Sweatin' with the Newbies (aka Grease is the Word)

When Max was just a few weeks old, we quickly realized that he LOVES music. From two parents who are pretty lame about music (Charlie still listens to RUN DMC on repeat and I can't find anyone cooler than Dave Matthews Band), it's funny that Max is so into it.

He and I started dancing around his second week of life (I'd dance on the balcony as my "outdoor activity" before he could be in public). One day, I decided to put on the soundtrack of GREASE and what transpired is nothing short of miraculous - we now refer to this as the "Grease Effect". Max can be full-force crying with a dirty diaper, empty tummy and sweaty brow and the moment those first notes of Grease come on he goes limp in my arms as if shot with a stun gun. Exhibit A below (the role of Becky has been filled by Chewbacca). This was moments after a metldown, and yet.

The first time Charlie saw this phenomenon he was in shock..... We have a one second accidental clip of my rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted" - ignore my voice but check out the limp baby (Max is the only person who actually likes my singing voice).

NOTE TO OTHER MOMS: The effect only works on babies - once, as I was singing to Max and he was beautifully calm, I noticed Charlie staring at us and I thought, "He is probably thinking 'wow, that's my beautiful family'", so I asked Charlie his thoughts and he said, "Honestly, I'm wondering when you'll stop singing". Ouch....

Should THE GREASE EFFECT not work on your child, try different music - Max has many interests, recently Charlie lulled him to sleep with AC/DC for instance...

Another bonus to "Dancing with the Newbies" is that it's a great workout (or at least that's what I keep telling myself since I haven't been able to stop eating five meals a day quite yet). I'll let you know how that works out in a few months.

Natural Disasters

I think a common thread of new parents is delighting in their child's everyday occurences such as sleeping, smiling, staring into space, sneezing, breathing, farting, sucking on a pacifier, pooping, yawning, crying, snorting, etc. (I know it's horrible to say, but I think he is so cute when he cries...especially when he does his perfect "Baby Soundtrack" cry. The A-side is "WAH" and the B-side is "NAH").

I happened to be taking a couple of videos today (MAJOR daily activity for us) when I got a myriad of examples. I edited out the "non-important" parts, but take a look at these short clips - a sampling of Max's greatest hits (you have to listen close in the second video. It's nice work, I tell ya). By the way, I know its pretty horrible to film your child crying, but I swear I put his pacifier back in immediately after getting the "money shot"...

Big Weekend!

What a major weekend for Max Manuel and friends...

Started with a big happy bday call to THE JIMBO where Max definitely cood into the phone at his Grandpa. Since it was his bday, I actually paused when Dad asked, "So, it's just you and me on the phone - who do you like better - me or mom?" before promptly responding "Mom", as always. But you're nearing the 1,000 mark Dad- you'll hear your name soon enough!!

That night, we had a VERY important visit from aunt Tina. Tina came for the weekend to meet Mr. Max and accompany us to Nelly's wedding in Naples (congrats Mr. and Mrs. Shotwell!). Needless to say, Max looooved his aunt Tina and she was an UNBELIEVABLE babysitter - way more equipped than I am. She gave us our first night out since Max was born and we really needed it (though I'm still recovering, and I only had two glasses of wine (wasted) and stayed out until midnight)...Tina, we THANK YOU so much and owe you big time! Four of us in a small hotel room with a six week old baby - that's a night we'll always remember! Check out the three Manuel twins:

Max also had a super important meeting with the WG's (the Westport Girls). Note to other parents - taking a baby to a hot "tavern" after a two hour drive with a dirty diaper and an empty stomach isn't the ideal timing for meeting new people (cut to me locking myself in the handicapped stall and feeding Max - thanks for hanging with me Brooke). Unfortunately, I am the dope who forgot to take a picture with everyone, but all the girls showered him with love. In fact, he came home smelling like seven different perfumes- what a gigolo. I did get one cute shot of Max, me and Sue - but both girls wanted to be cropped out. I cropped myself out because:

a) I don't want people getting mad at how amazing I look and how much I've worked out, like they did to poor Heidi Klum, you'll just have to wait and see me in the Vicky Secret fashion show.
b) I forgot to get dressed after feeding Max and allowed Charlie to take a photo...oops.

I cropped out Sue because:

A) she had a less than restful night and didn't feel her best
B) she told me to and im scared of her

So, here is My little chubster w/Sue's hands and my knee...

Upon our return to South Beach, Max was greeted by Grandma (Gma) and Aunt Phoebs. We have all realized Max is a total party animal - bring him out in public and around lots of noise and people, and he couldn't be happier. He slept right through two dinners out.

