I was trying so hard to get a smile out of him, but he just wouldn't budge
Although Christmas time is always chaotic and I feel like the days leading up to it I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off, its always worth it when the day finally comes and things come together. We had such a great time opening presents with the kids as Brielle tried to eat all the wrapping paper, and Daniel going from toy to toy playing and be overwhelmed with excitement, and then sitting back with Jason as we reflect on this time of year, and having a overwhelming feeling of gratitude for all the blessings we have in our life, and how grateful we are to have such an amazing family and friends. We love you all and hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
our attempt to get a family picture.....I think I just have to face the fact that getting a good family picture just isn't going to happen with a 3 year old and 5 month old.
first attempt to get the two of them in front of the tree
well....at least they are both sitting down now
Daniel took off, while Brielle was still in the same spot....oh isn't it nice when they can't move yet!
I remember with Daniel I just couldn't wait for him to get older and to learn and start doing new things, but this time around I almost want to freeze time, because it is going way to fast. It seems every day Brielle is learning and doing something new, her latest trick is sitting up on her own. As she gets older her personality is really starting to show, and boy does she have a little attitude! I don't know how else to put it, but she is all girl, she is very particular with the way she is held, to the way you hold her bottle, or the way she holds her own bottle, and she loves to be held, but you have to be standing(honestly what is about infants that you can be walking with them holding them, and the minute you sit down they scream! I don't get it!), she also has this little squeal she does when she wants your attention, and boy is it loud and high pitch, there is no way I could ignore it, an I guess something we are also going to have to get use to is she is very sensitive, I can't even count how many times Daniel makes her cry, not because he's being mean or rough with her, he's just trying to play with her. But either way, we just adore her and yes....she has us wrapped around her little finger! 
Everything still goes right to the mouth
She was getting so upset because she couldn't get the whole thing in her mouth. 
Bonding Time....I love these moments!
I put her in the middle of the floor to play while I cleaned up a little, and I come back in the room and she had rolled over to her saucer, either she was giving it kisses, or just like everything else, she was trying to put it in her mouth, needless to say its a little big for her mouth. 
Now I tag......Anyone who wants to do it!
Out with the old and in with the new, the hangers have been replaced, its now his blocks. This kid cracks me up, every night we have to have tigger, pooh, his sponge bob pillow and his blocks. Its almost as if I need a list to check off to make sure we have everything, but hey he sleeps soundly, so thats really all that matters!
It seems I have been finding this more often since he started Pre-school he comes home just exhausted. As much as he loves it and is having so much fun its been a little hard on him as well, he is on the afternoon schedule so that cuts right into nap time and so he when he gets off the bus at 3:45 he's more than ready for a nap. His schedule right now has him going Tuesday - Friday, but I may cut one of those days out, after seeing how things went his first week, I think it may be to much for him, I'm gonna try it out for another week and see how he does.
Yesterday was a very emotional as well as exciting day in our house. It was Daniels first day of Pre-school, and not only was it his first day of school, but he rides the BUS to and from school! I can't believe it.....my little boy is riding the BUS! I honestly thought he was going to be scared or start crying, but he was just as happy as ever, the aide on the bus helped him get on, and get him to his seat, and as we stood outside the bus waving at him, he just smiled and waved and off he went. He will usually ride the bus every day but considering I was already overwhelmed with the idea of Daniel going to Pre-school I decided he would ride the bus to school and I would pick him up, I just needed to ease my mind that he is okay there. And he was, when I picked him up he didn't want to leave, I guess he was just having to much fun! His teacher said he did really well, and for being his first day she was shocked at how calm and easy going he was, but really that is his personality, he adjusts to situations really well, and he's not hard to please. Way to go Daniel on great first day and we hope you continue to enjoy it!
Daniel sporting his new backpack!
He's ready to go! Pre-school here we come!
On Thursday night I think I was doing just about the same thing as about every other woman was doing, attending the twilight premiere, I knew there was a lot of excitement for the movie, but never did I imagine this, I got to Jordan commons and after driving around the parking lot for about 15 minutes I finally found a parking spot, and walking in the theatre was a whole different story, other than Swiss days I don't think I have seen this many woman in one place in my entire life, they were screaming, they were dressed up and then you have me looking at all these woman like they are possessed or something, don't get me wrong, I'm a twilight fan, but I have my limits. My friend Sheri got us tickets to the midnight premiere and I have to say I was expecting more, I liked the movie but I didn't love it, I guess i was just hoping for more between Bella and Edward, and well at times it was just a little to cheesy for me, but i was entertained. So thanks girls for a great night out, it was very much needed! 
After 23 hours of labor Daniel finally entered this world via c-section on November 23, 2005. He came in weighing 5lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long, but as little as he was he brought the most amazing spirit into our home, and I have to say the day he was born was the happiest as well as the hardest day of my life. During my entire pregnancy I had no idea what was in store for me, I probably had 12 ultrasounds and not one of them gave any indication that I was going to be delivery a child with a disability, and even after he was born, we didn't know the fullness of his condition until he was 2 months old. These last 3 years Daniel has brought us more joy than I could ever imagine, I don't always fully understand why I have been given this challenge, but I would never change the way things are in a million years, Daniel is one of the happiest, fun loving little boys I know, and he has a smile that will just melt your heart! As I sat at the computer looking back at all his baby pictures I couldn't just pick a few out, so I put together some collages of my little guy growing up, as I was looking at these it brought so many memories back, from all the surgeries, to dr's visits, to birthdays, to vacations, and all the good and hard times we have had, as I sat here in tears looking at all his pictures I realized how lucky I am, and how fortunate I am to have been trusted with this sweet little spirit. Happy Birthday Daniel, we love you and hope you had a great birthday! (to see the collage better, just click on it to make it bigger!)
This is what happens when I don't feed it to her fast enough! She just loves her rice cereal, and if I take to long between bites she gets pretty upset with me!
Miss independant! She kept reaching for the spoon, and wanting to do it herself!
Not quite sure how this spoon works yet
Then to top it off, she thought it would be fun to blow bubbles at mom while she had food in her mouth!
Last Saturday we took Daniel to Disney on Ice, and he LOVED it, he was dancing, and singing, just doing what kids do best, just having the time of his life. Jason and I were actually very entertained as well, its been years since I have been, and it was a great show for all of us! Plus it was nice to have some one on one time with our little guy and I thinked he loved having our undivided attention the whole evening as well.
as you can see, she has her own way of sitting in her bumbo, she just can't stop reaching for those cute little feet!
I'm a little late on this post, but on November 7th we took Daniel to clinic at Primary Childrens. And I am happy to say, we got the green light! They were so amazed with him and how much he has accomplished since our last visit in April. So as each doctor and therapist came in, we got nothing but good news, no surgeries, and no tests! We do have to continue our annual bladder studies and ultrasounds of his kidneys, but those only happen once a year, but really other than that, we are in the clear for now! Once again this little guy is proving to all of us just how strong he is and against all odds he is doing things I never thought he would do! The little things that come so easily to other children Daniel has to work twice as hard to do, and I couldn't be more proud of him and his willingness and motivation to learn and try new things. We love you Daniel and keep up the good work!
