Nine, 10!

While visiting last Sunday, Grandpa Mike and I took a stir-crazy Miles out for a walk around the cul-de-sac. It’s become a frequent trip lately. Honestly, it’s less of a walk and more of an exploration for Miles. Most trips find him stopping, squatting and yelling, “whoa,” down every gutter and pointing out every flower. We really don’t get very far.

Sometimes successfully, but usually not, I’ve been trying to get Miles to hold my hand when we’re walking places like a restaurant, or a store, or down the middle of the street. This walk was no exception. My efforts were met with an immediate tantrum and screaming.

Then, Grandpa Mike quickly grabbed his other hand and starting counting, “one, two, three!" And, we lifted Miles up in a swinging motion to his laughter. Crisis averted. Whew.

But wait, there’s more. After a few rounds of this, to our surprise, Miles started to count along. We’d start with, “one,” and he’d finish with, “two, free (three)!”

This proud Da-Da was beaming. But I’d soon find out, that was nothing.

When I got home from work on Monday, an excited Ma-Na reported that Miles can count to 10. She explained that as she was preparing dinner, she was counting to 10 and encouraging Miles to join. During one round as she got to eight, Miles quickly finished with, “nine, 10!”

This went on in a back-in-forth of Ma-Na starting with, “one,” and Miles chiming in with, “two,” all the way up to ten.

Since then, “counting” has become one of Miles new favorite things. Lately, six is coming after one, but we’re working on it.