Travelin' Man

Yesterday, Max went to FLORIDA!! WHAT?!? He rarely gets to spend time with my mom, sister, Allen and Zach, so when Wendy offered to take him to Florida with her to say I was EXTREMELY hesitant is an understatement (Kelly on the other hand was less so). It was so last minute and very spur of the moment. However, after LOTS of consultations, we decided to let him go to Florida without ME!!!! (As I type this I still cannot believe I let my baby leave town!) My mom is coming to town Wednesday so he'll be home really soon.

Well, after about 30 minutes of crying (me, not Kelly), Kelly loaded me up and took me to dinner. We had a nice night and got to hear our favorite band, Big Smith. I have called pretty much every hour on the hour since he left. Max, on the other hand, hasn't skipped a beat. Before he left, he kept saying bye-bye and was really ready to go! Wendy said he was great on the plane - so much so that the lady beside them had to compliment on how well he behaved. My mom said he's been going non-stop since arriving and having a FABULOUS time. He's been playing on the golf carts, running around, swimming and drumming! She says he has just been smiling and charming everyone. I was really worried about naptime and bedtime because he hasn't been to their house since April, but my mom says he has been great. So, I guess he remembers and is comfortable, which really puts me at ease. I miss him so so so much but am so relieved that he is having so much fun with my mom. It makes me happy that he is getting to bond with them and being such a sweet, charming baby! Say some prayers that I make it until Wednesday - I know he's in good hands but this is a LONG time to be away.

Here is a picture they sent to my phone where he's playing on the drums! (My dad will be so proud.) He's a natural!

Havin' fun in Hamburg

After our trip to Stuttgart, we decided to take our travels south to Hamburg. We went to visit the Hamburg group for a pre-4th of July celebration! I have NEVER seen my baby more worn out from all the fun he had!! We will most definitely be traveling south again soon!! We stayed with Terri Lynn, Mike and Gracie. Their house is absolutely beautiful. Max LOVED every minute of his stay, except the part when he broke Terri's beautiful blue pyrex bowl - uh, oh!! He did so good to not get into anything until right when we were LOADING the car and leaving. He did this only minutes before we left. So to all you antique/flea market goers, let us know if you find a replacement - we're in the market!

When he wasn't eating his new favorite food, watermelon, Max spent his time outside running around the yard, playing on the merry-go-round, or climbing on the playground. He loved playing in the sprinkler. When it would spray him in the face, he would say, "O," and look extremely surprised. It was SO cute. He was SO dirty for most of the weekend. He has never taken so many baths in such a short period of time. His favorite thing to do was climb on Gracie's golf cart. He'd sit in the floor board and push the pedal while saying, "Go, go, go." (It was his subtle way of telling you he was ready for a ride.) TOO CUTE!! We even took the golf cart to the streets of Hamburg. I felt like we were on parade - EVERYONE waving and stopping to say hi. It is such a great small town where you literally know everyone. We had a great time visiting with the WHOLE Hamburg group - Bruin, Betty Lynn, Julie, Trisha and everyone else!! The cookout and Hannah Kate was FABULOUS!! We have always loved visiting Hamburg. Here are some pictures.

Swinging with Terri - this is kind of the face he would make when sprayed with the sprinkler

Climbing the Slide - look at that dirty booty!!

Playing on the Merry-go-round (they have the best backyard - EVER!!)

Sprinkler Time!!

Running from the HoseD - I - R - T - Y

Climbing the golf cart - his FAVORITE activity Go, Go, Go

After our trip to Hamburg, we went home to LR where my dad was waiting. He stayed the night with us on Friday and kept Max Saturday morning while I ran the Firecracker 5k, however, they met me at the finish line! Here is a sweet picture of Max snuggled up with my dad after the race.

