About a Boy

Been a bit lazy

2012-08-31T09:01:00.001-03:00

I have been remiss....it's been years since my last post. Maximus is a happy, healthy, wordy wrecking ball :) I complain all the time about having to give up my life, not do the things I used to, can't find time for anything, but really this ride I'm on is a fair amount of fun. THE GOOD NEWS is that we're due for baby # 3in December. The gender has not been released publicly yet.... but with two kids in diapers I'm sure to have NO free time. As for Max's development things are coming along swimmingly... He can count to ten +, occasionally missing #6 for some reason, ABC's are coming along, people often comment on his speech and vocabulary.... for example while at the NSCC gym he said "aiiiir ballll" when I was shooting hoops...d'wha? another example i dead lifted the stroller over the balcony and Nonie had mentioned something about an aneurism, Max immediately began saying 'aneurism'. I've been slow on the photos.... let me see if I can add a few. Take care

2010-12-14T23:05:00.002-04:00

A new little guy each day

2010-12-04T01:32:00.000-04:00

I'm new to this parenting game, so I don't have much time for anything anymore, I'm usually running on a couple of hours of unbroken sleep...so please bear with me, this blog, and subsequent photos don't go up as fast as they should.

So what about Max these days....well, he loves standing...if you support him, he'll stand, if you hold his hands he'll pull himself up...it's a little crazy, he likes being taller than you.
He has recently learned how to work some toys...you know if you pull on this they'll make a sound kinda toys.... hmm what else, oh yes his nails grow like wolverine... my god, Nonie and I (I suppose Max too now that I think of it) look like we have just tangled with a rabid raccoon..... torn to shreds.
I got to spend an early morning with him and the camera, he's turning into quite a looker...I hope you enjoy.

Sorry it's been so long......tough week

2010-11-14T01:05:00.001-04:00

Well a few weeks have come and gone and I haven't posted anything new.... my bad completely. I'm no longer on paternity leave, so things are back to their busy self.

Tig's 2nd birthday was this week, the feelings are just as fresh as they were.... I fear that will always be a tough day. Nonie and I stole away on the south shore for most of the week... despite the rain it was really nice... now then the reason we all tune in..... recent photos of the boy in ever growing splendor....

Some notables from Max's life of late: Most recently he met his other grandfather for the first time, Nonie's Dad, Adrian. We had a great week together up on the shore.... Christmas in November, always a great combo.
It's been a busy time for Max, the cottage closed for 2010, had his first (now second) babysitters, Margo's 70th, first night in a hotel, and his baptism .

Max had his first trip to emergency :( Hives started to show up? as new parents we both freaked.... an emerg Doc (who was a bit of an odd duck) claimed they boy had (get this)

erythema multiforme mycoplasma

Holy crap!!!doesn't that sound horrible.... we treated him with kids strength benadryl for a week and the hives (which would come and go) seem to have left...I'll post a photo below of him in the morning (the worst times)

I hope you're all well.

My god we travel heavy now-a-days

Getting cold at seasons end


My first babysitters...they had to force us out

Marmo's 70th

Baptism with god parents

Adrian

Baby dreams... how peaceful

bright-eyed boy

Blues like his Mom's

Those blues are Nonie's, the lunatic intensity that's me :)

Christmas in November

"what's a fella have to do to get a drink around this place?"

Hugging Alex

poor hive-y boy

Uncle Alex

Growing, growing, growing

2010-10-20T23:39:00.001-03:00

I don't know what I thought parenthood was going to be like, but I have to say, it's tougher than I thought..... people who tell you things don't really change are full of it.

I don't think I own a shirt or jacket that doesn't have some vomit on it, I'm pretty sure I've lost some percentage of my hearing due to a screaming child inches from my ear, and the olfactory and visual assaults in the poo department...I won't even mention.

The real magic though, what makes it all worthwhile is watching this little guy develop so rapidly. When he smiles at me, I can't help but smile, no matter how crappy things may have just been..... Thanks Max

Admit it.... I'm a cuite

This bumbo thing might just work out

Lovin the fuzzy suit

Enjoying a read with dad

Nose to nose snooze with Mum

Standing....yes standing! (with the aid of the couch), well OK, leaning! (12 weeks!)

Well, I knew this day was coming! :(

2010-10-11T23:15:00.001-03:00

My paternity leave comes to an end today.... it's back to the grind with work.

Some people had said "you'll be dying to go back to work", " a new born is tough business, you"ll be happy to get back to the office"....I gotta say...They were wrong, I'm going to miss this little guy, my wife and our time alone together a lot!

I'm annoyed even.... I know I will get little sympathy, I've already heard "they didn't have this luxury when we had kids", " get back to work, what am I paying taxes for", "we have nothing like this in the USA", "I only got 4 days then it was back to work".....

I'm glad I got to spend Max's initial time as a family unit, it was a lot of fun and full of new experiences for everyone, I'm just sad that I will only get to see the new experiences on a more structured schedule..... any new dads out there or soon to be dads..... take advantage of the time, you won't be disappointed.

