Random things Maddox has been up to lately

We have been pretty busy lately with weddings, showers, birthday parties, etc. Blake went on a business trip to Orlando last week (too bad Maddox and I couldn't have tagged along on this one). Even though we were jealous that we didn't get to go to DisneyWorld, Daddy brought back lots of souvenirs for Maddox including his new Mickey t-shirt he is showing off below. He let me get a good shot of the back. He thinks Mickey is funny looking I guess because he always laughs when I show him the back of the shirt. Maddox also got a very cool Pluto stuffed animal and a Mickey soccer ball that he has enjoyed playing with too. We can't wait to actually take him to DisneyWorld when he gets bigger. I know he will have so much fun!

Last night I was vacuuming and I guess Maddox decided he better start pulling his weight because I looked over and he was helping me out. His vacuum is pretty cool because it plays music, but it's too bad it doesn't have suction power because I could really put him to work!

Maddox has a newfound obsession with kitchen utensils. It is rare to see him these days without a spatula, flipper, or wooden spoon in his hands. He has recently discovered how fun (and loud) it is to beat the utensils on just about everything around the house. He usually gets me to pick him up, points to the utensil holder on the counter and I bring him over and let him pick out which one he wants to play with. It's surprising that something so simple can bring so much joy.

In addition to kitchen utensils, Maddox is also obsessed with remotes, real remotes that is. You can't fool him with talking Elmo remotes...he wants the real deal. He knows how to use them too. He always picks it up and points it at the tv to try to work it. I guess he has taken good notes from Mommy and Daddy.

Birthday Parties!

We had so much fun at Jackson's 2nd birthday party this past weekend! Maddox had a blast playing in the bounce house. He stood back and observed for a few minutes, but then he dove right in, literally. He was running around in there, falling down and laughing. Then he would throw himself head first down the slide. I wish I had a video of it...it was so funny! They also had a rather large ball pit that he had fun in and a super cute cake that Maddox of course found quite yummy.

Maddox loved the bounce house so much! Notice that even as he plays, he still keeps his little tiger blankie close by. That's love!

Maddox playing enjoyed playing in the ball pit.

And here is the birthday boy digging into the top tier of his cake! He really enjoyed it, but who wouldn't? I still can't believe this little man is already 2!

Later that same night, we went back to Scott and Jessica's for a surprise 30th birthday party for Scott. It was a lot of fun hanging out with a lot of family and friends, some of which we hadn't seen in a while. Scott was very surprised too, so it was definitely a success!

Happy Easter!

Maddox woke up on Easter Sunday to find that the Easter Bunny had left him a surprise. He had a basket with a couple of new movies, some bath toys, and one of his favorite, teddy grahams. He didn't seem all too interested in checking out his basket, but once we finally got him to look at it, he enjoyed picking the stuff out of it.

Maddox's treats from the Easter Bunny

Naturally, the Teddy Grahams were the biggest hit.

Being silly with Daddy!

We could not have asked for a more beautiful Easter Sunday! We started off the day at church before heading over to RaRa and Poppy's house for some good food and fun. We spent most of the day outside (just the way Maddox likes it). He is constantly bringing me his shoes and going to the door saying "side, side" now. He just wants to be outside all the time now! We had fun walking down by the Cahaba River and even had a few rubber ducky races down the river. Maddox's duck even won the first race! All in all, it was a great day!

Hunting for Easter eggs!

Maddox enjoyed finding the eggs, even though most were immediately thrown back down.

Just walking around!

Hanging out by the water with Daddy!

Daddy even let him get his feet wet, which he loved!

Easter Bunny

The week before Easter we went to visit the Easter Bunny to have Maddox's picture made. Even though this was his second Easter, this was his first visit with the bunny. He wasn't scared of Santa, but since he's a little older now, I wasn't quite sure how he'd react. When Blake first put him on his lap, he did what he typically does these days which was immediately try to get down. All he wants to do now is get down and walk around. He doesn't like to be held or stay still like he used to.

Well the Easter Bunny hoisted him back up on his lap and he sat long enough to get his picture made. Like with Santa, we weren't able to get a smile, but I was just glad he didn't kick, scream, and cry like the kid ahead of us.

Reading Mama a book...

Sweet Maddox read me a story yesterday. I couldn't quite catch every word he said, but I definitely enjoyed it...

Walking

We are getting much better at the whole walking thing! He has been walking around scaling the room for what seems like months now, so we were so excited to see him finally start to let go. Here he is a few weeks ago when he first started letting go and walking on his own:

And here he is tonight cruising around the house. He has gotten so much faster and so much better at keeping his balance. He hears Blake bouncing the ball in the other room so he is trying to get there fast. He may be running before too long!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Happy Birthday to the best daddy (and husband) in the whole world! Maddox loves his daddy so much! His eyes light up when he walks in each day from work and he gets so excited to play with him. He especially loves when Daddy puts him up on his shoulders and does flips with him on the bed. Unfortunately Blake is away tonight (boo) at a retreat for work. He was chosen to participate in a leadership program for Southern Company and tonight was their first function. He would say it isn't a big deal, but I think it is and I am so glad that they recognize his hard work and see just what a valuable and important employee he is. Maddox and I are proud of you and love you very much!

Since Blake was going to be gone today, they celebrated his birthday at work yesterday with yummy cookie cake (Blake's choice of course). Maddox and I went and ate lunch with Blake and stuck around for cake. Naturally Maddox was quite the entertainer and as one would predict from his past experiences with cake, he loved it! Since it was St. Patrick's Day, the cake was covered in green icing and since the cake was covered in green icing, so was Maddox's face. He even had icing in his shoes by the time it was all over. Here are a couple of pictures that one of Blake's coworkers took with her phone.

Maddox also really walked for us for the first time last night. He was carrying around a spatula (go figure) and I think he forgot what he was doing and he just started walking across the room. He was still a little wobbly, but he made it where he was going and we clapped for him and he was so proud. He did it a few times at random, but still won't do it regularly. I wish I had captured it on video. I am hoping to get that this weekend.