HAVE YOU HEARD???

I'M TURNING ONE THIS WEEK!!!!

and mom is.....so excited! In the back of your head you think you might feel sadness....but instead I'm overcome with excitement. It's difficult for me to understand that in just one year I've gone from a baby that could only eat and sleep to one that is walking, saying a few words, eating solid food, drinking from a cup...on and on. She's gone from laying in the Boppy to carrying around the Boppy. I would think that no year would bring such dramatic change as this one. We've had an easy year with no major challenges. I have been blessed with a healthy baby and for that I praise God! Daniley eats good, sleeps good, and sometimes she even minds. (She can respond to a few commands.) I have enjoyed every single minute with her. I have tried to not take a day for granted. I don't want to ever look back and say, "I wish I would have did this, or made time for that, or stressed less about this." So our priority is just to have fun together. And for the last year, that's exactly what we have done!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANILEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you SO MUCH!!!!

(Wait, I just said I was excited...then why am I crying???)

We had a nice time at the beach. Because Honey took the pictures, we didn't get any of these with her in them. But we're going back with the Connell family soon....so she'll get to have Daniley and Dexter and all the photos she wants!! Daniley is so blessed to have all the love from her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents (and aunts and uncles too!)

My dad told me once, "I had you to make me coffee." So I'm just rolling with the punches!
(Thanks to Poppa Bear for the pics!)

IIIIIIYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (SHRILL!)

You caught me Momma!

Do I need to actually write that I have her picture in every single cabinet. She has to check them all...one by one...each day....one by one.... Then she gives you "the look." You all know the look. "Mommy, I'm so adorable." Need I say...I LOVE THIS CHILD! She's so perfect (in my eyes at least!) :-)

ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO SEW?
I am taking sewing classes 4 nights in August (one night each week for 4 weeks). If anyone wants to sign up with me, please comment or email me, or contact me. All of my friends should have contact info...I'm not posting it here! :-)

Since my last blog...we've had a short vacation in Callaway Gardens (compliments of Dan's parents...thank you again!). We've done other stuff but it's just so hard to put everything on here! However, most importantly, Daniley has started walking. I'm going to get a video to upload. See you then!

There aren't too many dull moments at the Connell household. Here's a surprise I got the other day when barging through a closed door.

I PASSED MY TEST!!
My PE (professional engineer) exam that I have been studying for for months is over and my results are back. I passed the exam, praise Jesus! I find comfort in knowing I will not be studying ever again....Woohoo!!! To those of you whose events, birthday parties, etc. that I had to miss to pass this exam...thanks for excusing me...and I'll see you next year!

Dan sent me this string of pictures he had taken...along with their names, as indicated below! I thought it was precious and it made me smile, so I am sharing it with you!

Cutie 1

Cutie 2
Evil Grin

Gonna Get You

Gonna Need Braces

Mean Face

What's Wrong with You?

So we had Daniley's first and only cousin Dexter (aka James, aka JD, aka James Dexter) over to spend the night. His visit was mostly brief, or at least it seemed that way. We picked Dexter up and then went to Pizza Hut.

While we were there, we let Daniley dangle off the edge of the table while Dexter tried out some cheese.
Then we went to Target, where Dan discovered his true identity (Daddy/Uncle/I-will-do-anything-for-you-Daniley-including-push-strollers-in-public).


We then discovered if there was going to be a trouble maker in the family, who it will be. :-) (Oh Lord, please help me, she acts sort of like me.)



Then we went to the pet store and checked out birds, snakes, fish, and lizards.

Then Saturday, we went to yard sales. Now most of you blog readers probably think at this point I'm out of my mind. But my real friends know I don't miss yard sales on any account. (I found a perfect Fossil wallet to match my black Fossil purse for only $2!!!! The purse was also $2 but Mom found that for me 2 weeks ago.) Well anyway, I didn't get pictures of us yard saling because I didn't have any hands or energy left but we had a good time. Come back any time, baby Dexter!!!

We finally made it to the zoo! We had a great time. Daniley enjoyed seeing the animals. The zoo always seemed a lot bigger when I was little. I can't remember the last time I went...I must have been 10. This time I felt like there wasn't all that much to it. Wierd how when you're small the world seems so big.
Anyway, we got this picture of a butterfly on Daniley's head.
(Photo by Jeanne, I have been scolded for not giving proper photo creds, but not by Jeanne, FYI)

It has sadly been almost a month since I have updated my blog...yes I'm aware. There just seem to be so many fun things to do besides uploading pictures! So what have we been doing these days? PLAYING HARD! Daniley is into EVERYTHING. Paper is her new favorite food! She pulls up on everything, opens any drawer/cabinet, unloads anything contained, waits for you to put it all back, and then starts over! Sounds exhausting, but somehow I'm managing okay. :-)





Daniley's injuries so far have been low key, including twice clipping alligator clips to her tongue, having batteries dropped on her head, slicing her knee slightly with a knife, and falling off the bed. So far we've had no swelling or bruises and the knee slicing only looked like several small paper cuts. So we've had no medical intervention. GO MOM!!! (lol)





We've been hanging out with friends, growing a garden, checking out the nursery at church, and just to sum it up, having a real fun time. Daniley isn't talking or walking although I expect either any day. Here is a pool photo from an afternoon out with the girls (and Dan!) :-*

Tonight was something special....Daniley had her first slumber party. Our friend Sarah Katherine needed a babysitter so Mommy and Daddy could have a night out, attend a business party, and celebrate a birthday, all in one night! We were THRILLED to have Sarah Katherine spend the night with us. This is our story:
First, the two kids met when Daniley came home and some strange character was sitting in her high chair eating tasty milk and bananas! First the girls checked each other out!


After dinner, the girls read the newspaper to check up on the world news and sales for shopping this weekend.


Then, we went outside for a quick walk. Sarah Katherine rode in the sling. She apparently liked it very much! I think I'm going to send it home with her!


After this walk, the girls saw the wagon and begged to get in. So we gave it a try. We had a petting zoo, and then just a fun ride.


Next, Daniley decided she was tired of the stupid wagon, especially since she only got half, so she decided to JUMP OUT. And I caught her about an inch before her head hit the concrete, head first of course. Good thing I'm such a good mom. :-)

After that drama, we went in and had a quick play time!


I was considering not giving the girls a bath til morning. But I came to my senses and remembered how hectic mornings are with just one baby. Multiply that by 3. So off to the bath we went! Now I'm not sure, but I think this might have been Sarah Katherine's first big girl bath. And in the beginning, she really liked it.

Then, my little monkey started trying to stand up, and during this usual process, she took a few dives under the water, and once inhaled a little bit (I've been hoping for that so the water would scare her a little). Well, she cried. Then both the girls decided they were ready to get out of the tub! (Warning: Hilarious!)

After the bath, it was SK's bedtime, but she threw a little fit. So, I let her stay up just a little longer, and the girls had a little more playtime.


After this, I put SK in the crib again. She tried to throw a fit, but she was tired. So she just rolled over and went to sleep. (I might have given her a little extra milk to aid in this process!)

Now, SK's asleep and one baby is still wide open. I don't put much control on Daniley's bedtime, and I probably should. But I like to have as much time with her at night as possible! So, here's my little monkey.....(wow! that opens!!)

....and now we're off to bed! GOOD NIGHT!!