Aunt Za-Za

My brother Jon and his wife Zanna drove over from Louisville for a day visit. Charlie called her "Zaza," which suits her perfectly!

We had a great time at the Science Center.






Charlie warmed up to Uncle Jon and insisted on holding his hand....even through the bushes!

When we got home we wanted to play cards, but Charlie kept grabbing our cards off the table. So we gave him his own set of sign flashcards. It felt so adult...all of us sitting around the table playing cards!

Come back soon Uncle Jon and Aunt Zaza. Thanks for taking the time to visit!

Learning Vital Survival Skills

Charlie has an adopted Uncle. His name is Brian. He has a dance move that exceeds all others I have seen in goofy, nerdy awkwardness. It is so bad it is cool. If you ever have the chance, ask him to demonstrate and you will see what I mean.
Last night at dinner we taught "the Brian Dance" to Charlie.
...this one goes out to you, Uncle Brian!

Charlie's Fiance Comes to Town

Abby and Caleb are one of those rare couple friends where we all equally enjoy each other. It doesn't always work out this way with couple friends because there are so many variables at play, but it is so enjoyable to spend time together when it does! We spent two relaxing days eating good food, drinking coffee and exploring a bit more of St. Louis.

We took Susanna swimming in our kiddie pool.



We explored the Botanical Gardens together.







Before either of us got pregnant, Jonathan and I talked with Abby and Caleb about arranging a marriage between our children. Then, exactly the way we had discussed it, Jonathan and I had Charlie and five months later, Abby and Caleb had Susanna. It was really fun to see Charlie interacting with my friend's daughter.

He was mostly sweet to her, though there were several times when he took toys out of her hands and said "mine." Sharing is a learned skill, no matter what your age is!

Whenever Charlie wasn't grabbing them out of her hands, Susanna tried to hold as many of these puzzle pieces all at once as she could fit into her hands.

Here, Charlie is telling Susanna about trains, "Choo Choo!" She thinks she might be interested...

They loved playing the piano together.

And held hands spontaneously....

And this proves it, the arranged marriage was meant to be!


Thank you for visiting us, Henrys!

blow, Charlie, blow!

Since she missed his first birthday party, Grandma wanted to celebrate Charlie's birthday in Florida. She made him this cute little chocolate cake and put a #1 candle on top. With a little coaxing he did just what he was supposed to.....

Florida: the ocean

playing in the sand

stomping down sand castles


"Dad, there is stuff on my hands...take it off, please!"


bright sun!


chilling in the shade with a snack


walking the beach with Grandma and Grandpa



just the two of us on the beach for 20 min, how fun!



playing in the waves


on the way home, worn out and hungry from all the fun!

Florida: the 2010 Vacation

Being flown to Florida for vacation after Jonathan finishes his finals is starting to be a tradition. We are so grateful that Jonathan's parents have blessed us this way the last two years.

Last year, Charlie was only 3 months old and sleeping terribly. We had a good time, but it was also a shock to realize that "vacation" means a very different thing when you have a baby! This year I had more realistic expectations and then was pleasantly surprised that I had time to read a few good books, to be warm in the sun and to wake up day after day with so few responsibilities.

Part of this was that Charlie adjusted easily and slept almost as well as he does at home! Really, he was just so much fun to be around and it was so fun to share that enjoyment with his grandparents!

He kept sneaking into Grandma's closet to find this feather duster. He just loved playing with it.

His favorite place in the house was the wall of airplane pictures in Grandpa's study. He would stand there pointing and making airplane noises when ever he got a chance.

As in all good vacations, there was plenty of lazing about...

...and even a manicure or two!

We had dinner on the beach,

we visited the Naples Botanical Gardens,

we introduced Charlie to the ocean,

we rode bicycles,

and we went swimming every day.

Throughout it all, we were just plain ol' pampered. Mom and Dad took us out to eat. Mom took me shopping. She cooked and did our laundry and in doing so, managed to make me feel on vacation from the humdrum responsibilities of being a mom! We all were so refreshed! (why must all good things end?)

Thank you Mom and Dad, for a wonderful time!

Florida: bicycling

(The lesson of this story is that if you are about to go on vacation and look at your Ergo carrier sitting on the chair and wonder if you should bring it, wonder what possible use you could have for it, and then decide to leave it at home, you will regret it.)

Jonathan and I wanted to go on a bicycle ride with Charlie.
We tried it this way--Charlie weighs 30 pounds, ouch!

We tried it this way--ok, too scary!

We eventually settled on it this way....

A full size sheet, doubled over and knotted--efficient, comfy, but sure kept us toasty warm in the heat!