Beautiful Boy

I tried to download some pictures but for whatever reason only one would load - but it definitely makes the point of the title!



When blogger decides to behave I'll update more. Have a fabulous week! Love and hugs!

Happy Fall Ya'll

I can't believe Fall is FINALLY here! But what did it bring with it - yucky germs! My poor little Max isn't feeling good. Last night he had a fever and it has continued into today. He started telling me his tummy hurt, but I just wasn't really sure I believe him. Last week, his tummy hurt so I gave him a tums, which he LOVED - so he points to the Tums quite often and tells me his tummy hurts - hence my skepticism. Regardless, we went to the doctor and they are thinking he might have STREP!!!! The first test was negative but they are doing some cultures tonight and will know for certain tomorrow. He has been SO sweet today (which made cleaning up the vomit in my car a little less bothersome).

Here is my sad little boy at the doctor office - look at that crocodile tear!

He really hasn't been himself today - sleeping the WHOLE day away!!

Say a little prayer that Max feels better - I sure hope he doesn't have strep. We were hoping to go to Dallas for the Razorback game and so I could see my best friend Ashlee and her baby girl Foster - but that trip is in serious jeopardy as of today. However, I'll trade Dallas any day so as not to get sick myself (6.5 months pregnant and sick just doesn't sound ideal)!!

Other than last night and today, things have really been going great for us. We've been having lots of fun. He just says some of the funniest things!! It cracks me up. The other night we were all three snuggled in bed and he looked over to Kelly and said, "Daddy, you my best friend." I thought we were both going to cry.

He is still obsessed with dinosaurs. A friend of Kelly's passed down a dinosaur costume. Max had a BLAST. After we put it on, he told me, "Shh momma, I'm gonna stomp and roar and scare daddy!" And that's exactly what he did!

He was mid-roar here (Also - he looks so much like my brother in this picture, it's scary!!)

Kelly had to go out of town (overnight) two Mondays in a row, so Max and I got to hang out in Pine Bluff. I'm still don't enjoy staying the night alone - luckily my in-laws are so great! We stopped and said hi to Memaw and Papaw on our way to Sherrill.

Max and Papaw Rocking - isn't that the sweetest?

He went to get a "book" to read and came back with a map. Here he and Papaw are reading the map.

We have so much fun in Pine Bluff with Memaw, Papaw, Sugah and Pop. In fact, I think Max has gotten a little spoiled. He's asked all week to go visit them! Makes my heart warm.

Well, on the Razorback front - Kelly and I were SO close to having tickets to the BIG game, however, they fell through last minute. So, we went to Sherrill and watched the game with Sugah, Pop and the VFW crew. The food was great and we had lots of fun - well until the 4th quarter. But we are still so proud of our HOGS! Max put on a Razorback hat (that covered his entire head) and ran around as a monster.

The Razorback Monster (apparently he wasn't scary enough for the Tide)

This past weekend we decided to carve pumpkins on the Razorback's off weekend. Uncle Chris and The Helms came over to join the fun. We had lots of fun and thanks to Chris - we have some great pumpkins too!!

Carving Pumpkins

Max would take spoon fulls of the pumpkin "guts" and dump them in the monkey grass

Max and Hunter

On the baby front, Max has finally come around to calling the baby Maggie. He hasn't, however, given up on Lucy. Apparently Maggie is in my belly and Lucy is in his belly! O'well! So I guess since Max agrees it's official, Max will have a little sister named Maggie in early January. Her name will be Margaret Grace. Margaret was my great-grandmother's name. She had Alzheimer's but I have the fondest memories of her growing up. She was my playmate. Then Grace is for my grandmother.

Well, we hope you all have a fantastic rest of your week. Hopefully, Max will feel better tonight.

Big Hugs and GO HOGS!!

Just Cause

These past three weeks have been just a marathon of briefs for me at work. I had 8 due!! (with one being a novel issue for our appellate court - makes me tired all over again just typing about it!) Lucky for me, Max's school started back after labor day. I think he REALLY enjoys his class. The first day I went to pick him up, he was still napping. He did NOT want to go home - he was VERY upset. In fact, each of the three days I picked him up he really wanted to stay at school. However, when Kelly picked him up on Thursday, he RAN to him SCREAMING, DADDY!!!! I should probably have my feelings hurt but I'm just going to be thankful that he loves school.

