14 Months!

"AY PAPI! You're GOR-GEOUS!" was literally shouted across the grocery store last week in your direction. And I have to say it's my favorite compliment you've ever received. The sheer enthusiasm with which it was delivered made your face light up, and as she made her way over through the produce section to get a closer look at you, you were following her every move. Love at first sight, I guess. I can't say I blame her. You're cuter than ever this month.

And shoot are you a smarty too! Your words continue to grow, and your level of understanding is outrageous."Wow" is still a crowd-pleaser, but you seem to rather enjoy declaring "AHHHHHHHHHHH dun" (the first part is always at your highest volume and stretched to maximum capacity) when you're finished eating or done with a book or I hang up the phone. Your dad and I crack up every time. Saying hiiiiiii to people (not just animals) is new this month too, and while you're normally anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes to late for people to actually hear you, it's the sweetest greeting. You still have a lot of words that sound the same - up, help, and drop and book, balloon, ball and truck, yuck. There's more, but you get the idea. Soon you'll add those soft consonant distinctions and be so proud, but I think your dad and I will miss being the ones that get to decode your language. The ones that always (almost) understand. The book Moo, Baa, La, La, La has moved into the front-runner position this month. You love to shake your head and say "no" when the dancing pigs say "la, la, la." Melts my heart. Your mobility is at a whole other level too. Your balance is growing every day, and your adventurous spirit seems to be helping. The rougher the terrain the more you want to conquer it. We took Stanley to Redbud Isle early this week, and I was in pure amazement at your sense of adventure and brave heart. You fall and fall and fall some more but nothing seems to stop you from trying. You were jetting down all sorts of paths with Stanley in the lead and loving every minute of it. You're working really hard on jumping lately, but you just can't quite get those tree-trunk legs off the ground. I'm not sure that stops you from knowing the difference though. You still booty bounce all over the house, and when someone asks, are you jumping? You grin the widest, proudest smile I've seen.

Since it's hot as blazes now, we've been spending a lot of time in the water - not going outside doesn't seem to be an option with you, and it doesn't matter if we're at the pool, the springs, or playing in the backyard you love, love, love every second of it.

This month you're obsessed with big trucks, buses, bikes, motorcycles, mowers and perhaps all things with wheels and/or a motor. You have a favorite song - "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers. If it comes on you smile wildly and repeat OH! over and over and over. And when it's done you say more! until I find it on my playlist. You love golf, are getting really good at throwing (can we stop throwing rocks though?), and are in heaven when Stanley comes near. He's still pretty hot and cold with you. I know he loves you, even though he certainly doesn't show you all the time, but when we got back from Minnesota he'd obviously missed you. He let you watch almost your entire video just like this...

You're a mover and shaker, my smallest friend. And you continue to grow into the sweetest, coolest, smartest, bravest kid I know. Please don't ever stop.

Kavanaughs - 2013

We were back north for another week of adventure, relaxation and much needed family time. Our little family cherishes this week together - a week free of distractions, a week free of work, and a week spent all day, every day together (the thing we love the most). Charlie was as obsessed with Kavanaugh's as John and me immediately upon arrival. He made a bee-line for the chilly lake water and would have stayed in there (and his mud pit) all weekend if it wasn't for those pesky things called eating and sleeping.

He had an immediate new bud in John's cousin's 11 month old, Dylan (what does that make Charlie and Dylan???), and with the new friendship we discovered Charlie is a closet wrestler. I've never seen him do it. And he's around other kids lots of times during the week, but for some reason with Dylan he loved to back right up into him, sit down, and roll around over his legs, arms, etc. Luckily, Dylan seemed to love it just as much as Chuck. Fast friends those two little chubby bunnies were. And oh my, to have GaGa and PaPa and all the aunts, uncles and cousins around all week was more than Chuck could have ever dreamed of. Pure magic.

Thanks for the laughs, ALL the love, and a million memories. The pact is in full effect. Every year.

Tried to recreate it...not a chance. Next year?

Happy Father's Day!

Feeling lucky today (and always) that Chuck has the most amazing dad that shows him everyday what a good husband, father and man looks like.

And Dad, well, you already know. I'm forever grateful you're mine and so proud to be yours. 

Happy Father's Day to all the proud Papa's out there. Hope you're surrounded by love, fits of laughter and a whole lotta sports - the Open and game five?! Somebody really wanted John to have the very best day. 

