Cruisin'

So Max is full on cruising around the house. A mere 3 days after his first steps he was walking down the hall, and a few days after that he'd turn corners and was walking more than crawling. Below is a video I took this morning of him cruising around the house.



This morning Max and I were hanging out downstairs. He was happily playing in the living room and I went into the kitchen to check my email really quickly. There is nothing in the living room that he isn't supposed to touch or play with, so I knew he was safe. And we have a very open floorplan, so I could see him much of the time. Anyhow, I check my email, nothing new, and go back to the living room. I can't find Max! I can't hear him... nothing. I'm frantic at this point, the doors are all locked, so he couldn't have left. He has never shown any interest in the stairs, but I still run up the landing and look up them... no Max. Back downstairs I call out his name, and look behind chairs. Nothing. Then back upstairs and into our bedroom... there he is! He had gone all the way upstairs and into our room in a matter of a minute. Thank goodness he didn't fall, or go into the office or sewing room where it isn't babyproofed. So now we know- Max can climb stairs. Fast.

What's up?

It snowed here last week! We got a few inches, and it stuck around for a couple of days. The neighborhood kids were out making snow people, so Max and I ventured out to see what was going on. He was more interested in the neighbors dog than the snow! Ron caught this picture from up in his office. It's hard to tell, but Max was pretty excited to see his dad up in the window!
Ron and I have both started new hobbies. I have been sewing and knitting, and he's been doing more woodworking. He's taking a class once a week up in Portland, and our garage is getting an overhaul to fit his tools and make a new work area. We get to reap the benefits of both our hobbies, as you can see from the pictures Max loves the ride on toy that Ron made for Christmas, and he;s got some new clothes from me. Below is a great picture of the toy Ron made. And the banana pants are my creation.
Grandpa and Grandma Brooks have been coming over to play and babysit more often. It's great, and Max loves having them so close! Here's grandpa taking him out for a ride in a mini wagon. That's the poncho that I started knitting months ago... finally done!
And lastly, as some of you have been the recipients of these gifts, you might already know. I have been sewing kids capes, and they are pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself! I have been selling them, so far mostly to MDC mamas up here, but I am considering selling them online soon. Of course I have to use Max as a model.

Putting on his best superhero face...

And for the girls...

More pictures here on a page I quickly put together to let people pick fabrics.

Rons parents came up this weekend to celebrate Rons birthday. We went to OMSI, and had a great time! Max just loves his grandparents so much, as soon as he saw grandma Cindy his arms went out to her. And half the time he just wants her to pick him up so she'll take him to see grandpa Sam!

Max is totally walking now. His first steps were on Monday, and by Wednesday he'd walk across the room. Now he trucks around all over the place! We'll post another video soon.

Dancing Boy

Here's a video of Max dancing. He loves to dance lately! He'll hear the music in the background of a commercial, or on a cell phone, and just start bopping away. He prefers electronic music, like in some of his toys, so we turned on some techno music and let him go.

First Steps!

Yes, it's true! Max took his first steps tonight. He's been happily cruising around with his push toys foe awhile now, but tonight he let go of our hands and took several steps on his own. We ran and got the video camera, so here's a clip! He'll be 10 months old on Wednesday. It's crazy to think that he could be trucking around the house by his first birthday!

Chasing Max

Max loves to be chased. If someone is walking behind us he'll turn and start to laugh because he thinks they will chase him. Even the people helping us out to the car with the groceries! He isn't really into the catching him part, just the chase.

Happy New Year!

Here are some pictures of the past few weeks. Video to come soon!

Max and I getting ready for our houseguests- Grandma and Grandpa Blaker and GrandmAmmi would be arriving soon to stay with us for a few days. Notice that despite the pack-n-play and excersaucer in the background Max is hanging out in his prefered spot- on my back. Can I have my AP card back now???
On Christmas Eve we went to Grandma and Grandpa Brooks' house for a delicious dinner of Great-Grandmas spaghetti (we just call her Great for short!). We had missed the Hannukah celebration in Seattle a couple of weeks prior, so Max opened his Hannukah gifts. He got some really nice toys, and a beautiful fabric doll that his Great Grandma Blaker brought home for him from Israel!

We had christmas dinner at our house. Here's everyone except Ron, who is taking the picture. Grandma and Grandpa Blaker, Uncle Larry, GrandmAmmi, Great, Grandpa and Grandma Brooks, and Max and I.

Max, in his cool new outfit from Auntie Barbara (The shirt says, "Oh come let us adore me") riding on the vehicle that his dad made him. That's right, Ron made this cool wooden ride on toy. It is beautiful, and much to our surprise, Max stands up and walks around with it already!

And riding on the Grandpa-Sam-Mobile!

No comment necessary for this next pucture!

Playing with Uncle Larry

And GrandmAmmi
Sleepy Max at the end of the day.

On New Years Eve we had Rich, Breana, and Kaden (and we missed Kylin) over along with Nadine, Mahlon, and Josie (we missed Naia) to ring in the new year. It was fun seeing the babies play together! Max pushed Kaden around in his wagon that GrandmAmmi got him for Christmas. He loves that thing!
Poor Josie... Max tried to steal her toys.

Kaden and Max conked out at the end of the night.