Max plays the drums with Papa

Went to Jerry's office yesterday. They have a drum set in the middle of the office. Jerry gave Max his first lesson.

5 months and fireworks

Max turned 5 months old on July 4th.
We had a BBQ outback
and then stayed in because our neighbors next door have fireworks all night so we don't need to go anywhere to see them!
( our entire neighborhood has fireworks so we stay home to make sure our house doesn't burn down )


here is Papa and Jerry out back.


Grandma Marty visited last weekend and Max has a lot of fun with her. We went to the Long Beach Aquarium. Loads of fun.


Our attempt at a family portrait with the camera on timer was pretty hit or miss.....mostly miss....


Grandma DeeDee and Grandpa Rich bought us an Ergo Carrier. One of the BEST purchases to date for Max. He loves being in it and he falls to sleep in about 5 minutes in it. As a matter of fact he is in it right now as I type. Fast asleeeeeeeep. Thanks Grandparents! Click HERE to learn more about ERGO. No Back Pain At ALL. I LOVE THIS CARRIER.


Here is another attempt at a family portrait with the camera on timer......that's our favorite onsie right now - orange and white stripes.


And I couldn't resist this photo. Look at that adorable tush.



Here is a video we took on July 4th - you can hear some of the fireworks banging as we watch No doubt in concert on tv and try to distract Max from the big booms. We were successful - he didn't notice and slept through a night full of loud fireworks so we are happy about THAT!!!


Tomorrow his Aunt Sandy and cousins Stephen, Timmy and Sean will be in town and Max will meet them tomorrow night. Looking forward to that.
Michael Jackson's Tribute event is tomorrow as well. in Downtown - where we have to drive past to get anywhere. over a million people are expected. Should be " interesting ". On another note we are playing Michael Jackson for Max and dancing around with him - he seems to like it. Is there anyone out there who doesn't like MJ?

Jerry and I took Max to Agape yesterday and we really enjoyed it. I heard more uplifting truth in that one service than I have heard in years and years. We plan on going back. Might be our "church" or "temple" it's a trans-denominational church and it's ALIVE. We love that part of it.

Want to learn more about it here is the link

AGAPE

This might be a nice place to find Spiritual Community and give Max a weekly dose of Love in a Bigger Broader sense.

Happy Father's Day

©Catherine Just Seiner 2009
taken a few moments ago..

Happy Father's Day!!!

Today I decided to shower my husband with all things that have to do with rest and relaxation.

First stop - he has an 11am massage appointment
and then - he is mandated to sleeping the rest of the day
and I'll make him his breakfast - lunch and dinner ( which doesn't take much since we are both on Jenny Craig right now )
I'm going to head to the Starbucks drivethru in a few hours to pick him up a freshly brewed cup of coffee to have with his breakfast. I'd make it here - but then I wouldn't have the pleasure of getting my darling Max out into the world and into the car which almost always means a nice long nap for him.

Max and I went shopping for his Father's Day gifts this week and found a few things to add to the day
1. Max picked out a book that is all about how much he loves his papa.
2. I bought him a book on walking tours of LA ( we are suckers for a good walking tour and I thought it would be fun to bring Max around and see the sights on " Seiner Sundays".
3. Found a card with tomato's on the cover and I put a pen in Max's hand and he drew his first drawing for his Papa inside the card.

I'm glad he doesn't have to work today - he worked all day yesterday and it was looking like it might move into today. Lucky for him he will get to really enjoy catching up on his much needed sleep.

I may take Max out for a few hours to keep the house quiet.

Max has been pretty vocal this morning - and I was up with him for a few hours last night while he practiced using his vocal chords ( they work )

Dear Jerry,
Short note because Max is over being in his bouncy chair,
I LOVE YOU.
You are a GREAT Papa to Max and I'm so glad we make such a great team.
I appreciate all you do to help raise our boy.
doing the dishes, making bottles every night, taking feedings when you are home, diapering, playing, hugging, kissing, talking, singing, rocking him to sleep, sitting in the back with him when we go out in the car, etc etc - the list goes on and on.

You're the BEST
love
c



Here is the photo I ended up picking for the headshot.
Gail over at DSALA told me that all of them would work because he is looking into the camera.

The Many faces of Max

©Catherine Just Seiner
CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO MAKE IT LARGER!
I took these photos today on the changing table.
Making a Headshot so we can submit it to an agency that works only with Kids that have Down Syndrome.
Some of his friends have been on tv shows and print ads and I figured it might be a nice way to document him and his life on film by other people besides the two of us. Plus the money he makes will go in his own account and we figure it is a nice way for him to start growing his financial portfolio.

not sure which photo we will pick. Do you have a favorite???

