The Brown Brick Road

Capturing our adventures one photo at a time...

Happy Birthday Maxwell!!

One year ago today at 5:48pm I didn’t think life could get any better…but it has.

It is so hard to believe that this tiny, helpless baby…

has grown into this chubby cheeked, dimpled, curly headed, giggling baby boy…

Even though it seems impossible, each day is better than the last.

I can’t believe he’s mine. I can’t believe I’ve gotten to spend every day of the past year with him. I can’t believe he’s mine for all the years to come.

Happy first birthday Maxwell Banks Brown!!!

In honor of Maxwell’s birthday, I do have one small request. Would you be so kind as to leave a comment wishing my baby a Happy Birthday?

If you liked learning about how Maxwell got his name…

If you enjoyed hearing about our first big adventure…

If my smiley guy made you smile…

If my little monkey made you laugh…

If the Ho Ho Ho made you happy…

If our weekend adventures entertained you…

If you found any of the Friday Favorites useful…

If the cuteness ever made you smile…

If I totally fooled you…

If Robert made you laugh with his silly antics…

If I made you laugh with my “witty” commentary…

If Maxwell made you laugh with his funny games…

If you thought Maxwell was handsome in a polo…

If you followed all of our trips to the swings…

If you just enjoyed the photos…

If you love this sweet little boy…

…please leave a comment. You don’t have to say much – just “Happy Birthday!” or tell me your favorite post, picture or story. Or even just Hi, Hola or Hello. Whatever strikes your fancy.

I would love for Maxwell to someday know all of the people that followed his first year on The Brown Brick Road. A big thanks from me to you!

Now, I’m off to spend the day with my ONE YEAR OLD!!

Happy Birthday Maxwell!

Another birthday!

It’s mine! Happy 32nd birthday to me! I can’t think of a better present than getting to spend my day with this little guy….

Getting to take the time out to go get my haircut last week was a pretty nice present to myself too. My hair needed it! Here I am post cut with a nice blow-out. In my opinion, there are few things better than a great blow-out…

Hope you all have a good day…and a great hair day! 🙂 I plan to!

Doctor Update and Birthday Recap

Maxwell had another pediatrician appointment yesterday and things look good! He’s up to 10 lbs, 1 oz!! My little chubster! He’s grown to 22 and 1/4 inches and his head circumference is 15 cm. Growing boy! He’s still in 50th % for weight and 75th % for height. He did have to get a shot in his chubby little thigh which was no fun…for him or me! But, we survived and after a few tears (him, not me) we were happy again.

The fall weather has definitely arrived and yesterday morning was pretty brisk…just cold enough to need a “light wrap” as my grandmother, Susu, likes to say! Luckily, Maxwell just got this super cute sweater and cap in the mail that Susu knitted for him! It was the perfect thing for the chilly morning and he looked adorable for our big outing to the doctor. The nurse at the doctor’s office even commented on what a sweet little sweater it was! Thanks Susu…Maxwell loves it and it fits just perfect!

Here’s a picture of Susu with my mom from a few months ago…she’s the best. She’s also one of my most loyal daily blog readers! A very talented painter and sewer, Susu can whip up just about anything you want! I’m so lucky to have her as a grandmother and can’t wait for Maxwell to meet her…hopefully very, very soon! 🙂

In other news, when Robert got home from work last night we had a little family birthday party, just the 3 of us. First, the birthday boy spent some quality time with his baby boy…one of them was a little happier than the other!

We then had a good dinner, opened presents (he got a Kindle) and finished with cake! What more could anyone want for their 34th?

See you all tomorrow!

Somebody has a birthday today!

It’s Robert’s birthday!!

Happy Birthday Dad!  Maxwell simply could not have asked for a better father.  Even in the first month, you’ve already proved that you’re going to be the BEST dad in the world.  I think you’re going to be just as good a dad as you are a husband!  🙂  I know I make a lot of jokes about how Maxwell looks exactly like you…but there is really nothing that makes me happier.  I hope he grows up to be  your spitting image, inside and out!  We both love you very much and hope you have a fantastic birthday!

Maxwell has something he’d like to say…on his shirt…

He can’t wait for you to get home from work so we can celebrate your birthday and party all the time…

party all the time…

party all the time!

So hurry home Dad.  We’ve got some fun surprises waiting for you!

We love you!

A special Saturday post for a special Saturday

It’s GJ’s Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GJ!!

GJ – Maxwell simply does not know yet how incredibly lucky he is to have you as his grandmother.  You are the ultimate.  You hold our family together and carry all that comes with that with a big smile on your face.  You’re always happy to hear my voice on the other end of the phone and will talk to me about nothing for as long as I want.  You’re the strongest person I know – physically and mentally – and I honestly try every day to be a bit more like you.  You’re clever and always thinking of some new “plan” to make our lives better – whether it be a plan for furnishing a room or taking a trip, you make things happen.  You always say that “things just have a way of working themselves out” but most of the time that happens because you made them work!  There’s a reason everyone likes you GJ, you’re just a nice person, plain and simple.  🙂

You are the BESTEST mom in the world, you’re my best pal and I know you’re going to be Maxwell’s best pal too.  He can’t wait to see you again on Tuesday!

And, to make you laugh on your birthday, here are some of the photoshoot “outtakes”!  🙂

Happy Birthday GJ!  We love you!

Stephanie, Robert and Maxwell