13 Months!

So once you turned a year, I thought I'd do every 3 or 6 month posts on all our happenings, but there's just too much change and development. By the time we were at 15 months, I'd have a novel to write, so for now, we're keeping it monthly. And because you're understanding every freaking thing I'm saying lately, I'm just going to talk to you like I do all day anyway. 

This month has been a complete explosion of mobility, words and understanding, and while we were cautioned time and time again with "just wait until he starts walking...", your dad and I couldn't be more grateful for your burst of movement. And your words? Oh my. They make life so much easier. In so many ways, life was probably technically easier when you were just a smushy baby. You slept, ate, repeat; you sat on a blanket outside for hours looking at the trees or birds or playing with the same five toys; you were entertained by simply just being around the action, but now you want to be part of the action at all times. And I think your dad and I were made to be toddler and beyond parents. We love your curiosity, activity, and independent nature.

Walking started conveniently while your GiGi was in town for the week with us. I was working in the mornings, and you were practicing, practicing, practicing with your GiGi. I'd come home in the afternoons, and you'd almost always have a new trick - more stability, more courage and more steps. We went to playgroup at the park mid-week, and I could have fallen right over. You just took off walking all around the equipment and the park like all the other big kids. It was a magical afternoon to watch you in action. You were, of course, so proud of your new skill. And I think since that day, I've classified you as a walker. It's been A-MAZING to watch you master your new skill from day to day and week to week. You get stronger and smarter and more agile seemingly every minute. Watching you learn to stand up without pulling up on anything was perhaps my favorite. You just figured it out. Falling down is way less frustrating when you can pop right back up. You're so smart, sweet boy.

Communication has been on the rise for a couple months, but I swear you have a new word almost every day lately. Your words aren't completely consistent yet, and I know most people wouldn't know what you were saying, but hey, your dad and I understand, and for now, that's all that matters to you. Everyone can understand your uh-oh, bye-bye, more! (it's always exclaimed), up, wow, hot, hiiiiiiiii (it's always really drawn out, high-pitched and most often directed at animals), but you're working on dog, cat, yuck, all done, help, drop (Stan loves, not really, that you're commanding him to do things), eat, thank you and in the last day or so you've started trying to say e-i-e-i-o. It's mostly e-i-e-i, but I know what you're getting at and we sing the song every time - a great motivator. And your understanding is kind of mind-blowing. I can ask you to sit down, go feet first, come here, let me put on your shoes, get a diaper, etc. etc. and you totally understand. We pretty much just talk to each other all day long. You like it best when I'm explaining EVERYTHING to you, and while I'm sure I look a bit crazy at the store or park or wherever we are, I know you're absorbing and processing it all. And I love it. Words. Communication. Understanding. Unbelievable.

The fountain prompted wild up-up-ups and help! 

This month you blow on things when we say they're hot whether it's food, drinks, or the grill, love to just sit in chairs, and are obsessed with the water - the pool, the fountains, splash-pads, the rain. You don't discriminate. We were invited to a pool party at the end of the month, and you were in absolute heaven. No fear when it comes to the water. You just waded right in, and while I could tell it was making the other moms nervous that I would let you fall and your head go underwater, it seemed like a step backwards to tell you no or make you afraid. I'd rather just pull you out of the water smiling than make you scared of trying new things. You woo-woo when you hear a dog barking, are so excited to eat in the mornings that your whole body wiggles as we step out of your room, and you love to laugh. It's a fully-belly chuckle, and it makes my whole heart smile. You understand that your pacifier is only for bedtime and reluctantly hand it over when your nap is finished. And the outdoors is still your very favorite place to be. Although I think we're going to have to live at the pool for the next couple of months because it's getting dangerously warm in the afternoons at the park without large quantities of water. You love hills and are getting to be an awesome climber. Your dad has high hopes for your trail-running future, so I hope your interest isn't fleeting. You're amazed by the trash truck, and we've taken to sitting in the driveway on Friday mornings wishing and hoping and praying they swing by before naptime, for several reasons, but the trash truck always, and I mean always, gets several WOWS. And wows are just my favorite right now.

Trash truck wows.

