How things change... Quickly!

 It’s amazing to me how much my little boy changes quickly. I remember at the beginning of summer, fighting with him to eat his step 3 baby foods because he hated them and then beginning the process of transitioning to real food (table food) if you will.  At first it was a challenge, most of it wound up on the floor and I was left frustrated and sad.  This continued for weeks. I thought it would never end. He was still getting nutrition of course from the Step 2 baby foods that I would supplement with and yogurt (his absolute favorite) but I thought we’d have the only child still eating baby food in first grade… then one day I decided to try something different.

I don’t know what came over me, but I was going to get his dinner ready and I decided what the hell let’s try a fish stick.  Now I’ve seen this kid mow down some cheerios, crackers, animal cookies, pretzels, anything crunchy so I figured why not.  Well to my amazement, he loved it.  I was so relived, but worried because now I was going to have a fried food kid.   Well all I can say is some weeks later he’s gotten so much better. He eats fresh fruits and veggies (peppers, carrots, tomatoes)… and cheeses and other grilled, crunchy things. Now he still loves breaded crunchy things but he’s getting better every day.  And it’s made my life as a mom so much easier.  I can not express to you how sad and hard it is when your child refuses to eat… I mean hell I don’t want my baby to be malnourished which I know sounds ridiculous given Max’s size but you never know.   I still haven’t been able to get him to warm up to spaghetti with red sauce but I think that’s because all the yucky step 3 baby foods are that and he’s still a little taken aback by them.   Who knows, all I know is that it’s a win for team Mommy today!

Oh yea I forgot to mention – he’s even trying to use a fork!! 

Using his fork! For breakfast!

Catching UP - Again!

I feel like I’m always playing catch up here.. Oh well I try my best!  As you can see June went by in the blink of an eye and July has gone by nearly as fast.  Exhausting really!  Daddy has had a nice summer and has been able to golf nearly every weekend thus far this summer! He deserves it though, he does so much for our family! I’m so proud of him and his accomplishments.

So I wanted to pick up where I left off on my last blog.   After our wonderful vacation to Florida we came home – which was an interesting flight to say the least.  Max missed his afternoon nap and immediately became the screaming crying baby on the plane. It was miserable – but luckily we were at the very rear of the plane and I think part of his tears were drowned out of by the planes engines.  All I can say is thank goodness the flight was a mere 2 hours and was otherwise uneventful! 

So we made it back to Ohio in one piece and headed off to pick up Guinness! Meanwhile we forgot Max’s car seat at the airport and had to go back and get it. Ha! Go figure!  Luckily we didn’t travel to far.  Yikes!  So we got the car seat, got the dog and head off home – for a mere few minutes before we had to travel back to Sandusky for a Max’s birthday and my good friends wedding.

Max’s birthday was relaxed!  Daddy got a cake and we opened gifts. We spent the day playing and enjoying our little man. I can not believe he is ONE already! Ahhh!! He’s so wonderful and such a joy in our lives. He constantly amazes Kevin and me! He’s funny, rambunctious, adorable, loving and sweet. He’s the best thing in my life, besides daddy! I love him soooo much!!

After opening gifts and spending time with Max – we traveled to Detroit for my girlfriends wedding. It was lovely and fun! She had her wedding in a casino and nightclub attached. It was different and not like any wedding I had ever been to before. It was totally her and lots of fun. We actually danced – Kevin and I. I think this was the first time we had been to a club together – and it was a wedding. The drive there and back sucked but I’m glad we went and I’m very happy for my friend! 

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The weekend following Kevin, his brother and his father went and bottled beer, so Maxwell and I spent all day Saturday together. Memaw came out and we went to White House Fruit Farms and to lunch.  It was a nice afternoon and I loved spending the time with Max alone.   Max really enjoyed White House – as he got to try his first cucumber and I think he liked it.  He bite right into it… so that’s good!!

Then on Sunday daddy went golfing – again! And Max and I spent another day alone together. I can’t complain he’s very well behaved for me. He takes naps on schedule and plays the day away with me. The only thing I need to do is get a few more outside toys for him, so we can have more things to do outside. It’s hard playing with a 1 year old their attention span is short so he’s quick to want to move on to other things. Love him!