Max actually is very loving most days. Its so sweet. When we tell him we love him, he'll respond, very ardently, "No, I luv you!" (so long as he isn't in one of his moods.) It's so sweet - well until he decides he isn't sweet and then he is just a 2.5 year old, which is NO fun for anyone.

Look, he's SO sweet he has chocolate cereal coming from his nose!!

We have been working so hard on getting back on track with a daily schedule and our bed time routines. Night time is just SO hard for me. After he gets out of his bath, he will climb in bed with me and drink a cup of milk. He just snuggles and tells me that he loves me SO much. If I move, he'll protest saying, "No, momma, I need to hold you." Then he'll just hug and love on me - SO SWEET!!! Well, when it's time for him to go to his bed, he'll reach for me and whine, "No, momma bed - I need momma." Just breaks my heart!! But we certainly want him back on track and back in his routine for when his little sister arrives early January.

Riding the Train with Hunter at the Zoo

We've gone to the zoo at least one day a week for the past three weeks. (It's kind of been a release for both of us since I've been so busy working at the house). We only go for about an hour or so - it's just enough time for him to run around and get tired. (It wears me out too). Luckily, the weather has been cool enough for us to go. He LOVES the zoo and all the animals. We always have so much fun.

Max and his best (most favorite) friend!

Isn't that just the sweetest. Those two have SO much fun together. We are so blessed to have Kelly!
We hope you all have a great weekend!! We will be cheering on the Razorbacks this Saturday!! If you ask Max what a Razorback says, he'll tell you "Woo Pig Soooiiee, Razorbacks!" Maybe I can get a video soon for you all to see.

LOVE and HUGS!!!

We are sending special hugs to our friends, Jim, Lauren and Mallani Meredith. Mallani was born WAY before her due date but finally got to go home yesterday!! YAY!!!!!

Hot Town Summer in the City

Man has it been SO hot!!! But it hasn't slowed us down - it has however kept Max's mom from taking him to get a hair trim. It's just too hot to do anything more than what is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Monday of this week we learned Max is going to have a baby sister in January. He has some definite opinions about her name btwn the choices we've given him. It's pretty cute. We think we've picked a name but Max, of course, likes the 2nd option.

Max returns to MDO on the Tuesday after Labor Day. We are BOTH ready for a regular routine again. However, it means preparing him for the routine of a classroom again. This summer has really been great but we've gotten into some bad habits - mainly with bed times. Max is SO sweet after his bath and I LOVE cuddling with him. It's so wonderful that I let him fall asleep with me at times. On the nights he does go to his own bed, he's been waking around 3 or 4 and will run and climb into our bed - and we haven't been correcting him. (I'm just too tired!!). Despite our sliding on bedtime, Max has ALWAYS been a WONDERFUL napper. It's basically always been as simple as saying, "Let's go take a nap." He will promptly walk with me to his bed and go to sleep. It's great!! Well, this week has been AWFUL!!!! Starting Monday, when it is nap time he SCREAMS and is just really inconsolable. I end up having to just shut the door and leave him in his room. Within about 5 minutes he stops crying and goes to sleep - but it is just a HUGE (terrible) production. Bedtime isn't much better. We've reverted back to rocking - but, hey, whatever works with the least amount of trauma to Max (who am I kidding - to his parents!!) ;) It's made me SO nervous for how he will behave for nap time when returning to school. So this Saturday, he stayed with Sugah. I was so worried for them all, but of course, he behaved for Sugah. It makes me feel a little better about school. Surely he will do as well as he did last year for his school nap time - peer pressure for toddlers is GREAT. Say a prayer he keeps it up for us!!

In addition to getting back into a sleep routine, we've been talking about potty training more and more every day. He cannot move up to his next class (next year) unless he is potty trained (and I would LOVE to only have one in diapers, but I'm not holding my breath)!

While Max may not be ready to potty train, he is sure George is ready!

