Pictures, Birthdays, and Tractors

As usual, this is going to be a post with a hodgepodge of updates. Daniel's 2nd birthday was last Friday! I'm so grateful he's home for his birthday. It was a wonderful way to end a very busy week. The week before last I took the boys outside for a birthday photo shoot. I knew I they only last about five minutes so I thought I'd sit them in the front yard, snap a few shots and be done with it. I took some of the sweetest pictures...then realized that there was no card in my camera. We went inside to get the card and I ended up with this jewel:

                               

 Later we tried it again. There were not as many smiles as the ones I never actually took, ;) but they turned out pretty cute. ;) Joshua turned two while we were in China. Whenever I post about our trip, I'll include pictures from his special day.























Two weeks ago we completed all Daniel's OT and hearing/speech/feeding evaluations with CHOA. Speech is his greatest need. We learned he has moderate hearing in his better ear and we're not sure the status of his other.

Last week was quite the adventure and praise the Lord full of good reports! Daniel had a dentist appointment in Atlanta Monday. Tuesday we had an appointment with the developmental specialist through Babies Can't Wait. I'll say it again: Babies Can't Wait is an answer to prayer. I love working with their team inside our home. Wednesday we met with Daniel's ENT who said that fluid in his ears is most likely what causes his hearing problems. So early tomorrow morning we have surgery scheduled at CHOA for tubes.

Daniel is doing so well with walking. He stood up from the floor for the first time last Tuesday. From then on he's tried to walk almost everywhere except for when it's close to nap time and he's tired. He will begin wearing SMOs next week. They will help straighten his legs when he walks. Since he is such a late walker, his doctors think his legs won't straighten on their own like a babies would. I get very excited about anything that is going to help Daniel. Here's a picture I found online of these orthotics:

We were able to pick the colors and pictures we wanted. I chose the sports design with red straps because this little man is obsessed with throwing, rolling, and kicking a ball! These awesome high-tops are going to help him do just that. ;)

Our boys are changing every day. Daniel has a strong bond with his Daddy, but we're getting closer and closer everyday. I'm starting to "read" his cries. We're trying to learn and teach sign language as much as possible. He's so observant and tries to mimic what we do. We're seeing Joshua and Daniel bond. What a precious part of parenting. They are such a gift to each other really. Joshua is starting to try to make Daniel laugh and it's precious.

Both boys enjoy puzzles. We're working on shape puzzles for Daniel and Joshua enjoys any puzzle. Puzzle apps are proving to be a great source of entertainment while waiting when we're out and about.

 Here's our sweet boy before we gave him his cupcake. Yes, those are pre-packaged cheap cupcakes from Dollar General. But...he hates solid food right now...and we're having real birthday cake with some family next Saturday. Saying that makes me feel a little better.

This is how he plays "Peek-a-boo." He's got to be able to see at least some... ;)

And then there's Joshua...a chocolate is chocolate...and it's all "umm-ee to my tummy...I eat it all gone gone...and Ommy gib me sum mow."

Then Saturday we drove to Turin GA for their annual Tractor Pull and Show. This may as well have been Disney World for Joshua. I can't begin to describe his obsession with tractors. And it is free. We had a blast. Nathan joined us after he got off work and we ate lunch (they sell BBQ) and stayed until nap time. 

TRACTOR PARADE!!!!