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The following weekend was the Annual Member Guest tournament that Kevin and my dad golf in every year.  They have so much fun golfing together and Kevin takes the competition very seriously!  They did well but didn’t win – oh well there’s always next year.

While daddy was off golfing Mommy, Max and Grandma went swimming!! Max loves to swim – he’s a little nut ball. He runs around and jumps in. He’s not scared at all which scares the crap out of me. I have to keep an eye on him or he’d be in on his own. Even thinking about anything bad scares me so I’m not going to. I am going to get him signed up for swim lesson again so he can hone his skills.

Thanks to my sister Alex for watching Maxwell – yet again – so Mommy and Daddy could go out and celebrate at the Member Guest Banquet.  It is always fun for mommy to have a night out!

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Okay we are now up to date and I just need to discuss this past weekend.... which is easy! We did nothing!  Kevin took down the old shed out back while Max and I played inside. When it stopped raining Max and I went outside and played with Guinness while watching daddy! We also watched the Olympics - my favorite thing every 4 years.  

On Saturday night we went to the St. Demetrious Greek Festival in Warren - which was interesting. I've never seen so many Greeks in one place and Max enjoyed all the interesting people he got to watch. He also got to eat 4 french fries! You see we met up with a friend of Kevin's and his lovely wife - who is expecting - and they were eating french fries - well Maxwell insisted on trying one and of course Loved It. So we allowed him to eat a few - I counted them so that he was eating to many. He only ate 4 okay he really at 7. I'm sorry I'm a bad mom I gave my kid fried food. Ahhh!!

Speaking of eating - Max is eating pretty good now, so I have been having some fun coming up with some new things for him to eat. This weekend it was Grilled Cheese - which he loved - and some tomato soup. Yummy... and a big hit!! He's had Grilled Cheese before - but really loved it this weekend.  This makes me happy as I'm going to start sneaking veggies into stuff like this as I don't think he will be able to tell:)

I'll let you know how that goes..

ON Sunday we ate dinner with Kevin parents at there house and I of course took some more pictures of Max. I'll post them up here later. Max really loves the golf cart so we rode around on that for some time and went out into the woods. The kid loves being outside! Ah I love him!

Below are a few photos that I took the other day - the others can be found here... www.lemoneyesphoto.blogspot.com.

HOLY JULY!! Where has time gone!?

Yikes I’ve done it again I’ve gone weeks without a blog post. It’s so hard to stay on top of these things I swear, especially with so much going on. Since my last post we – as usual – have been very busy.  We celebrated Max’s FIRST birthday – with a small family party, traveled to Florida and then attended a close friend of mine’s wedding and again celebrated Max’s FIRST REAL BRITHDAY!

I guess I start with a short recap of everything then I’ll get sappy and talk about my beautiful baby boy and how he’s become a walking, talking toddler. So let’s start with Max’s Birthday Party! Wow… did I almost bite off more than I could chew.  It’s a lot of working planning and implementing a party. I should know this as I do this on the regular for work, but nope I just can’t help myself and as always stretched the entire family to it’s limits.  Oh well, it was worth it, because afterall when are you going to celebrate a little baby’s first birthday ever again – ok we did but that’s not the same. Ha!

Max’s party was on June 23.. 2 weeks before his real birthday. We celebrated it early for 2 reasons… one our nephew and niece were up from Florida and two we would be traveling over the course of July making throwing a party nearly impossible.  I personally have never had relatives that have lived close to me, especially extended family relatives so it is very nice that Kevin does. I had originally wanted to keep our party small, just immediate family – aunts & uncles and stuff – but after talking it over with Memaw we decided that it would be nice to invite Kevin’s Aunts and Uncles and Cousins as well.. I mean jezz we live only 30 minutes or so from each other why not. And I have to say it was a good idea.. it’s so nice to get together with family… so nice! It means so much to us and we love them all so dearly!

