October 19, 2007
Happy Birthday Miles
Miles turned 2 years old yesterday, October 18th! Happy Birthday, little guy.
It was a big day, when we were at Zodo's bowling alley he got his first marriage proposal from his friend Etta. She is 4, he has a crush on her. Lara urged him to say yes, but he might have been too busy eating his cake to notice!
Posted by jenredstar at 5:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 4, 2007
Please Welcome Danika Secord Mislang!
In the middle of the night, at around 3:15 am Lara knocked on our bedroom door. Ryan woke a second or two before me, I jolted awake to the words "It's Time!" I was completely out of it and totally excited. Once I realized what was happening, I also wouldn't shut up. "What? What? Really?? Wow! okay, lets see, wow! Really? now? Are you sure? Are you okay? Why did you walk over here? Where is Robert? How soon are we going? Did your water break? What time is it.?I'm gonna get clothes on, I gotta bring my camera, where is my CF card? Ryan, where is my purse? I essentially blabbed myself awake. I dressed and headed over to their house.
The first thing I said outside was, "Oh my look at that moon!" The full moon was so bright. I knew that the day before there had been a total lunar eclipse. In Lara's house (next door) we gathered some things, and then the power went out. Apparently it had happened once already! How weird. Full moon, baby coming power outage, what else?
We arrived at the hospital and went in through the emergency entrance. We were checked into Labor & Delivery room two. This kicked off over 11 hours of labor! (A bit more than with Miles.) Mom and Dad Secord arrived around 5:30am and we all settled in with various munchies and bready items. I called to check on Ryan, who was back home babysitting Miles. Ryan insisted that Miles was too busy having fun to notice that Mom and Dad were absent. (Ryan is so good with Miles.)
Dr. Echt arrived to get things going around 10am. Beautiful Danika arrived at 2:08pm — she weighed in at 6lbs 15 oz and measured 19 inches To me she looks just like Miles did, but definitely more girly! She came out alert, cried for a short while and then gazed around at her mom and dad. Her color was good, and Lara only pushed for about 45 minutes (same as with Miles). She did an awesome job and now they have a 4 person family! So cool.
Posted by jenredstar at 11:14 PM | Comments (1)
February 22, 2007
Baby number two is on the way
My sister Lara is having her second baby very very soon. Her due date is March 15th and I had to post this very recently taken iphoto of her and her 16 month old son Miles. Enjoy. Lara and I laughed so hard that we scared Miles and I actually became concerned that all the excitement could kickoff contractions. I'll keep you updated.
Posted by jenredstar at 9:09 PM | Comments (1)
April 14, 2006
Miles Mislang is nearly 6 months old
I took photos of my sister's son Miles when he had just turned 4 months and I finally put them up on flickr this week. I loved processing them, looking at his precious face makes me want to hop on a flight back to California! Thank God my sister Cindy is getting married in May so I have a good excuse to come home and see him!
Miles and I do see each other still, but only on the computer. It is pretty cool actually, we started video chatting when he was only 2 months old and we do it about once ever week or so. In the beginning, he was like a little blob with eyes, he would occasionally stare at the screen or be attracted to my voice. Then things got more interesting when he finally started smiling!
For awhile, I could do whatever I wanted on the video. I could smoosh up really close to the lens and look all big and distorted and he would find this entertaining. Then when he was about 5 months old we began a chat and I held the camera close so my face was distorted, he took one long silent look at me and then erupted in tears! It was so funny, and sort of sad but I understood completely. He had grown up enough to know that my face wasn't normal. There was something definitely wrong with the picture. It frightened him but it amused me. From now on I'm making sure my face isn't distorted and since then he has not reacted with fear to watching me on the screen. This is a good thing.
So this week, we were chatting after I had not seen him in about two weeks (Europe trip and all). Lara had recently reported that he had started grasping out for her, pulling her hair, touching her face etc. His new favorite thing to do is take out his pacifier and put it back in all by himself. So cute.
So we're chatting and he is so lively, and he looks huge and adorable. I get him to smile with almost no effort too! Then he did the cutest thing. I started to mimic him when he leaned over on his side once and he noticed. Then he righted himself, looked at me, and I did it again... and so did he. It was great, we played our first game! Lara and I cracked up immediately and this of course only reassured him that he was doing something good! So we played like this for a few minutes, with him spontaneously leaning over and watching for me to follow. I loved it.
Lara and I got back to talking and then she'd start laughing again because he was trying to have her let him lean over again. I attempted to get him to try and lean the other way but he just kept on going the same way! I'm looking forward to more fun games on the computer.
I hope this means that I'm still familiar to him when I do come home in a month.
