The flag

I think it was before the Fourth of July when Max started noticing flags. Every flag (American and otherwise) we would see on our walks would be pointed out. I'm not sure when it happened, but he also started calling them "ga" (I'm guessing due to the 'g' at the end of 'flag').

A few times we were places where he would encounter little flags (the small flags stapled to a pointy stick). He'd want to play with them, but because of the stick (and the point) it just seemed like a bad idea.

One Sunday evening, as I roamed Lowes, I stumbled upon a perfect size flag for Max. Perfect size flag but a big pointy stick. I scoured Lowes looking for a more "kid-friendly" alternative. One fly swatter and some hot glue, and a Max-safe flag was created.It has become his favorite toy (even more than the 73 Elmo things he has). He takes it on walks, to the store, anytime we ask him if he wants to bring something with him, he brings his "ga".

It's been a few months, and Max's obsession with flags continues (Grandma Sharon even wore a shirt with an American Flag last time she came to watch Max because she knows how much he likes them).It's not just the big, obvious flags that he sees. The most amazing thing is the tiny flags he will notice. He will point out minuscule flags on the backs of books, the tags of clothing, anywhere there is a flag, Max will point it out.

It's strange (he also has an infatuation with traffic lights), but it's amazing to see how aware he is of everything going on around him. That he can pick all of these flags out frequently surprises us.

The Sprinkler

It was extra nice this weekend, so when Max and I got back from the store I thought I'd test him out in the sprinkler again. Previous times he hadn't really liked it, this time he loved it.
He played for almost a half-hour before his teeth started chattering and it was time to get inside.

Trip to the Beach

Bobbie Jo and I are so rarely home together that we felt that we had to seize the opportunity, and today we took Max on his first trip to the beach. There is a beautiful park about 25 minutes from our house. It's on a lake, has a huge beach, a playground, and a "splash-pad" water park.

Max loved the sand. It was great watching him walk on it for the first time. It wasn't long before he was running as fast as he could (and as far as we'd let him get away with).

In the three hours we spent there he ate a few handfulls of sand, played in the water, played in the sand, tasted quite a few rocks, ran a lot, and kept the both of us incredibly busy. It was an awesome day, a perfect ending to a great weekend.

I took about 300 photos, here are some of the better ones.


















He played so hard, for the first time since switching to the big-boy car seat, he fell asleep on the way home!

Amazed

A week or two ago, on a whim, I asked Max if he could point to the "square" in a book of shapes. To my astonishment, he did. Same for the circle, triangle, and star.
He's been able to pick out Big Bird, Grover, Cookie, and all of the other Sesame Street folks, but this shape thing shocked me. Neither of us can remember actually going over shapes with him. It's obviously something he picked up while we read his books but not something we actively taught him.
We're trying more and more things, to see what he remembers. He's able to pick out quite a few items in his alphabet book, he can flip through the pages in his animal magazine and pickout various things. It's absolutely unbelievable. Bobbie Jo has equated where he's at right now to "I can't speak the language but I understand it". I think if we knew the full range of the stuff he understands right now, it would terrify us!

Mommy!

I taught Max to say "Mommy" a few weeks back, it was perfect timing.

The doctor said that kids usually go through two periods where they will experience separation anxiety. The first was awhile ago, and Max didn't seem to have any problems. The second time is right about now, and it's proving to be a bit of a pain (for me).

When I go in to get Max out of his crib, his first word is "Mommy?". When I come home from work and sit downstairs with him, he will throw a tantrum if Bobbie Jo isn't in the room. He doesn't want her to cuddle with him, he just wants her in the room.

I have no doubt he'll be over this in a few weeks, but it's definitely making it hard to take care of him.

Woof Woof

Max shows off his animal sounds.

Max's Tricks

Max has learned quite a few tricks. I've been meaning to get a "really great" video up, but realized If I wait for him to hit 100%, he may be nine before we get the video up.

Max can point to his (with varying levels of success):

• nose
• ears
• eyes (which he can say)
  
• hair
• head
• belly
• feet
• dink (Mommy will be thrilled I posted this)
• bellybutton
• and hands

He says "hi" and "bye" now, and does way too much cool stuff to list out. He's growing up too fast-I marked his height against the wall, and he was significantly taller than he was 4 months ago. I'm not a fan of this, but am still excited to see what it will bring next.

A trip North

The Reinhardt family doesn't usually get together around Christmas. This year's "Reinhardt Family Christmas" took place this last weekend.

The 3+ hour trip up to Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sandy's house in Northport (outside of Traverse City) was eventful. We traveled with no regard for his nap time, but he did pretty well. He doesn't like to be confined but he was incredibly well behaved, for a 18 month old boy.
It was great to see the whole family, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Sandy, Aunt Jane, and Uncle Denny (and Max the dog). None of them had seen Max since last summer, and they were all amazed at how much he's grown. Max (the dog) seemed a bit confused with Max (the boy) in his house but was, as usual, incredibly well behaved and very tolerant of this little monster running around. Max spent a good amount of time getting his Aunts to read to him, and Bobbie Jo and I tried to relax as best as we could. The three of us did some exploring of the 15 acres. Max ran alot, but there was a lot we didn't get to. He'll have a blast up there when he's a bit older.
Unfortunately, the stay was under 24 hours. We said our goodbyes, and piled into the family truckster to head back to GR. Max was incredible the entire way home. He did hit mommy with a small plastic golf club he had recently acquired, but didn't cry or fuss the whole trip-I'd say that's a win!Iit was a quick and busy weekend, but it was nice to get away. And I think Max had a blast.

Our Sixth Anniversary

I can't believe its been six years. I love you honey, thanks for picking me.

-James