Its raining, its pouring...

So I've been trying to get Max on some sort of schedule. Some say it may be too early, but I disagree. I'd love to get some structure to plan our day around and help him sleep better at night. I've also recently started pumping and letting Danny and my mom give him bottles. Max's doing really well with it, and I think its a great way for him to bond with them. It helps that the bottles we are using (Adiri) look like a mini boobs.

Its funny to see Danny feeding him with it - as I wonder if Max thinks its Danny's boob? Ah probably not...

So its raining today and what a better day then to go to Target! I strategically picked out which Target to go shopping based on the amount of overhead coverage from the parking to the store. While it is a little ghetto, I ventured out to Tanforam shopping mall to go to Target as they have a large parking garage - and I only had to venture 10 feet from the garage to the store in the rain. I had a gift card to spend that my friend Judy got us as a baby gift. I headed to the baby section and picked up some adorable Dwell Studio clothes (see my earlier blog about Dwell) I picked up the cutest old man sweater for Max. I wish that they had the same sweater in Danny's size. hah!

Yesterday, Max had another first! His first visit to Daddy's office! Danny forgot his glasses so we made a trip down to the Mission and 2nd Street to drop them off. I was able to find an open metered spot on the street, so we were able to go into meet Danny. It was nice as he was able to join us for lunch (Hot Hammer sandwich from Specialty's - yum!). We sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather by a fountain.

Ok have to run - will post again soon! Mission Madre out...

Max's 1st: Thrift Store, sleeping more than 3 hours in one stretch..

Today was a big day for Max. He went to one of Mommy's favorite places - a thrift store. It's the thrill of not knowing what treasures lie ahead. Today we went to Saver's (near the Cow Palace) with no intentions of getting anything in particular. I should have looked for a toaster, as our Delonghi toaster (which was a wedding gift) caught on fire (Yes - on fire!) and nearly burnt up our kitchen. Thankfully we had a fire extinguisher nearby and were able to divert any real damage. Again, I digress. Max was pretty chilled out, in his carseat attached to the stroller once we made it to Savers. We headed towards the books where we came upon a plethora of great children's books. Clifford, Bernstein bears and other great classics. We got about 15 books and made our way around the rest of the store. Max started to get a bit fussy, so no more treasures were to be found today. We headed to the register, paid for our finds and headed out.

Max has been sleeping longer than 3 hours at a time! We are now successfully up to 4 hours (fingers crossed that it lasts)

Have to run...Max is fussing for Daddy (Hungry?)

Mission Madre out

Happy Presidents Day

I'm tempted to dress Max up like a little Abraham Lincoln..but I'd have to go find the beard and hat.

I haven't really had time to post much as Max has been on a feeding frenzy and it makes it hard to accomplish lots of tasks that I need to - so blogging was put on the back burner. He's now eased up a bit (feeding every 3 hours instead of every hour.) I was starting to feel like a cow. Moo. If I had time and energy, I might have photoshopped my smiling face onto the body of a cow. You'll just have to visualize it for yourself.

This past weekend was a great one. We ventured down to Pacifica (Pic above) on Saturday to check out the massive waves. The renowned "Mavericks" surf competition was under way a few miles south in Half Moon Bay. 50 foot waves! It was nice to sit on a bench for a bit and watch the waves while cuddling with Max.

Sunday we headed over to Marin to celebrate Flo's sons baptism. It was nice to see friends I hadn't seen in awhile. It also made me realize that we are going to baptize Max one of these days. I think we are going to have the Baptism down in Orange at the church that Danny's family goes to. Even though I am not a religious person at all, it will be nice to know that Max will be saved from eternal damnation. Plus its a good excuse to throw a party! Woot woot - I'm all about parties :)

Today I realized something which is very important. I despise folding fitted sheets. Only today was I able to mentally address this, as I was voicing my hatred of this task to Danny. "Just how in the HELL are you supposed to fold this damn thing!!!" I don't know what it is, but folding fitted sheets ignites a fire in me like nothing else. Lazy parkers and inconsiderate people tend to fire me up just as well...but when it comes to a fitted sheet - nothing compares. When tasked with folding a fitted sheet I usually attempt to fold it at first, but then I fall apart. I think I need some Xanax. So after folding all the laundry, I look over and see the fitted sheet. Its in a nice pile. That should be folded enough - so I put it away with all the other sheets. Done done and done.

Ok enough of my ramblings. Mission Madre out...

