oh so funtimes baby boy

long time, no post!

2011-01-25T10:47:00.002-05:00

I was fortunate to be invited to post at a cooking blog. Boss lady Ellen contributed a few months ago with a gorgeous and easy chicken curry recipe. Now my quick and easy taco method is accessible to all! I have no secrets left.

Kelsey, from Naptime Chef who invited Ellen and I to guest post is working on a cook book- maybe we'll make it in due to our super pro photography by KK!

Enjoy!

its been a while

2010-02-24T15:12:00.003-05:00

"the wolf in his lair"

"alligator 2"

I know its been a while....
I have been posting Max's artwork and new pictures to my facebook page but I know we haven't all succumbed to that time vampire so here's some art for you...

Early November in Prospect Park-a dream!

2009-11-24T14:32:00.002-05:00

Max's school was having a fundraiser (Scootathon 2009!) and we went along to provide moral support. There was a great little gathering with games and face painting for the kids and free chocolate popcorn for all!!!
What a revelation to head to the park when parking is plentiful and the place is generally empty. On our walk back toward our car (in its awesome super secret parking spot-thanks to Valerie) we took some lesser paths and had a great time discovering areas of the park we'd never seen before. A rediscovered secret waterfall for one. The misty air enhanced our feeling of being explorers discovering something new. Pahu(an old friend and fellow Waldorf parent) took these great shots of Max. Wish he'd been there too document the secret waterfall!

hellooooo

2009-10-14T11:01:00.003-04:00

max scootering this summer

yes - its been awhile since our last post.
Here are some snapshots of my growing boy (he actually grew a half inch per month these last two months!

People constantly ask Max if he's getting taller so he wants to measure himself all the time. Whenever its changed we mark it on the same place in his door frame with the date.

joey and max found a disposable camera at our yelping hill family outing this august and had a little photo shoot while jessica and I made dinner
max enjoyed the photo booth after rocking out to tom freund at the living room- hug trees!
SILOS sound check at bloodshot records bar b q at the bell house

thank you

2009-06-18T11:46:00.002-04:00

for you calls, cars, presence and presents.
We are very lucky to have so many wonderful friends and family in our lives

our good friend Valerie sent these great photos from the party

MAX is turning FOUR

2009-06-12T14:25:00.005-04:00

one

two

three

four

DUMBO park Sunday 11-1
time flies when you are trashing the bodega

dinner with Joe

2009-05-19T10:39:00.002-04:00

more updates coming soon!

2009. thats right

2009-02-25T16:11:00.002-05:00

yeah I left the blog sad and alone for far too long- here's a little pic from last month to get back on the right track- Max and his good friend Pip and their respective "hat heads"

Brooklyn Summertimes

2008-08-25T12:14:00.002-04:00

Circle the fountain
Check the package
Get water out of eyes
Repeat
All I gotta do is stand there!

P.S. He does own appropriate fountain circling attire we just didn't happen to bring it that day

happy birthday to aunt juki

2008-07-29T09:53:00.003-04:00

we have a beloved family member who is about as far away as one could be so we must fete her wonderful accomplishment of rocking another year with a tribute in pictures and in words. pictures first:

This is the trip we took to the beach the weekend before last all the while reminiscing about last summer's super fun visit to Quogue with los shefwiggins! We miss our tia juki something awful!

Happy birthday to my lifelong adopted sister who I will come visit very soon! We are in each other's thoughts constantly as we imprinted on the same things together in our impressionable years. We have formed almost as two individuals from one source it sometimes seems. She and I made up words to the muzak on the radio as 8 year olds. The songs always began "I was walking down the street." We made elaborate accessories out of paper and staples. We put on numerous variety shows for our folks complete with songs, sketches and programs crediting the creators.
As tweens we frequented the nearby drug store trying to figure out which "temporary" hair dye we could talk our moms' into letting us use. We had our princess phones glued to our ears-she in her room me laying on the kitchen counter as far as the one family phone cord would stretch. She and I shaved our legs together for the first time. When I got "it" before she did she hand crated the loveliest temporary solution of cotton balls tissue and tape until we could get back to our favorite drugstore and figure out a whole new world of feminine products. She encouraged me to join choir with her in middle school and she insisted I apply with her to the arts magnet high school. Our high school years were mercifully enriching and exciting adventures in self discovery as opposed to the "mean girls" fate we could have faced (for the most part-we were teenagers after all). During college she kept me involved in the booming music scene in Austin first by inviting me there almost every weekend (then by becoming a fixture in that scene and inviting me there almost every weekend).
She let me move in with her on a couple of occasions when I had no money for rent, fronted me til I could take up the slack and even helped me find jobs. All our major transitions, into teenagerhood, into college, into the real world were made in reference to each other with mutual support and many creative solutions. Juki even introduced to mah sweetie who I carefully avoided for several weeks because he was just a little too cute. Now I have the world's cutest baby boy (ok maybe 2nd cutest, Cyrus!)
We don't talk on the phone frequently but we generally make up for that with volume and intensity. She is my only adopted sister and I am glad she has joined me in this our blankety blank year of life (keep guessing)
There are some very incriminating photos of our youth I could post (our original eyebrows-watch out Brooke Shields!) but I'll be kind! Happy day Miss Miles Away! I'll see you soon.
xoxoxo

