Welcome to the world, little man.

You arrived on Monday morning, July 27, 2009.

We were anxious to meet you. You had several guests waiting to hold you, all full of anticipation.

Here are some of your very first moments in the world.

I wasn't able to hold you just when you were born because you were having breathing problems. The doctors were able to solve the problems and get your lungs and heart working properly, and twenty minutes later, Dr. Finstad brought you to me so I could cuddle you.

Curled up and sleepy after crying and being so alert during your newborn tests.

Your daddy helping the nursery staff bathe you.

He was the first family member to hold you. He had waited for that moment so long, and had longed to name you Daniel.

Your enthusiastic Aunt Rachie. She waited on pins and needles in the delivery room and texted her friends updates.

Your Grandma Becky arrived very early during labor to make sure she didn't miss your arrival.

Aunt Jessica also arrived early in the morning and was one of the first people to smile at you.

Your father held you for a long time the afternoon you were born while I rested.

Your Grandpa Douglas checked you out on Tuesday afternoon. He came to see you as soon as he was able.

This is how you slept in the hospital, in a tiny, plastic box. You had to wear a woolen hat to keep your temperature up.

We noticed you kept your hands up near your face most of the time, sleeping or awake.


We loved and loved and loved on you, sweet boy.  
We marveled that God chose you for us and us for you.  


You are a big game-changer, dear, and we are so in love with you.

Skipping With Aunt Rachie

Daniel loved when Aunt Rachie skipped with him.  He used her as a swing to launch into a skip.  He giggled the whole time!

A First Fireworks Experience!

Daniel's first July 4th was last year, but it was rather uneventful.  He was eleven months old and went to bed peacefully and regularly at 7 PM each night.  We didn't change his routine and treated it as any other night.  Thus, he missed out on the celebration last year... the fireworks didn't even wake him!

This year, Daniel is falling asleep around 8:15PM each night, which is very close to 9 PM.  That's when the local fireworks display starts.  We went back and forth on going this year, since Elsa doesn't sleep in her car seat and since Daniel really does need his sleep in order to be a friendly guy.  Our friends the Dorrs told us about a great place to watch the fireworks they accidentally discovered last year.  Its a parking lot north of the stadium, free from traffic, smoke, firework noise, and crowds.  We decided to go!

Aunt Rachel and her boyfriend came for dinner and went to the fireworks with us, too.

Daniel was really sweet in the car on the way to see them..  He practiced saying his new word, firework.  He grinned a lot, too.  We could tell he knew we were doing something special.

We bought camp chairs and a beach towel to sit on.  It was really pleasant.  Daniel was happy his friends Emmie and T were there, too.

I had to point out when the fireworks began because Daniel was distracted by his friends, the location, and a nearby motorcycle.

He was stunned.

He said, "Wow. Woah. Wow."

He also said "Pow! Boom!".

Being so far away from the Stadium and the fireworks made it a little less exciting for us, but I don't think Daniel found it any less neat.  It was certainly different than being on the parking garages.  I liked that that there weren't other people around though.

 Elsa stayed in her car seat the whole time.  I don't think she figured out what was going on.  She fussed a bit, but when we got home, she slept from 10:30 until 5 AM.

Here are a few more scenes from the night.

The little boys were squirrely and very interested in lighting fireworks or looking at the motorcycle parked nearby.  We had to round them up on our laps a few times.

 The little girls didn't do too much this year.  I bet next year they will be running around and being goofy, too.

After the fireworks were over, Emmie shared his fireworks.

 

 DHH didn't actually like the sparklers.  He held one for about ten seconds, but then was content to just watch.

 He was okay just watching or holding an unlit sparkler.

My sister's boyfriend is from Turkey and hasn't celebrated very many American Independence Days.  This was his first time with a sparkler! 

 Then it was time for the Snaps.  DHH liked these.

He said, "POW" and also tried stepping on them, too.

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 It was a pretty fun night, and I am happy our two year old got to share this experience with our friends and family.