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!

Milestones: The Other Babies

We introduced Miles to three other babies, one right after another! This seems like it should be overwhelming, but Miles took it all in stride and is now celebrating with a growth spurt. Yay getting up multiple times a night again! Yay hard work just to get him to sleep in the first place! When, exactly, do babies become somewhat predicable? We had a tough one last night but fortunately, it is summer, so Jon was home to take over in the early morning and let Mummy get some necessary sleep so she could rediscover her sense of humor.

We're getting ready for a big change in our lifestyle in this school year; please pray for us as we adjust and learn the steps to this new dance. No doubt we're already measurably less able to visit with loved ones this summer [No dump tour :-( No Barker :-( ] but we hope not to utterly disappear from your lives. We will have to scale down some, but I really hope not to be completely isolated.

So far, so good! Leah and Matthew were so generous as to visit us a SECOND time this summer, this time with the added bonus of being able to introduce Miles to his cousin Abigail, much to our delight, Abby's curiosity, and Miles'... indifference. Well, he's new here. He doesn't understand what an important relationship he's just begun.

It was a rare joy and satisfaction to introduce Miles to his godparents, to see Abby again and mark how much she looks like her mother, and to encourage each other through this new shared adventure.

The next day we were able to have the Rezendes family for the better part of the day! Theirs was also a good long visit in which we were able to swap stories and anecdotes and in which we Grunerts were thoroughly encouraged in this

new life by how far

the other family had come through similar struggles and how much fun they are having with their little creeper. Ben's smile is a golden reminder that babies do love their parents in return.

Finally, I enclose ANOTHER video (we can't help ourselves!). Yay for one-handed typing

Milestones: Two pics and a video

Fresh from a bath that he actually enjoyed

Grendel gets used to Miles' smell.

Watch Miles lift and turn his head! While he looks pained at first, it becomes a pseudo-smile.

Milestones: The Birth of the Cool

In his second week, Miles has had several exciting events take place.

First, Miles met some more family. From Virginia, Aunt Michaela/Tita visited on Friday, and she made him a Super Baby. She's thrilled to be an aunt, since she can spoil him but not have to deal with the crying at night. Miles also met some New York family when Grandpa Jim and Morai (informal Gaelic for "grandmother," pronounces MO-ree) visited. In their visit, we took Miles for his first extended outing, to downtown Annapolis. Not only did Miles experience his first stroller ride, Mum got to test-drive her huge diaper bag, and Papa introduced Miles to some students, who were thrilled to meet him, even offering to babysit! Miles thoroughly loves his stroller and does not feel pushed away from his parents. Instead, he tends to sleep in it.

Second, Miles went to church for the first time, staying very quiet during the whole service and only sleeping for a tiny bit. We are truly blessed to belong to such a group, who have been praying for us throughout the pregnancy. Miles was generally happy to see everyone there.

Third, we took Miles to see his first movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The couple sitting next to us was skeptical during the obnoxiously loud previews, but Miles proved them wrong by being quieter than the people in front of us. He only made noise with his baby snores at the end of the movie. The theatre-goers complimented Miles on his quietness and attention to the movie. (Miles visibly startled when the inferi grabbed Harry's ankle.) After the movie, we took Miles to my softball game, where the coach tried to recruit him. I think Miles' only valid excuse is his inability to walk. But that'll only last another year, so I expect to see him playing next year.

Fourth, Miles' two-week checkup has him weighing over eight pounds. This is very exciting, since it means that he's regained birth weight (plus five ounces). So, Mum and Papa don't need to set alarms any longer, and Miles will just wake us Mum up when he needs to eat.

Last, Miles' tummy time has begun. He's not thrilled by it, but he can lift his head up some, but not for very long. Tummy time also means that the cats are allowed to become more curious about him, as Grendel (left) demonstrates. They're not hostile, only generally disinterested, as you can see Dragon looking out the window, trying to ignore the existence of a baby.


Grandma and Grandpa got to babysit for a few hours this week and they were thrilled. They even banished the dog for the time.

Milestones III: This pun is getting really old

We're living and learning in here! Here is a list of things we are learning. We're learning:

• how little sleep we can get and still function
• exactly which contingency items are necessary at the changing table, and that pee can go REALLY far when unleashed
• that the five "S"s are impossible to punctuate but absolutely dead USEFUL
• that it's really hard to go to the store with a baby. really hard. I've never been less tempted to browse in the Target in my LIFE (Jon says hooray for the new shopping!)
• that you sometimes have to just trust the baby and let go of your plans for how things should go.

I'm trying to make the next week or so my training for not just keeping Miles alive and clean and fed but for functioning Out in the World. I will learn to use hooter-hiders, and not feel like an idiot SuperDog with my cape on backwards. I will not panic when Miles cries, for real, like he means it (he's only JUST begun doing this). I will learn to remove and replace the carseat in the base. I will learn to operate the Moby Wrap so my baby doesn't fall out or sink to the ground. I will learn to use Gdiapers so they don't leak. I will learn what I do and don't need in the diaper bag. I will also learn to forgive myself when I don't yet have all this down after one week.

Cheers!! Have a look!

1. Look at Miles' big-boy belly button!!! The cord is gone, my friends
2. Miles was reunited with his Grandparents Grunert this week
3. He has been MUCH more alert these days... and much more hungry. He lives to eat. I live to... sit on the couch and facilitate this. It's a growth spurt, it'll pass. I hope.
4. Miles' dimples making a rare appearance in a blurry shot. He has two! Just like his Grandpa Jim!
5. This kid was screaming a moment ago. HOORAY for the five S-es!