Happy New Year!

Miles seems to have gotten so big in the last week. He is talking so much more and sharing real thoughts and remembering events from the past and increasing his vocabulary and saying things that surprise me. It's so amazing to see him grow into a little man. At the same time, I wonder where my baby is! The other day we were watching a show and they were at an amusement park. Miles commented that it was like the place we went to with Tofiq and George. He was right, but boy did he surprise us since that was a trip we took in June! Then this morning, he was commenting that the gorilla that used to be in front of the car lot back in the spring must have gone home. Now that his vocabulary is picking up, we are learning all kinds of things that he's kept in that little head of his!

He's also so into noises these days. He imitates all sorts of noises he hears and has begun using his imagination on what certain noises are. We came home from school today and he 'thought he heard something' and made me be quiet, asking what that noise was. He thought it was something in hallway and made me turn on the light. He's been into the hallway lately and usually wants the light on. He doesn't act scared, but says something is down there.

Miles is starting to get used to the idea of the baby coming and me being in the hospital and not being able to see him for a few days. At first, he didn't like that one bit and said, "I go with you. That's ok, I go with you mommy" whenever I brought it up. I talked to him about it again tonight and he said that was ok, he'd stay with daddy while I had his baby. :) When I asked if he'd help take care of the baby, he said yes and that he wanted to hold it all by himself. I was trying to explain to him that there might be times I couldn't play with him because the baby might need something or be crying. He said that was ok mommy, he'd hold the baby. Then he agreed to share the baby with me and daddy.

Miles has also been back into his trains lately. He's been building the train on the coffee table and playing with it everyday. He loves to make the train whistle noise and turns all his trucks into trains too. When I was off work last week, we went to the Children's Museum one morning and he had a great time. We went to the basement, which for some reason we'd never done before, and discovered a huge train display. There was a train running close to the ceiling and Miles had a blast following it from below and watching it come out of the tunnel. That's his other thing these days, tunnels. He loves to go in 'tunnels' and create tunnels. It was funny at the museum, he kept talking about the "underwear" and wanting to go on it. It took quite some time before I realized he was saying "elevator"! Glad I figured that out!
Also one day last week, I finally got Miles out in the snow and we enjoyed playing for quite some time. I took him around the front yard in his sled and he loved the "little streets" the sled left behind him. It snowed again today and Miles had fun helping daddy shovel the snow off the driveway with his little Miles sized snow shovel. I would've taken a photo of that, but it was cold and getting dark!

Our friends, Amber, Jeff and Lauren came over last week and helped us finish off our holiday leftovers. We enjoyed a nice evening together and Lauren really seemed to be getting used to Ahmad. Miles of course had a blast with Jeff, always being tossed around and lifted high in the air since he's much taller than daddy!

We enjoyed their company again on New Year's Eve and had a nice dinner at their house. Miles was insistent on dressing himself to go out and wanted to wear his jammies. He also picked out his shoes and hat to go with it. He was looking quite a mess, but those probably were the best shoes to go with it! He is such a shoe fanatic anymore and picks out his shoes everyday. When I ask him which ones he wants to wear, he looks his outfit over and then makes his choice. He's usually right and he makes a good decision, picking the shoes that best match his outfit. He's also begun being more picky with his clothes and which outfits he wears. It's really cute! After dinner at the Klein's, we went over the Mel and Steven's house for a little new year's celebration. We had a nice time and there were kids there for Miles to play with. We came home before ringing in the new year, but by the time we got Miles settled down and into bed, he might as well have stayed up til midnight! It was 11:45 before he was in bed, but he went straight to sleep. I ended up being the only one awake and had to wake up Ahmad for a new year's kiss.
It was also funny one day last week while I was off and had put Miles down for a nap. He was only down about an hour when I heard him coughing. I thought he'd call for me if was really awake as he hasn't gotten out of bed on his own but once. He kept coughing off and on and I finally went and stuck my head in the room. He had thrown all his animals and blankets off the bed and was sitting on the floor naked, with the exception of his socks. He was attempting to put everything back on when I caught him. It was pretty funny, but I wasn't sure what to make of it! The rest of the week, he tried pulling the same stunt, except he tried pulling it before his actual nap. He would go down to sleep, but it took some time. I was worried about him starting school back up when our break was over and how he'd do, but he's had a fantastic week and has enjoyed playing with his friends again. This morning however, he did wake up and say he didn't want to go to school. I thought that didn't start until like age 11 or something. He got over it quick and went just fine.

