One Year Doc Appt: Dexter Baby

I think some might argue I am now a Super Toddler, but Train Wreck Mommy is in denial... (and she can argue that I am not toddling on my own yet, just wait Mommy!).

I have at least two blogs to finish about my big 1st Birthday Celebration, so stay tuned!  In the meantime ...

This week I went to the doc for my One Year appointment.  Somehow I ended up with my pants off?

This is my serious face with serious Dada.  Train Wreck Mommy seemed to have snapped only 50 pics instead of 100, so I think we are lacking on the awesome pics.  It's okay, Mommy!  Ahem.

Here My Hero Daddy is reading to me while we are waiting ... 

Umm, were did my pants go?

Obviously it's a really good book.  Hey guys, I'm reading Chapter books now!

Cold scale, no pants.  Not.  Working.  By the way, I don't think my red socks match the red in my shirt.  Wow.

I'm up to 20.125 lbs now!  Beat that!  Actually, the Train Wrecks thought I weighed more because I'm a fighter, but I'm solid ... but light.  I'm also up to 30".  Train Wreck Mommy said I can ride roller coasters in Disney World this summer!

Here I am right after they took blood from my finger.  It was so interesting!  We heart Dexter.

Everything after this point was a blurrrrrr .... there was waiting ... and more waiting.  There was poking and prodding and gushing over how I was a Super One Year Old.

A few tid bits to share ... The Super Doc said I had Super Blood!  Seriously.  Must be all that great vegan food Daddy makes for me.

She also said I could eat peanut butter (and almost anything) now.  (Wow, that stuff is good.  Mommy and Daddy treated me that night.)

She said I could sleep with a blanket now... (hello!)... finally, I am not shivering to death all night.  But really, who needs a blanket when you are a Super One Year Old?  But I've now been sleeping with a blanket that "Auntie" Viola made.

The doc also said I needed to wean from the bottle by 15 months (umm, not too sure about that... Scotch for life), and I needed to wean from the paci by 15 months or by 3 years.  We'll have to talk about this one later.  Finally, no formula (only Scotch), and I get to brush my teeth in the bath tub (odd, I know).

How was your last doc appt?

Friendly reminder: be sure to FOLLOW my blog on the main page, and leave comments!  I love to hear from you.

-Mad Max

My 1st Birthday Celebration: Details

Train Wreck Mommy and I literally have 1,000,000s of photos to go through for my 1st Birthday Celebration.  Wow.

I am going to start with focusing on the details of the party ... it's in all the details!

Mommy worked very hard with Gramby (Gma A), Mimi (Gma J), Auntie Tam, and "Auntie" Viola to finalize the details!  A special thanks to y'all for loving me, Mad Max, so much!  A few special shout outs: 

A special shout out to Gramby for going above and beyond and using her awesome crafting skills to make me many personalize items for my party.  She also made me delicious coffee cake!  You will see more below.  I don't know about you, but I like starting out my day with an double espresso and coffee cake.

A special shout out to Mimi for using her baking skills to bake me many, many, and many wonderful breakfast treats for my morning party at the Houston Zoo.

A special shout out to Auntie Tam for all of her help with the party planning and her delicious, um, (zebra print!) cake balls.  Be sure to check out her website for her new event planning and styling company, ever swoon.  (You can also find ever swoon on Facebook and Twitter!).

A special shout out to "Auntie" Viola for helping Mommy craft several nights, even though she couldn't even make it to the party (out of town).  We missed you!

And last, but not least... a special shout out to Train Wreck Mommy and My Hero Daddy for throwing me such a great celebration.  Enjoy the details below, and check back soon for more on my party!

Round tables: Since my party was at the Zoo, the theme was animal print / Zoo animals.  Gramby made the center piece signs (and Mommy made the Sophie and Max design throughout the party).  We also placed animals and animal cards throughout the round tables (loved by my young fans!).

The plants were from Lowes.  The animal cards were from Michaels, and the animals were from Michaels and Target (dollar bins!).  

Much of the other party supplies (table clothes, paper plates, etc.) was either from Green Party Goods or Arnes.  We tried to be as "green" as possible for the event.

On this table: Munny for my guests to sign; cakes; gift bags; animal masks; and 1 year photos.

My favorite: don't you love the sign of my name that Gramby made for me?  Great job!!   Do you think I should hang it in my room?

1 year professional photos by Erin Carlyle.  She rocks!

I will smile more next time.  Promise.

Mommy and "Auntie" Viola made gift bags for wee ones (under 3) and bigger tikes (over 3).  Don't you love the "Thank You" card they made for me?  Mommy made the design.  She's going to start working on designs for your young ones that you can purchase!  More soon.

Gift bag supplies bought at Amazon and Michaels.

The animal masks were a huge hit (more photos to come!).

Masks should be required at every party.  Who wants to be their own self anyways?  Really?  

Animal masks from Amazon.

Mommy and Daddy got me a delicious vegan cake from Whole Foods.  Cookies and Creme!

