Miles' Big Day

Proud parents

Godfather Matt and Godmother Rachel

Grandpa and Grandma Nickolay

Grandma and Grandpa Gray

Getting baptized

Receiving a blessing

Four generations

Three generations

First time in a big boy outfit and looking darn cute!

Just relaxin'

Miles and Nova Joy. Miles' future girlfriend?

Today was a special day for Miles Bennett. He was baptized after 10:30 am mass at St. Hubert's Church - the same church where Sarah and Mike were married. Miles snoozed during mass (we think that all of the singing lulled him to sleep) and was awake during the baptism ceremony. He was such a good boy and didn't cry at all! The ceremony was beautiful - he received many blessings and was baptized at the fountain in the back of the church. As the deacon dried Miles' head after pouring the cold water on him he joked that he has never had as much hair as Miles in his life! Godparents Rachel and Matt, Sarah's siblings, stood by his side and all of his grandparents were present. Miles wore a baptismal gown that has been passed down on Sarah's mom's side of the family. It was a great celebration with thirty-five family members at the baptism and lunch at the house afterward. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this joyous occasion and a big thank you to our immediate families who helped make this day happen.

In other news this week Miles had two special visitors, Jill, Sarah's ex-coworker, and her 7 month old daughter, Nova. Nova is such a doll. It was great visiting with them. Miles continues to grow everyday. Sarah put him in his first pair of overalls and he looked like such a big boy. Sarah is still feeding Miles every 2-3 hours and Mike is giving Miles one bottle every night. It really hit us tonight when we went for a walk how much Miles has grown. He no longer looks like a tiny newborn sitting in his stroller. It's almost time to retire the newborn sized clothing!

Twinkle In His Eyes

A twinkle in his eyes!

Cutie pie

Miles does tummy time everyday.

Miles' first play date with Daren and Sylvia.

Dining al fresco with Auntie Rachel.

We love snuggling

Look at that big belly after eating!

Comfy, cozy in his sleep sack

Tummy Time

Miles turned four weeks old this Saturday and we think that he is starting to smile at us. When he's awake he is so alert - he loves looking out the window and at the fan and a few times when he is looking right at us with those big, beautiful eyes and we're having a conversation together he'll give us a smile. As parents we firmly believe that it's because he loves us and that it is not because he has gas. He definitely has a twinkle in his eyes.

Miles had a few more visitors this week. Tuesday evening Sarah's friend Amy came over for a visit and kindly brought us a delicious dinner and the cutest argyle sweater vest for Miles. Wednesday afternoon Sarah's cousin Amy and two of her five kids stopped by. Amy's youngest, Daren, is almost nine months old and is such a big boy. Looking at him it is fun to think about what we have to look forward to!

This week we also received a call from the pediatrician's office that the state of Minnesota did not receive Miles' newborn screening test in time and the test would have to be redone. On Thursday, Sarah, Miles and Auntie Rachel trekked back to the hospital so the poor little guy could get his heal poked again. Luckily Auntie is a nurse and stayed by Miles' side while Sarah worried, near tears, in the waiting room. Mike says Sarah's mama bear insticts have kicked into high gear. During the poke Miles let everyone know he was not very happy about having to repeat this test but Sarah timed it right so that he could be fed right afterwards which always makes him a happy boy. After the traumatic (more so for Sarah then for Miles) trip to the hospital the three of us went to Lola's on Lake Waconia for lunch and Miles had his first outdoor dining experience with the girls. It was a gorgeous day out and Miles loves hanging out with the sisters. Soon enough it will be two sisters and two little boys going out to lunch together - we can't wait!

Friday both sets of grandparents and the Carlsons got together for an indoor bbq and we could really tell how much Miles is loved because even when he's getting his diaper changed he had an audience of adoring fans ohhing and ahhing over his every wiggle.

Saturday marked a big moment for Mike and Miles - daddy got to feed him his first bottle. Mike and Sarah were initially concerned that Miles might not like it but once we parents fumbled through the process of assembling the bottle and warming the milk (if Miles could talk he would cry "rookie parents!") Miles took to it immediately and it was gone in a flash. Mike will now give Miles a bottle every night which will allow Sarah time to be away from Miles for more then 1-2 hour stretches (not that she wants to be away because he's so loveable!).

Our little family is settling nicely into the realization that this new little human is here to stay and Mike and Sarah are loving and appreciating every moment.

Grandparents... Gotta Love 'Em!

Grandma Nickolay

Grandpa Nickolay

Grandma Gray

Grandpa Gray

Great-Grandpa Nickolay

Miles' first visit to Great-Grandpa's house in New Prague.

Snoozing next to the quilt Grandma Gray made with love.

