Who needs a La-Z-Boy?

Please note the well-swept hardwood floors, particularly around Riley's high chair. That's a significant achievement around here. (A Grandma must've been around.)

Kindness x 2

Incident #1. My new running/biking buddy Laura found (and got!) me a bike trailer on Craigslist so Riley can join in our biking fun. I was (and still am) floored by her thoughfulness. And Riley and I were giddy with excitement!


Incident #2. On Friday, I took Riley for a ride. (Without Laura, unfortunately, since she had to work.) Six miles from home, Riley had enough. So we stopped, took a break, and started to turn around...when a wheel fell off the trailer. And the bolt to secure it to the trailer was gone. GONE. Uh...

I pulled to the side of the bike trail, scratched my helmet, and thought through my (very limited) options.

That's when we met Beth, a very kind woman/guardian angel, who saved the day.

She:

• pushed my bike & trailer to her condo 1/4 mile away while I carried Riley


• had Riley & me hang out in her condo while she ran to the hardware store to get a new bolt


• found all the tools I needed to fix the trailer


• let me use her phone to let Matt know we were still alive


• sent us safely on our way—with a bag of crackers that kept Riley happy the whole ride home
  

WOW. How do you say thanks for acts of kindness like that?

It's been a month

...since I posted the meaty update on Matt. Here's his progress on those things we hoped he'd be able to do soon:

Walk longer distances with his forearm crutches: Matt is gaining a lot of endurance. This week we've walked to a few different destinations in our neighborhood, like the park, the barbershop (finally!), a pizza place, and the hardware store (all five or six blocks away). Major milestone. Now Matt won't feel so cooped up.

Walk (very) short distances unassisted: Matt's been getting around the apartment without his crutches. At first he was wobbly, but he's gotten much steadier. Of course, it helps that he's usually within reach of a counter, table, or bedpost, in case he loses his balance.

Type: Still hunting and pecking, but getting faster.

Open a sealed jar: I still do the major jar opening. Ironic, since I've always been the weakling.

Carry things while walking: He can carry stuff around the apartment, now that he gets around without his crutches.

Make his small mobiles: He's made 11 already! (Just a fraction of his back-logged orders.) The first few were difficult and frustrating, but it's getting better. Just a matter of regaining hand strength. And a few calluses...

Do the dishes (oh wait, that's what *I* hope for...): He did them tonight. Yay! I'm a happy wife!

Perfect Picnic

Ours included:

Celery (and dip)

Trader Joe's sun-dried tomato chicken sausages
Good stinky cheese

A refreshing beverage Strawberries for dessert

...and a sculpture to admire.

Runner Up

Remember our Richards Family Walking Contest?

Riley finally decided to make a showing last night, when she toddled five legitimate, unassisted steps. Congrats to our little runner up—who I fear will be running before long!

The aftermath: one hysterically happy little girl