giving thanks

 Thanksgiving Day: our first all-family exercise was a raging success!
Adelaide on her bike, Miles and Anika napping in the chariot, and Joe, my dad and I ran for a full hour!!

No complaints, but with all of the coordinating that was required, I had to wonder: would it save time for us to each run alone for an hour than to fuss with trying to run together? Probably a wash at best.

Little Anika has been better known around here as Tiny-ka, Nica, Nica-nic, or my favorite Ana-Nika (any of which Miles can say, although he can't say Anika).  Despite her name, she's not too Tiny-ka anymore: weighed in at 9 lbs 13 oz and 22 inches, despite being a week early for her 2-month check-up. Good grief! She doesn't seem to eat all that often, so all I can figure is that she's fattening up because she sleeps so much. Solution: more tummy time for Tiny-ka.

Miles is Two!

 Miles celebrated his second birthday this past weekend. He had an awesome swim party (complete with swimming pool cake). He absolutely had a blast -- he was so excited to have all of favorite people swimming or watching - over and over we heard "hi Margaret!!" and "Grandma watching" with such excitement. He is fun to watch in the pool on any normal day, jumping in with such enthusiasm and splashing like he owns the place, but a birthday swim was especially fun. We must have gone down the water slide 50 times.

Over the past month, his skills have really blossomed - he's turned into a two-year old!  Just this past week, he surprised us with counting to 10. Although I never before heard him say a number past 2, he now regularly counts to 10 correctly. He must have worked it all out in his little brain and waited until he had it perfect before spitting out those numbers all at once. Miles also has learned his pronouns - me, you, I, my - a lovely step in communication. And he has figured out how to play "imagination" games. My favorite is "going fishing" - he has a little striped cloth bag that he loads up with acorns or any random thing, slings it over his shoulder and announces, "Bye! Tomorrow!" (Miles, where are you going?) "Going fishing! A big one!!" -- This is just hilarious because I have no idea how he knows what fishing is, or why he wants to catch a big fish. He's never been fishing, and as far as I know, he doesn't even know anyone who goes fishing or have a book about fishing. Where did he get this idea? How does he know what "fishing" is? And how does he know to catch a "big" fish?  I have not a clue. Does this stuff come naturally to all boys?

In any case, we are very proud of our very independent little guy. He has such a joyful personality, always laughing and smiling, and it's such a treat to watch all of his recent developments

the best thing ever!

One month into life with little Anika, and I am positive that the third baby is the best thing ever!  Anika is healthy and happy, and I am loving every single minute with her. A few of her many great features to remember:

1. Although most of her hair is dark, she has two little blond streaks behind her right ear, making us wonder if she'll end up with dark or light hair?
2. She has bright interested eyes. Whenever she is awake (which is not too often), she is wide-eyed and watching! She studies her black-and-white pictures and mobile with great intensity. I wonder if she'll be a "thinker" to match this early studious disposition.
3. Her little head fits perfectly under my chin. Fortunately for me, she doesn't sleep well if I set her down, so I get to carry her around, head under my chin, all the time, loving the smell of her sweet baby head.
4. This past week, she started smiling. She smiles at me, and she smiles at herself in the mirror!  Just adorable.

My midwife says that third babies grow up bathed in love, and that has certainly been her experience of the  first month of life. We all love you, sweet baby girl!