Max's Year Two Video

Kyle and I worked on a video chronicling Max's second year to show at his birthday party. I am not crafty so Windows Movie Maker and Shutterfly have been my favorite things this month. Enjoy!

Birthdays Galore

August is a big birthday month for my family. We love to celebrate so it was a fun time filled with cake and presents just about every weekend. No complaints here. Will (my brother), Katie (one of my best friends), and I celebrated our 30th birthday together. It was an 80's themed party at Thunderbird Roller Rink. This place has not changed a bit since I was six years old. Same skates, same carpet, same smell. It was a blast skating around dressed up in 80's gear listening to my favorite 80's music. I felt like a kid again! Speaking of kids, Max and his cousins dominated the place. They loved running around while holding hands...precious! Thanks to Kyle and Angie for planning this memorable blast from the past and to everyone that dressed up!

In addition, Max, Liam, and Henry celebrated their birthdays as well (I will post those pictures later). I cannot believe how fast time flies! I feel like I just met Henry for the first time at the hospital and he is now one. His party theme was Elmo, Liam's was Super Heroes, and Max's was Curious George. I am sure the grandparents are a little partied out:). Love these boys!

Max...Our Two Year Old

TWO YEARS OLD! What!?!? I cannot believe my sweet baby boy is two now. The time has flown by. It seems like yesterday he just started to walk. Now I have a talking, running, busy little boy who could not be more fun. So I will always remember and for your "updating" purposes, here are some fun facts about Max:

Food

Loves pasta, hummus, cheese, chicken nuggets, mac cheese/vegetable bites, all kinds of fruit, balsamic dressing with raw vegetables, yogurt, milk (especially chocolate), pbjs, sonic ice, smoothies made by Kyle, Chick Filet, mustard, pickles, cottage cheese, dried fruit

I would not call him a picky eater...but he does not eat just anything either.

Activities

Loves Little Gym and his teacher Ms. Leah, animals (especially dogs), cooking, his toy kitchen, playing outside in the toddler pool with the hose, Jump Street, swimming, playing with his cousins, going up and down stairs, mimicking sports like soccer, baseball, and hockey, reading books, watching Yo Gabba Gabba, singing songs, his grandparents

Milestones

Max can run, jump, and climb. He is talking in toddler sentences using up to 5-7 words at a time occasionally. He loves to talk for sure! He weighs 29.2 lbs and is almost 35 inches tall. He sleeps well at night and for nap time as long as he has his lovies and a dark room. He is starting to use imaginary play more and more. He is very obedient but definitely has an opinion about things.

Unique Things

He is attached to his four lovies FooFoo, Other FooFoo, Fake FooFoo, and Toodles the Turtle

He loves the Merry-Go-Round at Stonbriar Mall but will not ride the horses...only "pat pat".

He loves the petite vanilla scones from Starbucks.

He really likes small toys that he can hold like bouncy balls and small cups.

Things like puppets and talking dolls scare him.

He loves to sing "Baby Baby" by Justin Bieber and a Christian song called "Come Awake".

Most of all, Max is a sweet boy who loves to make his mom and dad smile. He has a very empathetic personality yet a great sense of humor too. I am proud to be his mother and am truly humbled that God allowed Kyle and I to be his parents.

Favorable Determination

About a week ago, Kyle and I received a favorable determination from the UCIS/Homeland Security. Basically this means that our government says we can adopt a child internationally...we are fit parents! Our government had to look over our application, fingerprints, background checks, and homestudy in order to give us "favor".

One a side note, our precious baby is mostly likely already in this world. I cannot help but wonder what is he or she doing??? I am getting ahead of myself but the mother in me cannot help imagining!

Nana Shrum

A year ago this week, my precious Nana passed away and on to heaven. I know that she is in a much better place (sassing and classing things up), free of disease, but selfishly I wish she could be here with her family. Sometimes my grief for her feels overwhelming. I will drive by one of our "spots" while running errands and remember her so vividly. I wish I could talk to her one more time and tell her how much she meant to me...how much she changed the course of my life. One thing that warms my heart immensely is that Max will have the same kind of grandmothers I did/do. He already has the care, support, and unconditional love that I received from Nana and Moi. So a special thanks to Max's grandmothers...you are changing the course of his life!

The video was played at Nana's memorial.

Healer

This summer was an odd one for sure...filled with many high moments (vacations, adoption progress, family time) but many low ones too. Kyle and I both had three loved ones diagnosed with cancerous tumors that required surgery. Each time felt so sudden and nerve wracking. I feel BLESSED to report that our family members are doing well compared to what could have been. Through this, I am humbly reminded of God's healing power and love. Our prayers for healing do not go unheard! My "end of summer" anthem is Chris Tomlin's song "Our God". The words ring so true.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Fingerprints

Kyle, Max, and I went to our appointment today at the local UCIS Homeland Security office in Dallas to be fingerprinted for our immigration paperwork. I usually dread any kind of license/passport/id type errands but this was exciting. I caught myself telling Max "This is so we can get your brother or sister". I get butterflies each time we complete a step. I feel God preparing my heart a little more each day to be a mom to two precious ones instead of one. Baby steps to the finish line! :)