John and Ansley

…and I’m just now getting around to announcing it on our sad, neglected blog. But before I go writing something about the birth of our second child and the 5 months since then, I need to go complain to John about how ugly our blog looks. Clearly I forced these colors on him during one of my crazy pregnant hormonal brain blips.

Also, since it has taken 5 months for me to even mention that we had a baby, you shouldn’t expect to see the next post for about a month. I don’t know how people do it, but I don’t have the time or brain capacity to write a post. I’m already light-headed from typing this much.

Charlie is obsessed with superheroes and frequently creates his own identity. Last week, he was The Scheduler. He wore my dad’s motorcycle helmet and carried a clipboard around to make sure that everyone was on time.

When I was four years old, I had long hair and owned hundreds of those little Goody barrettes that were so popular in the 80’s. Remember these?

One day, while my dad and I watched TV, I decided to put as many as possible in his hair. He’s bald on top with hair on the sides, and I was able to gather a few wispy hairs that still grew on top of his head too.

I have no idea how long we watched TV or hung out indoors, but at some point Dad decided to go outside and work on the gutters. Being the ultimate Daddy’s Girl and his little shadow, I was nearby when this well-dressed lady approached us from the driveway. She was in a business suit and looked very professional.

My dad was friendly but also busy, so he stayed on top of the ladder while she introduced herself as a census taker. While she went through the process of asking him all the nosy government questions I watched my father responding to her and scooping out leaves. I recall thinking to myself, “Does Daddy know that he still has my barrettes in his hair?” The thought was quickly dismissed because both adults acted very adult-like and no one ever acknowledged the hundreds of tiny ponytails all over his head. Clearly I was an excellent stylist.

Only later that day when Dad was using the restroom did he notice his colorful hairdo. I was very disappointed to have to take it down.

It’s one of my favorite memories, picturing my dad working way up high on his ladder with hundreds of barrettes in his hair and acting as if it was the most normal thing on earth.

Charlie played in his first official organized sport today! I don’t know who had more fun – John and me or Charlie – but we are super excited to be starting sports and are looking forward to years of exciting times! I took a few pictures but won’t share all 61 of them with you…9 seems like a much more reasonable number.

Charlie is quite the athlete! No surprise there with a dad like his. The coolest moment of the day when his coach said, “Charlie, if you keep this up, I’m going to have to put you on my 5-year-old team!”

Did I mention how much I love that his team color is neon yellow???