From 3 to 4 but so much more

It’s been a while since we last posted on here. In fact, the last time we posted we were only a family of three. Well that has changed with the arrival of Henry Thomas Polzin on May 4th. Henry arrived at 2.32 AM weighing 7 lbs 3 oz and 20 inches long Mommy was a trouper and brought Henry through in record time.

Here's Henry, only a few minutes old

Max has adjusted very well to having a little brother. He had no problem calling him Henry and not Pooper. He still remembers though, and if you ask what Henry’s name was while he was in Mommy, he smiles and tells you.

Max loved Henry right from the start

Max is a great helper now too. He likes to help out with everything from diaper changes to cooking. His ability to communicate and reason really helps. Then there is the not so great side of Max, his terrible 3 side. For the most part he is a nice “big boy”,don't even think about calling him baby, cutie, sweetie or little boy, he will tell you he is a 'big boy". When he decides he wants to cop an attitude, well things get interesting. Overall, Max is a very good boy and we couldn’t be happier. This summer he has gotten to stay home with Mommy and Henry every day but Wednesdays (he goes to the sitter, for mommy’s sanity and to play with other kids). He has swim class and gymnastics class one day every week, which he loves. He is the only boy in the gymnastics class and if there was ever a question on if there is a difference between 3 year old boys and girls, you only need to watch this class for 10 minutes to see. The girls all follow instructions and do the exercises they are supposed to, but Max is not satisfied with just doing the exercises they are supposed to, he like to create his own ones and sometimes skips ones he doesn’t like. We were really concerned that he was just misbehaving but when another boy came to class, we saw the “boy” difference there as well.



Max really like swim class too. He is by far the best in his class and he likes to show off to Mom and Dad while we watch. He really showed off his skills when we went to Lake Delevan with the Polzin family. He swam from Mommy to Daddy and back very well in the pool and even in the lake. We were very proud. Max got to spend some good quality time with his cousin (Nick), they even slept in the same room and found they had the same clock that lit up when it was time to wake up. Good news for Max and Nick, not so good news for Aunt Tammy, who was sharing the same room. Henry spent his time at the lake being very warm and sweaty and constantly finding the shade. He was just a bit too young still to really enjoy it but Grandma Polzin enjoyed all the time she had to hold him.

Max showed off in the pool

Max, Dad, Uncle Tim and Nick enjoying their vacation at Lake Delavan

Grandpa let Max and Nick drive the boat

Henry is a good baby! I am not trying to overstate this; he really is a good baby. He has a great disposition, he sleeps well, and he smiles and laughs all the time. He started sleeping through the night (5 hours in a row) starting at 8 weeks. A far departure from Max, who did that at 9 months. Henry has slipped off that pace here in the last few days but we are hoping that it’s just a temporary thing. Henry is also a big baby. He outgrew his 3 month clothes at 10 weeks and is now filling out his 6 months clothes. He ranks in the 75th percentile where Max was only 50th, so we have had to buy some new clothes for our little guy. Henry is developing very nicely, he holds his head up very well and rolls over from his stomach to his back almost every time. He is also a BIG fan of the TV. Wherever it is on, he turns his head like the exorcist to see it.

Henry likes to smile ALOT!


We have had lots of people come visit. Aunt Barb, Uncle Mike, Jessie, and Devon all came in June to help celebrate Max's 3rd birthday. They also wanted to meet Henry, of course. In early July, Amanda's college friends came to visit. Michele, Autumn, and Nicole all came to spend a few days and visit with the kids. Autumn and Nicole's husbands also came along. We had a great time. We took Max and Henry to Indiana in late July so Grandma Pogue, Grandpa Joe, Grandpa Pat, and Grandma Kim could see them. Grandma and Grandpa Caskey also drove up from North Carolina to see the boys. All of Amanda's cousins also came in to meet Henry and see how big Max had gotten. We were lucky to be able to see so much of our friends and family this summer.


Max with his cousins (Megan, Erin and Abby)

Henry and Grandma Pougeeee

Well summer is winding down here and school is staring back up, not just two people in our family but three! Mom goes back to school in August, Dad goes back in September and Max starts Pre-School in September. Max is really excited for this and keeps saying he is going to be the smartest in the class. That remains to be seen

Hope all who read this are well and we will continue to try and update this more often. Here are some cute pictues told hold us over till next time.

