Miles is Two!

Our Little Sweet Boy turned two on Sunday. What can I say about this little guy at two years old?

 

His language is really starting to take off compared to where it was a few months ago. He's combining words pretty regularly. One of my favorite phrases that he uses is, "Mama, where are you?" He also says, "Me too" often (whenever anyone else is getting anything, basically). We taught him to say, "Two" and hold up two fingers whenever anyone asked him how old he was going to be, so now that's his standard answer for most questions, including, "What's your name?" Miles is not that hard a name to pronounce, so I cannot figure out why he refuses to try. "Num-e-num" is probably his most commonly used phrase, as he's always asking for food.

Speaking of food, I've created a monster by giving him juice in the morning. Apple juice is his favorite. He's not too picky with foods, but is much more of a snacker than a meal-eater. He actually really enjoys drinking water, too. Yogurt and cheese are two of his favorite relatively healthy foods. He's very thoughtful, especially when it comes to his sister. Almost anytime he's given something, he'll ask, "Brooke?" to make sure that she can have some if she wants it.

I mentioned this before, but he's not a fan of posing for pictures on anyone's terms but his own these days. We've definitely see his two-year-old will emerge a bit lately, including hitting us when he's frustrated. Brooke never did that and I attributed it to our parenting. Ha! He's usually good about listening and coming when we tell him, but every so often, we'll get the over-the-shoulder smirk as he runs the opposite direction. He's showing some interest in potty training, including sitting on the kiddie seat, but I've heard enough horror stories about potty training boys that I'm not going to push it.

He's really into books and always wants to bring one down in the morning with him. He's a clown and loves to make other people laugh, but can also be very shy, especially when strangers are looking at him. He's still pretty cuddly and quite the Mama's Boy, although he loves Dada and Brooke with all his heart. He's such a special little guy and we thank God that we can call him ours.

Thawing Out

Monday was the first day of spring break up here, and it was actually sunny and relatively warm, so we met Michelle and her boys that morning at the Arboretum. We've missed that place! It was a fun day, despite there being more snow left than I'd expected.

Kellen, showing Miles how to appropriately pose for pictures like a big boy. Miles is fairly anti-posing/smiling for pics these days.

The big kids, having more fun playing in the woods than on the equipment they have there.

Again, Kellen showing an Alley how posing is done. It's so funny that he's only 6 weeks older than Miles, but looks like he's almost Brooke's age!

Spring is coming. I can feel it. We'll have more of these outdoor pics soon!

Miles' 2nd, 2nd Birthday Party

Last Saturday, we had our celebration for Miles' 2nd birthday with family and a few of Miles' friends. After his experience with his birthday cake in St. Louis, he knew the drill for this cake and was ready to dive in as soon as we picked it up that afternoon. I joked that I should have told people just to get him snacks for gifts.

One of his gifts from us was a water table and I was hoping that it'd be warm enough for the kids to play with outside. Silly me. Instead, I set it up in the basement and Miles loved it. We took off his shirt for obvious reasons.

Miles, Cam and Kellen enjoying a beverage after playing hard.

Brooke is the only girl in this little group and I don't think she minds. It allows her to exercise her motherly/bossy instincts.

Singing "Happy Birthday."

Blowing out the candles. He did it himself!

What he'd been waiting for all day.

Then it was on to gifts. He was pretty excited about the "ball" wrapping paper.

Opening gifts. As usual, everyone was far too generous. He got lots of sports and transportation-themed gifts, with a little Bubble Guppies thrown in.

Having fun trying everything out.

His first golf lesson.

Brooke, practicing for her golf lessons that start this summer (seriously).

Here's Miles playing with Aunt Jamie before opening all the new toys.

And hanging with his best bud, Uncle Mike.

Here are the kids before the party started, "helping" me set up the balloons.

Brooke was pretty set on wearing her "poodle dress" that day. The fluffier the dress, the better for her these days.

Possibly one of our last pics as a family of four? It was a fun evening spent with family and friends and Miles is so lucky to have all of you!

(*Special thanks to Mike, Mackenzie and Debbie for the pics they took. I'm pretty sure we'd have little to no photographic record of the day if not for them.*)

Spring is Here?

The weather was warm-ish on Friday and most of the snow had melted, so I promised Brooke a visit to a playground. We weren't able to stay too long, but it was just long enough to make me truly realize how much I miss playing outside. And being warm in general. Maybe one day...?

Miles has been really into his "Choo choo books" lately and will carry them from room to room. Brooke was helping him read them here. It's not the best shot, but I wanted to capture it.

There are certainly times when being home alone with these two can feel mundane and frustrating (especially this winter!), but I'm thankful that I really feel like God's been reminding me lately of how fast this time will past and of how lucky I am to have these fun, funny, healthy little people to teach and help grow and spend my days with. 

Happy 60th Birthday, Grammie Deb!

Matt's mom turned 60 on Friday and we had a great time celebrating with dinner at our house on Friday. Of course, Grandma Audie and Uncle Dave were there, too.

The kids and Grandpa Brian had some fun in the dump truck before dinner.

Not sure how the headband got on there but we thought it was pretty funny, which is all the encouragement Miles needed to keep it on.

With Aunt Jamie. I'm starting to think a good picture of the two of them (my kids) together is like a unicorn. This one isn't too bad.

Will's such a good sport. This was toward the end of the night when Miles was a little slap-happy. Although he enjoys climbing in any mental state, really.

Helping Grammie Deb open her gifts.

Blowing out the candle was a family affair.

The night ended with a dance performance complete with costumes. I'm sure that's exactly how Debbie pictured capping off her 60th birthday.

Miles' Birthday, Part 1

The last night we were in St. Louis, my family and my grandparents came over for dinner and cake for Miles' birthday. He was with my parents when they picked up the cake and they told him that it was for him, so all evening he kept going back to the cake and saying, "Me! Num num!" Thankfully, he was happy to share when the time came.

The kids playing Ring Around the Rosy before dinner. They certainly don't always get along this well, but when they do, it melts my heart.

Opening gifts. Typical for a two-year-old, the card that he got with construction stickers and the card that he got that made a monkey sound were the biggest hits initially.

But once the lawnmowers (yes, he got 2) where put together, he was off!

Uncle Joel teaching him and Luke to use the Bubble Guppies squirt toys that he got.

He was worn out from all the fun at the end of the night, but it was a great time and so special to be able to celebrate with everyone down there.