He even helped George wash his hands

Sleep habits and potty training aren't the only things we have been doing to prepare for school. In addition to Max's new sleep "issues" he has developed quite the attitude. This week also began LOTS of defiance - unfortunately, for Max (and his parents), it has resulted in lots of punishments and redirection. His MDO requested that we introduce Max to "Obey the Rules/teachers" and "Use Your Words." We haven't had a problem implementing them into our daily lives - use your words isn't really a new concept but obey the rules is new this summer. I'm sure it is shocking to hear, but we have LOTS of opportunities to remind Max to obey the rules. It's really cute when he repeats it.

But we've been having LOTS of fun mixed in with ALL of our learning. Max LOVES music. There is a certain Sugarland song that he LOVES. He always screams, "Clap, Momma, Clap!" And he claps and sings along. It's SOOOO cute.

Here's Max singing and clapping along with Sugarland

Max has really been such an easy baby (that combined with my never-ending sickness with this pregnancy makes me VERY nervous about our little girl). He was VERY laid back and just did things at his own speed. He was never in much of a rush to crawl, walk, etc. It seemed he only met his next developmental goal when it became necessary for him to be able to do something. Well, now he doesn't do ANYTHING at half-speed. It's ALWAYS full speed ahead. Little boys who do EVERYTHING at full speed, also fall at full speed. The poor guy gets bruises on his legs all the time. It just hurts my feelings so much when I see a new bruise. He's quite the daredevil too. He loves jumping and free-falling. It's crazy. Max's full speed ahead landed us in the er after he hit his head on the corner of a dresser drawer. It really wasn't to bad - it's only a half-inch long, but we wanted to be safe rather than sorry.

Here he is with is warrior bandage - the nurse used a wrap b/c she thought his curls were so precious she didn't want bandaid tape pulling on them

Max's minor boo-boos certainly don't slow him down. He just keeps going! Here are some pictures hanging out with his dad on the lake at our house.

Just look at that face - you'd think he didn't like riding in the canoe

See he does like it!

We went to Pine Bluff one day this month to visit the train station. WHEW - it was HOT!!!!!

Here is the train Max preferred! (it moved!)

Because it was SO hot at the train museum, we headed over to the Huckabee Nature Center to seek refuge in the A/C. We had SO much fun!!! We will definitely head back to enjoy the outside fun once the weather cools off a bit - so it may be November before we go back!

Max and Hunter "riding" the crop duster

Today is Kelly's birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!! Kelly is such a WONDERFUL dad (and husband) and we love him SO much!! Of course, that means it's also Shawn's birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN!!! Kelly and Shawn share their special day with the precious little Augusta Grace! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AG!! We spent our afternoon celebrating the birthdays at Playtime Pizza for AG's birthday party. She looked SOOOO sweet in her birthday outfit. It was a pink tu-tu with a pick shirt with a 2. Here are some party pics.

Max sitting with his Aunt Shannon to have close view of the presents! AG was a professional present opener!!

Max and AG trying out the new table and chairs from Sugah - they are intended for dolls but Max and AG thought they were great a place to eat their cake and ice cream!

PLAYTIME!!!

Riding the go-carts with Dad. He REALLY enjoyed this and would smile as they drove by me. (For some reason my pictures didn't turn out)

All in all we've had a GREAT August! We can't wait for September and RAZORBACK football!!! WOO PIG SOOIIEE!! Till next time - hugs and love!!

Mr. Personality

We have been having so much fun lately. Being Max's mom just gets better EVERY day!! He is just FULL of personality. I love his imagination. It is really SO vivid. The other day he was at my office playing on my phone. He would pick it up and have a WHOLE conversation with Dora and Boots. I was cracking up!

Lately he is SO obsessed with whales, dolphins, sharks, bears and dinosaurs. Max scratched his foot falling on some brick steps. When Kelly asked Max what happened, Max replied that a big dinosaur got him.

Kelly took my camera on one of his canoeing excursions with Max. I haven't seen it since. I'm certain when it shows up I'll have lots of captured moments to blog! Don't worry, I have a few from my phone to share!!

I have no words!

You can never be too safe blowing bubbles!

Max and Kelly getting ready to fish!!

He put his glasses on and said, "Momma, I cool!"
Here, I walked into his room and caught him reading to his pal, George.

Once he saw I was taking his picture, he grabbed George and said, "CHEESE!!" Not his best smile but it is still super sweet!!

