Monday, February 7, 2011
Technology rocks!
Watch out folks, there is a good chance this blog will be rocking and rolling again...hello...anyone out there...**cricket**
Peekaboo
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
TWO YEARS OLD!
Daniel turned two years old today! I am still in awe sometimes that he's here. Crazy, I know, even after this long. He has grown up so fast into the cutest, smartest, silliest, sweetest boy. Of course I'm extremely biased. :o) His vocabulary and sign language has sky-rocketed just in the past month or so. I have to tell him to slow down because he's still so hard to understand. And he gets very excited and talks fast like his mommy. Which is why the sign language is still great! He hasn't mastered sentences more than three words, but he sure tries. It's really cute when the words get all turned around because then he starts sounding like Yoda. I love it when he wraps his little arms around my neck or gives me a hug or kiss without asking for it! Although if you ask him if he loves you, he will tell you no. I've only gotten one I love you out of him just out of the blue. I'm just happy he said it to me first! Hey, he did say "dada" before "mama". I should get something!
He of course is walking, running and climbing at full speed. Nothing is ever done slow or carefully with him. It's all or nothing with this little boy. He's fearless. Which, in turn, terrifies me! He loves playing outside and especially going down the slide. Any slide! Again, fearless! Tonight, while watching him literally run around in circles I told my dad that he is like this ALL THE TIME. He fights bedtime because he doesn't want to stop. The only thing that gets him to stop is Thomas or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then I may be able to squeeze out 30 -45 minutes of down time.
Daniel's love for books and music has multiplied. We probably read ten to twenty books a night. Not all at bedtime, but just throughout the evening. Some of course are quicker than others and some we just shorten ourselves. I appreciate his love for books though. Just like Michael appreciates his love for music. However loud the drum may get. He especially loves singing "Twinkle Twinkle" or "Wheels on the bus" with his daddy. We have learned that Daniel has better dance moves than his daddy. You should see his little booty wiggle.
Potty training is going smooth so far. To be honest, I'd like it to go fast. But I'm trying to be patient. He will tell me "poo poo potty" which means he needs to go or has already gone in his diaper, whether or not it's solid. (TMI? LOL) In fact this post was interrupted by that very statement! He's not had a dry night yet so I know we still have more time to practice. I'm thinking about getting a little more adventurous with possibly a bottomless Saturday. But I'm just not sure how effective that will truly be although I've heard it works. Obviously not a great idea if you only have carpet!
I'm so amazed at how much he learns and grows everyday. Sometimes it seems like its something new everyday. He'll do or say things that Michael and I have no clue where he picked it up! That of course only solidifies the "be careful what you say and do" policy we've tried to adopt. :o) But we can only protect him so much. It's no exaggeration when they refer to children as sponges. We changed day cares in March to a local "church" based facility. The first daycare was wonderful because it was right across the street from my office, among many other reasons. But the older he got we realized we needed something closer to our home. It gives us the opportunity to have a day off work to run errands or relax without keeping up with a little one. I know he's also enjoyed having two of his grandmothers pick him up occasionally for a little fun. It was a smooth transition and a very wise decision on our part!
Well, this toddler mom is exhausted! I'm trying to figure out how to get pictures off our camera. Once I do I will amaze you with the difference from the last pictures posted!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Apologies . . .
There has been so much going on in our neck of the woods! We had such an amazing Christmas. We were the lucky participants of five Christmas celebrations. Needless to say, I don't think there is a toy out there that isn't in our house! Daniel is such a blessed and loved little boy. He was showered with so many gifts. Things ranging from toy cars, books, clothes, shoes and underwear. Well, maybe not undies, but he did get lots of diapers. Everybody gets underwear at Christmas at least once in their childhood. I'm sure this won't be the last. (Honestly, I ask for diapers every year! Not that we haven't been taken care of it in that department.)
My brother John proposed to his girlfriend Amanda on Christmas Eve. Well, now I can't even call her his fiance because they got married the first week in January. Something to do with living with him on base when he comes back from . . . I don't know where. He was stationed in Hawaii and is loving every minute of it. Amanda stayed behind in Texas to get a little more school behind her belt.
