Maternity leave/vacation/6 month hiatus draws to a close

We had a great last full week of being home together! We did a little better in bible study, but I think we just have to get used to it!  It continues to be so nice here so we are taking lots of walks and going to the park with friends.  We spent the morning with Amy, our nanny, on Thursday and he went peacefully down for a nap and took a bottle from her (yeah!!)! I return to work next Thursday so it was so nice they got along so well.  I am sad to be leaving him at all, but I am happy to have such a wonderful girl staying with him.  I will keep everyone updated on how my first day goes!

We did a lot of running around this week and this was a common theme...Miles loves to sleep in the car! The hat had fallen down over his eyes and I pulled over to fix it, but he didn't seem to have a problem with it. Maybe it was blocking the sun?

We haven't had any teeth break through yet, but he continues to drool, chew, and have his mouth open constantly!  He still loves this Sophie the Giraffe!

Miles and I are spending the weekend in Arkansas. I thought this picture was appropriate:) I will have more pictures and stories next week! Love you all! Have a great week! xoxo

We've Had Better

I debated titles this week that demonstrated the chaos of this past few days.  Then after contemplating how lucky and blessed we really are, I decided to go simply with 'we've had better.'  The week got off to a great start, Bryan was off Sunday and Monday and we had a great time visiting friends, spending some quality time together, and enjoying a very well-behaved baby! 

(Oh, and our swing motor came in!)



I even went so far to post on Facebook that we were having the 'best weekend ever' which is a pretty bold statement.  It was just so nice to be together and I couldn't remember a time I had been happier!

As I type this I know in my heart that the events that took place this week are not that bad.  I know that.  But in the moment they seem huge and I'd like Miles to read this one day and remember how much his mother really does love him! Haha.

I got confirmation last week that they were able to find a place for Miles in my BSF Bible study nursery.  I was elated and planned our schedule very carefully so Miles wouldn't be hungry or cranky during the two hours I would be there Tuesday morning.  We ate at 8:00 which put him not due to eat again until around 11:00, right when I'd be finished. The only thing they would need to do is put him down for a nap at 10:00.  Oh right, a nap.  He usually loves going down for those...geez.  As I sat in the worship center surrounded by probably 200 women I watched the nursery coordinator slowly make her way to the front of the room.  I watched the speaker carefully pronounce my name..."L-O-R-A S-M-I-T-H you're needed in the nursery."  What?! So I thought I would wait a few seconds so heads weren't turning to see who this unlucky mother was.  "Lora Smith, ARE YOU IN HERE??" Yep.  Right here, slinking out the back.  Needless to say, Miles was asleep before we got to the car.  There's always next week.  I'll make next week feeding time, that should be easier.  Right?!

(This was when we got home, he was really sorry!)

That night I decided I would go to the gym to get away and work off some much needed emotions and baby weight.  I prepared a bottle and gave Bryan the 'good luck' pat and away I went.  One hour later and feeling emotionally and physically lighter I walked in to a crying mess.  Miles has now decided he won't take a bottle.  From Bryan, from me, from anyone.  Great.  We've tried several more times to no avail.  Challenge for next week extended.

Now this couldn't be my loving, sweet, innocent baby from the past weekend right? I am sure you, as was I, are thinking 'something must be causing these tantrums'?  Insert finger to bottom gums and get your proof.  In addition to producing enough drool to fill a bathtub, Miles has been placing just about anything in his mouth that comes within 2 inches of him (except a bottle, see above).  I am not sure if this warrants such dramatic theatrics, but I am sure it doesn't help.

So, the week has continued to provide challenges: an early return from visiting with friends, a few more feedings at night, and a tantrum that just might have scared our nanny away for good.  But, he continues to laugh and smile and hold my heart more each day.  We have had mostly great moments peppered with these few incidents.  We have a few things to work on this week, and I will let you know our progress! Love you all! xoxo

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Notes to Miles

I hope everyone had a great week! We were all over the place! Miles and I visited my new clinic to do some paperwork, I started my BSF Bible study, I had adjunct professor training at OCCC, we had lunch with friends, and had some visitors here.  One true pearl of wisdom a friend shared with me before we had Miles is that 'everything is harder and takes a little bit longer with kids!' Oh how true! I definitely took for granted running to the store, buying things with the intention on returning (how many bags do I have in my room now??), or going for an impromptu run.  Those things take planning, patience, and prayers now! I wouldn't change it for the world, but oh what a change!!

Miles is continuing to get great head and trunk control.  We got out this Tigger bouncer a patient gave me  and he loves it! Tummy time sagas continue, he sometimes forgets that he can roll and starts panicking...but quickly calms with a little nudge from mama.  Murphy definitely likes floor time more than Miles does!

One hiccup we encounted this week was a broken swing motor!  Miles loves his swing and he always chills there after his bath at night.  The company said that the motor would be on back order for another month and I promptly informed her that would not work.  So, we are getting some strange colored piece until that one comes in.  In the meantime we hand rock him from behind.  Obviously he isn't phased...

Now that things have calmed down I hope to continue posts and pictures every Friday. Also, since not only am I writing this as a diary for me and information for family and friends, I hope to some day print it and have it for Miles to read when he is grown.  SO...I would LOVE it if you would take a minute to write him a little note below!  I think you have to become a member or follower to do so, but it only takes a minute!

