inspiration.

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Tonight, I held Miles while he fell asleep instead of our usual bedtime routine. He was so peaceful and calm and still. I didn't want to let him go. There isn't much stillness in his waking hours these days. It seems I am always removing him from some danger or another or telling him "no" or running ragged trying to keep his busy little mind and body occupied.

I want to let him explore and discover everything, but I know he needs boundaries. I have encountered children with no boundaries and it is not (in my opinion) pretty. Today I did however let him get into the baby proofed cabinet under the kitchen sink and remove all the items from the tool box. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. (I spent ten minutes picking up nails, screws and staples after he was finished but he had a good time.)

The faster he grows, the more I want to freeze time. I miss baby Miles. I LOVE two year old Miles of course but I long for those snuggly nights when he shared the big bed with Drew and I. I almost let him sleep with us last night. 

Why does no one tell you how heart wrenching motherhood is?  How fast they change and how there are never enough hours in the day to hold them close and kiss their tiny cheeks?

I know with each stage he goes through there will be wonderful, exciting milestones to celebrate but in this moment I just wish he'd stay my snuggly tiny guy forever.

M

baby you're a firework.

(Miles shouting "Happy Birthday!")

My Sweetest Angel,
     Happy Birthday! You are two years old today and I can hardly believe how fast our time together is flying by. Everyone told me it would go by quickly but I had no idea how devastatingly right they were.
     You are my dream come true baby boy. Everyday you amaze me with something new you've learned or some new way you've discovered to make me fall in love with you. You honestly have my heart right there in your tiny little hands. I hope one day you understand just how very very much I adore you.
     This year has been full of growing for you, you learned to talk, you even use sentences! You love to sing your ABC's and the Happy Birthday song and you can even sing on pitch at times!  You love love love music sweet baby!  I can't quite decide which instrument has stolen your heart yet because you enjoy every one you meet!
     You have also become quite the little athlete. Daddy and I won't be surprised at all if you play several different sports when the time is right. You can jump very high, shoot a basket into your Fisher Price hoop, throw a ball straight, catch, spin around and around, climb everything in sight and basically maneuver your way anywhere you want to go!
     You love people and never meet a stranger! You always ask about your grandparents and friends and even some of Mommy and Daddy's friends when they're not around. You are a real people person.  You have great manners and are becoming very fluent with "please, thank you, excuse me and your welcome." It makes my heart happy when you use your manners!
     You can say your very own prayers now and it is wonderful to hear you talking to your Heavenly Father. He loves you so baby boy and I know he is so happy to hear from you. You also love going to nursery every Sunday at church.
     There have been so many wonderful moments with you this year Miles. You make mine and Daddy's everyday so bright and exciting. You bring me a joy that I never knew was possible. One day you'll feel it too sweet guy, when you're holding your own precious bundle of baby. But for now, you are mine to cherish and hold onto so tight because these days are going too fast Miles.
     I couldn't be happier or more proud of you today baby.You are loving, kind, talented and beautiful inside and out sweet man. So often I just stare at you and can't believe you're mine. I am so so so blessed to be your mommy.

Happy Birthday Miles! I can't wait to see what this third year of your life brings!
Mommy

Here's the part where Miles melts the whole worlds hearts at once. He smiles so happily while we all sing to him and right on cue, without any prompt blows out his birthday candles. My baby is a firework.

even though i'm working while covered in barf.

Hoping baby boy feels better soon.

M

welcome welcome ba hoo doray.

Can you tell I've been watching A LOT of the grinch lately?

Here are some adorably random pictures of Miles and the Halloween lizard.

(Brad handing Miles the lizard)

Miles helping me try on my new lizard-ring.)

 (Very chic if you ask me.)

(Miles giving the lizard the stink eye. My favorite!)

Today is me and baby's 24 week appointment. I can not believe there are only 16 weeks until we meet this little guy. He is always moving around, kicking and saying hello to me these days. I LOVE knowing that there is an adorable little bundle of sweet baby boy living in my tummy. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Knowing what I do now about how much you really love your kids, this pregnancy has been so much more emotional.

The closer I get to holding my angel the more I feel like I know his name. For a few weeks now I have really felt like his name is Felix. I don't really talk about it a lot because in the end, other peoples opinions about what Drew and I decide to name our baby don't really count for much but I felt like sharing today for those who I know are interested. (In other words, if you hate it, keep it to your self...hee hee.)

 Now, before you start thinking about orange kitty cats that live in dumpsters and eat fish bones hear me out...

