They Call Him Flipper...

I've been pretty bad about keeping up the blog lately...mostly because any time that I actually have free hands, I'm either cleaning the house (more like clearing the cupboards), working out (sleeping), or staying up late reading the newest research on childhood development (watching The Bachelorette)...

Anyhoo...this weekend Max really showed us that he's his mother's child - he was talk talk talking nonstop. A while ago, our friend Adam nick-named him "Flipper" due to the high-pitched noises he makes when trying to prove his point (I think it's a bit more Veloci-Raptor dinosaur); but check out the videos and decide for yourself...

He is seriously cracking us up these days. I promise to be better about the blog although according to my mom, she doesn't care that much about the witty banter - just wants to see new pictures so I guess I can spend less time writing :)

Father's Day

Another big weekend for Max (which explains the fussies on Monday followed by a full Max and mom meltdown Tuesday, but that's for a later blog)....Father's day and a visit from Aunt Mandy (the SWEETEST- I love the picture of them below) and Grammy Julie!! Can't wait to have Julie for a week in July while Charlie and I get away for a night (we may or may not come back).

Father's Day was wonderful. In a perfect illustration of why we love Max's Dad (aka Charlie) so much, he invited everyone over and cooked brunch so I didn't have to do it - Happy Father's Day to you, Charlie! ha. And Happy Father's Day to Jimbo...I've said enough nice things about you between your bday and anniversary, so....haha, what a Jimbo joke. We love you Jimbo, cant wait to see you soon!

Check out the picture of "Daddy's Little Tough Guy" (and his seven chins) below. Max would like to share other reasons he loves his dad:

a) He does funny voices such as Vladimir my Russian friend - he calls me "Mexie". We drink "wodka" together and spend Rubles.

b) When he carries me around on his shoulder I can see WAY more than in short mommy's arms

c) He takes me for walks at 6 a.m. with my brother Bobo - I hate sleeping past 6 a.m., it's so "in utero", I'm a big boy now...

d) He gives me baths and walks me around to sleep at night. This is a job I don't let mom do - I hate when she puts me down cuz it means the boobies are going further away. Dad doesn't have any (and I spit in his face when he gives me the bottle) so its no big deal.

e) He dances with me to Fergie's "Clumsy" about forty times in a row when I feel cranky cuz I like the kickin' base. Also Laffy Taffy - we hang together and check out ladies...

f) he is the tightest swaddler East of the Mississippi...

g) He sterilizes my bottles (so I can take just one sip and contaminate them, then proceed to make mom feed me anyways) and pacifiers (about ten a day) to keep me safe from germs.

h) MOST importantly, he gives my mom lots of love and support and keeps her (somewhat) sane. She can get a bit anxious (if she sticks that thermo up my butt one more time I'm gonna show her what comes out), and Dad helps her since he's a bit more calm cool and collected. She wouldn't survive without him that's for sure.

VIP Visit

This week, Max had a VERY important visit - his first meeting with one of Dad's original "Fellas", Uncle Billy (and sweet aunt Le-Le of course). We dressed him in his Yankees onesie that Billy and Leslie sent and got him ready for the big day.

True to form (and just like his dad) Max started laughing immediately upon seeing Billy's face. The more Billy spoke, the more Max smiled and laughed.

I soon realized that part of what Max was responding to was that Billy sounded very similar to the "silly man" voice Charlie uses when talking to him. Charlie says things like, "Ohhhhh Maxxxxxx....get me some bacon," and "Need more ACCCCC Maxie, it's too hot! AC!". It was so funny to realize that Max may have very well recognized that voice when the 'real thing' was in front of him.

Either way, he just loved meeting Uncle Billy and is ready for more fellas to come his way. AND congrats to Bill on catching a HUGE Permit in the Keys this week (and first mate Leslie, who was an integral part of the process). Check out the AMAZING photo at the bottom, what an angler!

Hobo Chic

Sometimes when I'm walking Max in his stroller with all the odds and ends attached, I notice that we look a bit like a homeless person with their house-on-wheels shopping cart. See photo for back-up. The comparison is a bit troubling...

Bag full of clothing and other odds and ends? Check (and toys, diapers, water, wipes, nappies, blankets, etc.)

Random Umbrella that serves very little purpose? Check

Half-eaten food wrapped in paper? Check (I never get to finish my croissant from Starbux when I allow myself to get one, and it ends up stale and crumbling in the diaper bag...Nice going mom).

Radio playing strange tunes at a just-audible level? Check

Crazy Person yapping nonsense to strangers? Check and Check - TWO of them...at least Max has an excuse, whereas I'll talk to anyone who looks my way just to have some conversation. The other day a poor woman at the park commented on how cute Max is, little did she know I'd chat her ear off for the next twenty minutes.

Empty wallet? Check (Just like all woman, I never have cash on me and often pay for my $5 Starbux croissant with a credit card).

Soiled Pants? Check! awwwww, that's mean (and gross) but kind of true.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Thirty Nine years ago yesterday (June 13th), Carol Biernbaum and Jim Randel got married...and good thing they did!

