Late post for a BIG weekend!

Well, this is post is coming to you all much later than was intended.  This past weekend was a big one for the Wyse-Fishers.  On Friday we legally and officially became a family according to the State of Illinois.  Of course nothing has changed - we have felt like a family ever since we've been home from Korea, but now everything is very official.  Miles did great on Friday while we were at the courthouse and held off all tantrums until about the time the lawyer was questioning me and asked if we were happy with how everything was going.  Even with Miles screaming a kicking next to me (which luckily only lasted about 15 seconds) I had to think "of course!"  Afterwards we went out for Miles' favorite food of the week - celebratory pancakes.  Here you can see pictures of Miles at the courthouse, us with the judge, and then getting pancakes at LePeep.  It was a great day.  In fact, we decided to celebrate that evening with any friends and family that was around to celebrate with.

We had dinner at Rhythm Kitchen with the Barricks (including Miles' good friend Caleb), the Scotts, Nana, and Aunt Carrie.  We had a lot of fun hanging out with everyone even though the evening started out rough at home as we were getting ready to leave. (See picture of Miles)

Then on Saturday we had a great day in Bensenville, IL (a suburb of Chicago).  We were able to see Miles' social worker from South Korea as she was visiting the country for a few days.  In fact, we walked into the party right as she was walking into the room and she recognized "Yo Seb" right away.  He must have made an impression on her when he was in Korea. :)

After that we were able to see a show, but even more exciting, meet some of our friends from blogs that we (or I) have been following since we've been home.

We were able to meet the couple that took Miles' care package over to Korea for him, and delivered his beloved Monkey that you've seen in so many pictures.  We even got a group shot of people with their toddlers that have come home in the last year.  It was so good to meet/see everyone even though I feel like I already knew them and their children so well already!

I'm going to leave you with a photo of Miles and his new favorite thing to do.  He LOVES putting on our shoes and walking around the house.  He'll even dig shoes out of the closet to put on.

Brand New Haircut

Well, I finally broke down and got Miles' hair cut. Dustin was in charge of the whole event and he did a great job supervising. It sounds like Miles also did a great job and didn't mind the haircut at all. Here you can see him during the cut and afterwards.....so handsome. :)

On Tuesday I left for school while Dustin and Miles were busy making (and at the same time eating) pancakes. I was so jealous and it was hard for me to leave the house knowing that they were there munching away on delicious pancakes while I was teaching students how to draw silly old Mandalas.

Miles has also been under the weather for a few days. Yesterday Aunt Carrie came by to see him and he fell asleep in her arms right after dinner. It was so sweet, but very out of character for such a busy little boy. I had to take a picture as proof.

Today he had to stay with Nana and Papa because he woke up with a fever, and as much as I want to, I can't afford to take any unnecessary sick days because of my upcoming maternity leave. It was also Dustin's first week of school so he couldn't take off either. They did a great job taking care of him. I was so excited to go pick him up after school because I was sure that he would want his "Mommy" since he wasn't feeling well. Come to find out I rate a distant second to Papa. Miles kept pushing me out of the way to get back to Papa. What a bummer!

On a side note, a few days ago in the mail we got a free sample newborn diaper for the most recent addition. Miles and I couldn't believe how small it was! I've never had a baby that would fit into this tiny little diaper, so it is hard to imagine. :)

This video is from a few days ago when Miles and I were waiting for Dustin in the Lowes parking lot. The best part of this video is of course my song-bird voice that you all get to enjoy now. :) It is definitely NOT how cute Miles is when he giggles.

Yet ANOTHER video of Miles eating...

I don't really have much to share, but I wanted to post this video for my parents (and of course all interested parties) of Miles eating dinner tonight since he was so "shell shocked" the other night when they talked to him on Skype. I guess it is totally weird to him that Grandma and Grandpa are on the computer talking directly to him. He was like a deer caught in the headlights.

This movie is from tonight when we were eating dinner. Dustin has Monday night class which just leaves the two of us to fend for ourselves. We had a lot of fun, and I miss our alone time together, so I think this will be great. :) This video just features some of his new words and body-part location (which we have been working very hard on.)

Other than that things are going pretty well. Miles cut 4 teeth last week and is cutting 2 as we speak. I'm looking forward to a break in the cutting of teeth, and I'm sure he is as well. :) Miles has also started to cry when I drop him off at the sitter's. At first I thought this would make it harder for me, but to be completely honest, it makes me feel good - especially because I know he loves his sitter and gets over the crying VERY quickly.

Here is a funny story: A few weeks ago our financial planner was over talking to us about our financial plans. He is this really nice guy, just a little older than us. Miles was running around playing when all of the sudden he came running out of our bedroom waving something white wildly around like he was surrendering. Upon closer inspection (although not that close) I realized it was a pair of my underwear from the dirty laundry hamper in our room! Dustin had to chase Miles down just so that he would stop marching around waving them over his head. Me=Mortified. Miles=Cute. Go figure. I wish I was one. :)

Featuring The FABULOUS fifteen month freak-outs

Things have been really busy around here for us. My classes started last week and that has consumed a lot of my thoughts as I prepare for me Final Review this winter. I found out that my thesis presentation will happen sometime between November 30 and December 16th......which would normally be just great if I wasn't due to have a baby on November 29th. Do you think that they give out pregnancy passes for MFA candidates?

