The Brown Brick Road

Capturing our adventures one photo at a time...

Out of town adventure

This weekend, we took our first out of town adventure with Maxwell down to Montgomery for Robert’s 15 year high school reunion. It was a nice weekend all around – we got to see Robert’s family, Maxwell got to meet his cousins, Robert got to see lots of old friends and we celebrated our birthdays.

I will say, traveling will never be the same again! Babies require a lot of stuff! Here’s all of our bags for the big 2 day trip…phew!

Maxwell with Robert and Robert’s dad (Granddaddy). Granddaddy wanted to take this photo next to the portrait of his father, Maxwell’s great-grandfather. Neat!

Maxwell also got to meet his sweet cousins Katie (5) and Anna (3).

On Friday night Robert and I went to the football game and then out to see some of his friends. Maxwell was left at home in the very capable hands of his grandmother, Lou Lou. Let’s just say he was not a happy camper! He showed Lou Lou just what a good screamer he was the whole time we were gone! On Saturday night Robert and I persevered and went out to the reunion. Lou Lou nicely agreed to babysit again and Maxwell took it much easier on her Saturday night. Thank goodness and thank you Lou Lou!

Here we are going out Saturday night…

We even got to take a little family picture before heading out the door!

It was a great weekend…minus that Bama loss to South Carolina. Oh well, you can’t win them all!

ps – I was so excited to get a family picture for the blog header but we’re too big! You don’t really need to see Robert’s forehead, do you? I’ll keep working on it…

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!

See ya later four eyes!

Robert has worn glasses since I met him…he’s also talked about getting Lasik eye surgery since I met him.  On Friday he finally went through with it.  After a successful (and very quick!) procedure on Friday, Robert is glasses free and happy as can be!  When I went to pick him up from the doctor’s office he looked pretty funny sitting in the lobby with his hands folded wearing his black out sunglasses.  He definitely had a Stevie Wonder vibe going on…thank goodness his eyesight didn’t turn out like Stevie’s!

Day one with the cool sunglasses…

Most of that day was spent recovering by sleeping…for both my guys

and Day two – still a little red but no need for glasses!

The irony of it all?  My eyes have totally gotten worse this year and I find myself wearing my glasses all the time.  Figures!  Maybe I need some Lasik soon…

We also watched quite an exciting football game on Saturday!  I might have grown up in AR, but I say Roll Tide!  It was a great game and Maxwell was clearly overwhelmed and worn out from all the excitement…

What’s in a name…

After much thought and consideration, Robert and I decided to name our baby boy Maxwell Banks Brown, as you know.  Maxwell is both my grandfather’s name as well as my father’s middle name.  I’ve always loved it and was so glad that Robert liked it too.  It means so much to me to that this baby has a piece of my dad in his name.  We considered several other names but none of them seemed right.  He’s definitely a Maxwell!

Banks is Robert’s middle name as well as his Great Grandmother’s maiden name.  We love having a part of his family in the baby’s name as well.  I remember how much I loved Robert’s full name (Robert Banks Brown) when I first met him.  I’ve always thought it is such a classic, great name and I’m glad that we have a similar name for our son.

Here is Maxwell Banks with Stephen Maxwell and Robert Banks.  Such a good looking bunch!

Can’t wait for Maxwell to meet his Great Granddaddy, Max!  Here’s a picture of him with Maxwell’s cousin, Delaney, a few month ago.

And here’s another cute one from last week with Dad.

Also, yesterday was my first day home alone with the baby and look what I figured out how to use!

Look Ma!  No hands!

In case you were wondering, Robert did come home for lunch and took the picture.  I’m not talented enough to be photog and subject  by myself without a mirror!