After the race, Max and I loaded up again for a trip to Sherrill. We spent the 4th of July with Kelly's parents and Augusta Grace (Kelly was in Erie, PA). For some reason, I have no pictures - so you'll just have to imagine the most beautiful little red-headed, blued-eyed baby girl and my sweet baby Max. Max and AG played pretty good together, however Max learned about time-out. He liked pushing and poking AG in addition to practicing his wrestling moves with her. She, however, wasn't a big fan. I'm not the only fan of her red-hair either, Max seems to really like it. In fact, he thinks pulling it is a great way to show his affection. (He also learned it was a fast way to go to time out.) Something about Max and red-heads. At daycare the other day, he harrassed a new little red-head so much, Ms. Molly had to put him in a high chair to restrain him and protect her - whoops!!

Max also had a great time with Pop. Kelly's dad will tease Max about sucking his thumb. So, when Max sees Mr. McNulty he quickly removes his thumb from his mouth and just looks at him with a real "I didn't do it" look. However, if Pop comes into the room at a time when Max isn't sucking his thumb, Max will get this hard to describe look in his eyes (it's a cross between mischief and defiance) and he'll move his thumb closer to his mouth. Ted will then give him a disapproving look and they will have sort of a stare down. It is REALLY funny to watch - well for me anyway!!

Sugah and I worked on a Shower-in-a-Box. Ted and Amy are having a baby in August, but because they live in L.A. (no, not lower Arkansas) we are unable to have a traditional shower. We knew we HAD to do something special for them. (Amy is always doing so many thoughtful things for us during all of our important times). So we all decided to do a shower-in-a-box. It was LOTS of fun. We put in all the shower essentials - a shower cake (diaper cake); snacks (cookies); a hostess gift (baby essentials - clothes, razorback gear, bath stuff, toys, etc. all put on a clothes line); games; and, of course, gifts!! It was my first time to make a diaper cake - it was SO easy!! We even decorated the the shower site, aka the box! We can't wait for baby McNulty to arrive in August!!

After all the shower fun, we loaded up with Sugah, Pops and AG for a party. It was REALLY hot but lots of fun. Max LOVED when Sugah poured water on his head. It was a similar reaction to the sprinkler. He also like playing in the bouncy toy/slide and swinging. He had fun with his Pop too! He was so tired when we got home that he didn't even move when I put him in his pjs. Ha! Needless to say, we had lots of fun and tons of traveling!!

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th!

More Fun Times in Stuttgart!!

A few weeks ago, Terri Lynn (Sally's cousin) had a conference in Little Rock. She stayed with us for a few days and we had the BEST time. We also went with her to Stuttgart to stay the night with Harper, Bruin, Gracie, and all the grown-ups. Terri decided the boys (Harper and Max) needed doll strollers to push around. I can promise you that was a $12 well spent!! Both boys LOVED the strollers - pushing them and riding in them!! (I'm really surprised both strollers made it through the night in one piece.) At one point in the night, the big kids were pushing the babies VERY fast in the doll strollers. Of course, the speed man, Harper, LOVED it - the faster the better as far as he was concerned. I told Matthew that I wasn't so sure Max would be able to ride with Harper when they turned 16 if he continued to love speed! HA!! Max enjoyed cruising at any speed just as long as someone was pushing him.

Here is Gracie pushing Max - look how much he loves it!!

This is just a picture of the usual roles Max and Harper take when playing together. Max is sitting, riding, and Harper is taking charge, pushing Max around.

Even Matthew got in on the fun!!

Here is a video of the boys in action. Harper was pushing Max into the wall!!!

We had a GREAT night and Stuttgart and can't wait to go back. On another note, Max has REALLY been teething lately. He finally has a molar that is almost fully in! It is the first molar on the bottom right. The one on the bottom left should be poking through any day as well as the one on the top right!

Houston, we have a . . .

