Spin & Explore...

Ok I promise this is my last posting of the day! But I had to get this on here because it is sooo cool! I was looking through one of the parent mags that I get, because I am a total dork and I read them from cover to cover....trying to be the best mom that I can be but anyways...I found the coolest little infant gym that I HAVE to get for Mr. Max...it's called the Spin & Explore Garden Gym from Learning Curve, it is the coolest site. If any one has young infants or toddlers this is a site you have to check out! Enjoy!

Bath Time...

I am sure that you are all staring in amazement at how many postings I have done today but I have so many things to share that I have to get them all in while I can!! We gave Mr. Max a bath last night, as we do so many nights, and my handsome hubby took this adorable like pic of Max and Momma together! I just wish that he had his head up just a little bit more...but I have so few pics of us together that I am taking what I can get!!

A Reading Fool...

I just finished "The Memory Keepers Daughter" this morning and it was great! I also wanted to let everyone know that as I finish my books I am going to take the link off...just so I don't end up with a million links over there. All in all it was a great book so if you are up for some emotional reading then this one's a winner!

Looking forward to the next book!! Or should I say "books"!

Breaking News....

You all are not going to believe this but Mr. Max rolled over the other day! I know, crazy huh! I don't really think that he meant to...he was kicking his legs like crazy being all cute and smiley and all of a sudden he rolled over on his side and then a few more kicks and he was all the way over...it was so cute to see his face. I don't think he knew quite what to do. He just sat there for a second and looked around, it was like "wait this is a new view!!". So cute!

The other great thing is that Mr. Max slept from 10:30 pm to 4:30 am this morning! Hallelujah! AND then he went back to sleep and slept until 7 am this morning!! SO GREAT!!!! Now if I can just keep him doing that!!

Happy Halloween!

Hi all!
Last weekend Karl and I picked up a few pumpkins & Mums that his co-worker grows and there were so cute and pretty that I had to take a few pics! And yes I decorated them all by myself..he he...I didn't feel like cleaning them out so I just go creative with a sharpie!! HA HA!

Sleepy but Smiley

Here is installment #3 of Max. This was taken at about 3:30 am this morning just after he had taken his bottle and I was getting ready to change his diaper. He was all smiles and then as soon as I turn on the camera he gets all shy, like his transfixed with it. It's kind of dark but you can still see his big smiles pretty good!

Friends....

Yes this is my 3rd post of the day - I told you have I have way to much time on my hands! But I was just reading Mel's blog page and it struck me of how lucky I am to have such good friends.

Most, wait, ALL of my friends are back in Michigan but I am so blessed to have you all. I know that I am horrible about calling, I mean really horrible but you all have such a special place in my heart! Each one of you has special meanings for me and although I don't get to see you please know that you are locked up inside of me filling me with joy every day. Just thinking about all the times that I have had with each one of you gets me through the day - which sometimes is a really long day!! LOL!

This may be hormones talking but who cares right! I think that the world would be a little bit nicer place to live in if people told those around them that they cared and that they were appreciated. SOOOO please know that you all are loved and appreciated by me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that you all are probably going to kill me but here are a few pics of my good friends...this is not all by any means, just a few! I am prego in this picture by the way!

The Book Club...

Hi all,
It's me again and I just wanted to add that my 1st official book club meeting went well. There were only 4 of us, I guess a few people backed out at the last minute but it was fun. It was nice to get out and meet some new people and have adult conversations...I am pretty proud of myself for remembering how to do that!!

For anyone that is interested I found this book club by using Meetup.com, you can basically search for any type of topic in your area. It's really kind of cool. That is also how I found The Little Yellow Duck Club for Max and I. One of the girls in the class also belongs to a scrap booking club...not sure if I am ready for that??

Too much time on my hands...

I really have to find a hobby that takes up some of my time...otherwise these are the things that happen when I have nothing else to do....

Yes that is my shirt Miss Magoo is wearing. I just want to add that I took this picture last Saturday and I had had a couple glasses of wine, which may be why I thought it was so funny then...now not so much!

Books, Books, Books...

I just recently joined a book club and I am so excited because I have my 1st meeting tonight. The book selection for this month is by Kim Edwards.

The book is called "The Memory Keepers Daughter" and so far it is pretty good. I have added a new link on the side of the blog that I will showcase each book as I am reading it. I know that I have lots of friends and family that love to read as much as I do so hopefully you all will get some enjoyment as well! Wish me luck and happy reading!

Precious Moments...

