The Miles Files and Leo Log

Fireman Miles

2010-11-18T22:38:00.000-08:00

Miles celebrates his birthday in style.

Happy 4th of Miles

2010-11-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks for your patience, faithful readers, during our recent blogging hiatus. We are back with a Miles Falvy retrospective to celebrate his fourth birthday!

Catching Up With Miles & Leo (May & June Edition)

2010-06-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

Home on the range.

Miles cutting the rug with his friend Mia.

Mommy catches a break on Mother's Day....

... and then the boys take her to dim sum.

Trekking in style at Northwest Trek.

Miles gets ready for his 15 minutes of flash mob fame....

.... while Miles and Leo do the same.

Tickletime!

Walking on water.

Miles the budding beach naturalist.

Celebrating cousin Sam's birthday.

Leo discovers frosting.

Curious Miles Rides a Bike

2010-06-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

The training wheels were a-blazin' as Miles took his first solo spin around the block....

... and mastered the art of braking while he was at it.

Salt Sprint to the Finish

2010-06-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

Miles got the next morning started right with a hot chocolate. As far as we could tell, the Vesuvius Cafe constituted the entire town of Vesuvius.

Then the intrepid family geared up for a bike ride along North Beach Road.

Grandma Margee was up to the task as well.

Our two young lads got along perfectly in the trailer the whole time. (Heh heh. Right.) Well, at least we got a photo of the brief, shining moment when they did.

Miles enjoyed the beach -- if not always wearing his life jacket.

Mommy grilled up some delicious local lamb....

... bringing out her eldest son's inner carnivore.

The next day, Leo explored Ruckle Provincial Park.

And checked out the Fulford Harbour Ferry.

Miles must have been out of cell phone range.

We were walking along the road, minding our own business...

... when suddenly we were swarmed by a migrating herd of sheep.

Meanwhile, our home base was besieged by deer, who were apparently inspired by the World Cup to look for a pickup game of soccer.

Miles and Mommy scaled the summit of Mt. Maxwell....

... and took in 360 degree views of the surrounding waterways and islands.

Daddy and Miles thought it would be a great place to test out the capabilities of the stomp rocket.

Miles was pleased with the results....

... although apparently there was some "collateral damage."

Miles made friends with some land-based fauna.

Leo stuck with beachcombing.

Of course, the boys were on their best behavior when we visited the Salt Spring Island Winery.

Though Leo wasn't so steady on his feet by the time we left.

Mommy and Miles took one more spin around the bay.

Suddenly, young Miles began showering everyone with daisies.

Until we all took on a festive look.

There was time to enjoy just one more Salt Spring Island sunset.

The next day, the BC Ferries brought us back to the mainland -- and back to earth from an amazing vacation.

Smooth Sailing

2010-06-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Our Salt Spring adventure continued with a visit to the agricultural wonders of the south end of the island.

Leo made a new friend at the cheese farm.

Meanwhile, so did Miles.

Back at Vesuvius Bay, the boys were eager to try their hands at kayaking.

At 3, Miles was far more comfortable in the boat than his two-year-old incarnation.

It wasn't long before he demanded control of the paddle.

As a mariner, Leo proved to be no less intrepid than his brother.

Though he might have been a little more tired.

By the time the sun set over our tranquil bay, so were we all.

Salt Spring Island (Part 1)

2010-06-12T23:40:00.000-07:00

This is a family that takes a lot of pictures. This is true in our normal quotidian life, but when we go on vacation, it's an even more daunting task to sort through the photos and blog about them. So there's your explanation for why the Miles Files & Leo Log are running a bit behind of late.

Nevertheless, your editor is picking up the gauntlet -- and so here's an eyewitness, almost live account of our recent trip to Salt Spring Island in British Columbia.

For most of the family, especially its younger components, it was the first visit to the BC Gulf Islands. Our attentive readers will recall that we have been making an annual trip to San Juan Island here in Washington State, where we would often gaze at a glorious sunset silhouetting a fleet of mountainous islands arrayed to our northwest. "That," we would tell our boys, "is Canada."

So this year we decided to mix it up a little and skip the beautiful but familiar San Juans in favor of their Canadian cousins. We settled on Salt Spring Island, the largest of the BC Gulf Islands, largely because it offered the most confusing ferry schedule. We figured we were up for a challenge.

Armed with our new NEXUS passes, Mommy, Miles, Leo and Grandma Margee breezed across the border on Friday and caught a BC Ferry at Tsawwassen. It turned out to be a local. Three hours -- and numerous Gulf Islands -- later, they docked at the appropriately named Long Harbour and made their way to our rental house on Vesuvius Bay.

Daddy, on the other hand, had to work that day. So he did what all daddies ought to do if they want to impress their kids: he caught a seaplane the next day and landed in the harbour as they looked on, mouths agape.

Fortunately, Daddy arrived just in time to join the family for a trip to Salt Spring's renowned Saturday market. We took the opportunity to stock up on the island's bountiful farm products, which fueled a week of fine dining on the home front.

Salt Spring is an impressively mountainous and rocky island, even by San Juan/Gulf Island standards, but thanks to Mommy's careful planning, we found ourselves located on an actual stretch of usable beach at Vesuvius.

The boys made the most of it.

As did the grownups. We did not take long to deploy our inflatable kayaks to explore the bay.

The water was crystal-clear and, by regional standards, surprisingly warm -- at least in the shallows.

It didn't take long to spot seals, otters and eagles perched atop some very long food chains.

In short, the vacation was off to a blazing start!

Catching Up With Miles & Leo (Spring Edition)

2010-04-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

Leo thinks about cooking up some Pan Asian.

An early spring hike to Barclay Lake near Stevens Pass.

Taking stock after a visit from the Easter Bunny.

And a meeting with the real thing.

Miles in his Easter best.

Leo, too.

Joined at the sweater.

It's gotta be up there somewhere.

Miles is ready for his close up.

Leo explores Circle Park.

Discovering spring.

Tulip Shakkur.

Pleased to meet you. My name is Leo.

Hiking for three.

A visit with Uncle George in Bend.

Back in the Old Country we called this "tickling".

Contemplating the scene at Mt. Bachelor.

Miles tries out his skis....

...before deciding that he prefers to ride in the trailer with Leo.

Ready for the Iditarod.

The proud parents.

Leo is ready to take up another family sport.

Meanwhile, Miles meets static electricity on the trampoline.

The Cupcake Saga

2010-02-23T23:58:00.000-08:00

Leo enjoys a birthday treat.

Little One

2010-02-23T22:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's hard to believe, but our little Leo has completed one full orbit of the Sun.

Now that's a cause for celebration.

Cousins Sam and Tess were on hand for the festivities, as was Big Brother Miles, of course.

Leo took advantage of the opportunity to strut his stuff in front of an audience. (He had long since won a bet for his Daddy by starting walking well in advance of his first birthday.)

Then it was time to don party hats...

... and open first birthday presents.

Happy Birthday to our little cupcake!

Kids on Skis

2010-02-21T22:11:00.000-08:00

Inspired by his Olympic experience, Miles decided to start training for 2014.

It was his first time on skis of any kind, but he (briefly) handled them like a pro.

Leo, on the other hand, was thinking about luge.

After a brief moment of athletic exertion, the boys settled in for a somewhat more leisurely ride in the ski trailer.

It was a bright sunny day on the Iron Horse Trail just east of Snoqualmie Pass.

