One Step...Two Step...

He has done it! Duncan was standing on his own this afternoon and took one small step with each chubby little foot, before taking a rest. Today's accomplishment even trumped last Sunday's milestones: the first good-bye wave to the ladies in the CCC nursery and the first glee filled clapping of the hands at suppertime. Duncan loves to be on his feet now and he and Liam have been enjoying a chase episode up and down Liam's bed right before it is time for them to say goodnight. The giggling is ridiculous! This evening when giving his brother a last kiss and hug, Liam said, "I want Duncan to sleep in my room." "That day will come soon enough," was my reply.

After Liam and I had a trip to the Village Pointe Farmer's Market on Saturday, we spent the evening in the back yard planting. Duncan enjoyed the large shovel...


...with an ever present grin...


...while Liam preferred the smaller, hand held shovel. The better to dig with, I would say. He is helping me pull up some weeds below.


Earlier in the day, we pulled out the favorite toy of the summer of 2008...the kiddy pool! Liam took no time at all getting reaquainted.


At first, Duncan was more interested in the broom that I was using to wash off the deck...


...but soon enough he joined his brother.


Someone has the "smile for the camera face" down.


One another note, Liam has been enjoying a batch of play dough that the Margie of CharlotteMargieJoe made for him. When I say enjoying, I mean it literally. He eats it! When told that play dough is not to eat, Liam gives the same response that he does when eating dirt, sand, rocks, chalk, etc....
"Mommy, it tastes so good. I love eating play dough!!"

More of a Gardener

Mimi Alice and Papa Trent came to visit the Murphy family in April. And as is the case for anyone coming from out of town, the standard trip to the Henry Doorly zoo ensued. Such fun it is with a 2 1/2 year old and a 10 month old and the weather was kind to us even if it was not a warm day. Actually, which is one of Liam new words, we went to the Saturday evening service at Christ Community Church Old Mill, so we had no crowd at the zoo on Easter Sunday morning!!!! It was our very own sunrise celebration!


Duncan enjoyed looking at the sun bears and feeling quite burly himself, as he stood by the fence.


Picnics are a favorite pastime.


One highlight of the visit was that Papa Trent and Liam built shelves in the garage. What a treat for us all!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Trent! As much as Liam enjoyed helping with this project, he was often found sidetracked by the flower beds, with his shovel. And as he is not used to a hammer, he managed to give himself a battle scar on the right cheek....he is more of a dirt digging and eating gardener.




Liam was always ready for the saw. He would run out of the garage and up the stairs everytime Papa Trent announced its use. Thanks to Joe Hearn for letting us borrow the power saw.