Patty, Michael's sister, and her family got to come down for a couple weeks. We had such a wonderful visit with them. Sometimes you forget how much your family means to you until they're physically out of reach! We miss them already and can't wait until their next visit. I just couldn't believe how big Catherine had gotten and how small Patty had gotten! :o) Catherine was so excited to meet Daniel. She continuously introduced him to everyone she came in contact with. "This is my baby cousin Daniel. He's my cousin!" It was adorable. Patty looks like a different person. To those of you who know her, she lost so much weight I was giving her clothes from my closet to take back with her. (Although, now that I mention it Patty, I may need them back with all the eating I did during the holidays!) Daniel just couldn't get enough of his Uncle Lorne. He just loved him. He was constantly asking him to pick him up. And of course Lorne obliged! :o)
Michael and I celebrated our NINTH wedding anniversary on December 30th. (Thank you to the Reece's for the special shout out! We thought of you too!) Patty and Lorne watched Daniel for us that night so we could go eat and take in a movie. Sometimes I look back and think we were way too young and stupid! But I know that God was with us every step of the way. Although, I'm sure there were some times all He could do was just shake His head at us. We're hoping to do something special for our tenth but we don't know what's in store at the moment.
Daniel will be starting a new daycare on March 1st. Please be in prayer for us during this transition. We found a wonderful place in Waxahachie that is a special ministry with a local church. Apparently a lot of people want in and God got us in quick! :o) The daycare he's been at has been absolutely amazing and vital for the first year. But now we need something closer to home and we definitely prefer the Christian curriculum. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. I'm sure he will do much better than I'm expecting.
Well, I can't think of anything else. I'm busy planning my sister's baby shower for this weekend. Her little girl is due February 28th. We are just loving all these little ones!
Monday, November 23, 2009
We're still here!
We had a good Halloween and enjoyed showing off our little Yoda. Even though some people mistakenly called him Shrek. But what do they know. :o) He had a good time just the same. Surprisingly he didn't try to get take off his ears!


He enjoyed a little candy with his friend Lucas at the church's fall festival. We also went into Fort Worth to my friend Candi's church festival. He had a really good time there and rode on a "mini hay-ride". It was a riding lawn mower pulling two small trailers with big bean bags. He loved it! :o)
My brother David and his beautiful wife Natalie have welcomed their first baby after 37 long hours of waiting. We couldn't be more thrilled. And Case's parents more exhausted! Daniel can't wait to show Case a few tricks. Hopefully nothing bad.



David Case Needham
My sister Jennifer is blooming more and more. She is expecting her first baby on February 28th. Finally a little girl to add to the group. I teased her that she'll either be a total princess or a tom-boy. Our family is just growing at leaps and bounds. Michael and I have discussed baby number two. But really it hasn't gotten any further than "discussing". All in due time!
My youngest brother John survived Navy boot camp and graduated on November 6th. He's still in the Chicago area but is now in school learning . . . more Navy stuff I guess. How sad that I'm not quite sure. But at any rate we are all very happy that he will be home for the Christmas holidays.
We also can't wait to see some long lost relatives this Christmas. Michael's sister Patty and her family will be joining us this year! We are so excited. It seems like forever since we've seen them and they've never even met Daniel. Just to give you an idea of the time!
Well, that sums it up for me. Just a sec, apparently Daniel has something to add . . .
yhmyhmghmjhtgg lrkduo45todfcxd t t t t t t t t t t t t vrv -pccccctiolk JY
vhctby bn ujn by bnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Okay, daddy has now pulled away baby kicking and screaming. Gotta go! Later! :o)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Ex-haus-tion
1. the act or process of exhausting.
2. the state of being exhausted.
3. extreme weakness or fatigue.
4. the total consumption of something: the exhaustion of your vacation benefits for the year.
Origin: 1640–50; <>
To say that I'm tired just wasn't enough. I'm exhausted! This last week has been such a trying week. My house has been a sick house! We noticed the week before that Daniel just wasn't himself. With the occasional low grade fever and just wanting to sleep. So when his fever got up to 102.6 on Monday morning on decided it was time to take him to see Dr. Sweet. I prayed all morning, "Please don't let it be flu!" Well, it wasn't flu. It was, however, a list of other things. Some of which all kind of piggy back each other.
