Pedestrian

• "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
• "Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." -Steven Wright
  
  
  

• The bottles are put away and there's no more formula in our house.  The boy is growing up. 
• Karah had a very special mommy moment last night.  She was singing "You Are My Sunshine" to Bennett (just as she has since the day we brought him home from the hospital) before bed.  He thanked her by giving her an unsolicited kiss on the lips.  It brought her to tears.   
• Bennett had his one year checkup last week.  Current stats:  30.5" long and 25.8 lbs. 
• A year ago every conversation involved, "So, ya gettin' any sleep?"  Now the FAQ is, "So, ya ready for another one?" 



The 1

• The boy had his first birthday yesterday.  It's hard to believe that a year ago Bennett (currently happy and healthy as can be) was in neonatal intensive care with an oxygen cannula jammed in his nostrils.  As the Grateful Dead once put it, "What a long strange trip it's been!"  A few highlights from his birthday festivities follow:
• He likes cake (No surprise . . .  Cake is food and he loves food!): 

• We took him to the park for a birthday swing: 

• The next Tommy Lee??? Mommy prays for other mentors (Dave Grohl, perhaps?):

• He already thinks he's Superman.  I thought I'd get him the gear to match the attitude: 

• An update on Brux:  Two weeks ago, I wasn't sure that he'd be with us right now.  Much to our surprise (and pleasure) he's made quite a turnaround.  He's gone from a lethargic "old man" to his spunky old self. He's back to snagging frisbees from midair and heckling the other dogs in the neighborhood.  No doubt, he still has the kidney dysfunction and aggressive cancer to contend with.  Yet, it's pretty amazing what love, attention, and an excellent diet can do for a dog's (or a human's) health.  Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.  Livestrong Bruxy!
• Speaking of sick . . . What's the opposite of empathy?  I was pretending to be sick (Oscar worthy acting) and Bennett thought it was just Hee-Hawlarious:



• While I was watching Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday . . . the news broke.  The current "face" of evil had been taken out (God bless those SEALs).  I can only hope that my son doesn't have to see the destruction of another hitler, stalin, saddam, bin laden, etc. during his lifetime.  Let's hope the information age can help expose such monsters before they gather substantial following and power. I just saw an interview with several kids who lost parents in the Towers in 9/11.  Their optimism was inspiring.  The American Dream lives on!
• "I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure" -Mark Twain