December 2013

I'm finally sitting down to post about life lately, and at the same time, reluctantly accepting that the holidays have come and gone.  As much as I dread the end of this season, I'm filled with gratitude as I reflect back on the month. December is magical with an almost one-and-a-half year old, and I have heard that it even gets better.  While Miles isn't old enough to truly understand the Christmas story, or Santa, or our family traditions, I think this month was his favorite so far.

We took Miles downtown to ride on a carousel, which he didn't love at first, but soon started to enjoy.  Probably his favorite event, however, was a trip to see the WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo.  I wish I had photos to document how happy he was to see the displays.  Looking back, we were probably a bit irresponsible to let him run down the crowded path, head tilted back, laughing out loud as the lights swirled around him.  His favorite word these days is "ights!" and the Christmas tree still gets him each morning.  It's going to be tough to take that thing down (I don't want the holidays to end either).

You wouldn't know it from the photo below, but Miles loves Santa.  At least the idea of him.  We prepped Miles for the big photo op by showing him pictures and teaching him "ho ho ho."  When he saw Santa in person, he tried to walk right up to him, but there was a long line, which turned into an hour wait.  By the time we reached the front, Miles was distracted by a wet floor sign (a strange obsession these days) and didn't want to pause to sit on Santa's lap.  Twas the Night Before Christmas is Miles's most requested book and we read it 5 times today alone (no, we will not let the holidays end).

Then, a few days before Christmas, it snowed in Seattle.  It was enough to delay school, but the white stuff only stayed for a few hours before the rain melted it away.  It was fun while it lasted!

The week of Christmas was filled with family events.  My mom bought our group tickets for the Christmas Ship, which left from Kirkland and toured Lake Washington.  It was a surprisingly clear night and although it was somewhat difficult to contain an adventurous toddler on a boat, we had a great time.  The next day, Christmas eve, we went to an afternoon church service and then to dinner at my grandparents' house.  As always, the food was delicious. 

And then there was Christmas morning.  Miles received a wagon, filled with a few things that we knew he would love.  It's tough to say whether he liked the toy vacuum or wagon itself the best.  He just went in and out of the wagon, over and over again (hopping right in, even without his diaper).

Miles spent some quality time with his Aunt Robin and Uncle Josh. We wish they lived here all year long.

And "Captain" Ron was kind enough to take him out in the wagon in the fog.

We opened gifts, ate more food, relaxed, and put together a puzzle.  It was a great day.

Inspired by a touching holiday commercial (did anyone else cry, watching this?), I put together a short video of our time together as a family this Christmas.  Merry Christmas to you (may it never end). 

Happy Easter!

I think I have a little too much fun dressing up my child for the holidays.  For some reason a baby in any kind of costume is the cutest thing! I saw this hat on Etsy, and just had to get it.  My mom says it's dorky and cute at the same time.  The weather is supposed to be really nice, so we'll see if Miles actually wears his hat on Easter.

Miles likes chewing on this carrot toy too.  Just like a little bunny.

Steve said this next photo looks like we happened upon Miles in the woods or something.  He really looks like a rabbit!

Happy Easter to you!

Be Mine?

Happy Valentine's Day! 

xoxo Miles

Christmas 2012

"A baby overwhelms us with its lovableness; even its smell stirs us more deeply than the smell of pine or baking bread.  What is overpowering is simply the fact that a baby is life." -Bill Cosby

I love Christmas.  It is by far my favorite holiday, and I am always so sad to see it go.  This year I kept reminding myself that it was only a year ago that we announced we were having a baby.  (I don't think I ever posted the photo of my family members' faces when Steve shouted "Rachel's pregnant" during our Christmas eve toast.  Here it is, one year later).

No big announcements this year, but there was a little baby to cuddle and spoil.  It brought me so much joy to watch my family hold and play with Miles.  My sister and her husband Josh were so great with him, and my Grandpa Dick chatted with him like they were best friends.  We spent Christmas eve at my grandmother's house, enjoying a delicious meal.  Then, everyone except me and Miles headed to church (the downside to an early bedtime).

Like usual, Christmas day was spent at my mom's house, where we didn't get out of our pajamas the whole day (not atypical for me these days) and ate meal after delicious meal.  I think I've figured out why I like Christmas so much--it involves two delicious dinners and breakfast.  And in our house, it also involves a puzzle.

Every year we work on a puzzle on a card table in the living room.  Generally the participants rotate in and out of the chairs as we take turns watching sports, taking naps and preparing meals.  The only time the puzzle becomes somewhat competitive is when it nears completion and we begin to speculate over who will put in the last piece.  Really competitive, I know.

I made these dark chocolate peppermint brownies that I've had my eye on for some time.  It's a little bit of work to make brownies from scratch, but definitely worth it. 

Miles did pretty well staying at my mom's house, but I'm telling you, this baby does not like to nap.  Whether he's afraid he'll miss something fun, still struggling to transition through sleep cycles, or is just plain overtired, I'm not sure.  He's recently starting gnawing pretty hard on things and scratches at his ear, which I've read are both signs of teething.  In any case, it was the beginning of many more years of sharing the fun of Christmas with a little one.  I can't wait to see him enjoy it even more as he gets older.

My sister is so sweet with her little nephew, and didn't seem to mind his cries of protest during naps or tendency to spit up on her clothes.  I wish she and Josh lived closer.

So many times over the past few days, we found ourselves gathered around a blanket on the floor, just watching Miles play with toys, practice rolling over, and respond to our silly faces or songs.  We'd laugh about how easy it was to just sit and watch a baby be a baby.  I can't help thinking about how Christmas is about exactly that--celebrating the miracle of a baby.  Christ came into the world just like us, and brought not only joy and love, but also hope.  God loves us, God is for us, God is with us.  I am so incredibly thankful for this gift.

Merry Christmas!