It was a nice day – not too hot, which it was a few days earlier.  Kevin made some amazing bbq and I went all out on decorations. We started getting ready for the party around 9 a.m. and did not finish until just before it started – okay didn’t finish until it started. I’m sure I didn’t look my best – as I had no personal time to get ready – but it didn’t matter the party wasn’t about ME or anyone else – JUST MAX! My little man and his FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Since Max has taken a liking to Big Bird and Sesame Street I went with a Sesame Street theme.  I made all the water bottle labels, invitations and favors myself and had my printer print them for me.  They turned out sooo cute and it was a good way for me to use the baby food jars – recycling people! Max got lots of nice presents and he’s already been playing with most of them. He’s such a cutie!  It was such a FUN day and Max took a nice long nap afterwards.  Did I say how much “I love him” yet??

So the week after Max’s birthday party was a complete blur.  I had my annual sales meeting at work and Kevin was being bombarded as well since we were leaving for vacation that Friday.  I honestly don’t remember I single thing from that week.  It was crazy! And we were all ready for VACATION!!

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Sunny Florida – how we love thee! So vacation was wonderful!  We enjoyed everyday that we spent with Maxwell it was some much needed family bonding time.  We flew out of Youngstown – which is awesome and I totally suggest everyone do it.  Maxwell was very good on the way down – probably from being so exhausted all day – the way home he wasn’t quite so good.  Ha!  And the flight is short and direct.  We made it to Orlando by 8:20 or so, got our HUGE SUBARBAN rental car – free upgrade people – and were on our way to my parent’s house. We were all settled by 10 p.m. and Max was asleep for the nite.  It was lovely!! Kevin and I had a few drinks and unwinded and actually I went swimming – the pool was the perfect temperature and it was a blast. 

We spent the next 6 or so days, swimming, going to the beach, visiting Disney World, golfing, eating, drinking and enjoying each others company it was a blast.  Max is quite the fish and absolutely loved swimming in the swimming pool. We took home movies and will have the memories for years. I’m really not sure who was more excited for the swimming though – us or him – haha after a while it was definitely him!! He holds his breath and everything. He goes under the water on his own and even blows bubbles. Like I said everyone a FISH!!

If Max is a fish – then Daddy is a pro golfer. Daddy got to go golfing twice while on vacation and I’ve got to say – he’s getting really good! Not to jinx him though I shouldn’t say that.. but it’s true!! Secrets people.  I also went once, when Aunt Kerry came down to watch Max and I too should go pro. I’m great… except for putting who has patience for that nonsense.

So let’s talk about the MOUSE – as in MICKEY MOUSE!! OMG it’s been so long since I’ve been to Disney I forgot what an enchanting place it is and I’ve got to say we are the single luckiest people in the world to have a brother who works for Disney so we got to go free, plus he went with us so we had our own private Disney University Graduate Tour Guide.  We choose to go to Magic Kingdom as that’s a good starter visit.  Max really didn’t know what was going on – let’s be real here people he’s only 1 – but he did enjoy watching the people and seeing everything. We took him on the “Small World” ride and he did love it. I’ve never seen his eyes so wide. I think he was wondering how he could get up on stage and dance with the puppets. It was great. We also sat in the front of the boat so we had an amazing view.  We also visited the Swiss Family Robbinson home and rode the Dumbo Ride. Again another big hit.  Instead of waiting for the Dumbo ride you get in short line and head into the tent, once inside the tent they give you a pager and the kids get to play. It’s great and I think for some families actually better than the ride. 

We only stayed at Disney for 4 hours, but I think that was enough for our little man as this was his first visit and he is still young. It was fun and I can’t wait to take him back when he’s a little older.  Needless to say, after our 4 hour tour Max collapsed in my arms and slept until we got to the car.  I love it when he falls asleep on my shoulder reminds me of when he was a baby!!! 

 

So the day after Disney was a beach day, but first mommy got up early so that I could get a much needed massage – I totally suggest everyone get one at least once every 3 months or so… I’d go more if I had time & lots of money! Anyways, after my spa morning, we packed up and went to the beach. Max was in awe! And really enjoyed himself. He played in his tent and even went with mommy and daddy in the ocean.  Daddy built Max a sandcastle and Max played in his water bucket.  Even I went in the ocean, it was so hot I could not resist! It felt amazing and thankfully sharks did not attack us! Yippie! We survived – b/c afterall the ocean is a jungle people.  

The rest of our vacation was pretty lazy… which we enjoyed. Aunt Kerry came up one day and watched Max so we could go golfing - which was nice!  We had such an amazing time we feel so blessed to have gotten to spend a whole week with just us and Max. It was soo needed. 

