Popsicle

I just found this pictures and they are too funny not to post. About a month ago Geoff, Miles & I headed to Great Falls Regional Park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for a hike. Well Geoff got me a popsicle so I let Miles try it. He wasn't quite sure what to think. Each time he'd take a bit he'd have a "what the heck is this thing" look but then he'd keep wanting more!

Chopping on some popsicle

Going back for more

The Three Kids

Some mornings, okay most mornings, I feel like I have three kids. Two furry friends and a baby needing oh so many things. The dogs follow me around everywhere until I take them out and feed them. And Miles always needs the usual diaper change, milk feeding, cloth change, solid feeding, etc. Well Wednesday morning the routine started again and I just wanted a break. I was tired of taking care of these three. Plus I had everything else I wanted to get done. Miles has just started climbing the stairs so I needed to vacuum them. I was off in a rush to finish it quickly, then I saw this picture as I worked my way around the corner. All those thoughts melted away. All I could think of is what a wonderful family I have. There were my three 'kids', my adorable three kids waiting for me at the top of the stairs.

Miles' the Explorer

In the last two weeks Miles has done lots of exploring around the house. From all the exploring we have had a few firsts! Here are 3 videos showing what Miles is up to...

Miles finds the bookshelf. Luckily he went for the shelf with his baby books on it.

Miles gives walking a go for the first time.

Miles finds and conquers the first step of the stairs.

Hair Cut

I decided to chop my hair off (again). I was growing it out since my last big chop which was the week before I found out I was pregnant. So it's been 1 1/2 years! At least this time I did it before summer not winter. :) I think it's time to update my blog picture...

Before (CA Trip in early April)

After (Last night out on the patio)

2nd Wedding Anniversary

Geoff, Miles & I on our 2nd Anniversary

Yesterday we celebrated our second anniversary! Geoff surprised me on Tuesday and took me out to Clyde's, one of our first outing together here in Virginia. It was fun going back and reminiscing about the days of past. We realized we have build many wonderful memories together here in Northern Virginia. Thank you Geoff for being the most amazing husband. I am truly in love with you. More today, then yesterday.

On a bit of a whim we decided to reminisce more and head out to Middleburg, VA. Miles had just fallen asleep in the car, so we didn't want to stop. We checked out the town and the Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast where we got married. Above is a picture from the town of Middleburg. I am holding up two fingers to signify our 2nd Anniversary. :)

First Swim Lessons

We started swim lessons last week. On Tuesday Geoff and Cyndie came to job in the fun (from the sidelines that is) so they were able to take some pictures.

Baby pals we hang out with.
Miles splashing away
The whole swim class
Miles & I in the cold water

New Playmat

Juliet helping Miles put the mat together

Geoff checking out the mat with Miles

Nine Months Old

We now have a energetic crawling nine month old. Oh how life changes. Miles has made so many fun changes over this last month. He learned to put food into his month, crawler, pull himself up, and stand with one hand. As always he is full of smiles and a ball of energy.

He is still enjoying his solid foods and milk. He has now tried risotto, frittata, cheese, cantaloupe, and prunes. His favorite is of course bread. Cheerios, pita bread or puffs. We had our nine month appointment this past week and found out (like I mentioned earlier) that Miles is underweight. So I'm focusing more on making sure he eats. He is just so excited about life that he gets distracted easy and wants to play.

The latest stats:

• Height: 27 1/2 inches
• Weight: 16.5 lbs
• Sleep pattern: I lay him down, he sits, then stands, then flops over, butt in air, repeats a few times, then out cold on his belly.
• Favorite activity: Standing at the toy box and emptying it out.

We have a crawler!

Miles took off crawling on Tuesday. We all thought it would be any day now and sure enough it was. He decided to wait until the rare day when I had a work meeting. I had him set on a rug with a few toys while the meeting went on. He apparently liked the office furniture better and headed off to explore. Here is a video of him crawling yesterday, Saturday, on his 9 month birthday.

Today's Struggles

So many things going on this month for us and for others. I feel like many friends and family are having struggles. Not sure why but the prayer list is getting long Lord. Here are the two things that happened this morning so you can be in prayer for us...

• Geoff got the hives again this morning. He had them in January for three weeks. We thought it was a sensitivity to gluten so he changed his diet. He has cut 99% of all things gluten (no wheat, barely, rye, etc) for 2 months now. It has helped other health problems he's had but apparently was causing the hives. We are now looking at other things.


