Max's Great Rescue

If there were ever a time that Maxwell would prove his love for his sister, today was the day.  We were seeing my brother off at the train station, which may seem like an ordinary and mundane place.  But for Max, the sight of trains and buses ignites a burst of energy and eloquence that is otherwise reserved for sightings of large earth-moving vehicles and favorite uncles and aunties.  He was so focused on the train that I didn't even think he was aware of Maya's presence who was peacefully sleeping at his feet in the car seat carrier... until...

He suddenly became anxious and upset about an approaching baggage cart.  I saw the cart and expected that it would be passing by us, though several feet away.  However, in the eye of this toddler, he was perceiving impending danger.  I quickly realized what he was thinking when he suddenly pointed and expressed that something was "coming", which was immediately followed by a valiant effort to grab Maya's carrier and move it away from the path of the baggage cart.  My initial concern was that he would tip her over, so I helped him move her a couple feet over to where I was standing.  

Max's eyes stayed on the baggage cart as it passed without incident.  Then, gradually his brow relaxed, and his face was full of relief.  As I replayed in my mind the sequence of events that took place in those few seconds, my heart swelled with pride and admiration.  "Were you trying to protect Maya from the cart?" I asked.  He just nodded and looked at Maya.  I tried not to cry as I pondered the bravery and sense of responsibility and love that was displayed by this little man! Thank you, Max, for reminding me and inspiring me to do what I can to protect and facilitate the well-being of those entrusted to my care and those unable to protect themselves.

The Hero!

Maya and big brother Max

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

John 15:13

Maxwell is 2!

We celebrated Maxwell's 2nd birthday over the weekend at one of his all-time favorite places: the aquarium! And on the way home, we stopped for Japanese food (another Max favorite) which was topped off with tempura ice cream (which, ironically, we had to trick Max into tasting). Today, he & I had some one-on-one time at the park which was followed by a pizza dinner with Grandma & Grandpa and more birthday ice cream (courtesy of Auntie Val). The only favorite thing that was missing was Daddy, whom he did get to talk with on the phone and webcam... and who sent Thomas the Train as his representative! (Can't wait to see you again, Mike!)

Scenes from Max's birthday:



It's hard to believe that my baby son has become a little boy. His personality and unique characteristics and interests have been developing and evolving along with a rapidly expanding vocabulary and unexpected motor skills. I have been especially amazed by his increasing self-confidence and independence. Not that he's doing his own dishes or anything. (Although, I can hardly wait till that day comes!) From the simple task of using the appropriate utensil to move food from his plate to his mouth (without spilling most of it somewhere between), to fearlessly swimming across the pool with nothing but inflatable arm floaters to assist him, to sharing his toys with Maya or cousin Josiah without even being asked... these little things make the infamous "two's" seem not so "terrible".

Early rhythm perception and motor coordination at 1 year old:

Refining his hand-eye coordination at 2 years old:

Happy Father's Day

This past weekend was Father's Day, and what a better way to spend Father's Day than with Gemma and Max! We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday brunch at one of our favorite dine-in spots, Top O the Mar, which has an excellent view of the Philippine Sea.

The joy that comes from being a father is indescribable! From the first smile to the first hand sign to the first step to the first vocalizations of the word "daddy", I am constantly reminded of the blessing that comes from having a precious son in Max.

Here are just a few snapshots of our "Max and Daddy" adventures ...

If I could be like "Mike"...




The beautiful island of Rota

Talofofo Falls




Max and Daddy at Sea World

Max And a Half

Who would've imagined that such character and personality could be developed in just 18 months of eat, sleep, and play? Now 1-1/2 years old, Maxwell has been unfurling his true colors throughout the past several months and revealing to us little glimpses of who this little man really is.

