Toddler Max Update

So here is a list of some Toddler Max updates. (He's not a baby anymore... sniff sniff).

• He absolutely loves milk, which helps him fit into our family perfectly. He drinks two gallons a week of whole milk -- from a regular sippy cup! He finally learned to use one. So I buy 6 gallons of milk a week: 2 for me, 2 for Tyler and 2 for Max.

• He understands when we say "go find your pacifier", "go find your blankey", "go get your milk" or any of those with "where is" instead of "go find".

• In the car I hung a toy that when pulled vibrates. When we say "get that guy Maddox! get that guy" he reaches for the toy, pulls it and laughs hysterically.

• He laughs hysterically. And loud. Really loud. At everyone and everything -- even old ladies at Target.

• He's starting to understand friendship a little bit. He loves playing with other kids. Tonight we went to walk to the mail box and there were a bunch of neighborhood kids playing just outside. He probably would have played with them all night, not caring if Tyler and I were there or not. He loves his friend Marcelle and playing outside with her.

• He now eats only table food. He basically eats whatever we eat at dinner. He really enjoys ham and cheese (of course) and any kind of fruit. He absolutely loves broccoli and peas (makes a mama proud) and digs chicken nuggets. He doesn't really like chocolate that much but loves cookies.

• He runs instead of walks.

• He can do the sign for "more" and does it when he actually wants it.

• He has now entered the world of tantrum throwing and uber-meltdowns. This is SOOooo fun.

• Words he can say (at least I can understand him): cheese, mine, mo (for more), baby, this.

• He now only has one bottle a day before he goes to bed. I got rid of the morning one before his nap and he seems to be doing fine without it. He gets a special night-night cup to drink from before he goes to sleep with milk in it.

• He is affectionate, mischievous, loving (he runs to me to give me hugs), demanding, loving, curious, sweet, hammy, and fearless. He runs around all day touching everything he can.

• He has learned to take his diaper off. Scary thing in the middle of the night which is why he always wears pants to bed).

• Barney and Teletubbies have become favorite shows and he will sit and watch almost the whole thing. I know, I'm a terrible mother for letting him watch TV. So shoot me. At least it's PBS and not some horribly violent cartoon characters.

• Play some music, any music, and Max suddenly channels an Irish man doing a jig. He LOVES to dance and listen to music. (Check out the video below).
  

I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of things since it has been so long since an update. He is growing so fast and so big (relatively speaking -- he is only in the 4 percentile for height). Everyday he amazes me with the things he is learning and the knowledge he is gaining. He's like a sponge! Yes, that's right. I'm raising a sponge. Let's hope he's one of those super chamois ones like they sell at the fair and not a cheap sponge from the dollar store.