Charlie and I have always said how lucky we are to have such an amazing example of a happy healthy relationship to model ourselves after and look up to. You always took time to keep up your relationship even with small (and annoying) kids, which is probably why you're together and happier than ever today. I was always so embarrassed as a kid that dad would slap mom's tush, that you'd go on dates while other parents were busy at home hating each other, and that Dad would always say "Mommy is my best friend". But it was all of those things that made for a happy home and an amazing example of what love can be.

You've taught us so much about accepting each other, communicating, and most importantly having fun! And you're certainly having fun now, "What's Empty Next syndrome? we couldn't be happier with you kids out of the house." hahaha

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, to many more years to come, we love you.

Baby's Best Friend

The other night Max vomited all over me (when I brilliantly decided to "bounce" him after a feeding to get a burp out...Apparently I was a little too good at it). Later that evening while trying to clean everything up, we found Lincoln having an absolute ball tearing apart one of my nursing pads near the laundry machine. We have previously seen Lincoln at work on these pads (they have food, mom, and tissue, three of his favorite things all wrapped into one tear-able round of goodness), so I've been trying not to leave them out. But Max's "episode" put my brain on hold, so he got lucky. SIDE NOTE: My brain is a bit worse than I thought...when Charlie asked how the pads got into the laundry pile, I answered, "they must have gotten there when what's his face threw up..." Yah, apparently I've already forgotten my child's name.

Anyways, I am convinced the two boys planned the whole thing. Watching them together all day is pretty hysterical. They seem to genuinely love each other's company - Lincoln watches out for Max as the new pack member (see example of "Bobo-sitting below (we call Lincoln Bobo)), Lincoln even co-parents with us. Last night, I was on the couch while Max was sleeping in his bassinet and Lincoln poked his head into the bedroom, listened for a while, then came out and simply stared at me. When I went to look, sure enough max was laying there awake.... He also has to be with us at ALL times when I am feeding (see 7 am feeding with all of us below), he is now part of the nursing process, and Max loves to see Lincoln jump onto the couch with us, run around the room, etc. He doesn't even mind when Lincoln barks...

Lincoln is SO patient with Max, it amazes me that we were ever worried about how he would react to the new baby (while I was reading "What to Expect", Charlie read "And Baby Makes Four"). Check out the below video and you'll understand the abuse Lincoln is willing to take.
Ummm this time my cinematography is not only guerrilla but also sideways, so sorry - annoying voice included, as always.

We really can't wait for Max to get older and 'discover' Lincoln as a friend he can play with - watch them run around together, play with toys, see Max pull his tail and try to ride him like a horsey (Note to Jon Gosselin from Jon and Kate + 8 (since I know you're reading), I thought the whole story of your kids and the dogs was adorable, screw those lunatics who call it animal abuse, they're probably arranging civil unions with their dogs right now).

Mama Mia

In the words of Ned Flanders (sort of), "She is gone...Gone Didlee-on". My mom just left after two weeks with us and we sure do feel lonely without her.

Having Grandma/Gma (a new name could still be created one of these days) with us was amazing for so many reasons. Not only was it wonderful to have help so I could nap, shower, run errands, and even go on a date (two glasses of wine again - WAD UP SOBE!), but just having a grown-up to talk to rather than babbling on and on to the little guy all day helps keeps your mind somewhat alive (cut to me the next day debating with Max the benefits of Paperback vs. Hardcover books). Not to mention, having a "second opinion" for every little decision we mothers have to make during the day (there seem to be hundreds) is wonderfully helpful; i.e. should we put him down now? crib or bassinet? should we try a pacifier? are we pushing too hard with the pacifier? is it too hot to walk? is he hungry or sleepy? does he feel warm? does he have spinal meningitis? should we swaddle him now? will he get sick of swaddling? etc. etc.

Last but not least, spending time with my mom was priceless. The long chats about everything, asking her questions about child raising, seeing Max respond to his Gma and recognize her, sitting with her outside a parking garage in the middle of Boca Raton while she physically holds my boob into Max's mouth as he wails through a hunger-gas-exhaustion meltdown, having her comfort me through my own meltdown the next day because Florence worried that I was "anxious" during the above-mentioned parking garage incident (let's see you remain cool while your mother holds your breast as half of Boca Raton walks by AND you have your first migraine because you got so excited to see a movie with Charlie earlier that day that you washed an entire box of popcorn down with diet coke, thereby dehydrating yourself), and of course, having her spoil us 24-7 (she bought Max his 3 month "wardrobe" as well as groceries and daily coffees, cooked us dinners and taught me recipes - not that I need any help in the kitchen, took us out, and even gave us presents) made ME feel like a kid again in the best way (turns out its super fun, wanna trade Max?).

So, mom we thank you immensely - its nowhere near as much fun here without you ,and we can't wait for you to come back! Max already told me how much he misses you, why don't you ditch that other baby (that's you Jimbo) and come live here :) Oh, and Bobo loves you too -you're the only other person he barks at when you leave, VERY high honor indeed!