Daniel's Dedication

I have had an interesting time trying to explain to my Catholic neighbor and coworker why we don't baptise babies but rather have them dedicated. Baptism should be biblical (as should your whole Christian life) and done when you decide to follow the Lord. We dedicate our children to the Lord and promise to bring them up in His ways.
Last Sunday we were able to stand in front of our church body to make this commitment and to ask the members of the church to support us in doing so. Both sets of parents and Jason's maternal grandmother were there as well. It wasn't quite what I had hoped for (the church we were raised in does a much more personal and meaningful dedication) but it was very nice.
Look at Daniel all snazzed up in his seersucker suit! It even has a bow tie.
Three other couples had their babies dedicated too - this is the cake one of the mothers made for our Sunday School brunch.

After church we all went to Bravo for lunch and enjoyed our time together. Thank you all for being there with us and for your daily prayers to support Jason and I as we raise this wonderful little boy.

5th Anniversary

Jason and I kind of missed our anniversary last year but we tried to celebrate this year as it is a milestone one. Friday, the day, I came home from work to find a card addressed to "My Beautiful Wife". It held the most perfect card ever - Jason easily could have had it specially made, and a gift card to a spa for a massage and pedicure. I didn't get Jason anything but I did arrange for babysitting on Saturday and I put up with him everyday.
The fifth is traditionally the Wood Year so we spent some time with stuff that has lived most of its life in wood - wine. My parents came out Saturday around lunch time and once I had Daniel down for his afternoon nap, Jason and I hopped in the car, the sporty one without a car seat!, and cruised around the countryside. The sky was dark with rain clouds but everything was beautiful regardless. I just took in the green carpeted rolling hills speckled with black and white cows and woolly sheep all framed by the densely forested mountains beyond the valley. We stopped at two local vineyards and tasted wines. Blue Mountain Winery was surprisingly good. Most wine from this region is weak and shallow but Blue Mountain had a few wines that were enjoyable.
When our hunger struck we went to the market and bought some fresh seafood to take home for my dad to cook for us. We all enjoyed a gourmet meal complete with wine for less than $10 a person!
I didn't get any pictures of our adventures but I enjoyed every moment of it.

First Cry

This morning I took Daniel to his Vickey's (the babysitter) house. He cried when I left! Now granted I don't usually drop him off but that is the first time he has cried for me while in Vickey's care. For some reason that makes me feel better! Maybe he does love me!

Daniel is 1 Year Old!

I can't believe it. Time really goes too quickly sometimes. Watching a baby grow leaps and bounds in such a short time is amazing. Just 12 months ago we were in the hospital trying to overcome the difficulties of our last night as one, holding each other closely, learning what to do with each other, and -- well - sleeping. Now I can hardly hold on to Daniel for a few seconds before he is off and running.

Daniel is a mischievous little stinker. He likes to grab on to things he knows he shouldn't have and run. His laugh is easy and frequent and fills the room with sunshine. He has four teeth and four on the way. He eats anything he can feed to himself. There are several noises he can make - meow, moo, and a siren wail are what come to mind now. He knows how to ask for milk in sign language and has many other physical ways of telling us what he wants (pointing and grunting mostly). Daniel is very curious about everyone and everything. All items within reach must be handled and tasted. Reading books is still his activity of choice but I can see he is starting to loose some interest in them and favoring his expeditions.

His annual check up is this Wednesday - I'm a bit worried that he is still small but he has never been sick and is a happy little man so it can't be that bad.

Everyday I thank the Lord for choosing me to be the mother of this precious angel. I can't help but think there was a mistake - I don't deserve Daniel and there is no way I can ever be good enough for him. I just pray that the Lord will give me wisdom and that I will never fall short of love. I guess that is all I can do.


Brunch at Ken and Kathleen's - Daniel and Grant
His Birthday party with the Marquiss Family

Moments of Joy

Daniel fills every moment with joy. He has the most wonderful smile and silly personality. I relish every short moment I have with him and just can't give him enough kisses.
His favorite thing recently is books. We read dozens of books a day (or a couple books a dozen times). Before every nap and at bedtime he has to read every book he can get his hands on.