The boys came equipped for all conditions.

But the sun kept shining over Keechelus Lake.

Leo had a jolly time.

While Miles struck a more pensive pose.

Mommy tried the sled out for speed.

Lulled to sleep were two future Olympians.

As two proud parents looked on.

Olympic Roundup

2010-02-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

On our final Olympic day, Mommy made some interesting new friends.

After finishing her ice sculpture....

... she ventured back to the Whistler Olympic Park.

Thanks to our friends Rod and Julie, she found herself in the possession of tickets to the women's 15km cross-country ski race.

It was another festive day of flag-waving fans from the frozen North....

One last chance to soak up the Olympic experience...

...And another exciting race.

Well, we had to let the Swedes win something.

Meanwhile, Miles and Connor helped supervise the packing up of the condo....

... which should be a medal sport in its own right.

Olympic Villagers

2010-02-14T23:57:00.000-08:00

While Daddy was spellbound by Nordic Combined, Mommy and the boys were completing an Alpine Combined of their own.

They braved a ride on the Peak-to-Peak gondola, an extravagant but breathtaking new lift directly connecting the high alpine areas of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in a mere 11 minutes. Whether such a thing was actually necessary is debatable -- the two mountains are already connected at the base, and they are each so vast that there's no need to try to ski them both in the same day.

But there's no denying the scale of the engineering feat. It's hard to say which is more impressive -- the 4.4 km total length, of which 3 km is an unsupported dangle from a hopefully strong cable, over 436m (1500 feet) above the valley floor below -- or the fact that they were able to get insurance for the darn thing.

We're just glad it transported our team safely to Blackcomb and back.

Don't look down, Miles!

Hang in there, Leo.

Down in the Village, the sun was now out to stay -- the start of a much-needed run of brilliant weather.

Back on terra firma, Miles made himself at home in the Olympic Playground...

... where he found himself on a Olympic ring of his own.

As the festivities gained momentum, the Village swelled with musicians and street performers.

Many of the crazier ones seemed to be from Quebec.

Maybe it was just a Queincidence.

In any event, we all enjoyed the unfolding spectacle.

We took the opportunity to test out some official Olympic gear.

Miles was able to shave several hundreds of a second off his personal best.

A number of the winter sport powers had set up their own mini-embassies in Whistler Village (on a smaller scale, no doubt, than they did back in Vancouver). The "Maison de la Suisse" attracted a lively crowd with its Swiss team merchandise and steady supplies of Glühwein and raclette.

The Russians brought their own unique fashion sensibility to the scene -- one that, for better or worse, we will see a lot more of at Sochi in 2014.

Speaking of merchandise, Miles received a warm embrace from Vancouver 2010's swarming team of mascots.

Leo picked up some Olympic swag as well.

Nice touque!

Meanwhile, who knew that British Columbia had its own unique form of reggae?

Apparently, these people did.

We were content to watch the scene from our hot tub on the terrasse.

And somehow, amidst all the activity, Daddy and Mommy were able to slip away to catch one more big event -- Valentine's Day!

Nordic Combined

2010-02-14T22:25:00.000-08:00

Our second day of Olympic competition began with (surprise surprise) uncertain weather. We decided not to push our luck by taking the boys out to Whistler Olympic Park for the Nordic Combined, and event which promised to last much of the day.

So Lisa took one for the team and spent the day with Miles and Leo in the Village, while Daddy insisted on braving the elements to attend the competition.

Fortunately, there was no shortage of takers for our extra tickets. Already at the shuttle bus stop, crowds of nordic maniacs were assembling in their national garb, evoking varied visions of glorious pasts and presents. The sizeable Norwegian contingent, naturally, played on the Viking angle.

The Germans, however, had to be sensitive about their historical references. They carefully avoided stirring up unpleasant feelings about the World War II. Instead, their costumes invoked warm, fuzzy memories of the First World War.

We felt a little left out, having left our Uncle Sam outfits back at the Village.

In any event, the flags of many a snowbound nation were represented at the ski jumping center, including, as we would soon find out, our own.

Lest our readers imagine that we had come merely to witness a reprise of the previous day's ski jumping, let us briefly explain what was happening. The Nordic Combined is essentially the decathlon of the Winter Games, albeit with two events, rather than ten.

If that sounds too easy, consider that you first have to be willing to fling yourself off the ski jumping hill, which generally restricts participation to the insane, the suicidal, and the suicidally insane. Then, this is followed by a 10k cross-country ski race, which, performed at a sprint speed, is usually enough to make a normal person cough out his or her lungs.

This is precisely the sort of sport you'd expect to be dominated by aquavit-soaked Scandinavian manic depressives. Guys who got kicked off of both the ski jumping team and the cross-country team, until they figured out that you could put the two sports together, like chocolate and peanut butter, and somehow be a champion, or at least a best-selling candy bar.

So imagine our surprise when we found out that the U.S. team (definite also-rans in ski jumping and cross-country skiing) was somehow in contention in Nordic Combined. Not just one contender, but four legitimate medal hopes. The flag-waving Finns who surrounded us at the stadium knew all of our guys' names -- Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane, Bill Demong, Brett Camerota -- and their strengths and weaknesses as well as if they'd spent the winter sleeping on their sofas (which, for all we knew, they actually did).

When Lodwick and Spillane came out of the ski jumping half of the competition in the top 5, we felt an unexpected stirring of passion for a sport to which, it is safe to say, none of us had previously given a moment's thought. Still, we had little notion of the breakthrough that the U.S. team would achieve in the coming hours and days.

Before we could find out, we had to make our way to the cross-country ski stadium. Along the way, the skies briefly opened up and make us grateful for our Gore-tex.

Fortunately, there plenty of room in the "hospitality tent" to ride out the storm, and stiffen our resolve with beer and bratwurst.

By the time the race rolled around, however, the weather had taken a turn for the better. Once again, we were surrounded by a phalanx of Finnish fans. Although their man led after the jumping, they assured us with appropriate Northern gloom that he would surely fade in the cross-country race.

I'd never seen a cross-country ski race in person, and what I'd previously seen on television did not suggest a spellbinding experience. Well, I was in for a pleasant surprise. The genius of the Nordic Combined is the "Gunderson start" (named, of course, for its Norse inventor). Instead of a time trial (in which each skier races against the clock), the competitors are ranked by their ski jumps and given a head start in the ski race based on their score. The upshot is that everyone competes in real time, and the first one across the finish line wins. Which makes for an exciting race ... if it's close.

I also wondered how much of the race we would be able to see from our seats in the stadium. Quite a bit, it turned out. The racers completed 4 circuits of 2.5 km, each one of which ended with a loop through the stadium. Even when the leaders were not in the stadium, they were usually visible on nearby trails (or at least on the big-screen TV).

It turned out to be an insanely close race. With each loop through the stadium, the excitement built, even for the flag-waving Finns and nervous Norwegians who watched their historically favored racers fall behind some unexpected upstarts. Lodwick and Spillane led for most of the third and fourth laps, while Demong made up a huge gap (1:20) to join the lead pack.

After catching a determined breakaway by the Japanese skier Kobayashi, Spillane took a solid lead into the final turn down into the stadium. But the Frenchman Jason Lamy-Chappuis made a mad all-out charge, picking up just an inch or two with each stroke on the final lap, and edged Spillane for gold at the last second by half the length of a ski. Still, Spillane's silver was the first American medal of any kind in Nordic Combined, and only the second ever in any nordic sport. Of course, the crowd went wild. I'm hard pressed to think of a more exciting sporting event that I've ever seen in person.

