Another new 'Tone

Miles had another new milesTone today!!!! I was trying to take a photo of him and he kept leaning forward. So I decided to put him on the floor and see what he would do... and he stayed sitting up-ish!! It was only for a couple of seconds before he toppled over, but he can do it! He is changing so much and so quickly and we are so proud of him... and as you can tell, he is so proud of himself, too!!

More photos here, too.

Miles' New Trick

Miles has learned to roll over!! Yesterday, when Tim went to get him from his morning nap, he was on his stomach and crying. Later in the afternoon, he was super tired in the stroller and I expected to put him to bed and have him fall asleep quickly. There were a few noises (grunts and squeaks) from his room so I went to check on him - he was on his stomach again. So I rolled him over and stayed and watched him out of his view. He rolled over again. So I rolled him back over and he finally went to sleep. We heard him wake up, but he was fine in his crib so we left him for a minute. He then started crying so we went to get him - and he was on his stomach again. I caught the above on film last night as we were playing before bed.

He is apparently doing the baby thing of once they learn a new trick, practicing it all the time. He hasn't yet learned how to roll over onto his back (though he does it accidentally when he holds up his head too high).

He is growing up so quickly -- and we just crossed the threshold of mobility.

Social Reeths

Yesterday, we threw a very successful barbecue - and it was the first time since Miles was born, that it was almost like before we had him - but better because he was here!

It started with my weekend to host the Burlingame moms. I sent out an invitation to bring their babies and spouses, but only 1 of the 3 other ladies could come. So we invited to other couples we haven't seen in ages to come and join us. Then yesterday morning, I was on the phone with my mommy mentor and asked her how spontaneous she was feeling, and she, her husband, and son, got in the car and came over from Pleasanton to join us. I served some easy, but yummy recipes, some of which I picked up from magazines, others I "invented". (Like chicken satay sandwiches: marinated curry grilled chicken on sourdough rolls with cucumbers, cilantro and mint leaves, and homemade peanut sauce. YUM!!!!!)

Miles was the world's best baby. Right before the party started, we put him up for a nap, and he went down easily. A couple hours into the party, we put him down (easily again!) for a nap which he took as we laughed and joked in the living room right below him. And then at bed time, I took him upstairs, had a little Mom & Miles time, gave him a massage, read him a quick story, fed him and put him to bed. I was back in the party in 20 minutes and he was asleep for the night. (well, except for his midnight and 4 am feeding... can't figure out why he is doing that still...)

It was a wonderful afternoon / evening. Lots of good friends, lots of great conversation, and a day well spent.

Fun with Beebles!!

My mom came into town early this week on her way to Soda Springs for the remainder of the summer to help me out with Miles. She had a nice visit with her grandson, and was critical to me in terms of helping lift my 14 1/2 lb baby and start to heal.

Miles enjoyed the reprieve from boring old Mom and loved having someone else around to love him all day.

As for my back, things are going better and I am feeling encouraged. I have had 2 physical therapy sessions already and another 1 tomorrow morning. We're starting really basic trying to calm down the muscles that are still in total spasm, and starting to strengthen some of the ones that are atrophying. I got my hair cut today (first time in since before Miles was born) and sitting in the chair for the hour bothered my back. It's going to be a long road to recovery and a lifetime of trying to manage it, but at least I am on a road to recovery!!!

Thanks for coming out to help, Beebles!!!

Sleep Training a Success!

Miles seems to have gotten with the program. The last 2 nights, he has slept 10 and 11 hours respectively. Naps have gotten easy with the new routine. He is perfectly comfortable in his own crib and (mostly) happily drifts off to sleep. I can hear him sucking his hand through the monitor, and the occasional revving of the whining engine, but that is certainly nothing to complain about. I am so proud of our little sleeping man!!

Growing boy!!!

We had our 4 month visit for Miles this morning and he is looking great. The doctor said he was on track and looking wonderful. He also said that Miles was the most special, most handsome, most wonderful little boy he has EVER seen. Ok, he didn't actually say that, but I know it was what he was thinking (says the doting Mom). Here's how he's growing:

• -14 lbs 6 ozs: He's gained about 3 1/2 pounds since the last visit and is still just under 50th percentile for weight.
• -25.5 inches. He's grown 2.25 inches since the last visit and is about 75th percentile. His head is also in the 75th percentile. So he continues to be tall and skinny, relatively speaking.

He also got his 4 month shots this morning. I can officially report he was much stronger than Mom throughout the process. He didn't even cry with the first shot, though, of course, he did with numbers 2, 3, and 4. After it was done, we picked him up and he calmed down. When we got home, I put him down for his morning nap, and he fell asleep quickly. He woke up 45 minutes later and couldn't have greeted me with a bigger grin. I love our growing little man.

Proud Mommy!!!

Ok, so I am clearly obsessed with sleeping, but it seems to be paying off. Last night, Miles slept from 8 - 4 am. At 4 we fed him and he went back to sleep easily. He woke up around 6:30 and I listened to him coo in his crib for about 30 - 45 minutes and then he fell asleep again. We all woke up around 8 this morning. Pretty good night as far as nights go.

This morning's nap, I put him down with the normal routine. He "chatted" to his music for the 5 minutes that it plays, and then made whiny / car revving noises for about 15 minutes. I picked him up and explained that it was sleeping time and that nothing was happening in the house while he was asleep so wouldn't miss anything. After that and a couple more whiny sounds, he fell asleep. (About 20 minutes total, no wailing, and only 1 pick up!!)

After 45 minutes - you literally can set your clock to it - he woke with a cry. I then heard the sound of him sucking his hand over the monitor, and then he went back to sleep. This is the first nap since our regimented training began that he has slept more than 45 minutes!! I am so proud of our little man - he is getting this sleeping skill down great!!