Cullen likes blocks

We got Cullen a couple of new toys a few weeks ago, and these plastic blocks in different colors and shapes have been a hit. It's worth celebrating because it can be fairly overwhelming looking in the toy aisles, trying to guess what might keep your little one occupied for more than a few minutes.

Cullen Works the Crowd!

Over Easter weekend, Cullen gave quite a performance. He's been working on a one man show that he might take on the road -- off Broadway, most likely. It might even come to a coffee shop near you. The debut performance was offered to select VIPs, but all generations were represented -- parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Can you tell which famous story he's acting out here?


Cullen was very, very excited about the laughter and applause he generated. It seems he's learning to enjoy the attention!

After the show he took time to pose for a picture:

Cullens Speaks!

So to speak.

This is how Cullen says, "Daddy, Daddy!" (Alternatively: "Mommy, Mommy!")

First, he grabs the cloth (himself!) and covers his face:


Next, he quickly uncovers his face:

What he expects (and receives) are squeals of delight and something like "I see you!" or "There's Cullen!!"

This might seem like a classic game of peek-a-boo. No, it's more! It was quite amazing to me that Cullen was doing this when I wasn't looking, in order to get my attention. I'm used to being in charge of when and how we interact, but now he's finding ways to tug at the pantleg and say, "Daddy, Daddy! Play with me!"

It's very touching.

I'm calling the local newspaper. I think they'll be interested in this unique and amazing story.

Book Club

Cullen and I like reading together. He's a very hands-on reader. He also likes pictures.

Here's a picture of us reading "Thoughts for Young Men" by 19th century bishop J.C. Ryle. Thanks to Leslie for the book!

Invitation:

Speaking of which: A friend and I are currently recruiting others for our latest reading project, in which we're going to read a well-reviewed book by Jerry Bridges called "Respectable Sins." You can read reviews and order Bridges' book at a little site I've discovered here.

We're going to read two chapters per week and post summaries/thoughts on our church's blog. We're calling the project "Blogging Bridges." If you'd like to read along (and discuss along), please let me know. Cullen and I are already signed up!

UPDATE: Cullen just woke up after sleeping 13 hours. I hope there's a chapter in this book on "sloth"!

Measuring Up, Part Four: Bear With Me

As you may know, we have been measuring Cullen's growth in comparison with his bear. We do this every week...or weeks....or months. We last checked in with the bear in, ummmm, October:

(October 9, 2007)

Notice the bear's quiet confidence in the picture above. But now look at today's picture:

(March 18, 2008)

Now notice the bear's worried expression, in comparison with Cullen's confident smile!

Stay tuned! At this rate, we should have our next "Measuring Up" post sometime around 2013.

Birthday!

Someone in the household celebrated a birthday today! To try your hand at solving the birthday puzzler, click here.

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day in Virginia today. Cullen and I swung on the porch swing.

Look What I Can Do!

I can dress myself!


I can stand up!



I can stick to the ceiling!

St. Louis

Last week, Cullen spent the week visiting his grandparents in St. Louis. He was very good on the flights, even on the trip home when our plane sat on the runway for 2 hours (!!!) waiting to be de-iced. Even though he was good, that is probably the last time I will fly alone with him on my lap. He is getting more and more wiggly... and, on the way home, he kept trying to touch the very colorful shirt of the guy sitting next to us, who wasn't all that interested in being touched....

SPRING!

I think Spring has arrived in southeastern Virginia....daffodils in the neighborhood are in full bloom; some yards are filled with them and were admired on our walk yesterday. Our first winter here was very reasonable, no snow (which suits me just fine), no ice, and only a couple of really cold days. It was mostly in the 40's and 50's with a few stretches of 60's and 70's.

We have three of these peach trees in our yard....anyone know what kind they might be?

What I Want Most for My Son

Cullen's a handsome little kid, and enjoyable in every way. We are truly blessed. But I thought it would be appropriate to also share something beyond the nice photos - my greatest hopes for our son.

More than anything, my desire for Cullen is that he would know and walk with God. That through Jesus Christ, Cullen would know the one who made him - know him as both Creator and Redeemer. In his lifetime, he will need the love of God and the truth of God to navigate the many storms and snares of this life.

I hope that Cullen will also enjoy and serve the Lord in whatever vocation he chooses. It doesn't matter to me what he does - I'll just be excited to see where his gifts and talents lie. But I do hope that he will know the joy of serving God through serving others in very practical ways.

Below those hopes, I place a few others.

I hope Cullen will get to know his father better - and longer - than I was able to know mine. I hope he will appreciate and honor his mother, who loves him more than she's ever loved anything on this earth. I hope he will always be confident in his parents' love. I hope he will be forgiving of our mistakes, too.

I hope Cullen will enjoy family, even though right now his extended family is far away. He has a great family, on both sides. I hope he'll have many great childhood memories of his great-grandparents, grandparents, his uncles and aunts, and his cousins.

(Cullen finally received the Christmas picture from Uncle Jim's family!)

Yet a few more, in no particular order:

- I hope Cullen will enjoy learning about everything. I can't wait to take him to the Aquarium and to see the Navy ships.
- I hope Cullen will enjoy games, laughter, and animals.
- I hope Cullen will know contentment.
- I hope that Cullen will always know that "Episodes 4-6" of Star Wars came first, and were superior, although the Ewoks were a mistake.

I think that's about it. Did I forget anything?