My growing belly has Max obsessed with stomachs. He is always pulling up everyone's shirt (including mine), pointing to their belly and asking "what's that?"
J-P finally took the GMAT and did well considering it has been 10 years since his last formal education. We are trying to decide if it is worth it to uproot our family and move somewhere crazy to go to school, or if it would be more practical to stay here and do the part-time program at ASU. I'm not sure I'm willing to trade my pool and over sized front-loading washer and dryer for apartment living. In the meantime we are working on applications just in case. Who knows if we will get in anywhere.
We took Max to get a blood test yesterday. No fun! J-P and a nurse held Max down while another nurse rubber banded his arm to try and find a vein. Nothing showed up so she dug around with a needle for a couple minutes while he screamed and I watched in helpless horror. After a couple minutes of digging and no blood, she gave up and pulled the needle out. Another nurse gave it a try and struck blood after another minute of digging. Turns out Max HATES to get his blood taken. All it took was a hug from his mom and a couple of gluten-free, dye-free fruit snacks and he was back on his feet. The "I had a blood test sticker" he is wearing in this picture was icing on the cake. What is it about kids and stickers?
Here is Max's report card from our pediatrician appointment this morning. He has gained almost 3 pounds and grown almost 2 inches in the last month! This thing is going straight up on the fridge. He is finally back up to what he weighed when he was 9 months old. It's funny how your life changes after having a baby. I used to find joy in dark chocolate, a good book, a trip to the beach, and having tea at a fancy hotel. Now nothing makes me happier than having a healthy child.
We finally sold J-P's electric guitar (for full asking price!). This allowed me the freedom to buy this fab stroller without the normal guilt or stomach ache that, for me, always accompany a major purchase. Plus, I got a steal of a deal on ebay. I've been researching double strollers for months, and the Phil and Ted's E3 sport is where it's at. This stroller has magic powers. It is very important that I have a good stroller because Max's favorite thing to do is go on a walk. In fact, "walk" was one of his first words. He doesn't appreciate my lectures on heat stroke and the dangers of going for walks in 110 degree weather.
Aside from walks, I have been cooking non-stop. Every time Max is hungry, I have to make him something from scratch. Literally. There is not a packaged, processed food (not even a cracker!) on the market that I can give him. It's so exhausting. On top, I have to cook a separate meal for J-P and me. Sometimes I cook up to three meals a night if Max doesn't like the first one I give him. Tomorrow is his 15 month check-up. I'm afraid to say that after all this hard work, I'll feel very discouraged if he hasn't grown or gained. Fingers are crossed.
I can't believe it's September. There is so much I need (want) to get done before the baby comes, and there is not much time left. Blogging has taken a backseat as so many other things (like keeping Max alive) have become huge priorities. It is, however, high time for an update on the haps at chez scoville. The good news: Max has gained almost three pounds since we put him on a gluten-free, allergy-free diet. Today we were driving and he was giggling, playing with the new fat rolls on his legs, and saying "what's that?" It has been such a relief to have him gaining instead of losing.
Max has been gaining some major skill in the communication and comprehension department. According to the books, his skills are on par for his age, but I still feel like he is majorly gifted. He loves his routine. He is very good about reminding me when it is time for his walk, his lunch, his nap, and his bath. He is so curious. He constantly points to things and asks "what's that?" over, and over, and over. He is very coordinated (which he definitely didn't get from his parents) and can dribble a soccer ball around the house like a pro.
I have been nesting. Not the cleaning and organizing variety...the home decor variety. Part of me realizes that after the baby comes I won't be leaving the house much, and I will have a much more positive mental state if I like the way it looks. We have been slowly selling our old stuff and buying new stuff as our budget allows. I bought a used chair and ottoman and special ordered some fabric to reupholster it. I'm sure I'm in way over my head, I'll let you know how it goes. We are also getting rid of J-P's bachelor big-screen and replacing it with a smaller, less intrusive looking t.v. With the help of my design friend Sarah, I finally made a decision on a t.v. stand. Hopefully it looks ok.
Max and I have been getting out of the house as much as possible so J-P can work and study for the GMAT without distraction. I love going places because of all of the looks I get from the general public. So entertaining. Some people are even brave enough to comment. Here is a sampling from our morning at the market--
Stranger: Oh my gosh, when are you due?
Me: Oh, not until the middle of November...
Stranger: Really? You look like you are going to pop any second.
Stranger: Um, how old is he?
Me: Fourteen months.
Stranger: And when are you due?
Me: In November.
Stranger: Wow, that's close together.I think it scares people that Max looks like a 12 month old and I look like I am 10 months pregnant. I love to watch people's reactions. Anyway, things are good around here. Time is flying.
My growing belly has Max obsessed with stomachs. He is always pulling up