Post-script: With Lodwick in 4th and Demong in 6th, the U.S. team was well-positioned to win the Nordic Combined relay a week later. Once again, however, they were caught on the final stadium lap and edged by the Austrians for gold. But two days later, in the large hill event, Demong and Spillane took gold and silver and completed a remarkable performance for the U.S. team in this most unlikely of sports.

Now, Daddy thinks he's found the perfect sport for Miles and Leo. After all, we have a medal tradition to uphold....

The Normal Hill

2010-02-13T23:55:00.000-08:00

Our Olympic experience got rolling in earnest on Saturday morning. Despite a dodgy forecast, we woke to a fine morning and a nice layer of new snow just above us on Blackcomb Mountain.

We navigated the first day's uncertainties to find the shuttle bus that would take us and our accumulating crew of friends to our first event, the Ski Jumping Normal Hill final.

Like the other nordic events, it would take place at the Whistler Olympic Park, newly constructed in a pristine setting about 20 km southwest of the Village.

Our first glimpse of the ski jumping hill was awe-inspiring.

And that was before the athletes starting flinging themselves through the air over 100 meters.

There wasn't a bad seat in the house.

But Miles still wanted to get a closer look.

Our friend Martin arrived via the early bus from Vancouver, offering an eyewitness report from the Opening Ceremonies the night before.

While Julie, Mitch and Connor enjoyed a picnic in the snow....

... and a bit of official merchandise.

Stephen and Rod rounded out the our American contingent. Unfortunately, we weren't quite color-coordinated.

The Polish fans showed how it's supposed to be done.

While we expected plenty of Norwegians, Finns, and miscellaneous Scandinavian fans at the ski jumping venue, the size and enthusiasm of the Polish crowd took us by surprise. They had plenty to cheer about-- their best jumper, Adam Malysz, finished second to Switzerland's Simon Ammann. (The two would repeat the same 1-2 finish on the Large Hill a week later.)

Miles fit in quite well with Team Poland.

And he was inspired to give the sport a try himself.

Our Olympic Adventure (Part 1)

2010-02-12T23:50:00.000-08:00

Our Olympic saga began some 15 months ago, when Lisa was confined to bedrest with the impending arrival of Leo. Equipped with a laptop and an extraordinary surplus of time, she tracked down accommodations at Whistler Village and entered us in the ticket lottery. Neither process was simple or inexpensive, but we reasoned that if we were ever going to get a chance to see the Olympic Games in person, this was it. With Vancouver just a couple of hours up the road, and Whistler a familiar long-weekend destination, the opportunity had been placed on our literal and figurative doorstep.

But would it be worth the expense and logistical headaches to make the trip?   Wouldn't it be better to watch the games on TV?   After all, we can visit Vancouver and Whistler any time -- why go when the rest of the world is trying to cram themselves in there as well?   These were the questions going through the minds of many Seattleites, not just our own.

The months leading up to the Games were not necessarily reassuring. The ticket lottery required patience, equanimity, vigilance and more patience.   The prospect of massive border delays, travel restrictions on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, and severely restricted parking at Whistler did not exactly suggest a hassle-free journey. Then there was the weather -- after a few weeks of winter in December, temperatures turned balmy throughout the Pacific Northwest and stayed that way.   We watched news reports of truckoads of snow being hauled from higher elevations to the Olympic venue of Cypress Mountain in soggy North Vancouver and wondered if we needed to pack the ice trays from our freezer to help the cause.

Finally, it occurred to us that we had two small children, neither of whom had spent a night away from at least one parent. After toying with the idea of leaving this question in the innovative hands of their grandmothers, we decided instead to bring the kids along.   But how well would they perform under Olympic conditions?

There was only one way to find out. We packed the family minivan to the gills, loaded the kids, picked up the babysitter, and headed north under gray and threatening skies.

The first pleasant surprise was the border -- though, in retrospect, it should have been no surprise at all. Our Canadian hosts were fully staffed up for the occasion. There was no need to invoke our elaborate plans to take a secondary crossing; we sailed through the Peace Arch at Blaine with barely a tap on the brake and a "bonjour."

Still fearful of traffic snarls, we avoided downtown Vancouver and circled through its suburbs New Westminster and Burnaby. Tempted by rows of hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants, we stopped to feed the troops, only to find ourselves surrounded by crowds of Olympic enthusiasts. It turned out that we had just missed the torch parade. As Miles and I went out to find an ATM to get Canadian cash, we looked sufficiently touristique to draw the attention of a reporter from CBC Radio-Canada, whose initial delight at finding someone willing to be interviewed in French may have faded as I struggled to handle some pretty slow-moving pucks (Q: “Pourquoi est-ce que vous êtes venus aux jeux olympiques?" A: "Parce qu'ils sont très proches!")

Finding such a festive scene so far from the "centre" of town began to put us into a more Olympian mood. We sailed along the Trans-Canada across Burrard Inlet and up the somewhat-though-not-totally improved highway to Whistler. Just to get to our condo, which was conveniently located in the "high-security zone" of the Village, we had to navigate past several volunteer-staffed checkpoints and one platoon of Mounties.

The Opening Ceremonies were still a day away, but the Village was humming with activity. Enormous stages had been constructed. Shops were bulging with official merchandise. Reporters were doing stand-ups in every corner.

We took a quick gondola ride up to Blackcomb and back, then enjoyed a family dinner on the main square.

Still, there was something missing: snow. There was none of it on the ground, and as for the mountains, who knew? You couldn't see them. The omnipresent drizzle seemed, if you'll forgive the expression, to dampen the enthusiasm in the air.

As we went to sleep, the showers turned to a downpour that pounded the windows all night. And the forecast called for more wetness. Would the Games be brought to their knees by El Niño?

The next morning brought the first hint of an answer. The Village was still as damp as ever, but about a thousand feet above the treeline turned white, and the upper three-quarters of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains were blanketed with close to a foot of new snow. And then the sun came out. At this sight, Daddy sprang into action. Leaving kith and kin asleep in their beds, he hit the slopes.

He was joined by his cousin Martin, a formidable ski racer in his own day, and his wife Robin, both up from Oregon for the games.

We watched some ski racers (or at least their lackeys) testing out wax for the downhill...

... and checked out viewing areas for the upcoming races on Whistler Creekside.

Even without the anticipatory glow of the Olympics, it would have been a glorious day to be out on the hill.

But as the torch would its circuitous way toward BC Place and the waiting palms of Wayne Gretzky, we heard the news of Georgian luger's crash in a training run down at the sliding center at Blackcomb, followed shortly by the shocking confirmation of his death.

Back at the Village, the mood was as foggy as the weather. When the klieg lights came on that night, would Canada shine in the spotlight? Or dissolve in the gloom?

A crowd of thousands assembled just under our balcony in the main square at Whistler to watch the opening ceremonies from Vancouver. But a technical problem--attributed to "the satellite" (though Vancouver is just 70 miles away)--interrupted the English broadcast, so they turned on the French channel, putting Canadian bilingualism to the test.

It wasn't the only glitch. Only three of the four legs of the Olympic cauldron deployed properly at BC Place, and poor Gretzky seemed momentarily trapped by a malfunctioning door before he was dragged through rainy streets in the back of a truck to light the outdoor flame.

