Max goes hiking!

Max and I went up to Mirror Lake a few weeks ago. Here is how it went... :)
Hike #1
Hike #2

Some pictures, too.

Max's Surgery #3!

At the end of June, Max had his third surgery. This was to fix the fistula in his soft palate, and was a second attempt to the failed surgery of last April.  Max walked into the hospital like a champ. He was on the cell phone and was dragging his slepp over suitcase like a little business man. He walked into the surgery unit, and cuddled up to the nurses right away, as if he's known them all his life. Someone asked if he knew them all.  No, he didn't!

 

I ended up getting to be with him for the anesthesiology part in the surgery room, which was so great, because I could then picture exactly where he was, and could help him go to sleep, which he did peacefully in my arms. Max had an amazing recovery - he was eating ice cream three hours after the surgery. We got to go home the next day (after a sleepless night). He did everything he was supposed to, so no need to hang out there anymore. My mom was able to come for the week after the surgery, ready to help with anything that we needed. Since Max was doing so well, it ended up being a lovely stay-cation for us, and we were able to enjoy the week together.

So much has happened!

It's been fun and busy. Max continues to love the outdoors. He has developed a love of carousels, has deepend his fixation with trains, has gone camping and has hiked! But best of all was his surgery in the last week of June, which, we all believe, has fixed his soft palate. He recovered beautifully this time, and all is still sealed up up there. He has even learned how to suck on a straw, something he couldn't do before. In addition, he receives speech therapy once a week and loves his speech therapist, Kalli! In fact, it's been really fun to observe how he's made connections with so many people. He loves to talk about his Tante Heidi and Griffin, Jemae, Rayy and Mason, his Uncle Hans, Grossmama and Grosspapa, Aunt Anne, Lala, and so many other people. Not a day goes by when he doesn't mention them at least once. He is surrounded by nothing but LOOOOOVVE! Enjoy the pics!

So much has happened. Little Maxito has definitely entered "toddler-dom" - he has (ahem) opinions, and isn't afraid to voice them... loudly... :) He has a sense of humor - -running away from Momma is his favorite activity. If he could, spend ALL of his time outside, walking, playing, chasing the cat, playing with his trucks, he would!!

Since the second surgery in October didn't work (ugh!!) we're back for another surgery at the end of June. Max is also getting speech therapy once a week. The therapist comes to his daycare. He certainly understands everything, but is not talking yet. Hopefully soon!

Below are some pictures. :)

Happy Birthday, Max!!

Dec. 28th

Merry Christmas!!

Max and my first Christmas was wonderful. My parents are visiting, and all are enjoying each other tremendously. Max is getting rightfully spoiled, especially in the fact that his birthday is only a few days after Christmas. January is going to feel very boring to him. :)

Happy Thanksgiving, and beyond...

Over Thanksgivingm Max and I joined a few other friends in Twisp, WA where we rented a big house, and spent time playing games, reading, hiking, visiting the horses, and basically just hanging out. It was absolutely lovely. Max needed to get used to sharing his momma with other people, but other than that, he connected well with everyone and had a good time. It was so nice to get away for a few days, and basically just think about the next meal. :)

An update from the palate surgery: unfortunately, the hole in his palate came back. This basically means that we have to do the whole thing over again sometime next year. Besides that being a bummer, the second time you try anything like that, it only has a 50% chance of working because of all the pre-existing scar tissue. We'll see what our options are when we meet with the surgeon again in January.

In the meantime, we're heavily getting ready for the holiday season. We put up our lights today and getting ready for Max's grandparents to join us Dec. 21. Very exciting, and we're all looking forward to it.