a quick one

2008-05-23T16:28:00.003-04:00

This morning Konrad was up with Max and I was in bed pretending to be asleep just a little longer. I got to eavesdrop as Max recounted his dream of the previous night. After a scathing indictment of mom "mama did not put the blanket on last night!" Max launched into the dream:

Max: There were dinosaurs in my bed and they were eating me, then Mama woke me up!
I felt like piping in "I DID put the covers on! I didn't wake you up!" but I kept quiet.

Papa: Oh they ate you? Was it funny like this? (insert classic papa eating max attack)
Max: No.
Papa: Oh, it sounded kind of funny.
Max: No it wasn't.

Its strange to imagine that they have nightmares at such a young age even though even earlier you can tell when they awake from a scary dream...but to be able to tell it...it seems like a new step.
Konrad gave him an alternate scenario like oh I thought those dinosaurs would want to play (or something along those lines) and later when Max told me his dream it had the new ending. So that's a benefit of the new level of comprehension and expression I suppose. Maybe next time the dinosaurs will bring him a birthday cake or something.

homecoming

2008-04-18T10:55:00.002-04:00

So Papa is finally done with the monster ~2 month tour! What a relief. Of course the new dates are already filling in but he's home now and I got to sleep in today!!!! Even though we had several visits during the tour (1 on the road and two recent stays at home while the tour was in our area), Max was really missing his papa.

It was so sweet to come home last night to see my boys romping around the house in their matching jeans and undershirt ensembles (it was an accident, how could I have known?)

We took a stroll down the block and watched Max and friends go to town with sidewalk chalk and climb all over the stoops and gates. Yesterday the spring weather was in full force and everyone was giddy.

Max really surprises me with his language skills sometimes-its funny because sometimes he still just screams and babbles and I'm still translating for him. But last night he started to relive a memory and his description was so evocative. We typically read Frosty the Snowman when Max is sitting on the potty before bathtime (he's a big creature of habit!) and I guess the snow reminded him of a fun trip we made in early January.
Max: When it snows, you can walk in the snow, you don't fall down, you crunch in the snow and then we take pictures and we throw snowballs at Papa and G-pops in the window. You don't fall down. I don't fall down, you know?

He's picked up a habit of saying "you know?' and cocking his head as if to make a point. It is slightly more refined than the prevailing "you like that!?" after many of his demonstrations of skill or wit. "You like that!!!?" casts a strange "Roadhouse" vibe over our activities so I'm enjoying the "you know?" as a change of pace.

With his many monologues generally being told in the present tense - the one tense he's really firm on-sometimes it does take a minute to figure out if he's talking about life, a story we read, a movie, his fears or what. I find if I just let him go it all becomes clear at some point.

He is also really into singing and making up his own songs (followed by "you like that?!!" of course or "say 'thank you' mama"). He likes to stand on a side table or even a lunch box, announce he's on the stage and that one should not talk while the signer is singing. He then sings for me while air-guitaring or playing his little gee-tar. There was a great one this weekend "hold me, baby hold me, hold me, baby!" (you like that?!)

In other homecoming news, my big cousin Mark, is recovering from his accident marvelously and has transferred to a recovery center in Austin. He will be treated as an outpatient starting next Thursday! Mark's sister, Maribeth, gave birth yesterday to her daughter, Patricia Evelyn Brown!

thinking of my big cousin mark

2008-03-26T20:04:00.003-04:00

My older cousin Mark has had an accident and is recovering in a hospital in Oregon. We miss him awfully so here's a message from Max for him so he can know how much "get well" energy we are shooting his way...

what the?

2008-03-19T13:58:00.002-04:00

so it has been several months and a new calendar year since we've posted - its because max is exactly the same! No, just joshin'!
Here's what he's up to:
Touring with papa for the Midwest leg of Matt Nathanson's tour (opening for Lifehouse), Max & Mama joined them in East St Louis and left after the first night at Chicago's House of Blues (aka house of rules)

Mastering the local vernacular, i.e. "What you did, mama? What you said? What it is, Mama?"