In fact, last night I fed him at 5:30, he fell asleep around 6, we all went to dinner, came back with him still asleep and I went to bed hoping for an hour of sleep before his next feeding. Well, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. in a total panic, "Charlie did you feed him a bottle?!?", "No!! Is he asleep??"....yup! NINE hours between meals and I even had to wake him up. Hmmm, maybe that's why he was so cranky yesterday afternoon - full day with no naps, he was just a bit tired. Note to self - babies need naps longer than 20 minutes cuddled in your arms...that doesn't count.

Awakenings

When Max was exactly three weeks old, he had his first case of the "fussies". Up until that point, he literally would only make the smallest of peeps when he was hungry or dirty and that was the extent of his communication. Otherwise, he slept, ate, or sat staring at his new surroundings. As Uncle Eli said, "the light switch was half on." See video 1.

After week three, it was as if Max suddenly woke from a Coma (note to new moms if this happens to you - don't fret, it's normal). While this "Awakening" has come with some fussy times (though he calms down with a little "shushing" in a matter of minutes) and a need to be entertained and talked to (cut to me telling him how much I hated the season finale of Private Practice), it's also wonderful to see him more alert, more awake, touching everything, learning, and aware of his surroundings. I took video #2 yesterday - I am convinced he figured out that pulling the toys makes the music play. I'm not saying he's a nuclear physicist (yet), but he definitely enjoyed the result (and gave a super cute smile). It's also amazing to see how quickly they change - in a matter of two weeks he basically went from an adorable "blob" to a more complex, smart, and alert....adorable blob - j/k.

First Blood

One of my earliest memories was when I was roughly five years old. It happened in our childhood home on a gorgeous sunny day – my mom had us three kids (sorry Phoebs, you didn’t exist yet) on the back porch, but none of us were enjoying the weather whatsoever as it was the dreaded ‘nail cutting day’. My mom has MANY virtues, but patience and calm (at that time) weren’t at the top of the list, and trying to get through three kids – fingers and toes – (SIXTY nails in all), couldn’t have been easy. Throw in my constant Fozzy Bear imitation “WACA WACA WACA”, and one begins to wonder how much of an “accident” the following was. Inevitably, tragedy usually ensued on nail day and this time it was my turn. I’d made it through all ten fingers but on the very first toe, Mom lost her ‘footing’, and took a good chunk out of my flesh. I'm sure hysterics, rolling on the ground, and demanding ice cream followed -I only remember the blood, though. I’ve never let my mom live that day down and often bring it up when I need to point out how abused I was as a child.

So, it was with great hesitation that I finally cut Max’s nails the other day. I had been dreading it – they are so tiny and soft, and he is SO squirmy (we call him “Sir Squirms a Lot”), I was terrified. But, Dr. Sears says, “Expect your newborn’s nails to grow very fast and don’t be afraid to cut them,” so I went for it. As you can imagine, I took a nice chunk out of his thumb. At first, I didn’t think it was bad – just a flesh wound, but an hour later when I was feeding him I noticed stains all over his shirt and realized it was blood….oops. I tried to get a good picture of the injury but it was too close – see if you can make it out below.

I did my best, and as I read later in the chapter, “Drawing a drop of blood is part of learning nail trimming,” (NOW you tell me, Dr. Sears). But I did feel badly, obviously for Max but also for my mom as I realized twenty-five years of bringing up that dreaded day was just paid back to me when my son was barely a month old.

Can’t wait to see what other “Instant Karma” is coming my way...new pics of Maxie baby below.

Morning Laugh

I will write more later, but I just gave Charlie a good laugh when I told him my goal for today was to brush my teeth....
UPDATE: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Tomorrows Goal: Brush them twice!

FAMILY REUNION

So, two weeks ago we had a lovely and amazing family reunion here in South Beach (yes I'm still playing catch up). It's hard to believe it was only two weeks ago, it seems like Max has changed so much since then. Unfortunately, I don't have many funny anecdotes as I think I was in a semi-fog the entire time, trying to coordinate plans and keep up with Max's feedings. But luckily I have pictures to remind myself I was really there, I've pasted some below.

