This is how his laugh sounds this week.

Ben's laugh seems to change all the time. Last week, it was a high-pitched squeal. I'm a fan of this week's version (see video) -- I think it highlights his husky little voice nicely.

Another (very) recent change: he's dropped his evening nap the last three nights. I don't know if this change will stick, but I'm liking it so far. He goes to bed earlier this way, and so far he sleeps later in the morning. Plus, he's excessively cute, so it's fun to have some extra playtime at night :) Again, I refer you to the video above.

I'm sorry I keep posting low-quality videos that we take with our still camera. I'll try not to make this a habit, but it's the easiest way to share the boy with the grandparents.

Heavy heart

This isn't the kind of post I normally make, but I am having trouble thinking about anything else and feel the need to put this in writing.

Our youth minister and his wife, David and Lisa, have a precious ten-year-old daughter, Jenna.  They never thought they wanted another child until a couple of years ago, when God gave their family a profound desire for another little one.  Months and months passed with no pregnancy.  So you can imagine their incredible joy to learn in January that Lisa was pregnant!  Situations like this always make me think of a line from one of my favorite hymns:  "Hast thou not seen how thy desires have been granted in what He ordaineth?"

Then on Wednesday night, we learned that Lisa, now eighteen weeks along, is having some complications and is leaking amniotic fluid.  Instead of leaving for vacation this week, Lisa is now on bedrest.  She prayed for so long for this sweet baby to come, and now she is praying that this sweet baby will wait and continue to grow and thrive inside her until the time is right.

When I woke up this morning, I was surprised to see snow on the ground.  And as I watch it continue to fall, I can't help but think that this snow is just for Lisa.  What a perfect reminder that our God is sovereign over all of His creation.  Sometimes His ways are unexpected, but He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Please pray for David and Lisa and Jenna and their precious baby!

Hold me closer, Tony Danza

Ben has pretty much forgotten how to roll over (or he at least chooses not to these days), but he has recently acquired the ability to dance. That's probably a more important skill in the long run, right?