Breaking the hearts of Beautiful Ladies all over! Here's an excerpt from a notable game of "knock knock" (where he knocks on our door and I let him in, asking about his travels etc.):
Max: knock knock
Mama: Who is it?
Max: Maximillian Wade Meissner
Mama: come in come in
Max: I am so tired, I just flew on the jet plane from California
Mama: What were you doing there?
Max: Playing drums for the beautiful ladies

another game "where are you going?"
Max: Bye mama
Mama: Where are you going?
Max: I'm going to Mexico
Mama: Can I come too?
Max: NO, just me.
Mama: Who will take care of you?
Max: The beautiful ladies, bye.

His father claims to have no knowledge of the origin of this mysterious concept of groups benevolent women waiting for Max through out the globe....hmmmm

happy holidays from the complete pride of brooklyn

2007-12-21T12:07:00.000-05:00

the pride of brooklyn

2007-11-05T14:36:00.000-05:00

snap

2007-10-24T23:28:00.000-04:00

looking more like Pa Pa everyday

2007-10-22T15:33:00.001-04:00

our labor day

2007-09-12T16:15:00.000-04:00

crazy purple corn pineapple drink for max - mama and papa and neighbor downstairs Lisa enjoying pisco sours after a long day of labor on labor day

it only took two months

2007-08-14T21:57:00.000-04:00

to post the pictures form Max's second birthday party (EVER!)

Max's Second Birthday - a photoset on Flickr

Birthday buddies

2007-08-07T12:31:00.000-04:00

this is our good friend, Pip (for Perregrin-the traveller!) he was born two days before Max and he's got major jumping skills. We like him!

more pictures!

2007-07-27T12:53:00.000-04:00

the summer of luxury is about to get a new name but check out the view in the meantime

rockstar!

2007-07-20T11:08:00.000-04:00

goin to texas

2007-07-18T14:38:00.003-04:00

one of max's games is to walk around the apartment loading up a little bag for his trip to texas- here is with puppy in bag-ready to go....

birthday strawberries!

2007-06-21T13:06:00.000-04:00

June 14, 2007

We gather in chaotic joy to celebrate tha man! At his actual party the following saturday a friend took tons of pictures of frolicking (naked and clothed) at the park. They don't call it a birthday suit for nothing and little guy knows this inherently.

2 years old!

2007-06-15T13:15:00.000-04:00

Please come help celebrate Max's second b-day
Same location as last year- Brooklyn Bridge park 11am - 1pm, tomorrow 6/16!

Above is a picture of the handmade invites I spent my time on rather than getting the online invite together with reasonable forewarning for you, gentle readers...

milestone!

2007-05-05T13:01:00.000-04:00

just pee pees so far before bathtime (2 nights in a row!)
progress...

finally

2007-05-01T20:58:00.000-04:00

okay after much fennagling and forcible appropriation of foreign equipment at long last.... maximillian's sxsw debut!
with the wee hairy beasties (members of the mekons) oh yeah!

my kingdom for a picture

2007-03-27T14:02:00.000-04:00

Maximillian debuted on drums at SXSW with a supergroup consisting of members of the silos, the chris mills band and the Mekons! I, of course did not take any pictures but I saw some of you taking pictures! Please send me some and I'll post. Max did have his drum tech on hand to "assist"....

Full report and update coming soon...

i can't believe i took this picture

2007-02-26T15:25:00.000-05:00

with my phone no less- who is the baby beefcake?

a post from the bossman

2007-02-23T01:50:00.000-05:00

max has especially requested that I post the following...he'd like to send a shout out to his grandma who is having a very special day today and as you can clearly tell from the attached picture has really been there for him...back when he didn't even have a name for himself

happy birthday momma fish

we are regulars...

2007-02-13T11:58:00.000-05:00

at our local tex-mex joint...we go most fridays for dinner It is also the source of the majority of the cheese consumed during my pregnancy which explains why Max is so comfortable here

PS Get out your magnifying glass and note the super cute scarf hand knit by our good friend M.Arthur...nice and toasty!

heLLO?

