Mommy Tips and Tricks: Registries

Something is in the water.  Everyone is pregnant lately.  Beware.

Several of our friends and fans have asked Mommy lately ... where did you register?  Mad Max is here to help get you started ... I'm going to show you some retro pics to go along with information on
registries.

Crancer is one friend above that is needing to / working on registering.  Congrats "Auntie" Crancer!  I can't wait to show Christopher the ropes.  Here I am with her in the hospital.  Looking a little bloated (me, not Crancer).

Train Wreck Mommy and I registered at Giggle.  If you have a super hip urban fetus that appreciates high design and eco-friendly items, this is the place for you!  What did Mommy and I like best?  Their super nicely designed website, uber easy to use, great registry checklist (we used it for all of the registries!), helpful reviews, and the products are just the best.  You can find products on here that you can't find anywhere else.  Some of the products you can find elsewhere for cheaper, so just do your comparison shopping.  Or hire an assistant like I did (thanks Mommy!).

One thing to note, they may not have a free-standing store near you, but who shops in the store now anyways?

Photo: I am in my Take Me Home Gift Set (Organic Cotton) from giggle.  This was one of our favorite items from giggle.  Mommy said (for us) a take home outfit is a must!

We also registered at Target.  This place is also great for your super hip urban fetus that appreciates high design, and Target basically has nearly everything you need.  (As I'm sure you already know).  Be sure you have a checklist before you start registering on-line because there is so much to choose from.  I think you already know why Target is so awesome.

The downside is they don't have as much in the store to look at ...but again, don't we all shop on-line?

Here I am above as a wee one (aww I know) in my Kolcraft Contours Bassinet.  A bassinet is a nice to have if your baby is in your room with you, and also Mommy was scared to put me in the big boy crib.  My bassinet right now is with Oliver.  He just arrived within the last week (Mommy's friend from work is the Daddy to Oliver).  Congrats!  Don't poo in my bed!  Haha.  

Don't forget to do your research on some products!  Gramby helped us check for safety ratings and reviews for some of the most important products on Consumer Reports.

We also registered at Pottery Barn Kids.  This store is great for your super sweet babies that appreciate quality and personalized products.  We did most of our registering on their website, but we also picked several items in their store.  They have a nicely designed and easy to use website.  And if you've ever been in their store, it's the same experience!  What do we like best about Pottery Barn Kids?  Mommy and I found my nursery bedding there: Sweet Lambie Nursery Bedding (Organic).  See photo above.

What else do we like?  Personalized items (and quality products!).

Downside ... there isn't really a downside.  Some of their items can be pricey, but they are worth it.  They also offer great sales.  Just do your research on items you can find elsewhere!

MORE REGISTRY IDEAS ...

Mommy and I would also recommend: diapers.com, Land of Nod ... and for your super luxury babies maybe Serena and Lily and Restoration Hardware Baby and Child (which Restoration may be along the same lines as Pottery Barn Kids, but we could be wrong).

Where did you register?  Let us know!

Contact us with any additional questions.

-Mad Max

Art Thursday: Remember Twombly

Today was my Art Thursday with Train Wreck Mommy (and we missed our TW2 sidekick, "Auntie" JCranc!).  We went to the Cy Twombly Gallery at The Menil Collection.  He passed away last week ... Mommy said we lost a great American painter.  Be sure to read more about Twombly.  He is well known for his mark-making paintings, and Train Wreck Mommy said I can begin to explore my own mark making.  (Now if I can just resist putting that paint brush in my mouth).

Cy Twombly at the Cy Twombly Gallery in Houston (The Menil Collection)

We didn't take any pictures at our visit because 1) Mommy is a Train Wreck without her sidekick, JCranc ... at times, and 2) I was busy being Mommy's art critic.  If you live in Houston or are going to Houston sometime, but sure to make a visit to experience Twombly's art.
Do we just stop at enjoying art on Art Thursdays?  No.  We need face time with my fans.  We went with "Auntie" Viola to go visit "Auntie" Gaby and her new baby, Becca ... and Valentina!  The ladies love me.

Did I mention that this WEEK I've been doing such a better job sitting up?  Mommy sure seems excited.  Little does she know, if I didn't have such a heavy hand with my Scotch, I could sit up all the time.  In the photo above I'm too busy looking at this new thing called - c-a-r-p-e-t to sit up fully.  We don't have c-a-r-p-e-t at home.  Look at Valentina!  Show off.  Haha love you!  Thanks for letting me drool on you.

Umm.  Mommy.  Look how SMALL that kid is behind me.  Yikes.  Ramona eyes!  And you say I use to be that small?  I think not!

Nice feet Gaby!  Look how long I am!  NBA star!

