8 months old Already!

Can you believe our little Doodah is 8 months old already? Where has the time gone? Yet at the same time, it seems as though he has always been in our family. Daniel is such a sweetheart! He is still Mister Smiley...all the time, with everyone. He is super friendly and will go to anyone who is smiling. BUT...he is still a Momma's Boy! :) He is into EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING. He has been crawling for a month and he has certainly gained some speed. Daniel is quiet trouble...he's very sneaky! :) He is also pulling up on EVERYTHING and starting to cruise the furniture. We have a lot of hardwood and tile in our house, so it makes me an extra nervous Momma! He LOVES the train table, much to David's dismay...because he loves taking the track apart and chewing on it! His hair is finally coming in and we love all the bed head moments! Daniel loves taking a bath with big brother. He pretty much loves doing anything big brother is doing. He loves to eat...and will eat anything! Although, he prefers fruits and any table food Mommy will offer. He's a sweet snuggler, loves to play peek-a-boo with Daddy, and makes us laugh daily. He now has 2 teeth with some more on their way. He puts any and every thing in his mouth, and is especially fond of the firewood! Daniel is VERY ticklish and has the sweetest giggle. He doesn't talk much, but does make lots of noises. We are so blessed by sweet Daniel! My heart melts everytime he smiles, he is truly a happy baby and such a joy for us. Can't believe he's growing so fast!

And the bravery award goes to...

DAVID MATTHEW!!!







He is our brave little man! David recently had surgery to repair a double hernia and move his testicle into place. It was a minor, outpatient surgery, but nonetheless, scary for Matt and I. We had to travel to Knoxville for the surgery, so to avoid waking at 4:00am the day of surgery, we went down with Granna and Daniel the night before. We were able to go swimming (David loved that!) at the hotel and had a great time. Matt and I were both very concerned about the no-eating before surgery rule considering David is quite a hungry rooster in the mornings! He did great though! We explained the procedure to him (as best as we could) and he was such a trooper. Never cried a tear. He was so brave for all the nurses and doctors. When he woke up from anesthesia and Matt and I went in to see him, he was propped up on the pillow with his arms behind his head while the nurses were waiting on him left and right. They all fell in love with him! We were able to travel home that day and he hasn't even blinked an eye about any of it! We are so proud of him! And while I am bragging about him.....I'll just tell you some more! :)

David is the smartest, silliest, craziest, most adorable 3 year old I know! He has a memory that most would envy, he doesn't miss a thing (which can be good and bad), loves to laugh and make others laugh,and he never sits still. He is an eating machine, loves reading books, loves wrestling with dad, is addicted to playing with Mommy's hair, he loves harassing Daniel AND Garrett. He is constantly playing on the computer and "checking his email", he loves trains and loves that we live close enough to hear and see the train daily! He ALWAYS has to have the last word...(this could be bad when he is a teenager). He loves his cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents and loves being in TN with all of them. David loves school...which he calls "work." He is smart, smart, smart...amazingly so! (I am allowed to say that because I am his mother, but seriously, he is sooo smart!) He loves being outside...and everything that goes with it. He loves Praise Music and we find him humming it or singing it all day long. He is a morning bird (my rooster), loves to cuddle, and doesn't like to sleep alone! He loves being a big brother, even if he doesn't understand that Daniel can't quite yet wrestle (we daily have to remind him of this one!). He melts my heart, drives me bonkers, makes me laugh, wears me out, and reminds me DAILY of how very blessed I am . He is a Child of God and I am so thankful God is allowing Matt and I to "train him up." I am most humbled by that and pray daily that I can do a worthy job if it!

WE LOVE YOU DAVID AND WE ARE SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!

Tender Tennessee Christmas

Can you believe Christmas has already come and gone? We hope all are having a wonderful New Year!! Just wanted to post some pics of our WONDERFUL Christmas in TN!! We had a rough week leading up to Christmas. Pink eye found its way to our house (both boys...both eyes). We also had a stomach bug, sinus infection/colds, and an ear infection. What fun we were!! However, at the same time, it was nice to just stay home and avoid all the hustle and bustle! We were busy at Christmas though...we had Christmas at both our parents house and also at our home. We are so blessed to live in TN again and not miss those fun celebrations! Matt was scheduled to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas nights, but was still able to participate in all the family events! Praise God!

My blogging friend, Lindley, tagged me to share what I love most about Christmas. I know it is after Christmas, but I still wanted to share!!
~ Christmas music...and David shares the love! Little Drummer Boy is our Favorite!
~ Christmas cards...I love sending them and receiving them (we save the ones we get and draw 1 each week to pray for that person/family.)
~ Christmas tree and ornaments...we have tons of special ornaments and I love seeing them each year.
~ A particular nativity scene we have, it's beautiful and we had the most perfect spot for it this year!
~ David's understanding of the bible story! We do 3 gifts from "Santa" to remind us of the 3 gifts the wise men brought Baby Jesus and to hear David explain that to others melts my heart.
~ Nights alone with Matt in front of the fireplace and Christmas tree, drinking hot chocolate. We are truly blessed!
~ Christmas Eve services at church. We love the late night one, but with children, we now attend the early service. It is still a beautiful service!
~ And of course, the excitement of Christmas morning itself!!

Praying you and your family found some quiet time this Christmas to enjoy one another and also ponder the Greatest gift of all!