what a trip!

Aunty Christina sent mommy pictures of me from the summer when Uncle Arjuna threw the park jam picnics in Oakland. Check out how I looked like in June:



me & Aunty Christina



me & Aunty RoxCBrown

Can you believe how small I was? I canʻt. Thatʻs when my diet was strictly dede. Now Iʻm a eating machine--Iʻll eat anything.
Check me out now...



I can brush my teeth!



But I still drool all over the place!

and you donʻt stop!

Weʻve been taking advantage of Milesʻ loosely based schedule, taking him out late nights to gigs, and even dropping him off at Ninong Bobʻs for a few hours (while Jus and I enjoyed a Valentineʻs dinner). He pretty much enjoys being out at night and socializing with new people and other babies. Friday night was Out For Fame in Oakland and Jus and Uncle Arjuna were spinning. Ninong Paulskeee and cousin Paulskee were throwing the event so we definitely had to take Miles to enjoy the music and Bboyin. He was surprised and happy to see Uncle Eric in the crowd and immediately held his arms out to be carried by him. While he stayed up until 1am, sleepin for about an hour at the jam, he danced to all the funky music and was entertained by his Uncle Bugeyedbandit and Aunty Christina. He was also chillin out with Bas-1. I noticed that Miles is most attracted to folks that are on the same plane as us--all a bit nutty!







On Valentineʻs day, Miles spent a few hours at Bobawtʻs place on Ellis St. I heard he was pretty well behaved. By the time we picked him up, he was ready to go to bed. For comfort, he wanted to be held by Bob the whole time and clutched onto a Bruce Lee toy and a bag of peanuts. Thanks to Bobawts, Justin and I got to have a 1st class meal at Fresca in Noe Valley. We both agree that that was the most delicious meal weʻve ever had. Seriously. Anyways, we ended up going over our gift card! Yikes! Itʻs no wonder why we usually eat holeinthewall spots.

Yesterday, Miles got to meet his new homeboy, Marley, the son of Aunty Candi--dadʻs boss. At Golden Gate Park, Miles met more Pilipino friends, Kenny & Kelly. It was refreshing to go to a park and see other brown babies and Pilipinos because the one we usually go to is mostly puti. Marley is such a friendly boy. He chooses to be vegetarian and squishes his nose together and speaks the same language as Mileskiii, "da-daah-ohhh-oh!"









Later in the evening, Miles and Jus came along with me to my gig for a Youth Speaks Poetry Slam in the biggity O. There happened to be another toddler at the event, Sean. He was so friendly with Miles and was sad when Miles left the building to go for a walk. He was very friendly, sharing his books and some hugs with Miles. All Miles did was slobber on the books and talk his talk. I kept asking Sean to translate Milesʻ language for us. On our way home, we stopped over In&Out because dad had a fastfood craving and Miles enjoyed his grilled cheese sandwich. By the time we got home, we were all beat. The days have been longer and a lot warmer than usual and it feels great to be outdoors with this inquisitive boy!

the storm has passed...

...and Miles is feeling much better! After Justin caught a virus, I was next along with Miles. It really is challenging to take care of a sick AND teething baby while trying to recover myself. It took a lot of patience, between Justin and I--and a lot of TLC for Miles who was at the peak of his clingyness to date. I literally could not leave him to go to the bathroom. Nothing really soothed him so we pretty much listened to his cries for a week straight. And at night, he would not sleep in his crib at all--waking up to any kind of movement, searching for my hand to hold as he slept. Yes, he is so malambing but night after night of this was uncomfortable! But whatever it took for Miles to feel safe and loved---we did. And it has payed off because he is back to his normal, smiling, playful and funny self! Give thanks!

Our wonderful mornings are back, when he wakes and greets us with his squinty smiling eyes! His new thing, which he learned from his daddy, is lifting both arms up and falling on top of you! Heʻs a little wrestler! He will do this non-stop before bedtime, getting out all that excess energy. Miles is also taking more steps on his own. He was so intrigued, watching his daddy roll up lumipa and takes a few steps towards him like it ainʻt no thang. Miles has also been busy playing with his basketball, throwing it towards me or Justin (which is more like rolling it), sayin, "Baw!"

The best thing ever was this morning. He woke up, did his usual rolling around until he was ready to stand up and greet us, "Boo!" After a few minutes of watching his morning Sesame Street program, he turned towards me, made eye contact, then signed for his dede (bottle)!! He actually looks like heʻs doing close, open but with two hands. Iʻve been teaching him a few signs, mainly dede, and today, he showed us wassup! I felt so proud of him! Sometimes when he does this, he says, "dededede!"

Miles is a genius!