First "Hike" in the Forest Preserve

Brian and I had a blast last Monday taking Miles on his first "hike" in the forest preserve near our house. (For those of you who don't live in an urban environment, a "forest preserve" is the only place around where one can find trees and plants that haven't been strategically landscaped by humans.) Before we started down the trail, our first stop was The Trailside Museum, where we saw a red fox, a coyote, a barn owl, and a crow that said "hello! hello!" (yes, crows can mimick human speech - who knew?!).

Miles enjoyed the kiddie corner where they had fun puzzles and stuffed animals. This is his first time sitting at a desk. Pretty big stuff!

Miles loved riding on Daddy's shoulders!

(Not pictured here: Me pushing the empty stroller along the trail . . . We're what you might call "rookie parents."

Miles loves anything that dangles (i.e. pull-cords on ceiling fans), so tree leafs proved to be the coolest thing on the trail for him.

In this photo Brian pretends that Miles will focus on whatever it is he is pointing at in the distance.
Silly Daddy!

Remember how we always liked to call Miles' hands meat hooks? Were we wrong?! Just look at the size of those things!

Not so fast Dad!

"Give me that camera."

Mom's turn!

We love that toothy grin!
(Six teeth in all!)

Mother's Day 2008

With a happy, healthy boy like Miles, I've got to be one of the luckiest Moms around!

I had a terrific first Mother's Day!
Thanks Brian and Miles!

Mom . . . you're embarrassing me . . .

Unusual Places

Since Miles has discovered his own mobility, he has found himself in some new and unusual places, as you'll see below.

Baby books are for babies, Mom! I'm a big boy!

Who stepped on the brakes?

Mmmm . . . chair . . .

How did I get here?

Don't just stand there! Help!

Recent Developments

Since Miles came home from the hospital last week, he has learned some new tricks. I don't know if it was the seven days in a crib at the hospital that finally motivated him to shake things up a bit, but he has decided it is time to get moving! Enjoy!




He only moves in reverse on his belly . . . so far . . .

Yea Miles!

7 Days, 6 Nights . . . in the hospital . . .

Miles was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia on May 1 and wasn't released to come home until May 7. He had been fighting a nasty cough off and on for a few weeks; lo and behold, it developed into a viral pneumonia, as well as possibly bronchialitis. I was able to stay with him 24 hours a day in the hospital, while Brian came to visit us after work and on his days off. Needless to say, it was a long 7 days, but Miles was a trooper through it all. Thank you all for your prayers for him during this time. Please continue to pray that he is not asthmatic, something we won't know until we see how he responds to infections in the future. Premature babies are especially prone to respiratory issues. We hope this won't be the case with Miles from now on. Here are a few pictures from our time in the hospital:

GodMama Debbie and Aunt Carina both paid us several visits.

Warm weather!

We've had a few warm days this spring. Miles can't wait until the warm weather is here to stay!

Visiting Daddy for his lunch break.

Pascha 2008

Because The Orthodox Church uses a different calendar than the West, our Easter usually falls on a different date than "Western Easter." This year Pascha (or Easter) was April 27. Because of the number of services during Holy Week, we invited Granner to come for the week to watch Miles during some of the services. It was great having her here! Miles loved having her all to himself.

We decided not to take Miles to the midnight Paschal liturgy, but we did take him to the liturgy on Holy Saturday morning. One of the highlights of this service is when bay leaves are thrown into the air while we sing "Arise O God, judge the earth, for to Thee belong all the nations!" Bay leaves are one of the spices usually put on the graves of loved ones. When Christ's tomb was found empty, however, there was no need for them. Therefore, we throw them joyously into the air! Alleluia!

Christ is risen! Indeed He is Risen!


On Sunday afternoon, Miles enjoyed opening his Easter basket gifts from
Grandpa and Nana Hunter:

Brookfield Zoo

A few weeks ago, we took Miles to Brookfield Zoo with Aunt Carina, Cole, Lydia, and Norah. As you'll see, a good time was had by all!

We arrived at opening time, so here the gang waits for the gates to open.

Cole was assigned the role of "leader" for the day. Here you see him mapping out our trail. He found this convenient spot to set his map so he could study it.
(Funny enough, he was totally oblivious to the large map :)

Again, Cole is trying to figure out where to go next . . .

Lydia liked the elephants!

Miles liked the gorillas!
(Here you see Miles in a gorilla-sized shirt.)

Norah liked anywhere where she was let out of the stroller!

Cole was pretty excited about his free zoo t-shirt!

A happy ending to a fun morning at the zoo . . .