More Mel

Hiking in the 'Hood

Now that the weather is cooler we've been hiking in the neighborhood before bed.

Address Labels as Shirt

First Bath

He didn't like it so much. He was very cold despite the warm washcloth.

Max doing what he does best...

Happy Bday Cecilia and Jim

How cute dad and daughter have the same birthday. Mel loved the cake.

Siblings

They look similar at birth. Max is on left. Not a good angle of him to really see though.

At the Zoo

Max

More Max! He is a very mellow baby...so far.

Strike a Pose

Tim and Mel went to the park while Max and I tried to catch up on sleep. I can't believe her girlish pose.

It's a boy!

Welcome Maxim (pronounced "Maxeem")
Born September 1, 2007 11:45AM
7lbs, 13oz
19 inches
Baby and mom are doing well and are already home. Dad is very proud and tired. Though at first suspicious, Mel seems happy to have a little brother. She predicted right!

First Day of Preschool

Today was Mel's first day of preschool. She did great. No drama. The teachers served cake. How could you not like preschool if they give you cake?

I am due today and still no baby. Going to Scalini's for dinner where they promise eating the eggplant parm induces labor within 48hrs.

You're OK, Car

Now we can upload videos! I hope this behavior means she will be a good big sister.

Very Pregnant

From this angle I'm as big as the car in the background. Only 4 more days until due date.

Toys on Head

Uncle Dave and Aunt Meg teaching Mel useful life skills. Or was it the other way around?

Horse at Playground

Who says you can't bring a horse to the playground?

Russian Songs

Today she sang songs just like a Russian...with great passion.

Lunch with Duck

Mel ate the lunch grandma made her with her yellow duck.

Sucker for a Sucker

Someone gave Mel a lollipop this morning. It is a losing battle keeping her away from sweets when people offer them to kids left and right. She hated it as you can see. (Note the ponytail!)

Up Do

What I would give to be able to put Mel's hair up in a ponytail. She refuses any hair accessories. Here is a rare occasion where I was permitted to put her hair up. The woman who cuts her hair was able to make a little braid on her last visit. She made it look so easy. Mel didn't protest at all but the woman had given her a lollipop and could have probably administered Mel's next round of immunizations without a peep.

Hotlanta!!!

It is unbearably hot here. I can't stand to be outside in this heat. Mel and Tim don't seem to mind as much but they aren't 8 months pregnant. Here Mel is all sweaty and running around the bandstand at the town square. Tim is doing his Schroeder (from the Peanuts) imitation but without the piano. OK, I couldn't resist and added a piano.

Sagapaws

The mystery that is "sagapaws". We think she picked it up in daycare. It might have something to do with the London Bridge song but none of the lyrics come even close. All we know is that when she calls for sagapaws you must hold both her hands while she jumps on the furniture.

Not Your Hair

Mel has been making progress on the proper use of pronouns. She used to say things like "hold you" when she wanted to be picked up. When everyone keeps referring to her as "you" why wouldn't she refer to herself as "you" too? She has been gradually making progress but this morning she spit out a pretty complex sentence that took me off guard. She was playing with my hair and trying to put it on her own head. I displayed mock outrage to which she replied "No mama. Your hair is for my head not yours. It's mined!".

Favorite Robot

Not sure where to begin with this one. Propped up on the sofa is the NY Times Magazine open to a photo of a robot named Mertz. Since seeing him in this morning's paper she has developed a minor obsession and claimed it as her "favorite robot". In this picture she dressed him in a white hat and threw him a tea party.

I bet any money that if we were to actually get her the real robot she would still prefer the magazine. I assume that just because she likes something she'd want a real or bigger or more complex version of it. It's happened before. She loves watching Barney (I know, shoot me) but when I showed her a Barney doll she couldn't care less.

Hungarian Grandma

Mel's friend Jake has a Hungarian grandma who got both of them this T-shirt. She wears it with pride.

God Song

This image is blurry I know but here she looks so much like her great-grandma on Tim's side that I had to post it. It's odd how she looks nothing like me or anyone in my family.

Mel goes to a drop-in daycare at a local church where the loving daycare ladies make them say prayers before snacks and lunch. (We're in the South, y'all!) Maybe the ladies can tell this is not something we do in our house and say a silent prayer to save her from her God-less parents. At home before digging into her snack today she clasped her hands together and said "Sing God song!" and sang an unintelligble ditty.

Sandbox

Picked up a sandbox and lots of toys from a Freecycle neighbor. All we had to do was buy the sand...250 lbs of it! Mel has yet to show interest in girlie toys but I know the "princess" stage is coming. After her car toppled over she picked it up, hugged it and said "Are you OK? You're OK" very affectionately.

Big Baby

Mel tried out the bassinet today. She looks HUGE inside such a small space. I forgot how small newborns are.

Happy Birthday Uncle Dave!

Uncle Dave's birthday was on July 4th. He dropped by the house for presents and cupcakes and ended up watching Mel while Tim and I were busy with the contractor. Thanks Uncle Dave!

That night we walked up the block to watch fireworks. Mel had her hand pressed over her eyes the entire time because it was "too loud". Occasionally she would peak through her fingers in sheer terror. We walked back towards the house where it was quieter but she was still not digging it.

Remodeling

Mel is helping with our remodeling project. She walks around the house wanting to measure things with a yard stick I am convinced will be the object that pokes her eye out. Today we went shopping for bathroom fixtures. Try making design decisions with a wild monkey in tow. We had to peel her off the walls. It was very close to bedtime so we were asking for it.