- strep throat
- viral throat infection
- double ear infection
- thrush
- Hand Foot and Mouth
Two prescriptions and handouts later the doctor says, "At least it's not the flu!" She's right. Thank God for that. But now what?
Well, Tuesday morning I'm giving Michael instructions on how and when to give Daniel is medications. He looks at me with this glazed looked telling me he's not listening to a word I'm saying. In the middle of me asking, "Are you listening?" he darts to the bathroom and commences to puking and diarrhea. So, I call in for a second day and now have two boys to take care. Wednesday morning met me with a lovely slap in the face. It was my turn to be sick. Luckily only once! I was able to power through the rest of the day still caring for two puny, but recovering boys. Michael and I went back to work and Daniel back to school. I prayed that the daycare wouldn't call me and say it was too soon. Especially now that the blisters seem to have migrated from his mouth to his little face in the past two or three days!
In the midst of the crazy week my poor mother is diagnosed with a fungal ear infection that may have made it's way into her lymph node! How does that happen? Why does it seem everyone around me is falling apart? Pray that she feels better soon. She's been in tons of pain and will be going back to the doctor today. Pray that she doesn't require hospitalization but just lots of rest at home.
So, now we are trying to get back on schedule and maintain some form of routine. It's amazing how easy it is to get off and how hard it can be to get back on. A mother and wife's job is truly never ending. (I'm sorry Mom for never recognizing that until now!) I'm almost caught up with laundry and my house doesn't resemble a pig-sty anymore. Well, maybe just a little. But I'm still working on that!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Bring the Rain
For those of you who don't know, Michael is the Corsicana High School Choir director. And that small town has just been rocked with a terrible loss. Michael received word about an hour ago that the father of one of his students was killed in a car accident. In this town like every other small Texas town, sports reign. Which can be very frustrating for a fine arts teacher. But Michael knew that no matter what was going on he could depend on this man to support the choir. Including chaperon the trip to New York earlier this year as well as other functions. Michael cares for all of his students but for some reason really bonded with this family, this man. Sadly, he was also the pastor of one of the local churches. And knowing that is bittersweet. I can't help but remember the verse from Mercy Me's song Bring the Rain.
Such powerful words in such a difficult time for this family. Please pray for them this weekend while they cope with this rain.

Lord, we come to you on behalf of the Edwards family tonight. We pray that you wrap your arms around his wife tonight and give her comfort and strength. I can't imagine the loss that she is feeling right now. Please hold on tight to his son tonight. Give him the comfort that now only his Daddy God can give him. Every boy needs his daddy and now give him the wisdom to come to you. To know that in all this rain you will give him the peace and understanding that his father is now with his Heavenly Father. Please give this family comfort to know that this man closed his eyes to this world but opened them to your welcoming face! I also pray Lord that you give Michael the words to share with this family. This is such a difficult time to find words. Just speak to his heart and give him comfort as well with the loss of his friend. I can't remember the last time I've seen him so heartbroken. Lord, we don't always understand your ways when we're in the middle of the storm. Sometimes we still don't even after the clouds have gone away. But we know we can always take comfort in knowing that you are here. It's in Your name we ask it all! Amen
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
My tray runneth over!
What did you eat as a child you couldn't wait to give your little one?

Wait Daddy, there's still some on my tray!

Stick 'em up!
I think I found some between his toes!
I should be on a cleaning product commercial. Can you see that orange ring?
Dinner was good but bathtime is always so much more fun!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Anchors away!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dear Daniel,
One year ago today, I held you for the first time and couldn't believe that God had trusted me with one of his most amazing miracles. The joy, honor and fear of it all washed over me. To know that I was responsible for His creation. To care for you and raise you to trust in our Saviour. To know that you were not only a part of me and your dad, but a part of God. To know that you weren't truly and wholly mine, but God's. To know that my love for the Lord was so much stronger because He blessed me with you. Because He was and is always faithful. Praise be to the one and true God who moves mountains!
