Preferred method of movement...

In just a couple of weeks Miles has changed his preferred method of getting from point A to point B from crawling to walking. Though he has been walking for a couple of weeks, he would start off going somewhere by crawling and then later decide to stand up and walk. But in the past couple of days he now starts by walking.
His walking is getting stronger and less wobbly every day. I even dare to say he did a quick little run yesterday. With this comes more bumps and bruises. He has a lovely carpet burn right down his nose after falling (or sliding) down a carpeted incline at our church. Nice. (That is a good pair with the bruised bump on his forehead. He looks quite tough with all that.) I was going to arrange for some portraits to be made since he is walking but I think I will wait a couple more weeks for that to heal up now. Speaking of bumps and bruises, we had our first accident involving blood a couple weeks ago. He bumped into the corner of the couch and hurt something in his mouth which started bleeding. It was a little scary and I wasn't sure what to do since it was in his mouth, but after the initial pain wore off and it quit bleeding, Miles did not care about it.
Here's a video. Look at our big boy go!



Miles Update:
We went to the dr for our 15 mo check-up last week and here are his new measurements:
weight - 26 lbs (25 and 14.5 oz to be exact)
length - 32 inches
head - 51 cm (huge - i know!)

He is understanding more and more each day. He will say hi and bye - at the appropriate times. He blows kisses - which I did not teach him. I am not sure where he picked that up - but it is oh so sweet. He has also started making sound effects with almost everything. He picks up the hairdryer and humms, anything with wheels makes a raspberry sound (like a motor), and if it looks like a cleaner or toiletry item, it goes psss. It's very amusing. Outside is by far his favorite place to be and will strongly protest whenever we go inside. His favorite toys are usually not toys at all - which has been the case all along. He will play with the broom, vacuum or cleaning brush for extended periods of time; anything with buttons (i.e. remote controls, keyboards, and cell phones) is a delight; and putting things in and out (mostly out) of boxes is a favorite past time. He also likes taking bottles, bowls and spoons and will cook up something for you (he has seen that done a few times.) He is very rhythmic and will sing and dance without prompting if it has a good beat. The other day he was jamming in the car to Queen's version of Crazy Little Thing Called Love - clapping, singing, and bouncing his head. Very cute! (Here is a little taste of him singing in the car. It can get much more animated than this.)



His favorite foods are starting to change somewhat. I recently discovered that he LOVES blueberries, and strawberries will do in a pinch. Spaghetti is still high on his list and broccoli is his favorite veggie. Fish sticks or nuggets in ketchup are also a new menu item for him - and he loves it - but why wouldn't he? We have also recently added whole milk to his diet. We transitioned from soy milk to organic 2%, and then to organic whole to regular whole milk. I wish we could stay on the organic as I am sure it is better for him, but it is $8 a gallon! Geez. Some days he won't eat much because he is too much of a busy-body, but over all he is still a great eater.

A former life

Its 9pm and I am actually finished with my (desk) work for the day - or night I should say. What should I do next? Sleep. No. Go clean out that bedroom that needs a transformation very soon. Nahh.
I think I will blog about a former life. I found a folder of pictures of a couple projects that I recently accomplished and I remember the incredible sense of fulfillment that came with these hobbies. I miss this life and I don't think these hobbies are forever gone, but on sabbatical right now due to time constraints - and space constraints. One day i will be able to share this with two little boys - maybe.

I love to make stuff. I enjoy being crafty. It was the day before the last day of Miles' Mother's-Day-Out and I thought, "Uh-oh. I need some end of the year gifts for his teachers." I didn't have time to really make anything super nice and funds were low, so I picked up some cheap mugs and coffee to stuff in them, and made a little cup of Joe for each teacher. I really debated whether to leave the mugs alone or paint them. I am sure the plain white mugs would have matched everyone's decor better, but I had to add some color to them. I used plain red acrylic paint to cover the bottom and make the dots, coated the bottom with a spray clear coat, and then used clear fingernail polish to cover the dots. I left a little note to not put in the dishwasher but it may still have all washed off after a couple washings.