* Felix means happy, lucky, fortunate and successful. (All of which he will most certainly be.)
* Felix was the name of the chemist who discovered Asprin... (Your welcome.)
* Felix Hoffman was a renowned German Romantic composer. (And we can all be sure this baby will be musical.)
* Felix sounds great with Miles.
* Felix sounds really really cute when Miles says it. (Okay, okay, most things sound cute when Miles says them but still.)
* Felix is better than Linus. At least for this baby boy.

Maybe it won't end up being his name in the end, only time will tell but lately it's the one I like the most for our lil guy.

Also, any interest in learning how to make a bib necklace? Nothing says Merry Christmas like a nice piece of statement jewelry yes?

(Please disregard my stray bangs...I'm trying to grow them out. AGAIN. Bleh.)

Make Monday Awesome.
M

miles on the hour (trilogy)

7am Rise and Shine! 

"I geeee out!"

8am: "It's my turn."

9am: "Cheese!"

10am: Mischief.

11am: "Outside time?"

Noon: "I take beeee bite." (Big bite)

1pm: I found him curled up in his closet instead of his crib. Cute but he got moved to the bed.

2:30ish: Christmas decor tour w/mommy! (For the 100th time. :0))

3pm: "Hello Amay. Bye."

4pm: Second snack.

5pm: Haircut (Thanks Tab!)

6pm: "I make mess!"

7 o'clock hour: Story time with Daddy

8pm: Bed time (with a borrowed pillow)

About 20 minutes later: Nite nite sweet man!

This boy definitely makes the most of everyday. We could all take a lesson from our little ones in enjoying every possible moment we can!

Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week.
Charles Richards

Happy Hump day!

M

momentous.

Today after lunch Miles was running around naked (as usual these days) and he kept saying "I pooped! I pooped!" Every time he said it I checked the area for signs of pooh but there was nothing. A few false alarms later there it was... A tiny splat of pooh on my dining room floor. Boo. Well, I raced him to the potty just in time because he finished the rest of his business in the potty! He did it! He pooped in the potty! It was a good thing too because from the looks of what came out of him I wouldn't have wanted to be the one changing that diaper anyway. :0) I took a picture (of course) but Drew says it's too gross to share...and I mostly agree. Maybe I'll send it to his Grandmas though...maybe.

He seemed a little freaked out by his feat and tried to jump into my arms immediately after he'd finished but of course he needed to be wiped. He did like using toilet paper instead of wipes though so that was kinda fun. Ah, I love that kid. I can't believe what a big boy he's becoming.

Now I need to go put him back in his bed for the hundredth time this nap time because I hear him walking around in his room... He thinks he's so sneaky :0)

This week has been exhausting! We've made great strides in some areas and have taken huge steps backwards in others... Maybe next week will bring back the balance. As for the weekend, friends, football, wedding reception, church, groceries, and hopefully mailing out the Christmas Cards!

Have a good Friday!

M

miles-isms

Say that 10 times fast.

(We had a date and it involved cherry Icees and french fries.)

Baby boy is up to the cutest of things lately, Most of all discovering the world and trying out all kinds of new words and phrases....

- Anytime he gets his hands on a guitar he holds it (correctly I might add) and walks around singing the same four note song over and over. "Doo dee doo daa! Doo dee doo daa!"  His first original number!

- When he finds an interesting article of clothing or accessory to adorn (i.e. mommy's pearls) he struts around shouting "I'm a cool guy! I'm a cool guy!" Yes you are baby. Yes you are.

- Yesterday he was trying to make this tiny action figure stand up and every time it fell over he said "Uh oh, be careful guy. Be careful!"

- He loves to make inanimate objects dance... blocks, rags, books. "I make dance book! I make dance rag!"

(Brain freeze may have struck here.)

- This morning when I retrieved him from his bed he asked for "Dumpy book," and "Toy book." Humpty Dumpty and Two to Cuddle. He likes those two right now. Then he sat on my bed reading them to me as I readied myself for the day.

- Almost every morning his first words to me are "Where Daddy?" Yesterday he ran to look for him under the covers on our bed. Sadly, he was already at work.

(Heart to heart with Daddy)

-  Whenever he is enjoying a game or activity and we try to stop playing he says "Set...Go," until we repeat whatever we were doing. It's adorable.

- He can name anyone he sees on a regular basis now and all of his grandparents. He says "Grandpa" very very cutely.

(Best date ever!)

There are so many many things he is doing right now that just melt me everyday. I LOVE getting to spend my days with him!