As I trudged from the bedroom to the kitchen this morning I came upon an adorable sight!

My loving, fantastic, amazing, helpful, husband was laying on the couch with our loving, fantastic, amazing son....and looking darn cute I have to say. He got up this morning about 5:30 am with Mr. Max (who was being quite the fussy dude) so Mommy could get just a little bit of extra sleep! God Bless them both!

Dirty Jobs....

Let me start off by saying that I love my dog....absolutely love her. She is beautiful, fun, loyal, and silly - kind of like me! BUT what I DON'T love about my dog is the hair....see below!

That my friends is one shot of the swiffer (Thank God for that!) of the living room...yes only one room. I usually have to use like 3 or 4 to get the whole house done. I have hard wood floors and I hate them!

The Joys of Motherhood...

Tuesday was Max's 2 month check-up visit at the pediatrician, as well as his 1st set of vaccine shots. :(

He got 4 shots, all in the leg and boy was he not happy. He did ok on the 1st one, started to get a little annoyed on the 2nd, started to whimper on the 3rd, and downright wailed on the 4th! Needless to say Mommy had a glass of wine when she got home because she was sooo stressed about it. Other than that he is doing great. He now weighs 12 lbs 10 ozs (75th percentile), and 24 inches long (60th percentile).

On a side note, and this may be because of the shots, but Mr. Max slept from 10 pm last night until 4 am this morning....talk about a miracle! I woke up at 4 and could have run a marathon - I felt like Rip Van Winkle waking from a long nap!! I would love to say that this is the start of a beautiful tradition but I have a feeling that we will be back to sleepless nights again very soon, BUT I will take what I can get!!

Tummy Time

Here is installment #2 of Mr. Max video diary. Could I sound more dorky in this video...I guess that is what happens when you become a mom! Oh well enjoy!

Yum-o!

Ok I am probably going to get my head taken off by putting this down in writing but I can't help it. I was watching Oprah today, yes that is my one little splurges of being a "sahm" (stay at home mom) and Justin Timberlake was on. I will admit that I have always been a fan of the boy bands (Mel you cannot say a word - I know that deep down inside you still love NKOTB!).

Anyhue I have been a very loyal fan of Justin's since he left N'Sync and today I saw him perform live on Oprah's show and he was fantastic! I am happy to say that I am a fan of his. I feel that his music has moved on past his teen years and he is starting to mature...who cares that he is still like 15 years younger than me....I still love him! BTW Reba McEntire was on w/Kelly Clarkson and they were both phenomenal as well! All in all it was a great show!

Mr. Max

I was fiddling around with the blog page and somehow deleted the original video so here it is again. So sorry!

Poor Little Magoo....

Sometime last week as we were running around outside with Magoo and she injured herself. We did not notice it right away but she now has a slight limp with her front leg. We think that she hit a hole while she was running around at the farm across the street....we have been going for evening walks to get some exercise in for her and they are always holes from trees that they have dug up. Needless to say she went to the vet yesterday...

Karl took her so I wouldn't have to bundle up Max and I assumed that they would do x-rays off the bat - apparently that is not the case when it comes to animals. The vet told Karl that x-rays is typically the last thing that they will do in this particular situation. Because she doesn't seem to be wincing or whining when you touch her leg or when she walks on it he thinks that she may have just pulled a muscle so our little Magoo is on steroids for the next 2 weeks and we have to try and keep her immobile. That is like keeping the rain from falling down! After that if she is not better than we will do x-rays and if she is not better after that they bring in a ortho- something or other to take a look at her. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the steroids is all she needs.

On another note how awesome is it that I figured out how to post our little videos of Max! I am so happy that you all get to see Little Max in action! Enjoy!

Mr. Max

I am trying to do this without you have to click on an additional link...wish me luck!

Video of Max....

Ok I am not sure if I did this right but here is a link of the video of Max. I hope this works!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIwT2Y1vGNw

Just Hangin' Out...

I wanted to post a couple of new pics of Max. I was talking to my girlfriend Melanie yesterday and she was in need of a new fix...here you go! TOOO CUTE! BTW, I am still trying to figure out how to upload the video we have of Max so be patient...I will try and have it figured out by early next week! Ciao.

A few of my favorite things...

I don't have any real exciting news to share but was thinking that I wanted to talk about a few of my favorite things right now!

