Post-Christmas Fun

Gazing at a beautiful brew at Bridgeport for his uncle Eric's birthday dinner.

So hungry he had to eat a sock while waiting for our table.

Enjoying being the center of attention and especially his favorite gal, Lea.

Christmas Morning

 







Miles enjoyed helping with gift opening. He also enjoyed chewing on the wrappers -- good thing they were cloth. 

 

Miles was the lucky recipient of his very first Tottenham sweatshirt from his uncle Graham who just arrived back from six months in London. 

 

Jesse, Miles, Graham & Eric Skyping with Jean and Peter.

I think Miles will enjoy visits from his uncle Graham even more when he gets a little older.

Hanging with Dad

Jesse and Miles spent Sunday afternoon watching football together. Miles was much more interested in Jesse's drink than the game.

Miles Flying - Advanced Techniques

Head First

I think the days of leaving Miles unattended on the couch are long gone.

Sweet Songs

Miles found his voice this week. He sings to me all day long.

Christmas Card Outtakes

Today we did a little photo shoot at home for this year's holiday card. Overall, it went pretty well. Miles let us capture a few great shots that will work perfectly. The leftover photos are pretty hilarious. I was tempted to just do a collage of the emotional roller coaster that is Christmas time. However, I decided to post them here:
 

Wiggle worm

Miles officially learned how to roll over onto his stomach today. For a week or two he's gotten really close and really frustrated in the process. While munching on one of his toys while on his back he dropped his arm to the floor, looked over at the toy and threw his body in that general direction. The result was him landing on his stomach and being exceedingly proud of his accomplishment. 

Now, he wants to twist and turn every time I put him on the changing table. This afternoon as I was putting on his diaper, he fussed and flipped himself over in protest and mauled his changing pad. I think we're headed for trouble!

First Christmas Tree

We picked up our Christmas tree yesterday and set it up in the living room. It smells divine. I think Miles approves.

Chores

Since Miles is three and a half months old now, we feel it's time that he starts earning his keep. Jesse got him right to work sorting laundry.

Discontent

Miles is no longer content standing in place. His legs are constantly on the go.

His toys are no longer exciting, forcing him to savagely chew on the leg of his play gym as a last resort for some shred of happiness.

After listening to an entire morning of his squawks and protests over every single position that we try, I'm seriously wondering why I didn't put a little whiskey in my first cup of coffee. I know the problem, he wants to stand, but simply can't do it on his own. Naturally, it's very frustrating for us both. I think there may be another wonder week on the horizon.

High Chair

Miles tested out his new high chair last night after dinner and really liked being at eye level with everyone else in the room. He's not ready for solid food yet, but we're hoping that the chair and a few strategically placed toys will enable us to eat dinner with both hands again!

Roll Over Rover

Miles rolled from his tummy to back on his own for the first time this morning. I think his new trick is going to make tummy time much more challenging!

First Cold

I came back from our Thanksgiving trip with a terrible sore throat. That progressed into a pretty wicked cold that I unfortunately passed on to Miles. He's sniffly, coughing and generally sounds like a warthog. Despite the snorting and grunting, he seems to be generally in a good mood. Apparently breastfeeding is the best thing for him, as he gets antibodies to the things I'm exposed to. This allegedly should make the effects of the cold a little less severe. I certainly hope that's true! As for today, we're just hanging out under the covers on the couch.

Grabbing Toys

Miles has developed a new trick. His arm movements are much more calculated and smooth. He reaches for things that intrigue him and they arrive in his mouth on purpose rather than by accident. It's funny to watch because he moves in slow motion as if to punctuate the fact that he has to really concentrate to get his hands to meet in the middle.

Three Months!

Three months have flown by. Miles celebrated a couple of days later with lots of naked time and a happy dance back at home.

Miles helps out in documenting his 3 month birthday.

Buddies

You wouldn't know it from the look on his face, but Miles made a new buddy in Santa Cruz over Thanksgiving. Miles had a bit of a rough morning before we headed out and refused to smile for the camera. Calvin, on the other hand, took his role as cute baby pretty seriously. 

Despite his stoic demeanor on Friday morning, it was pretty cool to see his excitement watching Calvin play with his blocks. Calvin was equally interested in Miles and would tap his nose and gently stroke his hair while nursing. We also found out that Calvin is quite the empathetic little lad. He would get quite upset when Miles cried. Overall, our first visit was great. I can't wait until the boys are a little older, I'm sure they're going to be great friends.

