Birthdays and Big Boys

Uncategorized, by lauren, July 21, 2008, 4 Replies

I had my first real wave of nostalgia on Saturday, realizing that our little baby boy is growing up.

We attended a neighbor and fellow playgroup friend’s first birthday party, and there I observed several little boys whom I had seen as newborns, now playing in the dirt, pushing each other around, and “tearing it up.” Milo’s favorite activities were crawling through the tube and pushing a little truck around. Ah, boy stuff.

Milo and friend Brooks “sharing” the truck
The Birthday Boy, Finn and Mom Kathy

Thanks, Finn and parents, for a wonderful party and great food!

On a totally different note, Milo is officially weaned and still alive! Although he was not a happy camper from about 4:30am until 6:30am, he made it through, and so did I. I’m a bit sad to say good-bye to such a great nursing experience, but hopefully this new “no-food-at-night” policy will encourage better sleep patterns. Wish us luck tonight!

No House Yet

Uncategorized, by lauren, July 18, 2008, Leave a Reply

What does your mailman see when he comes to your door?

Although, our mailman (actually a woman named Cookie) will not be ours for much longer, if we ever find a place in DC. Although we put an offer on a place we loved on the outskirts of Georgetown on Wednesday night, someone else made a better offer today(they had visited the house 7 times compared with our 2, plus they were willing to forgo all inspections and take the house without any contingencies) so we lost the house. We certainly did not see that coming, as we were already making fine-tuned adjustments to the deal. So, I am a bit heartbroken, but something else will come along.

As for other news…
Milo’s newest fixation is with Andrew’s guitar. We have it kept out on stand in our living room because Andrew plays it pretty frequently… and until now, we have kept Milo away from it simply by putting his toy basket in front of it. But now, it doesn’t matter what barriers we place between Milo and the guitar. He finds a way to get to it, or throws a tantrum if he can’t. Think he is his father’s child?

Strumming along with Dad

Or, he could go the route of every other family member on Andrew’s side…

Hillbilly

Uncategorized, by lauren, July 17, 2008, 5 Replies

To pay tribute to all the hillbillies out there, I’ve decided to go back in time and reflect on exactly who Milo Knight is. Here are the top 12 reasons I believe our little Bum is headed down the road of hillbilly-dom.

#12. What hillbilly doesn’t love a good corndog?
#11. Hillybillies are not afraid to cheer themselves on.#10. Hillbillies love a good fist-pump.
#9. A true hillbilly is always up for a cold one with Pop.
#8. Hillbillies love Cracker Barrel…#7. … And Ken Griffey, Jr.
#6. … And grabbing their crotches.
#5. You’ll often find a hillbilly wearing no shirt, and no shoes… but definitely a hat.
#4. Hillbillies love drivin’ stuff.
#3. But even more than drivin’ stuff, hillbillies like to show off their mullets…
… especially in front of the pretty ladies.

#2. Hillbillies don’t like to throw things out.
But the #1 reason that there is a good chance that Milo will become a hillbilly?

#1. Hillbillies come from hillbilly stock.
I’m sorry to all of you hillbillies who did not realize you were hillbillies until now.

Texas Adventure, Take 3

Uncategorized, by lauren, July 15, 2008, 1 Reply

You know that saying… “Everything is bigger in Texas.” Especially houses.
Andrew, Milo, and I made the trip back to San Antonio to visit Bub, Gram, Aunt Andrea, Nana, Ryan, Kristin, and the munchkins. We had plenty of breathing room at Ryan & Kristin’s new house, where we were made to feel very welcome… especially welcome to “crawl and destroy,” Milo’s new philosophy on life. Luckily for Baby Casey, a newfound plumpness (better late than never, CJ) protected him from certain destruction. Really, his big sisters are the real threat.

Cousins Casey and Lizzy Hamming it up

The Elusive Ava, Engaging in Head-Banging, Body-Slamming Fun
Yes, She is Airborne

The reunion with Nana was sweet as ever, with Milo constantly waving “hi” and grinning at his great-grandmother. He also had plenty of snuggles to share with her, and even a nice open-mouthed kiss on the nose, which could have turned into a bite (kissing, biting, it’s all the same to a 10-month-old), but luckily did not.And, of course, TV with Bub:
… who was kind enough to let Milo borrow the remote control for a while.

And what trip to Texas is complete without a few “firsts?”
Like the first ride on a train:
All kids enjoyed this mini-train ride in Landa park…
Even Ava!

We really, really enjoyed the delicious feast of a picnic that Kristin packed. Yes, she has three kids under the age of four AND she packs picnics. Good picnics. I enjoyed a good laugh when Ryan picked up a can of soda, a bee flew out, and all kinds of squeals and ninja moves ensued. I laughed, gave him a hard time, and forgot about Karma.

Until yesterday, when a bee flew up my skirt and stung me not once, but twice. On my butt.

I haven’t been stung in years. So thanks, Ryan, for the bad Karma, and the two welts on my behind. I forgot how much that hurt.

But I digress…
Milo also enjoyed some great daddy time.

Watching Tubers on the Guadaloupe River

First time in the big pool

Love splashing and splashing!

Don’t let go, Daddy!

What’s that about TV influencing the obesity epidemic among children?
Thank goodness both Milo and Andrew look disturbed…
They were watching “The Wiggles”
And now I remember why we do not own a television

Enjoying some quality “naked time” like any bum would

But before we leave the topic of Daddy, a quick aside for those interested in a bit of physics fun. Question: What happens when a grown man dives through a child’s-sized pink innertube? Answer: Pure Embarrassment.
That innertube was stuck so tight, we thought we would have to cut it off of Andrew. Luckily, with some muscles and contortion, the tube was saved, and so was a shred of Andrew’s dignity.

Aside aside… ha, ha. Wow this post is long.

Let me leave you with a few pictures that capture the Bum’s true essence.
Boyhood:
Searching for change like only a true bum could:

Enjoying the great outdoors:And finally, back at home, caught red-handed…
… Or should I say, orange-mouthed?

Fourth From Afar

Uncategorized, by lauren, July 15, 2008, 2 Replies

Just wanted to post some pictures from the Fourth of July, especially since our good friends Garriy and Cat made the holiday hard to top.
They drove down from DC on Friday morning, bearing gifts of cheesy (in a good way!) patriotic music and delicious food for a scrumptious picnic at Ft. McHenry. We feasted, played Bocci Ball, and watched Milo pose for another of Garriy’s famous photo shoots (pictures from the pro to come). But best of all, we just hung out.

Milo, not to be contained

All tuckered out

On the evening of the fourth, we put Milo to bed, grilled out, and sung such songs as “Harvest Moon” and others in our living room while Andrew played guitar. We also polished off some wine and beer, then headed out to our stoop to catch a few fireworks in-between rain showers. It was a fantastic night, despite Milo being up crying ALL NIGHT LONG.

The good news? Milo has successfully acted as a potent birth control method for yet another couple, making them cherish their couple-hood for just a little (or a lot) longer.

The bad news? Oh, heck. There is no bad news.