The Highlights

Peek-a-boo

2010-07-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

First Hair-do

2010-07-01T11:49:00.001-07:00

Actually, it was the second, but the first time it didn't last long enough to make it on film.

The Bachelorette

2010-06-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

Does anyone watch this show? Did Ty just say "the most rememberable?" Really? That's what it sounded like. . . .

A letter

2010-06-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and family:

Thank you for being patient for the last 3 months, during which I had zero blog posts. Here are a few new ones.

Until September,

Laisa

Bree turns 1!

2010-06-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Bree turned one on June 19th. I, having just returned from Girls' Camp that day, left the festivities up to my mother-in-law (who watched Bree for the week) and my hubby. Everything was wonderful. Thank you, Marlena, for staying with Bree and for the excellent cake. She loved it!

Playing in the rain. . .

2010-06-27T05:30:00.001-07:00

One of the things I love about South Carolina is the way a summer thunderstorm rolls in. They are usually in the evening, and they drop the temperature from about 95 down to 75 or 80. They bring super dark clouds and heavy rain. But, this was a rarity - a warm, heavy rain, but no thunder or lightning. So, Bree and I took advantage of it (she needed a bath anyway).

Trip West

2010-06-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

We were able to take a one-week trip out west - with numerous stops. The first stop was Utah (Provo) to visit Christie & Steve, who just had a baby. Then we were off to Seattle to visit Chris & Ashle. And lastly, to Idaho to visit out good friends, the Pulsiphers. We had a really wonderful trip. A huge thank you to everyone that let us stay with them!

Utah Pics -

Miller (and Naegle) family photo in the park

A visit with out good friends, the Linds

Baby Blake on his blessing day

Seattle -

Finally reaching the top of our hike!

I couldn't get over how beautiful it was there. We even had a couple of nice days!

Mariner's game - Bree is thrilled

Bree with Wee Man in the park (basically C&A's back yard)

Idaho -

The first day we went to an indoor water park (due to cold, rainy weather). Bree LOVES the water.

Feeding the ducks at a park in downtown Spokane

Downtown Spokane

Lake Coeur d'alene (yes, I had to look up the spelling, again) with the Pulsipher family

This is what happens when. . .

2010-03-01T18:57:00.001-08:00

You go to bed with wet hair. (I know, she's wearing white again, and it's not her color! Sorry, Mom).

PS. Diaper rash is virtually gone. No more pee sessions. YAY!

Sounds good in theory. . .

2010-02-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else think that letting your baby, with a horrendous diaper rash, crawl around without a diaper on plastic tablecloths is not such a good idea? In a period of time of about 30 minutes, she peed FIVE times. I'm tired of wiping up pee. I think her bottom is more wet than it would be WITH a diaper. I know urine is sterile, but this does not seem sanitary.

Am I missing something?

8 MONTHS!!!

2010-02-24T12:37:00.001-08:00

ALREADY?? Bree is crawling, pulling up, falling down, eating solids (she had her first finger foods today), napping well, sleeping about 12 hours at night, getting into everything I DO NOT want her getting into and getting more adorable every day.

Bath Time Bubbles

2010-02-24T12:32:00.001-08:00

We bought a 6 pack of bubbles to use in the tub with Bree. I think we'll have them until she's 16. At least we have extras in case of an emergency. And she LOVES her rubber ducks. I think she has 5 of them, and we try to keep one in the tub - she's always trying to take it with her when the bath is over.

Notice anything different?

2009-12-06T18:44:00.000-08:00

Hol, this one's for you. . .

(yes, these are taken-with-one-arm-by-myself photos, since Tim is on call) As many of you know, I don't change my hair that often. Well, yesterday was one of those days when I actually had the guts to ask my stylist to do something different. What do you think?

More Thanksgiving Pics

2009-12-06T18:16:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-06T17:47:00.001-08:00

This about sums up our holiday in Baltimore with the family.

Journaling

2009-11-20T10:08:00.000-08:00

Today I decided to start a journal. . . instead of posting all the details of Bree's sleep. And I'm reading Healthy Sleep Habits and taking notes.

Last post of the day. . . I promise

2009-11-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

So, she screamed for an hour. I fed her. She fell asleep. I put her back in her crib - eyes open. She's screaming again.

HOW LONG CAN SHE SCREAM?????

?

2009-11-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

What do I do after she has been screaming for an hour, and it's time for her to eat again?

I'm taking a poll

2009-11-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

My baby does not nap - does yours?

She falls asleep on my lap. I put her in her crib. She wakes up and cries - either immediately or within 5 minutes. This has happened three times today. Now she's asleep on my lap. Again.

KILLING ME.

I know, what could be so bad? Just sit there and hold a baby. Why can't I accept it and just watch movies all day?

