Year 5, Day 302

As usual, Christmas brings with it a return to my boyhood home in Myrtle Beach. Even with a drive that took far longer than it should have (with the inclusion this year of a dog), Miles was all smiles as he walked up to the door of my parents' house last night. I was sort … Continue reading Year 5, Day 302 →

Year 5, Day 113

We traveled to Raleigh to visit my brother and sister-in-law this weekend, and while Miles was excited to see them, what he was really interested in was seeing their cat. Unfortunately (for Miles, not the cat), we arrived last night to find that their power was out. It didn't really stop him from LOOKING for … Continue reading Year 5, Day 113 →

Year 4, Day 302

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 302 →

Year 4, Day 273

In a Thanksgiving first*, we stayed home this year and hosted my parents and brother at our (yeah, still) new home. No lie -- it was nice to NOT drive for once! When I told Miles the day was starting with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, he immediately asked why we weren't going to the … Continue reading Year 4, Day 273 →

Year 4, Day 206

With Jaclyn and I out of town for the wedding, Miles was left with his Aunt Andrea and Uncle Scott last night. Given his...nightly tendencies of late, not to mention his general noncompliance, I was prepared to hear that the evening had been taxing and that sleep had not come easily. Perhaps it helped that … Continue reading Year 4, Day 206 →

Year 4, Day 199

The opportunities the past two years have afforded us to see some of our closest family members have been greatly diminished, which has been difficult for a number of reasons, not the least of which is robbing Miles's aunts, uncles, and grandparents of the chance to see him at various developmental stages. This weekend, however, … Continue reading Year 4, Day 199 →

Year 4, Day 121

Sometime earlier in the week, probably Wednesday, we started talking to Miles about our weekend plans. Specifically, we were heading to Myrtle Beach for a beachside memorial in honor of Jaclyn's father, after which we'd have a party in his memory. We'd be staying with my parents, and my brother and his wife -- whom … Continue reading Year 4, Day 121 →

Year 4, Day 3: Miles’s Third Birthday – Part 3

Miles enjoyed his third (?!) consecutive day of birthday celebrations today with a tiny soiree involving a select few invitees and what is frankly the most amazing cake I've ever seen. It's humbling in the sense that I will never be this good at ANYTHING. The exclusive guest list included Miles's aunt and uncle... ...and … Continue reading Year 4, Day 3: Miles’s Third Birthday – Part 3 →

Year 3, Day 354

Miles received a Valentine's Day card from Grammy and Papa (and Uncle Ben) today, which was exciting enough for him, but then he opened the card to find something he hadn't really seen before. Yes, within the card was a crisp new five-spot. "What this?" Miles asked, holding the bill up. "That's money," I said. … Continue reading Year 3, Day 354 →

Year 3, Day 303

Around 8:45 today, Miles bounded into our home office, interrupting my morning meeting. "Daddy!" he called. "Santa's in Australia!" Indeed, Miles was eager to sharpen his burgeoning cartography skills today as he tracked the fat man on his journey around the world. With his own globe, a copy of My Very Important World, and the … Continue reading Year 3, Day 303 →