Max is so lucky to have so many people love him. He got to meet his Great Grandma Helen (G-Gma) who will soon teach him to be a card shark and to search for found money ("HEAD DOWN" - Grandma's one and only rule), and his Great Grandpa Bob (G-Gpa) who didn't tell the famous Bushmaster story this time, unfortunately, but next time we'll make sure he does (if only to help Max get to sleep....jussssssst kidding Grandpa) and his Great Papa Ralph, who Max will be lucky enough to have many dinners with soon enough - Italian of course. He also met his uncle Zack, Aunt Sarah and cousin Thea. See video below of Thea and Max's first eating, I mean meeting, she wants her 'Babyback'. SO sorry for my loud voice and horrible cinematography - I was going for the Spike Jonze/Being John Malcovich 'shaky handeld camera' style :) Thea is so freaking adorable, I can't believe Max will be her age soon enough...

He also got to meet Aunt Phoebs for the first time - VERY important meeting with the person who will teach him eye rolling, professional "ughing", give him good insights on how to make fun of his mom and give said mom much-needed gossip chats and emails (see cutey photo of she and Thea below). He got to spend more time with Uncle E, who is finally getting less nervous to hold him (men are so scared about holding newborns, they think they will break them. I mean, I've already dropped him three times, whats the big deal? j/k), and of course his G-ma Carolsie and "The Jimbo". Yes, my dad is insisting on being referred to as "The Jimbo" which is ironic considering the Seinfeld episode about speaking of yourself in the third person happens to be someone named Jimmy... that's all I'm saying :) Max does love his Jimbo though, cute pic of them passed out together. I'm also amazed at my mom (G-ma) and how, even though her youngest was a baby 22 years ago, she seems to remember exactly what to do and how to do it; which is especially amazing considering she can't seem to remember our names half the time or the fact that she is on the phone while she is speaking to us (cue Eli's imitation of mom and Lynny on the phone "catching butterflies" rather than actually saying anything). But mom, you are amazing with Max and he sure does love you, & I wouldn't survive without all your advice!

So, that's the wrap up of the family reunion...can't wait for "take two" in South Carolina this summer. Stay tuned for the next MAD MAX MANUEL blog entitled FIRST BLOOD.

Mother's Day/Max One Month

So, Max is offically one month today, and it happens to be mother's day as well. I've been lucky enough to have the best mom in the world - she somehow raised four children and remained (relatively) sane, and now I have the best mother in law too (as well as two unbelivable Grandmas). I only hope I can be half as good to Max as they've been to us!

Secretly, I've been excited to be part of this holiday for years. I don't just mean being a mother, I mean actually being a mother on mother's day and having lots of people call to congratulate you, tell you they love you, wish you happy mom's day, etc. and then one day having the kids make macaroni mother's day cards for you (or when Max is a movie star, he'll buy me a car/house/Chanel bag...I'm not picky, it's the thought that counts) and they'll be forced to be nice to me even in their sulky teenage years. After all, birthdays are only once a year! On that note, check out the breakfast Charlie made for me...I mean, come on - how can you start a day any better than this? Though I may have given Max diabetes thanks to that Challah French Toast..."HOLLA' for the Friiinch Toooast"! (I used that joke ten times, Charlie says I'm not allowed to say it any more).

Below are some official Max one month photos - I got him to smile! (no, Dr. Sears, it's not gas, its pure joy thank you very much). We think his shirt is so cute, although it's totally inaccurate - his carbon footprint is huge - between the numerous diapers we change (especially when he employs his favorite trick of "round two poop" immediately after we changed "round one poop"), wipes, daily laundry, etc. he is hitting the resources hard. So, to off-set his environmental waste I've decided to make the large sacrifice of taking shorter showers (what does he care if I shave my legs?) and not taking them very often. I'm not comfortable with the word "hero", per say, but we all do what we have to. (I'm ignoring those of you thinking, "so what's the difference?"). Unfortunately, this strategy may result in no further children for us, we shall see...

Catch up

So, Max is four weeks old today and to properly document his life (or least the first few years until he tells me to stop or he'll run away), I have a lot of catching up to do. Not to mention the next time I have free hands will probably be in 2010 so at least his blog will have a few photos and stories before he turns one.

Birth: I was given an Oxygen mask early on because Max's heart rate kept dropping. Somehow, Charlie and my mom found my anxiety re: the mask and the pain from contractions simply hysterical ("you look like a little kid - how can you be having a baby!"), and made me pose for the below photo. I believe this was take two, as they instructed me after the first one to "make a funnier face". A friend of mine said in all seriousness, "When did they start using laughing gas for labor?" Hi Elizabeth!

