WELCOME TO SC

Today was so warm and sunny I wondered if we had skipped December and moved straight into Spring. But Mom told me this happens all the time in South Carolina. We took advantage of the weather and went for a stroll around the neighborhood.

Mom even pulled out my summer hat.

I blew bubbles at the lake...

..and talked to the blue, blue sky. It was a beautiful day and I loved every minute of being outside! -maddox

HAPPY BOY

Mom and I carried on a pretty funny conversation while Dad worked out in the garage.

We had a contest to see who could smile the most, too.

I laughed so hard I started drooling.

-maddox

THE COOLEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE

Take a peek at my room...definitely the most colorful (and most fun) room in the house. Here's my crib. Mom and Dad are sooo lucky...I sleep twelve hours a night in this thing.

This is where the playtime happens. Or, rather, where the play stuff gets stored. Playtime happens wherever Mom is.
I call this spot my changing station. Like my frogs?

And...back to the crib. It's a pretty short tour, but I sure do like hanging out here. -maddox

THE JUMPEROO

Do you know what a "jumperoo" is? I found out tonight. Mom told me I had graduated from the bouncy seat to this new and improved bouncy seat...I can bounce off the floor by kicking my legs. I got to try it out tonight because Mom made the mistake of assembling it in the kitchen while I was asleep and then making a lot of noise trying to fit it through the doorway ....

Well, it didn't fit, so for now it is stuck in the kitchen.
I didn't mind, though. I kicked out the rest of my energy then gave up and went back to sleep.

-maddox

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS

I got a lot of presents for my first Christmas. But the best part about the presents was what they were wrapped in.
After opening presents at my house, I went to my Uncle Tony's and did some socializing. This is Grandad Jody holding me...what a big hand!

Here Grandma popped in for the picture. I was busy admiring my hand.

The next stop was over an hour away in Manning. Mimi had fun showing me all my new toys.

And Gramps had fun entertaining me, too. All I can say is I must have been a VERY good boy to have gotten so many presents! My first Christmas was definitely a hit. -maddox

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE

I am getting outnumbered in the family. I got yet another girl cousin...and her name is Abby, just like my newest cousin before her! But this time around I didn't cry. I heard Santa is coming into town tonight, so I had to be on my best behavior. -maddox

THE LAUNDRY BASKET

Mom calls this multi-tasking. It's a win-win situation for both of us. She gets the laundry done. I get entertained. -maddox

BIG MUSCLES

Mom doesn't see the fun in working out, so she watches Dad do it instead.

We watched him lift weights and I laughed out loud the entire time.
I still think I am too little to work out.

But one day I will be strong like my dad. -maddox

PARTY ANIMAL

I've changed my stance on late night partying... I think I can handle it after all. Dad and Mom were brave enough to take me to not one, but TWO parties today. At party #1, I was a bit on the feisty side, but I adjusted to all the new faces eventually and even showed Mimi my latest tricks. Between parties, I screamed for 30 straight minutes, and Mom was starting to worry that party #2 might be a bad idea. But, luckily, we still went and I brought out all the charm. I didn't make a sound during the wedding ceremony and I flirted with countless ladies at the reception. The music, people and lights fascinated me so much that I stayed up a whole two hours passed my bedtime and was STILL in good spirits. Mom and Dad took advantage of all the hands eager to hold me and they danced, socialized and ate some pretty good-lookin' food (still jealous about that). Finally, though, my good tempers caved and we had to leave before the farewell to the bride and groom. But it's ok. I blew my own "good luck" bubbles for them on my way out.

-maddox

OUT FOR A RIDE

Can you...

...count all the turtles on my shirt? I gave up at #5.

-maddox

GROWING UP

Mom is starting to let me have some fun. Yesterday we experimented with something called rice cereal.

It was like mushy milk and at first I didn't know what to do with it...smack it? Swallow it? Spit it out?
I soon got the hang of it though and got to eatin'! But in all honesty, playing with the spoon was a lot more fun. -maddox

GOOD MORNING!

This is my morning tummy time. It's weird, though, 'cuz I try and try to swim-I flap my arms and legs- but I can't seem to get anywhere...yet. -maddox

A LITTLE WALLFLOWER

I knew my first Christmas party was going to be a bad idea when Mom and Dad put me in this suit...I like Santa, but I don't like looking like Santa.

The lights at the house were pretty...and the food looked delicious, but that just made me more mad because I couldn't eat any of it. The worst part was all the strangers talking to me, getting in my face, and trying to hold me. I just yelled at them and frowned (too bad Mom didn't get a picture of that). It was my bedtime and I'm not usually fond of strangers anyway.
This is probably the nicest picture of me from the whole night (well, the whole hour that we stayed). I even cried most of the way home, until Mom got beside me in the backseat and calmed me down. I guess I'm just not old enough yet to enjoy the nightlife. -maddox

MR. MADDOX

When Mama calls me her little man and shakes her hair at me, I laugh out loud.

I'm happy being held, but I'm also happy chilling out on my own...just as long as I can see her.

But sometimes my gums hurt and I make this sad, puppy dog face.

When it comes to teethers, I have them all: squishy, chilled, and even one that vibrates when I bite it. Thanks, but I'd rather chew on my fingers. -maddox

ESKIMO BABY

Grandma bought me this coat. It's warm and soft and great to drool on...but...

...do you think it makes me look fat? -maddox

BIG BOYS

My buddy Jacob and I hung out again. Whenever I see him, we talk about all the new things we've learned.
Me: Hey, man, since you saw me last, I can stroke my hair (seems to be a lot up there!), bring stuff to my mouth, and hold up my head.
Jacob: That's cool, Maddox, but look at me. I eat baby finger foods AND crawl.
Me: But, dude, you got four months on me.
Jacob: Yea, and it rocks.
Me: Well...I am almost as tall as you.
Jacob: Dude, I can crawl circles around you.
....

This went on for a while. Then...we both gave up and went to sleep. -maddox

NAUGHTY OR NICE?

I heard Santa keeps a "Naughty or Nice" list. Don't let him see this picture! -maddox

TIS THE SEASON

Mom has been putting up a lot of red and green stuff lately. My favorite decoration is the Christmas tree - mostly the lights on it.

I also like my Santa suit and my elf shoes. Mom showed me some presents under the tree and she said they were for me...I'm sure I'll like them, but I already found the best toy of all: wrapping paper. -maddox