Crabby

So many photos of Miles is of him smiling and having a great time...so we thought it was only fair to show both sides of the story. Miles is 99% of the time happy and ear to ear smiles; whether he has a cold, cut or is hungry..ok, he's not ok when hungry. However, if he wants to...say look at the view finder of the camera (as is the case in the photo below) and he is unable to, he will let you know he's a bit more than just a little disappointed and put off.

This is the face of the noise "eeeeh, eh, eehhhhh!"

I Rock!

Almost everyday, at some point, we'd try to make it down to Ceder Lake or to Children's Beach. Miles loved (as many kids do) standing in ankle high water, chucking rocks into ankle deep water. Miles thought he was the Cat's Ass in his surfer's outfit, Greg Norman styled beach hat and ready for water sandals...and you know what??? He was!

Morning Bird Watch

Each morning Miles would press his way thru whatever was between him and his favorite spot on the deck; a corner nook just below the Humming Bird feeder. Usually Dad (I) would sit out there with Miles while I sipped my morning coffee. It was a great morning routine for us.

What face does a piggy make?

Feel the title is appropriate for this photo of Miles peering through the screen door in Soda Springs. Miles would in and out, in and out, in and out, in for solid 20 minute blocks at a time. He loved being able to open and close BOTH the glass doors and the screen doors (only if the screen doors were not latched). Oh, yeah...a major MileStone is his ability to open doors with hotel styled handles (not nobs). Half way through our trip, we had to start locking the glass doors.

Imagine for a minute that I had to first witness Miles like this, then go find the camera, turn it on, remove lens cap and click. Needless to say, Miles was sitting like this watching us for minutes.

Cool Man Miles

Lina and I were flipping thru photos stored on my blackberry, when I came across this jem. Forgot we had it. We were having a meal (burritos and quesadillas) in Auburn while Miles monkeyed around with Mom's sun glasses.

Gosh We Love Miles' God Parents

Beth, Dave and Brennan all came up to Soda Springs for the weekend. It was great for Miles to have someone his age(ish) to pal around with. At first, the two were a little timid of one another; standing opposite staring at one another. Eventually the two warmed up to one another and began to play.

Brennan's turn at "Don Quiote"

Boys and their toys

Beth reading books to Brennan and Miles

Miles as lookout. "Go, go go!....argh, MOVE the cooler!"

Boys swapping stories of the open sea, women they loved,

adventures they've taken and breast milk.

Blue and Gold Meadow

Mom, Miles and Dad when on a quick hike up to Blue and Gold meadow; it was beautiful this time of year and this year in particular. The meadow was full of sunflowers, "forget me nots" and a cornucopia of butterflies. Unfortunately, the photo does not do the meadow or its colors justice.


The river crossing was interesting. Some of the downed trees we'd walk over to cross the previous year had moved or broke away, so we had to light step it across the pile of trees to get the other side. Early season, you're never sure what state the logs you cross are in.

We then headed back toward camp by way the petroglyphs, smiled at the falls and headed back in for some lunch.

Tired Toe Head

Miles had a bit of an 'episode' during dinner one of our first nights in camp. He'd dig into his (for the life of me I can't remember what that yellow stuff was) dinner and alternate between putting it in his mouth or his hair. On a few occasions, he went with his spoon to his hair for food instead of his tray. Why do we give Mr.Mr. a jar of baby mush? Well, when he gets tired, he refuses most foods which require chewing. So we are left with the pureed food, often jarred baby food; because by this time Mom and Dad are now also tired.

Handsome boy!

Happy 4th of July (belated)

We apologize for the long hiatus since our last post, but we've been so busy of late. The summary, before we start going apey with posts from the past few weeks, is we're all doing great. Nothing much to report from Lina and I about Lina or I, so we'll stay focused on Mr.Mr.

Miles loves his Day Care, he has many friends and has really taken to the environment. He now eagerly waves good-bye to us at the door when we drop him off; ready to start his day. Good news is he STILL gets excited when we pick him up - PHEW!

He has started picking up and using additional words. He now knows "WOW", which he uses appropriately when he drops...say a Pyrex measuring cup in the kitchen..."WOW is right Miles, it does make a loud bang, dent the floor and possibly compromises the integrity of the glass." He also now clearly articulates Momma, Daddie, Ma, Baa, Dugc, oooo and ehleeh.

Miles is also REALLY pushing his limits, both coordination and parent patience. Miles is at the stage where he is testing his own abilities (ie. climbing, balancing, running etc) and the parental boundaries, usually relating to safety as he attempts all sorts of new tricks. We've started giving him 1min. time-outs in the corner when he refuses to listen to us. We only really enforce time-outs, however, when he is in danger of hurting himself.

The family spent two plus weeks in Soda Springs - from July 3rd thru July 19. It was a fabulous getaway. We nearly completely unplugged from the world and focused our energies and attention to our immediate family, extended family and our friends, whom joined us at various times throughout for a night or two under the stars, great food and play. More on that later.

Now - lets get to the vacation posts.

Mr.Mr. in his SS Bear Hat...GRRRRRRR!