AaaaR-KAN-SAS for Arkansas!

Miles and I had a blast in Arkansas!  We spent time with friends I haven't seen in forever, Miles met some family members for the first time, and Nonna and Papa G re-learned how to get up in the middle of the night to change diapers!  We had such a wonderful time I sometimes forgot to take pictures!

Although the week was perfect timing for our family, it was a different story for my parents. My Dad is working 12+ hour days at the Plant and Mom had already signed up for a continuing education course in Branson.  So...Miles and I found ways to keep ourselves busy during the day.  We spent time with some friends I haven't seen in forever! Valerie, Amber, Jeb, Nicole...we loved spending time with all of you and your families and I remember why you are still some of my closest friends!
(Insert pictures I did not take of all of their kiddos...it was so fun seeing all of them!!)

This week also included Halloween!  As many of you  know, I love costumes.  That is why I could've kicked myself when October 31st rolled around, and neither Miles or I had costumes!  Granted we had no plans, but for pictures, family, and mainly my satisfaction I decided to scour my parents house for something to put on the two of us.  Luckily, I get my packrat qualities from my parents and we hit the jackpot! 

Miles also got to meet his aunt JeanAnn and cousin Corie this week.  They drove down from Little Rock with my grandparents and Miles just 'happened' to wake up the minute they got there! 

I battled all week with the decision to travel to Fayetteville to visit my best friends and watch the Razorback game.  I kept telling people my parents were nervous to have Miles overnight...but in reality it was me!  After prepping bottles, outfits, and his schedule for my parents, I decided to drive up Friday night for dinner and a night out with the girls. I woke up early Saturday morning and drove home to a happy, clean, live baby so we all survived! It was nice to see my girls and have a night out! I don't see or talk to these girls as often as I should, but they mean the world to me!!

Paula, Brooke, Me, Amy, Simba

As much fun as we had visiting friends and family, the highlight of our week was spending time with Nonna and Papa G!  They are amazing parents and grandparents and it meant so much that we could spend the week with them.

And Aunt Tiffany!!!

We had a great week but it feels good to be home with Bryan!  Miles and I are planning a lazy week and the past two rainy days have kept us true to that plan.  He is growing so fast and already in some 6 month outfits!!  He weighs 14 pounds and getting more rolls by the day.  I love him so much and thankful I am getting this time with him!  See you Friday! xoxo

Out on Tour

We are still out on our tour of Arkansas so we will update the blog when we get home! We are having so much fun and enjoying seeing family and friends! I am heading to Fayetteville tonight for some much needed time with my girlfriends and Nonna and Papa G are keeping Miles tonight! Everyone needs prayers, haha! I know they will do great! Have a great weekend and pictures should be up Monday. Love you all! xoxo

Miles meets Bobby

"Want to see him?" I hear Bryan say to his brother Bobby after they get home from the airport at approximately midnight last Friday.  My first thought is how annoyed I am that they woke him.  But thinking about two grown men staring lovingly at their son and nephew melts my heart.  The rest of the weekend was spent with Bobby watching football, playing bean bags and shuffleboard, and eating of course.  It was so nice to have him here and I know Bryan enjoyed the time with his brother.  Bobby was sure to bring Miles an Iowa Hawkeyes shirt, which I will have to sneak Miles in when Bryan isn't looking.  Thanks Bobby for the visit!!

The rest of the week was pretty chill.  We had several breakfast and lunch dates.  We went to the mall for the first time.  Actually we went twice...but it was for a return so they practically cancel each other out (right honey?!)  Miles was awesome at each outing and I love showing him off!

All the girls brought their little ones over Thursday morning and we spent a rainy day just playing with our babies! This is a picture of Teisha with Miles and her son Eli.

Bryan started his surgery rotation Monday and we have been trying to adjust to his new schedule.  When he wakes up at 3:58 am, so do the dogs, so does Miles, and then so does Mommy.  Bryan is working long days but always has a smile on his face when he comes home to see us.  I am so blessed with such a wonderful husband.  I hope Miles grows up just like his daddy!

Miles and I are off to Arkansas today for a whole week.  I have been pouting all morning about leaving Bryan, but it will be good for all of us and perfect timing with his busy schedule.  Hopefully we will see most of you this upcoming week!  To our Chicago family and friends we anxiously await when we see you all! xoxo

Mood swings, discos, and pumpkins

I originally titled this week's blog 'Free to Good Home' when working on it earlier in the week.  We have a baby calendar that I keep record of the day's events and Monday received a sticker that reads 'Moody Day.' Miles would play and be happy for about 10 minutes before he let me know he wanted something new.  We walked, played outside on a blanket, read books, sang songs, did yoga...I was exhausted by the end of the day!! And as you can see below so was Miles!  But the day ended with a smile on his face and help from Bryan so it made it all worth it.  Tuesday was a little better-and then the rest of the week was amazing.  So long story short, I think I'll keep him (sorry Dad, I know you got your hopes up!)

He was worn out! He usually never sleeps out in the living room, but today he didn't care!