Daycare was a new frontier which he boldly explored and made himself at home in. As much as he blossomed there, so did the microbes. (Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.) Mike and I were desperate for an alternative, and God apparently anticipated that. Last December, a young couple had arrived to Guam: Mike Woods accepted a call to work in the SDA Clinic's IT department, and his wife Larae "happened" to be a certified nanny. Before starting my job at the SDA Clinic and while looking into childcare options, we had heard about her soon-arrival, even saw a copy of her resume, and actually contacted Larae via e-mail about possibly working for us in caring for Max. Because of the timing of my start-date and their arrival, however, things didn't work out... until early February when Max seemed to have an eternal cold and we found out that Larae had not yet found a long-term job!

Since the beginning of March, Larae has been coming to our home 3 days a week and giving Max the quality of care that we had been praying for. With a predictable meal and nap routine AND a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, Max's personality and enthusiasm for life has grown tremendously... and we're much happier to not be chasing him around with a Kleenex. ;)

Here are snippets of Max's adventures over the past few months:

Max explaining the proper use of a sphygmomanometer...

...as would be used by the next American Idol.

Bailamos!

Calmly allowing Dr. Krejci to perform the 18-month well-baby exam

Auntie Larae and Uncle Mike

Sun-kissed by a Guam sunset (15 months)

Max's 1st visit to the dentist! (Dec '07)

Showing off those pearly whites

Max with dental hygienist and Loma Linda alum Shoshanna Ordelheide

Max... the real Super Mercado!

Some of Max's favorite hobbies:





A sampling of Max's photography!...

The February Chapter

With or without that extra "leap day", February seems to disappear before I'm ready to let it go. It was such an action-packed month for us that I didn't even get a chance to stop and blog about it! Well, speaking of action, we had our share of faith-testing events this month--as minor as asking God to start our car engine, and as major as praying over the decision "Uncle Sam" was to make about whether or not Mike would be sent to Afghanistan for over a year. God is always worthy of praise, and in these instances... well, we drove home safely that Valentine's night, and Mike shall continue to enjoy the ocean view from Guam with Max and me! Many thanks to those of you who joined in our prayers... for the car and for Mike!

To start it all off, Dr. Merrick Lopez along with wife Lynne and daughter Mia flew all the way from CA just to spend the month with us! Well, actually, Merrick is a third-year pediatric resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center, and he came to do a rotation at the SDA clinic as his mission elective. Joining him in the clinic was his fellow resident Krisha (Igo) Torgerson, who also happened to be a former classmate of ours! The Lopez's are like family to us and were the primary reason for all our "galavanting" this month. Merrick's dad and Lynn's mom went to high school with my dad, so our ties go as far back as the generation before us! Plus, Mike & Merrick spent a lot of time together during the pre-med school days, especially out on the basketball court... you guys know tight those bonds can be.

Here are some pictures to summarize the month:

Hafa Adai! The Lopez family's first trip to Guam.

Max welcomes Mia with a hearty high-five.

Sushi party at Grandpa and Grandma Jimeno's house
...complete w/ turon and halo-halo!

The start of a beautiful friendship. :D

Our little Mercado-Lopez-Lee barkada!

My, how we've grown!

Valentine's Day dinner at the Firefly Bistro -- a quaint restaurant with a romantic atmosphere... and a memorable place for a suprise triple-date! (with the Lee's and Lopez's, of course!)

Featured here are the vegetarian Portabello Mushroom Napoleon (foreground) and the non-vegetarian Rack of Lamb (Merrick's order)!









And the course that Mike had been waiting for all night... dessert! None other than a freshly-baked chocolate souffle. Mm-mm.













The end of February brought more than one farewell. Besides bidding good-bye to Merrick, Lynne, and Mia, Maxwell had his final days at daycare. This was another big household decision that came about after much prayer and divine providence (more on that later).

We were very pleased with the atmosphere and care that Max received at Amazing Kids daycare, and Max himself had a grrrreat time there. Unfortunately, his frequent colds and other illnesses were starting to take a toll on him (and us), and that is just the nature of daycare. His last week there, miraculously, was runny-nose-free, and the obvious joy he received and gave made for a sad good-bye.

