More Max!

Here are more pictures for you all to smile about.

Now really, whose kid is this? I think he looks so different here. I happened to catch him sneezing and I thought it was funny...
...then I got him doing it again. He's always sneezing!
You would probably call this a hand, right? Not me. I call this the barf catcher.
The barf catcher couldn't hold it all so some dripped to the floor. As I was wiping it up, Max started screaming because he couldn't see me and he really doesn't like to be alone. I called his name and he calmed down as he looked for me. It was sweet.
Could he be teething? He's always covered in drool and ALWAYS has to have his hands in his mouth, even through his clothes. It's either his hands or the ones he can grab and pull in.
This is something we tried a couple days ago. He stands so well on our laps (assisted of course) that we laughed about how soon he'd be holding onto the tables to stand. We tested it and he could sort of do it. His legs give after about 5 seconds, but it's a start!

Cry baby!

My sister Kelly told me to post more pictures of Max. So here, this is our morning so far. I grabbed the camera after he took an hour nap this morning. These are the really great ones while he's crying over just about everything. I'll post more of the cute ones next because in between crying fits, he gets cute.

Screamin' on the changing table. Moved him to the bed...still crying... Onto the couch...still crying... Change of diaper and out of jammies...still crying... After just 2 oz. of a bottle..all that crying wore him out!

A night in India

Last night Erik ad I decided to order take out and just stay in (like we venture out so often). There was a movie I wanted to see, The Namesake, about an Indian boy struggling with his culture while living in America. I started reading the book many years ago and unfortunately didn't finish it, but kept it with hopes to return to it someday.
The move was excellent. It was a nice way to get the feel for Indian culture, which I think is beautiful. I used to work for an Indian doctor whom I admired very much. She has moved to Texas and we've lost most contact. But, I enjoyed meeting her family and helping her with American traditions for her two boys (like getting a Christmas Tree for example). Her marriage was arranged but she was one of the lucky ones because her husband was once of her brother's closest friends. So she knew about him already. We have a beautiful vase on our bookshelf that she brought back after a trip to India to visit her family.

Anyway, we decided to make it an Indian theme and order take out as well. When Erik lived in Berkeley, we ordered Indian food from a wonderful place ( I can't remember the name) all the time. When we lived in Oakland, we found another Indian place that wasn't so good. In fact ,we only ordered from them once. We are happy to announce we found the BEST Indian food in Vacaville called Torch of India.

Mexican food is my favorite food. But last night was a reminder of why Indian is a close second. YUMMMMMM!!! We have enough leftovers for another feast tonight. Can't wait!

Tahoe-we-o-we-o!!!!

My parents gave the family a great vacation to Lake Tahoe for the Easter weekend. We drove up Friday morning and came back this afternoon. There were 10 adults and 10 kids in a house that actually fit us all quite nicely. There was sledding, skiing, snowboarding, long walks, shopping, good food, John's fabulous fire, movie watching, snowman building, and the Easter Bunny even made a visit! Enough activities to keep everyone busy and the kids to get their energy out. Boy were they tired a the end of the day. We all hope this can be an annual event!

There were about a million pictures taken, but everyone will post their own on their family blogs. I just grabbed a few to put up here.

This is Erik and Max Easter morning. Max played Easter Bunny. He's always so happy when he wakes up!
Max enjoyed his first time in the snow. I found this little toddler sled and crossed my fingers. Turned out, he really liked it...as long as he was moving anyway. He got to touch the snow and taste it.
Even with all this snow, it was really warm. Shortly after this, Max cuddled up on my shoulder and fell asleep. Come to think of it, he was probably already sleeping when this picture was taken. What a good sport.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Mills, you guys really made it great!!!!

I love Edward

I'm in love with this book. I don't even know how to write about it. If you have read it, you know what I'm talking about. If not, I just sound crazy. When I think of the love story it tells, I smile and get butterflies in my stomach. (I hear it's called the "Edward high"). When I think of the Vampires, I get a cozy chill.

We might have to name our next kid "Cullen".

I finished the first one and felt jealous because I wasn't "with" them anymore. I got the second one tonight...and I have a big decision to make. Tomorrow we leave for Tahoe for 5 days. Do I take it and read the entire time or leave it at home and think about it the entire time?

There are three books so far, the fourth comes out in August. And the movie comes out in December.

If you haven't read them, GO FIND A COPY!!! I love talking about the book and am completely obsessed with the characters.

Okay, gotta get my pulse rate down...

P.S. Happy Persian New Year!

P.P.S. Happy First Day of Spring!

P.P.S. S. Happy Easter!!!

Some pictures of..... who else?