 

This is the end of 'moody day' and we found that Miles would sit in the carrier as long as he was facing out! He stayed happy like this for a while.

Bryan has been on his opthamology rotation these past two weeks and we have continued to enjoy a lighter schedule.  But this is his last week before his surgical rotation and long hours begin.  We will miss having him around so much, but I know Bryan is excited to be in the operating room and pursuing his dream!  I am planning on spending some time in Arkansas during these months to visit family and friends.

With that said, we made the most of this week and I felt fortunate he could spend almost the whole day with me on my birthday. The weather was beautiful and we had lunch with Elizabeth and shopped for costumes.

There just happened to be a 70s Disco party downtown that night and my wonderful husband and friends agreed! We put the babies to sleep (thanks Erin for watching them) and hit the town!  Dressing up makes everything more fun...especially if it involves wigs!  The party was a strange mix of people but needless to say we got some compliments on our costumes and asked to stand in pictures.  We all decided disco music wasn't our favorite dance music, but don't think that stopped us!!

We had so much fun and I couldn't ask for anything more!  Here is a picture of my favorite gift!

Last but not least, this week finally involved getting our pumpkins! I could tell that Miles was as excited as me and one day, when he can talk, I am sure he will thank me endlessly for this experience. I was asked at the pumpking patch if I planned on placing Miles into a pumpkin for a picture.  As tempting as this seems, he again will thank me someday for declining this offer. 

And by the way...no coincidence that he is wearing 'mommy' shirts this week.  It was my birthday and I dress him, haha!  Have a great week! xoxo

Is this baby cute or what?

Sorry this post is a day late for those I promised to update on Fridays.  The weeks go by so fast and Miles is getting so big and more fun by the day!  This is a picture before he and I went for coffee with the girls. He has started smiling and using his eyebrows and it melts my heart.  I am in trouble...looks like these will get him whatever he wants!

Speaking of facial expressions, I snapped this photo of Miles next to a baby picture of Bryan.  I think this answers the question (as if there was one) about who he looks like.  I am okay with that...I think I married a very handsome man!

Developmentally, Miles is starting to sit up with less support and continues to use his arms and legs more purposefully.  We tried the Bumbo seat just to see what happened and he seemed to like it.  We still provided a little head support just in case!

He also continues to love bathtime and I am sure to scrub in all of his little fat rolls that are magically appearing. 

We had a major accomplishment this week as Miles took his first bottle of breastmilk.  I kept 'accidentally forgetting' to have him try it because I feared it would interfere with breastfeeding.  (And also I kind of liked being his one and only, ha!)  But we were fortunate enough to have Cindy Fransen offer to watch Miles Friday night and we knew we had to try it.  It was very sweet watching Bryan feed him and experience the look of satisfaction I see every day! Oh and by the way, we had a wonderful date night out and Miles slept ALL NIGHT! He woke up at 6 am to eat and was a very content baby this morning.  I guess the bottle worked!!  Thanks Cindy!

Today (Saturday) we went downtown to see the new Myriad Gardens.  They had a great festival with food, drinks, and a pumpkin patch.  We met the Opies and Risches and watched the kids play.  Bryan and Miles also met Rumble and the Thunder girls.  It was a beautiful, warm day and we were all a little tired when we got home!

 

         

 

Wilder Opie

 

 

Rumble and Thunder Girls

So as the week draws to an end and Bryan cheers on his Illini we look forward to a fun upcoming week and look forward to cool, fall weather!  Love you all! This picture was Bryan and I having fun at the mall dressing up our little doll...



I've always loved October...

We had a great visit to Arkansas last weeked to visit my family.  The car ride went smoothly until about 20 minutes outside of Clarksville.  These last minutes could be a hit on You Tube if they were recorded...we sang, and cheered, and clapped our little hearts out to keep him happy.  Needless to say we were delighted to get out of the car and hand Miles to his eager grandparents! 

It is as if he knew what was coming...

But the trip was worth it! We had a successful garage sale with mom on Saturday, Miles met his great-Papa, we played and watched a little football, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect!  The picture below just doesn't capture the beauty of the view.  Did I appreciate this when I woke up to it every day?

Miles started getting a little stuffy nose on the trip and it started to affect his sleeping at night.  We were all a little tired this week...

But the week was overall fun and we got to see some friends that have moved away and help Landon celebrate his birthday at the Wedge Pizzaria.  It was our first 'night' outing and Miles did great (for a baby!) but let us know when he was ready to go home!!

This week also included a mommy and me yoga class, a trip for flowers and pumpkins, and Daddy completing his Anesthesia rotation on Wednesday and having a four day weekend!  Developmentally, this week Miles has started using his arms and legs much more (we are convinced he is Olympics bound!), holding his head up freakishly well, and starting to enjoy tummy time.  Oh, and we also caved in to the pacifier.  See below at the results...

I do wash those pajamas I swear...I just really like them!

Have a great week! We are now in what we like to refer to as 'birthday month' here at the Smith household.  Let the fun continue as I turn 29...again! Love you all!