Happy Birthday to Maximo ~

You're so special,
Oh so special,
God gave you to us!
It's no wonder that we love you so!

Wow ~ what a year!  In the days preceding Max's birthday, Shannon and I would recall what we were doing a year ago: the uncertainty, the fear (for me at least), the doctor's appointments, then finally his arrival.  It was a crazy time to be sure, but now, a year later it often seems as though it was all a bad dream.

Everything the doctors cautioned us about has proven to be wrong.  I do love Max's physical therapy appointments.  They are proactive therapy, but it has been fun watching his therapist work with him. I haven't enjoyed all the doctor's visits since Max's birth, but we wanted to ensure we caught any issues that would possibly arise as soon as possible.  Now  that he is a year ~ YIPPEE ~ we can bag the neurologist and frequent checkups!

Max, you have added so much to our life!  Your brothers and sisters adore you, your bright smile and crooked crawl, racing towards a sibling erases any annoyance.  You think Dom and Nickles are rock stars.....Nickles especially, for some crazy reason.  You have Katherine and Annika wrapped around those tiny fingers and we haven't even begun to talk about Daddy.  You simply like to be next to him: building a fire, getting a back rub, watching a movie, telling a hunting story.  Of all the toys laying around, your favorite is the tv remote.  Really?!? The buttons don't even make noise.

We love you, Max, and cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!

Love,
Mom

I've known you forever ~

Ahhh, the days when Max would just snooze on the counter while I made dinner ~

Playin' the piano with his brother ~

"Awesome ~  Someone left the chess board out!"

"and I just polished off some more dirt from one of Mom's plants"

Say cheese!

Max loved everyone singing to him ~

 "May the dear Lord bless you......"

He wasn't quite sure what to think about the monkey-in-the-box!

Now I'm one!