What art shows have you enjoyed lately?  Enjoyed some time with friends sitting up nice and tall?  What did y'all do?  Max loves hearing from you!

-Mad Max

My Crib Can't Handle Me Right Now!

Lately I've been into the military crawl.  I think I may be a future Navy Seal.  Thoughts?  I started actively creeping backwards a lot in the past week.  I just have to assess my surroundings, you know?  I'm an advanced Super Baby that way.

Mommy of course has been up to her photography ways.   She caught me in my military gear.

And did I mention?  My doc said Train Wreck Mommy and my Hero Daddy had to drop my crib all the way immediately, or I may flip out of it, and take off to a white sand beach somewhere.  She must know my Super Strength.

How do you like my outfit?  Do you have any outfits that give you Super Strength?  (Thanks to Gramby and Pops for my pants, and "Auntie" JCranc for my shirt!).

Have you been to my YouTube Channel lately?  I have a new vid almost daily, and you can see my military crawl.  Check it out here: Mad Max and Family.  Don't forget to also subscribe to my channel and comment!

-Mad Max

Happy 1/2 Birthday To Me - Art Thursday (Last Post)

I hope everyone had a nice weekend!  I have one more (I promise) post about my birthday.  If you missed the other two, read them here: Bday Post 1 and Bday Post 2.  As you may know, every Thursday this summer Train Wreck Mommy and I have an "Art Thursday."  This past Thursday we had an Art Thursday with "Auntie" JCranc and Jessicana at Lawndale Art Center.

Jessicana, Me (can you see me?! ... Hello!  Tiny Mad Max here), and Mommy at Lawndale Art Center

By the way, a special thanks goes out to JCranc and Jessicana for taking photos with their iPhones.  Mommy had her hands full (see above).  Train Wreck Mommy said, "Now Mad Max, don't you want to look at art in your Super Sling?"... Why, Mommy ... what do you think?

Mad Max with work by my good buddy Gonzo!  Did you miss the posting about when I met Gonzo?  Check it out here: Gonzo at YES Prep SE.

I am Mommy's favorite art critic.  I'm not sure about JCranc.  She just giggles at me.  Maybe I am over her head?  Poor TW2.  

Right now at Lawndale Art Center they are having their BIG SHOW.  It's an annual open-call, juried exhibition.  Read more about it on their website.  Mommy and I apologize for not crediting all of the artists in our photos.  It's probably Mommy's fault (TW).  If you live or are visiting Houston, definitely go check out the show!

This is not a gun.

This is also not a gun.

Mad Max sees blueprints.

Hey, hey guys ...  meeting without me again?  I prefer Scotch over milkshakes and pie anyways.

I like to call this one "Undressed."  Mommy, Mommy, I think it represents the way I feel on Mondays.

Mad Max loves red.  Red is a primary color.  Primary begins with P.  Do I sound like Mommy?

I'll leave with you one of my favorite pics.  I love to become one with the art.  Don't just view the art.  Be one with the art.  Become the art.  Reflect upon how might the art represent you.

-Mad Max

Art Thursdays: I see blue ... I see red.

Train Wreck Mommy said we are having Art Thursdays together!  Mommy, don't we see art each day ... everywhere?

Today we went with JCranc to the The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to see the Carlos Cruz-Diez: Color in Space and Time exhibit.  Mommy kept asking me about the art because I am her Super Infant Art Critic, and JCranc kept jumping around the works of art like she had a dirty pampy.  Here we are before going to see the show ...

Can't you tell from the photo above that I was not very thrilled to begin with?  So what did I think of the show?  Well, I vomited on the floor.  That's what I thought of the show.  Hah!  Kidding.  Or ... am I?  Let's just say the LSD room was the highlight, but Mommy was like "you can't get ADHD!" ... spoiling the fun.

We also checked out the Charles Ledray exhibit.  Um.  Very.  Interesting.  Discarded itty bitty clothes turned into art.  Mad Max likes.  What does it mean to you?  And why tiny clothes?  And did you see the poor bear covered in black goo?  Hoodie bear, I will never treat you like that!  So what do your material possessions mean to you?

Afterwards we went to run some errands at Rice Village and ate at the Black Walnut Cafe.  It was a great start to our Art Thursdays, Mommy!  I will try not to poo all over you next time when we get home (but at least I saved it for home, right?).

-Mad Max

Wizards and Warlocks at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Last week I had a meeting at the Houston Museum of Natural Science with TW Mommy and JCranc.  We are doing a YES Prep visual arts show at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the HMNS in late April (date to be set soon!).

I ran into another Wizard at the Houston Museum of Natural Science ...

Here I am with a giant butterfly the size of a small fetus!