Monkey Feet

Miles discovered his feet this week. I first noticed it during his bath when he kept hunching over to look in the water as he kicked. It seemed to be just a one time thing until this morning when he woke up and was very very vocal. As a result, I was forced to get out of bed much earlier than I wanted. While I was trying to ignore him while gulping down my coffee, he kept hunching (doing major body crunches) over on my lap. I was seriously annoyed at his antics, because all I wanted was 15 minutes to wake up. However, he kept being unreasonable and refused to be cuddled and still. I then realized it was because he wanted to check out his monkey feet. He spent at good 10-15 minutes just gazing and wiggling his toes around and smiling.

At first he was a bit skeptical.

But then he warmed up to them.

 And a view from his perspective.

 

Melting

The highlight of my day. Miles' first laughs.

Morning Exercise

Every morning Miles and I practice his "tricks". Lately, sitting and grabbing toys has been on the agenda. He's getting quite good at both. Naturally, there are lots of smooches involved in the process. As you can see from the background, I was really just trying to avoid the laundry piles.

Just a few days of cranky behavior was followed by this. Totally worth the torture!

Eleven Weeks

Weight: 13lbs 8oz.

Length: 24"

Miles was eleven weeks on Saturday. After a long week of giving us hell, it's a miracle that he's not living in a dumpster on Flanders Street. However, it was like someone tripped his reset button and he was back to his normal charming self. In fact, he's the new and improved version of himself. As a special eleven week birthday present to his parents, he slept for eight hours straight. He then woke up, ate, and slept another three. We had friends in town, so we stayed up way past our bedtime and were only able to take advantage of four of those first eight hours, but it was amazing. I brushed it off as a fluke. 

Yesterday we went out to run a few errands and ended up coming home just before dinner. Miles hadn't really gotten his normal naps and was a tired little man. We put him down at 6:30 and he slept until about 9:00. Preparing ourselves for a long night of wakeful sleep, we changed his diaper, put on pj's, fed him and went to sleep at about 10:00. I heard the little cries of a very hungry baby and looked up at the clock. It was 5:30am! He'd slept for almost eight hours again! I'm certainly not calling this a trend, but there may be hope for us after all.

Cranktastic Baby

Miles woke up last night grunting and complaining at 4:30am. He had turned himself 90º in his bed with his head smooshed against the side and was trying to roll over onto his stomach. Somehow he had made it 3/4 of the way but his right shoulder just wouldn't allow him to flip. I swaddled him and got him back to sleep, but he woke up 45 minutes later and had busted out of the receiving blanket and was trying again to roll over. 

Today, it's 43º outside. Mister Miles decided that he hates diapers and clothes -- he screams whenever he's wearing them. I think they hinder his attempts at kicking and rolling around. So, we cranked up the heat in the living room and this is how he's been hanging out when he's not napping. I finally coaxed him into a diaper after two incidents of him peeing all over his quilts on the floor. 

According to my baby books this is merely a temporary phase where he's developing mentally, but his body is a little slow to catch up. How much he would like to crawl over to that toy, but his legs and arms are still so weak and stubby. 

Here's a video that is representative of my very long day:

I especially like his final expression and crazy man hair. He's saying "lady, you are not my favorite person right now." Believe me, son, the feeling is mutual.

Super Baby

The airplane game has definitely replaced the "stand up" game in Miles' top 10 list of fun things to do. If he had his way, he'd be held in the air and flying most waking hours. 

Splash Time

The floor, counter top and his mom were totally soaked.

Miles Flying

Roley Poley

Miles rolled over today onto his stomach with just a little assistance. He then popped his head up and rolled to his back. Now he thinks it's a game and wants to roll over all the time. We've created a monster -- a roley poley monster.

Look Mom! Six Month Jammies!

Today I noticed a few red patches under Miles' chin (I am hesitant to call it his neck because, really, he has none). They looked a bit like when his diapers were getting to small and he developed a rash on his leg. I examined his sleeper and realized that it was fitting pretty snug. So, I pulled out one of his six-month sleepers after his bath and wow! They fit. The feet are a little large and the sleeves need to be rolled up, but the body fits perfectly -- at two months and one week old.

Evening Workout

Miles amazes us with his energy in the evening. He kicked and flailed his arms for at least 20 minutes. Then he crashed and went to sleep.

First Halloween

This year we dressed up as characters from Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat. Miles was Thing One. 

Jesse was the Cat in the Hat. Miles was less than impressed with the blue hat we made him wear. 

I dressed up as Sally from the Cat in the Hat. Miles is contemplating the giant poo he just took. I was laughing about one of several diapers we had changed before finally heading out to our party. 

