"I need to go potty," Miles announced this evening, prompting me to pause the episode of Paw Patrol he was watching and escort him to the bathroom. I've always found time spent in the bathroom to be some of the best "thinking time" I can get, given the solitude and white noise of the fan. … Continue reading Year 4, Day 316
Tag: development
Year 4, Day 301
After last year's COVID-related lockdown, Miles was excited about heading down to Myrtle Beach to spend Christmas with Grammy and Papa. So excited, in fact, that he helped pack his suitcase so we could get out of the house faster. NOTE: It was not helpful. As is the norm when living with a toddler, it … Continue reading Year 4, Day 301
Year 4, Day 183
What fun! In recent weeks, we've had a positively DELIGHTFUL new development in Miles's gradual ascension through childhood! Naturally, it's something that just fills us to the brim with warmth and happiness! His latest "thing" is unlocking the front door and just f***ing leaving the house. So cool! Thank God we got a security system … Continue reading Year 4, Day 183
Year 4, Day 139
Last weekend, Miles was invited to a birthday party for his buddy Chase from daycare. While I wasn't able to join Jaclyn and Miles, Jaclyn did tell me that when Miles arrived, he was introduced by Chase's mom thusly: "This is Chase's best friend!" Maybe it's because I really only see Miles at home, where … Continue reading Year 4, Day 139
Year 4, Day 117
Miles can read numbers now. For instance, he remembers that our mailbox is "eight one" and the page his favorite story starts on in his Disney bedtime book, even without looking directly at either stimulus. "Sure," you might say, "but so what? It's not like he can read words or sentences yet." This is true, … Continue reading Year 4, Day 117
Year 4, Day 115
Miles is now capable of: Inserting the key into the mailboxTurning the key in the mailboxOpening the mailboxRetrieving the mail from within the mailbox ...all by himself (aside from, you know, needing a lift).
Year 4, Day 61
Miles was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to walking. As hard as it is to believe now, he was well over a year old before he started taking his first, nervous steps. While he'll walk -- nay, RUN -- with the best of them now, one physical, leg-based activity still eludes … Continue reading Year 4, Day 61
Year 4, Day 40
Tonight during dinner Miles proclaimed, "It's potty time!" As Jaclyn jumped up to assist him, he said, "No! I can do all myself!" He darted over to the bathroom. Although Jaclyn had returned to her seat, I still suggested we should assist. Jaclyn stopped me and said, "No, let him go. He'll ask for help … Continue reading Year 4, Day 40
Year 3, Day 322
Like so many parts of his vocabulary and phrasing, I'm not quite sure where Miles picked this up, but he frequently prefaces sentences with, "I say..." He doesn't do this in that British way, suggesting that he's taken offense at something (i.e., "Well! I SAY!"), but rather in a manner that lets us know that … Continue reading Year 3, Day 322
Year 3, Day 202
Exactly when and how do we develop our senses of humor? I had hoped that parenting would have shed some light on this for me, but its frankly left me more befuddled than I was before. I can understand how children develop an understanding of what they think is funny. It all starts with the … Continue reading Year 3, Day 202
The Perils (& Pride) of Paternity 