Too Much Fun In One Day

The other day we went back to the Chicago Botanical Gardens - this time with Gram Pam! It was a beautiful Sunday. The first thing we did is have a picnic on the grass, at which point we were swiftly told to stop enjoying our picnic on the garden grounds. Apparently they want you to buy food inside. Sorry dudes, our bad. We hurried and ate behind some bushes and got busy checking out plants! Hooray plants! Flowers galore!

Baby boy was psyched out of his mind. He loves plants!

They really try to include all vegetation in this place, including Lilly pads and their respective flowers.

Mom and son, surrounded by beauty. Do people think we look alike? I do. Which child looks the most like my mom? Some say Michelle, but sometimes I think its me.

I liked this flower because of its trimming. Jagged and colorful.

Max had an obsession with sticking his tongue out that day...it was out for hours. Precious mom and son picture. Do you think Max looks like Caitlin?

Or maybe he looks like me? Actually, right now he looks like a goob with that crazy tongue.

Gram Pam is basically obsessed with Max, he being her only grandchild. He asks, and she gives. They had a great time while she was in town.

What Max loves most of all is a good fountain. If he gets sad or fussy at our house, I just take him to the living room window so he can stare at the fountain in our courtyard. He just loves the sound and visuals of the water.

Seriously, that is what a fountain does to this kid. He like blows up with excitement and happiness.

He also enjoys grabbing anything that has a different texture from what he is used to feeling - like these flowers. Don't tell the botanical gardens that I let my son rip up their flower beds. How could I deny him that joy?

And that was all the dude could stand before he passed out from exhaustion. Too much fun for Francis...er, Max.

The Constipation of Blogging

Yeah, sorry I've been a little backlogged when it comes to blogging. I call it constipation of blogging. Sometimes there is so much inside you and you want to get it out so badly, but you just can't. In this case its a lack of time as opposed to a lack of fiber or fluids, but you can draw the connection. Right? So basically a month ago, Pamsky was in town and we came back from KY blah, blah, blah. Well - Max and Caitlin came home from Idaho (SUPER YEAH!) and we commenced partying. We went down to an obligatory brunch at Orange. It was a beautiful day and we invited Sarah and Noah to join (sorry, only Noah is pictured here). Momsky pours over the menu looking for tasty treats.

Whereas Caitlin pours her love all over precious baby boy. Shell, note what outfit he is wearing.

The food came, and of course it was awesome. We had veggie open faced sandwiches.

Omelets with homemade sweet potato fries.

A pancake flight that celebrated the 4th of July, including blue berries, strawberries, and a lemon cream topping.

Pesto eggs Benedict with home potatoes. Also, in the background, pineapple french toast kabobs.

Noah was in heaven because we were eating outside and he had a bunch of space to run around and play in while we ate. It was like 75 degrees and dry that day - a Christmas miracle considering how hot it has been this year in Chicago.

We also spent a night downtown listening to classical music in Millennium Park. Baby boy Max just straight kicked it in the grass and was full of joy that night. Good music, good times with grandma - who could ask for more?

Our roof of speakers and metal as we took in the tunes.

We had sandwiches and an evening picnic of total goodness spread out before us. Thanks Potbelly's.

Gram Pam shows off her lions mane and fierce eyes. Rar.

Did you know my second favorite building in Chicago is the red CNA building? How bad A is that? A red building? Do you know what my first favorite building in Chicago is?

A lot of time was spent adoring baby boy. It's those cheeks. They are freakin' addicting.

Plus he adores me, as you can see in this picture. I love how much he lights up when we are hanging out.

Hooray for Chicago! What a place to grow up, right Max?

Passing of the Grandma Torch

Thursday, January 7th, had the potential to be a very, very sad day. The amazing Grandma Judes was leaving us to return to Idaho. Max was beside himself. Who would rock him to sleep? His dad? Pshhh, yeah right. "My dad has minimal skills," he says. "Grandma Judes gots da mad skills." Yeah, Max was pretty sad to see her go. Fortunately for Max, he would not be left solely to the inadequacies of his father. Grandma Pam (Gram Pam, Gramelle, Grampees, etc) came to take on her portion of the labor. This is how Max greeted her:Well, he was kind of asleep. But still, he was psyched to see her. Gram Pam, a first time grandma, immediately began relishing in her role as grandma.
Rocking him, loving him, caring for him. Basically making Max feel like the most loved baby on earth. Do you see the new grandma glow on her face?

Swaddling him, caressing him, bouncing him, singing to him...the works. She loves him. In classic Pamsky style, she gets weepy just looking at him when he's asleep.

Seriously - how could you deny this face of love?
Or this face? Deny it of love - I dare you. See, you aren't strong enough to withhold your love.

Okay, you might be able to withhold a bit of love from this face...but then you'd just laugh and love him anyway.

Three generations of Mulcock. Scary, yet somehow, cute.

After a day of fun, it was time to wake him up, change him, and put him to sleep. He was extra fun to play with, especially when he decided he wanted to eat my nose.

Scrumptious Max. Scrumptious.

Two peas in a pod - one is just a smaller pea than the other. We are so glad to have Gram Pam here to keep on the tradition of grandma service at our home. Thanks mom! We invite you all to come out and clean and cook for us.