Yesterday we went to Jordan's baseball game. He did great, hit two triples and got the game ball. He's really good! This was right before Max toppled over onto a hot dog.
My sister-in-law, Melissa, put some pictures up of Addy in her excersaucer. So it made me want to post this one of Max. He only lasts a few minutes in this thing. But when he is in there, he loves to smile and talk to the starfish. When he realizes it's not talking back, he's done. Maxwell sleeping. Sometimes I forget his real name is Maxwell. Doesn't really fit him. Maximus does. We call him Maxi-moose too.
For Christmas, Max's Auntie Kelly made him this wonderful book. She took a lot of time and put pages of colors, numbers, shapes and letters together with stickers and cutouts, etc. MAX LOVES IT!!!! I give it to him every few days (he's a little rough on it) and he goes crazy. He can turn the pages and everything. (Not very gracefully...yet). Here he is looking at it while on the bed. But, it keeps him occupied in his high chair when we are working in the kitchen. He studies the pages and tries to grab things. This was such a thoughtful gift. Thank-you, Kelly!!!

Into the Wild

Erik and I just bought this movie. One of the best movies I have ever seen. I haven't read the book, but Erik suggests reading it first. He said the characters were all a perfect fit for the descriptions in the book. And the acting was fabulous. Of course anything that has to do with Sean Penn is great. It really pulls you in and makes you want to go outside to enjoy the land. Go watch it!

A little tied up today!

Max in his crib, reading his Czech book.
Max sleeping. I know, we break the rules...no sleeping with the boppy, no sleeping with the blankets. Whatever. He looks way to cozy to move around.
We went to Kirra's softball game yesterday. Here is Max hanging out with Grandma Mills.
This is this morning after his nap. He wakes up really happy. Today he woke up happy, and a little tied up. This blanket was one Erik used as a baby. His Mom gave it to us last weekend and it immediately went to Max. Another new Mom mistake. Cut off any loose strings, etc.
I had to use scissors to get him loose. He was fine, didn't even notice. I have a video too, but we all know how long that takes for me to figure out. I'll give it a shot.

Calling all Kerr's...

Many many years ago, my family lived in Hacienda Heights, CA (near LA) and we were very close to the Kerr family. The Kerr's have four kids that were mostly around the same ages as our five. Bryan, Jodie, Kelly and Becky. We spent a lot of time with them (the Lauper and Faubus families too) and I have a lot of fun memories with them. One in particular was when I was sick at school and my Mom was unable to pick me up, so Suzie did. I laid on their couch and got to watch Footloose until I was picked up by my Mom. Or the fashion shows Jodie and I would put on when we'd get new clothes for our birthday's. Dressing up in friends old prom dresses...fun days at the beach or in our swimming pool.

In 1986 our family moved to Napa and the Kerr's came over the morning we left to say goodbye. I was 9 and I remember feeling really sad that morning. Luckily, we kept in touch.

Jodie and I were the only kids who stayed in (somewhat) close contact over the years. Both being girls and just a year apart, it was easy. Our parents did too, but out of the kids it was us. (Maybe it was a secret plan of our parents to keep us more focused on letter writing and less on the boys! Oh we were so boy crazy! Yes, by 8 years old, I thought I had found my husband). Anyway, we'd fill in the rest of our families through our letters and pictures. Now we can through our blogs!!

Jodie's husband was recently deployed and she is having a rough week, so I thought I'd post some pictures that might make her smile. Well, that is my intention. Sorry if they make you mad. :)

This was probably 8 or 9 years ago. My roommate and I threw a 'Disco Party' and I randomly sent Jodie an invitation (in the mail...no email back then). I got a call from her shortly after telling me she was coming! I was so excited! She was going to school at Long Beach State and she met a guy there who I grew up with in Napa. He happened to be coming home that weekend so she tagged along and got to stay with me! It was so fun showing her off to my crazy friends! Below is us getting ready for the party:
Here is us after the party, talking about the night and getting ready for bed. I look confused, Jodie looks like a model... Now here's the great ones! Shortly after we moved to Napa, the Kerr's came up for a visit. These are all pictures of pictures, so the quality isn't that great. The originals are a little red, I did the best I could. Starting from the left, circling around: Kelly Kerr (batman), Becky Kerr, Jodie Kerr, Bryan Kerr, John Mills, me, then Ryan Mills is standing on top.
Here is Jodie and I in our old driveway. Looks a little like a postcard. It seemed pretty rural back then, it's changed a lot.
Here is a picture I found of me, Jodie (middle) and Kristen. We used to go camping with church and we would have so much fun! I'm guessing this was about 1984. Was this the summer our Mom's gave us our haircuts there? It must have been 1984 because we wanted to be Mary Lou Retton and Julianne McNamara SO BADLY and flip around like them in the summer olympics. I went through a phase where I cut up all my pictures, this is my result.

Anyway, this is just a little something for our families to look at and laugh at. It's been fun to keep in contact with them through blogging. All the kids are married with their own families now. It would be a fun reunion someday to get everyone together at Otterbein park and search for tadpoles. (Is that park still there?)

Jodie, hang in there! Steve will be home before you know it. We're all thinking of you guys and sending lots of love and support. I hope these pictures can bring a smile to your face. Call if you need to chat! Love you!