2007-02-05T21:55:00.000-05:00

You learn so much about your own habits once your child begins accelerated aping phase. For example, Max now picks up his toy cellphone (or any phone like plastic object) and shouts 'Lo...Lo!" as in hello, hello. So very expectant and busy sounding. He is also very obsessed with sitting at his papa's computer and attempting to use it. I once opened up a word document and just let him go to town, that was a fun game.
Other great interests: CARS CARS CARS, construction sites, boats!!!!! (especially since he got to explore a victorian triple masted tall ship as the asst ring bearer in auntie cousin's recent wedding)
He is very affectionate and likes to give hugs and blow kisses. He starting saying "mama, come" and "please, down" and "all done!" all at the appropriate times. He gets a kick out of telling us what to do- which we generally comply with because we are awash in the joy of successful communication. He's not too harsh a task master, his requests are mostly transportation related "go, go ,go!!!...shoes? coat? Go!" or the oft repeated "papa, mama HELP...keys!" that sort of thing. He is growing kinder with Ruby kitty kat after a brief phase of attempting to sit on, squish and generally physically alter the cat. He really likes her and attempts to speak to her in her native tongue...on all fours..next to her food dish under the dinner table while she is eating. This makes a mama nervous as we do not want to awaken the call of the wild in our domesticated, slightly over weight grey tabby. First law of the jungle, son...don't mess with my food (rar!) Max really enjoys telling us animal sounds as we request them, riffing on the lion (with outstretched jabbing of paw.) Horsie sounds make their big appearance during rousing choruses of "Old MacDonald" Mx always does the horse sound with great relish. In fact, we have determined with Max's help that old macdonald actually ran a horse farm.

The wee maestro really enjoys making a joyful noise on his piano, keyboard, various drums and percussion objects, kazoo, harmonica and now....his geetARR. He sits down on the floor or his little red plastic chair and gets his hands in all the right spots and just strums away. He also makes up little songs that bear occasional resemblances to something sort of vaguely familiar. He always throws his hand in the air and shouts "yay" at the end so we know when to applaud. Here's a transcription of his first recognizable song..."wingle wingle la la la stAR" He is truly a baby pirate -he so relishes the AAAR sounds. Ok ok ok the floodgate did just open - due to a long absence in the detailed updating. Advances start happening so fast, the use of silverware, drinking from a cup and on and on til one day you realize how changed and grown they are. Things happen fast, its a cliche because its so consistently true. So, dear reader I hope I've caught you up and you will be prepared for our next posting entitled "drivers ed"

perfunctory feel good family photo for the holidays

2006-12-18T22:48:00.000-05:00

we wish you and yours a marvelous holiday season...
and Max says "drrrr ga duuudette...CAR grrr!"

3 weeks later

2006-12-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

he talked in his sleep last week- i couldn't believe it. He was so clearly asleep and yet saying something very specific
"peee"
*pause*
*sigh*
'biaaa"

it could be that he just wet himself and then fondly recalled that morning's bialy.

He does look out the window at our coffee shop and say "bia bia bia!" which I take to mean bialy- a delectable alternative to the bagel which he loves devouring at above mentioned coffee shop

and now for your shot of the day, here's max enjoying a cappucino- just the foam- really!

the watermark rises - 17 months!

2006-11-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

bok bok!

2006-11-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

Max's first Halloween parade! Cobble Hill is serious about all hallows eve. All the parents and kids gather in the little neighborhood park (next to clinton cafe-free mimosas with brunch! steak night!)--the costumes were great and Dan Zanes (big time celebrity troubador to the tots)and his cohorts led the parade then played in the park surrounded by bobbing and wailing tots. What an experience...when that broke up the masses took to the streets, going stoop to stoop begging for baby crack (oh, I mean candy)

Max had a great time but got a wee bit overwhelmed in the teeming park. Once we parked ourselves on aunt julie and tio miguel's stoop the evening calmed a bit. Big fun! Funny side note, in our lead up to halloween, we practiced putting on the chicken head and saying "bok bok" - it got to where everytime we put it on, Max automatically started clucking. BUT of course on the actual evening the "bok bok" was repalced with a searching glazed look.

So he was not the pope or winston churchill or gay baby but he was a chicken with a costume found in a most resourceful manner. Here's a game, guess what is very special and different about this particular chicken costume!

16 months old - my first job

2006-10-19T14:56:00.000-04:00

Is 16 months too young to be a soda jerk? Is it too young to command the power of levitation (check out those maraccas!)

This month Max walked some more, ran, started really climbing and added "nononononono" to his vocabulary. He has also started using "mama" as a substitue for "I want something, now!"

He went to Branson, Missouri and Copperas Cove and Austin, TX (all separate trips) and astounded his many extended relatives with his charm and charisma! In Texas, Max ate much guac. and queso (claro que si!) but no margaritas or Shiner Bock (gotta save something for the 2nd birthday.)
In Copperas Cove Max enjoyed many great things: the joy of herding chickens on a motorized chair with only a water hose, the joy of climbing a very high water slide then going down (with help), the joy of swinging on the porch in the shade.
In Branson Max demanded to be introduced to the culinary delights of swine and fowl. We sated his curiosity but did not go overboard, thank heavens. My great fear is that once he tastes bacon he'll never eat anything else again, ever. OK, except maybe cheese, potatoes and bread. When that day comes we'll have sure proof of which parent he truly takes after.

