Miles 6-months

6-month stats:
Weight: 16.10lbs (30%)
Height: 26.5 in (49%)
Head: 43.2cm (31%)

I can't believe how much Miles is changing every single week, no, DAY at this point! It seems like he does a new "trick" each and every day. He has been rocking back and forth on all fours for about three weeks now. He is happy as a clam scooting around in a circle observing the world around him. He can scoot back but I don't think he's doing it on purpose just yet. He's really in to spitting bubbles and making noises with his mouth right now. The last few mornings when I go in to his room after he wakes up he will just start spitting and making boooo noises. Honestly, 7am is my favorite part of my day, hands down. He is just so happy to be awake and get to play with mama and dad!  The three of us are really in to playing in our bed as of late. Miles loves having the sheet over his body and playing peek-a-boo (well, we just say "boo" but you know what I mean). The weather is finally nice enough to go on walks after work so we have been doing that. I put Miles in the carrier and he just loves exploring our neighborhood and seeing all the puppies and people bustling around.

Nicknames:
Bubsy/Bubs (not letting go of that anytime soon)
Boo boo
Sweet pea

The other day when Dan and I were walking to our car after work I asked him "Boo, did you miss Boo Boo so much today?" My nicknames are OOC. I rarely ever call Dan "Dan". Although I have been using Daniel a lot more recently. 

We've been experimenting with food lately. We've done carrots, avocado, green beans, butternut squash and sweet potatoes. I'm scared to death of him choking. I am contemplating just feeding him pureed food for the next five years. Thoughts?

Mister at 6-months

Me at 6-months!

Red, fluffy hair in the bath

Enjoying the swing at Gramma & Grampa's

Master's Sunday!

Playing in bed before bed.

My sister asked me if this was a scoop neck, 3/4 length shirt

Playing in our backyard.

Going on a walk with Mimi and Poppy

It was hot out.

Hanging with Nolan (and JJ)

old man grin, hanging with dad

 

Florida fun!

In early February, our family of three took our first vacation together to visit Kathy and Joe in Florida. We went for a full week of sunshine and quality time with Miles' Gramma and Grampa. I had Dunkin' Donuts almost every day and Dan got to golf with Joe three times -- it was perfect!  Miles was so good on the plane ride and was such a flirt with the flight attendants. He even got sit in the cockpit and play co-pilot for a minute! Kathy made incredible food while we were there -- it was nice to have so many home-cooked meals on a consistent basis!  We went to the beach one day and I think it took us longer to pack for the adventure than the amount of time we were actually there - totally worth it though! The Florida air does wonders for babies and sickness. Miles had a cold since Christmas and during his week in Florida he was a healthy little boy!  It didn't last too long once we got home and the "daycare drip" kicked in but it was wonderful while it lasted. Dan and I were able to go on a couple dates while Miles was spoiled by G&G. We can't wait to go back next year!

Co-pilot Miles Magoo

Dad loves his Go-Pro --- first time swimming!

This little boy LOVES the water

At the beach!

Family pic

Beach Baby

 

A birth story

To say I was ready for Miles to make his debut is an understatement. I was so excited to meet him. To hold him. To smell him. To kiss him. I'd say at around 37 weeks when I knew all of his important parts (lungs for example) were fully developed I was trying to do anything to get him OUT. A woman at my office had one of those chairs with a medicine ball attached and I would sit on it and lightly bounce or roll my hips. All. Day. Long. I looked RIDICULOUS but all the moms at my office knew exactly what I was going through so they didn't really blink an eye. Everyone else, I'm sure, thought I was crazy. I ate a LOT of pineapple. And drank raspberry leaf tea. I got a prenatal massage and told the lady I could go any time at this point and to focus on specific pressure points that could put me in to labor. I'd go on walks. Once I went to the bathroom at work and did jumping jacks when no one else was in there. I ate spicy food. I was craving BW3 one night so Dan and I went there for HH and we got spicy wings - they were DELISH. I carried the baby really high in my belly so it was getting really uncomfortable to breathe and sleep. I had major insomnia the last several weeks of my pregnancy...all the tossing and s-l-o-w-l-y turning from side to side. The moment we'd get home from work and all day on the weekends I would wear my comfy shorts and Dan's t-shirts because none of mine fit me. Like, his were even getting tight on me. It was comical, honestly. At night I would lube up my belly with oil and roll my shirt up under my bra to let it absorb and walk around the house (or sit on the couch) and it wouldn't even phase Dan. Thankfully, we don't have a picture of that (I don't think at least). All in all, my pregnancy was smooth sailing. I didn't have morning sickness, gestational diabetes or any other high-risk factors. My appointments were boring, more or less.  Heard the heart beat, measured my growing belly, asked a few questions and that was it. Dan was able to go to every single one of my appointments with me. It was good for him to be there and to get to know my doctor and hear her answer questions, etc. At my 40-week appointment, my doctor scheduled me to get induced the following Monday if the baby wouldn't arrive by then. The appointment ended with her saying "I think I'll see you next Monday." Darn. Another week of me anxiously awaiting to meet the babes. The following day was my birthday. Dan made me blueberry pancakes for breakfast and then took this picture of me.

My pregnancy app said at 40 weeks the baby is the size of a small pumpkin. I thought it was very fitting!