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 is a superhero! He has an extra chromosome that gives him SuperPowers!!"

Here is a video of Max and Papa waking up and sharing some time together in the morning.


Here is a video of Max learning about his Rubber Ducky while taking a bath




Max went on a road trip to San Diego with us yesterday. It was about 2 hours each way. Max was great! He loves to sleep in the car. He only had one moment of crying and I just pulled over - and held him and he calmed down right away. We stayed like that for a while so he could feel more secure and then a little burp came out - so he must have been uncomfortable with the air bubble in there. After that he went back to sleep the rest of the way home.

During our trip we went to our family dentist. We were in the waiting room and Jerry was holding Max and started to say
" Max is a superhero! He has an extra chromosome that gives him superpowers! "

That just cracked me up.

And how TRUE it is~!

We went to my dad's office to introduce Max to everyone there and at one point Jerry said.
"Max has an extra chromosome and that puts him in the 100th percentile for cuteness "

I'm thinking JERRY is in the 100th percentile for cuteness!
he had me laughing all day as usual.



A few fun facts:

Last week Max went to a feeding therapy session and he is doing great. We only have to go once a month which I think says a lot about his ability to suck. He has slightly low muscle tone in his mouth so it takes him an hour to eat what a "typical" baby could do in 10 -15 minutes.

He had his weight checked and he is up to 13.1 lbs!!
And yes I can feel that every time I go to burp him.
He is feeling more and more like a tank.

This Thursday is his 4 month birthday!
YAY
On Friday we go to a new Doctor that we had the pleasure of meeting a few weeks ago to see if he felt right to us.
The place is called Paracelsus
here is a LINK

I love that they combine the best of modern medicine with the best of traditional therapies.
The doctor we picked went to the same school my aunt Christine went up at Bastyre in Seattle

memorial day

I love how Max grabs on to our hands when he is feeding. Jerry was in charge of this feeding time so I was the designated photographer.




look at Jerry's face would you?
Priceless.


yesterday we walked around the rose bowl in the morning - 3 miles around with Max in the stroller.
came home for some R&R and then went to Lacy Park and enjoyed the rose garden, watching other kids play, the trees, the vibrant green grass and the perfect weather.
Laying on the blanket and enjoying each others company was the best I could have asked for on this day.
We put Max in the middle and kissed him like crazy. He just smiles and laughs.

I was sad to see Jerry head back to the office this morning.
Looking forward to more days in the park this summer.

Shane's Inspiration and more cuteness

Today I gave Max a bath before we headed over to our Playgroup at Club 21.
I put him in the crib to dress him and I couldn't resist taking a few photos of him. He is delicious. Here is my favorite one:



Yesterday a few gals from Mom's Club went to Shane's Inspiration for a playdate.
This park is amazing and the story behind it is so incredible. Read a little bit about it below:


In 1997, Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams lost their son, Shane Alexander, to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type I: Werdnig-Hoffman Disease) only a few weeks after his birth. Had Shane lived, he would have spent his life in a wheelchair. Because of a physical disability, Shane would have been denied one of the most fundamental rights of childhood: the right to play independently with friends and family at neighborhood and school playgrounds. This realization encouraged the Williams and family friend Tiffany Harris to turn a tragedy into a vision that resulted in Shane's Inspiration... a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities.

Learn more about it at this link:

Shane's Inspiration


Here are some photos from the day:

Lena and Margaret



Lisa with Juliet in the sling - can you see the little hand holding on to the sling??



Michelle with June - look at that smile - oh my god.



Bella and June with Jen



Bella and her rattle



And Max after a big feeding of 8 ounces of formula. That's what he's been eating for the past few days now at each feeding. SHEESH he's getting bigger by the moment. Sleeping a lot to catch his breathe after all the food.



Hope you enjoy all the love and joy that is surrounding you today. I know I am! I can't believe how blessed we are to have Max in our life. It's so easy to look at the negative - in general - in life - instead of looking at the positive and be grateful. All I have to do is look at Max and my heart bursts open and I know all is good in the world and in our nest.

Gotta go feed Max. He is stirring.
xoxo

AMY!!!! Get back here!

