9.09.2010

Cousin Campbell

Miller got to meet his baby cousin, Campbell, last week.  Campbell is actually his third cousin {I think, that gets so confusing to me}.  Basically, Miller's grandfather and Campbell's grandfather were first cousins. It sounds really distant, but our families are actually very close.  Bryant and I were so excited to meet him also!  It is crazy to think that Miller was his size not so long ago.
Miller was pretty good at first.  And then he decided to go in for the kill.
Enter adults...
Miller, Bryant, Campbell, and Betsty

Thanks for coming to visit us Campbell, Betsy, and Gigi!  We can't wait to do it again!  {We'll try to teach Miller not to poke out eyes before then :)}  While we're on the topic of cousins, we are sooooooooooo thrilled to announce to the blogosphere that Miller has a first cousin on the way!!!  Kate {Bryant's sister} and her husband Scott are expecting a baby GIRL February 25th!!!!!  We just found out yesterday that the baby is a girl and I already can't wait to go shopping for cute, girly things.  Yay for cousins!

9.07.2010

Thirteen Months

I have officially decided that Miller's monthly pictures next to his bear are a thing of the past.  I just can't seem to get him to sit still on my own and I always forget once Bryant gets home!  I did manage to collect a few pictures to document this age, however.  A few of Miller's favorite things {and some of Mommy's favorite new tricks}...
 "Driving" the car {or boat} 
Miller is more into reading these days.  As a teacher, I know how important reading aloud is and I was beginning to worry that Miller would hate to read!  It used to be that I had to initiate reading a book and it was rare that we'd make it through an entire book before he started to fuss.  These days, I'll catch him looking at books a lot and he'll even pick one out, bring it to me, and let me read him the whole thing.  Sometimes several times even.  The other day he climbed up on the sofa with me and we read the same three books for about thirty minutes.  It was so sweet and I love having this time with him.  His favorites right now seem to be Goodnight Moon, Brown Bear, Peak-a-Boo What,  and Baby's First Words. 
It is obvious that Miller is really started to understand what we're saying to him.  The picture above was when I told him to brush his hair.  He'll also brush mommy and daddy's hair if we tell him to.  He also understands the question "Where's your ____?" {ball, truck, train, wagon, book, etc)  It is so cute to watch him take off in the direction of one of his toys when I ask him about it.  When I say, "Let's go bye-bye" he'll go to the stairs that lead to the garage, "Let's go outside" he'll go to the back door, "Let's change your diaper" he'll go to his room, "Time for a bath" he'll crawl to the tub, and "Time to eat" he'll go to his high chair.  {Sorry for the many grammatical errors in that sentence.}

It is incredible how much his walking has improved in just a week.  He can go all the way across rooms now, turn around, and seems much sturdier. 
Miller LOVES to brush his teeth and giggles every time I brush them for him.  {By the way, this is not his toothbrush.  Just an extra that daddy lets him play with.}
 Daddy is still Miller's favorite person, for sure.  
I honestly can't say if this is a favorite or not.  Today was the first day we've taken a stroll in months since it's been so hot.  He did great today and even took a little catnap.  I hope it will be a fun outing for us both as Fall approaches.

Miller can point to his eye and even says the word sometimes when he does it.  Whenever I start singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes" he goes straight for his eye before I even get to that part.  We're working on the other parts, but he seems pretty stuck on eye for now.  He also likes to sing  "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "The Wheels on the Bus", "London Bridges", "Arky Arky", and"Ring Around the Rosy" complete with a plop down at the end {or sometimes earlier if he gets overly anxious}.

He is still a great eater and I'm thankful that he hasn't gotten picky yet.  He's a little funny about peas and beans, but will eat them if they're mashed.  I guess it's the skin on them or something.  He sometimes eats a little of what we're having for dinner, but mostly sticks to fruits and veggies.  I'm sure people think I'm a wacky, health nut, but I'm just trying to be as healthy as possible as long as I have control over what he eats.  For now he eats:  asparagus, avocado, broccoli, spinach, lima beans {as long as they're mashed}, soy beans {mashed}, english peas, carrots, potatoes, green beans {mashed}, sweet potatoes, squash, apples, banana, blueberries, rasberries, strawberries, mushrooms, black beans, plain yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, plain cheerios, wheat bread, and eggs.  Bananas are by far his favorite.  He has seven teeth now and I'm feeling less anxious about whether or not he can chew things.  He drinks whole milk and we're working on getting him to drink water.

