Miles on Safari

We got a sun hood for Miles' backpack today and tested it out at the zoo. It's great because it protects his head and neck from the sun, but it's also hilarious because it looks like he's on safari with Jesse as his pack mule. I cracked up all day long watching him sway with Jesse's steps while holding on to the hood straps and pointing us in the direction we needed to follow. And here is the little man enjoying the wildlife. The giraffes were on the top two favorite list of the day. He kept shouting and sticking out his hands while watching them eat and roam. 


He also really liked the fish. It was in the African rainforest section that we realized that all animals are addressed as "doggie" regardless of whether they run on the ground or swim in the water. We'll have to work on that, but for now it's pretty cool to see him so excited. 

Washington Park

Jesse has made a Saturday morning habit of taking Miles for a walk. Sometimes they pick up pastries, but today they ventured to a new park. Sleeping in was great, but I'm a little sad I missed out on all of the fun.

 

 

Eleven Months

Miles was eleven months old yesterday. It's been a very busy week, so I didn't get the chance to take the usual photo with a sign. We did take a special outing this afternoon though up to Mississippi Avenue this afternoon and had lunch and a beverage at Prost. The beer was cool and we had a corner bench outside, so Miles could roam. While the beer garden was fun for us, the backpack was the best part for Miles. He loves being toted around on Jesse's back. He later crashed and took a nap on the walk home.

Stats:

Weight: 21 1/2 pounds

Height: Too wiggly to measure

Food: Has gotten a bit more selective about what he shoves in his mouth, but favorites this past month have been nectarines, plums, watermelon, baked tofu, pesto pasta, Ken's baguettes.

Likes: Reading books (and being read to), being cuddled, playing with his trucks, and rearranging our furniture.

Hates: Diaper changes, putting on clothes, having his face wiped.

Tricks: Walking like a pro (and trying to run), saying words like Da Da, Doggie, Bye Bye, Ma Ma, Mah-ma-mah (banana), clapping in praise (for himself), and dancing.

Dining Room Dance Party

I'm fairly certain Miles has transitioned from three to two naps a day, making the after dinner hour a particularly challenging time of day. At first, we fought the fussiness, making us all miserable. So now, we've learned to roll with it and as a result, Miles is a happier (and more exhausted) baby when bedtime comes around. Tonight we put on dance music (his uncle Eric's favorite dance tune of the summer) and Miles danced his heart out in the dining room. I had tears running down my face from laughter:

Summer Days

Saturday night was the first night in a very long while that Miles slept for six or seven hours without waking (well, without waking us). It was a miracle. I think he's transitioning from three naps a day to just two and it's been rough both in the afternoons and evenings for us all. I checked in on him at about 11:30, because I hadn't heard a peep and found him sleeping like this. I'm not sure how he managed to get his feet through the crib bars and still remain covered, but I guess his fee were hot and he needed some air. Just like his dad.

Moments of Sunshine

After two particularly rough mornings filled with tears, clinging, and whining (and me wondering why we didn't just get a dog to expand our family), I cursed the damn tooth that has been plaguing our household. However, this evening Miles took his jerkitude to new heights by karate kicking us while trying to put on his diaper and pj's. Jesse and I both looked at each other and said "Wonder weeking?" We were correct. Miles is just hitting his 46-week milestone, the world of sequences while cutting a new tooth. Wild times on Flanders Street.

Apparently, all of this fuss is leading up to wonderful things (they better dazzle the stars out of me) like copying games and gestures, learning to put away his toys, and pointing and talking. In the last few days we've already seen a few of these changes and I have to admit, they're pretty cool. He's babbling more than ever. He talks to us, his toys and other people in a language that is yet to be identified, but much more elaborate than his simple "ba ba ba's". 

He's playing hide and seek with objects and has become much more savvy about looking for things that we're trying to hide from him. He also is definitely communicating things that he knows. He hisses when he hears a burp (his form of imitation). He makes guttural noises when he sees his rubber duck or hears the word quack. And he reaches for bananas and says, "mah-ma-mah". He also knows his favorite book, Baby Cakes, by heart and is eager to anticipate what's on the next page. Peek-a-boo is his recent favorite:

Citrus in the Sun

                  Miles thoroughly enjoyed the swings in Griffith Park in Los Angeles this weekend. The sun was a little hot though, so we quickly found a shady patch of grass for more time to play.

                     We had been holding off on citrus, but Miles decided to take things into his own hands. After playing with a clementine, he sampled the peel. As you can see, he was a bit surprised at the taste. That didn't stop him from trying again!

                  After snacks in the park, we headed over to the merry go round for Miles' first ride.  It was quite an experience zipping around at warp speed. Miles was a little stunned at first, but was bobbing his head in no time.

                   On Sunday, we drove to Santa Monica to meet up with Miles' uncles, Graham and Eric. It was the perfect day to hang out in Palisades Park.

                  Miles schooled the guys on how to properly throw a ball.

                  He also gave Eric some financial advice after thumbing through (and chewing on) his wallet.

                The weekend was also full of standing ovations (for himself) after each time he successfully walked for long distances. Much deserved applause! He's walking everywhere now.

Officially Walking

We went to Los Angeles this past weekend to visit friends and Miles decided to bust out and walk. And walk and walk and walk. 

Timbers Army

First game in the Timbers Army (maybe the last for a while). Miles was awesome for the pre-game party (107 minutes to be exact), but only made it through the first 30 minutes of the game. It was a lot of fun though and we're definitely going to try again next season.

Da Da Da

Miles started saying Da Da Da. Still not relating it to a person yet, but exciting all the same.