We're in BIG trouble!!

Again, no pictures - the camera is still MIA, however, I HAD to post about yesterday. I put Max down for his afternoon nap. He was really fussy and really wasn't interested in being in his bed. Well, I went to the car to get a bag and when I walked back into the house Max WAS IN THE LIVING ROOM!!!!! (And no that isn't where his bed is located!) I WAS SO FREAKED OUT!! He did not hurt himself but my heart was racing. I had NO IDEA he could climb out. The bed only had one more level to lower!! We are in so much trouble!!

He really is a little monkey!!

Out of Sorts

I cannot believe it has been OVER a month since my last post and that it is already Sept!! Where does the time go? That is so sad! We have been super busy at the McNulty house! The last time I posted Max was still in Florida with my mom and family. I drove to Memphis to pick them up on July 29th. My aunt Carolyn joined me. Their plane was over 2 hours late!! I COULDN'T stand it. I felt really bad for my mom but the boys (Zach and Max) were so good for her. When Max saw me at the airport, he did not react as I had imagined - little stinker. He did give me a smile but totally looked at me like, "o, it's you again." ha! I chalked it up to his LONG trip. It was so wonderful that Max was able to spend 4 days in Florida and then a whole week with my mom and brother in Little Rock. Terri Lynn came from Hamburg for 2 different visits. Max LOVES her - seriously.




While they were here we went to the sprinkler park on the river. It is a complete understatement to say Max LOVED it!! Max also got to meet his newest cousin, Colin Carter the week my mom was here too. It was so much fun having a whole group of family over for lunch - especially when the lunch was made by everyone else while all I had to do was be at my house!! Bobbie's artichoke dips is to DIE for and I'm pretty sure I ate my body weight in Hannah's mom's chicken salad and cake - YUM YUM!! (I told them they could come for lunch any time - ha!!).

Max and AG together when Colin came for lunch - they look like they were in trouble don't they??

We were really sad for my mom and Zach to leave us. While we were in WM, Max got to show my dad his drumming skills. It was really cute watching those two play on my dad's drums. Last week my dad was here in LR, playing at Cajun's. We met him there early for dinner and Max helped him set up his drum set. I guess to reward him for a job well-done my dad sent him home with his VERY OWN drum sticks!! I was a little afraid they would become weapons, but so far so good - he only uses them to make "music."



Max is a WILD man these days. He is so active and completely babbles all time. His vocabulary is just growing so fast - it's like a ball rolling down a hill. Lately he runs around the house saying, "go, go." There are lots of times that I have no clue what he is saying but I can already tell that he has such a great imagination. He and his dad LOVE building forts and playing in them. I thought he would be too young for that but I was obviously wrong. He LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES music and loves dancing. Lots of time his dancing consists of running in place or just shaking his head from side to side. SO cute!! He is really into airplanes right now and gets SO excited to hear and see one fly overhead. He's going to give himself whip-lash looking for airplanes.





Clara Grace and Christina also came to visit us one weekend. Christina was going to help me learn to sew but we ended up playing all weekend - I only made one pair of pants. We went to the sprinkler park again and both kiddos really loved it. I took a page from Ted's book that weekend and found three GREAT deals at a yard sale around the corner from my house. For $20 I purchased a little tykes picnic table, slide and BIG outdoor playhouse. If Max never played with any of the three again, I can promise you that we got our money's worth the weekend Clara was here. Max and Clara loved opening and closing the door and shutters on the playhouse. Max LOVES his new toys. Max also got a cozy coupe convertible car that gets LOTS of use. He LOVES everything about it!





Max and I joined Aunt Bobbie on a trip to NWA to visit his cousin, Colin, again. We were so glad to be apart of Colin's christening weekend.

Here is Max laying on Colin's playmate - he had to be stripped b/c he spilled lasagna on his outfit!! (Spray and Wash is definitely our best friend)

The McNultys welcomed ANOTHER girl in August!! YAY!! Amy and Ted had a little girl, Annika Greer McNulty. She is absolutely precious. We really hope to meet her soon. Can you believe the Ted McNulty family has more granddaughters (3) than grandsons (2)??

Here she is - isn't she breathtaking??

Then we had the BIG birthday/party weekend. On the morning of August 22nd it was Augusta Grace's FIRST birthday!! WOW!! She is the BEST little hostess yet! Her pink party was FANTASTIC!!

Isn't she just the prettiest little redhead you've EVER seen???

Since probably November, Molly, Linda and I have been planning a surprise party for Kelly and Shawn's 30th birthday. I think it was a total success. We had LOTS of fun and Kelly was surprised (Shawn says he figured it out). The highlight of the night was DEFINITELY when Ted took us for a spin in the RV - now if we can get him to drive us up to the GA game in Fayetteville, my life will be complete!!

Lauren Chambliss Meredith did a GREAT job on their banners!!

On Sunday, after the big birthday parties, we had a sip and see for sweet little Colin. It was a fantastic way to end a wonderful weekend!!

I wish I had more pictures but my camera is missing AGAIN - I last remember having it at the Sip and See and was certain I packed it to come home but can't find it - UGH!! Hopefully it will turn up soon and it won't be so long until our next post.

We hope you all have a great week. Max and I are a little under the weather (no swine flu though) so say a prayer for us!!

Hugs!

Drummer Boy

My mom just sent me a video of Max drumming with their friend Gary. It is SO cute!! (you will have to go directly to the blog to view the video. It's pretty cute and worth the venture over!! http://kellytabithamcnultyfamily.blogspot.com/)

More from Florida

Today, Max went to the zoo and swimming (at the zoo and the pool). As I type, he is enjoying his first taco. They've kept him so busy, I think he's just been too tired to miss me! ha!

Here he is crashed out with Zach - so sweet!!

I sure can't wait to meet them at the airport on Wednesday afternoon - seriously, I'm a little weepy just looking at him!!

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!