Changes

Time for some updates. Max had his 9 month appointment last week. He weighs 21.2 lbs and is 31 inches long. That means he has grown 10 inches! He hasn't even gained 10 lbs yet, but we will forgive him for that since he came out obese. He's recovering from a cold (we all are). He's feeling fine-nothing stops this little man- but I'm getting tired of being used as a tissue. Ew. His latest favorites are opening the cabinets which forced us into the horrible life of child-locks. Ugh. I hated these while I babysat growing up and I hate them now. We only put them on the "danger" cabinets and he can go crazy with the rest of 'em. He's getting three more teeth (which will make 7) and he looks so goofy with them. He likes to smile though and show them off.
He also LOVES cars and balls. Anything with wheels will make him smile. The red tractor above was Erik's when he was little and Max loves to push it around. It's metal so we've had a few "marks" from it but, again, nothing stops this little boy. Actually, every day he gets at least three bumps on his head from crawling around. He's always taking the "hard route" and then tries to squirm his way through. He likes getting chased by us and giggles so hard that he gives in and throws his arms up (it actually only lasts about two or three feet, but that probably feels like a mile to him) He likes emptying containers or bags and dropping things from his high chair (my least favorite). He's getting more confident with standing (holding on) and reaching for things. He sort of pounces when he thinks he's close enough to his target. We think he'll walk before he's one. I'm in no hurry for it though.
We hung out in the front yard for a little bit today. Max likes to "show" things now. Here, it's a leaf. The final days of our garden are slowly approaching. Above is the only watermelon. All the other buds disappeared. This one is about the size of a ping-pong ball. We are still getting tomatoes, cucumbers and maybe some zucchini. We've had some good meals with our veggies. So tasty! We will try and have a garden every year now.
What else....

Erik is still enjoying school. He has a really good group of students with him so that helps. He said it's starting to get harder now, as expected. It's nice that it's only two days a week. He studies every night so he doesn't get to see us (meaning Max) as much as he'd like. We keep thinking in only a year and a half and our lives will change so much when it's done.

We are still in the process of house-hunting. It's been nice for us to watch the home prices drop because we never thought we'd be able to afford anything in California. Now we just might. We are in no hurry so for now we are just checking out some homes and watching how things change.

I have really enjoyed the last week or so with the cooler weather headed our way. I love fall. The colors are so pretty. Our droppings from our pecan trees are horrible this time of year (well, in about a month or so) but I thank them for the shade they provide in the hot months. I found the domestic side of me..it took a while, and she might disappear soon ...but for now she's fun. I made bread from scratch (my first ever!). It's really good and I made 4 loaves. What are we going to do with 4 loaves? I have no idea. They are in the freezer until Miss Domestic tells me what to do. There have been a lot of good meals and treats produced lately. Miss Domestic will have to lay off the sweets soon though...chub, chub.

Here is a video of Max and his tractor. Enjoy!