One year ago today, I looked in your eyes and saw your father. My love for your daddy is immeasurable. My love for him grows each time I see him kiss your precious head. To see you both asleep in the recliner gives me such peace. Your laughter makes him smile a smile that he saves just for you. I love that smile! When he sweeps you up into his arms I know that he would do anything to help and protect you. And to see him reprimand you reassures me he will also guide you. Not only guide you through this world but down the path of righteousness. Because your daddy loves you more than any man on this earth!
One year ago today, I became your mommy. And I will always and forever be Daniel's Mommy!
I love you Puppy, a whole sky full!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Daniel's world
We grilled hot dogs and had cupcakes and ice cream for dessert. His “cake” was a stack of cupcakes that I put together. The single one on top had chocolate icing. He was absolutely adorable! He really wanted to chow down but I guess he just couldn’t wrap his head around how he was going to go about it. It was just so funny. He eventually figured it out and got icing everywhere. I was holding back tears of laughter the entire time.
Well, I think I’ve covered all the bases. I will be posting pictures and video soon. I promise! :o)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
We're back from our blog break!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
9-month doctor appointment
His appointment went very well today. Dr. Sweet (yes that's her name and it fits) said that it does look like the diaper rash has turned into a yeast infection and suggested Lotrimin. She also said that it does sound like he has allergies and suggested children's Zyrtec. She's very much about OTC products, which I have grown to appreciate. She is keeping him on the same dose of Zantac. If the cough continues even with the Zyrtec, she will then change the Zantac dose. She said the cough could be allergies, reflux, or both. So she wants to try to hit allergies first for a couple weeks. His ears look great and the tugging is just a developmental thing right now. She said otherwise he's doing what he should be and his stats are where they should be. Except that he has his momma's big 'ol lunchbox head. (My assessment, not hers! ) Lastly, she said we should expect some pearly whites within a few weeks. She could feel some buds on their way and that they may come throught the top first. We shall see! And the biggest surprise for today, NO SHOTS. Daniel is celebrating by crawling all over the house babbling up a storm!
19 lbs. 11 oz. (44%)
28" long (52%)
18" head circ. (69%)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Busy little bee!
I would first like to make an announcement. My brother David and his beautiful wife Natalie are expecting their first baby! The whole family is so excited to have another addition. She’s been having a pretty rough time of it right now. That little one is definitely making sure his momma doesn’t forget he/she is there. She has been so sick these 12 weeks. Please keep her in your prayers the remainder of her pregnancy.
This year was my first official Mother’s day and I had a wonderful time. What better way than to spend that day with your little one! Michael fixed my mom and I lunch and then mowed the lawn. I love a freshly mowed lawn. It smells so nice and looks beautiful. Daniel had so much fun playing with me and Gran while Michael mowed. He played outside on the front porch and explored all that it could offer. He even tasted a few leaves now and then. A little dirt never hurt anyone. This baby literally had dirt from head to toe!
He is now crawling forward and cruising on anything he can pull up on. I think one day he decided he was tired of going backward and running into stuff. He just took off as if he’d been doing it for months! Like I said he is pulling himself up on everything and bravely cruising. Occasionally he will pull himself up to his crib rail but for some reason gets stuck. It’s actually pretty funny. I know I’m mean for laughing but he just looks so scared when he gets himself stuck when all he has to do is let go. Because he’s pulling up Super Dad has lowered the crib mattress all the way down. I couldn’t believe how fast that moment came. My mom bought him a cool little walker. He goes backward right now. Why does he have a problem with going forward? :o) He loves pressing all the buttons and listening to the music playing. (He loves musical toys!) Of all the songs it plays for some reason he continuously plays “When the Saints Go Marching In”. Hopefully in the near future he’ll figure out how to go forward. He gets himself stuck a lot going backward. Now if we could just get some teeth! He still has no teeth. He’s had all the symptoms just nothing to show for it. Maybe we’ll be lucky and get a whole bunch at once. Not that I want him in immense pain.
