milestone: six months

Miles had a great check-up today! His latest stats:

16 pounds
27 3/4 inches
Head circ: 16.5 inches

He's in the 90th percentile for height - definitely a string bean! Speaking of beans, we tried our second green veg tonight - green beans. So far, Miles is not loving green veggies. He disliked peas so much they gave him the twitches. Green beans went over a little bit better, but he still only took a few bites. Thankfully we had some orange veggies on standby.

Lots of great Christmas photos to share...coming soon!

jump jump

Not since Kris Kross has jumping been so cool.

giggles

6 mo smile

half birthday

Miles is six months old! His official 6mo check up is next week so we'll soon find out how much he's grown now that he's enjoying mommy's milk and daddy's homemade veggie purees.

He's sleeping better at night - no more feedings, but he still wakes up a few times and fusses for his binky or attention. A few weeks ago he started refusing to sleep on his back or side...so now he sleeps on his tummy which we came to terms with based on the fact that he can roll to his back if he wants too.

Christmas definitely came upon us quickly! We've been trying to get the tree up for two weeks...we finally got the lights on Sunday, and then I got super sick. Ben had the stomach flu last week, and I thought I bypassed it. No such luck. So we lost about 5 days between illnesses. Miles has stayed healthy so far, thank God!

What I find myself wanting most for Christmas is the gift of time - more family time and free hours to enjoy the simple pleasures of motherhood with a joyous little boy.

Miles meets snow

He didn't quite know what to think of the snow. He opened his mouth and tried to catch a flake. Snow suits are cute and warm, but not very functional!

roly poly

Thanksgiving +

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving (twice). It was great to have a long holiday weekend. Miles kept things interesting with a rash, hives, constipation and his first roll over. Never a dull moment. The rash and hives are related to the cold he had (which we discovered after a frantic trip to the doctor). Thank goodness they only lasted a few days and didn't seem to bother him.

Miles rolled from his tummy to his back last Sunday and has done it a number of times since then. It's soooo cute. He doesn't understand what all the fuss is about when we cheer for him. Hilarious! Ben got a good video today so I'll get that posted along with some recent pics.

We also went back to more new food today after taking a week off because of the rash. Ben made sweet potatoes, and Miles ate every bite. I'm not sure he liked them as much as carrots. We'll see what he thinks tomorrow during day two of taters.

Seems like we just had Halloween and now Thanksgiving is over and the race to Christmas is on. Miles is enjoying Christmas carols (especially Jingle Bells) and his advent calendar from Nan.

milestone: five months

Miles upgraded to veggies this week in honor of his 5mo birthday. Ben made a delicious carrot puree, and Miles gobbled it up. We're planning some tasty sweet potatoes on Thursday in honor of Thanksgiving.

We told our families last Thanksgiving we were expecting, and now here we are one year later with such a blessing in little Miles. Incredible! I kept thinking that all last year...this time next Thanksgiving/Christmas/etc., we'll have a baby. It's still unbelievable.

 I can't believe he just grabbed the spoon and stuck it in his mouth. 

Smart boy!

 I eat my carrots, I eat them up!

  Yummy!!

 

cereal

We've been working on cereal for a few weeks. Some nights are better than others...this was a good night.

new friends

Miles made new friends this weekend when Nikki and Nat came for a visit. He loves his aunties!



His cold is somewhat better. The really good news is that it isn't worse (nothing in his lungs or ears). We took him to the doctor just in case, and she suggested an antibiotic since he's been ill for 10 days. So we started the drugs last night, and he does seem to be feeling a little better already. We hopped on the scale while at the office and he's 15 pounds 8 ounces! Hard to believe he'll be five months old in a few days...I'm reminded how big he is every time I pick him up. Oof!

four and a half month photos

tummy time is hard work!

haha!

bumbo practice

first cold

We had a mostly successful first week at daycare. The two full days went well, but Miles napped terribly which means our evenings were full of fussing and soothing, fussing and soothing. Friday night Miles came with a bad cold. Ugh. Very stuffy nose...minor cough...fever over the weekend. It was terrible. Though this is his first cold, I know it most definitely won't be his last so we're trying to take it in stride.

All too soon on Monday we were back at the grind. It hardly seemed fair after such a crappy weekend! Miles did better on Monday - he ate some cereal - and I visited him at lunch and helped him take a 1 hour nap. Today he took a 1 hour nap on his own - so proud! We're making progress and I hope he'll be taking two 1-2 hour naps before long.

