What's New With Max?

Max is growing so big, so fast! I am amazed at how different each of my children are, right from birth. Maxwill has a huge personality. He's very determined; he knows what he wants, and when he wants it, he wants it immediately. In this way, he's very like both his mom and his dad. ;o)

Max's round head has required that he sleep on his belly, which has made him adore all things done on his tum. He's now rocking on his knees, and he's mastered backward scooting. When he gets "stuck", he raises the roof in frustration.

Max loves his "bumbo" and sitting up. He's not sitting by himself yet, but he does adore high chairs, walkers, and being able to be part of the group. He also likes the swing. However, Max doesn't love doing anything for very long. He wants to be moving, moving, moving. Toys are a delight to him now, and he is still crazy about stuffed animals; he likes to touch faces, grab at clothing or cloth, and he stuffs everything in his mouth. He usually bonks himself on the head, and that makes him terribly angry. He's getting much better at getting things in his mouth the first time, which is great for all of us.

Another skill Max is mastering is speech. He's learned to say "Da-da-da-da." He loves to lay on his back and say "Dad." He also loves to stick out his tounge and suck on his bottom lip. He's getting good at all of that. It's great to see him advance!

He's starting to notice his feet, which is fun. That's the next "step" I guess! He's almost ready to grab them. Babies certainly don't stay babies for long!

Max has started eating anything and everything. He consumed several graham crackers tonight, which he enjoyed tremendously. He was covered in them. He loves rice cereal and oatmeal, and we haven't found anything he won't eat!

Max has moved to the next size of clothing, and he's ready to move to the next size car seat! I do adore this stage of childhood. He's still small enough to snuggle, but delightful to play with. He laughs when we do funny things; he delights when we repeat his words back to him; he knows his name; he recognizes dad and mama's voice; and he loves his siblings, especially Asa.

One other interesting thing about Max is the way he looks. Instead of being tall and lanky like my other babies, Max is round, chubby, and reminds me of my brother David. He looks so much like my dad, and I guess by extension, like me. It's fun to see the past in the future. It's also tantalizing to wonder what will come...

My greatest delight in life has been the adventure of my children. They are each so beautiful: Jack has an intense, genuine sincerity. Xandri has a love of life, music, and people. Asa is at a tender, loving age, and his kisses and snuggles are priceless. His little face lights up my life with hope in the future. My baby is simply a living gift. He's all love and all joy. Even being up with him in the middle of the night is lovely---his joy at being with me, and my love for him is a huge blessing.

Anniversaries

John and I have now been married 14 years! Wow! Time flies by.
For our anniversary, we went to The Gateway and saw Leatherheads and ate at Z'Tehas. It was a lovely restaurant. The food was lovely; the movie was great! Our kids had a fantastic time at Grandma & Grandpa Phippen's watching a movie while Max spent the evening with April, his favorite daycare provider.

We're lucky! It turns out that being married is hard work, but it's worth it. I never predicted where we'd be at 14 years. When we first started planning, we dreamed we'd have 2 children when we'd been married 5 years... we didn't get our first until we'd been married 6. We dreamed we'd build a big, barn house... we're still in our "starter" home and expect to stay here forever. We dreamed I'd be a stay-at-home-mama... and I'm the insurance, stable job. All of these changes have been a wonderful, circuitous journey.


Ithaca
When you start on your journey to Ithaca,
then pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.

Then pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first timewith such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.

Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.

-K. P. Kavafis (C. P. Cavafy),