Giving up

Starting to drop the morning nap....sort of!

Noisy!

Fun new toy from Grandma and Grandpa Evans that has lots of buttons to push. And proof we put up a tree!

Walking

Two little videos to highlight Miles' recent activity....walking! He took a little break after his first steps and then suddenly on Wednesday, decided that walking might be the way to go. It's still not his preferred method, but I don't think it will be long before he's cruising all over the place!

Snowy days

We recently ventured up one of our canyons to enjoy some clean air, a roaring fire and celebrate Sam's birthday. Miles had plenty of warm clothing, but the snow boots I had bought really upset him, so I didn't have any waterproof shoes for him to wear. This required him to spend the evening in our arms and guess what.....he hated it. He wants to be down-moving-doing stuff, not stuck in our arms. Also, he's not a big fan of the puffy winter jacket or being too cold. It was a fun, short-lived experiment. Can't you tell from their expressions!

Drum roll.....

Sorry about the quality of the video. The light in our living room is low at night and the camera was really struggling to focus. The beginning starts with some ball spinning. I know, old news. Stick with it though, because shortly after the spinning he stands up-on his own without holding on to anything! It still startles me sometimes to look around and see him standing in the middle of a room. He's really been practicing this a lot lately and his stability has greatly improved because of it.

Does this make you nervous?

Jobey found this in the backyard at Aunt Mary's today. Don't worry, he has no idea what a match is, nor the thumbs to use one if he did!

sidenote: the container was empty and I took it away as soon as picture time was over. In spite of all our troubles with Jobey, I do occasionally find him very endearing and cute!

Off to the races

We headed to Farmington for another playdate with Leah. They are both getting so big. Still mostly parallel playing, but poor Leah really, really wants to touch Miles' face. Miles, on the other hand, does not want to be touched. But, with mobility all around, it's really not an issue....yet! :-) I threw in the video because it was just so cute-both of them crawling off after something-at the same time and in the same direction!

Leah has lots of awesome toys that make noise. Nice to visit, but glad they stay where they are. Miles really loved this particular one-it has many components and buttons to push and it's standing height. Perfect combination.

Push cart mania.

Ear flaps

I finally got the ear flaps added to the hat and I am so glad I did. Weirdly, he was wearing the hat inside when I returned home the other day. No reason, Craig just said he asked to wear it. Okaaaaayyy. Don't worry, we really don't keep the house that cold. Turns out, it was a short-lived desire. But, long enough for a photo or two!!!

Please

So, the sign language is still slow going. Miles communicates a lot, but still doesn't seem too excited about signing. The weird thing, he'll randomly choose words to learn here and there. For example, we've been signing bread, cheese, apple and water for months now. Then, he learns hat (from a book) and please in a second! The hysterical thing about please is that he uses it to get us to do EVERYTHING for him (and it's hard to resist because I just find it so darn cute!). Please get my ball. Please more food. Please get this. Please get that. I guess that might have a little to do with the context in which I taught the sign. I started it with 'help please'. He didn't want to learn the sign for help, I guess he figured he didn't need to, and...he was right!

Water play

First steps!

No picture for this one. Miles took his first steps tonight, by himself, for himself! He's been working hard at standing up without holding on to anything the past few days and tonight, it paid off. We were all in the kitchen and he was practicing standing up and then free standing. We got him to walk back and forth to us a couple of times and then....while he was standing next to me, he decided to head toward the dining room. He toddled off away from me and managed about 3 or 4 steps before deciding that crawling was still much faster. I imagine he'll be working on it a lot more this weekend, so maybe we'll catch it on video if we're lucky!

Rolling

Miles rediscovered his push cart this weekend and loves it. He spent a good deal of time perfecting 'the turn' so that walls, dog beds, toys, chairs, etc. don't slow him down! Our house has a circular layout, so it's ideal for cruising.

Elf hat

Darling hat Mary knit for her friend's baby. Of course, we had to try it on Miles. So, so cute!!

Rainbow

Leah had her first birthday party on November 30th. The theme-ducks and tutus! Here are a few shots from the festivities.

The birthday girl

After a few glasses of wine, we moved into fashion design (that's Sam).

All the boys in their tutus

Check me out!

Mozart Mania

A little post for Aunt Connie!

If you only watch one, pick this one, it's the most entertaining and shortest! Features a new take on dancing-Miles style.

Snow Day

Well, a blizzard did finally arrive on Sunday. It snowed all day and all night. So, we are left with a gorgeous landscape of white, puffy snow. I took the dogs out for a walk and put Miles in the backpack instead of trying to brave the streets with the stroller. It seems he may be a tad overdressed, but it was only 25 degrees and he certainly wasn't going to be working up a sweat. Oh no, leave that to me, hauling around a 19 pound (possibly 22 once you factor in all the layers) kid on my back!

