Glass half full

Yesterday, Miles was having some "digestive issues." So, to help things along, (so to speak), I gave him prunes with his lunch.

This morning as I pulled Miles out of his crip, I COMPLETELY regretted that decision.

He happened to have the biggest, wettest, stinkiest, dirtiest, grossest diaper I have yet to encounter. And I was less than thrilled to take care of it.

But when everything was over, and Miles was clean and dry, I realized I was looking at this situation from entirely the wrong light.

The diaper performed perfectly.

And everything stayed "in", exactly where it was suppossed to.

And if that's not reason enough to count my blessings, I don't know what is.

Do you wanna play?

Sucker - def. Slang. to make a sucker of; fool; hoodwink: another person suckered by a con artist

While I can be *slightly* gullible on occassion, I certainly wouldn't consider myself a sucker. Nor do I believe I am a fool, or easily hoodwinked. And I most definitely have never fallen for a scam.

But if you asked my husband about the "as seen on TV" items I have purchased, like the green bags that claim to keep your produce fresher longer, or the microwaveable bacon cooker, or even the rotating tupperware dispenser, he would most assuredly disagree with me.

(***in my defense, none of these products were purchased while watching info-mercials on late night TV.***)

But every year, I buy into something I am almost ashamed to admit.

For a few weeks every year, I readily throw away my money, and some would argue, put my health in jeopardy.

But why? Why do I do this?

Because Monopoly is

SO MUCH FUN!

Blast those McDonalds Marketing Execs.

It's Genius I tell you!

There's just something about peeling off those stickers and playing on-line (TWO chances to WIN!) that I just can't resist.

I know I won't win.

I mean, I know I won't win anything BIG. But inevitably, I win a small french fry, or even better, a McFlurry (M&M please!), making it, in my mind, SOOOOO worth it.

And when I go to redeem my free ice cream, I might as well order a chicken sandwich meal with a large fry and diet coke too, right? Afterall, I SHOULD eat dinner before my dessert. (And, I get 9 more stickers to peel off!)

And then I win another McFlurry.....and it starts all over again.

So, until November 3rd, when McDonalds Monopoly is over, I'll admit it. I'm a sucker. Go ahead and call me a fool. You get a free pass.

But when I peel off my Boardwalk sticker and win a million bucks....well......

I won't be sharing. :)

"one" day: Part 1

Hey everybody.....Remember THIS???

As a mother (or any parent, really), how do you even begin to describe such an occassion? As in, the moment your life was completely turned upside down. How do you describe the undescribable? I guess the answer is, you don't. Atleast *I* don't. I don't even know where to start.

Just over a year ago, my sweet little boy came into my life, and changed it forever. I have been reminiscing and watching this little video of our first moments together. Just after he was all bundled up and placed in my arms.



And seeing this in hindsight, well....I have to admit. There were a few things that surprised me.

First....Is my hair REALLY that dark? I had no idea!

And second....why in the world do they make hospital gowns so ugly? Knowing cadrillions of pictures are going to be snapped of new moms holding beautiful babies in those horrible things.

Seriously.

But one thing became glaringly obvious to me as I watched and re-watched this short clip. The moment Miles was placed in my arms was nothing like I expected. It's true, I had MANY pre-conceived notions of exactly how that moment would go. After months and months (9 to be exact) of watching "A Baby Story", "House of Babies", "Runway Moms", and Countless others. (My Tivo nearly filled right up with pregnant mom birthing babies shows.) I still have it all memorized. What I thought would happen.

Mom and Dad rush to the hospital
They have a baby

The Dr. says "It's a .....fill in the blank here." Even though the parents already filled in that blank.....like, atleast 5 months ago. It's no surprise, but everyone shrieks with delight.

Dad cuts cord

Docs and nurses clean baby up

Swaddle the little munchkin

Place in mom's arms

cue the tears......

and roll the credits.

If you've seen them, you know its true. And while my experience was VERY similiar, there was just one teensy tiny thing missing when they placed Miles in my arms.

