My cousin Mika and his family came over last night. It was so fun. His wife Lisa is hilarious and makes any get together feel like a party. I love being so much closer to them--even if we have lived here six months and this is the first time our families have gotten together since we've been back! Garrett grilled burgers and hot dogs and we ate until we couldn't eat anymore.
I had so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. And I really should take pics because Max and his second cousins are about the cutest bunch of kids you'll ever see.
I attempted to take this photo while B. was giving a phenomenal show with Guitar Hero. That boy can work a stage. He is the most impressive performer we've had so far. As you can see, he was in between sets when I got this shot.
Max loved seeing everyone. The girls are going to be wonderful babysitters and mommies (the latter a looooong time from now). Unfortunately, they're getting older and have extremely busy schedules. I better snag them while I can. I showed all of the kiddos the guest room, so hopefully they'll come play with us.
Although Max enjoyed playing with everyone, he was ready to go to bed when it was time. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we didn't pay attention to the clock. Little Boe Peep is three years old and a big help. Max began fussing, so she and I went in to change his diaper. Max leapt off the table toward her. She cringed and said, "I don't like it when he's naked."
Once I put him on the floor, he crawled over to his little prayer doll they'd given him for Christmas. We hold it every night before reading our bedtime books. A couple of weeks ago, the doll said, "Amen." Then I said, "Amen." Then MAX said, "Amen." So, he knows the doll is part of his bedtime ritual. He only plays with it at bedtime. I was a dunce, though, and didn't realize it was bedtime until I'd dragged him back into the living room. Then I realized what a smart kid I had! He was ready for bed and we weren't listening to him tell us.
For those of you who follow the blog regularly, you may remember Little Bo Peep giving Max a bottle. She expected him to be the same now. She placed the boppy on her waist when it was bedtime and asked if she could feed him. It was an adorable sight and I felt horrible telling her that he didn't lie down on it anymore and that he could actually feed himself. I told her, "They just grow up so fast." She nodded seriously as if she knew exactly what I was saying.
Second cousins and all smiles....
Max met his cousin Oban for the first time. In the past, Uncle Brett always made sure Oban was hanging out elsewhere when we'd visit. When they finally met, Oban shook with excitement. At least, I hope it wasn't fear. Max tentatively patted her and eventually grinned.
One thing I love about being here is being so close to family. I've scheduled lunch dates with my friend/cousin's wife and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Even Max's cousin joins in by taking care of him. I don't know if she'd ever fed a baby a bottle before, but I was impessed with her prowess at three years of age. He took the whole bottle!
Uncle James and Aunt Martha gave Max his first flower. It's a good thing the daffodils growing outside the office were hardy; otherwise, it wouldn't have lasted for the pictures. Max really studied his new toy in all the ways a baby does...he mauled it, chewed it and beat it...and the flower still looked happy.
My mom encouraged Max to smell it. The flower fit nicely around his nose. Being a first time mother, I expressed concern about pollen and allergies.
I'd packed a trunk load full of toys to entertain him during our visit, but there was no need for all the effort. He was captivated with the bee Grandma Mary had for him.
He was fed. He was entertained. He was loved.
What more could a baby want?
Below Max unwrapped his first present. Well, I unwrapped it, but he played with 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.
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.
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?