Merry Christmas!

On Christmas morning, we saw Santa and Rudolph.
No... wait... that's Papa and Max!

Or is it?

Max had his stocking hung with care. We wanted a picture of him in it, but he didn't fit.
Daddy and Grammy show Max a new toy.
Aunt Lisa and Uncle Brett had lots of goodies for Max. The wagon was part of a "boy starter kit" that included Star Wars action figures and jousting knights. We're instructed to put them on a shelf until he's big enough to play with them--without choking on small parts or poking out his eye.
Later, more family joined us. It was a merry first Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2008

We spent Christmas Eve with Garrett's family in Oklahoma City. It was nice to have Don out of the hospital. Seeing Max must have made him feel a little better. As tradition goes, Mary brought out her beautiful china that Garrett hates washing by hand--but does so for his mom even though he wears a pout the whole time! Everyone enjoyed playing with Max.

Below is a picture of Max with his dad, Gramps, and Grandma.

Mary always decks the halls with teddy bears during the holidays. You'll find them climbing ladders up the Christmas tree or the fireplace mantle. We weren't surprised to find one under the tree for Max. We were delusional if we thought he'd cuddle it. Nope. Our little guy conjured some combination of WWF and Mike Tyson. He gnawed on its ear and wrestled it. He's all boy.Below Max unwrapped his first present. Well, I unwrapped it, but he played with it.


What did he get? His first car! Grandma shows him how to work it.
He loved it so much that he played with it in the car on the way to Tahlequah. Max truly became a backseat driver! Still, he's too young to drive because he fell asleep with one hand on the gear shift and the other on a button that kept restarting it.

I saw fairies!

How cute are my cousins? They're also very cool. They came to a Tulsa book signing to help me. Max loved hanging out with them when they weren't working. They handed out bookmarks and talked to customers. Thanks to them, we sold out within two hours. Actually, customers were lined up for books after we ran out due to their cracker jack salesmanship. Check out how few books are left in the picture below.These two wore fairy wings. They all wore t-shirts. Get one of your own by clicking here.These guys are one of the reasons I'm looking forward to moving back to Oklahoma.

Tulsa Book Signing Tonight!

Come see me in Tulsa tonight at the Barnes and Noble on 41st. The signing begins at 7:00. It's a great opportunity to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Glamour makes a great gift for the teen or tween in your life--or the gal of any age who likes fairies, glamour, and glitz.

Max may or may not be there. I was up with him all night. He alternated between shrieking and collapsing into my arms. We think that either his tummy hurt or his ears are messed up from the flight. It's so frightening. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he doesn't complain unless there's something to cry about. He seems a bit improved this morning, so I hope it's all over.

So, please come by and see me...and you might even get to see Max.

Birth Certificate

I was excited to get Max's birth certificate.

Max?

Not so much.
But he pretended for me.
While at the health department, we ran into a girl and her baby boy from our Lamaze class. Her son is a month younger than Max. She exclaimed, "I thought I was the last one!" Nope. Leave it to us. We're just glad we remembered it before we moved.

Garrett and I are surprised at how little was on the New Jersey birth certificate. Just names. Garrett was born in California, so his is detailed. It even lists his parents' occupations. Born in Oklahoma, mine is less extensive, but it at least mentions my parents' ages and my mom's maiden name. New Jersey? Fuggedaboudit.

Toys, oh boy!

For a while we were concerned Max didn't like toys. There's all this talk about kids' favorite toys and he didn't seem to prefer anything over anything else. As far as preference is concerned, the only thing that held his attention and made him super-happy was this thing that played music and lit up. We were not sure if music qualified as a toy, though.

All the confusion was solved when he met his noisy frog. Elizabeth, a friend and former colleague, gave Max a frog that ribbits when you bang it. He loves it. He lights up when he sees it. It was the first thing I remember seeing him try to reach for on a regular basis.

This week he's added another toy to what I'd consider his favorite list. Cousin Kent gave him a dragonfly. It's wings crinkle at the touch, and if you pull the handle on its tail, it plays Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Well, guess who figured out how to pull the handle this week? It's often tied to his play mat so that he can grab or kick at it overhead. However, we've noticed he starting to cuddle it, too. So sweet.

Our friend Joey gave him a soft froggie called a Tadbit. Garrett calls it the roadkill frog because it's like a stuffed animal--without the stuffing. But it's oh-so-soft. Max alternates between caressing his face with it and gnawing on it.

Lastly, he likes books! I probably tried reading to him when he was too young, because he wouldn't join in the fun for very long. This week, however, he's totally up for a good reading of a book Alison gave us: Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? Before Max, I had no clue as to why this book was such a hit. Reading it with Max explains everything. He giggles and laughs whenever we make the noises. He especially likes cock a doodle doo. Oh yeah, life doesn't get much better.

So, if you're looking for gifts for little ones, these are ones to consider. They're Max approved.

All through the night....

