“Oh baby, it’s a wide world”

Miles' first outing started the same way he was brought into this world--with a push!

Christmas Day.

Grandma Hagopian came to pick up Miles, Sarah, and Jesse to take them to brunch at Aunt Meredith and Uncle Hugo's house – only to get the car stuck in the snow in front of our house.


Cool Papa J (as Jesse is known only to his music fans at Macalester and his son) had to shovel the snow from underneath the tires and push the car out – an unpleasantly cold and wet endeavor he would repeat several times before the journey was complete. After fishtailing through the ice and snow and slush, the impetuous travelers got within a couple of blocks of brunch when the elements overcame them, and the car got stuck once and for all. A rescue party (in the form of Hugo and his 4-wheel drive jeep) was dispatched and the expedition finally summited Madrona Hill and arrived in time for a most sumptuous brunch.


This was a special gathering for Miles because he had the opportunity to meet some leaders of the clan: Great-Grandpa Chuck and Great-Grandma Betty; Uncle Kaz and Uncle Tosh; Uncle Tyan and Aunt Pirouze; plus the adorable cousins, Azaad and Shaadaan. And Miles didn't waste the opportunity! He quickly won hearts with his charming features, his mellow disposition, and his worldliness beyond his years (or rather, beyond his days).

A photo taken of the four generations of dudes of the clan: Chuck, Steve, Jesse, and Miles, is sure to make the history books.

If Miles' first outing can be described as tale of perseverance in the face of snowy and icy obstacles, the second leg of his journey – dinner at Aunt Leda and Uncle David’s house – can only be described as an epic tale of triumph against the odds. Our narrow escape from the edge of an icy precipice (a steep alley hill) would have shaken the confidence of Sir Shackleton himself. Miles, however, maintained his cool and managed to even get some sleep on the way. Upon arriving, finally, momma (still a tad frail from childbirth) made a dramatic entrance to the dinner party by making a beeline for the couch to lie down.

Meantime, Miles got to meet his cousins Lauren and Alex! Dinner was a success.

Miles greatly enjoyed his gourmet breast milk while the rest of us were awed by the beef brisket and au jus, and delectable desserts and assorted cookies and bon bons.

The exchange of gifts afterward was Miles’ favorite, leaving him buried under a warm mountain of family generosity.

In his debut outing into this uncertain, cold, snowy world, Miles showed that he isn’t just a pretty face but is blessed with a poise and grace that all agree will take him far in the days and months and years to come.

(In the immortal words of Cat Stevens, “Oh baby it’s a wide world, it’s hard to get by just upon a smile.”)

– j.d.h., d.g.w.