Here are more pics of the week!  Have a great weekend!

The Honeymoon phase

It has been a great first week of the New Year.  We spent the week at home unpacking, taking down Christmas decorations, and enjoying the weather.  I have heard people say 4-5 months is one of the 'honeymoon phases' of raising children and I agree...this is my favorite age so far!  Miles is starting to develop his sense of humor and laughs and smiles a lot!  As you can see below he has a new love-his feet!  There is nothing like seeing him hold his feet and topple side to side with those chunky legs!

I have been really trying to provide him places to roll and flop around, he is usually so happy with a blanket on the floor and a few simple toys.  He also loves to look at himself in a mirror, which is usually the only way I can get him to stay on his stomach without rolling over! But even that sometimes won't keep him there...

In addition to smiles he has started to make some pretty funny facial expressions.  I usually can't catch them on camera, but here is one that made me laugh.  I would call this 'hungry bird.'

We decided later in the week to make a trip to Tulsa this Friday to visit my Uncle and Aunt.  Toby had undergone heart surgery a few weeks ago and recently was in the hospital with fluid complications.  We thought a visit from Miles might speed his recovery!  Also, he is a faithful Razorback fan and I thought it'd be fun to enjoy the Cotton Bowl with them!  Miles pulled out his Hog gear and was ready to travel again! 

We had such a great visit with Toby and Sylvia! We enjoyed some of Bryan's favorite Chicago style pizza from Savastano's and the Hogs pulled out a victory!  We spent the night and enjoyed Toby's waffles this morning before heading home.

And as usual my Uncle had a project up his sleeve...You'll have to ask him about this, I dropped Geology the first day of class.  He is a genius!!

Well, if you haven't guessed it by now, I am totally in love with my Miles.  I never in my wildest dreams could imagine a love like this.  It makes me value my parents even more, appreciate my friends and their children, and thank God every day for letting me experience this gift. 

Have a great week!

Miles' First Christmas

The past two weeks were a perfect ending to one of the best and busiest years of our lives.  We were fortunate enough to spend a whole week with my family in Arkansas, then a week here in Oklahoma City with Bryan's parents.  This is always my favorite time of year, but becoming a parent gave a whole new meaning to Christmas and family.  Bryan and I weren't able to give expensive presents this year, but I am almost certain we will never feel more satisfied or blessed!

The holiday started with my extended family Christmas in Heber Springs, Arkansas.  Miles was a great traveler and we had a great day with grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles.  While we were in Heber we also got to spend some time with some of our best friends, Travis and Amy Julian.  Before leaving we visited our family 'farm' where my Great Grandparents built their first home over 70 years ago. Although they built a new home on the land, the original house, out house, and sheds remain.  We had a great day of four wheeling, hearing stories about life on the farm from Papa, and Bryan shot a gun for the first time! It was a great ending to the weekend!

We spent the next week in Clarksville at my parents house.  We spent several days in our pajamas, watching movies, and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.  My parents were able to take some time off and Tiffany was home before her big move to Fayetteville.  We also got to spend an evening with some of my high school friends and had a great night remembering the 'good old days'! 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is First Baptist Church's Christmas Eve Service.  It is always a beautiful service and I get to see some great friends I have loved most of my life.  We knew it was a hard time for Miles, 6 pm is when he is usually getting ready for bed.  But I wasn't going to miss the service so we all put on our Christmas best and headed to church.  Long story short, we were back in the car headed home at 6:15 pm.  Miles wasn't too fond of either option, staying in church with the loud music, or staying in the nursery with loud children.  I was sad to miss the service, but we sang carols on the car ride home and I will have that special memory for the rest of my life.  Life is definitely different but I woudn't change it for the world!

 Christmas morning is always fun at our house and we had fun opening and playing with our new toys! Miles got some great outfits, toys, and the cutest walker/bouncer I've ever seen!  I can't get enough pictures of Miles in it, he looks so darn cute!

We headed back to OKC the day after Christmas, and although it was hard to leave we were glad to be back in our own home.  The next day we welcomed Bryan's parents and spent the week with them.  We celebrated Christmas and Miles got some great Chicago sportswear, toys, and a basketball hoop! We were as excited as he was! 

The rest of the week went great and we enjoyed some great food, drinks, and sight seeing.  Bryan's parents watched Miles one night so Bryan and I could have dinner with friends...suspiciously Miles woke up right as we left and there was a missing bottle. Haha! They did great and we appreciated it so much! They hadn't seen Miles in person since he was born and it was so fun to see them play and enjoy Miles.

We all spent NYE at Elizabeth and Jason's while Miles slept upstairs.  I was wondering how Miles would do as we woke him up to come home, but he did great and slept until 6:30 this morning, ate, then slept til 8:30.  I am hoping Miles' resolution was to sleep more at night and he got off to a great start!!

I am so excited about the 2012!  I start my new job February 2nd at University of Oklahoma, Bryan will decide what speciality he wants to pursue, and our little man will be changing every day!  My resolution is to learn more about our country and its history and Bryan plans on running a half marathon in April.  Of course, my resolution to 'get more organized' rears its head every January and I will do my best.  I hope everyone enjoyed 2011 and has a great first week of 2012! xoxo