Is it too early to think it's going to last? Max has slept through the night for the last three nights. He goes down around 10 and sleeps until about 7. Actually, this morning, he lasted until almost 8. And he's asleep now. His snoring sounds like a purring cat. Is it normal for him to sleep this much? I'm in awe.

Max flipped!

You may recall that I recently reported that Max had turned over. As most babies do, he turned from front to back.

Well, here's an update for our little 14-week-old boy:

He just rolled from back to front!

3 month photographs

Since the holidays and Max's three month pics corresponded, we got a shot with us in it. I'm glad we did. Of course, I immediately changed my hairstyle. (Way too much forehead.) Anyway, the boys look great. I want to get another photo when we get settled in Oklahoma.
Here are Max's thoughts on the experience:

Oh, wow! I'm getting my picture taken. This is fun!

Hee! The photographer is a funny guy. He keeps touching my nose.

Does anyone notice my pants are covering my feet? I mean, I have feet, but no one can see them. Okay, I'm done with this photography thing. Who wants to go sledding?

Spoiled? No poop.

People have been telling us we're spoiling Max. I've always considered cries and whimpers as his way of communicating since he can't speak the language. The books say that answering his cries establishes that he can trust us. I've also read that he can't manipulate us prior to 6 months. Still, numerous people have said we're spoiling him...whatever that means.

If he cries, you don't need to pick him up.
Let him cry for a while and he'll stop.
He's training you.
It's conditioning.
Blah.
Blah. Blah.
Blah.

So, when he was in his Bumbo chair this morning all smiling and sitting like a big boy, I talked to him, and we made faces and noises back and forth. I noticed he was leaning over to his left, so I righted him. He didn't like that one bit. He frowned at me and assumed his original position before returning to all smiles.

I figured it was a good time to clean the kitchen. I'd just begun unloading the dishwasher when the whimpers began. I talked to him and let him see my face. He returned to smiles.

Hmm. Maybe there's something to that conditioning after all.

I returned to the kitchen where the whimpers turned into little cries. I told myself that I needed to let him be independent for his own good. I refuse to be one of those mothers who rushes in and rescues a kid who doesn't need it. What kind of man will he turn out to be if I do that?

But I couldn't stand to hear him sad. As soon as I picked him up, he stopped crying. For an instant, I thought everyone was right.

For an instant, I thought maybe Max doesn't cry when he needs something...maybe he just cries when he needs me.

Then I noticed it. When I lifted him a waterfall of poop fell from his diaper and cascaded into the puddle already formed in his Bumbo chair.

That was the reason he was leaning over. He's no dummy. He didn't want to sit in sewage.

I didn't know where to put him to clean him up. He was dripping mustardy poop from his socks and his onesie. Of course, since I was holding him, he was completely happy. And what does he do when he's happy? He kicks his legs. Yeah, you get the picture now.

As I wondered what to do with him, I thought of my friend, who in a state of panic because her little niece had pooped on her foot, placed the child on the front porch while she sorted out the mess. Although it halfway sounded like a good idea, I didn't do it.

Instead I managed to clean him up.

I, on the other hand, am a different story. I just noticed that I've gone the whole day with poop on my shirt.

Am I one of those moms? You know, the kind who go around with bagels in her teeth with the constant smell of baby poop where an expensive perfume once lingered?

I will not be one of those moms.

Oh, and my kid isn't spoiled. He just doesn't like to sit in poop.

Glamour slumber party

The Pope County Library in Russellville, Arkansas, knows how to throw a party...a slumber party, that is.The youth are lucky to have Lauren Drittler as their enthusiastic young adult librarian.

Following a writing workshop, girls ages 10 and up hung out in the library in their jammies. I totally wish I'd brought mine. Believe me, if I'm invited to any other Glamour slumber parties, I'm wearing pajamas. Some of the girls had the most amazing slippers. Way fun.

The organizers did their homework. All of the activities were inspired by my novel Glamour. So, I started the evening by reading a story. Mine of course!

A fairy feast took my breath away.
In the center of the table stood a figurine of a girl looking down on four little fairies. Rita Chisum, who found it, thought that it was similar to Kat with the Fayes and Naturals. When I saw it, I thought They get my book. I was touched because I recognized it as inspired by a painting that I looked at on a daily basis as I wrote my book. The girls were in awe, too. The table was perfect. I overheard a few marvel at the sparkly mini cupcakes. The petits fours were adorable. Fruit and marshmallows and cheese abounded.
Plus, there was a chocolate fountain fit for a Faye Midsummer's Eve festival. Can you believe it? A chocolate fountain. It was so cleverly done and beautifully displayed. If you're ever in Russellville, you've got to check out Jan Townshend's Reflections tea room. If you do, you'll know what kind of delightful treats I'm talking about.

Because the moon and stars have so much to do with the story, Georgia Beavers gave an interactive astronomy presentation.

American Indian storytelling was a part of the evening, too. Below Jeannie Stone supervises a few of the girls as they make dreamcatchers.
And what slumber party is complete without a manicure? Terri Williamson joined the girls.
I met Jeannie Stone when I spoke at HAWK's writing conference last year. The weekend was her brain child, and she has lots of creative and energetic friends who care a lot about their community. Jeannie even thought of the tiniest detail. Check out the pins we're all wearing--they're fairies. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone. Thanks for the good times!

