We're in trouble...

He's already using up all the cell phone minutes!

In this picture Miles is really talking with Luke on my cell, but usually he walks around the house with his play cell carrying on pretend conversations with his friend Caleb about going pee pee on the potty or with Nana about her flying in an airplane. I followed him around the house the other day and realized he travels to the same places I walk while I'm chatting away on the phone. He heads to the kitchen sink babbling away, then to my bathroom still talking, and then back down the hall to the office with the phone pressed against his ear the entire time. He'll even pause at the back door to look outside while conversing with himself. Love it!
I caught him giving Luke a kiss bye-bye thru the phone :)

I know... he's precious!

Party Time!

We had a blast today! We celebrated Miles's 2nd birthday (along with cakes for Luke's and my brother Nathan's birthdays). A few friends and family came over, and I served cabbage rolls, pasta salad, and tons of finger fruits and veggies. I even made Miles's cake. Ok, ok - it wasn't so much a cake as a dump truck full of brownies with cinnamon rolls on the side. At least I put in some effort. I've got to give props to my fabulous hubby for putting up with me during the party prep and coming to every beck and call I needed, smooch! I think everyone had fun and Miles enjoyed himself. Our attempts at an Easter egg hunt fell a little short, but all the kids went home with plenty of goodies.

Fantastic weather, great friends, yummy food, fun music,

and a healthy, happy 2 year old - what more could I ask for?!?

The BIG day has arrived!

MILES IS TWO! He knew it was his special day and put on a very cheerful smile all day. Seriously, he skipped and sang and laughed through all the errands I took him on with me in preparation for his party. Stay tuned for details on his party we're having tomorrow!

So, I wanted to capture his first waking moments as a two year old :) Then I let him pick out the outfit he wanted to wear for the day... He's wearing his favorite croc shoes, soccer shorts, soccer shirt, and Wiggles swimshirt on top - ugh, I'm not so fond of the last article of clothing, but it's his special day not mine ;)



The last two years have been absolutely amazing. Miles has been not just a ray of sunshine to us but a rainbow of adventure and has brought so much joy to our lives. We are so blessed and thank Heavenly Father every day that his birth mother found us and shared the miracle of Miles with us.




I have always wanted to be a mother, but I never realized how much I would actually enjoy it and get so much fulfillment out of it. I love being "just" a mom - as some people say. What more blessed calling could I have than to teach and engage our children in the lessons of life. The payments come in cuddles, hugs, kisses, smiles, and the knowledge that I am helping Miles to be happy. I LOVE my job!
Happy Birthday Little Boy!

Congratulations!

My brother Tommy and his wife Xiaojun's third baby arrived yesterday. Lincoln Lingxi Jones was born at 12:35 pm weighing in at a whopping 7lbs 12oz and stretching 19in long. Mommy and baby are healthy even though he arrived several weeks early. Wish we were there for the big event, but we will get to meet baby Lincoln soon.

We love you guys!

(I'll post pictures as soon I get them.)

With the Good Comes the Bad

I LOVE how much Miles is learning. He's decided he can tell what kind of vehicle is passing behind our house just by how it sounds. He'll call out "bus," "motorbike," or "garbage truck!" He thinks he can get out of eating his dinner if he just hordes the food in his cheek - he'll keep it there for hours! And if you give him another bite, he'll just keep packing it in there. He's learned the power of cocking his head, smiling, fluttering his big brown eyes, and saying "please." He loves to point out shapes he knows like star, oval, circle, or triangle. Some examples of not so ordinary animals he can name: walrus, gorilla, echidna, jellyfish, jaguar. AND his vocabulary is huge! It's got to be from all the books he loves for us to read to him.

SO, in saying that, here are just a few of his GOOD statements:
I'm gonna get you. (even though he runs away from you ;) )
Pardon me.
Let's go see.
Come on, come on, come on.
Help me, please.
I love you.
Did you hear that?
Want a kiss? (course he teases me by running away before giving me one)
Hug me, hug.
Honey, honey.

And the NOT so good:
Go away.
Stop it.
Don't do that.
I want it.

We REALLY have to watch what WE say because EVERYTHING is repeated by our intelligent, observant, very vocal little boy. Love it!

So sick...

It came on so quick...

This video shows Miles as his happy-go-lucky self on Tuesday morning singing his abc's :)

By the afternoon, he was burning up with nearly a 103 degree temp! He couldn't hardly move and nearly passed out on our bed. Even in a chilled bath, he just wanted to sleep. I was really worried because whatever bug he had crashed on him so fast. He spent 3 hours cuddling with me on the bed and dozing on and off. At 8pm he was back to his old self again, but I think his body was fooling him because Wednesday was still a little rough as waves of fever would hit every 30 minutes or so, and he'd want me to cuddle him for a while. His tough body fought and crushed the bug though because he's back smiling, singing, and running away from me again today. It's so tough to see him sick, but I have to admit I enjoyed almost a full day of cuddles.

So glad he's healthy!

Ostrich Parade

Miles loves parades... and so does Luke. Today was a little chilly and overcast so just about perfect to hit the streets to watch the Ostrich Festival Parade.

Boys - they've got the same look on their faces - they're really having fun, I promise :)

In case it's been a while since you've been, here are a few reasons why parades are such a hit with the boys: TRUCKS, motorcycles, hot rods, fire trucks, tanks, sheriffs, drill teams, horses, drums, marching bands...

Miles waved at nearly everyone-he's so polite!
I was only there to take the pictures ;)

He's an Otter!

Warning: seriously sappy post!

For Miles's nightly routine, I sing reverent primary songs and rock him for 10 to 15 minutes before laying him down. I caught myself tonight continuing to rock him after I'd finished all his songs and began reminiscing about how fast he's growing up. I think what got me all sappy was his swim class. He was evaluated today, and they're moving him up to the Otter class which means I no longer am needed. He no longer needs me to sooth him when his face goes under or be right beside him to praise him as he rolls into a float. He's been in the parent/tot class for the last year and has done amazing. He'll be 2 in just 2 weeks, and they think he's ready . . . well, what if I'm not ready to let him go?! Now don't get me wrong, I'm a proud mother of this great swimmer and there are many things I am so happy that he is accomplishing on his own: he can now climb into the car and pull himself into his carseat (saves my aching back), and he's pooing in the toilet (more often than not), and he asks me if I want a kiss before he leaves the room (I love that!). So it is bittersweet to watch him learn and grow so quickly. He snuggled in close tonight not moving or making a sound as I continued to rock and rock until I knew he was asleep by his little twitches. Goodnight my little boy. . .

Friday at the Zoo

It's Friday, and it's in the 70's, so what do you do with a little boy?!? You have to head to the zoo, of course! We love the zoo for the open walk-ways, the trains, the tractors to play on, the water to run through - oh yeah, and the animals :) Miles had a blast with his cousins and his friend Caleb while I enjoyed getting some exercise chasing after them and socializing with some friends. Fabulous Friday!

I am noticing Luke's Aussie influence more in the way Miles is talking and phrasing his sentences (yes, he talks in sentences!). Some examples: Miles says, "ready, steady, go!" when most Americans say, "ready, set, go!" He says, "pardon me" instead of "excuse me." My favorite is "motorbike" instead of "motorcycle".When he says "car" or "water" the "r" is very soft and sounds more like "cah" or "watah". I love these subtle differences and the wonderful influence Luke has:)