Fun Friday: Fun with a Newborn

Hi Friends,

How was your week?  What adventures do you have to share with us?

Houstonians: Don't forget!  Today is your last day to enter for your chance to win a $50.00 giftcard from one of our fav places: Whole Foods.  We encourage you to enter, share with others, and check out their Whole Trade products.

So how do you have fun at home with a newborn?  Or how do you have fun when visiting a newborn?

We're going to look back at just a few of my photos from my first month home and share some of our fun with you.  We had lots of fun at home because we didn't want to be exposed to the nasty elements out and about.

Looking Back: MAD MAX

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I had lots of fun times in my Super Lambie Swing.  This is one of Mommy's fav photos from when I was a tiny one.  (You can read more about where we got our Lambie Swing in our post yesterday).

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Activity Time would often involve my play gym.  I work out.  We would also spend a lot of time reading on the floor.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy and I spent a lot of fun (eating, reading, and apparently sleeping) time on my Super Rocker (don't you love our Super Rocker we got from Baby's 1st?).

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

One of the best ways to have activity time with me / a newborn was crazy visitors!  The wiser ... (We got our Lamb Seat - Fisher-Price Little Lamb Infant Seat from Target).

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And the younger ones.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And of course probably my favorite fun time of all was (and still is) chatting with Auntie Tam!  She lives far away in NYC so we have to video chat (Facetime) often.

How do you keep yourself and a newborn entertained?

-Mad Max

PS: You can also find us on Mad About Town.

Bringin' Baby Home

Hi Friends,

We are going to take a break from our regular scheduled post today (Thursday's Kids and T(w)eens) since we are focusing on all things newborn this week.

First, Houstonians: did you have the chance to comment on our blog from Saturday for your chance to win a Whole Foods $50.00 giftcard?  Tomorrow is your day to enter ... be sure to join us on the Whole Trade adventure this month and enter!  It's very simple.  Feel free to spread the love too (and Whole Trade Month is for a great cause!).  Good luck!

Second, in celebration of my super sister (Super Sadie) we are focusing on Bringin' Baby Home today. Have you brought a baby home?  How was that like your first few days or week?  What memories do you have to share with us?  What about for a second baby?  Tips and tricks?

Mommy and Daddy aren't too nervous about it this go around (they had plenty of that with me) ... but this time is just balancing both of us.  Don't worry, Mommy and Daddy ... I'll be here to help!  We'll be sure to share with you how everything goes.  Let us know if you have any questions for us too.

Mommy said the key is first of all to have help as she recovers from her C-Section ... and second of all to have a flexible schedule (this doesn't work for everyone, but it works for her).  She strongly believes and follows Secrets of the Baby Whisperer (E.A.S.Y. Schedule = Eat, Activity Time, Sleep, and You Time) and Baby Wise.  Not everyone believes in sleep training, but my doctor recommended very similar suggestions too.  It worked the first night for me!  Sadie, I hope it works for you too.  Because Big Brother needs his sleep ... yah know what I'm sayin'?

We are also hoping for lots of kind visitors!  I can't keep those ladies both entertained each day all day.  Whew.  That would be exhausting.

Now ... I'll share with you a few photos from my first few days home ... what do you think?


LOOKING BACK: Mad Max

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Wow, can someone cut off the cuffs?  And throw a boy some pants.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

What do you mean you have to / want to go to work today?  Throwing Asian eyes at you, Daddy.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy's sweet sleeper.  During the day!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I've come a long way since those Asian eyes.  No?  (And just when I lose my leg cuffs, I get arm cuffs).

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Ohhh, if I try real hard and stretch, I'm longer than you Hoodie Bear!

My baby bassinet (Kolcraft Contours Classique 3 in 1 Bassinet) is from Target along with my Lambie swing (Fisher Price Lil' Lamb Dream Swing).  My Lambie bedding is from Pottery Barn Kids (Sweet Lambie Nursery Bedding).  I hope you enjoy using all of them too, Super Sadie!

-Mad Max

PS: You can also find us on Mad About Town.

next stop: Newborn Photos and Halloween Celebrations

Hi Friends,

Happy Hump Day!

