Have you had enough, Max?

The answer to that question is a resounding NO.


We went ahead and followed the experts' advice and gave Max something to eat anytime he "asked" for it or went into the kitchen. It was a success, if you want to call it that. Here is what he ate today (in no particular order): a bowl of oatmeal, a banana, a TON of Cheerios spread out over many snack-times throughout the day, Gerber puffs, animal crackers (3 different times), a hotdog, grapes, yogurt melts, buttered noodles, some pelemeni, a quarter of a watermelon, an apple, a couple of potato chips, some bread and butter, chocolate ice cream. We think that is everything (and he was even gesturing for more after the ice cream, but it was bedtime). You should hear how happy he gets when the food is brought out and how impatient he is if he doesn't get it instantaneously. And you should see the load that was in his diapers two different times today. Wow. We will keep this experiment up as long as it takes him to realize that there will always be enough food for him.

It would be nice if they would finally fix the elevators. We feel a little trapped here in the apartment because we dread that long walk up the 12 flights. If we had an elevator, we would take short walks to the market or to the park or just downstairs to the small playground behind the apartment building (like we did this afternoon). We also went to the park this morning for a walk so we got out of here twice, but that required two trips back upstairs. Here is a photo of Max and I at the little playground. We are sitting in this weird little frog-swing and in true Kazakh fashion, I neglected to smile (they NEVER do).

So while Max was much happier today because of the non-stop eating, there are other times where he will pitch a fit that has nothing at all to do with food. We are learning the joys of parenting an almost two year old. The more we learn about Max, the more we see how stubborn and mischievous he can be. Jenny has taken to referring to him as King Max since he acts like the world revolves around him (which it kinda does here). When he doesn't get his way, he often will throw a little temper tantrum (sometimes even throwing himself on the floor, kicking his legs and screaming). It is nice to know that some issues really are universal, even though many of his are related to the adoption.

We are going to attempt a restaurant this weekend and also meet up with the Joneses and their new little girl Marina. We will of course come prepared with a bag full of goodies to keep Max occupied if we have any troubles.

We would like to wish my brother Brian a very happy 40th birthday!!