But the Games were open all the same, competition was set to begin the next day, and we were there to watch all (or at least 3/4ths of it) unfold.

The Lympics

2010-02-11T01:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers:

We're departing from our usual MF/LL tradition of blogging 1-2 months in arrears in order to bring you live coverage of our visit to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

So with all due respect to the last seven weeks of family adventures, we're going to skip over all that and go flying headlong into the present.

This story began about 14 months ago, when, in one of the few ancillary benefits of being stuck on bedrest for two months, Lisa devoted considerable quality time online to secure accommodations at Whistler during the Games and to enter us in the ticket lottery.

It proved equally important to secure the coveted right to drive to Whistler during the Games. Fears (no doubt well grounded) that Olympic traffic would grind to a halt on the twists and turns of Highway 99 prompted Vanoc to ration these passes like razor blades in 1984. We're anticipating a rather Soviet (and unCanadian) experience as we approach the first checkpoint and try to establish our right to proceed.

For the past week, Miles has been talking very insistently about going to "the Lympics" without ever troubling himself about what the Lympics actually are. We have similarly high expectations, without knowing quite what awaits us, either. But we'll find out soon enough, and our faithful readers will be right there with us.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas....

2009-12-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

.....and all the Falvys set out to visit Aunt Wendy and Uncle Joe on Vashon Island.

Miles had to give the ferry a thorough safety inspection.

But everything was A-OK, so we set sail.

At Aunt Wendy's, Leo was quick to get into the Christmas spirit....

... and he entertained everyone with his crawling skills.

We were happy to see Lisa's nephew Nick back home after a tour of duty in South Korea.

Then we we rushed back across the Sound in time for the Annual Lutefisk Feed at Uncle Jay's.

As the party wore down, Miles gave Santa a call and prepared to report for the night shift.

NW Pole

2009-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Leo was getting into the Christmas spirit.

But he didn't want to wait in line to see Santa.

So we headed up to Swanson's Nursery in Ballard....

... where we got on the fast track to see St. Nick.

Naturally, we had to put in a little reindeer duty.

Family Snowshoe Adventure

2009-12-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

It took the better part of the day to mobilize for our first family snowshoe trip of the year.

But the result was just like a Christmas card. In fact, it was our Christmas card.

Mommy and Leo stayed snug.

Daddy was not to be outdone.

Miles was surprisingly sure-footed on the snow.

He made sure Daddy didn't get lost.

Mommy was happy in the snow.

Leo assumed ever vaster dimensions in his snowsuit.

Miles was feeling mischievous.

Leo was back in the saddle.

Catching Up With Miles and Leo (November Edition)

2009-11-30T23:07:00.000-08:00

Riding the birthday circuit with Paloma.

It wouldn't be a party without Leo.

Miles is beginning to earn his keep in the yard.

Mommy spent some serious time in line to get the boys a bit of H1N1 vaccine.

But, of course, they're worth it.

There's nothing like a leisurely family breakfast.

Leo is not exactly camera shy.

At the Little Gym.

Miles' Birthday (Kids' Edition)

Becoming one with the cupcake.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T23:15:00.000-08:00

We were excited to spend our first set of holidays at home with the boys.

When Thanksgiving rolled around, they were dressed for the occasion.

Daddy and Leo couldn't wait for some turkey.

Miles had his served à l’orange.

Mommy prepared a sumptuous feast.

Grandma Margee verified that Leo is indeed well-fed.

Miles saved the last dance for his friend Zoe.

Miles Turns Three

2009-11-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe it's really been three whole years since Miles made his startling debut in our lives.

He's come a long way from his rough start in this world. Even since his last birthday, the changes are simply remarkable, starting with the big mop of hair he now sports on his once shiny-bald head.

Miles is certainly clued into the concept of the "birthday" like never before. He's been to plenty of birthday parties, including two of his own, but this time he really put it all together in a way that clearly delighted him.

This was Miles' first birthday party, properly speaking, in our house. His first birthday was spent in Neuschwanstein and Munich (although there was later an "Adjusted Birthday" party after our return to the states). And last year, of course, we marked his second birthday with a party in Lisa's hospital room, where she was working on a remarkable present for Miles, a little brother.

That project turned out pretty darn well.

And so did Miles' big third birthday!

The Day Before November

2009-10-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

The carving party.

A boy and his pumpkin.

This year's champion.

Fireman Miles, ready to save the day.

A sweet little skunk.

Trick or treat.

Ready to reel in the candy.

The family pumpkin effort on display.

Stomping through the puddles on Halloween night.

Catching Up With Miles & Leo (October Edition)

2009-10-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

Pickin' a pumpkin.

Ready for carving.

Slurping some "solids".

Farming, Seattle-style.

Mouse in da house.

Cuteness air patrol.

"Speed. I am speed."

Mr. Leo.

The First Cut

2009-10-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

(Miles, a mere 15 months ago)

Our firstborn son was bald for so long that we cherished each tender shoot of hair that finally sprouted on his head. The idea of ever cutting his hair seemed absurd, fanciful, far-fetched. It took many months after his curly locks began obscuring Miles' eyes before the scales fell off of ours.

Finally, there was no denying it: the boy needed a haircut.

Of course, we loved his vertiginous curls. And we had nothing against the androgynous look. But "how old is your little girl?" was becoming an increasingly frequent question.

In any event, the long-dreaded, long-delayed day had arrived. But if you have to get your first haircut, you might as well do it in style -- or, in Miles' case, in a firetruck chair.

Even so, it didn't go without some wailing and gnashing of teeth... but you won't see those pictures because the photographer had to put down his camera and wrestle with his subject.

But when it was all over, Miles was still in the driver's seat.

... and still sporting a reasonable set of curls.

So, who's up for a haircut next?

Leo Crawls

2009-10-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read it here first.

Leo is now fully motorized and motile.

Kauai Roundup (Part 3)

2009-09-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

The time had finally come to say goodbye to our holiday home.

We took one last spin around the pool for old times' sake.

And for young times' sake, too.

It wasn't easy to convince Miles that there would be a water slide back home.

Or a waterfall.

Nor would we have 24/7 grandma support.

Or an outrigger canoe at our disposal.

The scenery wouldn't quite be the same, either.

Yup, going home was going to be tough to swallow.

But we approached it philosophically.

After all, you can't always get everything you want.

But, like the song says, you just might find you get what you need.

Na Pali Coast

2009-09-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

Veteran visitors to Kauai will recall that the highway does not quite circumnavigate the island. There is a 17-mile gap in the road at the northwest corner, between Ke'e Beach and Polihale Beach, otherwise known as the über-scenic Na Pali Coast.

Having read that National Geographic magazine rated a one-way open-water kayak tour down the coast as the second-best outdoor adventure in the United States (after rafting the Grand Canyon), Daddy felt obliged to check it out on behalf of the rest of the family.

Despite suffering a broken toe two days before departure, in an unsuccessful attempt to walk through a stool, Daddy was undeterred, setting out for the North Shore at 6 a.m. All trips had been canceled for the past five days due to rough seas. This was likely to be the last one of the season. He took the guides' advice and gulped down some Dramamine. This turned out to be a wise choice.

The initial 11-mile stretch before lunch was more than a few of the paddlers bargained for. The swells were formidable and there was enough wind and rain to keep things very interesting. One couple turned back just before the point of no return, and several more probably wished they had. They gave up their breakfasts until there was nothing left to give... and then they gave some more. You get the picture.

