Maxwell - 15 Months

A bit about Maxwell at 15 months:

• He loves to sing "Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM" and has the beam part down perfectly. He also likes the Itsy Bitsy Spider and does a few recognizable actions with us.
• Maxwell knows the following animal sounds: monkey, snake, owl, wolf, cat and Jordan's sister Kim's dog (it can't really bark but he got to know it when we went to Idaho and seems to think all dogs make that 'sound' -he has the face motion down too.)
• Max is eager to put things in the garbage, particularly his used diapers. So far he has mostly just put garbage in the garbage!
• Airplanes and helicopters never go unnoticed whether we are in the house or outside. 'Big Trucks' are always pointed out as well, even if it is just a car passing on the street in front of our house.
  
• Maxwell recognizes Jesus in pictures and likes to point to Him and say His name.
• Max drinks from a cup alone and loves to use his fork or spoon to feed himself.
• Maxwell loves to read books and often will bring me books to read to him. He sits and listens the longest when he is sitting on the potty & I read to him.
  
• Max says 'thank you' after we give him something as well as when he wants us to give him something. I am pretty sure we taught him that by saying 'thank you' when we take something away from him he shouldn't have.
• Maxwell waves his hand at us, almost like his drink sign except with just one hand, when he wants us to hold his so we can walk together somewhere, often to the kitchen to get a drink or something to eat. Other times he just wants to hold our hand and walk with big steps. Recently he has decided he wants to put his milk back in the fridge by himself, after we've opened the door for him.
  
• Maxwell is a flirt and can get a smile from anyone who makes eye contact with him. The girls in our Sunday School class (16-17 yr olds) like to flirt with him and see him coyly smile back at them.
  
• As long as it is his idea, he is free with his hugs (ahhhh), kisses (mmwah), and nosey kisses (na na na na na). He learned how to give nosey kisses from McKay who can't seem to give hugs and kisses without also doing nosey kisses!
• He loves to be silly and is constantly making us laugh!
• Max knows the following body parts: neck, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, eyebrows, chin, hair, belly button, and toes. I don't think I forgot any...
• He loves to take a bath but doesn't usually want to be in there for any longer than 10 minutes at the most.
• He is very good at climbing at home and at the playground.
• Max loves to GO and gets so excited when it is time go GO!
• He has an excellent memory and catches on to things very quickly. One evening McKay was 'helping' me empty water from their water table into a bucket to take it to water the plants. Max was inside with Jordan watching through the window and wishing he were outside with us. Several days later, I took care of the water when he was still outside with me and he was SO EXCITED to hold my hand and take the water to the plants. I didn't realize he wanted to do the same thing I had done with McKay until he was disappointed when I didn't open the gate and water the plants in the front yard.
  
• All temperatures are 'hot' to Maxwell, whether they really are hot or are cold. He remembers me telling him my flat iron and the oven are hot and reminds me when he sees them.
• He rotates between folding his arms and clasping his fingers to say the prayer and usually says 'AMEN' with a very proud grin on his face.
  
• Maxwell will try to do and say anything we ask him to.
  
• He loves to dance, especially with McKay
• He also likes to sit close and cuddle as long as it is on his terms: not too long and not too tight.
• Anyone laying on the floor is an invitation for hugs and/or to play & climb.
• He LOVES to brush his teeth and sprints to the bathroom saying 'teeth' as soon as we finish saying prayers. It is so fun to watch his little legs move so fast!
• Somehow he has assumed McKay's job of taking the scriptures to/from Mommy or Daddy when it is their turn to read. I love to see his proud grin.
  
• Maxwell gets giddy with excitement when Daddy comes home and is not happy until he gets his hug.
• He loves to play peek-a-boo... There he is! Hide & seek is also a favorite.
• I'm sure I have forgotten something but this is a good list of over 50 words Maxwell can say. Some are more recognizable than others but I was proud Saturday when a stranger recognized that Max was calling the seagulls 'ducks'. He can say: duck, truck, cracker, eyebrow, eyes, ears, shoes, socks, strawberry, blueberries, cheese, Momma, Daddy, bubbles, balloon, moon, trees, bird, airplane, hat, amen, ball, banana, apple, help, nose teeth, garbage, all done, all gone, more, milk, book, please, thank you, eat, hurray/yay, up, hello, hi, hot, bike, bye bye, vitamins, uh oh, bath, blanket, cheerio, no, yes, go, pop, Jesus and yogurt.
  

It blows me away that he will be old enough for nursery in only 3 months!

Now who do you think he looks like?

This picture cracks me up. He LOVED his waffles with strawberry sauce!

Maxwell was my partner for our family home evening activity of Toy Story Yahtzee. He loved shaking the dice.