• I took Miles to the doctor this morning for his 9 month check-up. All is good except he isn't gaining weight like he should. The doctor said I have a month to change it otherwise we start doing blood work and running tests. So I am suppose to 'feed him liberally'. In a month we head back in for a weigh in. Kinda like biggest loser except its time to put on the pounds!

California Trip

My family in California. From left to right: My dad and mom from MN, Geoff and me holding Miles, cousin Aaron and Anne holding Reagan, my aunt Linda and uncle Tom.

My parents hiking in Mount San Jacinto National Park. We took the aerial tram up into the mountain from Palm Springs, CA. It is beautiful up there!

Geoff, Miles & I in Joshua Tree National Park on a day hike. Miles is hanging out in the carrier on Geoff's back. It was so windy that day! At one point I had to chase down Geoff's hat up the mountain side. On the top of the mountain you couldn't even stand.

Geoff & Miles posing for a picture at Joshua Tree. Miles was so happy when Geoff climbed through the opening on his hands and knees. He couldn't stop giggling.

View of Jenks lake on top of a mountain outside of Redlands, CA.

This was our first hike up the moutain side to a crystal clear lake with more mountains in the background. Makes me want to move to California!

The cousins meeting for the first time in downtown Redlands, CA. Reagan is 9 months old and Miles 8 months old.

Eight Months Old

Miles turned eight month last Wednesday. I can't believe how fast it went! I just posted the seven month update. He is so much fun. Both Geoff and I are loving each moment we get to spend with him. He has such a beaming smile. He loves sharing giggles and smiles with everyone. He spends his time practicing standing and working on that crawling thing. He investigates toys by hitting them together then proceeding to put one of them into his mouth as usual.

The latest stats:

• Height: 27 inches
• Weight: 17.0 lbs
• Sleep method: on his side with thumb in mouth.
• Shows excitement: he starts panting like a dog and waving his arms

Chill Baby

Working towards a crawl

National 1/2 Marathon Again

I ran my 4th National half marathon last weekend. Here is a picture of me (& half of Geoff as he wasn't wearing his bib on front) running. It was great to be out there for the 4th year in a row. However sadly it didn't go so well. For some reason at mile 2 my IT band starting hurting. Hurting bad just like last year when I was pregnant. It was exactly at the same point in the race as last year. It didn't make sense. I was trained and much lighter. I ran a 10 miler two weeks before with no problem.

So I ran for another 4 hoping it needing to loosen up. No luck. So I told Geoff I couldn't run the whole thing without hurting myself worse. I could either quit right there or walk the rest. Geoff being the sweatheart that he is offered to walk the rest of the run with me. So we started walking and walking and walking. It takes a long time to walk something you planned on running! I couldn't resist running every little bit...I wanted to run so bad. I tried to not let it bother me but I was really bummed. What a disappointment. We finished and in the end had fun. Thanks for a nice walk on a brisk morning Geoff! Thanks for watching Miles Cyndie!

Strangely my leg hasn't bothered me since. Looking back I wonder if it triggered so Geoff wouldn't hurt himself running a 1/2 marathon he wasn't trained for. I'll never know. I'm just glad it is feeling better and I can still run.

Seven Months Old

Miles is now an energetic seven month old! He loves watching both of us parents and seeing what we are up to. His favorite toy right now are his stackable blocks. His favorite non-toy is our iPhones. Oh if he could only get his hands on one of them. He also has taken to eating, especially these melt in your mouth puffs. He is thinking about crawling but he'd way rather stand and shout at the top of his lungs. I'd love to post a video of it but blogger isn't working with videos.

The latest stats:

• Height: 27 inches
  
• Weight: 16.2 lbs
• Favorite activity: Practicing to stand. Scream of success included.
  
• Latest nickname: Puffman because if he could he would eat those Gerber puffs non-stop!

The Bottomless Pit

Boy does Miles love his baby food now! He must be going through a growth spurt because he's eating like a king.  We agree with his bib that says "bottomless pit".  

In one feeding he will eat:

• 3 of these homemade baby food containers
  
• 2 bowls of oatmeal
  
• A handful of puffs
  
• Top it off with a milk feeding.