Where was the EMOTION I had come to expect? Obviously, I was thrilled. And of course a little tired. But watching the video, I was comletely unprepared for my indisputable dry eyes.

In my defense, it all happened SO fast, I barely had time to process the whole thing before they plopped him down in my lap.

But truthfully, I think it was because:

I had

NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO!

Now though.....NOW.....I know.

And lack of tears are never a problem.

Just open up the flood gates folks, because here they come.

I had no idea then that the year to follow would be the best of my life. That if you asked me today, I would have to tell you it couldn't possibly get any better than this.

And that when I write about Miles, I cry.

When I think about him, I cry.

When I even think about thinking about him, I cry.

When I sneak into his room in the middle of the night because he is so darn cute and I can't imagine going a whole night without seeing him, I cry.

When I look through old pictures and see him getting so big already, I cry.

And when I realize the last year FLEW by, and I know the next ones will too..... you get the idea. I cry. I cry. I cry.

I can't help it. I don't ever think it will stop.

And there are more than tears. There are plenty of worries.

Am I teaching him enough? Did he eat enough vegetables today? If I buy regular whole milk instead of organic whole milk, am I going to ruin his life? Do I read to him enough? Should he be saying his animal sounds by now? Did I close the gate to the kitchen so he can't eat the dog food? He ate the dog food....how bad is that exactly?

The worrying never stops.

But neither do the lion growls. Or the screeches of delight chasing Marlee around the living room. Or the Peekaboos, or the So-bigs. Or the smiles, or the chuckles, or the laughter.

Yes....I'm a pretty lucky girl.

And I sure love my Smiley Miley

***end of Mushyness***

***drying eyes***

***and moving on***

We celebrated Miles' first birthday twice. Once in Evanston while I was visiting, and once in Phoenix with our friends. And we have plenty of pictures. Here are just a few.

Evanston Birthday

The cake for Everyone.

The cake for Miles

Sure love that Grandma Great

And that Papa....who is also pretty Great

Huh??? all this cake is for ME???

First Taste

Lots of tastes

My favorite part is the frosting....Just like Mom

More to come:

Phoenix Birthday, presents, cards, and fun activities since the big day. Stay tuned for part 2.

Hairs

SOMEONE got his hairs cut today. And I had no idea how sentimental I would feel about losing his long locks. This wasn't his first hair cut. It was his third hair cut. But it's short now. Really short. And I love it, but I miss it. I was giving Miles his bottle tonight before bed, and I went to tuck his hair behind his ear...and well.....there was none to tuck. And I tried running my fingers over his forehead to part his hair to the side, but there was none to part.

I was the one pushing for the trim. He WAS looking pretty shaggy. But I admit, I am having a little "cutters remorse." I think we'll definitely grow it back. :)


Here he is Before



and HERE he is AFTER:

What a cutie!

Loving the slide

My 2 Handsomest men (both with short hair.) I can't even believe it.

Mike with his "mini-me"

And a rare picture of Miles and mom.

Alright Little Guy....I'll admit it. I do miss your shaggy self. Your new short 'do definitely makes you look more grown up......and THAT's the part I'm not too excited about. Just stop it already! I'm not quite ready to let go of my little baby, so I hope you don't mind, but I think its going to be a LONG while before you get another trim.

Chicks Dig It

It's Been Awhile.

A Long While.

And Now I'm Back.

I have MANY MANY pictures and stories to share.

But we'll start with this.

We went to an amazing park in Anthem this weekend with our friends the Tranchells and the Jensens. And, it just so happens that the Jensen's little girl is 3 weeks older than Miles, and the Tranchell's little girl is 3 weeks younger than Miles.

We brought the Lightning McQueen car we bought Miles for his Birthday. (No...it hasn't technically happened yet. But we had a party. More on that later)

And THIS is what happened when he started riding it around.

Apparrently....when it comes to cute guys and hot cars....at any age.....Chicks Dig It!

You can tell, Miles is loving it. Oh brother......I'm in trouble.