Miss Lynette -- Pre-Toddler group leader and Maxwell's favorite!

Chowing down on oatmeal on his very own!

Sharing tickles and giggles with Miss Lynette and friends.

Max's last day at Amazing Kids.
Adults (left-right): Ms. Leona (co-director), Ms. Tania (Toddler group leader), Ms. Lynette
Joined by friends from the Pre-Toddler and Toddler groups.

I just wanted to include this clip of Mike & Ken -- a little reminder that there's a time for work ...and a time for play. ;)

Eureka!

We've found it!

After almost a month of searching, we have finally found a daycare worthy of our dear Maxwell!

...Which translates into "the daycare that makes Mommy the least nervous to leave her only begotten son." And the corollary (as my dad would say) to this discovery is that I am now available to join the workforce. Bittersweet.

Since July, I've had the priceless opportunity to be Max's primary caregiver 24/7 (of course, with the exception of "Daddy duty" hours). And during that time, I've seen him grow and learn and be all the things that make him Max. With all his "firsts" that we've awaited and celebrated, tomorrow will be a "first" that I can't say I've been looking forward to. But at least I know that Max loves to be around other kids and that he'll be in a clean, safe environment with very caring and qualified people. The biggest reassurance, though, is that I get to see him again! ...before rush hour! Ah, yes. The beauty of working part-time.

Wow. I can only imagine how heavy-hearted God the Father was to send off His Only Begotten Son to this unclean, unsafe world filled with very uncaring and unqualified people. It's a good thing the Creator loves to be with His created! And an even better thing that reunions are a big part of God's plan. ;) Speaking of reunions, tomorrow I get to see my hubby again after a 3-day assignment off-island! Yay!! (I'll let him expand on the details.)

So this is it. Keep us in your prayers for a smooth transition into a new world. Anchors aweigh!

ONE

Today, Maxwell is 1 year old! (Although, technically, tomorrow is when it will be September 22 in CA.) At 11:07 pm, on a late Friday night, Max was born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in southern CA. Weighing in at 6 lbs, 14 oz, he made his presence known--thanks to a healthy pair of lungs! Now estimated to be at least 20 lbs and pulling some of his own weight around, my itty bitty baby is turning into a little boy.

The 1st birthday seems to be a milestone for us parents just as much as, if not more than, for our child. Sure, he's growing and learning to make sense of this strange new world... but so are we! If only babies came with owners' manuals! Maybe Mike & I should bake a cake to congratulate ourselves for keeping Max alive and kicking (and celebrate our own survival) for a whole year! Truly a miracle. :)

The main festivities will take place next week with some of our closest friends on the island. But the climax of today's celebration is the welcoming of Lolo GJ and Lola Beth (the Miranda grandparents) whose plane shall be landing in about an hour! Here's how Max is keeping busy in the meantime...

Before...

You want a piece of this?

...

...After! :P

Step by step

A milestone reached... A frontier entered... A step taken...

Max is walking!!!

This little guy's first observed step actually took place about a week ago as he crossed the ~20-inch gap between the chair and the couch. But it's the kind of event that incites both excitement and doubt--for fear of rationalizing it into reality because you're so eager for it to happen. "Did he really take a step? Or was he just moving his foot while falling?" Well, we held off on marking it as Max's official first step since we weren't sure if it was "for real"... plus, Mike wasn't there to see it (and believe it).

Since then, Maxwell has been proving to his father that he, indeed, can walk. It fascinates me how he grows more and more confident with his new found skill, and I'm even delighted by Mike's expressions of amazement every time he watches Max walk.

Oh, how deep the Father's love for us! That even our grasping of simple truths brings joy to His heart. That He watches us test, then try, then reach those new horizons... places He has been waiting for us to enter and enjoy.