Time Flies: Part 2

As promised, here is part two. Ironically, as I am writing this, we are at the hospital waiting for #2. :)

Visit to Indiana:

We were able to make it down to visit family in February too. We spent a weekend at Grandma Pogue and Grandpa Joe’s. We were able to visit with Grandpa Pat and Kim too. Max had a slumber party at Aunt Renee’s where he was able to play with his god brother Brody and Olivia. While in Muncie, Max was able to eat some Pizza King and visit the Children’s museum. He really liked it there. There was a mini grocery store there where Max sat at the cashiers station and rang up items as people brought them up. He also got a taste of school there in a small classroom. Brody and Olivia played the teacher and Max played the disobedient student.

Water Park with Bob, Becky and Addy:

In March, we made a visit to Key Lime Cove where we met up with Bob, Becky, and Addy. We spent most of the time in the kiddy pools and Max was able to go down some of the kiddie slides on his own. He reminded Dad that he was not quite ready for the bigger boy slides at this point, and did so in a very loud manner.

Later in March Todd went with his school to Chile and Argentina for 10 days. Todd’s trip to South America was a great experience but could not have come at a more difficult time as it was later revealed.

Max's Big Boy room:

March was also a month of construction. Max’s room got a facelift and baby Poopers room was created. We no longer have a loft as it has been replaced with a bedroom. In effort to make it a usable bedroom, we moved Max’s wall in a foot. Now a foot doesn’t sound like that much to move a wall for, but once you step in that room and think of it with one less foot, you will be a believer.

Max’s room of dogs, changing tables and toddler beds has been replaced by a room of cars, trucks, a dresser and a big boy bed. The green part of the walls was also replaced with a bigger boy navy blue color. We had a big boy room party with balloons and cupcakes to formally break in the room. Max was so excited when he saw it, he jumped on his bed and shortly thereafter he bumped his head on the wall. Hopefully that will be the last time. He didn’t have any trouble sleeping in the big boy bed, most likely thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Polzin who let him sleep in their double bed when they watch him. He has fallen out of the bed one time but didn’t even act phased by it. Daddy picked him up and put him back in bed and he went right back to sleep.

Max loves his big boy bed!

Baby Pooper’s room finally being done is a HUGE weight off Mommy and Daddy’s shoulders. Grandpa Polzin and Mike O’Shea spent countless hours working on the room to get it done quickly. Grandpa actually spent more time working on it than he spent at his own house for over a week. The room is decorated in beige, brown, and light blue with a giraffes, elephants, and turtles. We have decided on a name for Pooper but he has asked us to wait on sharing it until he can hear it clearly. Max has been great in letting Pooper have all his old things. He even brings us toys and says, “Pooper can have this now”. Hopefully he will be a good big brother, as Mom and Dad will certainly need the help.

While Todd was still in South America, Grandma Polzin went into babysitting overtime during the construction and shortly thereafter as Amanda was put on bed rest. Thank goodness Grandma Ellen was also around to help out with Max while Todd was still away. The transition to bed rest for Amanda was really difficult but we received some good news 3 weeks later. The high risk doctor said that she could come off bed rest but just could not go back to work. That has worked out much better for everyone and Max and Mommy can spend some nice bonding time.

Grandma Pogue came for a spontaneous visit. She was able to get a ride up with a friend and spent 2 days with us. We had a great time spending time at home and playing with Max.

Max and Grandma Pogueeeeee

We went to the Easter Egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Polzin’s church on April 16th. Unfortunately, the weather was cold and rainy, so they had to move it inside. Max had a great time picking up all the eggs and was very excited about the candy!

Grandpa Polzin helped Max find the all to difficult hidden eggs

Max found some candy in the eggs

Last Friday, Cousin Nick spent the night, and when the boys woke up the next morning, we colored Easter eggs. They had a great time making little masterpieces.