Max's First Visit to Wine Country

I know, he's 6 weeks old and just now getting to wine country! Talk about neglect...

We had a great day trip up to St. Helena. Had both Grandma's with him and slept most of the day. We went to Casa Nuestra and Storybook Mountains and he slept thru both of the tastings. Well almost slept thru them both... I had to leave the pack early at Storybook to feed the little guy.

I think he's going thru some sort of spurt - or at last I HOPE thats what it is - as he's been feeding every 1.5 - 2 hours. Thankfully he eases up during the night and gives us a good three hours between his hunger cries. Oh god how I miss 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Wonder how long until I get that again...6, 7 years? To all my child-free friends and readers - how I envy you and your sleep pattern.

We were able to get "out on the town" for a good hour last Friday night. D discovered that it is SF Beer Week and that the *new* Rosamunde Sausage Grill had his fav beer in tap just that night. The grandma's were over for dinner and they offered to watch Max(I had just fed him and had a good 3 hours until he would be hungry again) while we ventured out for a few cold ones. My bro was over as well and joined us. Not an hour later (I had just finished a beer and Erin had ordered us another round) I check my phone and I see, not ONE but THREE missed calls from my Mom. Oh Gawd - I think something terrible has happened and immediately call her - but Danny answers his phone "Hello Bootsie....He's been crying? Ok we'll be home as soon as we can" We head out and jump in a taxi and make a bee line for home. Max is calm by the time we get there...

So today I had kinda a big day out with Max. We went to Lullaby Lane to get a few things (toys and a mobile for Max's crib)
and then we went to Whole Foods for fixins for dinner. Big day out, I tell you.

So we don't have Cable TV. Its a waste of money - TV has been reduced to nothing but commercials and reality tv. So Hulu.com has been a savior for me. We've been able to keep up with current tv - Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Glee, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I have been watching Modern Family on Hulu - that show comes in as a close second to Arrested Development. Hilarious family structure and ideologies.

Best thing since Astronaut Ice Cream

...Ok maybe not comparable to Astronaut Ice Cream - but it certainly is the Bee's Knees when it come to calming Max down.



MISSION: Throw him in the "Heart to Heart" sling we got (see my earlier post about this) and bounce up and down on a exercise ball. The exercise ball I got at Sports Basement with the intention that I was going to labor on the ball - which is a great comfort during the labor process and really opens up the hips. I didn't need to ball however, as the hospital had a few of them on hand. But I digress.... So this big purple ball has just been sitting in a corner collecting dust.

OBJECTIVE: Max was fussing and I did all I could to calm him down and nothing was working. I held him in my arms and sat down. I bounced up and down 3 times (NO JOKE!) and the little buster was asleep.

MISSION COMPLETED! Down for the count. Out cold. I highly recommend to anyone who has a fussy baby to get on of these balls and try out this technique. I'm coining this technique as "Jenn's Mojo Mix for Max" of "Jenn's MCubed "if you will.

Anyways here's a closeup of the little guy in full 'MCubed'.

This weekend we have Grandma Busch and Betty visiting us. I was trying to align a Grandma vs. Grandma arm wrestling match for the coveted title of 'Max's favorite Grandma'. But neither Bootsie or Busch were having it. Geez! I was even going to get a trophy made up. Guess I will scratch that idea :)

Max got his first Valentine's Day card from Grandma and Grandpa Busch. They also got him an adorable outfit from Target. Its a one piece from Dwell Studio for Target. I love Dwell. And I love even more that they are collaborating with Target on putting out cheaper products with the same fun Dwell look. Interestingly enough, they don't have all the available Dwell products available online. ( I went into the store and they had loads more there). I was eyeing a cute scooter printed outfit for Max. After he was born, we recieved and abundance of clothes (thanks family and friends!!) so I am not allowed to buy him any clothes just yet. Although I think I might cheat and get this (how adorable, right?!) I know its not Dwell...but something so cute AND Piratey.

Ok Mission Madre has to run - Wake Max up (J MCubed in full effect!!), feed him, Grandmas coming over, go to get Mani/Pedi. Bring it!

One more thing to mention - Mission centric news - I'm super excited about Heart, a new wine bar that opened at 24th/Valencia. Hopefully it will not turn into a hipster haven or become overrun by Marina scuppies (Scum + Yuppies) before we get to check it out. Come on, they serve wine in Mason jars - how great is that!?