Mobile Max

Little Max's mobility is really increasing and getting him to sleep and stay asleep has been a struggle, as it often can be when they're at a new developmental stage. This morning we were greeted by Max standing in his crib (he's been pulling up for a week or two, but today first time in the crib). And yesterday he figured out how to crawl up the stairs (we MUST get a gate). Miles said, he's crawling up the stairs! And indeed I found him on the first step. I got behind him to see what would happen and he managed to get up a few more, with some sliding back down in between - I think he would've fallen and gotten hurt had I not been there.

Halloween Eve

Grandma and Grandpa flew in from Tucson today to spend Halloween with us! Miles had fun at his school costume party today. We met up for dinner at Red Robin; Miles enjoyed his meal and Max enjoyed Miles feeding him Cheerios and puffs. After dinner, Miles selected a yellow balloon and he usually lets it go outside the restaurant. This time he decided to hold onto it until he felt it was the right time to let it go. So we took it in the car and when we got home, Miles said he was ready. So we held hands and stepped into the street in front of our garage and looked up at the black sky dotted with bright stars. The air felt cool and crisp. I was aware of Max's sturdy baby body snuggled in his footed sleeper in my arm, quietly watching. On my other side, Miles hand was warm, sweet, and firm in mine. Miles raised his arm and released the balloon. We watched it rise and dance around the sky, going higher and higher. We could see it's light color for a while, then it disappeared into the stars. Miles said he wished it would come back. I told him the balloon had a good life, it was loved by a boy and then he let it go for a great adventure. We are looking forward to our Halloween adventures tomorrow. My wish for Miles is that all his dreams come true.

Benefits of Standing Video

Max getting his hands on every car he can before Miles catches him!

Little Pumpkins

Thanks to Ron, we actually got our pumpkins carved before Halloween this year! Traditional jackolantern on the left, "scary" one on the right! Poor little Pumpkin, Max, went to bed during the pumpkin carving but woke up crying (he's been having trouble sleeping when he's sick) and came down for a while.

Max

Poor Max is sick again, but he still manages a smile. He weighed 25 lb, 8 oz with his clothes on today at the doctor.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Shirley!

One good thing about being displaced by the San Diego fires was time spent with family and we enjoyed celebrating Grandma Shirley's birthday with her.

We're Home

We came back home today and thankfully all was OK. The cats did great. The air quality is still not great, but much better than it was. It's expected to be better by Sunday. Our place still smells a bit smokey and it was ashy, and Ron cleaned it up. There are still major highways closed due to continuous fires, but not close to us. Our hearts go out to the families who lost everything. I can't imagine it. We feel so fortunate.

San Diego Fires

We're OK. We evacuated to Ron's mom's in L.A. on Monday (90 minutes north). Getting out of town was fine. From what we're read and heard, the fires didn't reach our neighborhood, so we are remaining optimistic about our return (maybe tomorrow or Friday -- our workplaces and Miles' school are closed for the week -- air quality is terrible from smoke and ash). We left some precious things behind: our cats! Ron honestly believed that the fires wouldn't reach our area and felt that the hassle of bringing them with us wasn't worth it. I still feel awful about leaving them. They are at least accustomed to being home alone when we're away for a few days with lots of water and food left out. The other thing that I left behind was baby and family videos because I forgot them. Losing that stuff would really hurt me. I will archive them when I get back (something I've been meaning to do) and keep a back-up at my parents in Tucson...

Halloween Preview

Miles is very excited about being the Grim Reaper this year. Ron picked up his costume last night, unfortunately too big. But Miles already had his heart set on it, tried it on, and loved it. Ron said he'll hem it so hopefully it will come out OK. Miles' school doens't want the kids to bring masks or accessories, which are key to Miles' costume and he's upset about the prospect of not wearing the mask because "then it won't be scary!" as he tearfully put it. So I'm going to have to talk to the school and see what we can do. Do we have a future Goth-kid on our hands?

8 Months Old!

Max turned 8 months old today! He is crawling all over the house and getting into things. Miles is constantly taking things away that he doesn't want to share. Max is very interested in the stairs and pushes into a standing position on the bottom step. He has learned how to mash up food and is eating small pieces. He's still puking, last night the avocado I fed him came back out all over me and the bed. No teeth yet. He's starting to get more vocal and resistant about things he doesn't like, such as getting dressed, having a toy taken away, or being removed from something he wants (like the cat food last night). He just had a bout of conjunctivitis that began with a fever lasting a few days. It diminished his appetite and disrupted his sleeping. Fortunately he has enough weight to "get him through the winter" as his doctore put it. He weighed 24 pounds at the doctor last week. I measured him around 28.5 inches. He was back on track with sleeping well independently last night.

Family Fun

Miles spent a glorious 5 days with Uncle Jeff here in San Diego. Uncle Jeff came in to spend time with his nephews and Miles had the time of his life. Miles is pictured here in the cool Halloween shirt that Grandma Mann sent. Miles wanted to put it on immediately after opening it and he has proudly worn it several times since.

Uncle Jeff arrived on Thursday afternoon and he and Ron picked Miles up at his school. Miles showed Jeff his favorite parts of the playground and then they hung out reading Miles's favorite books at home until Max and I got home. Unfortunately, that day Max came home with a fever and it was the start of a conjuncivitis virus that began with fever, poor appetite, and restless sleep for several days and then the pink eye showed up on Sunday. So Max and I did not get to partake in all of the fun things that Jeff and Miles did. On Friday morning they walked to IHOP for breakfast then played at a toy store. After that they headed out to a Sea Monsters IMAX show, train museum, and park. They stopped at Red Robin for dinner on Miles' request. We made brownies and Miles watched Scooby Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, a new movie he and Uncle Jeff picked out. On Saturday they spent a couple hours playing with masks and Halloween gear at a party store and Jeff took Miles' to a schoolmate's bday party at Pump at Up. On Sunday they went to the pumpkin patch and Miramar Airshow. Monday they spent a fun afternoon at Seaworld.

During this same weekend, Grandma and Grandpa Pulvers came for a visit and so Miles received even more special attention! They played cars with Miles and Miles has been repeating the words from their game "Stop in the name of the law!"

Babbling Video

Only Max knows what he's saying!

Dada Video

Miles Montage: Baby to Boy

(Trying to) Pull Up Video

On the Move Video

Car Pursuit Video