But the scenery was spectacular, beyond my humble abilities to describe, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. When we reached the beach designated for our lunch, we all collapsed in the sand and rested for a couple of hours.

The final stretch to Polihale was gentler and sunnier... until the landing. Bringing kayaks in to the beach between sets of six-foot waves added a bit of drama to the finish. Most of the boats were swamped in the surf, but everyone survived to tell the tale, though not, perhaps, with all of their possessions.

Kauai Roundup (Part 2)

2009-09-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Not content to enjoy the view by helicopter alone, we set out to make the land journey up the edge of Waimea Canyon.
The landscape is so vast and imposing that it's hard to believe it represents only a slice of an island that is barely 40 miles across at its widest point.

It looked even bigger with Miles and Leo adding perspective.

Miles felt it was a good spot for acrobatics.

Fortunately, no one went over the edge.

At the end of the road we took in the Kalalau Valley from a dizzying height.

By the time we got back to Waimea, we were good and hungry. Somehow, we managed to stumble upon the best shrimp tacos north of the Rio Grande. (Though there was some uncertainty about whether we were north of the Rio Grande.)

After that, there was no delaying the nap.

We watched the horn spout at Spouting Horn.

Then checked out the scene at Poipu Beach.

Leo was becoming quite accustomed to the beach.

While Miles looked ready to join the surfer crowd.

Or perhaps start his own band.

Grandma Margee continued to provide invaluable support....

... for which we could only compensate her with coconuts.

Snorkeling was as simple as rolling out of the minivan and tumbling onto the beach.

Fish weren't the only creatures lurking in the water.

Leo showed plenty of aquatic aptitude.

Somehow we all managed to stay afloat.

On rare occasions, Miles would consent to wear his water wings in the pool...

... a fashion statement that made quite a splash.

... and made the job of monitoring him in the pool slightly less stressful.

In fact, it was downright fun.

Lisa found an extraordinary roadside BBQ on the road to Kilauea, where we procured the tastiest wild boar of all time. Apparently the island is overrun with tens of thousands of wild boar and very free-ranging chickens (pictured here meeting their fate on the grill.)

The Kilauea Lighthouse marked the northernmost point on Kauai.

And it put an exclamation point on our day!

Workin' On a Railroad

2009-09-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

One concern about taking Miles to Hawaii for two weeks was whether he would suffer from train deprivation. After all, he had to leave all his Thomas trains behind.

We needn't have worried.

The Kauai Plantation Railway provided a much-needed dose of the young man's favorite transportation mode.

Just in case that wasn't interesting enough, there was wildlife to feed along the way.

But Miles was clear on his agenda: "I want to drive it!"

He was careful to keep his engine clean.

Our journey next took us up the Wailua River. (Did we mention that Kauai is rather lush?)

Near the source, we paid a visit to the Iraivan Temple, an outpost of Hinduism in the mid-Pacific.

Despite his promises to behave, we fear that Miles may have disturbed the monks in their meditations.

He was a bit more in his element at Bubba's Burgers.

Speaking of Bubbas....

See Monk Seal, See Sea Turtle

2009-09-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

As dawn spread her rosy-red fingertips across the Pacific, a tired mariner was making his way home at last.

It was our very own neighborhood Hawaiian monk seal.

Hawaiian monk seals have a somewhat inconvenient need to lie motionless on the beach for hours to digest their bellies full of fish. This was a workable arrangement when they had no real predators on the islands, but now that the beaches are lined with resorts and sunbathing bipeds, it's not surprising that the seals find themselves on the Endangered Species List. So when our local monk seals paid a visit, the staff dutifully blocked off the beach with yellow tape and we all kept a respectful, Marine Mammal Protection Act-compliant distance.

So it was off to the North Shore again, this time to scenic Anini Beach.

Miles set out to do some landscaping....

... while Leo contented himself with rolling in the sand.

Mommy and Grandma went snorkling in the lagoon and returned with wonderous tales of turtles cavorting out by the reef.

Daddy set off with the waterproof camera and managed to locate the same creatures.

This very large turtle was content to let us watch him for quite a long time.

He placidly went about munching green stuff off the rocks, quite undisturbed by the amazed snorkeler in his presence.

It's hard to describe the awe these animals inspire up close.

They are, after all, nature's own submarines.

And we're really glad they let us join them for lunch!

Back on shore, a certain little turtle was eager to get behind the wheel.

C'mon dad, gimme the car!

Magic Helicopter Ride

2009-09-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Mommy took a break from parental duties to check out Kauai from the air.

Not that there was much to see.

Just about a thousand waterfalls.

Including the one, reportedly, from Jurassic Park.

And the astounding Olokele Valley.

And the even grander Waimea Canyon....

...which looked a lot like the Land of the Lost.

Only sharper.

Not to mention the mesmerizing beauty of the wild Na Pali Coast.

All in all, we don't think the boys missed much. But maybe they can come along next time.

Kauai Roundup (Part 1)

2009-09-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

Inspired by our trip to Hawaii, Leo decided to work on his own mobility.... scooting, commando crawling....

... and a few aerial maneuvers.

Watching Daddy and Miles enjoy some tasty Hawaiian BBQ...

... Leo was determined not to be left out.

The two brothers were color-coordinated for the jungle.

Meanwhile, Daddy and Mommy were off in search of an idyllic spot on the North Shore.

Apparently, they found it.

Known to locals as the "Queen's Bath", this saltwater swimming hole was hard to beat.

You just had to watch out for the occasional bit of surf.

Then it was off to the waterfall for a fresh-water shower.

And finally, a night on the town to celebrate Mommy and Bama's joint birthday.

Awwwww.......

The North Shore

2009-09-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

Once we got our bearings straight around our home turf in Kapa'a, we set out to explore the lush North Shore of Kauai.

Our journey would take us to Hanalei, home (at least homophonetically) of Puff the Magic Dragon. Accordingly, we dedicated our visit to the late Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary, who had just ceased her fearless roar two days previously.

The perfect little Wai'oli Hui'ia Church beckoned...

... but we were determined to go to the very end of the road, where Ke'e Beach offered a chance to cool off.

Miles tested out the snorkel gear before he let his parents go in.

Then it was off to the races.

Mommy explored some exotic swimming opportunities of her own.

We enjoyed a tasty lunch at the Dolphin Restaurant along the Hanalei River.

Fortunately, there was no dolphin on the actual menu, but Miles found plenty to like in the chowder.

Leo was a happy camper as well.

To top it all off, we paid a visit to "Shave Ice Paradise" for dessert.

For the unitiated, "shave ice" consists of hand-carved ice shards soaked in tropical flavorings and served on a bed of ice cream (preferably macadamia nut). If this seems a bit like a sno-cone or a slurpee, remember that Chateaubriand and a hamburger would sound pretty similar to a space alien.

But, contrary to some speculation, we are not space aliens. We appreciate the superior qualities of shave ice.

The Pool Report

2009-09-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

If there was any question about how we would spend the bulk of our vacation, it was settled when the boys made their first visit to the pool.

Enclosed in his floatie, Leo found the pool a comfortable place to hang out, but for Miles it became a passion rivaled only by the DVD player.

In particular, Miles found his vacation vocation in the water slide.

He would literally never tire of racing up the steps and rocketing down to the pool below.

There's only one problem: Miles can't swim, and at the moment he shows no interest in learning how.

And as for life jackets, you can try to put one on him, but you'd better bring an exorcist.