It's the principle of the thing.

ps. . . I know what you are all going to tell me. Let her cry. Bree doesn't cry. She screams. . . for a long, long time. I'm going to put an audio clip on here for everyone's enjoyment.

4 Months?

2009-10-27T19:47:00.001-07:00

Is she really already four months old? I know this must be how every parent feels.

Laisa and Bree brave frigid Boston

2009-10-27T19:33:00.001-07:00

Bree and I went to Boston to spend some time with the Millers. It was a bit chilly, so we bought this to make sure that Bree stayed warm.

All of the leaves were changing color and looked magnificent.

I loved seeing the city. Boston is beautiful. Lots of neat modern architecture with historical structures interspersed throughout the city. We'll make sure the weather will be warmer next time we go sightseeing up there.

Bree's Blessing Day

2009-10-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, it was over a month and a half ago. . . September 13th. She looked lovely, and we loved having everyone in town. Thank you, Ashle, for the bracelet! And thank you, Auntie M, for letting us use Angelina's dress.

I'm so glad we did; it's gorgeous.

Chocolate Update

2009-10-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

The chocolate dilemma is over. Whew.

My Demise

2009-09-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Bree spits up all her food if I eat CHOCOLATE, so I'm trying really hard not to eat any. This is no easy task. I love chocolate. . . I would eat it every day. . . multiple times every day. I know abstaining will surely be the end of me.

Reality Stars

2009-09-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

Most people that know me know that I love, love, love The Biggest Loser. Especially after I went to the gym myself and can sit there and eat ice cream while I watch the show. Well, two seasons ago there was a couple on the show from a little town called Greer - which is right down the street from Greenville. Anyway - on Saturday I went to this Women's Show - which was basically a bunch of vendors, but Phil and Amy had a booth there. I definitely asked to get a picture with them. Actually, I got two. (Thanks Carol for lending your camera in such a dire emergency!)

Amy makes me look really, really pale. But, I am really, really pale. Maybe Bree and I will hit the pool today. Can't wait for the next season of BL to start on the 15th! Most of you also know that I don't have cable, so I know you're wondering how I watch the show. The good news is - most shows you can watch on the internet these days. The bad news is - I can't watch the episode until a week later. I'm always asking my aerobics classes what happened on the show.

Newborn Photos :)

2009-08-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the great newborn photos we had done by Bree when she was just a week old. We had them done by Jen Rogers (http://jenrogersphotography.com/) and are very pleased with the results! These are just a few of my favorites of the babe.

2 Month Check Up - Update

2009-08-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

So, here are Bree's stats from her two-month check up this morning:

Height: 22.5 inches (50%)

Weight: 10 lbs 1 oz (25%)

HC: 39 cm (52%)

She did great with her shots - she screamed for about 20 seconds and then whimpered a bit after that. Thanks everyone for your input - I'll be administering the Tylenol every four hours today.

Likes and Dislikes (attempt no. 2)

2009-08-21T15:01:00.001-07:00

Here's the story: I was reading my sister-in-law's blog (yes, Ashle) and she did a post about her little girl's likes and dislikes. So, I did one for Bree - but it was pretty sarcastic (since sometimes it seems like she doesn't like anything), so I took the post off. Then I got questions about what happened to the post. So, here is the non-sarcastic version.

Likes:
Food - she gets super angry when you take away her bottle to burp her
Snuggles - she loves, loves, loves to be held
Diaper changes - she doesn't like actually getting her diaper changed, but she's always super happy and smiley afterward
The Outdoors - she can be screaming bloody murder, and as soon as you step outside, she's quiet (most of the time)

Dislikes:
Well, you can pretty much figure them out from what I wrote about her likes

Baby is screaming. . . .got to run.

2 Month Check-up

2009-08-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

Bree has her two month check-up on Monday, so I'll have to provide details afterward, but I'm a little nervous about the shots. My sister-in-law, Ashle, gave me some tips for making Bree more comfortable, and I was wondering if anyone else had any pointers.

Thank You

2009-07-20T19:59:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say thank you to both sets of grandmas for coming and staying with us for two weeks. We COULD NOT have done it without you! And thank you to the grandpas for visiting us. You are all welcome to come and stay anytime you need a Bree fix! We're missing you!

More pictures!

2009-07-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Way Overdue

2009-07-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

As you know, I've been a little busy having a baby and all, but I do apologize for not posting any new Bree photos. Here are some updated pics of the babe from the last month. She had her one-month check up today, and she is doing great - gaining weight (she's up to 8 1/2 pounds) and growing.