Last weekend Dustin and I went to my dear friend, Rachel's wedding in Kansas City. It was so good to see friends from college and to get away with Dustin. My parents came out to stay with Miles and spoil him nonstop for the entire weekend even though we only went out for Sunday night. When we returned on Monday Miles had not napped, but was still having a great time (my parents were total softees). He had so much fun that he was completely exhausted. At about 4:30 he asked me to pick him up, and two minutes later he was asleep in my arms. What is a mother to do? I decided to wake him up, bath him, and then feed him, hopefully buying us some time. Through all of these activities he was on the verge of falling asleep (hence the mealtime video). However, the minute I put him in the crib, right after this movie, he proceeded to stay awake and talk to himself for about 30 minutes. I don't get it. Half the time I don't remember my head hitting the pillow.

On a side note, Miles seems to be tiptoeing around the "terrible twos" WAY too early. I worked with two year olds for a year and half and never really believed in the "terrible twos", but I now realize that a parent has to put up with an entirely different child than a teacher or daycare provider. I'm not sure what it is about 15 months, but I've read on other people's blogs about this crazy transformation that takes place at about that time. Why don't they ever write about that in books? Don't get me wrong....85% of the time Miles is still the fantastic little boy that giggles and runs around happy as can be. It is the other 15% that is killing me. I'm so glad that he has a mind of his own, and I should really consider myself blessed because the tantrums last literally 5-10 seconds, but they are still very frequent and exhausting. Truth be told they are mostly exhausting because they usually involve Miles throwing something down on the floor really hard - even something that he really likes (i.e. MONKEY) and then crying like I'm the one who did it. I usually just ignore these little "reflective moments", but there are times when I have to respond and pick the item up (i.e. my wallet in the aisle of Lowes). I keep telling myself that if Miles knew how hard it was for me to bend over right now and pick up something off the floor, then he wouldn't do this to his poor mom. However, I'm not convinced. So until I hear some sort of fantastic idea of how to keep these little tantrums - that absolutely stem from NOTHING (I'm not kidding - he's not ever really mad about anything when he starts them), then I guess we'll just keep ignoring them. Luckily Miles has a way of winning his mom and dad over immediately after he does something particularly defiant. I am a total sucker for his smile and a quick hug.

This second video is just a funny little one from a few days ago when Miles dug my sunglasses out of my bag. He has just discovered how much he LOVES his reflection - who can blame him?? He'll stare at himself as he turns circles in front of the microwave - his favorite reflective surface, and he'll even stare at himself as he throws a fit getting his diaper changed (there is a mirror right above his changing table). Here you can see Miles catch a glimpse of himself in the microwave and stop dead in his tracks. You even get a little glimpse of his future brother or sister as the camera swings around at one point. (Frankly, he/she is hard to hide these days.)

One more story: Today when we were driving to Lowes (we are re-tiling our downstairs shower - okay, DUSTIN is retiling our shower) I was trying to explain to Dustin how I feel like I've been "nesting" lately since it is the end of my pregnancy. He had no idea what that meant, so I explained to him that recently I want to organize everything and I keep wanting to renovate parts of our house, like the upstairs bathroom and such. I feel this overwhelming need to paint rooms and buy new furniture. After a second he looked over at me and said.... "Soooo...have you been pregnant for the last seven years?" Very funny Dustin.

My ear?!?!?!?

Dear Miles,

Oh happy day. Today during lunch, you found your ears! Living near the airport we get a lot of practice listening for airplanes and helicopters (no that's a lawn mower). Now remember that frozen carrots and peas do not belong there.

By accident you also found your nose. And surprise, your fingers fit perfectly into your nostrils! We'll keep working on that one.

Just a word of advice – you know that little button in the center of the door knob? Yeah, that locks the door and keeps you from being able to get in or out. For my sanity, please keep that in mind.

Here's to a long nap!

Dad

Dear Miles,

In the past week, it has become apparent that you have several new favorite things. First, your new favorite food is ketchup. It doesn't matter if you have hot dogs, french fries, or any other food that normally accompanies ketchup as long as you have a large dollop of the red stuff. For today's lunch, you bypassed the avocado, peach, broccoli and yes, hot dogs, and went right for the ketchup. That's right, you thought it best to eat the red stuff right away...by the spoonful. I will admit that part of this is my fault, as I am trying to get rid of those old franks in the fridge, but try to remember that I am eating them, too. We're both taking one for the team. I know you haven't experienced Velveeta yet, so I believe that your tastes will change. Your mom gave me the green light to go ahead and buy it, so next week's menu will consist entirely of macaroni and 'cheese', 'cheesy' potatoes, vegetables and 'cheese', and anything else you can think of.