Below are some pictures we took at the beach of us as a family!! Aren’t they cute!! 

Okay I know I've got more to write... to be continued...

A Few More Photos

Up close and personal!

Taking a walk with Daddy!!

I love this!

Me & My Baby!

Teething & Walking... Walking & Teething...

So it’s been about a week now and Max has really gotten a hand on this walking thing.  He’s all over the place. I find him just doing laps around the kitchen table or carrying blocks from room to room. He’s so darn cute!! He’s also got 4 teeth on the top now with still only 2 on the bottom – but we believe he may be teething again as his been running a slight fever for a little over a day now and drolling as much as Guinness.  Go figure! 

I’ve got to say this parenting thing is no joke – hard! No matter what the season or time of year, if your little baby is out in any sort of daycare – forget about it, they are getting sick.  And then your left to question is he sick or is he just cutting teeth. Talk about stressful!

Anyways that’s a whole different story – but clearly something that’s on my mind.  So to return to what I was saying so  Max is walking everywhere and also talking too.. well he’s been talking for months now but now the babbles are almost constant.. and the Doh-gg (Dog), Mama, Dadda, Gui-gui, outt-ohs, etc are so darn cute!! I can’t wait til he’s talking complete sentences... I think he’s going to be just like his momma and be non-stopped. Poor daddy – peace and quiet left years ago dear!!

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So what else is new with us?  This past weekend we traveled once again to Sandusky, this time for my girlfriend’s bridal shower.  Daddy once again went golfing and on Saturday night we went out to dinner (afterall our anniversary was just last week).  It was nice to have a night out while Maxwell was home with my mom! I’m not going to lie Kevin and I rarely get out without him so it’s nice to take sometime out together, eat a nice meal and drink some Saki.  Nice! 

Oh yea we are currently working on our latest project - Grandpa & Papa's Father's Day gift - hence the newest photo above - Max was pouting a little bit because he was ready for his 'round' of golf to be completed.  Ha!  If you can't tell I've got a new lens for my camera and my photography has really stepped up it's game! I'm very proud of myself. But really it's all the lens!

Max and I are also working on a cute father's day gift for Kevin but I can't post any of that on here until next week as I don't want him to read and ruin the surprise!! I'm keeping a secret this time I swear it people!! Here's a few other letters.. just a taste of my latest project...

Max and the Letter R... This is an Out Take and not a good one though!

 

The Zoo, Graduations and Everything Else

Again I always try to stay up to date with my blog but somehow falls weeks behind. So here we are again – 3 weeks since my last blog and lots of fun events have happened.  First – we started to practice walking with Maxwell around mother’s day. Kevin would stand on one side of the room and I a few feet away and we would have Max walk between us.  This quickly became his favorite game and each day since he has grown stronger. I was attempting to get him to walk before my Birthday on the May  20^th but he held out til the end of the month.

So here we go a quick recap – the weekend after Mother’s Day was my birthday weekend so I got to pick all of our activities.  I decided that it was about time we take Maxwell to the zoo and so we did. The weather was perfect for it. Okay it was hot almost too hot but it was otherwise perfect. The sun was shining and the animals were out and about. Max really enjoyed himself. His eyesight is so good, he can see everything and love all the animals – especially the giant gorillas and the fishys.  I forgot how big those gorillas are.  HUGE! We also loved seeing the fish – they had a GEORGE fish – which for those of you who are in the know, know that my parents used to have one of these in our house. This fish got so big it could NOT turn around! It’s so nice to see a George fish again – reminds me of my childhood.  

The zoo was lots of fun and like I said very hot!  We made sure to keep lots of sunblock on Max and kept him cool with cold towels. That helped a lot. You’d be surprised what kind of non-caged animals are at the zoo too, wow it’s definitely interesting and you see people from all walks of life – if you know what I mean.  On a funny note Kevin & I found a super clean secret family bathroom with AC at the zoo.. We were so happy and it was a good opportunity to cool Max off in private away from the crowds!

Scary Huge Gorilla!

Max, Me and George

Elephants!!

checking out the animals!

