Our little visitor

Tonight we ate supper on the deck because the weather was just beautiful. I could hardly believe the temperature was so mild in the middle of August. Our dog, Annie, was roaming through the back yard. She suddenly began sniffing around like something was out there. Brian went to check things out, and he found this tiny baby bunny. The little guy was so adorable! And our gentle Annie did it no harm. Most dogs would have eaten it up for an after-dinner snack, but Annie seemed to just want to play. However, Annie's "play" has been deadly for many a grasshopper and beetle, so we put her in the house. I hope the little guy finds his way back home!

Look at those pearly whites!

Our Daniel man has sprouted teeth! The first one popped up just before he turned six months old, and the second one followed close behind. He is just growing and changing so much lately. He can pretty much sit unsupported now. He wants to crawl so badly too. He does this thing we call the inchworm where he scoots forward using primarily his legs and forehead. It is a hoot! This last photo is one of my favorites. Daniel just loves his daddy!

Our new wheels!

Ode to the Sunfire

Brian and I bought a new (to us) vehicle today!!! We had been researching and thinking about getting something different for almost a year now. My little 2-door Sunfire was not exactly the optimal car for our growing family. Getting the car seat into the back was always a fiasco. The trunk was hardly big enough for the stroller. Recently, it began showing signs of its age too. First, some of the plastic molding on the door came unglued. Then, the battery died because the alternator was bad. A few days ago the rear view mirror fell off. The time had come for something new. And even though I am incredibly excited about our new Ford Escape, I am also very sad to be trading in my Sunfire. I am surprised by the amount of emotion I suddenly feel toward my little car. How can I explain it? I have been driving my Sunfire for over nine years. It is the car that drove me to my last day of high school and my first day of college. It is the car that I buzzed around in during those glorious days of falling in love with Brian. It took me to the airport to pick him up, it took me to the church on the day of our wedding, and it took the two of us to Eureka Springs for our honeymoon. This little car also drove me to my first day of teaching my first class of students. It has been such a good car, taking Brian and I to and from many different places. It even took us to the hospital when we had Daniel, and it brought our new little family of three home again. So many memories...so many life changes...so much more to come!

Something new on the menu

Daniel has begun solids! I have wanted to start him on solids for several weeks now, but our doctor recommended waiting until he was six months old. However, Daniel is a very big boy, and I finally decided we would go ahead and start a few weeks early. I am desperate for him to begin sleeping through the night, and everyone said that cereal would help accomplish that goal. So, Brian and I set up the high chair, bought some rice cereal, and got out the bibs. That first evening we had the camera and camcorder fired up. I opened the box of rice cereal and poured some out. We were somewhat surprised by this long awaited "solid." I am not sure if we were expecting rice crispies or what, but this rice cereal was more like rice flakes...or rice powder. Interesting, we thought. I mixed it up with some milk, and away we went. Daniel absolutely loved it! He kept grabbing the spoon and pulling it to his mouth. This made things pretty messy, and by the time we were finished, he had cereal all over himself, us, the highchair, etc. We all had a good time, and that first feeding was very well documented, as you can see below.

Bring it on!

Mmmmm!

Motherhood

Motherhood is the absolute hardest job I have ever had. (And I have taught middle schoolers!) It seems like I should have been better prepared. But, how can you prepare for something that periodically takes your heart and almost wrings it in two? Let me give you an example. Last week, I was busily straightening the kitchen while Daniel was in his play pen. I noticed he was playing with this plastic insert from a cookie box. It was fairly hard plastic, and he liked the way it crinkled when he grabbed it, so I let him continue playing with it. I did not think he could hurt himself. He was putting it in his mouth, but he has no teeth yet, so I reasoned he could not bite off a piece. Well, I was wrong. A little cry came from the play pen, and when I rushed over, the plastic container was broken on one corner, and Daniel had a plastic bit on his lips. I scooped him up and quickly searched his mouth with my finger for any more. Then, he started choking. Oh my soul! Never before had I so desperately wished that someone else was home with me. I swung Daniel over my arm and began thumping his little back, like they taught us at the infant CPR class. Daniel began coughing and spitting up. I continued thumping his back until I was sure he was breathing alright. This whole situation occurred in about 15 seconds. Daniel seemed fine, but I was almost unable to stand. My knees were weak, my heart was pounding, and I was shaking. When I had somewhat recovered, I began piecing back together the plastic container. Lo and behold, one piece was missing. Had he swallowed it? I had no clue. I called Brian, I called my mom, I called the doctor. Everyone said the same thing...watch and wait. Daniel soon went down for a nap, but I could only pace around and worry. Finally, I began praying, and the Lord comforted my heart with several scriptures. When Brian returned home that evening, I was showing him the plastic container and the hole where the missing piece belonged. As Brian turned the container over in his hands, a small piece of plastic dropped to the counter. It was the missing one! Praise the Lord!
I learned my lesson: Never give Daniel objects that are not intended for baby chompers! On a more serious note, I am learning day by day how to care for this precious little boy. He brings us such happiness. I love him so much it hurts sometimes. Thankfully, the Lord is guiding Brian and me on this amazing journey. We would not trade this time for anything.

Fourth of July

Daniel watched his first parade today. I think he liked the Shriners on their little three-wheelers the best. Tonight he will see his first fireworks display. I am interested to see his response to that!

Daniel and his grandpa watching the parade

The fire engines seemed too loud for little ears!