First off I am 100% a girlie girl....always have been. I love make-up, hair products, clothes, shoes, purses, etc...the list goes on and on. In regards to make-up I have always been one of those people that have tons of it and probably only use a 1/4 of it...but it's so much fun to play with...for my birthday my mom bought me a set of the Bare Essentials kit and I was a little nervous of whether or not I would be loyal to it, you know not run out the very next week and buy something else but I LOVE IT!! I have never used minerals make up (although it is all the rage and my girlfriend Teresa has been using it for years - she is soooo smart!) but it really is so nice and smooth and EASY! The best part of all is it's really quick. I can just throw it on in like 5 minutes and Max doesn't even know I am gone. I have a few of the eye shadows that my sister gave me and they are fantastic! For anyone that is a make-up lover at heart like me you have to try it!! I have added a link to the blog...

The other thing that I am obsessed with lately is Pandora Jewelry. Our AWESOME FRIENDS Carl & Teresa bought me a bracelet with a charm on it for my birthday this past August and I just love it. Have yet to take it off!! They got me a really cute charm that has July's stone in it for Max....I can't wait to start adding to my collection!! There are so many cute one's and I want them all. The best part is that there is a great jewelry store right in town that carries just about the whole line. I am also adding that link to the blog....(this is the part where Karl pays attention! LOL! HINT HINT!).

Anyway, I am just waiting for Karl to get home from work because we are heading up to New York for the night. We have a baptism class we have to go to for Max and we are staying the night with the in-laws...talk to everyone soon!

A slight bump in the road...

Last night was a rocky one by all means. Let me explain....

Monday night Max decided that he was not going to go to sleep till around 11 pm or so, which normally I am pretty used to, I think to myself he will sleep till about 2 or 2:30 am and that gives me 3 hours or so of much needed sleep (give or take a few mintes). Well Mr. Max woke up at 12:45 am, giving me less than 2 hours of sleep....so I trudge into his room, bumping into the wall as I drag my 5oo lb legs and try my best to soothe back to sleep.

An hour (yes I said an hour) later he gently falls back into sleep, 1/2 hour later he wakes up and realizes wait I am starving, feed me. So now I trudge from the nice, comfy, warm bed to the kitchen and again back to his room - literally half asleep all the while wondering how am I going to hold up his bottle?? I give him his nice warm milk and another HOUR later he falls back asleep. Ok let's re-group...it is now 3:30 am and I have had approximately 2 hours of sleep (give or take a few...). I trudge back to afore mentioned bed and instantly fall asleep...at 4:45 am Mr. Max once again wakes up and my loving husband gets up to take care of him this time, they go lay out on the couch for a little bonding time while I desperately try to get one more hour of sleep. Ok here is the real clincher.....he did it all again last night. Needless to say Mommy had something you would call a nervous break down - crying and the whole bit.

I guess sleep really is a necessity. And you know what so is coffee!! Remember this posting Mel is you ever decide to cross over to the "sometime" dark side of having a baby!

5,000 down...

5,000 to go. Steps that is! I finally talked Karl into buying a treadmill and they have a program on their that is 10,000 steps. Well this morning was my first real official workout and I did 5,000 steps and burned 211 calories!

I also discovered with our cable that we get what's called "On Demand" and they have an exercise channel with free exercises shows you can watch....they have all kinds from yoga/Pilate's to quick workouts to dance (even belly dancing!), so I am going to really try to burn off the last 10 "Max" pounds before Turkey Day....of course I will probably gain it all back from that one single day! I would really actually like to lose 30 but I am starting out slow, maybe 30 by New Years! Here I come skinny jeans!!!!!!

A Great Weekend!

Karl and I had our 2nd official date night which actually extended into a date weekend! Karl's mom came down Friday for the weekend, we had our now traditional Chinese food from I have to say the most awesome restaurant. Saturday was our day at the orchard....soo fun!


Later that afternoon we packed up Max and headed out to the camper (they have a 5th wheel they parked at a local campground near us for the season), for an over-night evening with Mom-Mom (that is what Karl's mom prefers to be called.)


Karl and I went out for a night of dinner and drinks and we came home and got some much needed "us" time, as well as some sleep! HE HE!

We were planning on picking Max up the next morning but thought we might need just a little more alone time so we called up Mom-Mom to check on Max and they were doing great so we headed down to the Cape...Cape May that is and we had a great day! We checked out one of the local lighthouses, strolled around through the cute stores (got a few Christmas presents for family!), and we went for two long walks on the beach, oh and we had a yummy lunch at a place called The Ugly Mug. Here is a shot of us being all happy and baby free on the beach.