Hi all!
Just coming down from a wonderful weekend. My friend Amy visited from Minneapolis to meet Max. She is a dear dear friend. We met at Art School and have been close ever since. I was in her wedding, she was in mine and we both visit when a child is born if we can swing it.
( if you click on the photos they will get bigger and you can see them MUCH better )




We went to the Farmers Market with Jerry and Max on Thursday and ran into friends of ours there. Two I hadn't seen since I got married October 2007. And we both had our new babies there so it was nice to check back in and re-connect and show off all the cuteness of Max!
We had a blanket and ate tamales and steak sandwiches and fed Max the bottle while the sun was setting. It was so fun.

The next morning we headed to Auntie Em's for scrambled eggs with avocado and grilled tomato, applewood smoked BACON, and a side of fruit. AHHHHH it was SO good. we sat out on the back patio and were delighted by the perfect weather, a sleeping baby, and the scrumptious food.
( click on the image )


We took amy to our Playgroup at Club 21 and I loved introducing her to the other moms and babies.
And then Saturday we took her to our last Sign language class. Man was that class amazing. We plan to sign up for level 2 whenever it's offered. I am just in love with the instructor of that class - who also happens to be the person who runs Club 21.
She is an angel. Let me tell you. If I talk about it too much I might break down and cry. Yep that's how much I love her.
If it wasn't for Max I wouldn't have ever met her. I'm so lucky!!

After class we headed to a restaurant called "home" in Los Feliz
if you haven't been there - go now. It's so cute and the food is great. It's all outside in a very cool patio. Max was a trooper going to all of these places and being totally fine with it.

Then we drove past where Amy used to live in Silverlake and HAD to stop at Starbucks for a decaf iced soy latte which was a favorite drink of ours back in the day. I hadn't had one in YEARS. and MAN was it delicious.
AUGH.

Oh - and Amy and I made a sunprint of Max out front of our house on Friday. It was so fun. I want to do an entire project of Max with the sunprints.
We also looked at art books together and talked about making art which is something I just adore about our friendship. That art connection.

We also went to Larkin for dinner on Saturday night. Beef ribs, fried chicken, mac and cheese, pork chops, oh my! I think this visit was all about food! It was great. I love being with her and I cannot believe we don't live in the same town. AUGH. It's painful.

I hated seeing her leave on Sunday Morning. And I talked with her as soon as she landed from the first flight of two that she had to take to get home.

I hope we can see more of her. She has 2 gorgeous little girls and a very talented husband so it's not as easy to travel as it was when we were lone artist gals roaming the world.

We all miss you Amy - GET BACK HERE!

also: Max is rolling over from Back to tummy now. Oh yes he is!
I have it on video for you to watch here:



Here is a photo I took of him yesterday - So fricken CUTE! he found his hands and loves holding on to them



ok ok - This took MUCH too long to post. I need to run off and hang out with Husband and Baby.

xoxoxx

National Call-In Day

photo taken yesterday after the mid afternoon feeding. I think he is blissed out.

So I got an e-mail from the head of Club 21 asking me to call my Senator about Health Care reform.
So I did.
I've never done anything like that before but I did it for Max. He deserves to have long term health care services just like anyone else.

Here is the blurb she sent to us - and I encourage you to make the call TODAY to your Senator as well.
Do it for Max and all the others out there who cannot yet speak for themselves.

***
Make your voice heard today! The following message from the National Down Syndrome Society is vitally important for our children.

Important Message from NDSS
In coming weeks, the Senate will finalize legislation to reform America's health care system. Long-term services and supports are essential to individuals with disabilities and seniors and must be included in health insurance reform efforts. Consider the following:

* While over 48 million Americans do not have medical insurance, over 250 million Americans lack any insurance protection for the costs of long-term supports and services. Medicaid requires individuals to impoverish themselves to receive supports.

* There is an institutional bias within Medicaid that denies Americans with disabilities an equal choice for home and community services.

* Hundreds of thousands of individuals with disabilities and their families are on waiting lists for Medicaid home and community-based services.

Proposals exist to help address these issues. However, they will only be included within health care reform legislation if Congress hears from you. Aging and disability organizations have joined together to host a national call-in day on Wednesday, May 13. Please join thousands of others across the country in calling your Senators to tell them how important it is to include long-term services and supports. Your calls can make a difference!

Call today between 8am and 6pm EST.
Call 1-866-459-9232 (Toll Free)

Sample Script:
Hello (state your name and where you are calling from). I'm calling to ask the Senator to help make sure long-term services and supports are part of health care reform. Long-term services and supports are essential to the health, well-being, and community participation of individuals with disabilities and seniors. Please ensure long-term services and supports are included in legislation to reform health care. Thank you.

