bragging rights

although this is my first go-round as a mommy, I'd like to think that given the numerous daycare and foster care children in my house while I grew up I've had an unusual amount of experience with little ones. therefore...I have to brag here for just a moment.

miles is a great little baby!

he sleeps like a champ - goes to bed around 8 pm and wakes at least 12 hours later, eats well - nurses 5 times a day, plays happily with a toy or two, and is extraordinarily content. he tolerates us changing his schedule and keeps right up with all of the crazy activity in our lives. we were out and about a lot this weekend. miles had no trouble going to bed at grandma and grandpa's house and then letting us wake him up to go home around 11pm or midnight. he smiled at everyone, fell back to sleep in the car, woke up when we got home, and then went right back to sleep. on saturday morning we finished clearing out my grandma's garage. miles rode around in the backpack for a while, sat in the van with nykki, and then fell back to sleep in the car seat. all while getting close to (or passing) meal time! what I have found most amazing is his patience and overall good-naturedness. there are many times when we are out running errands or out longer than expected and he should be "starving." he doesn't complain. he'll just sit quietly and fall back to sleep. both kyle and I know how incredibly blessed we are and we would feel this way no matter what...but we definitely feel like we "got a good one" :)
miles has decided that he likes to sleep on his tummy now...I tried to roll him back over...no go.

gobble gobble

miles spent his first thanksgiving surrounded by fun...food, family, and furry friends. we went out to grandpa randy's early on thanksgiving morning. kyle recently found a super8 projector on ebay, so we sat around and enjoyed some old home movies. at one point, miles was sitting next to the screen and a shot of kyle sitting on the floor at about the same age came up...I must say that the two of them looked eerily similar. I know that most people say he looks like me, but his mannerisms are very "kyle"! after eating a yummy meal at 11am, we went to grandpa and grandma becker's house for what I like to call thanksgiving meal: part deux - just what I (and my waistline) needed...a second ginormous meal in a matter of hours. did I also mention that meant twice the pumpkin pie? all in all I would say it was a fantastic day. we have so much to be thankful for.

waiting to get ready for turkey day...watching signing time in his robe

the kroening guys: clayt, kyle, randy, miles, and conrad

our little "theater" (that's kyle on the screen!)
sitting in my dad's old rocking chair

happy thanksgiving!!

grandma & grandpa becker

great-grandpa & great-grandma greseth

great-grandma becker

silly uncle marc

tired after all the turkey fun!

yummy?

here is miles' first encounter with rice cereal...enjoy!

hands

we've been telling everyone for months how fascinated miles is with his own hands. so here is the proof!

six months old

WOW...I can't believe our baby is half of a year old already! seriously. where does the time go?!? miles is now sitting independently, chewing on EVERYTHING, giving kisses and hugs, playing peek-a-boo, anticipating what comes after 1...2...3!, babbling, falling in love with all things electronic (a boy after his daddy's heart), and thinking that crawling might be in our near future. we went to the doctor today for the dreaded six month shots and here are the latest stats:

weight: 18 lbs 8 oz (69th %ile)
height: 28 in (90th %ile)

he hasn't quite doubled his birth weight...which is fine by me. that infant carrier is heavy enough as it is! he appears to be right on track...healthy & happy! here are the results of the monthly pictures.

note to self...trying to do a photo session with a six month old and props is bordering on insane!

this may be the only glimpse of the sign...it was a bit of a paper cut hazard

look at all my tub toys !

this one is the best for chewing...

...or maybe this one...

...ooh but this tastes delicious as well...

...ah ha! I've got my hands on my favorite! PAPER!!!

irresistible baby toes

the only picture I could get with his two teeth :(

ta-da! the ONLY smiling/non-chewing shot of the day!!

happy half birthday miles!

miles turned six months yesterday and we just happened to go out to eat. I was craving a yummy hot fudge sundae and we decided to let miles taste some of it in celebration of turning 1/2 of a year! keep in mind...he's never had anything besides milk and a swallow of bath water...oops! by the way...that is my oh-so-delicious coconut-tini you see in the photo!!!one yummy hot fudge sundae coming up!

are you ready???

immediate aversion to the metal spoon!

maybe it's not so bad?

mommy's little monster

our friends, scott & anna, gave miles this t-shirt...it's so cute! miles is all about sitting on the floor and ripping the hanging toys off the toybar.

treasure hunt

well...we did it! we got my grandma becker's treasures all sorted, priced, and sold! she has moved from her home of 47 years to a new apartment complex - complete with 10 foot ceilings, complimentary breakfast, underground heated parking, free shuttle to local stores, and a beauty parlor! she's very happy with her choice for a new pad and we are glad that she won't have the worry of home maintenance anymore. so...miles and I spent the majority of last week getting her house ready for the big sale. he was a little trooper and put up with napping in the stroller and entertaining himself. he's such a happy and content little baby. here are some pictures from the week...stay tuned for some shots from the saturday sale! sorting, sorting, and more SORTING

my grandma's FABULOUS collection of hats

I'm ready to go home and see daddy

can I have a drink??

taking a lunch break with grandma g & jan

happy as a clam

pricing the goods

hanging out with auntie beth

nobody loves me

I have to say that miles is never in need of attention. he is lucky to have so many people around him who love him to pieces! these pictures were taken the other day when we were visiting with my aunt and uncle, scott & teresa, and cousins, nick & ellie. they were down here staying with my grandpa and grandma. the kids were very interested in miles and he just sat and stared at them...he's such a sponge! my cousin olivia was also there. she is quickly becoming first on the list of our babysitters. while kyle has been recovering, olivia has come over to help out with miles so that I can get out for bunco and a girls night at the comedy club. miles loves her and she gets along great with kyle. we are lucky that she likes to play the wii with him!ellie going through the photo albums

ellie and nicholasolivia, nick, and miles
miles LOVES to chew on books...thank goodness for the dollar spot at target!EVERYONE helping miles get his coat onsee?? nobody loves me!

diaper dude

here are some shots from the other day.