Day After Christmas

Michael


Scott



Erica

Holly

We played Guitar Hero on the Wii and it was so much fun! Of course we all Rock in this family.

Gram, Mommy and Daniel enjoyed some fun time on the day after Christmas. Daniel was still finding new toys that he did not get to play with yesterday.

I love it when Daniel laughs!

We could not believe how nice it was outside!

Gram and Pop-pop played with Daniel and his puppy!

Daniel said "Mommy" for the first time today! He has said Mama before, but this is the first time that he said Mommy to me :)

Daniel's Second Christmas

Daniel had a wonderful Christmas. There were so many presents that I had to help him open everything. We made Daniel wait until everyone was downstairs and until Daddy had the video camera ready! Then Daniel ran into the family room and there were presents and toys everywhere from Santa!!!!!!! Daniel latched onto a few toys and loved playing with them. We did not get everything open until after his nap. Plus the whole family was there including Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Valerie and Uncle Eric. It is such a joy to experience Christmas through Daniel's eyes and pure delight.


Daniel and Mommy are playing with his toys and laughing.

After opening a lot of presents, Daniel discovered that he can sit in the boxes and put bows on his head. Perhaps we just should have wrapped a lot of boxes and put bows on them??

Daniel and Daddy playing with the planes that Daddy gave Daniel as well as sharing a hug and kiss.

Santa brought Daniel a tool box that plays music and makes lots of cool noises.

Daniel with Uncle Eric and Aunt Valerie!

Daniel with Uncle Scott and Aunt Erica and the plane/teddy bear pilot they gave him (Daniel loves planes).

Giggling

Happy Family

Daniel and Mommy got Daddy a picture of Daniel in his Raven's jersey! Daddy loved it.

Michael got a leather Raven's jacket - very cool.

Uncle Scott and Aunt Erica (all the way from Texas)

I got Scott a Syracuse Orange Head

Love you!

Grandpa and Daniel with his favorite frog

Snuggles with Pop-pop and Mommy

Pop-pop is making the dolphin eat Daniel's feet

Daniel and Mommy

Daniel gets his first robot from Santa

Daniel with his dancing snowmen who sing, "Oh, Christmas Tree"

A dump truck from Daddy

This looks like hours of fun

Daniel loves Patrick the Puppy! He was sitting on Patrick and jumping up and down. This was one of the first things he played with on Christmas morning!

We had a delicious dinner with the whole family! Daniel ate ham and turkey and tons of other food with the family. He seems to especially like Daddy's pumpkin pie with whip cream.

Christmas Eve

I made cutout cookies for Daniel and Santa - just like the ones I used to make with my mother! Except this time we have Christmas cutouts and trains, planes, rockets, trucks, etc. with the fun cookie cutters that Uncle Scott and Aunt Erica bought Daniel. Daniel loves the cookies with icing and sprinkles.

Gram and Pop-pop and Uncle Scott and Aunt Erica arrived late due to delayed flights so we ended up having Chinese food for dinner. Daniel was so happy to see everyone!! Then after Daniel went to sleep, we went to church for Christmas Eve Service.

Daniel cannot wait to see what happens tomorrow. All he knows is that all his toys have disappeared downstairs for some reason (b/c I had to make room for the presents and new toys).

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Daniel wants to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! Blessings to all! Holly, Michael and Daniel

Visiting Nicole

We went to visit Nicole (our goddaughter), Cathie and Bobby today for holiday cocktails! Daniel loved playing with Nicole and her toys (including Thomas the Train). Nicole even sang us a Christmas song in Spanish!

Daniel was so happy to get out of the house and go to Little Gym this morning. He is feeling much better and back to his normal self.

Last night Michael and I went to Tosca for dinner to celebrate my birthday and had a delicious meal. We highly recommend Tosca for anyone who wants a great dinner in DC.

"football"

Daniel said "football" for the first time this week and Michael was very proud! Plus Daniel used sign language for "Mommy" and "please" - he just keeps saying or signing new things every week.

Unfortunately, Daniel has been running a fever several days this week. Michael took him to the doctor on Wednesday, but his lungs and ears were fine. However, Daniel spiked a 103 degree fever today so Michael took him back to the doctor while I met Marsha for lunch. As I was coming home Michael called and said meet me at the ER b/c Daniel's temperature went up to 104.9 degrees. Daniel was so warm and totally red in the face. They gave him a super dose of motrin when we arrived. Then the doctor recommended a chest X-ray (which required me and Michael to hold him still) and it turns out that Daniel had a small pneumonia and a double ear infection. The poor little guy just fell asleep on me at the ER. We finally got out around 5pm and need to keep Daniel on antibiotics and keep his fever down. He gave us a few smiles before bed and did not have a fever, so we are all feeling much better.

Update on Sunday: Daniel is doing a little better today! The fever is down which is the most important thing! Daniel managed to only take 3 ornaments off the tree today (Michael and I decorated it last night). The first ornament that he went for was a large Raven's ornament - he was fascinated with it.

Plus I have 3 snowmen (baby, Daddy and Mommy) who sing, "Oh, Christmas Tree" and Daniel keeps asking for me to push the button and play it over and over. He even tries to dance with the snowmen - it is very cute.

His Advent train is an even bigger hit this year since Daniel is now big enough to move the train all over.

Nativity

I got Daniel the Little People Nativity set this year! It is adorable b/c Daniel can push the angel to play Away in the Manger and he is fascinated by the Star. I am trying to teach him about baby Jesus. Of course, after about 10 minutes the manager is cleared out and the Wise Men end up all over the place.

We went to a lovely Holiday Party at Jane and Greg's place last night. It was fun to catch up with so many folks from RESOLVE and our adoption support group. We are very blessed to know such wonderful friends.