We love bath time!

Trial run with the Baby Bjorn.

Miles is so lucky to have all four grandparents in his life as well as a great-grandpa. Unfortunately, Mike didn't know any of his grandparents but Sarah has known all four of her grandparents and three great-grandparents during her life.

This is the first grandchild for Grammy and Grampy Nickolay and they can't get enough of Miles. They were Miles' first visitors in the hospital and since we live in the same neighborhood they come over daily for their Miles fix. This gives Sarah a much needed break (especially after an all-night nursing marathon) to shower and get a few things done around the house.

Saturday afternoon Grandma and Grandpa Gray arrived from a two-month cross-country RV journey originating in Arizona, then trekking to Alaska and then down to Minnesota. They arrived with friends and quickly fell in love with little Miles. Needless to say Miles is getting lots of hugs and kisses and barely has slept in his crib because everyone wants to cuddle with him!

On Tuesday, Sarah and her dad took Miles to New Prague to meet his Great-Grandpa Nickolay. This grandpa has seven children, 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren... and counting. Miles also met his Great-Great-Aunt Lucille who lives next door. It was a beautiful day out so Grandpa Francis took us for a tour of his huge vegetable gardens. Miles will have to go back soon for another visit.

Thursday marked Miles' first time in a restaurant. Sarah braved the outing with Miles to have a much needed "girls day" with her mom and sister. We met Rachel and Sharon at Rachel's house and Sarah fed Miles. Then we went to Yum! in St. Louis Park for lunch. The girls ate a great meal and Miles slept through the whole experience. Next, it was back to Rachel's house so Miles could eat again and then Sarah and Rachel went for pedicures and sister bonding time. It was a great day.

Mike continues to work and misses Miles very much when he's away (Sarah and Miles miss him too). Now that Mike's parents are here for a couple of weeks Mike will take some more time off to bond with Miles and work with his dad on some house projects. There is no end to these home improvements - stay tuned for pictures!

P x 3

After returning from a walk, big dog-sis Ruby wanted to play with Miles and gave him her ball.

Enjoying his first time in the bouncer seat.

Big boy is holding his toys.

Miles' cheeks are getting chubbier!

Time is flying by. Miles is two weeks old already and our little family is keeping very busy. On Wednesday Miles and Sarah made their first trip out alone to the pediatrician’s office for Miles’ two week well-baby visit. Sarah gave herself and Miles a pep talk before departing on their big excursion. Sarah was nervous to venture out with the baby alone. Car seats, baby carriers, diaper bags, etc. are a lot to coordinate much less getting everyone dressed and presentable for the outing. Sarah and Miles started preparing two hours before the appointment and were right on time and the visit was successful. Miles is a healthy baby and as he screamed during the exam the doctor described him as “vigorous.” Miles weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. – so just one ounce off of his birth weight – which is excellent and he is 20 ¼ inches long. We think that they may have mis-measured him at the hospital or else he is growing like a weed right before our eyes.

On Thursday, Auntie Rachel took the day off to keep Sarah and Miles company. It was a fun, sister/baby bonding day. In the afternoon we gave Miles a bath and he proceeded to poop, sans diaper, pee, also sans diaper, and puke. Only a mother could think all of this was so cute. Luckily Miles doesn’t mind baths and actually loves to get his hair washed. He looks like he’s in heaven during the scalp massage Sarah gives him.

Speaking of peeing, Grammy and Grampy Nickolay visit every day to get their Miles fix. They both received a present from Miles this week and were also peed on. Miles loves these visits with his grandparents and gets lots of love and kisses.

We can't wait to see what's in store for our little family this week!

Birthday & Week of Firsts

Sweet boy.

Heart-to-heart with daddy.

Snuggle time with mommy.

Big Yellow, Little Yellow.
(Miles had a touch of jaundice when he left the hospital.)

First family BBQ.

First walk.

First sponge bath at home.

Happy family.

July 19, 2003

Birth Story - In My Own Words (by Miles Bennett Gray)

On July 11 I decided I wanted to put faces to voices and meet my mommy and daddy. I kicked the bag of waters protecting me so that a slow leak was sprung. Mommy called the hospital at 5:00 am and reported that something was happening although she wasn't sure what it was exactly. The hospital asked her to walk around for 30 minutes and call back to report if anything had changed. I layed very still in mommy for those 30 minutes and she called back to report nothing was happening. At 9:00 am I decided to kick, kick, kick and again mommy thought that her water maybe had broken. She called the hospital and they asked her to come in to get checked out. On the way to the hospital I heard mommy and daddy talk about whether I would be a cue-ball or have lots of dark hair like mommy. Tee-hee-hee - little did they know!