Posted by jenredstar at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2005
More Miles Photos
Hey, for those of you looking for more photos of Miles... try going here! I helped Lara to learn how to post photos of her own online while I am away so please check out her flickr page for new photos! yay! He is so cute! (just click on the link in the text above)
Posted by jenredstar at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2005
3.5 Weeks Old and Getting Cuter!
Yay Miles! You're the best baby in the world!
What a fun filled time this is. I've had the joy of spending time with tons of friends lately and it has been good. Lara and Robert are doing very well and Miles is growing so much that he changes a little bit every time I see him.
I changed my hair a bit with some bleach and some low lights. Heather at Salon Blais of hotel Mar Monte (1111 Cabrillo Blvd) did the hair. She was very affordable and fun to work with. I recommend her stylings if you are in need of some color. Just make sure you tell her who referred you!
I can't wait until Miles starts smiling. Lara and Robert got a sweet imac that has a camera built in so we can video chat while I am across the country.
In a few days, Ryans mom Nancy visits Santa Barbara and I am looking forward to having her meet everyone. I just hope the weather remains perfect.
Posted by jenredstar at 1:05 PM | Comments (1)
October 29, 2005
How Many People Does it Take to Give Miles a Bath? Answer: 4
Yesterday, Miles had his very first bath at home ever. Oh lordy lordy! This was a special bath, eventful even. Leonard (who is visiting on his way up to San Francisco) and I arrived at Lara's house at 10am. Miles was happily sleeping while Lara & Robert prepared the bathing area, also known as the kitchen. The scene was set, baby tub in place, towels, non-soapy soap, washcloths, everything.
We decided to disrobe him, while in the kitchen so that we could move him to the bath quickly. So we carefully place him in the dry tub on a nice towel, so its soft for his little bum. Robert and Lara are taking turns holding his hands and legs, so he does not scratch his face with his tiny sharp nails. Robert carefully adds a little water to the tub, starting with his feet only. Then, he poops. Just a little, but it is enough that we know we obviously have to change the towel and clean out the tub and try again.
So we take him out, and put a diaper underneath his bum but were still cleaning him off when suddenly... Lara says, "uh oh... he's not done". Just as I looked over, he SHOT OUT A STREAM of PROJECTILE POOP! It all happened in slow motion, brown liquid flying three feet through the air, Lara lunging backwards to almost avoid it. An outcry from me, Robert and Leonard who was busy filming the whole thing in Hi-def. HA! Yes, Miles we already have hefty blackmail material on you. You'd better be nice to mommy and daddy (& Leonard too).
Perhaps he wasn't ready for a bath.
I quickly said, "OKAY! We need to get a diaper on him fast, and make sure this passes completely (so-to-speak) before we put him in that tub." Sure enough, once I get the diaper on him and start walking into the other room, another fart/poop emerges from his bum. HA! Another tragedy diverted! We knew we had to wait this one out. After another 10 minutes or so, it seemed safe to go back in the water, literally. So again, Miles is brought to the kitchen and disrobed. So far, we've gone through two outfits, two diapers, and two big towels.
Second try, we take the diaper off again, and as we carefully clean him off to prepare for bath time, he PEES ALL OVER the same floor we just cleaned the poop off of! No joke. This kid is all about the bodily functions (and sleeping and eating - and that is about it right now). So once we replace yet another towel we get him in to the tub.
He does not seem terribly comfortable and there is a lot of crying that begins now. Lara seems like she is about to burst. Robert is calm, and laughing at the situation. They are both frantically trying to bathe him as fast as possible. They also have to remove the bandage from the circumcision that was preformed the day before. EEEK!!
So I go get the pacifier, they don't want to get into the habit of using that to keep him calm. Perhaps only for those, "special occasions" will they bring it out. Once the kid stops wailing, things get easier and he seems to take the whole process rather well. Lara bravely removes the bandage as Miles whimpers only mildly.
Finally, he's done, we dry him off and quickly put a diaper on him because of course, we've learned a lot today. First lesson, NEVER take the diaper off the kid for very long for he is liable to poop and pee all over everything. Second lesson, if you ever do have to remove the diaper for a period of time, calculate the possible trajectory of aforementioned bodily fluids, and make sure to stay out of that region all together.
After Miles is dry, he is happy and cute and we get to play with his clean hair and admire him again. His first bath was not the easiest one he will have, I am sure of that. I do hope he grows to like them, just like his Auntie Jenny. There are lots more photos in the flickr gallery of bath time, and the nursery I helped design too!
Posted by jenredstar at 8:11 PM | Comments (1)
October 25, 2005
One week old
Dear Miles,
You are one week old today! Congratulations! Your mommy and daddy are terribly proud of you, always talking to you, and about you to others. They admire your fine features and your dashing good looks.
They compare you to what "normal kids" are doing and how you're likely superior. Its all in a day of parenting for them. You're clearly a cut above the rest. If only measured by the love you are showered with, I'm sure you are going to turn out perfectly.
