All about Max

I am a little bewildered when I look at the calendar and realize that our sweet Max is (gasp) nearly SIX MONTHS old!! We have really had some big breakthroughs lately. To make things easier for my very feeble mind, I've decided to use a list format... sorry.

1. Max has not one, but TWO teeth! Unfortunately, I don't have a good picture of the teeth. He doesn't really like to show them off, except when in the midst of a big ol' belly laugh. He seemed to have a bit of a hard time getting the teeth through and now is apparently hard at work getting some top teeth through. Sleep has been a rare commodity at our house.

2. Max has moved into wide world of solid food! We started about four weeks ago on rice cereal. It was a huge hit. This video is pretty long, but it does get you a feel for how crazy things are at feeding time, especially when Ruby's around! Feel free to fast forward!

3. Maxi also LOVES his bouncer and jumping in general. He can wear you out in a hurry whenever you hold him because he insists on standing up in your lap and jump-jump-jumping away. For some reason this video isn't clear... but, it does give you the general idea.

4. Max (just yesterday) found his balance and is able to sit up on his own--hurray!! This was a big deal for everyone since he he been anxious to have the freedom to sit up for a while now. Now he just has to figure out how to get down on to his tummy gracefully in order to retrieve toys!

5. Max loves Ruby! This is nothing new, but becoming even more obvious. He loves to watch her and giggle with her. He isn't so hot on her full body tackles or crazy kisses, but that's to be expected really--she can be a bit much even for me at times!

Well, that's all for today. I'm waaaay behind since I didn't manage to post at all leading up to or during Bob and Kay's visit. We took a wonderful vacation to Spain and did quite a bit of sight seeing here in Copenhagen, so there's more to come soon. Also, we've ventured inrothe wonderful world of potty training-- so far it's been painless, just extremely time consuming! Check back soon!

Wedding Bells

I feel a mixture of sadness and joy today... my little sister, Christina, is becoming a wife today. I'm so excited for her big day. She and Derek have saved and planned for this day for nearly two years and have eagerly been anticipating the celebration. The bittersweet part of it all is that I won't be there! This is one of the harder parts of living overseas. You just can't always get back as often as you'd like. Nevertheless, I'm sending happy wishes their way. I'm proud of you, Christina, and I love you so much! Wish we could all be there for your big day in person, not just in spirit.

Psalm 23

I saw this on someone elses blog and had to share it over here. It actually made me tear up! I've been wanting Ruby start memorizing scripture, but this has really encouraged me even more that it isn't too early to start.

Silver and Gold

Twelve years ago Jared started an adventure that would end up shaping not only his life, but our whole family... he came to Denmark as an exchange student. While he did spend most of his time here learning the language and Danish culture, he also made some lifelong friendships with fellow exchange students, especially Jenine, Rosie, and Tex.

Since their days in Denmark, Jared has only seen these friends a few times, keeping in touch mostly through email, but we were so happy last week to be reunited with Jenine and her family for the day. Jenine has stayed very close with her Danish host family and even named her kids after her "brother" Michael and "sister" Mette. Most of their vacation was spent in Jutland with her family, highlighted by Mette's wedding, but they were able to take the train to Copenhagen for the day and we had a great time seeing the changing of the guards at Amalienborg Slot and visiting Tivoli.

Jenine's son, Gabe, was pretty excited to get a ride pass at Tivoli, so Ruby also was able to try out a few of the tamer rides for the first time. Gabe actually tried the biggest, scariest roller coaster and scared his Mom half to death by sitting on the outside seat! She was pretty sure he was going to slide right out of the harness, but he did great and definitely has some pretty great "bragging material" once school starts!

This was my first time to meet Jenine's hubby, Jerry, and their little girl, Mette. Jerry seems like a wonderful guy and definitely a hands-on Daddy and husband. We're so happy that they found each other. We also got to meet Mikael, Jenine's "brother", who interestingly enough used to be one of the guards at Amalienborg. It was a bit funny/awkward when we were at the changing of the guards because it was just swarming with tourists and one of the guards by us was getting lots of photo ops. The only problem is that people aren't really supposed to stand that close to him and they just were not getting that. Also, some folks decided that they really needed to sit on the steps right up against the palace... this is a no no. Unfortunately, the poor guard is apparently not allowed to leave his post, so he kept trying to get their attention so that they would move. They never listened to him and eventually he gave up. Sounds a lot like dealing with toddlers all day!

