Some new firsts

So Miles has been doing or getting new things at a remarkable rate. On April 21 his first two teeth popped through on the bottom middle. Try as I might I was unsuccessful in capturing the teeth on film until today. Miles also learned to sit himself up from the prone position this past Sunday (May 6). I discovered his new found talent when I heard an intense scream coming from his crib shortly after I'd put him down for his after-church nap. When I went into his room he was sitting up in his crib and obviously hadn't figured out that there was a safe way down. This leads us to our big event of the week. Today Miles took his first three crawling steps (not sure what you're really supposed to call those) and he went to the zoo with Bennett - we forgot to get a picture. Anyway, its been a fun week. Miles has also finally figured out the Jolly Jumper and loves it. I actually have some silent video, but still need to figure out u-tube.

Usevitch Hospitality and Arizona Weddings

Arizona was an adventure. Mom, Dad, Miles and I had a series of interesting events including lost wallets, purses, glasses and loosing each other in the malls. Mom & Dad were also fortunate enough to enjoy Miles screaming every time he travelled in the car on Thursday and Friday. Despite the craziness, we had an enjoyable time and the wedding was lovely. We stayed at Jim and Cindy Usevitch's and had a fantastic time. They have six kids between the ages of six and sixteen and they are all really great kids. They also loved Miles and kept him very entertained. Cindy is wonder mom and I'm not even kidding. I would love to be a fly on the wall for a month just to pick up organizing and parenting tips. It was great to see Jim again and I'm sorry that we didn't think to take a picture with the whole family on Monday night. Dad taught Jim's kids the Hukka (sp?) - since Jim also served a New Zealand mission.

Gabby (6) and Miles. I'm not sure what it is, but Miles has a thing for five and six year old girls. True to form, Gabby just had to walk past Miles to elicit laughter. She and all of her brothers and sisters had a great time feeding Miles plastic hotdogs, sardines, hamburgers, etc.

Miles with Gabby (6), Danna (10) and Seth (8). Cindy was such a fantastic hostess. They took really great care of us and made us feel completely welcome.

Dad, Cindy, Miles and Mom as we're getting ready to leave for the airport. How do you like Dad's new hat? I think its pretty cool and it sure made it easy to find him in the airport. Miles and Kate spent some quality time together. She's crying not because of Miles, but because she was hungry and didn't want to be put down, but Miles seemed puzzled by the crying. Kate and Miles in happier times. Miles was quite interested in grabbing at Kate's soother, dress, etc. She's so adorable. Miles and Reese. She's so cute and sooo little. Miles and Easton hung out a bit. I have several pictures with Miles grabbing Easton shirt, his toy, his shirt some more, his baby finger . . . you get the picture. They both seemed very good natured about it though. Easton is handsome guy.

Dan pointed out that he was the oldest Low boy cousin and Miles is the youngest with just a mere 28 years separating them . . . or something like that.

Karen looked beautiful and Miles was especially interested in her purple flowers.

Miles and Madeline finally meet since they shared part of that crazy September weekend. Madeline is such a doll. Josh was good enough to wrangle Miles for a few minutes at the reception, but gave him back a while later. Apparently Miles' constant motion was even too much for Josh. He was also so tired I think he looks drunk- I mean Miles, not Josh. I sure appreciated everyone's help. Miles was a busy guy that night. Miles hanging out with a few of his cousins - Mike, Miles, Josh and Rachel.

Easter and all that stuff

For Easter weekend we headed down south and spent some time with mom and dad in Cardston and with Coy’s parents at the ranch in Mountain View. We had a great time with the folks, playing games and going to church with them on Sunday. On Monday Miles met the cows for the first time and he went crazy!!!! We got within 15 feet of about 50 cows with their calves and Miles was flapping his arms, kicking his feet, and squealing with excitement. No big surprise, the cows didn’t stick around, but we still couldn’t get the smile off of Miles’ face. On the way back from Southern Alberta, Coy decided to pull a Britney and let Miles do a little driving. I'm guessing however, that I was the only paparazzi snapping pictures.

Miles is also becoming increasingly mobile. He's now sitting up on his own officially as of March 29th - without too many face plants. He's finding himself trapped in some awkward places and is keeping our hardwood floors spic n span as he pushes himself backwards all over the place.

Happy 1/2 King MAB

I have a girlfriend who has declared the six month mark between her birthdays as her half birthday. She started this when she was in elementary school and even though she's the middle of seven children, her parents, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews all continue to observe the 1/2 birthday with her, including cake and presents. That’s impressively persuasive. No one else in the family gets a 1/2 birthday. Anyways . . . today is Miles 1/2 birthday. Can you believe how quickly time flies. We couldn't be happier about being Miles' parents. He's really starting to show his personality and his will (could be interesting), but looking forward to every minute of it. Happy 1/2 big M! Its finally started to warm up in Calgary so we've been trying to get outside a little more. On Thursday Miles went for a walk with his friend Simon. Yesterday Miles and I went for a walk in the weasel head at North Glenmore Park. It was gorgeous, but also fairly deserted. I decided to call Coy and let him know where we were just in case we never returned home - I figured bears and crazy people would be our biggest concern. Does anyone know when the bears decide to wake up?