One other morning last week, Miles was playing with my belly and decided he wanted to show the baby it's room. So he pretended to take the baby back to it's room and show the baby all it's toys. He proceeded to test absolutely everything, even the teething rings, and make sure everything that took a battery had one in it and it worked. He then wanted to bug-bug in the rocking chair like we used to do and lay down in the crib for a 'nap'. It was pretty cute. He kept bringing the toys over to my belly to show the baby.

We had another visitor come on Saturday and spend the night. My good friend Bubba came on her way back to Iowa. We had a great evening going out to dinner, even if the restaurant wasn't that good, great conversation and a fun time. It was so nice to catch up with her; I don't see her nearly enough! Miles also really enjoyed the WV outfit he got for Christmas from her. He insisted on wearing it out to dinner, but since it was shorts and a t-shirt, we had to layer if over long pants and a long sleeve shirt.

We have a new neighbor...baby Mary has arrived! We went over to visit Sunday evening and had a nice time getting in one more visit before their move next week. :(

Now this week is quieter, nothing too exciting happening. Miles is back in school, Ahmad started his new job and I'm so tired now that I'm back at work! I had really gotten used to being home during the holidays! We're just waiting on baby Keyes #2 to arrive! I've only got 2 weeks til my due date-it's so close! I'm feeling good, but definitely more tired and tons more contractions. Just waiting to see what happens!

Happy Holidays

What a fun festive week! Miles was so excited for Christmas to come and Santa to come visit our house. We have an Advent calendar and you put an ornament on the tree everyday during Advent, counting down to Christmas. Miles knew that once he put up the ornament on day 24, Santa would be coming. He kept wanting to put up #14 as he called it. We had a fun time making cut out Christmas cookies for all to enjoy, but wouldn't you know it, we forgot to have him put them out for Santa! We didn't leave Santa anything this year. :( I had thought about it all week and had planned what we'd leave him, but after Christmas Eve mass and eating late, we forgot. Hope he comes back next year!

Miles had a great time Christmas morning and really enjoyed all the gifts he got. It was funny, by the end, when we were on stocking stuffers, he had really lost interest and had me open the last 3 gifts for him. He really took a liking to his doctor's kit, which surprised us. We thought he'd like it, but since he's typically healthy and doesn't see the doctor often, we weren't sure how he'd play with it. He played with it all morning and continues to play with it, fixing us both along with his stuffed animals and the baby. He also enjoyed his other gifts and is having fun playing with all his toys.
Ahmad made a wonderful Christmas feast with a Pork Crown Roast, something we've never had before, but was quite tasty!
I also turned 9 months pregnant on Christmas! OMG! I can't believe we have less than a month left in this pregnancy. We are so excited to meet our new little one and anxious about all the new changes of being a family of 4!


The day after Christmas, my parents and brother came to visit and celebrate. We had a great time with family and really enjoyed having them up.

There was a bit of snow on the ground on Saturday, but not much. Miles commented on it, but never asked to play in it. I think he was too busy playing with Nana, Grampie, and Uncle Michael. It did snow all day on Sunday and was beautiful! We tried to get Miles out in it a few times, but he kept saying no, that it would get on his nose and in his eyes. Hope he's able to enjoy it before it's gone!

Miles is starting to expect visitors all the time now! Between Santa, my family, and then today, Andre, Emily and their baby Evelyn came through on their way back home. He's so excited to show everyone who comes the baby's room and his room and then all his new toys. He's such a ham! And we'll have more visitors this week when hopefully the Kleins can come visit and then this weekend when my friend Bubba comes up!

