We Have a Duck!

Yesterday we went for a walk and when we came back I was showing Carrie my flowers. When we were done looking, she stepped back quickly, and a huge duck flew out of the bush behind her. It startled her and we all watched as it flew away as fast as it could go. I said, "why was there a duck hiding in our bush?" and Carrie said, "maybe it was laying eggs." I laughed at her as I went to peek in the bush, and sure enough, we had Duck eggs!

The first night we saw only one egg buried in a pile of feathers. We watched most of the night and hoped that the mommy duck would come back, but we didn't see her return.

This morning I was worried about the egg, so I went to check on it and saw four more. It was a whole feathery nest full of eggs.

Mid-morning Andy came in to tell me that he'd checked again and she was back. It was hard to get a good picture because I didn't want to startle her, but you can see her hiding in the daffodils.

We were so happy that she had come back for her babies. It will be fun to see how the process unfolds and what she does with her ducklings once they arrive.

A Sunday Outing

Yesterday we crossed two more things off of Carrie's "DC To Do List" by going to the Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. It was a somber day to be sure, and Andrew disrespectfully called it "the day of death". We had a good time though, despite the hoards of tourists that have all of a sudden descended on the city like locusts. We had to park about a mile away on the "bad side" of DC and Carrie was very excited about the graffiti and underpasses we walked through - convinced we were going to be mugged. We survived though, and both places were a great reminder of freedom and for how much I have to be grateful.

My favorite quote of the day, one that really made me think, was:

"When they came for the communists, I was silent, because I was not a communist;

When they came for the socialists, I was silent, because I was not a socialist;

When they came for the Jews, I did not protest, because I was not a Jew;

When they came for me, there was no one left to protest on my behalf."

Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984)

A Special Surprise

Yesterday Calvin got a surprise package in the mail from Auntie Riah and Uncle Curtis. He had a great time opening it, and then showed his gratitude by promptly putting the new sandals into his mouth.

Thanks for the adorable outfit and shoes, Riah and Curits. You guys are the BEST!

5 Months Old Today

Dear Calvin,

Another month has come and gone in the blink of an eye. You continue to change so quickly and each day brings uncharted territory for me and your daddy. While so much has happened, here are the most notable accomplishments of the past month:

• You have always stared at people until they look at you, but now you've started coughing to get people's attention. You'll do your fake little cough until someone notices, and then you will flash your biggest smile.


• You have started trying solid foods. Your favorite thing is banana flavored rice cereal, but most of it and anything else we feed you ends up covering your face, shirt, and chair.


• You continue to add new vocubulary words to your jabbering. I'm not sure why, but you talk more to daddy than you do anyone else. I think it's because he enunciates and talks to you like a grown-up, while mommy just copies your silly jabber.


• You've learned to hug. You wrap your pudgy arms tightly around our neck and lay your head on our shoulder. It tugs at our heart strings every time.


• You have developed the unfortunate skill of screeching loudly and shrilly everytime you don't get what you want, exactly when you want it.


• You've learned how to sit up and play all by yourself. You do it more each day and keep getting stronger and stronger.


• You have started giving large, open-mouthed kisses. Who would have thought that being slobbered on could be so heart-warming and adorable?


• Sometimes when I put in your crib at night, you will wait until I reach down to kiss you goodnight and then grab firmly onto my hair so I can't stand up. You're a very clever boy, Calvin. Oh yeah, and very strong.


• Your favorite time of day is first thing in the morning. You give me a huge smile when I go to pick you up out of your crib - like you've been waiting all night to see me - and then you coo and play for hours before getting semi-cranky for the rest of the day.

We are so grateful that five months ago today you came to live in our home. We love you, Calvin!

Let's Make a Chili Song!

Calvin's current favorite toy is a phone he got from Grandma and Grandpa Nelson for Easter. It's cute. It has two settings, one with songs, and one with words as you hit the different buttons. My favorite is the one that says "let's make a silly song!" but it sounds to me like, "let's make a chili song!" Makes me happy every time. Calvin spends probably an hour a day (combined little segments) playing with his phone, and he loves it. Here is a picture of him playing intently, and one of him posing for the camera after he saw the flash.