Mothers Day Bliss!

So far my First Mother's Day has been Blissful.
I slept in with my cat next to me in bed until about 10:30.
Husband made me breakfast. Gave me a card that Max "made" for me and a Superhero necklace!
Then Max gave me more smiles and who needs anything else??

After the noon feeding with Max we are heading out to a park for a little Picnic and then for a walk. that's all I wanted. To be outside with my family. Near trees. Birds. Air. I'm looking forward to it - and yes - we are bringing camera gear so more to be posted later.

But for now - I leave you with this video we took this morning:





ok - Just back from our afternoon picnic in the park.
We stopped at Grassroots and bought some pre-made lunches and gluten free snacks and cookies and headed to Nibley Park

It was a nice day - the park was packed with other families with the same idea. Lots of BBQ's happening and kids on swings and the jungle gym thing they have there. We sat under a few trees and ate our lunch while Max slept. It was so nice to get out and do this.

It's been a Perfect day.

All this and a confirmation that my friend Amy is coming to visit from Minneapolis and meet Max on Wednesday is just icing on the cake for me!!!
I can't wait to introduce her to Max and just be with her. hee heeeeee!!!

Tonight we are BBQing in our backyard and by the sounds of the birds still chirping away outside - I have a feeling it's going to be glorious.

stats

video taken while Max was asleep in a sling -
this was about a month ago. but so funny I had to share with you all.


Went to the pediatrician yesterday.
here are his current stats:

Weight 10 lbs 11 oz
Height 22 1/2 inches
head circumference 14 3/4 "

you should see his legs!
I should do a before and after photo of his legs. I mean - they are beefing up! SO cute.

She suggested that we stop getting up to feed him in the morning - and just let him tell us when it's time.
We usually set an alarm for 4 hours after the last feed - and get up and he is usually starting to squirm for food.
Last night we set the alarm - and low and behold he wasn't squirming so we let him sleep.
This time he went 5 hours.
It was a Passover miracle.
( ok I know that didn't make sense but everything in our house is either a christmas miracle or a passover miracle....just because it's hilarious to yell that out any time something astounding happens - which is quite often. )

I think our 3 month old is about a similar weight as Katye and Brandon's newborn over at
http://www.thetenantsea.blogspot.com

Took him a while but he no longer fits in his premie pants or newborn onsies. yes - folks - Max is in 3 month old clothing now. And his hair is starting to grow in a little on the top of his head. And he is holding things like his little dog, and any washcloth that happens to be near his hand. He also reaches out to touch my face, and his neck strength is astounding!
he holds his head up and just looks at us and looks and looks while we are squeeling of course with glee. He must know by now that we are nuts.

He eats between 3 and 5 ounces of formula every 3 - 4 hours during the day. And he burps like a sailor. Although I've never actually heard a sailor burp - I have a feeling I'm getting my point across.

the best lately are the big smiles and laughing. I am still trying to get it on video - but every time I grab the camera he just stares at the red light on it. It's killing me. you MUST see this. It's my life goal as of late. To capture these first smiles and laughs on video.

Sunday he had his first temperature - and has been a bit congested. Not fun for parents to see their baby struggle to breathe.
nope - not fun at all. I'm glad though that it took him 3 months to have his first little cold. The temp. is back to normal today and the congestion is much less but plan to lay low and not go to the play groups this week to give the little guy a break.

He's asleep in his swing right now - peaceful little guy. until.....he realizes it's time for lunch!

xo

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.

new developments

Yep - that's right. Max is holding the rattle.
It's the first time he's done that and I got it on film. and yes. I'm proud of myself. But more importantly - I'm proud of MAX!
I noticed yesterday when I put a little tiny stuft animal near his face he would grab it and of course it would go into his mouth for further investigation. So today I tried other things he might be able to hold on to.
The rattle seems a good fit.

And yes - he's still rolling over. Just from tummy to back - not the other way around yet. But he is definitely working on that.

On another note - I never mentioned Sign language class. We started 2 weeks ago and it's a class designed for parents who have kids with Down Syndrome. It's a highlight of our week. The instructor is the gal who started Club 21 where I take Max every Friday for playgroup. We love the class and plan to take it again to review what we are learning now. It's a 5 week class every Saturday. The instructor told us that if you treat your kids with Down syndrome as if they are deaf it will help them to learn to communicate earlier. For those of you out there that don't know - kids with Ds usually have a speech delay. This can really help them get up to speed and not be so frustrated.

