Gee, do you think these two are brothers?

Max's 1st Birthday

Henry's 1st Birthday

Henry Walks!!!!

He's been working up to it for weeks, but today, two days before his official first birthday, Henry took some real steps. Check out the video footage if you don't believe me!

Henry's 1st Birthday Party

Henry's birthday is actually on Wednesday, but we hosted a party in his honor this past Saturday. A good time was had by all. We enjoyed the mix of family, old friends, new friends, and neighbors in attendance. Henry was cheerful throughout (a little different than his brother's cranky demeanor at his own 1st birthday party a couple years back). The classic birthday cake moment was satisfyingly hilarious. Henry started by dipping his fingers in the frosting and doing a little finger painting on the table. Next, he moved to tasting his fingers, and before you know it, he was shoving the cupcake into his mouth with both hands!

I can't believe that my "baby" is now a toddler! Does that mean that it is time for another one? (just kidding, mom!).

:-)

Early Birthday Present

Henry's birthday isn't until the 25th, but I was so excited about one of his presents that I let him have it a week early. And when I say I let "him" have it, I mean I let Max have it as well since he immediately takes possession of anything Henry is given, anything Henry is holding, anything Henry is looking at, or, I dare say, anything Henry is thinking about looking at. Ah, the egocentric world of the two-year-old, but I digress...

Both Henry and Max LOVED the sand and water table. I expect that it will provide hours of messy fun throughout the spring and summer. I'm particularly proud that I put the whole thing together myself -- drill and all. Of course, I did mess up the first time around in failing to create a waterproof seal with the table legs, but I was able to unscrew the legs and start over and the second time around it worked great.

"Maxism" of the Day

Last night Scott was putting Max to bed and singing him a rousing rendition of "This Land is Your Land." At the end, Scott sang, "This land was made for you and me and Mama and Henry."

Without missing a beat, Max added in, "and John McCain!".

Scott was helpless with laughter, of course. We have quite the little comedian on our hands!

Reason #876 Why I Love the Bay Area

A steam train you can ride through a gorgeous regional park in the mountains???!!! Gotta love this place...

Victory?

I'm reluctant to jinx things by admitting this out loud, but it looks like Max might be potty trained! He hasn't had an accident in over a week, and he has started telling me whenever he needs to go. No more slinking off behind the couch! As a reward for this exciting turn of events, he is now wearing his official big-boy underpants instead of his training pants. It is a big thrill picking out the right pair each morning. Elmo or Nemo? Cars or trains? We haven't taken off his diaper at night yet and I think I'll wait a little before going there. Some mornings he wakes up dry and some mornings his diaper is still wet. Nevertheless, I think we've finally turned a corner and I'm really proud of my big boy!

"Literary" References

It warms an English major's heart to see the new way that Max is learning to use language. Out of nowhere, he keeps springing "literary" references on me. For example, when I told him to say good night to his brother, his response was "Good night, Henry, I'll see you in the spring!" Not only was this funny, but it was also a quote from the classic LaLone favorite -- The Fourteen Bears in Summer and Winter. This afternoon, I asked him if he wanted to jump high in the air, and he responded, "Jump high in the air and give a whoop of joy!" This is straight from another classic -- The Velveteen Rabbit. Max loves reading. He always has, and I hope that he always will. Now, if we could just get Henry to enjoy books...

"Don't Make Me Pull This Car Over!"

It was bound to happen sooner or later.  Scott and I pulled the car over on the side of the road and gave Max a time out standing against the fence in the rain.  "What was his offense?" you might ask.  "Horrible violence to his brother?  Reckless behavior that might endanger his own well being?"  Nope.  He was kicking the back of the seat in the car.  Over and over and over and over again.  Sometimes the little things REALLY get to you.  This was, perhaps, not our finest moment as parents.  What would Super Nanny say?