15 months today

2006-09-14T22:34:00.000-04:00

an abbreviated review of the summer...by no means comprehensive

does anybody remember summer?

2006-08-30T22:13:00.000-04:00

no fear!
(I should take a picture of him looking over his shoulder while peeing on a chevy logo)

14 mo. old loves him some smoothie

2006-08-24T21:01:00.000-04:00

14 months old!
walking and drinking at the same time!!! staying upright!

The numerous things that are all beginning right now:

climbing: onto rolling things, off the bed, onto step stool to "brush" teeth, up into high chair, up stairs, down stairs (with help), up the crazy net ladder at the playground (with help - don't tell max)

mouth tricks: while trying to blow bubbles discovered whistling, now makes little "o" shape with the mouth and breaths in and out til funny noise then cracks up, blowing bubbles (while alternately trying to eat somethin off of bubble wand), blowing when I say the food is hot (not every time)

water tricks and feats of strength: tries to swim on his own by pushing forcible at mama in the neighborhood pool, puts his face in the water and often spits a little spout of water out when he comes up (just like a fish! someone said at the pool) dunks mama at the pool (soo strong), topples mama over at home when we are sitting on the floor by giving a little shove on my shoulders then I fall over and say "oh so strong!"

mind powers!: (smaats) um sometimes says something that sounds just like a real word, (i.e. thanks!, umbrella, water) then never says it again - he knows what he did, you think he needs to prove somethin!?, makes jokes like hiding his food on the other side of the bowl then throwing his hands up in the HUH? gesture then recovers the item with flourish and "DA!" as in ta-da!, vigorously nodding "no" when I nod "yes" then cracking up, running in silly baby steps and looking behind like a blonde in a horror movie while we chase him and say "i'm gonna get you" then he waits with his back to you til you catch him and ....cracks up!, likes to play his piano (a musical genius!)

there's more but I think you've got a snapshot here...

R U ready 2 RAWK?

2006-08-09T14:32:00.000-04:00

naked baby alert

2006-08-02T13:18:00.000-04:00

max made a new friend stream-side at a Catskills retreat during a marvelous wilderness love bash (congratulations Maya & Adam!)

thirteen months

2006-07-14T15:41:00.000-04:00

Max is thirteen months old today...I am officially entering the realm of those parents who totally confuse the rest of the non-child rearing world with the month count. He's a year old plus some. We newbie parents just obsess over every little bit of aging, progress, distance form the beginning, I guess. Does my saying "he's thirteen months old" remind me that I had 7 months of spotty sleep or six months of "sleeping" through the night? I think maybe for me its the desire to sing happy birthday with great frequency.

He has been looking at the picture of his dad on the fridge during mealtimes and saying "Da Da" Sometimes just pointing and smiling or (like today) pointing and cocking the head quizzically with a "Da Da?" like...Where the hell is that joker and when is he coming home? I quickly distract him with the picture of the BABY (himself of course) which always makes him laugh. "Nana" is still serving as banana when inflected with a note of desperation and all other beloved fruits when repeated in a rocking incantorial fashion. I think "maalm" is trying to integrate itself into the vocabulary. He used it for mango but also for the morning smoothie so maybe its just another kind of yummy. There is an occasional Ma MA but all other words are pretty much variations on "Ba." Which works well because most of the things he really enjoys start with Ba. Ball BALL BALLLL (he says without the "LL" while pounding his fist on the giant ball and bouncing up and down. Balloons also inspire a pretty lively "BA BAAAA." However, the most wonderful use of his favorite sylable is the peekaboo game. He basically stands in the general vicinity of something he could hide behind then bend his knees, pops up and says "BA" which I take to be Boo. Then I act really startled and he laughs his pants off. Often leaning on a nearby object for support while he cracks up.

BAAAAA just like my old uncle Cooksie.

ps i just made a blog for work just a little placeholder until we get real pro-specional (as Fluff might say)...bye

Number one!

2006-06-23T13:18:00.000-04:00

watermelon, max, mommie's crazy orange shoes, our friend jackson, jim's legs, our bridge....
a wonderful day

la mapa

2006-06-16T10:55:00.000-04:00

saturday 6/17 11am-2ish...we will be at the park celebrating max's 1st birthday we'll have watermelon and such
look for us by the playground or over in empire fulton ferry state park at the pcinic tables. There will be balloons

hope you can come!