Two Months

Weight: 12 pounds 6 ounces (67th percentile)
Length: 23 1/4" (59th percentile)
Head: 15 3/4" (46th percentile)

Miles is two months today. He went in for his two month check-up yesterday afternoon and passed with flying colors. In fact the pediatrician was quite surprised by his "bag of tricks". The first surprise was when she came over to examine him. I stepped away from his view and he got the most amazing sad pouty face because I was gone. She said "Oh no! oh no! You're not supposed to do that for another two months." For the rest of the exam I stayed by his head so he could have constant eye contact. 

When she raised him up by the armpits to check his leg reflexes, she was quite shocked that he not only was letting his feet touch the ground, but was bearing a considerable amount of his own weight -- another trick that he's not supposed to do until 4ish months old. I think we might need to start baby-proofing at a slightly more rapid pace.

Fall Outfit

The weather has turned cool here in Portland and Miles needed a hat when we went out shopping on Sunday. He's grown so much that we don't need to roll over the band anymore. You can tell that he's thrilled about having something on his head. I can imagine he's thinking "Really mom? Dog ears? Is that the best you can do?" 

So bored with this outfit. 

Okay, fine. I'll flash a smile.

Moblie of Happiness

Jesse watched Miles yesterday afternoon while I drove out to pick up our CSA share. He decided to let Miles entertain himself for a few minutes with a mobile from our friends Darla & Torden. 

This photo perfectly captures his "concentration" face as he watches the colorful bugs swirl around.

And of course, this is the happy face that we love to see over and over again. 

Here's a quick clip of his arms and legs in action. We are going to be in serious trouble when he no longer wants to lie around on his back.

New Wheels

Since Miles has been holding his head up pretty well for the past couple of weeks, we decided to take his Baby Jogger stroller out for a spin. Doesn't he look fetching* in his new ride?

While he looks a little skeptical about the whole setup, he loved every minute. I think this gives him a much better vantage point than the infant carrier and snap 'n go base. His eyes were wide looking at all of the new sights (that is until he passed out on the way home). 

* color coordinated outfit was a mere coincidence

The Standing Game

A few days ago, Jesse and I started playing the "sit up" game with Miles. It consisted of us propping him at a 45º angle, having him grasp our fingers, and we'd pull him up to a sitting position. He quite enjoyed the game. It quickly morphed into him straightening his legs and going into a full on stand. Unfortunately, we've created a monster. Every time he lays down or sits in our lap, he lunges his head forward (like he's trying to do crunches) and shoots out his arms. Our infant practically demands to do the standing game all the time.

Here are two videos from last evening:

Miles learning to stand with the help of his dad.

Miles insisting on playing the standing game with his mom.

Emotions of a Timbers Fan in Training

The Portland Timbers had an up and down 2010 season -- their last as a minor league soccer team. Now begins the transition to MLS. Miles has mixed feelings. Let's hope he's psyched for spring 2011!

Perfecting Tummy Time

We've been neglecting tummy time for a while now since it really is not much fun for Miles. He always squawks and looks so helpless that one of us rushes in to intervene. We both know that it's recommended to build back and neck muscles, but he always seems to be pretty ahead of the curve in that department. Today for fun we rolled him on his stomach and he surprised us both with an impressive amount of head lifting. He'll be doing push-ups in no time.

Moist Towelette?

When Miles was born, the hospital provided cotton gauze in our room to wipe during diaper changes. Jesse would just run the cloth under warm water in the sink and had a far superior alternative to packaged baby wipes. So, when we came home and changed Miles' first diaper with a cold wipe from the package he howled. Diaper changing was not pleasant. From then on we decided to use water and a soft washcloth. Now, the diaper changing station is his favorite place. Seriously, sometimes I pull up a chair and let him play he's so happy.

The only problem with our system was having to walk to the kitchen with a sometimes sleepy/cranky baby during the day or the middle of the night to wet the cloths. Then entered Prince Lionheart (I'm not kidding) wipe warmer into our home. I know, I know. What a pampered baby right? Well, it's mostly for our convenience, but Miles definitely approves. It makes our lives a million times easier and really, who wouldn't want a spa treatment after every trip to the bathroom?

Personal Grooming II

We are trying alternate methods of taming the hair. I put a cap on him after his bath today. I'm pretty sure it didn't work....

New Toy, Old Tricks

Miles has been smiling now for a couple of weeks, but it seems as though every day he adds a few more to his daily routine. Today he took a break from his new toy (borrowed from Anna & Brian) to interact with his mom. He still loves having his head rubbed and thinks the lower lip game is pretty darn funny. 

Daddy Daycare

Miles hanging out with his dad on a particularly rough afternoon.