We don't want you to miss anything

For those just checking in, there are actually two new posts below for your viewing and reading pleasure.

"Solid Foods?"

We thought it was time to introduce Miles to "solid foods" or at least some really runny rice cereal. The clue that it was at least time to try him on solids - Miles has been staring at every piece of food we've been putting in our mouths for the last three weeks. So today (as in Monday March 19th) was the day. The first two pictures above are "the before" . . . you can see that the anticipation is high. He actually really liked the food for about 10 bites and then he just really wanted to suck on something . . . my hand, the high chair, so we were done for the day. All in all I think it was a big success. His face was as messy before hand from drool as it was afterwards from a very small trace of cereal. Go Miles!

Life is getting more exciting

So Miles is starting to move around, but as Coy described it, he's kind of shy about letting us know his techniques. He rarely moves when we're in the room except for the occasional role here and there, but when we leave we'll come back to find him in the most interesting places. Below I found him half way under the loveseat in our kitchen.I went downstairs to put a load of laundry in and when I came back I found Miles about five feet from where I'd left him, gumming the exersaucer like crazy. You can't really tell from the picture, but his face was covered in happy drool.

Coy and Miles have something else in common . . . their extreme love of milk. On another of Miles' escapades about the kitchen, I came into the room to discover him playing with all of the "to be recycled" milk cartons. Although Miles doesn't yet take his milk in this form, I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before he can keep up with his papa's milk consumption.

The Ladies' Man

Miles and Grandpa . . . just hanging out.

We thought it was time to post again. I can't believe how fast the time flies by and how quickly Miles is growing up. I need to get him weighed, but I'm pretty sure he's pushing 20 lbs and I'm feeling the pain. But he's soooo much fun and already a determined flirt. I was visiting teaching at a friend's house yesterday. She has an 8 month old baby girl and I don't know what got Miles going, but every time he looked at baby Kiera, he would start to giggle uncontrollably. The best description of his laugh is that it's Scott Swendsenish and very contagious. He had all of us in stitches. I also caught him holding hands with another friend's little girl last Saturday. I think we may need to keep our eye on him. What kind of parent puts their kid in the laundry basket anyway?

Miles spends a lot of time in his exersaucer allowing me to get one or two things done in a day. Thank you Amanda and Seth and Eve.Miles' glow worm friend. He spends a lot of time chewing on the light bulb nose and we're waiting for it to become a hazard.

The Bumbo

Miles' first time in the Bumbo chair. Both Coy and I had to get in on this pic. The next day . . . he's starting to get the hang of it, but still a bit tippy.

Coy and Miles getting in some solid papa and son time. Coy goes for the more mature reading. I'm the one reading him "Fuzzy, Fuzzy, Fuzzy." We've decided Miles has an extra drool gland. This guy has gotten juicy. He's shirts are usually soaked within minutes of putting them on. I'm running out even as we speak to buy extra bibs.

Miles' First Christmas

We had a great Christmas, made especially fantastic by the addition of Miles to our family. We spent Christmas at Coy's parent's ranch in Mountain View. There were 41 of us at the ranch and Miles was incredibly easy going and happy, despite the craziness and having croup. The highlights . . . as always, the Special Olympics Christmas Eve program was a big hit, especially when Charlie's 40 year old daughter-in-law did the splits. I'm not going to lie, it was impressive. Paint can curling on the pond out front was also very enjoyable. There was also a Karaoke competition in which I took an early lead, however Coy's sister Neeley knocked me out of first place with her perfect score.

Miles towards the end of the Special Olympics Christmas Eve program. He's thinking, " And this is the family you stuck me with?????"

Miles spent some time inspecting his stocking loot while he waited to open his Christmas presents - we didn't open presents until 11:00 am, so he had a long wait. I had no idea that Miles was a Harry Connick Jr. fan, but apparently he'd asked for Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas CD.

Miles with his cousin Colby who was born in April.

The Nativity Pageant

We took Miles to his first Nativity Pageant on Friday, December 22, 2006. We got to see both Anna's & Krista's fabulous work as shepherds, but we missed Natalie who had just come off stage. Thankfully it was a warm night by Calgary standards and Miles seemed like he might have some interest in this nativity thing.

Canadian Winters

The first time I put Miles into his snow suit, I couldn't stop laughing and so Miles couldn't stop smiling . . . but true to form, this was the closest I could get to capturing a smile on film.