-Mad Max

Deep in the Heart of Texas ...

I may be an urban baby and read the New York Times with Mommy, but I'm also a Houstonian ... which means, it's rodeo time, kids (Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo).  I went to my first rodeo with Mommy and Gma and Gpa A.  Save a stroller, ride a horsey!

Here I am above with Gma A and Mommy ... we just arrived to see some of the animals indoors ...and the exhibits.  Mommy was able to walk past the Fried Oreos and Snickers without indulging herself!  Good job, Mommy.

Here I am above being embarrassed by the family.  They are family afterall!  Hah.  Love you.

Mommy's favorite part of the rodeo (besides of course the food) ... are the baby animals.  And you know Mad Max likes anything Super Baby!

Hmm, this looks familiar.  Hey piggies!  Wow, I want a brother or a sister, but that is a little much.  Duggar piggies!

Lambies!  Mad Max loves lambs.  Check out my blogs tagged with Nursery and Lambies to see more.

Black sheep in the family.  Just like me, haha.

Mad Max is a little bit of country ... and a little bit of rock 'n roll.

Look at me on a Longhorn!  Mom, I got this ... no hands!

The Rodeo is also about gettin' yo' grub on.  Mommy and I don't eat meat, but the Super Gs do...

Gpa A ... next year, let's try the Turkey Leg!  I'll try the Tofurkey Leg!

Hey Mommy, Mommy ...can you get us some shrimp with a side of fried stuff?  Daddy isn't here!  I won't tell, promise.

My Mommy and I also really enjoy looking at the Rodeo art from the young learners.  Auntie JCranc, we should do this next year with the Wizards!  Check out the Rodeo art behind us!

Hey, umm ... where is the Super Infant Art section?

Daddy!  Daddy we missed you!  I bet you could have won us lots of prizes at the carnival.  Love you, Daddy!

Here I am a little bit wiped out after the rodeo.  See you next year, Cowgirls!  Mad Max will be in chaps!

-Mad Max

YES Prep SE Electives Team: We Are Taking Over The World.

Obviously.

I had my F1RST visit out of the womb to YES Prep Southeast (home of the Wizards).  A new building and everything!  Boy, they know how to welcome Mad Max properly (although they didn't know I was coming ... well, "Auntie" JCranc did, but she's TW2 so she probably didn't remember.  Love you "Auntie" JCranc!).

I had a very important meeting to attend with the Electives Team (JCranc, Rita, B, Omar, and Michelle... well, we were minus Michelle.  We missed you!  TW!).  It was so nice to meet some of them for the F1RST time.

Here I am.  At the meeting.  With Rita.  Nice smile I got, huh?  I got that from Mommy.  Hah!  I was slightly distracted at the meeting ... our art room looks like a REAL art room.  Such an upgrade for Super Mad Max.

Here I am still at the meeting (obviously) with JCranc and Omar.  B was probably lost without his sidekick Michelle.

Two claps for JCranc for leading the meeting ... Omar for pretending to take notes... and the others for just being there.  And of course for planning my (well, our) upcoming F1RST Electives Exhibition on Thursday, May 12th after school.  Bring it!  Stay tuned for more info about our show.  We hope you can make it!

I was a bit sick to my stomach during the meeting.  Drank too much at lunch.  Would you expect anything less?  Winning (thanks Charlie Sheen)!  Mommy didn't bring enough burp clothes, so I just used her shirt.  And her jeans.  And her arm.  And her hand.  Maybe her hair too.  But then ...

Good thing I pulled myself together ... once it started to spread that Mad Max was in the building .. I knew what it felt like to be Justin Bieber at a local mall on Spring Break.  And Mommy thought it was an appropriate time for a peep show Super Diaper change.

Wow, I look like I drink beer instead of Scotch.  Wizards were laughing at the way I talk.  No need to be jealous of my Brit Accent.  I have enough conversation to go around!  Politics?  The arts?  Literature?  Sports?  Celebrities?  I'm there.  Mommy and I keep up with our reading time.

I need a status report on our meeting by end of business this Friday.

You can sign me up for drinks for our next meeting.

TW Mommy was only able to snap a few photos with a few visitors ... she was distracted by all of the vomit on her clothes.  I'm not claiming it!  We'll have to come back soon to take more photos.

100% missing Mad Max every day that is for sure!  Here I am above looking like a Mini Super Infant with "Auntie" Sarah.

We are discussing the upcoming AP test.  I was slightly upset after realizing I couldn't take it this year.

Blowing some nice gas Auntie LAR's way.  Love you!

I think they were either talking about Common Assessments, Crackheads, or Cupcakes.  It's a toss up.

See everyone again soon!  Photo with Mad Max = possible blog posting!

-Mad Max