Don't get me wrong, missed Max tremendously but it was nice to just be a wife again for a little while, we both laughed and said that we felt like we were dating all over again! Soooooo much fun!

Apple Pickin'....

This morning Karl, Max, and I headed out to a local Apple Orchard, Moods Farms. They have a huge orchard where you can hand pick apples, peaches, etc., plus all kinds of fresh produce. Today just happened to be there Fall Kick-Off Festival. They had a live bluegrass band and all kinds of food and refreshments. Karl chowed on some hot dogs while I inhaled a warm yummy pretzel! Max of course had his usual - formula. Karl had Blueberry Tea and I had Peach Cider (delicious!!!!).

We watched the band play for a bit then strolled through the indoor part. Picked up some jalapeno mustard, fresh zucchini and squash and of course a bag of apples. We didn't do our own pickin', it's about 92' out and a little too much for Max. But I can't wait to make a fresh apple pie!! I happen to love Fall but that is a whole 'nother post in itself. We forgot to take the camera with us to the orchard but here is a cute pic of Max from this morning.

Here is one from his bath last night. He was right in the middle of a huge yawn when we snapped this one!! Too cute!

Popcorn Lung...

Well it's official....everything that I love to eat or drink is bad for me. Have you seen the hype about this popcorn lung? Apparently there is an ingredient in microwave popcorn that could possibly cause you to have lung cancer. That is if you eat multiple bags of it every day for like 10 years. I saw this on the news and just out of curiosity did a search and was amazed how many links came up about it.

That means that just about everything I love in regards to food/drink if bad...coffee - not necessarily because of the caffeine but because of the really bad for me creamer that I like to put in it, chocolate - causes me to be fat, alcohol - obvious, sugary/starchy foods (potato, bread, Little Debbie's, etc.) - again causes me to be fat, there go the arteries....the list goes on and on. Since we have moved to "The Shore" I have been trying to eat more healthy. I have been trying to eat more vegetables, fresh not frozen, I have been trying to pay more attention to labels (bad high fructose corn syrup), and I have been trying to not be anything that is partially, fully, or whatever is hydrogenated (yeah for real butter - none of that tub or spray stuff, give me the real thing - I don't want to be 80 and still be walking around with fake butter in my veins from when I was 40!).

But my point after that little outburst is that I guess I have to try even harder....only popcorn on the stove for me! It's better that way anyway right? Who cares that it takes forever to make and that I have a newborn right???? LOL! Well for anyone that is interested in reading more about the popcorn lung here is a link to all the links that came up from my search...happy reading!

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?ei=UTF-8&p=Diacetyl

Like Father, Like Son...

So this morning started out like every other morning - until I get a call from Karl about lunch time. He has been saying for a while that he wanted to shave his head (due to the fact that he has slowly been losing his hair). I have not wanted him to, for whatever reason just would prefer him with the hair that he has. Kind of like how he prefers me as a blonde. :)

Today he calls me and says that all the supervisors are shaving their heads and he wants to know if he can, I immediately tell him no and he starts laughing and puts one of the office girls on the phone that is doing the dirty deed and she says that Mr. Ench wants them all to do it...I am laughing all this time and she is really pushing me to say yes, here I am thinking that Karl really wants to do it so I give in and say sure. It's only hair right - plus in the back of my mind if I say yes he may be more accepting if I want to change mine..he he!

So he gets back on the phone and tells me that I am crazy for saying yes and asks if I really want her to do it, I say sure and he does. Below are the final results!! Too cute...now Max really looks like his Daddy!

The Cutest Baby Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

Max has just started to get to the point where he will smile back at if you, that is if you can get his attention - well Karl and I were finally quick enough to get a snapshot of it and I have to say that he is the cutest baby ever! Hands down!!! This was such a cute picture that I had to make it my background on my desktop. He also loves being semi-naked---changing diapers is actually fun when he smiles at me like this!!

As a family (Karl, Max, and myself) managed to get out of the house for a little while. We went to Toys R Us, BJ's (similar to Sams or Costco) and then we went for a long walk in the farm across the street (finally got to use his stroller - what fun!). Magoo jointed us for that one!! It was a good day- it was absolutely beautiful out and I am so glad were able to enjoy some sunshine without it being 500 degrees out. :)

Karl also announced that this was the very last weekend he was going to work for the year....I am waiting to see how long that actually lasts. Many of you know how much my hubbie likes to work!! But if he only works 1/2 days on Saturday and no Sundays I will take it!!