Ahmad is really enjoying the new features on the computer we have now and getting back into the groove he was in when he used to edit film for the IUPUI basketball teams. He put together this hilarious video of Miles' dance moves.

Miles is also too funny that he continues to play this kitty cat game he invented. He likes to act like he's a cat and says "meow" and rubs his face against you. Then he signs that he wants to eat and pretends to eat grass off his pillow or whatever else is around. He then commands that I act like a cat and offers me grass to eat as well. It's pretty cute!

I have this week off from work and am keeping Miles home to enjoy spending some extra time together in general and then also before the baby comes. I took him to a movie today and we saw The Princess and the Frog. He did pretty well with it and was very excited to go. He drank the majority of the large lemonade we had and had some popcorn, so about halfway through, he had to go to the bathroom. After that he kept talking about going back out in the lobby and I thought he either wanted to leave or go play the video games he saw. So I finally gave in and thought he was done with the movie, packed up and headed out. Turns out he wanted some candy! So, we got a bag of cotton candy and headed back into the theater to finish the movie. He enjoyed it and couldn't wait to tell Daddy all about it when he got home from work. We had a great day and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week!

Stories

As I was getting ready this morning for work and Miles was sitting on the counter in the bathroom, I was thinking about how when he was littler, he used to sit actually inside the sink while I got ready. As he was able, he'd reach out and grab various products I have on the counter and pretend to use them like I do, even holding up my hair spray and saying "sshhhh" like he was spraying his hair. It was so cute. I always meant to take a picture of him because I doubt he'll believe me when he's older that he used to do that, but for some reason, I never did. It reminds me of how my dad would always tell me he used to carry me around in his bathrobe pocket. It was always a fun story to hear.

I've also meant to write about one of Miles' games he plays with me before bed while we are bug-bugging. He likes to say the ABC's on my teeth, one letter per tooth, and then usually around the letter E, he'll tickle my neck. Then I do the same to him and we usually end up in a tickling match. He's such a tickle bug!

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Another fun and exciting week at the Keyes' house! Miles has been so good lately; only a few minor things here and there, but he's easily redirected these days. However, he's also into pouting when he's told 'no' or doesn't like something. He'll leave the room and lay down on the floor or go mope and put he head in the pillows or something. He doesn't get upset, which is good, but he's definitely into pouting.

It's also funny how he picks up on absolutely everything we do. Sometimes after dinner, Ahmad will leave the table and go lay on the floor in the living room like he's so full he just has to stretch out. Miles has started doing this too and can't wait for daddy to be done eating. They go lay down and say "aaaaahhhh!". So funny.

I've been meaning to write this, but kept forgetting. Miles also takes after his daddy in that he doesn't like tags on things. Every now and then, Miles decides he doesn't want a tag on something, like his clothes or stuffed animals, and insists on cutting the tag off himself. I think it's pretty funny. He also has started saying that his stomach hurts if we are doing something he doesn't want to do. For instance, if I'm suggesting something to watch before bedtime, he'll say (usually halfway through the show!) "I don't like this, this makes my belly hurt" or "I don't want to, make my belly hurt"!

I often say to Miles "You know what? I love you!" The other night when we were bug-bugging before before bed, Miles was talking to baby and said "You know what? I love you baby!" to my belly. It was precious.

We had a snowfall on Saturday and Miles couldn't wait to get outside in all the quarter of an inch of snow that fell. He and Ahmad went out to play while it was still snowing and that lasted all of about 7 minutes. They threw a few snowballs and ran around and then Miles decided he didn't like the snow falling in his eyes. He came inside and I suggested he wear his sunglasses. He liked that idea and went back outside. For about another 2 minutes. He didn't like that either. That was the end of snow play on day 1.

It snowed a bit more on Sunday and we went out again. He did much better and enjoyed making some snow angels, snow balls, and playing on his swing set. I needed a break after that and daddy joined Miles outside. Miles wanted to play football, so they donned their helmets and played a little football. It didn't last too long though because Miles was hungry and needed to get ready for a nap.

