Max turns 4 months old

Max turned 4 months old on June 4th. Today he got dressed up in a suit to help celebrate Aunt MaryJo and Uncle Dave's 50th wedding anniversary down at the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel.
before we went in we found a Starbucks so we could sit and feed him. Jerry did the feeding and I was able to get one of the cutest moments ever. And these moments happen ALL THE TIME these days but I rarely can catch them on camera.



Are you melting yet?

How about this photo??



um.......is that the cutest little outfit on the cutest little guy ever??

Dear Max,

You are 4 months old and you are the sweetest thing ever. You love to gaze into my eyes for a long time. I just love it when you do that. You love holding onto our fingers when you are feeding, and you also love holding the rattle, your wubba nub, your washcloth, and anything else close to you. Dad loves making you "fly" and you look at him like " what are you doing!? "
Your head strength is amazing - getting stronger by the day and you love being held and rocked to sleep.
Every night now we have a ritual with you of papa doing the last feeding of the night, then I bathe you and you seem to really enjoy the warm water and the little rubber ducky, then we wrap you up in your miracle blanket and I rock you in the rocking chair and play soft lullabies ( from the music Auntie Amy sent to you), your dad and I read to you and then you are rocked to sleep. You sleep with us in the bed in your own little co-sleeper in the middle. You are a sound sleeper unless you are trying to turn over and you make a little sound and I turn you and you go back to sleep. I love putting my hand over your heart when you sleep. Last night I put you on my chest and you slept more quietly then you do in the co-sleeper. I LOVE holding you and letting you sleep on me. You love to smile and laugh and when you wake up we are both there softly talking to you and you look at us and then crack the largest smile I have ever seen. You love it when we sing to you and you laugh and laugh. Maybe it's because we are so off tune and making up the lyrics as we go?? Sorry about that! It's so fun to sing and watch you fall asleep in my arms. I like to sing "you are my sunshine", "the itsy bitsy Spider", and "go to sleep", and songs that are totally made up. You smile and laugh out loud in your sleep. I've been taking you to the Rose bowl every morning to take a walk with me. I feed you and then we head out. You fall asleep in the stroller and I watch you as I listen to the birds and look at the trees. It's a great daily activity that I hope we continue to do together. your Papa joins us on the weekends and that's fun too.
We've been going to Club 21 playgroup on Friday mornings regularly and you are getting more and more alert and watching the other kids and mom's there. The 3 year olds Grace and Isa just love you and want to hold your hand and help feed you. I've started to pass you around and let the other mom's hold you. They love watching you change and grow each week. I consider them family and look forward to having your grow up with their kids. I could go on and on about how much your papa and I love you. You are so beautiful, sparkly, bright and sunny, happy loving, and perfect. I hope you feel how much love we have for you.

I'm a proud mama

Max you are 3 months old! and you love Gwen Stefani

ok - I'm very sorry about the singing. But try try try to live through it so you can see how much Max likes Gwen Stefani - even when sung out of tune.

He's starting to smile and laugh more often which is amazing to see. His neck strength is even better and he is using his hands to reach out and grab more on purpose.

This week he attended 2 playgroups - one in a park and one at Club 21.
He ate dinner at a Farmer's Market with us and another couple - Jen and Ray and their 8 month old Bella.
He went to another sign language class and this week.
He went to a birthday party for his friend Sevi who turned 1 year old.



cuteness...


happy baby with hidden privates ( he's shy )




this is his "power to the people" arm in the air look


Sleeping before the big birthday party at his friend Sevi's house


Happy Birthday Max - Tomorrow - you will be 3 months old. I cannot believe it. It actually feels like a lot longer for some reason since we were at the hospital. A distant memory.
I'm so glad you decided to join us in this life of ours. You sure added a pile of cuteness, love, joy, laughter, happiness, etc into the mix. Plus a bit of worry - but I'm Jewish - it's beyond my control.

I must say I do feel very much myself in the Down syndrome community. more so then most other places I've been, or groups I've joined. I'm not sure why that is. I guess it was all meant to be. Jerry and I are looking forward to the big conference in Sacramento at the end of July. But right now we are just finishing up a BBQ in our backyard on a lovely Sunday afternoon with Max in his little bouncy chair and the chirping birds, nice breeze and perfect temperature. Life is good.

