Update

On January 1st, I left for Vegas for work. I didn't return until Jan 13th. It was a LONG trip, and a long time away from Max. It wasn't easy, but I was extremely busy, and Bobbie Jo sent pictures and video when she could. We even found time for one quick video call. Bobbie Jo did come down for a few days, we weren't able to spend much time together, but it was nice to get away.

I don't have a whole lot to post, only that Max is extremely mobile; crawling a lot, standing as much as he can, and even attempting a few steps on his own from time to time. He's become a pro at the stairs, and we let him scale them at least once a day.

He's been a lot of fun, and I'm really enjoying my first weekend with him in almost a month. We play a lot, and he gets into everything he can.

One week from today, he'll be 11 months. It's sure gone fast!

The day after Christmas

On the day after Thanksgiving Max made it up to the first stair, and pulled himself up to standing.
The day after Christmas, Max made it to the top of the stairs!

4 minutes ago he was in the living room, 1 minute later he was in the kitchen having conquered all six stairs!

Wow, what a day.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Kotoe's Photos

Our friend Kotoe was over this week and took a few photos of Max. Some turned out so great we wanted to post them here. Thanks Koto-bomb!

Big Boy

What a big boy! Wow!

Update

30 minutes after the last post (Max on the first stair), Max crawled up to the couch and pulled himself up to standing. It is now pretty much all he's interested in doing. He stands in his crib when he should be sleeping, sneaks up on the cats (who now have to find new "safe zones") and is getting into everything he possibly can.

He has used his two new bottom teeth to carve some substantial grooves in his crib, and will occasionally bite his own hand so hard it makes him cry.

He's also properly crawling now, no more "dead-leg drag". It's pretty robotic and funny to watch. Hopefully I'll get video up sometime soon.

He had his 9 month doctor appointment on the 25th (his actual 9 month birthday). He weighed in at 19 pounds 6 oz. and is 28.25 inches tall.

Enjoy the hectic weeks ahead. Christmas and New Year's will be here and gone before we know it.

We're screwed!

This picture was taken 15 minutes ago:

We're in a lot of trouble now!

Toofer

We've got a tooth coming in. Max is thrilled.

Video Day!

I uploaded two videos I took over the weekend.

He's "crawling" now. We call it his "Dead Legs Crawl", and it may not be a full-fledged crawl, but he's completely mobile and getting stuck everywhere he shouldn't be.



Here's another video of him in his jumperoo. He appears to have an issue with always jumping to the right (his left). Perhaps his right leg is too long.
As you can also see in the video, he's a very calm and quiet kid.



Have a great week!

A night to change the world!

While I try to keep my political opinions off of this blog, what happened last night must be mentioned.

Though Max is too young to understand the immense importance of the election of the first black president, it is a event that will shape our country and change the world that Max will proudly grow up in. Last night, before going to bed, I went into Max's room to say goodnight. As I held him, the enormity of the situation hit me. We have truly changed the world. And we did it for him.

Regardless of politics, I think we can all agree that what happened last night is an enormous step in the right direction for us, Max's generation, and the generations that will follow.

We are extremely proud to be Americans! Continue to make us proud Mr. Obama.