Here is Max and Nick, you can even see that Pooper was taking part in Easter egg painiting this year

Grandma Ellen was here visiting for Easter and we went out to lunch and went shopping on Saturday, and then headed to church for Easter Sunday. Max found all the eggs the Easter bunny had left, as well as a very nice basket that had some movies, a game, a new Spiderman t-shirt, and of course, some candy in it. We went to the Polzin’s house for a delicious Easter dinner. Nick and Max got to look for eggs at their house too! It was a fun day. Max began so show some new characteristics at Easter too. He stood up at one point and said “OK it’s my turn. Everybody quiet please” He then began to tell a story about monsters and Spiderman, while pausing to allow the clock to chime. Very cute. As his vocabulary increase, so to does his willingness to share his opinions. As Grandma Polzin and visiting Sheri Porctor were taking part in a joyous song, Max walked up and said “You’re hurting my ears!” They stopped and Max go his way but he got a short lesson in manners from Daddy.

Easter Family Photo

Time Flies

My oh my, where has the time gone? It’s been 3 months since our last update and so much has happened. I apologize for not keeping this updated but it tends to fall down in the priority list and I am not sure who all is reading this anyway. Get ready for a review of the last 3 months that spans from winter storms to construction to Easter. I'll try to do this in phases, for my benefit and yours as well. Here goes:

To get us started, here is a nice family photo:

Blizzard of 2011

This winter storm was unlike any other that Max had ever seen. He got to see his favorite snow plows many, many times and was able to spend lots of time with Mommy and Daddy. Max, Mommy, Daddy, and Hoosier played around in snow that was over Max’s head. Daddy and Max made a fort and Max wanted to spend all night out there. Well, that lasted about 10 minutes till he got cold and wanted to come in. When they came in, Mommy greeted them with a hot fire and yummy hot chocolate.

Here is Daddy giving Max some free flying lessons. Max liked it... for a little

Max and Daddy dug to the ground to build their snow fort. Max is standing in this picture.

Here is a look a the drift up on our balcony

Potty Training Continued:

Day 2:

Day two was an improvement from day one. Max had one accident in the morning then went #2 in the potty for the first time. In the afternoon, Max continued on his recent success by loading the toilet with #2’s twice more with a sprinkling of PP’s. The night time was a little trying. Max is so excited to go potty that he isn’t interested in sleeping. The second we would put him down to sleep, he would say “I have to go potty”. After a 10 minute session on the "think and stink", Max would do a little tinkle. These activities are repeated several times until Mommy or Daddy can convince Max that it truly is time for bed and that if he needs to go potty, he can go in his diaper (that he wears during naps and nighttime).

Days 3 through …
To say that Max’s journey through potty training has been eventful and successful is not really doing it justice. We have gotten to see so much of our little boy’s personality and have been basking in the joy and pride associated with watching your child succeed, in even the smallest of endeavors. On the third day of potty training, Max decided he got it. He did not have one accident, he freely pee’d and poo’d in the toilet like it was old hat. On a side note, cleaning poop out of the potty training toilet is probably one of the top ten most disgusting things someone can do, we are working on making the toilet the sole place for poopy’s. The biggest development was that he did not wet his diaper during his nap or overnight. We still have the issue of getting Max to go to sleep without asking for that last trip to the potty, but that is where we get to see his personality shine thought. He will say funny things and make silly faces, anything to distract him from doing what he is there for. Then just when Mommy or Daddy have reached the end of their patience, Max will look up all doe eyed and say in the sweetest voice “I’m peeing” with this grin that could melt any bad day away. To date, Max has not had another accident and has only had slight wetness in his diaper during the night. We are very proud of our little boy and look forward to the next milestone he will take us through.

Here is a picture of Max doing his business

Potty Training

Today was day one of potty training. During the day, Max had one accident then pee’d in his diaper during his nap. The evening was a different story. He started it out much the same as he did during the day by having an accident. After dinner he screamed “I have to PP” and Daddy rushed him to the bathroom only for it to be a false alarm. Max did this two more times with the same end result. One more time Max screamed “I have to PP” and he wasn’t kidding. While in the bathroom, Max told Daddy to close his eyes and them Max took a big step towards being a big boy. He started screaming “I’m peeing, I’m peeing”. Daddy had to contain his excitement as not to disrupt this wonderful accomplishment but when Max finished the party was on! Max was rewarded with watching his Mommy and Daddy do a funny dance while singing PP songs and some peanut butter M&M’s. The evening ended well, but we will see how the night and days ahead go. As far as day one goes, mark this one down as a success.

