Let the games begin

(Look how much better he is at Tummy Time!)




I'm reporting live from the starting line of a new school year for Jon and a new way of life for all three of us. I suppose that's what's kept me from updating. I've been preparing myself, mentally and otherwise, for my new M.O. Last week was kind of like warm-up week at Jon's school, and we had an enjoyable time introducing him to various and sundry faculty and staff at Jon's school- and at mine. I made a trip to my old workplace last week to find them all preparing for the new year, and there was a pang at not being a part of it.

This week, I've learned a lot. Some are encouraging discoveries: I can take a shower, make myself food, go to the store, and otherwise manage with the baby and without Jon home! I can get up and take Jon to school and back on very little sleep! One time I even napped successfully! Napping's... kind of a

struggle for me. However, I also learned that I will miss teaching and that I want to go back to it eventually; I also feel a need to work. I'm not sure I'll be content until I do. Until then, my work is to be unapologetically and unashamedly domestic. That's going to keep me busy physically, emotionally, and spiritually for however long this season lasts.

BUT you all need some pictures, don't you? How about Miles' best new trick, acquired in the last two weeks: real SMILES!

We've also been enjoying bathtime a great deal, now that we discovered a cool washcloth maneuver that keeps Miles warm:

(This is a yawn, by the way)

Addendum

We've fallen behind. Perhaps this is because, as the school year approaches, we both feel increasing pressure to do things we perceive to be practical and productive. Perhaps I've just been too busy learning verses from Tolkien's songs. In any case, we've had a lovely time introducing Miles to everything and everyone within our reach. Leah and Matthew hit up Annapolis on the way back from Abby's baptism. Behold the evidence:

Check out how Abby and Miles look like twins.... and further check out Chris double-babying!

Let's see.. Oh yes. I have officially taken a year's leave of absence from my job, just in time for the new year to begin. This was both a difficult and yet, not very difficult decision to make. It was difficult in that it is so dramatic and will be such a challenge to change our lifestyle... it was not difficult in that... well, I couldn't face putting Miles in anyone else's care besides Papa's if it wasn't absolutely necessary. And, we determined, it isn't.

Miles has also had a pediatrician visit recently where we learned that he is in the 50th percentile for weight (a solid 9lbs 5 oz), around the 49th for height and the 25th percentile for head size. So he definitely does NOT have either a Grunert or a Revell head. Must have inherited a McManus or a Cornell head.

We've also received visits from Karlene and Justin recently, who are just back from Guatemala. We got stories from their trip, laughs from their daughters (ages 3 and 1 year) and the gift of a well-fitting sling! (see left).

You should also know that we plan to have Miles baptized on September 6 at 9am at our home church down here, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Crofton. Contact us if you want more information and would like to attend! Exactly what will be the nature of the brunch afterward (in a home or out at a restaurant) is uncertain. More information and pictures to follow!

Milestones: Reading already?

"Call me Ishmael."

We've begun what a friend of ours calls "the parabola of reading" with Miles.

The idea is relatively simple: We start Miles off by reading to him out of great works of literature. In his case, this includes Moby-Dick and the songs from The Lord of the Rings (in lieu of traditional nursery rhymes). The purpose of reading to him out of these more-complex writings is twofold. First, it gives him a sense of the rhythm of well-constructed, creative English. Second, it provides a base for his subconscious understanding of literature.

As he grows older, we'll make the readings simpler, largely due to his increasing ability to understand and process the words read to him. During this time, we may read books like The Little Prince or Aesop's Fables--books that rely primarily on plot.

When he's old enough to converse about the books, we'll be reading such works as Dr. Seuss or Dick & Jane books, ones in which he'll start recognizing letters and words, encouraging him to become an independent reader.

Once he starts to read on his own (which, of course, will be supplemented by our reading to him), he'll have this base already laid, and when he reads Moby-Dick on his own, he may somehow remember what we've read to him.

Of course, this is all conjectural, but it's certainly worth a shot.



We're working on getting Miles on a schedule--learning that day is for playing and night is for sleeping. So far, two good nights in a row!