For Miles, kindergarten graduate

Miles is graduating from Kindergarten in two days. He somehow went from zero to 6.5 in the blink of an eye. I wrote this when he was 8 months old, when he was such a baby. Now he's such a big kid!

Dear Miles,

I borrowed one of your daddy’s best comments, “Miles, you’re such a baby!” as inspiration for this little poem about you, just as Alison McGhee used William Carlos Williams’ poem “The Red Wheelbarrow” to write Little Boy. Alison McGhee is one of my favorite authors, and Peter Reynolds is an illustrator who knows how to draw little boys! I love the book, and I love you more! 

                             XXXOOO

                            Gramma Jill        7/08

Miles, you’re such a baby!

You depend on

  a dooza decorated with a baby blue zebra,

  a froggy swimming pool for splashing,

  a farm with singing animals, and

  a caterpillar named Gus.

Miles, you’re such a baby!

You depend on

  squealing and shrieking your joys and annoyances,

  yelling “MA MA” when you’re mad, and

  babbling peacefully to your mobile and the crib bumper when you’re not.

You are such a baby, Miles!

You depend on

  learning to wave bye-bye from Grandpa Dave,

  playing games with Grandma Doreen,

  grabbing Grandpappy’s scratchy face until you both break out in smiles,

  bouncing on Grandma Jill’s lap, and

  keeping your eye on Cousin Hannah for the next baby milestone to attempt.

You’re such a baby, Miles!

You depend on

  soy formula and mom-made baby food,

  bath time for splashing and smelling sweet,

  the joy of clapping, clapping, clapping, and

  a myriad of fascinating facial expressions.

Miles, you are such a baby!

You depend on your mommy and daddy to

 return your smile every morning,

 read to you,

 toss you in the air,

 take you out for walks,

 change your diaper,

 tickle your tummy,

 kiss you and comfort you,

 tuck you in every night, and

 wish you sweet dreams and say, “I love you.”

      

 Yes, little Miles, you are such a baby!