"Thank you for my outfit, Grammy."

It's the perfect kind of cozy for an Autumn day in St. Louis. Thanks, Mom.

Last Rose of Summer?

Mom and Dad, thank you for our roses. They add so much to our backyard, and make me happy every time I look at them. Can you believe how big the bushes are already?

Unfortunately, I'm still battling Black Spot. sigh. I'm hopeful that next spring I can get a head start on it and keep it at bay. I'd also like to train them to grow along the top of the fence.

Some New Things

A couple of days ago I started letting Charlie play with his cup after eating. It seemed to take a lot of concentration...

And he didn't seem to care which side was up.


We have also been trying some chunkier food.


Oh, fine.

This Weekend

One of the disappointments I had moving into our house four years ago was having sliding doors on our shower. We had registered for a beautiful shower curtain, received it for our wedding, and had to return it when we got to St. Louis. After voicing my disappointment I had to drop it while other far more important issues around the house were dealt with.

Here you can see a bit of the inconvenience of having doors as opposed to a curtain (and you get to see what a cute puppy Sofie was). Besides the challenge of limited access while bathing a dog or a baby, the doors are also a constant source of dirt, mildew, finger prints, trapped humidity and other unhappy things.

Not too long ago I brought it up again. The frequency with which we bathe the baby kept my frustration constantly in mind. I was also increasingly convinced that the project would not be that involved--convenient, I know. To my surprise and great pleasure, Charlie started thinking about it, and then this weekend...

After a little of this...












And a little of that...












We got to this...

And finally ended up with this...

And, boy, are we happy with the results!
We sit on the side of the tub with reckless abandon, bathe the kiddo two-on-one, and relish the refreshment a shower in the morning light brings to the soul!

The Helmet

Yes, our darling boy must wear a helmet for, they say, 3-6 months, 22 hours a day, seven days a week. The reason is plagiocephaly, or in lay-terms flat head. Apparently, kiddos these days are more and more susceptible to this condition spending more time on their backs in an effort to prevent SIDS. The problem is primarily cosmetic for Charlie, but the more we thought about it, the more we thought the trouble and possible expense worth it. After all, years from now he could be coming home from school with the nick-name "Dent" or "Flat Head" or you get the picture, and we'd have to confess that we knew there was a solution years ago and that we opted out of it.

Thankfully, since we're still enduring 90 degree weather and heavy humidity, the doctor drilled holes in the back for ventilation. It sort of helps. We have to wash his head every night now, and wash the helmet twice a day.

It helps that he's pretty cute in it!

An Evening Out

My brother, Rob, is a chaplain candidate in the US Army. He's been working with a Psychological Operations Unit down at Jefferson Barracks here in St. Louis, and from all accounts doing a fine job. Every now and then a unit or battalion, or company or whatever it is will have a dinner hosted by the Company Leader and other commanding officers. There are "Dinning In" meals for the soldiers themselves, usually when they are away from home and living in a camp together, and "Dining Out" meals for the soldiers and their families. Rob's Psy Ops Unit had a "Dining Out" last Friday and his wife, Jordan, was unable to accompany him...

...so I got to go. Charlie stayed home with the baby, and Rob and I had a blast!

One of the highlights of the evening was meeting a man, a Polish Jew, who survived the holocaust. He was an early adolescent when he was liberated from a concentration camp (I sadly don't remember which one. It was in Germany, and it was not Dachau.) by American soldiers. The more I talked to him, the more he shared of his life. Since his liberation he has only wanted one thing: to be an American citizen. It took him years to achieve that, since he was suspected of being a communist ("Communist?! I don't know what that means! I can't even spell it!") and denied a visa. Very interesting man.

He is regularly invited to army events such as these, though he is not in the armed forces, for mutual gratification--he to express his on-going appreciation for the US Army, and the US Army to be affirmed in their duties.

The other highlight was the grog ceremony. But I won't go into details. If you're interested, you can read about it here.

Playing catch-up

Though the first day of autumn is still coming (tomorrow!!!!), the Fall and all that it entails has officially begun in the Dey household. I'm entering the new school year for the first time as a stay-at-home mom, and so far I'm wondering where the "stay-at-home" part got to! But when I sit down and think about how I spend each day I realize that a big part of my busyness is simply living life--grocery shopping, Bible study, car tune-up, voice lessons (yes, I've started teaching again!), time with friends and family, doctor's appointments, etc. Add to that naps, nursing, laundry, dishes, play time, walks, and all of a sudden there ain't no time to blog!

So, for my dear family who have been waiting patiently to see more pics of little Charlie, I finally have some posts for you. Here's one to start with...

I finally wised-up and started feeding him half naked. Why? So that I could do this when we are done...

Labor Day

Since Charlie has started working a 9-5 job bank holidays have become something new and special to me. This morning we got up with the baby, packed him into the car, stopped by Starbucks for breakfast (FUN), and drove down 270 to Laumeier Sculpture Park. Among other wonderful things, it happened to be the perfect place for a photo shoot.

This sculpture is called "Walking Roots." I felt like it described us. Charlie and I both have a very strong desire to make home wherever we are. And home requires belonging, involvement, beautification, friendship, you know, fullness, complication. But will this ever happen in one certain place? Will we ever be grounded? Sometimes I wonder.

This one is called Sugabus, a combination of sugar or Sucrose and Cerberus, the three-headed dog of Greek and Roman mythology who guarded the gates of Hades. Little corny. But we liked the sculpture.

We tried one trail, but we were unfortunately unprepared for off-roading. All in all, I was reminded how much I LOVE being outside and with my boys! I've missed it this summer.

All on a Summer's Eve

With such a title, one might expect to see scenes of out-door eventide,
last moments of dusky shades and happy farewells to the sun.
Alas, this family must endure the oppressive heat and humidity
that are St. Louis summers indoors. We try to make the best of it with story time...

...and bath time fun.

I suppose "Bed in summer" is what it is no matter where you live.