Today - on another note - is a sick day for me. yep - I'm not feeling so great. Jerry is here working from home and helping with baby duty. YAY for Jerry and for a Mac computer that can link him up with what's happening at work.

And no I do not have the swine flu. I just feel like someone threw a pile of bricks on me. Wiped out, and tummy is upset.

I'm going to head back to bed after Jerry makes me some lunch.
Did I mention that Jerry is the best husband and papa ever?
Max and I are pretty much smitten with the guy.

Right now Jerry is working on his computer with Max in a sling who is sleeping peacefully on his papa.
Now this is a happy family.

and yes - Pretty girl ( my cat ) has been sleeping with me in the bed and I think she not so secretly loves that I'm in bed and she's got me all to herself.

Max's First BBQ

Loren meets Max.
Loren is an acting coach for kids, a writer, and a loving warm human being!
Her husband Kerry and their son trevor came over and it was so great to see how much Trevor has grown since last we saw him.


Kerry and Trevor
Kerry is married to Loren and there is their cute baby trevor who is 10 months old. So so CUTE.
Kerry is a Consultant Arborist. We were so excited to talk with him about which trees to plant on our backyard to hide the giant ugly apartment buildings behind us. Looks like we will be calling to set up an appointment with him soon!




Nancy!~ what a great friend.
Nancy works at Otis College of Design teaching printmaking. she's a fantastic artist, and a wonderful friend.
Here is a link to her website.
Pretty Girl is fond of her as well - and I was SO excited for her to not only meet Max but to give Pretty Girl some much needed attention. Nancy screen printed Max some onsies that are out of this world! I'll have to showcase him in them in a fashion show soon. Plus - she made us cupcakes with fresh strawberries from the farmer's market in the frosting. Oh my god. So much for being sugar and wheat free. I just HAD to try them out. DELICIOUS.



Rafe
The creative and oh so talented Fashion Designer
brought Max some designer onsies! SO adorable.
It was great to re-connect with him and see him hold our baby!




Chris and Loren giving Max some lovin
Chris is a filmmaker, and THE guy you want to hire to be on your next project. He really works his butt off to make sure things happen on set. I know - I've worked with him, and he blew my mind. I just adore him. He's so down to earth, funny, chatty, loving - etc...what's not to love...



A living room of men holding babies...




Jerry, Nancy and Chris - and a sleeping Max.



Beth ( I took this of the two of us by holding the camera out in front of us. A little thing I adore doing...)
Beth is one of my friends who kept in touch with me during the entire pregnancy. She called, e-mailed and checked in to make sure I was ok. I loved that she cared enough to call when I wasn't so on the ball with that. Everyone needs someone to call and e-mail when they can hardly deal with anything other then picking up the remote to change the channel. Yay for Beth!




Chris ( yes - I took this one too )





Jerry is busy at the grill





love these little flowers





Enjoying a meal in the perfect weather! Man was it perfect out and cozy eating together.
Hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled fish, baked beans, wasabi crackers, loaf of bread, salad with avocado and grapefruit, kidney bean salad, sushi rolls, cupcakes. thank god for Pot Lucks! I felt Lucky - the food was outta sight!


End of the Night - Max past out after the big day with all the excitement



Max was a trouper. He really is such a soft spoken - quiet baby. Not much bugs him unless he is hungry or over tired. Other then that he was just fine being past around the room from person to person, all the noise and laughter didn't bother him when he was sleeping and he was fine taking his bottle outside in the crowd. I put him in a sling in when he got tired and he slept there while I ate with my friends. It was perfect.

The neighbors decided to have a BBQ tonight as well. There version included very loud thumping music and letting off bottle rockets. Luckily they didn't get really rowdy until our party was done. I can still hear them. the fuuny part is I have a monitor on so I can hear Max in the other room in his crib in case he wakes up - but instead of hearing him - I can actually hear the loud conversations of the people next door through the monitor. THAT is how loud they are being. and guess who is sleeping through it....and guess who wants to call the cops? But I won't. Jerry REALLY doesn't want me to. If it's midnight and the party is still going on I might sneak a call....
Or maybe after the party ends and everyone has gone to sleep I'll tip toe over there with a whistle and blow it over and over at the bedroom windows and then run like hell back over here and pretend to be asleep. Think anyone will notice?
Ok - I won't do that - but I do enjoy coming up with plans.

anyhow - back to reality - glad we had the day to meet with friends and eat and re-connect - and introduce Max. It was really fun and we look forward to a summer filled with BBQ's.