Miles likes to Help

Since I have a mobile Miles, it was terribly difficult to get up my Christmas decorations this year. I usually put them up the day before Thanksgiving. Yet, this year I knew I would need help to get it done either during nap time or while Miles was sleeping.

So, my mom came for a visit the weekend before thanksgiving. Matt, Jo Pa, and Uncle Joe had a guys hunting weekend in Arkansas. Matt had the perfect weekend: He killed a limit of ducks on Saturday morning, and killed an 8 point Saturday afternoon. He was pretty pleased.

Matt's 8 point deer....this one is not going in the house!

Matt and Uncle Joe's ducks

The guys were playing, and so were my mom and I. We went to the annual USJ holiday mart with Miles, which was a task to say the least. Let's just say that crowded aisles and lots of people do not mix with a stroller. After the holiday mart, we went out for dinner at Olive Garden. Miles ate his first taste of stage 3 baby food, which was spaghetti and meatballs.

Miles loved his food, but wanted to play with Honey's keys more than eat.

The busy day wore our little man out. He went right to sleep, so, Mom and I got right to work on the tree.

The next morning, Miles woke up to a pretty Christmas tree. We made sure to put some soft and kid friendly ornaments near the bottom for him to play with!



Miles' First Thanksgiving

I spent Thanksgiving just as I have for the past several Thanksgivings...running in a 5K. Matt usually runs the Turkey Day 5k with me, but this year, his knee brace "miraculously" was missing. So, I ventured out to run by myself, while Matt stayed at home to watch Miles sleep. It worked out because we didn't really want to get little man out in the cold morning air. I finished in under 30 minutes and was able to get home before Miles woke up!

When the little guy finally woke up, we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and ate some yummy oatmeal and fruit. He had a big day ahead of him.

After breakfast, we all got dressed and headed over to Mimi's for Thanksgiving lunch with the Hatch's, Christian's, and Cleek's. Miles even got to eat his first turkey and sweet potatoes.

Despite this face, he really liked the turkey and sweet potato flavored baby food. (Thanks to his Fairy Godmother for the cute turkey bib. He looked so cute!)

After Mimi's feast, we loaded up the dogs and the car and headed to West Memphis to spend the remainder of the weekend with my family. Thanksgiving night we had dinner at Meemaw and Papaw's house.

Miles played cards with Ran-Ran, Uncle Joe, Papaw, Meemaw, and Grandma Lue.

...and then Miles and Daddy passed out in the recliner after such a long day of celebrating turkey day.

The next day, Honey, Meemaw, Miles, and I went shopping in Memphis. It was busy, but not too bad. Miles was a good baby!

On Saturday night, we went over to my friend, Christie's mom's house to see her, her husband Josh, and their two kids Owen and Ava Kate (Miles' girlfriend). Miles had a blast with Ava Kate. They even took their first bath together, just like Christie and I used to do 20 something years ago.

When we got them to the bathroom and took off their outfits, we realized they both had on Elmo diapers. Had to snap this photo! Too cute. Ava Kate is a little over a year old and Miles was almost 9 months in this picture.

Miles did take a bath, but not the right one in his eyes because when we got back to Honey and JoPa's house he took another bath in the dogs' water bowl.

It was hilarious. He kept splashing around. Honey actually let him get water all over her nicely swept floor. He splashed so much out that it got into the coat closet. Needless to say, Miles was soaked and we had to put him in another sleeper for bedtime.

This year we had many things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving, but the most important one is the precious little boy we call Miles. We are so incredibly grateful for him!



Prepping for Thanksgiving

The week of Thanksgiving, Mimi got to keep Miles with her, while I went to work for two days. She had  a lot to do because she had Papa's son, daughter in law, and grandkids coming in from South Carolina to have Thanksgiving in Jackson. Miles was a pretty big help, though.

He helped her cook....

And assisted with cleaning out Jake's cat food bowl! Yes, he ate some cat food.

Miles helped me create Mimi's table, too.

Miles and Uncle Joe

It thrills me to see my youngest brother, Joe, with Miles. I have watched Joe grow up from Miles' size to the fine young man he is today. I remember changing Joe's diapers and babysitting him when he was little. Miles looks a lot like Joe. I only hope he can have some of his personality and zeal for life.

Joe loves Miles. He calls him MC Hammer! Miles loves Joe, too, and I pray that their relationship will continue to flourish as Miles grows up. We love you, Uncle Joe!

Miles is Everywhere

Also, during November, Miles learned a lot about how to manuver around the house. This is the main reason why I am just now updating the blog. He keeps me busy!!

He now can climb the stairs, which, I know, is a little crazy. However, as long as someone does it with him, I do not see a problem with it.

Miles loves to climb the stairs.

And he loves to get out every toy out of the toy box....

...and when he can't get into the toy box...he just climbs over it...

This is just a tiny glimpse into what our lives are like with a VERY ACTIVE little man.



Hitting the Polls



In November, Miles experienced his very first Presidential election. All of the poll workers were smitten with our little man. They let him go to the voting machine with Matt and Miles got to watch his Daddy cast his vote. Miles enjoyed it, but election day for me was kind of depressing. I just wish that this amazing country was the country that I grew up in and it pains me to think of how it will be when Miles is my age. I mean he has a social security card, but who knows if he will ever be able to use the benefits from it. Nevertheless, I hope that politicians can get it together!

Here is a happy picture:

Miles' First Halloween

It's a bird....it's a plane....no wait a minute....it is

Superman!!!!!!!!!

Miles spent his first Halloween as superman. Matt was Jimmy Olson and I was Lois Lane. Halloween was a fun night for all of us. Matt took the night off so he could go trick or treating with Miles and me. We started the night at Mimi's house for dinner and treats.







Then, we ventured out into her neighborhood for some door to door treats. Of course, Miles couldn't eat any of the candy he recieved, but it was fun to go.

After trick or treating with Mimi's neighbors, we went around to friends' houses in Jackson. We also visited Uncle Trey at the store.

We are looking forward to many more trick or treats with our little man. Who knows who he will be next year?!