Max in the hood

Just posting a couple funny pics of the little one. :)

After bathtime a face peeks out from the towel

Sleeping in the hood

2 month 1 week stats

First off...Moms, how do you deal with the shots? Breaks my heart to see Max screaming in pain (even if only for a minute). I think it hurts me more than him. Thank goodness we don't go back again until 4 months old...or does it just get worse? Nevermind, I don't want to know. All I can tell myself is it is for his good health!

Anyhow, speaking of healthy, we got one very healthy Max on our hands. We'll call him our little butterball. Doc says that most breastfed babies will gain alot of weight in the first 6 months and then lose it later - guess it is the fat in the breastmilk. For now, we'll enjoy our chunky monkey.

Head circumference: 41cm - 69th percentile
Height: 23 1/4 in. - 54th percentile
Weight: 13lbs 14 oz. - 88th percentile

Here was Max right before our appointment today...I didn't take an "after" pic!

"I have no clue what's in store for me!"

More time with Grandma & Grandpa

Yesterday my parents visited and brought alot of goodies with them for us and for Max. We spent some time together here and had lunch at The Creamery in downtown PA.

Always nice to see them lovin' on their Grandson. In a couple weeks Max is going to get to visit the entire Chen side of the fam in LA. I am sure they'll be surprised with how big he's gotten'.

Max has fun with Grandma

Rupa & Sara meet Max

Rupa & Sara headed down from SF this morning to meet and greet little (well...BIG) Maxwell. We even decked out Max in his Cal onesie just for Rupa!

We all had a great lunch at Cafe Barrone, heard about Rupa's adventures at the World Cup and Sara's consulting gig. Max even woke up to spend some time with the ladies.

Rupa & Max

Sara & Max

Max is 2 months old!

Can you believe it's already been 2 months? Alot has changed. He's sleeping in longer spurts, cooing more, and staying awake and alert but quiet. Loving this kiddo more and more...if that is possible. ;)

Max seems surprised too!

Talking back to Momma

Bumbo

Max is sturdy enough now to play in the Bumbo. (Sturdy is an understatement...this kid is getting LARGE!)

Bumbo seats are fun!

Until Tank gets in on the action...

Relaxed Sunday

Not much goin' on here this Sunday. We were graced by a visit from co-worker/friend Lisa and her husband Steve who happened to be in the neighborhood for a kids bday party. Our little fam then had an at-home BBQ.

Look at this pic of Leon and Max chillin'! Max has been in these awake alert states lately WITHOUT crying...yay. Things are more fun that way.

Hope all of you had a great Sunday too!

The old Stanford crew

This morning we got together with the old Stanford crew from Leon's PhD days. The Sandoras threw a wonderful welcoming brunch to meet and greet Max.

I had first met Leon through these guys and even knew Matt & Jason before knowing Leon. Slowly, everyone had girlfriends, then wives, then kids over the years. We are the last of this crew on the kiddie train, but can now be officially part of the "family" photos :)

So good to catch up with these guys - we don't see them nearly enough!

The Dads and kids from left to right: Leon & Max, Matt with Niklas & Brennen, Lillian (separate from her Dad, Kareem), Jason with Calleigh (Tilden his older son is missing from this shot), & Kareem.

The Moms: Me & Max, Lara with Niklas & Brennen, Liana & Lillian, Cammy & Calleigh

The bump-off

How funny is this pic that our friend Tom sent us? We went on a trip to Tahoe during Valentine's day weekend this past February with a few other couples and our lovely hubbies cooked the girls a Valentine's Day dinner.

This pic was taken before bedtime...Leon and I comparing bumps :)

A new chill spot

Hmmm...think I found a new spot that has put Max into a Zzzzzz state. On the bed in the nursery surrounded by a boppy. Napping like a champ...and I like it!

Zzzzzzzzzz.....

Little Houdini - both feet escape the swaddle

Tummy time

Happy Ann-dependence Day!

We celebrated Ann's 4th of July b-day yesterday. The Kavals didn't disappoint with a BBQ at their house. Nice weather, good food, and Max was on his best behavior! Kiddo slept like a log! Even last night...3 hour spurts. Let's hope these napping intervals last!

Max enjoying the breeze under the trees

The guys show their BBQing skills

Shannon says "I can't help that I'm SO GOOD at beer pong!"

