"SO big!"

As Miller approaches the one year mark, he's become very proud of his size. Here is the latest trick that we've been perfecting for several weeks. It's so cute to watch him perform on command. We clap and cheer which in turn encourages him to keep raising his hands. This footage took several outtakes to get it just perfect! I caught him in the perfect performance mood after dinner. Miller is already taking after his daddy the entertainer. Enjoy!






My, you're growing Miller! We can see that you are "SO big!" I was scanning his scrapbook this afternoon as I was updating new facts and came across Miller's growth chart. I'll just share the highlights..... I won't bore you with every stat!
Birth: 7lbs 5 oz. 21 1/2 inches

5 days: 7lbs 3 oz. 19 3/4 inches

2 months: 13 lbs. 4 oz. 23 1/4 inches

6 months: 18 lbs. 14 oz. 26 1/2 inches

9 months: 21 lbs. 12 oz. 28 1/4 inches

11 months: 23 lbs. 12 oz.

12 months???

We can't wait for your 12 month checkup to see just how big you've grown since last March 25th! For now, we'll just keep cheering you on to see your "SO big!" talent.

Dishwasher Fun

Miller discovered a new way to entertain himself with the dishwasher while I did work around the kitchen this afternoon. He's at the stage where he loves to play independently but will check in with me every 10 minutes or so by crawling my way. After free play for awhile, he then grows bored and will stand up & cling to my legs as I work around the kitchen. It's flattering and oh so cute but at the same time confining when I'm trying to get dinner on the table :)

Miller is growing more confident in his free standing ability while playing. He'll let go of the couch or chair and stand for a little bit and then realizes he's on his own and plops! He also likes to lean on a wall or chair and play with a toy in his hands.

Today I was emptying the dishwasher and he was thrilled to open and close the soap dispenser and roll the rack in and out. He created his own amusement & I just love to watch it! I had some time today to figure out how to record video to our memory stick so I can now upload videos to Blogger. I've been recording his little life all year unto tapes but can't upload that footage to the hard drive yet. I'm learning!

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Disclaimer: Ignore my mommy voice ...I can't help but talk in a high pitched fashion!

Easter Egg Hunt

Miller got to meet Mr. Floppy Ears himself today at our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt was scheduled for Saturday, but postponed until today because of all the tornado warnings. It couldn't have been a more perfect sunny day!

While waiting in line to meet the Easter bunny, it was fun to observe squeals of delight and then looks of sheer terror upon sitting in the furry lap of the bunny. Miller's face looks somewhat reminiscent of the same look we saw when he met Santa for the first time. He does great the first minute and then quickly squirms and fusses.

Miller was thrilled to then crawl and look for eggs in our neighbors backyard. For the 2 and under group, the eggs were basically right out in the open for the babies to discover. It can't be too much of a challenge! The adults got into the hunt because there were golden eggs with gift certificates in them. The best part was watching Miller discover the hard plastic egg and then "sample" it to see how it tasted. He didn't quite get the whole game of discovering what was on the inside.

Miller Cottontail

"Here comes Miller Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,Easter's on its way!"


Our furry bunny enjoyed crawling around in his Easter robe this afternoon. It entangled his every move especially around corners and tight spaces. This hippity hop- hop bunny, had to slow his speed while his knees kept getting stuck in the trailing robe. Poor little bunny!



After such an exhausting endeavour, Miller Cottontail enjoyed 7 ounces of pure bliss. Notice his one handed grasp. It's like he's too cool for school to hold it with both hands. He loves to alternate between right and left hand. Miller rubs his ear with whichever hand is free especially when he is tired. Today..he got to rub his furry bunny ear!

Weekend Getaway

Landon, Miller and I enjoyed a fun filled trip to Knoxville this weekend. After our car was all packed up on Friday afternoon, you'd have thought we were leaving for a couple weeks. That's how it is with a baby..it doesn't matter if you're leaving for a weekend or a month, if it's overnight you need all the equipment it takes to keep the little guy happy! Miller did beautifully on the trip up to Knoxville. We strategically planned to leave during his afternoon nap time and it worked like a charm. Peaceful sleep for the first hour and a half. Miller played happily with a lap toy for the rest of the trip.
Of course when we arrived, Omi and Grandpa were waiting anxiously to hug and kiss their little grandson. After a yummy dinner complete with his new favorite entree of choice (Gerber's Lil Chicken Stix), Miller was greeted with a Car wash spinning toy as a belated Valentine's gift. He got right to washing cars and squealing with delight.

