Empathy

Miles has always been a very sweet boy, but he is starting to show some empathy towards me that has surprised me.

1. Before we went up to Reno, I had a standard doctor's appointment and Miles had the second installment of his H1N1 vaccination. Tim took Miles up to get his shot while I got settled at the OB. By the time that Miles and Tim were through, I was already in the exam room. When the doctor showed up, Miles got very uncomfortable, but when the doctor started her exam, he freaked out. Miles was up in Daddy's arm just repeating "Mommy, no. Mommy, no!" I am sure he thought I was going to get a shot and he wanted to protect me.

2. While we were up in Reno, I stubbed my toe to much anguish in front of Miles. Instead of swearing and screaming in front of him, I hopped around and out of the room. Miles followed me, in tears, calling to me to make sure I was ok.

I am not sure if it is normal or not for him to be so concerned, but it is remarkably endearing and just shows me how his world is expanding beyond what immediately impacts him. What a lovey!

Christmas Morning

Like everything these days, we seem to be a little behind the boat on posting to the blog. This was a little taste of our Christmas morning before the cousins came down the mountain and all chaos broke out! We gave Miles a present every so often. I think he enjoyed opening things up, but needless to say was overwhelmed. I don't think he opened his final present until the evening of the 26th - but with a less than 2 year old, we weren't in any rush.



Children truly make the holidays more special. It is fun to just see him light up with the magic of the holidays.

Christmas at Mama Sue's

Mama Sue's daycare put on a very big Christmas celebration - complete with a special visit from Santa Clause. Miles wasn't so sure of the whole hairy man in red, but he was very grateful for the present and thanked him a number of times. While I think there is still time for Miles to get comfortable with Santa, I am thrilled that he is learning his manners!



Before Santa arrived, all the families and some of the alumni came together for a wonderful cocktail party. The kids ran around like crazy while all the parents watched them adoringly. It turns out that Miles is a little bit of a dare devil.

A New Game

Miles versus the stuffed corgi....




and the funny part is that the corgi is competitive!

The Language

Miles has just exploded in language and is figuring out how to put it all together. It is amazing how he is figuring out language and how fast he is getting more words. I think he has about 50 new words from just this Christmas week alone at the Reeths. Often times, you will say something, and he will try to repeat it, but with the question inflection at the end of the sentence.

This video was taken in early / mid December, and you can just see Miles trying to imitate a little game that we have played with him for the last year.

Mama & Pop-Pop at the fish pond

While the Reeths were down helping us with the water heater, they took Miles to the San Mateo Japanese Tea Garden. Miles loves to go down to the Coi pond there and look at the fish. You can tell by their expressions, that Mama & Pop-pop just love to do anything that Miles loves.


...and I just love this photo.

The Big Cardboard Box

Over Thanksgiving, Daddo heard some running water all night long. After some manly investigation, Dad and Tim discovered there was water coming out of the side of the house, and Miles discovered it was "hot". Needless to say, the hot water heater had died in a glorious fashion. The next weekend, Tim and Pop-Pop replaced the water heater - which came in a delightfully gigantic and playful cardboard box.



Miles spent the better part of an hour playing outside in the box - is there anything more fun for little boys?