I finally caved in!

Friends,
I finally had to cave in. I have a facebook account. I will be updating more regularly on facebook than here on blogger. If there are huge updates, I will post them here, but for photos check my facebook account.

As for updates on the boy:

*Miles has like 12 teeth all of a sudden! Ouch!
*Miles has been taking up to 10 steps on his own, but then gets nervous and sits down.
*I've been putting in some hours in the Ed. Department at Calvin, and Miles has been going to a babysitter for a few hours. He's all of a sudden a little more "clingy" and "needy" when I'm around (people tell me that the minute I leave he's fine). So far, Matt and I feel this is a healthy thing, but we will continue to monitor:)
*Miles has some regular words: "dight" for light (while pointing to any lamp-on or off-, any light, sunrise, sunset...) "gook" for book, "gewk" for milk, "dada" for Matt, "dada" for Megan unless he's crying in which case he carries the vowels out and says "maaaaamaaaaa".
*Miles can point to his nose when asked, gives noises for the animals on his audio puzzle (not by name, but by mimic), claps "normally" now, and initiates waving bye-bye once someone picks up keys or puts their coat on
*Miles is all of a sudden going through a shy stage, as he rests his head on my shoulder when a new person says hi to him.
*I cut the back of Miles' hair last night--no more mullet!--he looks even more grown up!
*Check out my facebook account for a few fall photos of Mr. Miles.

Happy November!
Megan

The Wonder Year

(T-shirt says: MY 1st BIRTHDAY)

Believe it or not, Miles has been alive for a whole year! Well, a year plus a week or two at this point. Apparently I had a moment where I thought I was super-woman, because I planned Miles' birthday party for just 2 weeks after moving into our new home--2 weeks that Matt would not be around for, because of RD and RA training. It all went off without a hitch, though, and it has actually been really great to have the house all unpacked so quickly, because we just get to enjoy it now. Thank you to all of the family and friends who came to celebrate the party with us, especially the distance-travelers. Here are a few photos, mostly documenting the cake-eating, of course. I created a longer slideshow on snapfish, so if you want to see more, just let me know and I can send it to you.

Had to go with a doggy cake, since he barks whenever we say doggy, or he sees/hears one. We debated what noise to teach him (all these big parenting questions!), but he ended up deciding all on his own. He's landed on something that sounds like "Arf, Arf".

This is about as much as he dug into that cake ?!?

Excuse me, guests, while I go get clean...

And then here's the last year in pictures. We took a monthly "chair" -or couch- picture to watch his changing and growing. For some reason his 11-month picture is missing (on a different file or something). I just can't believe how much he's been changing right in front of us, but day to day you hardly notice a difference! It's only a year, people! Crazy. And we only have 17 more of these left with him. Well, in the same house I guess. Still, let's not think about that! Tears.

1 month old

2 months



3 months

4 months

5 months



6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

12 months!!! So handsome.

Mr. Persistent

First, let me apologize for not having updated the blog in a looooong time. I did not do anything "extra" with my time while working with the Entrada Program at Calvin. Working full-time, and being "mom" and "wife" and "me" took up all of my time for that month! So worth it though. I love the Entrada program, and loved working with such a great gang for such a great purpose. I thank God for the great opportunity, and the timing of his blessings.

Just to warn you, Miles has grown quite a bit this past month. Don't be shocked. Most notable is his new-found mobility. He has created his own unique method of the army crawl. He also walks (cruises) along furniture. His biggest feat however, which he's been working on for a long time, is finding the strength and persistence to pull himself up. Dad was lucky enough to be home when Miles figured this out for the first time, and was quick enough to grab the camera! Although the last video is a long one, it's definitely amusing. The most hilarious part is when he tries to pull himself up backwards!

We got to go to the Kraay's house for the 4th of July, and we enjoyed a boat ride on the beautiful Thornapple River.

We also went to their house for Henry's 1st Birthday celebration. Here's what the boys did a lot: Henry crawling all over Miles:)

Matt discovered Miles sleeping with his butt way up in the air (even more than you can tell in the picture!)

Is it bad that I think one of his cutest faces is when he's crying?

This is Miles' classic pose these days, except usually he adds his elbow to his knee. Whenever he's army crawling somewhere and needs to assess his direction or speed, he rolls onto his side and strikes this pose.

We spent a weekend with Matt's family "Up North" (Suttons Bay). Miles enjoyed his two furry friends, Cocoa and Chongo. We all relaxed with our books of choice, and some combination of the options to sunbathe, go canoeing, eat yummy snacks, play Boche Ball, watch T.V., and go for walks.

