Thanksgiving

We were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving with Jeff's entire family this year since Christy and her family came out from California. The food was great and the company was even better. It was so fun to have everyone together. Jeff has nicknamed himself "Chef Jeff" and I must admit that he has impressed me multiple times with the recipes he has been trying out. Thanksgiving was no exception. He made a banana cream and a lemon cream. He wanted me to make sure everyone understood that the banana cream was NOT just pudding and bananas, but that he made the custard and homemade whipped cream. I love trying out new recipes together, but I have to give him credit--these pies he did on his own and they were delicious!

Chef Jeff

Max with his twin girl cousins, Aria and Siena! Sheri made their cute turkey shirts!

First time wearing shoes!

I always love Thanksgiving and the opportunity it gives me to count my many blessings. This year was no exception. My biggest blessings are those two cute boys.

Goold family pictures

We took some pictures with Jeff's family right before Thanksgiving. I won't give away our family Christmas card, but here are some other favorites!

4 months!

I am so behind on blogging (both reading others' and doing my own!), but I wanted to blog about Max turning 4 months old before he turns 5 months old in a few days!

Max turned 4 months old on 11-11-11. During that month, we had a doctor's appointment where my poor little man had to get his first shots. He hates laying on strange surfaces and taking his clothes off at the doctor's office so he was already upset before it was even time to get the shots. He jumped when the needle went in and started crying, but he was pretty good after that. It's definitely harder on the mothers. At this appointment, he weighed 14 lbs (75th %) and was 26.5 inches tall, which took him off the charts for height. He is above the 97th %. Jeff is hoping we'll have a ball player in the family.

He also started having to go to physical therapy this month because he has torticollis, and as a result of that, plagiocephaly. They believe that his neck muscles tightened up in the womb (torticollis), which led him to favor his right side since his left side was so tight. He looked predominantly to his right and slept on the right side of his head which caused it to flatten (plagiocephaly). He will have to wear a helmet to correct it and receive some other treatment as well. It has been a challenge. I wish that we would have noticed the problem sooner, but now we are just moving forward with treatment as best as we can. Luckily, it is completely correctable. Poor Max absolutely HATES physical therapy and screams and cries the whole time. I'm pretty sure that I tear up at least once while we're there too. As a mother, there are so many little moments that stir up emotions that I never felt on quite the same level before I had Max. Seeing him in pain is one of those moments. I always feel better when he gives me that first smile after his appointment is over and he cheers up.

Other things I want to remember:

• He loves to make an "oooo" sound. He will just lay on the floor or sit in his car seat and repeat the sound over and over. He is also experimenting with all sorts of new sounds.
• His giggle is the cutest sound I've ever heard. He thinks Jeff is hilarious.
• He is doing much better on tummy time.
• Also, he finally likes bath time! Hooray!
• Still loves to shove his hands in his mouth and as many fingers as he can.
• Has begun batting at toys and grasping them.
• Loves to jump around in his jumperoo!
• Still loves to cross his feet at the ankles

He is growing too fast! He is getting more interactive every day and it is SO fun. I love this age!

My Little Purple People Eater

There's a cute little monster that's been unleashed at our house...

A Purple People Eater!!

He tries to hide the evidence by wearing gloves...

But gets caught in the act!

Mmmmm tasty!!

Daddy says that he has the best Lakers fan around!

**Actually, it's this yucky medicine that Max has to use, so we figured we'd have some fun with it!

Supermom

Every mom feels this pressure. I am no exception. While I was in California, I was talking with my mom about all of the new feelings, worries, and hopes I have as a new mom. Even though Max is only 3 months old, I have already felt that I should have read more parenting books, researched more about attachment parenting vs. sleep training, pacifiers vs. no pacifiers, and million and one other things before he was born. There are times where I truly do wish he came with an instruction manual. There are days where I feel like I've accomplished nothing and am still in my pajamas when Jeff comes home. I have received a lot of good advice along the way, which I am forever grateful for.

My mom said, "For you, I think that the most important thing will be to not worry about perfection." Yep. As a type A personality, I know that I often have unrealistic expectations that often lead to feelings of guilt and unhappiness.

My dear friend, Brittany, was so wise when she told me that as a new mom she had to "redefine what it meant to 'accomplish' things throughout the day." She said that sometimes she had to remember that maybe her house wasn't spotless, but she had played with her little boy when he needed her.

Like the above advice, this dragon mom's story caused me to really reflect on my role as a mother and what my time and energy should be spent on.

