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.

For Daddy, who we miss and love

Hi Dad. I told mom to post these cute pictures of me so you wouldn't miss me so much. Don't worry....she hasn't cut my hair yet, even though I look like a ragamuffin, and really really need a little trim.

this is me and Grandma enjoying the warm weather in St. George. She took me for a ride on Grandpa's golf cart, and I fell right to sleep.

Just hanging out with Grandma Great. She is funny and makes me laugh.

Just lookin super cute in my stroller and sun hat. Thanks mom for keeping me in the shade!

I went to the zoo! My favorite part was the bird show. I tried to find the lions, but they were all sleeping in the grass.

At Bear Lake. It was so cold! You can't tell from the picture, but this was the first time all day mom let me out of my sweatshirt. And it was right before we left.

And THIS is my new cheese face I love flashing any chance I get.

Everyone still calls me Smiley Miley.....but sometimes I like trick mom and do exactly the opposite.






But don't worry....I always go back to Smiley Miley.

And I just thought you should know my new favorite thing to do is climb into the bath tub and play with my bath toys. Don't worry...there's no water. But mom lets me play and play in the morning while she is getting ready. She calls it a "win-win". Whatever that means.

Okay Dad....I hoped you liked my pictures. I miss you and so does mom, and we can't wait to see you in a few more weeks. Love ya!

**edited...the sound is working now....not that you were missing anything when it wasn't*

For My Daddy: Sure miss you!

PS....Just ignore the LOUD background conversation between my mom and Grandma. When you're talking to Grandma.......everything has to be loud. :)

Monthly Synopsis

Now 10 months old....and he just can't stand the excitement.

Monthly synopsis: Things Miles accomplished as a 9 month old. He has:

• given up on his army crawl. ( I guess he figured out doing the regular crawl is faster)
• Stands up and walks back and forth (while holding onto something for support)
• Occassionally lets go of whatever he is holding onto, and can balance 5-7 seconds before falling down.
• Understands the word "no". But loves pushing his limits. He will crawl somewhere he knows he's not suppossed to be, and then give me this "look", as if to say..."c'mon mom...come and get me. I dare ya!" And when he sees me coming, he crawls away in hyper speed, giggling the whole way.
• learned to climb up stairs. (That took about 2 minutes at Grandma Atkinson's house). But doesn't know how to come back down.
• was sick for the first time. Cousin Gabe came over on Aug. 5 with a runny nose, and the next day...Miles had it too. And by the 7th, the cold moved down into his lungs and gave him "croup". Even though he didn't feel well, he still tried so hard to be happy. He started antibiotics on the 8th, and began napping and sleeping right next to the humidifier. By the 10th, he was feeling a lot better. Thank goodness!
• Loves reading books, and turning the pages all by himself.

We have also taught Miles a few new tricks this month. He has learned to:

• Growl like a lion
• Play pat-a-cake
• Smile for pictures
• Say "mama" (he says it now more than dada) :)
• Give "high five"
• Play Peek-a-boo
• and do "so big"

And he has said "ruff" like a dog and "quack" like a duck....but only once, so I"m not sure if it really counts.

And I have been busy chasing him around everywhere. Why was I ever anxious for him to start crawling?!

I can't wait to see what new tricks he will learn at 1o months!

Camera Shy?

Miles has recently taken to LOVING his picture being taken. No complaints from me, because I love to take his picture. It's a win-win.

As soon as he sees you holding up anything even remotely resembling a camera, he gets all excited.

The routine is this: I hold up a camera ( or something that looks like a camera. Once I used post-it-notes, and got the same reaction.) Then I say 1-2-3- SMILE! He usually starts smiling by the time I reach -2-.

And because Mike is in Texas (for 2 whole months), and I am now in Wyoming (for 2 whole months), I thought he would probably want to see some new pictures of his cute little boy.

Miles also figured out, in the space of oh....about 5 seconds.......how to climb up the big curvy staircase in my parents' front room. But unfortunately, he didn't want to show off his new skills in front of the camera.

(And you may be asking yourself, "Why is Miles wearing his outside in the sun/swim hat inside? And why is it crooked like that?"

And my answer to you would be....Because I bust up laughing everytime I see him like that. That's why." :)

Just a little Dude and his Dad

The 4th of July.....and what do you do before the fireworks? Try to catch big huge beatles, ofcourse!

Miles, posing for the camera with dad

Hey Dad....There's something down there!

Almost there......Just a little closer....

(That's as close as he got. Once he saw it up close and personal, he decided he didn't want it anymore.)

That's alright by me. Given his penchant for eating bugs, I'd rather he not learn how to pick up big stink bug beatles.

Crack is Wack....But Babies are the next best thing

The other day I was playing with Miles, something I do pretty much all day, every day. I'm not sure what was different about that particular play session, but I found myself noticing just how happy I felt. Or maybe I should say, I couldn't help but notice how happy he made me feel. I wasn't exactly sure what it was, but there was something about the way he smiled and laughed, and just couldn't get enough of my silly faces or the tickles on his tummy. I even brought it up to Mike, and we had a whole conversation on the mysteries of a smiling baby, and why we will do ALMOST anything to see the dimples in his cheeks, and hear his infectious giggles.

So, imagine my surprise when, later that afternoon, I came across an article on MSNBC about this very topic. Apparrently, seeing your baby smile activates pleasure receptors in your brain typically associated with....you got it. Drug Addiction. (along with other things). According to the article:

"Any mother who's ever felt a jolt of joy at her baby’s first grin knows how intoxicating that can be. Now, scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine say there’s more to the baby buzz than just a rush of happy feelings. Turns out that seeing your own child smile actually activates the pleasure receptors in the brain typically associated with food, sex — and drug addiction.
“It may be that seeing your own baby’s face is like a ‘natural high’ ."