 
M

because lately you've been really attached to wet rags.

(via)

Miles is doing everything lately it seems. He can articulate what he wants. He can trouble shoot. He can put his own shorts and shoes on. He can climb ANYTHING. There are a few Miles-isms that I wanted to document before they're gone forever.

- Yesterday he wouldn't go to bed (nap time or night night time) without this little wet blue wash cloth.
- When I give him what he wants he says "Cank you. You're wehcome."
- He is in love with oranges but always pretends to gag while he's eating them so I'll react. (And I am the sucker who always does).
- Sometimes when he falls down and he knows I'm watching he just pops right back up and says "I'm okay!"
- He has been giving great hugs and laying his head on my shoulder a lot lately. ( I really really love that.)
- He loves Elmo's World but is terrified of Mr. Noodle.Whenever Elmo goes to ask Mr. Noodle a question Miles shakes his head wildly and says "No! No! Noodle!" I find this fascinating.
- Every night when we say "Amen, " after family prayer he says "Couch." He knows he gets a few snuggle minutes before he has to get in his own bed. And lately, when it's time to lay down he just lays down, lets us cover him up and falls asleep w/o a peep.
- Sometimes if I'm sitting on the couch reading a book or using my phone he will point to the couch and say "Couch, " over and over til I put whatever I'm doing down on the couch. Then he'll take my hand and walk me away from it.
- All day long he makes these hilarious faces like he's surprised and really excited over the cutest, small things. A squirrel at the window, a picture in a book he recognizes. It's great! His mouth and eyes open really wide and he just smiles.
- Last week he helped me make some cookies for Daddy. And he really helped. He poured in the chips and the sugars. he played with the broken egg shells and helped me stir. He even put a ball of dough on the sheet. The best part was when he discovered that he could eat the dough. Yummy!

I love my baby boy! I can't believe he's going to be two in just a couple months.

M

the quiet.

There is a part of everyday when everything is still here. Even though I have up to 6 kids in my home daily I am somehow granted at least a few moments of complete still and quiet everyday. All the babies (eventually) fall asleep and I can relax and breathe for a while. 

I don't know what it is about sleeping babies that brings so much peace into a home. Maybe it's because when there are wakeful children in the home it is NEVER still and quiet so that makes those moments so special.

Even though Miles has long since moved into his crib there are still nights when I desperately want to retrieve him and snuggle his sweet tiny babyness into the night.  (And sometimes I do.)

After all, it won't be long before he'll outgrow any desire to snuggle with his Mommy.  

Sigh.

sigh.

A couple days ago I see Miles stumbling down the hall with my yoga mat and a very determined look upon his face. He drags the mat to the middle of the living room where he proceeds with the daunting task of unfurling the sticky mat. He gets it smoothed out to his liking and then Drew and I watch with anticipation/confusion  as he steps on to it and kneels down. 

Yoga?

Some other silly, cutest baby on the planet antic designed to make us smile?

He then folds his arms, bows his head and squeezes his little eyes tightly shut.

"Dear Heavily Podder,"  mumble....mumble....mumble.... "Mommy," ...... more incoherent baby speak... "Daddy,"....... "Mamel"......"Amen."

BEST. DAY. EVER.

Parenthood has so many great perks.

M

all the Sunday madness begins to pay off!

This morning, Miles and I took turns drawing things on the magna doodle and trying to guess what they were... I drew many things that he immediately recognized...

"doggie"
"cack" (cat)
"cuck" (truck)
"baney" (banana)
"gapes" (grapes)

You get the idea. Ridiculous cuteness abounded.

He drew lots of dots and squiggly lines and generously allowed me to be right every time I ventured a guess as to what the heck they were. He is a budding artist/genius/musician/ladies man/gymnast/chef/gardener/entomologist/veterinarian. (Sorry, sometimes I get carried away when I think of his many talents)

Anyway, then I drew what I thought looked like a house.

"What is this Miles?" asks Mommy.

"Chuch"  he says.

"CHURCH!?!?!?" Mommy nearly squeals.

Miles nods his head with a huge grin.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

My child knows what church is! I AM doing something right!

I didn't even know he could say that word! Thank you Miles for making my day!

Happy weekending! Be prepared for the unveiling of what I wore this week. It's ummm... well, you'll see.

M

because this picture reminds me of every good thing.

I love you Miles. You make everyday better than the last and all my moments worth it. Happy napping baby boy, see you when you wake!

Mommy

the giving tree.

(via)

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If you haven't. you must read this book.

M