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!

Beach Day!

We decided to take advantage of the hot weather and get out of town! (That and Mommy needed to get out of the house!!!) So we picked up Grandma and headed to the city to go to Baker Beach. So did about 2000 other beach bums. It was a beautiful day, the breeze was mild and the sand was warm. We take him to the beach and what does he want? Car keys.
It took a little bit but Max liked the chilly water. There were a lot of dogs and other kids for him to watch.
He did get a little scared and held on tight.
Playing in the sand.
Playing and singing with Grandma Gail.
After a long afternoon of playing hard, he crashed. He crawled up into Erik's lap, sang a little, chewed his toes and within minutes he was out. His toes are squishing his nose here. We had a great, relaxing day!

Music to my ears

Max learned two things this week. To wave good-bye and to play the flute. Sort of. He is such a musical boy. He loves any type of music and dances around to the tune. Recently, he started "singing" along too. He finally got his hands on the turtle flute (seen below) this afternoon and knew exactly what to do with it. The video is after he had dinner tonight. I love his puffy cheeks as he blows.

Happy What?

Happy 2nd Anniversary! This is part of our honeymoon trip in southern Utah at Bryce Canyon. It was cold and rainy that day (see picture to the right with raincoats) but it was still amazingly beautiful. We drove to each viewing site and hopped out to take a peek and a picture and jump back in the heated car. We'd like to go back someday and actually hike through it. If you ever have a chance to visit the park, don't pass it up!! It's well worth it!

I'm melting

I made Max some popsicle's the other day. I just crushed some peaches and put the juice in water. Made some with watermelon juice too..those actually had a little flavor. The first day he loved them..now they last about 5 minutes and he loses interest. I figured they'd feel good on his crazy big top teeth coming in (see below at the freaky picture).

Most of you know I hate being hot. This 109 degree weather is not helping. I hate it!!!!Yes, we have AC here, but there is no point in going outside when it's this hot (unless you're swimming). I'm just really ready for winter. Oh how I love the cold weather! This is one of my favorite poems as a child. And, it's sort of what I feel like now. Bleaghhhh!

It’s Hot!

By Shel Silverstein

It’s hot!I can’t get cool,

I’ve drunk a quart of lemonade,

I think I’ll take my shoes off

And sit around in the shade.

It’s hot!My back is sticky,

The sweat rolls down my chin.

I think I’ll take my clothes off

And sit around in my skin.

It’s hot!I’ve tried with ‘lectric fans,

And pools and ice cream cones.

I think I’ll take my skin off

And sit around in my bones.

It’s still hot!

Class picture

The Vallejo Times-Herald did an article about Erik's paramedic class. Click here to read the article (it's short, but really nice). They didn't have pictures online so I took a picture of the paper. It's a little blurry but you get the idea. Max made it in too! (He really liked the guy next to him). In the caption, it said "Erik Mrazek with baby Max"...my boys are so cute.

First Day of School here too!

Today was Erik's first Day of Paramedic school!! He was such a good sport at letting me take a picture of him. This class is offered by Napa Valley College and it is the first time they have ever held a paramedic course. We heard about it about a year ago and have been waiting for it to start. Erik finally heard, in July, they were accepting applications. Erik got the (huge) application packet together and had to start the testing within about a week. The testing and interview process took a couple weeks and Erik learned there were about 100 applicants..... there were only 12 spots available for the class. After passing the written test, he had to pass a skills test, then move onto an oral interview in front of a panel of directors.

He got a call within three days of the oral interview that he passed with very high scores. They offered him a position as a paramedic student and he happily accepted. The class is being held at the Fire Department in American Canyon. Today was the welcome luncheon and Max and I were able to attend. He cuddled into Erik's arms and was immediately named the class mascot.

The classroom was packed with supporters. There were representatives from several fire departments around the bay area, professors, instructors, photographers, reporters..the list goes on. Apparently this NVC class has been in the works for quite some time and has the support of many state fire chiefs and multiple types of medical personnel. We met some very nice and encouraging people.

The students were very motivated as were the families that we met at the luncheon. It will be a fun group to get to know over the next year and a half. We are so proud of Erik and all of his hard work and dedication to his field. Good luck with your class, we'll be by your side 110%! We love you!

2008 Summer Olympic Games

We've had a lot of fun watching the Olympic Games this year. It's fun to watch USA get the gold so often. They deserve it though, they train so hard and are so dedicated to their sport. I bet it feels great to have a gold medal placed around your neck. Erik and I are always amazed that these athletes make their sport look so easy.
The 1984 Games were probably my favorite. They were held in Los Angeles, when we lived down there. I remember pretending I was Mary Lou Retton ,with my sisters and friends who thought the same thing, and trying to bend our bodies like her. We would copy floor routines and pretend the back of our couch was the balance beam. We'd spend hours in the pool trying to master synchronized swimming and diving. It was a lot of fun.

My Dad was able to volunteer at the games and when I think of it now, what an amazing thing to do! I remember he had to wear a teal-ish blue coat and had a specific tie to match. We would be asleep before he'd make it home at night but there was always a treat for us the next morning. Apparently he had access to all the free M&M's and Snicker's he wanted. (That is really cool when you're seven!) We had a freezer full of candy. We did get to tour the stadiums and he got a lot of souvenir's. I found my postcard he mailed me from the Village. We all got one and I thought I mine was the best because it has a swimmer on the front.

(note the mailing date---I pulled this out of a photo album last night! weird!)

Congrats to the USA athletes! We're rooting for you!

Bite me

Obi got a new toy. Get it? I think she likes Jacob...in that furry sort of way (which by the way, I'm taking my time reading BD but I did read a spoiler earlier today. What the...? Creepy.)
Now that Max can crawl (fast!) he is learning to use his muscles to pull himself up. The latest is standing in his crib and reaching for anything that can be pulled to the floor. Cd's, clothing, sheets, bowls, and now books. He tasted every book before he dropped it.

This is just a fun video. Playing fetch. Maybe he will be the next David Beckham.

Like Father, Like Son