Up Close and Personal

Dexter's Delight

He can't contain his enthusiasm for his new furry friends.

Up and Down

A week ago Friday it was a gorgeous, sunny 70 degree day and Ben and I took Dexter to the park for the first time this season. He enjoyed the swings and the slide and ran around in a huge sandbox. But what really got him going was a two-inch curb. He carefully stepped up onto the curb, delighted and proud. Then he turned around and stepped down from the curb. Again, beaming with joy. He did this for about 10 minutes. Up and down in the same spot, mastering the skill. When we got home, I suggested we see if he could climb the steps into the house. Sure enough, he put his hands down on the third step, put his foot onto the first step, lifted his weight onto his foot, and straightened himself up. He repeated the process until he had climbed all the stairs into the house! Two days later, I was working at the computer and out of the corner of my eye I noticed Dexter's head peeking over the swingset we still have in the living room. For a minute I was completely confused about how he could be so "tall". Then I peeked over the swingset and saw that he had somehow gotten himself onto his rocking chair and was standing up there, quietly looking at me. He had discovered how to climb up onto the chair all by himself! Then it was 10 minutes of up and down onto and off of the rocking chair. The next day, he pushed the rocking chair over to the couch and used it to climb onto the couch! He's fearless.

Table Manners

OK, he's not quite ready for tea with the Queen but we're making progress on the utensils front.

Honored Houseguests

We are babysitting a colleague's sweet pets for spring break. Everyone is loving the new energy they bring to the house. Here is Andy's introduction to Dexter and My Bologna.