After starting Petocin at 6 a.m. (actually the day started with "Good Morning! We'll be giving you an enema now" - possibly worse than the contractions themselves), I went from 1.5 centimeters to...2 centimeters six hours later. Three hours after that, they broke my water, "got my cervix angry", and I went from 2 centimeters to...2 centimeters. What the F! After I'd received the epidural, I started to get very anxious. I really hated that oxygen mask and once the epidural had paralyzed me from waist down, (I recall the Dr. checking my cervix, and saw him moving around a prosthetic leg only to realize it was mine), I was officially freaked out. Anyone who has never had anxiety, skip this part - you simply won't understand. For all the other Jews, you'll appreciate that as soon as I felt nervous it only got worse. My dad and brother Eli came in, and after ten minutes of their joking and "lightening the mood" I promptly told them to leave.

When the Dr. said Cesarean, I knew it was coming and was honestly relieved - the thought of going from 2 cm to 10 cm to somehow pushing the baby out conjured up images of myself as the 56 year old woman who gave birth last year. As I was being rolled into the operating room, I went into full panic mode. I asked the nurse if they could give me anything for it and she said "nope, you can control it". Gee, thanks Gandhi.

While C-sections have a lot of "cons"(more on that later), one major pro is that the babies look a lot less alien when they come out - although Max did have something of a cone-head from 24 hours of contractions. His debut below.

The moment I heard him crying, the joy I felt combined with the relief of knowing it was over and that I hadn't fainted/hyperventilated/thrown up from anxiety, created a physical and emotional feeling I can only describe as utter euphoria (I'm guessing this is what heroine feels like, I forgive you Robert Downey Jr.). First family photo below: Charlie cried more than Max, for the record. They also had him in a hazmat suit, not sure why....

The next days in the hospital were filled with visits (Eli, Grandma and The Jimbo, Claud, Maris, Mara) and "battle of the helpless" between Max and I. I think I won, as Max at least had diapers on while I had to pee in front of a nurse to prove that they didn't have to put my catheter back in ("I'll run the water sugar, sometimes that helps - just try to relax"...um, sugar - I can't even relax lying on a beach with a pina colada, we're going to need a different approach). She also had to give me a shower, and I'm pretty sure we went to second base. Honestly, though I'd like to take a moment to honor labor, delivery and birthing nurses - they are a rare breed and each woman who helped us was more generous and wonderful than the last. How I managed to breast feed all day and night when I could barely move I don't know...hats off to to all other C-section moms.

The first week at home was a mixture of extreme happiness, excitement, pain, exhaustion, and meltdowns (the second night we were home I broke down weeping because "I'm a horrible mother to Lincoln (our dog), I can tell he feels I've deserted him"). See the Lincoln-Max introduction below...they get along fabulously now, Lincoln has decided Max is his favorite toy. (yes, for the record my "torpedoes" are now a size E).

I may have thrown myself off the balcony were it not for Charlie's mom, Julie (Grammy) who I now refer to as Florence Nightingale. She did EVERYTHING. She cooked, cleaned, held Max, held me, changed diapers at 3 a.m. when I literally couldn't get up from bed in time to stop his leaking poop, and kept our house going for a week. I'll never forget that week and how she saved us. And the craziest part is that she says it was the best week of her life. The lady is nuts (in the best way) - check out the shirts she made, she apparently wore hers three days in a row (love you Julie!). The picture of she and Max is so beautiful...I credit myself - I'm a good photographer, stop making me say it.

Oh shoot, stirring baby beckoning the milk maiden...my time is up. Some added photos below (I love his Robert DeNiro impression - "you talkin' to me?"). I know, I know, I look smokin hot.

Stay tuned for the re-cap of last weekend's family reunion!

Hello World

So...I'm starting this blog to detail the exciting happenings in Max's life as well as the trials, tribulations, adventures, challenges, and funny moments of being a new mom (thanks for the idea, Sarah!) I'm sure the grandparents and aunts will be the only ones reading this which is fine with me. Anyone else, if you find this obnoxious or offensive I apologize now - my brain is in a constant fog, so I'll just plead insanity : )

This is one of Max's earliest photos in the arms of his Grandma or "G-ma" for short (Mom, I think we're finally official on that name?). Even though my mom wrote a column of her own about NOT wanting to be called Grandma, once she had gone through the alternatives (nanny, nana, Carolsie, some exotic African tribal name, etc.) she realized she really is a Grandma/G-ma at heart. Very Randel of her...

This isn't necessarily his cutest photo but it always makes me smile - he just looks like a funny little dude and is showing the beginnings of his Yoda-esque qualities which Charlie and I really enjoy.