Me, Grandma and Grandpa Kaplan, and Max at Whole Foods.
My mom and Max in Whole Foods.
My dad and sister with Max in my parents' backyard.
Max and Daddy near the Boulder Creek path, Boulder, CO.
Max in Boulder Creek path, Boulder.
Mom and Max in Pasta Jay's, Boulder. Despite the photo, Max is not peaceful. He tried to grab all the food and we eventually had to take turns walking him around Pearl Street.
Nevada City Bicycle Classic, about 4 miles from our house in Grass Valley. The gentleman in the black and yellow in both photos is Lance Armstrong.
Max enjoying the Nevada City Bicycle Classic.
Now, then: We took Max to the beach with Delia's extended family.Max is now 6 months old. Actually, by the time I post this, he will most likely be 7 months old. Perhaps 8 or 9. Maybe that's too long - Max has gone through so many changes and we have so many photos and movies, I'll have to take a break and just spill some of these photos/movies out here.
But here's update #1: People tell us parenting gets easier and, when our brain capacity was high enough to process the entire sentence, we'd perhaps laugh ruefully. But it has. "Easier" perhaps isn't the right word, although Max's sleeping through the night was a huge step in the right direction, but he's a much more solid kid now with a definite personality. Before, when he cried, we were pretty convinced he would soon die if we didn't intervene. Now we know he'll cry if we don't let him play with the computer keyboard or if we take liberties with the "A-B-C" song. More on that later. He's now a very entertaining kid, as probably shows in the photos. He's his most charming around strangers, which has given him a large throng of admirers.
And he's restless. And curious. Actually, that word isn't strong enough. Before becoming a dad, I knew our baby would cry a lot and he'd want hugging and later want some play. I was totally taken by surprise at his intensity. Very often, he'll play, sort of, but he is very intense, dead serious, and even a bit desperate. What's it like? Picture yourself working on an important project due tomorrow morning, and you're way behind, and you just injected 15 espresso shots into yourself through an IV tube. You're now in the ballpark. He's also easily bored and craves new challenges - I suppose it makes sense, given that babies need to develop, so that instinct should be there - but I'm floored he has all this motivation despite having not heard a single Tony Robbins tape.
He's happiest either trying to crawl over the side of a couch or trying to touch an electrical socket. We used to laugh at Max kicking while we attempted diaper changes. Now he flips over as soon as we put him down, and we desperately try to put a diaper on him with one hand, while the other hand grabs his ankle in an attempt to prevent him from crawling into our sink. Putting a diaper on him while he's standing in front of a mirror helps - he can talk to his new friend and his legs can't really go anywhere.
But here's update #1: People tell us parenting gets easier and, when our brain capacity was high enough to process the entire sentence, we'd perhaps laugh ruefully. But it has. "Easier" perhaps isn't the right word, although Max's sleeping through the night was a huge step in the right direction, but he's a much more solid kid now with a definite personality. Before, when he cried, we were pretty convinced he would soon die if we didn't intervene. Now we know he'll cry if we don't let him play with the computer keyboard or if we take liberties with the "A-B-C" song. More on that later. He's now a very entertaining kid, as probably shows in the photos. He's his most charming around strangers, which has given him a large throng of admirers.
And he's restless. And curious. Actually, that word isn't strong enough. Before becoming a dad, I knew our baby would cry a lot and he'd want hugging and later want some play. I was totally taken by surprise at his intensity. Very often, he'll play, sort of, but he is very intense, dead serious, and even a bit desperate. What's it like? Picture yourself working on an important project due tomorrow morning, and you're way behind, and you just injected 15 espresso shots into yourself through an IV tube. You're now in the ballpark. He's also easily bored and craves new challenges - I suppose it makes sense, given that babies need to develop, so that instinct should be there - but I'm floored he has all this motivation despite having not heard a single Tony Robbins tape.
He's happiest either trying to crawl over the side of a couch or trying to touch an electrical socket. We used to laugh at Max kicking while we attempted diaper changes. Now he flips over as soon as we put him down, and we desperately try to put a diaper on him with one hand, while the other hand grabs his ankle in an attempt to prevent him from crawling into our sink. Putting a diaper on him while he's standing in front of a mirror helps - he can talk to his new friend and his legs can't really go anywhere.
Max explaining what he thinks about the beach.
Delia and Max. Delia has quickly learned you can't leave him alone for a second. He's grabbing sand and trying to eat it. Max's conclusion: He loves sand, hates sand in mouth.
Max in the water near Santa Cruz. The water was pretty cool, but Max didn't mind.
Max making his way towards the sand.
Max and Aunt Allison.
The picture says it all.
Max is too curious sometimes. Mommy may stop feeding if Max can't focus.
Mom showing her magical powers with Max.
Max and Aunt Allison.
The picture says it all.
Max is too curious sometimes. Mommy may stop feeding if Max can't focus.
Mom showing her magical powers with Max.
Dad and Max at a free concert in San Francisco. Actually, we were in a mini-park behind some dumpsters because that was the only place that had enough level ground for Max to play around and stop screaming.Well, it's getting late, so I'll put more photos on the next entry. But that doesn't seem right! Where's the story? Ahhh, things look normal but soon...a SHOCKING REVELATION threatens to tear the family apart.
Wait a minute...that's not my life, that's Jon and Kate + 8. Anyway, stay tuned.
Here's something you can try when trying to diaper a squirmy baby (if you haven't already): change him on the floor and lay your leg on his chest to keep him flat on his back. No, really! Just don't squish him.
ReplyDelete