Ben's doing great at his new job and he certainly misses his daddy time with Miles. I keep wondering if work will get easier for me. It still seems like the day drags by and I am counting the minutes until I can rush outta there. Being away from Miles is much more unbelievably hard than I ever thought it would be...I'm still learning how to deal with the guilt and focus on quality over quantity...it's a work in progress.

daycare

It's been a whirlwind two weeks as we prepared for Ben to start his new job and for Miles to start daycare. We chose a place called Katie's Kids (recommended by our pediatrician and some friends). I am very happy with our decision and feel like he'll get good attention there. He'll be at daycare M, W, F and home with nan or gramps on T and R.

So we started with a half day on Monday, and Miles did great. It took him a short while to get settled, but he was laughing and playing when I left. I cried all the way to work. It was a tough day. Miles was happy to see me when I picked him up and was so tired he fell asleep in the car on the way home. Tomorrow is our first full day. Yikes. It's going to be very hard to leave him. I just pray he does well and that Friday is easier.

Overall I feel so so thankful we've been able to be home with him until now. I wish it could be longer, but know that we'll all be just fine with a new routine once we get settled. I'm sure I'll be back with more daycare stories...

four month photos

Miles wasn't sure about rice cereal the first night, but got the hang of it quickly. Now he goes nuts as soon as we start to put on his bib. Good little eater.

He's working on sitting up

Such a cutie in his hoodie

Giraffe! Love the Gap bodysuit and hat. It fit him much better than the first costume I picked up at Old Navy.

Fall photos

Finally getting a chance to post some photos. Here are a few good shots from our outing to the pumpkin patch and the ISU Homecoming parade.

milestone: four months

Miles had his 4mo checkup today (a few days early) and he did super. He's a happy, healthy baby! Here are the latest stats:

14 lbs 12 oz
26.5 in (VERY long - 95th percentile)
head circ: 16 1/4 in

Ben's also having a big week. He got a job offer from ISU and will be starting a new position on 11/1. We are thrilled! The only drawback, of course, is childcare. We're working on solutions for that. Big changes are coming for our little family.

Lots of pics to share from our visit to the pumpkin patch and ISU Homecoming. Be back with more!

tummy time

Miles is practicing the art of rolling over...Ben thinks he wants to creep more than roll! We'll see.



We're getting ready for his 4 mo check-up next week. Can't wait to hear how big he is! Also very excited to try cereal so I am hoping we get the green light for that. Then just maybe Miles will start sleeping more at night (seems like I am jinxing it!).

play time

Miles is much more active these days. His new skills include:

• grasping - he can bring his hands together now. Usually looks like he's hatching evil plots or playing a musical instrument. He's grabbing his rattle, blankie and used both hands yesterday to grab his ball. He seems to be favoring his left hand too...
• lots of news sounds - he made a "g" sound last week (his first consonant)
• reading books - he follows along attentively. "Frog and Toad" are recent favorites. I just know he's going to be an avid reader like mom and dad.
  
• almost holding his head up! He's working hard to hold up that big melon. Any day now...
• we're working on rolling over
  

milestone: 12 weeks

Miles has changed so much the past few weeks. He's growing out of some 0-3 clothes (well, mostly his torso; his legs just grew out of NB and into 0-3). He smiles responsively and laughs. His neck is getting a lot stronger. He'll be holding his head up any day.

His evening crankies are pretty much gone and he's napping much better. He has good nights and not so good nights. We usually get 5-6 hours of sleep...3 hours consecutively which is nice. I keep waiting for the night where he sleeps for 5 (or more!) hours.

A few photos...

binky ring

world's cutest Bears fan!

wearing his maize and blue for Michigan

smiling and laughing while daddy whistles (and showing off his leg rolls)

daddy, part 1

Well, I've been back to work for almost a month and this is the first chance I'm getting to blog about it. That should tell you how well I'm adjusting!

It's been tough trying to balance everything. 8 hours of work away from Miles makes me pretty crazy. All I want to do is snuggle him as soon as I get home (which means little else gets done...). Miles had adjusted well. My mom and Ben's dad were around the first few days, and Ben's been home full time since Sept. 1.

It's such a relief to leave Miles at home with daddy. They are having so much fun together (and I wish I could be home with them)! Miles is really dependent on me for obvious reasons (I was home all day every day with him and I'm his food source :)) and it's nice for him to feel more dependent on Ben now. They are two peas in a pod. I'm a lucky wife and mother!