B-day girl Ann watches her beer pong team mate go for a shot

Oops...Henry is getting this party started!

Could Peter be a tad bitter about Lebron?

The Homs hang out

Friday night the Homs came to visit. We haven't seen them since I was in the hospital with Max! Just like old times we had some dinner, dessert, and nice conversation.

Here's Max with Auntie Francie!

Max interacts

I have been trying to get Max on video cooing and smiling. Once he sees the red light on the camera though, his face goes blank. Here's a little bit though that Leon caught one night.

Hank's gotta wear shades

Another Thursday morning walk for Angie, myself, and the boys. Nothing too exciting happened except a bad momma move on my part for failing to put the brake on the stroller while trying to watch Hank clap, and then the stroller rolling and almost... Let's not talk about that though...let's talk about Henry and Momma Ang sporting those shades! Love it!!!

Mama needs to get out

As much as motherhood has been rewarding for me, it also makes you turn into a hermit - especially when you breastfeed. I get cabin fever and sometimes I need to get out and about.

So although Max decided to wake up at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 last night, (I finally handed him over to Leon at 4:30am...that's close enough to 5am right?) I still had big ambitions to get out of the house today.

First stop was Cafe Barrone (of course right?) for lunch. Lucky for me, Ann had the day off and happened to be running errands in Menlo Park. So we met up and caught up on our weekend. Ann was kind enough to hold Max, lulling him to sleep so I could finish my sandwich. Thanks Ann!

Max then went into meltdown mode and we made a quick stop at home for a feeding before heading off to Target. I frequented Target alot before I had a kid, but now I can find alot more excuses to go. It's a good excuse to get out of the house anyway. :)

More fam

Currently listening to: Lady Gaga - Poker Face (The Cherrytree Sessions)

Yesterday we were graced with a visit from my sister and nephew (from a different sis!). My nephew Anthony is in the Marines and is on a 15 day leave. Was great to see him before his 21st b-day (yes...I am THAT old) and have him meet a cousin from the Roberts side of the fam.

Auntie Nga hasn't seen Max since he was born, so was good to squeeze in a visit here while Anthony is in town. We had a nice visit followed by a good lunch a Reposado in Palo Alto.

Cousins Max & Anthony (look at those cheeks on Max!!!)

Auntie Nga & Max

Baby-whispering Windelers

Our favorite friends from Michigan granted us with a visit this Sunday through Wednesday - the Windelers! Although it was a pretty chillaxin' time, it is always great to see them.

I mentioned in my previous post about Max being a little fussy as of late...well I think Jenn & Brahm brought some baby magic. He slept in 3 hour increments at night and even slept during the day...like a baby :) Here I was worried about him waking them all up at night and he proves me wrong. Way to go Max!

Miss you guys already...are you sure you don't want to move back to California?

Amelia enjoys the whale pool (thanks Hivelys!) while Tank checks things out

Kaija & Amelia playing games on the Mac

Jenn, Amelia (hiding), Kaija, Brahm, & Max

Wish he was always like this

Unfortunately our Maxy-bear is out of hibernation...alot of the time. He's been going through a fussy period lately and only likes to sleep on our trips to Trader Joes. So if any of you need groceries, let us know. We may be frequenting those aisles often :)

1 month stats

Successful visit to the doc today. Max took his Hep B shot better than Mom :) He cried for a short time then was ok.

Here's his stats:

Head circumference - 38.25cm, 50th percentile

Height - 21.75 inches, 57th percentile

Weight - 9 lbs 14.5ozs., 52nd percentile

Looks like he's middle of the road for now.

1 month old!

Today Max is officially 1 month old! Wow how time flies. Lots of changes already in this little one. He is starting to coo when talked to, track things with his eyes, and stay awake a little longer during the day. Tomorrow we go in for his one month check-up and I can't wait to see how much he's grown. I can definitely tell he is longer and of course, heavier.

Here's a video of Max enjoying his activity mat:

First Father's Day

A pretty chill Father's Day for Leon's first. We started off the morning at Cafe Barrone (Yes, it may seem like I suggested this, but I swear I did not!), followed by a little grocery shopping at Trader Joes & then Draegar's.