We made plans to go to dinner (Italian, obviously!) and then come home and relax and watch TV. During dinner we talked about the baby.  We wondered when he would come. We discussed what his name should be (our top choices were Miles, Gavin and Theo). We talked about how we want the labor/delivery to go down - because you can actually control that, right!???!  Ha!  We got home, put our cozies on and watched The Voice and I was so tired I fell asleep on the couch. I woke up and went to bed around 9pm. My cousin, Allison, and I were texting while I was lying in bed and all of the sudden I heard two quiet pops. I knew what was happening. I stood up without really sitting and realized -- yep, my water broke!  I waddled to the kitchen and yelled for Dan. I told him my water broke and he came running upstairs -- he was so excited. He didn't seem nervous or anything. He said "Honey, it's go time!".  I called my doctor with him by my side and let them know my water had broke and we'll be leaving soon for the hospital. The moment I hung up the phone I looked at him with tears in my eyes and said "I don't have to to go to work tomorrow!". Seriously? That's what was going through my head at the time?!  I jumped in the shower, put on cozies and we left for Mother Baby Center.  When we arrived they sent us to an assessment room to confirm I was in fact in labor. Yeah, lady. I guarantee my water broke and I'm in labor...we were in our labor/delivery room by 11pm and got settled in rather quickly with Bon Iver on the 'ol iPod. My goal for the labor was to have a calm and peaceful delivery. We had the BEST nurse I could have asked for. She was incredible. It was basically Dan, nurse Jenny and I in the room the entire time.  I got an epidural around 1am and was about 7cm dilated. Once I got the epidural she told us to just relax and try to get some sleep. She came to check how I was progressing a couple hours later. Honestly, I didn't sleep at all but have no idea what time it was --- she said I was at a 10 so brought the doctor on call in to the room. He told me I needed to "labor down" which basically just meant to wait for the baby to get as far down in the cervix as possible before I started to push. He came back soon there after and I was ready to push!  Dan was such a rockstar partner. He was calm and encouraging. He'd make me laugh when I needed to and was serious when I needed him to be. He was a champ!  I pushed eleven times (22 minutes, Dan says) and baby Miles was in my arms at 6:27am!  He had sandy brown hair -- so much hair (comparative to how I was at birth...and my nephews!). His cheeks were so chubby and his face was so round. Uh! I just loved him so much from the moment I held him.  The day Miles was born was one of the most beautiful October days I could ever remember. It was in the 70s, blue sky and the leaves were at their "peak". I'll never forget how perfect of a day it was. We sure had angels looking over us.

I distinctly remember saying to Dan: "Don't get my ankles in the picture." ....well here they are!

Miles William Mirocha

That nose! Just like his mama.

The moment I had been waiting for.

Finally a family of three!

Going home outfit. Mom Fail #1: brought a 0-3 month outfit because I didn't think he would fit in newborn clothes. Boy, was I wrong!

Portland fun

Last August Dan and I had the opportunity to spend ten days in Portland with his brother Mark, wife Lydia, and their adorable twin babies, Jack & Audrey.  Kathy and Joe were there, too! The babies were 3.5 months at the time. It was so fun to see M&L as parents. It was GREAT practice for Dan and I (for obvious reasons). We went on walks, cooked a ton of great food, went to fantastic restaurants and I ate a lot of ice cream. I think I had ice cream 8 of the 10 days!  Lydia and I went to a couple barre classes and did some window shopping. The guys went to Bandon Dunes for 4 days while Kathy, Lydia and I stayed home with the babies. I loved waking up early in the morning and snuggling with the babies, drinking (decaf) coffee and watching the Today Show. It made me so excited for maternity leave!  It was such a special trip for me. It was our last vacation before we became parents and I feel so blessed to have spent such quality time with our growing family. We only get to see M&L (and the babies) about twice a year so we have to soak up every minute with them while we can!  In September we are all renting a cabin in Brainerd and staying together for 5 days. What a difference a year makes. For all we know, Miles might be walking at that time and J&A will be chasing everyone!  

Day trip to Cannon Beach

Audrey & Jack!!

Audrey LOVED dancing with her uncle Dan

She's wrapped around his finger.

Photo op with our two favorite cuties

Shhhh. Jack is sleeping.

All day. Every day. I wouldn't have had it any other way!

Note to self: don't wear stripes when 31 weeks pregnant

Jack giving his little cousin good ju-ju vibes

Obviously, there was golfing.

Miles 5-months old

5 months was a big milestones month for Miles. At 5.5 months he was sitting up all by himself for long periods of time. He can take two toys/blocks and clap them together. He also started solids a week before turning 6 months. We did oatmeal cereal, peas and squash. He actually liked oatmeal cereal the best!  He did NOT care for peas...who would though?! Ick. 
 
Are you ready for some cuteness overload???

5-months! Can't get enough of those toes.

Easter Sunday

April Fools Day

Sitting up like a big boy at 5.5 months

Look at that smile (and red hair)

Can't wait to play

Sushi date

Holding his bottle like a big boy

This face!

Getting pumped for Masters Sunday

Small guy, big game

After bath

Snuggling

Post-bath / wearing my xmas jammies from Danny

                                                                First swing ride!