So the supervising parent always needs to be with Miles at the top of the slide, to make sure he gets on the right one and doesn't wander off somewhere else.

The supervising parent must also be at the bottom of the slide to catch Miles as he plunges into the pool. In short, two places at once. No wonder Miles thinks it's a lot of fun!

But after 10-12 trips down the slide, Miles can sometimes be persuaded to visit the toddler pool to reapportion the sand. Tired parents may recline briefly, but must keep eyes open!

Dawn of the Drowsy

2009-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

The weary travelers were ready for a nice, long sleep. The adult ones, that is. The boys, however, were ready to rock and roll at 4 a.m.

So we made virtuous lemonade out of lemony necessity, and stumbled down to the beach to admire the sunrise.

Miles investigated the telltale crab mounds in the sand....

... while Daddy and Leo planted themselves in a lively lava tidepool.

Leo regarded the ocean skeptically.

So far, we had barely gotten our feet wet.

As much as we enjoyed watching this sunrise, we looked forward to missing the next few.

In-Flight Movie

2009-09-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

The day of the big family vacation dawned with bleary eyes all around. We had fewer than eight hours of sleep collectively, let alone individually, as Daddy rushed to complete some work projects and the boys practiced their insomnia for the plane ride ahead.

Fortunately, Mommy had all our gear ready to go, so it was just a matter of scattering it on the sidewalk at Sea-Tac and finding an airline employee willing to check us in.

Miles, an experienced traveler, told his brother what to expect.

But there were some surprises in store for our eldest son as well, as Grandma watched him check out his new in-flight toys.

If they failed to distract him for long, another powerful weapon was waiting in the wings: a portable DVD player.

Once Miles was sedated by this miraculous device, Leo and Daddy were free to move about the cabin.

Leo proved to be an excellent traveler on his maiden flight, though somewhat reluctant to sleep.

Miles, by contrast, found a new use for the tray table when his eyelids grew heavy.

All in all, it was a relatively smooth journey for the youngsters and an auspicious start to our vacation.

Next stop: Kauai!

Happy Six-Month Birthday, Leo!

2009-08-23T23:43:00.000-07:00

It was no ordinary morning -- Leo knew he was in for a special day.

Call it what you will. A half birthday. A birthday solstice. A six-monthaversary.

No matter how you add it up, Leo's been bringing a smile to us for a half a year now.

Now that's something for us to chew on!

American Campers

2009-06-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

It's My Ferryboat

2009-06-16T22:36:00.000-07:00

Our San Juan adventure continued with Leo once again leading the reveille.

Meanwhile, Miles enjoyed the company of his friend Paloma.

She has a very bubbly personality.

Like any set of diligent youngsters, Miles and Paloma set to work on reshaping the beach.

It was important to lay claim to this strategic spot.

Each morning, a Washington State ferry steamed by through Spieden Channel, bound for Sidney, B.C., and every afternoon, the same ferry made the return journey. Miles was initially delighted by the appearance of the ferry, exclaiming, "It's my ferry. I wanna get on. I wanna drive it!" His mood darkened considerably when we explained that the ferry would not stop at our little dock.

He had to settle for a reasonable facsimile.

Leo maintained his equilibrium throughout it all.

He also behaved himself very well as Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a dinner out at Roche Harbor....

... and took a walk around the historic Haro Hotel.

A visit to Roche was also part of our morning routine, as it was necessary to secure fresh coffee....

... and donuts.

We marked a changing of the guard with the departure of Grandma Margee and her friend Jill....

... and the arrival of Grandpa Dave and Grandma Ba-Ba-Ba.

Miles was happy to go along for the ride....

... no matter what the form of conveyance.

As was Leo, for that matter.

Of course, there was no better way to get around in style than one's own tractor...

...unless, of course, you were tracking sea otters... in which case a kayak was indispensable.

Back on the beach, look what floated in with the driftwood!

Morning Has Broken

2009-06-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

Our first full day on San Juan Island dawned; mercifully free of fire alarms.

Suddenly, Miles noticed that he had a younger brother.

It was a startling discovery.

A pretty cute little brother, it turned out.

Meanwhile, Miles scouted locations for his Hitchcock-inspired film project, Psycho Birds.

He conducted a few auditions as well.

The competition for parts was fierce.

But Miles was most excited about Lonesome Cove's friendly whippet.

Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed a sunset paddle in Speiden Channel.

When he hears that fire alarm...

2009-06-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time at Lonesome Cove on San Juan Island last fall that we booked a return trip this year.

For Miles, this meant an opportunity to take a much-anticipated ferry ride!

He was all set to join the crew.

Leo was pretty jazzed about it, too.

But the day's real excitement didn't begin until we landed in Friday Harbor. Because we had caught a much earlier boat than expected, the Saturday Public Market had not yet opened, so we parked ourselves at the friendly Mi Piace Coffee House. There was even a comfy couch and a DVD player for Miles to watch, so Mommy and Daddy could finally relax their guard and enjoy their coffee. Of course, they didn't notice that just behind Miles was a fire extinguisher. And just above that was a fire alarm.

No one saw it happen, but as soon as the alarm began bleating, we knew that somehow our little angel must be responsible. Unfortunately, it turns out that fire alarms--at least fire alarms in Friday Harbor--can't be turned off by anyone who is not an actual firefighter. No one in the shop fit that description (the closest thing we had was merely an aspiring one, and he had not exactly earned a merit badge by pulling the alarm). Still, as patrons clutched their ears and left half-eaten meals to drift into the street, Miles was the only one who stayed completely calm, reassuring anyone who would listen, "It's O.K.! It's not an emergency!"

We apologized profusely to the staff and, downing our coffee as quickly as humanly possible, left the largest tip in proportion to the bill that we had ever given in our lives. Out on the street our mortification only increased, as every shop on the block had emptied, and the alarm was seemingly audible throughout the entire town.

We drove sheepishly toward the market, only to see the entire San Juan Island Fire Department mustering for a sortie in full battle regalia. We stopped to assure them it was a false alarm, just an overeager toddler, they could put the truck away, really it would be quicker if someone just walked the two blocks over to the coffee shop and turned off the alarm. But no. They had to respond with every piece of equipment at their disposal. Standard procedure.

Miles didn't let the now infamous "Fire Alarm Incident" slow him down.

There was too much to do!

We arrived at beautiful Lonesome Cove and immediately began exploring the surroundings.

Yes, this place would do quite nicely.

Leo was in an expansive mood.

As the sun set over our little bay, we didn't dwell on the morning's misadventure. Nor did we put to much emphasis on any lessons to be learned, lest the correlation between pulling a fire alarm and the appearance of fire trucks become too obvious.

Catching Up With Miles and Leo (May Edition)

2009-05-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

We're so far behind in narrating the adventures of our dashing young duo that we need to catch up with a Month of May dance mix.

Miles is the DJ, he is what he plays.

Wishing Mommy a Happy Mother's Day.

Leo with his friend Ivy.

While Miles and Ivy's brother Ned enjoy the suds.

Miles holding forth in the kitchen...

... and in the tree.

Beachcombing at Cape Disappointment.

It came with the yurt.

Leo and Daddy.

Leo looks jolly (1).

Leo looks jolly (2).

Stop it, dad, you're embarrassing me.

Miles the reader....

... aglow with discovery.

Feeding the horses with Uncle Joe.

Better yet, driving the tractor.

