Spring Has Sprung!

Well, Daniel finally had a chance to see his first snow on March 1, 2009! It started snowing around 11:00 AM and continued to about 4:00 PM. We had the biggest, fattest flakes I have ever seen. What fun we had. Well, at least LOOKING at the snow. We went out in it but the wind was blowing the snow in our faces. The "boys" weren't crazy about that. It was beautiful!!!

The snow was just enough that once it had melted, we were ready for Spring!

As most of you know by this point that Daniel had his tonsils removed along w/ his right ear tube replaced on March 5. Although we were expecting a horrible recovery period, it turned out to be easier than we had thought. We are so thankful we had the right doctor to care for Daniel and to make the surgery as painless as possible. He returned to school exactly one week after his surgery! He has done so well. We are so glad that we decided to go ahead while he was young. Hopefully, this will solve a lot of his illness issues.

Daniel is doing great in school. He will attend Pre-K next year w/ the same teacher and most of the same students. The school schedule is being extended next year to M-F, 8:30 - 2:00. No more getting out early on Wednesdays! And, we're starting at a little later time which won't make it so hard on the little ones.

I can't believe summer is just around the corner! I'm already nervous about how I'm going to entertain a 3/4 yrs. for 3 months!!! I have a feeling we'll be making a lot of cheap trips to loved ones who live w/in driving distance.

Well, that's it for now. I will do my best to be more diligent in writing. Love to you all...

Happy New Year...a little late!

We had a great Christmas this year! This was the first holiday season in 5 years that we've been home in Georgia. It was great being around so we could celebrate with our families. It was also SO wonderful to put up the decorations without sweat rolling down my sides.

Daniel really enjoyed the Christmas season this year. Last year he was enamored with the Christmas tree. This year it was ALL things Christmas! Music, lights, Santa, etc. It was a really fun Christmas. I can only imagine what next year will be like. :)

Being the only grandchild on my side, let's just say...he scored on the presents! My father and his wife bought Daniel a new bunk bed! Along w/ books and other toys. My grandmother and aunt literally filled up my SUV with things for Daniel. It was incredible. My mother bought him an electronic horse that is so life-like it's a little spooky. Of course, John and I had a blast buying him presents! Although, John had to put on the brakes b/c I was going crazy. But it was fun.

I remember the words of my father, "All I had was a rock to play with!" I know, I know...Daniel received a lot of gifts. But it also reminds me of the gifts the wise men brought the baby Jesus. In celebration of his arrival! The gifts were a symbol of their excitement and appreciation of his being with us. That's the way I feel about all the gifts people showered on Daniel. It took us such a long time for him to join us that people want to show their excitement that he is in their lives.

We also had a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Although Daniel had a severe ear infection he was able to get into the groove of ringing in the New Year. As with most people w/ young children, we opted to stay home. We bought party favors, hats and sparkling cider. John and I played card and board games while Daniel played with his toys and watched “Milo and Otis.” I knew none of us would make it ‘til midnight but we tried! Before we put Daniel to bed, I poured our sparkling cider into our finest champagne flutes for all three of us. I taught Daniel how to “clink” glasses before you take a drink. Well, he took to that! Our little man sat on the sofa w/ us, sipping his sparkling cider in his champagne flute, clinking and drinking! We had wished we had recorded that event. Daniel was so cute and he LOVED the sparkling grape juice. Needless to say, we had a wonderful night ringing in the New Year. (we were all in bed and asleep by 11!)

On a more somber note, Daniel is still having issues w/ his ears. His tonsils are also enlarged and will probably require removal. So, we are going to wait to see how his ear acts in the next few weeks and then we'll address ears and tonsils. I'll keep you all posted.

We love you all and hope you have a blessed New Year. I hope to be more faithful in my blogging. I know many of you love to hear all the Daniel news. Until next time...

One word at a time...

With Daniel's speech issues still, well...an issue...we are seeing progress. He's putting sentences together spontaneously. He's even getting a sense of humor. For example, on a recent return trip home from Jackson, MS I was trying to entertain him by singing his favorite songs. Yes, we have them on CD but it's more fun for both of us to sing w/o it. So, I'm singing an oldie but goody, "Old MacDonald" and making Daniel say the animal's part. Well, he didn't like this one bit. He wanted Mommy to do it all. No participation on his part was required. But, being the stubborn Mommy, I wouldn't let it go. Finally, out of frustration he said, "No more Mommy mouth!" John and I stared at each other in shock. "Did he just say what I think he said?!?" Now for most parents this would have been offensive and begging the case for discipline. But not for us. We were THRILLED that he had actually come up w/ that on his own.

Another item we're working on is referring to himself as, "Damiel." Such as, "Damiel is jumping." We are starting to correct him and say, "No, you say, I am jumping." It's a constant work in progress. I have to be careful not to frustrate Daniel. To allow for mistakes and correct only when necessary. There is a fine line.

We weren't sure if he'd forget a lot of what he's learned in school over the holidays. Thankfully, he's right on track. Going strong. We are so glad school starts back tomorrow! His teacher said we can try a longer day after Christmas. I'm getting a little anxious feeling like the progress he's making should be going faster. Of course, for those of you who know me, this is probably just the "jack rabbit" personality I have. So, I'll be patient. Push when needed...relax when required.

More later...

