Miles' little querks

Miles has grown...as I mentioned in the previous post. We love that he is a healthy and big boy, but we love his little querks even more.

One of Matt's favorites is when Miles has been laying in his "Ava Kate" or carseat for a long period of time. When he gets up, he stretches by sticking his little booty out. It is the cutest thing!!

We have been trying to get it on video, but Miles is camera shy (I know...how is my baby camera shy?). However, we did catch it on camera one day...

This picture doesn't do it justice...It is just the cutest thing we've ever seen. He does this all the time!

Another querk about Miles is that he loves to communicate! He has definitely found his voice. One day, we were playing and talking and I got out the video camera to catch his communication skills. He was a little camera shy, but I was able to get a little bit....

We love our Miles and hope he continues with his querkiness!!

Well....It's that time of the month again....It is May 28th, and that means Miles is 3 months old today!! We are so incredibly grateful to have this wonderful little man in our lives. He is such an amazing blessing. Matt and I spent 5 1/2 great years together and had the best time. However, now, we couldn't imagine life without our Miles--or as we call him, our Booger Bear. I thank the Lord everyday for giving me such a precious gift. I only hope and pray Miles gets healthier and stronger everyday.

He has been growing a lot in the past few weeks, especially on the communicating side of things. Matt and I have a lot of fun with him. Not that we didn't before now...but now Miles loves looking at us, hearing us talk, and he even talks back to us in his own language, of course.

Miles now weighs a whopping 17 pounds! He is 27 inches long.

Here are a few MILEstones:

• I love to coo--especially when Mommy and Daddy talk to me in the morning and when Mimi has tummy time with me.

• I am holding up my head.

• I can sit in my Bumbo seat without Mommy and Daddy holding my head.
• I am grabbing onto everything--from blankets, to pillows, to jewelry and hair--I grab it! Daddy says I have a SUPER grip.
• I am teething! I love to gnaw on my hands, fingers, and my Sophie Giraffe (who we renamed Gus-Gus).
• I have started to drool a lot lately, too. So much that I might have to start wearing bibs.
• I am sleeping better at night--at least 6 hours.
• I am now using bigger bottles to eat, but I am still taking breast milk too.
• I am starting to use my hands to prop myself up during tummy time.
• I like to use my legs to stand up when Mommy or Daddy hold me.
• I have found my voice! I scream, especially when Elmo is on TV!
• I love to hear my Mommy and Daddy sing to me.
• I can wear some 6-9 month clothes.
• I am starting to develop a little bit of a personality. I am definitely like my Mommy, a morning person!
• I am in the 90-95 percentile in weight and length, and 75-90 percentile in head circumference.

Matt and I took some pictures of our little guy today, on his 3 month birthday....It is getting a lot harder to take pictures because he moves around so much. I had to put my camera on sports mode!

This one is great...it shows his drool! It might be gross, but this is how it is all the time nowadays.

He has great posture already!

Such a sweet little man!! I love his smiling face!

Uncle Joe, the high school graduate!!

We are just as proud of our Uncle Joe, my youngest brother. It feels like yesterday when he was Miles' age and I was changing his diapers! Now, he is a West Memphis High School alumni and heading off to college in the fall.

We spent the weekend of May 18th celebrating...in typical Looney-Smith fashion...with parties, family fun and lots of good food.

That Friday night, we went to the big graduation....

Miles got to meet Alvin, my uncle. He sat with him during the graduation ceremony until Miles got scared because people were screaming for their loved ones. (I love his Elvis face in this picture!)

The whole family...The Smith's, Huff's, Looney's, and Cleek's

Meemaw, Joe, and Papaw

Me and two of my favorites!! Don't we look alike?

Class of 2012-Mommie Cica graduated from Speech Therapy School, Joe from high school, and I will graduate with my master's in July.

After graduation, we went to the country club to celebrate Joe and his friends' graduations. Then, on Saturday, Matt, Brandon and I ventured to the BBQ Festival in Downtown Memphis.

Matt and I at BBQ fest. It was sooooo hot. We were glad that Honey, Janet and Diane kept little man!!