So after our day at the zoo we met Grandma and Grandpa Nesgoda for dinner at Buca De Peppo which was lots of fun.  Max was being grumpy having barely napped all day but Grandma took good care of him so we all could eat. She walked him around the resteraunt and he enjoyed checking everyone out. I really like eating here -  once everyone decides what to share.

The next day was my birthday – I’m 29 people.  Believe it!  Ha! We enjoyed the day together as a family and stayed pretty low key! Sometimes it’s just nice to stay in and spend time together! I love my boys and everyday that I spend with them is fun and an adventure.

So this brings us to the the work week – nothing fun ever happens during the work week, except work and school and practicing walking… which we did. It was a good week followed by a nice long Memorial Day weekend and my youngest sisters graduation!! That’s right my youngest sister Samantha has finally graduated High School! We are so proud. She’s on her way to Cinicinnati and into the next big adventure in life – the REAL WORLD!  Go Sam!

So Sam’s graduation was on a FRIDAY and it was HOT! VERY HOT! Now mind you I rmemeber my own HS graudation very HOT as well but this was really bad, especially with little Max. Now Max is an amazing baby so he rarely throws fits or anything like that but this heat was bad and the speeches were long, so Kevin and I alternated taking him outside for relief! It was fun to have the whole family there and I was proud to be back in my old school with my son!  Way to go Sam – Good Luck in Cincinnati!

The following day was Sam’s graduation party!! Which was fun. We hung out on the Plum Brook Patio with Max gave him a bottle and let people come and meet him.  He’s a cutie pie so he like seeing all the new people! He then proceeded to take a 2 hour nap so we could socialize while he slept away in the stroller!

Also on this fantastic Memorial Day weekend we took Max swimming – well Mom and I did.  Max was a little scared at first – seeing as the water is a little colder than what he was used to but after a few moments of worry he was good to go and really enjoyed swimming again. J He played on the steps and swam around. My mother and I took turns doing laps with him and again many people whom I’ve know since childhood were eager to meet our little man. Again Max was steller and even got to see a little baby – a mere 2 weeks old – and she still weighed less than Max did at birth. I could not imagine such a small little baby! Yikes!  Max however was quite taken with her as he is with most babies. Little flirt!

-- Okay let’s jump forward to last weekend now –

So as of last Friday Max has been walking on his own. That’s right even when we aren’t playing the come to me game. It’s so great! I’m so proud of him.  He’s been all over the place and it’s truly amazing for me how far he has come in a few short 11 months. He’s such a big boy!!

Speaking of how far he’s come – so I’m feeding Max last week and he decides he’s not having it and dumped his entire step 3 dinner all over him.  Go figure my little man had decided he hates baby food… and he was teething. Talk about mommy frustrations! So with this happening I decided it was time to start him on some table food.. about time right.  So I tried some Mac & Cheese. Now this wasn’t a big hit at first, but now that he’s been eating it for a few days, he starting to like it. At first I had to cover it in Yogurt but now I don’t need to and he’s quickly liking other things as well. Like chicken and hot dogs and meatballs! Yippie!!! He’s growing up so fast!  We’ve also started to give him Cheerios instead of Puffs. Those were an easy change over and he really likes them as well.  Go Max!

Last weekend was Alex’s Engagement Party. Which was a lot of fun! Max got to hang out with his Aunt Alex and Uncle Eric and their friends. He of course was the real attraction of the party as well as Guinness who was the “BELL OF THE BALL”.  Guinness had so much fun and Max was pushing his little cart and walking all over the place. He had a blast. 

Now we are almost at present day!! So I’ll post some pictures and some videos of Max walking and do my best to write a blog next Monday to keep everyone up-to-date with our weekend fun!! Thanks all for reading!

It was chilly and he wanted to be outside! Hence the outfit!

Family Photo Op!

Baby Butt!

Happy Baby!

Daddy & Me on my birthday! We match!

Getting Guinness!

Max and Phoenix - his other puppy!

Max & Me at the Graduation!! SO HOT!! Can you tell by the rosy cheeks!

A tired Guinness puppy!

Spying on his cousin!

Sweating it out at the graduation!

Baby V, Engagements & MOTHER'S DAY

Well it’s been about 2 weeks since my last blog posting and so much has happened in such a short period of time.  Where should I begin.  I will start with the beginning of the crazy goodness and move right into the present crazy!

