eleven months old

spring has finally sprung - so we ventured outdoors for this month's photo session. miles is busy, busy, busy these days. lots of huffing and puffing can be heard whenever he is awake. he is cruising around everything and getting "braver" everyday. he's starting to let go of furniture and has pretty good balance. he loves to climb up the stairs, chase after daddy, and open/close doors. he eats like a champ...haven't come across a food item he doesn't enjoy, gives the best slobbery kisses, and has mastered the belly laugh. just recently he has discovered the fine art of hollering. it is such fun to hear him experiment with his voice...we're also working on the meaning of "shhh - too loud". the BIG NEWS is that he's started to say a couple of words! we can understand: cheese & keys (those two are about the same), dada, mama (a rarity), dog, woof-woof-woof (when we ask what does the doggie say?), oh-oh, and oodles of other indistinguishable babble! miles is such a happy-go-lucky baby and we truly feel blessed to have him in our lives.

these are for grandpa, uncle clayt, and auntie jess. we hope everyone else enjoys them too!

we finally broke down and bought a flash for our camera - hooray! so here are some of my wannabe professional photographer attempts (which are mediocre at best...I'm learning)

is it on?

although the baby einstein exersaucer was a big hit for many months (click HERE), it's now beginning to collect a little dust. let me break it down for you:

mobile baby + confinement = tantrum

however- it sure does come in handy when I need to leave him in a safe place and get a couple of quick things done (not the least of which is shower!). I know what you're thinking, she leaves him in there screaming while she takes a shower?? silly you. I have a trump card in the shape of a dvd. you got that right... saved by signing time! at first I had prepared to give myself the award for worst mommy of the year. but then I came to the realization that 30 minutes of educational tv will not hurt our baby. he's even learning the signs! he's signing "milk", "more", and "dog". we're working on "please", "thank you", "mommy", "daddy", and "water". I think that's sufficient for this week. next week: "bionuclear science". I'll let you know how it goes. here is a progression of miles' reaction to waiting for his favorite show to start.

are you sure it's coming?

mommy singing the theme song is grrrreat!

ooh...what's that?

YES! I LOVE this show!!

tuckered out

all of this climbing and crawling sure does tire a baby out. this is how we found miles one night. notice his resourceful use of monkey and ducky. we left him all covered up and snug as a bug. and by the way...yes we use a bumper pad and yes we use blankets. all is well.

hello?

miles must be hanging out with mommy too much these days as he has fallen in LOVE with his cell phones. yes, that is phones not phone. he has quite a few in his collection...including a "real" one from grandpa randy! this white one came from uncle clayt and auntie jess for being the ring bearer in their wedding.

[note: I don't LOVE my phone per se, but I do frequently use it while driving. yep - I'm one of those people:)]

puppy kisses

miles has figured out that tessie gives LOTS of kisses. in reality, it's her coping mechanism for when she gets a little scared...but we won't tell miles that. we try to limit the kisses on/in the mouth (ew) - but it's become somewhat difficult now that he purposefully seeks her out for a smooch. he tries to sneak one from tinker, but tink is much too cool for that. no thanks.

the following pictures may contain a dog licking a baby...you've been warned.

a little rainy day pick me up!

stack 'em up

one of miles' favorite new games is building towers. well...it's not so much the building that he excels at...as the knocking down. he waits patiently as kyle constructs a tower out of blocks and then he swoops in to tear it down. can you imagine anything more fun?? I think not.

ooh - ooh - ooh

I can't wait!

take that!!

again?

a little fish

we started swimming lessons last week. it's a 5 session water readiness course for 9-24 month olds through community education (held at my alma mater john adams middle school). I was terrified that miles would freak out at the very sight of the water. but much to our surprise...he LOVES it!! he gets a big smile on his face and seems to enjoy all of the activities. kyle has been gracious enough to volunteer to don a swimsuit and go in. I am feeling less than bathing suit ready and have some pretty vivid memories of my old junior high swimming pool...not good.

please note: the screaming child belongs to the instructor

too close for comfort

the recession has hit a little too close for comfort. our district cut 80 jobs yesterday. 47 of them were elementary - with 7 of those coming from the kindergarten seniority list. I am number 45 from the bottom on the regular elementary list, which means I barely made it. I am thankful that I still have a job next year but deeply saddened for those who do not. our school alone lost 10 of our 24 teachers. scary times.

john deere green

we went out to kyle's dad's house on easter sunday. we had a delicious dinner of ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, fruit salad, and pie. it was so yummy! miles really liked the ham and will be enjoying some tonight as well (I heart leftovers). the highlight was most definitely his new john deere tractor from grandpa. in the future it will be fun to cruise around on, but for the time being it is the one and only place where miles sits still. this, in and of itself, is a miracle. now he can look just like his grandpa. I think these pictures say it all.

in deep conversation with uncle clayt

hippity hop

we had a fantastic easter weekend and spent it with many friends and family. I will post some pictures from our festivities soon. in the meantime...here are some fun pictures from "mom & dad's photo session"

what is on my head?

cool dude

hmm

ooh!

there's something in here daddy!

flip-flops are fantastic...well the tag is at least!

say cheese

such a big boy

playing catch up...

I have been less than stellar in keeping the blog up-to-date. therefore I've decided to post a bunch of pictures of mr. miles in an attempt to redeem myself. sorry in advance for the picture overload.

can I touch your computer auntie beth? pretty please??

getting a ride from uncle clayt
helping daddy fix computers
come here tinker & tessie! I have your toy!!
ready for an airplane ride
ooh!
look at my EIGHT teeth!
giggling at olivia & papa
reaching on tip-toes
olivia hung out with us a lot over spring break - she even slept over one night!
daddy is so silly...that's MY cell phone!
stack 'em up and knock 'em down!
new trick: opening things with my teeth...
...need I say more!
tasting daddy's "turf-n-turf" sandwich. don't ask.
daddy's home!
we've decided that getting dressed is torture
that must not have been SO bad after all!
getting braver and more balanced every day...watch out!
watching daddy go to work