Tune Coupe Mystery

There was a rather brutish knock at the door this afternoon. It came just as I was trying to undress Munchie for a long overdue bath. So, diapered infant in tow, I tromped to the porch door. No one there. I stepped outside to see if there was anything left for us. I heard the faint rumble of a FedEx truck in the distance, so I slid on some flip flops and carried Stephen around front, realizing most people probably think we actually use our front door and entryway. We never do. In fact, I often forget about its existence beyond being the black hole we cram all the unpacked junk we haven't figured out what to do with yet. OK, so all that to say the truck took off with a rumble (he was parked in our neighbor's driveway). And on our front step, a giant box labeled "Toddler Tune Coupe."

I don't know where this came from, but if the sender is out there, thank you!

It was great fun watching his little feet scamper Flintstones-style as Daddy pushed him around the front yard.

MYSTERY SOLVED: Thank you, Aunt Mary Alice! The coupe is a great first birthday present for Stephen.

Squirrel watcher

The dogwood in our front lawn is a great attraction for the local squirrel population. Stephen still thinks these cutest of all rodents are in the canine family, but he can spot them faster than his mama!
This squirrel seemed to think it was a bat.
And Munchie thinks he's a monkey!

Fingerpaint and thank you notes

Before going to the pool, we got Stephen's feet wet in my folk's hotel tub.
There he swirled his fingers in some paint, while grammy, gramps and I tried to shove pieces of paper under them as he created his Munch-terpieces.
Afterward he enjoyed a towel swaddle and a bottle of juice.

There is no "p" in our "ool"

I have to say swim diapers are impressive that way! I know this is several days late, but another birthday activity was heading to the pool. Emily Chappelear took Stephen a couple of weeks ago for his first pool experience and he loved it... so we thought we'd bring him some place where we knew he'd have fun.
Our boy was a natural fish. He also loved when gramps took him down the frog slide... and he hated to not be sliding down. He cried whenever we took him away from the frog.
Of course, drying off in a big snuggly towel is also fun. After more than an hour of splashing and swallowing chlorinated water, Steve was wiped out!

Stephen meets Evan C

Joe guest posting: Stephen was drawn to Evan the moment he came in our house. His greeting was a little heavy handed but Evan later returned the favor with a bicycle kick.

One small step for a baby

Joe guest posting: Recently Stephen has been making his first attempts at covering a distance on two legs. I finally had my camera at the right time in the right place. Notice that he is holding a leaf. The leaf appears to have special powers because the moment you take it away, he will sit down. But in his hand, it gives him the confidence to walk all the way to his destination.

Birthday videos

Joe guest posting: We shot a few videos during the party. Usually Stephen relishes being the center of attention. But as you will see here, the birthday ritual made him a little cautious. BTW, Stephen went to the doctor the following week and weighs 17 lbs 8 oz. and stands a towering 28.25 inches.