birthday man

2006-06-05T19:55:00.000-04:00

so max's first birthday is coming up soooooooooooo soon
flag day motha scrathers!
and we will celebrate by convening with snacks for all and something like a cake at the park under the manahttan bridge
in brooklyn (dumbo to be exact)
on the water
by bubby's
a block or three from the water taxi stand
not far from the f train and also not too far from the a train
we want you to come
we are planning to start at 11 or so on saturday the 17th of june
three short days into his life as a one year old

there is a playground with a tall ship in it
check us out running around and falling down on the little hill behind that

11 months old

2006-05-20T15:05:00.000-04:00

so, 1 day after mother's day and two days after his 11 month birthday he decided he was ready to go free solo. I saw mahhoney & mahhoneychild at our friendly neighborhood coffeee shop as I was heading home from the train. I pop in to surprise them and Max just toddles over to me, ALL BY HIMSELF! laughing and smiling and flopping into me at the end of his long journey. it was so moving and I, being the mother that I am, was certainly onion eyed. He is ready to run peeps, watch out!

short film in the works to be posted shortly

i like to swing-ah

2006-05-01T20:18:00.000-04:00

10 months old

2006-04-14T09:52:00.000-04:00

Max is 10 months old today and many exctitng advances have occured in the last several weeks...well 3 I guess.
He waved to me when I was sitting across from him on the subway - he was with his dad- he just opened up his hand and waved as if he'd been doing it for ages. Of course it made me weepy. Almost on the same day, he finally remembered how to clap and now he just spontaneously does it quite frequently. I'd sorta given up prompting him to do it because he had seemed so uninterested but now he's big clapping champ. He even seems to clap to cheer himself up sometimes, like when he is forced to lie on his back for the oh so humiliating diaper change...he used to love it but now any backward motion is accompanied by a little whimper and sometimes hollering.

He has now slept through the night many times in a row-going to bed at 7 pm and waking up at 5 or 6 (today was 6am and I like that so much better) - when he does wake in the night it has been only once an evening and around 3am for a quick snack then right back to sleep.)

Finally he is the cruising/sidewalking king of the big apple. He scootches around "en-garde" style with one hand on any nearby available steadying element. When he gets to the end of said element he slaps the leading foot out toward his desired direction and glances around as if to say "hey lady! hey human coffee table! git over her and get me to that open dresser drawer, pronto! What's especially cute are the little squatting breaks he takes to rest and occasionally scoop up some toy (his or the cat's) off the floor and into his nouth as he motors along...often providing his own soundtrack. He likes to make motorboat and fart noises ALOT (with his mouth!) and they do seem to inspire his progress throughout the apartment.

Our little genius!

please enjoy the highly esteemed and diverse talents of...

2006-03-20T22:15:00.000-05:00

my good friend the jellybean...

she is a mighty fine photographer

someone oughta pay her

milestones

2006-03-01T19:50:00.000-05:00

as implied by the last picture, max has been spending a lot of time studying his crib and how to use the bars to achieve his nefarious ends. the day we have long anticipated and somewhat dreaded has arrived.

Tonite he was carrying on quite dramatically after I laid him in his crib to go to sleep. Generally I top off the tank (max's lil pre-sleep nightcap) then lay him in the crib where he kind of curls on his side, finds the thumb and heads to dreamland. Occasionally there is a mild protest which ceases within a few seconds -rarely more than 3 minutes. Tonite, however he went on and on with the screaming kind of cries that sound like some little tiny part of his vocal cord is busting out OR his heart and spirit have irrevocably broken due to our uncaring neglect. Needless to say we didn't last that long, not being a full on sleep trained CIO (cry it out,baby) family. I went in after the first 12 minutes and started the whole bedtime ritual over, topped the tank and laid him down to sleep. After about 3 minutes of silence the whole she-bang started up again , growing worse and worse. We waited and waited and tried to eat our tacos and waited and after 16 whole minutes (it honestly feels like an eternity - especially since it is so rare) the hubby broke down and went to check on him and BANG! MILESTONE!!!!!!!

Max was standing up in his crib at the part closest to the door to his room and seemed unsure how to get down. He can now pull him self up to standing. In his crib. Now we have to lower the sleeping platform AGAIN so he doesn't somehow figure out how to nosedive over the top of the rails. But it was pretty exciting to see him standing there blinking and screaming at us now that the translation had dawned on us.
I'M STANDING UP! I DID IT ALL BY MYSELF! CHECK ME OUT SUCKAS! GIT YOUR BUTTS IN HERE NOW!!! CRAP I CAN'T GET BACK DOWN! I'M FREAKING OUT!!! ITS MAKING ME TIRED, GEEZ! I'M SO TIRED! SOMEBODY HELP ME! and so on

how did it all end,you ask? Did max ever find the secret to knee bending and safely lowering himself to a seated position then rolling gently onto his side and snuggle up for sleep. Heck no. His pops laid him down and calmed him then left him to fall asleep. There were a few mild peeps then radio silence. Back to normal except for he major milestone my genius baby hurdled today.

so many firsts

2006-02-17T11:10:00.000-05:00

Over the holiday break we had so many firsts, First mushy food in December - which caused an allover bodily quake as if the kid was shaking off a stiff drink. We tried again in early January and it took. Success came as Max had his first high chair sit and was pulled up to the dinner table with the rest of us. He took a bite of mushy carrots and then opened his little mouth for more.

