Socializing

Mom joined a New Mom's Group for some social time. She thinks she likes it so far. It's actually pretty funny to watch. All the moms sit around at the park when it's a sunny day and compare notes. "Does your baby do this when s/he's sleeping?" "Would you call your pediatrician for this?" "Have you downloaded this app?" "Is anyone else still wearing maternity shirts?" She likes having some new mom friends but she still loves her old friends the best. ;)  I think Mom likes it because she feels better about the stuff she is nervous about and feels more at ease knowing other babies do the same things as me sometimes. I'm one of the oldest ones in the group but also the smallest one. It's mostly girls so I think my chances of finding a girlfriend are high.

At this point in my life, I should be about 2 weeks developmentally, so I'm still doing a lot of sleeping, eating, crying and pooping. I am still trying to find out what those things called hands are for and sometimes I hit myself in the head. One day I'll get that thumb in my mouth, I know I will! My head is still wobbly too but my neck is getting stronger. I'm almost 9 pounds and I just got out of newborn clothes because I'm too long. Mom says my 'personality' is coming out more and is often at its peak from 9-10am and 5-6pm. I have slept in a few 4 hour stretches though so she seems to have more brain capacity those days. I've discovered I really like going for walks, especially around Castle Island, I like rocking with Dad in the glider, I love warm baths, ceiling fans and being close to mom in the mobey carrier. I love when people are gentle with me and sing to me too.

Overall, this thing called life is going pretty well so far. I can't wait to see what else is ahead.

Love,
Maxwell

Many faces of Max

                                                   2 weeks                           2 months

Dear Max #4 : Mother's Day

Dear Max,

It was Mother's Day yesterday. My very first one. It takes on a whole new meaning this year since I am now your Mom. People always say you never know love like this until you experience it with a child of your own. I couldn't really imagine that until you popped into our world on March 15, 2014. It's a love like I've never felt. I feel protective over you, I want you to be happy and safe and feel secure in the world. I want you to grow up knowing you are loved and loving yourself. I want you to have your dad's patience and intelligence. I want you to have a sense of humor and a heart of generosity and kindness and compassion for others.

Your presence in the world has made me love your Daddy even more then I thought I could. You have made our family complete and brought even more understanding of what it means to look out for one another and make our family a number one priority. You have changed our view on life and the future. 

You have also made me appreciate my Mom even more than before. You have brought on a whole new appreciation of how we were raised and cared for, the lessons we were taught and the great responsibility she had as a mother. You've helped me empathize with her hard times and have me in awe of how she could do it all. I'm happy to have such strong woman role models in my life (family and friends); so many of who are good moms and/or good people.

It's amazing what an impact an 8 pound, 2 month old little person can have on my heart. You have taught me so many life lessons already in your short time on earth. I can't wait to see you grow up (but not too fast)! 

Mom loves you. xoxo

Busy Baby

Hey peeps,

I haven't written in a while. One reason is because my mom has been busy adjusting to taking care of me. She always says that even though I sleep a lot, she feels like there's not enough time in the day to do things she used to like clean the house or go to the gym or sometimes even take a shower (peee-yoo!). All the "pro" moms out there say it'll come to her and that it's first time mom syndrome; Scattered with a touch of paranoia/fear on the side. She loves me so much though and feels like she can't get enough of me!

Another reason I haven't written in a while is because I have had a week full of visitors. I finally met my Metzger side of the family and I'm in love! My Grandma Metz came for a whole week to help Mom out and to cuddle, cuddle, cuddle me!  I think Mom wants her to move in but I think she might get sick of an air mattress in my nursery. She will just have to keep visiting. We had so much fun. We talked, sang and snuggled. We took some nice walks and we went to lunch and did some shopping. She let Mom go to the gym a bunch of times because Mom wants to get her "sexy back." I have no idea what that is but it sounds special. At the end of the week my Grandpa Metz and Uncle Brian came too! They are handsome just like I am and I heard they are responsible for my Native American roots. I think we really hit it off and I can't wait to spend some more time with "the boys" at Lake Erie this summer.

Well, it's a sunny day and the last day my Metzger side will be in Boston for a while so I'm going to sign off and go spend some quality time with them. I think I hit the jackpot with this Shen/Metzger family combo. My little heart is bursting with love.

Adios,
MJS