Calleigh's First Steps!!

It's official! Calleigh has taken some steps on her own. The first few steps came yesterday after we had eaten lunch. Duncan put a red cup (or, a bup in Calleigh language) on the floor and prompted Calleigh to walk to it. And she did. She took two hesitant steps but they were definitely steps. She repeated this a couple of other times and Toni, Alison, and Shannon all were witnesses as well. Today was the big deal though. Duncan and I were both sitting on the floor and Calleigh was with me. Duncan sat about 4 or 5 feet away and Calleigh took about 10 steps to get to him. We were so excited. Later in the day, we got her taking some steps on video while we were at Ron & Elaine's. So the next big thing will be when she takes some steps without us prompting her.

Before I proceed further, I want to take a time out and say Happy Father's Day! This is Duncan's second Father's Day. He's been an even better father than I could even imagine. Calleigh is very blessed to have him - - as am I. Also, Happy Father's Day to my wonderful father who is returning today from Europe. Sadly, it doesn't appear I will be able to talk to him before the day is officially over since his flight is delayed and he won't arrive into Boston until 11:45. He doesn't have his cell phone with him so he can't call me until he gets home. I have to say that I feel bad for all the kids who didn't grow up with Bill Brace as a father. They were jipped.

We've had a somewhat busy last few days. On Friday, I went into work for a meeting for a meeting so Elaine came over to babysit. The ladies had gone out for lunch(Chinese buffet which is a double nightmare - thank goodness I couldn't make it) and shopping with Papa and Nanny Copsey. Friday evening was a nice meal with the six of us and then we spent the evening relaxing and chatting. Sabbath was church as usual and then back home for lunch. We thought that we were going to be over Ron & Elaine's to see Russ and Saray before they flew back to Pennyslvania but it didn't happen. The ladies left mid-afternoon to head to Daytona to stay in the timeshare. We didn't end up going because we wanted to be around here for Father's Day today.

After Calleigh's morning nap, we headed to Ron & Elaine's for lunch and to swim in the pool. Unfortunately I had forgotten Calleigh's hat but Elaine came to the rescue by fashioning a hat out of a handkerchief - an old English trick. Calleigh did NOT want it on her head but after a few minutes, we snuck it on and she didn't seem to notice. We bought Calleigh a new blow-up for the pool because we lost the cat that Gigi had gotten for her. This one turned out to be a hippo and Calleigh loves floating in it - - I think because she can lay back and relax.

At five, we headed out to Baldwin Park for a picnic involving the folks in the Sunday evening Bible study. The weather wasn't so great but thankfully we had some picnic tables under a roof. I'm glad I brought my sweatshirt because it got cool. I know, it's weird to say that about Florida during the summer. Anyway, there were about twenty people at the picnic and we had hot dogs and corn and I hosted an icebreaker game. The best thing about the party was when Duncan was playing bocce (sp?) ball. He was a little ways away from us. When the game ended and he started walking back, Calleigh spotted him and started pointing and yelling "Dad-dy, Dad-dy." She was so excited to see him. We left a little before seven since Calleigh was getting grumpy. After all the swimming and other activity today, Calleigh went right to sleep tonight.

The ladies got back around 3:30 this afternoon but made plans to go to the Olive Garden with Charlie Cutler rather than go to the picnic. Charlie then came over here and we're now all watching the Celtics game. They're losing by eight in the second quarter which doesn't seem like much compared to the other night. That was one of the most exciting basketball games ever on Thursday! I'm so glad none of us gave up and went to bed. All through the game I was thinking about how my parents and Ricky may not be getting to watch it over there in Crotia but we heard from Ricky that he did get to see the last three quarters. Mom and Ricky aren't so luck tonight as they are on an overnight ferry from Budapest to Crete.

My new laptop arrived on Friday and Duncan now has it all set up for me. I'm typing on it now and it's like a party for my fingers. All of the buttons work! My only complaint is that the "Ctrl" button is the second from the bottom left instead of at the far left. I know Gateway does theirs the same way but Dell and Compaq have "Ctrl" on the far left. It's taking me a while to get used to it.

Aunt Toni brought Calleigh a bunch of birthday presents the highlight being a little pink purse. If you've been following along, you know that Calleigh likes to put a bucket over her arm like it's a purse. So now she has a real purse. It took her a little bit to warm up to it but now she likes to carry it all over the place and put things in it. She learned it was called a "purse" only after about three times of me calling it that. I'm pretty sure she's a smartie! She also got a Red Sox from Aunt Sherrie & Uncle Kevin including a ball, bat, and I'm sorry to say, a right-handed glove. For the record, I'm not giving up on the whole left-handed thing just yet.

In other Calleigh news, she now called Dewey, "D". Sometimes it sounds like she's trying to say "Dewey" but most of the time, it's just "D." We aren't very hopeful that she'll start calling Marlee, "M."