How did we miss halloween? Two cameras. That's how. I downloaded pics from my camera, but we neglected to download pics from Jonathan's camera.

And so now, a solid TEN MONTHS after it happened, I present Halloween pictures. God we are BAD BLOGGING PARENTS.

So let's flash back shall we? Picture it: it's October. It's not a billion degrees out. And it's nearly Halloween....

Pumpkins need to be chosen, but Max is not thrilled by this.


Then Jonathan works his magic pumpkin carving skills:


Later that night, I work my own magic with a sharpie and an old navy t-shirt, and the next day, Charlie Brown shows up!


complete with snoopy and Daddy


And the rare Mommy shot


Though he is still not convinced by the pumpkins




Then there was some trick or treating up at Grampy and Miz Karen's house, and to our longtime family friends, the Dougherty's


Max and Di


Max and Theresa (who I babysat once upon a time, god I'm old)


And finally, Max decided to "help" hand out candy. Or really, just rummage around in the bowl.



Though I have to say, I do not think Charlie Brown was ever THIS charming.


Ladies? Look out. Especially if you are the little redheaded girl.

We were just down in Annapolis for my parents' 40th anniversary. Here are a couple shots of Max with his Grandma at the party, right before he went up to bed. He did great, schmoozed the guests and even went to sleep without a fuss despite 40 loud guests downstairs. Thanks, Max!

there was cake! (as shown in front of my dad)


there were tickles!


there was caterpillar-nomming!

Milking out the photos from our Bronx lunch as far as I can get them, here's a few more cute shots.


I have to say my Mom is really great with Max, it always reminds me that she has a master's degree in child development so she's actually a professional at this sort of thing.



With me it's less "how do I help Max become the best he can be" than "no, really, Max, straws full of Diet Coke are not for babies!"

Back in May, my parents came up and we all went to visit my Grandparents in the Bronx, where we had a most excellent Jewish deli meal. Here are some great photos of four generations of Bellacks. Max, as usual, is more interested in squirming to escape or grabbing at anything grabbable than, you know, paying attention to the camera.




Though, every now and then you get lucky and Max is paying something resembling attention. Either that or something shiny walked behind me at just the right moment.

so my dad is childcare on mondays, and needless to say, he and Max are getting along like gangbusters:


Also, I think they're conspiring against me . . . that or planning the first thing they can blow up or set on fire once Max's motor skills are a little better

It was my grampy's 97th birthday back in April, and while we weren't able to be there on his actual birthday, we took Max down to Philly the weekend afterwards for a visit with Grampy. My cousin Tony and Jen were kind enough to host the family at their house (brave brave folks!)



not bad for 97, eh?

Jen introduced Max to his new favorite toy: the whisk! Here he is with my mom and cousin Tony, and his new best friend Whisky! (mmm whisky)



a very arch photo of my dad:


Grampy, Sharren and Charlie:


grabbing lunch


Grampy's a big fan of the lemon merengue pie


and Max and Grampy, hanging out:



(nice, kid. Deck the 97 year old)

Jen's dad is now handling childcare on Mondays when Jen works from home, for which we are very grateful. They are having a lot of fun together. When Max is good, he's even allowed to wear the big boy hat.

Continuing yesterday's post, here are some more family photos taken in the park next to Annapolis harbor.

Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Alan with Max:


Nice bellybutton, kid.

Daughter-in-law, grandson, and grandma:


Mom, Dad, and Max. Note how Max can't be bothered to actually, I dunno, look at the camera. Oh, to be a baby and not have to live by our society's petty social conventions.

While visiting my parents, we took a walk to downtown Annapolis, a town with a bunch of cute shops, big boats, and lots and lots of tourists. The Bumbleride Flyer stroller my folks got Max performed admirably. We ultimately stopped off at a little park at the end of the city dock, and got some great family photos.

Here are three generations of Bellack men:


And the full suite of grandparents, parents, and Maxes:


In this latter photo Max's gaze askance reveals a precocious ennui that is rueful, nostalgic, and reminiscent of Proust at his most evocative. Or maybe he's just tired and peed his pants. That's the thing with babies, you just never know.

Here are some more photos from our visit to Annapolis. My mom did great with Max, getting down on the floor to play with him and giving him lots of high-quality holding and hugging. Here are some of the best photos from the visit.

And yes, that onesie says "What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandmas". So sue me, it's cute.










Grandma and Max are in conference.