While we are celebrating Sadie's BIRTH day this week, we are bringing you all things newborn.  And don't forget!  We have a fabulous Whole Foods GIVEAWAY this week for a $50.00 giftcard.  Be sure to check out and comment on our blog for your chance to win!  Celebrate Whole Trade Month with us at Whole Foods.

next stop:

So what is your next stop this coming weekend?  Or next week?  Super Sadie won't be able to leave the house much for the first several if not more weeks (up to six!), but we have a few stops already for her.

We are taking her newborn photos and more family photos with her next week with our photographer Erin Carlyle Photography.  Did you see our blog posting last week with a sneak peek of our maternity photo session with her?

I know Mommy has much planned for her newborn photo session!  I can't wait to take photos with you, Super Sadie.  In the meantime... enjoy a few favs from my newborn photo session with Erin Carlyle Photography.  (We have many more that we love ... these are just a few!).  Thank you, Erin, for doing such a wonderful job capturing our family!

Did you take newborn photos with your wee one?

Mad Max's Newborn Photos: 

Image Credit: Erin Carlyle Photography

Image Credit: Erin Carlyle Photography

Image Credit: Erin Carlyle Photography

Image Credit: Erin Carlyle Photography

Halloween:

Mommy also hopes to take me out on my first trick or treating adventure on Halloween (and Sadie along for the ride).  What do you have planned for the upcoming holiday?

To put you in the spirit ... we receive a super cute photo of our friend Baby C in a costume.  What do you think?  Yee haw!

Image Credit: J Crancer

Whole Foods GIVEAWAY:

And don't forget!  We have a fabulous Whole Foods GIVEAWAY this week for a $50.00 giftcard.  Be sure to check out and comment on our blog for your chance to win!  Celebrate Whole Trade Month with us at Whole Foods.

I've been really enjoying my Whole Trade bananas and other goodies we got from Whole Foods.  What will you enjoy with your $50.00 gift card?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

-Mad Max

PS: Be sure to visit us at Mad About Town.

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Hospital Visits

Hi Friends,

What an exciting week for us!  How are you?  While we are away at the hospital with my new baby sister, Super Sadie, we are bringing you all things newborns this week.  But before we get to that ...

Houstonians: Be sure to sign up for our $50.00 Whole Foods giftcard GIVEAWAY.  Super easy - just comment on the GIVEAWAY blog posting.  We hope you will enjoy and support some Whole Trade products.

Today we will bring you newborns and hospital stays!  First, I want to share a few photos and memories from when I was a wee one in the hospital.  Then I'll share a few things we have planned for Sadie's hospital visit.  Do you have any hospital visits to share either with your own baby ... or visiting one?

You can search our blog for some postings on my super BIRTH day (and while you are at it - feel free to FOLLOW us!), and you can also enjoy these:

It's My Birthday ... I Can Cry if I Want To!

Fan Club at the Hospital

And there's more available on our blog!

Looking Back: MAD MAX's BIRTH day ... 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I put the Mad in Mad Max.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I had bloated baby Asian eyes!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy's sweet sleeper in my "take home outfit."  Sadie got the same one with green trim from Serena & Lily.  If you have a baby, what did yours wear to go home?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Daddy loves me.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy and Daddy (and Lambie from Daddy on my birthday, my birthday cake from the hospital, and my blankie from "Auntie" L and "Auntie" L.  I look like a rag doll, no?  I need to work on that.

SUPER SADIE"s Hospital Stay:

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy and Super Sadie's hospital bags are mostly packed (this is of course written on the weekend prior).  Don't you love their bags from LeSportSac (Mommy's fav - a cupcake theme!)?  So what did you find to be must-haves in your hospital bag with your little one?

My must-have?  Mommy picked out a Big Brother gift for me from Target (a fire truck!).

-Mad Max 

PS: Be sure to also find us on Mad About Town.

Improving Lives Through Whole Trade Month: Whole Foods GIVEAWAY

Congrats to Jessica our winner for the Whole Foods $50.00 Giftcard to celebrate Whole Trade Month! As of Saturday, 10/27/2012 this GIVEAWAY is now closed.  Thank you all for participating, and we encourage you to visit your local Whole Foods and check out their Whole Trade food and products.  We will be sharing more about our food and product experience soon too.

