Moving

We're busy around here getting ready to move to a new house! The last few months have been a whirlwind of cleaning and decluttering, house showings and decisions. We knew we wanted more space, an old house and a more central location not far from schools and work. The new house meets all of the criteria and more.

But we'll miss our house, where we've been for a little over three years. It's the home where both boys took their first steps, where Miles came home for the first time, learned to crawl and said first words. Grant made first friends here and developed a love for animals thanks for frequent wildlife sightings in the backyard. We'll really miss our neighborhood full of young families and kids. 

We've been preparing the boys for the move by assuring them that all of our stuff--from Teddy Bear to train sets--will be coming to the new house. They're excited about the prospect of a big truck and workers coming to move all of our stuff. While they seem excited about a new house, we know it's also big unknown, and we're not sure how they'll react once we're in the new place and they realize we're not coming back to everything that's familiar to them.

So once we get through the packing and cleaning, moving and adjusting, we think we'll be very happy in our new old house, which will offer more space for two growing boys and an office where we can both work after hours. And best of all its central location will mean far less time spent in the car and more time as a family. 

What G Wants to Be When He Grows Up

Toward the end of the school year, G came home with a yearbook from his preschool. Below each child's picture was an answer to the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? Popular responses included firefighter, doctor and princess. Grant's response?

A bear. Yep, that's our G.

Also, isn't this so much better than last year's picture?

22 Months

It's hard to believe we're nearing an end to Miles' first two years. He's grown so quickly from a sleepy baby to a busy, crazy toddler.

New this month, Miles:

• Had his first real haircut.
• Has been waking up several times a night, simply to snuggle. He howls until we come in his room, then demands that we "rock, rock" in the chair. After a minute or two, he points to his bed and says "night, night." This routine is making everyone a little tired. 
• Has been interacting more with Grant, not always in ways we like. He often walks over to Grant, smacks him on the head and runs away. He has also learned how to argue with G. A typical conversation:
• Grant: "Miles, should we go to the park?"
• Miles: "Uh-Uh."
• G: "But I want to go to the park!"
• M: "Uh-uh."
• G: {Crying} 
• Is starting to string words together into his first sentences, such as: "Momma bye-bye," "More please," and "Da-da, up."
• He also has lots of new words, including "elephant" and "apple."
• Is impossible to discipline. When I speak to him in a stern voice, he bats his eyes and smiles at me, and I laugh every time. 
• When he sees someone new, says "Hi-i-i-i-i" in his cutest, flirtiest voice. 

Previous monthly photos are here.

Happy Father's Day!

We have endless love for the dads in our lives. Happy Father's Day.

"Splash!"

On the first really hot day we've had recently, Miles was the first to hit the sprinkler. This boy seriously loves water.

Who Needs a Swingset?

When the boys are outside, they are always drawn to this sewer grate at the end of our cul-de-sac. They will abandon bikes, balls and friends to lie on their stomachs and stare down into the ground below. Their favorite thing to do is throw rocks, dirt and sticks into it. Thanks to all the rain we've had lately, this activity has been especially fun for them because they can watch the objects splash into the water below.

Boys.

New Bike

Grant got a balance bike for his birthday -- a pint-sized bike with no pedals. He was unsure about it at first, but after trying it out a few times he is now cruising almost as fast as the bigger kids on their two-wheelers. We've been amazed at how quickly he has learned to balance and pick his feet up off the ground. This is a big development because we're now able to really travel when we go for walks in the neighborhood. In fact, we have to yell for him to slow down.

First Race

I ran the Dam to Dam 20K last weekend, and we signed up Grant and Miles for the youth run. The "fun run" was about a block long, and parents were encouraged to run with the kids. Grant was excited to wear his race number just like mom.

When it came time to run, Miles didn't want to at all, and Grant took about two steps before insisting that Kent carry him.

But later, at home, G wanted to race us again and again.

Robin's Nest

About a month ago, we discovered a bird's nest filled with three small blue eggs in the corner of our swingset. A fourth egg appeared a little later. The baby robins hatched last week.

They are amazing. But the momma bird squawks madly at us whenever we go near the swingset, and lately she has started to dive-bomb at our heads. Grant calls her the "angry bird." So we are avoiding the swingset for now.

A Haircut for Miles

As difficult as it was, we finally had to cut Miles' long hair last week. It was becoming a tangled mess, made worse by frequently smearing food in his hair.

Before

After

We were happy that he still had a little curl even after cutting it.