Notable events from my short life so far

2010-09-26T01:27:00.001-03:00

I haven't been taking many photos of late. GrandMo is down and we've been busy.

I have been thinking about events that may or may not have shaped his little life so far ... here are just a few:


Just moments after my first dip in the ocean


Second swim in the Atlantic at 1 month old


First family swim


My first boat trip...not a sailboat I know, but good deep water off Yarmouth

I have had many firsts but these are the ones that jump out (and that I have photos for at this late hour). I had my first hurricane first horse, Alpaca, family nosh, McHarg party.... more items to come.

Take care.

I'm 8 weeks old today and 14 pounds

2010-09-24T00:20:00.000-03:00

Wait, now I'm confused, this is the port side, but my starboard hand?

Wearing the latest European duds... thanks GrandMo


Loving the afternoon naps

Arms up sleeps in the bed-boat are the best sleeps

Family shot.... Mom's 33rd birthday, my 8 week

Today has been a busy day, Max is on the verge of his 8th week and Nonie had her 33rd birthday, GrandMo also arrived from Halifax.
The pile of clothes this kid can't wear is growing... he's getting big, and quickly.... kinda hard to believe considering the amount of various substances that come out of the kid :(
3 exits..... no waiting
Hope you enjoy....
P.S. Happy Birthday Beauty Gal!

So, is this a roll over?

2010-09-21T13:23:00.000-03:00

Heeeey!, right on it worked! I have been trying to get this video up in varying lengths for 2 days..... sorry folks I'm new to this blogisphere :)

A beautiful day for a smile

2010-09-18T17:00:00.000-03:00

It rained hard yesterday, but today has revealed a 'looker' of a day...sunny (shirtless warm) and blue sky....the boats have been coming and going, some even under sail.
Max had not a bad night, but we were getting used to his long hours (4 to 6), so when he cries after only 2.... it's ummm....disrupting

The big news today is what looked like 'non gas related' smiles :)
Wahoo!

Ok, well this one might be gas related

New day.... less sleep

2010-09-17T11:27:00.000-03:00

Poor little guy didn't sleep well last night, which means that neither did Mom and Dad..... just to add some misery to the situation a furnace repair guy was due to arrive at 0800.

Ahh well.... furnace is all cleaned and looking good for another year, and the boy is still asleep...so I'll take the crunchy with the smooth.

Rain is falling, but the fire is on...

Here are some notables from Max :

He's becoming a character

2010-09-16T02:28:00.000-03:00

Well Max is growing, growing, growing....
we have had two incidences in his 6th week where he has slept for more than 6 hours at a stretch.

Grandparents believe he is developing rapidly... I think he is starting to look more and more like my beautiful wife.

I was thinking about dear Antigone (Tig)

2010-09-16T02:14:00.000-03:00

It's late, and I have been working on this blog for Max, but my mind keeps going to Tig.
I thought I would share with you the last two emails to family, friends and loved ones who tried to help Tig with prayers, positive thoughts and love all round.... I will always miss that little girl.
These still kill me, every time I read them.

Subject: Flights of angels

>>> It's with heavy heart that I must report the Dr feels that Antigone's

>>> vital organs have been too badly damaged to support life.

>>> Our dear little tig was with us for an all too short period. They

>>> haven't

>>> shut down the machines so that Nonie and I can spend as much time with

>>> her

>>> as we need, before they begin the shutdown procedure.

>>> Words can't express the thanks we have for all your prayers and wishes.

>>> Nonie and I and tig know that there is a great amount of love and

>>> support.

>>> The toughest time of all begins right now, as Nonie and I plot out our

>>> course together in a world without tig.

>>> I bid you farewell as we go now to help untie and set free our own

>>> little

>>> girl. She is about to meet good company of those who have gone before.

>>> Xo

>>> C&N&T

Subject: Slipped her mooring

> Antigone Rory Elizabeth Nichols shook off the mortal coil at 1600 today.

> The machinery was all turned off at 1530, the time of her birth just 13

> days ago. It was a beautiful clear afternoon, much like the day she

> arrived.

> Nonie and I held her for her trip out. She went peacefully.

> It was so very nice to have met her, we only wish we'd had a chance to see

> her grow.

> No plans on the logistics side of things, but I think Nonie and I will go

> away for a few weeks.

> Thank you all for the love and support during this difficult time.

> Xo

> C&N

I'm late getting going on this....

2010-09-16T01:36:00.000-03:00

I was thinking that it would have been awesome had I started this the day Max was born, sadly times have been a bit crazy... he is growing like a weed now at we'll be at 7 weeks this coming Friday.
He is a bright eyed little guy... here a few from just 5 days old

On this day a child is born

2010-09-16T01:20:00.000-03:00

Subject: He has arrived :)!!!

A sailor is born:

Maximus William John Nichols

Born July 30 @ 0829

Weight: 7lb 14