Candle from Whole Foods, and the customized Max cake topper is by Goose Grease.  They also made Mommy and Daddy's wedding cake toppers!

Guest cake from Whole Foods Market.  Guests describe it as "stupid good."

More food!

I have to point out the most important part of this table.  Gramby (of course) made me the awesome one year banner - a photo from each month.  She did a great job, and I love it!

We just ran out of room for our food!

This table had mini Crave Cupcakes (with the number 1), zebra print cake balls by Auntie Tam, and coffee cake by Gramby.

Mimi made me so much delicious breakfast food!  Thank you for turning your home into a baking factory!

I should also point out that Mommy found some organic juice boxes for the kids at Amazon.  

The happy, crazy family.

The Mad Max.  By the way, this was literally my first bite of sweets.  But not my last.

So what do you think?  Do you have any events coming up that you are planning?

Mommy is thinking about working with Auntie Tam (ever swoon) and another Houston friend to plan kids events.  Thoughts?

Be sure to click on follow for my blog and leave comments!  I look forward to hearing from you.

More soon on my special celebration!

-Mad Max

Preview: Happy 1st Birthday To Me

On Saturday I celebrated my 1st Birthday at the Houston Zoo with family and friends (which of course included Train Wreck Mommy, My Hero Daddy, Auntie Tam, and more!).

I can't wait to share more about the celebration and big day with you.  Can you believe Train Wreck Mommy and I literally have over 500 photos to comb through?  Yikes.  We will share more soon, but in the meantime... here is a sneak peek!

Who is Daddy's favorite Zoo Keeper?  Mean Bean (that's me - Mino).

Later ... at home with the family opening gifts from my family, friends, and fans.  In my pampies.  Of course.  (I'm wearing my 1st Birthday shirt from Little One Boutique).

If you are Mommy's FB friend, you probably already saw these photos below.  If not, here we are ... in all our glory at my 1st Birthday Party!

My Hero Daddy ... Me as a Zoo Keeper (umm, thanks Mom!), and Train Wreck Mommy.  Love you guys!

(I actually got much praise for my outfit that Mommy found at the San Diego Zoo Shop.  What do you think?)  I picked out Mommy's sweater at Gap.  

I immediately stopped crying after Mommy told me it was vegan.  Whew, I was safe.  Cookies and Cream vegan cake from Whole Foods - yum.

(1st Birthday hat and bib from Little One Boutique).

Two big highlights of the weekend: Auntie Tam was here to celebrate with us, AND the Texans won their F1RST playoff game.  What a day!  I will share more soon.  Stay tuned, and be sure to click on follow to follow my blog!

Crazy Eyes Mad Max and Crazy Auntie Tam

How was your weekend?  Any fun celebrations?

Check back soon!

-Mad Max

Countdown to "ONE" ... and Gift Of Grub!

Hello Friends ... as you know, Train Wreck Mommy and I are gearing up for my big F1RST birthday this Saturday at the Houston Zoo.  We love the Zoo!  As you may remember, we are Zoo Members.  We haven't said a whole lot about my birthday yet because we didn't want to spoil any surprises.

One of my favorite parts of my birthday ... I am donating to help the animals at the Houston Zoo.  Please scroll to the bottom of this blog and read how YOU can help donate in honor of my birthday!

But with my Big Boy Birthday quickly approaching, we will now share a few sneak peeks.  (Either that, or I had too much Scotch, and now I am over sharing.  I hate when that happens).

Here is one of Mommy and Daddy's favorite photos from my "One Year" photo shoot with my favorite family photographer in Houston, Erin Carlyle.  She also took my "Newborn" photos (see my masthead!  You can also see some more on Erin's Blog Post (Baby Max)).

Don't you love the personalized 1st Birthday shirt and hat (and it came with a bib) that Mommy ordered for me?  She found them on Etsy (Little One Boutique).  If you look closely, there are Zoo animals on my shirt and bib.

Mommy and I highly recommend both Erin Carlyle and the Little One Boutique!

Mommy also found my hip jeans and shoes at one of our favorite (okay, more mainstream) shops, babyGap.

Another "One Year" shot above by Erin Carlyle.  She caught me whistling!  I'll be sure to share more photos soon.

Mommy also drew a design for my 1st Birthday Celebration.  Here I am with Sophie.  Thanks, Mommy!  Speaking of Mommy ... did I even mention I held out, but I finally started saying "Mummy" this past week?  Who do I want to change my pampie?  Mummy!

Who do I need grub from?  Mummy!

(and so on ...)

Speaking of grub ...

I'm supporting the Houston Zoo by giving the Gift of Grub in honor of my birthday.  I'm helping my animals friends!  Please consider making a donation to help the animals in honor of my first birthday.  You can make a small (or large!) donation at this link: Mad Max's 1st Birthday - Gift of Grub.  It's very easy.

I am only $70.00 away from reaching $100.00.  Once I reach my goal of $100.00 I earn a birthday brick at the Zoo!  Thank you for considering helping my favorite animals.

Do you have a favorite animal at the Zoo?

