Friendly Boy

I finally caught little Daryl waving on video. He doesn't do it all the time, just when he is in the mood to do it. He likes to wave at his reflection in the mirror, and at times, I have seen him wave at his shadow. It is hilarious.

Birthday video

Here is a video of us singing Happy Birthday. It is a bit akward, because I am holding the camera and the cake.

More birthday pictures

Enjoing some french bread from Granny (Dowty)

His winter hat from Stull grandparents

Aunt Leandra inherited her dad's old video camera; Daryl was fascinated with it.

First Birthday!

We celebrated Little Daryl's birthday last Saturday. Daryl (Jr's) parents and sister came up Thursday afternoon for the weekend. My parents and youngest 2 brothers came over Saturday. We had spaghetti and mac & cheese. He got quite a few toy cars some of which he enjoys. Some of the others scare him right now, but I'm sure he will enjoy them when he gets older. He also got several blanket sleepers to last the winter and a winter cap. He enjoyed crawling around, being cute. He even had some deep discussions with Grandpa Stull (I'm sure they were deep for little Daryl).

Aunt Leandra decorated the cake. I forgot to buy a special candle, so we used a simple one.

Enjoying cake and ice cream with Daddy

Playing with Grandpa Stull's cane (my dad is recovering from knee replacement surgery)

Eleven months already...can you believe it?!

Time does fly. I am having reminders of when Daryl was first born, because of the cold weather. There are a few differences though from last year. He is more mobile now, so I have to watch him like a hawk when the gas logs are on. He also likes to pull his socks off. When I take him outside so I can hang up laundry, I have to put shoes on him to keep the socks on. The shoes preoccupy him for a while, but he still manages in the end to pull a shoe off and, of course, the sock. His feet feel so cold, but it doesn't seem to bother him. I am open to any suggestions on keeping socks on (I draw the line at a straight jacket).

He has been crawling for about 1.5 months now, and has become quite an explorer. He also adds vacuuming and pointing out baby hazards as his specialties. He is becoming a hearty eater, but prefers what we are eating (he has discovered we eat tasty stuff). Now that he has 6 teeth, (2 on bottom, 4 on top) he is able to eat more of our food. He enjoys playing peek-a-boo. He actually holds his hands up to his face and peeks around them. He also enjoys playing with his farm animals, xylophone, and looking at his books. He likes to play with Daddy's books, but since the pages are too fragile, he gets them taken away from him (which he doesn't like). Mirrors, lights, and fans continue to fascinate him. I replaced the fan in his room with a space heater, and he still likes to watch it. He is getting gentler with the cats, but I still have to watch him when he is around them. His favorite buddy continues to be Daddy. He gets excited when Daddy comes into the room, and gets upset when Mommy takes him and he would rather be with Daddy. Daddy tosses him in the air, but sometimes stops long before Daryl is ready to stop. Daddy also sings silly songs he makes up (usually about how lucky we are he [Daddy] is around). He is getting better at sitting quietly (for a baby) in church. Last Sunday he lasted the entire first meeting (thanks to juice, toys and other people to play peek-a-boo with). He still has a bit of stranger anxiety, but it has improved once he started crawling. We are having another relapse in his sleeping schedule. Anytime there is a major change, it messes him up. The recent ones are the cold weather, and the time change. I am praying we get back on schedule soon. It is getting better, but has a way to go. As to talking, he says "da-da" and "ma-ma," but I think he is just chattering. Daryl likes to think he is calling "da-da;" I guess he is entitled to his opinion.

We are still working on the plans for his birthday party. Daryl (Jr)'s parents are coming up for the weekend, and we will have my parents over. I may invite more family, but I am waiting to see how he is doing socially by then. I don't want to make it too overwhelming for him (or me).

We are looking forward to his second Christmas. Last year was so close to his birth, it didn't really seem like Christmas. Things do change when one has children, but we wouldn't give him up for anything, not even for all the Cadbury chocolate in the world (you'd better agree with me, Daryl).

Election Day

Although election day was a busy day, we made time to vote. Daryl waited patiently in line with me for 1.5 hours. I looked for a sticker that said " I waited in line while Mommy voted," but they didn't have any. I let him wear my sticker, and that got a lot of people's attention that day at Daddy's school. He looks a little drowsy, because it was a long day for him. Although I have mixed feelings about the results of the day, I rest assured that God is in control, and will work everything out according to His will.

Another exciting book sale

These pictures are in the opposite order I wanted them, but can't seem to correct that without wasting too much time. This is one of my favorite pictures of Daryl (for the moment). He loves to get his picture taken, but I have learned if I don't sit him in a chair, he will crawl up to me and try to grab the camera from me.

Members get their hands stamped in order to let them into the book sale.

