Max helping Mom in the backyard.
Sorry I haven't written in a while - I've taken up a new hobby which, after taking care of Max, has killed almost all my free time. But here's a quick update: Max is mostly really fun to be around - Delia recently said if she could somehow create a baby that came out as old as Max, she'd have 5 of them. I think his main moods are happy and curious. These moods wax and wane over time but I'd say curiosity has recently waxed. Did I use that word right? I meant to say his curiosity ebbs and flows, and recently his curiosity has flown....This is really difficult to write. OK, let's try this: He's really curious. He always wants me to help him figure something out or read a book to him. He's been obsessed with buckles for well over a year, but recently he's been able to actually close them.
Max taking a break from buckling the stroller.
He also constantly gets into trouble, and it's pretty natural to get mad at him (sorry Max, if you're reading this later), but I'd say 90% of the time he's getting into trouble because he's trying some experiment. It's aggravating when I'm taking care of him, but actually kinda funny when watching someone else handle it.
Max's attention span has also increased pretty dramatically, which I'm sure is great, child-development-wise, but has....ramifications. Like the picnic we took Max to in the park. Max climbed up on the table and started eating the entire supply of gourmet crackers. I pulled him away, and he got really upset - he loves crackers and goes to the kitchen if he hears a crunching sound - and in fact got so upset I had to move him about 50 yards away to let him calm down. But calm down he did and soon Max started happily walking. Before I knew it, he walked back at the party...to the bench...and on the table, in the crackers.
Then there was the "Pah!" incident. I just took a (reasonably content) Max out of the bath, carried him to the clothes drawer and put on his shirt. For some reason, though, he's yelling "Pah!" and getting upset. I have no idea what "Pah" is (I'm Dada, not Pah), but he's trying to squirm out of his shirt. His shirt is itchy, I think, but it's cold and he needs a shirt. Still, I take it off, and Max says "Pah!" more relaxed. I find a different shirt and almost instantly the whining begins again. "Pah!" He's crying. Did I hurt him? I don't think so... Well, screw it, I have no idea what's his deal. I finish dressing him and put him down.
So he goes to the clothes drawer and yells "Up!" OK, I lift him up. He tries to jump out of my arms into the clothes drawer, yelling "Pah!" I look in the clothes drawer and, umm, there's a shirt with paw prints on it.
I take out the shirt and he says "Pah!" but much happier now. Thus, the photo below.