Another recent fascination of yours has been homemade toys. I look forward to finishing a box of cereal just so I can see your face light up when you discover the paperboard box. Your shoes are pretty cool, too. I mean they do have laces with chewy plastic tips and it is fun to swing them around as you walk. I realize that it will be all too soon that you can actually get them on your feet without my help. Remember, it goes sock and then shoe, not the other way around. Until then, minutes and minutes of sheer enjoyment!

And of course, who could forget feeding Cooper. You now find joy in finding scraps of food on the floor and dropping them right in front of the dog. Of course, he loves you for this, but I'm afraid that you may be ruining his diet. Oh well, I suppose he is a dog, so it's okay. At least now he tolerates you a little more (I think he really is starting to like the hugs that you give him).

Keep practicing walking backwards, Michael Jackson would have loved it, I know I do.

Love,

Dad

One Fantastic Week....

We had a great week and weekend that made me love living in the midwest, and even in Peoria. Earlier this week we went to see the Peoria Chiefs play and to watch a recovering Zambrano pitch five innings in our tiny little Class A field. I'm not going to lie and say that I know a lot about the Cubs, or that I knew Zambrano was a pitcher before this week, but I am the type of person that LOVES being a part of something and I love the idea of atmosphere. When we walked up to the field and saw the sheer number of people there and the energy that was in the air I got goose bumps. I LOVE going to baseball games - it doesn't matter who's playing - and I LOVE when people are excited about something. Those two things combined made it a great night. Here Miles is with my friend Brett, who he wouldn't let put him down all night. Miles hearts Brett for some reason. Who knew??

On Friday night we went over to my friend Dawn's house for some poker and pizza in honor of our Vegas trip. Dawn has a little girl, Sophia that just turned one and Miles loves her. They spent all night playing together, "reading" each other stories, and just sharing toys. I don't know how long this generous, giving stage will last, but I will embrace it while it is here. Here Sophia and Miles are watching the big kids play outside.

On Saturday we decided to be tourists in our own city, starting out at the Forest Park Nature Center, which is one of Peoria's best kept secrets. I hadn't heard of it until this year, and I can't understand why not. It is this tiny piece of heaven in the middle of the city with trails and tons of cool stuff. Afterwards we headed to the zoo to check out some of the animals and the new African exhibit.

Here is a picture of Miles and Dustin on a camel. I asked Dustin if he wanted to be in the picture, or take it and he told me that he wanted to get on the camel because he was already thinking of some funny poses.....this is the best he came up with. Don't think too hard Dustin. :)

On Saturday night we went to Ben and Marissa's for a cookout. At one point we all were sitting down to eat and Miles was playing with trucks in the living room. Marissa gave her 3 and a half year old son, Aeden a pudding pack and all I could think of was how Miles would steal it from him and devour it. I kept checking on them and Miles seemed to be happily ignoring Aeden and playing away with the trucks. After about five minutes of silence Aeden walked slowly into the dining room with all of the adults. The poor guy had chocolate pudding all over his chest and face. Slowly following behind him was Miles, looking ever more guilty with chocolate pudding EVERYWHERE and licking his fingers like they were tasty little treats. All I know is that luckily the damage was contained to only the boys and somehow there wasn't a single bit of pudding on the floor, coffee table, or elsewhere.

I guess I'll never know what actually happened, but it is pretty funny to think about.

Miles - 1, Aeden - 0. Better luck next time buddy......

Yesterday (Saturday) we were sitting at Steak N Shake (which I haven't been inside of since college) and some man, who I assumed at the time was homeless and a little crazy, just randomly came up to us and told us that we didn't know how good we have it. Totally out of the blue.....he didn't say why he thought that, and didn't talk about his situation at all. He just stopped by our table for enough time to tell us this and then walk on. My first reaction was "This is why I don't go to Steak-n-Shake." My second reaction was to fell sorry for him. My third reaction was that maybe he was right. And then my fourth, and final reaction was "Of course I know how lucky I am." There are so many negative things happening in the world right now, not only outside of the US, but within our city and homes. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel EXTREMELY lucky. Lucky to have a husband that is kind and generous that will vacuum the house without being asked and will stop at Arbys on the way home from church only because I said I couldn't stop thinking about curly fries. I feel lucky to have a home and job that I love and feel comfortable in. I'm never hungry (at least not unreasonably hungry), cold, hot, or fatigued. I feel lucky to have two babies. One that I am just starting to know and love as he or she grows inside of me and forces me to finally break down and buy maternity clothes. This one that reminds me every night that they are there and alive, and quite the gymnast. I am so so lucky to have another little one that makes me laugh every five minutes as he spins around in the kitchen until he is dizzy and laughs at his own reflection in the microwave. This little one that has finally turned me into a "mom".

So Mr. Homeless Man, I DO know how lucky I am, and I can't imagine myself ever taking it for granted. However, I thank you for reminding me.