Mirror Image

In one of my last posts, I mentioned how there are times when Danny looks just like Angela. Well, Friday night, he was snoozing in my arms, and he was making his Angela faces. David took pictures.

We Have A Sleep Position That Works!!!

Part of me is afraid to even type that...but I have to celebrate! Last night was the best night yet! 5-HOURS and 15-MINUTES of UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP!!! For the last three nights, I have been putting Danny on his side to sleep using his sleep positioner to prop him. When he sleeps on Dave or I, sometimes it's on his side or on his stomach. Since I can't do the stomach (SIDS), I thought that we could at least try the side.

SUCCESS!

1. He's sleeping in his crib all night...not just the first three hours.
2. I'm not sleeping on the couch! I'm sleeping on my bed again...how I've missed my bed.
3. He's waking less in between feedings...which means so am I!

Now, some of this profound success can be due to the sleeping positioning, but I'm sure not all of it is. Tomorrow he turns a whopping six weeks, and in all of the books, it is around the 6-week mark that babies straighten out the day/night confusion.

Whatever it is, I am happy! Yesterday, Dave came home from lunch and I was crabby. He gently suggested (ie, DEMANDED) that I take a nap when the baby napped. All the good night sleeps had made me realize just how tired I actually was, and yesterday that tiredness turned to crabbiness. I did take a midafternoon nap with the kiddo. And although I didn't think I napped (I have a dog that likes to bark), I realized I did when it I remembered dreaming that I was on the back of motorcycle that my Dad was driving...but the motorcycle was more of an old banana seated bike.

Today I am not crabby. Today I could scale a mountain I am so happy.

Cross your fingers that this sleeping business keeps working...

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

My sister called on Friday to tell me about a book review she read in People Magazine. I love People for the celebrity gossip and pictures, but after being in a book club for three years, I've also started to read the book reviews. It's always good to add a new book to our list of potential reads. She tried to give me the gist of the book, but fumbled with her words a little. I'm guessing she was nervous that maybe it would make me sad.

When we were at Leah's birthday party, I read the review and knew that it was a book I would have to read. I requested it from the library today, and now I am anxiously awaiting for the email to tell me the book has arrived.

Click on this link to read the book description.

More times then I can count, I have thought of Angela throughout the pregnancy and birth of Daniel. We brought a special picture of her to the hospital, and an ultrasound of Danny too, to help me focus if I needed too. To remind me that without Angela, there would be no Danny.

I know I've told a few people, and maybe I've already posted this in a previous entry, but we gave birth to Danny in the same room as Angela. Room 18. As Dave and I were walking to the room, we just looked at each other. I felt it was a sign. Something good to help heal the pain. I also wore my cross necklace throughout the labor and delivery. My necklace that has a diamond in the center of the cross that carries some of her ashes. I mention the diamond simple because I think of it as her eye hole into our world. Angela was not only with us in spirit, she was with us physically as well.

There are nights when I'm up feeding him, and I tear up while looking at him. A few people have seen our pictures of Angela. Sometimes, when Danny is asleep, his mouth is open, and we have a picture of Angela where she looks the exact same, only she isn't sleeping. They have the same lips. The same chin. The same nose. She had the beginning of dark hair. You've seen little Danny's hair.

My sister bought me the same blanket in blue that she bought for Angela in pink. Well, it is almost the same, but different. Same brand. Same material. Different pattern. The company came out with a new "signature" blanket this year. I googled the old one and almost bought it. Just so it would be EXACTLY the same. But the more I thought about it, I decided it was OK that it was a little different. For as many things that I want them to share, I am grateful they do not share everything. Dave has also helped me with this. So I washed the blanket and I used it in the pictures that I took on his One Month Birthday. It is the blue one he is wrapped up in while snuggled in his crib.

I am so grateful to have our beautiful, handsome, perfect little boy.

I'll provide an update after I read the book.

Get Your Vote On

No matter who you want to be President, or what your beliefs are...you should go and vote today!

Monkey and I walked to the polls today, and we did just that...and bought a chocolate covered pretzel from the bake sale :)

However, if I can do any lobbying...please vote for your school levy's and for the public library!

Leah's Birthday & Family Lovin'

Leah, the birthday girl. I love this picture.

My nephew Jack. Cutie smirk/smile.

My niece Emily, always up to trouble. She was hovering over her cake for this one.
Janie is a ham! I love her eyes in this picture!

Tasha, Natalie and Emily with "Baby Danny". All the kids call him Baby Danny, and I love it!

Uncle John enjoyed some lovin'. Poor guy missed out on Lori's cheesy potatoes because he held the baby while everyone ate...and no one saved him any!

Sarah getting some cuddle time. Jack was so excited that Danny had his "First Rabbit Ears" in a picture. A moment that will be documented for years to come.

Grandma getting some snuggles in too. If you're wondering where Danny's pants are, Tasha took them off. When I asked why, she said she wanted to see his legs :)

Happy Halloween -- Chili Pepper!

A family picture. Not a very flattering one of me, but hey, you'll have that sometimes. It's sad when my cream turtleneck is darker then me! I'm pasty and this proves it.
*Please notice the squirl bites on the pumpkin.

The three men in my life! Freddy was so excited he had to be in the picture.

My little pepper was sleeping and we struggled to get good pics of him in his costume.
Sleeping again!

I think monkey enjoyed my beer a little too much...

Activity Mat Time

Danny Loves his new playmat, he just stares up in wonder!

He enjoys batting at the toys.

This isn't a great picture, but he was smiling.

Freddy in the background. He lays very protectively when we have Danny on the mat. And NO, we never leave the baby alone with Freddy. He loves the baby, but we have common sense.