Maksim's Train Table Video and 22 Month Updates

We cannot help but to spoil Maksim.  Maksim will soon be 2 years old but I found such a great deal on a train table that I could not pass it up.  Plus it is way too big to hide from him for the next 2 months.  So, it ended up being a early birthday present.  We did give it to him on is 22 month birthday if that counts for anything.  He is train obsessed these days so this train table is one toy that he plays with daily.  Just seeing his face light up when he plays with it makes me so happy I can burst.  From the video you can see we have one happy and overwhelmed toddler.

What Maksim is up to at 22 months old:

• He is a puzzle master.  Whether the wooden kind or on my iPad he is able to put most simple puzzles together by himself.
• You ask him where anything is and he is going to point and tell you "over there."
• He claims to be "stuck" quite often.  Whether in the laundry hamper or underneath blankets he calls out:  "help, I'm stuck."
• We can get him to go pee in his potty at least once a day now.  Kaka, well he constantly denies he makes one but we sure smell them.  I think it's time for pull-ups.
• He is always an amazing eater but lately watermelon, tiny sausages, and bacon are his favs.
• He loves getting tickled and asks for "more" all the time.
• He kisses my stomach and says "baby."
• He is wearing a size 8 shoe already.  Huge feet!!!
• He is insanely obsessed with his Aunt Jelena.  It's all about "Teta" (Aunt in Serbian) these days.
• He is already making fun of me by way of imitation.  He does a really good fake laugh.
• When he is throwing a tantrum our go-to way to make him listen/calm down is asking him if he wants to go to sleep.  The answer is always "no."  Followed by asking him if he is going to be a good boy he answers "otay" (okay).  If only I was punished by way of nap.
• He still give the best over-emphasized kisses and hugs.

Love,

First Gen Fam

Labor Day Weekend

Us in the hipster heat at the M83 Concert.

Seriously the best shot we could get during the 4D ultrasound.  I call this picture "balls."

This weekend was a busy one; what's new right?  I got offered a free 4D ultrasound to see my "baby in belly."  My doctor's office purchased a new machine and needed some preggo ladies for training.  I figured why not, its free.  We were pretty excited to see the little guy's face truth be told.   Did we see it?  No.  He decided not to show face after I tried to switch sides, jump, move around, etc.  He gave us nothing.  So in the end I am glad it was free.  We did get a cool little video and a great shot of his baby balls.  No doubt it's a boy.  Stan and I had a little date later that evening.  We headed out to see M83 in concert.  Great concert and we really enjoyed the opening local band, Hyena.  We made it out a little early because it got so hot there and it was getting tough trying to swim through a sea of hipsters at almost 30 weeks pregnant.

Ashvin blowing out his bday candle.

Saturday we got to go to Maksim's buddy's (Ashvin) 2nd bday party.  My little guy had so much fun that he took a nice long 3.5 hour nap after.  I guess that is what trains, trucks, pools, and cupcakes do to an active toddler.  Later that evening my long time friend, Nada, came into town to enjoy a few days of Krimerman company.

Nada and I.  Sushi Ra.

Jelena and Dusan (Sushi Ra)

On Sunday the gals enjoyed an afternoon of shopping.  My feet are still hating me.  Later that evening we headed out to Sushi Ra for late night happy hour.

Causing trouble at the pool party.  Papa and Maksim.

We finished our long weekend with a pool birthday party on Monday.  Enjoyed some good food, sun, and people.

Updates:

• We finally got a dining table for our place so we are no longer eating off of Maksim's kid Ikea table.
• The new place is almost organized!  Another week and we should be all set!
• Maksim says the word "hot" now; probably because summer is still in full swing in San Diego.  
• My favorite word that Maksim says now is "waitttttt," it is too hilarious.
• Maksim has officially learned to put on his fireman boots.  If I don't hear him for a long time while he is in his room I know he is working on getting them on. Fashion does take time.  

Maksim and his fireman boots.  He now says "cheese" for pictures.

Love,

First Gen Fam

We are Officially Moved.....+ Maksim Updates

Our first home, cleaned and all moved out.

We are now officially moved into our new rental place yet we are still living out of boxes. I have so far organized the bathrooms and kitchen with the help of my Aunt Mika which has been a godsend.  I did a major purge too (5 large boxes worth!) which felt uplifting. I didn't do any heavy lifting due to being 7 months pregnant but organizing really has taken a toll on my lower back.  Just to think once we find a place to buy I will be doing this all over again....cringe.  Moving sucks but it's for the best.  Our old place officially closed escrow yesterday which was bittersweet.  When we dropped off our keys last night my heart sank a bit.  Lots of great memories were spent there.  It was our first home together and we brought Maksim home from the hospital there too.  Maksim really didn't have to adjust to the new place which made things easy.  He is having fun going through the boxes and essentially making a mess.

Now for some Maksim updates:

• Breaking news!  Maksim has went pee in his potty now twice!!!!  Twice I said!  This is huge and we give him a standing ovation which he loves.  Now if we can get him potty trained before the baby comes would be a miracle.  
• His vocabulary is really expanding.  He is constantly saying "over there."  Its his first official English sentence.  Other words have been play, hot, kaka, moon, one, two, all done, cheese, and other misc Russian/Serbian words.  Some words that come out of his mouth really come to a surprise to us.  I guess we can thank Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for that.  I really realized he almost understands everything we tell him.  Does he listen all the time, well no.  
• Maksim and I are both healthy again.  His appetite is back to normal which means he eats a lot!  He has a new found passion for french fries, fish, and M&Ms.  

Love,

First Gen Fam

Sick & Otay

Maksim has been under the weather for a week or so.  He is finally getting better so I am a bit relieved.  The lingering cough, lethargic manner, and loss of appetite still make me a little nervous.  But at least he doesn't have a high temperature.  He is still battling a bad bug but I finally see light at the end of the tunnel.  On top of moving soon his sickness hasn't helped with my overall stress level.  We did find an apartment with a 6 month lease so at least that is something I can check off my list.  Its a huge weight that has been lifted off my shoulders along with Maksim finally getting better.

Some updates I have to record about Maksim so I can look back (basically not forget):

• He primarily understands Serbian and Russian so I feel like that is a win.  English will come to him easily so I am not worried about that.
• He is 3 feet tall.  Still a big boy.
• His eyes are blue!  I kept thinking they were going to change color.  They are a mix of blue/grey and a tinge of green.  
• Everything is No and/or Okay (or Otay by his pronunciation).  I love asking him questions now and I can't help but to smile when he answers otay.  I thought he would pick up on "yes", "yeah", or "da" at least but otay is here to stay instead.
• He is able to recite all his facial features, nose, eyes, head, teeth, etc. and some other body parts in Serbian, too cute.
• He has full on conversations on the phone and person to person.  What is he saying, well I don't speak toddler so its hard to say.
• He has been eating with adult utensils all by himself for a couple months.  It's cute to watch him go to his table (or our dining room table -  big boy style) sit and eat.
• I bought him underwear.  I didn't think they made them that little.  They are adorable.  He does tell me at times when he wants to go to the bathroom.  He rips his diaper off and sits on his toilet.  No pee or kaka to hit the bowl yet but at least he is willing to learn and has the patience; now its just about consistency on our end.
• He says hi and waves his hand to everyone that is passing.  
• He let the doctor at his sick visit check his ears, oxygen level, and even said "ahh" so she can check his throat.  All without complaining or crying.  We and the doctor herself were so impressed at what good boy he was at taking directions.  He is growing up.
• He slapped my prego belly for the first time yesterday and said "baby."  Melted my heart.

Love,

First Gen Fam