He swam in the ocean and played with sand. He wore sunscreen and got a swimsuit. He napped under a palapa, swam on his own and did not float out to sea (pictures are so misleading)

Now a days he's standing by holding on to stuff and springing up and down, pretending to walk a little. He's scooching and spinning on the slick wood floors, using his hands like little suction cups and dragging himself forward or inchworming backwards in a contract and expand type motion. He is trying desperately to pull up in his crib - yes we lowered the bed down to avoid a spill. For fun we sometimes stand him up in the crib and let him try to work his way around. Yesterday he atually clapped, twice. Then it was back to random arm flailing. He has also taken to blowing raspberries on my face and arms and chewing on daddy's nose and my chin or cheeks (lots to work with there.) He still smells amazing. As my friend says "he hasn't started rotting from the inside out yet." Beautiful image.

Thats the news, now the weather ....
Sunny!

2006

2006-01-11T21:42:00.000-05:00

Joyous holidays and a happy new year!

2005-12-18T11:21:00.000-05:00

sending warm wishes from us to you!

more pictures

2005-12-06T12:19:00.000-05:00

here are some new shots, including Max's first snow (and face off with evil snowman)

must...get...foot..in..mouth

2005-11-30T23:37:00.000-05:00

and yet you spend so much time as adults trying to avoid putting your fooot in your mouth

book lover

2005-11-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

morning nap

2005-10-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

Peek A Boo

2005-10-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

i don't know why he's so shy these days

Angel Baby

2005-10-12T17:01:00.000-04:00

9pm to 2:30am
3am to 7am

Our little boy's sleep habits are growing up! That is the most he's ever slept at night EVER. AND I went to sleep at 10 pm so I think its the most I have slept in one 24 hour period since - oh say- June 13th (2005). I shouldn't get too excited but we have been creeping toward the mythological "consolidated sleep" cycle and all signs point to a new pattern emerging. SO a celebration is in order. Tonite I will celebrate by not waking up at 6:30am and wondering why he's not up yet. I'd like to add that the experts for whom "sleeping through the night" is the holy grail consider a 5 hour rock block to be "sleeping through the night." Check our little man's 5.5 hours plus 4 hours SUCKAS! (sleep experts,not gentle reader/s)

I'll calm down now and perhaps take some pictures once he's up from his NAP (he just can't get enough)

it oughta be a sin

2005-10-04T17:34:00.000-04:00

our bebe is soooo cute and growing and changing and has had so many adventures and firsts...and I (negligent parent) ALWAYS forget that I have a camera.

so you will need to wait to see new shots of the toot shooter*

Also if you have charming pictures of our lil sweetie please email them and I will post them for all to worship.'l even include a photo creit--wooooo

*max likes to pull his legs up to his chest with great gusto (it reminds me of an exciting 3.5 hours of my life) then a hearty toot pops out - he's like human bagpipes with a funnier sound.

golden child

2005-09-11T12:08:00.000-04:00

tummy time rules, especially with the boppy

a relatively brief struggle

2005-09-05T22:46:00.000-04:00

lifelong goal complete
no further need for complaint
Max's thumb meets mouth!

so after a weekend of wondering why we've resisted the nuk, the binky, the pacifier, after Max's sweet auntie J worked patiently to try and end his self flagellating spitty efforts to achieve this end, and after many shrivelled pinkies sucked into raisins by that sweet son of mine.... (drumroll please)
I peak in on his early evening sleep wondering why he hasn't squawked by this late hour.
True maternal pride and joy washes over me as I observe his hand (cleverly escaped from the secure swaddling) tucked so comfortably into to his smiling mouth. Where's the night vision camera when you NEED it? I HAVE TRULY NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN ANYTHING SO CUTE!!!! I MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!! Danger! raving excited mother drunk on her own *exceptional* offspring's brilince!

a celebration of the life of...