Max wanted to show off his new undies

Christmas, Presents and Big news

Swim class ended:
In November Max’s swim class ended. He certainly mastered the skills required of him at this level and the teacher even said that he could skip the next level if he wanted to. Max has not forgotten what he learned as every time he is in the bathtub, he blows bubbles and floats on his back for a while. The floating on the back thing has come in really useful since it makes washing his hair really easy.

Birthday Parties:
Max got a double dose of birthday parties over one weekend when he celebrated Addy 1st and Ethan’s 3rd. Addy’s party was at her house. Max decided that Addy’s new pink car was the perfect toy and hogged it for most of the time. When he wasn’t playing with the car, he did his favorite activity at the Ozelies; cleaning. Their place doesn’t really need it but Max likes using the swifter on their wood floors. Ethan’s was at the Painted Penguin where he picked out a truck and painted it himself (a little help from Mom and Dad was needed). Max got to see his cousin Nick for the second straight day and they two played like old friends. Max was a very good boy, he sat and ate by himself and even resisted the urge to touch the cake when it was sat right in front of him.

Here is Max and Daddy at Ethans party sitting right next to cousin Nick

This is Max's truck in all it's glory

Here is a little video of Max painting his truck and cousin Nick painting his "N"

Baby news:
If you haven’t heard already, we are expecting a little friend for Max in May and we just found out that it will be a little boy. Max has been calling it his baby sister for a little while now so we will have to break that one. We are very excited for the new addition and the timing is perfect yet again. We have decided to enclose the loft and make it a third bedroom instead of the two boys sharing Max’s room and thanks to Todd’s friend Eric, we have it all mapped out.

Here is a 3D photo of our newest little guy

Christmas:

Max’s 3rd Christmas was his biggest one yet. To say this young man is spoiled is an understatement. Things will change next year, as he will have to share the score. Just listing some of the bigger items, Max acquired a Leap Frog Tag with some books, a pop up tent, mini piano, portable DVD player, contributions towards college, and a Mobi Go. He is a very slow present opener and wants to play with each one as he opens them. The pile of presents, which looked to be do-able, ended up being a marathon session. Max definitely remembered his gifts as he asked where each of them were as he was going to bed.

Here is max with Santa, we saw him at Charlestown Mall

Santa brought Max just what he asked for since he was a good boy

Grandma gave Nick and Max pianos, which one is Elton John and which one is Billy Joel?

Cooper or Pooper:
We were talking about baby names and asked Max which name he wanted for the baby, he chose Cookie Monster. Now since that name is already taken, Todd looked for some other names that started with Coo and found Cooper. Todd asked "What about Cooper?" and Max said "Pooper?" then began laughing so hard his face started turning red. He kept saying pooper, pooper and let out a hearty 30 second laugh every time which made Mommy and Daddy laugh too. It was a good time in the Polzin house and we will definitely not be using that name. If a 2 ½ year old can break a kids name down like that, this kid wouldn’t stand a chance.

Expanding Vocabulary:
Over the last couple months, Max has become much more of a talker. He says words and sentences all the time of things we didn’t even know he knew. Sponge is a word that is commonly used during this period of time, I think that’s pretty fair. So far he has not picked up any bad words so fingers crossed on that. Sometimes he talks and talks for several minutes without stopping. Mom will have to teach him about comma’s and periods. He likes to ask questions a lot now. His go to is why. He will use this one in repetitive fashion until you run out of a way to explain or he is satisfied with your answer, usually the former.

To end with, here is a little video Mommy shot with her phone during a recent visit to Indiana. It is of Brody showing Max his favorite dance. It has a sad/funny ending.

Baby boy got a big boy bed

Grandma and Grandpa Polzin agreed that Max was getting too big for their pack and play when they watch him on Monday’s and Fridays (they were right). So they bought railings to put on their guest bed. Well Max tried it the first time and slept like a little baby. That was just the kick that Mom and Dad needed to turn his crib into a toddler bed. The first couple nights were a little rough with Max waking up several times but he quickly adjusted to his new bed. He likes to show it off to anyone who comes over to the house. The only downside is that we get early morning visits from him right before the alarm clock goes off, same thing on weekends, sans the alarm clock. Sometimes he even goes downstairs and yells up for us to come open the gate for him. But how can anything be a downside when you get to wake up to the cutest little face saying, “Mommy, I wanna go downstairs”. Here is Max in all his glory: