So I see it’s been almost 2 months since we last posted. Life has been busy and fortunately/unfortunately (however you want to look at it) Facebook has kind of taken the place of posting. Silly stuff the kids do gets posted as updates, and most of our pictures get uploaded there as well.

Anyway…Miles has turned 9 months. I think he’s growing quicker than the other two did. He’s been army crawling since 5 1/2 months, actual crawling since 8 months, and pulling up to things since 8 1/2 months. I bet he’s going to be our earliest walker.

In the past week he’s started refusing baby food. He wants real food, and he really wants to be able to do it himself. Even feeding him something with a spoon or fork, and he HAS to get a hand on it to help you. As of today I’m putting the bottles up. He’s got the sippy cup down and takes it just fine.

9 month stats of all the kids:

Miles: 20 lbs (40%), 29 in (75%)

Sam: 19 lbs 7 oz (30%), 29 in (75%)

Carter: 21 lbs 13 oz (70%), 28 3/4 in (70%)

This started as a comment to Mary’s great post but I decided to turn it into a full post…

This was an interesting year. Despite dealing with the loss of my dad it’s been a very positive year. The thing that stands out in my mind the most for this year is Miles. He’s pretty damn amazing. His smile is just unreal. His big blue eyes make me forget about everything else. He makes us laugh every day. He’s just an amazing baby.

Carter started school this year. He’s doing so good in Kindergarten. I’m so proud of him.

Sam turned 3. Now, that in and of itself isn’t all that interesting. What’s interesting is that it was odd that he’s only 3 years old. He’s honestly a 3 year old trapped in a 4 year old’s body.

The last thing that stands out in my mind is Mary. My wife has cried with me (far too much this year) and laughed with me every step of the way. We’re surrounded by examples of what not to do in a marriage and my hope is that our marriage is one example of how a marriage should be. Because let me tell you, if everyone was as happy as we are in our marriage the world would be a different place.

2012 has the potential to be really great. I have a niece on the way, we have 2 great vacations planned and it’s looking like this will be the year I start to make what I hope will be a major shift in my career. Stay tuned everybody…

I’m borrowing this from another blog…some of my favorite memories over the past 12 months:

JANUARY:

The very beginning of 2011. This was at midnight on New Year’s. Nothing like ringing in the new year with family. 2010 was a rough year with Josh’s diagnosis and then losing Brad’s Dad. We didn’t know what 2011 would bring, but we had HOPE. God is good.

FEBRUARY:

A much enjoyed day off with Dad at the Magic House. Doesn’t get any better than this!

A family fun day at Chuck E Cheese and then back to Josh & Sheri’s house. Our families mean the world to us and we are blessed to have ALL of them in our lives. God is good.

MARCH:

Watching our nephew, Paul, turn 3! The kids always love going to their cousins’ houses. They even had a silly string fight! We really enjoy our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. God is good.

APRIL:

Our niece, Brea’s, 2nd birthday! The whole house was decked out in Minnie Mouse!

Easter! The kids are dying Easter eggs…another great tradition with great memories. God is good.

MAY:

My favorite memory of the year. This is Miles’ very first picture. He was a wonderful May surprise, being born almost 3 weeks early. He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 19 inches long. He’s been a perfect addition and finale to our family. I wish I could be as happy as I was the first moment I saw him, for every second for the rest of my life. God is good.

JUNE:

I took Carter & Sam to Grant’s Farm – we left Miles with Tiffany, our babysitter. It was just a Mom, Carter & Sam day. It was the first time any of us had been to Grant’s Farm. We had a great time seeing the animals and having popcorn and soda for lunch God is good.

JULY:

Carter turned 5. I have no idea where the time went. Our first baby boy was growing up faster than we ever thought. He’s the sweetest, smartest, funniest, goofiest, kid we could ask for. God is good.

AUGUST:

One of our favorite summer traditions since Carter was born is going to Cloud 9 camping. The kids LOVE going down there for multiple reasons. Every summer we look forward to going.

Carter’s first day of school. I knew it was coming and although I didn’t think I would, I cried. Not sad that I was going to miss him, happy that he was soooooo excited to start his new journey. We’re so proud of him for that. God is good.

SEPTEMBER:

Josh’s 1 year survival party. That’s a huge accomplishment in the brain cancer world. We’re so proud of him for fighting this fight. God is HOPE. God is good.

OCTOBER:

Our niece, Dinah’s 5th birthday party. Another family get together with good food and great company!

Halloween! Miles’ first time dressing up. The kids love this holiday and I’m sure Miles will, too. What’s more fun than dressing up and getting candy? More great memories. God is good.

NOVEMBER:

Sam turned 3! Mr. Independent at it’s finest. This year turned Sam from the baby to the middle child. He’s a scrappy little guy, but can be a total sweetheart. He’s my little momma’s boy.

Our niece, Daphne, turned 1! She’s such a sweet little girl that LOVES her baby cousin Miles! God is good.

DECEMBER:

Our nephew, Owen’s 4th birthday. These 3 truly are the three amigos. Since Owen doesn’t live very close, it’s a treat when we get to see him!

Christmas. What more need I say? I love those 4 other people in that picture more than words can express. God has been so wonderful to us this past year, during the good times and bad times. I’m so thankful that is God is good.
What are your favorite memories of 2011?

Love your kids – unconditionally.

Put your kids before yourself and teach them everything you possibly can.

Marry someone you’re head over heals – can feel it in your gut – in love with. You’ll know when you find that person. Do not just settle.

If you are in love with someone of the same sex, good for you for finding that person. Most people never do. Most just settle.

If you’re unhappy with something in your life, make a change.

Spend as much time with your loved ones as you can.

If you really do love them, tell them you love them. Often.

Be yourself. If you love Buddha, then love Buddha. If you love Jesus, then love Jesus. If you are not the spiritual type, that’s OK too. Do not let anyone make up your mind for you.

People are often ashamed of their interests. Do not be ashamed of something you love.

A human life is a mere blip in time and space. We are a spec on a blue spec in the Universe. We are alive for a split second of all the time that came before us and all the time that will be ahead of us. Who the hell are you to judge? Nobody, that’s who.

One day you will wake up and something will have changed. Someone you love will no longer be there. Do not let that day be the day you regret not being there enough. Do not let that day be the day you regret not saying “I love you” enough.

I regret not telling my Dad that I loved him more often.

I can’t believe Miles is half a year already! The first year just seems to go by too fast. Makes me want to freeze time and keep my kids this age forever. Miles had a good report at his check up. He’s still not sitting up, but the doctor said that’s more of a 7 month achievement. He is army crawling, slowly but surely, to where he wants to go. And she was surprised that he had 2 bottom teeth. She said it looked like his 2 upper teeth were on their way, too.

We introduced the other two to the sippy cup at 6 months. Miles seemed to know exactly what it was for. I set it on his high chair tray and he grabbed each handle and put it in his mouth. I’m not sure he realized there was something in there for him to drink – he started just chewing on the spout.

Miles’ 6 month picture and stats:

17 lbs 15 oz (50%) and 27 in (75%)

Carter’s 6 month picture and stats:

19 lbs 11 oz (85%) and 26 in (45%)

Sam’s 6 month picture and stats:

16 lbs 4 oz (25%) and 28 in (80%)