On a walk

(Written 10/25/2012) Mr. Max is very close to turning one. He officially became a walker about a week ago! It started with just 4 steps. and within a week he has become a fully mobile pedestrian! He is so confident and can even stand up on his own if he falls down. He's become a pacer - he walks from door to door in the family room looking out and then turning around and walking back. He does it upstairs, too - going from the kitchen to the front deck door. Now I need to get him shoes - as he's only had shoes or socks on his feet maybe 5 times since he's been born. I'm sure that is going to be an adjustment.
The next adjustment is going to be stopping nursing. I've already been weaning him for a while, and my plan is to stop completely next week. I think he's ready, as I can get him asleep with out nursing and he's starting to eat from the bottle as well as a cup. Max finally has two top teeth to complement the two bottom teeth, but thats it. With those teeth, he loves to eat regular food, too. Its funny that he's starting to be picky. For example, tonight we had breakfast for dinner - waffles and scrambled eggs. He started to eat the eggs, which he likes, but as soon as he saw the waffle and had a bite - there was no going back! He's a carb lover too. So I've learned to only put the veggie or fruit on his plate alone first. Then when he's done, I'll introduce the other stuff. If you put it all on his plate at once, he'll pick what he likes more, and only eat that.
His words are limited to ma-ma and da-da, but he speaks in many other languages. His good morning speak is short little grunts. His "I want more" speak is more like a scream, and his jibber jabber sounds like he's saying sentences - where he even repeats the same sounds and pattern of sounds as if he's trying to tell you something over and over again. I am going to assume that he's going to be a pretty good communicator.
Karmann is just realizing the implications of Max being on two feet. When he first started walking, she would observe while giddily laughing. I don't think the thought had ever crossed her mind that he would be walking on two feet like her. But, she's loving it. She is so sweet and proud of her little brother! She introduces him to all her friends and new people she meets! She says I'm Karmann, and that is my brother Max! Its quite polite! She also likes to share with him (for the moment) but she is very clear that anything RED is hers and he can have anything else that is any other color.
Kar is also starting to learn how to write. She knows how to write her name, but it is very difficult to get her to do it on demand. She says she can't and needs help. I'm working on her confidence and and trying to encourage her to write other words and letters. She's made progress! She does like to write "Max" as its pretty easy for her.

We are looking forward to Halloween. Kar is a strawberry and Max is going to be Albert Pujols - as a Cardinal, of course. We picked out pumpkins last week, and carved one of them this past Monday. Max's 1st birthday is going to be Halloween themed, too. Really, that is just another excuse for both of then to wear their costumes one more time. We are looking forward to the party!