18 Months

And just like that, I turn around and my baby is 18 months old.  Miles had his half birthday about a week ago.  It is strange to think that in 6 months, he'll be turning 2!  I'm sure he will change so much between now and then.  He's already grown so much since turning 1.

Miles has always been an outdoors kind of guy.  He runs to the door, encourages us to put on our shoes, and tries to open the door himself, multiple times a day.  Most of the time, he cries when we force him to come back inside. 

Miles likes to run everywhere.  Steve taught him to make a huffing and puffing sound when he sees runners pass by, and now he makes this sound whenever he runs anywhere.  If we are having a hard time getting him to follow a direction, we can usually say, "Miles, go run and get ____" and he will do it.

I'm not sure how common this is with 18 month olds, but when Miles likes a certain toy, he becomes obsessed with it.  Lately, it's been his toy car, which we keep outside (coming inside from playing with this thing has led to multiple tantrums).  He can spend a good chunk of time, just getting in and out of his car and sitting in it.  He's also become attached to his toy vacuum (as well as the real one), his toy basketball hoop, and the book The Cat in the Hat.  

Miles is also a big football fan.  He was kind of forced into it when the Seahawks were in the playoffs.  Whenever he sees a Seahawk logo, he says "ball!"and points to it excitedly.  He raises his hands when we say "touchdown" and didn't seem to mind the crazy celebrations that happened whenever our team scored.

His appetite can vary, but usually Miles is a big eater.  He isn't the most adventurous with food, but does eat a lot of it.  He loves milk, oatmeal, pasta, blueberries, broccoli, peas and pizza the best. But most of all, Miles loves to watch his dad make coffee in the morning.  As soon as he wakes up, he is asking for it, shrieking with excitement when Steve heats up the water.  Steve has been using an Aeropress lately, and Miles has seemed to learn the steps.  One morning, Miles started shaking his head while Steve made his coffee, but it wasn't clear why.  At the end, Steve realized he had forgotten to stir the grounds.  Miles had noticed that he had skipped a step!

Miles loves to go outside in the neighborhood and search for basketball hoops.  He can lead you around the block, pointing to each one and shouting "ball" "hi!" and lately, "tttt," which we think means "tall."  It's probably his absolute favorite thing to do.  Steve is his parent of choice for this activity, since he can lift him up high enough to touch the rims of the hoops.

We love watching Miles develop a little sense of humor.  We often try to get him to say his new words or animal sounds for friends, and at times he is happy to.  But recently, after Miles started saying "dots" while coloring, we tried to get him to say his new word for a friend on the phone.  He refused, running away and shaking his head.  As soon as we hung up, he came around the corner with a big smile on his face and, clear as can be, said "dots."  

He loves to be chased and tickled, and cracks up at certain pages of his favorite books (something about the "that bump made us jump" is hilarious).  He's a fun little kid, even if the majority of the time he wears a pretty serious face, observing and taking in the world around him.

We are very thankful for Miles, and feel so so blessed to be his parents.  Happy half birthday little guy.

10 on 10: February

10 photos from my phone, and a good day, despite having a cold.  Wishing you a healthy February!

Find more sets here at Rebekah's blog.  

Ten on Ten: January

Over the past few months, I've missed a few opportunities to document life on the 10th, so it's good to be back.  Find other sets here on Rebekah's blog.

Thirteen Photos from Twenty-Thirteen

(1) going back to work, but cherishing Fridays at home, (2) a special buddy who shares a birth month, (3) milestones for Miles: eating solid food, (4) a vacation in Hawaii, (5) Father's Day and Miles's dedication, (6) time with Nana, (7) a Trudelle wedding, (8) sunny summer, (9) Miles turns 1, (10) small group camping trip, (11) a visit from good friends, (12) old man Miles, (13) joy at Christmas time

This year has flown by, and if I could summarize it with one word, it would be "grateful."  These photos from 2013 are reminders that this year has been full.  It hasn't been the easiest, but God always fills in the cracks with love and joy.

photos from 2012 // photos from 2011

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).