It's also funny to hear myself saying things that my parents have said to me while growing up. My dad periodically says "When you get big and I get little...". I found myself saying this same thing to Miles this morning. He has a set of keys he plays with and wanted to take them to school. This was fine as he agreed to leave them in the car. He then decided he wanted to drive and said "mommy, I drive?" I said "no, you're too little to drive". He said "when I get bigger?" I said "yeah, when you get big and I get little, you can drive". He said "ok!".

Last night we had the neighbors over to celebrate Christmas and have a play date. We had a nice dinner, exchanged gifts between the kids, and played. It was a great time!

Miles also has been learning Christmas carols at school and loves singing Jingle Bells!

2 Turtle Doves

Another good week! Miles amazes me with all the new things he does everyday. We started working Christmas gifts for the grandparents and had a great time! Now if we can just get them finished in time...(no peaking grandparents!)

Miles has been working on his ABC's for some time now and has had his letters down, but I finally just captured it on video.

We got a new computer, finally! Ahmad has had a good time working on all the new applications and had a great time putting together and editing this Christmas video of Miles.

Miles continues to be overjoyed with his new sibling. He's so cute and continues to play with the baby and talk to it and snuggle with it. The other night, after our bug-bugs, Miles wanted to say goodnight to the baby. He pulled up my shirt to see baby and gave it a kiss. He said "I know, I know, you miss me. I'll see you tomorrow. We have your bed ready and your fish ready. I love you!" It was precious! (the fish are a crib toy that Miles had and now we have one for the baby as well).

When I picked up Miles from school on Friday, he was very talkative (which he is most of the time these days). He started talking about his favorite foods on the way home and stated that he liked Taco Bell, burgers, sandwiches, and french fries. It was very funny because we never even eat at Taco Bell, so I'm sure this is something he heard at school. However, he is also into gummy bears and BBQ sauce these days. He loves them both and is even preferring BBQ sauce to ketchup, which is a huge switch for him. At first, he just called it 'sauce', but now says BBQ sauce. He also stated once he got home that "Michael Jackson goes hee hee" It was hilarious! Another school trick.

We were able to spend Saturday evening with our good friends, the Kleins. We had a great Christmas celebration and good food. Miles enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend, Lauren, and showing her how to use the new toy he got her for Christmas.

We also had a few other things happening this week. Ahmad got a new job and will be starting the first of the year. He decided it was time for a change and fortunately, found another opportunity he thought he'd like to pursue. He's going to be starting a sales position and is excited about the new adventure! Unfortunately, dad also had a turn of events and landed in the hospital with pneumonia. Thankfully, he's mending well and is hoping to be home tomorrow. Miles held up well when we finally located the seasonal flu shot. He was a trooper and didn't mind the shot at all. He winced, but then it was over and he got a band aid and a sticker-what more could you want?!

Yesterday was fairly nice, for December, and we really wanted to get to Christmas at the Zoo, so we decided to go for it. We invited our neighbors and Katie and the girls were able to go with us. It was pretty funny when I picked him up from school. Apparently he had been planning his evening and told his teacher that he was going to eat a lunchable with cheese, crackers, and ham. Then he was going to take a bath, watch Imagination Movers and go to bed. Well, I had to shake that up and asked him if he'd like to go to the zoo instead. He was so very excited, it was adorable! When we got out to the car, he started "yee-hawing" and even said "Yee-haw! Ride a pony!" I have no idea where that came from, but it was very funny. Somehow he also started talking about how old he was and I said, well, you are almost 3. He took that and ran with it! He concluded, accurately, that he would be having a 3rd birthday and he'd get a cake, presents, we'd sing to him and he was going to wear a party hat. It was very cute. His eyes kept lighting up and he was grinning from ear to ear at the thought of his birthday. I had to explain to him when that would be happening as we've been saying that first Santa would come and then the baby would come. We added on to that and said that after the baby, then we'd have his birthday. He tried to get me to reorder that, but of course we can't! We were already planning to have a very small party for him and now it seems that was a good idea!