WALKER!! Here's a sweet little video of Max walking. It's a little long but he was just SO cute!! The way his little booty shakes side-to-side when he's walking was just too much!! The night we videoed this little clip he would say, "Yay!!" while walking. I LOVED IT!! Too bad his little footed pjs didn't have anything on the bottom to keep him from slipping. Now that he's discovered walking - he's walking everywhere and loves it. I can't wait for him to show off his new skills to Sally and Harper this week! It really started on Sunday (well it may have started in WM during his weekend visit but my family is too sweet to tell me otherwise!!) but he's been going non-stop since! He gets better EVERY day. We went for his 15 month check up yesterday and he's right on target. He's 34 inches (97%) and 28 lbs. (90%). His head measured 19.5 inches (95%).



Enjoy his walking video.








We also welcomed a new member into the family yesterday. Colin Thomas Carter was born to Trey (Kelly's cousin) and Hannah!! Everyone is healthy! We are SO excited and can't wait to meet him this weekend. (And of course let Max show off his mad skills to Trey and Hannah - ha!!)



Terri Lynn (Sally's cousin) stayed with us this week and Max is in LOVE with her!! We don't want her to leave!!! We hope you all have a MAXnificent week.



Love and hugs!

He's a Maniac, Maniac

I know I just posted but I have another video to include. For some reason blogger wouldn't let me put two videos into one post. Max goes to stroller strides with me almost every day. Well, we do an exercise that we call maniacs where we basically run in place. At home, we like to sing the maniac song. Here's a video of Max doing his maniacs-excuse my singing!

Hugs and Love!!

We've found the Camera - WOO HOO!!

Max took a few more steps today (6 to be exact! yes, I know I'm ridiculous!), but I think he is still a ways away from being a walker. He cannot be fooled into taking unassisted steps. Let me explain - Max enjoys walking along while holding onto anything and everything - walls, couches, toys, whatever. He really likes to walk behind toys or while holding your hand. Max, however, will not (voluntarily) release whatever he is holding to take a step towards something he desires. His steps have occurred when walking with me. I let him get in front of me. The combination of the momentum and the delay in noticing I've released his hand results in Max taking steps towards the wall or baby gate. I imagine our next milestone will be when he voluntarily steps towards things. The important thing is he CAN do it - he just chooses not to do it. Ha!! We go for our 15 month check up Tuesday, so I'll have more to update then. Enjoy some new pictures and videos!!

Max got these sunglasses for Easter but has only recently showed an interest in wearing them. He thinks he is SO cool!!

Here's a video of him playing with his glasses. He says, "O, yeah!" It's TOO cute. I just LOVE how excited he gets with these glasses.

Here's his uh-oh, she caught me doing something I know I shouldn't be doing

This is how I found him one morning - playing with the cokes!! I thought it was so funny!

He cracks himself up (me too!) when he climbs onto this stool when it is in the corner! Max LOVES crawling around with this monkey in his mouth. It's so weird, but, once again, funny!Look at that BELLY!!!! We have SOO much fun at the McNulty house. Max loves climbing into the suitcase and being pulled around the house. It's TONS of fun!!
You can almost hear him laugh in this one!!

Baby Steps!?!?!

Max took his FIRST steps last night!!!! THREE to be exact!! We are ecstatic! He's trying to stand all of the time these days. He spent the night with his Sugah and Pop on Friday while Kelly and I were in Hot Springs for the Bar Convention. It was our first night away together as a couple. I don't know what Sugah and Pop did with Max but we may just have to send him back!! Max also spent some time with Memaw and Papaw. He really has a good time over there and I was so relieved that he was good for them - you just never know!!
Thursday night Max and I headed to Stuttgart. Max and Harper were SO cute together. I love how much they love each other. They just played ALL night - I didn't have to do a thing. It was great.
This weekend one of my oldest, dearest friends, Rob, is getting married in Little Rock. Max will be spending the weekend with my aunt Gayle and uncle Joe. Wish them luck!
Well, I don't have any pictures b/c my camera is MIA, but hopefully I'll find it soon.

Have a fabulous week. Love and hugs!