Saturday night, Honey and some of her friends threw a wedding shower for a family friend. Miles enjoyed getting passed around from woman to woman so they could love on him.

Miles was so tired Saturday night. He fell asleep around 9 and didn't even want to eat when we finally went to bed around 12.

Sunday, we got to eat yummy breakfast at Meemaw's and then we came home. I was glad to be off from school for the summer after that busy weekend. But...I wouldn't have traded it for the world. It was great to have everyone in town to celebrate Joe.

Uncle Brandon Meets Miles

My brother Brandon finally got to meet Miles!!! It was almost three months, but I am so glad he got to hold, change, and feed his nephew.

For those of you that don't know....Brandon lives in North Dakota. I know....who would want to live there!! However, he went to UND to pursue a career in air traffic control. Now...after a year as a college graduate he is finally well on his way to becoming an air traffic controller. We are so proud of him! So...who knows...the next time you fly the friendly skies, Brandon might be guiding you to your final destination.

Brandon came down for my youngest brother, Joe's, high school graduation on May 18th. He killed two birds with one stone and got to hang with my little man, Miles.

Brandon holding Miles. Miles got some awesome gifts from Uncle Brandon---a new outfit and a toy that plays music and flashes lights. Miles loves his new toy that Uncle Brandon gave him, especially during tummy time!

Getting Stronger Day by Day

Miles is growing so fast, it is hard to keep up with pictures and videos on here. However, I did catch him doing something miraculous the other night. I put him on his stomach for "tummy time". Then, I decided to try and make him lift his head up so he could see me. He did and I was so proud!! We have such a strong boy on our hands.This is a video of his progress:

First Mother's Day

Motherhood is simply amazing. Being a mom is a job that I have always wanted. I knew it would be difficult at times, but I had no idea how rewarding it is. Miles is the sweetest little guy in the world! I have enjoyed every moment I spend with him. In a way, I am kind of spoiled because I just think he is the best baby. I hope that doesn't mean he is going to test me as he gets older. Since I became a mom, I respect my mom even more for what she does for my brothers and I. I am so thankful for all of the mother figures in my life, including my mom, Meemaw, Elaine and Janet. Thanks for all of your love and support. You ladies are tremendous role models and I only hope I can be half the women you are!

And....I can't forget to thank my husband, Matt, who has been my rock these past few months of motherhood. He is such a good father and I love seeing him interact with Miles. He and Miles made my first Mother's Day a sweet memory and I can't wait to share many more with these two.

Thanks, Matt and Miles, for making my Mother's Day the best!

Miles' Christening

Yesterday (May 13th) was not only Mother's Day, but it was also a special day for Miles. He was christened at Northside United Methodist Church here in Jackson. He looked so cute in his Christening gown-that Joe, Brandon, Cara, and I all wore to our Christenings.

Miles had a lot of love and support there with him on his special day-Mimi, Papa Darrell, Lisa, Mike, Catie Beth, Mary Claire, Uncle Chris, Ashton, Malissa, Alex, Uncle Trey, Grandaddy Hatch, Meemaw, Papaw, Honey, Jo-Pa, Uncle Joe, Randi and Fairy Grandmother Janet. We are so grateful for the people who were there to see Miles get baptised. It was a special milestone in his life!! We also want to thank Dr. Don Thrasher for baptising our sweet little man.

 The Baptism

Miles and his Fairy Grandmother, Janet, for the first time.

4 Generations

Meeting Miss Ava Kate

Miles is only 2 months old, but he already has a girlfriend. He even dressed up for her when she came for a visit!!

Who wouldn't turn down this cutie in a tux!!

Ava Kate Summerford is my best friend's, Christie, daughter. So, even though our babies can't talk, we have hooked them up already. Miss Ava Kate and her big brother Owen came to visit us on May 3 and 4. It was the first time Ava and Miles have seen each other and the first time Miles has been around another baby. He seemed to enjoy it. Especially when Ava gave him a foot massage...with her mouth!!

Here's the video:

Christie and I have been friends since we were Miles and Ava Kate's ages. I hope that our kids can be just as close as we are, even though we live so far away from each other. We were so thankful that the Summerfords came for a visit and we hope to see them again very soon!

Sweethearts already