Baby V - Xavier
Okay so Maxwell spent a week eagerly expecting the arrival of his newest cousin, Baby V, to this world. He was supposed to join us around April 30^th or so, but choose to hang out in his mommy until the doctor went in to get him.  He joined all of us on May 4^th, 2012 at 10:05 a.m. much to our delight.  He like his cousin, father and uncle before him was a large, healthy and beautiful!  He was about four days late and 10 lbs. 4 oz or so.  He’s perfect like Max and is a wonderful addition to our family! His name is Xavier Alexander Vuchak – Max loves him and can not wait to play with him!  We are also working on a nickname – X, the Professor, V,  are all contenders – maybe Max will come up with his own nickname or we could just call him Xavier and cut all the nickname crap out.. we’ll see what happens! We are all very excited!!

Did They Say Engaged? Yippie!
May 4^th was a big day for us! After visiting Xavier and his parents in the hospital we went to Sandusky to visit my family and see Samantha – my youngest sister – off to prom!  My other sister Alex also came home to visit and surprised us all by announcing her engagement to her boyfriend – fiancé- Eric. We are very happy for them and Max is excited for a new uncle! We are excited to see our family continue to grow!  May 4^th was a good day – crazy day!

The rest of that weekend was nice – Kevin golfed and I hung out with my sisters… and fought with my youngest. She’s going to be a marvelous woman but these teenage years suck.  She’s a bit of a b&$#h and is arguing with my mother a lot!! It’s hard for me to separate myself from being a mother and she gets angry with me for not defending her as a sister.. but as a mother myself I find it impossible. It’s like terrible 2s on CRACK.  Ah! Teenagers.  I am grateful I have a boy, as if my Max acts like a brat when he’s older – daddy will have something to say about it.  Sam’s the youngest in a line of 4 whitty, bratty, opinionated and beautiful, sweet and caring girls.  My parents are ready to be empty nesters and at this point I do not blame them, girls are hard!  I’m sure not every girl is nuts, but they are tough – all the damn emotions we’ve got ladies!  Ha!  I’m sure my next child will be a girl… as payback! Ha!

In midst of all the chaos of being home, we did get to take Mr. Max to the park and we took him swinging for the first time and down a slide. He loved it!! He smiled so big and laughed and was so happy! He’s the best little boy!! And growing sooo fast!!

Our weeks go by relatively fast now-a-days, it’s mostly work, play, eat, sleep and then do it all over again. I’d have it NO other way!  Max is the light of our lives, we have so much fun with him and I think he has fun with us too!! We’ve found a park close to us so we can take him swinging more regularly as he enjoys it so much! I can’t wait until he’s older so we can do more of the activities.

Mother's Day

Last weekend was so much fun! In addition to finding a park, I got my hair done and we celebrated my first “OFFICAL” Mother’s Day!  Being a MOM is the best thing in the world, I’ve probably said this on here before but it’s my calling. Some people were meant to be Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, etc… I was meant to be a mom! It’s my thing, I love every stinking minute of it and am so blessed to have the most AMAZING husband and baby boy in the whole world!!  I don’t know how anyone could disagree with me either it’s very obvious! Ha! Okay I’m just joking, but I love them sooo much!!   I know with Kevin I can handle anything and with Max things will be an adventure! These two gentlemen are what keep me going everyday!! I LOVE BEING A MOMMY!!

On a personal mother's day note: I would also like to thank all the WONDERFUL Maternal Role models I have been blessed with - my mother and my mother-in-law! I have learned so much from both of them, and they continue to teach me new things everyday! It is because of them that I am such a great mom!! I love them both soooo much!! They are truely amazing!

So Mother’s Day was great. We hung out with family and spent time together!  The boys got me a gift card to Casal’s, flowers and a card. I cried!  Truth be told I am honored to be the Mom of the house and I should be thanking them… versus them thanking me!

Here’s few pictures!!

FROM MY BOYS!

MAX & ME MOTHER'S DAY 2012

ALEX AND ERIC ARE ENGAGED!

GRANDMA'S DAY GIFT LOVE MAXWELL

UNCLES/BROTHERS WITH THE BABY BOYS!

PAPA AND MAX!

Kevin and I with our newest nephew - Xavier!