I made a little card to go with it that said "thanks a latte" to tie it all together and a strip of vellum with the quote "Teachers touch eternity one child at a time." I think the cards took longer to make than the mugs. I was very proud of my quickie gift - it turned out darn cute and only cost me about $3 each.



I also enjoy playing in the dirt. We gave up the garden and most of the other yard duties except mowing last spring/summer because we had a new baby in the house and that tends to take up a lot of energy. About a month ago Miles went down for his morning nap. The house was clean. I didn't have any work to do. And I sat and looked at about 8 empty pots sitting on my patio. I decided to just up and go to the Hardware store and get some plants to add life to our sad little patio. I spent the remainder of the morning filling those pots, planting some daisies in our beds, and even adding a row to our tomato garden with some watermelons. (I am proud to report they have taken off and have actually made vines. We will see if any watermelons come from those vines.) I find eating food from your own garden one of the most satisfying and fulfilling experiences out there. (Other than nurturing and growing your own children of course.)

MIA...

Sorry that we have been Missing in Action here lately on the world wide web. I don't have a good reason other than just life. I will try my best to not let a month go by without posting something again (though during the month of August Mason may have to take over.) Here is what has happened in the past month:

Pregnancy - I am obviously very pregnant these days and all that comes with being in that condition is annoying at times. Yes it is hot. But aren't you hot? I don't know that being pregnant has made me any warmer though I may sweat more (TMI?) Here are a couple obligatory pictures. I would be perfectly happy for this pregnancy to be completely undocumented with a picture but I suppose one or two won't hurt. (Oh and I got my hair cut too.)

We went on a weekend jaunt to Heber in celebration of our anniversary.
Overlooking the White River valley at Mason's 10 year high school reunion.

Milestones - Independent walking is right around the corner for Miles. He can walk about 4 feet on his own before falling over. It is very wobbley and stiff-legged but he will get the hang of it soon enough. I need a video of it. Maybe I will do that tomorrow. I have given him an ultimatum that he must be walking by the time little brother gets here.
With summer here Miles has enjoyed the pool a few times. He even has his own Wild River Country season pass. Here he is with best-bud Sam taking a break from the kiddie pool.

Miles thoroughly enjoyed some chocolate pudding dessert I made. When it was all gone out of his bowl, he picked it up and tried licking the bowl.
I seriously don't know where he would get an idea like that.

We made a trip to Camden to visit Mason's grandparents. During Miles' exploration of the kitchen cabinets he found his own little oven. He would move the little baking sheets in and out and open and shut the doors. Watch out Bobby Flay - the boy is going to cook.
(Note: the toaster oven is not plugged in. it is in storage in the cabinet.)

I promise I do take some pictures of Miles when he is not eating but obviously this is not one of them. These days, he is the stillest, happiest and contained the easiest in the highchair which makes for the best pictures. I could have photoshopped the snot out but I wanted to keep it real for you.

Baby #2 as we have affectionately called him for the past 7-8 months now has a name. Grant Mitchell Atkinson. The handful of people that do read and post comments liked this name the best. It was the name in most agreement at Hazelwood house. It has also been printed on a baby shower invitation so I guess that makes it as official as offical can be (with the exception of a birth certificate.) I said from the beginning that it would be Grant if I couldn't come up with anything better. Seems like I have given up, and I suppose I have. I am tired of thinking about it and there is nothing wrong with the name. (Why can't I get this to NOT be in italics - we are having technical difficulties.)

Only about 8 more weeks to go until Grant's estimated date of arrival and the room (which will be Miles' new room) is no where near completion . It's really no where near started. I have thought about it and even have paint chips taped up on the wall. I want a light smokey blue color and a darker blue ceiling (because all the purple is going to have to go.) Here is a sample room from the Behr paint website of the color I am considering. It's called "Light French Gray"



I have also found a painting for the wall that I have fallen in love with. I don't really have a theme to the room right now and I thought this might could go with a transportation theme or even just general travel theme later down the road. I found it here at rosenberry rooms



While I am "decorating", here are the sheets and then the graphic design nerd in me hung the picture and curtains in the sample paint room.