While McKay practiced riding his bike in the church parking lot, Maxwell practiced stepping off the curb. It is a smaller step than a normal curb and he was so proud of being able to do it alone!

We love you sweet boy!

Things To Remember - Maxwell

Mouth full? Check! Both fists full? Check!

I am so happy that Max loves to read books! This is a library book we kept for quite a while because he loved it. What Do You Do?

This boy loves to empty the cupboard under the sink, including the huge bottle of Canola oil!

McKay was in the other room playing by himself and Max was entertaining himself by reading this ABC book he loves. It was a beautiful moment!

Now that Maxwell has discovered the wonderfulness of the swiffer, I need 3. One for me and one for each boy! Either that or I have to wait until they are in bed to do the floors, which makes doing their rooms a little tricky.

Trying to open the closet door for the swiffer. *Sigh*

Maxwell loves going to the park and isn't afraid to climb on anything which definitely keeps our park days interesting!

So.Much.FUN!

14 1/2 months

Max says 'amen' at the end of the prayer and knows that the primary song about how to pray has 'amen' at the end. As soon as he recognizes what song I am singing, he'll start saying 'amen'.

14 months

Max has learned to fold his arms like McKay, with his fingers clasped and is anxious to do so when it is time for the prayer.

Max pretends shoes or toys or just his hand are a phone he his holding up to his ear. 'hello'?

Maxwell likes to make feeding himself more interesting by doing an airplane with his food. (sound effects included of course)

Max is enjoying pointing out body parts and has 'no' (nose) and 'eeth' (teeth) down perfectly. Eyes is his newest one. Whenever he points to our eyes, we close them since he likes to touch them. I had my eyes closed and he was doing his best to get them opened. Finally I pulled his hands away and opened my eyes and he 'said' , in his own way "there they are!"

When Maxwell plays peek-a-boo and says 'there he is' he says it in a rough voice like the saber-tooth-tiger on Ice Age. It is hilarious.

13 1/2 months

After our crazy 4th of July weekend activities, Max was very tired and woke up at about 4 am and couldn't settle back down to sleep. It was super hot. I ended up being with him almost an hour and what finally helped him settle down was his super soft blanket my Dad's sisters gave him when he was born. He loves that blanket. It was so hot though that I just put it behind his head and by his cheek so he could feel it. He took a deep breath and said 'dadoo' (thank you) So sweet and so sincere that I was OK with being up at 4 am with him! After he was relaxed again I laid him in his bed and he said 'bye bye... bye' as he always does when we lay him down and he is ready to go to sleep. He is such a sweetheart.

Max loves to read the book 'What do you do?' when he sits on the potty. His favorite part is at the end when the beetle says 'do-dah, dee-da do' and he loves to 'quote' it.

Maxwell claps after we sing hymns in sacrament meeting, just like we do when we sing songs any other time! He also waves his arm like he is conducting.

Halfway through sacrament meeting (June 26, 2011) Max started saying 'bye bye' and 'all done'. We got several smiles and chuckles from those around us!

Max has started walking in circles. Small circles. It is funny to watch him.

We were eating lunch and Max started waving his arm. He was trying to shoo away a fruit fly. :) Nothing gets past this kid!

13 months

Max likes to look out the window and point at the 'tees' (trees). He also loves to brush his 'tees' just before bedtime.

Maxwell says 'up' right when we get to it in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. He also likes to do the 'twinkle' action with his hands.

Max says 'bye' and waves when someone (including him) leaves the room. He does it in his sing-songy voice too. Love it. He also says 'hi' at the appropriate times also in his sing songy voice.

Max says 'uh oh' when he sees anything that is not the way it should be (laundry basket on it's side, spoon tipping over a bowl, etc) and when something is dropped, whether by him or by someone else.

Maxwell says 'ba-lloon' and the second we get inside the grocery store that has balloons, he is usually the first to spot them wherever we are and gets SO excited when he gets one, which is usually once a week when we go shopping.

12 1/2 Months

Maxwell started saying thank you 'da doo' or sometimes 'dak doo' at the correct times.

He'll compromise with you and settle for holding your hand to go somewhere rather than being held, which is his first choice. Don't think you'll get your hand away from him easily either!

Max gets a smile from everyone he sees. He is a charmer!

Max doesn't leave anything on his tray; his fists are full! He picks up all the fishies or chunks of cheese or whatever it is and then eats them from his fist. He'll usually start asking for more when he only has one or two left. Heaven forbid he should run out!

Maxwell says 'done' and hands me his cup when he is done drinking. If I am too slow, it goes on the floor.