Apparrently, this has been scientifically tested. (You know how I love scientific things)

So there you have it. Now you know why you might jump up and down, talk like a chipmunk, prance around the house or act like a monkey, make various strange noises, stick out your tongue, play pat-a-cake, tickle tummies, and sing childish songs in the presence of your favorite baby, all to coax out one more grin. You do it for the same reason I do.

We can't help it.

We're addicted

And how could I not be?

Add Lion Tamer to my list of job requirements

Today, my little man is 9 months old.

My sweet, crazy, funny, Smiley Miley

And since he is now 9 months, I figured I should write his 8 months "summary."

at 8 months he was: 15 pounds 8 ounces

• He perfected his army crawl
• He perfected his "regular" crawl
• He learned how to pull himself up to a standing position (which resulted in his crib being lowered to the lowest position)
• And he learned how to get himself into a sitting position
• He got his first tooth. (Actually, his first TWO teeth) both bottom front ones
• He said his first word, "da-da". Despite the HOURS I have spent whispering mama into his ear
• He started having formula and eating all kinds of yummy finger foods, like cheerios, yogurt bites, and fruit and vegetable puffs
• He learned how to get these yummy treats into his mouth all by himself
• And then he ate his first bug right off the kitchen floor (see my previous post)
  
• And he has learned how to throw a pretty good tantrum, and cry in just a way that mom feels bad and gives him whatever he wants. What a smart little bugger!
• Tasted his first ice cream. Ofcourse he loves it.
• And he got his first haircut. (performed by Grandma Atkinson) Mike wasn't very happy about it. But don't worry. He still has PLENTY!!
  

That's a lot in just 4 weeks! Miles is definitely developing his little personality. Here are a few things about him at 8 months.

He prefers army crawling to regular crawling, but only pushes off with his right foot

• Loves kicking and kicking and kicking his legs. (Maybe we have the next Michael Phelps on our hands?)
• Loves his Baby Einstein First Signs dvd. We watch it everyday.
  Favorite Book: Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
• Favorite Song: Mom singing "I've been working on the railroad"
• Loves chasing after electrical cords and remote controls. I can't keep him away from them.
• Hates being held "like a baby", in a cuddly position. If he lets you hold him at all, he wants to be facing out and looking at his world. But he really prefers to be exploring.
• Doesn't like going down for naps, or going to sleep. He tries to fight it, and usually cries for about oh...30 seconds before he just gets too comfy and falls right to sleep.
• Sleeps about 12 hours at night. He usually doesn't wake up

But if I had to describe Miles in only one word, it would be HAPPY! I probably don't deserve how good he is. He is just happy and smiley all day long. And that makes ME smile all day long.

And NOW...Miles is working on cute new things I can record for nine months. At nine months, Miles now likes growl like a lion. Atleast thats what I think he sounds like. He started doing this today. It just doesn't get any cuter than this.

We only eat Gourmet Delicacies at our house

One major negative aspect to living in a climate where temperatures soar above 100 degrees (well, besides the temperatures themselves) is all the little warm weather loving creepy crawlies that seem to be in abundance around my house lately. These buggies are, I think, smarter than most people give them credit for. You see, while they love warm temperatures, they want to get out of the HOT temperatures, just like everthing else. They do this by finding any crack, hole or opening and sneak their way into MY lovely air-conditioned home.

We do our best to keep these pests under control. Our HOA pays for a company to spray twice a year. And we spray outside and inside ourselves a few times a year. This helps. But some creepy crawlies still manage to get in. Usually the fly swatter takes care of these. Even still, some extra sneaky buggies sneak past us. Today was one of those days.

I have officially become a baby wrangler around here. (In addition to bug zapper.) Miles just can NOT hold still. He is crawling everywhere, pulling himself up on anything he can get his hands on, and simply REFUSES to be held, or contained in any manner. This also almost always includes being put in his baby jumper he LOVED only a couple weeks ago. At the same time, he has also learned how to throw a pretty good tantrum. These tantrums generally occur when he feels his new found freedom is being infringed upon (as in being placed in the baby jumper, crib, pack-n-play, highchair, or even being held.) And did I mention I'm also a push over? As a result, Miles enjoys free reign of the house. He gets to crawl all over the place. We don't have stairs, and everything has been appropriately baby proofed, so I just let him go, and go, and go. He's happy, I'm happy.

He has also figured out how to pick little things up and put them in his mouth. Usually these little things consist of cheerios or vegetable puffs, or other baby appropriate munchies. But TODAY......today he found a new treat.

I was putting things away from our trip to Utah this afternoon. I came into the living room and noticed Miles was just chomping away. Chomp Chomp Chomp....perfectly happy he had found such a yummy treat. I hadn't given him any snacks. Afraid he had found some kind of choking hazard accidentally left out, I rushed over to investigate. And What did I see????

Two perfect little cricket legs sticking out of my baby's mouth.

Yes. That's right. Miles found a cricket that had somehow made it past me. I'm assuming it was already dead when he found it. I started yelling: "Oh NOOOOO! Don't eat that! Yuck! Spit that OOUUUUTTTTT!" I tried getting it out of his mouth, but Miles' jaws were shut tight! He was not about to let the snack he had found all by himself get away.

Mike had to help me get the half chewed cricket out of his slobbery mouth. It was a fight I tell you. We finally had to pinch Miles' nose to get him to open his mouth. And once the cricket was removed......we had a tantrum on our hands.

Lovely. My only consolation is that somewhere, in some foreign land or third world country, crickets are probably considered a delicacy. And as I'm quite sure this won't be the last "delicacy" Miles finds around our house, next time I'll try to get a picture.