We learned an important lesson this weekend..check the weather channel before you pack. Little did we expect Tennessee to get snow on Saturday! Miller was fascinated by the wintry weather but decided to stay home while Landon and Grandpa took a walk. He did enjoy pressing his little nose up against the front door to watch the falling flakes. Mommy sadly didn't pack a hat or a warm coat. Omi and I enjoyed a girl's day while Landon, Grandpa and Miller stayed home watching the flurries. Miller enjoyed & played the day away with Omi's endless Tupperware container of interesting toys. He also enjoyed himself crawling and chasing Armand the dog. And yes, he found the steps and kept flirting with temptation. Omi managed to play "guard" of the steps and block& distact Miller with a colorful book. He is really loving to listen to story books and stare at pictures now.

We "sprang forward" early in the afternoon which made scheduling a thought out process again. We get in our little mindless rhythm and structures and there they go changing the time on us moms! It causes crankiness from mommies and babies nationwide...well 48 states at least.

Aunt Laurel and Uncle Chad came over Saturday evening for dinner just in time to see Miller parading around the living room on top of a Tupperware lid. By 7:45 (spring forward) time Miller was exhausted and ready for bed. We enjoyed our little get away and now we must spring on toward a new week!

March Memories

Ah..memories. Here is a picture taken at a baby shower for Miller this date last year.We took this same picture when baby Anna was in Mandy's tummy. I was getting pretty large at this point...138 some odd pounds if you're interested. Suprisingly, Miller only took up 7lbs 5 ounces of that! The rest collected as water weight in my ankles or as Landon called them "kankles"(Shallow Hal anyone?). Yes, I had the not so fun water retention in my lower legs. Working full time and being on my feet all day brought many challenges and hardships on my feet. Finally, in March of last year I resigned to wearing tennis shoes with my dress clothes everyday. I felt like the NY woman with white sneaks on her way to work. You have to do what you have to do and my ankles were screaming for comfortable feet! I did manage to buy a few new pairs of shoes. I was horrified to find that my feet had grown up one whole size and 1/2!! They are stored safely away for next time around.

Emotions were high as we made final preparations in the nursery, finished our last childbirth class two weeks before Miller arrived & washed all of Miller's tiny clothes. Oh and we managed to squeeze in a hospital tour somewhere in there. I had it in my mind to take off the week before I was due ,but Miller decided to show up the day after my last day at school. I envisioned a whole week laying on the couch, eating bon bons, hanging Miller's letters over his bed, sleeping in, installing the car seat, and finishing my last pregnancy books to be REALLY ready. Believe it or not, I was somewhat packed for the hospital, but Landon was not packed leaving us scrambling at the last minute to find clean clothes for his hospital bag. Are you ever REALLY ready??

It's fun to think about where we were in our lives one year ago and to reflect on just how much we've learned and grown together as a family. Something about the touch of Spring in the air and the feeling of March has made me sentimental. As Miller's first birthday quickly approaches, I'm sure we'll get more& more sappy over here!!

The "Mane" Question

Happy eleven months little man! Miller is growing more towards todderhood everyday. I see glimpses of just how this transition from baby to big boy will look and feel like as each day passes. His rolls are melting away, he's getting more teeth and loves to throw toddler like fits to show he doesn't want something! I so enjoy his sleepy time just before bed when Miller sucks his thumb, grasps his left ear and lays his head on my chest. I treasure these cuddly moments because this go-go, squirmy boy doesn't give his mama as much sugar anymore. Just another sign of his growing independence. He still gets kisses like crazy on those baby, chubby cheeks of his whether he likes it or not.

Now on to the "mane" question. It's a hairy issue around here....To snip or not to snip? It's been in the back of my mind for several weeks. We've had quite the hair journey over the last year. He came into this world with dark brown locks, then progressed to an early onset of an "Infant Receding" hairline. This set back was followed by partial side baldness around three months that resembled a mohawk. After joining "Infants Hair Club" it filled in to a blondish wispy hair that has grown in nicely.

Miller takes after both of us in that he has a lot of hair but it's very fine. He has Landon's hair pattern which daddy is proud to claim.... Two calicks or is it cow licks?? in the back of his head and hair at the nape of his neck that flips out. So cute! We can't decide if his little personality will be more suited for the preppy "not one hair out of place" look or if he will fit into the "longer curly messed- up" look. You take a lot of heat if you wear the longer look as Landon can vouch for. He is still teased for what his friends call "Yanni Hair" (new age classical composer ...anyone??)

I may just leave it alone for another month and see what it continues to do..or just get it shaped up leaving the longer pieces in the back. If only they made baby gel to keep his bangs in place!! It's so special to think that the ends of his hair have been there since birth. And....I've noticed that once you get that first hair cut that baby faced look is definitely lost.