You like to have your hands up near your face a lot. When I am changing your clothes you seem to always dislike it when I have to pull your arms into new clothes. I think you're prefer if we stop messing with your body all together (unless we're cuddling you - you love that). When we feed you, you fart a lot and it makes us all giggle.
We know you're healthy because of all of these simple things that you do. When you're lying in your basonette and you open your eyes and quietly move your arms about, I know you'd like to be picked up and held for awhile. You like to be burped with your face near my neck, it seems to calm you when you have some skin on skin contact.
You are already good at lifting your head up, but usually only when you are resting against my shoulder. Sometimes you squirm in my arms because you need a diaper changing, or you are hungry. You make little worried faces sometimes, that remind me of your dad and how he sometimes has worried eyes. Its super cute when you get all red-faced and wimper to yourself just before you get fed.
You are contstanly swaddled, held and wearing a little hat. Sometimes these hats get in the way, your arms constantly up by your face means that you push them off sometimes. I remember seeing the 3D ultrasound with your face, and you had your hands covering your face then too! You are super cute, and you are loved. Happy one week birthday Miles.
Love, Aunt Jenny
Posted by jenredstar at 12:54 AM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2005
Day two
Miles came home today!
He was alert and I swear he is getting cuter every day. Tomorrow is Lara and Robert's 5th anniversary! Congratulations all around for the happy family. Tomorrow evening, I will be the first baby sitter while they have some time to celebrate.
Today was filled with running errands and preparing the house for their arrival. Lara changed Miles's diaper for the first time and even had a two hour nap!
A note for those coming here to view photos:
In order for you to view photos on this site you just have to click on any image to go to a larger version. If you want to download the original (very large) size all you have to do is join flickr. It is free to join and I love using it, also they won't send you spam. With a membership, you can sign in and see all available sizes for the posted photos by clicking on a icon above the photo that says "all sizes" then just select the one you want, and choose, "download this image"
I have posted over 34 images and there is more coming daily. Love to you all.
Posted by jenredstar at 12:23 AM | Comments (1)
October 19, 2005
Aunt Jenny spent the day at the hospital
Miles is one day old.
He is fantastic and I got to hold him for a long time today. Tiny baby, so cute and little, making the sweetest little gurgling noises. He is a beautiful little boy. I can't wait to watch him grow, but at the same time I hope it does not happen too fast. Today we started the afternoon with some lunch from the Sojourner and then we toasted to the new baby. I brought the special bottle of Cristal (courtesy of the Vogels) that we had been saving for a special occasion. Grandpa Secord made a nice toast to the proud parents.
Afterwards, I showed Lara a slideshow of some of the best images taken before and after the birth of Miles. We all got a little teary as The Album Leaf soundtrack perfectly presented the photos I had taken the day before. I feel so happy to be a part of this experience for Lara and Robert.
The bonds that exist between Lara and I feel stronger than they ever have, while my appreciation of Robert is growing daily. I love them both very much and I'm so pleased that I know I will only be seeing more of them, and Miles as the years go by. They are so lucky to have found eachother. Thank god they moved back to Santa Barbara! More details tomorrow.
Posted by jenredstar at 9:39 PM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2005
Please welcome, Miles Secord Mislang
6 lbs 5oz
20.5 inches
Born at 7:30 pm on October 18th
Mother and baby are doing just perfectly. Delivery was, as Lara put it, "a piece of cake". She wasn't joking either.
Its been a long day, so I'm off to bed. More photos and stories to follow.
Posted by jenredstar at 11:55 PM | Comments (2)
October 17, 2005
Labor
Contractions 10 minutes apart! Can't be long now.
Posted by jenredstar at 5:45 PM | Comments (1)
Holy crap! She is in labor!
Stay tuned.
Lara just called at 3:15pm and said that she was officially in labor and dialated at 4cm! So far her contractions are about 15 minutes apart and so we're all getting ready to head down to the hospital. I'm bringing my camera, video camera and ryan's laptop. Some movies, bottled water, ice pack for my ankle, emergen"c" packets, and a xanax. Haha... I'm bouncing off the walls.
So instead of the expected Scorpio, they'll be having a Libra. This is interesting because just the other day, my friend Ben (who is an astrologer) reminded me that I have four major planets (and a moon) in Libra... so I'm a super libra. Whatever that means. My sun sign is Capricorn. I'm sure everyone is dying to know this. Pah! I take astrology with a grain of salt, and yet it somehow seems to pretty right on a lot of the time.
I'll keep coming back here with more information as it becomes available. Unfortunately, they do not have wireless at the hospital (as far as I know). So I can probably report again later tonight.
Posted by jenredstar at 4:14 PM | Comments (0)