end of year letter to the little dude

hello there little fellah,

It's the last day of 2008 and we are so excited about how this year turned out for your papa and I.
First off - it's our first year of marriage. And that alone is so exciting for us to be together but then.....drum roll please......
We got a HUGE gift in May when we found out the universe was supplying us with YOU!
Talk about icing on the cake of our lives. SHEESH. It was so surprising because I thought I might be too old to get pregnant - but looking down at my huge belly I apparently was wrong!
We've had a nice time together you and I so far. I love sharing my food with you, and being a vessel for you to grow in. What a total trip. I love feeling you move and you kick so hard now that it makes me laugh. People can see my belly moving from across the room now and no one feels nervous about asking me when I'm due - lots of strangers are curious about you.
I gave us a pregnancy massage followed by a milk bath with jets in the bath and I ate oranges and bananas and wondered what you thought about the swirling water jiggling you around in the tub? I think you probably loved it. I'll be going again next month for SURE and I'm taking you with me!!
Tonight is New years Eve and we are staying home to lay low and be mellow. Your parents aren't so into being in large crowds of drunk people. Those days are over for us. Been there - done that. You'll probably go through that as well at some point, but for now we will be pampering you with power lounging.
Your papa is working today and creating a space at work so he can leave for the 1st 6 weeks of your life. I'm so excited about that. Who knew he could get Paternity leave??
We are excited to meet you next year - and learn more about who you are and what you need.
Your papa and I love you and are so excited to show you the world. Thank God Obama is in office, we live in the very warm and sunny climate, We can offer you a cozy home and place to rest, I have the luxury right now of being home to care for you, and papa is the best human on the planet as I tend to mention from time to time so you are going to love love love being with him I'm certain. We plan to surround you with other loving humans, fun little beings your size, animals, laughter, love, light, fun, joy, music, dancing, giggling, and all the other emotions that we enjoy having. Yes - little dude you are allowed to share your feelings and emotions here.
p.s. I'm watching your grandfathers favorite movie right now " Ferris Buellers Day off " and wondering if you will be anything like the main character in this movie. Or like your grandfather who likes the wackiest movies, like Animal House, Knocked Up, and Pretty Woman.
too funny!

love you little bean, tomato, bagel, dude!

Happy new year!!

mama


Dear little dude,

We're about to start the year you will be born - 2009. I think it's a nice year to be born. If you're on time you still have a couple of months before B-Day. Take your time. No hurries. Life happens on its own schedule. As much as we try to control it, we're often just along for the ride. So for now kick back, relax and enjoy it. We all look forward to meeting you.

Love,

Your Dad

A Hanukkah Song for our little bagel

Dearest Little Bagel,

Today is the first day of Hanukkah and we are starting our first year of family tradition by listening to Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song. I always loved this song. Gives me goosebumps when i listen to it. He is so funny. I hope you agree when you are older!

Then having bagels, with cream cheese, tomato, onion, capers, and smoked salmon for lunch! I wonder if you will like this stuff. I'm going to feed it to you today by default and I'll be curious to see if you kick a lot after feeding time.

Then for dinner: an easy brisket recipe I found on the foodnetwork.com, latke's and Grandma Evelyn's kugel recipe although we are going to substitute the pineapple for raisins and cinnamon. we'll make some green beans too.

it's a feast for just your papa and me. We're thinking about this being a good week for leftovers. Tomorrow we are going to take the left over brisket and shred it and make tacos!
Maybe next year we will have a Hanukkah Party and invite your Grandparents Rich and DeeDee over to play dreidel with you. And some of our other friends who have kids or who don't mind a little drool.
I wish I lived closer to Aunt Kitty in Chicago and Uncle Bix in Seattle - Grandma Joan in Hawaii - we would invite them and all of their family members over as well! What a party that would be!!! And yes all the other relatives are invited too if they can handle our little cozy house and baby smells.

At some point I'm going to try out Great Grandma Bess's Poppy seed cookie recipe. Grandma Evelyn gave it to me a few years ago and I will always remember visiting Grandma E and having these cookies. I LOVE them. I'm glad I have the recipe!

Your papa is out back cleaning out the garage to make more room for our extra things that have been stored in your baby room the past few months. We cleaned it once already but things just piled back in. Now - TOMORROW - is the beginning of the 30th week of the pregnancy. that means just 10 weeks left more or less. So we've gotta clear out that room and start the painting. Probably next weekend you will have your own room started. I doubt you will actually use it for a while - but it will be there waiting.

So put on your yarmulke it's time to celebrate Hanukkah!

Your Jewish mama is going to feed you lots of traditional Jewish foods
and your Catholic Papa is going to sing and dance for you.
I can't WAIT to watch him with you - he makes ME laugh so much I know he is going to do the same with you!

Love you little Jewish Bagel of ours!

Next Stop.....Christmas!!

Love you,
mama

Hey Bagel!

It's very exciting to touch your mama's belly and feel you kick and twist. I can't wait to take that energy on fun adventures once you get out here. I'm certain you had the hiccups last night. Probably your first.

Love,

Papa