We arrived at the hospital at 10:15 am and after running a few tests the nurse announced that mommy's water did indeed break and today would be my birthday. I think that daddy and mommy felt a little anxious about what was ahead of them for the day.

We were soon checked into one of the brand new, beautiful birthing suites and the doctor started mommy on Pitocin since she was having contractions but didn't feel them yet. She soon felt them and proceeded to pace the room for a couple of hours before finally asking for an epidural. Shortly after the epidural things progressed quickly because I wanted out! After only a few hours the nurse told mommy to push and three hours later I arrived screaming but happy to see everyone!

Week of Firsts

It is probably an understatement to say that this week has been both exhilarating and exhausting as Sarah, Mike and Miles navigate many family firsts. Included with these "firsts" are: first bath at home, first walk around the neighborhood in the stroller, first family BBQ, first of many diaper changes (Miles is an overachiever in this area peaking at 15 wet diapers in one day) , first experience nursing, first all-nighter with no sleep and first visit to the pediatrician's office. Well, you get the picture... With all of these new adventures, Sarah and Mike couldn't be happier to be experiencing them with little Miles.

Outpouring of Love and Support

Sarah and Mike have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support they've received from so many family and friends. We haven't had to cook a meal all week because everyone has been so generously feeding us and dropping off meals. We also have received so many cards, gifts, phone calls and visitors - it's been absolutely wonderful! We are truly grateful and lucky to have such a loving support network around us. Thank you to all who have contributed to this!

Anniversary

Last night Mike and Sarah sung happy one-week birthday to Miles at 9:02 pm and today we are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. Little did we know 6 years ago, as we danced the night away at Island View Golf Club in Waconia, that we would be celebrating this year with miracle Miles. Grandma and Grandpa Nickolay generously offered to babysit tonight so Mike and Sarah could have a nice dinner out but Sarah figured she would probably be sleeping in her soup so we're celebrating by having a quiet evening at home (and we're sure if tonight is anything like last night that Miles will be awake and celebrating all night long :) ).

Happy Birthday Miles Bennett

Miles Bennett Gray was born at 9:02 pm, July 11 at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 18 3/4 in long. Baby, mom and dad are doing well. Here's the first pictures and we'll update the blog with more info. later this week.

Just born!

Proud Papa

Happy mommy and snuggly Miles

First family photo

I'm so cute

First car ride

Just a little peanut!

A D.I.N.K. Weekend

The last of the pictures were hung in the nursery this weekend.

Friday night bake-a-thon.

38 weeks pregnant - staying cool in the shade at the Chan parade.

Ominous looking clouds rolling in during the parade fly over.

Mike grilling with his trusty sous chef - Patriotic Pooch.

Feeling ambitious.

Patriotic Pooch helping with yard work.

Well, baby watch '09 continues... While waiting, Sarah and Mike enjoyed a truly D.I.N.K. (dual-income, no kids) weekend. Activities included: shopping for new clothes for Mike, sleeping in, reading a ton, watching a movie and the Twins, taking naps and enjoying quiet meals. Sarah kept thinking "is this the last time we'll do this before Lil' Mikey comes?" Sarah's nesting instincts briefly kicked into high gear on Friday night when she decided at 8:00 pm to bake 2 dozen homemade strawberry muffins, 2 batches of chocolate chip, cherry banana bread and a loaf of lemon blueberry bread. All went into the freezer for weekend breakfast treats after the baby is born.

We had a low-key but traditional, all-American 4th of July. We watched the annual parade in Chanhassen and although dark clouds were quickly moving in on us it didn't start raining until we made it safely to the car after the parade. Later that evening we grilled turkey burgers, corn on the cob and had watermelon for dinner and then hit the Chan fireworks display with Sarah's aunt Nancy.

Today marks Sarah and Mike's 10 year anniversary of coupledom! Ten years ago today we had our first date. Mike picked Sarah up in his Chevy pickup (yep, the one we still drive - it was shiny and new then!) at her apartment in Tempe after Sarah got off of an early evening shift at Old Chicago. Mike suggested we hit a bar called Famous Sam's nearby. Little did he know it was karaoke night. Mike and Sarah were seated right next to a huge speaker and over drinks Sarah tried to make conversation not realizing that Mike couldn't hear a word she was saying. After practically pantomiming that we should get out of there (no karaoke was sung by us that night) we headed to The Vine, another low-key Tempe hangout, where we talked the night away. Sarah says she felt a special connection with Mike from the first moment she met him but little did they know where they would be 10 years from then! We celebrated tonight by strolling along Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior with Ruby and getting ice cream at our favorite spot- Adele's. Overall, it was a very relaxing weekend. Could be the last!!??!!