-Mad Max and Family

Hi Friends,

How was your week?

Ours was busy as we are preparing for Sadie's arrival on Monday (and gearing up for our last weekend as a "Family of 3 (plus Super Fetus)."  Mommy and I have to apologize for missing a few posts this week.

But we've also been enjoying some  Whole Trade products this month, and we want to share them with you through a great GIVEAWAY from Whole Foods (information all the way at the bottom of the post).

October is Whole Trade Month at Whole Foods

From Whole Foods: Did you know that by making one simple purchase, you can improve someone’s life?  Buying Whole Trade® products ensures fair treatment and equitable pay for workers, more money for hardworking producers through social premiums and sound environmental practices in the developing countries where the products are grown.  And if that’s not enough, one percent of product sales are donated to the Whole Planet Foundation for poverty alleviation.

Whole Foods Market is celebrating October as Whole Trade Guarantee month – a time to appreciate our shoppers and producers for doing the right thing. Starting Oct. 1, shoppers can go online, sign up for newsletters and then vote for Whole Foods Market to donate $1 (up to $20,000) to one of their key Whole Trade Guarantee producer partners:

· Tanzania School Project - Funds will help support students, teachers, schools and education opportunities in Tanzania.

· The Elite Flower Foundation (Fundación Fernando Borrero Caicedo) - A foundation dedicated to the well being of flower workers and their families in Colombia, focusing on education, housing, recreation, and family development.  For a video with more information Elite, click here.

· EARTH University – A Costa Rican agricultural university that cultivates leaders who will contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries and construct a prosperous and just society.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Whole Foods was kind enough to give us a basket of Whole Trade goodies that we've been enjoying this month (and we'll be sure to share our experience and opinions with you).  The basket included: Whole Trade bananas, pineapple, flowers, Allegro Fine Tea - Organic Estate Ceylon, Organic Tanzania School House dark chocolate, EARTH University Costa Rican Whole Bean Coffee, Allegro Drinking Chocolate Indian Spice 54, Popcorn Indiana Kettle Corn, and bottled 365 Everyday Value Organic Mint Green Tea.  Thank you, Whole Foods!  We love Whole Trade products (and products that allow us to give back!).

We haven't had the chance to try everything yet, but we can tell you about a few things ... Mommy really enjoyed having fresh (Whole Trade) flowers in the house, and they actually matched my ca-coos (pumpkins) perfectly!  Mommy also added the delicious bananas to her cereal this week, and I was like a monkey and ate most of them.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I've also really been on a pineapple kick lately (and Mommy said it is her favorite fruit ... although she was kind enough to leave me with most of it!).  I ate almost all of the Whole Trade pineapple last night at dinner!  Can you find Daddy the lurker in the background (pineapple pic)?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And finally, so far Mommy's fav Whole Trade addiction ... Kettlecorn!  Luckily I was able to try some too.  Sweet and salty?  Yes, please.  Mommy said she's going to have to go buy some more this weekend.  

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Stay tuned for more on our Whole Trade adventure.

GIVEAWAY: Houston Readers - Now it is your turn!  Enter to win a $50.00 Whole Foods Giftcard that can be used at any Houston area Whole Foods.  We encourage you to try out and support Whole Trade food and products!

We made it super simple for you to enter.  All you have to do is visit the Whole Trade page for Whole Foods, and leave a comment below in this blog post.  Be sure to let us know how to best contact you (you can also email us at madmaxandfamily at gmail). 

You have from now until Friday, October 26, 2012 at 9 pm (CST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  The winner will be chosen at random using random.org and will be announced on Saturday, October 27th, 2012 by 9 am (CST).  No purchase or payment necessary to enter.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter and be in the Houston area.

Good luck!

-Mad Max

next stop: Maternity Leave Time with Wee Ones and Tots

Hi Friends,

How is your week?

We apologize for not being here yesterday ... Mommy is a bit of a train wreck this week as we prepare for Sadie's big BIRTH day on Monday!  But we have many fun things to share with you coming up!

We usually do our next stop post on Wednesdays, but today we will bring you our next stop post ... so what is your next stop this weekend?  We are really looking forward to our last big outing as a family on Saturday to the KBR Kids Day on Buffalo Bayou (among other fun things this weekend!).