Living in Peachtree City

So, Peachtree City is a very unusual place. We have alternative transportation...the golf cart. Most residents own a golf cart for the purpose of leisurely going to the grocery store or to drop of kids at school or to walk their pet. Peachtree City’s hallmark is its 90-mile network of multi-use paths that connect just about all the neighborhoods and shopping areas. Even the shopping areas have special golf cart parking. John and I often laugh that it would be very strange for someone to wander into Peachtree City and see all the golf carts coming and going.

One thing I have learned to love as I puddle around in the golf cart is the peace and beauty. Most of the paths wind through the woods. And, at this time of year, you can't get better than a brisk cool day and bright leaves! Riding in the golf cart makes you slow down and appreciate your surrounds instead of zooming by them in a hurry while chatting on the cell.

It's such a beautiful time of the year. Take the time to stop, relax and breathe. It's worth it!!!

The Hunt for the Perfect Juice...

(sigh) Daniel used to be such a good eater. He mostly ate organic until he turned 2. He loved vegetable lasagna, basil pesto pasta, olive oil and many, many other great things for him. Then came his 2nd birthday and all things changed. He stopped eating just about everything. This drove me insane! I was so used to "my child" eating well and NOT being a picky eater. I tried everything. I bought the "Sneaky Chef" cookbook as well as MANY others to try to conceal and hide all the healthy stuff. Didn't work. Daniel has a natural talent to see anything and know if it's healthy or not.

At least through all of this I knew I could depend on all things fruit and yogurt for him to receive a lot of the nutrition his little body needed. As well as the liquid vitamins I place in his Almond Milk every morning! Well, since our move to Peachtree City...no more fruit! Break my heart!!!!

So, now we're down to Golf Fish (used to be Annie's Cheddar Bunnies), pretzels, chicken (some times!), french fries, Odwalla bars (thank goodness!) and crackers. He'll occasionally eat apple sauce and kiwi. But not often.

In steps...Vruit. Thank goodness for this juice. It has a lot of veggie juices mixed in w/ fruit juices. I stumbled upon this juice in Florida at a health food store. Some of the ingredients include: "Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Peach Juice, Carrot Juice, Cucumber Juice, Celery Juice, and Spinach Juice (Water, Juice Concentrates); Natural Flavors, Vitamin C, Beta Carotene ." Daniel loves each flavor and I feel a little better about him not eating as well as I wish he would. But, this juice is HARD to find. Since moving back to Georgia, I have found it at Whole Foods in Atlanta and Earth Fare in Athens (none of which are close to me). Usually I have it shipped from Amazon or another vendor.

All this trouble for juice! Yes, it's worth it. It gives me some peace of mind that the good stuff might outweigh the bad. I know, I know. Eating fresh veggies is much better than drinking them. BUT...some is better than none.

I hope one day, when I have placed fresh spinach, chicken and peas in front of Daniel he will try it...and love it!!!! I know that day will come. So, I encourage all Mommy's and Daddy's to hang in there. Don't let the smallest person win! And, if you have to...try Vruit. It's yummy AND good for our little ones.

Cheers!

Halloween 2008

Halloween is always hectic for us because it's also John's birthday. But, this year we had a plan! We went to dinner, ran home to greet a few of the kiddos out Trick-or-Treating and then took Daniel out to T-O-T himself. At first, we didn't think he "get it" but after a couple of houses he was really into it. :) We had a great time! We only visited the homes in our neighborhood and then called it quits. The Little Cow was tired.

I hope you and your family had a great Halloween. Now, it's off to the races, with Thanksgiving and Christmas! Can you believe it's that time again? I've already been shopping for Christmas gifts. Unbelievable.

I'll write again soon! Hugs!!!

Brrrr....

Wow, it's cold! It's funny, last year I didn't turn on the heat until FEBRUARY! Of course, we were in Florida. But...FEBRUARY?!?

Daniel's cold is well...still a cold. Seems to be hanging on. He's a trouper though. He's still going strong. But, yesterday I saw me through his eyes and I didn't like it one bit. Here's the story...

So, we have a dog, Jasmine. She's a chow-chow and 13 years old. She's always been a great dog but with an attitude. We were worried how she would act once Daniel came along since we had heard horror stories about new arrivals and dogs. But, she has been great. She's not a lovey dog w/ Daniel. As a matter of fact, she wants to be outside if he's inside or in the closet! Occasionally she'll come up to him and "bump" him or sniff him but that's all the affection she gives. Anyway, last night Jasmine was outside barking so I made her come in. Then she went to the front door and started barking. Well, I had had enough! I had a 3 year old running around like a banshee, trying to cook dinner and now you throw a barking dog into the mix. I snapped. I went over to Jasmine and smacked her w/ my oven mit and said, "Enough barking!" A few minutes later, I see Daniel approaching her and he says "Jasmine, No!" and smacks her!!!!!!! He didn't have a mean look on his face. He just thought this was what you do. Well, I had to sit down and talk w/ him. I explained that it's Mommy's job to fuss at Jasmine, not Daniel's. And, I had him give her several crackers from his plate to Jasmine as a peace offering. I took his hand and showed him how to GENTLY rub her. They made peace.

So, little eyes...apparently they are REALLY watching.

Lesson learned. :)

Hugs to you all. I will write again soon.