maxed out

Notice a theme here? The first four weeks were full of this, but I promise this wasn't all he ever did. It already feels like we've come a long way from four weeks ago!

Max's 4 week stats:

8 lbs. 12 oz.

21 1/4 in.

He flashes his toothless grin regularly

He observes everything

He's a car ride sleeper

 8 weeks stats:
11 lbs. 6 oz.
23 in.
Smiles all the time!
Very easygoing
Got his first shots (not my favorite day)
Awake for long stretches
No more sleeping in the car
"Sleeping through church? That's for babies, mom!"




Each day only gets more fun! Those newborn days definitely aren't for the faint of heart, but we made it. 

(And I still can't get enough of these cheeks!)

warning: this is going to get personal

My mind has been busy the last little while, reflecting on a lot of different things. Now, please bear with me as I clumsily write my thoughts while I have a few quiet moments (minus my favorite little baby grunts in the background).

This month has had me thinking of some of the things I'm grateful for. With my dad's birthday on November 3, a lot of that thinking has been of him.

I'm not one to share personal happenings with many people- having people's attention is a hard thing for me to handle- so when my dad passed away last July I only told a few of my closest friends and two of my teachers. It was just my way of avoiding attention.

It's time for me to get past that. I want Max to know how much I miss his grandpa; how often during my pregnancy I thought about Dad teaching this little baby and getting him ready; how much I hoped Dad would be there to usher Max into this world. 

I'm grateful for my dad's constant teaching, although, he may not have ever known that. I'm grateful for his quiet example. I'm grateful for his faith in the midst of trials, his living testimony, and his willingness to do hard, and sometimes demoralizing things. I'm grateful that he taught me to love this country that he had served so well. I'm also grateful for his crazy dance moves, his huge fake smile, and the way he loved his grandkids. I'm grateful for my dad and I miss him every day, but what a blessing to know I don't have to feel that way forever.

That's my message for the day. I know it's a little sappy, but I'm not going to apologize for it. Now, give your parents a hug and kiss when you see them next!

the view from here lately

I know I promised a new post far too long ago (sorry about that). So here's a peek of what we've been up to the past little while:

Along with baby prep, we went to an awesome concert (courtesy of two door cinema club), baked our first pumpkin pie, visited the delightful hocking hills, and handy dandy Rick helped our cars out by giving them each an oil change.

We're loving the weather that promises fall (and all of the treats that come with it). I think we're about as ready as we'll ever be to welcome baby any day now!

Tomorrow I'll be back with more, but for tonight, I just have to say that by four weeks from today we should have a baby. That's right- our due date is exactly four weeks away- CRAZY! Bring on baby! 


And now, until tomorrow,

stripes!

We did it! How many tries does it take a pregnant lady to correctly tape off a wall for painting, you may ask? Well, around here, it took six or seven redos to get it right (and that was all on the last 2 pieces, because Rick was helping me with the others). I mean, seriously. But it actually ended up being really funny after the fourth or so, which might have had something to do with the night of sleep in between.    

Other nursery developments:

We're getting closer!

We got a great deal on a crib from my brother and sister-in-law before we moved, but when we tried to find a way to ship it, the cost made it out of the question. I was sad to give it up, but we got our new crib this week, and I'm excited about it too. Woohoo!

As you can see in the last picture, we have a small library, but I'm hoping to keep it growing. What are everyone's few favorite children's books?

showered

all of these are gifts, courtesy of the lovely ladies in our ward- take a look at that pile!

Yes, ma'am, a baby shower! And my word for the day is cute. The middle picture is of some of the decorations that were at the shower- book page windmills. Danelle, the incredible hostess, let me keep them. They'll be staying right in little man's nursery. Fabulous decorations, delicious food, and darling new friends. Really, I couldn't ask for anything more. Thanks, ladies! 

M...

is for Maxwell

And I sure hope this baby ends up being one, because I spent way too much time on this "M" poster idea for it to go to waste. All of the things in the poster are supposed to start with "m", so if you can't figure out what it's supposed to be, feel free to send suggestions my way. I'm not afraid to admit there are definitely some questionable ones (like the owl on a stick- did anyone think "mask"?).

Up next: Cleveland, Kirtland, and a stripey wall. For now... 

3+3=7 weeks left

Hopefully that math will be right.

Really?! Wow. Sometimes I kind of can't believe it, but all it takes to snap out of that is a look at my huge mountain of a belly that totally obscures the view to my feet. No complaints here, though- just lots of ice cream. 

And look what we got last night!:

That's right, we're painting. The plan- grey stripes for the wall and orange for a decorative mirror. Hopefully I'm not getting too fancy for myself. In the end, we'll all know if I did. Yikes!

In other news around here, above photos edited courtesy of our new Adobe Creative Suite. I'm so excited! It includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and Bridge. Don't I have the coolest husband around?


Up next... our visit to Kirtland and the Cleveland Orchestra concert.

Don't drink and drag race

A few weeks ago, we went with some of our fabulous new friends (the Craguns) to a drag race. This was a sign on the side of the track. Luckily, I don't think any of the drivers had been drinking. Good thing, because we could have been in big trouble otherwise. Another good thing: the Craguns were kind enough to share their extra ear plugs. Those were some loud cars! 

We really tried to get some cool pictures. Our camera may yet be a little too fancy for us. Anyway, we had a blast, and these are some of the better pictures we came away with-

(Rick took a picture of the station wagon because he said it reminded him of the old family car.)

Tomorrow we're off to see the Cleveland Symphony. I can't wait!

the belly beat

look what popped up

a big belly!

and watching this baby pile grow is making me very excited...

(and what's that behind those clothes, you ask? a COUCH!)

I really love everything, but here are two of my favorites:

I'll be back with more soon!

a blog is born

Here it is, folks- I'm starting a blog. I can't promise it will whet your appetite for more, but everyone's got to start somewhere, right?

So, to get us started, here are a few pictures from the past few months in our lives (in no particular order and of no particular significance, except the first one):

From the top: Rick's first day of work! Everyone has been surprised when they find out he's married. Imagine what people think when they see a 14-year-old pregnant girl (me)! But, sadly, I guess maybe that's more normal.

Next: We spent one of our first Saturdays in Columbus together at the short north downtown. It's basically a really awesome line-up of shops of all kinds, with a slight emphasis on furniture (lots of it vintage). I thought these roller skates made for a cool picture.

Next: For this one we have to go back a ways. Before our move we got a chance to spend a few days in San Diego. We got spoiled and had an awesome time with Mom and Dad Peterson! This was one of our excursions.

Last: The same day we visited the short north, we ended up eating at Graffiti Burger. Those were some tasty burgers!

That's it for today. Happy Saturday!