FIVE

Merry Christmas Eve and 5 Months to this little boy!

We didn't even attempt to get IN the basket this time. He's getting so big!
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Way back, SO LONG ago it seems, to when he was about 3 weeks old, my friend sent me an article that saved me during those days. Not that times were terrible, but they were definitely harder than they are now. That article's title:  "The 100 Days of Darkness". It was pivotal in my emotional well being and notes many things I was feeling at that moment. They say the first 100 days with a new baby are the hardest, but the most precious at the same time. Seems counter intuitive, but so true. Trust me. They also say that you cannot bank on the fact that at the 100 day mark, your days will all of a sudden get better. But, I am happy to announce that the darkness is officially in the past. I am pumped to see what Miles is going to be up to in the coming months.

With days full of big belly laughs and smiles you didn't think could get bigger, this little munchkin is just the cutest. Here's the down low on Mr. Miles:

- Consistently sleeping 12 hours per night. Most times he wakes up once in the middle of the night for a feeding. But, he has given us a few all nighters which have been amazing!
- Currently transitioning from the swing to the crib.
- SO close to rolling from both sides. Just can't seem to get over that shoulder.
- Can hold things and bring them to his mouth. Not quite to the independent bottle holding though.
- Has mastered the jumper and LOVES it
- He's "found" Lucy. Before, he saw her but was indifferent. Now he seems interested and we are working with her to be gentle.
- LOVES his hands, still.
- Has found his feet. Can you tell?
- His eczema is getting better. Slowing but surely.
- He's suuuuuper drooly. You change him and 2 seconds later, he's all wet.
- Might be a sensitive fella. If he thinks you are laughing at him, he cries  :(
- Wearing about the same sizes as last month, but they're getting a little short.
- Size 1 diapers are getting a bit small. We'll be moving up soon.
- We've found a schedule! If we keep 1.5-1.75 hours of awake time and feedings every 2.5-3 hours, he's a super happy camper.
- Eating 6 oz pretty consistently with a few lower and a few higher here and there.
- The short naps are still an issue. 45 minutes are the average, with an occasional hour to hour an a half.
- His baby hair is still falling out, but his "real" hair is growing! Stephen likes to style the little tuft on the top of his head...ha
- His eyes are BLUE. No question. We'll see if they change as time goes on. (Stephen and I have green eyes)
- We all know he looks just like Stephen, but we've realized he has my eyes, legs and ears. Some of me is emerging!

We're having so much fun watching Miles grow and see him explore, learn, play, laugh and be just an overall laid back, sweet little guy. Happy five months little one!

He is mesmerized by these lights, but it took some major intervention during the shoot to keep them out of his mouth.

#iBelieve

Awhile ago my niece, Lia (age 6), told us that she was going to ask Santa for snow. She'd been asking "What does snow feel like?", "Is it fluffy?" , "Can you eat it?" - all in all very curious about what it's all about. After all, Texas doesn't see snow often and to be living in Austin...it's rare. A little baffled, my sister and I explained that while Santa is very magical, he cannot control the weather. So, she settled for a barbie house.

Well, just days after visiting Santa and a few weeks shy of Christmas, what happens? It SNOWS in AUSTIN. What the heck. It wasn't normal "Texas" snow either (which basically means freezing rain). This was real, thick, fluffy snowflake kind of snow. If that's not a sign, I'm not sure what is. Folks - #iBelieve.

After letting it sink in that this was actually happening, we all geared up to spend the evening in the snow. By evening, I mean it. We spent hours hanging out in this rarely seen winter wonderland.

Miles wasn't sure what to think of everything (pre bundle-up)

You can barely see him in all his garb, but Miles is in my arms :P

The guys took advantage...Whiskey snowballs!

We hung out outside until our feet froze knowing full well, the snow would likely be gone in the morning. To our surprise, it wasn't! Even though the high was in the 60s the next day, the snow stuck around long enough to grab some fun daytime photos.

View from our backyard

Little snow baby! Thanks to Ricky, Susan and Caroline for the winter coat! The winter coat we didn't think he'd wear until we visited the mountains... ha

 Lucy even enjoyed herself!

 

It's a bummer Miles won't remember this, but we've got documentation proving it happened! We'll just have to wait another 15 years to see it again.

Ps.  Just note - It's 65 degrees outside as I write this. Good ole Texas weather

Sights and Sounds

For the past couple years, Stephen and I have gone to a Festival down in San Marcos with the Gates called Sights and Sounds. It's put on by local sponsors to help non-profits raise money for their cause. All money raised at the festival is donated, which is pretty cool. 

What makes this one of the best Christmas festivals in Texas? Well, it seems to have something for everyone. Starting at around 6pm, Santa arrives! All depending on the day, Santa come driving up in a different mode of transportation. Our night, he arrived on a monster truck! But, he's known to come in a sports car, fire truck, and a bunch of other cool vehicles. Along with Santa, there are tons of delicious food vendors. My favorite - funnel cake. Who goes to a festival without funnel cake? Crazies, that's who. There's funnel cake, turkey legs, popcorn, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza...all the goodies.

The festival has also done a great job putting together activities that kids of all ages can enjoy. They've got a huge carnival with amusement park rides for the older kids and activities for younger kids like a petting zoo, pony rides, carousel, and what they call "The little town of Bethlehem". This is a series of stations where kids learn to make different things as if they lived in the past. Last year, it was bread. I think the year before that was candles. All in all, it's a pretty neat tradition to keep each year, especially now because we have Miles - who did great by the way! We were able to stay for a couple hours before he got hungry and tired. 

 

In line waiting for Santa. The girls were pumped to say hi, but Miles fell asleep. 

Halle on the Carousel

Halle and Bob-o - Two peas in a pod

All in all, super fun night! A perfect jump into the holiday season.

Livin the Life

It's been pretty chill around here lately, but wanted to catch yall up on the little man. Since my sister was able to get him to full on belly giggle, Stephen and I have been trying so hard to replicate. We've tried tickles and all sorts of funny noises. Those got us little coos here and there, but nothing like what Becky got. I guess she is just one of those super funny aunts. However, we did finally figure out that he loves talking about boogers and snuggles. THIS was what made him laugh....that is until I scared him. ha!

My mom also discovered his love for this rattle ball we have.

Along with the cute giggles he talks, a lot. Whether he's really trying to have conversations with us, or just testing and playing with his voice, I don't care. It's so stinkin' cute.

For the feature presentation, I present: Baby on Roomba. For those of you who haven't seen this on Facebook, it's just too funny not to share again. :P