It's Colleen here this month. Lucas is getting a month off of blog updating. I'm in the last two terms of my doctoral program and I'm feeling a little lighter in my heart. Although, I feel like I've learned so much and have improved my practice immensely, I'm due to finish the program in December and I'm pretty excited. I have a countdown timer on my phone listing the number of days left!
We just got back from a little weekend away to Southern Maryland, on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay. It was kind of a perfect weekend away. Lots of swimming. Miles is so good in the water these days. He was in the water with Lucas and getting knocked down by waves and jumping through waves and just incredibly psyched about life!
Miles' imagination is out of control recently. He makes up entire stories between two characters that he voices. He wants us to pretend all day, every day. Pretending is one of my least favorite things to do. Luckily, Lucas is masterful at it. I steer Miles' activities to things like gardening and cooking and puzzles.
As far as weight and eating goes (because that is something we still worry about), we've found big changes since he turned three. Lucas and I decided to eliminate the three fortified milk bottles he has daily. We cut it back to once in the morning (with some strawberry flavoring to encourage him to drink it). Since that change, he's hungrier, he's getting better at using forks and spoons (because he's motivated), and meals often aren't as much of a struggle. You know what the best part is? He barely vomits. I would have said never, but after swallowing a belly full of brackish bay water this weekend while getting knocked down by waves, who wouldn't need to vomit? His weight? It's hard to tell. He FEELS heavier. But on our home scale we're not seeing much improvement. Despite that, we still prefer this life to the one we've been living over the last two years or so.
Here's your monthly dose of the littlest Carscadden:
First Face Painting - Fourth of July Festivities
So Patriotic
Spiderman navigating the playground spider web
Having no official nap time...
... means that unofficial couch naps happen.
It's a little odd that we've never had a pig photo of Miles...
... but this month, we have two!
Zoo, penguin area, window waterfall.
He's a box troll! (It's a movie; watch it on Netflix)
Boxtroll hiding in his box.
Lucas and Miles went to Artscape.
I think this is the first time I missed it in 9 years.
Schoolwork is so lame!
Artscape - Ferris Wheel
Artscape - So hot you've got to get your hair wet
Artscape - Miles watches dancers
Artscape - Kids section - Making molecules
Artscape - Jellyfish
(His drawing is getting so much better)
Artscape - Sound tent
Artscape - Pile of blue balloons
Artscape - So hot that misting is necessary
Artscape - Alternative drumming
Artscape - HELLO BALTIMORE!
Sometimes on vacation, you have to lie down to eat your burrito
As you probably know, Miles turned 3, which basically puts him out of the "toddler" category and into the full-blown "kid" zone. And he's really showing it, too. We started kind of half-assedly potty training him again, and, to our surprise, he really took to it this time. We still have occasional accidents and he's not great about telling us when he needs to go, but we had a solid week and a half run in underwear with no accidents (even through the night!). Having a (mostly) potty trained kid is great, and here's why: I got to ditch the giant diaper bag and can carry around a much lighter, slimmer and more fashionable bag.
Which is definitely NOT a purse.
Definitely not.
Eating has changed too. We've moved from making him his own separate meals to having him eat what we eat 95% of the time, which is more fun for everyone.
On the sleep front, Miles has graduated out of his converted crib and into an Ikea-brand twin bed, which we spent a lovely afternoon putting together, and I only called it "stupid garbage furniture" twice! He's stopped having daytime naps, a development which I have long dreaded, but does have its own advantages. It really opens up our day and lets us take day trips together.
Miles has grown into a very affectionate kid. He tells us he loves us 10 times a day, which would mean a little more if he didn't also tell people he met 5 minutes ago that he loved them too, but we'll take it. He's generous with hugs and kisses. It's pretty nice.
Anyway, he's great, we're great, you're probably great, so let's make with the pictures!
Miles loves pho. Smart kid.
Also, stir-fry.
At Day Out With Thomas with his second cousin Madeline, who is very cute and sweet, but couldn't run this obstacle course if her life depended on it.
A trip to the Natural History Museum
Hanging out with Frankie. As always.
Learning to ride a trike!
The kids at the local playground were having a dirt fight. Miles joined in.
Happy Birthday!
Probably my favorite picture of him.
"This whole thing is held together with dowels? And you expect me to sleep on it?"
Sculpting at the Walters Art Museum
Working with shapes at the Walters
Miles discovers alternate percussion. I don't like it.
Hiding under the playground.
Marble tower!
Sushi!
Summer Haircut!
Look at this ridiculously cute family.
No corn holders? No Problem!
Hmmm, trenchant insight.
Frankie, Brooks, Miles
There is going to be some serious swimming this summer.
We can't wait!
Ice cream in the car!
At the movies.
Take 'em out, put 'em back in, repeat
Miles tries on some lipstick
I have two cats. Would you like to buy a cat?
The Burger King
A drawing of a ladybug.
"I'm not supposed to be sitting up here! But, I'm a rebel! You can tell by my hair!"
