7/7/2011

Monthly Miles Memo #42

Filed under: — Aprille @ 7:09 pm

Happy 3.5 birthday, Mr. Miles!

What a month it has been.  I probably say that every month, but this time it’s extra true.  Over the last month, you’ve been to Puerto Rico and back, started preschool, and gone to Big Brother class.  I can hardly think of a more exciting month in your personal history (although, depending on how the timing works out, next month or the month after should prove to be pretty major too).

Our trip to Puerto Rico was just great.  You went swimming every single day, in swimming pools or ocean or both.  Just today you asked me, “Do you want to go to Puerto Rico?”  I said that I did, and you agreed that it would be fun.  When I asked you what your favorite part was, you said, “Beach.”  That was probably my favorite part too, though mostly I just enjoyed relaxing in our beautiful condo and spending time with you, Daddy, Mubby, and Skittergramps.  You were such a good boy the entire time, even on the long flights.

On our very first night there, as we drove from the airport to the condo, Mubby and Skittergramps kept you entertained by singing songs in the backseat.  Skittergramps taught you “If You’ve Got the Money, Honey, I’ve Got the Time,” and that was your refrain for the whole week.  You composed your own melody and sometimes substituted different words, but it was very funny for everyone.  I even caught it on video.  You also found a new favorite, Bimbo cookies.  They taste better than they sound.

Another major thing you learned in Puerto Rico was how to classify living things as either flora or fauna.  We saw a lot of both on the trip, around our condo and on our trip to El Yunque rainforest.  That was a tough day, physically.  We took the gentlest hike available, but it was still pretty tough for a little guy and a pregnant mommy.  But we did it, and when you got to the waterfall at the end of the hike, you had a great time splashing around.


Photo by Gary Clarke

The Monday after we got back was your first day at Willowwind School.  I’d been stressing out about it enormously, even having nightmares, but it was really not a very big deal at all.  The first two days were a little tough, but after that you caught right on.  I usually arrive a few minutes early to pick you up, so I get to witness some of Line Time.  That’s when you and your classmates sit in a circle and do different group activities.  Today you were having so much fun doing physical actions while the teacher told a story that you didn’t want to leave.  People kept telling me it would happen, and I’m so glad it did.

Photo by Gary Clarke

I must say, though, it warms up my heart every time I catch your eye through the window.  Your eyes get big, you break into a huge smile, and you sometimes yell “Mommy!”  You have such a wonderfully expressive little face, and more than one of the other parents has let out an “Awww” when they see you do it.

You got to see Beanie again last week.  Your daddy and I had an afternoon movie date and an appointment with our doula, and you had a lot of fun playing with your old pal Beanie.  As usual, you guys had fun with art supplies, and you made a really cool card for Mubby and Skittergramps.

Mubby and Skittergramps have been around more than usual lately, because Grammy hasn’t been doing very well.  She was in the ICU for pneumonia exacerbated by immobility related to a recent fall, and Skittergramps has been spending extra time with her.  We went to visit her too, and I know seeing you helped her feel better.  She’s back with Pop-Pop at their nursing home now, though, so it’s good they can be together.  We’ll have to make a trip up there to see them soon.

Your dad and I have both been impressed with your artistic skills lately.  You draw on your I-O all the time, and your drawings are becoming more sophisticated and complicated.  That’s such a great toy.  You’ve enjoyed it at all different stages of your development, and it’s so much fun to see the different things you imagine and draw.  Today it was kittycats and spiders.  Last weekend it was a guy on a tractor.  Sometimes it’s a self-portrait, and sometimes it’s our whole family.

Your Big Brother class was good, too.  Your favorite part was the cookie and juice, but you also learned the careful way to hold a baby, and you were able to see the kind of room I’ll be in after 2-John is born.


Oh yes, 2-John.  Darth Vader has recently changed identities.  You suggested that the baby be named John, and when we told you our family already has a John Crall, you changed it to 2-John.  Of course, you still insist that 2-John is a girl.  Mostly I think you’re just yanking our chain when you say it now, but I hope you deal with the XY truth when it comes out.

Big Brother

I can’t be sure, but this might be the last Monthly Miles Memo in which you’re an only child.  It’s hard to remember a time three and a half years ago when no kids lived at my house.  Your dad and I have been talking a lot lately about my medium-to-long-term plans with work and childcare, and I plan to be home with you and the baby for a decent chunk of time.  As I told him, being a mommy is the best thing I’ve ever done, and I have you to thank for that.  People tell me that having a second one makes things crazy, and the work increases geometrically rather than linearly.  That’s probably true, and I might be late on the next few Monthly Miles Memos.  Please forgive me and know that you’re just as important to us as always.  Things might be bumpy for a while, but just like preschool, I know you’ll catch on.  Having a brother was a great thing for me, and I know that you’re going to value having a brother too.

I love you, my sweet Scoop.  So far you’re turning out pretty awesome.  Keep up the good work.

Love,

Mommy

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