Taking charge in the ferry line.

Leo is considering a Rollover IRA.

Leo with Martin, his first cousin, once removed.

Martin's wife Robin, who is originally from Hawaii, noted that the well-fed Leo had "Luau Feet".

For obvious reasons, the expression has stuck.

Yes, you!

Mommy and Leo.

The youngster has no problem lifting his ample head.

Fortunately, he gets along well with Gracie. Woof!

With Grandma Ba-Ba-Ba and Grandpa Dave.

Cape Expectations Management

2009-05-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

We decided to set the bar low for our first family camping adventure, so we chose Cape Disappointment State Park as our destination.

Of course, it turned out to be a lovely spot, and after a few initial meltdowns, we all adjusted to our new environment with aplomb.

This wasn't exactly roughing it. Instead of a tent, we had our own luxurious yurt, complete with bunk beds and even a little electricity on tap. Miles immediately took to his new surroundings, declaring it "My yurt!" He was also pleased by the arrival of his friend Connor, whose burgeoning bicycling skills dazzled everyone.

Miles and Leo both had their first encounters with the Pacific Ocean itself (as opposed to its various appendages). We all left feeling excited about future camping adventures, and especially more yurts!

Apples-to-Apples Comparison

2009-05-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

We're enjoying our latest iPod:

(Leo on 5/8/2009)

Now, for comparison purposes, here's the previous model:

(Miles on 5/31/2007)

The Action Painter

2009-05-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

When Miles sat down the other night with a box of markers and a sheet of construction paper, a long-dormant artistic side emerged with a vengeance.

This work is from his "Red" period.

To the critics who say, "My child could paint that!" we say, "Yes, he probably could."

Miles quickly established himself as an acolyte of the "Action Painting" style.

This dual portrait, entitled "Mommy and Daddy", will be auctioned at Sotheby's next month.

March of Dimes Walk

2009-05-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

For the second straight year, the Falvy family joined the March of Dimes Walk along Seattle's waterfront.

This time, however, we were bringing not one but two healthy kids to the table. For this good fortune, we had superb medical care to thank. But we knew from last year's experience that many of the marchers would be doing so in honor of kids who were not so fortunate. So the walk can be a joyous, poignant and melancholy event at the same time.

For Miles, however, the bliss was unmitigated as he saw the giant fire engine cranes that greeted marchers arriving outside of the starting point at Qwest Field.

Leo was taking it all in for the first time.

We saw many friends from last year, including Shannon and Owen from our PEPS group.

Then it was off to the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which had been thoughtfully cleared of traffic for our convenience.

We had one of the heavier vehicles on the road.

All was well until the return leg, when we decided to let Miles stretch his legs for a bit.

He had no intention of going with the flow. Instead, he insisted on exploring puddles in the shoulder and scaling the guard rail. When these pleasures were denied to him, he unleashed a rush-hour worthy meltdown.

These antics consumed so much time that we actually finished last -- yes, LAST -- among the thousands of marchers. Of course, it was not a race. Still, you know you've finished last when the police escort is bumping up against your heels, and the band gives you a nice fanfare because your arrival means they can finally go home.

Leo was appalled. We'll do better next year.

Catching Up With Mr. Miles (April Edition)

2009-04-30T23:58:00.000-07:00

Before April was done, Miles had accumulated a fine collection of trucks and diggers, his own library card, a fire truck bed, some pizza, a sand table, and a bit of a green thumb in the backyard.

Catching Up With Mr. Leo (April Edition)

2009-04-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

Our little guy continues to grow up fast. Here's a Leo-level perspective on the last 30 days:

Miles Has Been Workin' on a Railroad

2009-04-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

Both being rail enthusiasts, Miles and Leo were excited to visit the historic Snoqualmie Valley Railroad in scenic Snoqualmie, Washington.

While Leo took a preparatory snooze, Miles inspected the equipment.

The controls were a little dated, but everything seemed to be in working order.

It was just a matter of building up a little steam.

Of course, it's a rough life, riding the rails.

But Miles was up to the task.

Soon the train was on its way.

Miles made sure to get a comfy seat.

He and his friend Zoe were ready with their tickets.

Just in time for the conductor!

Fire Truck Bed (Part 2)

2009-04-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

The Fire Truck Bed went over well but did not facilitate sleep in any way. Two hours later, Miles was still bouncing off the walls with delight.

Finally, he collapsed in a heap of exhaustion around 11 p.m., but not before declaring, "It's SO big!”

Fire Truck Bed (Part 1)

2009-04-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

A special treat was waiting for Miles when he prepared to retire for the night ...

It was the stuff of dreams... his very own FIRE TRUCK BED.

Whoever maintains that material things cannot bring happiness must first contend with the testimony of a young boy who unexpectedly finds himself in the possession of big red fire truck.

Point Counterpoint

2009-04-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

Because we're fair and balanced here at the MF&LL, we thought we'd give little Leo a chance to air his views as well.

An Exclusive Interview

2009-04-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

In this wide-ranging interview, Miles reflects on his new brother, the gym, trucks and applesauce.

On the Farm

2009-04-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

It was Saturday morning, and Leo was raring to go.

Mommy suggested that the boys might enjoy a day at the farm.

Miles said he was OK with that...

... as long as there would be heavy machinery involved.

In fact, there was.

After a hard day's work on the farm, there's nothing like a nice plate of yakisoba.

Finally, to wrap up a perfect day, Miles' friend Conor came over to watch Wallace and Gromit.

Easter Leo

2009-04-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

Little Leo was too small to join the egg hunt himself, but he still got to play the role of Easter Bunny in his own way.

Everyone got a turn holding the new celebrity as he made his family-holiday-gathering debut...

...starting with the Grandmas.

The young lad made himself particularly popular with the ladies.

And he made himself comfortable on them, too.

Easter Bunnies

2009-04-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

As he went to fetch the paper on Easter morning, Miles found something special waiting for him on the doorstep.

Apparently the Easter Bunny had paid us a visit!

Despite the rain, the 28th annual Ravenna Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt drew a big crowd, including Miles and his cousins Sam and Tess.

When the start whistle blew, Sam and Tess were ready to go.

Miles, on the other hand, was initially bewildered by all the hubbub.

But he quickly rallied and started to fill his basket with zeal.

He grabbed some low-hanging fruit from the grass...

... then braved the woods to snag some of the trickier eggs.

Woe betide anyone who stood between Miles and his next egg!

When it was all over, Miles got a chance to thank the fellow responsible for all the chocolate largesse.

Yes, the Easter Bunny himself was there. Miles thoughtfully tried to give back one of his own eggs.

Meanwhile, Mommy was cooking up a storm....

... a little Easter dinner--for nineteen(!).

The Gardener

2009-04-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

A short-lived burst of warm weather brought out Miles' inner horticulturist.

He rediscovered a backyard that he scarcely remembered from last year.

He was delighted by all the sights and sounds of spring.

There were so many new things to explore.

And lots of plants to be watered!

Philadelphia

2009-04-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

Miles continues to dote on his little brother.

They are going to make quite a formidable team.

After all, two heads are better than one.

And given their relative growth rates, they may soon be of comparable size (an effect already possible through the use of forced perspective).

Leo is now tipping the scales at over 12 pounds.

It must be all that beauty sleep.

Meanwhile, Miles is always active, with only an occasional pause to check in with the latest doings of Fireman Sam.

Rockin' & Rollin'

2009-04-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

A new guitar hero is born.

