Daniel prefers that I take him to bed each night, but he asks for dad to come get him out of his room most mornings. He likes brushing his teeth and feeding his "bish" (fish). He likes eggs with cheese and yogurt and PB&J sandwiches and will eat just about any fruit you put in front of him- all fruit are "bapes" to him (grapes). He loves things that go- trains, cars, planes, buses, police cars, etc. We always spend a while in the train aisle at Target/Walmart just playing with all of the loose trains for sale. He likes the Cars/ Planes movies and he likes to watch the show Jake and the Neverland Pirates (This is a new interest since we all dressed up as pirates for Halloween... I think Santa may be bringing him a toy pirate ship this year). He likes to point out "cwocks" (clocks) whenever he sees them, including wrist watches. He also points out those "pane" (plane) trails in the sky and also the moon (he's really good at finding it even in the day time). Every time we leave the house, he wants to make sure we're coming back to it. I think he likes our new house and he's worried that we're just here visiting. :)
Daniel likes to color with markers and paint with watercolors. He loves stickers and always asks for a "stick" when we check out at any store (even though they only give stickers at Target and at Kroger and Publix). He knows all about cookies too. That kid can work a system! He knows that he can get a cookie when we go to Kroger, Publix, and Target. Our Walmart doesn't give out cookies in the bakery, but since I use the cookie as incentive for being a good boy (it's the last thing he gets before we go check out) we always go over and pick out a small box of cookies to buy and he gets one when we get to the car. I have kept the fact that he *could* get a sucker every time we go to the bank a secret from him. Which reminds me of a cute story- The week after Halloween, we were in the clearance section at Target getting Halloween stuff at 90% off (which, by the way, WOAH!) and Daniel found these suckers that were shaped like fingers and I told him that we were not buying the suckers and I moved on. A few minutes later, Daniel starts telling me that he needs a haircut. Hmmm... That's strange, Daniel, you don't like having your hair cut... Then, the light bulb went off and I figured out that he wanted to go get his hair cut because he always gets a sucker when it's over. Ha! That stinker!
We had only been in our new house for six days and I did my best to try and make sure Daniel's birthday didn't fall through the cracks (wasn't I worried about this with Alice's birthday back in April- exactly six months ago- as we were packing up to move out of the old house? And also last year for Daniel's second birthday when we had our usual crazy October, but with the added Grand Opening of GiGi's Playhouse thrown in for good measure? ).
On his actual birthday, we took Etta to school in the morning and then we went to Target where he got pretty much anything he wanted. Popcorn? Of course! Cookies? Sure! Child-size Target shopping cart? You got it, buddy! I also tossed a couple of "Cars" (the Disney movie) items in the buggy while he wasn't looking so we could give them as a gift that night.
After Target, we ran over to Party City where I let him choose what his birthday party theme would be this year. It was a tough choice with the "Disney Cars", "Disney Planes" and "Thomas the Train" stuff to choose from. But, in the end, he settled on Thomas the Train. He tossed plates and napkins and wrapping paper into the buggy and we headed to checkout so we could meet Daddy for a birthday lunch.
Keith met us for lunch at Chili's. Daniel asked ALL morning about cake and I kept telling him that he would get his cake after dinner, after it was dark outside. We had considered getting him a dessert at lunch, but the kids were kind of falling apart and it was obvious that it was time to go.
Just look at this handsome guy!
I probably *should* have taken them straight home for a nap, but the cushions for our outdoor furniture had arrived at Home Depot and were ready for pick up. So, we made a quick stop on the way home to pick up our order. The ladies at the Customer Service desk were so sweet and so excited for Daniel that it was his birthday and one of them ran into the back and grabbed a huge cinnamon roll for him. I told him that it was cake and he devoured it. Alice was NOT pleased that she didn't receive any of the delicious pastry.
After Home Depot, we ran next door to Publix to find a cake for that night. Of course, since we were in the bakery department, they each got a cookie. Then, we finally headed home and I got them both down for a nap. They only got to sleep for about an hour before I had to wake them up so we could go get Etta from school. Poor babies!
That evening, after dinner, Daniel FINALLY got cake! (and for some reason, I was the only one who sang the "Happy Birthday" song)
(VIDEO)
Trying to hold up three fingers.
Gifts!
(VIDEO)
A week after Daniel's birthday, we celebrated with a little Thomas-themed party at our house. (And apparently, I REALLY like this plaid shirt! He wore it for our family photo shoot, and on his birthday, AND for his birthday party! Ha!)
Once again, cake by Dorea Johnston at Tis So Sweet Cakes here in Thompson's Station. Love how creative she is and how DELICIOUS these cakes are!
Daniel's second cousin Logan. He's a month older than Alice.
He learned to lick the icing off of the candles this year. (Daniel's second cousin, Rylee- Logan's sister- in the background)
Molly Ruth (my childhood friend, Jillian's daughter)
I just liked this shot. It's candid and it's busy and I just like it. :)
Grandma Marsh- This is Molly Ruth's great grandmother
Jillian and her momma, "Aunt" Becky
They were giggly and dancing off the sugar rush following the cake.
Etta loves her Nana!
Keith and his Granny- Daniel's Great Granny
Pop- Daniel's great grandfather
Another candid shot that I wanted to include because I just like it. Love that Logan is driving his little car on his great Pop's leg.
These two have been great friends since Jillian and my little sister, Kimi, were in 2nd grade together.
Running around in circles. SUGAR!!!!
That next week I took Daniel for his 3 year old check up with the pediatrician. He is a little over three feet tall and he weighs 30 pounds now. He didn't need any immunizations, but I went ahead and had them give him a dose of flu mist (he was old enough this year for the mist instead of the shot). We spent a little time discussing his speech development. I have always known that Daniel's speech is delayed, but never pursued any sort of speech evaluation because I figured he would just get it when he got it. I guess that's the thing about having a child with special needs first, you are kinda trained to go with the mentality that they will do it eventually, it will just take time. Anyway, his pediatrician and I decided that, while we have seen a lot of improvement in his language development lately, it is time to get his speech evaluated. So, I will be making that appointment soon.
Happy Third Birthday to our favorite little boy! This time is so precious and I can already feel it going too quickly! We love you!
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