Saturday, February 20, 2010

Think Again, Daniel's Turning 10 (Months Old)



Breaking down the weeks of Daniel's life is getting incredibly impossible...  Maybe it's because I'm keeping up with the "weeks" of two babies now.  If you didn't already know it, Daniel's expecting a brother, and his Mommy is learning to get the hang of being organized while over 6 months pregnant and chasing after a 10 month old.  So, with that in mind, I'm going to give you a run down of the big events that occurred in Daniel's tenth month (instead of the "usual" week to week)!

In his 10th month:
He weighed 20 lbs and 14 oz.
He was 29 and a half inches long.
He wore size 4 diapers, 12-18 month clothes, and a 4 1/2 in shoes!
His Mommy turned 27!
He celebrated by having his Mimi and Aunt Jessica stay over.
He loved wearing his parents' Avatar 3D glasses.
 He visited his buddies:  Pierce and the twins, Connor and Clayton.
He tried his very first Oreo and loved it.
He "rode" on the elliptical machine with his Daddy.
 He witnessed his first REALLY BIG snow:  over 4 inches!
His Daddy built a family of Vanderbilt/Kentucky basketball-playing snowmen.
 He loved playing in the snow with Daddy!
He became a huge fan of Gerber biter biscuits!
They are a MESS!
 He got his third tooth!  It's on the top!
He had his first church service at home due to the snow.
He wore his pajamas to the service...
And ate the whole time at his high chair.
He liked eating the snow once it melted a little.
 
 
He learned to climb on top of things...
Notice how tall he is all thanks to his toy train!
His Grandpa taught him how to pull a rubberband and "pop" someone.
Daniel would just LAUGH and LAUGH!
 His parents bought him a jumperoo, and it has been fantastic!
We found the one thing that will make him sit still...  The Polar Express movie!
He got MORE snow and tried snow cream!
He got a monkey balloon from Daddy on Valentine's Day!
 He got tangled up in Mommy's balloons.
Here's Daniel with Mommy on Valentine's Day:
Here is his growing family on Valentine's;
Notice "Brother" is really starting to make his appearance:
His family got him books, movies, and lots of Elmo goodies!
He gave kisses all the time...
That is, with his mouth open wide and slobbering.
He stood and stood and stood...
He took LOTS of first steps, but never actually walked.
He went to his friend Greyson's 2nd birthday party!
He FINALLY started sleeping through the night this month...
He sleeps from 8 p.m. until 6:30-7:00 a.m. EVERY NIGHT!
He even takes two naps a day!
He also helped his Mommy shop for his 1st birthday party!
He spent a lot of time in his pjs and chewing on Mommy's necklaces.
He began trying table foods:  mashed potatoes, pasta, bread, mac and cheese, etc.
He tried the crust of some Cici's pizza and ATE IT UP.
 


Friday, February 19, 2010

Ready or Not

As Daniel and I napped one afternoon this week, just before I drifted off, I realized that Daniel wouldn't be our only child (here on earth) for much longer.  As exciting as that statement is, I almost teared up just thinking about it.  I worried over my capabilities as a parent and what life would be like with two children who will be less than 13-14 months apart, and the fear of continuing exhaustion that has been in full effect since last April when he was born almost overwhelmed me.

That is, until this precious, first-born son of mine, snuggled up close to my chest, and I suddenly felt his sweet, growing brother gently nudge his older sibling from my inside.  For what seemed like hours, I laid in awe of this little being (25 weeks and counting) and how he was "communicating" with both Daniel and his mommy. 

Somehow, my nerves were calmed, and I realized how amazing God must be to allow ME to experience this much joy...  Sure, there are moments when I am so scared of what is to come that I almost choke, but mostly, there are moments like these when my God reassures me that these "are the plans He has for me..."

Ready or not, the moments of exhaustion are coming...  The sleepless nights and soon thereafter, the endless fights.  I cannot tell you how exciting that is to me these days.  Ready or not, God seems to say, and I, for one, am ready for what He has in store.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Look What Daniel Can Do!

He has been standing somewhat on his own for a while now, but he's finally getting the hang of doing it for longer periods of time!  He just pulls himself up on anything he can and lets go.  He has been busy scaring us by taking 2-4 steps each time, but we haven't actually seen him "walk" as of yet...  It won't be long!  We are so proud of our big boy!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Why I'm Thankful My Husband Can Study from Home

 

I know you can't exactly see Daniel's smiling face so well in this picture, but Daddy took a break from studying today (just so you know, he's a full-time pastor who studies both in his church office and his home office which will eventually be another nursery) to play for a few minutes with Daniel.  

I cannot tell you how sweet it is to see the love a little boy has for his father, and I'm so grateful that I can witness it on a daily basis.  As parents, we always fear that what we are doing isn't benefiting our children, but this one thing for me is true...  You can never go wrong if given the opportunity to stay at home with your family.  I am greatly blessed!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Picture Perfect


"Come now, and let us reason together," 
says the LORD,
"Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow..."
Isaiah 1:18
Your back porch may not look like ours, but I was reminded just yesterday how God sees those of us who have experienced His grace.  Sometimes, I feel as if I'm covered in red paint, but the beautiful picture God's left behind in His Word and of His world help me put things into perspective.