Capturing our adventures one photo at a time...
As I mentioned last week, Maxwell is definitely starting to smile and interact more. I couldn’t catch the infectious smiles on camera, but Robert did! Check out these happy smiles that Robert snapped…
Way to go, Dad! I might hand you the camera more often!
This past weekend we had two big “firsts” in the Brown house…Maxwell slept in his own room for the first time and he also went to his first birthday party! Big stuff!
We’re making an attempt to get Maxwell on a bit more of a schedule to try to get him to sleep longer stretches at night. We’re having a decent success rate…but definitely not 100% yet! Still, a 5 hour stretch is a LOT better than a 3 hour stretch. We’ve had several nights where he eats at 7:00 pm and then not again until 1:00 am and then 6:00 am! My goal is to make this happen every night but we’re still a work in progress. We have started putting him down in his crib in his room instead of the bassinet by our bed. I think everyone is getting better sleep this way and Maxwell seems to like his room…as he should! It’s pretty cute if I do say so myself!
If you’re curious, I’m reading this book called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D. It’s really interesting and the principles seem to make complete sense to me. (thanks for the recommendation Amanda!)
However, no matter what we do, this is still his favorite place to sleep…and that’s just fine with me! 🙂
Maxwell also went to his first birthday party this past weekend. His friend Banks turned 2 and had a fun party at the local park complete with cupcakes, trucks and ballons!
Banks, the birthday boy, enjoying his cupcake…
and Maxwell enjoying the party in his most relaxed state…
Fun times!
and Happy Birthday to my cousin, Anna, today! Hope it’s a GREAT one!!
Big Sneeze!
Bless you Maxwell!
Sneezes are kinda funny, aren’t they?
Time for a nap maybe?
You sure are a cutie…
We’ve had plenty of excitement over the past few days and I have lots to report and a ton of pictures so here we go…
Last week on Wednesday, my mom and I hit the road with Maxwell to make the 6 hour drive to Arkansas to visit some of my family. We had no idea how Maxwell would do on such a long ride and he did…ok. 🙂 The car seat is really NOT his favorite place to be. After eating, he would be content to ride in the car seat for about 15 minutes, then he would get tired and realize he wasn’t getting out of the seat so he would SCREAM his head off for the next 20 minutes. He would eventually scream himself to sleep but it wore me and my mom out each time. But, we made it there all in one piece and Maxwell doesn’t seem to be too scarred by the traumatic car ride. Personally, I’m still assessing my mental health after the trip…especially since my mom and I are taking him on a 10 hour car trip in 3 weeks to Dallas. Yep, we’re crazy.
Anyway, we made it into Little Rock Wednesday night. We didn’t stay long in Small Stone but were able to see my cousins, Anna and Amy, as well as my good friend Laura on Thursday morning.
My cousin Amy…
and my cousin Anna…
FYI, Anna and Amy’s dad and my dad are brothers. I have to say, both girls looked pretty good with a baby in their arms! 🙂 It was great to see them both and I’m so glad it worked out for them to meet Mr. Maxwell!
My mom and I then headed over to one of my favorite stores when I was little, The Toggery. It’s still around and better than ever. My good friend since pre-school, Laura, met us there and we bought several cute things for Maxwell and for her little girl, Livi.
We then hit the road to drive to Augusta, AR to see Susu. It was the day before Susu’s birthday and we were going to surprise her with a visit! I had put on the blog on Thursday that we’d be knocking on her door in a few hours. She read the blog that morning and immediately called to find out where we were!
You can see the excitement on her face as we knocked on the door!
Unfortunately, Maxwell wasn’t a very happy camper at the moment. Luckily Susu didn’t seem to mind and let us come in anyway.
We had a fun little birthday celebration and a great visit.
Maxwell also got to meet his Great Great Aunt, Dodo!
Aren’t they the cutest?
We then drove over to Searcy, AR to visit Maxwell’s Great Granddaddy, Maxwell (he goes by Max). Granddaddy hasn’t been feeling well lately and is actually in a rehab facility right now so we went to visit him there. My Uncle John (my dad’s brother and Anna & Amy’s dad) was there along with my Aunt Cara.
Max meeting Maxwell for the first time! Of course John was ready with the video camera!
Maxwell and Uncle John…
and with Cara…
I think they were both getting in some good grandparent practice! 🙂
Here I am with my two Maxwells! We love you Granddaddy! Hope you keep feeling better and get to go home soon!!
My mom and I then spent the night in Searcy and made the drive back to Birmingham the next morning. It was a long trip but worth every minute. I’m so glad Maxwell got to meet so many members of his amazing family!
Of course, none of this trip would have been possible without my partner in crime, GJ! Maxwell really loves his GJ and they became best buds on this trip. We can’t wait for her to come back to town again soon! We love you GJ!
Phew…that was a long one! Told you I had a lot to share! Have a great day and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Who doesn’t love Fridays?!
Happy birthday today to Susu! The best great-grandmother Maxwell could hope for!!
Some pictures to take you into the weekend…
Have a great one!