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Two updates in one day... I just couldn't resist putting this brand new picture up right away!

"Peace, out!"

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

We've been very busy lately (hence, the lack of updates!). First, we took our first "long" trip as a family to Milford to spend Christmas with the Van Otterloo side of the family. We stayed two nights (too short, for sure!) but had a great time! We helped "Aunt" Jae decorate cookies...
attended church, opened presents (check out Miles' HUGE present from Aunt Ali and Jae)...
and just hung out. While in Milford, Miles had a special visit from his Great-Grandparents George and Shirley. Here is Miles with his GG George.
Once back in the Cities, Uncle Jason and Aunt Jill visited for a few days so we could have our Blom family Christmas. Miles received his first stuffed pig (commemorating his mom's upbringing) from Jason and Jill.
Since then, we've been hanging out, just the 3 of us (Grandma and Grandpa are at a family reunion), and having fun.

Miles turned one month old this past Saturday and is getting so BIG! According to our bathroom scale, he is about 12 1/2 pounds! Here's just a few more current picures... enjoy!

Snowed in

Miles was supposed to have lots of visitors this weekend, but the weather prevented them from traveling. Bummer. Instead, we all had some good stay-at-home time. Enjoy the pictures from this past weekend...

First family picture, in all our Christmas gear.

First big-boy bath!

Check out that belly button.

Clean tootsies!

Hanging out - learning that T stands for turtle (never too early to start, right?)

Many faces of Miles

We had a little photo shoot this morning trying to get a good shot for Christmas photos. Baby photography is never easy...

I'm sooooo bored...

Let me think about that a minute...

What?

We have a winner!!

Day 19

We've been so very busy taking trips the last few days. I can't list all the places that we've been because some of them have to do with certain blog-followers' Christmas presents. Wouldn't want to ruin any surprises! Grandma Sue, Maren and Miles did eat their first meal out all together at Famous Dave's. Miles had a good time looking at all the red decor. He also attending his first concert today - G's band and jazz bands played at the MCA Christmas concert. Miles really liked the big flashy Jumbotrons in the Living Word sanctuary. And he especially liked the high school jazz band... he couldn't stop bopping to the music!

Snuggle time with Daddy.

Holding my head up!

Day 16

Miles had more visitors over the weekend... Mark, Kristi, Jenni and Jalissa stopped by. Everyone had a good time hanging out and holding Miles.

Today he had his two week Dr. visit. She said he is perfect (just another confirmation of what we already knew).

Stats -
Height: 22 1/4 inches (90%)
Weight: 9 lb 13 oz (75%) - recall he was at 8 lb 6 oz on his 5 day visit!
Head circumference: 14 3/4 inches (50-75%)

We think that his height stat is a little short because the nurse didn't elongate him enough... he just laid there with his neck all scrunched up. However, it is quite obvious that little Miles likes to eat!

Miles in his "fencing" pose... a reflex for newborns.

Two Weeks

Yup, it has been two weeks... half a month! Wow, time flies when you have a newborn! Miles is growing really fast, getting longer and his cheeks are definitely filling out. He has his two week appointment on Monday so we'll find out how much weight he has gained then.


M, G, Grandma Sue and Miles all went on an outing today to Cub to buy Christmas cookie supplies. He won't remember much about making his first Christmas cookies, but we'll take pictures. So far, Miles is a good traveler, just hanging out quietly in his car seat.

Day 12

Wow have the last two days gone fast. We're starting to get into a rhythm (at least a little bit) and Miles seems to be sleeping well at night. Hoorah's all around! Today Miles went on his first non-doctor outing... to Target. He was very well-behaved, sleeping the entire time and being admired by all the shoppers. He's working really hard on keeping his own head upright and also trying to sit up a bit. He's so advanced! :) Sorry about the fuzziness of today's pictures. The lighting was low and I don't like using the flash on his sensitive eyes!

Look Ma, I can keep my own head upright!

Mesmerized by my Mommy's artwork.

Day 10

Miles is growing and growing. He's already grown too long for his swaddler blankets... he kicks right out of them, which makes them a bit obsolete. Oh well, guess we'll pack them away for the next baby. In other news, Gerritt reluctantly went back to work full-time this week. They have good Daddy-Miles times at night, allowing Maren to have the use of two arms for a while. Enjoy the new pictures!

Daddy-Miles time

Hanging out on my side

Sleeping in the sun

One Week Old!!

This morning we woke up nice a refreshed after lots of great sleep last night. We had 3 hour feedings all night and were able to sleep in our respective beds (M&G in bed and Miles in his bassinet) for 5-6 hours. Yea for sleep!

Today is Miles' 1 week birthday! It is crazy how fast the week flew by. We had lots of visitors in the last two days, which is very exciting, though it pretty well wore the three of us out!

Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure!

"...and what do you think you're doing?"

Miles likes to sleep on his side whenever he gets the chance.

Tummy time! Miles can move his head from side to side on his own!

However, tummy time is quite tiring!

Miles Smiles!

Day 5 & 6

Yesterday was a very exciting day. Miles had his first bath at home (he likes to have his hair washed), and had lots of tummy time. The biggest event of the day was his first doctor's appointment where he was getting checked on to make sure that he was eating and gaining enough weight. The doctor says that he looks perfect (we've been saying that all along :) ) and that he is gaining weight very well. It is said that babies lose weight after birth and gain it back in 10 to 14 days. Miles, of course, was born at 8 lbs 5 oz, and at his five day check up, he weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz. Pretty impressive Miles, pretty impressive. Mom deserves a round of applause too! :)

And for today's excitement... Miles got his nails done, so now his hands are permitted to be free! Besides that, we just hung out the rest of the day.

Not so bad...

On second thought...

Okay, Not Cool!!

Ah... boy am I glad that's done!

Little hands...

Mom sure did a nice job with the nails!

Day 3 & 4

Well, where does one start? Yesterday was a big day... we came home! The day went fast, fast, fast! Miles does not like riding slow in the car. He yelled at Dad anytime the car went slower than 55... and stop signs are no, nos! The evening was spent relaxing and getting used to the new surroundings. All the kitties in the house were extremely confused by this little moving bundle!

Today was not so big a day. No visitors like days previous to today, we just hung out around the house. We had some really good tummy time and looked at the pretty Christmas lights that are on the tree. Here are a few pics from yesterday and today.

Sleeping peacefully

Check out the digs that Auntie Ali gave me to go home in... I also wore Harley booties and hat from Aunt Jill and Uncle Jason but the day moved too fast to get a pic of the full ensemble. Take it from me... I looked good!


Here is me at one of my tummy times today!


Miles and Mom.

Day 2

It's been a busy day. We had a lot of people visit including Gramma and Grampa V.O., Auntie Ali, and cousin Jae; not to mention a host of nurses and people watching after Miles. Miles, of course, is getting cuter by the minute, and boy is be a trouper. He had lots of people poking and prodding him throughout the day (including Auntie Ali :) ) and he hardly fussed at all. Here are a couple new pics.

Here I am at 36 hours old. (Papa Dean is the holder!)

Hanging out with Gramma Fern this afternoon

Miles Harlan Van Otterloo

Miles arrived November 29, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. and 5 oz. and 22 in. tall. He looks just like his daddy according to all who see him. His hobbies are sleeping, hiccuping and sneezing.At 10 minutes old

At 1 hour old

At 13 hours old.