Max was a champ. He lasted a full three hours from his last feeding making us feel like we had the entire day out. Then the kid went down for another three hour nap. Leon said this is the best Father's Day gift he could ask for :)

My gift is having such a great Daddy for Maxwell. I love you Leon!!! You are the most awesomest Dad ever!

Max wears his love for dad

Proud Dad & son

Max makes a poop as Dad watches (This may not have happened, but it makes a good photo caption)

Bath time

Max is probably on his 4th bath by now. He didn't enjoy his first bath so much and screamed the entire time. Now, he loves them - and who wouldn't? Nice warm bath followed by a warm towel and jammies (we heat them in the dryer).

For mom, shower time has become a race. Take it quickly and at night (while dad is around to watch the little one). Blowdrying your hair is a luxury, shaving adds a few more minutes.

Well, at least Max gets to enjoy bath time, and that's what counts!

Thursday walk!

Thursdays are turning into walking days for Angie, I, and the boys. This time I headed over to Angie's and we took a long walk through her wonderful neighborhood. There were even kids selling lemonade on a corner - Ang shared a funny anecdote about that as a kid you will have to ask her about sometime, in which her sister had a competing stand ... lol.

It's so great to see Maxwell and Henry together like this even though they aren't really aware of it yet. I can't wait to see them running around together being lil' bruisers.

By the end of the walk, Max broke out in his crazy "feed me now" cry. (Thanks Ang for trying to comfort my kiddo). I tried to make it all the way home while awkwardly reaching in the back seat rubbing his forehead, but this did not comfort him. So...I pulled over in a parking lot to feed him. Tried to change his diaper, but after desperately searching in the diaper bag, there were NO diapers! Leon had been using the diapers and wipes from the diaper bag in the mornings when he feeds Max and forgot to replace them (oops). Poor Max, I had to slap the dirty diaper back on the guy and rush back home.

We'll get this parenting thing down sooner or later! :)

Max & Henry rollin' through the hood

Hank hams it up for the cam

Max is disinterested in the cam

A second dose of Grandparents

Max got spoiled on Sunday when all the Grandparents were in town. My Mom brought lunch (which is an understatement, she brought enough for an Army!) and we all enjoyed it outside as the Grandparents doted on the little guy. How lucky he is already :)

The 'Rents visit!

Grandparents that is! Leon's folks are in town for the weekend to see their first grandchild :) Max has been lucky getting to be in Grandma's arms. Grandma also brought pics of Leon as a newborn and can we say "spitting image"! I'll try and get scanned copies and upload them soon (don't have the driver for my scanner on the Mac).

Today Max is three weeks old and we took him to DayOne for a weigh-in. Wow, this kiddo sure knows how to eat! As you see from the scale below, he's now 8 lbs. 7oz.

Tank, Grandpa & Grandma Chen, Max

The proud Grandparents with Max

Handlin' It!

This week Leon returned back to work, which means Mama gone solo! I'll admit that Monday was rough as Max decided to stay up all night...meaning I was awake with him all day and night. Then, yesterday was a bit easier as I got in an afternoon nap.

Today, I went wild (ok not really) and got up the courage to do an outing to Target by myself with Max in tow. Success! He slept the entire time, that dear sweet boy.

The following pictures have nothing to do with my outing, but thought I would post them anyhow.

Crazy hair after a bath

Wide awake

Max's Family & Friends

Max has had alot of visitors in his first two weeks of life :)

Maxwell - 2 weeks old

Today Max is two weeks old!

We took him to DayOne to get weighed today and he is 7 lbs 9 oz - back to his birth weight plus 3 oz :)

Tank decided to get in on the action too as you can see below.

Max & Tank are BFFs

Out and About

Starting to get the courage to venture out while I am not stuck being Max's milk machine...Yesterday I managed to drop off Leon for a haircut, go to the bank, and buy some laundry detergent from Walgreens while carrying Max in the sling. We even stopped at the Crepevine to pick up some lunch to bring home (even if lunch was at 3:30pm).

Today Angie was an angel and stopped by to take a walk with me in the neighborhood. Hank and Max rocked it in the Uppababys :) Max did well, although it was pretty warm out. Poor little Hank may have a tooth sprouting and was not as excited about the ride.

Either way, it was nice to get out and about. Thanks again Ang for coming over. Before you know it, we'll be taking Hank and Max on trips to the park!

Max chillin'

Sweet little Henry

He speaks!