So, we did make it to the zoo and had a great time. It got cold at the end, but the lights were amazing-there were so many, and even took a ride on the train.

We're looking forward to another great week and the upcoming holidays. I can't believe Christmas is next week!

Christmas is Coming

It seems like so much has happened this past week! Baby's arrival is getting so close now. I've got about 6 1/2 weeks left, which isn't much time at all! We've been able to get pretty much everything else we need for the arrival and I'm feeling fairly set. I need to just spend a bit more time in the room preparing and then we should be set.

We ended up over at our neighbor's house tonight for an impromptu play date.
It started out this morning with our first snow fall. I promised Miles that if he was good at school today, we could play in the snow when we got home (all 1/2 inch of it!). He was very good at school today, but the snow had about all melted and only had patches left here and there. Miles was still ready to play on put on his snow boots, hat, gloves, and coat and went out to play. The first thing he wanted to do was to taste the snow. So we found a few patches of snow on the wood pile and had a few tastes.

Then he played on the swing set and we made a few snow balls. About that time, he noticed Evelyn playing in her kitchen and wanted to say Hi. The next thing I knew, we were playing next door even though Katie and Eric weren't home (Kathy was there with the kids). They soon arrived home and announced that they had sold their house and would be moving the middle of January. :( We are so sad! We love having them as neighbors and playing with the kids all the time. Not to mention we are both having new babies about the same time and were going to be on maternity leave together and be able to raise our children together (at least for a little bit!).

So sad. But, we'll still be able to be in touch and get together, it will just take more work. We ordered some pizza and had a good time, planning to get together before Christmas to celebrate.

Yesterday, we got our Christmas tree and were able to decorate. Miles had a great time and really got into the tree decorating. After we got the lights and garland on, he put the first ornament on and continued to enjoy decorating the tree.

We finished the tree together, but did the rest of the decorating while he was napping. When he woke up, he noticed every decoration and we had to go through each one and explain what it was and why. It was very cute. He was still processing everything today and is getting there. He started out saying that Santa was going to come and bring ornaments. By tonight, he had it down that Santa would come to our Christmas tree that had ornaments on it and would put presents in the stockings. He's getting it!

Miles is playing pretend a lot more now and it's too adorable! This week he sat Ahmad and I down a few times on the floor in a circle and imitated his circle time at school. He pulled out his Go Fish cards and called them his flashcards. He put them in a stack by his side and directed us to sing songs before doing the flashcards. We sang a variety of songs and even sang the ABC's one letter at a time (each of us having one letter and going around the circle to complete the alphabet). Then we'd do a few flashcards before being excused.

Miles has also really been into his music again this week. He pulls out his guitar and plays music and dances and directs us on different instruments. I play the keyboard and Ahmad plays the mixer. Last night, Miles decided that someone needed to play the maracas and the other keyboard. So, he decided that baby needed to play too. He was very cute as he came over to my belly and pretended to take baby over to the floor and decide which instrument would be best for baby to play. Then we had a jam session!

Miles continues to have an entourage with him when he goes to bed and when he leaves for school in the morning. He has his elephant, moose, kitty, and gorilla as well as 3 blankets. He does well in the morning and leaves everything in the car except his one blanket he takes to school for his nap. He has all the animals and blankets when he goes to bed as well. When it's time to finally lay down and go to sleep, he balls up each blanket and places one on top of the other on top of his pillow. Then he places the gorilla on top of the 3 blankets. He then lines up the elephant on the right pillow next to the blanket tower and then his kitty on the other side and finally the moose next to kitty. Then he lays with his head on gorilla and we cover him up completely with the sheet over his head and the blanket over him. He turns on his fish and we turn on moon and he goes to sleep. It's too funny! I need to try to get this process on video. Inevitably, the moose will fall and Ahmad will have to go put it back in line.

The other funny thing that Miles does sometimes now if pretend to order food from a drive thru. He asks for an 8-9-10. I assume he's ordering a number off the menu; guess he's been through the drive thru a time or two! :)