The Brown Brick Road

Capturing our adventures one photo at a time...

Floridian Adventure part 4

Ok, this is the last bit of our big trip to Florida.  On Friday afternoon, we drove over to Delray Beach because I was helping to host a baby shower for one of my oldest and best friends, Andee.  She’s having a baby girl, Ellis, at the beginning of April.  I’m so glad I was there to help her celebrate!

I made this fun diaper cake to take over…

Supernanny Susan made this fantastic pink bow for Andee and it looked perfect on the mailbox for the shower!

All of the decorations were too cute in the bright, fun colors of Ellis’s nursery!

Andee got lots of great gifts.  My friends, Laura and Hannah, and I went in together to get Andee a whole tub full of goodies…

And, even though Andee is a loyal FL Gators fan, Laura and Hannah had to throw in a little Razorback love…

and I had to represent the AL Tide!

It was a great party all around and Maxwell loved all the attention he got!

Love these girls!

What’s that?  You want an update on “Operation Crib Nap”?  let’s just say we’re a work in progress.  I’ll be sure to let you all know when he’s snoozing daily in his bed!  🙂

Floridian Adventure part 3

Quick “Operation Crib Nap” update:  No Change.  Yep, Tuesday was pretty much as bad as the past 3 days.  He did fall asleep in his crib but woke up crying hysterically only about 20 minutes later.  Oh well…we’ll get there.  It just might take a few more weeks.  In the meantime, we’re just going to take it slow and put him in the swing if necessary to make sure he gets the rest he needs.

Continuing on with our big Florida adventure from last week…

After flying to Ft. Lauderdale, stopping in Jupiter to visit Keath’s family, and almost running out of gas on Alligator Alley, we finally made it to Naples.  We stayed there all week – Monday through Friday.  I set up shop and worked from my parent’s office while GJ played nanny and Daddo “helped” her.  🙂  We had FANTASTIC weather all week – a very welcome change from the frigid temps, ice and snow back in Birmingham!  The best part of the warm weather?  Getting to dress Maxwell in all sorts of cute short sleeve outfits!  I love getting to see his chubby little arms and legs.  For your viewing pleasure, here are SEVERAL pictures of some of his cute outfits throughout the week (I, as usual, cannot narrow these down)…

First up, cute green monkey suit….

Second, an adorable Penguin polo from our friend, Sara.  Pants optional in Florida.

Third, a cute Petit Bateau outfit…he looks so sweet with the jacket.

But then the jacket comes off and you get tough guy Maxwell in his tank top!  Watch out for him!

You’re real scared, aren’t you?  I could eat those little arms up!

Tomorrow – our trip to Delray Beach!

Floridian Adventure part 2

First, a crib nap update….pretty much a fail.  He cried for his entire morning nap.  In the afternoon, he did fall asleep (probably due to sheer exhaustion) but only slept for half an hour.  I then rocked him for another hour just because I knew he needed the sleep.  I let him take his 3rd nap in the swing (I’m a softie) and he fell asleep immediately with no crying.  Oh well!  Tomorrow is another day and we (or Supernanny Susan!) will persevere!

Second, I’m finally making my way through all of the pictures I took in Florida a week ago.  As I mentioned in my first post, we stopped to see my brother, Jen, Delaney and baby Nate on our way to Naples.

When we first arrived, Delaney was very intrigued by Maxwell and really wanted to pick him up…

Maxwell was a little surprised by her strength…

But ultimately Maxwell was a little heavier than Delaney anticipated! That’s our chubbo!

Delaney then decided that giving him some little hugs was better…

So sweet!  However, Delaney soon lost interest in Maxwell and turned her attention to Daddo.  Delaney’s current favorite thing to do with Daddo is to bring him every single toy out of her playroom…

He’s a good sport!

Maxwell was having fun just sitting and watching hurricane Delaney run around and around and around…

I’m not sure he quite knew what to think of her energy!  especially when it was focused on him!  🙂

She’s harmless though!  Look at that smile!

Delaney then had to go have a very important conversation with GJ…

But then it was time to get back down and run around and around and around again!

Meanwhile, Nate was happy getting a bottle…

It was crazy to me how little Nate was.  I can already barely remember Maxwell being that little!

We then thought we’d try to get a picture of GJ with her 2 oldest grandbabies….

Delaney wasn’t exactly being cooperative.  So, we gave up on her for a bit and got one of GJ with her two best boys…

GJ then asked Delaney if she’d like to get in the picture…

But she still wasn’t feeling it…

Oh well!  We then gave up on Delaney and got some good pics of all the boys…

Daddo and Maxwell then had a little chat…

I’m sure it was about watches…or cars.  They’re big buds!

It was a great visit all around!  We can’t wait to see sweet Nate and Miss Delaney (and her cute curly pigtails!) again soon!

Stay tuned for pictures from Naples tomorrow!

Day off!

Thank you Lincoln, Roosevelt, Nixon, Regan, Bush, and even Obama, for the day off. I love President’s Day and I love getting to spend a Monday with my little dude!

We had a great weekend.  The sun was shining and temps were in the 70’s both Saturday and Sunday.  A few things we did this weekend:

1. grilled out – yum

2. took lots of walks

3. swung in the park

4. attempted to get Maxwell to take a nap in his crib

One of these things was not as much fun as the others – can you guess which one?  Yep, #4.  “Operation Crib Nap” didn’t exactly go well.  There was a LOT of crying and when (if) he finally fell asleep he would wake up after only 30 minutes.  It was exhausting for him and me.  I’m not giving up though – have to be consistent and keep going so today will be a continuation of “Operation Crib Nap”.  Wish us luck!  The only shining point is that Maxwell is a FANTASTIC nighttime sleeper in his crib.  He doesn’t cry at all anymore when we put him in his bed for the night and always sleeps all night long without waking.  I know he will be a good crib napper soon too – we just need a few days to adjust.

I know you’ve all seen swing pictures before but I couldn’t resist taking some with my phone yesterday.

If there’s any doubt about how much Maxwell likes the swings, just take a look at his face in these next two pics…

Love it!  If only I could get those kinds of smiles when we tell him to “say cheese!”.  We tend to only get this furrowed brow…

He’s still cute – smiling or frowning!

I hope you have the day off work too! (sorry Robert!)  🙁

Friday Favorite

Hi Everyone – as I’ve mentioned before, Maxwell has been taking all of his naps in his swing.  It’s been working great but I know he needs to start sleeping in his crib during the day.  Any advice on making this transition?  I’m not sure how well my nanny will do with letting him “cry it out.”  Any tips are appreciated!!

On to today’s Friday Favorite – meet Ruff Ruff.  This little squeaky dog is one of Maxwell’s favorites.  We keep it on his changing table and whenever he starts to fuss, all you have to do is squeak Ruff Ruff in his face and he gets so happy!  It always makes me laugh how excited he gets to see this little pup.  I have no idea who gave this toy to us but, thank you!

Of course, much like all of his other toys, Ruff Ruff just ends up in Maxwell’s mouth 99% of the time…

If you’re wondering, Ruff Ruff got his creative name from Robert.  I guess it’s better than Spot…  🙂

Have a great weekend!