A visit to Miles' friend Owen's house turned into an impromptu jam session.

There's nothing like a microphone to bring out one's inner ham.

It wasn't long before Miles began to think about a solo career.

Meanwhile, Leo was working on his own chops.

He shows remarkable coordination for his tender age, and is not incapable of the occasional rollover.

Look out, big brother!

Catching Up With Miles & Leo (March Edition)

2009-03-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

With two munchkins on the team now, it's harder than ever to keep up with the volume of photographic cuteness. But we try.

Leo in the camouflage burrito.

Active alert.

Considering his options.

Having a cow.

Busting a moooove.

"Hold Leo?"

"I holding Leo!"

"I hug Leo."

"All done holding Leo!"

Fireman Miles...

... is here to save the day.

Seven eyes visible, so we're calling it a family portrait.

Miles in the commander's chair.

Thinking inside the box.

Happy One-Month Birthday, Leo!

2009-03-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

Leo is one month old and going strong. As of his last weigh-in, he is already tipping the scales at 10 lbs., 5 oz. Apparently he really likes milk!

Floor Exercise

2009-03-15T14:50:00.000-07:00

A Leo-level view of the world at three weeks of age:

Eo: Week 3

2009-03-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

Leo has now completed his first three weeks post partum and is settling into life as a terrestrial being.

Miles continues to regard his little brother affectionately, and refers to him as "Eo"--which, we must admit, is a pretty catchy nickname.

Eo can be pretty gregarious when awake...

...but during the day, at least, he is often content to revert to womb-like indolence.

Far from resenting his brother's presence, Miles has grown newly insistent on family togetherness. If we're going downstairs, he wants Mommy and Eo to come too. If we're going out, he's delighted when the car is full and distraught when anyone stays behind.

So, Miles naturally insisted that we make a first full-family visit to the Children's Museum, so that he could show Eo the special "Cue George" exhibit.

Plus Miles taught him how to drive a fire truck.

Of course, Miles' good mood is not completely altruistic. One of the best things about having a little brother...

...is getting big brother presents!

Miles' Snowshoe Adventure

2009-03-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

Miles and Daddy decided to brave the elements for an afternoon of snowshoeing up at Snoqualmie Pass with Aunt Jane, Uncle Craig and Cousin Jonathan.

Miles came ready for action in his fireman fleece.

Snow was falling heavily along the Iron Horse Trail, limiting Miles to about six inches of visibility inside the trailer.

Our intrepid crew tried to keep him entertained with a snowbound rendition of "The Wheels on the Bus".
Fortunately, there were snacks and warm socks waiting in the car!

Fire Truck Run Amok

2009-03-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... no one seems to be using this fire truck.

They won't mind if we borrow it.

We'll have it back before they notice.

In Like a Lion

2009-03-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Leo's first week-i-versary yesterday with an official renaming of the blog. Although we've become quite attached to The Miles Files, our name since February 2007, we'd have some explaining to do to little Leo someday if we didn't find room for him on the marquee. So we are henceforth to be known as The Miles Files & Leo Log, or the MFLL for short.

Little Leo is settling in to his new home outside the womb. He has already established himself as an excellent sleeper... during the day.

Nighttime is a different story. So far, our little friend has the circadian rhythm of a raver. Like Wilson Pickett, he waits for the midnight hour. Then his love begins to shine.

With Miles' non-stop diurnal activity, and Leo's nocturnal restlessless, we really have our bases covered, 24/7. Why waste hours on sleep when you can be having quality time with your kids?

Fortunately, Lisa has been making progress in negotiating Leo's late night demands.

Daddy, however, is still waiting for the milk to come in on his pinky.

We felt some trepidation about how Miles would react to the arrival of his new brother and the resulting division of parental attention. So far, so good. Miles is showing a real interest in Leo and a touching concern for his well-being.

Now, whenever we're getting Miles ready to go outside, he asks, "Leo, too?"

Over the weekend we went shopping for Leo gear and took the new double stroller out for its inaugural spin.

The handling was a bit SUV-like, but Miles was pleased with his elaborate cup and snack holders, as well as his first-born position on the new family ride.

Of course, Miles' sanguine attitude may have been encouraged in part by all the big brother gifts he received from well wishers. Here he fends off an attack by a raccoon from Aunt Wendy.

Miles continues to amaze us with the growth of his vocabulary and the increasing complexity of his expressions--not to mention the resulting specificity of his demands. For example, he now asks to visit particular playgrounds by name, and pity the poor parent who tries to take him to one whose sandbox facilities do not measure up to those offered by Ravenna Park (above).

He recently showed off his conversational skills by inviting President Obama to join him for dinner.

Miles has also started to get some highly listenable results from his harmonica.

Miles has not been above taking advantage of his exhausted parents to extract a slight loosening of TV and YouTube restrictions.

So, despite all the changes afoot, Miles has found a way to stay in the driver's seat.

Bringing Home Baby

2009-02-25T23:05:00.000-08:00

After little more than 36 hours in the hospital, Leo and Lisa were cleared for departure.

Daddy pulled into the Swedish Hospital parking lot, taking the reserved spot he's been thinking about for a long time.

Meanwhile, Miles got everything ready at home.

Leo was trying on some sharp new duds...

... not to mention discovering the pleasures of the binky.

Mommy got him ready for the outside world.

We bade a fond (though very familiar) farewell to Swedish.

Like much of our old, recently excavated gear, it took a little while to refamiliarize ourselves for the infant car seat.

That evening we sat down for our first family meal as a quartet!

The Brothers

2009-02-24T21:15:00.000-08:00

During all of last night's excitement at the hospital, Miles spent the night with his Grandma Ba-Ba-Ba. As always, they had a good time together, though Miles was reportedly rather upset to wake up and find no Mommy or Daddy close at hand.

Soon enough, Daddy arrived to take Miles to his class at Seattle Central, and to tell him about the arrival of his new baby brother.

But only when they arrived at the hospital around noon did Miles get a sense of the new contours of his world.

He had to admit the little guy was pretty cute.

So Miles gave Leo a nice welcoming kiss...

... and a new toy to play with.

Still, Miles wasn't sure what the big deal was all about. Yes, there was a baby, and yes, it had emerged into the world from Mommy, just as Miles had been trying to tell everyone it would. So why was everyone acting so surprised? And what, if anything, could this baby actually do?

Fortunately, the Greggs arrived with a little stuffed dog for Miles, whose company seemed to make the contemplation of these questions a bit easier.

Welcome Baby Leo!

2009-02-23T23:16:00.000-08:00

Lisa, Dean and Miles are delighted to announce the safe arrival of Leo Henrik Falvy, at 7:53 p.m. today (February 23, 2009). The young full-termer weighed in at a robust 9 lbs., 1.5 oz.

Once again, Lisa proved that she would make a great Secretary of Labor. Despite some anxiety over the impending arrival of such a big baby, she kept her eyes on the prize and was rewarded with a delivery that went relatively smoothly (though that's not to say it was easy).

In contrast to his big brother the 28-weeker, Leo did not seem at all surprised or upset upon making his entry into the world. He offered a brief little cry to let us know he was OK, then latched contentedly onto his mom, before settling into a gentle snooze. It was quite a change from the anxious and busy scene two years ago.

Mommy and Baby are doing splendidly, and now Daddy is ready to join them in their slumbers. Sweet dreams to all our readers--watch this space for a full report soon!