Things To Remember - McKay

Taking a break from getting dressed to read some books to Maxwell. What a good brother!

McKay loves to play with the Toy Story figures he got on his birthday cake. He has to play with them up high or when Max is asleep though because otherwise Max bites their heads off... :) Notice his Buzz pjs.

McKay and Jordan made 'woofems' at our ward pioneer day party. You roast/bake biscuits over the fire and then fill them with pudding, or whipped cream, or butter and honey or whatever you desire. They are called woofems because you woof em down. Must be a California thing...

McKay enjoyed his!

The boys were watching living scriptures together. Max is a cuddler!

8-1-11
While driving from Snowflake to Preston in one day Jordan told McKay to 'hold your horses'.
M: What horses?
J: Those over there (pointing out the window to some horses we happened to be passing at the moment in Helper, Utah)
M: But I can't by myself, I need you to help me!

Also on the same long drive:
Jordan: Zip your lip!
McKay: But I don't want to zip my lip. If I do my mouth won't work!

7-28-11
"After I jump on the bounce-o-lin I will."

During the drive to Show Low from Snowflake for the reunion McKay said to Maxwell, who was fussing: "Maxwell, its not a long way, you can wait a little bit!"

While camping at the McCleve reunion in Arizona, Jordan accidentally left the bag with our flashlights in it at my parents house. As we fumbled in the dark, McKay made a point of 'Daddy forgot the flashlights.'

Jordan and McKay were sleeping on the same air mattress in the tent and after a minute or two McKay said 'Daddy, why do you keep moving if it is time to sleep?'

7-13-11
I love hearing McKay sing songs and read books to himself during quiet time.

7-10-11
It took me a minute to realize what McKay was talking about when he said he had a 'big bigger in his nose'. (booger) Jordan was also confused when McKay called them 'snickers' another time.

7-3-11
Yesterday I was trying to get McKay to finish the chicken in his lunch after we went running and told him protein is very important to eat after you exercise. We started listing different foods that have protein in them and he said fish. Yes, fish has a lot of protein and is also good for your brain. Well today we had some salmon and McKay said 'fish helps keep your brain in your head'.

7-2-11
Overheard at the park:
Boy to McKay: What is your name?
McKay: Crazy Buzz Woody Moser
Boy: Oh. My name is Cameron.

6-27-11
Max was waving his arm at a fruit fly in the kitchen and McKay said 'Max better shoot it!"

6-24-11
"Look Mommy, I'm pulling on my earlids". (earlobes)

6-23-11
We were listening to 'McKay's music' in the van on our way home and the last song before we got out was 'It's raining it's pouring'. I was teasing McKay and saying that he was the old man. Of course he protested and said that Daddy is the old man!

6-15-11
I got some smarties as a handout from church and McKay was sure they were for him. He couldn't quite get the name right though. First he called them 'sweetie pies' then after I corrected him he called them 'smarty pants'. He couldn't seem to drop the 'pant's from the name!

6-5-11
After congratulating McKay for being quiet when we were looking for him (playing hide-and-seek) he said he was talking to himself while he waited. I asked him what he said and he said he said 'OOoo I hidded in a tricky spot!'

Summer Vacation: Moser Family Reunion

Tuesday was our down day. We didn't have anything 'planned' and that is exactly how I wanted it! Jordan and McKay went fishing with Grandpa Moser and I helped Kathy with some bookkeeping while Max took a nap. I don't think we got dressed until after lunch. :) Yes it was a much needed relaxing day!

Wednesday we went and spent a few hours at my Grandma and Grandpa Cardon's house and had a delicious lunch with them. Then they watched the boys while Jordan and I went to the Logan Temple with his parents, all his siblings and spouses, and his nephew and spouse who recently were sealed. (20 people total) It was lovely to be in the temple. Then we all went to Hamilton's Steak House for dinner. Kent and Kathy just thought we all were going out to dinner. They didn't know we had been planning for months (okay years) to do something to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. We invited some of their closest friends and family for a surprise dinner. It was a fun evening.

Shawn & Yuri, Frank & Kim, Tyson & Mandi, Derrick & Kelli, Ira & Nicky, Lisa & Todd, Kathy & Kent, Me & Jordan, and Robin & Reese.

This shows things as they really are.

Kathy, Yuri, Me & Nicky

Jordan's sisters did an excellent job decorating with Kathy's wedding dress and pictures from various stages in Kent & Kathy's lives as well as baby/childhood pictures of the kids. Nicky also put together a slide show. :)

After the dinner Kent and Kathy were given several bags with various objects we each had picked to represent a memory with them and they had to guess who it was and what the memory was. It was entertaining.