Introducing Bree Andalyn Miller

2009-06-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

The babe has arrived! Everything went well - we couldn't have planned it better. Bree came on June 19th at 5:47 p.m. (one day after her due date) 7 lbs. 1 oz. & 20.25 inches long. More pictures to come; we're still hanging out at the hospital. So far, she has been an angel baby. Everyone is doing well. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Love, the Millers

ps. . . Julie - we need some BOWS!!

Due Date

2009-06-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone is wondering. . . the due date has come and almost gone, and there is no baby yet. We'll keep you posted!

38 weeks (a couple of weeks ago)

2009-06-16T05:34:00.001-07:00

Ready or not. . .

2009-06-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here's the baby's room so far.

One Word: Sick

2009-06-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

California. . . here I come!

2009-05-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

This week I'm in Los Angeles - getting some stuff done for work before the maternity leave. My kind-of relatives, Nina and Cassie came up from San Diego to have dinner with me. Great to see them and loved the food. If I could only get 1/4 of the good restaurants from Pasadena to go to Greenville.

34 Weeks Pregnant

2009-05-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Getting bigger every day (at least that's what Tim tells me). Sweet music to my ears.

By the way, this is my self-portrait since Tim was out of town and unable to participate in the photo shoot.

Getting Ready for Baby

2009-05-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

Two new additions this week. A swing for baby's comfort and a recliner for my own. LOVE IT!

Don't you love how everything is tan?

Pachuilo Family in Greenville

2009-05-10T18:41:00.001-07:00

My mom, dad and Andrew came down from Baltimore the first weekend in May. Tim, Dad and Andrew worked on digging holes and putting in fence posts. It looked like very, very hard work. Mom and I worked on baby's room (that work wasn't quite as hard). We also celebrated Andrew's birthday while they were here - Happy 26th Andrew!

32 Weeks. . .

2009-05-10T18:38:00.001-07:00

Just another pregnancy pic. . . Another one is coming shortly (since this was 2 1/2 weeks ago)

Just this last weekend

2009-04-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

So last weekend we had this in our backyard:

I think it took 5 truck loads of dirt to fill in the hole.

We also had Claude and Marlena (Tim's parents) come and visit. It was so nice to have them here. I hope they come and visit again soon. I think we may have scared them off by putting them to work all weekend. We were able to get a lot

done! And I'm so glad we had beautiful weather -

I LOVE SPRING!

Baltimore 4.4.09

2009-04-23T18:09:00.001-07:00

Long story short:

I was going to Baltimore to visit my parents and Andy, and some of the relatives were planning on coming down from PA for spring break. (I love it that they only live 2 hours away, and we get to see them more frequently). Anyway, at the last minute I was told that they weren't coming down/over anymore, but we were going to go to PA on Saturday to visit them. My mom and I went shopping in the morning, and when we got home, I had a HUGE surprise! All - or a lot of - the relatives came down and threw a surprise baby shower for me! I was SHOCKED!! It was so much fun. (This would be a better story if I actually had the pictures, but I haven't been able to get my hands on them yet. I'll have to post them another time). I feel really blessed to have a family that would do something like that for me! THANK YOU for making me (and baby Miller) feel so loved! It was great to see everyone.

Mom, Grandma, myself and baby

Catching Up

2009-04-23T17:55:00.000-07:00

Well, as we can already see - I'm a blog slacker. I think I might be better when there is a little one to post about. I guess it has only been a month. . .

First things first:

Tim has been building a retaining wall. We had this large dip in the yard, which we wanted fixed before building a fence. I think it turned out to be a bigger project than expected.

Here is the before and after:

Nice, huh? I would hire him.

The Belly

2009-03-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

Here it is. . . . I'm 27 weeks this week and due June 18th.

Inclement Weather

2009-03-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

March 1st - It snows like this here maybe once every 10 years. . . (this is what we've been told anyway). What is so crazy is that less than a week later it was over 70 degrees.

So, here's the Reader's Digest condensed version of what happened. . .

We took Corissa to the airport right when it started snowing - around 4:00 p.m., and her flight was supposed to leave around 5:45 p.m. Around 8:00 p.m. Corissa called to let us know that her flight hadn't left and wasn't going to since the airport was shutting down; we needed to pick her up. We left our housing development and within a quarter of a mile, we saw at least 10 cars off the road! We turned around and put chains on the tires. We got home safely - with Corissa - and she ended up catching a flight the following evening. What luck!

A friendly visitor in SC!

2009-03-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

We were lucky to have my good friend Corissa come and spend a few days with us. It was funny to walk around as two pregnant ladies - we received several comments. Corissa was here for what was supposed to be - three days. But due to some inclement weather, her visit was extended an extra day. We played LOTS of Banagrams. . .

Finally. . .

2009-02-19T19:42:00.000-08:00

Well, this is it. We finally broke down and started a blog. We'll try to keep it updated regularly and somewhat interesting!