Hard to believe this Cowboy is 2!!! To be honest, he is delightful, a titch naughty and a lot clumsy, but mostly delightful. I asked what he wanted for his birthday dinner and after he said applesauce I suggested we have some grilled cheese sandwiches to go with it. He energetically agreed. Instead of just having regular grilled cheese, we made some "fancy" ones. Everyone got to order what they wanted with a choice of bread and cheese and other toppings such as avocado, bacon, asparagus, mushrooms, and onions. I tried making a crock pot tomato soup which also turned out quite yummy. When we were at the store several days earlier Matt had noticed some artichokes and was shocked that I hadn't had them before so he bought a few. We decided to add those to the meal as well.
I have a video (I really need to figure out how to upload videos to this blog) of me asking Daniel how old he is. He often says three because that is what Kate says. So we'd been practicing with him to say two and hold up two fingers. Turns out his little hand has a hard time getting just the right number of fingers up. Tyler was trying to help him out, he really tried to make his fingers do it right... but eventually just gave me the "I'll-figure-out-how-to-do-it-another-time" face.
Kate helped me make the card for Daniel's present. "To: Daniel" I was impressed with her writing. I would write the letter down on a piece of paper and then she did her best to write it on the card.
It took several reminders to Kate that this was Daniel's present. He didn't mind the help in opening his gift.
We got him a tool set with a saw, drill with two bits, a flash light, and a measuring tape. He loved it! Everything did something - turned on or spun or rolled in and out.
The drill was even brought to the table for cake. We sang "Happy Birthday" (Daniel was mesmerized by the flame of the candle) and then he tried to blow out the candle. And then he tried again. And again. So big brother came to the rescue and helped him out.
A little about Daniel.
-He gets called "Buddy" a lot, or "Bud" as Kate calls him.
-He has a gallop that is his most common form of travel. I call it a gallop, Caroline calls it a sashay. Either way, it is the cutest thing! Mom and dad say they can always tell if it is Daniel running around because of the rhythm of his gallop.
-He's gotten more into imaginative play but especially likes to work with things that DO something or he can DO something with - like cars/trucks, especially ones that go on their own, or blocks that he can stack into towers, or flashlights that turn on.
-He has a little bit of feisty , but he's really very patient and has a kindness about him that surprises me at times. Kate will be upset about something and he will try to calm her or give her whatever it is she wants, even when it's what he's playing with (which is usually why she's upset).
-He's way more interested in Oliver than I expected. He frequently wants to hold him or will pick up his blanket or binky if it falls. At nap/bed time he loves it when I lay Oliver (or, "Oviver Mac" is how Daniel says it) next to him in the bed.
-Up until the last month or so, when I put him down for his nap he would always (always!) lay his head on my shoulder and just snuggle for a few minutes before I would lay him down. Every time he did it I would think, "I'm going to miss this the most when he gets bigger." and so I would enjoy every second. He still likes to "nuggle" but not all the time.
-He's very observant and likes to watch how things work. He is currently very determined to help whenever we are in the kitchen making lunch or dinner. Sometimes it's hard because I'm in a hurry and will be rushing to cook and I'll hear the screeching of one of the dining room table chairs being pushed across the floor and him saying, "I'anna help!" Matt is especially good at finding ways for Daniel to help in the kitchen.
-He is talking more and more which is fun. We hear a lot of "Wook this!" ("Look at this").
-His favorite song is "The Boatman" song, which he requests every nap/bed time multiple times. At this point he is quite monotone when he sings (very monotone) but really likes songs and music.
That's just a little about our DanielO. He is a joy, this boy of ours. I'm grateful beyond words that he is ours. I've become more and more overwhelmed at the gift of being sealed as a family. Hooray for eternity! Happy birthday, Daniel Oden Cornish!! We love you a lot. All the time. And we will forever and ever.
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