Is my hair sticking up?

Why? (and 23 months!)

Why the lack of posts? Well, everytime I get the camera out, this is the shot I get. Miles dramatically trying to grab the camera. So, I'm guessing until this phase passes, there won't be very many cute pictures to show you. In the meantime, he just turned 23 months old. Next month, I'll have a two-year old! What has he been up to? Well, he still loves cars and balls. You can see the Mega Blocks in the background that our neighbor gave us. She brought it over while we were outside and as soon as he discovered there were cars in the box, he was overjoyed! It's funny to try to recap his growth and development. There are so many changes, but they feel so incremental and subtle sometimes, that I forget all that has happened in a month. He continues to be more and more independent. He's starting to express a slight interest in dressing and undressing himself, working on zippers, pant legs and pulling shirts off his head. Along with this, he's gotten the tiniest bit more adventurous with eating. Oh, and I've noticed a huge leap in wanting to imitate other kids. Especially if they're climbing on stuff. He's gotten pretty bold at the playground, climbing up curved ladders and railings. It's pretty fun, but also a little tough to watch. Overall, can't say our approach to two has been too terrible yet, so fingers crossed that we'll continue ahead with smooth sailing!

Hike

When Grandma Julie was visiting, we took the opportunity to get into the mountains to enjoy an easy hike. We went up to Silver Lake, which is a lovely boardwalk around a lake. I sadly, didn't get any pictures with Grandma, but I did manage to actually get in front of the camera myself. Not too many of these floating around!

Looking for ducks

Playground

Favorite activity lately-walking on anything that resembles a balance beam!

Sidenote: I was not responsible for this outfit! :-)

Watching Dad get ready to fly his model airplane

Climbing the nets

Picnic in the Park

Children's Museum

Abby helping Miles learn the finer points of the ball tube

In spite of what his expression might say, he really did have a good time!

We had a great time when Craig's sister, Karen, came to town with 3 of her kids (I'm late with this post-this happened a few weeks ago!). Miles warmed right up to them this time and Abby was especially sweet with him. It was so fun to see him playing with his cousins. We hit the Children's Museum again, only this time, he had some kids to pal around with--hooray!

Father/son time

Nothing like contemplating which rock to throw in the river.

(this was on a hike to Donut Falls)