We were later than we thought we would be so we got the boys ready for bed at Grandma and Grandpa Cardon's house and they both fell asleep on the drive home. I am so glad my boys were able to spend some time with my dear grandparents. I also realized I need to get more pictures (or at least post more) of Maxwell's curly hair since Grandma didn't realize his hair is so curly!

Thursday after lunch we went to Willow Flat and set up camp. The water from the spring was moving quite fast but McKay was pretty good (definitely not perfect) about not being near the water without a Mommy or Daddy there.

Nicky was trying to get all three boys in the picture but McKay was walking away so Kelli said 'Wink at Nicky!' And he did! :)

He and his cousin Desmond quickly became friends as they threw rock after rock into the water. They have met before but McKay wasn't quite 18 months old at the time. :)

McKay loved being on the 4-wheeler with Grandpa Moser. We needed to get to higher ground to make a phone call so we 'had' to go for a ride. Max was asleep so we took the opportunity to go.

Grandpa told McKay to hold on to the 4 wheeler while he took Nicky's bikes off her trailer for her. He was impressed that McKay never let go until Grandpa said he could.

After we made the call we went to the ice caves. We didn't think to bring a flashlight so we used the flash on the camera (of course I had that!) until our eyes adjusted. It was amazing how much snow and ice there was! By the time we left, McKay was shivering.

It was neat to see and McKay loved being there with us.

I realized as we were riding just how blue the sky really is. Now that we live in the 'city' I don't see the blue skies I grew up seeing every day.

Kamden & McKay

I think McKay ate 3 s'mores. He couldn't get enough!

That night was a terrible thunder/lightening storm. We didn't get much rain but there was so much thunder and lightening it was hard to get to sleep. It was also very cold. McKay didn't sleep well so I kept my hand on his chest and then he was okay. I also kept waking up to make sure Maxwell had blankets on. Then, sometime during the night Jordan & I must have been woken up by some loud thunder because we were both awake when there was a huge clap of thunder and a bolt of lightening at the exact same moment. My eyes shot open and I listened and looked intently to hear a tree falling or to see fire. It took a while to fall back to sleep after that!

Max woke up probably around 5:30 or 6 with the sun and was happy being with Jordan and I until he saw McKay who was still sleeping. He wanted to say 'hi' to his brother and was not happy when I wouldn't let him. So Maxwell cried and cried for a long time. I think McKay was the only one around who slept through it!

Kim brought these visors with tons of stickers for the kids. McKay loved it! He spent all afternoon working on one for him and then on one for Maxwell. Kamden spent quite a while working on his too.

McKay, Ryan & Kamden

Ta Da! I didn't take a picture of it but BOTH sides of the visor are covered with stickers. I'd say this craft was a hit!

McKay and Kamden spent a lot of time climbing on these rocks together!

As soon as I saw the clouds rolling in Friday afternoon, I decided Max and I would go home to sleep that night. As soon as we got there, I gave Max a bath and put him to bed. He slept GREAT and I actually had to wake him up in the morning to go back to Willow Flat! Jordan stayed up till 3 am that night playing Mofia, which killed his plans for hiking to Bloomington Lake at 5 am. :)

McKay went on another ride with Jordan on Saturday. In fact, every time someone went for a ride, he thought he needed to go to. Grandpa gave him a few rides around the camp site and Max got one short ride too, which he loved.

While Jordan & McKay were gone on the ride (with the camera) Maxwell and I hiked up to the spring with the rest who didn't go on the ride. It was beautiful. Max INSISTED on putting his feet in the water. If I had let him he would have jumped in. Silly boy!

Check out that grin!

Ryan, Daxon, McKay, Tannon & Truman

Jordan as been itching to go on a ride so I am glad he was able to go on a couple.

"Hey, did you see that sky today, talk about blue!" (Kronk)

Saturday night after dinner we had a fireside devotional and talent show featuring the Gurney flash mob dance and Tyson & Jackson singing 'Mean' by Taylor Swift. Maxwell was 'all done' so he and I spent most of it outside the circle with Max playing with various people. He has the personality that makes it impossible to ignore his grin and 'hi'; that and he'll keep saying 'hi' until he gets a response! We had everything all packed up and slept at Jordan's parents house that night. Then Sunday morning we started the drive home. Max was so done driving it wasn't long into the drive that he started telling us he was 'all done'. Poor kid.

We drove to Mesquite Nevada and got a hotel with a pool. McKay had fun practicing what he had learned at swimming lessons and it was fun to relax a little after having been in the van all day. We closed the curtains up tight and didn't get up until Max woke up for the day at 9 am. :)

It was wonderful to visit family and to see so many we hadn't seen for such a long time... but it was also nice to be home in our own space again.