Waiting in line. We got there at 11:45 for the 3pm sale. It was chilly and rainy. Little Daryl and I spent most of the time in the car. We were about 10th in line. Daryl met a few other people who also have a passion for theology books (one attends CIU with Daryl and is in his class). Two of the theology people are also married to nurses.

Daryl considers this day as important as (if not more than) Christmas. It takes us about an hour to spend about $100. The spring sale (it is a semi-annual sale) tends to have a better selection. Some of the books become Christmas gifts, some get sold on e-bay, and most are added to our growing library.

Derek's wedding

The happy couple: Derek and Helen Dowty
My two favorite men; waiting for the wedding to start.
Jeremiah and Kevin (2 of Daryl's brothers)
Jonathan and Benjamin (another brother and nephew)
We are trying to get a cousins' picture, but little Daryl isn't too happy about it.

Camping trip and Derek's wedding

One of Daryl's brothers got married last weekend in TN. We had our first camping adventure. It wasn't that bad, except that little Daryl was just recovering from a fever and wasn't back to his normal self yet. We set up our tent about 6 feet from a lake (actually it was a cove). The weather was nice for camping, and the leaves were beautiful. Little Daryl slept pretty well at night in his baby Moses basket. He enjoyed the cool nights as he is warm natured. In these pictures, we are just about to leave for the wedding. I am wearing sneakers and have my dress tied up so my good shoes and dress doesn't get muddy.
We had a few "neighbours," but they didn't bother us. I did hear them a little at night when I was up with the baby, but they weren't loud enough to wake us up when we were asleep (though nothing wakes up Daryl when he is asleep).

Making new friends

A couple of Sundays ago, we had lunch with our watermelon farmer friends from church. In August, they had Danny (pictured above on Daryl's lap with little Daryl). We anticipate Danny and Daryl will become good friends when they get older.
We got a few watermelons from them.

Our cute little boy

The Latest Arrival

Daryl's first tooth finally made its appearance last Wednesday. We are now entering the "teething marathon." He finally gets to brush his teeth. He loves to watch us brush our teeth; now he can join in.

A Beautiful Mess

We picked up a pack of Oreo Cookies at the store yesterday. Little Daryl enjoyed his first taste of his daddy's favorite cookie. He was enjoying it so much, his drool almost looked like chocolate syrup.

Bless our home

Daryl found this at a local thrift store.

Candid shots

Enjoying some ice cream
With Daddy; his "best buddy"
He has always been fascinated with lights and ceiling fans
Taking a nap in the car

Cute Cousins

With Uncle Jared and Cousin Abby Grace.

Last Saturday, we got together with my family. Little Daryl was overwhelmed with everyone wanting to hold him. We were able to get him to happily visit a few people; he was content if he was swung around, or kept moving in any way.

Aunt Leandra's Visit

Daryl's sister visited us last week. We visited Carl Sandberg's home on the first day, but I forgot to pack the camera. Daryl stamped Little Daryl's arm with the passport stamp to prove we were there.
On Sunday after church, we visited a dam near Anderson on the Savannah River (forgot the name).
At the Falls Park on the Reedy River in downtown Greenville.
Of course a visit to Greenville is not complete without a visit to Krispy Kreme. More pictures to follow.

Pet Me, Pleeeease

This has become a common sight for the last few months. Dozer is so desperate to be petted, he "sprawls" out in the middle of the room on the floor every time he hears someone coming. Maybe someone will pet him if he is ready. He doesn't seem to understand (or care) that I am not able to bend over when I am holding the baby. When Daryl is old enough to treat them gently, I'm sure they will enjoy him. Right now, he tends to pull their hair or "whacks" them when they let him get close enough. Fortunately, they can run away for protection. When he is more mobile, we will put up a gate in the den; this will keep baby away from the food and litter box; also they will have a safe place to hide from the little "temporary terror."

The youngest one present

We went to the annual meeting for our electric co-op group this morning. They were giving away a free slow cooker (3 qt.) to each member present. They also gave away other appliances by drawing names. We won a prize we didn't think we would win. They asked for the youngest person present (post-natal); we were sure someone was there younger than Daryl. They asked for under 1 year, then under 6 months. We were the only ones standing (he is 5 days short of 6 months). The prize: $10. We will put it in his savings account.

Daryl's latest toy

Daryl bought this bookshelf unit from his co-worker yesterday. It is made from solid oak and has 1/4 inch glass doors. We will buy another one from him as soon as he empties it. We still have a large stack of books waiting for shelves to hold them (after filling up this book case). It looks really nice in our living room.

Happy Mother's Day

This is one of our rose bushes planted by the previous owners of our house. We also have red roses growing on the side of the house next to some fuscia colored flowers (they smell better than the roses though they are not as pretty).