Heart Attack!

So, I learned that church is not necessarily toddler friendly yesterday. Before church started, we had a little mini choir practice since we were singing. I am the choir director, and Matt sings in it, so we were both occupied. Anyway, we both knew this, and just did our best to keep our eye on Darren while we were singing/directing. Every time either Matt or I looked, Darren was just quietly wandering around the chapel and would occasionally come up on the stand by us - he was being so good (or so we thought). Anyway, after sacrament meeting was over, a sister in the ward came up to me and asked me if I knew that Darren had been outside BY HIMSELF before sacrament meeting started. I was shocked, because I thought he had been so good staying in the chapel and quiet! Apparently she saw Darren open the outside door, walk out, close it behind him, and then take off walking down the sidewalk. She grabbed him by the hand and brought him back inside, which I am very grateful for! Then after church, Matt and I went to go get Darren from nursery, only to get there and find out he's not there, and no one knows where he is! I about had a heart attack! There were 25 kids in nursery that day, and he must have escaped when another parent opened the door to pick up their kid, 'cause the nursery leaders were surprised he wasn't there too - and they felt horrible! Anyway, we quickly grabbed a few people who were close by, and we all took off in different directions looking for him. A few minutes later he was found. Outside, wandering around in the parking lot! Quite scary on account of our ward was leaving, and the next ward was coming, and Darren knows no fear, and has no concept of danger - especially with cars (see birthday posting). Thank goodness he was still safe, but I thought I was going to have a heart attack! I am very thankful for great friends and ward members who helped us find him! Darren has opened the outside doors of the church before, but has not ever made it more than a few feet - until yesterday. Scary, but I'm glad he's safe and in one piece!

Darren is 2!

I can't believe my baby is 2 years old already! His birthday was the 15th, and we just kept it a little family day. He seemed to really enjoy himself while opening presents and eating cake and ice cream- of course! So, in thinking about my little boy, I thought I would just mention some of the things that he is really into right now, along with some of his developmental achievements. He is such a funloving kid and makes us laugh every day! Darren is OBSESSED with cars, trucks, airplanes, helicoptors, tractors, construction vehicles, etc. - basically anything that "goes." He almost always has one in his hand, and points every single vehicle out wherever we go - and expects you to respond when he does so! He also loves balls, and has a very good arm when it comes to throwing them! He can throw them diagnally across a room, and from kitchen to dining room and vice versa, which involves throwing the ball up and over a wide countertop and the table! He also loves to play "fetch" with his balls. Another one of Darren's very favorite things to do is play any chasing game and wrestling with Daddy! He has so much energy, some days he is content just running laps around the couch! He keeps me very busy, but is so much fun!

Some of Darren's favorite foods are bananas (he asks for one first thing every morning!), macaroni and cheese, cheese, grapes, juice, milk, tomatoes, eggs, peanut butter, and anything sweet!

A lot of his words are still not very clear, but is adding more and more to his vocabulary every day! He has very definite periods where he is quite passionate about trying to tell me something, and honestly, I have a hard time understanding him at times.

Darren is so full of personality and is already quite the little charmer! He has a very animated face, and seems to be able to wrap people around his finger whenever he wants to! I love our little boy so much and am so glad that he is a part of our family! Here are a few pictures from his birthday.....

Anticipating more presents..... he had just opened his very first train set
His birthday cake. I had fun being creative!
Blue frosting is quite messy... and tasty!
Enjoying his cake!

Darren's new talent!

In the last week or so, Darren has discovered something new he can do with his his body. He learned how to go cross-eyed. It took us several tries to get it on camera, 'cause he never holds it very long (which is probably a good thing!). Everytime he does it, he seems to feel very proud of himself, and thinks it's funny! It's quite entertaining to watch him!

Baby's Quilt!

I started making a quilt for the baby a few months ago, and I finally finished it this weekend! Here are the pictures of what it looks like. But, don't examine it too closely, or you'll see all my mistakes! The first picture is the frontside, and the other is the back! Anyway, I think it turned out pretty cute, as long as I don't look too closely! It's all flannel and fleece, so it will be pretty soft for baby! I can't wait to wrap baby Joseph up in it!

So Spoiled!

On Thursday, I had a long day, and was exhausted, complained about everything and was pretty ornery that evening. Most of my emotional stuff was fueled by pregnancy hormones (meaning blown out of proportion), but that's beside the point. Anyway, Matt handled the situation very well. Unknown to me, he went into the bathroom, cleaned it, gathered a couple candles, a portable CD player, bubble bath, etc. Then he gently took me by the hand into the bathroom, and instructed me to take a nice long relaxing candlelight bubble bath while he took care of Darren and cleaned the house. Being ornery, I wasn't convinced that's what I wanted, but I have to confess that after I got in the tub, I changed my mind (of course). Gradually, my mood changed, I relaxed, and my thoughts turned to gratitude for having such a patient and thoughtful husband. He never got upset with me, or even showed that he was annoyed (though he must have been). Instead, he pampered me, and took care of everything that needed to be done that night with a great big smile on his face! I felt very spoiled and undeserving of the great love and tenderness he showed me that night. I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man! I love you, Matt!

Nap?!?!

Normally, Darren is really easy to put down for naps and bedtime. Today was definitely the exception though! I had just read him a story, and laid him down, tucked him in, kissed him, etc., and left his room and closed the door. I could hear him wiggling around a little bit and talking quietly, which happens sometimes for a few minutes before he actually falls asleep, so I didn't think much of it. Anyway, about 5 minutes later, Matt unexpectedly came home from work to grab a couple of things. Just as we start conversing, we hear a big CRASH! come from Darren's room, and then silence! Matt is closest to Darren's room at this point, so he runs over to the door to check and make sure everything's okay. He opens the door, I hear Darren say, "Oh No!" and Matt tells me to go grab the camera. By this point, I know there are no injuries, but my curiosity is definitely peaked! When I get to Darren's room with the camera, I see Darren sitting on top of the brand new dresser we just bought for the baby, with a broken picture on the floor (hence the crash we heard)! It's a fairly tall dresser for a kid his size- Darren can't even reach the top drawer! So, it scares me that he can climb up on top of it! I'm really glad that the dresser is very sturdy though. Anyway, we quickly got him down from the dresser, and picked up the picture, and then put him down for his nap...again! After a couple minutes of complaining, he did finally go to sleep! Thank goodness!

MMMMM! Cookie dough!

Last night, Matt decided he was going to make cookies. Of course, Darren wanted to help - more like help eat them! Anyway, Matt told him if he went and sat down, he could lick the beater. So, Darren plopped himself down right on the kitchen floor with his back against the wall, and went to town! The look on his face cracks me up, and check out the white knuckle grip he has on that beater! He was not about to give it up! He learns quick, and knows what's good! Just for the record, he took his pants and sock off all by himself, and wasn't about to let us put them back on.