10 wk photos

Miles and Auntie Lynn

so many funny faces to make, so little time

daddy, what's in your pocket?

milestone: 10 weeks

It's been a busy week for Miles! Most notable: he is now sleeping in his crib at night! It took about five days for him to get settled. One night he just cried when I put him in his bassinet so I took that to mean he was ready for the crib. And he was. For about one hour at a time. It was a long few nights, but he got the hang of it, and now he's sleeping four consecutive hours! Wahoo!

The other big change has been mommy back to work and daddy home, but we have to save that for another post....

Miles is making so many fun sounds, and I have a great video to share, but Blogger won't let me. I'll keep trying!

8 wk photos

Mama and Miles before our first party

go blue!

rockin' his Godzilla onesie

more finishing touches in the nursery

back to work

Today was my first day back at work. I only worked a half day and Miles hung out with grandpa. He did great! If he'd been crying when I left, well, that would have been another story...It was so odd to be away from him so long -- the longest we've EVER been apart. I am not looking forward to Thursday when I work a full day. Thank goodness I can run home on my lunch hour!!

Overall, I really enjoyed maternity leave. I definitely wasn't sure how I'd feel about it but it was the most wonderful nine weeks. It's the hardest "job" I've ever done for sure. Exhausting, exhilarating and so very gratifying. I feel very fortunate to have had that much time with Miles (though more would have been great!).

Ben's dad and my mom will be on "Miles duty" for the next week and then Ben's going to stay home with Miles for a few weeks. After that, we'll see!

milestone: eight weeks

Big day yesterday: Miles had his 8 wk pediatrician appt! Here are the latest stats:

• 23 1/4 in
  
• 11 lbs 14 oz
• head circ: 15 1/4 in (99th percentile - ha! big brain growing in there.)

He got his shots, too. So awful! He yelped and cried a little, but was very brave.

Miles and his new friends

Miles is so much more alert and curious these days! I've started introducing him to toys and stuffed animals. He loved meeting Mr. Turtle...

he smiled and cooed...

then he got quiet and thoughtful...

then he tried to eat the turtle's hat. Signs of an enduring friendship no doubt.

6 wk photos - part 2

Miles is doing great with bottles from Daddy

first trip to church!! Miles did great (and was the star of the morning)

almost makes me cry seeing how BIG he looks in this photo

new favorite place to nap!

milestone: six weeks

I know I keep saying it, but I can't believe how fast Miles is growing. He looks different every day. We weighed him last week when I went to the doctor and he's 11 pounds!

Doesn't he look like he's practicing for a dance?

He's much more alert these days...even after bath time

First nap in the bouncy seat (about 10 minutes after the above bath)

breaking news

Miles is currently taking his second nap in his new vibrating/bouncy chair! Yay!

My doctor's appointment went well today. The tail bone is healing and the doc wants to give it two more weeks of rest so I won't be headed back to work just yet. Wahoo!

back to work?

My six week doctor's appointment is Monday and then I'll know if I'm headed back to work in another week or three (to let the tail bone heal some more). Hoping for the latter. I am trying to soak up every minute with my little guy.

Miles has started napping a lot better the past week and he continues to do pretty well at night. Our biggest news is bottle feeding! Ben gives Miles one bottle a day now, and they're both doing great. We'll start him on two bottles a day next week. My mom will be here Monday -- Nan can't wait to feed him.

I'll post some photos and a video soon -- I think I got a coo out of Miles this morning. Best.Sound.Ever.

milestone: one month

A few recent photos...

learning how to hold in mr. binky

ball of cute

"going to the art fair" look

mr. photogenic

Our little boy is one month old today! Unbelievable.

He's grown so much since his newborn photo shoot! Enjoy the sneak peek from Studio Bloom Photography.

getting to know Miles

Miles is changing so much every day! Part of the fun is getting to know (and understand) his moods and personality. Overall, Miles is easy going and good natured, with a few exceptions. So far we know this about him:

Likes

• Cuddling
• Moving - rocking, riding in the car/stroller/papoose
• Baths - especially getting his hair washed and scalp massaged

Dislikes

• Burping, farting, pooping. OMG he gets nuts at times!
• Naps. He fights it with every eye peep. The boy would sleep with one eye open if he could.
• Having his feet covered. He always manages to work his foot out of a swaddle, blankie or sock. Observe:
  

play date

Big day for Mr. Miles: he had his first play date! As with most outings, he slept through the whole thing.

On Saturday we ran into another couple from our parenting class and discovered they live just a few blocks from us. So Mr. Michael and his mama walked over today and we took the boys for a stroll. It was soooo nice to chat with another new mom -- we commiserated over the boys' moodiness, shared our delivery stories and subsequent aches and pains, and fretted about childcare (though we're hoping to share a few good babysitters!).