I am so grateful that my sweet little Max is healthy and I certainly hope that my time on this Earth ends before his does. I know that there will be so many decisions ahead of us as we strive to do what we feel is best for our little son. However, stories of other people's heartache and struggle remind me to hold him a little closer today, make him smile just a couple more times, and spend just a few more minutes on my knees in prayer. Today I am setting those "mom" worries aside and remembering my blessings instead.

And hopefully, with this small start, I will be better able to "have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

We've still got it...

Lest you think this blog has turned into the "Max Blog" (which it kind of has since he's so darn cute), I just wanted you to know that Jeff and I are still here! We might be able to count the number of times we have stayed up past midnight during the last 3 months on ONE hand, but let me assure you, even with our newfound status as parents, we are still wild party animals!!

Just the other night, we stayed up 'til midnight...yes, MIDNIGHT on a weeknight. GASP!! What, you may ask, were we doing?

Sporcle.

Yes, it's true!!! We stayed up for hours, just typing and typing, and laughing and laughing, and becoming more aware of just how bad our geography skills are.

Seriously though, it was really funny. I kind of love those times when you are crazy tired and know that waking up next morning will be terrible, but you are having too much fun to really care. And don't pretend that you don't secretly do seemingly really lame things that are actually hilarious and totally awesome.

Should you feel inclined to share with us your lame ridiculously awesome favorite pastimes, we could probably try to squeeze you in. And you won't regret it. I mean, look at us...

Boom, baby! We've still got it.

3 Months Old!

Max turned 3 months old on the day we got back from California. I can't believe how fast the time is flying by!

New things about Max this month:

• He has discovered his hands and loves to chomp on them all.the.time.
• His favorite activity is blowing spit bubbles
• He wakes up happy from his naps and just starts talking to himself in his crib. He greets me with the biggest smile when I go in to get him
• Daddy stuck his legs into the pool at St. George and he did NOT like it
• He also doesn't like touching grass with his bare feet
• The three things people always comment on when we go places with Max are

1. How much HAIR he has
2. How alert he is
3. How big he is and how he seems older than he really is

Jeff was talking to his good friend on the phone the other day and his friend said, "I knew having kids would be great, but I didn't expect it to be so fun!" Jeff and I wholeheartedly agree. Max delights us every single day.

California Lovin'

For conference weekend, we headed down to St. George with some of Jeff's family. It was so fun to hang out together! The kids had a blast playing together while the adults got to enjoy talking and catching up.

Daddy and Max looking at the sunset on our drive down

Hanging out with Grandpa

My family was dying to see Max, so Jeff drove us to Vegas where we caught a flight to San Diego. We stayed for about a week and a half. My family LOVED spending time with Max and I got more sleep than I had since he'd been born. My brothers changed their first diapers, my mom got him to giggle for the first time, and Max loved being outside enjoying the sunshine. Thanks, Mom and Dad for a great trip!

First plane ride!

Playtime!

Max loves Uncle Nate!

Center of attention. As usual.

First haircut. The before picture.

Jeff was so happy to have us home again. He thought Max had grown so much and said, "You can't leave again because I feel like I missed a month of your life instead of just a week!" Max rewarded him with lots of giggles and smiles.

Two Months Old!

Max turned 2 months old on September 11, 2011, the same day as the ten year anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers. I thought it would be appropriate to include my memories of that day so that I can share them with him when he is older. Just like many of you, I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard of the attacks. I was a sophomore in high school and my mom was driving me to seminary. She had turned on the radio and the announcer broke in with the news that a plane had just crashed into the WTC North tower. The announcer didn't have a lot of information at the time and speculated that it was just an accident. Approximately fifteen minutes later, they announced that a second plane had crashed into the South tower. I will never forget the announcer grimly saying, "The United States is under attack." Some details continued to be communicated to me throughout that day at school, but it wasn't until I returned home and watched the news that I fully began to grasp what had happened. I remember going into our den, closing the door, sitting down on the floor and beginning to cry as I realized just how many lives had been affected by the tragic events of that day. I remember the feeling of unity among Americans in the days that followed and the amazing stories that came forth. It truly is a day I will never forget.

During the month of August, Max has continued to delight us with his sweet little smile and personality. Some things I want to remember:

• His hair started to lighten and he started to get more blonde roots. He gets comments on it everywhere we go.
• He loves to look at lights, fans, and anywhere outside.
• He has started to smile more.
• He still hates his baths and getting his clothes changed.
• He went to Swiss Days for the first time
• He has the CUTEST little voice and loves to coo at us.
• He loves to have his hands up by his face, and always tries to get them out of his swaddle blanket while he sleeps.
• He loves his swing (Thanks, Michelle!) and it is hilarious to watch him try to wake up while he's in it! His eyes roll up when the swing goes up and come back down when the swing does.

We sure love our little Max-man!