-Mad Max

Let's start with Christmas Eve ...

On the night before Christmas ... and all through the townhouse... etc etc etc... okay, yes, it's 2012 (Happy New Year!), but Train Wreck Mommy and I have been very busy!  We are back at work, exploring creative adventures, and most importantly, gearing up for my 1st Birthday THIS Saturday (do you know how many hours Mommy has logged on her craft adventures?!)

I will do my best to catch you up on my Holiday Break adventures.  

I hope you had a wonderful holiday.  What was your favorite part?  Mine was that Auntie Tam came to visit!  Here I am doing a crazy "prune" face, and Auntie Tam has her crazy smile.

Auntie Tam!  Auntie Tam!  I just messed with my dirty boy parts when Mommy changed my pampie.

In the Alcancia Family we have a tradition of opening Christmas Eve gifts.  Luckily, me, Mad Max, scored with more than one!  Here I am opening gifts from Gma and Gpa A (Gramby and Pops).

If I pull REAL HARD ... the ... paper ... may ... rip.

Tissue.  Paper.

This is what my future sister would look like ... said Mommy!

Thank you for my wonderful new reindeer pjs, Christmas book, and Sophie puppet!

Later ... I also opened Christmas Eve surprises from Train Wreck Mommy and My Hero Daddy.  So excited!  (Mommy didn't do too well with the photos.  See: Train Wreck.)

The Christmas Morning photo before I woke up (or rather, before THEY woke me up).

See!  What crazy people wake up a baby!?  What time is it?  I'm not even decent!  My pants are off, and I am on my pee pee and poo poo table!  

If you read my outfit closely, you will see that I am Santa's helper (thanks to Baby Gap).  Therefore, I was up late.

But ... thank you goes out also to Mommy and Daddy for my Christmas Eve pjs and book!

Stay tuned ... 

Does your family have any Christmas Eve traditions?

-Mad Max

NY Times Interview: Happy 11 Month Bday

Hello, fans!  I have much to update you on this week and coming weekend.

Yesterday I celebrated my 11 Month Birthday.  The last month birthday before the big 1.0.  Train Wreck Mommy is getting nervous.  Needless to say, it started out like much of the others ... with Train Wreck Mommy taking photos at some unknown hour before school.

She caught one of me before I was moving a mile a minute (Well of course she did.  What normal baby is awake at this hour, willingly?  Super Babies of course!).

Then the day took a turn for the better.

Auntie Tam and Train Wreck Mommy said that Auntie Tam was being interviewed today about me, Mad Max, by a reporter from my favorite newspaper the New York Times.  "What?  What did you say?" as I dropped my morning Scotch... All of those long hours I put in at the office in my Think Tank are finally paying off!

Then I laughed hysterically out of excitement, showed my asian eyes, and my one tooth (look closely).  As any Super Baby would do, really.  (Above at Gma A's aka Gramby's).

Later in the day, we got even better news.  The reporter was calling me later that evening for an interview (of course).  Straight.  To.  The.  Source.  (Actually she was interviewing Auntie Tam and I about our Facetime Video Dates.  A unique powerhouse.  Aren't we Auntie Tam?).

Mommy tried to take more photos with me in the evening for my birthday, but I was rolling with excitement.  Actually most of her 1,000s of photos looked like this.

Standing and climbing to get ready for my interview with the New York Times.

After Daddy's yummy eats, here I am drinking a nice Scotch before the interview.  It went well, and Mommy is thinking about hiring a publicist.

So what did our interview consist of, you ask?  You will have to stay tuned to find out more!  Let's just say that I think I really won her over with my whistling.  I'm not sure if she was a big fan of or slightly disturbed by my NY Times reading and Scotch drinking self.

I think this has been my best birthday yet.  Your first interview with the NY Times should count as an important milestone.

How has your December been so far?  Read any interesting articles in your favorite newspaper?

More soon!

-Mad Max

Weekend Update: Birthdays, Bottles, and Baby Jesus

I swear.  This is allowed. 

Look!  Look quick.  My asian and white eye are coming out.  We are both watching you.

On Saturday we went to Nathan and Alyssa's Birthday Party (4 years and 2 years) at Playscape.  Happy Birthday, kids!

Look at me go down the slide.

Um.  Whee?

Okay, Daddy.  Now this is what I am talking about.  Mommy was too scared to go on this one!

Can you find Mad Max?

We got this.

Hydrating after playtime.

Here are my friends enjoying some cupcakes (Yvonne and Corinne).  What's a 10 month old got to do around here to get a cupcake?

Happy Birtthday Alyssa and Nathan!  Thanks for inviting me!

Mommy was checking out their decor.  She's been working hard on my 1st Birthday Celebration!  How do you like these lady bug centerpieces?

Meanwhile back at the ranch ... Here I am in a Santa get-up.  Check out my first Nativity scene.  See it?  Over there?  On the floor?  Poor Baby Jesus!

What happened to the donkey?  What did you say?

So ... are you decorating for the holidays?

-Mad Max