Speed Bump

Charlie is very busy these days. So many new places to cover by foot... wagons to ride in around the neighborhood and new parks to play in and explore. Sometimes we have to take a break and just watch the world around us. or visit the dog next door (Charlie's complete lack of fear of dogs may get us in trouble someday). But always places to go and things to do...

Monte Kap is the Creole word for kite and literally means "able to be lifted up." We went to Theis Park last Saturday to help fly some kites and raise money for the children in Haiti through Village Church. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and although there wasn't much wind, about 40 kites hit the air, each one representing $1000 raised for children in Haiti. Charlie enjoyed playing with the kite string and although he didn't quite get his kite up in the air, he managed to crawl and pull it behind him in the grass. If only there had been a little more wind... Ryan showing him how it works. There were lots of other kids and kites to watch, as well as several dogs...always a Charlie favorite. Kids in Haiti fly kites every year on Easter as a symbol of hope. I can't imagine what those children have been through this past year. I'm thankful every night when I can tuck my baby into his soft, safe crib for a quiet sleep. We are so blessed and someday I hope...

Most every morning, Ryan takes Charlie to school. I am usually upstairs in our bedroom getting dressed when they head towards the car. I like to peek out the bedroom window and watch Ryan carry Charlie out to the car. I check to make sure Ryan remembered Charlie's hat and coat, but really I just like watching this little moment between father and son. Ryan will talk to Charlie, point out something interesting in the yard and let Charlie punch at the buttons on the garage door key pad. This morning I heard the back door open and close and I looked out the window to watch them go. Ryan wasn't carrying my little boy but holding his hand and letting him walk beside him. They stopped at the end of the porch and Charlie sat down and slid down the big step then stood up and re-grasped Ryan's hand. He toddled slowly and not too steadily towards the garage door, with Ryan encouraging him along the way. Soon he'll be running ahead and not waiting for Ryan's hand. He's gro...

Not the best video, but this was one of Charlie's first successful walks. He is already much improved. At the beginning of the day, he was crawling everywhere and by night time, we couldn't get him to stop walking and go to bed. Amazing.

We went to church on Easter Sunday and Charlie was ready to play outside once we were done. Cousin Haley joined us for church and Easter baskets. Love her Easter hat! The Easter bunny left cheerios and goldfish! Charlie liked playing with the plastic egss. Haley was busy laughing at the dancing duck. Grammy and Haley We didn't manage our Easter egg hunt - next year for sure! Happy Easter!

Charlie went to his Frist Friday art walk in the Crossroads this weekend. As you can tell from this picture with Ryan and Mark, he was having a fabulous time. We wheeled him in and out of galleries and he pointed at pictures he liked, mostly pointing at the lights in the ceiling. We ate dinner on the patio at Pizza Bella and Charlie enjoyed both the pizza and the people watching. As it got dark, more and more people filled the sidewalks and a mime even came over to our table to entertain Charlie. He watched the people, dogs, cars and tried out his new walking skills on the sidewalk. It was a perfect spring evening to be outside with friends. Charlie and Tut were getting into the spirit of the crowd...

14 months old today!! Can hardly believe it. Before we left for school/work today, Charlie and I sat outside on the front porch to enjoy the beautiful morning. Of course, we didn't really sit...Charlie practiced his crawl/walk on the sidewalk, kinda tough without shoes. And his new obsession, finding sticks for Roxie to chew on which she just ignores. Don't take it personally, Charlie.