pint size

And a few other cute photos... Miles loves playing the bomba drums at Yasmin's house...Maybe Miles will take after his aunties and learn to drum and dance bomba.

boy + dog = love

For months, Miles has been fascinated with Felix - our lovable, hugable canine. Miles stares at him as he moves from room to room in the house, laughs for no reason when Felix is near, and smiles freely when the mutt is around.

Felix has always been nice enough to Miles, but has never taken an interest in him, until yesterday.

Picture this - boy and dog are both on the couch (with me, of course). Boy stares at dog (as usual). Dog stares back. Dog tries to lick boy (mom won't let him). Boy reaches for dog. Boy grabs dog's ear. Dog is happy that someone, anyone, is touching him. Boy and dog stare at each other and realize in an instant that this friendship might just be a win-win situation...

a day in the life of...

Just a few of the activities that filled our day together...

After a morning bath and a walk around the neighborhood with Felix, Miles enjoyed some swing time at the park

After breakfast (sweet potatoes mixed with oatmeal cereal - a favorite around here these days), Miles caught some Zzzzz's. Getting enough sleep during the afternoon nap and going down at the regular bedtime ended up being today's challenges.

Ready to play outside in the yard!

Reading our books...

...and learning our abc's

And finally -- because the weather has been so nice this past week, and today was no exception -- a trip to the pool with mom. Miles had a great time splashing around in the wading pool.

It was a good day. Actually, a great day. I love Fridays...and time spent with my little guy.

the time fairies strike again -or- 7 mos. old!

Happy seven months to my no-more-nuk-sucking, drooling-cuz-I'm-getting-teeth, sitting-up-like-a-big-boy, drinking-out-of-a big-cup, Mr. Miles!

Seriously, where did the last month go? Is my little baby boy really 7 months old already? Hard to fathom that crawling, babbling, and teething - oh, those dreaded teeth - are just around the corner. I was bobbing along the surface, floating along complacently, letting life happen to me. And time was stolen - or at least it feels that way - while I was busy changing a diaper, or some other ordinary task. Naughty time fairies. Now I can imagine the gift of having more babies. Time just passes much. too. quickly.

four generations

Took advantage of the fact that grandmama was in town and nabbed a photo of her with dad, Miles and myself -- four generations together.

Before heading over to my dad's house to celebrate father's day, David and I went to an arts festival in Minneapolis. We took a quick detour by foot to introduce Miles to the St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi.

Miles was quite intrigued by the movement and sound of the water

first of many :: father's day

Happy Father's Day, David!

You are an amazing father and husband because of your dedication, strength, and patience. Thank you for all that you do to nurture our family and create happiness in our lives.

love, love, love -- always

Walk a Little Slower Daddy

"Walk a Little slower, Daddy" said a little child so small. I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see; So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up, you're what I want to be. Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true; So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!

- Author Unknown

family days

Miles has been quite a delight these past few days. A ton of smiling, hardly any fussing, and lots of sitting up by himself and playing with toys. He's seems to be growing up so fast!

Miles and his Uncle Alex. What a lucky boy to have an uncle only 10 years older than he is! Yesterday grandmama made lasagna for the family at my dad's house. After dinner, Alex entertained the twins, all of them hidden away under the dinner table. I had to get a photo of all three heads bent close together and those cute little legs peeking out!

sweet great-grandmotherly goodness

It's quite amazing that Miles has met all three of his great-grandmothers within the past two weeks, considering two of them live in Puerto Rico and one lives in Virginia. Grandmama (dubbed as such by the twins) and Grandpapa are visiting this week, getting their great-grandbaby fix. Grandmama told me that it is so special, almost beyond words, to see her grandbabies having babies. What she doesn't know is how significant and meaningful it is to us to have her be part of our son's life. This woman was born to be a grandmother! If only I could pass on to Miles all of the intangibles --memories and thoughts -- of my childhood summers spent with grandma and grandpa. I guess the only thing better than sharing these stories with Miles is watching him create his own memories with these two!

Playing with grandmama at Aaron & Cara's house

Musical already? Miles messes with a maraca

tidbits

Lots of fun activities going on today, such as...

Sitting up by myself

A little unsteady...we're still working out the kinks on this one

Visiting auntie, uncle, and cousins

Going to the doctor for a six month check up...

Weight - 17lbs, 2 oz (33rd percentile)

Height 26.5 inches (41st percentile)

Lots of smiles and talking, showing off for the doctor, and only two shots - not bad for a day's work!

the sights

the call of the coqui frog at night. cafe con leche y un pancito for breakfast. a walk past platanos growing on trees. picking up mangos on the side of the road. grafitti. single-lane mountain roads, cliffside, with hairpin turns. eating arroz con habichuelas en una cafeteria en mayaguez. the street smart, but homeless, dogs and cats that roam, a lame pup. outdoor kitchens. US meets el caribe. poverty. oceanfront condos. familia. my husband's childhood. my son's identity? puerto rico.

Some of my favorite photos that we took on our trip...