And we also started thinking about our next stop (next plans) for my (and Sadie's) maternity leave time with Mommy.  If you've taken leave (or if you are a SAHM), how did you spend your time?  And did you have any special outings you looked forward to or enjoyed?  If you had two under two, how did you spend your time / what outings did you take?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

What are some of our ideas so far? ... Mommy said we would be inside a lot (at least the first 1/2 of leave) because my baby sister Super Sadie will be super small and new.  Mommy and I plan on making a lot of art together!  (See my art above that I made yesterday with Gramby and Pops).  We also plan on having special play time, reading time, and more (getting ready for the holidays time - baking perhaps?).  What other ideas or resources do you have for us?

What next stops are we looking forward to most? ... So what are some big stops that we are looking forward to most?  We are looking forward to my first Trick o' Treating outing.  Mommy is also really looking forward to Houston's Nutcracker Market (with feeding Sadie and not being able to bring Sadie ... this may be a challenge, but she's going to try her best!).  We are also looking forward to Lights in the Heights during the Holiday Season, and we hope to check out the new Houston Zoo event Zoo Lights!  And probably most of all we are looking forward to our NYC trip during the Holiday season to visit Auntie Tam.  This will be my first trip (along with Sadie of course) to NYC.  Those are just a few things we are looking forward to.  What other suggestions do you have for us (big or small)?

Sadie's Maternity / Family Photos - Sneak Peek: We received a quick sneak peek of our maternity / family photo session with Erin Carlyle Photography from a few weeks ago.  Be sure to look at her blog posting about it, and please do comment (on our blog and hers) - let us know your thoughts!  More to come about the photos.  We are loving the sneak peek, and we can't wait to see all of them.

Erin Carlyle is also in the running for Houston's BEST Children's Photographer, and you can vote for her here!

Houstonians: Don't miss our Mad Max and Family post TOMORROW / FRIDAY.  We will be posting more information about Whole Foods Whole Trade Month and a special GIVEAWAY.

-Mad Max

PS: You can also read us on Mad About Town.

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: 2 Under 2 on Maternity Leave

Hi Friends,

How are you today?  Did you read our blog yesterday?  Enjoy your weekend and already looking forward to the next one like us?

This week we are focusing on all things maternity leave aka vacation with Mommy and baby sister, Super Sadie.  If you are on or had maternity leave, how was your experience?  Did you have two under two on maternity leave?  How did that go?  Any tips and tricks?  Mommy said she'll be balancing two, but we all know that I (Mad Max) will be balancing two - Mommy and baby sister!

Mommy and I have received lots of good advice from friends about two under two - anything from how to handle the first few weeks (after a c-section) to how to make sure to spend quality time with the older one ... but we would love to hear your thoughts too!

Mommy and I plan to have pretty structured time (that's how we work best) for Mommy Time - Sadie Time - and Mad Max Time, but that structure will work itself out within the first few weeks.

Most importantly, I am looking forward to helping Mommy, reading to my baby sister ... and Mommy and Me / Daddy and Me time!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

See, I'll be a good helper and help Mommy dust.  I love dusting!

Also ... be sure to read about The Mommie Series Giveaway Winner (announced yesterday).  And we have a really great GIVEAWAY planned for this Friday with Whole Foods in celebration of their Whole Trade Month.  How can you help support the great cause of Whole Trade Month?  Be sure to read this link - you can start helping now!  We will have more information about Whole Trade Month and the GIVEAWAY later this week.  Be sure to also stay tuned for our Dewberry Farm blog coming this week.

Enjoy a sneak peek of our partnership with Whole Foods this month below.  We are enjoying and trying out some Whole Trade products.  More photos and information to come soon.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

-Mad Max

PS: You can also find us on Mad About Town!

Mad for Monday (Max's Weekend Update): I see. I do!

Hi Friends,

How was your weekend?  What did you do?

Lately I really like saying "I see!  I do ...!" because I'm a big boy now (and a Big Brother).  So this weekend I did a lot of seeing and doing (and sometimes by myself!).