2005-08-31T15:46:00.000-04:00

great grandma eagle
generous spirited sage
our lesson in grace

1920-2005

another first

2005-08-26T13:09:00.000-04:00

i have not so far been a great chronicler of Max's firsts. He's been cooing and giggling since about week 2. Definitely by fathers'day (5 days old!? I swear it wasn't gas.) His sleeping habits and growth spurts have been right on schedule with what the many books suggest. week ten and he slept 5 and a half hours last night - the experts consider 5 hours "sleeping through the night" so hey hey lookit our little genius sleeper. I certainly thrived on 5 hours of sleep a night in my theater producing days. So why is my eye still twithcy?
BUT TO THE POINT
Max had his first 10 minutes of babysitting yesterday (not counting hangng out with grandma or an "auntie" across the driveway or on a short stroll.)
Mah honey had to go get Max's Gigi (thats meissner-speak for grandma) and I was running late SO a good friend called to drop in and mah honey said "perfect timing!" and so it was that Max was first babysat by our sweet good friend who is already madly in love with him and does show off his picture ot strangers. It still counts even though he slept through it right?
All my dear readers please don't be jealous - you'll get your chance I promise...

Max - the early days

2005-08-16T07:48:00.000-04:00

so so teeny

a great way to pass the time

2005-08-11T12:57:00.000-04:00

easy expressions+ pump in STYLE = a laugh a minute OR a morbid fear of ANYONE entering without knocking (or both)

mommy finally got it together

2005-08-03T12:44:00.000-04:00

Finally!

Back?

2005-07-29T18:17:00.000-04:00

Finally (someone let me outta my cage) um I mean I now have a pc at home which lets me use my contacts, palm pilot,set up an email acocunt (so tired of checking thru webmail) and it actually agrees with blogger! Now more pictures! First let me say that this baby is very cute AND if only I could offer smell-o-vision you'd understand why I've nibbled off little finger and toe tips. Babies (esp mine?) smell so frackin delicious. Here at MWM World headquarters we suppose that the smell and gurgling smiling cooing are to protect the lil newcomer from being tossed into the bushes during particularly bad crying jags. Luckily, our lil baby is highly consolable so far so he could actually stink alittle and it'd be ok - don't tell him though. I am still the fairly constant feedbag so the pictures may take just a little more time--what the!!! I hear the dinner bell so must provide nutrition to the lil ham-o-la - he is strong and big!!!

So you wanna see him?

2005-06-27T17:21:00.000-04:00

This is Sonnet posting for Lisa who is sleepy and busy, and very, very happy, and also sleepy. I have posted some photos of the small one on Flickr. Enjoy.

Due Date

2005-06-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

Today's the due date and what a change since last week. Friday Konrad and I went to see a hypnotherapist to get some relaxation tips. That shit works. We talked through our expectations and hopes for the labor and delivery then he asked us to relax and close our eyes and he did a sort of guided imagery with us. (It reminded me so much of many many acting classes - learning the METHOD!)
The imagery and ideas were right on and confidence building and so relaxing - the baby seemed to drop down within hours of that visit. Since Friday I've also been having "real" contractions wherein I get menstrual crampy and my lower back and abdomin really feel it. AND THEN! this morning around 7ish baby decided to go unplugged. So we have some serious progress but no active labor yet.
We are doing great-we finally packed our hospital bag after K laid down the law- I was procrastinating...I am starting to have more discomfort and have given in to the waddle during my more fatigued moments. My pops is now in town and he sings "Waddle I doooooo" whenever I am attempting to walk normally. There's a little snapshot from me to you of my *hopefully* (outre island intonation please) last week of pregnancy. Not that I am tired of it but I really feel close now.
*Update off*

thank you

2005-06-10T12:26:00.000-04:00

so many lovely showers such cool and generous friends! thak you all so much for helping us welcome baby biy meissner to our family. He is still not here but when he comes I'll get something posted here as soon as I am able. From these great showers I learned: people love bebies, my friends and family are soooo overwhelmingly supportive, there are some very specific manners and etiquettes that you may not know about when showers are being thrown for you - buy a book! I should have...

Thanks again for the poems, advice, cute cute cute things and huge outpouring of love...

2005-04-21T10:42:00.000-04:00

Ohhhhh now I want this too :)
You know, for the baby!

What Do You Really Want?

2005-04-01T21:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome to FuntimesBabyBoy
See there's the fantasy registry and all the super cool new baby gear that inspires and is fun to click back to now and again and then there is the stuff that is actually needed for the soon to bloom child of a musician and an hourly independent contractor (in a very creatively rewarding job, mind you)

So I am creating this receptacle as a resource for my mom who never looks at the Internet (but hopefully will check this out) and others who may wander in confusion when trying to negotiate my nutty multiple registries with overlapping entries. Just look to the left side of the page (the sidebar they call it) for links to the registries we've set up or look below that for direct links to needed items - jot down the info and shop where-so-ever you like...

oh and...

Thanks for sharing our joy and overwhelming excitement over this aforementioned massive life altering bloomage