Sorry for so many details, but I want to remember everything I can about Miller right now!  Sorry to be so selfish in my posting ;)

9.01.2010

Walking!!!

Okay, maybe he's not power walking yet, but yesterday afternoon around 4:30 pm I watched Miller take his very first steps!!!  Awesome.  Amazing.  Incredible.  Overwhelming.  Just a few words to describe how I felt.  He took three in a row the first time and continued in a similar fashion several more times that afternoon.  By the time daddy got home though, he was tired of entertaining momma and just wanted to wrestle with daddy.  So, Bryant has yet to see this new skill yet.  Today I was able to capture a few steps on video to share.

In my excitement I found myself praising God as the most magnificent Creator.  It is so amazing to think of how much Miller has grown and changed in only a year and I know that something so special and complex could only come from the hand of our Lord.  It blows my mind that people actually think we were created by random accident.  No way.  No how.

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands." Psalm 92:4

8.19.2010

Mother's Day Out

Miller started Mother's Day Out this week!  He goes two days a week from 8:30-12:00.  His teacher is so sweet and I think it will be really good for him to have a little interaction with other children.  Plus, if I'm being honest, Mommy likey :)  I actually got to run errands on Tuesday without having to work around nap times, meals, and car seat shenanigans.  I also went to the chiropractor and got to read a magazine while I waited.  I know.  It's the little things.  In September, I'm going to use the time go to a ladies Bible Study and I am soooo looking forward to it.   As much as I enjoyed my time, I was definitely ready to pick my baby up!!  When I buckled him in his car seat I noticed that his sweet little hands were covered with marker and discovered that he had created his first piece of art.  So precious.

8.18.2010

Grab a Spoon

I must admit that when I read on babycenter that Miller should be learning to use a spoon, I was a bit hesitant.  All I could picture was him covered from head to toe with yogurt and my walls splattered with potatoes.  So when we tried it last week I was very pleasantly surprised.  Miller did so well!  I couldn't decide which hand to get him to use.  We think he may be left-handed, but how can you really know?  I let him try it with both and it seems that he is better with his left hand.
We tried mashed cauliflower first and it was fairly neat.  Then we moved on to yogurt with blueberries and oatmeal.  That's when things got a little messy.
We'll keep practicing :)

8.15.2010

Ty & Mia

We FINALLY got to meet our niece and nephew this weekend!  Ty and Mia are twins who are ten months old.  Their dad, Jay, is my step-brother {John's son} and they live in Florida.  On Friday we went down to the lake and got to see Alexis, my step-sister, and her fiance, Gordon.  We had a Miller crab boil that was delicious!
Alexis and Gordan left Saturday morning and Jay, Amy, Ty, and Mia rolled in that afternoon.  It was such a fun visit, but way too short!  They will be staying for the week at the lake, but we had to get back this afternoon.  It was pretty crazy having three babies in one house, but they were all so good that it made it really fun.  I think Miller was so excited to have some playmates!
Mom reeeeeaaaaaallllllly wanted to get a picture of all three grandchildren in Advantage Chiropractic onesies {my brother's clinic}.  The onesies are size 6 mo.  Did I mention that the twins are 10 months and Miller is 12 months????  They were fine for a million few quick pictures.
Her next idea was to get the back of the onesies.  After several attempts...
we finally got one!
We had so much fun seeing you, Ty and Mia {and Jay and Amy and Alexis and Gordan}!  We can't wait for the next visit!!

8.13.2010

Lost in Translation

Miller is "saying" quite a few words these days!  I forgot to include them in his one year post and I want to be sure I remember them all.  He's not consistent enough to catch on video, but here is a listing of his "words":

Mama, Da (Dada), K (Cat), Ba (Ball), Uh (Uh Oh!), Duh (Deer - to the mounted deer in the garage :)

That's all for now!  I love when he talks to us.  It is so sweet!