. I love, love, love Maxwell, who turns 3 tomorrow and I love, love , love baby Isabel. I mean who wouldn't? Look at her. She is beautiful! Now if I could just get a little sleep...

Awesome Uncle Sam

Maxwell is lucky enough to have an Uncle Sam. He is a King County Sheriff and member of the SWAT team. This last week his team was in Snoqualmie, at a house owned by the county, doing some practice excerises. He asked if Max would like to come by and watch. So, after his nap Max and daddy walked around the block to the house to check things out. Boy, did Max get a treat!  He and daddy walked up to one of the guys outside the house and Max asked, "Where is my Uncle Sam?" and the man happily escorted them to where Sam would be coming out of the building.

 Max and Uncle Sam in the armoured vehicle.

 Max sticking out the roof of the rig. Look how small he is!

 Max wearing ear protection while they blow holes in walls to get access to the building. Note the guy standing behind in all his gear.

Hanging off of the battering ram.
It is going to be great having Uncle Sam around as Max gets older. A little boy can never have enough positive influences in his life.

After the guys were finished with their drills, the leader came over and gave Max his King County Sheriff patch. Thanks Uncle Sam and Team! Max had an awesome time!! Let us know when you come back for more drills.

Blueberry picking and so much more

The last 14 days have been an absolute whirlwind. I can't tell you how much I have been stressing out about giving Max attention. I didn't want him to think that we had abandoned him. I have been dealing with emotions that never occured to me. I was ready for the hormonal surge and the learning curve of a new baby and trying to get her to nurse. What I wasn't ready for, was how much I would be mourning the loss of my relationship with my first born. I love Isabel but I feel like I am leaving him behind. I am so grateful for having my mom here to help with Max and Isabel. I know eventually I will have to do everything on my own but, right now I am taking advantage of all the help.

I am finding little bits of time to devote to Max and trying to keep things as they were before. Storytime, snuggle time, play park time, I just want to continue to give him the structure that children his age need. It is hard, but as time goes on I think that things will get a little easier. Once Isabel is on a more regular schedule, I think, I might be able to have more time for loving on my bestest boy! At least that is my goal.

So here are some great pictures of the last 2 weeks, starting with blueberry picking.

 "the dark blue ones Max, only pick the dark blue ones!"

 Gramma picking with Isabel to give Max and I some time to bond.

 Max picked the aisles, I just followed behind adding to his blueberries.

 Sitting down and having a moment. He also did great with potty training and had no accidents. Thank heavens for spiffy biffy's!

 Having a blueberry picnic! True to form he hasn't eaten any since we have been back home. Only when we pick.

This is a picture of Isabel at only 3 days old. Max just gave her some of his toys to play with when he went up to have his nap. What a great big brother! Little does she know that he may share, but he directs how we play.

 A couple of very wise friends have gotten Max some gifts to show him that he is special too. Thanks so much to Nana C, also known as Cheryl Anderson for the awesome tow truck and Jen and Benji Bollinger for the airplane kit. Max has put it together and painted it with daddy. A real bonding experience for both of them.

He was so concentrated on the painting. Max also got another kit from Gramma. A biplane this time. He has done an awesome job with both.

 Isabel's 1st bath. A real family affair. I am the only one who doesn't have my hands in her bath. Max did a great job helping to wash and rinse her.

 Such a tiny little bundle.

 After Isabel's bath Max decided to relive his babyhood. He took a bath downstairs also. It was super cute.

Gramma and the grand babies. She couldn't be happier and Max is really enjoying having her around. She even gets down and plays race cars on his rug. She has been spoiling him with love, treats and presents. What do I do with him once she is gone? A hard act to follow!

Will post more soon. I have a back log of posts from before Isabel came.