I am on the lookout for a cribskirt to match. The coordinating one has to be purchased in the crib set which I am not wanting to do. So, what do you think?

A visit with Uncle Sam...

Our Dear Uncle Sam...

We survived our trip to D.C. and are home. I realize that somewhere along the way of motherhood that I have morphed into an "adult" because I have never been so relieved and excited to get home. I am glad we went and plan on returning when the boys are old enough to walk on their own.

Miles cozy in his stroller at Arlington National Cemetery

A few highlights:
1. The plane trip: My opinion of flying has changed somewhat since becoming a mother. I think I would rather ride in the car for 8 hours with Miles than have to sit with him in my lap trying to hold him still and quiet for 2 hours. It is exhausting and extremely stressful. We tried all the magic pills and Miles fights sleep with all his being even under the influence. He is so afraid he will miss something of great importance. I shouldn't complain - he was really quite good (except for one leg of the flight). Also the recovering ear infection did not ease any of my worries though the pressure change did not bother him at all.

2. Visiting Uncle Sam, Mimi and Granddaddy: Meeting up with my Dad, step mom, and brother - Miles' Uncle Sam - was just as central to our trip as seeing our nation's capitol. Miles took to Sam like a brother and had a grand time playing with him. I am also glad he was able to get to know Mimi and Granddaddy a little better. Thankfully they did a lot of holding and snuggling when naptime fell in the middle of the Smithsonian.

My Brother Sam with a monkey at the Smithsonian

Miles and Sam hanging out at the hotel watching cartoons

3. Seeing a lot of firsts: I don't know how I avoided seeing my nation's capitol as a child, but I have never been to Washington D.C. Seems like it should be a requirement to pass American History but in my case, I should be relieved it's not. It was hard for me to wrap my brain around how much "history" is in this one place. All the buildings echo of another time and place.

Union Station

We took a bus tour and saw all the major monuments. We were able to investigate closer the Capitol(with our own personal tour guide - thanks Quinten), Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and a couple of the Smithsonian museums.

Arlington

The rotunda - or the tundra - whatever you choose to call it...

The group with Quinten, our guide, in the rotunda

4. Experiencing the weather: We did not pick the fairest days to visit. It was cold and rainy most of the time we were there. We were prepared as could be with our rain coats and umbrellas but it was still hard to stay dry. Granddaddy held his big golf umbrella over Miles' stroller so he wouldn't get wet. Miles actually thought the rain was a lot of fun! The rest of us didn't share his opinion. We ended up waiting in line for an hour in the rain to see the Declaration of Independence. I did enjoy the National Archives just as much as any of the other museums - I just wish I wasn't so tired by the time we got there. The day we were leaving it was gorgeous so we crammed in a few last minute monuments.

The line to the National Archives (and that was after waiting about 30 minutes)

Granddaddy holding the umbrella over Miles while waiting in line in the rain.
(Miles is preparing for a career in dentistry.)

The Lincoln Memorial on our one gorgeous day

A quick shot of the Capitol exterior. The funny thing is when you go on the official tour
you don't get to see the outside of it.

5. Walking a lot: DC requires a lot of walking. We had metro passes, and a bus tour but still had to walk at least 3 blocks to get to a station or pick-up point. If I lived there, I know I would be 10-15 lbs leaner just from all the walking. Mason says we really didn't walk that much so I am hoping my exhaustion was from my "delicate condition" and not so much my fitness lever (or lack of). We went over Mother's Day weekend and lucky for me I received the new Wii Fit for Mother's Day. So I suppose that fitness level shouldn't be an issue for much longer.

Miles investigating some bugs at the Smithsonian

Miles trying to pet the porcupine