I was excited to be back at SoccerTots on Saturday (last week we were at my Super Big Brother Toddler Tour at the hospital), and we had Daddy's company party at the Downtown Aquarium afterwards.  This was my second visit (I went about a year ago for Daddy's company party), and I had a blast!  Enjoy more info below and photos.  We highly recommend that you check it out on your own too.

The biggest news of the weekend ... I had my first slumber party with Gramby and Pops on Saturday night.  I am practicing for Sadie's hospital stay.  I don't need practice - I think Mommy does with her emotions (Love you, Mommy).  (Thanks for watching me Gramby and Pops (and Bean) ... I had a great time (even if we didn't stay up all night eating ice cream and watching war movies)).  Mommy and Daddy went to an Infant CPR class at The Woman's Hospital of Texas, and they celebrated Daddy's birthday by going to see Taken 2 at the Edwards Theatre.

And finally ... stay tuned to see who won our recent GIVEAWAY from The Mommie Series!  We'll have more information soon.  And be sure to keep an eye out for our Dewberry Farm blog this week - sorry for the delay!

SoccerTots: 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Stretching with Daddy at SoccerTots!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Chasing Coach.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Goal!!!

Downtown Aquarium: 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Headed around the Aquarium on our train ride.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Choo choo.  Did you know that you can see sharks on a train ride?  Yah, me either.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

My first Ferris Wheel ride.  At first I thought it was fun ... 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Then I thought ... WT ... why are we up this high above the freeway?  And where is my Super Big Boy car seat?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Highlight of our afternoon at the Aquarium?  Daddy and Mommy (well, mostly Daddy) cleaned house when it came to the carnival prizes.  Thanks for my FIVE prizes!

So how was your weekend?  What did you do?

-Mad Max

PS: Be sure to read our Mad About Town blog too!

Fun Friday: Fall Holiday Traditions and More

Hi Friends,

Sadie here!  A little over a week until my birthday!  Are you ready?

First ... sorry we didn't have a new blog yesterday, but we actually had two on Wednesday on our Mad Max and Family blog (and one on our Mad About Town blog).

We've had a lot of fun posts over the past week -- we hope you haven't missed them.  Houstonians: Be sure to read our blog from last Friday - Halloween Foto Fun (great opportunity!).  And did you see our Mommy GIVEAWAY this week on our Mad Max and Family blog?  Be sure to enter before Sunday evening!  And spread the word.

And finally, we are still working on our Dewberry Farm posting.  We have so many fun things to share about our visit and Dewberry Farm!  Stay tuned this weekend.

Our fun question for you today ... What Fall traditions do you have in your family?  We'd love to hear your ideas!  Mommy said she really enjoys Fall even more now that Max is here (and soon October will be one of the best months because it has Daddy's birthday AND my birthday!).


Here are our traditions that we want to continue each year: 

Pumpkin Patches: A visit to St. Luke's Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch and a visit to Dewberry Farm (which is much more than a pumpkin patch - stay tuned!).

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

How far has my bro come since last year (photo above) when he was a spider ... to this year when he was Max from Where the Wild Things Are (both Pottery Barn Kids costumes)?  Both of these photos (directly above and below) were taken at the St. Luke's Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Dewberry Farm: We definitely want to make this a part of our Fall Holiday Tradition.  I can't wait to be out of the womb next year to enjoy it more!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J 

My Bro Mad Max Says: This way Dada and Pops to get out of this corn maze and away from the horrible aliens!

Decorating Pumpkins: This year Max decorated the pumpkins with Halloween stickers.  How do you decorate your pumpkins?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Fall / Halloween Art: Mad Max made the art below with Gramby.  Shouldn't art be a part of every season and holiday?  What art do you make with your family?

Image Credit Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And finally ... we are also going to add Trick or Treating to our holiday traditions this year.  We'll be sure to share with you photos afterwards!  Are there any other Fall holiday traditions we should add?

We do have one more to share with you ... Giving back should happen year-round, and if you are in Houston we have a great opportunity to share with you.  As you know, Whole Foods is one of our favorite stores (great food and products!), and we also like that they give back to their community.  If you are in or around Houston, you have the opportunity to participate starting this weekend.  See all of the details below!

-Sadie of Mad Max and Family and Mad About Town