Maxine's First Christmas

Well, Maxine went up to the White Mountains in Arizona to celebrate Christmas. Her cousins Ben and Henry were there... isn't this a great photo of the three of them? Maxine can't wait to have a photo of her and her cousins Ande, Sophie and Joey - they live in upstate New York.


As a good employee of a conservation organization, Maxine's mom helped cut down Maxine's first Christmas tree. The adventure of cutting it down was fantastic... probably not worth the guilt felt afterwards, though. Her dog Rana and her Uncle's dog Cash went. In July Rana woke up paralyzed due to a rupture disk. Maxine's parents prided themselves on having a $12 dog (Since her mom worked at the Humane Society they only made them pay for the license). The surgery after Rana's injury made her the $5000 dog... yes, she is now PEDIGREE. But, look at these photos... wasn't it worth it?!

Since the surgery Rana's back legs have taken on a mind of their own... when she skids to a hault hey usually fly past her head and they sort of run to a beat of their own. But, that doesn't stop her...

Okay, back to Maxine's mom teaching Maxine how important it is to protect the environment and reduce deforestation...

Maxine's FIRST Christmas tree!!!!!

Maxine loved Christmas. All of the attention from her Grandparents, cousins, Auntie and Uncle left her smiling all day long. She even got a new play mat!!! Fancy pants.

Earlier we posted a picture of Maxine screaming and hitting her Uncle Nick. They have obviously made up!

Christmas tired out Maxine and her mom. They needed a nap...

Maxine is currently sitting next to me as I type this. We have her in her pack and play. She is yelling and laughing and kicking her legs up. Any day now she will roll over... she is trying so hard. She loves her mobile at home. Since we didn't bring it her grandma gerry made one by sticking Christmas ornaments in a roll of wrapping paper and balancing it over her pak-n-play. I will post a picture of it soon... I am sure that her pediatrician would freak out. This is probably not the safest child toy...

The SMARTest baby!

Maxine's first Christmas was wonderful! I am still putting together the post and will have photos up by the end of the week. I just had to share this picture with the bloggers. Isn't she SMART?! Aaaaawwwwwwwww.

I am thinking I need to write the 5 millionth book on pregnancy called "What really happens to you." Yes, this may be too much information, again... but, you know how they say that if a new mother is breastfeeding she can enjoy a long period of time menstrationless? Nonsense... 100% nonsense. I think there are myths out there so women will get pregnanct faster because there are all of these mythical "physical perks"... stay tuned... my book is a-comin'.

3 months and laughing!

Oh my god... my daughter is adorable! I keep telling myself that I will tell her she is smart before I tell her how adorable and beautiful she is. But... she is so beautiful!

So, she has been moving and shaking so much. She is so close to rolling over! When we put her on her changing table she just moves and shoves and kicks... I left her in her crib the other day and when I returned her head was where her feet were when I left her!

Maxine's grandma Gerry is Ben's mom. This is a picture of the two of them together. The other photo is of Maxine and Nica - our good friends', Kate and Anthony, little girl. She is 3 weeks younger than Maxine. We went to Phoenix to visit Nica and Kate and maxine just stared and Nica! Now she stares at all babies and actually laughed for the first time one week ago when she say Evie! So adorable...I mean SMART.

Maxine hates her stroller. We try and trick her by getting her to sleep in it. What will we do with a fancy jogging stroller if she hates it????

Maxine's Dad's Navajo Code Talker coloring book was released this month and he did several signings. One at Barnes and Noble and the other at the Arizona Historical Society's book fair! It is selling a lot! His Caves coloring book also came out this month... if you are interested in it go to Barnes and Noble or buy it from his website... the link is at the right.

Physical therapy is pretty much over. I have to continue my exercises but I haven't peed myself in three weeks. Victory! I didn't mention this earlier but my therapist also found I had a but of a diastisis (?). My ab muscles had separated and she could fit two fingers between them (ew). So, I was told to stop sit ups and any yoga positions that stretch my abs because that will pull them further apart (ew, again). I have been doing some exercises to bring them back together. I can only fit one finger between them now so that is good news! I can't wait until I am normal again...