And lastly, sleeping. Dear Charlie you have been like a little dream this month. At the beginning of the month you were going down so easily for naps and at night that I considered having at least 15 more children. But as usual, just when I'm feeling like the MOTY (mom of the year, duh), you remind me that you're really in charge. We had a slight dip in ease of falling asleep mid-to late month, but you seem to be back to your routine in the last week. Naps and nighttime look like this - pacifier (always), we sit with you in the chair as you roll around, sit up, and climb, we sing songs or read books and then inevitably you point towards your crib, and we ask if you're ready to lay down to which you always shake your head yes. We kiss you goodnight, lay you down and walk out. You babble, laugh and happily shriek for anywhere from 5-30 minutes and then you're out. I miss you falling asleep in my lap or laying down for naps with me sometimes, but I know we've reached the goal. And I'm grateful you're doing it.

This month was filled with playing, playing, playing with friends and exploring everything and everywhere. We've been to pools, splash-pads, the Natural Gardener, the Children's Museum, the library, the zoo, parks, on hikes, and so much more. And in June we'll go on your second airplane ride, spend the week at the lake and laugh until are faces might fall right off with your dad's sweet extended family. What a lucky little life we're living. Keep up the good work, sweetest little friend. As always, somehow things just keep getting better. Lots of love.

TRUE Action

This morning John and I made a small commitment to help, to change, to grow. I went to a brunch this morning in support of a friend's nonprofit - TRUE Action. I've known Staci for a little over a year, and while I vaguely knew she and her sister started a school in Uganda, I had the pleasure of learning the extent of their selflessness today. Needless to say, I left with a gigantic lump in my throat and hope in my heart. The work they're doing is truly moving. The entire story is detailed on their website (http://trueaction.org/greaterstory), but the short and sweet of it? Staci played on a soccer team with a guy Anlo. He traveled to Uganda to film and met a 21 year old refugee, Kalenga. Staci and Anlo sponsored Kalenga through University, and once he finished school, he decided to give back by educating the children in the rural community Kamuli Uganda where there was truly no option for education. Kalenga, Staci and friends started extremely small with $2000 and 50 students. The Ugandan community built desks and furniture, and with the money donated, Staci and Kalenga bought the students new clothes, toiletries and school supplies. Since 2006, they've grown into the non-profit TRUE Action with 100% of donations going to the school. Currently, they educate 154 students. They've hired a head mistress, three teachers and are now housed in an eight-room school house. They've added a "grade" every year except for this year because they are out of space and funds, so the 8 and 9 year olds graduated at the end of December. And as you can imagine, graduating is actually a sad time for these students because they will begin working. So what did I do? What can you do?

Because there were still many students needing sponsorship for the school year, John and I chose to sponsor 4 cute kiddos. I picked their pictures from the pile today and look forward to corresponding with them throughout the year. The cost per student is $69 which covers their schooling and includes two meals/day for the year - all $69 goes directly to the school. Once you sponsor a student you get their picture and their name and can correspond as little or as much as you'd like. And if you choose you may continue sponsoring the same students from year to year. Obviously, the immediate need is to get all students sponsored, so if you'd like to sponsor a student, please visit trueaction.org/sponsorastudent and donate.

True Action's long-term business plan and ultimate goal is to buy land in Uganda, build a bigger school, gardens, and a library for the students, enabling them to educate more students and impact more of the community. The cost to buy the land and build a school is $25,000, and while they've been able to get grants from organizations like the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation to put towards food, they have not been able to get any real corporate backing. If you know of any business (or an individual) that might be interested please let me know.

And if neither of these options are appealing, consider hosting a brunch, like the one I went to today, for your friends. They ask for a $20 donation at the door, provide breakfast, and do a short presentation on True Action. Afterwards, if people choose, they can look through the pictures and sponsor a child or make a donation to the organization. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll work on coordinating with Staci.

Honestly, I can't totally pinpoint why this moved me like it did this morning except that Staci and her husband are in the same boat as John and me, but no matter their circumstances, they are doing something impactful. And I think it's amazingly humble that Staci's doing life-changing work but doesn't, not even once, boast or brag. And I left marveling at how the world works - playing on a soccer team led to all of this. It just kind of blows my mind. I know there are many, many things at home, practically in my own backyard that I could be putting my time and energy towards, but something about TRUE Action’s message, motivation and need made my heart swell today. Many of the other moms at brunch mentioned sponsoring kids for their own children, using it as a teaching moment to educate their kids on selflessness, gratitude, and giving back to the world around you. And while I know Charlie will have no idea why there are African children pictured in his room right now, I hope he grows up knowing them and understanding the importance of giving, even if you don't have much to give. 

Starting top left and moving clockwise -
Fahad, Moises, Shila, Neri