It's fun to think that we now have friends not only all over the United States, but all over the world. It's such a blessing to share our lives with such a variety of people--maybe a bit like heaven will be one day. It's been hard saying goodbye to friends as we move on (or they do), but I am so thankful for the time that we have had and the wonder of the digital age which allows us to stay in touch a bit easier.

I suppose it's just like the old rhyme:

Make new friends,
But keep the old,
One is silver,
And the other gold.

Searching for a new best friend...

I've come to realize that I have an unfortunate "stress meter" in the form of a rather finicky back. Two nights ago I woke up at about 4am to a ravenous Max and realized that I just could-not-move! Well, that's not exactly true. I could move, it was just extremely painful. One might ask what I have to be stressed about when I have a husband who loves me, a roof over my head and two beautiful children. My response would have to be, "not much", but none the less... I am a worrier. I am thankful to report that after a day flat on my back and another taking it very easy, I seem to be on the mend. So, I'm back at it again to post a few pics of my darlings.

Ruby, one of the more nurturing kids I know, has taken to sharing her meals with this poor dolly. Since the tragic loss of Trixie, Ruby has been "trying out" various dolls to see which one is "the one" to replace her special friend. Unfortunately, for the time being, the winner is this doll. I really ought to have a photo of the doll up close to get the picture, but just to give you the back story...

A few weeks ago, Jared and Ruby went to a loppemarked (flea market) and found a great little bicycle with training wheels for Ruby complete with baby seat on the back. Well, for only 100kr (that's about $18 these days) the lady included not only the bike and training wheels, but also Ruby's choice of dilapidated dolls to ride in the seat. As you can imagine, she carefully examined each choice until her eyes fell upon this doll. Sure, it's body was caked with dirt, it's dress was so "lived in" it could have walked on its own, and the hair was all cut butch short except for one big chunk on top that was inexplicably about 10 inches long, but it also had those ultra cool eyes that open and close with "life-like" eyelashes. Needless to say, this baby was snatched up in an instant. I'm not sure if I can really explain my disgust at first seeing the doll, but I did manage to pry it from Ruby's little hands and convince her that what baby really needed was a bath. So, into the washing machine she went and we've been fairly happy with her ever since. I'm still pushing for a radical haircut, but Daddy has the odd idea that it's so funny it has to stay. Typical.

As you can see from the last shot, Ruby seems to have a problem with clothes these days. She just does not want to have clothes on and would really prefer not to have a diaper either. I think that we're very close to a potty training break through, so that may be part of it. She's really getting into sitting on the potty (complete with 10,000 verses of "The Wheels on the Bus") and also wants her diaper changed as soon as she goes in it. The problem is, that she still hasn't actually done anything on the potty. We'll sit and try and try and try and then as soon as she gets up, "Uh-oh!", there's a mess. Oh well, I'm sure that she won't go to high school in diapers.

Ruby also had her first trip to the dentist yesterday, which she was super excited about! She checked out a-okay with twenty pearly whites and not a cavity in sight. We're hoping that the trip will increase her enthusiasm for brushing somewhat as the regular battle is getting pretty tiresome.

Max is a regular rolly poley these days and gnawing like mad on anything in sight. As you can see, he has no shortage of saliva. We're really hoping that those teeth are going to show up soon. I'm going through LOTS of bibs a day and if I don't remember to change it regularly, his shirt ends up looking like this anyway.

Max has made some sleeping breakthroughs lately, which is awesome. We've been giving him a bottle of formula before bed (8 ounces!!) and that usually holds him from 8:30pm until 5 or 6am! Also, he's going back to sleep after that morning feed until 7 or 8am, so that's just peachy. As icing on the cake, we're also treated to an hour long nap in the morning and a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon! Finally, I'm starting to feel like a human again, instead of a zombie.

Well, dishes are calling... and so is Max... and Ruby... and laundry... you get the picture.