my handsome helper

Max has recently taken on several new responsibilities in our house, and I am so proud!

1) He feeds the dogs (with a little help). Love this!

2) He takes off his jacket and puts it by the front door.

3) He pushes in his chair at the dining room table. So cute!

4) Last but not least, Max has recently started to hold the g-tube for me...incredibly helpful! My favorite is when I am giving him a tube feeding and he needs something. He will take the tube from me so that I can go and get whatever he is asking for.

And I think he is quite proud too...check out his sweet grin!

Now that he is so skilled, he wants to teach his dog how to help too! :)

simple pleasures

Three of Max's favorite things...the mirror, camera and Mommy. Life is good. :)

lovin' the messes!

Ok, I know most parents don't really enjoy when their kiddos make messes. But this is one momma who was quite proud of her lil' man and his VERY big mess.

So here is Max's room on a typical day. Most toys are away, right?

(Guess what time of day this was...yep, late night and Max was busted for being out of bed. Apparently I was supposed to be fooled into thinking Barney was Max?)















A few mornings later, I was downstairs getting my coffee and making our breakfast. This is what I returned to. He pulled off ALL the toys and was happily sitting amongst his favorites!

Once he was finished playing, we cleaned it all up. Later that afternoon, I found him again. This time I was in the room right next to him so I was well aware what he was doing but let him have his fun. The boy has been sick all week and if this makes him happy, go for it dude.

huge, gigantic news!!!

I greet Maxwell today...and guess what he did? He ENTHUSIASTICALLY waved "HI!" It was awesome! We have been working on greetings forever and for whatever reason, "hi" was just not interesting for him. But today, he did it...and he did it without prompting (huge)!

Watch out world...this is one of the best greetings you will ever receive!!! ENJOY! :)

"I like to move it move it"

Maxwell is sooooo into moving his body these days. It's almost like he is testing it to see all that he can do. He purposefully throws himself on the floor and thinks it is just fabulous fun! And he has created several different variations to walking...walking backwards, walking bent over, walking like a monster/rabbit, walking on his knees. It's all downright adorable and quite silly!

He often has one of his favorite toys along for the fun...because apparently that makes the falling down that much more enjoyable! :)





























And he loves to wear his monkeys (courtesy of Miss Ang!) wrapped around his neck. (Remember George's Michael's "Monkey" song in the 80s? It plays in my head every time!)




















His language hasn't made much progress lately, because all of his attention is on his body. The "plateau" was a little frustrating (ok, a lot) at first but then I snapped out of it and realized this "moving" is what Max wants and needs to do. I simply need to follow his lead. So dancing, walking crazy and being silly it is! :)

Gram

My sweet Gram passed away early this morning. I was blessed to have one more opportunity last night to express my love and gratitude to her for all that she is to our family.

We will miss you dearly Gram but are happy to know you are at peace and reunited with the love of your life. I feel incredibly fortunate that you and Max had a few special moments together over the past few years.

Love always...

sleep issues...cont'd

I wonder how many blog posts are titled "sleep issues." Seems to be a recurring theme. :)

Max continues to have mixed results with his sleep medications. I was so *hoping* this was going to be the answer and perhaps it still will be. We just need to keep experimenting with the dosage, but he already has surpassed the initial three levels.

It certainly isn't good for his health (and development) and continues to really interfere with our schedule. We have had to cancel numerous therapy sessions and school days, and that inconveniences so many others too. How many times can I call his therapist/s and say "yep, he still is sleeping" or "he is extremely grumpy because he didn't sleep again"??? I know they are getting frustrated too.

Last night we were eating dinner and he was quite tired. He signed "all done" and wanted to watch a video. Ok, I wasn't going to fight it. Two minutes later I look over, and he is fast asleep...with a full mouth of food. That sure was fun trying to empty his mouth without waking him up. Sorry Max!

I know in the big scheme of things this sleep issue isn't a huge deal, and we will conquer it. Just hoping it is sooner than later. :)