Miles listens intently to Great-Grandpa's musings.

Miles also experienced his first camping trip. We went to Covert Park, a cute private spot along Lake Michigan (near VanBuren State Park).

All in all, it's been a wonderful few weeks. Miles continues to be a great source of joy in our lives, and we love watching him "grow into his own". We find great purpose in raising him, and take seriously the responsibility to raise him in a way that honors and glorifies God. I'm thankful that this blog helps me to take time out of the busyness to savor the moments and memories.

Miles' Mischievous Morning

Miles was in quite the mischievous mood this morning. He's been enjoying a mid-morning snack of cheerios-- on the floor-- for weeks now (I know that highchair makes more sense, but I love sitting on the floor with him and sharing a snack together). Well today he discovered that he can tip the bowl over and make a mess... and then roll onto his tummy and eat them off of the floor! Looks like we're back to the highchair:)







After that mess was cleaned up, Miles discovered our curtains. He likes to roll all around the floor, and this time he rolled himself between the curtain and sliding door. He had fun, but he sure did pull hard on the curtain a few times. I'll have to check the weight that the curtain rod can hold. Stinker!

Roseola!

So this is a picture of how our life has been for the past week: Miles not feeling well, and me feeling bad for him (but I do looooooove the cuddles and couch-naps). Miles came down with a fever while we were at our friends Colin and Sarah's house on Monday night. We left early, and good thing we did! His fever lasted a few days, and today he broke out in a minor rash... Doc says it's Roseola, a common illness with babies and young kids. Luckily the rash is not itchy or even irritating. He's still not himself, though. A little uncomfortable it seems, but still a little extra-cuddly.

It was hilarious to see him on Tylenol. About a 1/2 hour after taking it, his head would start to swirl and bob, and he acted a little drunk before finally falling asleep. So cute (once I was done being concerned)!

I'm glad for his sake and mine that we're on the tail end of this. I'm so ready to experience life outside of this apartment! My girlfriends and I are all going to get our hair cut/done tomorrow morning at the Aveda salon downtown (it's a beauty school, so it's nice and cheap to have students work on your hair...under the supervision of their directors of course:)). I think I'll go back to having bangs again...

Beach Bums

So how about the new look of MilesTones? Matt did a great job (I think:)) upgrading the blog! He even took the picture on the top of the page!

So we're back from Florida... we've actually been back for almost a week. It's been busy getting back into the swing of things, especially with all of the academia we involve ourselves in! Matt had his last session for his Spring grad. class on Monday (woot!) and I completed the MTTC endorsement test in Learning Disabilities this morning! Took two and a half hours to take, but I feel pretty good about it. Hopefully it won't take too long to get the results back.

I know you've been itchin' to see pictures of Florida. Here is Miles, soaking up as much Florida as he could. We had a couple of oober windy days that left us gravitating to indoor entertainment, but besides that we had good weather, and mastered the art of relaxation.

Matt's Mom had this handy cabana at the condo. Worked great for blocking sun and wind!



Hangin' out on Momma's tummy

Not enjoying the waves.




So these definitely aren't in chronilogical order, but here are the boys in Alabama on the way back home. I was walking out of Pizza Hut, and there were the two boys, hangin' out. It just made me laugh inside, feeling overwhelming joy from seeing my family in one of those "emotional snapshots" that stick with you in your mind your whole life.

Miles' second time ever in a pool. His first time was the day before, splashing around with Uncle Mark and Dad (I didn't have my camera for that impromptu dive).

Looking out to the left from Matt's family's condo's porch

Looking straight-out from the same porch

Miles grew up so much over the week in Florida! One example is that he learned how to feed himself rice puffs. Here is the first time it worked (he used the mashed prunes all over his hands to get the puffs to stick). The next day he started pinching/grabbing them. It's fun to watch him grab puffs inside of his palm, make a fist, and spend minutes trying to figure out why the puffs don't get into his mouth when he brings the closed fist up to his mouth in all different positions:)

So happy!

Miles with Matt's Dad

Remember how the pictures aren't in order? Here is the living room in the midst of packing the day before we left. Yeah, not so organized. It all got there and back though!

We thank God for safety on the road trip there and back. We are thankful for the privilege of taking a vacation, and having such an amazing destination at our dispense. Hope you are all well, and thanks again for checking in.

Oh, and one last thing...Miles got his first tooth! Yeah!