Classic snowsuit pose-the one where the kid can't move a muscle! Loving the new snow pants though. All we need now are boots, then, it's off into the snow we go!

Thanksgiving

It was a fun, but full day. We started off at Grandpa and Grandma Evans' house:



Then, the evening was spent with the Phillips clan and good friends, Sam and Mitch. Incredible day with lots of good food and visiting!

Penny created a magical feast, as usual! Archie was in charge of some vegan fare which was also a hit.

Turkey on a cloud

Mary, Mitch, Paul, Craig, Miles and Sam

Globetrottin' it

A little taste of what Miles has been doing in his spare time. He loves, loves, loves playing with balls and has gotten quite innovative lately.

Hair?

You bet! If you squint and turn your head a little to the right, you'll see it!

The stats are in!

I forgot to post these from our last pediatrician visit for his one-year check-up:

Height: 30 1/4 inches (60th percentile)
Weight: 19 lb. 9 oz. (10th percentile)

Don't worry. I know his weight has dropped. He is totally fine and healthy. This is perfectly normal as babies become more active-which he definitely has! Dr. Lou gave us a clean bill of health and said everything looks great!

It's winter!

I think his face says it all! And, why the same spot in the yard for the photo shoot you ask? Well, this is currently Miles' obsession-to stand next to the solar light and observe the landscaping/pumpkins. If he doesn't get to stop and peruse, watch out!

Introducing......the solar light and the amazing technicolor hand-me-down pants! I love those pants-Max and Madeleine gave them to us and Miles can finally wear them. They were a favorite of mine when those guys were little too! Also, this is before we got a proper winter jacket, so he has about four layers on.

Winter jacket.....check! Uncertainty about the cold......check! Crazy people going for a walk before the blizzard of 2010.....check!

Cheese!

Boo Boo

First minor injury. So sad! While helping us with yard work this morning, Miles did a face plant onto the cement. His teeth are just fine, but he got a puffy upper lip. Fortunately, his attitude hasn't been affected!

Lazy Parenting 101

Grandma Julie

A little bit of dancing with the Mozart cube!

Grandma Julie is the best!

Yep, that's a penguin on the door. Hmmmmm.....

Yep, that's a penguin by my leg. Wait....what???!!!

And a penguin by Grandma Julie's foot....

The star: a Gentoo penguin

So, Grandma Julie came to town for a quick visit and we headed to the Salt Lake Aquarium. She surprised us with a behind-the-scenes visit with the penguins. The Penguin Encounter. I wasn't sure Miles was going to be too patient, or too excited about being in a room with penguins. Turns out, he did just fine. There were a few moments when he didn't want to be held, but overall, he seemed quite interested and curious. The hardest point was when the handler opened the container of penguin toys. It was filled to the brim with....you guessed it....balls! Miles seriously wanted to get down on the floor with the penguins to play with the tennis balls. (wait, maybe this would help with his goat problem) Anyway, I had to keep telling him they were the penguin's balls and he had to stay on Mama's lap. He bought it, for the most part. I was actually more freaked out than him. The penguins come and nibble on your leg. NOT okay. The handler eventually came and stood by me to protect me from the ferocious little critters. This made me much calmer. Thanks Grandma Julie, so much fun!!!! (oh and you get a little sneak peek at my new haircut. It's all chopped off and I love it! I feel like myself again.)

It's fall!

Dance party

Halloween?

Since I couldn't get organized for both a birthday and a costume this year, I leave you with......PUMPKIN PICTURES!

Birthday boy

A few random shots from the festivities:

Birthday banner Craig made

One of the fun new books

Max, Miles, Craig and Madeleine

The best surprise of the day-Angie and Aaron dressed as a mushroom and a gnome-fitting the theme perfectly. Their costumes were so cute!

Car, truck and helicopters....woo hooo!

Party guests enjoying some munchies

Those baby blues

Gorgeous new birthday sweater from Aunt Mary.
(photo courtesy of Dave and Russin)

Happy Birthday

Thanks to Russin and Dave for this picture!

One year old!

Fitting that I am posting this on the day we came home from the hospital-one year ago, with a brand new baby! It never ceases to amaze me the changes that occur in one year. I mean, this is from Halloween 2009:

(I know, I know-I'll never forgive myself for putting such a ridiculous hat on him. I blame hormones and serious sleep deprivation! )

Fresh from our first traumatic car ride home from the hospital.

It has been a most adventurous first year-I can't wait for all the milestones yet to come!