Even without teeth he seems to be doing just fine with his food. He gets very excited at mealtime. I’m still making all of his food at the moment. And he is officially weaned off the breast. This was a gradual process which proved easier for Mommy and Daniel than I thought. I haven’t started introducing meats yet, which I know I should. But we are trying new textures and other new foods. He loves his veggies with just one exception so far. GREEN BEANS! He hates them with a passion. He will kick and scream and clamp his mouth shut. It’s actually quite dramatic with tears and everything. He does love his fruits. I’ve not come across one he doesn’t like so far. Like I said his lack of teeth isn’t holding him back. My mother gave him a whole nectarine this weekend to play with and gum while she made a fruit salad. He surprised us by biting right into it. He of course loved it and destroyed it; eating what he could and sucking out all the juice. Needless to say, he was very messy and sticky. He also enjoys his Gerber puffs and wagon wheels. We think he is picking up on the sign “more”. His rendition of it is really cute and he will sign it when he’s getting hungry too. Even though he stays on a pretty regular feeding schedule it is helpful to know when he’s getting hungry without him screaming.
We’ve been doing pretty good with no more ear infections. (knock on wood!) He does however have a terrible diaper rash that has been coming and going for a couple weeks. Luckily he has his nine month appointment this week so we can ask the doctor what’s going on. I was hoping it wasn’t a yeast infection and have been giving him yogurt to help. But this rash is a stubborn one. His spitting up has been a little heavier of late. I think we may need to start increasing his Zantac. I also believe he has yucky allergies like his mommy and daddy. His poor eyes have been so red and itchy lately. And periodically they’ve been getting lots of “eye boogies”. But like I said his appointment is this week to help answer a lot of our pressing questions. Otherwise I feel like he’s a pretty healthy baby. :o)
He has also become quite the talker, like his parents. He has moved on to two-syllable sounds. His first one was “ma-ma”. I will admit that I was very excited to hear that for the first time. But I know he’s not aware of what he’s saying. But it does melt the heart just the same! He is also saying “bah-bah” and “da-da”. Michael of course grinned ear to ear the first time he heard that. Sometimes when we put him to bed you can hear him babbling away to Slobber, one of his stuffed puppies. I’m enjoying it now while it’s still cute. Remind me when he’s 13 that I couldn’t wait for the days he could talk! LOL :o)
He’s doing great at school/daycare. He loves all his teachers and “friends” and is currently the second oldest in his class. This is a room of about seven kids all under one year old. As much as I wanted to stay home with him, I couldn’t imagine a better place for him. They do so many things with him that I never would have imagined. And sometimes the simplest thing is used as a teaching tool. They’ve finger painted, played with dry oatmeal and explored a newspaper. Another time they “helped” make muffins. And now that he’s crawling he’s exploring the adjoining classroom a lot more often. A few times I’ve gone to pick him up and the teachers laugh saying he went to visit his other friends. I think he’s turning into quite the flirt, like his daddy! It’s a wonderful place and I have had great experiences with everyone he comes in contact with.
I think that’s all the updates I have for now. I’m sure that was more than some of you expected. Look for the pictures and videos. I promise to have them up this week!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Pictures, videos and updates...oh my!
Daniel is trying so hard to crawl. You can't see it very well but he has figured out how to get his feet under him. Just not at the same time as his arms. Once he gets his arms up his feet fall and the other way around. But if he has something holding his feet still he get up. Then he starts that rocking motion. It's almost like he's thinking, "Okay, now what?"
He has graduated from the infant tub to the big tub. This has been for some time but now he's able to sit up on his own and actually enjoy bath time. And enjoy it he does. He still drinks the water every chance he gets. And funny enough, he prefers to play with the Cool Whip bowl rather than the other bath toys!
I have been making Daniel's baby food. But apparently not fast enough according to this picture! He's been doing really good with his new menu. He loves his veggies thank goodness. I can't really say what is his favorite. Maybe sweet potatoes or carrots. Bleh! I do not like sweet potatoes. He has also been eating banana, vegging mixes, peas, avocado, and yogurt. We will soon be experimenting with peaches, blueberries and mango.Slow down son!

Is this not the most adorable picture? He is normally a little fussy after a bath. I think part of it is because he really likes bath time and hates to see it end. Also, no matter how fast I try to dry him off and get him dressed I think he doesn't like being the slightest bit cold.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Just a tease!
What's taken you so long Mommy?
