As much fun as Max has been lately, he has really been keeping us on our toes. In addition to his growing imagination, Max is becoming more independent. He is constantly telling me, while pointing his finger "No, momma, I do it." Occasionally, he'll hold his hand up and say "Stop Momma, I do it - I do it." He definitely has his own ideas about things and gets really upset if he isn't allowed to do things on his own. It is very difficult to allow him to exerting his independence but curtail the sass (do you call it sass with boys?).

Well, we find out in a week if the new baby is a boy or girl and can't wait.

Hope you all have a great week. Love and Hugs!

Excuses, Excuses!

and boy do we have plenty for the neglect of our blog. We'll just let the pictures do the talking.

So we moved into our new house at the end of April. We LOVE the house and the neighborhood. Before it got so hot, Max and Kelly would walk down to the lake every weekend to fish and play in the water. Max LOVED it. He LOVES water!!

Here he is splashing around on the bank

We've also had visitors to the new house. One day Chris and Christine came for a visit. They taught Max how to turn his wagon into a roller coaster of sorts! They would pull the wagon up the driveway and then ride it down. My little dare-devil REALLY enjoyed it!! I think the big kids had fun too!

Look at that face!! PURE enjoyment!

After we moved, Max, Rocky and I joined Betsy and Emma for Paws on the Pavement. Max loved being able to walk Emma. He is such a big boy!!

Max is just growing, growing, growing.. He LOVES his bike helmet.

Max has also had some friends visit! Hunter came and spent a little time with us right after we moved in while his mom was out. Max really enjoys hanging out with Hunter. In our stroller strides class, he always requests that I park his stroller next to Hunter's stroller.

Here they are enjoying some Dora

They danced a little!

They had to have gloves on their hands while dancing - I guess they were channeling their inner Michael Jackson

In addition to having friends visit us at home, Max has done some visiting of his own. He had a great time at Nathan's birthday party.

He had a WONDERFUL time at the play date at Little Kent's. It was FANTASTIC. I only wish I took more pictures!!

My dad also came for a visit. Whenever he comes to town, he and Max are in CONSTANT motion. Here they are having a great time with a BOX!

My dad pushing Max around in the box

Seriously, who needs toys when there is a Box around!!

They also had fun on the stairs!

On Father's Day weekend all of Ted and Linda's kids, daughters-in-law, and grand kids headed to Sherrill! It was SO much fun visiting with everyone. I LOVE getting to hang out with everyone. We celebrated father's day and Papaw's and Linda's birthdays.

The sprinkler was such a hit with Max.

Here he is reading with Aunt Shannon, A-gace (what Max calls AG), and Samantha

(Max LOVES his Aunt Shannon and Augusta Grace. Our house is pretty close to their new house, so we get to spend lots of time with them. Max just ADORES them!! It is so sweet!)

Max had lots of fun playing with Memaw!

Of course, it wouldn't be a McNulty get together without a WHOMM!

There was also LOTS of dancing. Unfortunately, none of my pictures turned out. After our trip to Sherrill, my mom, Allen and Zach came for a visit. I was SICK the entire time. BOO!!!! Max went back to Florida with them. I joined him just a few days after he left. We all went for my sister's wedding. Max had the BEST time in Florida. He went swimming at the beach and my mom's pool EVERY DAY!!!! He REALLY LOVES water!!! We took him to Sea World too. He really enjoyed the whales and polar bears. My sister took him to see sharks at the local surf shop. He is STILL obsessed with the sharks!!

Smiling with My Sister and Caleb

Max hates the paparazzi too
The Happy Couple (and Zach) on their wedding day

Sara and Mike with all the kids (which is EXTREMELY fitting considering how ALL children adore Sara)

Dancing with the Bride

Max had the BEST time dancing at the reception. He did lots of break dancing. ;) We had so much fun in Florida and can't wait to go back.

In addition to all of our travels, we've had some great news for our family. Max is going to be a big brother the first of January 2011. We found at the day after Mother's Day. Unfortunately, this pregnancy has been a little tougher than the one with Max. I've been very sick and dizzy. Hopefully, things will get better - keep us in your prayers please.

Well, have a GREAT week. Hugs and Love from us!!