Tré Petits

Here are a few shots from last week's miraculous visit (totally unlooked for) from Leah, Matthew, and Abigail. Sadly, Jon missed the visit, which occurred on a weekday. However, Miles and I got to spend a good couple of hours with this beloved family. We picnicked in the park. There were ants. The kids got to swing. It was classic.

Do you see why I keep associating Abby with Tinkerbell? She looks like she could grant you three wishes.



Matthew looks so wholesome :-)


Babies everywhere agree: The swing's the thing

9 months (and then some)

Well, I know it was three weeks ago, and he's closer to 10 months than to 9, but Miles has had a heck of a month and the 9 month visit was a major milestone. He was measured on April 12 at 29 inches (50th %) but his weight, at 18 lbs, had fallen to the 25th %. The doctor expressed some mild concern at this and encouraged us to fill him up! With all the solid foods he wanted. Nearly everything is allowed now, with the only concerns being some allergens (nuts, honey, etc) and foods he could choke upon (which is sometimes a guessing game). However, we've been doing our best and Miles has recently come to love chicken, cheese, pasta, pancakes, corn, broccoli, beans and, all-time favorite, bread and butter. We treat that like dessert; it's quite enjoyable to watch him suck the butter off, then cram the bread into his mouth greedily. Here he is sucking joyously on a whole pear:

Okay, maybe he doesn't look so joyous, but he wouldn't give it back either.

Miles seemed to come back from the appointment with fresh determination. It took him almost two more weeks, but at last he's got it: Miles CRAWLS. His first real determined crawls were an attempt to reach his cousin, Abby, who visited last week along with her parents (see upcoming updates for pics). Crawling has enabled him to have all sorts of adventures, from crawling under furniture and forgetting how to get out:

...to crawling into the kitchen to fight a duel with the swiffer mop:



This new development has gone straight to Miles' head, in a good way. He decided last weekend he would no longer need to be swaddled to sleep, either at night or for naps, didn't want to be rocked to sleep, instead preferring to be put down drowsy to fall asleep on his own, and he was going to sleep through the night (most of the time). We're trying to hide from him that this isn't actually rebellious mischief. :-) We're delighted by the New Miles.

Here's a slightly inferior video of his new feat. A bit long, but worth it (I think) for the face at the end:

Hancock's Resolution

On April 11, the three of us finally got to check out a local historical site that's interested us for months. Hancock's Resolution doesn't open until April, but we couldn't wait to go because
1. It's a circa 1785 working farm with free demonstrations and tours, cool educational opportunities, a beautiful garden and trails and
2. It's free (nearly always) !
We had a lovely, lovely afternoon being taught about the family, their way of life, and their interactions with historical events (such as the War of 1812). We also sampled farm-made cream and butter and got an interactive tour of the herb and flower garden. I went home with some lavender and mint!!
We will be back, despite the fact that Hancock's gave me my first tick experience. You should ALL definitely go. Just wear hip boots.

A few more family shots

Thanks to Aunt Claire and Matt for sending us some gorgeous shots of the family hanging out with M-dog while we were up in Rochester!

Trip to Rochester...

The three of us got to enjoy some time in the ROC with Grandpa Jim and Morai this past week. We took about a gazillion.5 pictures, but most are a featureless succession of Miles Being Adorable, so I've tried to winnow...

We enjoyed a day at Perinton Park:


A day at Seneca Park Zoo...

Notice the joey in this wallaby's pouch! Later, it stuck its tail out!


We also got to just hang out and enjoy a BREAK!

We're back now and refreshed and delighted to find that leaves and blossoms have appeared in our absence. April is going to be a full month on many levels; we have school deadlines and projects as well as decisions to make for the future. Wish us luck...

Anniversary!

Well done us! This past Thursday 4/1 marked our 4th anniversary married. Today, April 5, marked the 5th year since we were engaged and the 8th year since we started dating (formal dance at the New Jersey Aquarium!! Still the most romantic date EVER!). We marked the occasion by taking a day trip to D.C. before we went to Rochester over spring break.
At the Botanic Gardens:

Orchids are divas of the flower world... but deservedly so. And look! I had never seen a banana tree before. AWESOME.
Eww, Mummy and Papa are twitterpated...

Happy Easter!!

Miles attended his first Holy Week services this week. Though the spirit of the Lord inspired him to speak in tongues through the Good Friday service, Easter found him big-eyed, smiley, but largely reverent and quiet. We introduced him to Easter eggs this afternoon before his nap, allowing him (nearly) free rein on the porch to drop them and roll them with impunity. Putting them in his mouth to dye his mouth was only allowed briefly; multi-colored drool rolled festively down his white polo for a while after :-)
Enjoy!