Terri Williamson, Rita Chisum, Lauren Drittler, moi, Jeannie Wichmann, Jan Townshend, Jeannie Stone.

OU vs OSU

Here are pictures that give a play-by-play of last week's game.

Maybe this is a psychological game. I thought this was going to be a blow out, but the only thing that might blow out is my diaper....

Wait, did OSU just...? Where's our defense?
They're not really going to score, are they?
They did. They scored. We let them score.
C'mon! Now that's not how we play ball.
That's okay. Let's stay in the game. Focus.

Touchdown!
THAT's what I'm talkin' about!

Harwelden Mansion Book Signing

On November 20, I joined about 20 other Oklahoma authors at Harwelden Mansion in Tulsa for Oklahoma Ink's fourth annual book fair. Not only was the location beautiful, but also some proceeds went to a good cause. The money benefited the Tulsa Press Club's Scholarship Fund.

The evening was lovely. Friends came I'd not seen in ages, plus I got to make new friends. Lots of pictures were taken, but I've not seen them. (I've decided I'm not very photogenic and my pals just didn't want me to know.) The picture above was sent to me, and I had to post it. Aren't these girls beautiful...or should I say glamorous?

As I mentioned, other Oklahoma authors were there. Billie Letts, William Bernhardt, Teresa Miller and more sat at tables and signed books. I was honored to be in their midst.

But I felt COOL to be at the same event as Ally Carter. You know Ally Carter. She's the one who wrote I Could Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You. I've mentioned her books before as Hogwarts for spies. The National Spy Museum in Washington D.C. sells her books in the gift shop. Why? Because they're that cool.

And I got to meet her. And she bought Glamour. The latter, of course, completely increased her cool factor in my opinion. Most of all, she's a really nice lady. She seems like one of her characters you could pal around with...even though she just might know 120 ways to maim you with a paperback.

All in all, the Tulsa event was better than I expected.

more pics

When we went to Tahlequah we stopped by the office to introduce Max to Connie and Linda. Max always enjoys meeting his fans.And although Ange met Max at the Tulsa book signing for Glamour at Herwelden Mansion, she came for a visit to get one on one time.

I think this picture is sweet...and funny...at the same time. Doesn't Ange look angelic?

Here are the three of us.

Bad mommy?

Our pediatrician's office has a call-in hour six days a week so that we can ask questions without making an appointment. I had a list of them when I called. The response to one of them upset me.

Me: I read last night that exclusively breastfed babies are supposed to receive vitamin D supplements at 2 months. Max is almost 3 months. Am I supposed to be giving him vitamins?

Dr.: Is he exclusively breastfed?

Me: Yes.

Dr.: (silence) I'm sure your doctor told you at the two-week appointment. You were probably overwhelmed and didn't remember. Don't worry.

Um...seriously? Yes, I was overwhelmed. No, she didn't tell me. How do I know? Because I wasn't the only one in the room. Garrett was there, too. Plus, I took copious notes. Nothing there about vitamins. Nothing about vitamins in past visits either.

When I asked the pharmacist for the vitamin, another one joined our conversation. They were clearly appalled that I'd not given him vitamins prior to now. Apparently, vitamin D isn't the only deficiency. A and C are also concerns.

So, if Max develops a strange bone disease, bad eyes and scurvy, we'll know why.

Exercise can be messy

Max knows exercise does a body good. Sure, he makes a lot of noise as he's trying to stand, doing push-ups, or rolling over. But he still does it. Here he is in his Exersaucer a couple of weeks ago.


Max and I exercise together sometimes. One of my favorites is holding him while I do crunches. His smiles and giggles make it easier for me to do just one more.

But today our session ended quickly. As he was above my head and we were both laughing with our mouths open...he spit up.

Ew.

Max is 3 months old!

Max is really growing.
He rolled over six times this morning!

Meeting family

During our visit to Oklahoma, Max was able to meet some relatives he'd not met yet.
Although he's scowling at the camera flash, Max liked being held by Great-Grandma Looney.
Max enjoyed cuddling with Grandma Mary.
Uncle Brett made silly faces...

...and more silly faces while Aunt Lisa holds Max.

Max's Great-aunt Martha proved she has the baby-touch. She rubbed him and talked to him while he melted in her lap. If he'd purred, I wouldn't have been surprised.

Great-uncle James delighted in Max's naked baby fat. (I thought this was cute because his grandson had the same reaction!)
Before we stripped him, Max posed in his first pair of cowboy boots--John Deere, of course--courtesy of Aunt Martha and Uncle James.

Max cozied up to his beautiful and handsome second-cousins. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of their parents. How did that happen? We'll have to remedy that at Christmas. I feel confident we've got some future babysitters in the bunch!It was so much fun introducing Max to family. Yep. Max certainly felt the love on this trip.